Flash Marriage to a Stunning CEO (Alistair and Richard)

Chapter 13 Like a Stranger

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After dropping Eloise off at preschool, Caroline headed to work while Alistair took a taxi to Everett Villa.

The Everetts had prepared all sorts of ingredients, with several household staff ready to help with the prep work. They handled everything from sorting and washing vegetables to chopping and mincing. Alistair only needed to do the actual cooking.

He'd never received this kind of treatment when he was with

Rebecca.

Whenever Alistair joined Rebecca for dinner with her family, he never got to sit at the table and enjoy a leisurely meal with everyone else.

The kitchen was his domain. It was perfectly normal for him to prepare 15 or 20 dishes all by himself.

By the time he finished cooking, everyone had nearly finished eating, chatting happily and playing with the kids. He would quietly sit at the edge of the table, picking at whatever leftovers remained.

This had been his life for years.

Alistair couldn't say he was used to it-he just didn't have the right to protest.

Chapter 13 Like a Stranger

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Two million dollars might be nothing more than a replaceable sports car to wealthy girls like Rebecca, but for a powerless nobody like Alistair, it was a crushing mountain, suffocating his freedom and self-respect.

Thankfully, that was all in the past now.

Alistair prepared the meal with ease, even finding time to chat with Vivienne when she popped into the kitchen to say hello.

Vivienne's eyes lit up when she saw how vibrant Alistair looked.

It was like finding a diamond in the rough-something that had been there all along, just waiting for someone to polish off the dirt and let it shine again.

What a spirited, talented young man.

It was completely unrecognizable from the quiet, withdrawn Alistair she remembered.

For a split second, the years melted away, and Vivienne could see clearly the spirited young man he'd been in high school.

Back then, even though Alistair was poor, his eyes had sparkled with dreams of the future.

When he dropped out of school to become the father of Rebecca's child, that light in his eyes disappeared.

It was such a mess.

Chapter 13 Like a Stranger

Vivienne couldn't help but sigh.

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unfair to Alistair, but whatever had happened between them was their choice. It wasn't

him when Rebeccal belittled him in front of everyone, even if it meant risking

Alistair's eyes filled Vivienne with genuine happiness for

wonderful time today," she said,

I'm glad your mother likes

made her anxious. "That won't work! I can't let you do all this for nothing. Is the amount too low? We

not that," he interrupted. "I've actually been wanting to thank

felt a twinge of regret. "I haven't done anything special. At least let me buy you a

politely

Like

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what she'd expected, and she didn't feel

to Alistair, but unlike some of the

circle, she wasn't looking for

too rational to entertain

Vivienne personally. In

Vivienne was gentle and good-natured

thought highly of her, but that was

social circle, and he preferred to

"You'll laugh, but ever since my mom tried the chicken noodle soup Rebecca brought over,

she noticed that while Alistair's expression remained neutral, his eyes had

Vivienne sighed inwardly.

and Rebecca had grown up together, so she knew Rebecca's temperament all too well-spoiled, willful,

Like

Richard did Rebecca ever

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Alistair must have suffered quite a bit working for Rebecca, leaving him

Alistair had refused any payment, Vivienne had prepared a gift for him. Worried he might feel uncomfortable accepting it, she was relieved when he did. Alistair politely declined her invitation to

Vivienne walked

then, Vivienne's

oddly at Alistair when she saw who was

blank as he walked away. "Go for a spa day? I'm sorry, Rebecca, but I can't

Rebecca said next. "I seriously can't get away. Don't

up, Alistair had already

quick wave

13 Like a Stranger

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in her tracks, Rebecca's words still

help but shake her

Rebecca was going to regret this

time.

Whatever. Not my problem.

headed back inside. It was

think of it, Alistair was an amazing cook.

someone with those cooking skills walk