Chapter 121 Trouble at the Company
Arabella had long since made peace with it all—everything was for her father. Marilyn wasn't her relative, so she didn't need to care about Marilyn's attitude.
After thanking Daniel, she and Alexander sat down. The food on the table was simple—two stir-fried vegetables, steamed buns in a plastic basket, and a bowl of porridge for each person.
Arabella wasn't in the mood to eat. She looked at Percy and asked, "Dad, how have you been feeling lately?"
Percy knew his daughter always worried about his life and quickly said, "Pretty good. Marilyn takes great care of me, and Daniel's been more sensible lately—even helps me to the bathroom..."
Hearing this, Marilyn impatiently interrupted, "We're eating! Why are you talking about that? Isn't it disgusting?"
Actually, she was the one who found it disgusting. Her precious son, whom she'd raised like a treasure, was actually helping a half-paralyzed old man use the bathroom. Just thinking about it made her want to vomit.
But lately Daniel seemed to have lost his mind—he wouldn't listen to a word she said.
She could only fume silently to herself.
Percy glared at her but didn't say anything in front of his daughter and son-in-law. Daniel becoming more responsible was a good thing—only she, as his mother, couldn't tell right from wrong.
After dinner, Arabella wheeled her father into the bedroom while Alexander stayed in the living room.
Daniel sat at his desk but had no mind for homework. He kept stealing glances at Alexander, then quickly looking away whenever Alexander looked up.
After Marilyn finished cleaning up and came out, she saw Alexander sitting in the living room. She didn't even pour him a glass of water, asking sarcastically, "Alex, you probably can't stand our ordinary tea, right? After all, you bought a house in the city center and you're a sales champion."
Although Alexander was handsome, Marilyn just couldn't like him—the sight of him irritated her. If it weren't for this man, she could have matched Arabella with that admissions director, and Daniel's college situation would be settled. Why would he need to work so hard to test in?
With Arabella not around, Alexander's good temper disappeared along with her. He looked up at Marilyn, his gaze cold and indifferent, but the warning in it was unmistakable.
Marilyn was startled by his suddenly cold demeanor. "You..." She'd originally wanted to say something to boost her own confidence, but when she met Alexander's cold stare, her words got stuck in her throat and she couldn't say anything.
Damn weird. This man's eyes looked like he might grab her throat and strangle her the next second.
Marilyn's heart was pounding. She pretended not to care and turned to go into the bedroom, only then patting her chest with a look of lingering fear.
Could this man be a murderer?
But then she thought—good if he was a murderer! Arabella marrying such a killer would get what she deserved! That's what she got for not cooperating with her arrangements and insisting on finding her own man!
In the living room, Daniel naturally hadn't missed Alexander's suddenly sharp aura either. Even though he was usually up to no good, he was somewhat afraid of such a man.
But after hesitating for a long time, he still gathered courage to look at Alexander and ask, "Are you good to her?"
Alexander raised an eyebrow, sitting there with his legs crossed, somewhat surprised by Daniel's question.
He'd already noticed Daniel's occasional glances, but since they weren't malicious, he hadn't planned to pay attention.
He hadn't expected Daniel to suddenly speak up, and with such a question.
"I'm guessing," he said, his voice low, "this 'her' refers to your sister, Arabella?"
Daniel pressed his lips together, stubbornly not acknowledging the word "sister," but still picked up the conversation. "She has an easygoing personality, a big heart, and she's kind and innocent. But don't think that makes her weak or easy to bully. And don't look at how my mom acts and think her family's no good, underestimating her, you know?"
Alexander looked at him with some surprise.
The small teenager had a serious expression, still somewhat immature but trying hard to appear tough. Watching him, Alexander couldn't help but smile.
"What are you laughing at?" Daniel asked in confusion.
"Nothing," Alexander stood up and walked in front of him. His tall frame immediately crushed Daniel's carefully built-up momentum into nothing. He said to Daniel, "Don't worry. Even if the whole world betrays her, I'll stand by her side. From the moment I married her, I'll shield her from wind and rain for the rest of this lifetime."
