Chapter 31 That Night Was a Mistake

Alice spun around and spotted a guy in black, mask on, charging at her with a bottle of some liquid.

Her eyes flashed coldly, and she balled her hands into fists.

Out of nowhere, she saw someone darting towards them. The figure moved like lightning, jumped, and kicked the masked guy right in the shoulder, sending him flying into the bushes.

A nasty smell filled the air as the guy started wailing, "Help! It hurts!"

Alice looked a bit shocked as an angry Henry came up. He grabbed her shoulders, panic in his eyes. "You okay?"

Alice hesitated for a second at Henry's worried tone.

"What's wrong?" He started to pat her head but stopped himself.

"Uncle Henry, what are you doing here?"

"Just passing by. You hurt?"

Alice shook her head, still in shock. "No."

Just then, Ethan rushed over. "Mr. Howard, the bottle had concentrated sulfuric acid. The guy's face and hands are all messed up."

"Did you call the cops?"

Ethan nodded. "Yeah, I did." Then he noticed Henry's back. "Mr. Howard, looks like your back injury's worse."

Alice quickly moved behind Henry and saw blood soaking through his white shirt. "You're bleeding again. Let's head back to Bluewater Bay; we've got a first aid kit at home."

Ethan added, "Yeah, Mr. Howard, you need to go to the police station later. Better treat the wound first."

Henry nodded, grabbed the car keys from Ethan, and left with Alice.

At home, Alice kicked off her shoes and ran barefoot to grab the first aid kit.

Seeing her bare feet, Henry picked up a pair of pink slippers and handed them to her. "Put these on."

Alice nodded and slipped them on, her tanned toes looking cute. "Uncle Henry, sit on the sofa and take off your shirt."

Henry sat down, legs apart, and started unbuttoning his shirt, revealing his chiseled chest and abs.

He tossed the shirt aside.

A palm-sized burn marked his back.

The bright red burn on his tanned skin was shocking. Alice frowned, feeling guilty.

If she hadn't planned that fire, he wouldn't be burned.

If she hadn't planned that night, he wouldn't have gotten wet, and his wound wouldn't be infected.

If he hadn't saved her tonight, his wound wouldn't be worse.

Even though his words hurt her yesterday, she still felt heartbroken for him.

Alice opened the first aid kit, took out a cotton swab dipped in iodine, and gently cleaned his wound. "I'm sorry," she said softly.

Henry glanced at her guilty face. "Sorry for what?"

"For getting you hurt."

"It's not your fault."

Alice's eyes reddened as she took out some ointment. She unscrewed the cap and gently applied it to the bright red wound.

The cool ointment eased the pain, and Alice's gentle touch brought a tingling itch.

Henry's body tensed, his voice a bit hoarse. "That's enough."

Alice quickly pulled her hand back and put the first aid kit away. "I washed the shirt you left last time. I'll get it." She went into the bedroom.

When she came back, she had a white shirt. "Uncle Henry, here you go."

Henry took it and slowly put it on.

"Uncle Henry, did you eat the cake?"

"No, I don't like sweets."

"Is it that you don't like sweets, or you don't like the person who made them?"

Without any expression, he lowered his eyes. "Doesn't matter."

Alice forced a smile. "It matters to me. I don't want to ruin your taste for sweets. Honestly, the cake I made is just as good as the store-bought ones. I use top-notch ingredients, so it's not cheap."

As soon as she said it, Alice regretted it. She knew Henry thought that way.

"I never thought that way," Henry said flatly.

'But You had said it before!'

Alice chuckled lightly. "Uncle Henry, I know you have everything, so I wanted to make something myself to show my gratitude. Thanks for making sure Sarah and the others got what they deserved."

"I didn't do it for you. Wesley deceived me and crossed the line."

Alice, squatting in front of him, looked up. "But I deceived you too, yet you keep saving me. Can I take that to mean you're willing to bend your rules for me?"

Alice's skin was delicate, her eyebrows long and slender, her eyes clear and bright, and her slightly parted red lips were tempting.

Henry turned his head and stood up, buttoning his cuffs. "I don't bend my rules for anyone. I only helped you because you're about the same age as Ophelia."

Alice slowly stood up, her voice full of disappointment. "I understand."

Henry suddenly asked, "Did you go on a date with Rupert?" Worried she might misunderstand, he added, "I saw him post a photo in the group."

Alice blinked. "I just ran into him at the Howard Group's entrance. I owed him a favor, so I treated him to a meal."

Henry's hands paused as he adjusted his shirt collar, and he looked at her. "Choosing who to be with is your business, but I hope you're a faithful girl. And I must remind you, Rupert's had many ex-girlfriends, none lasting more than a month. This time, he seems more serious, so you can test him for a while."

Alice suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed down. Her eyelashes trembled as she asked, "Do you really not mind at all if I'm with him?"

Their breaths were close, and Henry's pupils reflected Alice's stubborn face. "Alice, how can you?"

How can she stay so composed while messing around with three men at the same time?

Alice stood on tiptoe and leaned in, but Henry quickly turned his head, and her soft lips landed on his cheek.

Henry grabbed her wrist. "Let go."

Tears welled up in Alice's eyes. "I don't believe you have no feelings for me at all!"

Henry slowly pulled her hand away and said solemnly, "Everything I've done is because the Howard family owes you. I said I would compensate you on behalf of the Howard family, and that's all."

He walked to the door and changed his shoes, his back to Alice. "To me, you're like my niece Ophelia."

"Would you kiss your niece and do what happened that night with her?"

Hearing her words, Henry's hand on the doorknob tightened, and the veins on the back of his hand bulged.

His chest heaved, and a deep sense of guilt overwhelmed him. He kept saying it was nothing romantic, but he had done things only lovers would do.

Even though they hadn't gone all the way, it was still so intimate.

Henry turned back, his gaze cold and distant. "That night was a mistake. It won't happen again. Get yourself together. I'll wait for you downstairs to go to the police station."

The door closed gently, and Alice sighed deeply.

She went to the bathroom. After washing her face, she stared at her reflection in the mirror. "Should I really give up?"

When she went downstairs, Alice saw Henry leaning against the car door, smoking. The rising smoke obscured his handsome features, making it hard to read his expression.

Seeing Alice, he stubbed out the cigarette and tossed it into the trash can. "Let's go."

His voice was clear and cold, without a trace of warmth.

Alice got into the passenger seat, fastened her seatbelt, and turned her face towards the window.

They were like strangers, silent all the way.