Chapter 12

The moment the words reached Alice's ears, a sharp pain pierced through her chest.

Alexander Knight and Alice Carter were legally married, yet they might as well have been strangers.

And now, the woman Alexander was about to announce his engagement to was none other than her sworn enemy.

Yes.

Her enemy.

Alice still didn’t know the truth behind her mother’s death. She wanted to investigate, but she was penniless, stranded in a city that wasn’t her own, and worse—she was carrying a child.

Helpless.

All she could do was endure.

Olivia Sullivan rushed to Benjamin’s side, gripping his arm with barely contained excitement. "Benjamin, is it true? Alexander is really going to announce his engagement to Victoria? Shouldn’t the families meet first? Have his grandfather and father already approved? They don’t care that Victoria was adopted?"

The word "adopted" twisted the knife deeper in Alice’s heart.

Both Victoria and Alice had grown up in the Sullivan household.

Victoria had been adopted at the age of two, instantly becoming the golden child, showered with love and luxury. Alice, on the other hand, had been taken in as a distant relative at twelve, treated like an unwanted burden for eight long years. Her life had been worse than that of a stray dog.

A bitter thought crossed Alice’s mind—why did Victoria get everything?

Swallowing the lump in her throat, she turned to leave.

"Stop!" Olivia blocked her path. "Five hundred thousand!"

Benjamin looked at his wife in shock. "What are you talking about?"

"We raised her for eight years. Fed her, clothed her, paid for her education, and even covered her mother’s medical bills. Did you think that was free?" Olivia’s glare was venomous.

"Olivia! Don’t forget—"

"Don’t I forget?" she cut him off sharply. "You’re the one who needs to remember—she’s a Carter, not a Sullivan!"

Benjamin fell silent.

Alice watched the performance in front of her—the good cop, bad cop routine—with utter disgust. But her face remained impassive. "I already gave you fifty thousand. If you dare disturb my mother’s grave, I’ll make sure the whole city knows what kind of monsters you are."

Without another word, she walked out.

The moment the door closed behind her, Benjamin rounded on Olivia. "How could you be so cruel?"

"Feeling guilty?" Olivia sneered. "Let me remind you, Benjamin. If she ever finds out that the man Victoria is marrying is the same one she saved by sacrificing her innocence, do you think she’ll forgive you? And if Alexander ever learns the truth, we’re finished. That money isn’t for us—it’s to force her out of South City."

"Force her out? Where would she go?"

"Anywhere but here!" Olivia snapped. "As long as she doesn’t ruin Victoria’s happiness. Benjamin, Victoria is our daughter. Don’t tell me your loyalty lies with her instead?"

At the mention of Victoria, Benjamin’s hesitation vanished.

He forced a smile. "Darling, we should start preparing our outfits for the engagement party. We can’t embarrass Victoria when she marries into the Knight family."

Olivia frowned. "But we haven’t received any official invitation. Are you sure this is happening?"

"Absolutely. Alexander is a private man. He wouldn’t make a spectacle of proposing. He already came here personally to discuss the marriage—what more do you want? A marching band?"

"But shouldn’t they at least tell us where the engagement party is?"

"I have the address. We’ll go ourselves. No need to bother Alexander. Once Victoria is married and pregnant, everything will fall into place."

Olivia nodded slowly. "You’re right."

The couple immediately launched into excited discussions about their attire. Meanwhile, Alice wandered the streets, her mind racing.

She needed a job. Desperately.

But where?

Her phone rang. Hoping it was the hospital calling about Margaret, she answered without checking. "Hello?"

"Is this Alice Carter?" A polite voice asked.

"Yes, speaking."

"We’ve received your hand-drawn portfolio. Would you be available for an interview the day after tomorrow?"

The day after tomorrow—Alexander’s engagement day.

Alice nearly choked on her relief. "Yes! Yes, I’ll be there. Thank you so much!"

Hanging up, she rushed to a stationery store, buying pencils, erasers, drafting paper, and rulers. She had no computer—everything had to be done by hand.

The next day, she visited Margaret early at the hospital before returning home to sketch tirelessly. She worked late into the night, determined to seize this opportunity.

There was no turning back.

When Alexander returned that evening, her bedroom light was still on. Even hours later, it remained bright. He raised his hand to knock—then hesitated.

With a frown, he retreated to his room.

The next morning, he woke early.

He had promised his mother a simple ceremony—no grand reception, just the essentials. He intended to pick her up with Alice before heading to the venue.

But after waiting an hour in the living room, there was no sign of her.

His patience wore thin.

Does she always sleep this late before going to the hospital?

Useless.

Another hour passed. Still nothing.

Alexander’s expression darkened. He strode to her door—and kicked it open.

What he saw inside stunned him.