Hearing these words, Daniel looked at him in disbelief. He hadn't expected this mysterious and good-looking man to be so devoted. But hearing this promise, he felt relieved and instructed, "Then you better keep your word and treat her well. She's a really good person."
Alexander smiled. "I know."
Arabella's goodness didn't need anyone to tell him. He'd remembered her goodness for over ten years.
He only regretted coming too late, only regretted not being able to protect her properly.
In the bedroom, Arabella told Percy about Dr. Kessler. Percy was first excited, saying, "Really? Such an amazing doctor will see me—is there hope for a cure?"
But then he looked at Arabella with worry. "Arabella, how did you get such a good doctor? Did you use a lot of connections? It's all Dad's fault for causing you so much trouble. How can we repay such a favor?"
Arabella smiled and comforted him. "Dad, it wasn't too much trouble. Alex happens to have a doctor friend who met Dr. Kessler at a forum. Dr. Kessler thought highly of him, so he made the connection. Alex and I just need to take his friend out for dinner later."
Only after hearing this did Percy breathe a sigh of relief and nod. "Alex is thoughtful."
That mysterious and powerful son-in-law of his—while Arabella couldn't see through him, he'd noticed something was off.
But last time Alexander had promised him face-to-face that he'd take good care of Arabella and never let her get hurt. Plus Arabella liked the man, so he could only wait and see for now.
Since Alexander had made the connection and found such a good doctor, it made sense.
Percy still cautioned, "Actually, my leg—it's fine whether it gets treated or not. Don't ask Alex to do things for me in the future. If it happens too often, he'll get annoyed."
Just like back at the Watson family—wasn't it because Arabella worried too much about him as a father that it caused the Watson family's displeasure?
He wanted his daughter to be happy and didn't want to be her burden.
But Arabella smiled and said, "Dad, I didn't ask him. I had no idea his friend knew Dr. Kessler. Alex helped on his own initiative—I just found out too. He already scheduled the appointment."
Percy's eyes widened. "He helped on his own?"
That man didn't seem like the overly enthusiastic type. Percy had only hoped he'd treat his daughter well. He hadn't expected him to be thoughtful enough to care for a disabled man like himself.
Percy's opinion of Alexander was refreshed once again. He felt this young man was more and more likable—though not good with words, his actions were so considerate.
Unlike that Anthony, who only knew how to sweet-talk people but was unwilling to do anything when real help was needed.
By comparison, Percy only had full appreciation for Alexander.
After Arabella finished telling her father about Saturday's consultation, she didn't leave immediately. After hesitating for a moment, she said, "Dad, I have some money now. If I brought you to live with me, I could completely manage it and support you. If you..."
Ever since she'd had money, she'd been thinking about this. Before, she'd been forced to choose Marilyn, but now she had money and could hire the best caregivers for her father. There was no need to listen to Marilyn's complaints all the time.
The house belonged to her father—she could give Marilyn some money and definitely get rid of her.
Her work was now on track, and she'd likely get promoted by year-end. She could handle everything easily.
But unexpectedly, Percy waved his hand and decisively refused. "Forget it. Marilyn and I get along fine. Let's leave it this way. When you're old, you always need a companion—if not her, it would be someone else. Besides, Daniel is sensible now. This is fine."
His daughter had her own life. She and Alex were getting along well—if she brought along his burden, who knew what Alex would think?
Percy took Arabella's hand and instructed, "You keep your money safe. You have such a long life ahead—there will be plenty of places to use money. As for Alex, you should observe him more too. Though he's good now, men change, and no one can guarantee what the future holds. Keep this money for yourself as a backup plan. But when living with someone, you have to be sincere—don't bully him, understand?"
Arabella felt like crying but held back her tears and nodded.
Her father was saying this deliberately for her sake. He'd lived half his life with her mother, such a gentle person—they rarely even argued.
How could he be used to living with Marilyn?
But she couldn't convince her father, so she had to shelve the matter for now.
She'd thought this issue was basically unsolvable, but unexpectedly, when they were leaving, Alexander was very respectful and polite to Percy. "Dad, if you're willing, you can come stay with us more often in the future. Arabella only has you as a relative left—she worries about you."
