Chapter 230 Do You Like Alex?
Alexander lowered his eyes, pushing down the cold fury rising in his chest, and only responded softly with a "Mm."
Linus sat down on the chair by the bed, picked up the hot soup he'd brought from the kitchen, cooled it with a breath, then scooped up a spoonful and held it to Alexander's lips.
"Come on, have some soup. The kitchen made this especially for you. You were unconscious for several hours—your body needs some energy."
Alexander swallowed down the nausea churning in his stomach and reluctantly opened his mouth to take the soup.
"Take it slow."
Linus continued feeding him while chatting casually, though with a hint of helplessness in his tone.
"You really scared Caroline this time."
Alexander's previously calm movements clearly stopped.
Linus continued, "When we found you two, you were burning up with fever and completely out of it. Your clothes were soaked through, but you kept holding onto Caroline and wouldn't let go. You were practically clinging to her for warmth, and you kept mumbling something... Honestly, it was something to see."
He shook his head slightly, as if replaying the moment in his mind, his tone carrying a mix of amusement and helplessness.
"We tried to separate you two, to get you into the car, but you were holding on so tight we couldn't pry you apart. In the end, we had to bring you both back together. You were quiet the whole way, but Caroline was so embarrassed she kept her head down the entire time."
Linus chuckled softly. Seeing no reaction from Alexander, he added another comment.
"When we got to the house, you still wouldn't let go. So everyone from our family, plus the people from the Neville Family next door, all saw you holding Caroline like that."
What?!
Alexander's head shot up, his fingers tightening with force, urgency in his voice.
"The Neville Family... they were all there?"
"All of them."
Linus smiled meaningfully.
Alexander suddenly pushed himself up, completely ignoring his weakened state, and stumbled toward the Neville Family's old mansion next door.
"Alexander! You haven't recovered yet, don't push yourself! Come back!"
Linus called after him, but only received the sound of hurried, determined footsteps in response.
"In such a hurry..."
Linus muttered to himself with a confused chuckle.
"I thought... he liked Edith."
Alexander rushed barefoot into the Neville Family's old mansion. He didn't use the main entrance, but instead went through the servants' passage he knew well, moving quietly and quickly toward the main house.
Before he even reached the door, he heard Isabella's sharp voice from inside.
"Look at yourself! What is this? Soaking wet, clothes all messy, coming home with a boy like this! Do you have any idea how much you've embarrassed the Neville Family?"
Alexander's footsteps stopped.
"Mom, please don't be angry. Caroline... she really didn't mean to."
Edith's voice was soft and timid, yet sincere. "Alex had a terrible fever and was completely unconscious. None of this was something she could control."
"An accident?"
Isabella's voice instantly became sharper and higher.
"What kind of accident puts an unmarried girl in a phone booth on a street corner embracing a boy? And has him holding you the whole way back?! Everyone saw it! The Hamilton family, our staff—everyone saw! How am I supposed to face them? Edith's health is poor, so I told you to wait quietly for someone to pick you up, and you pull this stunt instead!"
"Isabella, lower your voice..."
Damon tried to ease the tension.
"They're still young, and they got caught in the rain. Alexander's high fever was completely an accident—nothing they could control. Besides, Caroline is your daughter. You should be concerned about her first, not blaming her like this."
"Shut up!"
Isabella's shout cut him off.
"Damon, don't defend her! Yes, she's my daughter, but that's exactly why I can't let her act recklessly! She's already attracting boys' attention—is this acceptable?"
"I didn't! I didn't do that!"
Caroline's voice protested with a tremor.
Alexander only heard this one sentence, and his heart clenched. He nearly burst through the door.
But Isabella's voice cut through again, sharp and cold.
"You didn't? Then tell me, why did Alexander, delirious with fever, only look for you? Why didn't you wait for the driver at school when it was pouring rain, but ran out instead? Why were you both trapped in the same phone booth? Why didn't you push him away when he was holding you?"
"I..."
Caroline's voice suddenly stopped, as if she didn't know where to begin explaining.
Because everything that happened that day—from getting caught in the library, to teasing the security guard, to that kiss she still didn't know how to face—every single thing was impossible for her to speak about.
"Can't say anything now, can you? Does that mean you admit you were the one who seduced Alexander?!"
"Mom, please don't say that about Caroline..."
Edith interjected with tears in her voice.
"Caroline wouldn't do that. Besides, Alex is very good to me too. He often keeps me company. The three of us grew up together—it's normal to be close. Caroline just... didn't realize we're not children anymore."
"Listen to how sensible Edith is!"
Isabella became even more furious.
"But you? Caroline, what are you thinking? Why are you embarrassing the Neville Family like this?!"
"I..."
Caroline's voice was so soft it was barely audible.
"I don't... have those kinds of feelings for him."
Isabella clearly didn't believe her and pressed closer.
"Then why didn't you push him away when he was holding you? Why didn't you move when the Hamilton family tried to pull you away? Caroline, let me tell you, I don't care what you're thinking—you need to be more aware! I've already arranged your marriage to the youngest son of the local oil magnate. If you cause me one more bit of trouble and ruin that match, you'll regret it!"
"Mom! You can't do this!"
Edith suddenly raised her voice.
"This isn't the nineteenth century! Caroline has the right to make her own choices. You can't force her to marry someone she doesn't even like!"
Despite her physical weakness, she supported Caroline, helping her stand more steadily.
"Caroline, listen to me. You have the right to choose your own feelings."
"Edith, silly girl."
Isabella walked over to support her, her tone softening slightly but still carrying coldness.
"Caroline may look like you, but she's inferior to you in every other way. She's not like you—you could marry anyone and be happy. If I don't arrange a marriage for her, what wealthy young man would even look at her?"
Isabella looked at Caroline, her gaze cold and dismissive.
"I'm doing this for her own good. If she doesn't listen to me, she'll definitely regret it later."
Alexander's knuckles turned white from the force of his grip. He could barely stop himself from bursting in, but just then, he heard Edith say urgently, "Caroline, don't listen to Mom! Your life can't be decided by others! Tell me, do you like Alex? Say it!"
Edith rushed to Caroline's side, her voice tearful.
"Caroline, if you like him, tell me. I'll help you convince Mom. I absolutely won't let her force you into an arranged marriage!"