Chapter 27 Not Being Loved Was Embarrassing
The two bodies pressed tightly together, rubbing against each other.
To say Grace felt nothing would be a lie.
But she always rejected Henry, so she found an excuse. "The banquet starts at seven. You care so much about that project. Don't you want to be late?"
Hearing this, Henry slightly loosened his grip on her. He glanced at her in the mirror and chuckled lightly, "Mrs. Montague, you really know how to kill the mood."
Crisis averted.
On the way back, neither of them spoke a word.
At seven in the evening, Henry's black Bentley slowly drove into the Young family villa. He got out to open the door for Grace, and as she bent down to get out, Henry held her hand.
She couldn't help but look up at him.
In the chilly night wind, under the luxurious lights, they looked at each other.
Henry gently tightened his grip on her hand, pulling her close and whispering in her ear, "Stick with me tonight! Don't flirt with other men, okay?"
His words were quite possessive.
Grace rested her head on his shoulder and spotted Felix. Felix stood under the lights at the entrance of the villa, holding a glass of red wine, his intense gaze fixed on Grace.
She didn't want to provoke him. Her lips trembled slightly as she gently hugged Henry.
Felix's eyes tightened, and he walked away.
Henry, not one to be fooled, lightly pinched her chin, his voice dangerously husky. "So, you're learning to manipulate people now?"
Grace turned her face away. "Henry, don't forget your purpose tonight."
Henry's gaze was inscrutable. "Of course I won't forget! Mrs. Montague." Then he held her hand like a loving couple.
Grace cooperated with him.
They even danced together at the banquet, drawing rounds of applause. Amara specifically introduced Grace to the top socialites, presenting her as Henry's wife , the wife of Henry from the Montague Group, and an excellent violinist.
To elevate Grace's status, Amara spoke of things even Grace didn't know. "I heard Mr. Garcia is coming back. Everyone knows Mr. Garcia has a favorite student, but you all don't know, do you? That student is none other than our Mrs. Montague!"
Grace was slightly stunned. This information was only known to her, Clara, and Juniper, so Amara must have...
Grace was urged to perform, partly to give Amara face and partly to verify the truth.
On the lush lawn, under the lights like fireflies, Grace, in a beautiful custom dress, played a piece. After she finished, no one doubted Amara's words anymore, not even Amara herself—Grace was the one Gavin was looking for!
Grace bowed in thanks. Her eyes lifted slightly, meeting Henry's gaze. He stood casually.
But in his eyes, there was a lewdness and possessiveness that only she could understand, unrelated to art, just a man's primal desire for a woman.
Grace couldn't bear such a gaze, pretending to go to the restroom.
Over there, Henry's eyes followed her. Caleb patted his shoulder and smiled. "Young love, huh! Makes me really envious."
Henry smiled lightly and clinked glasses with him.
Amara approached, meticulously tidying up Caleb's appearance. Standing by her husband's side, she engaged in conversation with Henry, effusively praising Grace, describing her as beautiful, graceful, and talented.
Caleb lightly patted Amara's hand. "If you like her so much, why not take her as a goddaughter? It's rare to see you so fond of someone!"
Amara glanced at Caleb. Though she was over 40, she still had her charm and beauty.
Amara chided, "I'm only 14 or 15 years older than Henry. How could I take his wife as a goddaughter? Besides, count the money in your pocket and see if it's enough. If you're really sincere, collaborate more with Henry, so I can get closer to Grace."
Caleb got the hint about the project. With other commitments waiting, he excused himself and left first.
Henry thanked Amara.
Amara watched Caleb walk away, her eyes moist.
Turning to Henry, she said, "Henry, you probably don't know, but in the early years, Caleb was unfaithful and had other mistresses, even considering divorcing me. In high society, no one respected me then. At a banquet, I met Grace. She was only 15 or 16, but she knew how to make people happy. She came with Oliver, wearing a beautiful princess dress, and performed a ballet in a quiet corner. You don't know how long it had been since I last smiled. I was filled with despair."
Amara finished, smiling faintly. "Sorry to bore you with my story!"
As she left, her figure was both lonely and proud.
Even with Amara's current status, as solid as a rock, and Caleb's respect, she knew that someone like her was always walking on thin ice.
She also knew Grace had it tough, so she extended a helping hand.
Henry remained rooted in place, aware that with Amara's backing, the project was a guaranteed success.
However, at that moment, his thoughts weren't on the multi-billion-dollar project; Grace consumed them.
Grace said she felt oppressed and that she didn't want to be Mrs. Montague. Was her state of mind the same as Amara's? Disappointed in her husband, she fell out of love. The difference was that the Young family was Amara's lifelong battlefield, while Grace didn't even want him, Henry.
Grace emerged from the restroom, noting the time—almost half past nine. She felt it was time to make her exit.
Lost in thought, she nearly collided with someone at the door. As she steadied herself, she recognized Felix standing before her.
They were very close, close enough for Felix to smell her perfume.
It was a faint orange scent.
Grace attempted to sidestep Felix, but he reached out and gently grasped her, his warm fingers brushing against her slender waist.
Startled, Grace lifted her gaze to meet his, a mixture of surprise and shock evident in her eyes.
Reluctantly releasing her, Felix withdrew his hand, his fingers involuntarily curling as if trying to retain the warmth of Grace's body heat.
His tone turned icy and cutting. "What's this? After enduring hardships for a few days, you suddenly find being Mrs. Montague more appealing. Have you resolved to return to Henry?"
Grace didn't pretend anymore.
She asked straightforwardly, "Felix, you said you wouldn't make things difficult for me! What is this now?" She stopped there.
Just as she turned to leave, Felix's voice trailed after her, soft yet resonant. "Grace, whatever Henry can offer you, I can provide as well! And whatever he refuses, I am more than willing to give you!"
Grace's steps faltered, coming to a stop. After a moment of contemplation, she spoke softly, "Thank you for your generosity, Felix. But I don't want it."
Grace departed, leaving Felix standing alone in the softly lit room, the crystal chandelier above casting a glow on his handsome features. Regret washed over him as he considered the audacity of his words to Henry's wife. He had implored Grace to choose him over her husband.
With resolve, Felix trailed after her as she made her way out.
No one noticed that Amara was standing at the corner of the stairs.
From beginning to end, she had heard everything clearly. She held onto the stair railing to keep from fainting. Felix had actually fallen for a married woman.
And that woman was Grace!
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