Grace Quinn unwillingly dialed the number again—
[Sorry, the number you have dialed...]
"Ah!" Grace screamed in anger, almost throwing the thermos in her hand to the ground.
She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms, her chest heaving violently.
That bitch Stella Sterling, really haunting, can’t find peace even after she’s gone!
No way!
She has to wait for Jasper Hawthorne today!
"Get me a cup of coffee..." She marched to the sofa in the reception area and sat down like she owned the place, ordering the receptionist arrogantly, "Make it freshly ground, no sugar, no milk."
The receptionist naturally recognized Grace, who often came to see Attorney Hawthorne at the firm. It is said that they were childhood sweethearts, and their Stella was pushed out by this woman!
Though she felt disgusted, she didn’t dare to offend her, so she went to prepare as ordered.
Time ticked away, second by second.
Grace grew restless, having cup after cup of coffee refilled, yet Jasper Hawthorne was nowhere in sight.
Just when she was about to lose her patience, the elevator doors dinged open.
Grace’s eyes lit up, and she quickly stood to straighten her skirt, smiling as she walked over, "Jasper, you’re finally back..."
Her words came to an abrupt halt.
It wasn’t Jasper Hawthorne who arrived, but Jude Kensington.
"Miss Quinn?" Jude was clearly surprised to see Grace still there, furrowing his brow instinctively, "Why are you still here?"
Grace’s smile quickly faded, her face full of grievance and indignation, "Where’s Jasper? Where did he go? I’ve been waiting for him all afternoon!"
Jude couldn’t help but feel a sense of irritation.
He obviously knew what Grace felt for Jasper and also knew that Jasper didn’t feel the same way. It was out of gratitude for her mother’s life-saving act that she had any chance at all.
Now that Stella had been forced out by her, what’s the point of putting on airs?
"Old Hawthorne has gone on a business trip." Jude couldn’t be bothered to waste words with her and tried to step past.
"Business trip?" Grace immediately blocked him, "Where did he go on a business trip? When will he be back? Why don’t I know?"
Bombarding questions, aggressive and demanding.
Jude finally couldn’t hold back, "Old Hawthorne’s whereabouts and schedule are not something he’s obliged to report to you, are they?"
"You!" Grace’s face changed in response to his words.
Then, as if she thought of something, her voice softened, "Jude, how can you say that? I’m only concerned about Jasper, he’s been in such a bad state recently, I’m worried about him..."
"You’re worried about him?" Jude sounded like he had just heard the biggest joke, he turned, sizing her up and down, "Aren’t you just worried about missing your chance?"
Grace’s face darkened, "Jude Kensington! What nonsense are you spouting!"
"Whether it’s nonsense, you know very well in your heart." Jude, after all, was a lawyer, and in a war of words, ten Graces wouldn’t be a match for him.
He stepped forward, his tone calm but every word piercing to the heart, "Grace Quinn, considering Auntie Quinn saved old Hawthorne’s life, let me give you a piece of advice, give up this hopeless infatuation. Can’t you tell who’s in his heart?"
To be honest, Jude was quite puzzled why Grace’s mother, Audrey Quinn, would save Jasper Hawthorne back then.
He had looked into the past of the two families, and although they were neighbors in the same village, Audrey Quinn had always disliked May Wright and Jasper Hawthorne, this mother and son duo, and Grace used to lead the village kids bullying Jasper Hawthorne.
It wasn’t until Jasper got into Kenton University that the mother and daughter duo’s attitude did a complete 180...
He didn’t believe this mother and daughter suddenly had a change of heart...
The car accident back then might have had other untold truths.
"What makes Stella Sterling better than me?!" Grace cried like a cat whose tail was stepped on, "I’m the one who truly grew up with Jasper as childhood sweethearts! Sooner or later, Jasper will see who is truly right for him!"
"Right for him?" Jude scoffed, "Right for spreading rumors, or right for causing a scene trying to commit suicide on his wedding day?"
Grace was so angry her lips trembled, "You... you speak nonsense..."
"I speak nonsense?" Jude’s gaze was icy, "Grace Quinn, save yourself some dignity. Why do you think Jasper Hawthorne avoids you; don’t you really understand? He tolerated you before, considering Auntie Quinn’s life-saving grace, but now that Stella is gone, you’ve worn out the little affection you had. Stop humiliating yourself."
These words were like sharp knives, stabbing hard into Grace’s heart.
She was trembling with anger, pointing at Jude, starting to say ’you’ several times, but couldn’t utter a complete sentence to scold him.
What did Jude know?
The relationship she shared with Jasper started as childhood sweethearts!
Only she and Jasper belonged in the same world; Stella could never understand Jasper!
"You’ve all been enchanted by that vixen Stella Sterling! You’ll regret this!" Grace threw a vicious remark in a rage, turning and marching out.
Jude watched her retreating back, frowning slightly.
He took out his phone, seeing a text from Jasper, [Landed, don’t worry.]
Riveria...
Hopefully, Old Hawthorne can bring her back...
Meanwhile, Grace stormed out of Clearstone Law Firm’s building, getting into her car.
Humiliation and unwillingness grew crazily inside her.
Why?
Why is everyone siding with Stella?
What’s so great about that bitch?!
A flash of malice and cruelty crossed her eyes.
No way!
She absolutely couldn’t let this go!
Jasper must have gone to find Stella...
She had to do something!
Thinking of this, she hurriedly took out her phone, dialing a number, "Hey? Find out Jasper Hawthorne’s flight information today... Yes, immediately! I need to know where exactly he is right now!"
...
Riveria, Serene Law Firm.
Although starting was tough, with the remarkable achievement of poaching from Innovatech, Serene Law Firm quickly made a name for itself among local SMEs and the entrepreneurial circle.
For several consecutive days, inquiries and commissions poured in, and the case files on the desk piled up like a mountain.
Stella and Finn Lockwood were so busy they barely had time to breathe, squeezing in meals when they could.
Stella was enjoying this busyness, as it left her no time and energy for unwarranted thoughts.
She was poring over a new draft contract when her phone on the desk started buzzing again.
She glanced at it instinctively, at first stunned, then her brows slightly furrowed—
It was Jasper Hawthorne’s mother—May Wright.
Having left Kenton over a month ago, her previous number had been turned off all this time and was only reactivated today temporarily for a bank transaction.
But she hadn’t expected that even this little window of opportunity allowed May to call.
Without thinking, Stella raised her hand to disconnect the call.
But before long, the phone vibrated again.
Stella’s fingers clenched instinctively around the pen she was holding, taking a deep breath, she then pressed the answer button, her voice cold and detached, "Auntie, hello, is there something you need from me?"