Chapter 2 Conspiracy

The door was slightly open, just enough to see inside.

Alice sat on the cold tile floor, water dripping from her hair. Her face was pale, like a scared deer.

"What happened?" Henry stepped into the bathroom, bending down to help her up.

Alice looked up, her wet hair sticking to her cheeks. Water droplets slid down her face, washing away the heavy makeup, revealing a clean and delicate face.

Henry's hand froze in mid-air, and he was stunned.

The Alice before him had features like a painting, skin as fair as snow, and eyes clear and bright, like stars scattered across the night sky.

Was this really the same Alice who always wore heavy makeup and acted so cautiously around him?

"I slipped," Alice's voice had a hint of unnatural coyness, as if trying to hide something.

Henry snapped out of it and quickly helped her up. His hand touched her cold skin, and he frowned slightly. "Are you hurt?"

Alice shook her head but leaned softly into his arms. "No, just got a little scared."

Henry's body stiffened. He wanted to push her away, but she clung to his clothes like a frightened kitten, making it hard for him to refuse.

In the next room, Oliver was holding Clara.

"Oliver, do you think that bitch Alice will get burned to death this time?" Clara's voice was filled with undisguised glee.

Oliver looked impatient. "Who cares? It'd be better if she did."

"But I heard there's a video of the kidnapping," Clara's eyes gleamed with mischief.

"What video? Who did it?" Oliver's voice rose sharply, his expression changing.

"I don't know, just heard the kidnappers filmed Alice's disgrace to blackmail the Howard and Savoy families," Clara feigned innocence.

Oliver's expression darkened. "Damn it! If this gets out, my reputation will be ruined. I need to check this out!"

"Good idea, go see if that bitch is dead yet," Clara's smile widened.

In the private ward, Henry helped Alice onto the bed and covered her with a blanket.

"Get some rest. I have things to do," Henry's voice was emotionless.

Alice's eyes dimmed, her voice dropping. "You're leaving?"

Henry nodded. "Yes, I'll have someone protect you."

"But…" Alice grabbed his shirt, her grip so tight her knuckles turned white. "I'm scared."

Henry paused, looking back at her.

Alice gazed at him with pleading eyes, like an abandoned animal, making it hard not to comfort her.

"Henry, can you stay with me?"

Henry almost agreed, but his rational side prevailed. "I have a lot to handle. Rest well, I'll find out what happened soon."

He pulled his shirt free and left.

Alice watched him go, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.

Henry had just stepped out when he bumped into a nurse carrying a tray of medicine.

"Mr. Howard, I was just about to change the patient's bandages," the nurse said respectfully.

Henry nodded. "Thanks."

He said nothing more and walked away.

The nurse entered the room and approached the bed. "Miss, it's time to change your bandages."

Alice lay still, eyes closed, as if asleep.

The nurse gently nudged her. "Miss? Miss?"

Alice didn't respond.

The nurse sighed and began changing her hospital gown.

Alice's eyelids fluttered slightly, like a butterfly's wings.

She didn't open her eyes, silently feeling the nurse's movements, her mind calculating.

She knew Henry wouldn't let this go.

She needed to seize every opportunity to make him care more and more about her, unable to let her go.

Oliver and Clara entered the room.

"This isn't Alice, is it? What, still not burned to death yet?" Clara's voice was sharp and mocking.

Alice kept her eyes closed, pretending not to hear.

Oliver frowned. "Enough, don't say that. She's pitiful enough as it is."

"Pitiful? What's pitiful about her? She's a jinx, killed her own mother, and turned our family upside down!" Clara's disdain was evident.

"Alright, stop it," Oliver clearly didn't want to stay. "Let's go."

They turned and left, their footsteps fading away.

Alice slowly opened her eyes, her gaze as cold as a blade.

She thought to herself, 'Oliver, Clara, just wait. I'll make you pay, double.'

In the hallway, Henry suddenly stopped and looked back at the ward.

He always felt that something was off, as if a stone was weighing on his heart, making him feel uneasy.He turned abruptly and headed back to the ward.

"Mr. Howard, why are you going back?" Ethan followed in confusion.

Henry didn't answer, quickening his pace.

He pushed open the ward door and saw the nurse changing Alice's bandages.

Alice's eyes were still closed, her breathing steady, as if asleep.

Henry stood by the bed, looking down at her.

Her face was pale, lips cracked, looking extremely weak.

But he felt she was hiding something as if she was acting.

Alice's hand clutched the blanket, veins standing out.

Henry's gaze fell on her hand.

Her nails were neatly trimmed, clean, but there was a trace of black ash in her nail beds, barely noticeable.

It was ash from the warehouse firewood!

Henry's eyes darkened, like a storm brewing beneath a calm sea.

He turned and strode out, his presence icy.

"Mr. Howard, where are we going?" Ethan asked cautiously.

"Find out what Alice did in the warehouse this afternoon. Don't miss a single detail!" Henry's voice was as cold as ice.

Alice sensed Henry leaving and slowly opened her eyes, a triumphant smile on her face.

She tugged at her hospital gown, a playful curve to her lips.

The show was just beginning.

"Henry, this is just the start. I'll make you fall into my trap, step by step, willingly loving me."

The air was filled with her low, crazed whispers.