Chapter 69

Upon saying Grace's name, Zoe felt a surge of anger. Grace had caused a car accident years ago, and Zoe had endured much embarrassment from the ensuing gossip at high-end parties about the Stevens family being "doomed." Only when her brother began dating Lily did the whispers finally cease. She hated Grace for it.

"Grace is a blight on our family. Fortunately, you broke up with her. Can you imagine what would have happened if you'd stayed with that trash?"

Sean sighed. "I heard she's a sanitation worker now. Fitting. How could the judge only sentence her to three years? She should have gotten at least ten or twenty!"

Zoe continued to rant about Grace with disgust, but her brother seemed increasingly uncomfortable.

"That's enough, Zoe. Don't talk about her anymore. If you see her, behave yourself," Sean said. "Better yet, stay away from her entirely."

"Sean, what's wrong with you? I've talked about her all the time, and you never said anything. Why are you protecting her now?"

Their parents entered the room. Their mother glanced nervously between them.

"Sean, don't tell me you still have feelings for her?"

Mr. Stevens frowned. "Don't even think about it. Grace Cummins is a blight on our name. She shouldn't even think about stepping foot in this house!"

"I have no feelings for Grace, but she's someone we can't afford to offend! That's all I can say!" Sean gritted his teeth.

"Can't afford to offend?" Zoe scoffed. "Sean, what are you talking about? She's a sanitation worker—a low-life, totally insignificant. Why can't we offend her?"

"Just listen to me! Don't harm the entire Stevens family later because you're too stupid to listen now!" Sean warned sternly.

Mr. Stevens sensed his son's carefully chosen words. "Sean, what exactly is Grace—"

"Dad, there are things I can't say. You should all be more careful. At least at this stage, you should give Grace Cummins more respect," Sean said.

Sean couldn't understand how Grace had become involved with Jason Reed, especially as the killer of Jason's former fiancée. Yet, Jason clearly considered Grace incredibly important, as Sean's visit to the Reed family home had shown. The threat weighed heavily on him.

Mr. Stevens pondered; Sean's mother remained silent. Only Zoe curled her lip in disbelief.

"This is bullshit, brother. I don't owe that heinous bitch an ounce of respect. She nearly destroyed this family—and you! Do you still have feelings for her? Is that it? Sean, don't be so foolish—"

"Zoe! That's enough!" Sean punched a hole in the wall.

Jason's gaze fell on a box of stomach medicine on his desk—medicine Grace had left for him when he was sick. He'd recovered, and wouldn't have taken it if she hadn't been so distraught, but he hadn't thrown it away. He'd left it on his desk.

"Terrence, what do you think Grace will do if she finds out about my true identity?"

Terrence, collecting approved contracts and reports, paused. He said nothing.

"Did you hear me?" Jason asked.

Terrence nodded. "Uh"

"Huh? Is it difficult to answer?" Jason raised an eyebrow.

"It's not difficult, sir. But I don't know if my boss would accept my answer."

"I don't need to accept or reject it. I simply asked a question."

Terrence nodded. "Very well. I think Miss Cummins will feel deceived."

"Hmm."

Terrence elaborated. "She's been through a lot and is vulnerable. She doesn't trust most people, and such a betrayal would deeply hurt her."