Chapter 2

Alice caught some murmurs floating around. She glanced up at the tall, confident figure striding ahead and couldn't help but wonder how a guy like David ended up as her fiancé.

David, catching bits of the chatter, just grinned, clearly in a good mood.

He thought, 'This wildcat acts all sweet and innocent in front of me, but the second I'm not looking, she shows her claws.'

But David didn't hold it against Alice for her school antics.

Alice wasn't one to start fights. If she was throwing punches, someone definitely deserved it.

David totally trusted Alice's character and was glad she could handle herself, which meant less stress for him.

On the ride back, Alice stared out the window, lost in the passing scenery.

The soft evening light bathed Alice's profile. David didn't say a word, just quietly watched her.

Feeling his gaze, Alice got a bit flustered. She shot him a glare, then turned back to the window, determined to ignore him.

David found her little act amusing. He covered his mouth with his fist, trying not to laugh.

A few minutes later, the car pulled into the garage of a two-story villa.

Alice followed David inside.

David said, "Go chill on the couch for a bit."

Acting all boss-like, David glanced at Alice while unbuttoning his shirt and heading upstairs.

Alice pressed her lips together but obediently plopped down on the couch, waiting for David to come back.

After a while, David came down, now in casual clothes and carrying a medical kit.

Looking more relaxed, David seemed a lot younger.

Seeing him, Alice felt a weird flutter in her chest.

She pouted and muttered, "Trying to look young, huh?"

Alice was 19, and David was 26—a seven-year gap. Officially, he was her guardian, but really, they were engaged.

David treated Alice more like a rebellious niece than a fiancée. He was kind and patient, only showing his stern side occasionally.

Alice sneaked a glance at David. After months together, she had a good read on him. Judging by his current look, he didn't seem too mad.

David, sensing her gaze, had also figured out that she felt relieved, thinking he wasn't angry.

Seeing her injuries, David took a deep breath. If he kept letting Alice off the hook, she'd eventually get into serious trouble.

Though David could handle any mess Alice made, he didn't want her getting hurt.

So, David put on an angry face and huffed, "Arm."

Hearing his annoyed tone, Alice didn't dare act up. She obediently rolled up her sleeve, revealing her arm.

A large purple bruise marred her slender arm.

David's brow furrowed, and his face darkened.

"What happened this time?" he asked, dabbing iodine on her bruise with a cotton swab.

Alice winced but kept her pride intact. "Clara's your cousin, and I'm just an outsider... Ouch!"

David shot her a displeased look. "Nonsense! You're my fiancée, not some outsider!"

He pressed a bit harder to show his frustration but then gently cradled her wrist, blowing softly on the bruise.

"Do you think I'm so unreasonable that I'd cover for Clara?" he asked.

Alice pouted. "Who knows..."

David tucked her hair behind her ear and said softly, "I can judge for myself. Just tell me the truth."

Alice licked her lips, her cheek still swollen, but her expression calm, like she wasn't even hurt. From the fight with Clara until now, she hadn't shed a single tear.

What a stubborn girl!

David sighed, got up, and went to the kitchen. He grabbed an ice pack from the fridge and wrapped it in a towel.

He patted his lap, signaling Alice to lie down.

Alice twitched her mouth but obediently climbed onto the couch, resting her head on David's lap, her hair falling to reveal the red, swollen handprint.

"Clara said Lucas might as well die sooner rather than be angered to death by me," Alice said.

Recalling Clara's vicious words, Alice clenched her fists. Even if she got expelled, she wouldn't apologize to Clara!

But she didn't dare to gamble on whether David would believe her.

She looked directly at David. "Do you believe me?"

David leaned back on the couch, his broad hand stroking her hair. "I believe you're not impulsive, but you're almost 20. You can't keep using violence to solve problems. What if I can't come to school next time?"

Alice pouted. "For someone like Clara, you have to use your fists! The worst that could happen is getting expelled."

David frowned, wanting to say more, but Alice cut him off. "And I'm not 20 until next month."

She grabbed the ice pack and applied it herself, ignoring David's expression.

When she first moved in with David, she was a bit scared. But later, knowing David didn't seem to like her, she boldly started doing many willful things.

She wanted David to get fed up with her and break off their engagement.

She was an illegitimate daughter of the Bailey family, but she wasn't a tool for a marriage alliance.

When she first learned about the engagement with David, she resisted. But in the Bailey family, she had no say, and Lucas also persuaded her to come to David.

After all, living with David was better than being bullied in the Bailey family.

But Alice didn't want to be David's doll. She was determined to break off the engagement and had been acting out for some time.

But David's patience was off the charts. No matter the mess she made, he always cleaned it up and brought her home for a lecture.

