After His Sweetheart Moved In, He Came Home Every Night-Chapter 87: You and Third Uncle Last Night...

Chapter 87: Chapter 87: You and Third Uncle Last Night...

At this point, Alice was doing her best to avoid Melody Lancaster. It was better to have no contact with her whatsoever.

But she couldn’t stop Melody Lancaster from seeking her out.

"Helping out is no big deal. It all depends on what Dr. York has to say." Seth Sawyer’s gaze fell on Alice, who was standing beside him.

He knew perfectly well who Melody Lancaster was—the woman at Wyatt Sterling’s side. He didn’t know what she was planning by specifically coming to see Alice, but he was sure it wasn’t anything good.

But this was all he could do to run interference. The rest was up to Alice.

"I’ll have to trouble you then, Dr. Sawyer. I’ll treat you to dinner sometime," Alice said, decisively taking off her white coat and hanging it on a nearby rack.

Seth Sawyer made an "OK" sign with his hand. "Don’t you go back on that."

"You can count on it. Don’t worry."

Alice walked over to Melody Lancaster and asked, "Where would you like to go, Miss Lancaster?"

Melody Lancaster said, "How about a coffee shop? There’s one I know with a lovely atmosphere."

"Alright."

Melody Lancaster had driven today, so Alice rode in her car. The trip to the coffee shop only took a few minutes; it was fairly close to the hospital.

The two of them sat down.

While they waited for their coffee, Alice asked directly, "What did you want to talk to me about, Miss Lancaster?"

Melody Lancaster leaned back, languidly enjoying the cafe’s pleasant atmosphere. "I hear you suffered quite a bit in Washington."

Alice sat up straight. "And who might you have heard that from, Miss Lancaster?"

"Who else? Your Third Uncle, of course." Melody Lancaster rested her forehead on her hand. "But he said you deserved to suffer a little. That you’ve been too coddled by the Sterlings."

Alice remained expressionless and didn’t respond.

Melody Lancaster switched the hand propping up her head. "I told your Third Uncle right then and there, your life with the Sterlings was never easy, so how could you be ’coddled’? I told him not to be so harsh on you."

Every one of her words was a trap for Alice. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

If Alice admitted her life was hard, she knew it would get back to Old Master Sterling immediately.

If she claimed she was coddled, then it would seem she deserved the hardship, and that they were right to be harsh with her.

"Alice, don’t take it to heart. It wasn’t easy for you to come back this time, after all. I kept bringing you up, and it was only because your Third Uncle was considering my feelings that he agreed to let you return."

After she finished, Melody Lancaster smiled, looking for all the world like a benevolent saint.

The coffee arrived. Alice calmly picked up her cup and took a sip, the bitter taste spreading through her mouth. "Miss Lancaster, you might be mistaken."

Her voice was soft.

Melody Lancaster looked at her. "Mistaken about what?"

Alice set down her coffee and pursed her lips. "My return this time had nothing to do with Third Uncle. The Churchill family wasn’t interested in me. Kyle Churchill doesn’t like me. In other words, I was sent back."

As she spoke, Alice looked straight at Melody Lancaster. "It wasn’t because you put in a good word that Third Uncle relented and let me return."

The words were like an invisible slap across Melody Lancaster’s face. Though it left no mark, it stung just as badly.

She took a sip of her coffee to hide her expression. "Well, what matters is that you’re back."

Alice’s posture gradually relaxed, and she said bluntly, "Are you treating me like a rival for his affections, Miss Lancaster?"

Melody Lancaster glanced at her. Even though the topic was now in the open, she refused to acknowledge it. "What are you talking about? A rival? You’re just a little girl in my eyes. Don’t let your imagination run wild."

Alice really didn’t know what Melody Lancaster was holding back for, but since she was unwilling to speak plainly, Alice dropped the subject.

They were halfway through their coffee, and nearly half an hour had passed.

During that time, Melody Lancaster stopped making veiled jabs and instead chatted about trivial, everyday pleasures.

Alice was finding it all quite dull and was getting restless to leave. Melody Lancaster noticed and immediately changed the subject. "Have you ever thought about dating?"

Alice pushed her half-full cup of coffee aside. Her stomach felt upset; she couldn’t drink any more. "Why the sudden question, Miss Lancaster? Are you trying to play matchmaker?"

"Not exactly matchmaking. I just feel that you’re always going through hardships alone, without anyone by your side to dote on you." After launching the topic, Melody Lancaster observed Alice’s reaction.

Seeing that Alice hadn’t interrupted and was listening intently, she continued, "I happen to know quite a few high-quality, single men. There are directors from publicly traded companies, general managers of major corporations, and even presidents who founded their own businesses. Every single one is the cream of the crop, with a successful career."

’I knew she was up to no good.’

But she didn’t show a trace of hesitation, remaining poised and gracious. "They all sound very impressive."

Melody Lancaster smiled. "So, are you interested in dating? If you are, I can set you up right away."

"Sure, why not."

Alice agreed without a second thought.

Melody Lancaster was taken aback for a moment. She had thought she’d need to put more effort into persuading her. "You’re really interested?"

Alice replied at a leisurely pace, "I hadn’t really thought about it before. My work is just too busy, I can never find the time to date. But it’s hard not to be tempted by the caliber of men you just described, Miss Lancaster. If I miss this chance, when would I ever get another one?"

"Now that’s the right attitude."

Melody Lancaster covered her mouth with her hand as she laughed. "That’s exactly how you should think. You’re only twenty-four, but if you wait a few more years, you’ll be pushing thirty. Once you get older, it’s much harder to meet someone better."

Alice agreed nonchalantly, "You’re right. Better to date and get married quickly. It would be a real shame to date someone for a long time and still not get married."

Melody Lancaster’s expression faltered.

Alice’s words seemed to carry a hidden barb.

"Well, I won’t keep you from work. I’ll send you their contact info later." With that, Melody Lancaster stood up. "Don’t be shy. If they ask to meet you, just go for it. The men I’m introducing you to are all very respectable."

"Okay."

Alice smiled faintly.

Afterward, Melody Lancaster drove her back to the hospital.

Not long after she got out of the car, Alice received several messages from Melody Lancaster.

There were two contact cards. Melody Lancaster sent a brief introduction with each one.

The last message read: [Make the most of it!~]

Alice let her phone screen go dark, her own expressionless face reflecting on its surface.

When it was time to leave work, Alice checked her phone. No message from Wyatt Sterling, and no message from her mother.

’Perfect,’ she thought. ’I can go back to my place at West River tonight!’

In a good mood, she ordered takeout ahead of time, figuring it would arrive around the same time she got home.

As luck would have it, she ran into the delivery driver right as she stepped out of the elevator. Her food was waiting by her door. She waited for the driver to get back in the elevator before picking up her food and unlocking her door.

Just as she was closing the door, a hand suddenly shot through the gap.

It happened so suddenly.

Startled, Alice slammed the door shut. The person’s hand was caught, and they cried out in pain.

In a situation like this, no one would be merciful. Without even looking, Alice was about to pull the door shut again when the person outside finally spoke:

"Alice, it’s me."

Alice recognized Owen Sterling’s voice but remained on guard, not daring to release the door. It was only when she saw his face through the crack that she finally let go. "Owen? What are you doing here?"

Owen Sterling looked unwell. His hand had been caught hard in the door, and he was clearly in a lot of pain. "I’ve been waiting here for you for a long time."

Alice pulled the door open, stunned by his words. "Waiting long? What time did you get here?"

Owen Sterling didn’t answer, instead staring at her with an extremely complicated expression. "You and Third Uncle... last night..."