Chapter 32
Grace's POV
Upon entering and seeing the dresses and jewelry, Alex sighed and said to his grandparents: "Let me guess—I'm the last person to know about tomorrow night's engagement party?"
Eleanor defended herself: "Darling, don't be angry. We just wanted to surprise you."
"I'm not angry about the engagement itself, but that they arranged everything so hastily. This was already in my plans—just not quite so soon," he said calmly.
I was surprised by his attitude: "You've considered this already?"
Alex looked at me with gentle eyes: "I think we're well-suited."
Ethan watched our interaction with satisfaction: "It seems our arrangement wasn't wrong after all."
Eleanor added: "Young people these days drag their feet. Sometimes they need a little nudge from those with experience."
Alex arranged to take his grandparents home: "I'll take my grandparents home first, then we can discuss tomorrow night's specific arrangements."
Before leaving, Eleanor instructed me: "Don't go to the office tomorrow. I'll send stylists and dressmakers to your home."
After they left, I was still immersed in everything that had just happened. I hadn't expected things to develop so quickly.
I even thought this marriage might be canceled due to the awkward relationship between Alex and me.
Coming back to my senses, I sent invitations to Julie and other close friends for the engagement celebration. I didn't want to be surrounded by strangers tomorrow.
Julie replied excitedly: "Oh my god! THE Alex Morgan?! Richard is nothing compared to him! Alex is your perfect match! Harrison doesn't deserve you at all!"
Other friends offered their congratulations, discussing the sensational impact of this marriage.
I pondered Alex's true feelings for me: "Is this just a rational choice for a strategic alliance?"
---
Richard's POV
The next day, Laura and I stood at the entrance of the Windsor Hotel, planning to reserve a private room for our important clients, when a staff member blocked our way.
"I'm sorry, sir, but the entire building has been reserved today. No one without an invitation is allowed to enter," he politely informed us.
"The entire building?" Laura looked shocked beside me. I could understand her surprise—who had the financial power to book the most expensive building in the city?
The concierge politely added, "Today is the engagement ceremony of the Morgan Group heir. All prominent figures in the city will attend."
Hearing Morgan Group, my interest was piqued. The Morgan family was almost untouchable—the kind of big shots not everyone could meet.
Just then, a stretched Rolls-Royce stopped at the entrance. Every concierge and security guard on the first floor rushed forward to form a reception line.
Through the crowd, I watched a slender, elegant figure being escorted directly into the lobby.
Looking at that familiar silhouette, one person immediately came to mind.
"Grace?"
"That woman... I think that might be Grace," I said, squinting to get a better look at the slender figure disappearing through the revolving doors.
Laura followed my gaze and scoffed. "You're seeing things, Richard. That was just someone with a similar build."
Back in the car, I couldn't let go of what I'd seen. While Laura stared out the window, I pulled out my phone and opened Grace's Instagram page. Her latest post, dated yesterday, showed she was still working.
"Maybe I was wrong," I muttered, more to myself than Laura. "But if it was her, she must be doing some other work, or maybe another company is trying to poach her."
I closed the browser and pocketed my phone, my jaw tight. As long as she wants her shares in the company, she'll come back.
But as our driver pulled away, I couldn't help looking back one more time, that nagging feeling refusing to leave me.
---
Grace's POV
I stood in the Windsor's presidential suite, dressed in a pure white gown that Eleanor had selected personally.
Today was the day of my engagement to Alex. And Eleanor and Alex's stepmother Daisy were helping me with the final touches.
"This emerald set has been in the Morgan family for over a century," Eleanor said, opening a blue velvet box embossed with the Morgan family crest. Inside lay a stunning necklace and earrings, featuring magnificent emeralds surrounded by diamonds.
"Every bride who joins the Morgan family wears these emeralds," Eleanor explained, taking the necklace from the box. "May I?"
I turned automatically, lifting my hair as Eleanor fastened the necklace around my throat. The weight of it—both physical and symbolic—made me swallow hard.
"I don't know if I should..." I began, my fingers touching the cool stones.
Daisy took my hands in hers, her eyes warm and sincere. "Grace, I've never seen Alex respond to anyone the way he does to you. He's always been under strict demands from his father, so removed from personal connections. But with you—" She shook her head, smiling. "You're more special than you realize."
---
Charles led the Wilson family core members into the hall.
Sophie appeared at my side, resplendent in a midnight blue gown. "Ready for your grand entrance?" she whispered, slipping her arm through mine. "That ballroom is packed with power players. See the tall man by the champagne fountain? That's Senator Brown and his wife. The table to the right is the mayor's family. Half of Starport's elite is here tonight."
I took a deep breath. "I'm as ready as I'll ever be."
Sophie squeezed my arm encouragingly. "Remember what we practiced. Back straight, chin up, smile measured. You were born for this, cousin."
The door opened wider as Elizabeth and Andrew made their fashionably late entrance. Elizabeth's gaze swept the room calculatingly before landing on me.
"My, what a... spectacular gathering," she remarked, her smile not reaching her eyes. "The Morgans certainly know how to make an impression."
Charles moved to my side protectively. "The guest list is interesting," he murmured. "More Wilson connections than Morgan ones, but every Morgan guest is a heavyweight. Don't worry—tonight, you're the star."
Elizabeth's eyes narrowed slightly at the emeralds at my throat before she moved on, Andrew trailing behind her like a shadow.