Chapter: 553

Norah held Sean's hand while staring blankly at their palms.

Thirty minutes later, Riss wheeled Alice into the reception room.

"Norah." Alice's voice was hoarse, and her eyes and nose were red from crying. Her figure in her wheelchair trembled slightly.

Norah released Sean's hand and approached Alice, appearing concerned.

"You..." Norah felt at a loss for words. She deemed it inappropriate to inquire Alice of the situation, given the presence of others.

Alice offered a tearful smile as she held Norah's hand and reassured Norah, "It's alright."

Norah immediately grasped the meaning behind the smile. She fell silent for a moment and glanced at the handsome man behind Alice.

Riss mirrored Alice's emotional state. Tear stains were visible on Riss' chest, suggesting he and Alice had shared a tearful embrace.

His gaze remained fixed on Alice.

“What are your thoughts? Are you going to leave with me?" Norah asked.

"Yes," Alice responded with determination.

Little did Alice anticipate being located by Oscar. Despite her meticulous efforts to evade the Breaker's pursuit of her in Lochdeer over the years, she was brought back to the Breaker's base where she encountered Riss.

Reflecting on this, Alice felt sorrowful and teetered on the brink of tears once more. Having previously advised Norah to learn to let go, she now found herself in a similar predicament and felt bewildered.

Nevertheless, the pain she had endured in her relationship with Riss was beyond repair. She had decided to move on, a resolve evident in her name change from Marley to Alice.

Riss placed a hand on Alice's shoulder, imploring, "Marley, are you truly planning to leave me? Please don't. I cannot bear to be without you."

Riss lamented his failure to properly care for Alice every day since losing her. In the depths of the night, he prayed fervently for her return.

Now that he had her before him, Riss felt a flood of words waiting to be spoken. He simply yearned for her eternal presence by his side.

"Marley..."

Riss's hands on Alice's shoulders carried a heavy significance. Alice turned to face him with a serious expression. "Riss, I value my independence. I lead my own life. Please refrain from attempting to control me any further," Alice stated firmly, her voice devoid of warmth.

Upon hearing this, Riss' heart skipped a beat, and he froze in disbelief. He couldn't fathom that despite his care and love for her, she perceived him as controlling.

“Marley, it's not what you think..." Riss instinctively began to explain himself. He cherished her deeply, and since her departure, he had never developed feelings for another woman.

He abruptly fell into silence. He pondered whether her departure was due to his controlling nature and betrayal. Seeing her alive was pleasant enough for him, and he was determined not to lose her again.

“When will you be back? How long will you be gone?" Riss voiced each word slowly with a raspy tone.

"It depends on my mood," Alice replied icily, acting like she didn't give a damn about Riss.