Chapter 23
Richard's POV
Watching Laura leave without looking back, I wanted to chase after her. But my mother held me back.
My mother stood before me, her eyes filled with cold fury.
"Were you planning to leave with her? Have you lost your mind?" she scolded.
I massaged my temples, the throbbing headache intensifying.
"Mom, please keep your voice down."
"Then be clear about your actions! Your family reputation, the company stock price, everything you've worked for—are you willing to throw it all away?"
The question hung in the air like a guillotine. I knew what was at stake—the billions in market valuation, generations of family legacy, my position as CEO.
"I understand," I finally said. "I'll handle it."
"Handle it? You need to end it completely," Mother's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Remember this, Richard. Anyone can walk through the Harrison family doors... except Laura. Never her."
I sighed, nodding obediently.
"I heard from the staff that Grace moved out. What's that about?"
"You and Jason are both responsible for that," I said angrily.
"She's just using us as an excuse to get more power from you," Mother said dismissively.
After she finished inspecting the entire villa and left, I immediately tried calling Laura. No answer. I tried again. Still nothing. Panic crept up my spine as I imagined her alone, hurt, possibly planning to expose everything.
A notification popped up on Emma's tablet still sitting on the coffee table. Laura had sent a message to Emma.
I dialed the number she'd included in the message.
"What do you want?" Laura's voice was raw with pain.
"Laura, I'm sorry. I had no choice—"
"No choice?" Her bitter laugh cut through me. "Again, Richard! Again you chose your family over us! Over your real family!"
"This is temporary," I promised, lowering my voice though I was alone. "Once the IPO is complete, I'll figure something out."
"Like you figured something out ten years ago?" The accusation stung because it was true. "I gave up everything for you."
"Tell me where you are. Please."
Her silence felt eternal before she finally answered, "Green Valley Hotel, Room 512."
"I'll be there in twenty minutes."
---
The hotel suite was decorated in tasteful neutrals, but the atmosphere inside was charged with tension. Laura's friend Stella glared at me the moment I walked in.
"Well, if it isn't Mr. CEO," she sneered. "Come to break her heart all over again?"
"Stella, please," Laura intervened, her eyes red-rimmed from crying.
"No, he should hear this," Stella stood, confronting me. "Laura bet everything on you! Her parents froze all her assets when they found out about your relationship. She has nothing except what you've given her!"
I felt the weight of guilt crushing my chest. "I didn't know."
"Of course you didn't," Stella scoffed. "Too busy playing house with your fake wife."
"That's enough," Laura said firmly. "This is between me and Richard."
Once Stella reluctantly left the room, I took Laura's hands in mine. "I'm sorry. I'll make this right."
"How?" she asked.
"I've already started looking for a place for you. Somewhere private, somewhere safe. I promise, after the IPO, we'll figure out how to be together properly."
She leaned into my chest. "For Emma's sake... for all of us, I hope you mean it this time."
I held her tightly, knowing that despite my promises, the road ahead would be treacherous. But for now, we had reached a fragile peace.
---
The next morning, I took Laura to see the luxury apartment I'd secured near Harrison Group headquarters. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a spectacular view of the city skyline, and the building's tight security ensured privacy.
"It's beautiful," she admitted, trailing her fingers along the marble countertop.
"I had it furnished yesterday," I explained. "Everything you need should be here."
Laura turned to me, her eyes suddenly vulnerable. "I haven't seen my daughter for a day."
The guilt twisted in my stomach again. "I'll arrange something. I'll say you're her special tutor. That way you can see her regularly."
Laura nodded, satisfied with my answer.
---
That afternoon back at Harrison Group, chaos greeted me. Grace's team stood outside Laura's office door.
"What does this mean? A collective resignation?" Laura demanded.
One of the team members, avoiding eye contact, replied coldly, "Ms. Parker, we've submitted our resignations through proper channels."
"Why?" Laura asked, her voice tight with control.
Another staff member gave her a pointed look. "Perhaps you should reflect on your management style. Not everyone can tolerate you."
I intervened, ushering the team into my office. Once the door closed, I asked directly, "Is someone offering you better positions? Or did Grace ask you to resign? Tell me the truth."
"With Grace gone, the pressure has been intense... plus Ms. Parker often criticizes her."
I raised an eyebrow, feeling helpless.
"I can offer a twenty percent raise to everyone."
"Salary isn't the issue, President. It's the work environment."
After they left, a disturbing thought crossed my mind. Their resignations must be Grace's doing.
Alex's POV
I had just finished a multinational video conference. Morgan International's branches needed restructuring, and time was of the essence. My schedule was packed with appointments and meetings, leaving hardly any breathing room.
As I prepared to handle the backlog of emails, my grandmother called. The display flashing "Granny" made me take a deep breath. Grandma's calls were never simple chats.
"Alex, my good grandson," Grandmother Eleanor's voice came through the speaker, with that characteristic tone that was gentle yet brooked no refusal. "When are you going to bring that Wilson girl for us to meet?"
I rubbed my eyes, feeling a headache beginning to form. "Grandmother. We're still getting to know each other. Grace has a rather independent personality, we need to take it slow. Perhaps after the formal engagement ceremony would be more appropriate."
"After the engagement ceremony?" Grandfather Ethan's voice suddenly joined the conversation, evidently he had been listening nearby. "When did Morgan men become so indecisive?"
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
"Don't make us wait too long," Eleanor said. "The Wilson girl is quite a catch. Don't let someone else move in first."
"I understand," I replied tersely, ending the call before they could press further.
Alone again, I found my thoughts drifting to Grace. Our first meeting on a rainy night had been brief but memorable, though perhaps she had already forgotten it.
Last time at the Aetheria charity gala, I had asked her to dance, but while she went to prepare, Violet pulled me onto the stage. I couldn't refuse, considering both our families' collaboration and the fact that we'd known each other since childhood.
By the time I had extracted myself from Violet's company, Grace had disappeared. Before an emergency board meeting called me back to Starport, I'd sent the emerald ring I had always worn, but too consumed with company matters, I hadn't followed up personally.
I stood and walked to the window, looking toward the Wilson Group building. Perhaps my lack of contact had led Grace to believe I didn't value this relationship. It was time to correct that oversight.
I picked up my phone and dialed her number. As it rang, my office door opened and Lucas, my assistant, entered with a stack of documents. Seeing me on the phone, he nodded apologetically and quietly backed out.
I waited, carefully maintaining a neutral expression as the line connected.