Chapter 49 Gently pecking at the back of her neck

Alice heard the knock and called out, "Uncle Henry, I have to go. See you tonight."

Henry turned around and saw Ethan walking in. "The Savoy Group's stock has dropped enough. Time to stop."

Ethan figured Henry was stopping because of Alice. He nodded and left.

At six in the evening, Henry wrapped up his video conference and headed to Bluewater Bay.

On the way, he stopped by a flower shop and picked up a bouquet of red roses.

As he looked at the vibrant roses, he imagined Alice's shy smile, just as enchanting as the flowers.

He never thought he'd end up with a girlfriend eight years younger than him, especially one who used to be his nephew's ex-fiancée.

Henry smiled, turned the steering wheel, and drove towards Bluewater Bay.

Alice glanced at the clock. Henry had texted her saying he'd be there around seven.

It was almost time, so she started making dinner.

While finishing the last dish, a pair of hands wrapped around her waist. Henry stood behind her, gently kissing the back of her neck. "Did you miss me these two days I was on a business trip?"

"Yes! So, next time, will you take me with you?"

"That's a great idea."

Alice felt a bit ticklish and tried to dodge.

Henry turned Alice around, pinched her chin, and kissed her lips, savoring her sweetness.

Alice wrinkled her nose and turned her face to catch her breath. "The food's about to burn."

She quickly turned around to save the food that was seconds away from burning. "I'll handle it, you go wash your hands."

Henry nodded but didn't move.

Alice looked at him. "Go on."

Henry stared at Alice without blinking. Today, she had her hair in a fluffy bun, with two strands falling by her ears, making her look particularly gentle.

She wore a white T-shirt and shorts, showing off her slender waist. Alice's youth and vitality made his heart race.

Henry swallowed. "Alice."

Seeing the desire in Henry's eyes, Alice quickly picked up the plate and walked out. If she didn't leave now, who knew when they'd have dinner.

Henry watched her hurried steps and chuckled.

After placing the plate on the table, Alice turned around and saw a large bouquet of roses.

No woman disliked flowers, especially when they were from a man she liked.

"Thank you, Uncle Henry."

"Glad you like them."

Alice put the flowers aside, then pulled Henry to wash his hands, and they returned to the dining table.

Alice set the table and introduced the dishes. "These are some of my favorites. Uncle Henry, try them."

"Okay."

After tasting the food, Henry was a bit surprised, not expecting Alice to be such a good cook.

He suddenly remembered the picture of pasta Alice had posted on Facebook, which had made even lobster seem unappetizing to him at the time.

He smiled, "It's delicious."

Alice gave a faint smile. "Then I'll cook for you from now on."

Henry nodded.

After dinner, Alice brought out homemade tiramisu for dessert, and they snuggled on the couch while eating and watching a movie.

"Your father visited today," Henry said.

Alice put the cake on the coffee table and sat in a kneeling position in front of Henry. "Because of the Savoy Group's stock drop?"

"Yes."

"So, are you going to let them off the hook?"

Henry caressed her face. "Don't you have 25% of the shares?"

Alice said seriously, "Uncle Henry, I don't want to become your vulnerability, allowing others to manipulate you easily."

"I thought about it and realized I should think twice about it. After all, it was left to you by your mother."

Alice shook her head and held his hand. "Uncle Henry, the Savoy Group means nothing to me. I reclaimed the shares because I didn't want Elodie and Clara to take everything from the Savoy Family for granted. Uncle Henry, I don't want to be the woman behind you, a trophy."

Henry pulled Alice onto his lap, his large hand resting on her slender waist. "So, what do you want to be?"

"I want to be a woman who can stand by your side."

Seeing the determination in her eyes, Henry felt both astonished and admiring.

He had never underestimated her identity, status, or anything else, and he didn't mind supporting her.

But when she said she wanted to stand by his side, he didn't mock her. Instead, he respected her ambition and career aspirations even more. "You're about to start your internship, right? How about joining the Howard Group's fashion and jewelry company?"

"I'm planning to go to Galaxy Design Studio."

"Using connections to get into Esme's company?" Henry raised an eyebrow.

"I got in on my own merits."

Henry couldn't help but be curious. "How did you and Esme meet?"

It was fate.

Three years ago, Esme went to Country S for an international fashion design competition. The organizers needed the original drafts at the last minute, so she had to deliver them at night.

Unfortunately, she encountered a biker gang who stole her bag.

Watching the speeding motorcycle, Esme's heart sank. Those drafts were a year's worth of hard work.

Just when she was in despair, a motorcyclist chased after them and kicked the biker gang member off the motorcycle when she got close.

And that motorcyclist was Alice.

From then on, Alice and Esme got along well and became close friends.

Alice had to maintain her image of a gentle personality and a tragic background, so she couldn't let Henry know she was another founder of Galaxy Design Studio. She simply said, "One time at a restaurant, Esme saw me sketching and thought I had a talent for design. She appreciated me, and we gradually became close friends."

Henry played with the strands of hair by her ear. "After you graduate, I'll open a studio for you."

Alice didn't need a studio, but she wouldn't refuse Henry's goodwill or his gifts, otherwise, it would seem too cold.

She wrapped her arms around Henry's neck and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Uncle Henry."

Henry smiled, "Is that all you're going to bribe me with?"

"That's just the appetizer."

Henry picked Alice up and walked towards the bathroom. "Then I'm going to enjoy the main course now."

Near midnight, Henry carried the exhausted, sleeping Alice out of the bathroom.

He gently placed Alice on the bed and dried her hair.

Looking at Alice's slightly swollen lips, he rubbed them with his thumb while feeling a tinge of jealousy. He wondered who had taken her virginity.

He didn't have a virginity complex, yet gazing upon the exquisite beauty of Alice, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret.

Turning off the bedside lamp, he lay down beside her and held Alice in his arms to fall into a deep sleep.

In the morning, Alice yawned and got up. She rubbed her eyes as she noticed Henry was already gone.

She picked up her phone and saw Henry's message: [Breakfast is on the table. If it's cold, heat it up. Ophelia is back, and I need to pick her up tonight. You rest early; I'll try to come back soon.]

After replying to the message, Alice washed up, then she had breakfast and went to school.

In the classroom, Alice ignored Clara's hateful gaze and sat in the last row.

These courses were too simple for Alice, so she picked up her pen and focused on sketching.

After class, just as she was packing her bag, Clara stood in front of her desk. "I need to talk to you."

Alice looked at Clara, who had her chin raised. "Your face healed?"

Hearing Alice's mocking tone, Clara wanted to kill her but could only suppress while whispering, "Alice, I need to talk to you."

Alice knew Clara's schemes as well as she knew herself, so she stood up and smiled, "Let's go."

Clara led Alice to a small grove on campus.

Clara asked, "Was it you who did that to Oliver?"