Chapter 45: Three Slaps Across the Face

She belatedly realized that saying this in public was indeed ambiguous.

Not only did it expose someone else's "privacy," but it might also hurt Dylan's pride as a man.

"Um, Dylan, that's not what I meant. I just wanted to shut him up..." Grace cleared her throat, trying to explain herself.

"Buzz buzz—"

Just then, Dylan's personal phone in his pocket suddenly rang.

He looked at Grace deeply, a meaningful look that made her scalp tingle.

"I need to take this call first." Dylan suppressed his helplessness, took out his phone, and walked toward the balcony at the end of the hallway. Some scores could be settled slowly with her after dealing with this trash.

As soon as Dylan left, Alfred seemed to come back to life.

He quickly processed Grace's earlier comment about "not interested in women."

If Dylan really didn't like women, that meant things between Grace and him were innocent! This realization sparked a twisted sense of glee in Alfred's heart, and he didn't even feel the pain on his face anymore.

He suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Grace's wrist, his eyes red as he began his dramatic performance: "Grace, I knew you weren't that kind of person. You still have feelings for me, right? You're just angry with me for neglecting you before. Come home with me, I really can't live without you..."

Grace was absolutely disgusted by this twisted logic.

"Let go!" She struggled free and delivered two more merciless slaps with her other hand.

Left and right, making both of Alfred's cheeks symmetrically red, his eardrums ringing.

"Alfred, if you have delusions, go get treatment!" Grace disgustedly pulled out a wet wipe to clean her hands, as if she'd touched something dirty. "I'll say this one last time—we're divorced! You're less than a stranger to me, so stop putting on this show!"

Alfred's head snapped to the side from the slaps, even drawing a trace of blood from the corner of his mouth.

But like a shameless masochist, instead of getting angry, Grace's determination brought out the madness in his bones.

"I don't believe it! You loved me so much before, how could you just let go!" Alfred screamed hysterically, then suddenly lunged forward, wrapping his arms around Grace in a death grip.

His strength was surprisingly powerful, like a drowning man clutching the last piece of driftwood, refusing to let go: "I won't let go! I'll never let go even if I die! Grace, you can hit me, scold me, anything, just don't leave me! Please..."

"Alfred, you lunatic! Get off me!" Grace couldn't breathe from his grip and struggled desperately, her high heels stomping hard on his feet.

Meanwhile, Brenda stood not far away, watching this scene, feeling like she'd fallen into an ice cave.

She watched the man who was once high and mighty, who had been obedient to her every wish—the president of the Gu Corporation—now willing to throw away all his dignity as a man for Grace, begging as humbly as a dog.

Brenda's nails dug deep into her palms, drawing blood.

She stared at Grace's cold, beautiful face, jealous venom churning through her organs, her eyes filled with chilling resentment and hatred.

Alfred's arms were like iron hoops, tightly restraining Grace's waist.

He buried his face in her neck, greedily breathing in the familiar cool fragrance on her body, like a dying person grasping at the last bit of oxygen.

"Let go of me!" Grace's stomach churned, struggling desperately, her high heel grinding hard into his foot.

Alfred groaned in pain but held on even tighter.

His eyes were full of obsessive madness, his voice hoarse, "I won't let go! Grace, even if you beat me to death, I'll never let go again!"

Just as Grace reached her limit and was about to knee him in the groin, a cold, sharp male voice suddenly rang out in the hallway.

"Mr. White, forcing yourself on a lady in public—your upbringing apparently doesn't include being a gentleman."

Before the words finished, Dylan, who had just returned from his call, was already striding over.

He gripped Alfred's shoulder with one hand, his knuckles white with force.

It didn't seem like much effort, but Alfred felt a pain in his shoulder blade as if it was about to shatter, and his arms unconsciously loosened their grip.

Dylan smoothly pulled Grace behind him, his tall, straight figure firmly blocking Alfred's nauseating gaze.

He pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes behind the lenses cold as a frozen pond.

"Dylan, this is between me and my wife, it's none of your business!" Alfred clutched his shoulder, furious, trying to move forward.

"Ex-wife." Dylan coldly corrected him, his tone full of undisguised mockery. "If Mr. White can't even recognize those two words, I don't mind having my lawyer explain the law to you. Also, Grace is now my partner, Dylan's partner. Try touching her again and see what happens."

Alfred was shaken by the killing intent in his eyes, but jealousy made him lose his reason, and he kept trying to charge forward.

Dylan didn't even look at him, just raised his hand slightly. Two burly bodyguards in black appeared silently from some corner, blocking Alfred's path like two iron towers.

"Dylan, let's go." Grace didn't want to stay another second and turned to leave.

Dylan nodded slightly, escorting her away without sparing Alfred even an extra glance.

"Grace! Come back!" Alfred was blocked by the bodyguards and could only watch helplessly as those two matching figures disappeared at the end of the hallway, his eyes nearly splitting with rage.

Brenda stood in the corner watching this scene, her nails digging deep into her flesh, twisted with jealousy.

The next morning, the sky over South City was dotted with a few wisps of thin clouds.

Grace changed into a sharply tailored white business suit, her long hair pinned up, wearing refined light makeup, preparing to drive to Starlight Entertainment.

Just as she walked out the main gate of the Brown family estate, a flashy black Maybach blocked the road ahead.

Alfred leaned against the car door, holding a large bouquet of gorgeous red roses in one hand and a bag from South City's most famous old-brand soup dumpling shop in the other. He had obviously groomed himself specially—shaved his stubble, changed into a custom suit, trying to recapture the image of the high-spirited Gu Corporation president he once was.

Seeing Grace come out, his eyes lit up, and he immediately approached her. "Grace, good morning. I bought your favorite crab roe soup dumplings, eat them while they're hot."

Grace paused, looking at his affectionate display, finding it only ridiculous.

"Alfred, do you not understand plain English?" Grace looked coldly at the roses and breakfast he was offering, not even lifting her hand. "The Brown family has no room for you. Move."