Chapter 53
I walked ahead, but Noah quickly caught up.
“Alice, I investigated. The butler was negligent, so he’s here to apologize.”
The butler approached. “Miss Alice, I was careless. I didn’t notice the defective supplies. I’m sorry. Don’t blame
Noah.”
Chloe emerged.“Alice, the butler’s old. It was a mistake. Don’t worry about it.”
I stood there, my expression distant and cold. They thought an apology would fix everything?
“That’s hilarious.’Old age,‘ but only Alice’s supplies were messed with? Yours were fine?” Andrew got out of a car parked nearby and started to rant.
Jack rolled down his window, his gaze intense.“Get in.”
I went to the car without hesitation. Noah hurried forward.“Wait, Alice. We sorted things out. Can you come
home?”
I shook off his hand.“No!”
“Alice, what do you need to be satisfied?”
Jack got out, his face cold, shoving Noah aside. “Need a mirror? To see your selfish face?”
“Selfish? I’m worried about her!”
“If you were worried about her, you wouldn’t have forced an apology before her exams. You think she’s throwing a tantrum because she rejected your apology. Her feelings are paramount. But you only care about clearing your name, not whether this affects her. That’s selfish.”
Noah was speechless. That wasn’t his intention.
“I just didn’t want Alice to misunderstand!”
Jack retorted, “Did you consider if she was ready to hear your explanation? What if it affected her exam? Is an apology so high and mighty? Does it absolve you of responsibility?”
Noah was silent.
Chloe interjected.“Noah just cares too much. He cares most about Alice, he would never hurt her!”
Andrew scoffed.“Ah, the stepsister. Playing the good girl? Apologizing one after another, making yourselves look good? Should I stab you, then apologize? Alice doesn’t care about your self–serving concern! Let’s go!”
I got into the car. Noah tried to intervene.“Alice, I didn’t mean it that way. I was just anxious.” He was afraid of losing me.
I looked at Noah, my tone calm.“I know. I’ll go back after the exams.”
Noah was confused. Why wasn’t I relieved? He couldn’t understand me anymore.
He nodded. “Okay. I wasn’t thoughtful enough. I’ll explain after your exams.”
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Even though he was reluctant, he didn’t stop me. Jack seemed powerful, and he wouldn’t risk affecting my exams. He was only backing down for me, not because he was afraid of Jack!
Chloe gritted her teeth. I actually left. Noah hadn’t stopped me!
She said casually, “Noah, Alice isn’t coming home for the exams. Ethan will be furious!”
“Enough!” Noah’s expression was cold.“If we keep quiet, Ethan won’t find out.”
Chloe looked uneasy.“Of course.” Without me at home, she couldn’t manipulate things easily.
I returned to the apartment.
Andrew grumbled, “What kind of people are they? Forcing an apology? Forcing her to accept it?” He initially thought the brothers were biased but now realized it was worse than that–they were blind!
I gave him water. “Don’t be mad. I’m not.”
“How can you not be mad?”
“I’m used to it. It’s always been like this.” My expression was calm.
Andrew clutched his chest.“Whoa, I can’t take it. I need a cigarette.”
Jack walked out with a fruit bowl, his fingers long and elegant. He placed it in front of me.“Eat vitamins. For your
brain.”
I blinked.“Why are you scolding me?”
“After the exams, are you going back?” He’d heard me say that.
I held the bowl.“To pack my things.”
Jack sat on the sofa.“Don’t be stupid.”
“I know. I won’t be soft, I won’t forgive them.” My gaze was firm.
The remaining exams went smoothly. After the final exam, I felt relieved. I’d endured so much.
Leaving the classroom, I met classmates discussing the exam, including Chloe.
The monitor said, “How did you do? I heard your writing might be affected, but if the content is okay, you won’t lose many points.”
Chloe said, feigning concern,“Alice, it’s okay even if you don’t do well.”
I raised an eyebrow.“I’ll still do better than you!”
Chloe’s face froze.“Alice, don’t be angry.”
“Even if I’m angry, I’ll still do better than you!”
The monitor stared, stunned. I was usually quiet. Though I’d changed lately, I’d rarely spoken this way. I’d become really sharp.
I turned and left, my posture relaxed. Chloe’s face turned red. I must have gone crazy!
Chloe looked at the monitor, feigning victimhood.“I was just concerned about her.”
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The monitor wasn’t polite. “Were you concerned, or were you trying to make fun of her? Only you know.”
“Yeah, who thought you were a good person? Only Alice, that fool, got bullied for years.”
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Chloe’s eyes welled up, but the monitor and classmates left, ignoring her. Alone, her gaze darkened. She hurried to catch up with Noah; he would definitely be here.
At the school gate, I saw a row of red sports cars with a banner:[Wishing Alice all the best!] This was over the top!
< Chapter 54
