Chapter 43
43 It’s All Fake
43 It’s All Fake.
Alice had been up half the night giving Eric needle therapy. By the time she finally got some sleep, the sun was already rising.
She was exhausted.
If it weren’t for Henry being so damn noisy downstairs, she probably would’ve slept till noon . Wearing nothing but a robe, she leaned lazily against the railing at the top of the staircase.
Her posture was relaxed, casual–even a little cold–as she looked down at the furious old butler.
“Mrs. Alice, are you just getting out of bed now? How are you supposed to care for Mr. Eric if
wake this late?”
you
up
No manners. Just like someone raised in the countryside.
Henry’s face was full of righteous indignation, but buried under it was obvious contempt.
Alice raised an eyebrow. “Do I need to report to you what time I get up every day?”
Henry was momentarily speechless.
“Of course not. But since you’ve married into the Nolans, you should know how to put family first.”
“Henry,” Alice said with a cool smile, her voice razor–sharp.
“You’re the definition of outdated patriarchy.”
Henry was about to explode.
“Mrs. Alice, mind your words. I may be a servant, but I’ve served the Nolans for decades!”
the
Alice tilted her head, still smiling.
Did I force you to work here for decades?”
Henry was speechless at that.
“Since I didn’t coerce or exploit you, what exactly are you doing right now–trying to stage some kind of uprising?”
175
43 It’s All Fake
Henry was so furious his blood pressure nearly shot through the roof.
“Mrs. Alice, is this how the Spencers raised you?”
Alice’s smile turned frostier. “Oh, of feeling important is to criticize
I see now. So your way others and pretend it’s a matter of principle?”
Henry clutched his chest, gasping with anger.
Alice, still wearing that devil–may–care smile, added one more knife twist.
Henry gritted his teeth. “I’m not going to waste my time arguing with you, Mrs. Alice!”
The implication was clear: everyone knew who was really wrong here.
Alice gave a cold laugh.
outoft
Typical . When they run out of logic, they fall back on pretense.
Henry straightened his spine. “I’m here to deliver something.”
Alice arched a brow. “Oh?”
“You asked Mrs. Irene for a wedding gift, didn’t you? Well, it’s ready. Mrs. Alice, please inspect it.”
He used a condescending tone as if he were handing charity to a beggar.
Alice slowly walked down the stairs. “‘Since you’ve worked for the Nolans for decades, I assume you’ve done your job well. Go ahead–read me the list.”
Henry’s jaw clenched so tightly it might’ve cracked.
If he could, he would’ve torn this woman apart on the spot.
Irene had been forced to send this wedding gift.
And as for Alice ?
Because she hadn’t contributed anything, she’d been cornered and could b face at the company anymore.
And yet this woman kept calling herself a lucky charm?
show her
2/5
11:21 Mon, 30 Jun
43 It’s All Fake
What a joke.
How would a lucky charm cause the entire Nolan family one loss after another?
But unfortunately for him, Alice was Mrs. Nolan now–his superior in every sense.
Like it or not, he had to follow through with this task, or risk upsetting Irene even more.
He took a deep breath, swallowing his rage, and pulled out the gift list. Item by item, he read
it aloud.
To save face, Irene had given some cash and a bunch of jewelry and assets.
Most of it wasn’t worth much, but to bulk up the quantity, the list was padded with various miscellaneous items.
By the time Henry finished, his throat was burning.
Still, Alice didn’t offer him any water–and no one else dared move without her cue.
She leisurely took a sip of tea and said, “You were reading too fast. I couldn’t catch everything. Read it again.”
Henry almost gasped out loud.
By the end of round two, it felt like his throat was being shredded by razor blades.
He could barely speak now.
Finally, Alice stood up and walked outside to inspect the crates.
She had the staff open each one, and then began matching the items to the list, one by one.
Henry’s throat was throbbing, but if he disrespecting Irene.
weren’t in pain, he’d have already accused her of
Anyone else–especially someone from the countryside–would’ve been overwhelmed with gratitude.
They would’ve rushed back to the old mansion, bowed, and thanked Irene her kindness.
But Alice, who by all rights should be dazzled by her first taste of luxury, looked at all these “ precious” items like they were nothing. As if she’d seen better–owned better.
3/5
43 It’s All Fake
To Henry, it felt like she was stomping all over Irene’s dignity.
Suddenly, Alice pulled a crate toward her.
With a half–smile, she looked up and said, “Henry, I know it hurts to talk right now, but I need to say this–Irene really outdid herself this time…
Henry’s expression changed instantly. Despite his sore throat, he couldn’t let anyone Irene.
insult
“Hmph! So you do realize she cares for you. Then go to the mansion right now and thank her properly.”
Alice gave him a slow, icy stare.
“If she truly cares for me, then there’s no problem .
“So, that would make you the problem, wouldn’t it?”
Her smile tightened, and a sharp edge crept into her voice.
“Because this crate of jewelry? It’s all fake .”
Gasps filled the courtyard.
The box was filled with gold and silver trinkets, emerald, agate, and turquoise–all glittering under the sun.