Chapter 170

After all, it had always been Howard and Alyssa together. This was the first time in days the real married couple had appeared side by side. Online chatter exploded instantly. One comment read, "This is rare. They're finally showing up together again." Another asked, "But what about Alyssa? Hasn't Howard been with her all this time?" A third scoffed, "Come on, look at the occasion. This is Yvette's homecoming gala. She's from the Larson family. How would it look to bring Alyssa here?" "Didn't Howard take Alyssa to the last charity banquet?" a different commenter reminded them. "You don't know the full story," another replied. "Alyssa hasn't been well. She's been busy with the 'Micro Love' web series and fell ill again. How could she possibly make it to a wine tasting?" "Exactly. This is a wine event. Alyssa's battling late-stage stomach cancer. You really expect her to show up here? That's insane," one outraged voice wrote. "That actually makes sense," a quieter reply conce