"It's just a hobby."Shawn observed Xander. This was a man completely different from Benjamin. The latter had grown up in struggles for power and had been tainted by money.However, Xander appeared to be like a refreshing breeze, unaffected by the storms.This demeanor must have developed in an extremely relaxed environment."Mr. Griffin, your gaze is quite sharp. It's good to have the ability to discern the ways of the world." Xander spoke up, stopping his scrutiny.Shawn finally nodded. "Ms. Lewis doesn't owe me anything. She's just being polite. Don't worry about it, Mr. Fulton. Just treat me as a passerby.""Gracie and I have never been ungrateful. Moreover, you've been so considerate, giving her a private room during the busy opening. "I'll remember this favor. You can find us anytime, so we can repay it."Xander fiddled with the ring in his hand, seemingly serious but carefree.Gracie. Shawn had never heard of this address before.He looked at Grace and saw her nod.
Grace was extremely surprised. She didn't expect Xander to remember everything."How much was it?"It was over 100 million dollars—definitely not a small amount.But Xander thought it was worth it. "Do you like it?"His eyes were gentle as he gazed at the surprised Grace."I do... but how much was it?"She knew that it was undoubtedly expensive. Even though they were not lacking in money, it wasn't an ordinary accessory after all.Xander took the necklace and bent down to put it on for her. "The price doesn't matter as long as you like it."Their interaction was intimate, like a couple deeply in love.After Xander put it on for her, he turned to face Shawn. "Let Mr. Griffin take a look."The ruby was large, and Grace's skin was fair. It looked exceptionally beautiful on her.Shawn squinted his eyes. When he noticed the hickey below her collarbone, he quickly looked away."Ms. Lewis is beautiful. Anything looks good on her."Shawn then stood up. "Thank you both for coming.
"Why?" Benjamin couldn't help but ask after a long while. "You were at the scene that day.""This is my business. I don't need to explain anything to you."Benjamin frowned, and Shawn continued, "Besides you, no one will know that I used to be Alexander. Hawkins Group is all yours. No one is competing with you."Hearing that, Benjamin didn't feel assured at all. His eyes were filled with suspicion. "No one? What about Grace?"Shawn put down the teacup. "She didn't recognize me."The teahouse was peaceful. Closing the door to the private room seemed to isolate them from the outside world.Grace slept in Xander's lap for a while and woke up two hours later. The two of them walked out side by side.Suddenly, Xander received a call from Hazel. Grace understood that it must be an internal matter of the Fulton Group. "I'll wait for you outside.""Okay, I'll go to the restroom."It was surely a call to urge him to return to Frenda as soon as possible. Hazel was anxious."Mr. Ful
The sunlight was perfect, shrouding the two of them in a halo of light. They were like a picturesque scene by the roadside.Xander loosely wrapped his hands around her waist. "Let's not worry about the bet for now. We'll see."Benjamin's car happened to pass by at this moment, and he saw this scene. His expression turned ugly as he gritted his teeth.Larry was very concerned. "Mr. Hawkins...""I understand why Alexander gave up."Larry waited for the next sentence."At this point, even if it's not me, it won't be him either."Grace had long since found the right guy, a man who had the ability to protect her.Benjamin rubbed his forehead, never having felt so defeated in his entire life.In the private room, Shawn said, "I gave up everything, but that doesn't mean that I won't collect some debts from you.""What?""You took my place and married Grace, but you didn't treat her well, making her suffer. I'll remember this. One day, I'll make you pay."Benjamin couldn't retort b
Winter rain continued to fall. Jessica wrapped herself tightly in her coat, sitting in the car.She had been drinking heavily for several days, but today she abstained. It was a rare moment of sobriety. Her face was pale. "Do I really have to go?""Our boss said so. Your staying here will put everyone in danger. "If you get caught, your charges could add up to decades. Don't be ungrateful, Ms. Landon."It was still early, so they were the only car on the road, speeding in the rain.After some time, a black car suddenly appeared in the rearview mirror, following behind them. Jessica became alert. "We're being followed! Is it the cops?"The driver turned the steering wheel. "I'll shake them off."He was skilled, but the other party was equally skilled. After several rounds, the driver still couldn't shake off the pursuer.Instead, they were overtaken. The other car blocked their way horizontally, forcing them to come to a halt.The driver's heart sank. "How could this hap
The next day, Grace seemed a bit absent-minded.Ashley reminded her several times. "Ms. Lewis, Mr. Caleb is on the line. He couldn't reach you and called me."Grace finally snapped out of her daze and took Ashley's phone.Caleb's face appeared on the screen. "Gracie, what's going on? You haven't been answering my calls. I was so worried!""My phone ran out of battery... What's up, Caleb?" Grace simply made up an excuse."Victor is on vacation. He's coming to Pamore to see you. Let's have dinner together tonight."Grace was delighted. "I haven't seen Victor in a long time. When will he arrive? I'll book a restaurant.""I'll have someone pick him up." Caleb suspiciously stared at her face. "You look unwell. What happened?"Grace shook her head vigorously, insisting that she was fine, and hastily hung up the phone.Having once traveled to Pamore for a man whose name she didn't even know and eventually married Benjamin by a twist of fate had already angered her family. If she we
Victor stood up and opened the window for some fresh air. He was a health-conscious guy, rarely involved in smoking or drinking."Give up and change course. There are many things in this world worth persisting for."He was very rational.Grace looked at him. "But all the effort and time in the past would go up in a puff of smoke. Don't you think it's a pity?""You should be happy. If those things keep lingering in your memory, you'll keep remembering and regretting them. "Letting them become a puff of smoke allows you to completely let go, doesn't it?"Victor played with a lighter in his hand as he spoke indifferently. With his personality, he had never been torn by such ethereal things.Grace frowned, but she felt a sense of enlightenment.Victor was right. That person never appeared all these years, indicating that they were not meant to be."Anyway, we chose the paths ourselves. We took the step for a reason."Hearing this, Grace extinguished her cigarette."You really h
It was the afternoon in Frenda. The vast conference room was filled with all nine directors, along with various high-ranking executives and committee members.When Xander walked in, all eyes turned toward him. He scanned the room, noticing that Jake had already taken his seat in his usual place—on the side in the front row.Jake even greeted him with a smile from his seat.Xander took his place at the head of the table. "Aren't you supposed to be in the hospital? It seems you're perfectly fine now."Hearing that, Jake moved his bandaged wrist. "Everyone knows that I'm a workaholic. In the past few years, even when you weren't around, I never missed a single board meeting."So I'm back here even with this injury just in case you have any last-minute issues, and I can take charge."It was an insinuation of ambition, clear for all to see.Without responding, Xander flipped open a document. "I apologize for keeping you all waiting. Let's start the meeting."Suddenly, a director a