Of course, it was always just words; he never laid a hand on her.

Alice felt frustrated, like David was treating her like a kid.

David's stern look softened when he heard Alice's words. He chuckled, "Are you hinting that I should get you a gift?"

She found that David often had these weird fantasies about her. Despite their seven-year age gap, sometimes it felt like there was a 70-year gap between them.

"No," she shook her head. "On my birthday, I want to spend it with grandpa at the nursing home."

David thought for a moment and agreed, considering it was her birthday.

"I'll handle the school situation. No more fights, okay? Or Mr. Bailey would be upset," he said, ruffling her fluffy hair.

As for Clara, who got beaten up, David thought she brought it on herself.

If Clara hadn't mentioned Lucas, this wouldn't have happened. She led to this outcome because she dared to say whatever she wanted.

Character was one thing, but family education was another.

David didn't want to make a big deal out of it at school, so he privately contacted Clara's father to discipline her.

"What if I told you I didn't do those things?" Alice suddenly said. "The fighting, the bullying, or extorting classmates, none of it was me. Someone's trying to make me look bad. Would you believe me?"

At first, she didn't get how these rumors started. But over time, she figured it out.

Once her bad rep was established, people would link her name with "bullying" and "fighting." If these rumors reached Lucas, it would worsen his condition. If the Tudor family found out, they might consider breaking off the engagement to save face.

David looked deeply at Alice and replied, "I don't believe it."

Alice took a deep breath. She couldn't accept his words, but she pretended not to care, shrugging her shoulders.

"Believe what you want," she said.

David turned her shoulders to face him, looking seriously into her eyes.

"Bullying and extorting classmates are definitely not things you would do," he said.

Looking into David's deep eyes, Alice's angry expression softened a bit after hearing this.

Before she could feel touched, David smiled and said, "I can afford to take care of you; you don't need to extort classmates."

Great, he didn't believe Alice; he just believed in his financial capability!

Alice turned her head away, unwilling to communicate further.

David found it amusing. His long fingers pinched Alice's cheek, finally touching her delicate skin. He couldn't help but poke her face again.

"Don't be upset. You did get into a fight," he said.

She was speechless and didn't even bother to argue.

Alice slapped David's hand away, not wanting to talk to him anymore.

Alice had a fiery temper, and David was willing to humor her.

He chuckled, packed up the medical kit, and reminded her, "Don't let the wound get wet. I have a business meeting later, so I won't be joining you for dinner. Order whatever you want from the hotel, and get some rest. I'll be back late."

Alice pouted and mumbled, "I'm not a kid. Besides... we have an engagement. What kind of fiancé doesn't believe his fiancée?"

David smiled and left. Actually, he never took the engagement seriously.

If the marriage alliance had been with the Bailey family's eldest daughter, Celeste Bailey, he might have tried to break it off, even if it meant offending Mr. Bailey. He wouldn't ruin his future.

But since the engagement was with the much younger Alice, he didn't care.

Not long after, David changed his clothes and left. The large villa became empty. Alice lay on the table, listening to the ticking clock, and the sound amplified.

Glancing at the money on the table, Alice took out her phone to order food.

Living here was great. She could eat whatever she wanted, play whatever she wanted, and the room was decorated better than her room at the Bailey family home, without any restrictions.

But it was too quiet.

At the Bailey family home, although she was scolded by others, at least it wasn't so quiet. In such a quiet environment, she tended to overthink, imagining scenarios she least wanted to face.

The food arrived, and Alice carried the meal box upstairs.

David had someone carefully decorate her room, making it appealing to any girl.

There were soft carpets, warm tones, a wardrobe full of clothes, and decorations on the walls.

Alice sat in the chair for a long time, then took out her phone to send a message.

Alice: [Do you know where Clara is?]

A few minutes later, a new message arrived.

Simon Williams: [What do you want to do?]

Alice: [She cursed my grandpa today. I don't think I taught her enough of a lesson.]

Simon: [Damn! Wait, I'll have someone find her.]

While waiting for a response, Alice finished her dinner.

Just as she finished eating, a message came in.

Simon: [Found her. I'll send you the address...]

Half an hour later, Alice, dressed in leather pants and studded boots, arrived at the bar entrance.

Simon, in a white shirt, had one hand in his pocket and the other scrolling through his phone, frowning and occasionally glancing down the street.

Alice walked over and patted Simon's shoulder.

He turned around to see a heavily made-up face. Even someone without a heart disease would be scared into one.

Simon patted his chest, catching his breath, "My God, your look is getting weirder. Is it really necessary for a fight?"

Alice touched her face and nodded seriously, "Yes, David just lectured me. I can't cause trouble for a while."

Simon chuckled and led Alice into the bar.