Chapter 6

Grace finished eating and was about to leave when she hesitated. "Can you lend me some money?" she asked.

Joanne took a deep breath. "You spent two hundred thousand dollars on cufflinks for Yancey last week, and now you're telling me you're broke?"

Grace awkwardly scratched her cheek. "I had to borrow money just to pay my hospital bill yesterday. I'll pay you back."

Joanne transferred ten thousand dollars to her and patted her shoulder. "Your family cut off your spending ages ago. But instead of saving, you kept buying gifts for Yancey and trying to win over his relatives. There's no point lecturing you. You don't have to pay me back. If you don't have anywhere to stay tonight, just come back here."

Grace felt a wave of gratitude. Having decided to apply for a job at Henderson Group, she needed to retrieve her ID and other important documents from home.

Arriving at the Lambert residence, she felt uneasy as she rang the doorbell. A young man's voice called out, "Who is it?"

Liam opened the door. His face darkened upon seeing her. "Grace, what the hell? Didn't I tell you to come back early and make breakfast? You're just getting home now? Hurry up, I'm starving."

Grace looked at him, then lowered her head, slowly changing her shoes. "Don't we have a housekeeper?"

"The housekeeper's food isn't as good as yours," Liam retorted. "What's wrong with you? You've been doing this for so long, and now you suddenly want to act differently? Cooking for the family is your responsibility, isn't it? Even when you had a high fever, you still cooked for us. Mom would praise you, and you'd be happy for hours."

A heavy weight settled in Grace's chest. She saw Alice, Carmen, and her father, Quentin Lambert, sitting on the couch.

Carmen scoffed the moment she saw Grace. "I thought you weren't coming to cook today. Looks like you couldn't keep up the act. Go to the kitchen. Your brother is starving. You really don't act like an older sister at all."

Alice, sitting elegantly, smiled softly. "Grace, I want shrimp with broccoli. Don't add too much salt. I don't want to get bloated. Yancey and I are taking glamor shots soon." She then turned to Carmen and Quentin. "Mom, Dad, what would you like to eat?"

Carmen's face lit up. "Alice, you're so thoughtful," she said, stroking Alice's head.

Grace found the situation laughable. The housekeeper approached, handing her an apron with a slight frown. "Ms. Grace, you usually wake up at 5:00 am to cook breakfast. Why are you only getting back at 7:00 am? Everyone's been waiting. If you're going to be late, at least give us a heads-up next time."

So, they all just saw her as a servant? Grace thought.

She didn't take the apron. Instead, she turned and walked toward the stairs. Everyone froze. Liam jumped up. "Grace, what's your problem? I'm really hungry! Just apologize to Alice for missing her birthday yesterday and go make breakfast!"

Carmen added, "They all prefer your cooking, and you're used to it. Stop being so difficult."

Grace had reached the staircase when she chuckled softly at their responses. Her features were striking—stunning and refined. Unsmiling, she possessed a cool, distant air; her fair complexion seemed to glow. She would undoubtedly be ranked among Druville's top beauties. However, years spent pursuing Yancey had made her a laughingstock.

"I'm charging one hundred thousand dollars for each meal," she announced. "Who's paying?"

Silence fell over the room. Quentin slammed his newspaper onto the coffee table. His face was dark and stormy. "This is ridiculous! Where did you pick up such a money-grubbing attitude?"

Grace calmly tucked her hair behind her ear, her gaze sweeping over them. "Why should I cook for you for free? I'm the one putting in all the effort. Yet Alice only asks what you'd like to eat, and that makes her the considerate one. If she's so thoughtful, let her cook."

As Grace turned to go upstairs, Alice burst into tears. "Grace, what do you mean by this? You were the one who insisted on cooking for us, saying it was to make up for things. I know you've never liked me since I came back five years ago. You always think I stole something from me. Fine, I'll just move out."

She wiped her eyes, looking aggrieved. Carmen's heart ached, and Liam reprimanded Grace. "Grace, look at what you've done! Why are you always like this?"

Grace didn't respond. Swallowing her bitterness, she smirked faintly. "Sure. Move out. Want me to help pack?"

Alice, clearly surprised, looked even more aggrieved. "I knew it. No matter what I do, you'll never like me…"

"What are you crying for? Did I hit you or insult you? You sure have some talent for summoning tears on demand, huh? I suppose the drama you generate is enough to entertain the entire country for life. You and Yancey are really the perfect pair. Please stay together. Just don't bother me anymore."

Alice's tears stopped. She stared at Grace in shock. The old Grace would never have spoken so harshly, especially about Yancey. It seemed she had been pushed to the brink.

A slight curve appeared on Alice's lips. She had always hated Grace's face and wished to destroy it. Jealousy flashed in her eyes. "How could you say that about Yancey…"

Grace ignored her and walked upstairs. Carmen stormed after her. "You're out of control! Do you even hear yourself?"

She reached for Grace's sleeve, but Grace shoved her away. Carmen was stunned. Grace had always been obedient, easily pleased by praise. Now, her daughter was defying her. "Have you been possessed or something?"

Grace ignored her and continued upstairs. She found her bedroom, a mess cluttered with a grand piano and various instruments, all labeled—some Alice's, some Liam's. Was there no other place in this massive villa to store instruments? she wondered. Did they really have to turn her bedroom into a storage room?