Chapter 167 First Confrontation
The assistant's face was flushed with anger.
People behind Grace rushed forward to help, frantically tapping on Luann's window.
"Roll down the window!"
"That's too much!"
One of them wrapped an arm around the assistant's waist, pulling her out with force.
Nicholas sauntered up with his agent, glanced sideways and casually asked, "Need help?"
The assistant cried out, "Do something, for God's sake!"
With feigned nonchalance, Nicholas quipped, "Get the knife."
The assistant's face registered pure shock. "What do you need a knife for?"
"To chop your hand off, quick and easy," Nicholas replied, his mock smile not reaching his eyes, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Hearing Nicholas' words, the others grew more desperate, shoving and kicking Luann's car.
Grace stood dignified amidst the chaos, embarrassed by their behavior.
She got into her car and said calmly, "If making her move is such a hassle, let's just drive out ourselves."
The driver looked at her, troubled. "Grace, I really can't get the car out..."
"If it can't get out, we'll smash through. The car's not worth my time," Grace said dismissively. "Stop dawdling. I have a show to record at 5 a.m. Can you afford to waste my time?"
Nicholas pondered, resting his chin on his hand. "That model is a limited edition, starting at ten million. Miss Grace surely doesn't mind the expense."
Grace glanced over with indifference.
Now a top-tier celebrity with massive following, forking out that kind of money was nothing to her— merely a flick of the wrist.
"Go ahead. Smash it."
No sooner had Grace's words settled than a loud crash erupted.
Grace, unfastened from her seatbelt, jolted forward nearly tumbling over.
It wasn't her driver who had smashed.
It was Luann Weaver.
Luann leisurely stepped out of her car, her stunning beauty taking everyone by surprise.
Nicholas's agent clutched at his sleeve frantically. "Nicholas, this is your friend? Your friend?"
Nicholas nodded discreetly.
"Ah, my apologies, just trying to move the car and didn’t realize I bumped into you."
"I'll cover the repair costs, how much will it be?"
Grace studied Luann Weaver's face, a flicker of jealousy passing through her gaze but skillfully concealed.
The name Luann Weaver had been on everyone's lips around her lately.
She also knew that Luann just claimed first place at the Upper West Side Grand Prix.
A simple car shift turning into a collision.
Who would believe that?
The assistant wailed, “My hand is stuck!”
With mock concern, Luann Weaver rolled down the car window, "Look at what you did, so careless. Who else would your hand get caught by if not the window?"
Tears filled the assistant's eyes as he glared viciously at Luann.
With the click of her high heels on the pavement, Grace emerged from the car, her expression composed.
"No worries. Could you please move your car again? We're in a rush to get back."
Luann pointed at the vehicle behind Grace.
"You must be mistaken. It’s your car that’s illegally parked. Go find the owner; it’s got nothing to do with me."
"Besides, I’m in a hurry myself and don’t want to waste time moving cars around."
Seeing Grace unflustered but a storm brewing in her eyes, the assistant exploded.
“Would it kill you to help out?”
“It won’t take much of your time!”
"You're being incredibly selfish!"
"Do you even realize who you're talking to?"
"This is Grace! Do you know Grace?"
Recognition flickered across Luann Weaver's face.
She feigned astonishment, her eyes shining.
"Oh, Grace! The famous A-list celebrity, Grace?"
Boosted by this reaction, the assistant puffed up, hoping to gain favor with Grace.
"Good, now move the car. Who knows? If Grace is feeling generous, you might even get an autograph."
Luann picked up her phone and began recording.
The assistant swiped at her, missing by a mile.
"Hey, what are you doing!"
Luann was recording swiftly.
"Oh, nothing. It’s just my first time seeing a celebrity, and I can't hide my excitement."
"I wanted to capture this moment and share online so everyone can see how Miss Grace bullies others into moving their cars."
Fuming with anger and without recourse, the assistant stood helplessly.
"You!"
" Are you trying to start trouble?"
Luann put away her phone and turned to Grace with a greeting.
"Care to meet officially?"
Grace's expression darkened, "Get in the car!"
Her assistant grumbled, "But Grace, she hasn't moved her car. What good will it do us to get in?"
And to just let Luann Weaver off the hook so easily?
People like that, who used to strut around causing trouble, would have already been dealt with firmly by them.
"I said get in the car!" Grace's low growl carried a note of displeasure.
Sensing her irritation, the assistant scrambled into the vehicle.
With the car door slamming shut, they were still unable to leave, just sitting there waiting.
If Grace wanted to go, she'd have to plough straight ahead, bumping car after car.
Money was the least of her worries.
The real trouble would be if this incident blew up and tarnished her online reputation.
And Luann Weaver, who kept saying how busy she was, had not left. Instead, she walked over to Nicholas.
Nicholas praised, "Nice job handling the situation."
"If she hadn't messed with me, I wouldn't have bothered with her."
Luann Weaver was not one to pick fights. Usually she could let some things slide, but this person had crossed the line.
She couldn't let it go.
An agent nearby was bouncing with excitement: "Miss, what's your last name? Got an agent? Thinking of going pro? Want to sing? I can make you a star!"
Nicholas handed her his phone.
The agent, puzzled, asked, "For what?"
"Been off the grid for a while, huh? Do a quick search. Right now, her fame's at its peak online."
The agent took the phone hesitantly, checking the trending topics.
She'd taken a month off to focus on Nicholas's new song and really hadn't paid attention to the web.
After reading all the posts, the sparkle in the agent's eyes slowly faded.
She looked at Luann Weaver with pity, gesturing towards her from a distance.
"She's beyond what I can handle."
Luann Weaver laughed at the jest.
Nicholas introduced, "This is my agent, Jasmine."
"Hi, Jasmine."
"Hi." Jasmine, a tad reluctant, asked, "Would you consider..."
Before she could finish, Nicholas interjected, "The latest song I released was written by her—both the music and the lyrics."
Jasmine inhaled sharply, swallowing the rest of her question.
Great. She's met a jack-of-all-trades.
Inside the car, the onlookers watched them banter, their indignation growing.
"Grace, those two know each other."
"They must be together just to cause trouble for Grace!"
Grace pursed her lips in silence, fixing Luann Weaver with a sharp gaze.
She knew of Luann's antics from her brother but hadn't expected such resilience.
Their first encounter turning out quite unpleasant.
