Grace did not carry her phone during work hours, leaving it in her locker outside the laboratory.
Because today's research project went smoothly, she could leave work on time.
This was the earliest she had ever left work in years of research, and the only time she had left on schedule. Grace stared at the clock on the wall—5:30 PM—and was somewhat dazed.
Leaving work so early, she couldn't think of anywhere to go.
She usually left work at eight or nine in the evening. After returning to her dormitory, she would shower, listen to some music, and fall asleep quickly.
The next day would begin anew with full energy.
Now…
"Grace, why aren't you leaving yet?" a colleague asked.
Grace was startled. "Oh, in a moment."
She went to the changing room, changed her clothes, and picked up her phone. As she was thinking about what to do with several hours before dark and how to pass the time, her pocket vibrated.
"Zzzzzzz—"
She pulled out her phone and her pupils froze.
Zhan, Aunt Zhan?
"Should I answer the phone?"
She wondered.
But her actions were faster than her thoughts. She slid to the green button and brought the phone to her ear.
"Grace, you finally answered. I've called seven or eight times."
Grace: Uh… When she picked up her phone, she hadn't looked at the screen because no one usually contacted her.
Composing herself from the surprise, she asked in a hoarse voice, "Aunt Zhan, is there something you need?"
Zhan Lan couldn't directly say she wanted to matchmake her with her son, so she changed her approach and said indirectly, "It's about Ruoxin. She injured herself during her miscarriage this time, and Aunt Feng is extremely worried."
"She's looking everywhere for famous doctors and folk remedies."
Grace's eyes widened: What? Sister Xin injured herself?
"Sigh!" Zhan Lan sighed. "Why did this happen when she was fine…" She stopped mid-sentence. "You are Ruoxin's good friend, and Aunt Feng wants to ask you some things."
Grace became anxious. "I'll be right there!"
From here to New York, she could get there in three hours. At worst, she could return to the lab a little earlier or later tomorrow morning.
"Well, how will you…" come over? Do you want me to send someone to pick you up?
However, before Zhan Lan could finish speaking, Grace hung up.
Staring at the busy signal on her phone, Zhan Lan chuckled, and a hint of cunning flashed in her eyes.
She was not mistaken; Grace was a loyal and righteous girl.
—
Hotel, Presidential Suite.
Ivy was brought before Christiano.
His first words were cold: "Withdraw the lawsuit."
Ivy, rejected by Rong Jingyang and overcome with silent grief, found no outlet for her anger. She flatly refused, "Impossible!"
She wanted Miranda to pay.
She wanted those who had insulted her to taste the same humiliation.
"Hmm?" Christiano shot her a murderous gaze.
Ivy, perhaps because her grief was deeper than death, felt no fear at this moment and met his gaze fearlessly, saying, "Only if Rong Jingyang comes to beg me."
Otherwise, she would never withdraw the lawsuit.
"Is that so?" Christiano's expression darkened at a visible rate.
With one hand in his pocket, he approached her.
Ivy, completely unaware of the approaching danger, was consumed by resentment and wanted to instigate Christiano, "Sir, I…"
But in the next second, the man's veins bulging, he grabbed Ivy by the neck and lifted her up.
"I am not discussing this with you."
"Do you understand?"
Christiano's sinister tone was laced with malevolence.