Chapter 24 Alices interest was piqued by Jacks suggestion . They hid in the back , watching as Luke led the team to take down the monsters . After all , the big boss was tough to beat and required teamwork ; by the time they were close to success , everyone was usually on their last legs . Normally , no one dared to snatch the boss from a well known team like this . But there were exceptions . Alice knew the bosss attack patterns ; she knew the optimal moment to strike . She and Jack worked seamlessly together and landed the final blow at the perfect time . They successfully snatched the boss away from Luke and Chloe . The world channel lit up with the announcement : Congratulations to Sweet Lemon for defeating the Peach Blossom Spring Boss ! When Luke saw this outcome , he exploded in anger over the headset , shouting , What are you all doing ? How did they steal the boss ? Chloe added fuel to the fire , They were new accounts . Didnt they know who we are ? How dare they steal our boss ! Luke roared , Kill them ! But soon , Lukes screen went black ; and the rest of the team fell to the ground , motionless . Luke stared at the name Sweet Lemon , feeling an unsettling familiarity in the way this player fought . It was so much like Alice ! Could she have intentionally created a new account to steal his boss ? No , Alice couldnt be that skilled yet . Meanwhile , Alice and Jack had claimed the boss and received the dropped treasures , but i couldnt compare to the thrill of outsmarting Luke and Chloe! After playing for a while , their takeout arrived . Jack paused . Lets eat first . Alice noticed a small cake , the same brand as the one Chloe received earlier . She looked at him . Why did you buy a cake ? Girls like these things . Consider it a reward for your good performance . You didnt disappoint me . Alice was touched . However , Jack s expression turned a bit awkward as he added coldly , It was just part of the takeout . Alice picked up the small cake , feeling it was a special treat just for her . She took a bite , lowering her gaze , unable to calm her emotions . Jack watched her in silence for a long moment . He swallowed hard , Is the cake bad ? This cake was supposed to be popular . Alice nodded . Its delicious . Its been a long time since anyone bought me a cake . Since her parents passed away , she hadnt celebrated a birthday . Her brothers never remembered that she liked this cake ; it was never for her . Jacks gaze fell on her . Dont you eat cake on your birthday ? Alice was silent for a moment , My parents died in a car accident on my birthday . I havent celebrated since . Because that day was the anniversary of their passing . The atmosphere at home was always heavy on that day . She felt she had no right to celebrate . 0 22:21 0.0 % < Chapter 24 Menu Jacks heart felt like it was being squeezed , struggling to breathe . He couldnt help but turn his head , his lips pressed together , his expression cold with anger and guilt . His hands instinctively clenched , veins popping on the back of his hands . Alice sensed the shift in the atmosphere and looked up , pretending to be indifferent , Honestly , I dont care about celebrating my birthday because I dont feel like it . After all , that day was her parents memorial . What right did she have to celebrate ? Jack controlled his emotions . Seeing her quiet , pale face , as docile as a small animal . She stood there silently , almost invisible . Her understanding demeanor made him feel both angry and helpless . He cleared his throat , his voice a bit hoarse , Its getting late , you should head home . Kids shouldnt linger outside . Can I still come here to find you later ? Alice looked at him , her eyes filled with uncertainty . Jacks gaze turned dark as ink , You trust me that much ? Dont you think Ill deceive you ? Because I dont have anything worth you deceiving me over . Alice looked at him with complete honesty , Teacher , youre my only friend right now . Friend ? He smirked , then said sternly , Dont trust people easily , especially men . Okay , Im leaving . She waved and left the infirmary . After she walked out , Jack remained seated , looking at the cake and remembering a smashed cake at the accident scene years ago . His head began to throb uncontrollably . Since that accident , he hadnt eaten cake again . After a long while , he received a call : Sir , Miss Welch has arrived home safely . He hung up , his silhouette stretching long in the sunset . When Alice returned to the Welch family home , she found Noah sitting on the sofa , clearly waiting for her . She wore a blank expression , Noah . Noah looked up , seeing his distant and stubborn sister , unsure of how to react . He had suspected Alice might have cheated when her grades improved so much , but he never expected her results years of average to be genuine . Yet , how could she have suddenly improved so much after performance ? He felt Alice had changed significantly ; she wasnt just rebelling against them but had genuinely transformed . He felt a mixture of happiness and loss . The little sister who used to revolve around him seemed to have vanished ! Her good grades were a result of hard work , not defiance . Noah began to reflect on his own biases against Alice , especially after Lukes antics at school ; he realized he had overlooked Alices feelings for too long . Was that why she had changed so much ? His tone was complex . Its late . Were you at a study hall again ? Yes . Noah sighed . Isnt the environment at home better than the outside study room ? The outside world is complicated , with all sorts of people . You shouldnt do your homework in those places ; its not safe . Alice pressed her lips together , here we go again , making decisions for her . Noah continued , Since Chloes grades have dropped significantly, Ive hired a tutor for her . You should join too . If Chloe has any questions , you can help her out since youre classmates . When shes absent , you can take notes for her . 0.0 % < Chapter 24 Alices eyes were filled with sarcasm . So it was all for Chloe that he wanted her to come home to do homework . Alice straightened her back . I refuse . Alice , I know Luke made a mistake at school today , and youve proven your strength . But were still family . Chloes decline is due to the team competition preparations . Since youre not participating , you should put in some effort to help her improve her grades ; after all , you have experience . Alice found it ridiculous . I refuse ! She felt explaining was a waste of breath . family , you ashamed ? . Luke burst out , pointing at her and cursing , Alice , do you have any conscience ? Youve taken contributed nothing ! Arent from the Welch yet Alice felt a surge of irony . Shed worked hard for the Welch family in her past life , honing her gaming skills to lead the team to victory . But what did she get in return ? Chloe cried a few times and easily replaced her , taking her champion spot . In this life , she wouldnt make that foolish mistake . Fine , from today , Ill move out and wont use a single cent of the Welch family . The break started now . In "The Secret of Nami Sushi" by CrushReel, readers are drawn into a captivating tale of mystery and intrigue surrounding a renowned sushi restaurant. As the story unfolds, secrets hidden within the delicate flavors of Nami Sushi come to light, weaving a web of drama that keeps both the characters and readers on edge. 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