Alice, meeting his intense gaze, caught her breath. Her eyshes fluttered. [Ju.....just friends.” Wasn''t that what he''d said? They were just friends. He saw her. a sister.


    Jack licked his teeth, standing up."[Let''s go."


    He walked ahead, his expression unreadable. Alice followed, keeping a distance. Garrett and John Wilson trailed behind; John Wilson was anxious, wanting to speak but held back by Garrett. Garrett whispered, "[Ancestor, stop it!]" This kid was like a husky; impossible to control. Don''t make things worse.


    John Wilson was curious. They''re not together?] Months had passed; his brother still hadn''t won her over? Pathetic!


    [Forget it. They''re impossible.]"


    "[Why?]"


    "[Because Alice is...]"


    Garrett stopped. John Wilson looked sincere."[Brother, my mouth is shut. I won''t say anything.]" Garrett looked at John Wilson, holding his face."[Where''d you get that confidence?]" He''d almost let something slip. John Wilson was curious. Did Alice have a hidden identity? Or was her background too ordinary to reveal? They walked out. Alice checked her phone; Chloe was asking where she was. She looked back.“[Pr go back to school. My friend''s waiting.]"


    John Wilson freed himself from Garrett.“[L...Little Lemon, I''m in Cloud City. Free for dinner this weekend?]" “[We''ll see. Maybe we can y games.]” Alice wanted to test if John Wilson was "that" person. She looked back; Jack was there. She lowered her gaze, saying nothing, and ran off.


    Jack watched her go, licking his lips, his expression deep. She was avoiding him? John Wilson rushed over, gossipy.“[Brother, you haven''t won her over yet? You''re terrible!]” Jack nced at him.“[Why did she want to y games with you?]"


    "[Because I''m good! I''ll support her at school; no


    her at school; no one will dare disrespect her!]"


    "[She doesn''t need you.]"


    Jack walked away. John Wilson was confused; Garrett pped him."[Can you be sensible? Why did invite Alice to y games?]"


    you


    “[I was assisting!]"


    “[You''re a hindrance!]” Jack looked upset.


    Garrett felt anxious about their rtionship. He hoped they''d be together but feared Alice discovering the truth.


    Alice and Chloe returned to school. Chloe was excited."[You were so cool saying you''d be at next


    52:7%


    year''s finals. We''re hyped!]"


    Yeah. Let''s work hard. We''ll have a chance. She''d reached the finals in her past life; this time, she could too.


    Alice was distracted, pondering Jack''s question about their rtionship. Wasn''t he the one who knew bea? Why ask?


    Back in the dorm, after showering, she saw the messages from Jack.


    "Only my girlfriend can check my phone.]?


    Are you sure you want to check?"


    She saw Jack''s face. What did he mean? He took a bad picture and then used those lines? After confronting the Windhams, she felt good, but now...


    Annoyed, she turned off her phone. That jerk.


    After the finals, social media exploded. The Ballers had many fans; John Wilson was popr handsome and from a good family. But his family background wasn''t publicly known; rumors only suggested wealth. Alice had only learned the truth from Luke''s father in her past life. The next day, Garrett Yates confronted Alice.“[Alice, didn''t I warn you not to bother Chloe? You think Melody Garcia''s apology gives you free rein?]”


    Alice, impatient, walked toward him; he retreated.“"[I warn you! The Yates family won''t forgive you if you hit me!]"


    Alice stared at him; he ran off. Such a coward!


    Feeling embarrassed, Garrett Yates called Garrett.“[Cousin, did you contact thewyer''s office?


    You want a beating? Dare to order me around?!“]


    "[Cousin, I''m worried! I talked to Alice, and she almost hit me. She hit me in A-City. You don''t remember?]”


    “[You''re still not learning! A woman hit you! Shameful!]”


    Garrett felt a headache."[Garrett Yates, don''t touch Alice!]"


    "[Cousin, is Alice your woman? You defended her in A-City.]"


    "[Mind your own business. Don''t say I didn''t warn you.]*


    Garrett hung up, but Garrett Yates thought more about it. Garrett was protective of Alice; maybe he had feelings for her. This was bad.


    Back in the ssroom, Chloe looked expectantly at Garrett Yates.“[What happened?]”


    "[I scolded Alice, but she''s stubborn."


    Garrett Yates omitted the fact that he''d run away.


    [Can you prevent Alice from hiring awyer?]"


    Chloe noticed Luke''s father was distant, likely still upset. Luke and Luke ignored her. She needed Garrett Yates''s help; if Alice couldn''t find awyer, Luke would be safe. If Luke was okay, she had a chance with him.


    Garrett Yates was embarrassed.“[It''s not a big deal, but my mom would find out. She''d dislike you.]”


    52 79


    Chacher as


    Chloe was disappointed but acted understanding. “[I understand. Mom shouldn''t find out.]” A bad impression would ruin her chances with the Gus!


    Melody Garcia snorted. You can''t handle this, Garrett Yates? You''re useless!" Garrett Yates felt embarrassed. “You''re not useless. Why did you apologize to Alice?]" "Alice had something on me. I can''t cause trouble; my sister is negotiating an engagement with a prominent figure in the Capital''s elite circle. The Garcias can''t afford a scandal! I can make sure Alice can''t find awyer! It''s easy!"


    Chloe was relieved.


    Garrett Yates looked at Chloe.[Alice has a new boyfriend, right?] Why was Garrett so protective?


    “[No. She''s still involved with that school doctor.]”


    Garrett Yates''s face changed."[Hisst name is Wilson? Is he Wilson Chenqian?] A bad feeling crept over


    him.