Chapter 482 482

Chapter 482 482
Grace's words only made Kiera's anger burn hotter. Everything she'd been holding in seemed to find an escape all at once. Of course Elena set her up on purpose. She wanted her to look like a fool in front of everyone. Malicious was too kind a word for it. How could someone like Elena possibly deserve to be Melody Mastro? Kiera's reputation was in ruins and it was all Elena's fault.
“Grace, I hate her. I really do! What am I supposed to do?" Kiera's voice trembled as she sobbed, desperate and frustrated. She hated Elena with everything she had, but there was nothing she could do to get back at her. That helplessness only made it worse.
Grace's eyes turned hard. She took out a tissue and gently wiped Kiera's tears away. "Don't worry, Kiera. I'll find a way to get Elena out of your life. For now, just hang in there. Please."
Kiera had hit rock bottom today. She'd thought winning the piano championship would be enough to put Elena in her place, to make sure Elena could never stand tall around her again. But nothing had gone as planned. Elena turned out to be the legendary Melody Mastro, her own grandmaster. Even the music Kiera played during the competition had been tweaked by Elena herself.
She cried for what felt like forever in her hotel room, until her eyes were puffy and raw. Then, suddenly, someone knocked on the door. She quickly wiped her face, guessing it was Rosie and Julian. Grace hurried over and opened the door.
It was Blake.
Grace's heart skipped. "Mr... Blake."
There was something about Blake that always put her on edge, a kind of pressure she never felt with Rosie or Julian. Maybe it was because those two trusted her and let her get away with more. But Blake was different. He was the Holmes family's successor, cold and impossible to read. Just being around him made Grace straighten up and stay cautious.
Blake's gaze narrowed. He'd seen enough of Grace's meddling at the event today, getting involved in things that weren't her business. It had pushed him past his limit.
"How long have you worked for the Holmes family?" Blake's voice was icy.
Grace's nerves spiked. "I... I've been with the Holmes family for eighteen years, sir."
He nodded, barely. “Ever think about retiring?"
Grace turned pale. "Sir, if I've done something wrong, please tell me. I can change. Please don't let me go."
Kiera heard this and rushed over. Grace was the only one in the family who still cared about her. If Blake fired her, Kiera had no idea how she'd get through each day.
“Blake, Grace is my nanny. Why are you letting her go?"
Blake took in Kiera swollen, tear-streaked face. He didn't seem surprised. He'd expected her to come back in tears.
"I just think she's getting older. Sometimes she says things she shouldn't and makes you look bad."
His words stunned both Kiera and Grace.
“Blake, I'm sorry. I'll be more careful. I'm still healthy enough to take care of Kiera. Please let me stay."
"Blake, Grace hasn't done anything wrong. She's never made me look bad. I won't let you fire her." Kiera stared at him, her eyes stubborn and fierce. Usually, she would never talk back to Blake like this. But she couldn't have Grace leave. Not like this.
Blake's gaze was unreadable as he looked at Grace. “Step outside. I need to talk to Kiera alone."
Grace glanced at Kiera, worry written all over her face. Kiera stood her ground, even more determined. "I'm not going to let you fire Grace. No matter what."
Grace looked like she wanted to say something else, but one look from Blake made her fall silent.