Chapter 9
Cole was tall and lean, with a naturally commanding presence. Grace had verified it herself that night. Not only was he built well, but his stamina had been impressive
With a face that could easily rival that of a movie star, he wasn’t merely husband material. He was the kind of man that women would take pride in showcasing as their paste. Unfortunately, he wasn’t a Jensen..
Zane’s so–called uncle should be in his forties by now. She remembered Zane mentioning him once.
He had a strange temper. He had no interest in women and had never been in a relationship. He was practically an old for
Sonumably, Grace had never connected this man with Cole.
“Berry, we’re not a match. That night was just me talking nonsense while strunk. You’re not seniorily taking a drunk woman’s words to heart, are you? Anpaay, thanks for the painkillers” Grace had always been attractive. Even since she was young, the’d never lacked admires. She excelled at rejecting me firmly
Just as she was about to leave, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into an embozen.
A strong arm wrapped firmly around her slender waist. Even though all the other passengers had already left, Grace’s cheeks flushed bright red with embarrasament. “What are you doing?
-whispered in her eas, “That night. You knw just how perfect we were together, didn’t you?“.
His low, suggestive voice made Grace fish with a mix of shame and fury. “What exactly do you want from me?”
His thin lips brushed ckiser, “Uace, I want to take
ponsibility for you.”
Grace stomped hard on his leather shoe, and Cole finally let got her. Her delicate face, neck, and even the skin behind her ears were flushed a deep crimson
“You perveed keep–dreaming! There are tons of men who want to marry me. Who do you think you are? I’d rather jump off a plane than marry you, so just give it up!”
Ja deep, cold voice came from behind her. “Ma. Harper, I’m not one you can summon and damit will
se quickly harried away in hech, ansious and afraid to look back, tince she stepped of the airport and onto familiar ground, ber racing heart finally started to calm dow
Alex painted to catch up with his suitcase “Me Harper, you’re wearing heels and still managed to walk that fast. Was someone chasing you?”
“Yeah, a dangerous demon.” One Out was eyeing her like prep
Alex looked puzzled and was about to ask more, but Grace had already sipped into the car arranged by the Harper family to pick her up.
cpaced the drifting clouds in the sky. From the day she returned to the Harper family, the cealgama had begum.
Noone in the Harper family knew about her trip to Morelia, except for her and Callum Everyone else thought she had just come back from abroad.
The car pulled up to the Harper family’s extate villa. After so many years away, the ente place had been renovated from top to bottom
Serena’s once – loved panden style was replaced by a classical look, featuring a large fountain just beyond the fron gates. The landscaping and the very architecture of the house had undergone a dramatic transformation.
As Grace looked at this unfamiliar place, she realized she couldn’t see a single trace of the past.
The new maid looked her up and down curkusly. “Mis, who are you here to see!”
Oscar hurried over, shooting the maid a fierce glare. “Are you blind? She’s Ma. Gracel”
Inchicundamillar place, it was a small comfort to finally see a fami
Allseyes glistened slightly as he fed out warmly and respectfully, “Mr. Grace, you’re finally home,”
Grace stood beneath a cherry blossom tree. It was the very spot where Serena had fallen.
How cruel. They knew all too well that Serena had hand cherry blot of all. Yet, they planted one right where she died.
Her name was grief–stricken. “Yes, I’m home.”
Oscared in the living room, but the house had changed so much she could hardly resize it.
standing by the grand spiral staircase was a woman. The moment she saw hat, Grace instinctively clenched the fall of her long dress. It was Kate.
She had once been Serena’s closest friend, but secretly seduced Grayson behind Serena’s back, Serena had always thought Kate had simply fallen for the wrong man, deceived into braging twins by someone uncelable.
Feeling sorry for Kate caising the children alone, Serena alten helped her out and supported her. Little did she kerose, het so–called best friend had borne Grayson’s children.
