Chapter 16 Emergency Aid

Yvonne saw that it was a call from Grace and immediately put her phone on silent.

After arriving at the company and clocking in, Yvonne shared the good news with Thomas and the others.

They were all very happy. With a project worth over two million dollars assigned to Yvonne, the performance of Team C would improve by the end of the month, and they wouldn't just receive the minimum salary.

Lily somehow got wind of the news and informed them that Susan would be back next Monday.

As they were chatting excitedly, Grace's voice echoed at the door. "Yvonne, come to my office."

Yvonne knew that Grace hadn't received Elijah's approval and would definitely take out her anger on her.

But she wasn't afraid!

Yvonne followed Grace and entered the most spacious and luxurious office on the same floor.

Grace extended her hand to close the door.

They hadn't seen each other for a few days. Grace looked haggard and had lost weight.

"Come on, say what you want to say. I have plans to have dinner with someone." Yvonne didn't beat around the bush.

Even though Grace had applied heavy makeup, her eyes were still red—clear signs that she had been crying. "Elijah and I have ended our relationship," Grace said.

"You and Elijah have terminated your partnership, not ended your relationship," Yvonne corrected her.

"Elijah doesn't even have a woman by his side! If it weren't for you seducing him, he wouldn't have abandoned me!" Grace broke down and pounded on the office desk. "Yvonne, you stole the man who should have been mine!"

Hearing this, Yvonne sneered and grabbed Grace by the collar, forcefully pressing her against the wall. "Grace, ever since Mary brought you into the Brooks family, how many things that should have belonged to me have you taken away?!"

"Is it my fault? It's because you're incapable!" Grace's eyes turned crimson, but her attempts to push Yvonne away failed twice.

Yvonne was much taller than Grace, and her imposing figure overwhelmed Grace completely.

"If Elijah terminated his collaboration with you because I slept with him, then blame no one but yourself for being incapable!" Yvonne lightly patted Grace's cheek, intentionally provoking her. "You know, ever since the first time, Elijah has been clinging onto me every night."

"I already knew that you two were sleeping together. I kept it to myself and didn't expose you! I never expected you to become even more shameless and ruin my wedding plans! Yvonne, I won't let you off easily!" Grace cried like a madwoman.

"Grace, besides crying, what else can you do? Go complain to George and Mary?" Yvonne disdainfully let her go and walked out.

Just before the end of the afternoon work, the finance department informed Yvonne that Ryan had transferred twenty percent of the renovation advance payment.

Yvonne immediately thanked Ryan on WhatsApp.

Ryan sent a voice message asking if she had finished work.

She replied, "Almost done." They agreed to meet at the entrance of Yvonne's residential area in an hour.

Back at her rental, Yvonne changed into a white shirt and black skirt she bought at GS Plaza. To highlight her innocent temperament, she tied her hair into a bun and lightly applied makeup.

Ryan couldn't stop praising Yvonne. "So professional, my parents will love you."

Yvonne smirked and asked if there was anything else she should pay attention to.

"Relax! My parents are open-minded. Just treat it like going to a restaurant you've never been to before," Ryan said.

The Winston family lived in a luxurious detached villa in the northern district, with a multitude of domestic helpers, exuding luxury from inside and out.

Mrs. Winston was delighted to see Yvonne, holding Yvonne's hand while talking, occasionally offering her fruits or snacks.

Yvonne had never experienced a parent's love before, so being valued by Mrs. Winston upon their first meeting warmed her heart.

The two of them chatted and laughed, getting along very well.

Finally, Ryan's anxious heart was put at ease.

A servant came and informed them that dinner was served. Mrs. Winston glanced toward the study on the first floor and said to Yvonne, "He's not done yet, let's go to the dining room and wait."

The dining room of the Winston family was spacious, with a casual chat counter. Mrs. Winston sat down, holding Yvonne's hand, and Ryan secretly enjoyed the scene from behind.

Yvonne saw the large marble table filled with delicious and fragrant dishes and felt a sudden warmth in her heart.

This was one of the few times she had been so valued by someone else.

The sound of footsteps approached, and Ryan called out, "Yvonne, my dad is here."

Out of politeness, Yvonne quickly stood up, only to see Elijah standing behind Frank.

She didn't know how to react. How could she encounter him here as well!

Elijah was wearing a black cashmere cardigan over a white T-shirt, paired with black trousers, giving off a fresh and approachable vibe, different from his usual coolness in suits.

Elijah's gaze briefly lingered on Yvonne before immediately shifting away.

While Yvonne was silently complaining, Frank greeted her with a smile, "Welcome to our home, Yvonne. As a distinguished guest, I should have come to greet you right away. Unfortunately, I got carried away chatting with Elijah. My apologies!"

Frank's name was widely known in the Winslow real estate industry, something that Yvonne hadn't expected.

"Uncle, you're too kind. Auntie and I hit it off right away, and we forgot about the time while chatting just now."

"Yvonne, don't hesitate to make yourself at home here." Frank remembered Elijah behind him and quickly introduced, "This is Elijah, a lawyer. His dad and I are best friends."

Yvonne had no choice but to force herself to say, "Mr. Harper."

"Elijah, this is Ryan's girlfriend, Yvonne, an interior designer." Frank smiled at Elijah and said, "This little scoundrel Ryan finally managed something decent."

A hint of sarcasm played at the corner of Elijah's lips. "Miss Brooks."

