Kapitel 32: Chapter 32 Henry Gets Humiliated

Alicia's heart skipped a beat, astonished by how quickly Louis had guessed her thoughts. But recalling Henry's warning not to let Louis know about it, she casually brushed off the topic with a seemingly indifferent remark.

However, Louis's fingers firmly clasped her back, gently caressing her as he spoke with warmth and affection, "I've never considered you a gold-digger or something, honestly. You're my wife, and I've always respected you."

Alicia felt a mixture of pain and bitterness upon hearing this. Though she wore a smile, it couldn't conceal her inner turmoil and conflict. She had thought she had grown accustomed to this life, but when Louis said those words, she realized she'd been avoiding her true feelings, knowing their relationship couldn't last.

Louis was tall and handsome, a stoic, imposing man, but his voice was now gentle as water, stirring Alicia's heart. However, she couldn't help but voice her thoughts, "First, you proposed the divorce, and now you're the one dragging your feet. I can't understand you men. What do you think I am? You say you respect me, but do you really?"

After the words left her lips, Alicia suddenly realized how harsh she sounded. She had never been so cutting before, usually gentle and considerate. But she could no longer hide her emotions. Her heart felt desolate, as if she had fallen into a silent, bottomless ocean.

Louis listened silently, unsure of what to say.

"Let's just divorce," Alicia hastily interrupted Louis, fearing she might relent. "Better a short pain than a long one. Dragging this out is like being slowly cut by a dull knife—it's too agonizing."

Louis slowly released her, gazing at her pale face, his voice low, "Grandma won't agree."

Alicia turned her head away, avoiding his eyes, not daring to meet his gaze. "I'll go with you this weekend to talk to Grandma and try to convince her."

Louis bent down to kiss her forehead, holding her for a while longer before finally saying softly, "Alright."

That simple word rippled through Alicia's heart like a stone tossed into a lake.

Instead of feeling relief, her emotions were tangled and chaotic.

She knew their relationship had lost its past sweetness and warmth, leaving only coldness and alienation. Unsure of whether to hold on or let go, Alicia knew she had run out of options.

Breaking free from his embrace, she lifted her hands, intending to unbutton the suit to return it to him.

But Louis stopped her, "Keep it on. There's air conditioning in the car."

Alicia's hand, reaching for the button, froze in mid-air.

Louis gently brushed Alicia's windblown hair back behind her ears, his eyes deep and intense as he gazed at her. "Take care of yourself."

Alicia felt a lump in her throat. "You too. Keep your wound right hand dry, watch out for infection. Cut back on smoking and drinking, and don't skip meals."

Louis softly grunted in agreement. "You should head back. It's getting windy."

Alicia managed a brave smile. "Alright."

Louis opened the car door and climbed in.

Only when the car disappeared from sight did Alicia turn around and head back.

She rubbed his button between her fingers, smiling on the outside, but feeling an unbearable pain inside.

A deep sense of helplessness washed over her once again.

Ever since she was little, her grandfather had told her that as long as she tried hard, she would succeed. But the massive gap in their family backgrounds was something she could never change, no matter how hard she tried.

"We're people from different circles; there's no need to force a connection," Alicia told herself.

Back at the hospital, Genevieve had gone out.

Leo was still there.

Alicia looked at him, puzzled, and politely asked with a smile, "Véronique's doctor was an older man. How come you're taking over?"

Leo slid his pen into the pocket of his white coat and smiled. "Dr. Woo hasn't been feeling well lately, so I'm covering for him."

Alicia nodded and said, "My mother was just joking earlier. I hope you don't mind."

Leo pursed his lips, wanting to say something, but in the end, he just responded with, "Alright."

On Saturday evening, Alicia and Louis arrived at the Martinez family's old residence together.

As soon as they entered, Grandma greeted them warmly, her eyes smiling. "Alicia, you're here."

Alicia obediently replied, "Hello, Grandma."

"Good, good. Come, have a seat." Bonnie affectionately took her hand and led her to the sofa, casting a secretive glance at her flat belly. "So, are you having a baby now?"

Alicia shook her head, apologizing with a smile. "I'm sorry, but Louis and I are getting a divorce."

Grandma was taken aback, her smile frozen on her face as disappointment filled her eyes. "Last time, you agreed to give me a great-grandchild. It hasn't been that long; why are you changing your mind?"

Alicia lowered her gaze, remaining silent.

Initially, she thought not having children was the right choice, but seeing the disappointment in her grandmother's eyes, she felt an overwhelming sense of guilt.

Bonnie was an understanding person. Seeing Alicia's expression, she could guess the reasons behind it.

Bonnie patted Alicia's head, lifted her eyelids, and glared at Louis, "Have you been messing around with Madelyn again, making Alicia upset?"

Louis slightly raised the corner of his lips, his expression indifferent, "Alicia and I have been getting along well recently, my mother really likes her, and Lily even more so."

The implication: you can guess who it is yourself.

Bonnie frowned, thought for a moment, and said, "Could it be your father?"

Louis nodded.

Bonnie, fuming, picked up her phone and called Henry, "You old little brat, I have something to discuss with you. You have half an hour to come see me!"

Henry was entertaining clients at a dinner when Bonnie's shout made his ears go numb.

He stood up, walked outside, held the phone away from his ear, and impatiently said, "Mom, what's wrong? I'm with clients and can't leave. I'm busy every day, not as leisurely as you."

"You have many subordinates, don't you? Delegate to them and come to me immediately!" Bonnie hung up after she finished speaking.

Half an hour later, Henry arrived, right on time.

Entering the house and seeing Alicia, his face darkened instantly, looking extremely unpleasant. The strong contempt and disgust in his eyes were undisguised.

Alicia's self-esteem was crushed, and she felt humiliated to the point of tears.

She had always been a proud person, with a thin skin.

Growing up well-behaved and sensible, excelling in both academics and character during school, and skilled in restoring ancient books and paintings, she had never experienced such blatant contempt before.

Louis noticed, and his slender fingers held her hand as he turned his palm upwards.

His other hand cupped her face, pulling her into his embrace, shielding her from Henry's piercing gaze.

Alicia nestled in his arms, her fingers instinctively gripping his shirt.

The refreshing, pleasant masculine scent on him filled her nostrils, emanating a dependable warmth, seemingly alleviating much of her discomfort.

She leaned her face into his chest, nuzzling closer.

Bonnie gently patted Alicia's back, her eyes sharply staring at Henry. Her previously kind demeanor changed as she scolded, "Who are you making that sour face for? Alicia didn't tell me; I figured it out myself! I knew you were up to no good. What are you trying to achieve with my wonderful granddaughter-in-law? When Louis was in a wheelchair, you didn't force them to divorce. Now that Louis is standing again, you're pushing this young girl away. You heartless, ungrateful thing, are you crazy?"

Henry had been in a high position for years and had never been scolded so bluntly.

Especially in front of Alicia, without any regard for his dignity.

He couldn't bear the humiliation any longer.

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