Alex and Ella followed Evan to the sofa. Evan, with a profound gaze, looked at Alex and nodded, smiling as he said, "Alex, Ella, how did you two meet?"
Ella blushed, glanced at Alex, and softly replied, "Uncle Evan, you should ask him." After speaking, a blush of happiness spread across her face.
"Ella, didn't you say you wouldn't date until you became successful?" Evan teased.
"Well, I think I've reached that level now, and it's time to find a good boyfriend. A boy as excellent as Alex—I must hold onto him and not let him slip away." Ella spoke softly.
Alex gave a wry smile, thinking: She doesn't want to let me fall into anyone else's hands, but I've already ended up in the hands of two people, and she can only be third.
Seeing Alex's pained expression, Ella felt immense satisfaction. She gazed at Alex with a look that plainly said, "I'm sticking with you, and you can't get rid of me."
"Governor Reid, may I call you uncle? Ella and I have only met twice; we're just acquaintances at best. Please don't get the wrong idea." Alex, protecting his side from Ella's soft pinch, cautiously said.
"Haha, I didn't misunderstand. But I doubt you'll escape Ella's grasp; I know her temperament well," Evan chuckled.
"Governor, it's eight o'clock. The banquet is about to start. Please take your seat," a staff member respectfully informed Evan.
Evan stood up and said to Alex and Ella, "You two should join me."
"Sure!" Ella, holding onto Alex, stood up and followed Evan to the round table at the front of the banquet hall. Everyone looked their way, cameras flashing incessantly. Alex began to sweat, knowing that their photo would undoubtedly appear in tomorrow's newspapers.
The lively charity banquet commenced after Evan's speech. Sitting beside Alex, Ella continually served him food, while flashbulbs kept popping. Alex silently prayed, "God, please make her stop!"
The next day, the front page of G Province's newspaper read: "Young Entrepreneur Couple Donates 25 Million to Aid the Province's Poor Regions." Below the headline was a picture of Ella serving food to Alex, looking at him with affection. Elizabeth, reading the newspaper, beamed and murmured, "This boy really is something. No wonder he's my son; even his future daughters-in-law are so charming."
"Of course, a great father doesn't have a worthless son," David, sipping premium coffee, said proudly.
"What! What did you say?" Elizabeth's smile vanished instantly.
David quickly bowed his head, acting as if he hadn't said anything.
Elizabeth shot him a glance and sent a servant upstairs to call Alex. Shortly, Alex arrived, looking at Elizabeth's smiling face, and asked, "Mom, what's up?"
Elizabeth, her smile growing broader, pulled Alex close and said, "Alex, could you invite your friends over for New Year's? Let's have a family reunion."
"Mom! What are you talking about!" Alex was so startled his voice shook.
"Invite them here for New Year's dinner!" Elizabeth said, wondering why her brilliant son, with an IQ of over 200, was so slow today.
Alex scratched his head and glanced at David. David pursed his lips, signaling that whatever his mom said went. Alex, troubled, said, "Mom, that might not be a good idea. Having all three together might be a bit much."
"What's the problem? They'll all be Alaric's wives in the future. You can't lose any of them, or don't blame me for being tough." In Elizabeth's mind, Kate, Rose, and Ella were all wonderful girls, and she would regret losing any one of them.
"Mom, you want me to marry all of them? That's not allowed; the law doesn't permit it." Alex couldn't understand his mom's thinking and stared blankly.
"That's for the future. I want to see all three here for New Year's." Elizabeth commanded.
Alex nodded and left the living room. Ella's quick rise from a newspaper appearance to being considered Alex's friend was something even he found hard to grasp.
In the following days, Ella frequently appeared at Imperial Holdings' chairman's office and the school gates. Alex and Kate ate lunch as if they were thieves, hiding behind a pillar at the school gate, nervously looking out. "Kate, did you see her?" Alex whispered.
"No, it seems she's not here today. Finally, we can have lunch alone." Kate relaxed and sighed with relief.
Alex quickly led Kate out of the school gate. After two steps, a taxi stopped in front of them, and Ella stepped out, smiling smugly at Alex and Kate. She sweetly said, "Alex, you must wait for me when you eat."
Alex's head drooped instantly, thinking: Being pursued is not necessarily a good thing. Ella took Alex's arm, laughing, while Kate took his other arm, gently saying, "Alex, I want to go to KFC today."
"Alex, fried foods aren't good for your health. Let's go to The Golden Plate instead." Ella, challenging Kate, whispered in Alex's ear.
Kate, infuriated, pulled Alex toward KFC, while Ella tugged him toward The Golden Plate. Alex's arms were stretched straight out. He looked at them and said with a pained smile, "Are you two trying to tear me in half? We had KFC yesterday, so let's go to The Golden Plate today."
Ella, triumphant, led Alex toward The Golden Plate, while Kate, her face pale with anger, followed.
Inside The Golden Plate, Ella and Kate sat close to Alex, their gazes clashing like swords.
"Alex, New Year's is coming. We should visit Rose in S City," Kate said softly, leaning on Alex's shoulder.
"Alex, it's the year-end, and the company isn't too busy. I'll go with you to S City," Ella eagerly interjected before Alex could respond.
Alex nodded mechanically, dreading the thought of the three of them together. He felt his head swelling like an overinflated balloon. The waiter served the food, and Alex, head down, began eating.
Ella and Kate, seeing Alex's gloomy expression, thought he was angry with them. They exchanged glances and stopped quarreling.
The three ate in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Kate, seeing Alex remain silent, felt tears welling up. She put down her chopsticks and softly said, "Alex, I'm sorry. Please don't be angry. I won't quarrel with Ella anymore."
"Alex, it's my fault, not Kate's. Blame me," Ella said, her eyes glistening with tears.
Alex looked at the two girls beside him, bewildered by their sudden change. A moment ago, they were at each other's throats, and now they were protecting each other.