Alice hadn''t expected to run into them at the elevator. The atmosphere became tense; everyone''s expressions wereplex.


    Julia Garcia was surprised; she hadn''t expected to be caught so quickly. It would have been fine if it were just her and Mrs. Wilson, as they knew who Alice was, but Mrs. Chen was different. This was bad


    Mrs. Chen was shocked. She saw Alice and Jack holding hands and sensed their rtionship. With the failed engagement between the Tremaines and Mos, and rumors of Jack having a girlfriend, Mrs. Chen was curious but hadn''t investigated, fearing Jack. She never expected it to be the Land heiress!


    Mrs. Chen looked at Jack, now she understood why Garrett had called; it was Jack''s doing. Mrs. Chen started to speak to Jack, but Mrs. Wilson interrupted. “You were going for a facial, right? We''re running out of time, let''s go." Mrs. Wilson seemed flustered; she rushed towards the elevator.


    Alice and Jack stepped aside. Jack''s expression was unreadable; he looked at his stepmother, unsure of her intentions. He''d expected her to trouble Alice, but she''d been surprisingly kind.


    Jack had nned to confess his identity to Alice, but his stepmother hadn''t said anything.


    Mrs. Wilson was agitated; she didn''t look at Jack or Alice. Mrs. Chen was curious but silent. Julia Garcia was anxious; she didn''t want Alice to know Jack''s identity yet. Despite theirplex emotions, no one spoke.


    Once the elevator doors closed, Mrs. Wilson rxed. Exiting the elevator, she said to Mrs. Chen,“Please keep this a secret."


    Mrs. Chen looked at Julia Garcia."That girl is no match for Julia.*


    "I know, but it''splicated." Mrs. Wilson looked at Julia Garcia with guilt.“I wanted you to be my daughter- inw, but no one can change Jack''s mind. You''re not young anymore; consider dating other eligible men." She knew Jack didn''t like Julia Garcia.


    "Auntie Wilson, did I do something wrong?" Julia Garcia panicked; without Mrs. Wilson''s support, she and Jack had no chance.


    “No, you''ve been wonderful. But Jack and Alice are impossible. Besides me, the matriarch wouldn''t approve.” Mrs. Wilson left, troubled.


    Mrs. Chenforted Julia Garcia. “They''re from different social circles. If the Tremaines don''t approve, Miss Garcia still has opportunities. Men are practical when ites to marriage." Julia García forced a smile. But she sensed something was off. If Mrs. Wilson disliked Alice, why was she so kind to her? This was contradictory. She needed to find out what was happening. Upstairs, Alice looked at Jack."Do you know Julia Garcia?"


    Jack''s heart sank."Yes."


    “Remember when we had the car ident? She brought you food, saying your mother sent it." Alice hadn''t questioned it before, but now things were different.


    Jack nodded. “My mother sent her, but I don''t have a close rtionship with her." Alice understood. Julia Garcia also knew Garrett; they were probably friends.


    84.3%


    Menu


    Back in the room, Alice continued eating. Jack was restless, thinking about the encounter. He was relieved Mrs. Wilson hadn''t revealed his identity.


    Alice finished eating. Jack hesitated. “What are you thinking?”


    “A friend of mine is having some trouble.”


    "What happened?" Alice thought it might be Garrett.


    "He''s rich, but he''s hiding his identity from his girlfriend, and he''s unsure whether to reveal it.”


    "In that case, I suggest breaking up," Alice said seriously.


    Jack''s face paled.“Break up? What if he doesn''t want to?"


    "If he doesn''t want to break up, why wasn''t he honest from the start? Couples should be honest. He hid his identity because he was worried she was after his money, right?”


    "No, it''s not that." Jack was flustered; he''d never been this nervous.


    "Then why?” Jack couldn''t tell Alice the real reason.


    Alice leaned closer.“Jack, something''s off.” Jack was sweating.


    Alice


    narrowed her eyes. "You''re defending this friend SO much; is it you?"


    Jack couldn''t speak.


    Aliceughed."Just kidding. I think it''s Garrett.”


    Jack was sweating; should he confess now? But Alice had suggested breaking up. He didn''t want to break up! He had to find a solution. He''d talk to Garrett.


    Alice checked the time.“Let''s go; it''s gettingte.”


    They left Pear Garden.


    Alice saw Lewis and Chloe outside. "You''re still here?"


    Chloe''s face contorted with anger. They''d been left out for so long, probably because of Alice. Lewis was furious.“Alice, did you say something to Big brother? He hasn''te out and won''t answer our calls."


    “Ask Ethan. Why ask me?” Alice guessed Ethan had done it intentionally; he likely disliked them. Chloe said aggrievedly, “Alice, I know you''re upset, but this dinner was important for the foundation. You deliberately caused trouble. If the foundation gets in trouble, you''ll regret it." She''d heard Mrs. Chen would be there. Impressing Mrs. Chen was crucial for her advancement, but she couldn''t even enter Pear Garden. It was all Alice''s fault. Alice was preventing her fromworking with Mrs. Chen.


    Lewis grabbed Alice''s hand. "You have to take Chloe and me inside, or you''re not leaving!" He couldn''t break his promise to Chloe.


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