Chapter 20 Don't Mess with Alice

The Howard Manor.

When Oliver rolled back home, it was way past midnight, but the living room was still lit up like a Christmas tree. Henry was chilling on the couch, nose-deep in a book.

Oliver tried to sneak upstairs, but as soon as his left foot hit the stairs, Henry's icy voice cut through the air. "Get over here."

With no other choice, Oliver dragged himself over and plopped down on the couch across from Henry. "Uncle Henry."

Henry, rocking some deep blue silk pajamas, looked all noble and serious. He shut his book and stared at Oliver. "Stay away from Alice."

"But she was supposed to be my fiancée."

"Not anymore."

"If I want, I can still go for Alice. Grandpa and Grandma were cool with it."

Henry's glare turned sharp, a mix of anger and coldness. "Last warning, don't mess with her again."

As Henry got up and headed upstairs, Oliver swallowed hard. Alice was supposed to be his, so why should he listen to Henry?

Thinking about Alice's stunning face, Clara seemed more and more boring. He was dead set on having Alice!

Bluewater Bay.

Bluewater Bay was just a hop, skip, and a jump from Loshanda University, and it took Alice less than ten minutes to stroll to the school gate.

On her way to the teaching building, she attracted a lot of attention until she slipped into lecture hall 302 and snagged a seat in the last row by the window.

Seeing Alice, the students started buzzing, "Who's that? Is she new here?"

"No way! She's hotter than Clara, the party queen. No way we wouldn't have noticed her before!"

"Her face is so pure and gorgeous! What major is she in?"

"She must be auditing the class, right? We've never seen her in advanced math before."

"I gotta meet her!"

"Go for it! Get her digits!"

Amidst the chatter, a tall, handsome dude sauntered over. He stopped in front of Alice's desk and extended his hand. "Hey there, I'm from the Fashion and Jewelry Design Department..."

Alice raised an eyebrow and leaned back in her chair with a smirk. "I'm Alice, the ugly duckling you all love to mock!"

The room went dead silent, they could hear a pin drop.

The guy's smile froze, and he stammered, "No way! You can't be the ugly Alice!"

He squinted, trying to match her face with the old Alice, and it clicked.

He looked super embarrassed. "I'm sorry, really sorry."

Alice sneered, "It's cool, I don't care about what you guys said before. You all have mouths but not necessarily brains!"

Everyone stayed quiet.

"Who's got the guts to insult the whole department?" A sharp voice rang out, and Alice's eyes flashed as she looked towards the door.

Clara and Sarah Bennett strutted in.

Seeing her crush Felix Young standing awkwardly by Alice's desk, Sarah's jealousy flared up.

Clara had told her Alice had gotten pretty, but she didn't buy it. Now, seeing Alice looking stunning without makeup, even making Felix, her long-time crush, act all humble, she was fuming.

She started stirring the pot, "Everyone heard that, right? Alice said we're all brainless!"

Felix's face darkened, and he pursed his lips. "I'm sorry, Alice. I said some dumb stuff before. Can you forgive me?"

Sarah went quiet.

Alice glanced at him. "We are not that colse, so it doesn't bother me."

After that, Alice turned her attention back to her phone.

Seeing Felix leave all bummed out, Sarah stormed over and slammed her hand on Alice's table. "Alice, you really have no manners, guess that's on your mother who was long gone."

Alice suddenly stood up and slapped Sarah so hard her face whipped to the side. Tears welled up in Sarah's eyes as she stared at Alice in disbelief. "You dare to hit me? Who do you think you are?"

Alice slapped her again and clicked her tongue. "When you hit someone, you should aim for the face. It's quite symmetrical! If I hear any more insults about my mother, it won't just be two slaps next time!"

Clara stepped forward to support Sarah's arm and scolded Alice, "Alice, it's wrong to hit people."

Alice raised an eyebrow. "Is your face healed?"

Clara's expression shifted, but she tried to stay calm. "Alice, when you're unhappy, it was okay that you scald my face with hot water to vent your anger. But why do you have to make things difficult for my friend?"

Hearing Clara's words, everyone started whispering, "Oh my God! Alice actually scalded Clara's face with hot water?"

"Yeah, Clara is such a gentle person and still gets bullied."

"Don't be fooled by Alice's new look. Don't forget how she used to bully Clara!"

"Right, even if Alice is prettier now, she is still a bully!"

"So she must have had plastic surgery to become beautiful!"

"I remember now, I saw her being carried into a Maybach by a man at the bar last night. It must be true! Could she be a kept woman?"

"The man keeping her must be old and ugly, right?"

Clara said, with a heartbroken expression, "Alice, you didn't come back last night. Is that true?"

Alice laughed, "Don't you know what happened last night? Don't you often stay out all night with my fiancé? What you said is really funny!"

With that, the classroom immediately fell silent, and everyone seemed to have learned some shocking news today.

Alice sat down and sneered. "Stay away from me in the future!"

This was not only directed at Sarah and Clara but also a warning to those gossiping.

The class bell rang, and the advanced math teacher, Hayes Gray, walked in.

Clara pulled Sarah to their seats, and the classroom fell silent.

Sarah's face was swollen, and she cast a resentful glance in Alice's direction, only to see Alice taking out a wet wipe from her bag to clean her fingers one by one.

Sarah was fuming at Alice's action!

Sarah whispered to Clara, "Clara, I'll teach that bitch Alice a lesson later!"

Clara looked serious. "Sarah, you better not provoke her. What if she slaps you again?"

Sarah gritted her teeth. "I won't let it go easily! I will make her the enemy of the whole school! Even if she's prettier now, I won't let her into the socialite circle! I'll ruin her reputation!"

Clara sighed, "Sarah, she's still my sister. I apologize on her behalf."

"Clara, you're too kind."

"It's my fault for not treating Alice well."

Sarah held Clara's hand. "Don't say that, I understand. Mr. Howard was with you before that bitch came back. She's the one trying to break you two apart! Your love can withstand the test! If anyone misunderstands, I'll explain it to them for you."

Clara's eyes reddened. "Thank you, Sarah. Because of me, you've been implicated."

Sarah sighed. "Don't worry, Clara. I'm your forever friend and will always support you!"

Clara wiped her tears, touched. "After I get engaged to Oliver, I'll have him introduce his friends to you."

Sarah was extremely moved. After all, if she could pursue a wealthy heir like Oliver, she would be set for life.