Chapter 013 Xavier sees Grace at the bBar
Grace had just left The Lewis Villa when she got a call from Zach summoning her to the company.
The Lewis Group was a fragrance company. Grace worked there as the head of a planning division.
As soon as she entered Zach's office, he asked, "I heard Xavier gave you a precious gift last night?"
Grace smirked to herself. Zach hadn't shown any concern about how her night at the Montgomery Manor's banquet went, whether she was bullied or not. As soon as he spoke, he asked about the painting.
"You already know about that. Don't tell me you have someone planted at the Montgomery Manor," she retorted.
"Don't be ridiculous. Where's the painting?" he demanded.
"I took it to the museum," Grace declared.
"What?" Zach's eyes widened in shock. He couldn't believe she had given such a valuable item to the museum.
"I donated it to the museum. If you want to see it, you can go there," she added.
Before heading to the Lewis Group, Grace had already completed the task. She knew that the gift was too precious and not safe in her possession. Someone would certainly covet it.
Yesterday, Wendy had shown interest in the painting. One glance and Grace knew it wasn't for Wendy's sake. If the painting stayed with her, Zach would have fought for it too.
So, donating it seemed the best course of action. This way, the masterpiece could be admired by many, fulfilling its purpose of existence.
"You!" Zach was so infuriated he nearly had a heart attack.
The market value of that painting was at least two hundred million dollars. Grace hadn't informed him before she went ahead and donated it.
The company was already facing a financial crisis. With those two hundred million dollars, they could have easily overcome the trouble. Now, all hope was lost.
"Go get that painting back now!" he ordered.
Grace stood upright and calmly said, "I've already signed the donation agreement. The painting can't be reclaimed."
Zach was speechless for a moment. "You... you..." he grumbled,trembling in anger.
"Father, do you have anything else to say? If not, I'm going to work," she pressed.
"Stop right there! The Reed Group hasn't signed the contract for next quarter with us yet, and that's the company's biggest order. Mr. Reed is leaving the country tomorrow. If you can't seal the deal before then, you're marrying into the Montgomery family immediately!"
Grace's marriage might fetch them a small fortune in the form of wedding gifts.
The Reed Group was determined not to renew their contract. If the Lewis Group lost this major client, their future would be even bleaker.
The chairman of the Reed Group, Tom Reed, was unreachable, except for the news that he would be at a bar tonight. Zach was already anxious. Taylor had called, suggesting Grace give it a try.
"And what's in it for me if I succeed? How about you give me Madison's position?" she bargained.
Madison had just joined the company and was already managing the fragrance technology department. Grace had started from the bottom as a trainee. In a year's time, she had only managed to get promoted to team leader.
Zach was convinced that Grace would never be able to seal the deal, so he promised her, "If you really manage to land the contract, I'll give you Madison's position!"
"I hope you'll keep your word," Grace remarked.
The Business Department had only given Grace an address. It was the most famous and private bar in Skigeth.
Grace had spent the entire day researching everything about the company, its development over the recent years, and Tom's personal life. She had a pretty good idea of who he was.
Then, focusing on the Reed Group's progress over the years and their future, she formulated a detailed partnership plan. She put in the effort with much sincerity.
Grace hadn't slept all night, and because she had been so busy, she barely ate. She wanted to eat something but could hardly manage a few bites.
Knowing that she would be drinking later in the evening, she forced herself to eat some food and even took an anti-hangover medication in advance.
The evening arrived quickly. She grabbed the materials she had prepared and headed to the bar.
Xavier's trip back to Skigeth wasn't about Ryan's marriage matters. Although his company's main business operations were in Oakworth, they also had a branch in Skigeth. His was aiming to for the entire Montgomery family.
After dealing with a day's worth of official business and preparing for upcoming meetings, Xavier received a call from his good friend.
"Xavier, you're truly heartless, do you know that? You stood us up last time. I tried to invite you out last night, but you were busy. How about tonight? You can't possibly be busy again, right?" complained Victor Hastings.
Xavier glanced at the time and said directly, "Address."
"I sent it to your phone. Don't worry, this bar is exclusive and private. Isaac and I have already ordered drinks. Do you want me to call some ladies to keep you company?"
"No," Xavier replied, flatly.
"All right then. Everyone knows you're the abstinent type. Just get here quick," Victor hung up in a hurry.
After Xavier was escorted to the location of the bar, he met Victor and Isaac Whitman. Their initial meeting had been confrontational, they had intended to teach Xavier a lesson. However, they were surprised to find themselves overpowered by him. This unexpected turn of events led to a strong bond forming between them, and they had since become good friends with Xavier.
Even though Xavier had moved to Oakworth, they kept in touch.
Upon arriving at the bar, a server took him upstairs. There was a private suite on the third floor of the bar owned by Victor.
As Xavier passed by the second floor, he suddenly spotted a familiar figure. ‘Grace? What’s she doing here?’ he thought.
Xavier froze in his steps when he saw a man emerging from the private room. His hand was resting on Grace's shoulder, and the pair looked unmistakably intimate. After murmuring something, the man led Grace back inside.
Xavier watched the scene unfold with a sudden icy detachment. He thought to himself, ‘This woman is no different from the others. Just like she'd flirt with me to break off her engagement, she'd do the same with any other man. And what good can come from the likes of the Lewis family anyway?’
Turning away, Xavier made his way upstairs where Victor and Isaac had been waiting for quite some time.
When they caught sight of Xavier, they felt a sense of disbelief. "Xavier, getting a moment with you is becoming a real challenge these days. You're even later than our agreed time!" they exclaimed.
"Am I? Then let me take a couple of drinks as punishment," Xavier said, grabbing a bottle from the table and pouring its contents into his mouth without hesitation or expression, clearly signaling that something was amiss.
Victor and Isaac exchanged worried glances, feeling that Xavier was in a sour mood.
"What happened last time? We heard you went to the bar but then you left," Victor asked. "Rumors even suggested that some girl was after you, right?"
Xavier shot him a look, and Victor's heart skipped a beat. Even when they were kids, Victor found Xavier's gaze chillingly intimidating, as if void of warmth. They all knew that Xavier would never let the Montgomery family control him so easily.
Xavier had matured, and with each challenge he encountered, he acquired a seriousness and weightiness that surpassed his age, now more intimidating than the stern gaze of Victor's father.
"This bar belongs to you?" Xavier inquired.
"Yeah, come by anytime you like, no reservations needed!" Victor replied with an easy smile.
"Who's in the private room downstairs?" Xavier asked.
"Now why are you interested in them? I'll go find out for you," Victor said, curiously.
Victor returned swiftly with the news. The man was Tom, a perfume seller from Skigeth who was doing extremely well in business. However, not exactly a stand-up guy. His wife, Laura Yule, kept him on a tight leash, which led him to slyly seek out affairs.
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