Chapter 83
Grace's POV
Elizabeth's party wasn't something I was particularly interested in attending, but I couldn't let the outside world know about the discord within the Wilson family. When I entered the manor's garden, it buzzed with conversation. I recognized faces from business magazines and society pages—people who controlled billions in assets and shaped the city's economic landscape.
Charles saw me and walked over, his face bearing a gentle smile. "I didn't expect you and Alex to develop so smoothly."
I smiled back. "We're both well-suited for each other."
We moved through the crowd as Charles made introductions. Each handshake felt like a small victory—these people acknowledged me as a Wilson, rather than questioning my right to be here.
After the boring introductions ended, I began searching for the figure I wanted to see.
When I woke up this morning, he was already gone, leaving behind a note explaining he had company meetings and a hearty breakfast.
After I told him I would be attending Elizabeth's party, he promised he would come tonight.
Just then, I spotted Alex standing not far away.
He stood near the French doors leading to the garden terrace, looking devastatingly handsome in his black tuxedo. When our eyes met, he excused himself from his conversation and walked directly toward me.
"Darling." His voice was warm as he took my hand and pressed a gentle kiss to my knuckles. "You look absolutely beautiful."
The moment I touched him, I felt incredibly at peace.
---
We had been socializing for about half an hour when raised voices from the garden caught everyone's attention. Through the open doors, I could see a crowd gathering around what appeared to be some kind of confrontation.
"What's happening over there?" I asked.
Charles frowned. "Let's go see."
We pushed through the curious guests toward the commotion. As we got closer, I could make out angry voices—one of them distinctly female and sharp with malice.
Samantha and her father stood in the center of the circle, their faces flushed with anger. Across from her, Oliver was wiping what appeared to be red wine stains from Sophia's dress.
I knew something bad had happened. I needed to stop this situation from escalating.
"What exactly is happening here?" I stepped forward through the crowd. My voice carried clearly around us.
"Grace, this is a private family matter," Samantha said.
From Samantha's venomous words and the dark wine staining Sophia's dress, I pieced it together instantly.
"Not when it's happening at a Wilson family event," I replied coolly, positioning myself slightly in front of Oliver. "Perhaps you'd like to explain to our guests why you're staging a scene on our property?"
"A scene?" Samantha's voice pitched higher. "I was just—he was being disrespectful about family business—"
"The only disrespect I see," Alex's voice cut through her stammering like ice, "is a Davidson daughter causing a scene at someone else's home. Is this how your family conducts itself in public?"
The authority in his voice was unmistakable.
Samantha's father immediately made his daughter shut up. "Mr. Morgan, I didn't realize you were here. We're truly sorry to disturb you. But this is our family business, and we hope you won't interfere."
"Mr. Davidson," I turned to Samantha's father, my voice calm but carrying unquestionable authority, "I think you've misunderstood something. This is the Wilson family manor, and anything that happens here concerns us."
Samantha's father's face turned ugly, but under Alex's gaze, he clearly didn't dare to be tough anymore.
Alex stepped forward, standing beside me, his hand gently touching my lower back. "Grace is my woman. Any disrespect toward her or her family, I will not stand for."
This news hit the crowd like a small explosion. I heard several sharp intakes of breath, as not everyone knew about our relationship.
The color drained completely from Samantha's face. "No," she breathed, barely audible. "That's not... Alex, how could you choose her over—"
She caught herself, but the damage was done. Her feelings for Alex were now obvious to everyone present, and her humiliation was complete.
The crowd began murmuring among themselves, the story already taking shape in their minds: Samantha Davidson, jealous of Grace Wilson's engagement, caused a public scene.
"I think," Alex said quietly, his voice carrying easily in the sudden silence, "this conversation is over."
---
I turned to Sophia and Oliver, leading them through the crowd toward the manor's rooms, Alex close behind us. The guests parted to let us through, their excited whispers resuming as we passed.
"You didn't have to go against your family," I said as we stepped into the quiet hallway.
"For Sophia's sake, I would still choose to do that," Oliver said as if he had made up his mind.
Sophia pulled me quickly toward the room, and I could sense her shyness.
Once inside the room, Sophia immediately relaxed.
"It seems some people, though they appear to be strangers on the surface, still care about each other in their hearts," I teased.
"There are some misunderstandings between us," she said simply.
"Since it's a misunderstanding, it should be resolved, not avoided," I looked at Sophia.
She just nodded and said nothing more.
Twenty minutes later, we emerged from the room, with Sophia having changed into a new dress.
Oliver was still waiting in the hallway, and upon seeing Sophia, he fell into a daze. I knew he now only had eyes for Sophia.
I coughed to interrupt his distraction.
Oliver smiled awkwardly. "Grace, thank you for helping me out of that situation earlier."
"You once helped me," I said simply. "And Sophia is my sister."
I nudged Sophia's arm. Then I walked toward the banquet hall. This couple needed space.