Love's Tangled Web (Alex and Ellie)

"Im not going out," Joanna said, refusing to leave her room upon learning that the Warren family had arrived.

Aaron exchanged a glance with his aunt, who then stepped out and closed the door behind her. In the living room, Jason and Whitney politely crected the guests from the Warren family.

"Go mak-some tea," Jason instructed Aaron, but Aaron replied, "The tea machine is broken, and I haven't had time to fix it." He just sat there.

motionless

Nancy and her husbond exchanged a look, both silent. Ellie stayed upstairs, and Joanna still hadn't come out. Nancy could guess how this meeting would turn out.

con him. She glanced back at her son, only to find him lost in

No matter how disappointing their son was, as parents, they couldn't just give up on h thought staring at the staircase. She inwardly cursed and redirected lier gaze.

After a brief silence, Nancy mustered up the courage to speak, Jason, we're here today to apologize, first of all. Secondly, we want to see Ellie, and lastly, we'd like to discuss how to settle this matter properly with Joanna and you. What do you think!" Jason sat in the mam seat, absently playing with a string of purple sandalwood prayer beads. He looked down at them with a serious expression, saying. The one who has been hurt is my niece. The apology should be directed at her. If you want to see her, you need to ask if she's willing"

He paused for a moment and continued, "As for Mrs. Warren's suggestion to settle this properly, that also depends on my niece's wishes. None of us has the right to make decisions for her!"

At Jason's words, the expressions on the Warren couple's faces were beyond awkward,

They exchanged glances, and Todd sighed, "No matter the reason, the Warren family is at fault here; the responsibility lies with us"

He took a brief pause, then with a resolute look, continued, "But the matter has already reached a conclusion. 1 hope that, considering the bond between our son and yours, you can mediate and help the two kids arrive at a favorable outcome? Todd didn't mention his oldest son's heroics that led to Jason being saved-it was a sore subject

After all, it was Nathan's reckless actions that indirectly led to Harold's unexpected death. Since then, the Thompson family had refused any compensation, instead using Harold's death benefits to repay the Warren family for their kindness. It was more humiliating than a slap in the face! Now, with this situation on their hands, they had no choice but to confront it, no matter how ashamed they felt

Upon hearing Todd mention Nathan, Jason's movement with the prayer beads came to an abrupt halt.

Looking towards the Warren couple, Jason's eyes reflected a hint of guilt as he said, I admit that while my brother's death was indirectly caused by Nathan, it was indeed your two sons who gave their lives in return for mine.

"I once told you that the Warren family's matters are our own. You can always come to me for anything you need, but-

"A debt is a debt. I remember the kindness the Warren family has shown us, and I truly wish for our families to maintain a friendly relationship. Still, I maintain that I cannot make decisions for my niece!

"Since that's the case, we won't trouble you further. Can we at least have a few words with Ellie?" Jason hardened his tone while trying to soften his words. Nancy felt she had no choice; she just wanted to speak directly to Ellie. Jason looked at his nephew Aaron, who nodded and went upstairs,

"Uncle says the decision is in your hands, Aaron explained briefly as he entered Ellie's room.

Ellic, curled up in her bed against the headboard, shook her head, "No, I don't want to see him!"

Minutes later, Aaron returned downstairs, "Ellie said she doesn't want to meet

The Warren family had no choice but to leave. From the moment they stepped in until their departure, Nathan hadn't had a chance to say a single word!

The three of them made the silent journey back to the Warn

Warren family home. The old butler rushed over," "Great" Nancy snapped, "We barely even sat down before I felt like I'd rather disappear into the floor!"

"How did it go?"

9:12 AM c d

Natlun could no longer stand it and turned to leave,

"Where are you going?!" Nancy called after him.

"The the office?"

"Can't get a girlfriend, huh! Now he's all about making money. No matter how much you earn, Ellie will never look at you, you losert

As Nathan walked faster, trying to escape his mother's relentless words, Barry, who couldn't dare to breathe too loudly, had to follow,

At the same time, at the Thompson residence in West Suburb No. 7, Whitney and Joanna were chatting casually in the living room when Ellie came down from upstairs, dressed and ready.

"Ellie!" Joanna rashed over, concern riched on her face.

Ellie looked at her mother's worried expression and took a deep breath "Mom, Joanna, please don't worry too much about me. I've come to terms with everything

"That night, I drank fruit wine that someone had spiked. If he hadn't been drugged too, I could have blamed him, but he was. It was my mistake for entering his room. We're all adults here; I can't put the blame on him. But I'm not going to torture myself over it. "He is who he is, and I am who I am. No matter what happened between us, I won't dwell on it! I'm going to the hospital for a checkup this afternoon and Im back to work next Monday

Opening up to her mom made Ellic feel a lot better.

She nished to finish her checkup before the end of the workday and, during her lunch break, she met up with Lacey and Diana. Although the two hadn't visited the Thompson residence lately, they sent her warm messages every day, sharing all their good news. Ellie felt incredibly lucky and cherished to have friends like them.

"Ellic. I'm so sorry! It's my fault for not thinking! If I hadn't insisted on giving you that drink, none of this would've happened? Diana sat across from Ellie, filled with guilt.

Ellie shook her head, holding her juice cup "Don't blame yourself. You didn't do it on purpose."

Lacey, usually the talkative one, was unusually quiet today. It seemed like everyone had been pressing her to contact her brother and get him back bome. Alex was pushing her, Nalana was chasing her down, and even the older brother from the Thompson family was looking for her. The Janssen and Grant families were also asking her about it.

She felt like her brother had committed a serious crime. Last night, she even dreamt he was arrested and handcuffed!

After chatting with Diana for a bit. Ellie noticed Lacey still keeping quiet. She nudged Lacey, offering her a piece of dessert. "No matter what your brother did, you'll always be my good friend:

Lacey's eyes lit up with tears. "Really?"

"Of course," Ellie replied.

That night, she wasn't fully aware, but she could remember checking the room number before entering. It was 8008, brother had told her! However, the next day, she found herself in Alex's room! , which matched what Lacey's

If both she and Lacey's brother had seen the same room number, there could only be one explanation: someone switched the room numbers before they went up! She had no idea who had done that yer No matter the outcome, what had happened was irreversible.

The hotel staff had damaged the surveillance cameras, so they still had no answers. N She had to accept it, even if she didn't want to!noveldrama

After parting with Lacey and Diana, Ellie went to pick up her checkup results. Just as she exited the hospital and was about to grab a cab, Alex intercepted her. "Are you feeling okay!"

He stared at the checkup report she was holding, instinctively reaching out to take a look. Ellie dodged his hand.

Why ar

are you suddenly at the hospital! Tell me, is there something wrong with y

your health? Is it because of that night..."

I just came for a routine checkup. I was worried about getting sick! Ellie interrupted him coldly and turned to leave. 20