Chapter 106 Love-brain Man
A moment later, Alexander withdrew his hand and explained, "A strand of hair."
Arabella felt relieved, laughing to cover her embarrassment. "Thanks."
She'd gone completely crazy just now, actually having romantic thoughts about Alex—he was gay, homosexual, a sister! Having inappropriate thoughts about someone of the same gender was absolutely insane.
Could she actually be a lesbian deep down without realizing it? Arabella got goosebumps and shuddered with disgust, shaking off that terrifying thought.
Alexander watched her series of confusing actions, somewhat puzzled. "What's wrong?"
Arabella quickly shook her head. "Nothing."
Alexander knew she was lying—if it was really nothing, why did her expression look so awful? But since she didn't want to talk about it, he didn't press, just mentally noted to pay more attention to her these next few days to prevent anything from spiraling out of control.
The chicken soup was ready soon. Alexander ladled it out, and they each took a bowl, sitting at the dining table to drink. Arabella took a sip—the taste was fragrant and sweet. She couldn't help giving Alexander a thumbs up. "Sis, you're amazing!"
Hearing her words, Alexander choked on his soup and started coughing.
What did she just call him? Sis?? Sis!! When had he become her sis??
He was a grown man, as straight as they come! To get close to the woman he liked without suspicion, he'd sacrificed his reputation by approaching her under the guise of being gay. After successfully completing the challenges of marriage, cohabitation, and slowly growing closer emotionally, he'd become her... girl?
Was there anything more soul-crushing in this world? Alexander was genuinely frustrated, not even knowing what to be angry about. He'd chosen to pretend to be gay himself, and using this method to make her lower her guard was his own choice. Could he be mad at her? He couldn't bear to, and it wasn't her fault.
But she called him her sis!
Should he be angry at himself? But without this approach, he never could have gotten close to her, let alone dream of winning her heart. But she called him her sis!
In that moment, a scheming, domineering, pure-hearted romantic man quietly shattered.
Arabella didn't understand what was happening. Seeing him coughing badly, she even stood up to pat his back, reminding him, "You need to focus when drinking soup and be careful. Choking might seem minor, but it can be serious—you could end up in the hospital."
Her concern warmed his heart as always, but thinking about her calling him her sis... he'd rather do without this kind of concern.
Alexander remained silent for a long time, finally sighing deeply: 'Forget it.' After a moment, he sighed again softly: 'Forget it.' Whether he was consoling himself or trying to convince someone else was unclear.
Seeing his expression change unpredictably, Arabella worried. "Alex, are you okay?" Had he actually choked badly?
Alexander collected his thoughts, shook his head, maintaining his composure on the surface with his voice still gentle, smiling at her. "I'm fine."
Only then did Arabella relax. As she continued drinking her soup, her phone rang. She glanced at it—an unknown number. She answered: "Hello?"
A familiar voice came through the phone, childish but with a hint of pleading: "Ms. Bourbon, this is Becky. I wanted to discuss with you—could you help me with adoption paperwork and sponsor my education? When I grow up, I'll pay back every penny with interest."
Arabella was stunned that Becky still hadn't given up. After a pause, she said, "The orphanage also provides support. At minimum, you can finish elementary school, and if you study hard, you can compete for scholarships for high school and college."
"It's not the same." Becky's voice was somewhat sad. "The village elementary school doesn't have proper teachers—it's just literate elderly people teaching. Even if you wear out one book, that's all the knowledge there is. I can't get out with that kind of education—I might not even get into high school."
Her voice caught slightly, but she forced herself to stay strong, as if afraid of being disliked. She quickly added, "Ms. Bourbon, I really have no other choice. I want to get out. I can't rot in these mountains my whole life, just get married when I'm old enough, have children, get beaten by men, and work like an animal my entire life. I won't cause you trouble—as long as you help me study in the city and pay my tuition, I can work part-time for living expenses and housing. I promise I'll work really hard!"
