Chapter 8

Alexander glanced at her slightly chubby face, fair and soft, with a hint of a blush spreading from the roots of her ears like a cloud tinged with rosy hues. The redness made her look particularly young and innocent, not like a college student but more like a high schooler.
He told David to step back and said calmly, "You can come down now."
Alison turned around first before pretending to be calm as she let go and jumped down. As soon as she landed, she stood behind the man without looking at him or making eye contact with the dog staring at her. The man chuckled softly as he walked towards David. She watched his back in hindsight and realized they had been too close earlier. She could smell the faint cold fragrance emanating from his body.
The man walked over to David's side, crouched down, and patted his neck lightly while saying casually, "David generally doesn't attack people."
However, Alison detected an unusual meaning behind his words. What did he mean by saying
that she didn't seem like a good person?
She looked at the dog again and only then noticed that it was an adult purebred German Shepherd, which was even more significant than usual. It wasn't very safe.
Lowering her gaze, she imitated his indifferent attitude and said, "That sounds familiar. I often hear news about innocent passersby being bitten by dogs."
Alexander raised an eyebrow in surprise before snorting disdainfully, "Hmph!"
Then, just as Alison was about to speak up again, Emily came running down the stairs with a smile."Alison! You're here!"
Emily had put on some light makeup for this occasion; she greeted Alison warmly before introducing Alexander, who they had met yesterday, "Just call him Alexander!"
Sitting inwardly, Alison replied politely, "Hello, Alexander!"
With an elder's demeanor, Alexander responded with a simple "Hmm" before taking David to sit on the sofa.
"Ares is upstairs. I'll take you to see him." Emily beamed and led Alison up the stairs.
As Alison walked up the wooden floor, she saw the man affectionately stroking the German Shepherd's head. They looked harmonious together. Suddenly, her heart sank for Cooper; he had never forgotten about Alexander and often lay outside his former study listening for any sounds inside, thinking that his master would be there. But Alexander had already found a new pet and forgotten all about Cooper!
Turning around at the top of the stairs, Emily apologized, "I'm sorry, Alison. I put you in an awkward position on your first visit here. You don't know much about Alexander, but he's very nice. If you need anything in the future, ask him! He'll help you!"
Alison thought to herself that she wouldn't need his help ever! Despite her thoughts, she smiled politely, "Thank you, Emily."
"Don't mention it! Although we weren't close at school together, I've always admired you and wanted to be friends with you."
Alison smiled lightly, "We are friends now!"
Emily's smile became even sweeter as she reached out to shake hands with Alison, who tensed up momentarily but didn't pull away. When they arrived outside Ares' room door, Emily knocked gently, "Ares, I'm coming in!"
There was no response from inside, so Emily pushed open the door directly. The room was a small hall with a bathroom on its right side and a bedroom on its left. The decoration style catered more toward boys' preferences, such as comics, space themes, or imitation guns. A boy of around ten years old sat curled up on the sofa playing games on his tablet without lifting his head upon hearing someone enter.
"Ares, this is the new tutor I found for you. She's my classmate, and you're not allowed to bully her!" Emily deliberately put on a stern face as she warned him, "Do you hear me?"
Ares glanced up and casually said, "Oh," before continuing to play his game. Emily took a deep breath, suppressing her anger for fear that Alison would back out. Instead, she quickly said, "My little brother can be mischievous, but don't give up on him!"
"Don't worry!" Alison gave Emily a reassuring look. Since she had promised to help, she would do her best. Although Alexander disliked her, Emily was always kind to her.
Emily led Alison towards the door and took a few steps back while whispering into Alison's ear and storing Alexander's phone number in her phone. Then, she lowered her voice and said, "I've made an appointment with someone and must leave now. If he bullies you, call Alexander!"
Alison thought Alexander wouldn't care what happened to her even if Ares kicked her out of the Rosier family mansion! So after Emily left, Alison walked around the room but didn't touch any homework on the desk.
She returned to sit beside Emily on the couch and calmly asked, "Are you not doing your homework because you want your parents' attention?"
Ares paused his game when he heard this question from Alison, who continued speaking despite his warning earlier: "It's childish behavior for rebellious children who seek their parents' attention."
Ares clenched his tablet tightly without saying anything as he listened intently.
"Do you want me to teach you how to play games? You can finish your homework first, then we'll play together," suggested Alison.
"You were mocking me earlier for being childish, yet now you're trying to coax me like a child again? Is this how adults behave?" sneered Ares.
"Who says I'm an adult? I'm still just a kid!" retorted Alison with furrowed brows.
Looking at Allison's serious face, Ares couldn't help but laugh sarcastically, which made Allison smile wryly. She took out her phone and said, "I'll play games with you for a while, then I have to go."
Ares looked at her suspiciously.
"I'm serious. I didn't want to teach you in the first place since it's not easy teaching children from wealthy families like yours. But your sister begged me, " explained Alison as she opened the game on her phone.
"What do you mean?" asked Ares, frowning.
Alison pursed her lips and lowered her voice, "I don't have parents since my grandfather raised me. He worked hard to support me through school, but he fell ill recently, so I wanted to earn some money to help him get treatment."
Alison choked up a bit as she spoke, which made Ares' expression even more tense. Finally, after hesitating, he put down his tablet and said, "If you tutor me, will that be enough money for your grandfather's treatment?"
Alison felt relieved that she had guessed correctly about Emily's family situation earlier; despite being away from home most of the time due to work commitments, Emily still cared deeply about their grandparents. Hearing someone else talk about their grandparent falling ill would elicit sympathy from Emily.
Turning around with clear eyes filled with tears, Alice nodded calmly, "Yes! Tutoring pays better than other jobs and can help my grandfather get treated sooner!"
Ares rolled his eyes reluctantly before walking towards his desk, saying, "Fine! But if I let you stay here, it's because of your grandfather!"
Alison smiled inwardly, knowing that Ares didn't even know who her grandfather was, yet he claimed it was all because of him!
"It's no use staying here unless we cooperate well together. You must finish your homework quickly, or Alexander will kick us out soon enough. Earning money isn't easy!" warned Alison seriously.
"Ugh...so troublesome!" grumbled Ares, throwing his tablet on the desk and walking over to Alison, "Then hurry up and write! Don't forget what you said earlier; once you finish your homework, we'll play games together!"
"Yes, sir!" replied Alison with a smile.
...
Alexander had been waiting downstairs for an hour before passing by Ares' room. He suddenly wanted to see if Alison was capable of disciplining Ares. The door was half-opened, and Alexander heard Alison shouting from inside: "I'm going to die!"
"Where are you? Come save me!"
Ares' irritable voice could be heard simultaneously, "Don't throw bombs randomly!"
"Huh?"
Alexander pushed open the door just in time to see Allison looking up with a dazed expression, still immersed in her game!
"What are you guys doing?" asked Alexander sternly.