Chapter 199: They Couldn’t Help
After she drank another two large glasses, the table finally left Alison alone.
Seeing Daniel return, Alison sighed with relief.
Feeling dizzy, she followed Aimée, occasionally glancing at Jack.
Swaying, Alison was infatuated with the indifferent Jack.
A woman asked Aimée in a gossipy tone, “Aimée, when are you going to have your baby?”
Aimée smiled. “In five months.”
“That’s so soon! If it’s a girl, we should arrange a betrothal between our families. My son is quite clever,” someone chuckled.
“Sure. You must come, then,” Aimée replied with a laugh.
Jack remained silent, even when others mentioned his child.
Alison kept glancing toward the hall entrance.
There was still no word from Ethan.
Frustrated, she pulled Aimée aside. “Aimée, tell me—have they found Ethan yet?”
“Alison, don’t worry. He’ll be found. I swear it.” Aimée coaxed. All she wanted was to get through the wedding.
“Then… I want to sit over there.” She desperately needed someone to lean on.
“Go ahead.”
Alison handed everything over to Daniel and slipped away.
She couldn’t bear Jack’s gaze.
As she approached Aidan, she saw a handsome mixed-race man seated across from him. His features identified him as one of the three Winston brothers—the eldest.
“Aidan, is this your eldest brother?”
“Oh, Alison, what brings you here?” Aidan hadn’t expected her sudden arrival.
“I came to catch my breath.” She was truly exhausted.
Her voice made the man across from them glance up at her. “Aidan, why didn’t you introduce me? Who is this lady?”
Aidan slapped his forehead. “Oh, I totally forgot. This is Alison Fairchild.”
Then he turned to Alison and said, “Alison, this is my eldest brother, Rock Winston.”
Rock extended his hand toward Alison. It seemed to radiate artistic grace, capturing Alison’s attention for a moment—so much so that she almost forgot to shake it.
“Would you prefer a hug instead? Miss Fairchild.” Rock circled the table and stood before her with his arms open wide.
“Ah… no…” Before she could refuse, he gently pulled her into his embrace.
After a moment, he released her and asked, “Alison, you look pale. Are you feeling unwell?”
Aidan cut in. “Alison, have you been drinking?” He could already smell the alcohol on her breath.
“Well, a bit too much,” Alison nodded, her body swaying slightly.
“Aidan, please take Miss Fairchild to rest; she doesn’t look well,” Rock said with concern.
“No, I won’t leave.” She was still waiting for the kids’ return.
Aidan reassured her. “Alison, I’ve sent people to look for Ethan. I’m sure we’ll have news about Ethan soon.”
Alison asked Aidan with a forced smile, “Really?”
The alcohol was making it harder for her to focus.
“Trust me, we will.”
Alison smiled, but her eyes kept drifting instinctively toward Jack, who stood not far away with Aimée. The pain in her heart was burning.
“Alison, stop. Tell me—did Aimée do something to you?” Aidan asked.
“No, Aidan. I just wanted to make sure her baby was okay. I always felt I owed her, so I agreed to be her maid of honor,” Alison blurted out.
“Alison, she doesn’t deserve this.” Aidan turned to look at Aimée, whose slightly rounded belly stared back at him.
“Aidan, what do you mean?” Alison looked at him in confusion.
“Nothing, Alison.”
Just then, his phone rang.
He picked up, “Anything new?”
“…”
“Good. Keep digging. Report any updates. Hurry up—no delays.” Aidan spoke urgently, a faint glimmer of hope lighting his face.
Hearing this, Alison grabbed his hand. “Aidan, is it Ethan?”
Aidan tucked his phone away. “Yes, they have already tracked the direction Ethan left.
“Really?”
“Yes, don’t worry. We should have concrete details within ten minutes.”
Alison sat quietly at the table.
At that moment, she just wanted to sit beside Aidan, waiting for Ethan’s news.