Arabella didn't speak for a moment. Honestly, she really admired kids like Becky—strong, brave, resilient, never seeming to give up. Facing life's unfairness, she could grab every opportunity to climb up. That spirit moved her.
But on the other hand, Molly's precedent was still fresh in her mind. With Becky's personality, she was afraid that once she succeeded, she might turn around and stab her in the back. Because having ambition often meant using any means necessary. She hesitated—should she gamble on a child's conscience?
Alexander was right beside her and had heard the phone conversation clearly. When Arabella told Becky she'd think about it and hung up, Alexander suddenly spoke: "You can sponsor her."
Arabella was startled. "Huh?"
Alexander explained methodically: "I understand your concerns, but giving up on a child's future because of those concerns would be counterproductive. Besides, her requests aren't excessive. You can do exactly what she suggested—just sponsor basic tuition and provide a place to sleep. Let her handle everything else through her own efforts. Don't invest too much emotionally or time-wise."
"When she's older, if her character checks out, you can consider increasing your investment."
His steady voice had a mysteriously calming effect. After a moment of silence, Arabella nodded. "Actually, even without you saying so, I probably would have agreed eventually."
Just as Alexander said, giving up on a child's future over minor concerns—especially when that child was so desperately hoping to escape the mountains—she couldn't do it. She'd rather risk losing her sponsorship money than watch an ambitious child waste away in endless daily drudgery.
Having made the decision, everything else became much easier. She'd already completed all the paperwork when adopting Molly, just needing to change the name at the final step.
So the next afternoon, Arabella and Alexander went to pick up Becky together.
Becky didn't speak the entire journey. She sat alone in the back seat, constantly gazing out the window at the rolling mountains and endless wild grass. This was her hometown, the place she'd survived in for the first ten years of her life.
Today, she was about to embark on a completely new life.
Becky couldn't describe the excitement and gratitude in her heart. When the car finally left the mountains and she saw the towering skyscrapers ahead, her eyes finally couldn't help but redden. In this moment, she was incredibly grateful she'd made that phone call, fighting for one last opportunity for herself.
She thanked herself for not giving up. She was grateful that Ms. Bourbon was willing to sponsor her, and after being hurt by Molly, was still willing to look at her without prejudice. She silently vowed in her heart to study hard, to make something of herself, to repay Ms. Bourbon's life-changing kindness and Ms. Ramsey's nurturing care.
Arabella glanced at her several times through the rearview mirror. Seeing the undisguised gratitude in Becky's simple eyes, warmth flashed through her heart. Whatever happened in the future, at least in this moment, her decision was right.
The car sped past an upscale villa district. A little girl crouched by the roadside, being violently grabbed by the hair and beaten by a woman, caught sight of a familiar figure through the car window and froze slightly.
Becky—how had she come to the city? And Arabella was in that car too. Was that Arabella's car? Arabella actually had a car?
"You little bitch, still won't hand over the black card?" Jennifer grabbed her hair, slamming her head against the roadside ledge with a terrifying expression. "Don't think I don't know what you're thinking! The black card belongs to my son, it's Watson family property! What gives you the right to spend it as you please? Hand over that black card!"
Molly's forehead was bloody and swollen from the impacts, making her cry, but she still stubbornly refused to give in. "This is what Mr. Watson gave me! He said I could buy whatever I wanted! You can't steal my card!"
Ever since Mr. Watson had arranged a new school for her and she'd had the driver take her shopping for pretty new clothes to look good at school, Jennifer had known about the black card and constantly pressured her to hand it over. But how could she let go? This was what Mr. Watson gave her! With this card, she could live like a princess without worries. She definitely wouldn't give up the card!
This afternoon, after school, she'd had the driver take her to the mall where she bought two diamond necklaces to show off at school tomorrow.
But as soon as she entered the villa district, she ran into Jennifer. Seeing the luxury gift boxes she carried, Jennifer went crazy, pounced on her to snatch away the diamond necklaces, and demanded she hand over the card.
