Chapter 76

There was a time when Grace practically worshipped Lily. If Lily was even slightly displeased, Grace would be on edge, doing everything she could to make things right. But since Grace had become so unruly, it was time to remind her who was in charge.

When Grace received Lily’s call, she recalled the information Ethan had given her. That was when she finally put a face to the name. When she answered the call, a warm, almost gentle voice came through the line.

“Grace, are you free tonight? Come have dinner with Yancey and me. It’s been a while since you two last visited.”

Lily no longer lived at Henderson Residence. The place was now occupied only by Yancey’s grandparents, while the rest of the family had their own places and only gathered for occasional…

Grace had no memory of how she used to be toward this woman. But since Lily’s tone seemed…

“Alright, Mrs. Henderson,” she replied.

After ending the call, Lily turned to her son, tapping his forehead lightly with her finger. She considered using this opportunity to bring up the engagement.

“See? She still listens well enough. Yancey, don’t take this the wrong way, but if you really like Alice, then just end the engagement and be with her properly.”

Yancey had thought the same way before. But now, something about it didn’t feel right. “Grace wasn’t making a scene. She wasn’t begging, crying, or threatening to throw herself into a river like she used to. It’s… different.”

Maybe if she caused a fuss—if she showed how much she cared—he’d consider dragging the engagement out a little longer.

“It’s a sham. I’ve been trying to end it for ages, but she’s the one clinging on. You have no idea how annoying she is,” he grumbled.

Lily was evasive when it came to her brother’s affairs, but otherwise, she was sharp. After all, she wouldn’t have secured her position in the Henderson family as a mistress otherwise. Yancey grabbed his car keys, his tone laced with impatience as he said, “I’ll pick her up. She’ll be thrilled.”

Lily chuckled. “You and your attitude.”

Yancey drove off, his mood unexpectedly lighter when he arrived at Henderson Group. That was short-lived, as he was told that Grace had left just five minutes ago. Furious, he rushed to catch up and finally spotted her in the underground parking lot.

He had planned to scold her and demand to know why she left without waiting for him. But when he saw her delicate features and how the light illuminated her skin, the words died in his throat.

“Grace, I’m here to pick you up. Don’t make things difficult.”

The moment she heard his voice, her body tensed. She reached for her car door, ready to get in, but Yancey intervened before she could close it.

“Are you done yet? I came all the way here to pick you up. What more do you want? I’m telling you now, my mom likes you, so don’t throw a tantrum in front of her later,” he snapped. Before she could react, he pulled her away from her car and slammed the door shut. “You’re riding with me.”

Grace had just raised her hand to shove him off when a voice called out from a short distance away.

Yancey and Grace were standing too close together. His hand was still loosely resting on her waist, making it look as if they were embracing. Yancey flinched like a guilty man caught in the act and immediately stepped away from Grace.

“Alice? What are you doing here?”

Alice cast a cautious glance at Grace. “Because of Crane.”

She didn’t even have to finish. Yancey’s mind filled in the blank. He was certain Grace had texted Alice on purpose, setting up this exact moment to avoid a misunderstanding.

Grace was smirking as always. Yancey shot her a disapproving look.

“Why are you like this? I thought you had changed.”

He had a good-looking face. He inherited Henderson genes, after all. And with his height and posture, he always carried himself with a sense of superiority.

Alice’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as if she had just won some invisible battle. Looping her arm through Yancey’s, Alice smiled sweetly.

“Mrs. Henderson invited me to dinner too. I thought I’d pick up Yancey on the way. Grace, why don’t you ride with us?”

Grace had no intention of doing so. She turned back to her car and reached for the door, only to notice some deep gashes sliced across the tires. Someone had deliberately slashed them.

Alice’s lips turned down slightly. “Oh, looks like your tires are ruined. Curse you. You’ll have to come with us, fast.” In Yancey’s sister, Elika’s, situation, things played out entirely differently, after all.