Chapter 420 Grace's Strategy with Hunter
Seeing his resolve slowly crumble, Grace pressed on, "Jeremy, I'll give you one last chance. If you don't tell me now, I'm done with you."
"No, no, no!" Unable to bear the thought of her ignoring him, Jeremy blurted out, "It's really nothing big; I just accidentally mentioned to Patricia that you were acquainted with Hunter."
"What?"
Grace gasped, her eyes widening, "What did you just say? Say it again."
Feeling guilty, Jeremy hung his head, nervously fiddling with his watch strap, and murmured, "I told Patricia that you facilitated the collaboration between the Miller Group and the Sackler Group. I also mentioned that Hunter is indebted to you and that you've known each other for a long time."
Grace was nearly in tears over his blunder, "So, what else did you say?"
"Not much else. Patricia just asked you about Hunter, and that was pretty much of it?"
Grace, concerned she might miss a crucial detail, pressed further, "Really? That's all?"
Jeremy nodded.
"Yes, that's really it! Although she did wonder why you pretended not to know Hunter when it's obvious that you do. But I covered for you. I said you were just being cautious to avoid any conflict of interest. Don't worry, she won’t take it the wrong way or make a fuss about it.”
A vein throbbed at Grace's temple, signaling her mounting anger.
She was nearly livid with Jeremy.
Patricia's questions confirmed her suspicions.
No matter how much he explained, it was like trying to hide a mountain behind a molehill.
Truly an idiotic blunder.
She had to step up her plan.
Seeing the displeased look on Grace’s face, Jeremy cautiously asked, “Grace, are you upset? Don’t worry, Patricia promised me she wouldn't breathe a word of this to anyone.”
Grace suppressed the urge to roll her eyes.
She was keeping things from Patricia and Martin specifically.
She didn't care if others knew.
She just feared Patricia and Martin getting suspicious about her and Hunter’s relationship.
Digging a bit deeper might even unearth her own secrets.
Though furious, Grace did not lash out. She took a deep breath, managing a strained smile, “I'm not angry, and it's not a big deal anyway.”
After a pause, as if remembering something, she carefully warned, “But, make sure you don’t mention our talk today to her!”
Puzzled, Jeremy asked, "Why?"
Why indeed?
Obviously, because it could ruin her plans.
But Grace didn’t disclose her true concern, simply stating, “To avoid any unnecessary trouble and misunderstandings.”
Jeremy didn't quite understand but obediently nodded.
Upon leaving Jeremy’s room, Grace immediately dropped her smile, and her expression turned cold.
Clearly, she needed to tweak her plans a bit.
She had to dispel Patricia’s suspicions about her.
...
The results of the preliminary round of the jewelry design contest came out quickly.
Unsurprisingly, Patricia made it to the finals.
Grace squeezed through the door-frame by a hair’s breadth, making it through with a mix of worry and relief.
Jeremy lacked the talent for designing and, unsurprisingly, was eliminated early in the preliminary competition. But he didn't let it get him down; he ditched jewelry design and shifted his full focus to his internet startup.
To celebrate Patricia and Grace making it to the finals, Shane invited the distant relatives of the Kochs over for a lively celebration at home.
The whole family gathered around a large dining table, created by pushing two rectangular tables together.
Laughter and chatter filled the room.
The atmosphere was warm and congenial.
The night was buzzing with excitement.
Everyone had a bit too much to drink.
It was clear to all that Shane and Riley had taken a shine to Patricia; guests flocked to her, offering toasts in her honor.
Patricia was beaming inside, accepting and drinking to every toast offered her way.
Seeing her cheeks flushed from the alcohol, Hunter snatched the wine glass from her hands, a stern look on his face, “Enough. You've had more than your share for the night, and that's enough. Too much drinking isn't good for you.”
With a glance that mingled annoyance with playful defiance, Patricia reached out to reclaim her glass.
Hunter, not yielding, effortlessly dodged her grasp.
Patricia stomped her foot in exasperation, “Give me that glass back, now!”
Her pouty face and flushed cheeks were the perfect combination of flirty irritation.
Hunter's heart skipped a beat, his breathing momentarily thrown into disarray.
Holding her glass aloft in one hand and wrapping his other arm around Patricia's waist, he coaxed her gently, “Sweetheart, you truly have had enough. Let's not have any more. If you must toast, I’ll do it for you.”
Feeling a chill as if venomous snakes were crawling up her back, Patricia immediately shrugged off his hand.
Insatiable and unheeding, Hunter reached for her again, pressing his body close to hers, whispering provocatively, “If you push me away again, I can't guarantee what I might do.”
“You...” Patricia fumed, her face glowing red.
She glared at him, grinding her teeth in silent rage.
Hunter's lips curled into a smile, his expression as serene as if discussing the evening's dinner menu.
“You know me—I follow through on my words. Best not to make me angry!”
Overwhelmed with anger, yet no longer daring to push him away, Patricia submitted to his embrace.
The moment Hunter's hand coiled around Patricia's waist, Martin’s eyes narrowed; fixated on Hunter's hand, a hint of animosity crept into his furrowed brow.
Grace had indulged a bit too much that evening, her cheeks flushed a rosy hue. She was about to lean on Martin's shoulder for a brief rest when she caught the chilling shift in his gaze.
Martin had popped the question, sure.
But the one who truly held his heart was Patricia. Damn it.
Suppressing a surge of jealousy, Grace's voice took on a coquettish tone, "Martin, I'm feeling a little dizzy. Could you help me upstairs to lie down?"
Martin instinctively wanted to refuse.
But after a moment's hesitation, he nodded in agreement.
Grace immediately wrapped her arm around his, pressing her body close.
Irritation brewed inside Martin, but he refrained from pushing her away, considering his standing. He supported her up to the first floor and settled her onto the bed.
Grace, lying on her side with eyes half-closed, stated breathlessly, "We have guests over. I'll just rest a bit, sober up, then head back down."
Placing her phone on the nightstand, Martin assured her, "Alright! You get some rest. Call if you need anything."
Once Martin left and the door closed behind him, Grace's half-shut eyes snapped open, the supposed drunkenness gone, her mind sharper than ever.
The plan was in motion.
Just waiting for the bait to be taken.
While Grace rested upstairs, the party continued below.
About thirty minutes later, faint footsteps approached, followed by the door easing open as Hunter stepped in and shut it behind him.
"Don't forget to lock it," Grace reminded.
Hunter's brows knitted tightly together. After a brief hesitation, he locked the door from the inside and approached the bed, annoyance in his tone, "You better have a good reason for calling me here—otherwise, I won't be so nice."
Grace sat up, a playful laugh escaping her, "Don't worry, the cameras are off. Nobody knows you're here."
Hunters' eyes fixed on her with a mix of irritation and distaste.
"What do you want from me?"
The smile stayed on Grace's lips, but it didn't quite reach her eyes...
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