Chapter 15
In an instant, the whole room fell into dead silence.
Not a single person made a sound.
Alice's bright smile vanished. Her lips parted slightly, eyes wide with shock-as if she'd been struck out of nowhere.
Was this girl out of her mind? What kind of inappropriate question was that to ask in front of everyone?
"Miss Grant, a question like that not only offends me-it disrespects Mr. Hawthorne and his wife. Please think before you speak."
But Sophia, far from backing down, only grew more aggressive. Her voice turned shrill. "Oh, come on. Why so defensive? Unless. you're guilty? You do have feelings for Edward, don't you?"
Alice felt her chest tighten, her breath catching mid-sentence. Instinctively, she glanced toward Edward. His lips were pressed into a thin, firm line, his eyes dark and unreadable. He said nothing.
She clenched her jaw, forcing herself to appear calm. "There is nothing between Mr. Hawthorne and me beyond a professional relationship. That's all."
"So did you sleep with him or not-?"
"Is the show over yet?" Edward's icy voice cut through Sophia's accusation like a blade.
He was still lounging on the sofa, one leg crossed over the other, his entire aura cold and detached. His sharp eyes turned toward James Grant, the look in them impossible to decipher.
"If you won't shut your sister up, I will have her removed."
James let out a low laugh. That devil-may-care face flared with mischief. "Well, can you blame her? Drama this good doesn't come around often."
"But that's enough for tonight. Show's over, everyone."
"James!" Sophia stomped her foot in protest. "She didn't even properly answer the question!"
He stood up, slowly fastening his suit jacket. His voice was calm and clear. "Sometimes, you don't need a straight answer to know what's really going on."
He lifted his gaze suddenly, his dark eyes locking onto Alice. "Isn't that right, Miss Sterling?"
That stare sent a chill down her spine.
Alice instantly lowered her eyes, avoiding the intensity in his look. She couldn't afford for him to see more than he already had.
That twisted night with Edward. she regretted it more than anything. If she could turn back time, she'd undo it all. How had she, usually so composed, ended up like this? Too scared to give a clear denial-all she could do was evade.
--
Once they stepped out of the club, everyone headed to their cars and left. Even Sophia was dragged off by her brother.
Soon, only three remained: Edward, Alice, and Charles Bennett.
Charles glanced at the darkening sky, then offered gently, "Alice, need a ride home?"
Edward shot him a sidelong glance. "You always this helpful?"
Charles shrugged. "When it comes to women, always."
Edward let out a cold chuckle. "Figures. Explains the girlfriend turnover rate."
"Excuse me??" Charles looked stunned. "Did you really just say that?"
He shot Alice a hasty look. "Don't listen to him, Alice. I'm actually very loyal."
Alice smiled faintly, not taking it seriously. "It's fine, Dr. Bennett. I'll just grab a ride-share. You don't have to go out of your way."
Charles moved closer. "It's not out of the way. Really."
Edward's low, cynical voice cut in again. "You don't even know where she lives. How is that 'on the way'?"
Charles glared at him. "Can you shut up for one second?"
"Ignore him. Come on, I'll give you a ride." Charles opened the car door and gestured invitingly toward Alice. "Might as well save on the fare, right?"
Alice glanced hesitantly at Edward.
"Up to you," Edward said flatly, not even looking at her. He walked straight to his black Bentley, opened the back door, and got in.
Alice didn't want to turn Charles down-he had stuck up for her, after all. She had one foot raised, ready to get into his car, when suddenly the window of the Bentley rolled down.
Edward turned his head slightly, his gaze cool and detached as it settled on her.
"I've had a drink, and my driver's off. If you're taking his car, be a dear and find me a driver, too."
Alice: "."
Charles: "."
In the end, Alice climbed into the Bentley-to drive Edward home.
Charles was left fuming, clenching his jaw, seriously tempted to punch his stuffy 'bro.'
--
On the way back, Alice kept sneaking glances at Edward through the rearview mirror, still brooding over what had happened earlier.
Sophia had confronted her in front of everyone, and yet she was the only one affected. Edward acted completely unbothered.
Oddly, that gave her a bit of peace-as long as her career wasn't ruined over this, she could handle the embarrassment.
Still, her curiosity couldn't resist poking around the mystery. If Edward had a first love he'd been searching for over ten years, how had he ended up marrying someone else?
Maybe. the one he called his 'first love' wasn't really someone he was still hung up on?
Then suddenly, Edward looked up and caught her eyes in the mirror, his gaze icy.
Alice froze, her heart skipping a beat. She quickly turned her eyes back to the road, sat up straighter, and focused on driving.
--
After what felt like forever, she finally dropped him off and made her way back toward the bus stop near The Lodge Apartments.
From afar, she saw a familiar figure standing there.
"Anthony?" she called.
Anthony Hayes looked up and walked toward her. "What took you so long?"
"Overtime," Alice sighed. "What are you doing out here this late?"
"What else? Waiting for you." He gave her an unimpressed look. "You're a married woman coming home this late, and your husband is MIA. What's the point of being married if he doesn't even show up when it counts?"
Alice nodded, half-laughing. "Honestly, it kind of feels like I married a ghost."
It was bad enough not seeing him most days-worse when she actually needed someone.
Anthony wasn't done. "And your boss, too-knows it's unsafe for a woman to be out so late, still works you like crazy. Hasn't he ever heard of boundaries?"
Alice nodded harder. "Exactly! It's the struggle of corporate life."
"Ugh, whatever." She waved a hand. "I guess I put up with it for the paycheck."
Anthony snorted. "You and your love for money."
He reached out and knocked gently on her forehead. "Alright, let's get you home. I'll walk you."
"Ow!" Alice shot him a glare. "Anthony Hayes, would you stop flicking my forehead already?"
He grabbed her hand, dragging her along. "Come on, let's go."
The walk from the complex gate to Building B's 12th-floor door was long, and the dim lighting made it feel eerie. Alice always felt uneasy doing it alone at night-having Anthony there made it much better.
Once they reached her door, Anthony stopped.
"Oh, right." His tone turned more serious. "I installed the new fingerprint lock with a camera today. While I was inside, I kept hearing your old phone ring-the same number, over and over. You might wanna check it. Could be something important."
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