However, Susan still didn't think Grace's presence there mattered. "Alright, don't overthink it. Remember what I told you—just make a good impression on Professor Morris."Meanwhile, Grace had arrived at the exhibition with Xander.The two made a striking pair with their good looks and drew the attention of many.While most people didn't know much about Xander, they had heard quite a bit about Grace through rumors."Ms. Lewis is now divorced, but she seems to be living a luxurious life, and her male companion doesn't look too shabby. He's much better than Mr. Hawkins.""You're right! This man doesn't seem to belong to our circle. Who is this gentleman?""Do you know Futurelink Corporation? That rising conglomerate? That man is the CEO of that company!"The crowd gasped in surprise."No wonder he's with Ms. Lewis. They make a perfect couple!""Indeed, Ms. Lewis is such a fortunate woman! She has a great background, looks beautiful, and is successful. She's done wonders for Amir
"I just took a walk around, and I couldn't find your work. Are you sure you handed it over to Professor Morris?" Susan asked.Celia quickly snapped back to reality. "I submitted it. Maybe it's on the other side. Let me take you there."With that, the two of them headed to the other side of the design exhibition.Meanwhile, Grace remained composed as she was surrounded by people.After a round of interactions, she greeted everyone and then found a couch where she could sit and rest. Xander brought her a glass of champagne and handed it to her. "How's it going? Are you tired?"Grace shook her head. "Not at all."Xander continued, "I just took a look around. There are relatively few design works by Professor Morris himself at today's exhibition. The rest of them are his students' works. "I heard that Professor Morris is planning to retire and is looking to take on a successor, so he's using this opportunity to assess the students' abilities."Grace nodded. "I see. Let's go and
"Ms. Hawkins, there must be a unique design story behind such a remarkable design. Can you share it with us?" someone asked eagerly.Celia smiled gracefully and said confidently, "Actually, this artwork was inspired by a show I attended in France. "It conveyed the independence and intellectual beauty of women. That's why I chose bold color combinations to highlight the essence of femininity. "The details in the cuffs and collars are also meticulously designed. You can see the thought put into the overall concept …"Once Celia finished explaining, those around her couldn't help but offer their appreciation for her work."Wow, Ms. Hawkins, you really have a unique understanding of design. It's no wonder you've produced such an excellent piece. "I'm interested to know if you're currently considering a partnership with a design studio. A designer as exceptional as you would be a valuable addition to our studio."Our company specializes in fashion too. A talented designer like you
As Susan spoke, she nudged Celia with a grin.Celia seized the opportunity to speak. "I plan to apply for your graduate program in my senior year and hope for a chance to study design with you." Alan nodded in understanding and encouraged her. "Keep up the good work."After that, he left under the watchful eyes of the crowd.Susan's heart filled with excitement when she heard Alan's response. She grabbed Celia and exclaimed, "Celia, it's looking very promising! You need to keep pushing forward. Don't let me down!"Celia couldn't hide her delight and responded, "Don't worry, Mom! I've got what it takes." Joining Alan's graduate program was well within her reach.However, the next moment, Grace approached her with a grim expression. For some reason, Celia felt an urge to avoid her."Let's talk!" Grace said, her words carrying an unspoken weight.Celia tried to ignore Grace. As she was about to leave, Grace reached out and firmly grasped her wrist. "What's the matter? Feeling
However, it was clear that Celia didn't particularly appreciate Grace's gesture."Celia, I'm going to give you one more chance. Withdraw this artwork from the exhibition by yourself, or else you'll regret it," Grace warned.Celia remained unfazed and ignored Grace's warning. "Do as you please," she confidently replied, before walking away with her head held high.As she pushed open the glass door, she bumped into Frederick. "Frederick, what are you doing here?"Instead of answering her question, Frederick asked casually, "When did you and Grace become such good friends?"Celia sneered, "What nonsense are you talking about? Who would possibly be friends with her? She's the heiress of the Lewis family now. I can't possibly reach her level."Her words were dripping with sarcasm and underlying tension."Ahhh," Frederick said in understanding and chose not to delve further into the matter.Celia didn't pay any more attention to him and haughtily walked away with her nose in the ai
However, Grace gently shook her head, her tone resolute. "No, what's mine is mine, and I want to take it back myself."She looked at Celia in the crowd. At this moment, Celia was basking in the limelight as she engaged in conversations with numerous industry leaders. Whenever Grace looked, Celia wore a faint, provoking smile, challenging Grace as if she were saying, "What can you do to me?"Just then, a waiter approached Celia politely. "Ms. Hawkins, Professor Morris would like to see you." Celia nodded. "Sure, I'll go over right away," she replied before turning to follow the waiter.At that moment, Alan was engaged in a conversation about Celia's work with some friends. When Celia approached, he signaled to her and said, "My friend, Mr. Gordon, is very interested in your design. He would like to hear more about your design philosophy and initial inspiration for this piece."Celia nodded and turned to Mr. Gordon. She explained, "For the concept of this piece, I mainly focu
