Chapter 29

The tinted car window slowly rolled down, revealing an impeccably handsome face. Alice froze, completely caught off guard to see Edward waiting downstairs. Her smile from earlier stiffened as she recalled accidentally overhearing his conversation. "Mr. Hawthorne? What brings you here?" "Just handling some business," Edward replied casually, his gaze flickering toward the building behind her. A faint smirk lingered on his lips. "And you? What are you doing here?" She definitely couldn’t admit she was doing side gigs during her time off. Alice subtly pinched the edge of her coat, putting on a gentle smile. "I came to see a friend. I’m heading home now." Yep. Lying still came ridiculously easy—just like always. Edward’s eyes held steady on her graceful face, his tone as unreadable as ever. But in the depths of his gaze, a flicker of amusement flashed by—one only he would notice. "Get in," he said. Alice had been halfway through forming a response when a loud honk startled her—Edward’s car