Grace had already noticed the stormy look on Xavier's face. But after all, it had been his decision to enter, and she certainly didn't force him. Aware that Xavier preferred to avoid trouble, Grace suggested, "Maybe you could hide for a while?"
The suggestion only darkened Xavier's expression. "You want me to hide behind here?" he retorted. What did she see him as, a lover to be concealed? They had barely exchanged a few words; why should he have to hide?
"Then just walk out confidently. It's not like I have anything to lose. Who knows, it might even give me a reason to call off the wedding," she taunted.
"Grace, who are you talking to?" called a voice from the outside, heavy with intent to enter.
Reluctantly, Xavier concealed himself behind the drapes. Meanwhile, Grace walked over to the door, but she had no intention of letting the person outside come in.
The visitor was Grace's longtime friend, Kelly Simmons, also the current flame of Ryan. Kelly was undeniably beautiful, with a delicate and pitiful charm that easily summoned sympathy. Her eyes were still red and watery, and she had purposely worn a strappy dress that made it impossible not to notice the marks Ryan had left on her body.
"Grace, you look so beautiful today," Kelly said with an envious gaze at Grace's wedding dress.
Grace, unimpressed, shot back, “What are you trying to do?”
"Grace, you know my family is poor. I was abandoned by my mother when I was little, and my dad is nothing but a gambler. Ryan is all I’ve got, please don’t marry him. Can’t you just give him back to me? I really love him," Kelly pleaded.
Grace looked at her coldly. "This is the first time I've seen a mistress who’s so shameless."
"Grace, you've had everything since you were born; you can't understand how I feel. Why do you have to force me, why do you have to steal Ryan away from me?" Then, Kelly began to bow repeatedly, her desperation palpable. "Please, I'm begging you..."
But before she could continue, someone pulled Kelly up.
"Kelly, what are you doing!" Ryan burst into the scene, his heart aching at the sight of Kelly begging.
"Grace, our personal issues shouldn't affect others. Kelly's health is fragile, and yet you still continue to pressure her. How can you be so heartless?" Ryan blinded by his emotions, directed a barrage of accusations at Grace.
"Ryan, let's be clear, it was Kelly who approached to me; she made her choice. I simply made a remark!" Grace clarified .
As tensions rose, Kelly quickly tugged at Ryan's arm. "Ryan, don't blame Grace. It's my fault. I love you, too much. I can't bear the idea of you marrying someone else."
Grace was thoroughly disgusted by Kelly. Before she could close the door, she overheard Ryan's words.
"Grace, even if I were to marry you, I would never like you, let alone sleep with someone as hideous as you. Just give up!" The very sight of Grace's face was enough to make him lose his appetite.
Grace was nearly amused to laughter. "You both are such great actors. Get your facts straight; the Montgomery family is the one keeping you two apart, not me."
"Disgusting!" With those words, Grace slammed the dressing room door shut.
Hidden away, Xavier also emerged. He had heard their entire conversation.
Despite what was said, Grace seemed largely unaffected. "You saw that, right? That's the kind of man your nephew is. Even if I slept with a hundred men, I wouldn't feel any guilt."
Xavier was left speechless.