Chapter 145 Taken a Liking to Arabella
After Arabella left, Anthony casually dropped the flowers he'd been holding and stepped on them.
The delicate blooms were quickly ground into the dirt.
Anthony stared darkly in the direction Arabella had gone, voice low. "I divorced for you. And you still won't come back to me? Arabella, when did you become so disobedient..."
"Is it because of that Alexander guy? Ha. You think I can't touch him?"
"So what if he's got Mr. White backing him up? If I'm careful enough, who'll know I made the move?"
After a long moment, he laughed coldly and turned to leave.
Back in the hospital room, Daisy was still fuming. "What the hell does he think he is? Some precious treasure? He wants to divorce, he divorces. He wants to remarry, he remarries. What does he think you are?"
Arabella replied, "Probably his accessory."
Daisy froze, then looked over to see her friend's thoughtful expression. Worried she'd hit a sore spot, she quickly backtracked. "That's not what I meant! I'm just pissed at how he disrespects you."
"I know." Arabella smiled casually. "When you're stuck in the middle of something, a lot of things aren't clear. But stepping out of it? Everything's obvious now. From beginning to end, he never saw me as an equal. He wanted an obedient accessory who'd manage the home front and handle all the tedious crap. When you're just an accessory, why would there be any talk of equality between spouses?"
This was something she'd only realized after becoming aware of how she'd been belittled during those two years of marriage.
Daisy was moved. She walked over and crouched in front of her friend, voice sympathetic. "I'm actually really happy you can see it that way. But I'm also worried. Look how he's divorcing and remarrying and doing whatever he wants. I'm afraid if you keep giving him the cold shoulder, he'll get angry and do something to you."
Arabella was afraid of the same things Daisy was talking about.
She wasn't some battle-hardened warrior or some princess with a powerful family backing her up. Being targeted by someone like Anthony—how could she not be scared?
But being scared wouldn't solve anything. It would just make her constantly second-guess herself. Better to be fearless.
Daisy sighed. "I wish Alexander would come back already. Has he contacted you?"
"Not yet." Arabella smiled bitterly.
Even if Alexander came back, what could he really solve? He wasn't some all-powerful big shot who could intimidate Anthony. At most he'd be another safeguard in her life. At minimum, if Anthony tried something, Alexander could help her call the cops...
"Whatever, let's not talk about that." Daisy changed the subject with enthusiasm. "You know what? The first movie I filmed is coming out early next month! I'll get you two tickets—you and Alexander can go together!"
Arabella asked with delight, "It's actually a movie? When did you make it to the big screen? You kept that quiet!"
Daisy grinned. "Not a lead role, just a small supporting part. I don't have much screen time."
Yeah, it was an opportunity from Alexander.
Even without much screen time, being on the big screen meant a new beginning for any actress in the entertainment industry. Arabella was thrilled for her and declared grandly, "I'll rent out the whole theater to support you!"
Renting out a screening would cost a few thousand bucks, but she could manage that. More importantly, she was genuinely happy for her friend!
Daisy's phone suddenly rang. She glanced at it, sneered, and hung up.
Arabella asked curiously, "Who was that?"
"That guy who's chasing me, the one who came this morning." Daisy lied without blinking, though the disgust on her face was completely genuine. "Let's just ignore him. So annoying, always following me around."
Arabella nodded. You couldn't meddle in other people's love lives. That was just Daisy's personality—in her mind, whatever she did was right.
A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Daisy ran to open it and barely controlled her emotions. "Why are you here again?"
Her tone was perfectly calibrated—three parts disgust, three parts impatience, three parts disdain, and one part contempt.
Ethan stood there somewhat helplessly, holding a bag of food. "Um, I was passing by and remembered you were here... You probably haven't had dinner yet, right? I brought some food."
Daisy looked at him suspiciously, then checked her watch. "It's only four-thirty."
Who eats dinner at four-thirty?