Of course she refused, leading to this confrontation. Jennifer, taking advantage of the deserted area, brazenly attacked her. No matter how clever she was, she was still just a child—how could she match Jennifer, who'd been a street fighter in her youth? She was basically being beaten helplessly by Jennifer.
Her pretty clothes were already torn, her hair and face filthy, but she absolutely refused to surrender that black card.
Thinking about what she'd just seen, resentment flashed through Molly's heart. Had Arabella adopted Becky? That poor little wretch had actually come to the city too?
She remembered Arabella mentioning having a house, and now seeing Arabella with a car, she instantly hated Becky with a passion. Why should Becky get to live comfortably with Arabella while she had to endure this crazy woman's abuse? And Rachel, that little bitch, treated her coldly too!
At the Watson family, she looked glamorous on the surface, but aside from that black card and the Watson family young lady title she could flaunt, she had nothing! Thinking this, Molly viciously bit down on Jennifer's arm!
Jennifer, caught off guard, cried out in pain and involuntarily loosened her grip. Molly seized the opportunity and darted away like a little wildcat!
Jennifer cursed angrily: "You little bitch, where do you think you're running? Think you can escape my grasp? Don't forget you live in my house, eating my food, sleeping under my roof! Bitch! How dare you bite me!"
Molly didn't look back, quickly disappearing from sight, clutching that black card tightly with a cold smile. She had nothing to regret.
What was there to regret? Even if Becky had food and shelter, did she have endless money to spend? Could she buy whatever she wanted like herself? With Becky's status, she was just a little beggar when she went out—how could she compare to her own identity as the Watson family's young lady?
She couldn't continue like this. She needed to fight for her position in the Watson family. If this continued, Jennifer would kill her!
She ran quickly to Watson Villa, not entering through the main gate but heading straight to the family honor room area. Cassidy was still staying there.
She opened the door and went in. Not seeing Cassidy after scanning the room, she ran upstairs and opened the largest bedroom door. Sure enough, she found Cassidy lying on the bed playing with her phone.
Seeing Molly, Cassidy's expression darkened as she snapped irritably, "What are you doing here? Haven't I had enough bad luck? Get out!"
Molly bit her lip, looking at her stubbornly. "Ms. Sanders, you brought me to the Watson family. You can't abandon me. If you don't help me, Jennifer will torture me to death."
Hearing this, Cassidy laughed. "What nerve, calling her by name. Aren't you afraid I'll tell her and have you kicked out of the Watson family?"
Molly closed the door and walked in, completely unconcerned. "Go ahead and tattle if you want. I'm not afraid of her anyway. Mr. Watson gave me a black card and arranged school for me. Mr. Watson is my backer."
Cassidy paused, frowning at her. "Mr. Watson treats you well?"
Molly nodded. "Yeah, Mr. Watson says you're a kind person, and since you brought me to the Watson family, he'll definitely take care of me. But he has to work during the day and can't protect me, so that old woman Jennifer takes every chance to bully me."
Cassidy said nothing. Molly took another step forward, tempting her: "I know you can't stand that old woman either. How about we cooperate? You can use my name to have more contact with Mr. Watson. Once you establish your footing in the Watson family, you'll be able to protect me too."
She lowered her voice: "If we could drive that old woman out, that would be best. Even if we can't, we can't let her have her way!"
Looking at her, Cassidy sneered inwardly. This little girl might be small, but her ambitions certainly weren't. Looking at her dirty state, she'd obviously suffered at Jennifer's hands and come running here.
This brat wanted to use her as a weapon—of course she wouldn't fall for it. But one thing the girl had said was right: she could use this brat to have more contact with Tony.
Ever since the scandal with Sawyer, Tony's attitude toward her hadn't been the same as before. Though he'd immediately married her upon hearing about her pregnancy, she could feel he still minded it deep down. If she could use Molly to have more contact with Tony, she believed she could quickly eliminate Tony's reservations.
Thinking this, Cassidy's face broke into a smile, her tone becoming much more intimate: "I brought you back to the Watson family because I wanted to nurture you properly. We should be helping each other from the start, don't you think?"