Chapter 53 Alexander's Apology
"Amelia, if you want me to change, change into what?" Grace asked.
As an account representative, there was no uniform dress code—everyone wore business casual.
"Dress like your colleagues do!" Amelia snapped.
"I don't have any other clothes with me," Grace replied.
"Then go home and change!" Amelia demanded.
Grace was speechless. "Amelia, I'm on company time. I can't leave the office."
"Who's your supervisor? Get her over here to see me!"
This woman had the audacity to keep defying her.
"Amelia!" Grace's supervisor hurried over. "Amelia, what's a new employee done to upset you?"
"Look at what she's wearing! Make her go home and change! She doesn't need to come back this afternoon—mark it as an unexcused absence!"
With that, Amelia stormed off in a huff.
Snickers echoed through the office.
"This new girl managed to piss off Amelia on her first day!"
"What did she expect, trying to show off like that? If she'd dressed more conservatively, would this have happened?"
"She's not here to work—she's here to seduce men! During the morning meeting, I saw all the guys staring at her!"
"She's got expensive taste—only fishing for men who can afford to buy her Hermes!"
Grace's supervisor looked furious. "Grace, go home. Don't bother coming back this afternoon!"
Grace frowned but said nothing. She returned to her desk, quickly gathered her things, and headed for the elevator.
In the elevator, her phone rang.
It was Alexander.
Grace answered. "Hello?"
"I'm downstairs at your office," Alexander said.
"What are you doing at my company?" Grace asked.
Before she could get an answer, he'd already hung up.
He was always so arrogant, never bothering to explain himself properly.
Grace walked outside and spotted an Aston Martin parked at the curb.
Several security guards were gawking at the gleaming sports car, whispering about its value and rarity.
Grace walked around to the passenger side but didn't get in immediately.
The window rolled down.
"Get in," Alexander commanded.
"Alexander, what do you want?" Grace asked.
Alexander's face was stone-cold, his lips pressed into a thin line. He said nothing.
Grace opened the car door and discovered an elegantly wrapped Hermes gift box on the passenger seat.
The sight of more Hermes made Grace's head ache.
"What's this?" she asked.
Alexander was characteristically brief. "An apology gift."
Grace immediately understood—this man was making amends for planting the listening device on her.
Grace almost laughed. She hadn't expected the perpetually arrogant man to actually apologize.
But she didn't want his gifts.
Taking favors meant owing debts, something she'd learned the hard way.
"I don't want it," she said.
Alexander cut her off imperiously, "You do."
"What?" Grace blinked.
"You do," he repeated, his tone brooking no argument.
Grace got into the car and closed the door, picking up the gift box for a closer look. It appeared to be a handbag.
He was giving her a bag?
Did he think she was like those other women—that her anger could be bought off with expensive accessories?
"Open it," Alexander said.
Grace sighed and unwrapped the package. When an exquisite Himalaya bag appeared before her eyes, her jaw dropped.
But wasn't this bag limited edition?
Amelia had one—where did this one come from?
Grace looked more closely and immediately noticed the differences.
This bag was the same style as Amelia's Himalaya, but the details were different. It featured the even rarer diamond hardware design—white crocodile leather with a flawless body and diamond clasps. Only one had been made worldwide.
"You bought this bag?" Grace asked.
"Who else?" Alexander replied.
"It must have been expensive!" This bag reportedly had a retail price of $2.6 million, and if it hit the auction market, it might break records.
Alexander seemed to read her thoughts. "You're not planning to turn around and sell this one too, are you?"
"Why are you giving me this bag?" Grace asked. More than the expensive Hermes bag, she cared about his attitude.
"I told you—it's an apology," Alexander said.
"You still owe me an actual apology," Grace pointed out.
Alexander's eyes darkened, his voice cold. "You're pushing your luck."
Grace put the bag back in its box and rewrapped it. "I can't accept such an expensive apology."
She placed the package back where she'd found it and moved to get out of the car.
Alexander grabbed her arm and pulled her back. "Don't leave."
His authoritative, commanding tone made Grace want to laugh and cry at the same time.
His hand was ice-cold, as if he lacked normal body temperature. He always seemed several degrees colder than normal people, like a cold-blooded creature.
Did this man have ice water running through his veins?
Just as Grace was about to demand what exactly he wanted, Alexander suddenly said, "I'm sorry. Is that enough?"
His expression suggested he might lose his temper if she didn't accept his apology.
"Alexander, no one's forcing you to apologize," Grace said. "I just don't like being misunderstood. My care for Liam is no less than what I feel for Max. You don't need to doubt that."
"I shouldn't have planted that listening device on you," Alexander admitted and his gaze fell on her face, "That was wrong. So...it won't happen again."
Her clear, pale complexion had a natural pink flush, and her lips, free of any gloss, were full and inviting. He vaguely recalled how soft they'd felt when he'd kissed them.
Alexander frowned slightly, feeling his body tense.
In the confined space of the car, he could clearly smell her natural scent.
Alexander suddenly felt overheated. He awkwardly released her hand, turned to look straight ahead, and loosened his tie before reaching for the air conditioning controls.
Cool air blew from the vents, seeming to dispel some inexplicable restlessness in his chest.
Grace noticed his tense expression, the way his sexy Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed, and how loosening his collar revealed his attractive collarbones.
The sunlight streaming in was indeed getting warm.
"I don't have to work this afternoon," Grace said. "Could you drive me home?"
"Seatbelt," Alexander said.
Grace buckled up, and Alexander hit the gas, speeding away.
At home.
Grace casually placed the bag on the sofa and headed toward the bathroom.
The weather was getting warm, and she'd worked up a sweat. She decided to take a shower.
Alexander had just parked and come upstairs when he heard the sound of running water from the master bathroom.
"Mr. Hayes?" the housekeeper said. "Ms. Foster went to shower."
Alexander's eyes darkened, and he felt inexplicably agitated. Sitting in the living room, his throat felt strangely dry.