Arabella hadn't expected him to say this. She was stunned for a moment, then looked at her father with both gratitude and hope.
What her father worried about most was affecting her relationship with Alex. Now that Alex had proactively said he didn't mind—would he...?
But although Percy smiled with emotion, he still shook his head in refusal. "No need. I'm quite comfortable living here."
Arabella was somewhat disappointed. Alexander said, "No problem. Whenever you change your mind, you're always welcome."
Percy smiled and waved his hand. "Alright, having your thoughtfulness is enough for me. It's getting late—go back now."
Arabella said goodbye to her father and went downstairs with Alexander.
Once in the car, she asked curiously, "You invited my dad over, but your place is a two-bedroom. If my dad had agreed, where were you planning to have him sleep?"
She wasn't questioning Alexander's sincerity—just purely curious.
Unexpectedly, Alexander said, "If he came over, we'd get a bigger place."
His tone was casual, as if changing houses was as simple as drinking water.
Arabella was stunned. "I thought you'd say rent a place. Getting a bigger house in Majestic City costs a lot of money."
Even selling the small one plus all her money might not be enough.
Alexander kept his eyes on the road as he drove, responding, "I have some savings. I could get some more from family, plus the money from selling the house—it should be about enough for a three-bedroom in the same area."
Arabella's breath caught, and for a moment she didn't know what to say.
What shocked and amazed her was how casually he said these things, without considering the pros and cons at all.
Even couples with real feelings entering marriage would calculate gains and losses, but he didn't at all. Hearing her concern, he naturally proposed a solution—one that was the limit of what he could do.
He didn't think there was anything wrong with spending several hundred thousand dollars to change houses for her dad.
Such sincerity and openness.
Arabella's heart was filled with mixed emotions. For a moment she had many things she wanted to say to him, but when the words reached her lips, she swallowed them back. Finally she just said, "Alex, you're too kind."
Kind enough to empty his savings for a marriage-of-convenience wife.
He didn't even think that if they divorced, these would all be marital assets—if she wanted to take half, it would be easy.
He really had no guard against people at all. No wonder Mr. White could hurt him so deeply.
Kind?
Alexander's eyebrows raised slightly. Was he a kind person?
If you asked his company subordinates, the answer would definitely be no.
If you asked his business competitors, he was even a devil from hell.
If you asked the elders and siblings in his family, he was probably an inhuman ice block.
His wife seemed to have a big misunderstanding about him.
But so what? His wife was praising his kindness.
Probably because he gave all his humanity to her.
Alexander just smiled without speaking, while Arabella was deeply moved.
Living like this was pretty good. Arabella was starting to like this marriage-of-convenience life—at least she didn't need to be on guard against the person beside her.
The next morning, as usual, Alexander dropped off Becky first, then took Arabella to work. By noon, Arabella had become famous in the company.
Downstairs from the building, someone had put up a banner denouncing Arabella as a homewrecker. The large white cloth was covered with writing about how Arabella was promiscuous, how she'd cheated on her ex-husband, and how she'd married a pretty boy on the day of her divorce.
Passersby saw the banner and discussed it among themselves. When Arabella went downstairs, she saw two strange men she didn't recognize standing there, vividly telling the onlookers how despicable and excessive she was.
She stopped at the back of the crowd. Some were colleagues from her company, others were strangers. Those who recognized her were excitedly whispering to people beside them.
Many unbearable words reached her ears without any restraint.
The two strangers saw Arabella arrive and got excited, pointing at her. "Look, that's her! Just look at her—she doesn't look like a decent person. You all know she's made big money this past six months, right? Those from your company must know. Let me tell you, the money she made—it's all from spreading her legs. Well, you get it, right?"
Even more pointing and staring followed.
Arabella looked at those two strangers and took a deep breath.
She didn't know them, but she was clear in her heart that this was the Watson family's doing.
Anthony wouldn't do something so embarrassing, and Jennifer cared about face too much to air dirty laundry. Was it Cassidy or Rachel?