Chapter 576: Getting Back Together?
Susan was low-key shocked by Caleb's look.
She knew Caleb had this whole "two-faced" thing going on. He'd act like a goofy kid around her, but to everyone else, he was all business and cutthroat.
She quickly said, "Alright, maybe she's changed. Don't write her off so fast. Even bad folks can turn over a new leaf."
"Let's hope so, or I won't be so nice." Caleb pinched Susan's cheek. "You're just too soft-hearted."
"Being kind is a good thing, and I'm not just kind to anyone. I have my standards, okay? I just wanna sleep well and not have nightmares tonight."
"Nightmares happen 'cause you're not tired enough before bed. If you're really wiped out, you'll sleep like a baby till morning." Caleb started getting that mischievous look again.
Susan gave him a helpless look. "I'd rather just sleep."
"Chicken," Caleb chuckled. "But you're my favorite chicken."
"Let's hit the sack early tonight," he said, feeling bad about her recent lack of sleep.
"Okay." Susan snuggled into his arms, wrapping one hand around his waist. It was her favorite spot. She could hear his heartbeat, breathe in his scent, and feel safe. She murmured, "Your hug is so warm."
"It's only warm for you."
Susan looked up and smiled. "So no other girl can get this close?"
"Of course not. Only you, the one and only you in this world." Caleb murmured, gently kissing her.
After a bit, he pulled back, breathing unevenly and with slightly red eyes, "No more kissing, or I won't be able to stop."
Susan grinned and teased him, "Can't handle just one kiss? Your self-control's slipping."
Caleb pinched her chin, his gaze intense. "It's 'cause you're too irresistible. Don't push me, or you won't get any sleep tonight."
Susan pretended to be indifferent. "Alright, let's sleep."
"Okay." Caleb turned off the light. He used one arm as a pillow for her head and wrapped the other around her. They fell asleep peacefully.
That night, she had no nightmares and slept like a log till morning. Susan showed up at the office looking fresh.
The office was buzzing with gossip.
"Is Mr. Eilish really getting back with Grace?"
"Totally. They had such a nasty breakup, but now they're going on dates. Isn't it obvious?"
"Even though their faces were blurred, I could tell they were both smiling, all lovey-dovey."
"This plot twist is too wild. Wasn't there domestic violence before? The divorce was so messy."
"Maybe after the divorce, they realized the ex was still the best, so they got back together."
"He left her for a side chick before, and maybe after breaking up, he found the side chick wasn't all that. Guys asking to get back together isn't rare."
"It's like a soap opera."
All kinds of chatter reached Susan's ears, but she didn't join in. Instead, she went straight to her office and checked her phone. Sure enough, there were tons of reports about Caleb and Grace meeting up and possibly getting back together. Both of their faces were blurred.
The pics were snapped from a distance and made to look all shady, no wonder everyone’s talking.
Susan frowned.
Her phone buzzed.
It was Caleb.
"Did you see the news?" Caleb asked.
"Yeah, just saw it."
"There's nothing between us; it's just the angle."
Susan chuckled, "Didn't you want me to be jealous last night?"
"That was a joke. I don't want you to get the wrong idea." Caleb stressed.
"Alright, I believe it's fake. But how'd you get unlucky enough to get snapped?"
"Unlucky? It's totally Grace's doing. I knew she wouldn't change, and now she's pulling this crap behind my back."
"But you can't be sure it's her. What if it was just a coincidence?"
"No way. It's her. I shouldn't have trusted her! I said if she tried anything, I wouldn't let it slide."
"Don't jump to conclusions without proof, or you might be wrong."
"I'll make her admit it." Caleb hung up and told his assistant, "Get all that news offline."
"Yes, Mr. Eilish."
"Let go of me, where are you taking me? Let go..." Grace struggled as she was dragged into the van, her hands tied.
"Caleb?" Grace was shocked to see him. "What are you doing?"
"Why are you treating me like this? Weren't we fine the other day?" Grace looked all innocent and panicked.
"I knew I wasn't wrong about you. You haven't changed at all. It was Susan who convinced me to let you see Candy, and you still pulled this stunt."
"What stunt? I didn't do anything. I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't know? Wasn't it you who set up those photos?"
"Photos? You mean today's news? You think it was me? No way! I only found out from the news. Why would you suspect me? Caleb..." Grace shook her head desperately. "I'm innocent! I just wanted to see Candy. I've given up on you."
"I finally got to see Candy. I wouldn't do such a thing, Caleb, believe me."
"I don't believe a word you say. You won't see Candy again."
"No, no, Caleb... Candy is my child. I'll die if I can't see her. We just reconciled. It really wasn't me, Caleb, believe me, I swear I didn't lie. I swear on my daughter's name, it wasn't me."
"Take her away." Caleb motioned with his hand.
"Yes, Mr. Eilish."
"Caleb—believe me!" Grace screamed.
At that moment, Caleb's phone rang.
"Mr. Eilish, we found out. The source of those photos was a small tabloid. The reporter said he just happened to be near the café and took them. No one told him to."
"It wasn't Grace?" Caleb frowned. "Are you sure?"
"Positive. The reporter is a college intern, and his account checks out. No contact with Grace."
So it wasn't Grace? Was he being too paranoid?
Caleb trusted his team.
He frowned and raised his hand. "Stop."
The bodyguards let Grace go, and she scrambled back. "It really wasn't me, Caleb. Please believe me."
"You better not try anything, or you'll never see Candy again."
"Yes, yes, I know. I swear I won't. I don't dare." Grace quickly agreed, but a hint of a sinister smile touched the corner of her mouth.