Chapter 39 First Encounter with Gavin
Grace averted her gaze from Henry's. Leaning against the headboard, she spoke in a soft tone, "So, the arrangement you brought up last night entails me turning a blind eye to Elodie and any potential mistresses in the future, right?"
Henry stayed silent.
Grace went on, "Henry, the moment you chose Elodie, you stopped caring about my feelings! Are we even a couple? No, as you said, we're just business partners in this marriage!"
He had made it so clear it would be ridiculous for her to act all hurt now.
After Grace finished, Henry let out a mocking laugh.
He came closer, gently holding her chin, his finger lightly brushing her lips. He looked at her with a hoarse voice. "Such a sharp tongue!"
Grace tried to turn her face away.
But Henry suddenly leaned in, pinning her against the headboard. His nose pressed against hers, and so did his lips; the soft touch was very tempting.
Henry lowered his eyes, staring at her, his Adam's apple moving up and down.
"One day, I will taste this," Henry said.
Grace wasn't naive. She had been married to Henry for three years and knew exactly what he meant.
In the past, she had refused out of pride. Now, she was unwilling because she no longer loved him and wouldn't do such things for him.
Henry let her go and walked into the bathroom to change into the clothes he had worn when he arrived last night.
When he came out, he said indifferently, "I'm waiting for your response, Mrs. Montague. Don't keep me waiting too long."
Grace looked up, her eyes red, filled with grievance and humiliation.
With a snort of exasperation, Henry turned to leave. As he descended to the first floor, he found the driver already waiting for him. The sleek black stretch limousine shimmered in the morning light, a symbol of luxury and prestige.
The driver opened the car door and asked, "Mr. Montague, are we heading to the office?"
Henry stayed silent, his gaze shifting toward the upper floor. There, he saw Grace standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, her eyes fixed on the outside world. The shadows of the window panes danced on her figure, creating a pattern that looked like ribbons, wrapping her in a fragile beauty.
Outside the window, a branch of a maple tree stretched out, adorned with vibrant red leaves that exuded a lively energy.
After a long while, Henry softly told the driver, "To the office."
Once in the car, he leaned back against the leather seat and closed his eyes to rest.
Henry's mind wandered to her decisions, her deliberate ignorance of Elodie's presence. Contemplating their future, he envisioned a facade of a relationship where they would play the part of a devoted couple by day, only to satisfy each other's physical desires by night. In his thoughts, he entertained the notion that perhaps, in time, he would press upon her to bear the heir of the Montague family, solidifying their connection in a different manner.
However, there would be no love! He didn't love Grace, and Grace no longer loved him either. It was fine.
In fact, most couples in their circle were like this and got along well. When husbands were dissatisfied with their wives' post-pregnancy bodies, they would look elsewhere, and the wives wouldn't say much. The smart ones would turn a blind eye, and the more understanding ones would even help their husbands cover up and deal with the mistresses.
It was fine; everyone was like this!
Henry made his way to the office. Celeste noticed his presence and couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy. She was in an unusually good mood, partly because Henry had been noticeably absent from the office lately, choosing instead to spend his time with Grace at the hospital.
At six in the evening, Celeste knocked and entered. "Mr. Montague, I've confirmed with Mr. Garcia's assistant. The meeting is at 7:30 PM at the Emerald Oasis Hotel. We can go pick up Ms. Williams now."
Henry frowned slightly and capped his pen.
He thought again of the sounds Elodie made while eating. He could tolerate it, but he wasn't sure if Gavin would mind.
Celeste, ever the professional, immediately guessed his thoughts and said attentively, "Don't worry, Mr. Montague. I'll remind Ms. Williams to mind her table manners in the car. Mr. Garcia values cultural refinement and would likely care about this."
Henry's silence confirmed Celeste's suspicions. She looked down on Elodie even more, finding her aspirations to marry Henry ridiculous given her perceived lack of refinement.
However, Elodie seemed to have a different perspective. She had made a special effort, dressing up in a white tiered dress adorned with romantic lace, enhancing her beauty like a blooming flower.
Celeste pushed Elodie's wheelchair downstairs, looking down at her with disdain.
In the car, Elodie was quite happy because Celeste sat in the front passenger seat, and she had the privilege of sitting in the back with Henry.
She looked up at Henry's expressionless face and mustered the courage to ask, "Mr. Montague, what do you think of my dress? Will Mr. Garcia like it?"
Celeste, in the front, lightly coughed.
Henry gave a polite glance and said indifferently, "It's fine."
Elodie felt even more confident.
Her mother, Rebecca, had said that men loved women in white; it made them impulsive.
Today, she had a mission. Not only did she have to dine with Gavin, but she also had to find a way to go home with Henry. She planned to pretend to be drunk and stay over, believing that no man could resist.
Once she and Henry had a physical relationship, she could rightfully demand he divorce. After all, Henry didn't love Grace.
Elodie was lost in her daydreams, and before she knew it, the car had stopped.
Elodie thought Henry would carry her out of the car as he had done last time.
However, Henry stepped out of the car on his own, leaving the 50-something driver to assist her. Feeling indignant, Elodie refused to disembark.
Celeste, holding the car door, said coldly, "Ms. Williams, Mr. Montague's time is very precious!"
By then, Henry had already walked away.
Celeste spoke even more bluntly, "Ms. Williams, you were married before and were abused by your ex-husband to the point of disability. Mr. Montague is only helping you out of sympathy, to arrange your treatment and fulfill your dreams. As for anything else, don't overthink it!"
Celeste added, "Your mother hit Mrs. Montague last time, and Mr. Montague was very displeased."
Elodie didn't believe it, inquiring, "How could that be? Mr. Montague didn't blame me."
As Celeste sneered, she thought, 'So naive! He didn't reprimand you to save face. Couldn't you see through his aloofness?'
Women were the most sensitive, and Celeste's intuition told her that Henry's heart was with Grace.
Otherwise, why wouldn't he get a divorce?
While they were arguing, Gavin's assistant, Owen Davis, came out of the hotel. Seeing Henry, he greeted him warmly, "Mr. Montague, Mr. Garcia has wanted to meet you for a long time! For our first meeting today, Mr. Garcia has prepared your favorite red wine. We must drink to our heart's content."
Henry arched an eyebrow, casually adjusting his cufflinks. With indifference, he remarked, "I've never crossed paths with Mr. Garcia. How could he possibly be aware of my minor inclinations?"
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