Falling For My Ex's Uncle - Chapter 128: Chapter 128

When Ivan woke up, he found himself in an unfamiliar room, his eyes flashing with panic. It wasn't until he saw me that he regained a sliver of composure.
"What... what did you do to me?" He glanced at the needle marks on the back of his hand, a flicker of alarm in his gaze. His gaze hardened, locking onto me with a sharp intensity.
Now, this was the Ivan I knew, the kind of man who would never surrender. His anger carried the same feral edge as a wolf, staring down its prey.
Maybe that was what had kept him alive until now, some relentless will he himself wasn't even aware of.
"Relax. We just drew some of your blood for testing," Marvin said, giving him a once-over before asking, "What's your name? And why do you think someone wants to kill you?"
Ivan shook his head slightly, still groggy, then turned his unfocused gaze toward me. "What did you give me?"
He suddenly sat up, eyes darting toward the window and the darkened night sky. Suspicion flickered across his face. "How long was I out?"
"Calm down. This is Marvin, just a low-level cop," I said, patting Marvin's shoulder. "He's got a bit of a professional habit, but don't worry. You're safe here. I gave you a sleeping pill. It's the same stuff I take myself, so no poison."
Ivan took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping across the room before settling back on me. "You don't have any questions for me?"
"I don't like meddling in other people's business. I saved you because I figured you were finally trying to turn your life around." I glanced at my phone screen and then at Marvin. "He's your problem now. Call me if anything comes up."
Marvin looked like he wanted to complain, but I wasn't interested in listening. He'd probably say he was too busy with work to babysit a grown man.
Or that he needed to focus on training and solving more cases if he wanted a shot at transferring to the criminal investigation unit.
Honestly, I wanted to tell him it was pointless. No matter how hard he worked or how good he was, he would never be assigned to such a dangerous division.
The Adams family allowed him to be a police officer was already their biggest compromise. He could only station safely at a local precinct.
But Marvin refused to accept that. He believed that as long as he was talented enough, he could go wherever he wanted.
Sometimes, a little idealism wasn't a bad thing. But too much of it was just naive.
The only son of the Adams family. There was no way they would let him risk his life on the front lines.
Marvin always liked to say, "Gold will always shine." But gold covered in mud wouldn't even be as bright as a piece of glass.
I handed Marvin the keys to the old house, instructing him to take care of Ivan before hurrying off to the National Mall to pick up the clothes I had purchased. Laden with shopping bags, I returned to Honeydew Estate.
Just as I stepped out of the car, I noticed a couple standing not far away. They nestled in each other's arms, caught in a moment of reluctant separation.
I had initially planned to take a detour, but it was already quite late. Twenty minutes ago, Alex had texted me, saying he was almost home and asking if I needed a driver to pick me up.
I had declined his offer. If he had truly wanted to come get me, he would have simply asked where I was. He wouldn't care if I wanted a ride.
It seemed like he was giving me a choice, but in reality, I never had the final say when it came to him.
He was like a lofty crown prince, while I was nothing more than a concubine he could discard at any moment.
Now, I dared not provoke him so easily. Nor could I.
The woman in his arms seemed to be crying, soft sobs escaping her lips.
I was about to steel myself and walk past them when a gust of wind carried over a faint scent of cologne, making my chest tighten.
That scent belonged to Alex. So, the man standing over there... was him?
I stole a glance in their direction, but the distance was too great. I couldn't make out the expression on his face, nor could I tell who the woman in his arms was.
Would it be Samantha? That seemed unlikely.
Kailyn? That didn't seem right either. From the way Alex looked at her, it was obvious he kept his distance and had no real interest in her.
Intrigued, I quietly circled around to the other side of the road.
The woman in Alex's arms lifted her head, gazing at him with sorrowful eyes.
"Alex, I know you don't want our marriage to become a bargaining chip in someone else's hands, but have you ever considered my feelings?"
The moment she spoke, I froze slightly. It was Samantha's voice.
I hadn't expected the ever-elegant, poised young lady of the Harvey family to have such a delicate, clingy side.
Seeing her cry so pitifully, even I, as another woman, couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy.
I had to admit. When a beautiful woman shed tears, most men would find themselves at a loss, and Alex was no exception.
I was caught in an awkward position. I couldn't just walk up and pretend I hadn't seen anything.
And if he saw me, I didn't know how to react. Should I act jealous?
"Samantha, I believe I've made myself very clear." Alex's voice was calm as he gently pushed the woman leaning against his shoulder away.
Samantha shook her head. "Alex, I've been by your side all these years. But after just three years away, you're telling me you don't want me anymore?"
Seeing her so distraught, Alex's face revealed a trace of guilt. He raised his hand, as if intending to brush her long, dark hair, but hesitated and pulled back at the last moment. "I'm sorry. I already have someone I like."
Samantha's eyes reddened, and she clutched his hand tightly, her voice tinged with urgency. "Alex, you can fool everyone else, but you can't fool me. How could you possibly fall for someone else so easily?"
Alex let out a long sigh, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness. "Samantha... I've always seen you as a sister."
"A sister?" Samantha suddenly let out a bitter laugh and released his hand. "Then who will you marry? Kailyn or Laurel?"
Alex frowned but didn't answer.
He was taking too long. I felt like an audience member watching a slow-paced drama. I had already lost my patience, but I forced myself to endure it a little longer.
Samantha lifted a hand and gracefully wiped away her tears with a handkerchief.
It seemed daughters of prestigious families truly carried themselves differently. Every movement was poised as if she were acting in a film.
Standing next to Samantha, I must have looked like someone crawling through the mud while she remained high above the clouds.
If I were a man, I wouldn't even hesitate. I would definitely choose her.
She was elegant, dignified, and didn't need his money. After all, the Harvey family's wealth wasn't necessarily any less than the Herrera family's.