Alice looked at Ethan with biting sarcasm. Ethan''s eyes flickered with guilt.“I know you''re upset, but I''llpensate you."


    "I don''t want yourpensation. You want me to grovel so you can benefit? Is that how easy it is?" Alice shoved him away and left.


    Lana Parker chimed in, "Those people were saying Alice cut ties with the family, but now that she''s useful, suddenly


    suddenly she''s family


    she''s family again. Do they think everyone''s stupid?" Ethan''s face darkened. By the time he turned around, Mrs. Garcia and Max were gone Alice had ruined his opportunity.


    Chloe spoke cautiously, "Brother, try to reconcile Alice with the Mos. It''ll look bad if it esctes." Ethan red at Chloe."Were you involved in this?"


    "Brother, what are you saying? I didn''t know; it was that girl." Chloe denied. any involvement. Ethan already suspected the truth. His tone was sharp."Mary and Alice are close. Don''t try any more tricks."


    "Brother, why are you ming Chloe? Alice has a bad temper; everyone dislikes her,” Finn defended Chloe, taking her hand.


    Chloe pulled away."Fifth Brother, our rtionship isn''t public yet. Let''s be careful. This is important to Brother." The Yates would be here tonight, possibly Garrett Yates, and Chloe didn''t want Garrett Yates to know about her and Finn.


    Ethan


    nodded. "Right.


    Binn


    released her


    Fifth


    hand."Chloe,


    Brother,


    be careful.


    with me


    to greet everyone.


    Tell me if Alice bullies you."


    "I will. Go ahead." Chloe was relieved; she could finally meet Garrett Yates. Finn was clingy, and she hadn''t had time to see Garrett Yates. She needed to keep things fresh with Garrett Yates.


    Chloe texted Garrett Yates.


    After Ethan and Finn left, Ethan sighed. “Fifth Brother, can you be nicer to Alice?" "Brother, Alice made Chloe suffer. Why should I be nice to her? Before, she was so obedient. Now, she''s like this. I wish she had died in that car ident."


    “Shut up! Alice is our sister. Bad rumors will hurt the Windham family." Ethan realized he needed to mend fences with Alice. Her close rtionship with Mary was too valuable to ignore. Finn didn''t respond; he didn''t care about Alice. He had Chloe now. A girl like Alice wasn''t a threat.


    But Ethan felt something was wrong, though he couldn''t pinpoint it.


    Meanwhile, Alice and Lana Parker circted, grabbing snacks.


    Lana Parkerughed. “Those people''s faces turned green when the video yed." Yeah, thanks to your quick thinking." Alice had noticed something off, but she pretended not to see Lana Parker subtly take out her phone. She knew Max would make a move. This was their chance for a decisive win.


    Alice said, “Everyone saw through it. The Mos will be theughingstock again." Max''s reputation for stupidity would only increase.


    95.2%


    Menu


    Lana Parker grinned."Serves them right! They kept bragging about their ''top socialite'' sister, even though the Wilson family didn''t acknowledge it. And they called you a homewrecker? Shameless!"


    Alice said, “Okay, we have more important things to do."


    "I know. I''ve been watching Chloe. She''s heading towards the entrance; the Yates are probably here."


    ‘Alice''s eyes turned cold. They had a ready-made weapon; they couldn''t pass this up.


    Soon, the party began. Alice and Lana Parker watched Mary, looking like a princess, walk out. She looked perfectlyposed. The dress was a good fit, but needed some improvements forfort.


    “Alice, you''re here too," Mrs. Wilson said, noticing Alice''s familiar dress. Alice felt a pang of awkwardness; the dress was a gift from Jack.


    Mrs. Wilson simply smiled."Are you alone? I heard the Windhams are here to announce their engagement to the Parkers."


    Alice pursed her lips."It''s not exactly good news."


    "Miss Windham, what''s wrong with the Parkers? This marriage is beneficial to your family."


    Julia arrived, acting as if nothing had happened.


    Alice red at her."Your sister falsely used me of theft, and now you pretend nothing happened? I admire the Mos'' audacity."


    Mrs. Wilson was surprised.“Your sister is really inappropriate.”


    Aunt Wilson, I just found out. It was Max''s friend. I''ll scold herter,” Julia said, her eyes turning old."The Parkers chose the Windhams after such a long search. Unexpected." This would elevate the Windhams. Mrs. Wilson smiled. “Good. Alice, you''ll stay in California. We''ll be friends. Let me know if need anything.” Julia''s expression softened.


    you


    Alice said helplessly, "Aunt Wilson..."


    "Don''t be so formal. I need to greet some friends. We''ll chatter." Mrs. Wilson patted Alice''s hand and left. Alice watched her go, hearing Julia''s voice."Aunt Wilson is being nice to prevent you from being with Jack. Don''t get the wrong idea.*


    Alice turned. "Are you jealous?" Seeing the top socialite''s breakdown felt good. Alice watched Mary on stage, worried. Mrs. Parker spoke, then looked at Ethan.“Let me introduce... Mr. Windham, Mary''s fiancé..."


    “We''re just good friends," Mary interrupted, looking at Ethan.“Mr. Windham and I are just friends."


    Ethan''s triumphant expression vanished, reced by furious anger. Did he really think he could get away with


    it?