Chapter 146: Mr. Howard is Very Sensible

Alice took the suit jacket and saw that the cuff was indeed splattered with blood.

She frowned. Could Henry have been injured last night?

She sniffed it and noticed a perfume scent.

While Alice was puzzled, Henry appeared at the corner of the stairs.

He was dressed in workout clothes, clearly having gone for a morning run.

"Why are you up so early?" Henry's steps were brisk, and he looked energetic.

Alice pointed at the cuff, "Did you get hurt? There's blood on this."

Henry threw the suit jacket on the ground and told the servant, "Get rid of it."

"Yes, sir." The servant quickly picked it up and left.

Henry took Alice's hand and led her into the bathroom. He stood behind her, holding her as he carefully washed her hands.

"Nicole was at the party last night. She was there to give Erik's daughter some counseling. When she was drinking, her glass shattered, and she cut her hand. Ethan and I took her to the hospital, but I stayed outside smoking while Ethan stayed with her the whole time in the hospital." Henry, being very considerate, quickly explained.

"You did quite well." Alice glanced sideways, "But did she come just for you?"

"Probably not." Henry dried her hands.

Alice turned around with a smile, "Henry, you really know what to do."

Henry said, "I don't want to upset you."

Alice wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek, "Here's a sweet kiss as a reward."

Henry rubbed his nose against hers, "Then I won't hold back." He tilted his head and kissed her passionately.

After a long while, Henry whispered in her ear, "Alice, did you not sleep well last night?"

"What?" Alice was startled, then realized what he meant. She pushed against his chest, "Since I started living with you, I haven't slept well."

Henry chuckled, "My bad. I'll let you sleep well tonight."

Alice gave him a playful glare, "When are we leaving for the party?"

"The party starts at noon, and we'll sign the contract in the afternoon." Henry took her hand and led her out, "Let's have breakfast first, then I'll show you around."

Breakfast was very sumptuous, with a variety of dishes laid out on the rectangular table.

Henry filled her plate, and Alice blinked at the food, "Are you trying to fatten me up to eat me?"

Henry propped his chin with one hand, smiling meaningfully, "I'm not that malevolent; I just have some erotic thoughts."

Alice glanced at the servants on both sides, blushing furiously. She glared at Henry and quickly ate the food on her plate.

After breakfast, Henry took her out of the villa. Three asphalt roads led to different places: a flower garden, a swan lake, and a mountain.

Each road was lined with ground lights, which would look stunning at night.

Henry first took her to the flower garden, a vast expanse of roses, even more spectacular than the rose garden at The York Manor.

"So pretty." Alice exclaimed in admiration.

"As long as you like it." Henry smiled.

Alice pointed at the black roses, "This variety isn't available in our country."

"Yeah, I had them airlifted." Henry spoke in a calm tone, as if he had just done something very ordinary.

Alice hugged him, "Henry, aren't you afraid of spoiling me too much?"

"I want to make you happy." Henry's voice was rich and deep, "Come on, let's pick some roses."

As they walked between the rows, Henry used gardening shears to cut various roses, removing the thorns before handing them to Alice.

Alice lowered her gaze to the roses in her arms; she was so delighted that it felt like a dream.

Henry then took her to see the swans and the beautiful view from the mountaintop. After a round, it was nearly ten in the morning.

When they returned to their room, five gowns were laid out on the bed.

"Which one do you like?" Henry asked.

Alice picked up a white, one-shoulder wrap dress, "This one, it's elegant and more conservative than the others."

"I'm not that demanding." Henry said, feigning indifference.

Alice picked up a dress with a revealing neckline, "Then I'll wear this one."

Henry tossed it aside, "The white one suits you better. Wear this."

Alice laughed at him for not being sincere.

After changing into the dress, Alice applied light makeup and tidied her hair before leaving the estate with Henry.

The party was held at a famous hotel in the city.

Upon hearing that Henry was coming, celebrities from all over Mudas gathered.

When Henry and Alice appeared at the entrance of the banquet hall, all eyes turned to them.

A crowd swarmed around them, with each person vying to make small talk.

Henry knew Alice didn't like such occasions and didn't want people's eyes lingering on her, so he sent her to the dessert area.

Alice glanced back, seeing Henry surrounded by people.

She went to the dessert area, placed her handbag on a nearby table, and picked up a plate with a piece of strawberry cake.

Alice took a small bite, savoring the rich, sweet strawberry flavor.

"Alice." Nicole standing beside her, smiling, "We meet again."

"Didn't expect to see you here in Mudas." Alice turned to her.

"Yeah, I'm here to counsel Erik's daughter. He asked me twice before I could find some time." Nicole said, pretending to be casual.

Alice nodded slightly, "How's your hand?"

"Got five stitches, still quite painful." Nicole glanced at the band-aid on her palm and casually picked up a piece of cake, "I saw the press conference last time. Henry must really like you to publicly acknowledge your relationship. I've never seen him care or lose control over a woman, except for the one in his dreams." She smiled, "Sorry, I didn't mean anything by it. I'm just curious why he forgot that woman's face and everything about her. Aren't you curious?"

Alice smirked, "Everyone has a past. There's no need for me to argue with my boyfriend over a woman he can't even remember. That would be making trouble for myself."

Nicole's smile stiffened. She didn't expect Alice, at just twenty, to be so mature and unfazed by provocation.

She nodded, "You're right."

At that moment, a woman in a white dress started shouting, "My necklace is gone! It was just here! Someone must have stolen it!"

The woman, Rhea Harrison, saw Alice's handbag and reached for it.

Alice's face darkened as she put down her plate and walked over.

She grabbed Rhea's hand, "What are you doing?"

Rhea raised her chin, "I'm checking. My necklace was lost here. Who knows if it's in this bag?"

Nicole stepped forward, "We've been chatting here the whole time. Your necklace couldn't possibly be in Alice's bag. Go look for your necklace elsewhere."

Rhea snorted, "You must be in cahoots. No, I have to check."

"You think you can check just because you say so?" Henry's cold, deep voice came through.

Everyone turned to look, and Henry's formidable presence caused the atmosphere to become tense.

Rhea shouted loudly, showing no fear, "I don't care. I have to check."

Henry stood in front of Rhea, his gaze icy and terrifying, "What if you find nothing?"

"Then I'll kneel and apologize!" Rhea was overbearing and fearless.

Henry coldly ordered, "Check!"

Rhea opened Alice's bag, her eyes lighting up as she pulled out a red cat's eye pendant necklace.

She waved the necklace in front of Henry, "See, this is my necklace."

Suddenly, Henry's mind buzzed, and he seemed to see a woman in a red dress flash before his eyes.