Chapter 137
After ten minutes, Alex drove out of Warren Manor. As he reached the entrance, he ran into Barry and said, “My phone is on 24/7. Let me know if anything happens.”
No matter how unwilling Ellie was, or how unsettled and afraid he felt, he had to bring the evidence to her, making her realize that the person who saved him all those years ago was, in fact, her.
“Alex, I need to talk to you,” Haley said. She followed Alex’s car to the gate of Warren Manor. But Alex didn’t stop, so she waited for him.
With impatience, Alex said, “You came here to find me and you’re not worried about my mom’s anger?”
Haley instinctively covered her face, her expression changing in an instant. “Alex, are you going to give me money and send me away like your mother?”
Meeting her eyes, Alex softened his tone. “I didn’t want you to come because I worried for your safety. If my mother really slapped you, I wouldn’t be able to defend you. You should go back and calm down.”
After pushing Haley out, he stepped on the gas, and the car sped away from the entrance of Warren Manor. Haley watched as Alex’s car disappeared, and the anger hidden in her eyes began to show.
“Barry…” Haley tried to ask Barry something, but he had already entered the house. Frustrated, she stomped her foot and hurried back to her car. Several hours later, Alex drove along the road to Ellie’s hometown. Evening had fallen. After turning off the engine, he fixed his clothes and hair before getting out of the car.
Standing in front of the old wooden gate, Alex took a deep breath to gather his courage. He had always been brave. Yet, at that moment, the sight of the worn gate made him hesitant to knock.
After lingering at the doorstep for quite a while, he finally found the courage to knock. The door swung open, revealing Joanna, who noticed Alex and his gifts, her expression shifting slightly.
“Mrs. Thompson.” Before Joanna could show her disapproval, Alex hurriedly carried the gifts inside.
Noticing Joanna’s gaze on him, Alex cautiously glanced into the living room. “Mrs. Thompson, my Grandpa and parents heard about Mr. Thompson’s illness and asked me to visit.”
These are specially chosen by my parents, not me,” Alex added quickly, fearing Joanna might dismiss both him and his gifts.
Joanna replied, “Oh, then you may go home and kindly tell your parents we appreciate it.”
“Mrs. Thompson, Ellie…” Alex hesitated, struggling to find his words.
“Ellie returned to the city for work early this morning; you should leave too,” Joanna said politely, despite the tension in the air. No parent is fond of those who bully their children.
When Alex heard that Ellie had gone back to the city, he didn’t leave. He hesitated for what felt like forever before he finally spoke, “Mrs. Thompson, I’d like to see Mr. Thompson.”
“There’s no need,” Joanna said, opening the door wider, and went to fetch food for their pigs.
I’ll help. Alex said, stepping forward to take the food from Joanna. Almost losing his grip due to the weight, he managed to keep it from spilling all over him. Eager to prove his willingness, he walked toward the pigpen.
Standing beside the pigpen, Alex saw Joanna feed the pigs. She ignored him, and he hesitated to step inside and look for Harold. Hearing the sound of a cane hitting the ground, Alex turned around.
He saw Harold coming out of the yard with a cane, and Alex’s expression turned serious. He called out, “Mr. Thompson.”
Harold’s face darkened as he leaned on his cane and tried to walk away.
“Mr. Thompson.” Alex rushed forward just as Harold was about to close the door.
Harold turned his back on Alex. Approaching him, Alex tried to say, “Mr. Thompson, I’m sorry for what happened last time.”
“You are right; the Thompson family owes a lot to the Warren family,” Harold interrupted. “I’ve talked to my children, we will pay.”
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Chapter 137
A sudden pain hit Alex in the chest, and he exclaimed, “Mr. Thompson, I do not want any money?
“What do you want?” Harold replied. “Mr. Warren, look around you–this poor home has nothing you might want.”
“Mr. Thompson, I came to apologize:
Just as tension rose between Alex and Harold, a commotion broke out outside. Harold pushed past Alex, using his cane to navigate the door. By the pigpen, a heavyset villager confronted Joanna.
“What are you doing?” Harold placed himself protectively in front of Joanna.
The villager snapped back, “Cripple, I heard your daughter is back. Hurry up and repay the rest of the debt?
Harold’s strong posture slowly crumbled. “The rest will be paid once we sell the piglets after the Christmas, Joanna assured her.
“No, that won’t do. You borrowed 2,000 last February, and it’s almost December now with only 700 paid back. With the Christmas coming, we all need cash. Sell the chickens in the coop and use them as part of the payment
Last February was when Ellie suffered harassment and injury at the hands of Haley, While Ellie faced her struggles, her parents also had a tough time.
Hearing the villager calling Harold Cripple, Alex’s mind raced, and his breathing became quick. He watched the villager move toward the chicken coop, and Harold blocked her with his cane.
“Step aside, cripple, the villager pushed Harold with her weight. Unable to hold his balance, Harold fell into the pigpen with a dull thud.
“Mr. Thompson!” Alex reacted quickly, rushing into the pen to help Harold up. Then he dashed to the car and grabbed 1,300 dollars. “Get lost, you heavy fool
As Alex raised his fist, Joanna pulled him back, saying to the villager, “Please don’t take this to heart.”
The villager eyed Alex, biting her lip. “Joanna, my daughter needs money in a few days. I’m only asking out of desperation. You must be Ellie’s fiancé, handsome, though you seem a bit off.”
Joanna interjected, “He’s not her fiancé; he’s a relative”
Alex found himself speechless. After the villager left, Joanna helped Harold back inside their home. Noticing Alex standing still, staring at the villager, Joanna stopped.
“We’re all from the same village, and life isn’t easy for any of us. We’re lucky that she lent us the money,” she said.
Standing at the door, Alex watched as Ellie’s parents went into their home, leaving the door open. After hesitating for a moment, he stepped inside. After walking around the yard, he entered the living room, which looked like the photos Layton had shown him. Aside from a few old pieces of furniture, there were no decent appliances anywhere,
“Here, Harold said, handing Alex a slip of paper. Alex unfolded it to find a promissory note for 1,800 dollars.
Joanna spoke to him. “Mr. Warren, I know our family owes the Warren family a lot, but we will repay this 1,300 as soon as we sell the piglets in the spring My son and daughter are struggling, so please don’t mention this to Ellie,”
Joanna added, “Looks like it might rain; Mr. Warren, you should head back now”
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