After Timothy left, Xander remained standing in place. He wasn't even aware of a person appearing behind him.It was Grace. She spoke softly. "Why didn't you tell me that you helped Timothy?"Xander looked at her somewhat surprised expression in the reflection of the floor-to-ceiling window and said gently, "It's a small matter. I didn't think it was necessary to tell you and make you worry."Grace wasn't a fool. She knew that whoever was close to her would inevitably have some resentment toward Benjamin. Since Timothy was his friend, Xander extending a helping hand to him came as a surprise to her."Thank you, Xander." She knew Xander did it for her.Upon hearing this, he turned around and pulled her into his arms. He sighed subtly. "There's no need to thank me. The bond between us goes beyond such things."Grace placed her hands on his neck, smiling. "You're so good. Should I just marry you already?"Xander chuckled, and his expression showed his affection for her. "That would
Grace's tone was tentative, prompting Aaron to set down his pen. "What's wrong? Don't you have faith in your boyfriend?"Grace shook her head. "I'm worried about him. Jake recently secured the Aether Group project. He just arrived in Pamore and has already struck a deal with the biggest club owner in town. Who knows if his power might be greater than what we saw?"At this question, Aaron hesitated to give a definite answer. "It's hard to say for now. Just remind Xander to be careful."Grace pondered for a moment. After some hesitation, she decided to confess. "Aaron, Jake approached me."Aaron's smile faded. "What did he want from you?""He wants me to get dirt on Bobby Baxter, the president of Aether Group.""What did you say?""I pretended to agree.""Did you tell Xander?"Grace shook her head. "If I tell him, Jake will become suspicious. I don't want to tell him for the time being."Upon hearing this, Aaron immediately understood her intentions. His expression changed. "Yo
Luke had previously searched for Reina's daughter but failed to find her, so he hesitated before saying, "It's beyond my abilities, Ms. Lewis. We might need to seek Mr. Fulton's help."Grace nodded knowingly. "Since Susan has returned, she will spare no effort to destroy any evidence that might exist. Keep a close eye on her and make sure Benjamin doesn't suspect anything."Mentioning him, Luke chuckled. "He's in a precarious situation now.""What do you mean?""Among the illicit dealings uncovered during yesterday's inspection at Nightshade Bar, Hawkins Group's name showed up."Grace's pupils dilated slightly. This was unexpected. In her impression, although Benjamin was reckless, he wouldn't gamble with Hawkins Group. How could he collude with the officials?"The newly-appointed director of the anti-corruption department is a man of methods. He should find the evidence in no time. Benjamin is currently juggling a lot."…Meanwhile, at Hope Hospital, a nurse was tidying up the
Elysium Bank's crisis was resolved on the eighth day of the new year, and Noelle was discharged from the hospital on the same day.After she was discharged, Grace accompanied her to the police station.The officer handling the case was Danzel. Since it involved two major families and even crossed international borders, it required his personal attention."The current evidence is not enough to prove attempted sexual assault, but your usage of excessive force in self-defense is irrefutable evidence, Ms. Noelle. Can you find key evidence to support your claim?"Noelle looked pained, her fingers tightly clenched. "He touched me and tore my clothes. I've told you many times. I just grabbed a beer bottle. I really didn't expect him to be so seriously injured."Her voice trembled. Grace couldn't help but hold her hand in comfort."Chief Bradley, we have provided Joshua's medical report, showing that his injuries are not as severe as claimed. Can't we close the case?""This involves con
The restaurant had been booked in advance. With just one glance, anyone could tell that it was a well-prepared setting, with a view of the flickering skyline by the seaside."You've been busy over the New Year and haven't met me much. There must be something going on since you reached out to me," Grace said with a hint of sarcasm. She looked at Xander as he elegantly cut into his steak.Xander glanced up at her, smiling faintly. "You're right. We've found Reina's daughter.""Where is she?" Grace's interest was piqued."At Reina's mother's hometown. My men have already gone to find her. If everything goes smoothly, we'll bring her back to Pamore in the next couple of days.""That's great! With her back, we can get Reina to talk," Grace exclaimed excitedly, forgetting her previous discontent."You seem very happy," Xander remarked casually as he placed the steak he had cut on her plate."Of course! With her back, the Hawkins family's secrets can be uncovered, and we can give closu
Three hours ago, inside the study of Summitview Manor, Raymond exploded in the largest fit of anger since the New Year had begun.He had made dozens of calls to Jake, all of which had gone unanswered. He threw his phone to the ground in frustration."Damn it!"Xander, who had been standing by, bent down to pick up the pieces of the shattered phone. "Jake is a smart guy. He would never stoop to colluding with corrupt officials. Maybe we should investigate further."Yet, Raymond's fury didn't abate. "Those people are all cunning. They still have some respect for me, so as soon as they caught wind of it, they had someone tell me about it. "I've received dozens of emails, all urging me to protect Jake. There's no smoke without fire!"Xander placed the broken pieces of the phone on the table. "Perhaps that woman was spreading false rumors.""Do you think she could have spread rumors without any leverage?" Raymond shot back.Xander remained silent. Suddenly, Raymond turned to him. "
Xander pinched Grace's cheek. "Am I smelly?""It's fine. I like the smell of alcohol and smoke on you. It's different from others'. It's not disgusting." Grace spoke innocently, squeezing his waist to prove her point.Xander's eyes darkened.…The next day, when Grace woke up, she found herself alone in bed. Rubbing her waist, she got up and noticed a note that had been left on the bedside table."There's breakfast on the table. Make sure you finish it. I'm leaving to deal with some matters. See you in the afternoon."Grace smiled. In her mind, she could hear Xander's gentle and calm voice saying those words.But there was nothing gentle about him in bed. Instead, he had a primal urge. He enjoyed gripping her neck lightly and demanding that she say she loved him until he was satisfied.It was an odd contrast.…"I attended a dinner yesterday and pulled out all the stops. I finally managed to find out when Celia is debuting," Ashley reported to Grace as soon as the latter arri
The secretary had just been transferred there and didn't quite understand the situation. She spoke with admiration in her eyes. "It's my first time seeing Mr. Fulton. He's just as the rumors say—extremely hot and suave."Hazel's phone vibrated, indicating that she had a new message. She glanced down at it. "Mr. Fulton has a girlfriend.""I know. Ms. Lewis from Amirate, right? She's also a very beautiful female powerhouse."The secretary's tone was suggestive as she continued, "But I thought Mr. Fulton wouldn't like that kind of woman. Don't men prefer gentle and virtuous wives who can cook for them after a busy day at work? Can Ms. Lewis do that?"Hearing that, Hazel gripped her phone tighter without realizing it. She glanced up at Xander, who was in the meeting room."Don't gossip about your boss," she said before leaving.She had just received news that Reina's daughter had been brought back to Pamore, and she needed to go and assist.…Celia had secured quite a few connectio