Chapter 151 Taking Good Care of Alice

Neil was floored when he heard the news. "Wait, what? Then who are Alice's real parents?"

Henry didn't hold back and shared everything Lester had told him.

Neil frowned after hearing it all. "Lester's not exactly the most reliable source. Let's keep this from Alice for now. No one can choose their parents, but I refuse to believe that such people could be Alice's parents. I will investigate this matter then."

Henry nodded, "Got it."

They dropped the subject and moved on to other things.

In the kitchen...

Amara handed a bowl of potatoes to Ethan. "Here, you peel these."

Ethan grabbed the peeler and got to work by the trash can.

Alice walked in and couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.

She hugged Amara from behind. "Grandma, I missed you so much."

"You always know how to butter me up," Amara said, pretending to be annoyed, but her smile gave her away.

"Grandma, I want some rose petal cake," Alice said sweetly.

Amara laughed. "Alright, let's go pick some fresh flowers."

They headed out to the backyard greenhouse, where a bunch of roses were in full bloom.

"Does he know your real identity?" Amara asked, holding the gardening shears, while Alice followed with a basket.

"No, I haven't told him. Mike's still out there, and I don't want Henry to be in danger," Alice replied.

Amara sighed as she placed the cut roses into the basket. "You always take everything on yourself."

"If Henry hadn't saved me back then, I wouldn't be here now," Alice said, arranging the roses in the basket.

Amara paused and then asked, "So, when's the wedding?"

"After I deal with Mike. Plus, the Howard family doesn't know we're already married; I didn't let Henry tell them," Alice said, taking the rose from Amara's hand.

Amara frowned. "So, you won't be having a baby anytime soon?"

Alice nodded.

"What if you never find Mike? Are you never going public, never having a wedding, never preparing for pregnancy?" Amara was upset.

Alice quickly took her arm. "Grandma, don't be mad. I'm only twenty; there's plenty of time. Besides, I've got people looking for Mike. It is likely that there will be news soon."

Amara held her hand. "Promise me, even if you find Mike, don't go after him yourself. It's too dangerous. I can't lose you and Calvin again."

Alice nodded. "Okay, I promise."

They filled the basket with roses and went back to the kitchen, where they started plucking and cleaning the petals.

As Amara kneaded the dough, Alice couldn't help but commend her. "Grandma, your rose petal cake is the best in the world."

"You always know how to flatter me," Amara said.

"Does it make you happy?" Alice laughed, wiping her face.

"You little rascal, I do like hearing it," Amara said, and they both laughed heartily.

Even Ethan, who was peeling potatoes nearby, couldn't help but smile.

At lunch...

Alice's plate was piled high with food. "Grandpa, Grandma, are you trying to fatten me up?"

Neil laughed. "Eat more; you're too skinny. Henry, make sure she eats more."

Amara chimed in. "Yes, I only have one granddaughter, Alice. You have to take good care of her."

Henry nodded, "Don't worry, Grandpa, Grandma. I'll take good care of her."

Ethan lowered his head and ate his meal, thinking how the usually stern and rigid Henry was now surprisingly humble

After lunch, Alice took Henry to her room.

 "It used to be decorated in a classical style. After I came, all the antiques were moved out. Grandpa, Grandma, and my older brother all regard me as the apple of their eye and dote on me. Even my mischievous younger brother Calvin was tamed by me."

Although she hadn't been back for a long time, the room was tidy, as Amara cleaned it every three days.

Henry asked, "Your older brother?"

Alice said, "His name was Alaric. He passed away two years ago."

Henry held her, gently stroking her hair, "I'm sorry."

Alice's mind flashed to Alaric's death, and she began to struggle to breathe. Tears streamed down her face, likely triggered by being back here.

Henry noticed Alice trembling in his arms and quickly released her, wiping away her tears, "Don't cry."

Alice buried herself in Henry's chest, trying to calm down.

She said, "He died of an illness. Alaric was very good to me. Even though I was adopted, he treated me like his own sister."

"Alice, stop crying; he wouldn't want to see you so sad," Henry comforted her.

Alice nodded, wiping away her tears, "Let me show you around."

The villa was situated at the juncture of Mudas and Riverdale, nestled at the base of a verdant mountain, where the air was remarkably pristine.

Henry and Alice held hands as they climbed the mountain. Since there were stone steps, it wasn't too strenuous.

By the time they reached the top, it was past five, just in time for the sunset. There was a swing hanging from a tree at the top. Alice sat on it, and Henry gently pushed her.

"When I was little, Alaric, Calvin, and I often played here." Alice looked at the distant sunset, bathed in orange light, "At first, I would let Calvin have the swing. It was Alaric who told me that if you like something, you should go for it. If you always give in, the other person will think it's their right. So I stopped letting Calvin have the swing, and he would complain to Alaric, Grandpa, and Grandma, which usually ended in a lecture for him. As Calvin grew up, he stopped competing and graciously allowed me to enjoy the swing first." She turned and smiled, "I'm very grateful that Grandpa and Grandma adopted me and they gave me a home."

Henry stood quietly behind her. Alice blinked, stopped the swing with her foot, and walked over to him, "Now you have given me a home too. Thank you, Henry."

Henry hugged her and said, his voice laden with heartache. "After you graduate, we'll have the wedding and lots of kids."

"No way! What do you think I am?"

Henry's laugh was deep and magnetic, "Then just two? A boy and a girl?"

"Two is negotiable." Alice and Henry hugged tightly. It was almost evening when they finally descended the mountain.

At the Howard Manor.

Bethany and Paloma were having coffee when Oliver walked in briskly.

Oliver sat on the sofa, unable to mask the joy gleaming in his eyes.

Bethany glanced at him, "What, are you going to be a father again?"

Oliver's face fell immediately, "Grandpa, why do you say that?"

"Am I wrong?" Bethany took a sip of coffee.

Oliver cleared his throat, "Grandpa, did you know Henry went to Mudas for a project?"