Chapter 187 Revealing Secrets with Xavier
Ryan barely moved his lips as he whispered, "It's me, Ryan."
The voice on the other end changed instantly. "Ryan? What are you doing with Xavier's phone? Still trying to get back at me?"
It was Grace. Ryan was stunned.
"Where are you?" he asked.
"Why would I tell you?" she snapped, then hung up.
Everyone heard the conversation and sighed. "That really isn't Grace."
"Who fed me this bogus info? This is ridiculous, treating us like idiots!"
"Sorry, Mr. Xavier Montgomery, we had no idea. We were duped too."
Apologies flew around as everyone realized the woman with Xavier wasn't Grace.
Xavier took the phone from a bewildered Ryan and, like a stern elder, said, "I warned you to think before you act. Don't jump into things without proof and let others play you."
Ryan was speechless. Could she really not be Grace?
Seeing Ryan like this, Grace almost felt sorry for him. But she quickly reminded herself that Ryan didn't deserve sympathy; his actions had consequences.
Mason had deleted the surveillance footage and taken Grace's phone when he arrived.
Xavier was smart, unlike the foolish Ryan. He always thought things through and made sure everything was airtight.
Xavier had orchestrated this call to prove in front of everyone that Grace was elsewhere.
The person on the phone was just someone Mason found who sounded like Grace. This clever trick defused the crisis, and no one suspected the truth.
"Remember to transfer your shares to Grace when you get back. I'll have someone draft the agreement; you just need to sign it," Xavier said.
Then he turned to the media. "If anyone leaks today's events," he warned, his eyes cold, "they won't see tomorrow."
A chill ran through the media. They knew Xavier wasn't joking and didn't dare challenge him.
They all nodded. "Mr. Xavier Montgomery, rest assured, we didn't see or hear anything this morning."
Their cameras were still in the room, but no one dared to touch them.
Everyone watched as Xavier left with Grace and got into the elevator.
When the doors closed, they finally exhaled. They had been scared to death and didn't dare discuss it.
Then they heard a thud. Ryan had fainted.
Everyone rushed over. "Mr. Ryan Montgomery! Mr. Ryan Montgomery!"
Someone quickly called an ambulance.
Downstairs in the parking lot, the driver had the car door open. Xavier said coldly, "Get in."
Grace, used to riding in Xavier's car, got in without hesitation.
Xavier followed, and the car roared to life. The driver knew where to go without being told.
No one spoke, and the car was filled with awkward silence.
The atmosphere was so tense that Grace couldn't help but sneak a glance at Xavier.
His profile was striking—high nose bridge, deep brow bones. He exuded a cold aura, clearly waiting for her to explain.
"Xavier, thank you," Grace said. She really did owe him. Without Xavier, she wouldn't have gotten out of this mess, and no one would have suspected her.
"Don't you have anything else to say to me?" Xavier turned to look at her.
Grace had plenty to say but didn't know where to start.
She bit her lip. "Ryan's shares are useless to me. I'd rather give them to you."
"Keep them," Xavier replied. He didn't care about the money.
Plus, if Grace had shares in Montgomery Group, she'd have some leverage if she wanted to break off the engagement. How she used that leverage was up to her.
He was curious to see how Grace would fight her fate.
"I..." Grace hesitated, then said, "This is the real me. Since I was little, my mom taught me to wear makeup, telling me which parts of my face to cover."
"I never understood why I had to use those dark makeup products," Grace confessed. "My mom always said I'd understand when I grew up. She also warned me never to let anyone see my true face. So, over the years, I've mastered makeup techniques to transform myself."
As she grew up, she understood her mom's intention.
Beauty wasn't the issue; it was the corrupt world that twisted its meaning. In a society where fairness and justice were distorted, beauty became a dangerous asset.
The unpredictability of human nature made it impossible to gauge people's true intentions. In such a world, the desire for a simple, ordinary life often felt like an unattainable luxury.
"I didn't mean to deceive you. Only Angela knows about this, not even Zach. I rarely show my true face, but it seems like every time I do, I run into you. Is that destiny?" Grace explained.
Thinking back, Grace found it incredible. Since Xavier came to Skigeth, it seemed like every time she showed her true face, she ran into him.
The first time was at the Turner family estate, then at the opening ceremony of Iris when she got drunk, and then at the fashion show.
"Xavier, I believe everyone has secrets they can't share. You must have some too. You're a good person. You wouldn't blame me, right?" Grace said softly.
Xavier listened to Grace's cautious and flattering tone.
She was good at conversation. She started by praising him before delicately asking him not to hold her accountable.
Did she think that was enough?
"Really? What's so good about me? Give me some examples," Xavier demanded.
"No more!" Seeing Xavier's face darken, Grace hurriedly explained, "That's not what I meant!"
She had said so much without making Xavier angry, but her refusal made him unhappy.
Grace knew Xavier was easy to appease, so she started listing, "I mean, you have so many good qualities that I can't list them all. For example, you're handsome, kind-hearted, gentle, and very capable. Xavier, you're such a good man that you leave no room for other men."
Xavier's lips curled slightly. "Really? Compared to the person you like, who's better, me or him?"
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