"You say this isn't my design, huh? Well, go ahead! Show me some proof! If you can't, I'll have to sue you for defamation," Celia declared with confidence.She didn't think that Grace would be able to provide any substantial proof. That was why she didn't hold back with her harsh words.Nevertheless, Grace was upfront and admitted, "It's true that I can't present any concrete evidence.""Seriously, accusing someone of plagiarism without any proof?""That's right. It's practically a baseless accusation!""I never thought the prestigious Ms. Lewis would be like this.""Don't you know? Celia used to be her sister-in-law. Maybe she's acting out for revenge!""Wow, that's pretty scary."Celia couldn't help but revel in the fact that public opinion seemed to be firmly in her favor.The crowd was highly perceptive. Celia was determined to leave Grace in tears today."Well, if you can't present any evidence, you may apologize to me. Then, I'll think about letting you off," Celia taun
Celia had a particularly unpleasant expression at this moment, but she was unwilling to admit defeat."Grace, do you have to spout nonsense in front of everyone? Where's your proof? Do you think you can just change the truth with a few words?" she asked.Despite her guilty conscience, Celia maintained her defiant tone as she sought support from the crowd.Finally, she spotted Benjamin, who was her beacon of hope. With a desperate look on her face, she rushed toward him."Ben! Your ex-wife is falsely accusing me. She resents us so much that she's trying to ruin my future as revenge, and that too, right in front of everyone." she complained.Then, Celia pulled Benjamin toward Grace. However, Grace's expression remained indifferent.For some reason, even though she was standing right before him, Benjamin felt as though they were worlds apart.In the current situation, if it were indeed proven that Celia had stolen the design, her career prospects as a designer would be utterly dest
"Well, it's just that since Mrs. Jarvis introduced me to Ms. Lewis last time, I haven't had the chance to say thanks."The elevator doors opened then, and Dexter left after saying this.…After two hours of emergency treatment, Diana clung to a thread of life. Grace walked out, exhausted, and saw the angry figure of Dexter.Coincidentally, Dexter saw her as well. He turned and called out to her, "Ms. Lewis."Dexter, known for being stern and upright, suddenly smiled, which surprised Grace. "Mr. Hamilton.""You don't need to address me like that outside of work. Just call me by my name."As he had a higher seniority than her, Grace didn't dare be casual. "Are you here visiting a patient?"The weather was nice today. Standing in the sunlight, Grace's complexion was shining, seemingly hovering between youthfulness and freshness. She seemed even more beautiful than the flowers.Dexter suddenly recalled something Orson had said, and his expression darkened momentarily."I must ask
"Mr. Fulton, this.."The guard looked hesitantly at Benjamin lying on the ground and frowned."Isn't this a hospital? He won't die."As Xander said this, he coincidentally met the gaze of a nearby doctor. The doctor flinched and instinctively took a step back."Xander—" Benjamin's call suddenly came from behind as Xander took a step forward."Even if you deal with me, can you handle Alexander?"Benjamin's voice was filled with resentment and self-mockery. He lay flat on his back on the ground, staring at the ceiling. "My elder brother seems to avoid fighting, but if he does, you're no match for him."Xander paused momentarily, then continued to walk away without looking back or responding.Hazel followed closely. "Benjamin doesn't seem to be joking. Could there be a backup plan?""Someone needs to take over to completely deal with the Hawkins family. Let's see if the eldest son of the Hawkins family is willing to step up."As Xander entered the elevator, he coincidentally met
At the entrance, the police saw what was happening and moved to intervene but were stopped. A signal to hold back was given. "Don't worry. Mr. Fulton won't cause any fatalities.""Especially since you dared to make a move against Grace." Xander gave a cold laugh. "She spent a few days in prison, so I'll make sure you repay that a thousand times over.""Xander—"Grace brought this on herself. She even dared to investigate the Hawkins family, to dig into the past of the previous Mrs. Hawkins, to investigate Alexander!" Benjamin endured the pain he felt and was on the verge of a breakdown. "By the way, do you know who Alexander is? And the person he loves the most."Xander's face turned ashen, and he applied more force, causing Benjamin to scream in agony."If you were in my position, you would do the same." Benjamin struggled to speak. "Besides, don't you want Alexander to disappear? Don't you want Grace to be yours and only yours?"Xander remained silent, looking around disdainful
