"Enzo Roberts!"
"Haha, it's me. Miss La Rosa, I told you we would meet again." Enzo hesitated for a moment, then greeted her openly.
That feeling, it was as if the person who had just contradicted Alessia behind her back and instigated Riley wasn't him at all.
But this time, Alessia didn't want to engage with him any further, because he had already crossed her bottom line.
Riley was someone she wanted to protect, and Enzo's psychological manipulation of him to keep himself closed off was hindering his mental health.
Alessia cut to the chase and asked, "Why are you here? Why are you trying to manipulate my brother?"
"Miss La Rosa, I have no idea what you're talking about." Enzo shrugged helplessly. "You were quite friendly to me last night, but why the change in attitude after just one night? I'm innocent."
Innocent? Why did she feel like he was feeling smug?
Alessia sneered. She had originally wanted to play along and extract more information, but now it seemed that seizing the opportunity to interrogate him was the better choice.
Alessia was about to take action when Riley stepped forward and stood in front of her.
"???" Alessia's eyes flashed with confusion.
Riley explained, "Alessia, it's a misunderstanding. Enzo Roberts is a staff member I specifically invited to work at the laboratory."
Alessia looked at Enzo again. Although she couldn't judge a person solely by appearance, Enzo's presence with Nolan last night had left a particularly bad impression on her.
Moreover, it happened just after she had announced her memory recovery at the banquet, making it even more suspicious.
"Brother, what he just said seemed to be detrimental to you," Alessia said.
Riley didn't deny it. As an expert in psychology, he knew better than anyone the potential harm in Enzo's words to a psychological patient.
Riley glanced at Enzo, who appeared indifferent, then turned back to Alessia. "Alessia, let's talk privately for a moment."
Alessia trusted Riley very much, and she was worried that he might be deceived by Enzo.
She looked at the mysterious Enzo for a moment, then followed Riley to a secluded spot.
They stood about two meters away from Enzo, making sure he couldn't hear them. Then, Riley lowered his voice.
"Alessia, when did you meet Enzo?"
"Last night. He was with Nolan and seemed to have intentions against me," Alessia replied truthfully.
"No wonder." Riley immediately understood her thoughts after hearing her words. He spoke seriously, "Alessia, you misunderstood. Enzo is not someone you're looking for. He used to be my patient, and he has gone through some things in the past, so his actions and thoughts may be different from ordinary people."
Riley paused for a moment before continuing, "He should have become interested in you only after I invited him to the laboratory the day before yesterday and he learned from me that you are my junior and also a famous surgeon overseas. He wanted to get close to you and test you. He gave me his answer early this morning, so last night was just a misunderstanding."
Alessia pursed her lips. If he was testing her, he should have done it through medical skills.
Playing by his own rules, could it be that Enzo had something different about him?
Riley's explanation was reasonable, but Alessia still had reservations about Enzo.
She thought for a moment. Since Riley insisted, she would trust him for now and not confront Enzo, but instead keep an eye on him in the laboratory.
Alessia looked at Riley and nodded as if she had been completely convinced by him.
"So that's it. I must have misunderstood."
"Misunderstandings are cleared up, and I know you're in a hurry to find Z and Grandfather, but you can't be suspicious of everyone. I will keep an eye out for you," Riley said considerately.
"Thank you, Bro," Alessia thanked him.
Riley smiled gently. "Silly girl, why do you need to thank me for? Come on, let's go."
Alessia nodded and followed behind Riley, returning to where Enzo was.
Enzo had been fiddling with his drink bottle the entire time, and only raised his head when Alessia and Riley approached. He looked at them with a knowing gaze and asked, "Is everything cleared up?"
Riley gave Enzo a punch on the shoulder and replied, "Yes, everything's cleared up. You brat, be honest next time and stop playing tricks."
Enzo shrugged his shoulders, then adjusted his cap and turned away. As he left, he waved coolly to them and quickly disappeared into the small garden.
4:30 PM, at the kindergarten gate.
Christian looked at the only one who came, Alessia, with a hint of disappointment in his eyes. "Huh, where's Daddy?"
Eleanor also looked around eagerly.
Originally relieved because Dominic didn't show up, Alessia didn't know why she felt choked up again.
She knew deep down that Dominic's absence today was probably related to their recent disagreements.
"It's okay, Daddy must be too busy with work. It's already good that Mommy is here to pick us up," the sensible Christopher spoke up, reprimanding his younger siblings with the demeanor of an older brother.
Christian stuck out his tongue and didn't say anything more. As someone who adored her mom, Eleanor also realized that her momentary outburst might have upset her mom.
She quickly hugged Alessia's waist, nuzzling against her and cooing, "Mommy, Big Brother is right. I like Mommy the most. Let's be content and happy!"
With that, she made a cute little gesture of victory.
"Alright, let's get in the car. Aunt Cate has prepared some delicious food for you," Alessia suppressed the momentary disappointment and warmly booped Eleanor's nose.
"Okay, let's go home," Christian also perked up and ran towards the car.
Just as he was about to open the car door, a pair of long legs appeared in front of him.
Christian almost slammed on the brakes in panic before looking up at the owner of the long legs. When he saw the familiar handsome face, Christian tightly hugged the owner of the long legs.
"Daddy!"
"Good boy! Did I surprise you?" Dominic lifted Christian with one hand, patting his bottom.
"Yes." Christian nodded eagerly. Then, as if remembering something, he shook his head. Carefully, he asked, "Daddy, we thought you weren't coming. Why didn't you come with Mommy? Did you two have a fight?"
Dominic looked at Alessia with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes as he replied, "No, I don't know when Mommy came to pick you up, why didn't she call me? Maybe she hates me and doesn't want me to be with you."
Dominic's tone was unabashed, and Alessia heard every word without missing a beat.
Was he accusing her in front of the children like this?
They hadn't agreed to come together, and he was late by himself. Could he blame her?
Alessia frowned, then realized that three pairs of eyes were all accusing her.
Was this Dominic's purpose?
As the president of the Carter Group, did he have to tarnish her image in front of the children just to play a trick on her?
Alessia took a deep breath, feeling somewhat relieved that she still had one caring child.
"Christopher, let's go. Mommy will take you home."
Alessia reached out to hold Christopher's chubby hand, but he avoided her touch.
Christopher pursed his lips, his little face filled with apology as he said, "Mommy, I'm sorry. Today is your fault, so I'll also ride in Daddy's car."
What?
In September's weather, Alessia suddenly felt a bit chilly.
She glared fiercely at Dominic.
Despicable!
Was he trying to sow discord between her and the children like this?
But she always respected the children's wishes, and she couldn't argue with Dominic in front of them, leaving them with bad childhood memories.
Alessia took a deep breath, resisting the urge to burst into anger, and was about to talk to Christopher.
But Dominic beat her to it, opening his mouth first, "Christopher, your mommy just glared at me!"
***