Chapter 19
Agnes just stood there, stone-faced, as Marissa slapped Grace right across the face.
But Marissa wasn't done. She grabbed a stick lying around and went for another hit.
"Mom!" Grace yelped, wincing from the smack.
Right then, her usual sassy attitude was nowhere to be seen. She looked like a scared little kid, nothing like the gentle girl her classmates knew.
Jeffrey just watched, rubbing his forehead, not even trying to stop Marissa.
Agnes, feeling all kinds of emotions from her aunt's constant protection, decided to forgive Grace. Her aunt had already done enough. She stepped up and snatched the stick from Marissa, "Aunt Marissa, that's enough."
"Agnes, let go. How many times have you begged for her since she was a kid? Has she ever changed?" Marissa, usually the gentle kindergarten principal, was totally fed up with Grace.
Her younger daughter, Cherie Lopez, was way more obedient and got along great with Agnes. However, Grace had always seemed to target Agnes, causing friction.
In the tea room, a servant took Grace upstairs to ice her face while Jeffrey pulled out a box of tea leaves and started making tea.
Sitting with Marissa, Agnes pulled out her phone and shot a message to Leopold, [Let Grace go, and I'll head to Beacon City to talk to Grandpa about the divorce.]
Leopold must've been swamped, 'cause there was no reply for ages.
They chatted about nothing for a few minutes before Jeffrey got a call and had to rush back to work.
After Jeffrey left, Agnes stared at her cup of black tea, thinking about what Grace had said earlier. She asked softly, "Aunt Marissa, who is my mom? Why didn't Dad tell me even when he was dying?" When her dad was on his deathbed, he'd rather marry her off to a stranger than let her meet her mom.
Marissa's face went pale. She slammed her cup down, spilling tea everywhere. "Don't ask about her. Why do you wanna know about such a heartless woman?"
Agnes's mom had ditched her and Henry just days after she was born.
Seeing Marissa's intense reaction, Agnes swallowed her words.
As she was about to leave, Marissa asked softly, "Have you met him yet?"
Agnes knew exactly who she meant—her husband, Leopold.
Marissa only knew she was married, not to whom.
Agnes hesitated, then answered honestly, "Yeah, but I want a divorce. I'm still young and don't wanna be stuck in a fake marriage."
Marissa looked a bit surprised but then nodded, "It's your call. No matter what, I got your back."
"Thanks, Aunt Marissa," Agnes said.
Leaving the Lopez Villa, she noticed a doghouse nearby, and her mood soured. That doghouse was the main reason she couldn't stand Grace.
Half a day had passed, and still no reply from Leopold.
Agnes spotted Grace at school. Her being there meant she was back in. Agnes knew it was time to head to Beacon City.
Grace's face had healed up pretty well with some quick treatment and a ton of foundation. You'd barely notice unless you were really looking.
Grace shot a smug look at Agnes. "Think you're all that with Ethan backing you? However, even Ethan listens to Mr. Neville."
Grace had overheard her dad telling her mom that she could go back to school 'cause Leopold had stepped in.
She was confused. Leopold had kicked her out, and now he was letting her back in? What was his deal?
Maybe Leopold found her too hot to resist and was trying to make up for kicking her out. The thought made Grace laugh out loud.
Agnes, hands stuffed in her jacket pockets, gave her a lazy glance. "You lost it or something? Get outta here! What's this got to do with Ethan?"
"Agnes, let me clue you in. I'm back at school thanks to Mr. Neville. You know, the guy who turned you down!" Grace said.
Agnes looked at her like she was an idiot. How could she not recognize her own husband?
Grace's nonsense was getting better by the day. "You know exactly why I'd confess to Leopold. And who told you he turned me down?" Agnes shot back.
Grace was floored by that. "Wait, you mean Mr. Neville didn't reject you?" Then she sneered, "Are you trying to say you're with Mr. Neville now? Look at you, you are just a tomboy. Mr. Neville couldn't possibly be interested in you."
Agnes couldn't be bothered. She had a flight to Beacon City and needed to pack up. Plus, she had to swing by the villa. If she wasted more time, she'd miss her flight.
As Agnes walked away, Grace yelled, "Agnes, you don't have Henry to back you up anymore! What makes you so cocky? Relying on Justin and Ethan? They'’re just nobodies! Just wait, I'll marry someone way better than you!"
Hearing her dad's name, Agnes looked up at the clear blue sky and took a deep breath. "No way. You've already lost."
In Lumina City, even in all of Havenia, who could compare to Leopold?
Her dad had given her the best guy, but she just couldn't see it.
"Agnes, what do you mean? Don't go, explain yourself." Grace stepped forward, trying to grab her.
Agnes spun around, clenched her fist, and waved it in front of her. "Follow me, and I'll kick your ass!"
Grace knew Agnes meant it and backed off, fuming. "I don't know what kind of freak would like you! No wonder you don't have a boyfriend; no wonder no one likes you!"
"Do I need a man to like me?" Agnes shot back.
As soon as Agnes boarded the plane, rumors that she liked women spread like wildfire, and everyone knew. Agnes's name was all over the business school forum.
In the Beacon City, Agnes tightened her down jacket and called Kevin to get Leopold's grandpa's address before leaving the airport.
Once she had the address, Agnes asked, "Why's Grandpa in the hospital? What's wrong with him?"
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