Chapter 84 Busting the Secret
"I don't have time for this, but you look pretty today," Ryan said.
Madison was delighted to hear the compliment. Grace rarely praised her.
Thanks to her meticulous grooming, she felt beautiful.
"Of course, I'm naturally gorgeous. It's hard to be ugly, unlike some people who are born that way," Madison retorted.
Grace simply smiled, not engaging further. It was just a polite gesture.
As Grace walked towards the restaurant, Madison's voice trailed behind. "Grace, don't think your little shop will last. It will definitely go bankrupt one day!"
Grace ignored her, and as she left the parking lot, she brushed past an elderly man.
Though his hair was sparse and white, his attire was stylish.
Grace turned to look at the man, feeling a sense of familiarity, but couldn't place it.
Before she could ponder further, Lily called, mentioning two important documents that needed immediate attention. Grace, still waiting for Ryan, opened the files.
When Ryan arrived, he found Grace engrossed in her phone, seemingly ignoring him.
"Can't you put your phone down?" he snapped. "You're late, and yet you have the nerve to complain. I'm already doing you a favor by waiting here. If you call me 'mom,' I might consider indulging you," Grace retorted.
"You! Shrew!" Ryan fell short in the face of Grace's sharp tongue.
'A woman of such caliber, anyone who dares to wed her in the future is surely doomed for misfortune!'
Ryan stormed indoors with indignation, Grace nonchalantly trailing behind.
Upon Ryan's entrance, the waitstaff, already acquainted with him, inquired, "Mr. Ryan Montgomery, what will you be having today?"
Ryan said, "Let's stick to the usual flavors," without asking Grace about her preferences or dietary restrictions.
Soon, the dishes arrived, a spread tailored to Ryan and Kelly's favored tastes. While Grace was not particular about food, she found herself lacking in appetite.
As Grace nibbled on her food, thoughts of the elderly man she had recently encountered at the entrance resurfaced, only to be interrupted by Lily's phone call. Reflecting now, that sense of familiarity washed over her once more, almost to the point where she didn't register what Ryan was saying.
"My dad mentioned a newly opened resort. He wants us to go.
"I'm not interested, but my dad can be annoying. It's not my choice to accompany you."
Without fully grasping Ryan's words, Grace simply nodded in agreement. "Well."
"In a week. You will have to make your own way there, as I won't be picking you up."
"What did you say?" Grace only caught the final sentence 'I won't be picking you up.'
"What do you mean?" Grace asked, puzzled.
"You dared to ignore me. Do you think I would repeat myself? Grace, have a meal with me. You can't be so oblivious to joy, can you?"
Grace fell silent.
"I just said it was my dad who asked me..."
"Wait a minute." Grace's mind tensed. "Your dad... I remember!"
She recollected who the old man was and where she had encountered him before!
It was Taylor, her foster father, whom Grace had encountered on two occasions prior.
When did he come to Skigeth? Was it during Zach's stay when he booked a room here?
But why was Madison here? Could it be a coincidence?
However, when Grace met Madison in the parking lot, Madison said, "You're the one who called me."
It indicated that someone had summoned Madison, and she seemed unaware of who it was.
So, was it Taylor's foster father who called her?
Grace had a strong impression of him because she always felt he wasn't a good person. During a meal with the Lewis family, she dropped her spoon and saw him touching Taylor's leg when she bent down to pick it up.
Grace only caught a glimpse, and when she looked up again, they were seated with great decorum as if nothing had happened.
Grace knew little about the man, only that he was a wealthy person from Oakworth. By marrying Zach, Taylor was perceived to be marrying beneath her station.
But he was also Madison's grandfather, so why did he want to see Madison?
Considering Madison's exquisite appearance today, it was difficult not to evoke a flurry of thoughts.
Grace possessed Madison's contact number; initially, she dialed it, and though the call went through, no one answered.
Persisting, Grace placed two more consecutive calls, yet there was still no response.
In a sudden flurry of anxiety, Grace abruptly rose, leaving her meal unfinished as she hurried towards the entrance of the restaurant.
Despite their differences, Grace understood the pain a girl would feel in such a situation.
"Hey, Grace, where are you going?" Ryan caught up with her.
Grace didn't know which room the man was in, but Zach would know.
Grace is unaware of the man's room number, yet Zach surely knows.
Grace dialed Zach's number directly and swiftly connected.
"Have you had a revelation?" said Zach.
Zach misconstrued Grace's proactive phone call as an indication of her desire to mend their father-daughter relationship and possibly provide him with financial support.
"What was the room number you booked at the hotel last time? A client of mine has traveled a long way and wishes to stay overnight."
Upon hearing Grace's inquiry, a sudden fluster appeared on Zach's face. "I have long since checked out of that room."
"Is that so? However, I am currently at the front desk, and they mentioned that your room has not been checked out at all."
Grace hadn't inquired at the front desk yet. Typically, hotels would keep such information private. Grace was merely testing Zach to see if he was aware of the situation.
Upon hearing Grace's statement, Zach panicked. "Are you at that hotel? Come back immediately!"
Grace articulated, "Why are you so agitated? You haven't even told me the room number. Are you staying there?"
"I booked it for a client. Come back now!"
Zach's conscience was already troubled by his actions. He had used Yaeli to bring Madison to the hotel, promising Yaeli a large sum of money.
Zach hoped that Madison wouldn't find out so that he could ease his guilty conscience.
In the future, as the company grows, he will undoubtedly compensate Madison. By then, the company will belong to Madison, and his actions are ultimately for Madison's benefit.
"What client? Do you know why Madison is here? Is Madison your client, or did you sell your daughter to engage in unspeakable activities?"
"Grace!" Zach on the phone sounded flustered, as if a secret had been abruptly uncovered, leaving him flustered and desperate.
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