?Chapter 989:


    “Forget it, Lilith,” Brenna replied. “They’re just talking business. Ernst already knew about me and Ethan splitting up, and honestly, he’s never tried to defend Ethan or pressure me to get back together with him.”


    A dramatic eye roll from Lilith made her opinion of Ernst’s behavior clear. “I’m definitely asking himter what he thinks he’s doing, cozying up to Gracie like that. How could he get close to an outsider who hurt you before? That’s just outrageous. He’s your brother, after all.”


    Setting her ss aside, Brenna said, “I need to use the restroom.”


    Without hesitation, Lilith put down her drink as well. “Let’s go together. No sense wasting our time on those men any longer.”


    Purses in hand, the two made their way toward the restroom. It didn’t take long before they spotted Gracie heading there too. Being closer, she reached the restroom before Brenna and Lilith could.


    Brenna tugged on Lilith’s arm. “Let’s wait a bit. I don’t want to run into her.”


    With a quiet nod, Lilith agreed, and both she and Brenna slowed down. Then, they encountered some people they knew and exchanged pleasantries for a while. Afterward, they headed toward the restroom again.


    Just then, a voice echoed down the hallway. “Brenna!” Ethan’s voice was strained, tinged with pain as he hurried after them.


    Without looking back, Brenna ducked into the women’s restroom, shutting out any chance of conversation.


    Ethan had no choice but to wait outside the women’s restroom.


    Relief flooded Brenna as she patted her chest after getting inside, grateful for the narrow escape.


    A shared nce passed between her and Lilith. Then, they each disappeared into a separate stall.


    Meanwhile, in another stall, Gracie was about to leave when her phone began to vibrate. The name on the disy sent a cold wave of dread through her. With every ring, her fear grew. She didn’t want to take the call. Luckily, the call eventually ended automatically, granting her a shaky exhale.


    Stepping out, Gracie barely had a second to steady herself before the ringtone red once more, every note fueling her fear.


    The person on the other end refused to give up. Ignoring the call wasn’t an option—she knew what would happen if she did.


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    Shaking, she pressed “answer.”


    “Hector, darling, is something wrong?” Her voice wavered as she fought to sound calm.


    Her mind was already conjuring up images of Hector’s furious face.


    “Where are you?” Hector’s voice was icy, and even through the phone, Gracie could sense his anger.


    She also caught the faint sound of an airport announcement in the background. Her heart sank.


    “I-I’m at the Peace Hotel in Shirie. There’s a wee dinner for me, and the Wilson Group is making business connections here in Vand. Why, is something the matter, darling? Where are you now?”


    Every previous question about his whereabouts had ended badly for her, so she usually avoided asking him about that. But today, fear had pushed her to take the risk; she was eager to know if he was already on his way to Vand. No matter how unlikely it was that Hector would actually travel to Vand, Gracie lied about where she was anyway, not wanting him to be able to find her.


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