Chapter 67
Grace's POV
BREAKING: Starport Tribune Retracts Defamatory Article
Reporter Kevin Martinez Fired for Fabricating Story
Wilson Holdings Legal Team Issues Mass Cease and Desist
I felt my lips curve into a smile.
Andrew noticed. "What?"
"Check the news," I said sweetly.
He pulled out his phone. I watched his expression shift from confusion to disbelief to barely concealed fury.
"The article's been removed," I explained, enjoying every second. "Kevin's been fired and handed over to the authorities. Our legal team sent cease and desist letters to every major platform. The backlash was contained in under an hour."
"How—"
"I work fast." I stood, smoothing my skirt. "And I'm very, very good at what I do. So here's my counterproposal, Andrew: you and Elizabeth can take your shares and get lost. I'm not going anywhere."
His jaw tightened. For a moment, I saw real anger flash across his face.
Then it vanished, replaced by that smooth, practiced smile.
"You know, Grace," he said softly, "I actually admire you. You're not the fragile flower I expected. You've got spine."
"Is that supposed to be a compliment?"
"It's an observation." He moved toward the door and stopped. "But stubbornness can be... problematic. I hope you're prepared for what comes next."
He pulled an elegant cream envelope from his jacket pocket and placed it on my desk.
"Mother is hosting a business banquet this weekend. Saturday evening. Many important guests will attend." His smile widened. "It would be rude not to come."
The door clicked shut behind him.
I picked up the envelope, turning it over in my hands. I knew this was coming. Elizabeth and Andrew won't stop until I give up everything.
---
Andrew's POV
I slammed my car door harder than necessary.
Admire her. The words echoed in my head. I meant them. Grace was impressive. Sharp. Resilient.
Also fucking infuriating.
I'd hoped she'd take the easy way out. Accept the reduced shares. Enjoy the money without the fight.
But no. She had to be difficult.
My phone rang. Mother.
"Well?" Elizabeth's voice was crisp.
"She refused. Again."
"I expected as much." No anger. Just cold calculation. "Activate Plan B."
I paused, hand on the steering wheel. "Are you sure?"
"Grace needs to understand she's out of her depth. Make the arrangements."
"Yes, Mother."
I ended the call, my thoughts suddenly drifting back to that girl.
Julie, Grace's capable assistant, one of the team members she'd brought into the company.
Among Grace's newly recruited team, she was the only one I'd noticed.
Not for any other reason—there was something about her that drew my attention.
Julie had only graduated a few years ago, exuding the enthusiasm and loyalty of a workplace newcomer, yet her eyes revealed sharp intelligence. Her brown hair was neatly tied in a ponytail, dressed in proper business attire, professional in manner but slightly nervous.
She looked like the type who'd be fiercely devoted to her boss, easily driven by emotion.
Perfect.
I needed exactly this kind of person—loyal but inexperienced. Easy to manipulate if you found the right emotional buttons. Much easier to handle than shrewd, composed women like Grace.
And I'd noticed that within the team, this Julie stuck closest to Grace, always on guard whenever she saw me.
When they'd first joined, I'd merely walked past their area, and she'd been watching me warily the entire time.
Every emotion written plainly on her face. No concealment whatsoever.
Too young. Too transparent.
This type made the easiest breakthrough point.
I made a mental note of her name.
---
Richard's POV
I stared at my phone, finger hovering over Grace's number.
Third time.
She hadn't answered.
Damn it.
I took a deep breath and dialed again. She had to pick up this time. She needed to know I was on her side.
"What."
Her voice was so cold it made me shiver.
"Grace." I tried to keep my voice steady. "Thank God. I've been trying to reach you all morning. Are you okay? Did you see the article? It's complete bullshit, everyone knows—"
"I know." She cut me off. "I've already handled it."
"I want you to know I defended you. At the company. In our alumni group. I made it clear that—"
"Richard." Her tone was sharp as a knife. "I don't need you to defend me. I don't need anything from you. Focus on your own business and leave me alone."
My chest tightened.
"Grace, please, I know things between us are complicated, but you have to understand—"
Beep. Beep. Beep.
She'd hung up.
I stared at my phone, that familiar helpless frustration building in my chest.
Why does she have to be so fucking stubborn?
An hour later, my office door burst open. Laura, tears streaming down her face.
"Richard!" She threw herself at me. "Richard, I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry. I fucked up. I fucked up so bad."
I caught her automatically, but my mind was still on Grace. "Laura, what—"
"I'm ruined." She sobbed into my chest. "I'm completely ruined. You have to help me. Please, Richard, please—"
"Calm down." I guided her to the couch, gripping her shoulders. "Tell me what happened."
She couldn't speak. Just cried and cried, her whole body shaking.
Finally, after what felt like forever, she lifted her tear-stained face.
"You have to promise you'll forgive me," she whispered. "I didn't mean for it to go this far. I just... I was so angry, and I thought—"
"You hired him?" The words scraped out of my throat like gravel. "You actually hired that bastard to smear Grace?"
"I didn't mean for it to go this far!" She grabbed my arm, her nails digging in deep. "I was desperate. I thought... I thought if her reputation was destroyed, we could finally go public with our marriage. With Emma. With everything."
I closed my eyes. Took a deep breath.
She did this for us.
The thought should've made me angrier. Instead, I just felt tired.
"Laura." I tried to keep my tone calm. "Do you understand what you've done?"
"I know it was wrong, but—"
"If my grandmother finds out about this, you're finished. We're finished." I turned to face her fully. "Do you understand?"
Fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. She dropped to her knees in front of me, gripping my hand tightly.
"Please, Richard. Please help me. I gave you six years. I gave you Emma. I've sacrificed everything—my reputation, my privacy, my self-respect. I've done just as much for you as Grace ever did. Maybe more." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I did this because I love you too much. Because I couldn't stand watching her have what should've been mine."
Damn it.