Chapter 15 Don't Be Afraid, I'm Here

The next night, right at eight.

"One chocolate cone, please." Alice handed over the card Lester gave her, draining the last ten bucks on it.

She plopped down by the window in the ice cream shop, sneaking a peek at the towering Howard Group building. Snapping a pic of her with the ice cream, she captioned it: [Wonder what my blind date's gonna be like?] Then she tossed it up on Facebook.

Of course, she set it so only Henry could see.

Chocolate was kinda bitter, but compared to the crap she'd been through, it was almost sweet.

Alice licked her lips, satisfied, and dabbed the corners of her mouth with a napkin.

Her phone buzzed on the table. It was Lester.

She picked up, "What's up?"

"Don't be late or you'll make a bad impression on Mr. Johnson. Play nice and don't throw a fit."

Alice hung up and scoffed.

Play nice?

What kind of dad was Lester? More like a pimp, ready to toss her straight into Grant's bed.

She checked Facebook but nada from Henry.

She was betting Henry still cared.

Fifteen minutes later, with a deep breath, Alice got up and left the ice cream shop. She flagged down a cab to the agreed-upon Mystique Bar.

In the taxi, she watched the bustling streets, feeling a bitter irony in her heart.

Calling it a blind date was a joke. Who set up a blind date in a sleazy joint like this?

If it wasn't for trying to get closer to Henry, she wouldn't let the Savoy Family push her into meeting Grant's gross face here.

Soon, the cab pulled up at Mystique Bar.

After scanning the code to pay, just as Alice was about to hop out, the driver spoke up, "Miss, places like this are trouble. Go home early and don't get wasted!"

A stranger's concern warmed Alice's heart. She smiled, "Thanks, I'll be careful."

After getting out, her phone buzzed again.

She glanced at it; another message from Lester asking if she'd arrived.

She ignored it, put her phone on silent, and walked in.

Navigating through a dimly lit hallway filled with couples making out, Alice stood at the entrance of the dance floor, watching the crowd lost in heavy metal music. Her quiet purity was a stark contrast to the wild chaos around her.

She scanned the place and spotted Grant, making out with a barely-dressed woman on the second-floor railing.

She narrowed her eyes and headed up the stairs.

Meanwhile, in the Howard Group building's conference room.

Henry, sitting at the head of the table, pressed his lips together, looking seriously pissed.

He glanced at his watch; it was already seven.

It had been half an hour since he saw that Facebook post.

He opened Facebook and shot Alice a message: [Where are you?]

Less than a minute after sending it, it felt like a century had passed.

He rubbed his temples and strode out of the conference room with his long legs.

Ethan quickly followed.

The folks in the meeting were scratching their heads, but it was clear as day that Henry was seriously pissed off.

The car series design director, standing in front of the big screen, was clueless, wondering what he'd said to tick Henry off so bad.

Everyone shot him sympathetic looks, like, "Dude, you're toast."

In the private elevator.

Henry's stone-cold face made Ethan hold his breath.

"Where's she meeting Grant for this blind date?"

Ethan instantly knew "she" meant Alice and replied, "I'll find out right now."

As the car pulled out of the underground garage, Ethan got a text from his team: Alice and Grant were at Mystique Bar.

The phone screen lit up, casting a glow on Henry's chiseled profile. He pulled up Alice's number and dialed.

The call connected, but no one picked up.

Always the cool and collected type, Henry was now on edge. His handsome face was half-hidden in the neon lights, unreadable.

He kicked the car seat with his shiny leather shoe, "Step on it!"

Ethan was like, seriously? He was already pushing it in city traffic.

In a booth on the second floor of the bar.

Alice glared at the sleazy, red-haired Grant across from her. She slammed the dice cup on the table. "Guess!"

Grant scratched his head, annoyed, "Nine!"

Alice smirked and lifted the cup. "Sorry, three ones, three points. Drink up, Mr. Johnson!"

"Dammit, this is rigged! I've had fifteen drinks already!" Grant downed a cocktail in one gulp. "Again! I don't buy it!"

Alice saw the red dot on her watch screen had reached its destination. She dropped a white pill into her drink and downed it.

Then she put down the glass and turned to Grant. "Mr. Johnson, I can't keep you company any longer."

As she stood to leave, Grant, eyes bloodshot, grabbed her arm. "No, you're staying with me tonight! I'm the god of gambling, and I haven't won a single round!"

Alice tried to pull away, but Grant held on tight.

For a moment, she wanted to deck Grant, but she couldn't. She had to keep up the weak act!

As she struggled, her arm was suddenly freed, and she fell into a broad, warm chest, a faint, cool scent filling her nose.

She looked up at Henry, her eyes lighting up with joy and gratitude. "Uncle Henry."

Henry wrapped an arm around her and glared at Grant, "She's had too much. I'm taking her home."

Grant laughed, "Who the hell are you?"

People around quickly stepped in to support the drunken Grant, "Shut up, that's Henry!"

"Yeah, we can't mess with him."

"Mr. Johnson, let's go."

Amid the voices of persuasion, Grant shoved the people away. "Get lost! Who's Henry? No one's stopping me tonight."

He grabbed a bottle and smashed it on the marble table. With the sound of breaking glass, he pointed the sharp edge at Henry. "Alice is mine. If you try to take her, I'll kill you!"

Alice's eyes flashed with a murderous glint, her grip on Henry's shirt tightening.

Henry thought Alice was scared and gently patted her back. "Don't worry, I'm here."

He pulled Alice behind him, his eyes cold as ice as he said to Grant, "Go ahead, try it."

Drunk and out of his mind, Grant lunged at Henry with the broken bottle.