Alice was taken aback by Julia Garcia''s words.


    She smiled."Miss Garcia, I know who my boyfriend is.” Jack''s character didn''t need anyone''s judgment.


    Julia Garcia hesitated, wanting to reveal the truth but stopping herself. She couldn''t simply tell Alice his identity; it wouldn''t be fair. Any woman finding out her boyfriend was the Tremaine heir would be ecstatic, making it harder for Alice to let go-not the oue Julia Garcia wanted.


    Alice watched Julia Garcia''s changing expression. “What are


    expression. “What are you trying to say?" "Nothing. I was meddling." Julia Garcia''s eyes held malice. Since the foundation incident hadn''t hurt Alice, she needed another approach.


    They exited the elevator and headed in the same direction, stopping at the same private room. Julia Garcia looked surprised. "You''re here too?*


    "Yes, what a coincidence. Are you here to see Mrs. Chen too?"


    "Yes."


    Julia Garcia entered; Alice followed, seeing Ethan and a distinguished woman–Mrs.


    Chen-seated. Lewis and Chloe were probably still outside.


    Julia Garcia went to Mrs. Chen; Alice remained where she was.


    Ethan approached Alice."Go say hello."


    Alice whispered, "What does Mrs. Chen want?"


    Nothing. She wants to meet you. Just offer a toast. Look at Miss Garcia." Ethan sighed. "You''re so strong at home, but you''re timid here?"


    Alice felt ufortable with his fawning


    his fawning attitude. Her eyes were sarcastic.


    Ethan realized something and fell silent.


    Mrs. Chen looked at Alice."This is Ms. Alice. It''s a pleasure to meet you.


    Alice raised her ss."Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Chen."


    "I didn''t expect Ms. Alice and Garrett to be so close. He hasn''t mentioned it." Mrs. Chen sounded probing. Garrett had called, asking her to help Alice and not interfere. He wasn''t usually so helpful. Did he like Alice?


    Alice replied calmly,"Garrett and I are friends.” She said nothing more to avoid involving Jack.


    Mrs. Chen was unhappy; Alice hadn''t revealed anything.


    Julia Garcia sensed the tension."Mrs. Chen, Ms. Alice is straightforward, as Mrs. Wilson said."


    "Mrs. Wilson knows Ms. Alice?"


    "Yes, she endorsed Ms. Alice''s club membership. Mrs. Wilson likes Ms. Alice. But at the club, she was tricked by the supplier and expelled from our charity. Now that the supplier''s scandal is out, we realized Ms. Alice was innocent."


    Mrs. Chen was surprised that Mrs. Wilson had interceded. Because of Mrs. Wilson, she didn''t trouble Alice. Mrs. Chen looked at Ethan.“Your sister is resourceful. So many people are helping her. Why did


    77.35


    84.0%


    you invite me to dinner?"


    Ethan was embarrassed. “Mrs. Chen, my sister is young and doesn''t understand...” “Since Mrs. Wilson is involved, I should greet her. Enjoy your meal.” Mrs. Chen left with Julia


    Garcia.


    Only Ethan and Alice remained.


    Ethan stared at Alice, incredulous.“I didn''t expect your rtionship with Garrett to be so close. Mrs. Wilson even sent Miss Garcia to intercede. He realized he''d underestimated his sister.


    Alice was calm.“If you''re done, I''ll leave.” She didn''t want to exin.


    "Alice, wait!" Ethan was anxious but softened."Alice, we''re family. No one will me the Lands. Why are you targeting Chloe?"


    Alice''s eyes turned cold. "The conditions for not pursuing charges against Chloe are clear." Ethan had to admit in front of Lewis that he''d avoided responsibility for the amputation by not answering the phone.


    “Alice, must you humiliate me? I''m your brother! Do I need to apologize to my brother?" Ethan was proud, especially in front of his siblings. Admitting it would ruin his authority. Jack burst in, pushing Ethan aside.“You avoided responsibility, ming Alice for years. carried that burden. How shameless are you?"


    Jack''s words were sharp.


    She


    Ethan mumbled, "You''re an outsider. You can''t interfere in our family matters.”


    "He''s not an outsider;“you” are,” Alice said, defending Jack.


    Ethan raged,“Alice, don''t think your connections change your status. If you weren''t the Land heiress, Garrett


    or Mrs. Wilson wouldn''t care about you." Alice was getting too arrogant.


    Jack said coldly, "Even if you tried, they wouldn''t care about you."


    Ethan''s face turned red.


    Alice held Jack''s hand."Lewis''s problem is solved. But I''ll still pursue the foundation matter." She wouldn''t let Chloe off easily. Bringing Lewis back wouldn''t change the oue.


    Ethan broke down.“Alice, must you humiliate me?”


    Jack threw a ss.“When you made Alice, a child, decide on the amputation, did you think about your reputation? You''re shameless!"


    Alice said, "I carried that burden for years; now it''s your turn." She had to get even. Ethan always favored Chloe; now she was forcing him to do something he didn''t


    1. to.


    Alice left with Jack. She leaned on him. “Why did youe? Weren''t you worried?"


    "Yes, I was worried you''d be bullied." After calling Garrett, Jack hade looking for Alice; Mrs. Chen had already left.


    “No one bullied me. Mrs. Chen only said a few things."


    The elevator opened, and Alice saw three women: Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Chen, and Julia Garcia.