Xander nodded and glanced at the document in Shawn's hand. "The meeting has been moved up by two days. Please reserve a private room for me."Shawn faced his glance. "Alright."After Grace finished seeing the suspect, she didn't notice anything unusual. The woman was emotionally unstable. She glared at Grace with red eyes and wasn't able to speak coherently.Just as she came out, she received a call from an unknown number. "Hello?""Celia caused trouble at your annual party. I apologize on her behalf." It was Benjamin. It seemed he had already heard about it.Grace took a deep breath. He had probably known that she wouldn't answer his calls, so he had called from a different number."Did you instruct her to do that?""How could I? Of course not.""Then, why are you apologizing? Or is it that you can control her now?" Grace was angry, and he had just so happened to call, becoming a target of her venting.Benjamin went silent for a few seconds. "Since Celia got involved with J
Three days before Christmas, Xander went to Blossoms Teahouse for a meeting without taking Grace along.Before this, she had kept sticking to him, perhaps thinking he would return to Frenda. Now that she knew he was taking a short break and could stay until after Christmas, she wasn't as clingy. She preferred to laze around in bed in the late morning.Spencer opened the door for Xander. "Mr. Fulton, your guest has arrived."Xander nodded and passed by Shawn at the front desk. A scent of magnolia wafted through the air, a fragrance belonging to women. Shawn had smelled it before, when he was with Grace.Though he was inexperienced, he understood that it represented intimacy between Xander and Grace.Shawn let out a slow breath.The private room wasn't large, but it offered extreme privacy. Winston Jarvis, an elderly man, was sitting there. He was the deputy secretary of the Pamore government and a close friend of Hestia's. When Xander was abroad, he was Xander's university pro
Spencer hurried over. "What's wrong?"Shawn played with the tea set in his hands, as if deep in thought. "That's my political law teacher from the police academy.""He recognized you?""He only taught me for a year, and then he was transferred. I haven't seen him since. I never had a chance to repay his kindness." Shawn returned to his separate room."It's been so many years, and my face has changed drastically. I'm sure he's long forgotten me."Choosing the police academy had been Shawn's way of escaping from the Hawkins family. He hadn't found his true passion until Winston had guided him and taught him to strive for the career he wanted.So, even though they had only been teacher and student for a year, it held special significance for Shawn.Inside the room, Winston still hadn't touched the tea in front of him."Xander, if it had been many years ago, I would have agreed to your request immediately. But now, I've reached this position, and everyone is trying to find fault wi
By the time he returned to the manor, Grace was awake. She was wearing a white nightdress, and she looked beautiful and gentle despite having no makeup on. She was standing in the garden, watering the plants. Droplets of water sprayed into her arm, and they shone like jewels under the sunlight. When Xander saw this scene, his impulsive mood calmed down at once. An involuntary smile appeared in his eyes. "You're back!" Grace saw him standing by the car. She threw the hose down and ran over. "Why didn't you tell me that you were going out?" Xander caught her in his arms. "I woke up early and was afraid that I would disturb your rest." Grace looked doubtful, and she tapped his chin with her finger. She said in a small voice, "I want to sleep with you tonight." Xander choked at how direct she was. A smile played about his lips as he said, "You're so forward." He carried her inside and closed the door to block out the cold wind. "Let me show you something.""What?"Grace t
"Grace, I didn't hurt him on purpose." Noelle sounded tearful. She knew that since Grace had come, she must have found out about everything."I know that you wouldn't. Joshua had bad intentions." Grace comforted her at once and patted her on the back.On the day of the annual party, Joshua had dragged Noelle away while Timothy hadn't been with her. He had taken Noelle to a deserted corner and tried to violate her, but she had resisted strongly. She had managed to grab a wine bottle and smash it over his head. As a result, Joshua had a severe concussion. In his anger, he had called the police and reported her for intentional harm.The place where it had taken place had no security cameras, and it involved a conflict between two upper-class families, which made it very difficult for the police to deal with.Noelle sobbed in Grace's arms for a while. Grace asked, "What's your dad's opinion on how to deal with this?"There was silence for a while. Noelle's mood became even more
"You have one foot in the political world, but you have friends who are in business. Both Benjamin and Frederick would be able to help." Xander was impassive, as he didn't think that this was a big problem. "As long as you can solve the crisis for Elysium Bank, Anthony won't need to run around looking for help. Noelle's trauma will also be healed with time."Timothy put his hands on the railing and stared into the distance. "Do you understand the capital market well, Mr. Fulton?"His tone didn't sound right. Xander looked at him. "Frederick grew up under the protection of the Morris family, and he has never had to experience any big difficulties. It isn't very practical to rely on his help." Frederick was a mindless, rich heir, and just being safe and healthy was already an achievement in itself for him. That was how Timothy had always thought."Hawkins Group has many resources." Xander pointed out. Timothy's expression darkened further. After what had happened, he had gon
"It's not difficult, but there is a risk. In Hawkins Group's current condition, we can't afford to get caught up in even the tiniest mess." Benjamin did not hesitate at all.Timothy had pleaded with his long-time friend once more. "We've known each other for so many years. Can't you do it for my sake?""Timothy, no matter how crazy you were when you were pursuing Grace, you were never impulsive."This had shattered Timothy's last shred of hope.He pulled himself out of his memories and tossed the cigarette stub into the trash can. "It doesn't matter. I will save Noelle, even if it means I can no longer be a deputy director." Then, he got up and walked briskly toward the hospital room."Timothy." Xander called out to him in a crisp voice."Joshua is second in line in the Iverson family. For the past few years, he's been competing against his Gabriel for the right to the family inheritance. "He came to Pamore to make trouble of his own accord, so perhaps Gabriel hasn't caught w
"Gracie?" Elizabeth came out of the room, leaning on her walking stick. She was delighted. "Have you come to see me?"Grace hated the Hawkins family, but she cared for Elizabeth. "It's almost the new year, Grandma. I came to visit you and to bring you a gift." Grace put her things down and went up to help Elizabeth. "How has your health been recently?""I've been very bored. It's been a long time since I felt this happy." Elizabeth gripped Grace's hand tightly, looking delighted to see her. "Are you really that busy? You're just like Benjamin! He can't even make time to come home and visit!"Grace hugged her and said comfortingly, "Well, I'm here now! When Benjamin isn't so busy, he'll surely come by too."Elizabeth had accepted that Grace would no longer be her granddaughter-in-law, but she still couldn't help feeling that it was a pity. She sighed."Will you have lunch here, Ms. Lewis?""Yes. I miss the vegan food that you make." Grace always spoke so sweetly, and she was