Chapter 201 Nova's Call

Matthew couldn't help but laugh as he heard her words.

Alice heard the commotion and turned around.

"Didn't Louis open a bar in Skyhaven City? Even though he's left, the bar's still open. Why don't we go have a drink? A day like today deserves a celebration!"

In truth, she missed Louis but was too shy to admit it.

Elizabeth could tell but didn't call her out. Instead, she agreed.

"If you want to go for a drink, I'll go with you."

Matthew was definitely going too.

At times like this, he couldn't help but reflect on his standing in Elizabeth's heart, realizing he ranked last.

Elizabeth quickly wrapped up her work and headed to the bar in the evening. Alice and Matthew arrived early too.

The three of them sat in a private room, perfectly positioned to enjoy the sunset through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Alice took a sip of her strong drink and glanced at the empty seat beside her, sighing with a hint of sadness.

When Louis was around, she didn't feel much, but since he left, Alice increasingly felt like she had lost something.

Certain habits she had formed became awkward with his absence.

Just then, Matthew's phone rang. Someone was calling him.

He glanced at his phone, put down his drink, and left the room to answer.

Seeing him leave, Elizabeth leaned closer to Alice and whispered in her ear.

"There's nothing wrong with expressing your feelings. If you miss him, you can tell him directly. I know you're shy and it's hard to say it face-to-face, but you can text him your thoughts."

Alice wanted to send him a message and boldly confess.

But in the adult world, there were always too many concerns. She thought about it and shook her head.

"It's not the right time yet. Let's wait a bit longer."

Seeing her hesitation, Elizabeth didn't push further.

Alice had to take this step herself. It was her own feelings, and she needed to hold them firmly in her hands.

At the end of the quiet hallway, Matthew looked at the darkening sky and smiled as he asked Louis on the other end of the call.

"What's so important that you had to tell me?"

Louis had messaged him earlier, asking him to find a quiet place to take the call.

Hearing the silence on Matthew's end, Louis breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but inquire.

"Alice hasn't been messaging me lately. Our conversations are just simple greetings. How is she doing? Is she having a tough time?"

Matthew chuckled, "She graduated recently and has been busy with work. If you miss her so much, why don't you ask her yourself?"

Louis hesitated for a moment before squeezing out a few words.

"I just feel awkward! If I ask directly, won't Alice think I'm being too forward?"

These two were a perfect match, their thoughts perfectly in sync.

Matthew was speechless. "If you don't make a move, are you just going to wait forever?"

Louis paused, quickly changing the subject to the real reason for his call.

"Matthew, I need to tell you something about Nova. She somehow found out I was back in Silvermist City and has already come to see me once."

Louis had returned discreetly, only informing a few close friends for a small gathering.

After her fallout with Matthew, Nova lost many of her privileges and couldn't easily investigate private matters.

Louis knew she had been trying to leave Silvermist City for Skyhaven City. His perception of her had shifted.

When Louis mentioned Nova, Matthew's expression turned cold.

"Keep your distance from her. If she asks for help, ignore her."

Louis hesitated. "But she helped you so much when we were abroad. If she really faces a life-or-death situation, should I just turn a blind eye?"

Matthew spoke firmly, "Yes, ignore her. Now that she's in her twenties, she can handle her problems."

Matthew's repeated leniency had allowed her to manipulate him, hurting Elizabeth in the process.

He had seen through Nova's tactics and wouldn't let it happen again.

Louis agreed, and they briefly chatted about family matters before ending the call.

When Matthew returned to the private room, Elizabeth didn't ask about the call. She kept Alice company, drinking quite a bit.

Matthew watched her silently, feeling content.

Alice got drunk and started crying, saying a lot of things, her emotions unraveling.

They stayed at the bar until the early hours, and the bar manager personally drove Alice home.

Elizabeth didn't want to move, so she got into Matthew's car, lying on his lap in the back seat.

Juan politely asked, "Mr. Moore, where are you heading to?"

Matthew looked down to get her opinion. Elizabeth's mind was a blur, and after a while, she managed to say a few words.

"Your place."

Matthew nodded. "Back to the apartment."

Twenty minutes later, they arrived home. Matthew carried Elizabeth to the bed and went to take a shower.

"You drank a lot. No shower tonight. Just rest here and sober up."

Elizabeth, reeking of alcohol, nodded vaguely.

After the bathroom door closed, she curiously got up and watched the man's strong silhouette through the frosted glass.

At that moment, Matthew's phone, left on the bed, started ringing.

Elizabeth was surprised. Who would call him at this hour?

She picked it up, noticed it was Louis calling, and answered without hesitation.

Before she could question Louis about why he was bothering Matthew at this hour, a familiar woman's voice came through, crying.

"Matthew, I can't believe you're so heartless! That woman shouldn't be with you now. Can you tell me the truth? Do you have feelings for me?"

It was Nova.

Elizabeth's expression instantly turned cold.