From Heir's Ex to His Aunt novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20 From This Day On, She Wouldn’t Cling Anymore

Alicia lay flat on her back, her soft hair spilling across the pillow.

She thought about his words–that he wanted to marry her only out of a sense of responsibility.

With so many blind–date prospects, why did he have to pick Magnolia? He must have some feelings for her, after all. He leaked the story himself–his feelings are clear. That’s my cue to step back.

My fate is always a marriage alliance–if not David, then someone else.

The Burtons ruled Litchbrook. But Austin and Magnolia clearly want each other–I won’t force my way between lovers. I’ve always hated mistresses the most.

She sighed quietly. Fate mocked her–what she wanted was never meant to be.

Her fingers brushed the magnolia hairpin. It’s disappointing, but I’ll handle it.

The Burton family was my first choice, not my only one. I won’t cling anymore.

Here, there are plenty of powerful families–I’ll just settle for the next best thing.

She placed the hairpin back into its wooden box and had a deliveryman send it back to the Burton Residence.

As night fell, her friend’s new bar was celebrating its grand opening. Alicia grabbed her car keys and drove off in her Koenigsegg.

She didn’t usually care for nightlife, but Betty Dobrev was one of her few close friends. For her, Alicia would show up.

She had expected a lively crowd, but she hadn’t expected the trial opening to draw half the city’s elite.

Luxury cars filled the parking lot. In Section A, only one space remained.

Ahead of her, moving at a snail’s pace, was a familiar Mulsanne.

Since I’ve made up my mind to let go, there’s no reason for me to be polite.

Her foot pressed down on the accelerator–she overtook, spun the wheel, and slipped neatly into the spot with a flawless drift.

The roar of the engine turned heads instantly. Who would dare block a Burton family’s car?

When people saw the Gibson family’s plates, they weren’t surprised. The two families had been at odds lately; everyone was accustomed to it.

One rich young man, thinking it must be Bernard, walked over with a cigarette dangling from his lips.

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4:57 pm P PDD.

Chapter 20 From This Day On, She Wouldn’t Cling Anymore

B

Finished

“Bernard, that drift was–d*mn–smooth…”

The door swung open, and a long, slender leg stepped out.

If the drift had stunned the crowd, the sight that followed dazzled them completely: a beauty in a long dress stepping out of a roaring supercar.

The contrast was almost too much to process–graceful elegance paired with raw speed.

Alicia smiled at the man in front of her. “Elliot–you’ve grown.”

It had been more than ten years since she last saw Elliot Harvie. Even back then, as a boy, he thought Alicial was beautiful–like a living Barbie doll. He’d always envied Bernard for having such a stunning sister.

“Alicia, you’re just as beautiful as ever.”

Her lips curved into a playful smile, stealing half the steadiness from his soul. She reached out and ruffled his hair. “Good boy.”

The little tyrant of the Harvie family, usually wild outside, turned as meek as a rabbit in front of her.

Even after Alicia had walked away, his eyes stayed fixed on her retreating figure.

“Hey, Elliot, who’s that beauty? Why aren’t you introducing her to us?”

“She’s the heiress of the Gibson family–you can forget about it!”

The man in the back of the Mulsanne’s gaze fell on Alicia. Tonight she wore a long black dress, holding a dark jade fan.

Her bright red lipstick and matching nails made her look striking, even more commanding than usual- both beautiful and bold, catching every man’s attention.

She clearly saw his car, yet her steps didn’t falter as she strode past, leaving a trail of awe behind her.

Austin held the magnolia hairpin, a chilling smile curling at the corners of his lips.

During the bar’s trial opening, the crowd was well–behaved and not yet packed.

Alicia immediately spotted Betty in a red camisole dress, every gesture oozing charm, red lips teasingly lifted toward her.

“Shanny, long time no see! Mila’s been waiting for you a while–if you don’t come soon, she’ll eat all the pistachios in my bar.”

Alicia smiled lightly. “Here I am, Ms. Dobrev. Congratulations on your opening.”

“Thanks for the blessing.”

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4:57 pm P P DD

Chapter 20 From This Day On, She Wouldn’t Cling Anymore.

Betty led Alicia to a private booth on the second floor.

H

Finished

“Shanny.” Mila pounced like a cat, nuzzling her face constantly.

Alicia closed her fan and tapped the top of her head. “Stop rubbing–my foundation will get ruined.”

“Wow, you’ve changed so much! You look like some kind of enchantress now.” Mila twirled around her, eyes wide.

Alicia glanced down at her. “You haven’t changed at all–still a grade–schooler.”

Mila’s ponytail bounced, her cheeks still soft and youthful. In a high–end white dress, she looked utterly fresh.

The three of them had been inseparable since kindergarten, despite their very different personalities.

Even after the Dobrev family fell on hard times and she became a bankrupt heiress, their friendship endured.

Betty placed a glass of orange juice in front of Mila, who puffed her cheeks in mock indignation. “Bebe, you’re looking down on me! I want something stronger–alcohol!”

“Don’t exaggerate–if you get drunk, your uncle will eat me alive.”

Betty shrugged. “Tonight’s show is amazing. I booked the Summer Band.”

“Bebe, you’re incredible! I couldn’t even get tickets to their last concert, and you managed to get them in person!”

“I didn’t do anything. Liam Cooper hired them for a month–long residency.”

Alicia raised an eyebrow. “Wasn’t it just the other day you were crying to me, saying anyone who didn’t break up was crazy? And now you’re already back together?”

“Well, after crying, he opened this bar for me. So the tears weren’t wasted,” Betty replied with a shrug.

Alicia’s eyes softened slightly. “Bebe, how long are you going to keep entangled with him? I heard he’s getting engaged.”

Betty laughed nonchalantly. “Don’t worry. I’m not stupid. Besides this bar, he gave me fifty million as a breakup settlement. But I wish I were as carefree as you–three years of feelings, and just like that, it’s over. That sc*mbag’s still in Sylvoria, right?”

“Yes. Crying in Sylvoria,” Alicia said lightly.

“Girl, you’re amazing.”

“It’s just a man,” Alicia said. Though she had felt sad at first, her self–healing was fast. Even when David came up, her emotions remained calm.

Betty smirked. “Honestly, it’s because you weren’t in love enough. If you really loved someone, you’d lose half your life. But tonight, you’ve come to me–I won’t let you leave disappointed.”

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4:57 pm P PDD.

Chapter 20 From This Day On, She Wouldn’t Cling Anymore.

She snapped her fingers, and a few tall, striking male models appeared.

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