Chapter 20

Alice snapped her fingers. “Relax, I’ll cut it off clean when the time comes—no hesitation.” Seeing her like this—bright-eyed and full of life—Anthony couldn’t help but chuckle. But behind the smile, his eyes were heavy with concern. She hadn’t always been like this. Alice used to be distant, guarded, like a hedgehog with its spikes up—never letting anyone in. Life had thrown her too much hardship. An orphan since childhood, beautiful but broke and defenseless… surviving in a world like this, people couldn’t even imagine what she’d been through. “Emily,” Anthony hid the ache in his chest and looked at her with a grin. “One day, you’re gonna meet a guy who loves you to bits and spoils you like crazy.” Alice waved it off. “Men are optional. Making money’s the real deal.” She was the kind who had zero sense of security. Falling for someone was nearly impossible. Having money gave her control, gave her a future. Her life was filled with family and friends—love was never really in the pictu