Chapter 028 The Deception
Alice’s mind as clear as crystal. The reality of her situation bore heavily on her; she was engaged to Adrian. The thought of carrying another man's child, coupled with the potential revelation of her infidelity, spelled disaster.
Carlos observed her reaction, a laugh escaping his lips, though he didn't share her sentiments.
Alice's eyes widened in shock as the realization of Carlos's actions dawned on her. "You... you..."
"Do worry," he assured her, "bearing my child is not a catastrophe. Adrian is hardly lacking in female admirers. He seems particularly taken with the maid who replaced you. I suspect they've shared more than just polite conversation, and she may even be carrying his child. When you return to Adrian's side with my child, it won't be so terrible, will it? The Howard family will be ours in the future."
This was a possibility Alice had never entertained.
Yet, Carlos's words stirred a thought within her—if Adrian had indeed fallen prey to Natalie's charms, and discovered Natalie was the woman from the hotel, Alice's fate would be sealed.
No, she couldn't let that happen!
"Carlos, did you just suggest that Adrian has feelings for Natalie?"
"Yes. Adrian even chastised Rachel today for Natalie's sake. He's always held a soft spot for Rachel. That maid has a knack for seduction. In a matter of days, she's ensnared a man as aloof as Adrian." Carlos's words hung in the air.
Alice couldn't suppress her irritation. She recalled the last dinner at Cullen Villa with Rachel and Adrian, and Rachel's dismissive attitude towards her. Even then, Adrian had simply deflected the topic.
She clenched her fists, as if to reassure herself. "Adrian's kindness towards her is only because he believes she's me!"
But a sense of foreboding took root in her heart.
Alice was certain that Natalie needed to leave, to be expelled from Vachilit!
She needed to devise a plan. "Carlos, I need your help..."
On Monday morning, Natalie arrived at the classroom door, panting heavily, only to find Adrian already at the podium.
He glanced at his wristwatch and without sparing her a glance, remarked coolly, "You're seven minutes late, Natalie. This makes six finance classes you've missed this semester."
"Mr. Howard, I’m sorry, I..." Natalie hadn't expected Adrian to be so stringent.
"Go stand outside!" He adjusted his glasses, disregarded her protests, and resumed his lecture.
Natalie stood frozen for a moment, then, biting her lip, retreated to the hallway.
She had been too presumptuous, yearning for Adrian's tenderness over the past few days. She had assumed he had forgiven her for the incident, but she had overlooked that Adrian's warmth over the past two days had been directed towards "Alice."
Her phone buzzed with a few vibrations. It was Bella, attempting to console her.
After class, Adrian strode to the door and scoffed, “You’ve missed six classes. Don't even think about earning credit for this course.”
That was not an option!
Natalie immediately descended into panic.
Rosalie's condition had deteriorated recently, forcing Natalie to miss several classes to care for her. If she failed to earn credit for this class, her graduation would be postponed.
Rosalie’s medical expenses were astronomical. The cost of a kidney transplant was significant. Natalie needed to graduate and secure a job to start saving money.
Natalie watched Adrian’s retreating figure and hurried after him.
"Mr. Howard, Mr. Howard!"
She sprinted all the way to Adrian's office, gasping, "Mr. Howard, I promise, I’ll attend all classes punctually from now on."
Inside the office, it was just the two of them.
Having run there, Natalie's eyes were glossy and bright, her cheeks flushed, her breaths soft and shallow.
Adrian was irked, thinking, "She’s employing this pitiful look to manipulate me. I've encountered all sorts of women in my time. I almost let her deceive me."