Chapter 24

It was almost eleven o'clock when Alison returned to the villa. After taking a shower, she cuddled with Cooper on the sofa and called Hilda to let her know that she was safe. She also asked about how things went between her and Lucas, whether they had an argument or not.

The phone kept ringing until someone finally answered it just before it hung up. It was Lucas's voice, low and hoarse. "She may not be able to answer your call. Is there anything you need me to pass on?"

Hilda's voice came through the phone with a sob, "Lucas!"

Alison hung up the phone abruptly.

Her cheeks were burning hot as she gritted her teeth in anger at Hilda for being so easily swayed by sweet words from their enemies.

...

The next afternoon when Alison returned from The Rosier family, she received a delivery - a big box filled with jewelry and clothes that Hilda gave her last night.

Alison picked out a pair of earrings that didn't look too flashy and planned to give them to Coco as a gift. However, when she passed by the dessert shop on Monday after work, other employees told her that Coco took leave due to some personal matters.

On Wednesday noon, Alison received a call from Ares asking her out for lunch.

Thinking something serious happened; Alison rushed over in a taxi to meet him at their agreed Chinese restaurant where The Rosier family car parked outside along with one suited bodyguard standing beside it.

When they entered the restaurant together, Alison found Ares sitting inside waiting for her calmly while looking relaxed himself.
"What happened?" She asked sternly upon seeing him.
"Nothing much," replied Ares nonchalantly while pushing the menu towards Alison.

Putting down her bag and leaning back against the chair; Alison demanded impatiently: "Tell me what is going on?"

Ares put his hands on the table and looked serious. "Alexander seems to be dissatisfied with you and wants to dismiss you."

"Oh!" Alison breathed a sigh of relief, thinking it was something more severe.

This time Ares was puzzled: "Why aren't you worried?"

"Why should I be?" Alison retorted.

Ares frowned slightly, "Don't you want to earn money to help your grandfather get treatment?"

"Of course, but can I influence Alexander's decision? Can I change his mind about me being fired?" Alison picked up her glass of water with a hint of helplessness in her expression.

"You can't," said Ares. "But I can. I can speak for you and persuade Alexander to keep you."

Looking at the young man in front of her, Alison suddenly smiled. "You have something that needs my help, don't you?"

With an old-fashioned tone; Ares replied: "Young people shouldn't be so calculating. There doesn't always have to be an interest relationship between people before they can ask for help."

Alison nodded in agreement: "You're right. It's shallow of me."

"But..." Ares grinned mischievously, "...I do need your help with something small though."

Coldly snorting while looking unsurprised; Alison asked him directly: “What is it?”

Leaning forward towards her; Ares whispered softly: “I'm telling this as if we are family members.”

Narrowing her eyes suspiciously; Alison responded coolly: “It’s my honor.”

Continuing further; Ares said seriously :“My teacher wants me to call my parents over for a meeting at school tomorrow but could not make it due some reasons . Could you go there instead?”

Surprised by what he just said ; Alision raised her eyebrows and asked: “Did you not do well in the exam?”

"How is that possible?" Ares replied arrogantly, then his expression turned slightly guilty. "I beat up two classmates in our class."

Frowning at him; Alison looked him over and asked: "Did you get hurt?"

"No, I've been practicing boxing with Alexander for so long that dealing with them was a piece of cake," said Ares confidently.

"Why did you fight with them?" Alison asked curiously.

"Because they bullied someone," Ares replied indignantly. "They picked on Zhao Wenkai every day just because he didn't let them cheat during the exam. Today they even peed on his pants in the toilet. I couldn't stand it anymore, so I had to teach them a lesson!"

Alison exclaimed in surprise: "You're really brave! Is your teacher going to praise you for this? That's why she wants to call your parents?"

Ares looked at her incredulously: "Are you serious?"