Chapter 107
Grace's POV
Julie definitely had a problem, but before I could think about it further, Andrew came to rush me to the meeting.
After the meeting ended, when I went back to look for Julie, I found her desk had been completely cleared out.
I immediately asked other team members. They were equally confused. Julie had bought them breakfast and coffee this morning. They went to a project meeting, and Julie said she was going to the restroom. She never came back.
When they returned from the meeting, Julie's workstation was empty—as if she had resigned.
My heart sank. I tried calling her, but at the same time received a resignation notice from the company system.
From Julie.
This didn't make sense. I knew how much she needed this job.
When I tried calling her phone, it went straight to voicemail.
Back in my office, I found Julie's resignation letter on my desk. She had written several paragraphs expressing gratitude, claiming "personal reasons" for leaving, and saying she couldn't bear to say goodbye in person.
Julie wasn't the type to disappear without explanation. Something must have happened that night—she had seemed off then, but I thought she was just tired.
Now I realized I'd been too busy with work to notice she was in trouble.
I didn't approve her resignation. Instead, I messaged her: "Whatever happened, please trust me. Let's talk face to face."
---
Richard's POV
I winced as I adjusted my position on the living room couch, the bandages around my ribs pulling tight.
"You look terrible," Laura said softly, settling beside me with a cup of coffee. Dark circles shadowed her eyes—she'd stayed up all night at the hospital with me.
I didn't tell anyone it was Grace's man who beat me up. To save face, I claimed I got into a fight with community security after arguing with Grace.
"Richard," Mother's voice cut through the air as she swept into the room. "We need to discuss this Grace situation immediately."
I took a deep breath. "Grace knows about us. About our real marriage."
The coffee cup slipped from Laura's hands, shattering on the marble floor.
"What exactly did she say?" Laura asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"She wants me to transfer the shares I haven't transferred yet to her, or she'll go public with proof of our deception."
The silence was deafening.
"How dare she do this?" Grandmother Aria's voice was sharp.
"She has documentation. Photos. Evidence."
Mother began pacing. "This is intolerable! What kind of nobody thinks she can threaten the Harrison family?" Her eyes gleamed dangerously. "Maybe it's time for more permanent solutions. Accidents happen all the time..."
"That's too much. Grace wouldn't—" I stopped, unsure why I was defending her.
She had been so cold to me, even bringing another man to humiliate me.
But every time I thought of her, my chest tightened painfully.
"Richard, has Grace cast some spell on you?" Laura couldn't hold back anymore. "She's manipulative and vindictive. Even if she wants revenge, she doesn't need to be so cruel. And you're still defending her?"
"Laura, watch your tone," Margaret said sternly.
"Enough!" Grandmother's voice interrupted the argument. "Your fighting won't solve anything!"
"Then what do you suggest?" Grandmother turned to me.
"I think I can convince Grace to reconsider," I said carefully. "She's not vindictive by nature. If I handle this right..."
Laura's head snapped up. "What do you mean?"
"Grace responds to emotional appeals. Our past feelings were real, even if the circumstances weren't ideal."
"Are you saying you still have feelings for her?" Laura's voice became sharp.
"I'm saying I understand her," I replied. "If I can convince her that I genuinely regret how things ended..."
"What about me? We're married, Richard. Are you planning to divorce me to 'win back' Grace?"
Laura's voice was full of sarcasm.
Margaret looked almost pleased by Laura's pain.
"If you truly love Richard, you should be willing to sacrifice for him. What's the big deal about a temporary divorce to help him through this crisis?"
"You—"
"I certainly won't divorce you. But I can make Grace think I will. Divorce has a six-month waiting period. That's enough time for the company to go public." I held Laura before she could explode.
Finally, Laura calmed down.
"As for Grace... I have a plan," I said.
I haven't given up yet. Before, I only wanted to control her. Now... I want to truly possess her heart.
---
That evening, I knocked on my father's study door, steeling myself for the conversation ahead.
"Come in," Holden called.
He looked up from his documents. "You look like hell."
"We need to talk about Grace's ultimatum."
Holden set down his papers. "I assume you have a plan?"
"I'm willing to give up my personal shares. Combined with your contribution, we can meet her demands."
My father studied me. "You're that confident you can win her back?"
"I'm confident I can make her see reason. Grace and I had something real. If I can remind her of that..."
Holden's expression darkened. "You still have feelings for her."
I opened my mouth to deny it, then closed it again. "It's complicated."
"Figure out what you really want, Richard," my father said quietly, "before you lose everything."
---
The next morning, I wasn't even at the company when my phone started buzzing frantically. The Harrison Group executive chat was in complete chaos—messages flying faster than I could read them.
What the hell is happening?
I pulled over to the side of the road, my hands trembling as I scrolled through the notifications. Federal investigators at Harrison Group headquarters. S+ project under regulatory review. Deal suspended pending investigation.
My face went pale. This couldn't be happening. Not now.
I tried calling my assistant, but the line was busy. Then I called my father. Straight to voicemail.
Damn it.