Chapter 319 Make a Bet with Beck
As they walked out of Ezekiel's estate, Owen handed Juniper a box. "Here, this is for you."
Juniper opened it to find the jade bracelet that Ezekiel had been clutching so tightly earlier.
"Grandpa, did you really give him a million dollars?"
"Doesn't matter. That money will end up back in my pocket anyway. I just bought a two-million-dollar antique, and if I get half of that back, it's a million dollars. I want you to take this. It matches perfectly with the bracelet Arabella gave Catherine."
"Walking out together, you all look like one big happy family."
Owen's jade bracelet for Juniper complemented the one Arabella had given Catherine, both gleaming beautifully in the sunlight.
Arabella glanced at Juniper and Catherine standing together, a rare gentle smile on her face.
To her, even though Juniper was the daughter of the Howard and Harrison families, she would always be a Windsor.
"Owen, I think Juniper should keep the Windsor name!"
"You always have to have the final say! I never intended to take our granddaughter away from you. Does it really matter what her last name is?"
Owen snorted.
"Just because Juniper keeps the Windsor name, doesn't mean I won't buy her gifts."
Arabella patted Juniper's hand reassuringly.
"Don't worry, the Windsor family raised you. We're grateful for that. You can choose whatever name you want, and you'll still get everything you deserve."
Juniper nodded. "Thank you, Grandma."
Arabella sighed and left with Owen.
Inside the estate, Ezekiel slowly opened his eyes.
"This whole thing was definitely a setup by Alexander to make my life difficult!"
"Damn it! I won't let him get away with this so easily!"
Ezekiel was furious.
"Even if it means mutual destruction, I'll make Alexander pay! His mother died by my hand, and he thinks he can survive?"
Solon whispered, "Mr. Ezekiel Howard, in a few days, it will be Vivienne's memorial day. Alexander invited Brad to pray for her, right?"
Ezekiel's eyes shifted.
He clenched his fists and muttered, "Pray? Not so easy! I'd rather see Alexander in hell!"
"Make sure everything is arranged perfectly this time. No mistakes!"
"Yes, sir!"
A few days later, at the Howard Villa.
The entire villa was decorated with Vivienne's favorite roses, and the memorial ceremony was meticulously prepared.
Brad and a dozen others sat at the front, reciting prayers for the deceased.
A portrait of a young woman with a warm smile, looking no older than forty, was displayed in the hall. Her features bore a resemblance to Alexander, with a classic beauty that captivated anyone who looked at her.
The Howard family members, all dressed in black suits, stood behind Brad.
The atmosphere was solemn, and no one spoke.
Juniper held Catherine's hand, standing at the back.
Catherine's gaze fell on a middle-aged man standing behind Felix, who seemed to be Alexander's father.
He wore a black suit that hung loosely on his thin frame, his hair tied back in a loose ponytail.
The man's silhouette exuded a certain artistic melancholy and an air of infinite loneliness.
He didn't look like a man who had lost his wife early, but rather like a street artist filled with sorrow and regret.
Evander was speaking to him, and the man turned to wipe away tears, meeting Catherine's gaze.
Catherine raised an eyebrow.
This man... she had seen him before!
She hadn't known he was Alexander's father then, but now she was puzzled.
Their last encounter had been at an art gallery on the border, during a terrorist attack. Catherine had rushed in to save people, and this man had stopped her.
He had held an empty bottle, pulling Catherine back. "You're too young to be a hero here. Doing good deeds in this place won't earn you any medals from the government!"
"I won't get hurt."
The man had smiled gently.
"Listen, you're still young with endless possibilities ahead. I'm different. My life doesn't matter. No one in this world cares about me. If I die, so be it."
With that, he had rushed into the exploding gallery, carrying several children out.
When Catherine turned back to find him, he had disappeared, heading further north.
She never expected to meet him again under these circumstances!
Alexander's father recognized Catherine too. He nodded slightly and walked over.
"It's you, young lady. I didn't expect you to be still alive."
"Sir, I didn't expect you to be alive either. Did you find what you were looking for?"
He had said he was an artist, searching for his lifelong dream.
His eyes filled with tears as he looked at the photo at the front, his expression one of deep loss.
"I never found it. I never will."
Catherine opened her mouth to say something but held back.
"Are you Alexander's fiancée? Nice to meet you. I'm Alexander's father, Beck. Let's keep our previous encounter a secret from Alexander, okay?"
Catherine gave him a light look.
"Why? If you're searching for the truth about your wife's death, why can't Alexander know?"
The rift between the Howard father and son was because Alexander believed Beck didn't care about Vivienne's death.
"Catherine, some things can't be explained in a few words. Besides, Alexander is very distrustful. If I told him what I was doing, he'd think it was just an excuse. He wouldn't believe you either."
Catherine smiled softly.
Her gaze moved past the crowd to Alexander, who was praying for Vivienne.
His silhouette seemed lonely, despite being a capable person. To Catherine, he still looked like a solitary young man.
In that moment, Catherine felt she understood Alexander.
She smiled gently, her eyes filled with a tender, unrecognized light.
"He will believe me. If I say it, he will believe it, Mr. Howard. Want to bet?"
Beck shook his head with a smile. "Catherine, even if you like Alexander, you don't understand his nature..."
Alexander finished praying and saw Catherine talking to Beck. His eyes darkened, and he strode over to her.
"What are you talking about?"
Catherine looked directly into Alexander's eyes and spoke clearly.
"We're betting on you, Mr. Howard."
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