"I'm waiting for someone," Grace blurted out. "What are you doing here?""Chief Bradley is hospitalized. I'm here on duty." Angus weighed the documents in his hand and admitted. Grace was right. "Your chief must be an important man. There are many plainclothes officers around. I'm too afraid to go up," Grace half-joked, probing. Angus glanced at her and pulled her around the corner. "Our chief isn't that influential. It's someone from higher up who got admitted. He got into a car accident just as he arrived in Pamore. Now, he's in the hospital." People who would require the protection of plainclothes police must be high government officials. Grace was puzzled and asked, "Who?" Angus scratched his head. "I can't tell you that, Ms. Lewis. I have to go." "Hey—" Grace wanted to wait longer, but Xander was still not out. She even started to think she had been mistaken. Victor called to urge her. "Who's the friend you've been chatting with for so long? Grandpa is urgin
The elevator arrived. Xander looked up and saw Grace standing in the doorway.Her hair was casually tied up in a messy bun, reflecting her usual simple style. Draped in an ivory-white Kidhnian traditional gown, Grace effortlessly embodied the elegance required to pull off such attire. The gown complemented her figure flawlessly.She looked gentle and soft as if lacking any harsh edges. Xander's eyes dimmed as he imagined her clinging to his arm, introducing herself as his wife at social gatherings. Warmth flooded his being, a feeling he couldn't shake. Grace's voice was as clear as a bell. "Uncle Raymond, Aunt Hestia."Raymond nodded.Hestia was delighted and took Grace's arm at once. "I said that this dress would suit you, didn't I? I was right.""Aunt Hestia, you have great taste as always. My brothers all complimented me today.""What about Xander? What does he think?"Xander stood under the lights and looked at her admiringly. "It looks good."Grace smiled and fluttered
Xander did not move after he finished reading it. He allowed the screen to fade out gradually.The alcohol in his glass sloshed, and he downed it in one gulp."Aaron, your health isn't great right now. Don't drink so much." Grace sat in Harold's seat. Harold couldn't stay up late, so he had already gone home. Aaron looked rather pleased, and he was also slightly tipsy. "Our Gracie really has grown up. She's actually showing concern for me.""Aaron, do you have something on your mind?"Aaron leaned back. The collar of his shirt was open, revealing his slightly flushed skin and his muscled chest. He looked at the night view of the city outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. "Perhaps."His eyes were like a pair of cold, distant stars. They seemed to conceal many things. Grace was curious, but she did not dare to approach him. Yet, she speculated that it could be related to his rumored girlfriend.Grace still didn't know who she was because Aaron had gone to great lengths to conce
Jake's expression changed, but he recovered very quickly."When I get married, even if no one else comes, you have to come. Otherwise, I'll be disappointed." Jake looked in Xander's direction as he said the second half of the sentence. He was obviously provoking him. Xander focused on him and did not move. "No matter when your wedding happens, Jake, Grace, and I will prepare a large gift."After getting rebutted, Jake raised his eyebrows and patted his girlfriend on the butt. "You still have many things to learn from Ms. Lewis. Go and make a toast."His girlfriend was obedient. She walked over to Grace with a glass of wine. She had a fake smile plastered on her face. "Ms. Lewis, I've heard so much about you. My name is Nancy Willis, and it seems we'll be seeing a lot of each other in the future. I hope that you'll go easy on me."A moment passed with the wine glass suspended in the space between them. Grace glanced at it. "I don't drink alcohol that's given to me by strangers."
Raymond looked embarrassed and uncomfortable.Caleb and Victor couldn't resist speaking up, but Aaron cut them off. "It's getting late. Let's go home."The two of them had no choice but to shut up. They put their coats on and got ready to leave. Before Caleb left, he patted Grace on the shoulder meaningfully. There were now only four people left in the spacious hall. It felt strangely desolate. Grace dithered, and she glanced at Xander worriedly. Raymond was still explaining. "I met you when I was 25 years old. My family didn't approve of my decision to marry you because they felt I needed someone who could focus on the family wholeheartedly. "But you were good at everything and outstanding in so many fields. You weren't willing to toe the line, but I overcame every objection and married you. We've been each other's companions for decades, and I'm still holding on to you. "You should know what kind of person I am! I really did not know about today." Raymond's eyes were focu
Grace could imagine the situation in her mind. She didn't know how Xander managed to endure under such circumstances.His breath was heavy against her neck, and he sounded like he was in pain. "After that, I learned to be calm and to endure. My mom told me that Jake's existence would influence my entire life. She wanted me to take down Fulton Group."She was capable herself, and she believed in me too. But she wouldn't allow Fulton Group to fall into Jake's hands, so I had to fight for it."Grace could understand Hestia. How could such a proud woman allow herself to be outdone by Priscilla—a mistress?Her heart clenched, and she instinctively held Xander tighter. "It must have been very difficult for you.""I got used to it." Xander tilted his head, tears lingering in his bloodshot eyes. "Enduring and waiting for the right opportunity has been my routine for these years."Grace had hardly seen him so fragile before.She reached out and wiped away his tears. Trying to lighten the
Grace held her phone and glanced at the hotel pajamas she was wearing. She felt at a loss. "He's taking a shower. But this is not what I imagined."Originally, she wanted to wear her beautiful clothes, spray some nice perfume, and look her best. This seemed a bit hasty."Miss, there's no specific timing for such things. What's important is the mood.""Get him and give us feedback when it's over, please!"Grace's heart was pounding. She had never been so nervous before.In the bathroom, Xander had finished showering. He had a towel casually wrapped around himself. Water droplets slid down his taut abdomen, dripping into deeper places.He picked up his phone and answered the call. "So?""Priscilla did come. She's staying at the property purchased by Jake. As for the Nancy woman, she's the boss of a club in Pamore, dealing with wealthy businessmen. I'm not sure if she's dating Jake, but she's definitely loyal to him."Hazel diligently reported the investigation findings."Mr. Ham
The next day, Grace was awakened by the pain.It was on this day that she realized that the feeling of being run over by a car described in novels was not an exaggeration at all.She groggily opened her eyes and found herself being held in Xander's arms. Rolling over, she saw him sleeping peacefully beside her. While he slept, the coldness on his face was gone, leaving only gentleness.Grace had never felt so content in her heart, as if she had found her home.She reached out and tapped his prominent nose. When she withdrew her hand, Xander suddenly grabbed it. Opening his eyes, he asked, "Were you staring at me?"Surprised, Grace replied, "You were awake?"Xander held her even tighter. "I woke up when you moved." His voice was husky."It's the first day of the new year. We have to get up early to meet Grandpa."His hand moved down, pinching her waist teasingly. "Can you get up?"Grace blushed instantly. Yesterday's situation was beyond her expectations. The unrestrained Xande