Chapter 25 Five Hundred Thousand Dollars for a serving of pasta
Grace was startled and turned to stare blankly at Felix.
He chuckled softly, wanting to continue encroaching on Grace, but was forcefully pushed away by her.
Freed from his grasp, Grace watched him warily.
Felix found it amusing, savoring the lingering warmth in his hands.
But the words he spoke were chilling. "It's only been a few days and Mrs. Montague's reputation has spread throughout the entire upper class. Are you planning to go back to the Montague Group and be Henry's wife again?"
Grace took two steps back. "Felix, you said you wouldn't trouble me anymore. Is the honorable Mr. Rodriguez going back on your word?"
Felix's smile was cold as he leaned in close to her ear, his magnetic voice coming from his lips. "Grace, come with me, be my wife. Whatever Henry can give you, I can give you too. Whatever he won't give you, I can also give you."
His expression carried a hint of seriousness as he lightly patted her shoulder. "How about it? If you agree, I'll transfer ten million dollars to you right now and have your father moved to the Rodriguez Group's private hospital for treatment."
Grace merely glanced at him before brushing past him. "Felix, you underestimate me."
Felix turned and leaned against the Range Rover, his expression complex as he watched her thin yet resolute figure walk away.
He thought he must be crazy to say such things to Grace, Henry's wife.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Felix wasn't angry, just glanced at the hospital entrance.
"Serenity General Hospital... It's interesting. I wonder what Henry will choose?" With that, he drove away, unaware that Elodie had captured the scene from upstairs and sent it to Celeste.
When Henry saw the video Celeste sent, he knew Felix was coveting Grace.
But since Felix was both a friend and a business partner, He didn't want to have a falling out with Felix because of Grace.
So he didn't pay much attention, but he was very pleased with Grace's response, knowing she had listened to him yesterday.
"Celeste, move Nathan to the VIP ward at Serenity General Hospital today." Henry pondered, planning to go to the Azure Palace Hotel that evening to bring Grace home.
Grace thought Felix would give up because of her words, after all, people in the upper class wouldn't lower themselves to pester someone.
That evening, Grace saw Felix at the banquet hall, drinking and chatting with Frank.
There was only one woman beside them, Juniper, and anyone who approached was sent away.
Grace didn't care about these things, but Felix kept glancing at her from time to time after she went on stage.
That look carried an aggressive possessiveness.
But Frank noticed these subtle actions and casually remarked, "Mr. Rodriguez, what brings you here? I thought you disliked banquets."
Felix glanced at him. "Will you not bid me welcome"
Frank smiled, following Felix's gaze to the enchanting Grace. "Mr. Rodriguez spends money, why should I refuse? But I fear your intentions lie elsewhere."
Juniper, standing nearby, couldn't miss the implication in his words.
But she genuinely felt happy for Grace. If it weren't for Henry, she might have lived a happy life.
Even if Felix was a bit of a jerk, he was still devoted.
Felix was admiring Grace when someone interrupted him.
Henry wore a light blue trench coat, black shirt, and black pants. His tall, slender figure instantly drew everyone's attention.
Seeing this, Felix stopped focusing on Grace.
But his actions didn't escape Henry's notice. But Henry didn't say anything.
He just sat down, took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and exhaled a thin stream of smoke, his gaze sweeping over Grace on the stage.
He knew Felix's presence was because of Grace, but he didn't care. Grace would always be his.
Through the gray smoke, Henry's eyes grew deeper. Under the lights, Grace wore a white cocktail dress, her shoulders slightly exposed, her expression elegant.
No wonder Felix was interested in her. After all, Grace was so beautiful and outstanding.
He didn't even know when he started noticing Grace's qualities.
Frank looked at the two men staring at Grace and chuckled playfully, "Henry, I remember today is a critical moment for Elodie's treatment. Why aren't you there?"
A strange look flashed in Henry's eyes as he turned and picked up the cards on the table, "I'm not a doctor."
Frank watched their changes and clicked his tongue, "Alright, you guys come here to spend money, and I'm happy about it."
He glanced at Grace on the stage. He paid her thousand dollars a month, but their spending here wouldn't be less than a million dollars a month.
For him, it was small change, but squeezing money out of these two wasn't easy.
They played cards for a while. When it was time to get off work, Grace put away her violin and got off the stage.
Henry, with a cigarette in his mouth, threw the cards on the table, "I'm leaving."
Frank watched him leave and glanced at Felix, "Since Henry is here, and you still want to pursue Grace?"
"Fickle men!" Frank shook his head and laughed when Felix didn't respond.
In the dressing room.
Grace was trying to unzip her dress from the back but couldn't reach it.
Just then, the dressing room door opened, and before Grace could react, a hot body pressed against her, and the zipper of her dress was slowly pulled down.
Grace was about to scream when she heard Henry's magnetic voice, "Don't scream, it's me."
Grace was about to scream anyway, but Henry forcefully turned her around and kissed her.
The hot breath swept over Grace.
Henry pulled down her dress, revealing her body in black lingerie, glowing under the light.
Henry kissed her passionately, and after a long time, he slowly let go, a smile on his lips, "Do you like it when I kiss you like this?"
Grace felt ashamed and pushed him away, pointing to the door, "This is the women's dressing room!"
Henry didn't care, just quietly looked at her as if seeing her body for the first time.
He knew Grace was beautiful and alluring, but he didn't realize so many people coveted her.
This was something he had never noticed.
And among them was his friend Felix.
While he was lost in thought, Grace quickly found her clothes and put them on, then rushed towards the door behind him.
As she passed by, Henry grabbed her slender wrist.
He forcefully pressed her against the wall, his forehead against hers, his breath on her face. He tried to suppress the heat in his heart, his deep eyes studying her face, "I haven't eaten yet. Can I have a serving of pasta at your place?"
He held her waist, pressing her tightly against him, his fingers sliding over her face, playing with her like a piece of art, carefully and lovingly.
Grace lowered her head, not wanting to answer, looking at the door so close, wanting to rush out, but knowing it was impossible.
Finally, she spoke, "It's not convenient."
Henry bit her lip and chuckled, "How about five hundred thousand dollars a serving of pasta, Mrs. Montague?"
Grace gave in, unable to resist the temptation of money.
Henry's eyes were gentle, "The dress looks beautiful."
This was probably the warmest moment between them in three years. Grace felt a pang in her heart and smiled, "Thank you."
Henry gently held her hand, opened the door, and prepared to leave.
But just then, Celeste found Henry, "Mr. Montague, Elodie just finished her surgery and wants to see you."
Henry just glanced at her and left the banquet with Grace.
Celeste was left alone, watching Grace get into the car and being driven away by Henry.
She had never seen Henry so gentle, and his actions were full of tenderness, as if they were truly a loving couple.
She had always thought Henry only hated Grace and didn't care about her.
She had been there when Grace played the violin, and it was stunning. She had always thought that after being abused for three years, Grace would be as fragile as porcelain once she left the Montague family.
But Grace's appearance at the banquet shocked her.
She was breathtakingly beautiful.
Celeste looked at the twilight, feeling incredibly resentful, and sent the photos she had just taken to Elodie.
Since they both harbored hatred, let their hatred intensify.
She believed that when Elodie saw Grace's stunning appearance and realized that Henry had come to the banquet to pick up Grace instead of visiting her after her surgery, she would definitely panic.
As for what happened next, she didn't need to worry.
Since Celeste couldn't have Henry, no one else would either.