Falling For My Ex's Uncle - Chapter 130: Chapter 130

The next morning, Alex took me straight back to Newton City.
As soon as we landed, a private escort was waiting. They brought us to Hillside Manor, by the Serene Lake.
The car stopped in front of a three-story villa.
The estate was completely secluded, surrounded by lush gardens, ensuring absolute privacy. I'd heard that a few renowned directors and A-list celebrities in the industry also lived here.
Alex led me inside. At the entrance, a row of uniformed staff stood neatly in place.
A distinguished-looking older man, around sixty, with gold-rimmed glasses and dressed in a sharp black suit, approached at a measured pace.
Alex said, "This is Hector Steele, the butler."
Hector gave me a polite nod. A flicker of surprise flashed across his eyes, but it vanished almost instantly. He returned to his composed expression and looked at Alex, waiting for further instructions.
"Laurel Parks," Alex introduced me.
"Miss Parks, let me take your luggage." Hector reached out with a warm smile.
I said, "Thank you, Mr. Steele."
"No worries, Miss Parks," he responded with impeccable politeness.
I hesitated for a moment. It seemed like he had mistaken me for a real member of the Parks family.
"I have something to take care of. If you need anything, just let Hector know," Alex said gently.
I nodded.
This wasn't the Herrera family estate. It was just where Alex lived.
Without lingering, he left in a hurry, leaving me in Hector's care.
Hector led me to a guest room on the second floor. "Is there anything you'd like to eat, Miss Parks?" he asked.
I replied, "I'm not picky about food."
Hector nodded. "Alright, then please take some rest. I'll have lunch prepared shortly."
I gave him a silent nod.
As soon as he left, I collapsed onto the bed, exhausted. Alex had been busy with work throughout the entire flight, while I had kept my eyes closed, pretending to rest.
At least I wasn't on the same flight as the Parks family. That was a relief. But despite that, unease still lingered. Given the current situation, was it really a good idea for Alex to take me to the Herrera family estate?
A vibration from my phone interrupted my thoughts. I rolled over, expecting a message from Angela, but to my surprise, it was from Maliyah.
Maliyah: [Laurel, have you landed?]
I replied: [Yeah.]
Three minutes later, another message popped up. [Laurel, your mom said no matter what happens, just endure it. Don't make things difficult for your husband.]
I twitched at the corner of my mouth. For a second, I seriously wondered if Alex had bribed my mother.
Without realizing it, I heard a knock on the door.
I jolted upright in bed. I had actually fallen asleep without noticing.
It seemed the stress had been piling up too much lately. Every day spent around Alex required constant vigilance. Now that he wasn't here, I had finally managed to sleep soundly.
I opened the door to find Hector standing outside. "Miss Parks, dinner is ready. Would you like to dine downstairs or in your room?"
I replied, "I'll go downstairs."
Hector nodded. "Understood."
I wasn't some delicate princess who needed to eat in her room.
The dining table was filled with beautifully plated dishes. And oddly enough, they were all my favorites. A coincidence?
I asked, "Is there any bread?"
Hector smiled and nodded. "Yes."
He turned and walked into the kitchen. A moment later, he returned with a warm basket of freshly baked sourdough and set it in front of me.
The rich aroma of the bread filled the air. I picked up a slice, tearing off a piece before thanking him.
Hector paused briefly, then smiled. "Miss Parks, there's no need to be so formal with us."
I took a generous bite of the bread, savoring its crisp crust and soft interior, then said, "Mr. Steele, I'm not actually from the Parks family in Wadiff City. I'm just..."
"I know." Hector's eyes crinkled with amusement. "I've served Mr. Herrera for decades. He's never brought anyone home before. You're the first. I wouldn't make that kind of mistake."
I was taken aback. So even Hector wasn't fooled by Alex's act. No wonder the food on the table was tailored to my tastes.
Alex must have asked my mother plenty of questions about me.
For someone playing a role, he was certainly committed to perfection.
A twinge of guilt surfaced within me. I barely knew anything about Alex, while he seemed to know me so well.
Most of what I did know came from rumors and hearsay.
"Miss Parks, do you have something on your mind?" Hector asked, noticing my hesitation.
I asked, "His relationship with his parents... it's not very good, is it?"
Hector faltered slightly, his gaze complicated. He sighed. "There are some misunderstandings between Mr. Herrera and his father, but their relationship isn't bad."
In other words, things weren't as harmonious as the rumors suggested.
I added, "And his injuries... who gave them to him?"
Hector's expression shifted. He coughed lightly. "Miss Parks, what was that? My hearing isn't what it used to be."
I replied, "Nothing. I'm going upstairs to rest. Let me know when Alex gets back."
Hector nodded. "Of course." So his hearing suddenly improved?
I almost laughed. Anyone who could stay by Alex's side for so long was certainly not someone to underestimate. An expert at playing the game.
Back in my room, I called Marvin.
He yawned lazily. "You made it to Newton City?"
"Yeah. No idea when Alex will be back. This place is in the suburbs, so if I want to go out, I'll need a driver." I rubbed my temples and lowered my voice. "I'll find a chance to leave later."
Marvin said, "Laurel, I really think you shouldn't take unnecessary risks. What if the Hill family doesn't believe you and gets alerted instead?"
I replied, "Have you considered that if Juliet Hill really is the one poisoning Ivan Hill, then his parents are the ones in the most danger?"
"Laurel, do you think Juliet has the guts to commit murder?" Marvin hesitated. "If someone is behind her, your interference could make them destroy evidence or speed up their plans. Have you thought about that?"
"Marvin, do I look that foolish?" I smirked. "I'm not throwing myself into the fire. I'm just luring the snake out of its hole."
"Laurel, you..." Marvin was so frustrated he couldn't even argue.
Ever since Ivan's so-called "accidental" car crash in the suburbs, he had felt uneasy.
Someone had tampered with his brakes. If it hadn't been for the AI system he had installed in his car, he would have died in that explosion.
After narrowly escaping death, Ivan had wanted to celebrate his survival, only to discover that his drink had been drugged.
In fact, a full month before he even arrived in Nifelheim City, he had unknowingly developed a drug addiction.