Chapter 33

Andrea Schwartz answered, deliberately raising her voice. She recounted how Grace had gone to jail for drunk driving and causing a fatal accident.

Grace smiled faintly. Was Andrea’s pointed remarks an attempt to compensate for years of suppressed resentment? Perhaps; prosperity obscures true character, but destitution reveals it.

As Grace left the firm and approached the elevator, she heard footsteps behind her. "Grace, wait!" a voice called.

She turned to see a man hurrying toward her. He stopped before her, his expression unreadable. He was a moderately attractive man in his thirties, of medium build, dressed in a sharp suit typical of the city's elite.

"Yes?" Grace asked, recognizing an old colleague, a former partner at the firm. There had been rumors of his infatuation with her, but she'd been dating Sean Stevens at the time, so the gossip hadn't concerned her. It eventually faded.

Her former radiance was now replaced by weariness and hardship; even the light in her eyes seemed dimmed.

"You can turn to me if you need help," He Zhanghuai said sincerely.

Grace found his offer ironic. Back then, no one at the firm dared take her case. Lina had repeatedly sought their assistance, only to be rebuffed.

"I don't need anything from you," Grace replied.

He Zhanghuai hastened to add, "You can't be a delivery girl forever. Let me ask a friend to find you a better-paying job; one that doesn't expose you to the elements."

"You want to help me find a job?" Grace smiled wryly. "Have you forgotten who the victim was in my case? Jennifer Atkinson, Jason's fiancée. Aren't you afraid?"

He Zhanghuai looked awkward. "Grace, I'm sorry I didn't help with your case. I've regretted it for years. Now that you're out of prison, I want to help in any way I can."

"You don't need to apologize for not helping me," Grace said. "People naturally seek advantage and avoid risk. There's nothing to blame you for. But I've overcome this, so your help is no longer needed."

The elevator doors opened, and she stepped inside.

He Zhanghuai watched in despair as the doors slowly closed. His hands, at his sides, clenched into fists. He'd actually considered taking her case and helping her at the time.