"It's funny, Alice. I thought you were too proud, and I thought you would be too tough to deal with.
However, it seems I jumped to conclusions too quickly."
Thompson laughed wildly. Thompson was one of those men who went through life almost without a
care. But that doesn't mean he wasn't raised to follow rules strictly.
Of course, Alice was no exception. She had been taught to follow rules since she was a girl, and these
rules governed the way that she lived out her life. Even as an adult, she felt constrained and restricted.
As she grew up, she felt like she was bound to the rules of etiquette.
She knew this very well, but she couldn't do anything to change it. It was the most pathetic thing about
her life, and it was the part of her that brought her the most pain. It hurt her deeply, but in spite of how
much pain it caused her, she couldn't do anything about it.
"What do you mean?" Alice's face darkened. She could hear the sarcasm drip from Thompson's words.
She couldn't stand being mocked. If she were able to tolerate it, perhaps she wouldn't have ended up
in her current situation. "I'm just kidding. Relax... You're too serious. I didn't mean anything by it."
Thompson smirked, explaining. He wasn't afraid of Alice, but he respected her. He wanted her as an
ally.
He wanted to treat her politely, and he wouldn't dare to insult her deliberately. Thompson was certain
about that.
"Well, just say it. Stop talking nonsense. If you don't want us to keep working together, tell me. I'll come
up with another plan."
Alice crossed her arms in front of her chest. She looked angry. It seemed that she had made up her
mind. However, she didn't go straight to the point.
"Well, I know how you feel. I empathize, although I haven't encountered such a situation myself. I'm
simply a loyal friend. Your business is my business. Besides, we have a common enemy."
Thompson threw his cigarette on the ground and crushed it with his foot.
Obviously, Alice was not as confident as she projected herself to be. But she had no one else to turn to
but Thompson.
Besides, he was right. They did have a common enemy. She had no other choice but to work with him.
This was her only choice also her weakness.
Alice knew this all too well. Back then because she couldn't handle the situation all by herself, she had
cried so bitterly in the middle of the night, but no one had heard her.
"You are right. Please don't be so arrogant," Alice said indifferently. Thompson's words had reassured
her.
She didn't feel like she was pitiful until now. However, although she was used to living alone, she didn't
want to be lonely anymore.
"So, what do you want me to do?" Thompson asked, smiling slightly.
He waited for her to respond. Thompson had always had control over their team. Perhaps Alice had
missed the chance to take the initiative in the first place.
She had to act like a passive presence in all things. She had to accept others' requests.
"What can you do?"
Alice asked urgently. She wanted to know Thompson's opinion. She knew he was baiting her with his
question.
She was like a woman in love— she wanted to know the answer immediately.
Alice stared at Thompson blankly, her vision blurring. Thompson stood up and walked over to the sofa
where Alice was lying down. He looked at her and let out a low chuckle.
He playfully stretched out his foot and gently kicked Alice's foot. "Of course I know what to do. It has
run through my head thousands of times. Don't worry."
Alice looked at Thompson in a daze. Suddenly, a chill ran down her spine.
Alice sat up in shock. Thompson's words were ordinary, but they had many implications. She felt like
Thompson's intentions were impure.
Ruthlessness was the first word that came to her mind. She wondered how she had never thought
about it before. Had she come to her senses too late? Or did she just refuse to admit that it was
Thompson's true nature?
Alice's temples throbbed. From the moment Jacob abandoned her, she went on a journey for
retribution. Now, she was way past the point of no return.
The road she was traveling was cold and lonely. Alice wished for someone she could take along the
journey with her, but she didn't expect to encounter such a devil. She thought that her journey would
eventually take her towards a bright future, but it seems to be dragging her closer and closer to hell.
Alice struggled to stay calm. She looked at Thompson, mustering the most indifferent expression she
could. She was just as proud as she was before. After all, it was her final trump card in front of
Thompson.
Thompson approached Alice and whispered in her ear. It took Thompson a few minutes to finish telling
her his plan.
As he spoke, his hands explored Alice's body, taking advantage of her vulnerable state. Alice did not
flinch. She stared at Thompson coldly, allowing him to touch her.
"Great. Let's do it then. Let's not forget that he betrayed me first. It's not my fault. If he wants someone
to blame, he should blame himself for being too heartless,"
Alice said indignantly. However, she was actually scared. If she was really going to go up against
Jacob, she had to be very careful. Jacob could erase her existence without even lifting a finger.
Jacob had a hundred and one ways to deal with her. She was powerless to stop him if he turned
against her. That's what Alice was afraid of. However, she was also afraid of Thompson kicking her out
once she was no longer needed. Then, he would be the winner in the end.
Judging by Thompson's character, she wouldn't put it past him to do exactly that. If he could live with
his cruelty, wasn't that enough proof?
Alice looked at Thompson with fear. Then, Thompson began to speak slowly. "Well, don't worry. I will
help you. Out of the kindess of my heart, of course."
Alice didn't reply. Instead, she looked out at the hazy night. Night fell at the same time every day.
However, she could not calm herself down. Her heart had no place to rest.
When Jacob returned home, he was physically and mentally drained. What happened tonight was even
more troublesome than dealing with the company's affairs. He took out his phone to call Sara, but Sara
didn't answer.
Jacob calmly looked at his phone. There was no doubt that Sara was still angry since she wasn't
picking up.
Jacob sighed. He had to go to see Sara to solve this problem.
Jacob knew that the words he said to Alice were too hurtful. However, it was his way of doing things. It
was the first time that he had used those words to speak to Alice, though.
Did Alice feel bad? She did. That much was certain. However, Jacob had no choice. He had given her
a chance before, but she didn't take it.
He sat at the table, losing himself in his thoughts. He played out scenarios in his mind for a while.
James fixed his eyes on Jacob. He wanted to ask what was going on, but now it seemed that there was
no need to do so.
"You don't want to eat?" James asked, digging into the food in front of him.
"I have eaten a little. However, I just need a moment to sit still and relax," Jacob replied
expressionlessly.
James looked at Jacob with a serious expression. He hadn't seen Jacob like this in so long. However,
his poker face had returned. What did it mean?
Did it signal the beginning or the end?
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