Chapter 487 The Last Time

Chapter 487 The Last Time

When Michael arrived at the bar, Clifton and Glenn were already seated and waiting.

This was his last bachelor party before the wedding, and Glenn insisted they celebrate properly.

"Michael, running late? Three drinks as punishment!" Glenn had his arm wrapped around a gorgeous woman, nodding his chin toward Michael.

The moment Michael walked in, a young woman sidled up to pour him a drink. "Mr. Johnson, I'm new here. My name is—"

Before she could finish, Michael's cold stare stopped her mid-sentence.

"Michael, how are the wedding preparations going? Has your wife picked out her dress yet?" Clifton's question made the woman beside them instantly fall silent.

The guy had a wife and was getting married—no point in trying now.

At the mention of marriage, Michael's brow furrowed. Something felt off. Alice was being too compliant.

Given her personality, how could she be so easily manipulated? Just because she was touched by his gesture?

Michael swirled his glass, then set it down. He'd genuinely had a crush on Alice since they were young, carrying feelings for her all these years. But Alice wasn't the same person she'd been ten years ago. Wouldn't she be overthinking things now?

"Michael, we're not going home sober tonight!" Glenn moved closer, clinking glasses with him. "This is your last bachelor party. Think you'll be able to come out after this? Once you have a wife keeping tabs on you, forget about it!"

"You're married, and you still come out. Is it because your wife can't be bothered to keep track of you?" Clifton shot him a look.

Whatever Glenn was thinking about made him irritably set down his glass, too.

"Glenn, double the security for the wedding," Michael said suddenly.

Glenn blinked, then nodded. "Sure thing. I'll call David—he's handling business today, right? Missing out on such a great party, honestly."

He'd just pulled out his phone when Michael stopped him. "David's handling serious business. You take care of this. Double the manpower."

"Double?" Glenn looked at him in surprise. "You don't actually think someone would dare cause trouble at your wedding, do you?"

Seeing Michael's somewhat cold expression, Clifton patted Glenn's shoulder. "Better safe than sorry. You've got the people, right?"

"Are you kidding? The Cole family might not have much else, but we've got plenty of people. I'll get right on it!" Glenn said, leaving the private room.

Clifton waved his hand, signaling for everyone else to leave.

"Michael, feeling uneasy?"

Michael didn't answer, instead draining the beer on the table in one gulp.

The day before the wedding, according to tradition, the bride and groom shouldn't see each other, and the bride should stay at her family's home before leaving for marriage. But Alice had no family left.

The rental apartment was too small, and Michael thought the neighborhood wasn't safe enough. In the end, he had Alice return to the penthouse—after all, it was still in Alice's name.

Alice was slightly surprised. She'd assumed Michael had already transferred the property.

But Michael wouldn't let Mira, the maid of honor, stay with her. Instead, he only allowed Stefan and Ava to come over.

As soon as Alice entered the penthouse, she noticed something was off. Though it had been decorated like a bridal suite with festive decorations everywhere, she could tell that many of the furnishings had been moved around. Even the sofa had been replaced.

"Mrs. Johnson, if you need anything, just let me know. Is there anything else you'd like adjusted?" Ava said quietly.

"Just call me Alice. Let's not be so formal with each other." Alice waved her hand dismissively.

Ava hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alice, honestly, this still doesn't feel real to me. So much has happened this past year."

In just over a year, everything seemed to have changed. Stefan nodded silently beside them. Time really could change so many people and things.

Alice smiled, finding it somewhat ironic.

Just then, Stefan's phone rang. He glanced at the number and handed it directly to Alice. "Daryl."

"He's back?" Alice looked slightly surprised and quickly answered. "Daryl!"

"Alice! I'm back. I just went to see Aunt, and you're getting married without even telling me? Michael had to send someone to bring me back. You're terrible!" Daryl's voice sounded indignant. "Michael asked me to be a groomsman, but just now the team manager from Marigoldia told me there's a problem with the data. I need to rush back."

His voice carried some worry. "Alice, this project involves over a billion dollars. I'm sorry, I have to go back and check on it."

"Daryl, I'm fine. You know Michael, right? With him here, everything's okay. Go handle your work," Alice gripped the phone tightly. "When you get back, I'll throw you a welcome party."

Airport announcements could be heard in the background as Daryl said a few more words before hanging up.

Alice closed her eyes and finally breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that Daryl was going to Marigoldia. At least domestically, he wouldn't face constraints, and Zaid would definitely be able to help Daryl get out when the time came.

Before she could return the phone to Stefan, Michael's call came through, and she answered it directly.

"Alice took the call. How are her emotions?" Michael's calm voice came through.

Alice said nothing, instead handing the phone back to Stefan.

Stefan coughed somewhat awkwardly. "Yes, her emotions seem fine."

He took the phone to the balcony and began reporting on Alice's situation since returning.

Seeing Alice's expression darken, Ava quickly explained, "Mr. Johnson is just worried that you don't have family or friends around. Stefan is just doing his job."

"I understand." Alice nodded. "I'm going to take a shower first."

Stefan was basically a human surveillance device, constantly monitoring her every move and reporting back to Michael. It was his job, and Alice didn't have much to say about it.

What she hadn't expected was that right after her shower, Michael appeared at the penthouse.

"Why are you here?" She was drying her hair, looking at him with some confusion. "Didn't you say it was bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other the day before?"

"I missed you." Michael walked over and held her tightly, then began helping her dry her hair. "I kept feeling worried, so I came to check on you. Besides, this is our home too, isn't it?"

Ava and Stefan had disappeared somewhere, leaving just the two of them.

Alice let him dry her hair, then gently closed her eyes. "We're getting married tomorrow. You should go back and get some rest."

"Mrs. Johnson, you won't even let me stay?" Michael rested his chin on her shoulder, his voice carrying a hint of grievance.

Alice sighed. "It's just a few hours. How can you be so clingy?"

Michael chuckled softly and pulled out a hair dryer to blow-dry her long hair.

Alice had never enjoyed such treatment before. She lowered her gaze to hide her ironic emotions. She was worth something now—worth Michael personally drying her hair.

Once her hair was dry, she collapsed onto the bed. "I have to get up at four to do my makeup. I'm sleeping now. You should head back in a bit."

Michael didn't respond; instead, he lay down beside her, as if only by holding her could he confirm that she belonged to him.

Alice gently took his hand. One last time—let it be like this.