Chapter 272 Why Did He Give Her Money?
Henry strolled back to the villa.
Clara and the kids hadn't eaten yet. Taylor was hunched over her homework under the lamp, while Avery was busy building blocks, with Clara keeping them company.
Footsteps echoed at the doorway, and soon enough, Henry walked in.
Instead of changing his shoes like he usually did, he walked straight over, scooped up Avery, and then headed to Taylor's side. "Let's see what Taylor's working on."
Clara couldn't help but chime in, "She's been really focused. She even practiced the violin earlier."
Taylor looked up and gave a shy smile.
Henry gently patted her head. "Let's eat first, then you can finish your homework."
As he spoke, the servant had already started setting the table.
Today was Grace's birthday, and Clara was worried Henry might be feeling down. But he seemed in good spirits, pushing dishes towards her and chatting with the kids, which was a change from his usual quiet demeanor.
Clara wanted to ask but held back.
Taylor, being sharp, noticed Henry's change too. She took small bites of her meat and cautiously asked, "Is there news about Mom?"
Henry gave a brief nod. That simple gesture made Clara burst into tears. She didn't want to cry on a special day, but she couldn't help it and turned away to cry quietly.
Henry got up, walked over to her, and handed her a tissue.
Clara's voice trembled. "Henry, I'm so happy! Tell me, where is she? How is she doing? Is she okay?"
Taylor looked on eagerly. Even Avery, though young, knew that Grace was coming back.
Henry was silent for a moment before slowly explaining Grace's situation and his plans to Clara.
Clara listened, dazed. After a while, she dryly asked, "Is there no other way?"
Henry shook his head. In front of the kids, he couldn't talk about the severity of the medication. Unlike the mild pills Neil took, this injection was extremely potent, and the damage to Grace's nerves was irreversible.
Clara felt both happy and sad. After calming down for a moment, she choked up, "Henry, we'll do whatever it takes, as long as Grace is okay!"
She was so happy that she hurried to tell Oliver the good news.
Henry also called Aurora and Neil separately to tell them the news. They were all very happy, especially Aurora, who finally felt relieved and kept saying, "As long as she's okay! Thank god!"
Henry hung up the phone and let out a long sigh.
In the study, he was planning the next steps when the door was gently pushed open. Taylor peeked her little head in and called him like a little kitten, "Daddy!"
Henry waved her over.
Taylor, wearing cute floral pajamas with wet hair, ran to Henry with a towel on her head.
Henry let her lean against him, drying her hair while asking, "Do you miss Mommy?"
Such conversations had almost never happened before.
But now that Grace was back, Taylor and Avery had their mom again. Henry couldn't help but imagine bringing Grace back to hold the two kids while he watched, feeling very content.
Taylor nodded, obediently leaning against Henry. She whispered to Henry that she knew what to do and would teach Avery too.
Henry felt very conflicted. He was proud as a father but also felt guilty towards the kids. Grace was clearly their mom, but he had to teach them to pretend not to know her.
Taylor, however, was very happy. She had missed Grace so much that she didn't even dare to dream that Grace would come back. That night, Taylor slept with a smile, her dreams sweet.
Henry watched by the bedside for a long time. When he returned to the bedroom, he took a shower and lay down but couldn't fall asleep.
Just then, Celeste sent him a message on Facebook. It was a photo taken by a detective following Grace, showing her staying at a modest hostel.
Henry felt a pang in his heart. A $20-a-night hostel? That place had to be a dump. Grace had been pampered her whole life; she wouldn't even ride a bike, let alone stay in a shabby hostel.
After a while, he got up, dressed, and headed out into the night.
Twenty minutes later, a sleek black Rolls-Royce pulled up in a rundown alley.
Henry stepped out, leaned against a gray-white wall, and lit a cigarette. Dressed in black, he blended into the night, his slender fingers holding the cigarette, exhaling smoke.
He looked totally out of place with his noble demeanor. Ignoring the curious glances around him, he focused only on the dilapidated hostel.
Henry took a drag on the cigarette, his gaunt cheeks hollowing out, exuding a strong masculine charm.
Grace stood in a room less than 100 square feet, staring blankly at her wallet.
She remembered having only a little over $100, but now there was a stack of crisp bills, about $500. Thinking back, it must have been Henry who put it there. Why did he give her money?
Grace wanted to return the money to him, but she didn't have Henry's contact information. Maybe tomorrow, she should go to the hospital and ask.
As she was thinking, her stomach growled.
Grace didn't want to spend too much money. She took some change and planned to buy a bread roll for dinner and a late-night snack.
As soon as she stepped out of the hostel, she saw Henry.
At that moment, Henry was standing across from the hostel, smoking elegantly. When he saw her, his gaze seemed even deeper.
Grace had been planning to look for him and was about to approach when a flamboyantly dressed, well-built woman walked over to him, seemingly asking for a light. Grace recognized the woman from before; she had seen her standing in the alley offering sexual services.
She thought, 'he clearly wouldn't go for such a woman.'
But Henry spoke to the woman and even lent her his lighter. The woman flirtatiously showed off her charms to him.
Henry smiled and declined, and the woman left disappointed but threw him a seductive glance, indicating she would do it for free.
Henry took a drag on his cigarette without responding.
Grace blushed and her heart raced.
Henry looked back at her, seeing the thin blush on her plain face, clearly embarrassed. Of course, she had no memory. In her mind, there was no concept of romantic relationships.
Henry's eyes had a intense look, and he gave a half-smile.
Grace thought he was being improper, but she had something to ask him, so she mustered the courage to approach.
Standing in front of Henry, she realized how tall he was. She only reached his shoulder and had to look up to speak to him. She hesitated and asked, "Did you put the money in my wallet?"
Henry didn't deny it. "Yes, consider it a bit of compensation."
Grace said softly, "Sir, you did nothing wrong. I can't take that money. I'll go get it for you."
Henry quietly watched her.
Grace had lost her memory, but her personality was the same. She didn't like taking advantage of others and hated feeling indebted. She preferred to keep things clear and straightforward.
He didn't want the money, but seeing her uneasy, he couldn't help but follow her.
The receptionist was very surprised to see Grace bringing back a man, especially one so charming. She couldn't believe that Grace, who looked so naive and pure, was providing sexual services. And she was even more surprised that Grace had managed to attract such a wealthy man. That car outside must be his, worth millions of dollars.
The receptionist's gaze was so blatant that Grace knew she had misunderstood but didn't explain. She just told Henry to wait in the hallway, "I live alone, so it's not convenient to bring you in."
Henry made a gesture, very gentlemanly.
Grace's ears turned slightly red. She always felt that Henry had ulterior motives, so she was somewhat cautious.
The hostel was old and in disrepair, and just then, the light went out, plunging the hallway into darkness.