"What are you up to?" Daisy glared at him aggressively. "I warned you this morning—when it comes to my friend, if you try anything again, I really will get the male lead replaced!"
Ethan quickly held up his hands in surrender. "Don't do that! I really don't have any ulterior motives. I just... just thought your friend's situation is rough, and you're having a hard time too. I came to check on you guys."
Daisy gave him a weird look. "We're doing fine, thanks."
Ethan pressed the bag into her hands. "Stop being stubborn, I get it. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. From now on, I'll cover all three of your meals."
Daisy looked completely confused.
After handing over the food, Ethan acted like he'd completed a mission. He waved at her and turned to leave.
His back was ramrod straight, every movement screaming: I'm a good person! A really good person!
Daisy returned utterly baffled, carrying the bag of food.
Arabella asked, "What did he want?"
"Hell if I know." Daisy set the bag on the table. "But it's free food. We'd be stupid not to eat it."
Then she saw the packaging and her eyes went wide. "This place is crazy expensive!"
How expensive? The average per-person cost was like three thousand dollars.
This whole bag had to be worth tens of thousands.
Daisy suddenly became alert. That bastard—had he set his sights on Arabella?
Shit, he had some nerve. Alexander would skin him alive, wouldn't he?
"He sent you such expensive food—you really shouldn't have accepted it," Arabella couldn't help saying. "You're not interested in him, and accepting gifts at this price point... I mean, even though it's just one meal, it doesn't look good."
Daisy quickly replied, "I know, I know. I won't let him bring anything again."
She was also worried that if Ethan came a few more times and Alexander ran into him, he'd get crushed like an insect.
Not that she was particularly protecting Ethan—mainly his acting was decent. If he really got taken out, the production would have to find a new male lead. What a hassle.
After eating, she scurried off to the side to call Ethan.
Meanwhile, Arabella received Alexander's first message in three days.
[I'm back, just landed. I'll explain everything when we meet.]
Arabella held her phone, a smile unconsciously spreading across her face.
At that same moment, at Majestic City Airport.
A private jet landed in its designated position. The cabin door opened, and a line of bodyguards in black suits jogged out in practiced formation. Then a man in a suit vest, jacket draped over his arm, emerged.
The special passage had already been cordoned off by bodyguards. He walked this clear path as if no one else existed, a stark contrast to the crowded line of people at the adjacent gate waiting to board.
He didn't spare the crowd a single glance. His path was separated from theirs by a wide berth. His expression was casual, as if he'd long grown accustomed to the disparities that money and power created.
The bodyguards escorted him all the way to the airport exit. At his subtle signal, they dispersed. He was about to hail a cab when a taxi suddenly stopped in front of him. The rear door opened, and a petite figure rushed out and ran toward the terminal.
The woman wasn't watching where she was going. Alexander, caught off guard, took her shoulder right to his.
Rachel stopped, clutching her head in irritation. When she looked up and saw Alexander, her face immediately soured. "Dogs don't block the road! Are you trying to scam me? Get lost!"
Just some broke-ass salesman trying to get in her way.
She looked down on Arabella from the bottom of her heart, and she looked down even more on this new man Arabella had found. So she spoke without any courtesy.
She tried to walk past him.
Alexander stopped in his tracks and put out a hand to block her, his face expressionless. "You ran into me. Apologize."
Rachel looked at him with contempt. "Who the hell do you think you are to demand an apology from me? You're a nobody salesman. If I hadn't lowered myself to be here, you wouldn't even get a chance to see me. Instead of being grateful, you dare talk back?"
Alexander ignored her words, only repeating coldly, "Apologize."
He'd been gone for six days, ran into an incident overseas, and Alexander's mood was frankly terrible. He was desperate to see one person, couldn't wait to get back and check if she'd been okay these past few days.
And now Rachel had the nerve to provoke him.
Rachel glared at him. "You want an apology? No way! Get out of my way. If you make me late for something important, you're done!"
She tried to pull free but couldn't break Alexander's grip. Annoyed, she snapped, "Let go of me!"
