Chapter 8 Send Me Home

Ethan had been hanging out in the hospital corridor for long. When he saw Alice, he couldn't help but feel a sense of surprise.

As Henry's assistant, Ethan had been by his side for years and knew him well. He'd never seen Henry so wrapped up in any woman, not even the one from a couple of years back.

Once they were in the car, Henry broke the silence. "When you're out of here, you're moving into the apartment at Bluewater Bay."

Alice's eyes widened in shock. Bluewater Bay? That place was super fancy, where even a single apartment could set you back millions.

"Henry, that's way too much. I can't accept it," Alice said quickly, looking a bit flustered.

"Oliver wronged you. This is the Howard family's way of making it right," Henry replied, his tone flat.

Alice paused, a cold smile forming in her mind. Compensation? What Oliver did to her couldn't be fixed with just an apartment.

But she still put on a grateful face. "Thank you, Henry."

Henry looked at her, his eyes narrowing slightly. He couldn't shake the feeling that the Alice in front of him was becoming more and more like the woman in his dreams.

"Henry, could you take me home? I'd like to see it," Alice suddenly said, her voice tinged with a hint of longing.

The "home" she meant wasn't the cold, sterile Savoy Villa, but the place where she had lived with her mentor for over a decade.

Henry frowned slightly. He knew Alice had grown up in the countryside, but that place...

"Alright," he finally agreed.

The car sped out of the bustling city and headed towards the outskirts.

Throughout the drive, Alice kept an eye on Henry's reactions.

She knew Henry was suspicious of her, but she didn't care. Her goal was to gradually become a part of his life, to enter his heart.

By evening, the car stopped in front of an upscale restaurant called "Bernardin Restaurant."

"Let's grab a bite first," Henry said as he got out of the car.

Alice was a bit surprised. She had thought Henry would take her straight to the countryside.

"This is a Parker family business. Anna Parker is quite the chef," Henry explained.

Alice nodded and followed him into the restaurant.

Bernardin Restaurant was elegantly decorated, exuding a scholarly atmosphere.

They were led to a private room.

As soon as they sat down, a woman in a cheongsam with a gentle demeanor walked in.

"Henry, you finally made it," the woman said with a soft, melodious voice.

"Anna," Henry responded coolly.

Anna Parker, the Parker family heiress and owner of Bernardin Restaurant, was one of Henry's few friends.

Anna's gaze fell on Alice, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "And who is this?"

"Alice, my niece," Henry introduced.

"Niece?" Anna raised an eyebrow, her tone playful. "I didn't know you had such a beautiful niece."

Henry didn't explain further, simply saying, "Just recently acknowledged."

Anna smiled and didn't press the matter.

"Henry, this is the first time you've brought a girl to Bernardin Restaurant," Anna said pointedly as she poured tea for them.

Henry's expression remained unchanged. "She's just a kid."

With that, he distanced their relationship completely.

Alice lowered her eyes, hiding her emotions. She knew Henry was deliberately keeping his distance.

"Anna, let me toast to you," Alice broke the silence, raising her teacup.

Anna smiled and clinked her cup with Alice's. "Alice, you're so polite."

Just then, the door to the private room swung open, and a stylishly dressed woman with flawless makeup walked in.

"Henry, what are you doing here?" the woman exclaimed, clearly surprised to see him.

“Julia?” Henry furrowed his brow, clearly taken aback by her unexpected presence.Julia Diaz, the Diaz family heiress, had been relentlessly pursuing Henry.

Alice turned to discreetly observe Julia.

"Henry, who is this?" Julia's gaze fell on Alice, filled with hostility.

"None of your business," Henry replied coldly.

Julia was taken aback, her face turning sour.

"Henry, how can you say that? I went through so much to find you," she said, trying to hide her embarrassment as she sat down next to Henry.

Alice looked at Julia and couldn't help but sneer inwardly, thinking how shameless she truly was."Ms. Diaz, please have some respect," Henry's voice grew even colder. "I have nothing to do with you."

"Henry," Julia tried to say something, but Henry cut her off.

"Ethan, show her out," Henry ordered.

Ethan immediately walked in and said to Julia, "Ms. Diaz, please leave."

Julia was trembling with anger. She shot Alice a venomous look before storming out of the room.

After that, no one spoke, Alice finally having a peaceful meal.

After they finished, Henry ignored Anna's attempts to make them stay and left Bernardin Restaurant with Alice.

"Henry, I'm sorry. Did I cause you trouble?" Alice asked, her head lowered, looking like she had done something wrong.

"It's not your fault," Henry replied flatly.

"Okay, Henry, I need to use the restroom," Alice said, touching her stomach.

"I'll wait in the car," Henry nodded and got into the car.

Alice clutched her stomach and walked into the restroom stall, just as she heard footsteps outside.

"That little witch, how dare she try to seduce Henry!" It was Julia's voice.

"Julia, don't be mad. She's not worth it," another woman's voice said, trying to comfort her.

"How can I not be mad? Henry is mine! No one else can have him!" Julia said through gritted teeth.

"Don't worry, Julia. I'll help you."

"What are you planning to do?"

"Anyone who tries to take my man will pay!"

Alice heard everything clearly from the stall. Make her pay? She'd like to see how they planned to do that.

She opened the stall door and walked out.

When Julia and her friend saw Alice, their expressions changed."What are you doing here?" Julia asked, flustered.

"Why can't I be here?" Alice said coldly.

"You heard everything?" Julia asked, her voice shaky.

"What do you think?" Alice stepped closer, cornering her.

"What do you want?" Julia asked, feelingscared.

"What do I want?" Alice suddenly smiled, a hint of menace in her expression. "I want you to know who you're messing with!"

With that, Alice slapped Julia hard across the face.

Julia screamed and fell to the ground, clutching her face.

Alice's move was so sudden that Julia's friend didn't have time to react. She quickly helped Julia up.

"You dare hit me?" Julia looked at Alice in disbelief.

"Hit you? I want to kill you!" Alice's voice was icy.

She grabbed Julia by the hair and yanked her up from the ground.