Chapter 19: Asking Her for a Favor

The smile on Grace's face froze instantly. She looked at Albert in disbelief, her voice full of grievance. "Albert, what's wrong with you?"

"Serenity gave me this bracelet willingly. She said she didn't need it anymore. Why can't I wear it?"

"I said, take it off!"

Albert's tone became heavier, carrying an unquestionable firmness. The anger in his eyes was about to burst out.

Grace was startled by him, and tears immediately gushed out.

"Why are you yelling at me? It's just a bracelet. If you don't like it, I just won't wear it!"

While crying, she carefully took off the jade bracelet and returned it to Albert.

Grace's hands clutched tightly at her dress, looking helpless and pitiful.

Maybe it was because he'd seen her cry too much lately, but Albert just felt annoyed.

He raised his hand to rub his forehead, trying to be patient as he explained: "Grace, you know this bracelet can only be worn by the female host of the Sanchez family. It's not appropriate for you to wear it!"

"If you really like it, I'll buy you a better one—ten times, even a hundred times more expensive than this one. But not this particular one."

On this matter, Albert's attitude was firm, with undeniable certainty.

For the past thirty years, he had seen this bracelet on his grandmother's and mother's wrists, and later it naturally went onto Serenity's wrist.

Even though Albert didn't like Serenity, he had no objection to who should own the jade bracelet.

He just never expected that Serenity would give the jade bracelet to Grace so easily!

Looking at the bracelet under the light—entirely jade green and glowing with a lustrous shine—Albert's heart felt inexplicably unsettled.

His grandmother and parents had died early. Albert still remembered when Serenity received this bracelet from his grandfather Jeremy, her eyes were full of anticipation and affection.

Back then, Albert didn't love Serenity. He stood leaning against the wall, looking completely indifferent.

But Serenity was so naive.

She solemnly promised Jeremy that she would live well with Albert, would put her heart into building their little family, and would pass this bracelet down properly!

In just three years, everything had changed.

If he hadn't seen this jade bracelet, Albert would have almost forgotten that Serenity back then was full of hope for their future, longing to receive his love.

But now, the jade bracelet that symbolized the identity of the Sanchez family's female host—Serenity had given it to Grace so easily, without a trace of attachment or hesitation.

It seemed that both Albert and this bracelet were being completely abandoned by Serenity!

The fear in his heart drove Albert to head upstairs, even ignoring Grace beside him who was still crying and waiting for his comfort.

At this moment, he didn't care about anything except talking to Serenity.

After Albert went upstairs, Grace's crying stopped abruptly.

She looked up through her tears, watching his retreating figure in disbelief, a flash of panic in her eyes.

How could this be?

Last night Albert clearly went to find her and stayed with her. She was supposed to have won, so why was he turning a blind eye to her tears?

Grace's original confidence had now turned into complete panic.

Arriving upstairs, seeing the bedroom door half-open, Albert hesitated for a moment, then raised his hand to knock gently.

When he pushed the door open and walked in, Serenity was sitting on the sofa reading a book.

Their eyes met, and she instinctively leaned back, clearly not wanting close contact with Albert.

The unconscious movement made Albert pause slightly, a wave of bitterness rising in his heart.

"What do you want now?"

Seeing him standing in front of her without saying a word, Serenity frowned, her tone carrying a hint of impatience.

Albert didn't answer her question. Instead, he quickly walked up to her and suddenly reached out to grab her wrist.

Serenity instinctively tried to break free, but he gripped even tighter.

He took out the jade bracelet and put it back on her wrist.

The cool sensation came through, and Serenity froze for a moment, frowning at him: "Albert, what exactly do you want?"

"Actually, I thought a lot at the company today." Albert's Adam's apple bobbed, his tone carrying a seriousness he'd never had before.

"It was indeed my fault before. I was too harsh on you and didn't fulfill a husband's responsibilities. But Serenity, trust me, I'll change."

"I'll learn to care about your feelings and draw clear boundaries with Grace. Maybe I did love her once, but that's all in the past. You're my wife. Let's live well together and stop this, okay?"

His emotions were sincere, and at this moment he seemed as devout as if he were proposing.

Serenity stared at him intently, then suddenly laughed coldly: "What kind of shock did you receive to be able to say such things?"

She didn't believe Albert would really change.

Besides, the hurt he'd caused her over all these years couldn't be easily made up for with just a few words!

Promises spoken from the mouth were the most worthless.

"I haven't received any shock. I genuinely want to live well with you!"

Albert's attitude remained firm, but his eyes guiltily glanced to the side.

Serenity instantly understood, her lips curling in a cold smile: "Just say it—what do you need from me?"

Albert was stunned, not expecting Serenity to guess.

But he'd have to say it sooner or later anyway, so he could only avoid her gaze, his tone evasive.

"To-tomorrow night, come with me back to the Sanchez Mansion for dinner with Grandpa. He hasn't seen you in a long time and misses you."

Just as she thought!

Serenity knew there was no such thing as a free lunch. Albert was the type of person who would do anything to achieve his goals.

She laughed coldly: "That's your real intention, isn't it? You want Jeremy to see our marriage is harmonious. You want him to feel at ease, so he won't question your relationship with Grace!"

Albert's words about wanting to live well with Serenity were true.

But making this heartfelt confession right before going to the Sanchez Mansion—it was impossible that Albert didn't have ulterior motives.

"No matter what you think, Grandpa genuinely cares about you."

Albert answered indirectly, too guilty to meet Serenity's eyes.

"Even if you don't trust me, you should go see Grandpa. He's getting old and really misses you."

Serenity fell silent.

She did miss Jeremy too.

The Sanchez family had few members, and Jeremy was the only one who truly cared about her.

Back when she married Albert, Jeremy had played a role in making it happen.

It was Jeremy who gave Serenity the identity of the Sanchez family's female host, so she wouldn't remain nameless and statusless all these years.

The Sanchez family and the Lawson family had known each other for years, and actually would have been more suitable for a marriage alliance than Serenity, an outsider.

But Jeremy extremely disliked Grace, always believing she was scheming and had bad intentions.

When Albert and Grace's affair caused a big scandal, the reason they didn't end up together was largely because Jeremy never agreed.

Jeremy knew Albert and Serenity's relationship wasn't good, so he always took extra care of Serenity.

Once Jeremy found out that Albert was neglecting Serenity because of Grace, he definitely wouldn't let it go!

Serenity's godfather and godmother had been harsh and cruel to her since childhood, and Albert only treated Serenity as a housekeeper and servant.

Thinking carefully about it, all the love from family that Serenity had experienced actually came from Jeremy!

Jeremy truly cared about her and loved her.

Well, even if she was going to divorce Albert and leave this house, she should say a proper goodbye to Jeremy.

With this thought, Serenity suddenly closed the book in her hands, her expression becoming serious—