“Madam Grace, I won’t stay much longer. I need to head back and pack, maybe check the flights.”

Grace stood up with her, fussing over her like any worried mother would.

“Alright, but you be careful, okay? Don’t push yourself. No matter what, your safety always comes first. Please remember that.”

Megan nodded seriously. “I promise, I will.”

With that, she turned and left.

Before walking out, she assured Grace that she’d keep her updated every step of the way.

That was exactly what Grace had been hoping for.

It felt right to have someone she trusted and truly cared for.

This way, she didn’t have to worry about any unforeseen situation.

Grace stood in the doorway, watching Megan’s figure fade down the path, a swell of emotion rising in her chest.

The kids were grown now. It was a good thing.

They were no longer the clueless children they used to be; they could finally stand on their own.

And yet, the feeling in her chest was still bittersweet.

Behind her, Arnold stood holding a plate of strawberries, his expression unreadable.

He had overheard the entire conversation between Grace and Megan.

At the time, it hadn’t struck him as anything strange.

But now, thinking it over, too much about it felt off.

Wasn’t Grace just gently manipulating Megan into making the trip?

If she truly wanted someone to visit Aurora, there were plenty of people she could have sent.

But instead, she chose to send a child.

What would happen if Megan ever found out the full truth? Would it crush her spirit?

Arnold couldn’t help but worry.

He’d never realized before just how calculating Grace could be.

Or maybe Grace had just never shown that side of herself around him before.

And honestly, the more he thought about it, the more it made sense.

If Grace wasn’t sharp and calculating, how could Walton Corporation have survived all these years?

She would’ve been eaten alive by all those people scheming behind her back long ago.

The company wouldn’t be where it was now.

Upstairs, Tessa had seen the whole thing unfold and couldn’t help but feel a flicker of satisfaction.

She had wondered what new move Grace might try to pull.

It turned out, all she had done was throw Megan into the mix.

What a disappointment.

If that was the best Grace could come up with, then her own chances of making a move just skyrocketed.

Megan? Please. That girl didn’t have the mind for this game.

Tessa could probably use her without Megan even realizing, and the girl would thank her for it afterward.

No, Megan wasn’t a threat at all.

Tessa smirked and turned back into her room and dialed Julian.

The phone rang for a long time before he finally answered.

Her brows furrowed.

The first thing out of her mouth was a sharp demand: “What were you doing? Took you long enough to answer.”

Her eyes narrowed, sharp with suspicion.

A woman’s intuition rarely failed, and something about this felt off.

If there was a delay, there had to be a reason.

Julian’s voice came through, a little breathless. “Babe, I was just working out. That’s why I didn’t get to the phone right away. What’s up? You need something?”

Hearing his slightly winded tone and the mention of exercise, Tessa relaxed a little.

He was probably telling the truth.

Still, something tugged at her.

Did Julian even work out regularly? Was this a new habit?

She couldn’t quite remember him ever mentioning it.

She almost asked but thought it was better to let it go.