Alice, meeting his intense gaze, felt her breath catch. Her eyshes fluttered.“[Just...just friends.]" Wasn''t that what he''d said? They were just friends. He only saw her as a sister, Jack licked his teeth, standing.“[Let''s go.]"


    He walked ahead, his face impassive. Alice followed, keeping a distance. Garrett and John Wilson trailed behind; John Wilson was anxious to speak but was restrained by Garrett. Garrett whispered, “[Ancestor, stop it!]" This kid was like a hyperactive dog. Don''t make things


    worse.


    John Wilson was intensely curious.“[They''re really not together?]" Months had passed, and his brother hadn''t won her over yet? Terrible!


    “[Forget it. They''re impossible.]”


    "[Why?]"


    "[Because Alice is...]"


    Garrett stopped. John Wilson looked sincere.“[Brother, my lips are sealed. I won''t say anything.]” Garrett looked at John Wilson, holding his face. “[Where did you get that confidence?]" This kid had the loosest lips. He''d almost let something slip.


    John Wilson was curious. Did Alice have a hidden identity? Or was her background too ordinary?


    They walked out. Alice checked her phone; Chloe was asking where she was. She looked back."[I''ll 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


    was "that" person.


    She looked back; Jack was there. She lowered her gaze, saying nothing, and ran.


    Jack watched her go, his tongue pressing against his cheek, 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


    I''ll support her at school; no one will disrespect her!]"


    "[She doesn''t need you.]"


    Jack walked away. John Wilson was confused; Garrett pped him."[Can''t 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


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    year''s finals. We''re hyped!]"


    Aer


    "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, thinking about Jack''s question. Wasn''t he the one who knew best? Why ask?


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


    “[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 used those lines? After confronting the Windhams, she''d felt good. 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 hit me!]"


    you


    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?]"


    “[Looks like you haven''t learned. 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. Remember what I said.]"


    Garrett hung up, but Garrett Yates suspected something. 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.]" Chloe was disappointed but acted understanding.“[I understand. Mom shouldn''t find out.]” A bad


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    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 Wilson?]* A bad feeling crept over him.


    Chloe nodded, surprised.“[What? Why are you asking?]"


    Did Garrett Yates have feelings for Alice? She''d taken him from her. Her only hope was marrying into the Yates family and having a son; Alice couldn''t steal her chance. Chloe said sourly,"[Are you interested in Alice


    again?]"


    “[Alice''s a violent Alicetic! I''d be blind to like her. But that doctor''s full name.....and he''s a member of Wilson


    family!]"


    Garrett''s cousin was helping; was the doctor rted to the Wilsons? His cousin was close to the Capital''s Prince Charming. Maybe there was a connection.


    Chloe said, “[I don''t know his full name, but I can ask my ssmates.]” Melody Garcia scoffed.“[Garrett Yates, I know what you''re thinking. It''s impossible.]*


    "[I''m just curious.]"


    "[Alice''s a nobody. She has no chance with the Wilsons. It''s a coincidence.]"


    Chloe understood.“[That''s right. If he''s from the Wilson family, he wouldn''t be a poor school doctor. He barely makes enough to live on. He''s living off Alice''s credit card.]*


    “[Maybe I''m overthinking it.]”


    Garrett Yates agreed. There were many Wilsons.


    Garrett Yates would regret this soon enough.


    Melody Garcia took out her phone."[My favorite actor''s new drama! So handsome!]" Chloe saw it."[My fourth brother''s drama is finally out!]”


    "[Your fourth brother?]"


    Chloe nodded. "[Yes, Caleb. We''re close; he said he''d help me get into entertainment.]" Melody Garcia''s attitude softened."[When can we have dinner with him? I like him.]” Lu Caleb was her type.


    Chloe readily agreed."[No problem! He''s been filming. Now that the drama is out, he''ll be back soon.]"


    Seeing Melody Garcia happy, Chloe felt better. Because of Alice, Melody Garcia had disliked her.


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    But now Melody Garcia was a fan of her brother; this was good. With her brother''s wouldn''t worry.


    support,


    she


    She had to be careful; Alice couldn''t drive a wedge between her and her brothers. She needed the Windhams


    to help her marry into the Yates family


    Alice received a message from Maple Leaf:"[Meeting at 3 pm.]"


    Alice replied: "[Received.]"


    The team lead texted her: "[You''re free this afternoon?]"


    "[Yes. I''ll be there.]”


    As apany member, she''d attend. After the giarism incident, even though the Windhams were


    disqualified, rumors were circting.


    Alice told Chloe,"[Going to thepany. Tell me if anything happens at school.]" "[Okay. But we need to find sponsors for the team. We can''t keep using your money. The tickets cost a lot.]”


    A million wasn''t much.


    Alice nodded.“[I''ll find sponsors. At the industry gathering.”


    She''d announced Cloud University''s entry into the finals. Maybe a sponsor would invest! Alice went to Maple


    Leaf. The tech team was already there, but they stopped talking when she arrived; their expressions were


    strange.


    Alice asked, "[What''s wrong?]"


    The team lead said, "[Alice, did you hear that someone toldwyers not to take our case?]" What? Alice thought of Luke''s father, but he didn''t have that much influence in the legal field. Was it his fiancée?


    Alice said, "[I don''t know.]"


    "[Don''t worry. The boss will handle it.]"


    Everyone knew Alice was Luke''s father''s sister, but her family was biased, forcing her to leave home and


    work.


    Alice felt uneasy. Without awyer, they''d lose.


    “[Alice, the boss is here.]”


    Alice saw Garrett, with Jack behind him. She remembered Jack had resigned and was working here.


    texted her: "[Spacing out?]"


    Jack looked at Alice, noticing her distraction. He texted


    Alice silenced her phone, seeing Jack''s message. She looked at him and replied:"[Delete my photo.]"


    "[Already deleted.]"


    Alice red at him; she didn''t believe him.


    After Garrett''s presentation, he asked, “[Anything else?]"


    else?]"__ ?


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    [Mr. Yates,wyers are refusing our case because of someone in the legal field.]"


    Really?] Garrett was surprised. He hadn''t worried about this. “[I''ve found awyer. Don''t worry. Meeting


    adjourned.]"


    Alice wasst to leave. Jack said, “[Worried about that?]”


    [Yes. My brother is ruthless. This isn''t surprising.]"


    Garrett smiled."[Don''t worry. We''ll win.]"


    Jack changed the subject."[Have they decided who''s taking the me?]" They''d heard Alice''s proposal.


    Alice was about to answer when her phone rang.


    She looked at the number."[Speaking of the devil...]”


    She answered on speakerphone.“[Mr. Windham, you called. You''ve decided to take the me, right?]”


    Luke''s father was speechless. That brat! How dare she talk to him like that?