Then, the two had grown bolder, even going so far as to have sex in the master bedroom. Kerana returned unexpectedly and witnessed the scene.
She couldn’t accept the betrayal. Hence, the leapt from the rooftop.
After Serena’s death, Grayson brought Kate and ber–children into the house without hesitation. No one cemembered the kind–hearted woman anymore. Her death didn ́t awaken even a shred of empathy in Grapon
On the contrary, in cleared the way for Kate to take her place, turning her lato the new Mrs Harper.
At that moment, she was facing the drains. “It’s getting late, Nydia Hurry up, don’t keep the je
da soon as Kate finished speaking, the tuned around and race in the living roof a better ce site instinctively, but it quickly turned into a raku smile. “oh,
Grace had se
manipulative ways plenty of times. She often acted
ploce Grace could even sheda teat, Kate was
and print ofson, while secretly scheming against hai
dying in front of Grayson. Then, she would start complaining that being a stepmother was tough and that in sea hardscipline
In the end, the dam only ceased when Gracewed abroad.
ing the years abrood, Grace konew well that she couldn’t rely on anyone in the Humper Landily. She had to rely on her selt.
nolonger wore her rations on her face she did when she was younger the immediately had the dudan in het eyes and politely called–sun, “Kate”
Kate was stunned. She still thought. Grace was as patve as in her childhood, likely to accuse her of being a murikiei si temptirutsupai Grupal
Yet, it was too late for her to be more cuius nose. The Harper family was already in Kate’s control. Grace wooddo”t get a single penny of the famby hartune.
She hurled downstales, expeily taking Grace’s hand, acting as though she were a loving mother. “Oh, my deuren Grace. You’ve grown taller and even more beautiful ”
The were undudded just as Grayson, who had just come downstalas, caught sight of it. He was adjusting his curlinks and glanced at.
“You’re back? Just in time. Nydia’s meeting with Zane Jensen tonight. Go and have a look,” Grayson said in a tone that was neither warm nor cold, hardly inviting
Maybe if the hadn’t come back, he would have forgotten he even had this daughter. Grace hid her disappointment but didn’t question why Nydia was chosen for the marriage alliance instead
The obediencly responded, “Alright, I’ll go upstairs and change clothes now!
Grayson’s exprestiim shifted. “Grace, the house was renovated a few years ago Since you were abroad, Nycka has been using your old rocen.”
Grace from for a moment, her hand still on the sultrase. “I’ll take another room.”
On the sand fool, Nydia had combined the three original rooms, leaving only Austin’s bedroom. The third floor housed the master bedroom, along with the piano coom, study, art studio, and lounge
The fourth floor won Austin’s gym, game room, and entertainment com. In this vase
ast villa, there was no longer a place for Grace
“Grace, I’m so sorry. When you were abroad. I got busy and forgot. How about this? You can stay in the maids‘ quarters for now, I’ll have someone prepare the guest room for you.” Grace’s fingers tightened around her suitcase. “No need. I’ll go to the attic ir’s quieter there.“
Hei calm, composed response only made Grayson feel a bit more quilty. “Alright, you can manage there for tonight. We’ll figure things out later. Go change your clothes. We’re leaving soon.
Grace arrived at the attic, where the air was stifling and stagnant since the air conditioning had not turned on before entering
She quietly began sorting her clothes, not a hint of complaint escaping her. It wasn’t long before Nyria appeared at the door.
“Grace, you’ve finally back. But how could the esteemed eldest daughter of the Harpor family be staying in the attic? If you want, I can talk to Mom and arrange for you to stay in the guest
Grace dismissed the provocation with a smile. “As the host, it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to occupy the quest
Town, moddit?
Nydia scated her up and down. “I’s been years, Grace. You’ve really changed. I’ve heard that pets abroad are well–trained, but I didn’t expect people could change too.” She restled a lock of her curly hair and taunted, “Grace, can’t you see the situation clearly? This Harper family is no longer your home.”
