Chapter 50
As soon as Alice dropped that bomb, the room got real tense.
Juniper's face went dark, her lips twitching like she wanted to say something but couldn't.
Alice wasn't feeling any better. Sure, Esme knew her backstory and didn't care she was an illegitimate kid. But it hit differently when someone else spilled the beans, making it sound like Esme should ditch her 'cause she'd get judged.
It took her back to when she was a kid, dying to play with other kids. But being Marcus's mistress's , Saskia Cooper's daughter, meant adults yanked their kids away from her, giving her those "you're a monster" looks. Alice had been there, done that, and didn't want a repeat.
David stayed quiet, and Alice just stood there with Juniper. Maybe 'cause David had her back, Alice felt bold enough to argue with Juniper. Before, everyone in the Bailey Family was Team Juniper, and she only had Lucas. But Lucas was old and sometimes missed stuff, leaving her feeling alone and helpless.
Right then, Marcus slammed the table and stood up, glaring at Celeste.
Juniper quickly grabbed Marcus's arm, shooting a look at David and Alice, thinking it was disrespectful to scold Celeste in front of David. Even if Celeste messed up, it was Lucas's fault! Why didn't he clue her and Celeste in on the big marriage deal with the Tudor Family? Why was Alice David's fiancée? Celeste was also a Bailey. Didn't she deserve a shot at being a Tudor daughter-in-law?
"Why are you holding me back?" Marcus shook off Juniper's hand and snapped, "You taught her this crap! Letting her blab to everyone? You wanna air all our dirty laundry? You want everyone to see the Bailey Family's mess?"
Celeste sat there, head down, gripping her dress tight, eyes burning with hate.
She'd remember this. Next time, Alice wouldn't get off so easy. No matter what, she'd make Alice pay for today's humiliation.
Seeing Marcus had ranted enough, David finally spoke up, "Forget it. It's not a big deal. I just wanted to know what's up. Since no one wants to spill, I won't push. But Miss Bailey, don't go to Ivywood University to bug Alice anymore. If Lucas wants to see her, I'll take her to the nursing home."
They were almost done eating, so David grabbed a damp towel and wiped Alice's wrist clean.
Then he picked up Alice's bag and turned to Marcus, "Mr. Bailey, I'll have Garrett hit you up about business tomorrow. We'll talk then."
"Alright!" Marcus agreed, knowing now wasn't the time for business. He had bigger issues with Juniper and Celeste and wasn't in the mood.
After David and Alice left, Marcus's smile vanished.
"What are you planning to do?" Marcus asked.
"Planning to do what?" Juniper shot back, her voice rising. "Celeste got humiliated by David, and you just stood there? Marcus, Alice is your daughter, but so is Celeste! If you're so hung up on Alice, let's just get a divorce! You can take care of Alice all you want! After all, Celeste isn't as good as that brat Alice, right?"
"Cut the crap!" Marcus's eyes flared. "Juniper, don't you find it gross saying stuff like that? Yeah, I cheated, and I'm sorry! But didn't I end it with her? Alice is still my daughter! I only brought her here after her mom died! What more do you want? You want me to strangle Alice to make you happy, so you can stop throwing my affair in my face?"
"If you dare, go strangle Alice!" Juniper, fuming from the earlier humiliation, snapped back. "Her being here is a constant reminder that I couldn't keep my husband, that he not only cheated but had Alice! Now Alice is living in our house, taking everything that should be Celeste's!"
In the car, David glanced at the downcast Alice and pinched her cheek gently. "Wanna come to my office?"
Seeing her like this, he knew she wouldn't be able to focus at school. And if she did, she might get so mad she'd cause a scene. The thought of getting called to the school by Oliver again gave him a headache. So, he decided to take her to his office instead.
This was probably Alice's second time in David's office.
Garrett, ever the pro, poured two cups of coffee, placing one on the desk and the other on the coffee table. He then grabbed some snacks and brought them in on a plate.
David couldn't help but praise Garrett's attentiveness. "Thanks, man."
Garrett nodded shyly and retreated.
David took off his suit jacket, draped it over the computer chair, loosened his tie, and sat down across from Alice.
"So, still mad?" David asked.
Alice snorted. "Who wouldn't be? Even though Esme already knew about my situation, hearing it from Celeste is different. Who likes their business being aired out like that?"
If it weren't for David, she would've dumped the lobster right on Celeste!
David said, "Honestly, you don't need to care about what Celeste said. First off, being an illegitimate child isn't your fault; it's your parents'. Secondly, your mom probably didn't want you to be an illegitimate child either. If you have to blame someone, blame Marcus."
A man who couldn't control his heart and desires wasn't a good man. If he truly loved his wife, he wouldn't be swayed by outside temptations.
But in this world, many people were drawn to temptations—men and women alike. It was human curiosity. If curiosity was kept in check, things like this wouldn't happen. But if curiosity run wild, what happened next was anyone's guess.
David got up, walked over to Alice, wrapped his arm around her back, pulled her into his embrace, and gently stroked her head, comforting her. "Don't be fooled by a man's looks in the future. Appearances aren't the most important thing; character is."
Leaning on David's shoulder, Alice said, "You have both good looks and good character. Is it wrong to like you?"
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