Chapter 255

Chapter 255

Seeing Willie get so serious, everyone figured he was protecting Alice and shot each other knowing looks, grinning at the two of them.

But they gave him a break and didn't push it any further.

Alice sat down next to Willie, a little reluctant. Listening to everyone treat her and Willie like they were a couple made her stomach turn.

She'd need to set the record straight soon. Things were already weird enough between her and Willie—now with everyone getting the wrong idea, if she didn't say something, it would just get more awkward down the line.

"It's not every day we all get together, so let's really tie one on tonight."

The organizer raised his glass, and everyone stood up to toast.

Alice didn't feel like drinking, but she didn't want to kill the vibe, so she took a tiny sip.

"Alice, come on—that's weak. Everyone else knocked theirs back, and you're barely wetting your lips?"

"I've got to drive home, and I'm a total lightweight. If I drink too much, I won't make it back."

Alice made her excuses, already regretting coming to this reunion.

These so-called alumni get-togethers were completely pointless—just people showing off and gossiping. So boring.

If Willie hadn't kept bugging her to come, she definitely wouldn't have bothered. She just didn't want to hurt his feelings.

"What's the big deal? Willie's right here. If you get hammered, he can take you home. Perfect opportunity for you two to, you know, get closer. We're all rooting for you guys."

"Yeah, seriously, we're all married now—you two are the only ones left. If you got together, it'd be like the ultimate school romance."

The more they talked, the more ridiculous it got, and Alice's irritation spiked.

Her brow furrowed as she said coldly, "I already told you—Willie and I are just friends, nothing more. I don't want to hear any more of this crap!"

Alice's face suddenly went hard, wiping the smiles off everyone's faces. The atmosphere turned awkward.

The guy who'd been leading the teasing glanced at Willie, whose expression had gone dark and unreadable, then quickly tried to smooth things over with a laugh.

"Hey, I was just messing around, don't get mad. We're all classmates here, just trying to have some fun."

The explanation didn't soften Alice's expression one bit.

She looked around the room, her tone icy, "I don't like being the punchline for this kind of joke. If you all get such a kick out of it, why don't you make fun of yourselves?"

No one expected Alice to be so blunt. They exchanged glances, at a loss for words.

Willie's face had gone sour.

Even though Alice hadn't spelled it out, her meaning was crystal clear—she wasn't into him.

And most of the people there knew he had a thing for Alice.

Seeing everyone go quiet, Alice picked up her glass, "This is supposed to be a reunion. My attitude just now was out of line. I'll drink as an apology."

With that, she downed the whole thing.

"I've been slammed at work lately, so I'm not gonna stick around. I'm heading out."

Without giving anyone a chance to respond, Alice turned and walked out.

Willie immediately went after her, "Alice, wait up—let me give you a ride!"

After both of them disappeared from the private room, the gossip started flying.

"What's her deal? Why'd she have to be so harsh?"

"Right? We were just messing around. Did she really need to blow up like that?"

"Whatever, let's not let Alice kill the vibe. Everyone knows she's stuck-up and thinks no guy's good enough for her. Willie's such a catch and even he doesn't measure up—when she ends up a lonely cat lady, she'll regret it!"

"Alice, wait up."

Willie chased Alice out of the restaurant to where she stood at the curb trying to flag down a cab.

Alice glanced up at him, her tone flat, "Willie, why'd you follow me out?"

"They were just talking without thinking back there. Don't let it get to you."

Alice didn't have a problem with Willie—after all, he hadn't said anything out of line.

But she was really sick of that group constantly making her the butt of their jokes.

"Their habit of ragging on other people is seriously annoying."

Seeing Alice upset, Willie looked at her with a complicated expression, "Then why didn't you just tell them you're already married? If you'd mentioned you were married, they would've backed off."

"My marriage is between me and my husband. It's none of their business."

A barely perceptible smile flickered in Willie's eyes, "I get it. Don't be upset. Let me drive you home."

Having just been the subject of gossip pairing her with Willie, if she got in his car now, that group would definitely be even more convinced something was going on between them.

To prevent everyone from getting the wrong idea that she and Willie actually had something happening, Alice immediately refused, "No need, I already called a ride. I can get back on my own."

"Let me take you. I picked you up—I can't just let you go home alone. I know with your skills you won't run into any trouble, but as a guy, I've got to have some manners. I can't just bail on you."

When Willie put it that way, Alice couldn't find a good reason to refuse, but she really wanted to keep her distance from him and didn't want people getting the wrong idea anymore.

"Willie, seriously, it's fine. And if you don't drive me home, who's gonna know unless we tell them? You're busy too—I don't want to waste your time."

Seeing Alice still turning him down, disappointment flickered in Willie's eyes, "Are you deliberately avoiding me because I told you how I felt before?"

Faced with such a direct question, Alice didn't know what to say.

If she said yes, wouldn't that be way too awkward for Willie?

"No, I really don't need you to drive me home. I can handle it myself."

Alice kept firmly refusing, but Willie had already grabbed her wrist and started pulling her toward his car.

Just as Alice was about to pull free, a male voice came from up ahead, "Honey."

Hearing that familiar voice, Alice looked up in surprise at Samuel walking toward her.

The moment she saw him, the irritation in her eyes instantly melted into a smile.

"Honey, what are you doing here?"

Samuel reached Alice's side and smoothly pulled her into his arms, "Well, you said you were going to a reunion, and I was worried you might drink too much, so I came to pick you up."

Willie, who'd been hoping to create an opportunity to spend time with her, frowned when Samuel showed up.

"Actually, even if you hadn't come, I would've gotten Alice home safely. After all, I was the one who picked her up."