Chapter 37 Apology or Compensation
Too lazy to say more, Emily just went to sleep.
The next morning.
She was woken up by the sun.
The weather was surprisingly nice today.
Emily stretched, only to find the spot beside her had long been empty.
Remembering last night's unpleasantness, Emily rolled her eyes in annoyance. Whatever.
She simply washed up and headed downstairs.
Her biological clock was pretty accurate now - she woke up right on time almost every day.
"Downstairs, Margaret was grinning at Emily with a knowing look as soon as she reached the dining table.Why... why was she smiling so suggestively?
Emily raised an eyebrow. "Grandma's in a good mood today."
Margaret and Susan exchanged glances, their smiles deepening. "Emmie, Grandma knew you could get that boy completely under control. Susan, go bring it out."
"Right away." Susan hurried into the kitchen and brought out a plate of warm pan-seared steak.
Margaret's tone was full of teasing. "The sun must be rising from the west today. That boy has never set foot in the kitchen his whole life. He specially got up early to make you breakfast. Emmie dear, try it and see how it is?"
Alex made this?
Emily froze.
Following Susan's smiling gaze, she saw the steak was cooked perfectly, with a delicate vegetable salad and soft-boiled egg on the side.
And... a glass of milk warmed in advance.
She could hardly imagine that man - decisive and ruthless in business, handling hundred-million-dollar projects with a wave of his hand - would actually make breakfast for her with his own hands.
Emily didn't even know how she picked up the knife and fork.
"Hmph, that brat finally has some conscience." Margaret sat nearby, unable to suppress the smile at the corners of her mouth. "He wouldn't listen before, but now look, he's even making breakfast. Seems he does have our Emmie in his heart after all."
Emily smiled stiffly. "Grandma, please don't tease me."
Her heart was a jumble of emotions. A faint sweetness quietly emerged, but was quickly covered by the bitterness of the past.
Was this an apology?
Or compensation?
With Margaret watching, she couldn't not eat.
Emily cut a small piece of steak and put it in her mouth. The taste was unexpectedly good.
The cooking and seasoning were both just right.
After forcing herself to finish half the breakfast, Emily went back upstairs to work.
She opened her computer and focused her attention on the design drafts.
Just then, her phone suddenly rang. "Hm?"
The caller ID showed an unknown number.
Emily hesitated, then answered. "Hello."
"Hello, is this Miss Emily?"
Grace's soft, delicate voice came through the phone.
Though it was phrased as a question, the tone was more like a statement.
Emily frowned. "What is it."
"The weather's nice. Come out for coffee. I've sent the address to your phone." Grace's voice sounded very calm.
Emily's phone chimed with a message notification.
Without even looking, Emily refused directly. "I have nothing to talk to you about."
She didn't want any involvement with Grace.
However, Grace wasn't planning to let it go. "Miss Johnson, I know you don't want to see me, but this concerns your marriage with Alex. I think you should hear it."
Concerns the marriage?
Emily narrowed her eyes slightly.
Her marriage with Alex had long been in name only. What could Grace possibly have to say to her about it?
Fine. She'd see what tricks Grace was trying to pull.
Emily took a deep breath and looked at the address. "See you in half an hour."
Grace was already waiting for Emily when she arrived at South Street Café.She was still wearing a white Chanel-style dress, from this year's new collection.
The seat was by the window with a fairly elegant view.
Seeing Emily come in, she smiled. "Miss Johnson, what would you like? Coffee, I assume. Alex and I come to this café often. Their cappuccino is quite good, why don't you..."
Emily glanced at the server. "A glass of warm milk, please."
Since getting pregnant, she'd stopped drinking coffee.
A flash of surprise crossed Grace's eyes, then as if thinking of something, a meaningful smile curved her lips.
She deliberately raised her hand to tuck her hair. "Isn't Miss Johnson curious why I asked you here?"
The moment Emily looked over, her gaze paused.
On Grace's neck... were several clear red marks.
As adults, they naturally knew what those were.
Pretty intense.
Emily's expression didn't change, but her heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand.
Those marks were so glaring she could barely breathe.
Emily calmly looked away.
So Alex had left in such a hurry last night to go to Grace.
They...
"Miss Johnson, are you alright? You don't look well." Grace asked with feigned concern, though her eyes were full of smugness.
"I'm fine. Just say it. What do you want." Emily's voice was cold, maintaining surface calm.
"Of course there's something." Grace put away her smile and said deliberately. "I'm here to ask you to design a wedding ring for me."
Wedding ring?
Emily was stunned. "What did you say?"
"I said, I want you to design a wedding ring for me." Seeing Emily's pale face, Grace smiled and casually adjusted her collar to cover the love bites—pretending she thought Emily was staring at her neck—and quickly said, "Oh, sorry about that, Miss Johnson. How embarrassing. Alex really forgot himself for a moment. Please don't tell anyone, I'm quite embarrassed."
Emily's fingertips tightened slightly. "I'm not interested in your affairs."
With that, she stood to leave.
But Grace suddenly stood and grabbed her. "Alex and I are getting married soon!"
Emily's heart felt like it had been struck by a sledgehammer, the pain making it hard to breathe.
Grace said triumphantly. "Miss Johnson is so talented, your designs have won awards repeatedly. Why don't you design our wedding rings? How about it?"
As she spoke, she observed Emily's reaction.
Watching Emily's pale face, she felt increasingly pleased.
Emily laughed coldly. "I refuse. Find someone else."
"I know you and Alex are getting divorced. Without the title of Mrs. Baker, do you think life will be easy? You need money, and I can give it to you. As long as you design the wedding ring well, money is no problem." Grace's expression was disdainful.
Suddenly, Emily smiled. "Oh? Miss Miller is so generous?"
Grace raised her chin proudly. "Name your price."
Only a fool would refuse money.
She wouldn't make things difficult for anyone, but she wouldn't make things difficult for money either.
Emily slowly raised her eyes, her red lips parting. "Three million dollars."
Grace couldn't believe it. "Three million dollars? Emily, are you crazy? Your designs aren't worth that price! I'm willing to give you this opportunity - don't be ungrateful!"