Love's Tangled Web (Alex and Ellie)

"It's not like you said!" Ellie cried out, desperately trying to pall Alex's grip off Aaron.

Even though she was young back then, she remembered everything I was Carlos who suggested adopting her and supporting her and Aaron's education. Her parrists, unable to repay such kindness, had knelt down in gratitude. Ellie's strength was nothing against Ales. He and Aaron were locked in a tug-of-war,

t, neither willing to let go,

"How dare you trample on our dignity like this? What did we do wrong?" Ellie shouted, trying to pry Alex's fingers apart.noveldrama

Alex smirked. "Just because I'm rich, and you owe the Warren family! If you want dignity, pay back what we've spent on your schooling all these years. Then maybe I'll consider giving you some respect!"

As their eyes met, Ellie froze, lips trembling, unable to say another word. Alex always knew exactly how to get under her skin.

Italey

stood beside Alex, noticing how he was Ixated on Ellie. Furious, she turned to Aaron. "Aaron, what are you still holding onto?

"Your family was poor to begin with, and you can't take a little criticism? If your parents hadn't done what they did, would Alex even dare say something like that? You can't even afford to eat properly, and you're protecting your silly pride? Is that what you want?" Seeing Aaron remain silent. Haley's voice rose in volume. "Aaron, just give up that pathetic pride of yours. In terms of family background, talent, or wealth, how can you compete with Alex? Don't you have a

any

to respond.

Aaron looked at Haley, his face turning crimson with embarrassment. He held back his anger, refusing to re

"Haley, maybe you should just back off. You criticize Aaron, but weren't you the one who chased after him for more than a year? Layton chimed in, unable to watch the scene any longer. His words silenced Haley instantly.

Haley shot a quick glance at Alex and then noticed he was still staring at Ellie, so she quickly retreated behind him.

She hadn't told her friends about her chasing after Aaron; there must be something Ellie had said to Layton. The hostility in her gaze toward Ellie grew clearer,

Alex's eyes locked onto Aaron's, a mix of arrogance and provocation. "If you want to owe the Warren family, you better lower your head in front

Turning his head, he saw Ellie crying and trying to pull at hum, demanding he let go of Aaron. In a fit of anger, he exclaimed, "Ellie, you're just an ungrateful brat!"

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Ellie didn't deny it. Even if she had been raised by the Warren family and had Alex looking out for her, she was still on Aaron's side. "Whatever you say.just go of Aaron

"Alex, let go for now? Layton said, gripping Alex's wrist with one hand and clasping Aaron's wrist with the other. Seeing Alex wasn't budging, he turned to Aaron, Mr. Thompson, you're a prosecutor. Why waste your energy arguing with him? Everyone's watching. Just let it go

Aaron met Alex's gaze, his expression serious. "He has to take back what he just said

He was a man, standing tall. Feeling guilty for not providing a better life for his parents, he couldn't let anyone i insult them like this

Ellie was afraid of another fight between Aaron and Alex. Unable to break Alex's hold, she pleaded with Aaron, "Aaron, just let go for now." "Ellie, step aside!"

"Ellie, you get out the way

The voices clashed, and Ellie was simultaneously pushed away by Aaron and Alex.

Just as she regained her footing and moved toward them, she spotted two familiar figures.

"Mom, Dad!" Ellie exclaimed, panic rising in her chest.

At the sound of her voice, both Aaron and Alex released their grips.

Everyone turned to see a simple-looking woman supporting a man who was missing a leg and using a wooden came. They were holding bags and watching quietly from a distance.

Ellie exchanged glances with Aaron before rushing toward their parents.

"Morn, Dad, what are you doing here?" Aaron reached for the bag in his father's hand, but his father pushed him away.

Ellie went to grab the bags from her mother, Joanna, but Joanna refused as well

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Ellie had no idea how much her parents had overheard, but judging by their expressions, it was a lot.

Joanna pointed at Haley, who was not far away. "Aaron, that's the girlfriend you mentioned before-the one you're supposed to bring home to prepare for marriage, right?" Aaron glanced at Haley, then quickly looked away, mumbling a soft "mm-hmm."

Joanna remarked, "She's really pretty, but you shouldn't waste her time.

Aaron nodded again with another "mm-hmm"

Joanna's few words made it clear that Haley shouldn't be with him. Even though Joanna said, "Don't waste her time," what she really meant was that she didn't like her. She turned to Alex and said, "You must be the little grandson of Carlos, right?"

Alex let out a snarky sound through his nose, looking up at the sky and giving Joanna a sideways glance.

Layton saw Alex acting obnoxious and quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "Yes, Mrs. Thompson, this is Alex. He grew up alongside Ellie."

A few years ago, Ellie's mom came to visit the Warrens for the first time just when Layton was there. Alex's mom made him call Joanna "Mrs. Thompson, so he followed along.

Joanna smiled and nodded. "Hey, kiddo, please say hi to your grandpa for us. Thanksgiving is just around the comer, and since Ellie's dad can't move around well nowadays, we won't be able to make it to your place. I brought some things for your grandpa, could you take them back?"

As she spoke. Joanna finally dropped the heavy burlap bag she had been carrying and handed it to Alex. Disgusted, he glanced at the contents and took a step bock.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Thompson, I'll take it, Layton quickly reached out to grab it when he saw Alex refusing.

After finishing her conversation, Joanna walked over to her husband, glancing at her kids. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. You should take a day off and come back with us"

"Go home" their father said curtly as he turned around, leaning on his cane. Ellie watched her parents retreating, the weight of sadness causing her to cry out.

Her mom hadn't said a word about what just happened. Knowing full well her children had been wronged, all she could do was swallow her feelings and pretend she hadn't heard anything. They couldn't repay the Warrens for their kindness, and any further discussion would only make things worsel

"Dad," Ellie grasped her father's hand on the cane, noticing it trembled violently. "You guys have been in the car all day without even a sip of water. Let me take you somewhere to rest first

"Go home" her father repeated firmly.

Ellie looked at her father's aging face, tears brimming in her eyes. With her back turned to everyone, she cried silently as she looked over at Aaron. Aaron, towering at about six feet, stood in front of their parents like a child who'd done something wrong. His eyes were red at the comers, brimming with tears, and that sense of helplessness made Ellie's heart ache for him. Wiping her tears

her tears away, Ellie supported her father. "Dad, don't be upset. We're going home."

Not too far away, Layton watched as Ellie helped her dad and Aaron, both of them crying as they walked along the road. Unable to hold back, he murmured, "Such a shame."

Alex stared at Ellie's fading figure, irked, he stuffed the brand-new car keys into Layton's hand "Since you're free, take them home"

Haley was taken aback. She hadn't expected Alex and Aaron to get into it, resulting in such a scene, and now Layton was going to take Ellie's family back to their hometown!