“Huh? What did you say?”
Alex Cohen was flustered. He could understand and even accept Isla’s cold attitude towards him. After all, old couples gave each other the cold shoulder over trivial matters, let alone that the two of them were only lovers who had yet to establish their relationship and that Isla’s family had just undergone a big change.
However, Isla just expressed her need to move out like she wanted to completely cut off her relationship with him.
Separation was much more than giving him a cold shoulder.
Alex truly hoped that he had heard wrongly. Or perhaps Isla was joking?
Isla did not care about Alex’s thoughts and continued, “We don’t have a relationship anymore, so I can’t continue to live in your house. According to the agreement we signed before, I was supposed to do three years of housework for you, so this is a breach of contract on my part. If you have time, hire a nanny yourself, then I’ll compensate the three years’ salary to you at once. If you think it’s too troublesome, I can also find a nanny for you after I settle down.”
“No…now’s not the time to discuss the agreement. Come in and sit down. Let’s talk it over.”
As Alex said this, he instinctively reached out to pull Isla’s hand.
Isla sidestepped and avoided Alex’s hand, then walked around Alex to go into the house and sat down in the living room. She said without an expression, “I’ll give you five minutes to say what you want to say. I’m quite busy, so I have to pack up my things as soon as possible and try to finish moving by today.”
“Hey…”
Alex sighed and said to Isla, “Are you really compelled by your mother? You’ll really listen to her about everything?”
“I may not be as smart as you, but I’m not stupid either. I can think for myself. If I fully listened to my mother, I would’ve made you repent in front of my father’s grave and take back Gold Stone. But did I do that? I admit that some of what my mom said was excessive, but it wasn’t all unreasonable. But even if I did what my mom wanted, it should not be a reason for you to accuse me.”
“You’ve misunderstood me. I didn’t mean to accuse you.”
“Then do you have anything else?”
“I…Isla, do you know exactly what were your father’s last words? It wasn’t at all what your mother said…”
“Stop it! As far as I know, there are only two people who may have heard my dad’s last words which are my mom and Hunter. My mother’s words aren’t credible, but does that mean what Hunter said would be the whole truth? Alex, unless you can produce evidence, don’t talk to me about this. It won’t have any meaning to me.”
“You just said that both your mother’s and Hunter’s words aren’t credible. Then why are you following these so-called last words of your father?”
“You misunderstood me. Every decision I make now is from my heart and not influenced by anyone. Including what my mom said. I agreed to it only because I didn’t want to make her sad again, not because I wanted to follow her words.”
Isla shook her head and spoke very seriously.
Alex listened attentively and realized the problem was deeper than he would have ever thought.
He initially thought that everything Isla did like cutting ties with him and holding a grudge against him was due to Xena. If it was, then as long as Isla figured it out and distinguished right from wrong, their relationship could be restored little by little and hopefully return to normal.
However, listening to Isla’s words, he realized it was completely her choice to break off their relationship.
Isla lost her feelings for Alex!
This was not what he could easily fix.
Alex did not expect the situation to develop to this point, with all his last-minute efforts to persuade her falling into nothing. The moment she got up, he panicked and was rendered speechless as he slowly watched her head upstairs to pack her things.
Fortunately, Cynthia Walker came to the house.
Alex hurriedly greeted her and desperately asked, “Isla wants to move out. Do you know about this?”
Cynthia nodded and replied, “Yes.”
“Then you should help me persuade her! If she moves out, my relationship with her will be harder to repair and her safety will be threatened. Those who know the situation will know that she and I have fallen out, but the enemy doesn’t know this. They would seize the opportunity to repeat the same trick by capturing her as a hostage and threatening me! I’m not afraid to work hard for the relationship, but I don’t want to put her in danger!”
“I understand what you mean, but…I’m afraid this matter can’t be undone.”
“Oh? How so?”
Cynthia shook her head, then went over to the coffee table and sat down. She poured herself a glass of water, drank it to moisten her dry throat, before she said to Alex, “On the way over, I’ve been discussing this issue with her. Although I didn’t get through to her, I understood how she felt. She made up her mind to move out because she believes that it’s the only way to completely draw the line with you and put an end to the recurrence of all this tragedy.”
Alex probed, “So is she afraid? Afraid of being dragged down by me?”
“No…she is afraid, but not for herself. She’s only considering her mother. After these exhaustive few days, her mind is clear. She came to a realization that she and you are somewhat responsible for her dad’s death. Just like you, she is blaming herself for what has happened. In the end, she does not want the same thing happening to her mother so she decided to make this change. She goes by these eight words. Cherish life and stay away from Alex Cohen!”
“So that’s how it is…Then do you know where she’s moving to? She can’t possibly move back to the old house, right?”
“That house is a sad place for her and her mother, so they certainly can’t go back. Originally, she wanted to rent another house in a different neighborhood, but after a long night of persuasion, she finally put off the idea of renting a house and is willing to live with me. By luck and coincidence, one of my sisters who shared a room with me moved out, so she can live with me in one room, while Aunty can stay in the other room .”
“That’s good, that’s good…With you looking after her, I feel much more at ease.”
Cynthia nodded, poured another glass of water and drank it, then got up and said, “Alex, I know you’re anxious, but things have come to this and you can’t rush it. I think it’s best to give yourself and Lala some time and space. Lala and her mother are still grieving now. They’re also angry with you, so it’s unlikely that they’ll want to understand your side of the story. It’ll only be possible after they’ve calmed down.”
“I understand. Then I’ll have to trouble you to take care of Lala.”
“The company’s counting on you though…you can’t just desert the company because of personal matters, right?”
After Cynthia finished speaking, she went upstairs to help Isla pack up her things.
Alex sat on the sofa and fell into deep thought. Cynthia said that the company was counting on him, which meant that Isla would not be the general manager of Gold Stone, or at least it was impossible for her to work for him during this period. He was in a dilemma since he was not good at managing the company, nor did he have that kind of time.
He urgently needed to find a replacement.
Alex’s first thought was to transfer Felix Moore over, but he was worried about Felix’s safety.
Just as Alex was scratching his head, Big Ken came in and said, “Young Master, good news!”
“What’s the good news?”
Alex instantly became spirited, anything would lift his spirits in this hellish moment.
“I asked for help from the Master a few days ago. Master agreed and has already sent two helpers over.”
“Where are they?”
“Right at the gate.”
“Quickly, invite them in!”
Alex needed capable helpers at the moment, regardless if they were brain or brawn, as long as they were excellent and talented.
Without delay, Big Ken immediately ran out and brought in two sturdy dark-skinned men and introduced them to Alex. The slightly shorter one was called Ivan Beare and the other was Ivar Beare. They were brothers who had lost their parents at a very young age and were raised and trained by Wayne Larson as loyal subordinates.
The Beare brothers learned of Alex’s identity and simultaneously bowed to Alex while they shouted in unison, “Good day, Young Master!”
Alex waved his hand and responded with a smile, “There’s no need to be so polite. No matter what your status is at my father’s place, when you come to me, you become my brothers, just like Big Ken and Hunter…”
As he was talking, Alex’s phone rang. It was Zeke Martin calling. He picked up and Zeke’s voice came through without waiting for Alex to speak, “Alex! It’s urgent, something may have happened to Symore…”
