Chapter 41: Be My Friend

Beatrice was struck speechless by her daughter’s question. She stared at Winnie, wondering what nonsense she was spouting, before asking, “Where did you hear such nonsense?”

Winnie immediately voiced her grievance. “Mom, I don’t know what Catherine did to Eden, but he’s willing to wait for her. He even said he’d still marry her if she divorced Andy in the future. The Eden I know would never stoop so low. This is insane, and I’m totally pissed at all the bullshit he said.”

Beatrice’s frown deepened. “Men say a lot of nonsense to win a woman’s heart. Don’t take what he told her seriously—he didn’t mean any of it. If you do, you’ll only make yourself angry. Go and rest. You shouldn’t be bothered with empty promises.”

Winnie felt a bit better after hearing her mother’s words, but she still gritted her teeth and huffed. “Mom, we can’t let Catherine marry someone else. I’m really afraid we’re going to lose to her.”

“Go and rest,” Beatrice replied impatiently. “Stop worrying about such matters.”

Although reluctant, Winnie listened to her mother, grumbling under her breath. When it was time for dinner, Alexander didn’t join them, and neither Winnie nor Beatrice made trouble for Alicia.

After eating, Alicia went upstairs and fell asleep. The next morning, Andy showed up very early. When Alicia glanced at the wall clock, then out at his car, she remembered the text he’d sent earlier.

She raised an eyebrow, but did as he asked. Getting to her feet, she skipped breakfast with her family and met Andy in the mansion’s parking lot.

When he saw her, Andy clenched his fists as his heart pounded. His lips went dry. He tried to smile, but the corners of his mouth kept twitching as he greeted her in a shaky voice, “Good morning, sweetheart.”

Alicia arched a brow and teased, “You’re doing much better recently. Where are we going?”

Andy took a deep breath and steadied himself. “It’s a surprise. Did you bring it?”

“Yes,” Alicia replied.

They climbed into the car, and Andy’s driver pulled away. When they arrived at the courthouse, Alicia shot Andy an askance look. He grew even more nervous but managed to say, keeping a straight face, “There’s something important we need to take care of.”

Alicia played along. She knew what Andy was up to, but she didn’t call him out. A man in a black suit jogged up to them, and Andy turned to her. “The IDs,” he requested.

She handed them over without fuss, and he exhaled in relief that she hadn’t asked any questions. He passed the IDs to the man, who immediately turned and left. As the tension drained from Andy’s shoulders, Alicia regarded him knowingly, unsettling him a little.

“You’ve got a few tricks up your sleeve, don’t you?”

Andy lowered his gaze, suddenly harmless and boyish, and replied in a soft, deep voice, “I was worried you might not agree to marry me.”

Alicia chuckled. “I like it.”

Andy froze, unsure exactly what she meant, but the corners of his mouth lifted anyway.

Before long, their marriage certificate was handed to them. Andy passed it to Alicia and said, serious now, “Don’t forget to let your dad know.”

She looked at him and saw the fear in his eyes. “I’ll let everyone know,” she said.

All his worries vanished at that, and satisfaction settled in. Then he remembered he hadn’t given her a ring—not even after their engagement. Scratching his head, looking a little sheepish, he added, “I’ll get a ring later.”

Alicia studied him. She already knew he was a man still learning romance, so she simply said, “Alright.”

Andy dropped her off, and Alicia headed toward her company. This time, a frown creased her face—across the road, a car idled, and someone inside was staring at her. She stopped and waited.

Emily stepped out. The moment she saw Alicia, a bright smile spread across her face. She hurried over, calling, “Hello, Miss Alexander Catherine!”

She extended a hand, her voice brimming with practiced enthusiasm. “You may not remember me, but I’ve heard so much about you—especially how you turned a failing branch into a thriving hub. I admire you greatly.”

Alicia didn’t take her hand.

Emily’s smile faltered. She withdrew, awkward, and dipped her head. “Sorry if I was rude. It’s nice to meet you. I waited in your office for an hour, but you didn’t come. I took some time to look around the branch. I have a lot to learn from you.”

Alicia was taken aback. Emily—who used to carry herself high and mighty, barely speaking more than a few words when they were “friends”—was suddenly chatty, even deferential.

A slow curl of amusement tugged at Alicia’s lips. So that was it. Emily feared the truly powerful and preyed on the weak.

“I don’t want to be your friend,” Alicia said, flat as ice. She turned and walked away.

Emily went rigid. The smile slid from her face, leaving it blank, then burning with embarrassment. She stared at Alicia’s retreating back, jaw tight, determination hardening in her eyes.

“You can reject me now,” she muttered under her breath, “but next time, you won’t. I always get what I want. I’ll keep showing up until you see my sincerity.”

She pivoted, returning to her car. Her smile thinned, cooled.

“If you won’t be my friend,” she whispered, “your half sister will do.”