Now, because of Grace's provocation, Jessica had to tighten her belt for the next three months. As Grace watched the commotion, she initially enjoyed the scene until she noticed the card Jessica used. Then, her smile faded. Emily noticed the change and asked, "What's wrong?" "That card. It looks familiar," Grace mused, unable to recall where she had seen it. Emily wanted a closer look, but Jessica had already tucked it away.Jessica approached Grace with a smug look, holding her new bag. "See, I've paid for it. Don't end up buying something cheaper than me, Ms. Lewis. That would be quite embarrassing!" Grace remained unfazed and walked into the store, instructing the clerk to wrap up a handbag she had previously eyed. It was a medium-priced bag she liked for its unique and elegant design. Jessica scoffed. "That’s only two thousand dollars. That's all?" Grace looked puzzled and answered, "I'm here to pick something I like, not to compete with you, Ms. Landon. Is there a
It was the end of the month, and the construction of the Eastwood property had begun to slow down. Desperate, Jessica had visited the construction site several times and gradually uncovered some shady dealings. After shopping, she returned home to find a car parked at her doorstep. Pushing the door open, she saw a burly figure inside. "Ryan? What brings you here so suddenly?" Ryan Madden, president of Eastwood Construction, turned around and immediately kneeled before her. "Ms. Landon, please, you must help me!" Jessica's expression turned sour.… Five minutes later, Jessica swept everything off the table onto the floor in a fit of rage. "This is a government project, and you dared to misuse the funds! Are you out of your mind?" Ryan kneeled with his head lowered and explained, "I never meant to use so much of the money. But then the hole just kept getting bigger, and I couldn't plug it." Shaking with anger and breaking out in cold sweat, Jessica demanded, "How muc
"I understand. I'll think about it when the news is verified." Jessica turned away. However, Benjamin wasn't in a hurry to leave. He looked toward the restroom again and asked, "Can I use it?" "I've already said there are rats in there. You're not used to such things. It's better not to use it." "Rats aren't a problem, Danielle. What matters is removing them in time." Benjamin wanted to help her. He left those words of advice and turned to leave. As he drove away, Jessica breathed a sigh of relief. Cold sweat dripped down her back, making her feel very uncomfortable. "You can come out."Ryan emerged from the restroom, equally drenched in sweat. He knelt on the ground and begged, "Ms. Landon, you must save me!" Jessica kicked him and shrieked, "Didn't you hear? Even Benjamin knows about what happened! I wanted to cover for you, but if there's no money in the account when the time comes, I won't be able to hide it." Ryan hurriedly said, "It's possible! I told you I
"I'll just take a look. I won't participate." The women played with high stakes. Grace sat on the right, seemingly focused on the game. But in reality, she wasn't paying attention at all. Before the round ended, the door opened. Matthew led the way in and asked Esme, "Have you won yet?" Esme scoffed. "You're asking too soon. The outcome isn't clear yet." Grace froze and stared at Benjamin behind him, whose eyes were also fixed on her. The lady sitting on the left also noticed him and asked, "Aren't you Mr. Hawkins? You're so young and promising, yet you're willing to watch us women play cards. You must find it amusing." Benjamin undid his coat and placed it aside, standing next to Grace."I don't find your game amusing. Clearly, you're skilled." The lady was delighted. Anyone would willingly accept praise from an attractive man. Grace pursed her lips and said, "Since Mr. Hawkins is interested in the game, maybe I should give up my seat. I feel a bit—" Before she coul
Both of them turned at the sound, only to see a commotion near the stage area as a crowd swarmed forward. Shocked, Grace exchanged a glance with Benjamin before they both rushed toward the commotion. "Henry has fallen into the water!" a staff member cried. The card game inside stopped as Matthew and Esme rushed out simultaneously. Benjamin grabbed a staff member. "What happened?" "Just now, Henry was feeding the fish by the lake. I turned away for a moment, and he fell in!" Henry was struggling in the water, crying, "Help! Help!"Benjamin narrowed his eyes. Then, he jumped in without hesitation. Grace barely had any time to stop him. He was a swimmer, but the lake was deep and dangerous. "Benjamin!" Benjamin struggled toward Henry. He grabbed Henry's hand and lifted him so his head was above the water. "Don't be afraid. I'm here." Henry gasped for air. Meanwhile, Matthew was frantic on the shore. "Hurry!"Thankfully, they weren't far from the shore. Benjamin soo
Grace was getting impatient. "Have you ever asked for my opinion, Benjamin? You're as arrogant as ever, and your so-called good intentions are not needed." Benjamin quickly said, "I admit that I didn't handle this matter properly, so I've come to apologize to you. I thought you would understand." So this was why he had attended Henry's birthday celebration. It was because of her. "I've thought it over. There is nothing between us. It's normal for there to be business interests between businesspeople, and whatever you do is your business. I have no right to criticize you, so there's no need to apologize." Grace's words were calm and measured, showing a sense of propriety. Benjamin frowned, feeling his heart sink. "Grace—" "Benjamin, you look down on both Byte Technologies and me. Yet you jumped into the lake just to win Matthew's favor?" Grace found it ironic. Benjamin remained silent, because she was indeed right. "Don't pretend to be high and mighty next time. It disgu
Xander hesitated for a moment. He waited for a while but gave up when Grace didn't change her mind about telling him. "It's getting cold in Pamore. Wear warmer clothes when you go out," Xander advised. Grace instinctively glanced at her outfit for the day. It was indeed a bit thin. She had felt a slight chill when she had been outside with Benjamin earlier. She didn't take it to heart and said casually, "Xander, you're abroad, yet you're still checking the weather forecast for Pamore." "Some people don't listen, so I naturally have to worry more," Xander replied. Grace smiled and asked, "Are you busy today?" "No." "That's good."The car had already arrived outside Amirate Corporation. Grace got out of the car. Before she could say another word, she saw Ashley waiting, not far away. "But I'm about to get busy. I'll call you tonight." Xander didn't even have time to respond before Grace hung up the phone. Standing beside him, Hazel noticed his expression turn grim. "
Grace stepped back in disbelief, covering her mouth. "Xander? When did you come back?" Xander unlocked the car and gestured for her to get in. "I got here at 3:00 am, but I didn't want to disturb you." Grace glanced at the time; it was 8:00 am now. On top of his long flight, he had been waiting here for five hours! She got into the car and tenderly caressed his cheek. "What happened? Why did you come back all of a sudden?" Gazing at her deeply, Xander caught her hand. "I'm here to return the car."Grace hit him playfully. "Don't lie to me. What really happened?" Xander smiled and answered, "Something urgent came up at Futurelink, so I came back to handle it." Grace was skeptical, but Xander had already started the car. "Going home?" She softly replied affirmatively. The roads were filled with cars since it was peak hour. Xander drove steadily. Half of his face was bathed in sunlight, his expression unreadable.When they reached Grace's place, Xander parked the car b
"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,