Chapter 418 Seduction of Hunter
Ever since she started suspecting Grace, Patricia was watching her every move discreetly, especially around Hunter.
After a period of observation, Patricia's confusion only grew.
They clearly knew each other.
Yet there was no interaction between them.
Even their accidental meetings were brief, consisting only of a nod of the head before each hurriedly moved on.
Since moving in, Grace had spoken to Hunter no more than a handful of times, with every interaction being nothing more than a simple greeting.
Because of her suspicions, Patricia sent Charles a video, asking him to check if Grace and Hunter had been in contact privately by looking into their call history.
However, when the long-separated mother and son finally connected, tears overwhelmed the conversation before they could discuss anything substantial.
Even the usually stoic Charles was crying so hard he couldn't finish a sentence.
"Mommy, I miss you so much. Why haven't you come back yet? My little brother and sister miss you, too."
Watching Charles in the video, waves of longing washed over Patricia.
"Mommy misses you too, honey. But I still have some things to take care of. Once I'm done, I'll come back to you, and we'll never be apart again."
Tears welled up in Charles's eyes as he asked, "How much longer?"
Patricia wiped away her tears, longing to catch a glimpse of Charles.
"I'm not sure, but I'll be back as soon as I can. Just be a little more patient!"
Charles nodded and offered, "Do you want to see how my siblings are doing? I can pass them the phone?"
Patricia shook her head rapidly, "No, don't."
She feared that seeing them would only intensify her yearning, tempting her to abandon the task at hand and rush back to their side.
But she had just uncovered a lead in her investigation; she couldn't give up now.
So, the best choice was to avoid seeing them.
Out of sight, out of mind.
It was a form of self-deception.
Charles saw through her, nodding with understanding, "If that's what you want, I'll respect it. They've just started getting used to not having you and Dad around. Seeing you might stir up those initial feelings of missing you all over again."
He spoke from experience.
Absence becomes familiar over time.
Hearing his words, a sour ache filled Patricia's chest, like a sponge full of tartness that threatened to overflow at the slightest squeeze.
"Mom, what exactly are you and Dad busy with in Country Y? Do you need my help? Not long ago, I saw a video of a strange woman trying to drown you in a pool. Why would she do that?"
"It was an accident, we're doing fine here. Don't worry, focus on your studies," Patricia reassured him.
She didn't want to drag Charles into the web of adult conflicts and resentment.
She couldn't bear the pain of losing him again.
Seeing her reluctance to elaborate, Charles didn't push further. Instead, he said, "Well, if you run into any trouble, you have to tell me. You know I can handle it."
Patricia laughed, wiping away her tears, "Pfft, of course, I know my boy Charles is capable. Otherwise, I wouldn't have called you!"
Charles's eyes lit up, eager to help, "What do you need me to do, Mom?"
They shared their plans with each other.
Patricia happily agreed.
After chatting for a while longer, mother and son ended their video call, reluctant to say goodbye.
Some time later, Charles sent a message.
"I checked everything, no calls, no texts, not even on WhatsApp, Venmo, or any other communication app. There's no trace of them interacting."
Upon reading this, disappointment washed over Patricia.
Deep down, she had expected as much.
Why would someone as cautious as Hunter use his own cell to contact Grace?
If they did communicate, they'd surely use burner phones.
Just as it seemed the trail went cold again.
That's when she caught wind of some news.
Jeremy had cut ties with Hunter, signing with the Langley Group instead.
Their reason was that the Langley Group, a titan in the tech industry, could provide faster benefits for the company.
After a long collaboration with the Sackler Group that bore no fruit, they grew impatient. Partnering with the Langley Group seemed like the more prudent choice.
The Sackler Group's primary business was an upscale line of women's cosmetics and skincare. Their tentative internet enterprise with the Koch Group was more of a side business, also meant to needle Martin.
At first, he hadn't taken it seriously.
But now, with the Koch Group unilaterally pulling the plug and pivoting to the Langley Group, it was a direct blow to his pride.
Quite predictably, he laid the blame entirely on Grace's shoulders.
Evening.
Hunter burst into Grace's room.
Fresh from a shower, she was in her pajamas.
Although it was winter, the heating was cranked up, allowing her to wear a red silk short-sleeved nightgown.
Stepping out of the bathroom, she found Hunter sitting on her bed with a dark expression, fiddling with a photo from the bedside table.
It was a family portrait taken with the Koch family after her return, organized by Shane.
In it, she wore a smile pure and exuberant.
Hunter's rough fingers brushed over the photo again and again, without even glancing at Grace.
“Grace walked over, discreetly tapped her cellphone on the nightstand twice, and then, placing it back down, she smiled, "What brings you here? It's eleven o'clock; you shouldn't be in my room at this hour."
Caught off-guard, Hunter suddenly gripped her by the neck, pinned her down on the bed, and loomed over her.
"Did you forget my warning? You dared to plot behind my back?"
He wasn't pressing hard, just enough to hold Grace in place.
Grace clutched his arm, giving a small cough, “Look, this thing isn’t on me. Jeremy insisted on teaming up with Martin. I tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn’t listen.”
Hunter smirked derisively, “Do I look stupid to you?”
Feigning panic, Grace protested, “I swear, it’s the truth! I was the one who pushed for this partnership, why would I sabotage it? Plus, you have something on me, how could I risk crossing you?”
Hunter remained silent, fixing his gaze on her eyes.
Grace quickly continued, sensing that she was winning him over. "Trust me, I wouldn't dare offend you! I would be a fool to jeopardize everything I own, which is all thanks to you. I need you!”
It seemed Hunter believed her as he slowly released his grip.
Seizing the moment, Grace scrambled up, sitting beside him, her supple hand creeping over his chest and slipping inside his shirt collar.
The move was suggestive, to say the least.
"Why not we just..." she murmured.
Before she could finish, Hunter caught on to her ploy, promptly pushing her away and leaping to his feet.
"Despicable..."
Undeterred, Grace clung to him from behind, her hands once again sneaking into his shirt, moving toward his waistband...
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
