Chapter 222 Do You Really Have to Have That Meal?
Henry's eyes had that look again, and it was bumming Anouk out big time.
She'd been chilling at the villa with Henry for what felt like forever, and not once did he hint at wanting to tie the knot again. He didn't even bother to hit up Vesper City to see the kids.
But then Grace waltzed back into the picture, and everything went sideways!
Henry started zoning out, all jittery and unsure. It was all 'cause of Grace. Women have that sixth sense, and Anouk could totally see Grace's feelings for Henry. She could read it in her eyes—Grace was still head over heels.
'Why the hell is she back? They're divorced! Why's she gotta mess with Henry's head?' Anouk fumed inside.
She couldn't stand Grace.
But she had to play nice and say, "Yeah, Ms. Windsor's coming too."
Not wanting to see Henry's reaction, she quickly shut the door.
Henry kept staring out the big window. The lights were bright, and his reflection showed a guy in a wheelchair.
He chuckled bitterly, "Henry, what are you even hoping for?"
Next day, Henry and Anouk headed to Montague Group Hospital.
On the second floor, from a distance, he spotted Grace and Lucas chatting at the end of the hallway. Henry rolled himself closer, the noise catching their attention.
Grace turned, her eyes landing on Henry and then on Anouk behind him.
After a few seconds, she turned back to Lucas and said, "Lucas, dinner at seven tonight, okay?"
Lucas looked a bit taken aback but quickly got it and smiled. "Sure thing!"
Henry's face, though, was a different story—totally grim.
During the check-up, he didn't say a word to Grace, even though he missed her like crazy.
The results were the same old, same old.
After prescribing the meds, Lucas had a private chat with Henry. Grace had dropped $300 million to set up an international lab just to research Henry's illness. Lucas tried to get Henry on board without spilling that it was Grace's cash.
They talked for a good while.
Then a nurse knocked, sounding urgent. "Dr. Fitzwilliam, the patient in room 428 has a high fever that won't go down. You gotta check it out!"
Lucas jumped up and apologized to Henry, "Gotta run! We'll pick this up later."
Henry nodded.
After Lucas left, he sat there alone for a bit.
When he rolled out, Anouk was MIA. Grace was outside, sipping coffee. And not just any cup—it looked like one Lucas often used.
Grace didn't notice that Henry had come out.
Henry cleared his throat, giving her a look. "Aren't you with Owen? Why're you having dinner with Lucas? Aren't you worried Owen'll flip?"
Grace took a sip of her coffee and flipped through a newspaper.
The sunlight made her look all peaceful and gorgeous. She didn't seem like she was there for Henry; more like she was there for Lucas.
Grace replied coolly, "Owen's pretty chill."
Then, like she remembered something, she looked up and frowned, "My private life is none of your business!"
Henry was pissed. He didn't say anything else, but as he left, he made a racket with his wheelchair, letting off steam. Grace watched him go, smiling at first, but it quickly faded.
Grace's eyes were sad; she felt bad for Henry.
After a while, Lucas came back, and Grace hadn't had time to hide her sadness. Her eyes were still a bit teary.
Lucas glanced outside and then turned to Grace, standing by the doorway. Instead of entering, he gently inquired, "Still going at it after all this time?"
Lucas chuckled after he said it.
He had a thing for Grace once too, but when did he let it go? Maybe it was when he found out he was Henry's uncle or when Henry was laid out on that operating table. He knew Henry and Grace were bound for life.
But Lucas still treated Grace well.
Seeing her hurting, he pulled out a chair across from her and asked seriously, "Need to talk?"
Grace shook her head, giving a faint smile. "I'm not a kid anymore. I can handle my feelings. Lucas, I'm not bitter, really. Just being in the same city as him feels good."
Lucas smiled back.
They chatted about the lab for a bit before Grace left. As she got into her car, Henry called. He said he had Taylor and Avery at his place for the day.
Henry's voice was a bit rough. "Pick them up before nine tonight."
Grace saw right through Henry's little game.
She leaned back in her seat, her voice soft, "How about ten? You know, sometimes two hours isn't enough for dinner."
Henry shot back, "Are you sure you want to go for dinner?"
He was probably pissed and hung up right after.
Grace wasn't mad. She put down her phone, her fingers gently stroking the phone, her actions tender. Just like she told Lucas, living in the same city, being able to call anytime and knowing his whereabouts was enough.
Grace didn't actually have dinner plans with Lucas.
She went home, changed clothes, and headed to Serene Petal Dining's office building in Evergreen City. The building had 12 floors, all for Serene Petal Dining.
She had dinner at the office.
It wasn't until nine that Grace handed the last account to her secretary, Jessica Torres, saying, "Distribute these once they're processed. Is that all?"
Jessica smiled. "Yes, Ms. Windsor! That's all for now."
Seeing Grace about to leave and noticing her outfit, Jessica couldn't help but ask with a grin, "Ms. Windsor, got a hot date?"
Grace was momentarily stunned, then smiled faintly. "Yeah, you could say that."
Jessica, holding the files, was clearly happy for her. "Ms. Windsor, you look stunning today! Have a great date!"
Grace watched Jessica leave, grabbed her car keys and coat, and turned off the lights before heading out.
She took the elevator down.
Grace didn't expect someone to be waiting for her in the parking lot. The person's eyes followed her as she walked through the revolving door, checking out her stylish, even sexy outfit. It was Dylan.
Since the whole mess blew up, Grace hadn't answered any of Dylan's calls and eventually blocked him. They weren't friends anymore.
As Grace walked down the steps, she spotted Dylan.
He was still in his sharp three-piece suit, still holding an expensive cigar, and his hair was still perfectly slicked back.
While Grace was in a daze, Dylan had already approached her. He looked at her delicate face and spoke softly, "How've you been?"
Grace's gaze fell on his face.
After a moment, she said softly, "It's been years, Dylan, and you haven't changed a bit. But the Windsor family has been through hell! Isn't it enough for you? What are you planning this time? To drag us through the mud again?"
Grace's words dripped with sarcasm.