Chapter 24 Chapter 24
Grace would never gamble with her own health out of spite, especially at a time like this. She walked over and sat down beside Benjamin in silence, staring blankly at the liquor on the coffee table. Vito glanced at them from across the room and smirked. He waved over two attractive women and began entertaining himself.
The room grew livelier. People drifted over from afar to toast the Norman brothers while those who were closer simply sat down without leaving. After some casual chatter, they chuckled and asked Vito, "You're not leaving again this time, are you?"
Flushed with drink, Vito glanced at Benjamin and asked, "Ben, what do you think?"
Benjamin's expression remained impassive. "After studying so long, he should finish before returning."
"You’re too much!" Vito exclaimed dramatically. Glancing at Grace, he suddenly pushed the young lady beside him away forcefully. "Go sit next to my brother. Bring Ms. Hill back to me."
Caught off guard, the young woman was shoved off the sofa. Her smile froze, but she didn't dare move to sit beside Benjamin. Instead, she pouted at Vito. "You're picking on me again!"
Vito didn't smile. He kicked her and said slowly and deliberately, "I said go get Ms. Hill back."
The room fell silent. No one present was foolish—even the heavily tattooed, burly men were sharp observers. Quickly, someone stepped in to smooth things over. "Why get angry with a woman? If you don't like her, just swap her out. Isabella has plenty of beautiful women.” The man seized the chance to rescue the young woman, instructing her, "Go get your Isabella."
Vito snorted, his eyes fixed on Benjamin, but his voice was light as he said, "No need. I just like Ms. Hill.”
Grace knew she couldn't wait any longer. She had to force Benjamin to refuse him out of pride. “Don’t ruin your relationship over me. I'll accompany you myself.”
Without glancing at Benjamin, she stood and strode toward Vito. Benjamin remained silent behind her. Just as Grace was about to reach Vito and her heart nearly sank in despair, Benjamin's detached voice finally sounded from behind her. "Vito, you've had too much. Michael, take him to rest."
Caught off guard by Benjamin's blunt refusal, Vito froze momentarily. Still processing the shock, he felt Michael stand beside him. Grace stepped aside without hesitation, making room for Michael as he forcibly escorted Vito out.
Vito lashed out and sneered at Benjamin: "Benjamin, you promised this woman to me. Backing out now?"
Benjamin maintained his poker face. "I offered her to you out of respect. But since you don't want her, there's no need.”
Vito's eyebrows shot up in fury, and the surrounding crowd fell silent.
Benjamin continued, "Remember this, Vito: I give you leeway because you're my cousin. They only respect you because you're my cousin. Grow up. Stop acting like a baby."
The words stung deeply, and Vito's face darkened. Fearing another impulsive outburst, Michael quickly pulled him toward the door.
The welcome party for Vito's return had turned sour. No one in the room felt like celebrating anymore. Everyone spoke cautiously, afraid of provoking Benjamin further. Benjamin had no desire to stay seated either. His face darkened as he headed for the door. The moment he stepped outside, he reached back and seized Grace's wrist.
Although Grace had been on guard the entire time, his grip still startled her. She didn't dare struggle; instead, she gritted her teeth against the pain and quickened her pace to follow him, terrified he might leave another bruise on her wrist. Benjamin strode quickly, dragging her down the hallway. At a corner, he tightened his grip suddenly, flinging her forward.
She stumbled several steps before her body crashed into the wall. Gritting her teeth to stifle a cry of pain, she eyed him coldly out of the corner of her eye.
This clearly wasn't enough to vent Benjamin's rage. He stepped closer, clamped his hand around her slender neck, and pinned her against the wall. His gaze was cold and vicious as he spoke, enunciating each syllable deliberately. "Grace, I don't claim you yet, and I couldn't care less how many men you sleep with. Today, I'll grant your wish—only because Vito crossed me. This happens only once. Use your cleverness elsewhere from now on. Don't ever challenge me again."
Grace gasped for breath, her face flushed crimson, yet she offered no resistance. She merely stared back at Benjamin, cold and silent. After a moment, Benjamin suddenly smiled and released her. Only then did Grace bend over, coughing violently. By the time she stood up straight again, Benjamin had already vanished without a trace.
The waiter who had been standing by in the hallway had long since ducked out of sight. He didn't dare glance back, let alone ask questions. Grace wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand. She straightened her posture and walked out. Just as she reached the main entrance, she saw Benjamin's car speeding away.
She had nothing with her—no phone, no wallet, no change of clothes. She had nothing but the black dress she was wearing—a dress that it would be considered too revealing even for a red carpet event.
It was late autumn, and it was bitterly cold outside. Outdoors at night, she felt chilled to the bone in the blink of an eye.
She could manage without her wallet and phone, but she had to go back and change her clothes. Otherwise, she simply couldn't hide it from Adrian. She couldn't fabricate a plausible reason for changing into a completely new set of underwear.
Grace pressed her lips together, deciding to borrow a phone from the doorman who had been watching her. Just as she turned, a soft voice sounded, "Ms. Hill?"