Chapter 51 Elevator Accident

Chapter 51 Elevator Accident

Pushing open the door, although the expensive furniture was covered with dust cloths, the air still carried a stuffy feeling of long-closed spaces, and a thin layer of dust had settled on the hardwood floors.

Grace casually tossed her car keys onto the cabinet in the entryway, took out her phone and contacted a high-end cleaning service she knew well, requesting two cleaning ladies to come over urgently for a thorough cleaning.

While the cleaning ladies worked, Grace glanced at the empty double-door refrigerator and bathroom counter, and decided to personally go to the high-end imported supermarket downstairs to buy some daily necessities and fresh groceries.

On this early autumn evening, the breeze was pleasant.

Grace changed into casual silk loungewear, threw on a light trench coat over it, and headed downstairs in flat shoes.

There weren't many people in the supermarket. Grace pushed a shopping cart, selecting some fresh organic vegetables, steaks, and her usual toiletries.

By the time she finished checking out and was walking back carrying two heavy shopping bags, a fine layer of sweat had formed on her forehead.

Returning to the underground parking garage of Harborview Residences, Grace walked straight toward the elevator.

With a soft sound, the elevator doors slowly slid open to both sides.

Grace was about to step in when she saw who was standing inside the elevator, and her steps suddenly froze, her beautiful eyes widening slightly.

In the center of the elevator, Dylan stood with one hand in his suit pants pocket, his posture straight and elegant. He seemed to have just returned from outside as well, his navy blue suit jacket draped over his arm, the collar of his white shirt slightly open. Gone was the cool, restrained air he had at the office during the day, replaced by a touch of lazy casualness.

Seeing Grace, a flash of surprise quickly crossed Dylan's eyes, but it was soon replaced by a deep, knowing smile.

"Dylan? What are you doing here?" Grace asked in surprise, looking at him, then at the elevator floor buttons.

She remembered this building had one elevator per unit—could he also be living here?

Dylan stepped forward with his long legs, naturally reaching out to take the two heavy shopping bags from her hands, his voice low and pleasant, "I live in the duplex penthouse. Looks like we not only have chemistry at work, but surprisingly similar taste in choosing apartments too."

He leaned in slightly, his eyes carrying a light smile, his tone containing just the right amount of teasing, "Seems like we really are meant to be."

Grace's heart skipped a beat at his words about being "meant to be."

She had always assumed that Dylan, as a young master of the Wilson family, would definitely live in some sprawling family estate. She never expected he'd also prefer this type of luxury apartment.

"What a coincidence," Grace steadied herself and walked into the elevator, pressing the button for her floor. "I haven't lived in that place for a long time. Just had people clean it tonight, came down to buy some daily necessities."

The elevator doors slowly closed, rising smoothly.

In the enclosed space, the two stood side by side. The air was subtly filled with Dylan's crisp woody scent, mingling with the faint rose fragrance from Grace, creating a delicate and intimate atmosphere.

Just as the elevator reached the fifth floor, it suddenly stopped.

The elevator doors opened, and several young men and women who had just finished dinner, reeking of alcohol, noisily pushed their way in. The previously spacious elevator car instantly became crowded.

"Hey, make way, make way..." One of the tipsy men swayed unsteadily, stumbling as he squeezed inside.

Grace frowned slightly, instinctively retreating toward the corner.

However, the man lost his footing and lurched heavily toward Grace's direction.

"Watch out."

A low voice sounded by her ear. The next second, a strong arm firmly wrapped around Grace's slender waist, spinning her around sharply.

Caught off guard, Grace lost her balance and fell straight into a broad, solid embrace.

A faint scent of mint tobacco mixed with woody fragrance instantly enveloped her.

Her cheek crashed heavily into Dylan's chest, her nose tingling with a slight soreness.

What was worse, to steady herself, Grace's hands instinctively grabbed forward, landing right on Dylan's abdomen.

Under her palm, through the thin layer of custom shirt fabric, the clearly defined, rock-hard abs felt shockingly distinct.

She could even feel the taut muscle texture subtly rising and falling with his breathing.

Grace's mind went completely blank.

"Sorry!" Grace jerked her hand back as if electrocuted, her fair cheeks instantly flushing crimson.

She hastily backed half a step out of Dylan's embrace, putting distance between them, not even daring to make eye contact, only able to stare down at her toes.

Dylan's arms suddenly felt empty, and the faint rose scent withdrew as well.

He lowered his gaze, looking at the woman before him whose ears had turned completely red, his Adam's apple unconsciously bobbing up and down. The spot on his abdomen where her soft palm had pressed seemed to still retain that burning warmth, spreading all the way to his heart.

"It's fine." Dylan's voice was several degrees huskier than usual, carrying a barely perceptible tension.

Grace stole a glance upward, wanting to see if he was angry, but unexpectedly discovered that the usually composed CEO now had a suspicious flush spreading across his pale earlobes.

Even his strikingly handsome face had taken on an extremely faint blush.

He... was blushing?

Grace froze, the embarrassment in her heart instantly replaced by an indescribable, wonderful feeling. This man who was decisive and ruthless in business, cold and merciless when dealing with Alfred and Brenda, was actually innocently blushing over an accidental embrace and touch?

The elevator continued upward, depositing those drunk people before once again leaving only the two of them in the car.

The intimate tension in the air seemed even thicker than before.

The elevator reached Grace's floor.

Grace felt relieved, quickly stepping out of the elevator.

Dylan naturally followed behind her, carrying the shopping bags all the way to her apartment door.

"Thanks for today, not only for helping me out but also for carrying my things." Grace took the shopping bags, looking at his reddened ears, unable to suppress a slight smile at the corners of her lips.

"No trouble at all." Dylan adjusted the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose, trying to hide his awkwardness. "Get some rest early. See you at the office tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

Watching Grace close her door, Dylan stood in the empty hallway, looking down at the arm that had just held her waist, a helpless yet affectionate smile rippling through his deep eyes.