As Alice reached the door, Ethan followed.


    "Alice, stop!"


    "Your words don''t hold weight. I have no reason to stay. Alice showed no respect. Ethan''s face tightened."I must have misheard. I misunderstood about who hit you." If Alice left, what would happen with Caleb and Luke Luke? He couldn''t bear the responsibility. Alice smirked. “Did you mishear, or did someone deliberately mislead you?"


    Ethan''s voice softened. "Does it matter?"


    "It matters! You always glossed over things, but I''m not tolerating it anymore. We need to rify.” Caleb pulled Chloe forward. He red at her.“Repeat what you told Big Brother." Chloe nervously looked at Ethan. "Big Brother, I... I didn''t say Alice hit


    Ethan.“Big me.” Ethan felt uneasy. While Chloe hadn''t explicitly med Alice, her tone implied it.


    He said to Alice, "I misheard. Is that better?"


    "Brother, since you misheard, apologize to Alice." Noah stepped forward. "You assumed Alice was wrong. That''s


    your fault. Alice suffered because of our assumptions. Don''t let it happen again."


    Ethan was reluctant. He was the eldest brother; why should he apologize?


    Chloe saw Ethan''s hesitation. "Big Brother is Big Brother. It''s my fault. I misled him. I''ll apologize."


    Ethan felt relieved; he''d been prejudiced against Chloe.


    As Chloe approached Alice, Alice pped her. Chloe was stunned.


    Alice rubbed her wrist."Since you apologized, it''s your fault. The p is for your own good."


    Chloe screamed, "For my good?"


    “Yes. Your vague statements cause misunderstandings. I''m helping you. Be grateful.” Alice helped Chloe up, saying sweetly, "Don''t speak vaguely. I don''t want to hit you again."


    Chloe felt a chill run down her spine. This Alice was more intimidating. What was she up to? She looked at Ethan.“Big Brother!"


    Ethan coughed."Alice''s right. She helped you up; she wants to get along Chloe was furious. Alice''s actions showed no sign of reconciliation. But she didn''t dare argue. Alice deliberately wiped her hands on Chloe''s clothes. Chloe''s head swam with rage. Alice was pretending to reconcile to take everything.


    They returned to the dining hall. The butler approached."Sir, shall we serve dinner?"


    Alice''s


    gaze hardened


    upon seeing him. He was in San Francisco.


    The butler, noticing her stare, avoided her eyes.


    At the table, Chloe went to pull out a chair when Alice sat down. Thank Chloe said angrily, "That''s my seat!"


    Is it? I prefer this seat." Alice refused to move.


    you!"


    75.8%


    Caleb said, “Chloe, Alice''s just returned. Be amodating."


    Noah added,"Any seat is fine. Chloe, sit here."


    Chloe burst into tears. She used to steal Alice''s seat, and her brothers would defend her. Now, it was her turn.


    Ethan remained silent. Chloe reluctantly moved, feeling humiliated.


    Alice noticed Chloe''s resentment. Perfect.


    The butler served the meal. Alice dropped her chopsticks. "Butler, what''s wrong with the kitchen? This food is awful. Don''t you wee me back?”


    The butler retorted, “Miss Windham, the chef prepared these dishes."


    "I find them inedible." Alice gaze was sarcastic. "You''re ipetent. We need a new butler.”


    Chloe intervened. “But the butler has worked here for over ten years. Everyone''s used to him. Why rece him?"


    "He changed the door code and altered Mom and Dad''s belongings. He''s unsuitable." Alice was firm."I don''t want to see him."


    Ethan looked to Noah.


    Noah said, "If Alice doesn''t like him, let''s rece him. He''s worked here for ten years. He can return home. Brother, what do you think?"


    Ethan considered it a trivial matter. Before, he would''ve made Alice yield. But now, angering her meant another conflict.


    He nodded. "Fine."


    "Brother, don''t send the butler away!” Chloe panicked.


    Ethan was impatient."Chloe, be reasonable. He''s from our hometown; it''s best for him to return.” “But he''s like family! I don''t want him to leave~” She clung to Ethan, hoping for his sympathy. He pushed her away.“Do as Second Brother says." It was just a butler.


    Noah said to Chloe, "If you can''t bear to part with him, go back to our hometown with him. Chloe fell silent; she didn''t want to go home. Without the butler, she couldn''t manipte things. The new servants were all fawning over Alice, ignoring her.


    Chloe ate little, her face sullen. Alice, however, enjoyed her meal, fueled by Chloe''s misery. After dinner, Ethan said, “Since you''ve reconciled, drop the charges and rify things publicly.”


    "No rush.


    rush. Slowly." Alice wouldn''t blindly obey; Ethan would likely renege. She left the dining room. Ethan put down his chopsticks. "Alice''s temper is getting worse. Chloe, avoid her!"


    Chloe ached with anger. She''d deal with Alice tonight. Otherwise, how could she stay?