His Awesome Ex Is Now Uncle's Lady (Alicia and Austin) novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26 Return the Favor

Alicia flashed a sweet, teasing smile, the kind of charm that could pull anyone in.

M

Austin, on the other hand, barely reacted. He just pulled out his phone. “What’s your WhatsApp?”

“Of course, Mr. Burton.” She hurried to open the app, eager to please. “I’ll scan your

code.

A notification chimed.

Finished

Once they were connected, Austin took her phone and typed in his own number, saving it under the name boyfriend.’

“Ms. Alicia, I’m strict when it comes to relationships. During this trial marriage, I don’t want you tangled up with any other man. Not even David. And honestly, the whole ex–lover–comes–crawling–back story? It doesn’t look good on anyone.”

Alicia opened her contacts, her tone calm but firm. “You can relax. I never go back to the past. That card was tossed the moment I left Litchbrook. If you don’t believe me, check it yourself. David and I are over for good.”

Austin didn’t bother verifying it. He hadn’t said it to accuse her, just to clarify his stance. Still, he couldn’t help noticing that she was colder and more ruthless than he had imagined.

“Do you cook breakfast?”

“I do.”

“Pick me up tomorrow at 7 a.m.”

Most women would’ve frowned at that, but Alicia didn’t blink. She just pulled up her notes app. “What do you like to eat? I’ll write it down.”

Austin tapped her lightly on the head, half amused. “With that level of dedication, you could be breaking sales records. Kind of a waste on just me.”

She looked up at him, smiling with confidence. “I’ll prove to you that choosing me is the best decision you’ll ever make.”

“We’ll see.”

His car rolled up. As he reached for the door, Alicia quickly stepped forward and pulled it practiced smile. “Good night, Mr. Burton.”

open

with a

Austin pulled his gaze away from her glowing, expectant expression. His eyes were dark and distant as he raised the window and left.

Alicia wasn’t about to waste time analyzing feelings. For her, the goal was all that mattered.

Austin caught sight of Alicia in the rearview mirror, standing there, watching him drive off.

It was nothing more than professional courtesy for a client, not any genuine reluctance to part with him.

4:58 pm P PDD.

Chapter 26 Return the Favor

Finishi

His thumb brushed over the plain ring on has finger, and his eyes darkened.

The phone buzzed. He glanced down, saw David’s name on the screen, and answered without a flicker of expression. “What is it?”

David couldn’t explain why he photo still gnawed at him. He knew it couldn’t be Alicia, yet something about it unsettled him. The gossip columns hadn’t helped either, splashing headlines about Austin and Magnolia. For all he knew, the woman tonight could have been her.

“I saw the news. Are you arranging a marriage with the Wallace Family?”

“No. With the heiress of the Gibson Family.” Austin’s tone was calm, almost casual. Then he added, “You planning to come back and see Aria?”

“Forget it. I’m not interested in anyone else. If you really end up marrying the heiress of the Gibson Family, at least Mom will stop pestering me.”

When are you coming back?”

Solvoria stretched wide, its sights scattered across distant cities. David had another stop lined up Tomorrow, though he still hadn’t figured out if Alicia would be there.

His voice sank with a weary edge. “We’ll see. I’ve got things to take care of.”

“All right. Watch yourself out there.” Austin ended the call and lifted his gaze toward the Gibson residence fading farther and farther behind him.

By the time he comes back, things are already settled.

Austin pulled up Alicia’s private account. Her profile picture was a ragdoll cat, and the feed was nothing fancy. It was just random shots she’d taken here and there.

The old gray Gothic buildings stood in the rain. A row of ginkgo trees had turned yellow. Streetlights wer swallowed by heavy snow.

All of it carried the same quiet sadness, not that he was surprised.

His long fingers tapped the screen, and slowly he changed the note under her name to hones

Meanwhile, Alicia came back to the Gibson residence reeking of alcohol. Her cheeks were used little too red and swollen. Anyone with half a brain could guess what she had just been up to.

“Well, look who’s home,” Aria drawled as she strolled down the stairs, that knowing smile mugging a ber mouth. “What’d you drink yourself into this time?”

“A friend was opening a new place. I went to show some support and had a few dininks Alicia said flatly

Aria’s eyes narrowed. “Alicia, nobody cares what you get up to abroad, bun domn’t forget–you’re in this country now. You carry the Gibson name.”

4:58 pm P PD

Chapter 26 Return the Favor

Finishe

“Appreciate the lecture. I’m heading up.” Alicia replied, turning toward the stairs. But once she reached th landing, she stopped in her tracks.

From around the corner, she caught Aria whispering with Kyana

“Mom, my friend saw her booking a male escort. Then. I saw some guy drop her off just now. Look at her she’s definitely been fooling around.”

Kyana lowered her voice. “You’re sure you didn’t imagine it?”

“Like I could be mistaken? I even took photos. This is my ace. She acts harmlessly in front of Mrs. Burton but the higher Mrs. Burton puts her on a pedestal the harder she falls. I’m going to play this card and destroy her reputation. Do you really think the Burtons want someone with a messy private life?”

“Aria, you sure know how to get things done.”

“She’s the one with no shame. Just like her mother, both of them are losers we’ve beaten.”

When Alicia heard them mention Audrey, she clenched her fists without thinking.

Sooner or later, I’ll make them pay. If Arts wants to surprise me. I’ll return the favor in a big way. She wants to marry into the Burtons? Fine. I’ll make sure she gets exactly that. But first things first, I have to secure Austin. I need him

now.