Chapter 58
Upon hearing Grace mention that Damian was just outside, John's smile widened instantly.
He quickly hung up the phone and walked eagerly towards the door. "Oh, Damian's already here? We gotta invite him in! Grace, we need to be polite!"
Grace stood still, her eyes downcast, and her voice barely a whisper. "No need. I'll just grab my things and leave. He's waiting for me in the car."
She knew exactly what John and Adele were thinking. She didn't want Damian to step into this house, didn't want him to be tainted by the suffocating scheming and social climbing that permeated here.
"That won't do!"
A sharp voice came from upstairs.
Adele hurried down the stairs, dressed in an elegant champagne-colored dress, her makeup meticulously done. She had clearly put effort into her appearance.
She quickly approached Grace, a reproachful smile on her face. "Damian is an honored guest. How can we let him wait outside? Go, invite Damian in and tell him that John and I have prepared dinner. He must join us."
"Mom," Grace lifted her head and met her mother's gaze, "We have other plans. We won't stay for dinner. I just need to grab my ID."
She tried to remind her mother of the sole reason she had come back.
Adele's smile froze for a moment but quickly returned to normal.
She grabbed Grace's hand with an unyielding grip, pulling her aside and lowering her voice to a level only they could hear. "Why are you being so stubborn?"
"Do you know how much effort John put into getting your documents back from your worthless biological father? Now that Damian is here, it's a perfect opportunity! Can't you think about the family, think about your mother?"
"Thinking about you means inviting him in, letting you scrutinize him like a commodity, and calculating what benefits you can extract from him?" Grace pulled her hand back, her voice turning cold.
"You—" Adele's face turned pale, her chest heaving with anger. She hadn't expected the usually reserved Grace to speak so sharply today.
She took a deep breath, her gaze turning icy. "Grace, don't forget, I've worked hard to establish myself in this family. Are you determined to cause trouble for me? If that's the case, you can forget about getting your documents."
The final threat struck Grace's weak spot like a needle.
Grace's body trembled slightly. She looked at Adele's familiar yet strange face, a face filled with shrewdness and impatience, devoid of any tenderness for her.
Her eyes reddened instantly, tears quickly gathering and blurring her vision.
She bit her lower lip hard, tasting a hint of blood, forcing back the tears that threatened to spill.
"Fine," she squeezed out the word through gritted teeth, "I'll go get him."
Without another glance at Adele, she turned and walked towards the door.
Outside the villa, the black car was quietly parked by the roadside.
Damian leaned against the driver's seat, his fingers lightly tapping the steering wheel.
Seeing Grace come out, his expression softened, but his brows furrowed as soon as he saw her face.
"What's wrong?" He unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned over. "Who upset you?"
Her eyes were red, and though she was holding back, her tearful appearance was more heartbreaking than if she had cried outright.
Grace shook her head, forcing a smile that looked worse than crying. "It's nothing, just the wind making my eyes water."
She opened the car door but didn't get in, standing outside with her head down. "My mom and stepdad want you to come in and sit. They want to invite you to dinner..."
Damian was sharp. With just one sentence, he guessed most of the situation. He looked at her red eyes and tightly clenched hands, feeling a surge of anger.
But he didn't show it.
He simply unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car. His tall figure exuded an invisible pressure.
"Let's go." He walked to her side and naturally took her hand.
Her hand was cold and slightly trembling. He wrapped her hand in his palm, steady and warm.
"Damian, you don't have to…"
"It's fine, it's just dinner. Don't worry." He interrupted her, his tone calm.
Grace said no more, letting him lead her back into the oppressive villa.
When Damian entered the living room holding Grace's hand, John and Adele's smiles were almost overflowing.
"Mr. Wolfe! Please come in, please come in!" John greeted warmly, his posture extremely humble. "It's an honor to have you here, Mr. Wolfe. You brighten our home."
Adele followed behind John, her eyes constantly darting to their tightly clasped hands.
Damian responded with a simple "Hmm," not even bothering to glance at them.
His gaze swept around the living room.
Just standing there, his indifferent gaze sweeping over everything, carried a strong sense of pressure, making others hesitant to speak.
The room suddenly fell silent.
Adele, sensing the awkward atmosphere, quickly smiled to break the ice. "Grace, come with me to the kitchen to check on dinner preparations."
"John, keep Mr. Wolfe company, don't neglect our honored guest."
Her actions were smooth and purposeful, with no attempt to hide her intentions.
She wanted John and Damian to have time alone.
Grace stood stiffly, unwilling to move.
Damian squeezed her hand, giving her a reassuring look, then let go.
Grace reluctantly followed Adele to a corner of the dining room.
"Mom, what exactly are you trying to do?" She asked, her tone accusatory.
"What can I do? It's all for you!" Adele's face showed frustration. "How far have you and Damian progressed? When did it start? Such a big matter, why didn't you say a word to the family?"
"It's my own business."
"What do you mean your own business?" Adele raised her voice, then quickly lowered it, speaking urgently.
"Grace, wake up! Do you know what kind of family the Wolfes are? They're beyond our reach!"
"Now that you're involved with Damian, it's a huge opportunity! You must hold onto him tightly, understand?"
"If you can marry into the Wolfe family, you'll have everything you want! John, Ethan, and I will also…"
"So, ultimately, it's all for yourselves." Grace interrupted coldly, the last trace of warmth in her eyes disappearing. "Mom, where are my documents?"