Chapter 37
Grace's POV
Andrew was typing furiously on his laptop when I knocked on his open office door. His eyes flicked up, registering first surprise, then suspicion.
I placed the folder on his desk. "We finished early."
He flipped through the pages with deliberate slowness, his expression giving nothing away. But I could see the slight tightening around his eyes as he reviewed our projections.
"These numbers look... optimistic," he finally said, his tone dripping with skepticism. "Almost too good to be true. I wonder how much help you received from your Morgan connections."
The implication was clear. He thought I'd cheated, used Alex's influence to boost our results.
"Feel free to call Alex yourself if you're curious," I replied coolly. "Though I imagine he'd be quite surprised to hear he helped with a project he knows nothing about."
Andrew's eyes narrowed. "You expect me to believe you successfully partnered with Vanguard Company without any outside assistance?"
"Not alone. With my team."
I watched him flip to the final page, where our cost-saving projections were laid out in irrefutable detail. He couldn't deny the quality of our work.
"Well," he said finally, closing the folder with obvious reluctance. "It seems our agreement stands. Once the authorization process is approved, you'll have official decision-making authority equivalent to my own."
I allowed myself a small smile. "I look forward to our future collaboration."
His answering smile didn't reach his eyes. "As do I."
---
Outside a high-end restaurant where I'd reserved a private room for our team celebration, I paused to check my messages before heading in. Among them was a missed call from Eleanor.
I called her back immediately.
"Eleanor? It's Grace returning your call."
"Oh, Grace dear," her voice sounded strained. "I'm terribly sorry to bother you."
"Not at all. Is everything alright?"
"I've had a fall," she admitted reluctantly. "The doctor has checked it, nothing serious, but I twisted my ankle. Ethan is away on business, and Daisy isn't home either. Alex is stuck in meetings until late tonight. I hate to ask, but is there any chance you might be able to come by? Just for a little while?"
"Of course," I said without hesitation. "I'll be there in twenty minutes."
After explaining the situation to my team, who insisted I go help Eleanor ("We'll celebrate properly next week!"), I grabbed a taxi to the Morgan estate.
---
The elderly housekeeper who answered the door seemed relieved to see me.
"Thank goodness you've come, Miss Wilson. Mrs. Morgan is upstairs in the east wing sitting room."
I found Eleanor reclining on a chair, her ankle propped up on a pillow.
"Grace, dear girl," she smiled weakly. "You didn't have to rush over."
"Don't be silly," I said, noting the lack of ice on her swollen ankle. "Have you had anyone look at this?"
"It's just a sprain. I've had worse falling off horses in my younger days."
I immediately went to the adjoining bathroom, soaking a towel in cold water. "You need ice and elevation," I said, gently placing the cold compress on her ankle. "And probably some pain medication. Where do you keep it?"
For the next hour, I made sure Eleanor was comfortable, prepared her some light dinner from the kitchen, and kept her company. We talked about everything from my work at Wilson Holdings to her travels around the world.
"You know," she said, accepting the cup of tea I handed her, "you remind me so much of my daughter-in-law Daisy. She had that same practical efficiency combined with genuine compassion."
"That's quite a compliment," I replied, touched by the comparison.
"Tell me about your work," Eleanor requested. "Alex mentioned you're a gifted perfumer."
I smiled, surprised Alex had discussed my work with his grandmother. "I wouldn't say gifted, but it's a passion of mine. There's something magical about capturing emotions through scent..."
I lost track of time as I explained the process of creating a fragrance, from selecting base notes to finding the perfect balance of elements. Eleanor was an attentive listener, asking thoughtful questions about my creative process.
"You must miss having your own laboratory," she observed.
"I do," I admitted. "But I've set up a small workspace at home. It's not the same, but it keeps my skills sharp."
We were so engrossed in conversation that neither of us heard the footsteps approaching until a deep voice interrupted from the doorway.
"This sounds interesting. Mind if I join in?"
I turned to find Alex leaning against the doorframe, his tie loosened and jacket draped over one arm. His eyes met mine with unexpected warmth.
"Alex!" Eleanor's face immediately brightened. "You're back early. I thought your meetings wouldn't finish until tomorrow."
He walked into the room, placing his jacket on a nearby chair. "When Teddy mentioned you had fallen, I cut the meetings short."
"Was it serious? How are you feeling now, better?" Though Alex's tone was cool, his concern for his grandmother was genuine as he quickly approached Eleanor to examine her condition.
"It was... quite serious earlier, but after Grace kept me company for half the day, I'm much better," Eleanor cleared her throat slightly, glancing at me from the corner of her eye. "Alex, you must properly thank Grace on my behalf. She had work to do but specifically canceled it to keep me company."
When I heard this, I understood Eleanor had other reasons for calling me over.
Eleanor had been chatting with me for so long because she was waiting for Alex to come home, creating an opportunity for us to spend time together.
"It was nothing," I said, picking up my purse. "But since you're back now, I really should be going."
"It's already dark," Eleanor protested. "At least stay for dinner. Our chef is off today, but the kitchen is well-stocked."
"Oh Grace, don't rush off! The weather doesn't look good—I think there might be a heavy storm tonight?" Eleanor immediately gave a meaningful look to a nearby butler, who, despite not having checked the weather forecast, immediately nodded in agreement: "Yes, it's very windy outside, looks like rain is coming!"
"It's so late, and with rain coming, Grace, why don't you stay overnight? Tomorrow morning, Alex can drive you to work. We have everything you might need here—it's very convenient!" Eleanor grew increasingly excited as she spoke, standing up to grab my arm again.
Her movements were surprisingly nimble, not at all like someone who had been injured.
"Grandmother, be careful of your ankle..." I cautioned.
"Ah, my ankle is fine now, all thanks to your company!" Eleanor laughed, immediately looking toward Alex with a meaningful glance.
"Please stay," Alex said.
Eleanor beamed. "That settles it. Alex, why don't you show Grace to the kitchen?" Her face wore a smile that suggested she was pleased with how things were unfolding.