"Call Evan to check if Carol is with him," Paige said.Alex nodded, grabbed his phone, and dialed Evan's number.Unfortunately, Evan's phone was also switched off.Alex handed the phone to Paige. "His phone is off. Any idea what's going on?"Paige rolled her eyes at Alex. "You were sleeping like a log. How would you know if something happened?"Alex felt a bit hurt. "I slept with you because I saw you were asleep and didn't want to wake you."Paige grunted. "Do you think Evan and Carol are together? Their phones are off.""Is Caroline missing?" Alex perked up.Paige nodded with concern. "Her phone is off, too. Do you have Reuben's number? Maybe he knows something.""Sure, I'll give it a try." Alex then called Reuben.Reuben answered quickly."Reuben, is Evan with Caroline?" Alex inquired.Reuben glanced around awkwardly and at the onlookers. "Well, they're..."His face turned bright red. It had been a while since he stood alone by the roadside.Alex couldn't resist prying
Noticing Alex was about to return, Paige quickly lay on the bed and pretended to be asleep. She was eager to discover Alex's plans for tomorrow.-At 11:00 p.m., Caroline came home, utterly exhausted. She went upstairs, entered the bathroom, and switched on the lights, revealing her messy hair, red and swollen eyes, and noticeable love bites on her neck.Caroline clenched her fists tightly, unable to shake off the memory of Evan's brutal dominance. She knew Evan would be furious about her meeting with Casey, but she never expected things to turn out like this.Evan had warned her not to see Casey again before she even stepped out of the car. She couldn't undo what was already done.Caroline still lacked the evidence to prove her innocence and find the person who leaked Jamie's past. How could she give up now? She couldn't let this defeat her.Suddenly, Kenny's voice echoed through the house. "You're home, G. When are you getting food for me?"Caroline panicked and hastily grabbe
At 10:30 a.m., Alex exited the building while talking on his phone.Meanwhile, Paige ignited the car's engine and headed toward the direction Alex had gone. She drove until she reached a cafe near his workplace.After stepping out of the car, Alex entered the cafe and sat across from a woman.Paige's eyes widened in shock. 'Is Alex really meeting another woman without telling me? Does he still care about our relationship?'Paige quickly left the car, wearing a cap and a mask. She entered the cafe and sat at a nearby spot to eavesdrop.The woman, Juniper Pearl, spoke shyly. "You look even better in person than in photos."Alex sounded somewhat excited as he replied, "I appreciate your compliment."Juniper chuckled. "Well, I'm sure your mother has mentioned our family's situation. I think we can explore this friendship further. What do you think?"Alex replied, "That's not a problem at all, Ms. Pearl. I'm available anytime, 24/7."'Available 24/7?' Paige clenched her fists in an
Paige struggled to break free from Alex's grasp, but he quickly took hold of her hand again. He refused to let go because he feared she would leave him if he did.Since Paige wouldn't listen to him, he turned to Juniper and said, "Ms. Pearl, she's my girlfriend! I didn't willingly arrange this date today. My mother made me do it. I said those things earlier just to humor you, not with any other intention. Goodbye!""You're truly disgusting!" Paige glanced at Alex with contempt and walked away.Alex hurriedly followed her, rushing out of the cafe. He was stunned when he saw Paige entering an unfamiliar car. 'Did she switch cars to follow me here?'Without further thought, Alex opened the door and took the passenger seat.Paige said coldly, "Get out of the car."Alex frowned. "Can you calm down and let me explain?"Paige turned to him. "Am I not calm enough now? Should I throw water at you or slap you to be considered calm?"Alex said, "No, please listen to me first. My mother ca
Caroline glanced at her watch and replied, "Sure, I'll be there in 30 minutes.""I'll wait," came the response.After ending the call, Caroline hurried over to Table One.-Twenty minutes later, she entered a private room at Table One, only to find Paige eating rapidly with tears in her eyes.Caroline closed the door quietly and took a seat across from her."Paige, who hurt you?" she asked.Paige put down her utensils, chewed slowly, and replied, "I ended the relationship."Caroline was taken aback. Just two days ago, everything seemed fine.Paige burst into tears. She explained to Caroline how Alex had gone on a date his mother arranged, leaving her deeply hurt."Caroline, I tried my best not to make a scene because I didn't want to ruin the relationship. But I'm hurting so much inside, and I can't hold myself together…"Paige took a large bite of her food, eating alongside her tears and sobbing silently.Caroline welled up with tears as well. She had never seen Paige like
Alex glared at Reuben, who was bewildered by the resentful gaze.Evan stood up and said, "Noted. I'll pick up Axel this afternoon."Reuben nodded and handed an information sheet to Evan. "Mr. Jordan, please sign the physical examination consent form for the school."Evan took it and signed.Alex asked, "Why are you taking Axel to the hospital?"Evan replied, "He has lost a lot of weight recently and has no appetite. He doesn't look well."Alex speculated, "Maybe he's just upset about not seeing Caroline. My aunt's nephew acts the same way."Evan looked at him coldly and asked, "Do you really think Axel is that type of child?"Alex defended, "Axel is only five years old. You shouldn't judge him based on your perspective!"Evan stayed silent, wondering, 'Am I being too strict with my child?'Alex suggested, "Let's go out for lunch. The consultation is in the afternoon anyway."Evan agreed with a nod and headed downstairs with Alex and Reuben.As soon as Alex walked outside, h
Caroline scoffed, thinking, 'So, all those talks about Evan worrying about the kids and me are just lies? What is this, playing games with me like a fool?'She turned her gaze toward Alex. "If you don't plan to be serious with Paige, Mr. Price, please let her go!"Alex firmly rejected her plea. "I won't. My feelings for Paige are deeper than you think!"Caroline mocked, "Aren't you concerned about your parents' feelings anymore?"Alex explained, "I just want to spare Paige from any trouble my parents might cause."Caroline probed, "Are you afraid they won't accept her, or do you lack confidence in Paige?"You might not know her well enough. She doesn't back down in tough situations and despises bullies and lies. You can't shield her for her own good."Evan interjected, "You did something similar, didn't you? You kept me searching for you for five years."Caroline grew furious. "Evan, those are entirely different matters. Please distinguish between them!"Evan stared icily at h
Evan couldn't help but ask, "Are you trying to use him or get close to him?"Caroline was taken aback. "If you don't trust me, why bother asking pointless questions?"Evan insisted, "I just want to know the truth!"Caroline snapped, "Must you label everything I say as a lie?" She couldn't control her frustration.'I must be crazy for trying to explain to him earlier. He'll never believe me anyway,' she thought to herself.Evan scoffed. "Are you getting upset because I called you out?"Caroline clenched her fists and took a deep breath. "Will you please get checked at the hospital for paranoia? Stop torturing me! I can't take your constant suspicion anymore!"Caroline stormed out of the room, leaving Evan alone on the sofa. 'Which one is the real her?' he wondered.-In the afternoon, Caroline told Paige about Alex's explanation.Paige replied, "Let him be. I'm going to take a nap."Caroline didn't say more and focused on her work.At 2:30 p.m., Caroline received a message