Chapter 13

Alison finally found out why Ares' tutor resigned. Children from wealthy families can't be scolded or reasoned with. He'll find you annoying if you talk too much; if you try to coax him, he'll think you're childish. That sense of powerlessness will make people give up automatically.
Alison stood up and saw darts on the table. She glanced at the target and threw one dart, hitting the bullseye! When she hit the bullseye for the third time, Ares looked up in surprise. Alison picked up two darts with both hands without looking and threw them out at the same speed, knocking off the last dart and hitting both targets simultaneously.
Ares stood up and walked over to Alison's side, tilting his head to look at her. "Have you practiced before?"
Alison raised an eyebrow but didn't answer.
Ares became interested. "Then teach me."
Alison crossed her arms and pointed to the desk. "Finish today's study task first; then I'll teach you!"
Ares sneered. "Can't you come up with a different excuse?"
Shrugging her shoulders, Alison replied: "I can't help it; I can't afford to be kicked out again for being incompetent on my second visit here! I have some dignity too."
"I could ask Alexander to teach me instead," said Ares disdainfully. "He's better than you!"
"Then go find your Alexander now and see if he'll teach you." Alison was confident she would win this challenge since she had already planned.
A hint of embarrassment flashed across Ares' face as he weighed his options before nodding in agreement: "Okay then! I'll listen to what you say during our studies, but could you teach me archery after that? Can you do that?"
"Archery?" Alison frowned slightly.
Ares looked smug. "Can't do it? Alexander never misses a shot!"
Alison paused momentarily before returning to him, saying, "If I lie to you, then call me your teacher."
"It's settled then!" Alison smiled with her eyes narrowed as the morning sun cast a soft golden light on her fair and delicate face
...
Perhaps due to his excellent family genes, Ares was brilliant and learned quickly. After an hour of review, they stood on the lawn outside the villa where Ares said he wanted to try archery. The butler had already set up everything: moving targets, bows, arrows, protective gear - everything they needed.
Ares put on his protective gear and looked at Alison skeptically. "Can you even handle the bow and arrow? But, don't pretend; if you give up now, all you have to say is 'teacher' instead of trying too hard only to embarrass yourself later!"
Alison smirked. "It's embarrassing not to try at all!"
She picked up the bow and arrow with perfect posture, pulled back the string, and aimed carefully. It had been a long time since she last did archery, so when she saw the distant target in front of her again, memories from before suddenly overlapped with reality, causing her mind to wander for just one moment.
With a loud buzzing sound like a thunderclap echoing through their ears, followed by another loud bang as it hit its mark dead center! Excitedly running over towards Alison, who remained calm despite hitting Bullseye three times in a row!
"How did you do that?" asked Ares in amazement.
Alison calmly replied while smiling: "What about it?"
"Teach me!" exclaimed Ares eagerly.
"I can teach you," agreed Alison, but added some conditions: "But every time I come here after today, you must come and study with me without delay!"
Ares was single-mindedly focused on learning archery, so he readily agreed.
On the balcony of the third floor facing the lawn, Alexander leaned lazily against the railing while listening to his phone. His gaze fell upon Alison and Ares, practicing archery on the property below. Alison hit the bullseye again, her beautiful eyes shining brightly in excitement as she basked in the spring sunshine, making her fair skin glow radiantly. She looked lively and cheerful.
Alexander hung up his phone and continued watching them for a bit longer before seeing Alison shoot three arrows, all hitting their targets dead center!
Ares was so excited that he almost jumped up, his eyes filled with admiration when looking at Alison.
...
Alison played with Ares for an hour, and it was almost noon, so she packed up her things and headed home. As she came down from the second floor, Selina happened to be entering the house carrying something.
Selina looked at Alison in surprise, but her expression quickly turned sour. So Alexander had brought her home! Was he serious?
"We meet again!" Selina handed the gift for the Rosier family to a servant and took two steps forward. Her lips curled upwards, but there was a coldness in her eyes.
Alison nodded slightly and walked towards the door.
"Wait!" Selina stopped Alison and gave her a once-over before raising her chin slightly. Then, she spoke haughtily yet elegantly: "With the background of the Rosier family, Alexander can't marry someone from an ordinary family like you. Do you understand?"
Alison suddenly laughed.
Selina didn't quite understand why she was laughing but composed herself before continuing: "I speak my mind and don't like beating around the bush. You and Alexander have no future together; I think you know that too. So why are you with him? For money? How much do you want? I can give it to you!"
Alison's gaze was clear as if she were an innocent girl who knew nothing about worldly affairs: "Will your money be more than what Alexander gives me?"
Selina immediately replied: "Whatever he gives you, I guarantee I'll give more."
After some consideration, Alison said: "One billion yuan (approximately 150 million USD), and I won't appear here again."
This request took Selina aback, and suddenly looked behind Alison: "Alexander, did you hear that? She's only with you for money!"
Alison's heart skipped a beat as she turned around abruptly - just in time to lock eyes with Alexander, standing in the middle of the stairs. He wore a beige shirt and coffee-colored casual pants. He looked less cold but lazy than usual, exuding elegance and refinement in every gesture.
Alexander walked down slowly while his ink-like phoenix eyes remained fixed on Alison. His voice was low and magnetic: "I'll take you home."
Selina's face changed suddenly as she looked at Alexander incredulously: "Didn't you hear what she just said?"
Alexander's expression remained unchanged as he replied indifferently: "Yes, I heard it. So what?"
"Haha!" Selina laughed mockingly before taking a deep breath to regain her composure. Then, she spoke elegantly again: "Alexander, you two are not suitable for each other!"
Alexander's brows furrowed slightly with impatience: "Whether we're suitable or not is something I know best myself."
After saying that, he turned to Alison and lowered his voice: "Shall we go?"
"Okay." Alison nodded and stepped out of the door first.
Selina stood there watching them leave one after another until they disappeared. Suddenly she felt like a fool.
Thanks to this unexpected turn of events, Alexander personally drove Alison home. As she sat in the back seat, looking at the scenery outside flashing by quickly, she couldn't help but feel like laughing when thinking about today's situation.
Suddenly Alexander glanced at her through the rearview mirror and asked: "What are you laughing about?"