Chapter 1172: Action

Chapter 1172: Action

Preston's words stirred something in Brody. Whether Preston gets

promoted or not is actually irrelevant to Brody. The main reason he

hesitated and couldn't make a decision was only one thing.

He didn't really want to give Preston an inch, let alone let him firmly

establish himself in Armstrong Corp, because Brody simply wanted to

use Preston.

But the current situation forced him to think deeply.

Brody maintained silence, continuously pondering the issue. However,

it seemed that Preston's proposal was the only option.

He not only had to maintain balance in Armstrong Corp but also had to

restrain Horace's influence. Otherwise, Horace would take advantage

of this matter to dominate Armstrong Corp and completely kick Brody

out of it.

The more Brody thought about it, the more uneasy he felt, and his

facial expression became extremely unpleasant.

After a long silence, Brody finally said in a subdued tone, “I can trust

you, and I can promote you and assign you to handle this project, as

you suggested. But you must promise me that all the rumors

concerning me in Armstrong Corp must end immediately. I don't want

my personal matters being brought into the company.”

"Don't worry, I know how to handle it." Preston slightly curled his lips,

revealing a faint smile. He said, "You can convene an emergency

meeting and personally announce this news. By then, do you think

people will suspect Horace? After all, everyone knows I'm on your side.

If I get promoted at this time, smart people will understand it's to

restrain Horace's influence. So, who would the company rumors be

related to?"

Guided by Preston, Brody finally knew exactly what to do. He couldn't

wait to remove Horace from Armstrong Corp altogether. However, the

fact that Horace held actual shares in Armstrong Corp made that

unrealistic. Now, he finally had a way to make Horace uncomfortable,

so he wouldn't let it slip away. As for whether there were other hidden

motives or other things within this plan, he didn't have the mind to think

about it. He was solely focused on making Horace feel like he had a

fishbone stuck in his throat, unable to swallow or spit it out.

Brody immediately agreed to Preston's proposal and instructed his

secretary to announce the news in Armstrong Corp.

Everyone thought it was Brody's attempt to clarify the divorce matter

with Page, so they were quite curious about the meeting. After all,

gossip is always intriguing.

The meeting was scheduled for the next morning at 9 a. m. As the

general manager of Armstrong Corp, Horace naturally received the

news immediately.

Horace simply regarded it as Brody's attempt to clarify the divorce

matter, so he didn't pay much attention to it.

After finishing work in the evening and returning to Maple Leaves

Mansion, Horace now cooked for himself. Even though he was alone,

he still enjoyed cooking and wanted to improve his culinary skills to

prepare meals for Grace when she returned. So, every day, the time he

spent cooking aligned with the time he video-called Grace.

Watching his busy figure in the kitchen, a smile unconsciously

appeared on Grace's lips. During their video calls, sometimes they

didn't say much, each busy with their own tasks. But it felt like they

were together, even though they hadn't spent much time together. After

going through so many things, they had already formed a deep

connection.

Thinking about this, Grace's smile grew deeper, and she softly pursed

her lips, asking, “What are you planning to cook tonight?"

Horace raised his gaze to the Grace on his phone. Her face was

uncovered, her bare face clean and flawless, with delicate skin that

seemed immaculate. She looked at Horace like that, and it left him

stunned.

In a low voice, Horace responded, "Tonight, I'll make braised chicken

with tea tree mushrooms and cook a vegetable soup.”

Grace couldn't help but sigh, "I want to eat it too."

Horace paused his actions, his deep eyes also slightly frozen, and his

expression subtly stiffened. He knew Grace felt lonely overseas.

Although he arranged for someone to accompany her regularly, it was

still not the same. After all, in a foreign land, everything felt restrictive.

Horace felt uncomfortable in his heart. He looked at Grace, whose eyes

were filled with anticipation, and silently told himself that he had to

quickly convince Brody to abandon any thoughts of opposing him. Then

he could proceed with his next move. Only then could Grace return to

Hance City as soon as possible and not be alone overseas.

Grace looked at the silent and somewhat downcast Horace, worry

evident in her eyes, and her voice became particularly gentle as she

asked, "Horace, what's wrong?"

Horace snapped out of his thoughts upon hearing her voice. He met

Grace's gaze, a faint smile appearing in his eyes, and he said,

"Nothing, I was just thinking about how to make sure you can have it. If

I cook and send it to you after it's done, it might not be as fresh. So, I've

decided that after this busy period, I'll personally come over and cook

for you. How does that sound?"

"Really?" Grace felt delighted, and her face lit up with a visible smile.

She said, "Then when you come, you'll have to bring me a lot of things.

I want to eat the local dishes of Hance City, and I also want to have

Hance City's pastries."

"How about I just move Hance City to you?"

“That works too, but it might be a bit too much trouble for you, right?"

Grace couldn't help but laugh, her smile even more pronounced than

before.

The two of them locked eyes like this, and since Horace didn't need to

do anything else for the moment, he had plenty of time to chat with her.

Horace asked gently, "Grace, have you missed me lately?"

Horace had always given the impression of being somewhat aloof, so

when he asked such a question, Grace was also taken aback.

Because she found it hard to connect Horace with this statement. She

always thought that Horace might not be the type to say such intimate

words. It was beyond her imagination and left her momentarily

speechless.

Grace's silent response made Horace laugh, and he asked, "Why aren't

you saying anything? Don't you miss me at all?"

Grace tilted her head and looked at Horace, asking, "What's wrong with

you today? Aren't you yourself?"

Horace was also taken aback and instantly understood her meaning.

He said, "Do you think it's unbelievable that I'm saying these things?"

"Not unbelievable, just a bit unexpected. I didn't expect you to ask me

such a question.”

“Is it because I usually come across as boring?" Horace asked.

Grace quickly shook her head, “No, it's just that you usually give off a

cool and aloof vibe. I thought someone like that wouldn't express

themselves so directly.”

“Don't cool and aloof people vary depending on the situation and the

person? You are the closest person to me, so of course, I would show

you all my good and bad emotions without reservation. Did I scare

you?"

Horace's eyes remained fixed on Grace, his gaze filled with tenderness

and warmth that Grace could sense.

Grace said, "You didn't scare me, I'm actually really happy.”

"Happy?" Horace asked.

"Yes, happy.”

“Then you still haven't answered my question, so what is your

question?" Horace continued to inquire.

Grace bit her lip lightly, her embarrassment clearly visible on her face,

and she said, "Can't you feel the answer?"

"I want to hear it from your own mouth, hmm?"

"Hmm."

"What does 'hmm' mean?"

His continued questioning made Grace's face blush, how did she not

realize before that he could be so shameless?

Grace lightly pursed her lips and said, "Hmm means I miss you a lot.

Are you satisfied with that answer, Mr. Burris?"

"Hmm, I'm somewhat satisfied, but I hope you can be more direct with

your answer next time, alright?"

Horace smiled, his smile covering his entire face, and his eyes sparkled

with indulgence as he looked at Grace.

Grace instantly lost her voice, and Horace stared at her, asking,

"Grace, are you angry?"