Chapter 870

Janice had already spoken to Nicholas and asked him to inform Charles about her decision. Yet Nicholas ignored her request. Instead, he kept urging her to complete the marriage registration with Wade.

Janice finally had no choice but to make her stance clear.

“What nonsense are you spouting? Wade has already agreed to everything! Why are you making such a big fuss now?” Nicholas snapped, exasperated.

How could Janice call off the wedding when preparations were nearly complete?

Charles waved his hand dismissively. “Calm down, Nicholas. Jan probably quarreled with Wade. They’ve been together for so long. I’m sure they’ll reconcile. We shouldn’t meddle. It’ll be fine.”

Janice felt sick listening to them. Everyone assumed her relationship with Wade was unshakable simply because of its history. But she wasn’t the one who had changed. Wade was.

She wasn’t going to put up with it anymore.

“I’m serious about this!” Janice declared firmly.

There was a brief moment of silence.

Finally, Nicholas said coldly, “Brianna, take Janice to her room so she can cool off.”

Clearly, no one took her words seriously. They treated her like a child throwing a tantrum. Everyone believed she couldn’t possibly end things with Wade.

Not a single person in the room believed she truly meant what she said.

Brianna looked troubled as she tried to lead Janice upstairs. “Ms. Swanson, let’s not talk about this now.”

Grace, seeing Nicholas‘ anger, pursed her lips and helped drag Janice toward her room. She knew Nicholas and Charles no longer cared about Wade or Janice’s feelings–the marriage was too closely tied to both families‘ businesses.

Grace only wanted to spare Janice from further scolding.

Janice, however, was stunned. Nicholas and Charles resumed their conversation as if nothing had happened.

Meanwhile, Wade was on his way to the Swanson residence when Alicia’s assistant called. A mannequin had toppled over, injuring Alicia. Wade decided to check on her first.

When he arrived, Alicia gave her assistant a resigned look. “It wasn’t serious. Why did you call him?”

Wade noticed the swollen bump on her forehead. “Should we go to the hospital?”

Alicia shook her head. “It’s fine. I’ll use a cold compress.”

Wade frowned. “You shouldn’t endure everything silently. You’d suffer less if you were more vocal like Janice.”

Alicia blinked, then smiled softly. “You know her really well, Wade.”

Wade got up to fetch an ice pack.

He and Janice had grown up together; of course he knew her better than anyone.

Watching him, Alicia asked quietly, “Wade… if you weren’t engaged to Janice, would you still like her? Or… would you like me?”

The question came from Alicia straightforwardly. She could tell that Wade had already somewhat noticed her feelings.

Wade paused briefly. Then, he glanced over his shoulder at her. “That assumption makes no sense. She’ll be my wife soon. It’s best if you don’t say things that could cause misunderstandings.”

Alicia could tell Wade still loved Janice.

“So you still like her even knowing her true nature? Even if she’s a bad person?”

Alicia’s question immediately brought back a memory. That specific incident in the past was what had gradually changed his and Janice’s entire relationship dynamic.

Months after Heidi and Alicia moved into the Garner residence, Wade and Janice vacationed at a ski resort with secluded trails. Alicia came to find them. Janice, however, never told Wade. Instead, she led him down the mountain, leaving Alicia alone.

Alicia tripped and was stranded in the freezing cold for hours. Wade only learned she was there when Heidi called. By the time he found her, Alicia had lost consciousness.

The ordeal left her with permanent damage to her leg, forcing her to walk with a limp.

Wade only learned the truth later when Heidi finally told him.

Alicia had contacted Janice before coming over to find them. However, in an act of petty spite, Janice deliberately brought Wade along and descended the mountain, leaving Alicia alone high up. 2

Alicia nearly lost her life that day. She was left with a permanent limp, causing her to become overly sensitive and suffer from low self–esteem.

Wade believed Alicia should never have suffered such cruelty. And since Janice was his fiancee, he felt partly responsible for her reckless, immature actions.