A commotion broke out again outside the hospital room. At the same moment, the medical equipment started beeping urgently. Reina's face turned pale with fright as she threw herself onto Diana. "Di Di! Doctor! Someone come quickly!"In a panic, Grace rushed out and pounded on Cael's office door. "Bed 24, Dr. Simpson! Di Di is not doing well!"Cael immediately hurried over with the nurses.Grace was pushed into a corner by the crowd. She leaned against the wall, her face filled with melancholy. This scene did not escape the eyes of someone hidden in a corner, who also felt a sense of wistfulness.She didn't notice the figure cast long shadows in the light, with her being the sole focus in their view.…Meanwhile, in another building, police stood guard at the hospital room door where Benjamin was confined. His face was haggard and unshaven, and he no longer looked like the well-dressed Benjamin Hawkins.Instead, he resembled a prisoner.Before entering, Xander asked, "What's the
"If it were as usual, working for these wealthy families would keep money in my hands. But after Di Di's incident, our whole family got crushed. Her father wanted to give up, but I couldn't, so we divorced.""When I worked at the Hawkins family, both Mr. Hawkins and Mrs. Hawkins treated me well. Mrs. Hawkins knew about Di Di's situation and kept giving me money, but it was never enough. One day, I accidentally stumbled upon Mr. Hawkins having an affair with Susan…"Reina recalled the past with a look of melancholy on her face. "Susan gave me hush money and promised another payment if I did something for her."Grace had a hunch after hearing this. "She wanted you to frame Mrs. Hawkins, who was pregnant at the time.""I didn't want to." Reina shook her head, clearly pained. "But I have a daughter. I couldn't lose Di Di. I needed that money."Even as a mother herself, she could actually harm Felicia Wilson, Alexander's mother."The Hawkins family is wealthy. If you had told Mrs. Haw
Grace thought about it. So that's what happened."So you had someone beat him up?""I forgot to ask. Which hand did he touch you with?" Xander asked seriously.She thought for a moment. "The left hand? I can't remember exactly.""No problem. Both hands were hit," Xander said casually as if discussing the weather. Grace remembered the content of that video. Orson was clearly heavily injured and beaten mercilessly.Luckily, he got what he deserved. Xander had fiercely avenged her.The coat slipped off, revealing her outfit for the day. Xander glanced at it and said, "You're going out."Grace didn't deny it. She thought of today's matter with Celia. "Benjamin was released for medical treatment. I want to see him."Since it had come to this point, a meeting with him was reasonable.Xander leaned back on the couch, not speaking for a moment, his jaw clenched tight. He seemed to be contemplating something, or perhaps he was angry.Grace couldn't be sure, but she was resolute. "I
An hour later, Xander concluded the negotiations, with the partnership successfully sealed and the contract signed that day.He personally escorted the clients to the elevator and then returned to his office. Hazel approached cautiously with a cup of coffee. "Mr. Fulton.""Speak." Xander didn't look up from his documents."Ms. Lewis came by."He looked up at Hazel, his expression shifting. "Where is she?""She wanted to see you directly, but since the contract wasn't finalized, I didn't dare let her in to disturb you, so I…""I asked where she is."His gaze was icy, cutting her off mid-sentence.Hazel immediately lowered her head. "She's in the lounge."He stood up abruptly and headed straight for the lounge, leaving a stern warning, "If you take matters into your own hands again, resign."Hazel was left stunned.Grace hadn't left. Exhausted from the sleepless night, she lay on Futurelink's large couch, lost in thought.When Xander entered, he saw her fragile figure, as if
"What is it?""Ms. Lewis, I just received news that Orson from the municipal bureau is in trouble…"Grace's expression changed. She had just seen him last night. How could something have happened so suddenly? Her first thought was of Xander.Luke sent her a video.It was night time In the video, the street outside a bar was brightly lit, and neon signs flashed from the tall buildings. The place was bustling with people. The videographer had been capturing the night scene when suddenly, the sound of roaring engines was heard—Orson stepped out of a car, dressed formally, and entered a club discreetly. But within minutes, he was kicked out, landing heavily on the ground.Approaching him were five or six masked men in black, clearly part of an organized group of thugs. Orson screamed in fear, "Who are you?"Two men grabbed him, while the others began beating him badly. His screams echoed through the street, and it was clear they were showing no mercy.Blood pooled on the ground.
With nothing better to do, Grace nodded. "Let's watch."Caleb led her out the door.The leading actress of the film they were heading to was a friend of Caleb's in the industry, which allowed him to visit the set under the guise of catching up. As their car parked at the entrance, they saw a throng of reporters pushing their way inside.Celia wore a hat and mask. She was dragging a suitcase, and she looked disheveled and desperate. "You can't fire me! I'm the second female lead! The film is almost finished! You're breaching the contract!""You caused a scandal. That's the real breach of contract. It's a good thing we're not asking you for damage compensation! Get out, get out!"The staff were shoving her out.Reporters swarmed her. "Celia, how do you respond to the video online?""Is it true you have a sugar daddy?""Celia, Celia!""Shut up!" Celia screamed, her hair a mess. "It's fake, all fake! I'm an actress, how could I do such things?""But the video…"Celia lashed out,