Chapter 18 $200,000 for a Night
After a drink, Henry wrapped his arm around the staggering Grace's waist, bid farewell to Amara, and left with Grace.
For a moment, the entire banquet hall was so quiet.
Felix had bet wrong. He thought Henry brought Grace just because he was interested in cooperating with Caleb. He bet that Henry wouldn't care about Grace.
But he was wrong, and now he had offended Henry.
Wasn't Henry, the one who used to care the least about Grace?
Amara patted Felix's shoulder helplessly, "Felix, Henry is not the same as before, and neither is Grace. The Windsor family has been down for a year, and it's not easy for Grace to hold on until now. Don't make things difficult for her in the future."
Felix leaned against the nearby sofa, shielding his eyes from the glaring light, and responded with a hum.
As soon as Henry reached the entrance and found a parking spot, the biting autumn wind sobered Grace up a bit from her drunken state.
Henry felt Grace's shiver and took off his coat to drape it over her.
Sensing Henry's intention to push her into the car, Grace's crimson lips uttered a hoarse, sexy voice, "Henry, I don't love you anymore. I don't want to go home with you. I want to go back."
She tried to break free from Henry's grip, but he pulled her into his arms instead.
Henry lightly pinched her chin, a teasing smile on his lips, "You're so drunk, yet still so stubborn."
Today's Grace was a sight he had never seen before—sensual and intellectual, exuding irresistible charm when drunk. Just one look at her ignited a strong sense of possessiveness in him.
He wanted to pin her down and ravish her.
The champagne-colored mermaid dress made her elegant yet carried a hint of seduction. Now, she had a touch of charm.
Her eyes were filled with confusion, clear yet slightly dazed, and then she became entranced, "Henry, I don't like you anymore. Please let me go."
Her voice was hoarse, almost pleading.
Henry ignored her, prying her hand off the car door and roughly trying to push her inside.
Grace couldn't resist and was about to be forced into the car when someone grabbed Henry's wrist. The wrists were slender but strong.
Juniper's eyes were cold, "Mr. Montague, didn't you hear that Grace doesn't want to go with you?"
Henry looked at the newcomer, Grace's only friend, Juniper.
Juniper forcefully shut the car door and pulled Grace away from Henry's arms.
Seeing Grace's flushed face with a hint of seduction, Juniper was a bit angry, "Henry, don't you know Grace can't drink? How did she get drunk?"
Henry felt a headache coming on and signaled Frank Cavendish behind her to take Juniper away.
Juniper protected Grace, her expression unfriendly, "No one is taking Grace away today. She has to come with me."
She tried to pull Grace away, but Frank stepped forward and grabbed her hand, speaking sternly, "Stop it."
Juniper glared at him, "Frank, I must take Grace away today. I agree to sleep with you, okay? I just want to take Grace."
Frank looked helpless, glancing at Henry who was flicking ash from his cigarette, and grabbed her hand, "Juniper, why are you meddling in their family affairs? Come with me."
But Juniper forcefully broke free, "Frank, I've slept with you so many times, and now I can't even take Grace away? Do you believe I'll call another man right now?"
Frank was irritated by her stubbornness. He shouldn't have picked her up to find Grace today. Pinching his brow, he scolded, "Juniper, enough. Even if they're getting divorced, they're still legally married. You have no right to interfere."
Hearing Juniper's voice, Grace sobered up a bit and forced a smile, "Juniper, you should go back. I'll go with Henry."
She didn't want to cause trouble for Juniper because of herself. She was already happy that Juniper cared about her.
Before Juniper could react, Henry reached out and pulled Grace back, shoving her into the car.
Pinching her chin, he mocked, "Why don't you struggle anymore?"
Grace didn't respond, leaning back in the seat and falling asleep.
Henry looked at her slender, flushed neck, her soft body trembling with each breath, making the air feel charged with tension.
It made Henry restless, "Such a charming woman."
Suppressing his agitation, he greeted Frank and then got into the driver's seat, driving away.
On the way, he kept glancing at the drunken Grace through the rearview mirror.
He wasn't someone who could remain indifferent. After the afternoon's restlessness, his desire hadn't been released, and now seeing Grace's alluring side again.
He couldn't help but speed up.
What should have been a half-hour drive took only ten minutes to reach the villa.
Upon arrival, the servant opened the door and, seeing Grace drunk, went to prepare water.
Henry carried Grace in his arms, heading to the second floor of the villa.
The friction of their bodies on the stairs made the already drunk Grace aroused, "Henry, no."
Her hoarse voice, combined with her enticing lips, made Henry's heart tremble, "Even your voice is so seductive."
"Henry, I don't like you. Let me go home," Grace murmured unconsciously.
With a hint of displeasure in his deep eyes, Henry pushed open the door, placed Grace on the bed, and couldn't resist kissing her trembling lips.
The scent of red wine and hormones mingled as Henry forcefully kissed her.
Grace couldn't help but tremble, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck, struggling to breathe. She turned her head, her voice hoarse and resisting, "Henry, slow down. I can't take it anymore."
Henry's desire intensified, laughing teasingly. He grabbed Grace's hands and pinned them above her head, one hand exploring inside her dress.
In the dim light, the air was filled with passionate moans.
The shredded clothes scattered on the floor were a testament to their madness.
Grace kept moaning, gripping the bedsheet tightly.
The intense pain gradually sobered her up. She looked around, and their current situation made her blush.
The condom wrapper beside her told her that Henry had come prepared.
He was indeed a bad man.
The mix of hormones and slight intoxication made her feel a bit lost. It was impossible that she felt nothing.
But they shouldn't be doing this now. They were about to get divorced.
Henry's fingers slid over her nape, grabbing her hair and pulling her towards him. Their eyes met, both filled with desire.
The heat and madness made Grace feel a bit unreal.
Unable to hold back, she bit Henry's earlobe hard, "Henry, we're about to get divorced. We can't do this."
Henry's body stiffened, and he increased his force.
Pinching Grace's chin, he forced her to look at him, "Since you're here, you think you can leave? How about $20,000 a night?"
In the heat of the moment, they even didn't notice Celeste, peeking from outside.
Celeste clenched her fists slightly and turned to leave.
This opportunity should have been hers. She should have been the one accompanying Henry to the banquet tonight. But why did Grace take everything away?
She took a photo of the shredded clothes on the floor and sent it to Elodie. "Miss Williams, you should be nervous."
Grace was feeling good, her body's sensitivity making her moan uncontrollably, "Henry, I don't care about you anymore. Please let me go."
She moaned unconsciously, her face covered with a layer of allure.
Perhaps it was the impact of her words, Henry's actions became even rougher, "Grace, how many years has it been? I don't care if you like me or not. I just want you to be obedient."
From the beginning of this marriage, it was a mistake. There was no love, only sex. Wasn't this what Grace wanted?
He didn't need any childish love. As long as there were benefits, everything would follow. No matter how chaste she was, she still succumbed to the lure of benefits.
On the bed, under the night, the dim light cast on their entwined bodies, the sweaty Grace began to cry softly. As the alcohol wore off, all that was left was endless shame.
She was making love with Henry.
She didn't love him anymore. What used to be a luxury had now turned into pain.
"Henry, I don't love you anymore. I don't want to be your wife. Please let me go. Let Elodie take my place."
In an instant, the air became quiet. Henry stopped, got up, and threw a blanket over her.