Chapter 150 You Are the Main Reason

Henry and Alice left the police station around 3:30 in the afternoon.

Ethan raised the partition, splitting the car into two sections.

Alice glanced at Henry, noticing he looked a bit worn out. "Henry, you've seemed off these past few days. What's up?"

Henry didn't want to worry her, so he didn't mention the woman who once appeared in his mind.

He pulled Alice close and kissed her hair. "I'm fine; don't worry about it."

Alice leaned into him, feeling an inexplicable unease. 

Two people had died in the last couple of days. The incidents seemed unrelated, but both were aimed at them.

Alice suspected these weren't accidents but murder cases, like someone was pulling the strings.

Following the address Alice gave, Ethan drove to the border of Mudas and Riverdale, stopping in front of a villa.

The setting sun bathed the land in a warm orange glow, casting a soft light on the beautiful villa, which held memories of Alice's childhood.

Henry grabbed some of the gift boxes from Ethan with one hand and held Alice's hand with the other as they walked through the gate.

Ethan followed behind, carrying the rest of the gift boxes.

Under the tree in the yard, a chair glimmered softly in the hue of the sun. An elderly woman was busy watering flowers. Hearing footsteps, she turned around, her eyes lighting up instantly.

She rushed over and hugged Alice tightly. "My Alice, you're finally back. I've missed you so much."

Alice smiled and hugged her back. "Grandma, I've missed you too."

"Let me get a good look at you. It's been almost half a year, and you seem to have lost weight." Amara held Alice's hand, looking her up and down.

"No, I've actually gained weight." Alice smiled.

Amara wiped her tears. "I'm not blind. You must not have been resting well; you even have dark circles under your eyes. Don't let your design work mess with your sleep."

Alice raised an eyebrow at Henry, as if to say, 'Did you hear that? You're the main reason for my lack of sleep.'

Amara noticed the affectionate exchange between Alice and the man beside her, finally turning her gaze to Henry.

Alice linked arms with Amara. "Grandma, this is my honey, Henry Howard."

"You two are so close even though you're not married yet," Amara said, a bit displeased.

"Grandma, Henry and I are already married." Alice laughed.

Amara's mouth dropped open in surprise. "Alice, why didn't you tell us about such a big event earlier?"

Alice's eyes sparkled as she led Amara inside. "I'll tell you all about it later. Where's Grandpa?"

"Alice, you always have your own ideas. Let's see what your grandpa has to comment!" Despite her words, Amara's eyes were full of smiles.

As Henry watched Alice and Amara walk into the house, he asked Ethan, "Is my outfit okay?"

Ethan, surprised to see Henry lacking confidence, quickly nodded. "It's perfect, absolutely stunning."

Henry nodded, adjusted his tie, and strode after them.

Inside the villa, a elderly man with grey hair sat at a square table, with two chessboards in front of him, filled with black and white pieces. He was contemplating his next move.

"Neil!" The familiar voice of Amara reached his ears, and Neil looked up to see Alice and Amara walking in.

"You still remember to come back?" Neil turned his head, pretending to be angry.

Alice walked up behind Neil and started massaging his shoulders. "You're such a grumpy old man!"

Neil put down the chess piece he was holding. "I'm very angry, and the consequences are serious."

Alice laughed. "I brought you a gift."

"What is it?" Neil's curiosity was piqued.

Alice ran to the door and brought Henry in. "My husband!"

Neil knew Henry, not just because of his fame but also because he was Alice's savior.

Henry put down the gift boxes and greeted them respectfully. "Grandpa, Grandma, I'm Henry.Howard, Alice's husband."

Neil looked at Henry in surprise, then at Alice. "You two are married?"

Alice's eyes sparkled with a smile. "Yeah. Do you like this big gift?"

Amara nodded. "As long as you're happy. Henry, what do you like to eat? I'll make it for you."

Henry replied, "Grandmother, I am not particular about food and am content with anything you serve."

Amara noticed Ethan standing behind them. "What about you? What do you like to eat?"

Ethan didn't dare to make any requests. "I'm fine with anything. Let me help you with the cooking."

Amara looked at the handsome Ethan and smiled. "Alright, come help me then."

Ethan put the gift boxes aside and followed Amara out.

Alice led Henry to sit opposite Neil. "Grandpa may look stern, but he's actually very approachable. You don't need to be too formal."

Henry smiled and nodded.

Henry had never been nervous about billion-dollar projects, but facing Neil, he felt a bit uneasy.

Alice looked at Neil's stern face. "Neil, if you keep being so serious, I'll take my husband away."

Neil sighed. "You're already siding with him?"

He asked Henry, "Do you play chess?"

"A little," Henry nodded.

"Alright, let's play a game." Neil said to Alice, "You go help your grandma."

Alice knew Neil and Henry had things to discuss, so she shrugged. "Alright, I'm going. Don't bully Henry."

Neil watched her cheerful figure and smiled.

Henry took off his suit jacket and draped it over the chair. "Alice misses you both very much."

"Don't try to speak for her. Alice is very careless." Neil played the King's Pawn Opening. "But you must not let her get hurt."

Henry responded with the Sicilian Defense. "I will take good care of her, I swear on my life."

Neil paused. "Two years ago."

Henry said, "Two years ago, I was shot in the head and had surgery, but it doesn't affect my normal life."

Neil understood that Alice, being thoughtful,  hadn't told him the truth, probably to prevent him from taking risks again.

But Henry had saved her life back then, so it was worth it.

Neil nodded. "You must treat her well. She had a tough childhood. She was abandoned by her father at five, then raised by villagers until I adopted her at eight. Although the villagers treated her well, Alice was still hurt emotionally. When she came to the Fisher family, she was always cautious and developed a people-pleasing personality. I had a psychologist evaluate her, and they concluded that she once had autism, likely from being abandoned by her father. When Lester took her back, I was against it, but Alice still longed for family, and also..."

'She went back for you.' Neil didn't say this out, just sighed.

Henry looked at Neil. "It seems Alice hasn't told you about this."

"What is it?" Neil asked.

"Lester is not Alice's biological father, and Briar is not her biological mother," Henry explained.