Su Li rushed outside, and Alexander Hayes immediately chased after her. The young couple didn’t even acknowledge Marquis Weiyuan or Madam Lou—they simply left the table.
Marquis Weiyuan was so angry that his mouth twisted and his hand trembled uncontrollably.
Madam Lou was also stifled with frustration. She, the dignified Marchioness, had been reduced to serving her daughter-in-law—and was snubbed for her trouble!
“That Su girl is obviously doing this on purpose, just to embarrass us! She couldn’t even keep her food down—how much must she despise the Marquis’s cooking?” Marquis Weiyuan’s voice was full of suppressed fury, grumbling quietly for fear Alexander Hayes might overhear.
Madam Lou gritted her teeth in anger. She had personally prepared the meal to win over Alexander Hayes, but Su Li hadn’t touched a single bite. It was enough to make her furious.
Out in the courtyard, Su Li threw up until she was dizzy, while Alexander Hayes stood by her side, anxiously patting her back.
After a good purge, Su Li looked relieved. She rubbed her belly and said, “Maybe I overate on the way here, so my stomach couldn’t handle it and I ended up throwing up.”
Alexander Hayes worriedly touched Su Li’s face and said, “Are you sure you’re alright? Once we’re back at the Prince’s estate, let’s have Father take a look at you.”
Su Li laughed, “I’m not that delicate! Father’s a medical sage—if I bother him over a little indigestion, isn’t that making a fuss over nothing?”
Alexander Hayes glanced at Su Li. Seeing her refreshed and lively after throwing up, not at all like someone sick, he figured she really had just overeaten and gotten jostled in the carriage—her stomach was unsettled, that’s all.
“Since you’re not feeling well, let’s head home early,” Alexander said gently.
Lily nodded. She didn’t want to stay here a second longer, not with the Marquis and Lady Lou putting on their fake faces.
If it weren’t for the Emperor’s orders, Lily would never have come to see these two—her mother’s would-be murderers.
Just sharing a table with them made her sick to her stomach.
Alexander led Lily back to their room. Lady Lou saw them return and put on a look of concern. “Lily, are you alright? What happened, why did you suddenly feel ill?”
Lily shot Lady Lou a cold glance, not wanting to say a single word to her.
Alexander spoke up for Lily, ever considerate. “Lily’s stomach isn’t feeling well. We’ll head back to the Prince’s estate now.”
“What? You’re leaving already?” Lady Lou panicked. “Alexander, you just got here, and haven’t even eaten much. Why the rush? I made dumplings myself—let’s eat them together when we stay up for New Year’s!”
Alexander’s lips curled into a cold smile. When he was young, he’d never had the luxury of eating Lady Lou’s homemade dumplings at New Year’s.
Back then, the Marquis and his wife were always busy socializing, never caring about him.
The New Year’s Eve dinner was one of the few chances Alexander had to eat with his parents, something he’d longed for as a child.
Now, all he felt was disdain.
“No, you and Father can eat by yourselves,” Alexander rejected flatly, wrapping his arm around Lily and heading out.
Lady Lou and the Marquis panicked for real this time. The young couple was leaving so quickly—their plan hadn’t even started! If they missed this chance, who knew when Alexander would set foot in the Marquis’ manor again?
“Alexander, don’t go!” Lady Lou chased after them, putting on a pitiful act. “Alexander, your father and I just want to talk with you for New Year’s. Please stay a little longer! Alexander, I’m begging you!”
Alexander looked at Lady Lou’s groveling face, hesitating for a moment…