Chapter 25 Five Hundred Thousand Dollars for a serving of pasta
Grace got Henry's transfer while she was having coffee with Juniper.
Juniper had some news about Dylan and called her out to share it.
"Dylan's at Crimson Peak doing legal aid work. He's off the grid and won't be back for a year or two! Grace, why can't these big-shot lawyers see the bigger picture? There's so much money in the city!"
Juniper took a big sip of coffee and frowned.
Grace stirred her coffee, looking down.
Juniper, worried, tried to comfort her. "We'll keep looking. He can't be the only one who can do this!"
Grace nodded, about to speak, when a $200,000 transfer notification popped up on her phone. She was shocked.
Seeing her expression, Juniper leaned over. "Who messaged you? You look stunned! It's that jerk, Henry!"
"What's he mean by sending you $200,000? Does he want you to sleep with him? Grace, I told you he's no good. Turns out he's just as sleazy as the rest."
Grace didn't click on it; she put her phone away.
Juniper, still eager, said, "We could just take it first, it's $200,000!"
Grace gave a bitter smile. "Henry's money isn't that easy to take."
Juniper cursed a few more times.
She had an appointment, so she said goodbye to Grace. As she left, she didn't waste a drop of her coffee, probably a habit from childhood.
Juniper left. Grace was about to leave when her phone rang.
She thought it was Henry, but it was Gavin: [Arriving in Evergreen City next Saturday, looking forward to seeing you!]
Grace couldn't help but smile.
After replying, she packed up and headed to work at the Azure Palace Hotel.
By the time she got off work, it was nearly 11 PM.
The late autumn night was chilly, and Grace tightened her thin coat.
After a few steps, she stopped.
By the roadside, a luxurious black Bentley was parked. Henry, in a classic black and white suit, was sitting in the car smoking. Sensing Grace's gaze, he looked over.
Amidst the neon lights, they quietly stared at each other, like people reuniting after a long time.
After a while, Henry extinguished his cigarette, got out, and opened the passenger door. "Get in, let's talk."
Sensing he needed something, Grace walked over and sat in the car under his watchful gaze.
Henry stared at her for a while before closing the door. He walked around, got in, and, while fastening his seatbelt, casually asked, "Hungry? Want to get something to eat?"
Tonight, he was unusually gentle.
Grace didn't think he had changed. She looked ahead and said indifferently, "If you have something to say, just say it here."
Henry lit a cigarette, filling the car with smoke.
Holding the cigarette, he spoke in a deep voice, "Mrs. Young is quite fond of you. She hopes you can help with tomorrow night's banquet."
Grace didn't respond for a while.
Henry turned to look at her. "What? You don't want to go?"
With a faint smile, Grace responded, "Henry, I wasn't your top pick, was I? You're willing to shell out a lot to bring me on board because Celeste didn't deliver, right?"
Her perceptiveness took Henry aback. He had expected Grace to be upset.
However, Grace's tone remained composed as she stated directly, "The Horizon Innovations Group project is valued in the billions. $200,000 is too low; I'm asking for $2 million."
Henry frowned slightly.
It wasn't that he couldn't afford it or didn't want to invest in a woman, but as a businessman, he was used to maximizing profits, even if the person in front of him was his wife.
Henry chuckled mockingly, "Quite the appetite! Aren't you afraid of biting off more than you can chew?"
Grace sneered back, "Whether I can handle it is my business! Not a penny less than $2 million, and I'll get this done for Mr. Montague."
Henry squinted. "What if the project doesn't go through?"
Grace's smile faded. "That would mean Mr. Montague is incompetent!"
No one had ever challenged him so openly before.
Henry found it amusing. He leaned in and whispered in Grace's ear, "Looks like I have to get this project done, or even Mrs. Montague will think I'm incompetent."
As he got closer, his masculine scent wafted over Grace's ear, causing a burning sensation.
Grace pushed him away. "Aren't we here to talk business? Stop being a jerk!"
She was still uncomfortable about what happened that night.
An unfaithful husband always made one imagine him with other women, and just the thought of it was repulsive.
As she got out of the car, Henry grabbed her wrist.
Grace suppressed her temper and said, "I'll contact Mrs. Young in the morning! But the prerequisite is that the $2 million is in my account!"
Henry stared at her for a moment before saying, "I can write you a check right now!"
He chuckled, "What? You don't trust me?"
Grace turned her face away, looking at the night ahead, and said softly, "After spending so much time with someone like you, even a fool would get smart!"
Even as they were on the brink of parting ways, Grace still harbored regrets—regrets about initially trusting the wrong person.
Henry wrote her a check and placed it in her palm. Suddenly, he spoke, "About Elodie..."
This was the first time he had mentioned Elodie to Grace. He didn't know if this counted as an explanation.
Hearing that name suddenly, Grace was momentarily stunned. Then she said indifferently, "I know she's in Evergreen City, in the same hospital as my dad! And you'll help her with her leg treatment, and you'll introduce her to Mr. Garcia to fulfill her dream."
Henry stared into her eyes as if trying to discern her true thoughts.
Grace's tone became even more indifferent. "These things are all over the internet, so there is no need to find out specifically."
After speaking, she pushed open the car door.
A gust of cold wind blew in, and she coughed twice but didn't look back.
She walked away resolutely, leaving Henry behind, and walked faster and faster.
Back home.
She had been clutching the check tightly, her palm hurting from the pressure.
Grace looked at the $2 million.
Her heart surged. This was the first time she had gotten money from Henry. Sadly, she had to use the title of Mrs. Montague to earn it. But she thought she would succeed, and when people mentioned her, they would say this is Ms. Windsor.
The next morning, Henry's driver came to pick up Grace.
To play her part well, Grace put on Mrs. Montague's clothes, looking beautiful yet dignified. Amara was very fond of her.
Amara held her hand affectionately and talked for a while, finally complaining softly, "Caleb is so incompetent. I told him several times I wanted you to come, but Henry's secretary didn't get it."
Wives in high society hated mistresses the most.
Amara whispered, "Isn't it nice to get back at her! Celeste's background isn't good enough. Being an assistant is fine, but when it comes to being Henry's wife, Grace, you're much better!"
Grace smiled faintly. "Thank you for the compliment, Mrs. Young!"
Amara gently patted her delicate hand, smiling like a flower. "Let's go check out the venue and get started."
Grace smiled and agreed.
Amara held her hand as they walked into the hall. Someone was coming down the stairs, adjusting his cufflinks.
Seeing who it was, Grace was stunned. It was Felix!
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
