Chapter 179 The Person I Like

Chapter 179 The Person I Like

The fire at the twin towers took several days to put out.

A charred body was found in the control room. After DNA testing, it was confirmed to be Matthew.

Lucy was sad for two days, then pulled herself together.

She knew Matthew had always believed death was a release. Since Matthew had broken free from his chains, all she could do was wish him well.

Lucy's adoptive mother Rowan rushed back from abroad, and she and Alison stayed with Lucy during her recovery. Their relationship improved a lot.

In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.

During this half month, topics about Thomas Holdings remained hot.

Matthew had caused a terrible explosion, and with his mental illness, the specially convened press conference didn't achieve the expected results. However, Oliver and Aurora Syndicate took turns releasing substantial evidence, and netizens gradually came to believe there was a huge criminal organization behind Santos.

St. Thomas Academy was shut down, the children at the academy were taken over by the children's charity committee, Arthur was arrested, and Matthew's parents fled overseas, becoming international fugitives.

Santos never showed up, and more and more people speculated he had already died.

At this point, Heath publicly issued a statement cutting ties with Santos and emigrated with a large fortune.

"He ran off with the money?" Alison asked in surprise when she first heard.

Oliver said calmly, "Heath has wanted to leave for a long time, but couldn't let go of his position in the group. Now that the twin towers are burned beyond recognition inside and out, rather than stay and clean up the mess, he might as well go abroad and live freely."

"Live freely or escape justice?" Alison had never met Heath in person, only knew he was deeply calculating. Although Oliver's attitude toward Heath was decent, Heath was Santos's adopted son after all—how could he be clean and innocent?

Oliver smiled meaningfully, "He submitted a lot of evidence to the police, voluntarily confessed many things, and donated a large sum of money before getting permission to change his nationality."

In the end, it was just a deal, but at least it was win-win.

"If you think it's fine, then it's fine." Alison stopped paying attention and looked out the car window. "What are we going to eat?"

It was already deep winter, almost New Year's. The street decorations were brand new, shops were launching various promotions—a lively scene everywhere.

But after the weather turned cold, Alison only went out to visit Lucy and didn't like going out much otherwise. Today Oliver said they'd eat dinner out, and she felt she'd been focused only on Lucy lately and neglecting Oliver, so she readily agreed.

"You'll know when we get there." Oliver was driving and deliberately keeping it mysterious.

Alison blinked. She'd been lounging lazily in her seat, but suddenly sat up straight. "Are you planning to take me on a date?"

Oliver didn't answer, which meant yes.

Alison felt a bit annoyed. "I thought it was just a casual meal. I'm not wearing makeup, and I'm dressed like a bear. Are we going to some fancy restaurant? What if they don't let me in?"

She glanced at Oliver. Oliver always dressed appropriately. Today he wore a dark velvet suit, no tie, but carefully matched with jeweled cufflinks and a jeweled brooch. The watch on his wrist was the most expensive one in Oliver's collection, his favorite.

Alison looked down at Oliver's shoes.

A pair of new leather shoes she'd never seen before.

Alison understood Oliver more and more now. She knew that whenever Oliver considered an occasion important, he'd buy a new pair of shoes. Each of Oliver's residences had a dedicated shoe closet. Even though many shoes were only worn once and never again, Oliver was so wealthy he didn't care about waste—he had a special fondness for buying shoes.

From Oliver's habits, Alison guessed tonight was an important occasion.

But she'd just thrown on two layers over her pajamas and left, not even bringing a handbag.

Alison felt around in her pockets and pulled out a lip balm she'd been looking for for days and thought she'd lost.

She pulled down the interior mirror above the passenger seat, fixed her hair, turned her head left and right to check, applied the lip balm, and pressed her lips together.

Just then, there was a red light ahead. Oliver stopped the car and leaned over to kiss her lips.

"I just put it on." Alison glared at him without any real threat.

"I wanted some too." Oliver said.

Alison held up the lip balm. Oliver looked at her and shook his head. Seeing the laughter in Oliver's eyes, Alison slowly blushed but still leaned in to kiss him.

There were ten seconds left on the red light. They separated, and Alison caught a glimpse in the mirror of her flushed lips and eyes that held a hint of allure. She quickly put the mirror away.

Oliver licked his lips and suddenly said, "Did you eat candy?"

Alison fanned her face with her hand. "I had a fruit hard candy."

She'd eaten it when she left, kept it in her mouth, and just now the last bit of candy had melted in Oliver's mouth.

"Pretty sweet." Oliver smiled.

Alison pursed her lips, thinking to herself that he really was a playboy who'd had over a dozen girlfriends—sweet talk came so easily to him.

The car pulled up to an amusement park entrance.

Alison looked at the brand new sign above the gate and asked in confusion, "Alisonland? Was this place always called that?"

"It used to be called Fantasy Forest Park. I bought it last month and changed it to your name." Oliver's tone was casual, backing up the car as he spoke, as if talking about something trivial.

Alison's mouth dropped open in shock. The sign was lit with hundreds of small bulbs—even from several hundred yards away, you could clearly see the amusement park's name in the dark.

Oliver opened the car door for her and took her hand. "I originally planned to give this amusement park to you as a birthday present. The reopening date after renovation was supposed to be on your birthday."

But plans couldn't keep up with changes.

He hadn't been able to be the first person to give Alison birthday wishes, and compared to Lucy, no gift could win.

Oliver led Alison into the amusement park. It was open for business, with visitors coming and going, laughter and joy everywhere.

At the center of the amusement park was a beautiful castle, five stories tall. Only the first three floors were open to visitors. Oliver had converted the room with the best view on the fifth floor into a restaurant.

The restaurant was filled with blooming red roses. Standing in this sea of flowers, Alison's heart raced, and she couldn't help secretly pinching herself.

She could feel the pain, but she still felt like she was dreaming.

"I still owe you a proper declaration of love." Oliver nervously pulled out a document from among the flowers—the property deed for the amusement park.

"I'm giving you a place full of joy, hoping it can help you forget all your troubles." Oliver handed the document to Alison. "If you accept my declaration of love, sign on the last page."

Alison touched her forehead.

Was this a declaration of love? This was buying her off with money!

No wonder Micah said Oliver didn't know how to date, only how to throw money around.

Oliver waited several seconds, but Alison couldn't snap out of it. He simply flipped to the last page of the document and shoved the pen into Alison's hand. "Sign it quick! You can only accept, you can't refuse!"

Alison noticed his palm was a bit damp—he was actually sweating from nervousness.

She couldn't help but laugh. She signed her name on the document, then threw herself into Oliver's arms. "Who said I was going to refuse? How could I possibly refuse? I told Lucy—you're the person I like!"

Oliver hugged her tightly, satisfied. "I like you too."