Yvonne detected a hint of disdain, but luckily, she was accustomed to Elijah's cold mockery.

Ryan, by the side, didn't mention anything about Elijah and Yvonne. He only chuckled silently.

Mrs. Winston invited everyone to take a seat.

The meal was sumptuous, and Mrs. Winston showed her motherly love, constantly introducing dishes to Yvonne, who smiled and thanked her every time.

Elijah found this scene rather glaring.

Frank was unusually cheerful. Intending to serve red wine on the dining table, he had someone bring a bottle of '82 Lafite. Elijah claimed he had an upset stomach, leaving only Frank to enjoy it on his own.

Occasionally, Yvonne and Elijah's gazes would meet; she neither tried to please nor avoid him.

After the meal, Mrs. Winston dragged Yvonne to the backyard, claiming it was for a walk but was actually a matchmaking attempt.

Yvonne dared not laugh and could only say, "I'll leave it all to Ryan."

When leaving the Winston family, Mrs. Winston gave Yvonne a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace and a box filled with a considerable amount of money.

Yvonne felt uneasy, and Ryan whispered in her ear, "This is what you deserve as payment."

Yvonne had no choice but to accept it reluctantly.

Elijah left with them. Ryan drove out of the community and dropped off Yvonne by the roadside, waving toward Elijah's car.

"Elijah, I have an appointment. Please help me get Yvonne on her way!"

Elijah glanced at Yvonne, who was still immersed in joy, and his voice turned cold. "Get in the car, Miss Brooks."

Yvonne didn't hesitate and went straight to the passenger seat of Elijah's car.

"Thank you both for the assistance!" Ryan smiled, extending his gratitude to the two.

Even on this uncrowded night, Elijah's driving speed remained neither hurried nor slow.

Yvonne's attention was entirely focused on the necklace Mrs. Winston had given her.

Grace had several pieces from this brand. With her limited financial means, she only had the envy. Now, she finally owned a piece that truly belonged to her, and her heart was filled with indescribable joy.

"Women's hearts are truly cheap; they can easily be manipulated with just a small favor," Elijah said coldly.

Yvonne snorted, "Given the vast difference in our economic status, it's only natural that we can't empathize with each other in many matters."

"For how long do you plan on acting?" Elijah's thin lips curved into a mocking smile. "Will there be an engagement, marriage, and children in the future?"

Hearing a trace of sourness in his words, Yvonne deliberately retorted, "It depends on Mr. Winston's demands! The Winston family is wealthy, his parents are somewhat satisfied with me, and the key point is that Ryan is their only son. If I ever decide not to work hard one day, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a child and find a long-term meal ticket."

Elijah fell silent, his expression visibly frozen.

Yvonne contemplated how much money was in the red envelope when the car suddenly stopped.

"Get out," Elijah's voice sounded, devoid of any sympathy.

Yvonne glanced and saw that her residence was still two streets away, but it was deep autumn, and many shops had already closed, with few people on the road.

Deciding to stand her ground in front of Elijah, Yvonne picked up her belongings without hesitation and got out of the passenger seat.

Rather than leaving immediately, Elijah turned off the engine and lit a cigarette.

Through the windshield, his gaze followed Yvonne's slender figure gradually disappearing into the swirling smoke.

Yvonne returned from the visit to the Winston family with great satisfaction, humming a tune while walking on the sidewalk.

Suddenly, a piercing screech of brakes sounded in front!

Two men got out of the car, laughing as they surrounded her.

"Beauty, let's have some fun together," the leader said with a sleazy grin, reaching out to grab Yvonne.

Yvonne threw her handbag at the sleazy man, but he grabbed her wrist and pressed her head against the cold wall, smiling with a lustful desire. "With a figure like this, even if we don't get a penny, we won't lose!"

At that moment, another skinny man with a malicious smile approached and touched Yvonne's chin, saying, "You're so damn beautiful! This face is not a result of plastic surgery. Today, the two of us are truly lucky."

Yvonne held her bag in front of her chest with both hands, her mind incredibly calm—especially in these critical moments, one must lower their stance in order to find an opportunity for survival!

Suppressing the nausea and fear within her, Yvonne forced a smile that couldn't have been any more fake. "I know what you want. With people constantly coming and going on this busy street, why don't we find a hotel nearby instead? Even a small inn will do. I'll pay for it."

"This woman is truly proactive; it'll definitely be more interesting later!" The sleazy man laughed heartily, suddenly pulling out a shiny dagger and pressing it against Yvonne's waist. "No need to look for a hotel. Get in the car with me. I'll take you to a nice place."

Yvonne's heart sank, but she still pretended to be calm and placed one hand on the sleazy man's shoulder, gently massaging it. "Put that thing away, I'm scared."

Yvonne's deliberate coquetry had a strong penetrating power. By the time the sleazy man put away the dagger, Yvonne had raised her right leg and fiercely struck him. The creepy man let out a pig-like scream and curled up on the ground.

Yvonne kicked off her high heels and sprinted toward a crowded area with all her might, as if she were running a hundred-meter race.

"Stop!" The slim man chased closely behind.

Yvonne stumbled and fell to the ground.

"You dare to play me, you bitch!" The slim man's cold laughter echoed behind her.

This was bad.

She closed her eyes in pain, and her body began to tremble.

Instead of the anticipated misfortune, the piercing screams of the slim man reached her ears.

"Get lost!" It was Elijah's voice.