Chapter 9 Two-faced Elodie
Grace walked out of the prison, feeling lost and unsure of where to go. The sun was blazing on the horizon, but all she felt was a deep, chilling cold.
With nowhere else to turn, she headed to the educational institution she was applying to for a job. As soon as she stepped inside, people started whispering and staring.
"Hey, isn't that Mrs. Montague? What's she doing here?"
"Don't you know? She used to be a top violin student. Even Mr. Garcia wanted to teach her."
"But she got married and quit her studies. She could've been a big deal in the music world."
"I heard Mr. Garcia is coming back, and Mr. Montague paid a lot to bring him back. Do you think it's for her?"
"No way. It was that girl Elodie who got Mr. Montague's attention. It's probably for her."
Grace heard every word, even though they were trying to be quiet.
They were right. Henry had spent a fortune to bring Gavin Garcia back, but it was all for Elodie.
Just then, she saw two familiar figures in the distance, chatting warmly. One was the owner of the institution, and the other was Celeste, someone Grace really didn't want to see.
The owner came over, apologized, and turned down her job application.
It was clear what was happening.
Looking at Celeste, Grace couldn't help but mutter, "Your methods are really low."
They were trying to back her into a corner, and by 'they', she had no doubt it was Henry who called the shot.
She laughed bitterly. This wasn't about love; he just needed a compliant wife to keep the company's stock stable and Seraphina happy.
As she was leaving, Celeste, holding a file, said, "Mrs. Montague, because of you, the company's stock price has been fluctuating. Do you know what that means?"
Grace sneered, "That you need me back as a mascot. That's why you are taking such a lowly method, right?"
Celeste liked talking to Grace because she was smart and got straight to the point, unlike Elodie, who was all emotions and no substance.
Grace didn't waste any more time with her. She needed to find another job to make money.
She returned to her tiny 600-square-foot apartment which she had bought as a makeshift place. The place was small and simple, nothing like the luxurious Windsor family villa she had sold.
When Clara first saw it, she stood at the door for a long time, unable to step inside, for ten minutes. She had never lived in such a rundown place and couldn't accept it at first. But this was the best Grace could offer.
Back home, Grace took off her coat, sat on the sofa, and stared blankly, lost in thought. The immense pressure of survival had shown her the harsh reality of the world and society. She was no longer the carefree girl she used to be.
Clara was roasting a turkey in the kitchen. When she turned around and saw Grace, she was stunned. Grace's delicate, fair face showed the wear of time, looking more haggard than ever; she had never seen Grace look so lost, as if her soul had been taken away.
Clara felt a pang of sadness and went over to hug Grace, gently stroking her hair. Her tone was soft and gentle, "Grace, don't push yourself too hard. You've done so well. Sometimes, when you're too tired, you can take a break. I'm still here. If things get really bad, I'll ask my family for help. They will definitely help us."
She turned around and brought out the turkey, smiling to hide her inner sadness. "This is the turkey Lucas sent us. Did you forget? Today is Thanksgiving. Too bad you didn't get to see him when he delivered the food."
She held back her tears, but they overwhelmed her. She turned her head and quietly wiped them away. Forcing a smile, she pushed the plate over and said, "Eat up. I'll take a portion to your father in a bit. A little bit of a festive vibe will help him get better."
Hearing those words, tears welled up in Grace's eyes and rolled down her cheeks, dripping onto the plate. She let go of everything in her heart, threw herself into Clara's arms, and hugged her tightly. "Clara, I lost my job, and with Oliver still in there, we don't have any income now."
"I... I really don't know what to do," Grace whispered, her tears soaking into Clara's clothes. She let go of her feigned strength and showed her most vulnerable side.
Clara listened quietly, then gently placed a comforting hand on Grace's back. "It's okay, everything will get better. Don't worry."
Grace's sobs began to quiet down. She looked up, and their red-rimmed eyes met. Clara smiled softly and playfully tapped Grace's nose.
Grace, seeing this, said softly, "Actually, Oliver told me that if we find a lawyer named Dylan, we can solve our problems."
"Dylan?" Clara murmured. "Why does that name sound so familiar? Never mind, let's find him. If he's really capable, maybe he can help us."
Grace wiped her tears and nodded. "Yes, I told Lucas to help find him, and also Juniper. She has a lot of connections."
Hearing the name Juniper, Clara fell silent for a moment. Juniper Davis had gone to the same college as Grace. After graduating, she became a model.
Clara knew the modeling world could be complicated, so she had always been wary of Grace having too much contact with Juniper. But now, in their downfall, Juniper was one of the few people they could turn to for help.
The Windsor family had fallen, their partners had either fled or scattered, and even the noble ladies who used to call her a friend had turned against her, kicking her while she was down.
She really couldn't understand this world anymore.
She comforted Grace, "Let's cast the sadness aside. The turkey, come on."
"When Oliver comes out, we will still be a united family, and you will still be the beloved little princess of our family." She stroked Grace's head. "I forced you to live according to Henry's moods and to beg him. It wasn't because I was heartless. We both know what his temperament is like. But there was no other way. If Oliver couldn't get out, our whole family would fall apart."
Grace ate the turkey, tears streaming down her face. She sniffled, forcing a smile. "It's okay, everything will get better, Clara. I've grown up now. Even if Oliver isn't here, I will support our family."
Clara nodded appreciatively and added a bit more turkey to her plate.
"Grace, you were a top student. Why didn't that institution want you? Didn't they agree before?" Clara asked, puzzled.
Grace didn't know how to reply for a moment. Finally, after taking a bite of turkey, she controlled her choking voice. "It was Henry. He sent Celeste to find the owner of that institution and had me removed. But it's okay. I will find another job. I just sent out quite a few applications, and the salaries are quite good."
Clara knew she was covering up but didn't expose her. As long as Henry wanted, Grace would find it hard to live in Harmony City. If Grace hadn't married Henry back then, their family would be very happy now.
At that moment, sparks of fireworks lit up outside the window, and Grace was lost in thought.
Clara turned on the TV. But instantly, Grace's heart tightened.
Under the fireworks, on the screen, the news broadcast echoed in the small room.
"Today is Thanksgiving. Are you reunited with your family? Evergreen City's business tycoon Henry traveled thousands of miles to Harmony City just to spend Thanksgiving with a female friend."
In the footage, Celeste was pushing Elodie, while Henry beside them looked impatient.
Grace thought it was probably because the reporters were bothering them.
Facing the interview, Elodie smiled sweetly, her composure unshaken. "This Thanksgiving, I am very happy to have Mr. Montague by my side. It was Mr. Montague who saved me from the shadows of my life as a ray of light. I only wish that every Thanksgiving, Mr. Montague would be with me. And I hope that everyone in the world today is reunited with their loved ones."
Clara looked at Elodie's smug face, with her nose almost pointing to the sky, and felt extremely hypocritical. "I don't know how Henry could leave you, such a beautiful woman, and go for that cripple."
Grace just said lightly, "I don't want to have any more ties with him. Without him, we will only live better."