Alexander looked at her coldly. "I'll say it one more time. Apologize."
Rachel glanced at the time and started getting anxious.
She'd worked so hard to find out that James was flying back to the country today, probably around this time. She'd practically begged her brother for three extra days. This was her only chance.
She had to see James and tell him how she felt.
If Mr. James accepted her, she wouldn't have to marry into the Green family.
She didn't have time to waste energy on nobodies. Reluctantly impatient, she snapped, "Fine! I'm sorry! Happy? Let me go!"
Alexander released her. Rachel rushed into the airport.
She had to win over James. She had to secure her own escape route!
She could do this. If she persisted, James would definitely come to like her.
She believed it completely.
However, after waiting at the airport all morning, she never found that transcendent figure.
She refused to accept this outcome and waited another hour, finally having to admit James wasn't coming.
So... she had no other options?
Rachel's face turned ashen. Was she really going to have to marry that playboy from the Green family?
She trudged out dejectedly. The moment she got in a cab, she received a call from her mother. "Your brother says the Green family's young master is also in Majestic City. Both families arranged dinner together tonight. Hurry home and get dressed up."
Rachel didn't know what methods her brother had used to change their mother's attitude. She answered listlessly, "I know. I'm heading back now."
She knew she had no other choice.
At the same time, at the hospital.
Arabella looked at the man in front of her with surprise. The joy of seeing him hadn't even settled when he dropped a shocking piece of news.
"You were almost shot in Riverland?"
Her heartbeat quickened uncontrollably. She knew things were rougher abroad, but she'd never imagined something like this would happen to someone close to her.
Alexander nodded with lingering fear and sighed. "Yes, it was a targeted shooting. My colleague and I were the targets. They struck in broad daylight in a busy area. I barely escaped. Then to avoid them, I had to hide out in the countryside for two days. That's why I couldn't message you back."
Arabella immediately said, "Forget about messages at a time like that! I'm just glad you're okay. You scared me to death just hearing about it."
Alexander's heart softened. "But I'm fine, aren't I?"
Seeing the worry still lingering in her eyes, he regretted exaggerating so much. He had been involved in a shooting—that was true—but his bodyguards had killed the attackers on the spot. He'd lost his phone during the incident, and afterward, when the bodyguards were arrested by local police, he'd been busy pulling strings to get them released. He just hadn't gotten around to replacing his phone and contacting her.
He'd deliberately made it sound more dramatic because, selfishly, he wanted to see her care about him... But seeing her frown with worry, he felt his manipulation was pretty despicable.
Alexander smoothly changed the subject. "How has Becky been these past few days? Has she been good?"
Arabella quickly replied, "She's been great! First thing she does when she gets home is homework, then reviewing and previewing lessons. I've never seen such a diligent child."
Alexander nodded. "She really treasures the educational opportunity you've given her."
As he spoke, he opened the black briefcase he'd brought and took out two small pink boxes.
Arabella asked curiously, "What are these?"
Alexander handed them to her with a smile. "These are gifts from Mom and Grandma."
Mom and Grandma...
Arabella suddenly realized he'd never made a distinction between the two sides of his family when talking to her.
His mom. His grandma. He generously shared them with her.
But she—every time she mentioned her father to him, it was always "my dad." She'd never thought of her relatives as being family with him too.
A strange feeling stirred in Arabella's chest. She deliberately ignored it and asked Alexander with some confusion, "You went to Riverland—how did you bring back gifts from them? Aren't they in the country?"
Alexander's expression immediately became peculiar.
One careless moment, and he'd slipped up.
What could he say? Should he tell her his grandmother was at a farm over there watching over a cow about to give birth, just so she could bring back fresh colostrum to help Arabella recover? Or tell her that his mother, racked with guilt over causing the car accident, had bought a plane ticket to Riverland to find his grandmother for comfort after Arabella was out of danger?
If he said any of that, he wouldn't be able to hide anything anymore. Absolutely not.