Chapter 209

Chapter 209

Stephanie laid out Sable’s background briefly. “If he really has a grudge against me or Vincent, why on earth did he save us? He clearly had a chance to let us die. There’s no point saving us only to turn around and kill us, right? That’s just beating

around the bush.”

“You have a point, Julianna admitted, puzzled, “Let’s not dwell on that now. When we’re both free, we need to grab some drinks. I’ve missed you.”

I can’t anytime soon, I’ve got to live in the lab these days. Alcohol would just mess things up. Are you in the mood for drinks? What, did you have another fallout with Graham?”

“Who would waste their time getting mad at that jerk!”

Stephanie burst into laughter. The way you’re cussing him out totally says you’re pissed. What happened?”

Julianna fell silent for a moment, “Graham, that jerk, has another woman! And that woman had the nerve to send me photos of them watching fireworks together.”

Raising an eyebrow, Stephanie smirked playfully, “Isn’t he seeing someone else exactly what you wanted to happen?”

“Yeah! Him seeing other women is fine by me! But it’s not fine if some homewrecker starts acting like she’s the main character. You get it!”

With a laugh, Stephanie responded. The tone in your voice is loud and clear: you’re genuinely angry. But is it really because of the other woman’s audacity, or do you actually care about Graham? You need to sort out your feelings.”

“The idea that I would care about that man is ridiculous! Absolutely impossible!

Stephanie knew Julianna’s stubborn denial all too well, “Want me to dig up some dirt on this woman?”

“No need! This situation suits me just fine! You go on with your business, I’m off to brainstorm some designs. Men are nothing but a hindrance to my moneymaking! Bye!”

After hanging up, Stephanie thought it over and had Giovanni check into that woman. In the end, if Graham really was involved with someone else, she wouldn’t support Julianna getting back together with him anyway. After laying out her plans, Julianna dove back into her work.

Two hours later, the woman’s dossier was on Stephanic’s phone the woman, Hilda Larson, was the high–flying heiress of the Nexa Group. After returning from Muprary, she was placed in the Whitlock Group as Graham’s second secretary, During her time abroad, she had dated five boyfriends, each of them heirs to international corporations, and she had a history of “winning them from others. Hilda knew how to charm men, and not a single ex spoke poorly of her after a breakup–a true player with a high EQ and IQ. It was odd that such an heiress of the Larson family would choose to be a secretary, but when it came to sending Julianna the pictures, her intentions couldn’t have been clearer. Though not exactly intimate shots, the photos carried a decidedly flirtatious vibe. Stephanie had no love for home–wreckers, especially when her best friend was the one being provoked. She called Giovanni, instructing him to keep a close watch on Graham and Hilda Larson for any signs of an affair.

It was eight in the evening when Vincent called. “Should I come get you?” he asked,

Stephanie just then realized how late it had become. Stretching languidly, she replied, “No need, I’ll drive myself back. Have you had dinner yet?”

“Not yet, I was hoping to have it with you.”

A smile curled Stephanie’s lips, “Then wait at home for me, I’ll be back and fix you that meaty mush.”

“Mush again?”

10:31 Thu, Oct 10 B.

Chapter 209

Just bear with it for three more days, it’ll be good for your stomach.”

There was a touch of resignation in Vincent’s voice, “Alright. But I’ll cook dinner tonight.”

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By the time Stephanie had finished packing up, she drove back to their apartment and, stepping inside, was greeted with the aroma of a home–cooked meal. Vincent emerged from the kitchen sporting a pink apron, looking every bit the perfect stay- at–home husband.

Stephanie’s mischievous side surfaced as she dropped her bag by the door, switched out of her shoes, and approached, flicking the apron’s bow with a slender finger. Raising an eyebrow, she teased, “Call me, ‘Master”

Vincent was speechless.

“You really fit the part of the little maid, don’t you?”

Vincent raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything. He then countered, “Looking to role–play tonight? Seems like you haven’t had enough fun from last night.”

Stephanie cleared her throat awkwardly, “Uhm. I’m starving, let just eat.”

Vincent grabbed her wrist softly. “Master, are you sure you don’t want to enjoy me first?*

Stephanie finally understood the meaning of playing with fire and getting burned.

After dinner. Vincent didn’t waste much time in guiding her to the bed.

Master, shall we begin?”

Stephanie was silent. Ultimately, Stephanie learned what it meant to be bone–tired. She massaged her aching back, not wanting to lift even a finger, and soon drifted to sleep. Vincent leaned against the headboard, a look of complete satisfaction on his face.

Just then, Stephanie’s phone on the nightstand started vibrating He reached out with a long arm to pick it up and saw that it was a call from Julianna. Without disturbing Stephanie’s peaceful slumber, Vincent answered the call. Julianna’s voice came through slurred, “Stephie, I feel so terrible! The call ended abruptly, leaving the blaring sound of heavy metal music beating in Vincent’s ears. He frowned, immediately checked Julianna’s location, and sent it to Graham.

After sending the message, there was no reply, so Vincent called back. The phone was answered by a woman. His voice was deep and even when he asked, “Where’s Craham?”

“Mr. Whitlock went to the restroom,” came the reply, noisy chatter in the background suggesting a social event at a hotel. Vincent pressed on skeptically, ‘Is it okay for you to just pick up his personal calls?”

Caught in her act, Hilda Larson remained calm and officially responded, “Since the call display showed it was Mr. Fletcher, 1 thought it must be something important, so I wanted to pass that along”

His question was answered, yet the explanation seemed far from forced. Vincent instructed, “Go get him now; I have something urgent to discuss.”

“Understood, Mr. Fletcher.” Hilda didn’t dare delay. She took the phone and stepped out of the private room, heading toward the restroom. At that moment, Graham stepped out of the restroom, his eyes meeting Hilda as she approached. Handing him the phone she said. “Mr. Whitlock, Mr. Fletcher is on the line for you

Graham took the phone from Hilda, his voice unemotional yet straightforward, “You’ve crossed a line.”

Hilda blinked, quickly comprehending that she wasn’t supposed to take his calls without permission. She immediately apologized, “I’m sorry. Mr. Whitlock, I shouldn’t have taken your call without asking. But, seeing it was Mr. Fletcher calling, and the phone kept vibrating, I thought it might be something urgent.”

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Chapter 209

*No repeat,” he said without a change in expression, although his displeasure was quite apparent.

“I understand.”

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Graham saw the location sent by Vincent and a message to confirm. With a curt “Received, he strode off toward the private room. Hilda followed closely behind. “Mr. Whitlock, is something wrong?” Graham didn’t answer; he just quickened his pace and entered the room. After putting on his coat and exchanging brief hellos, he left Hilda behind to entertain others and made his exit. Disappointment flickered in Hilda’s eyes, but she swiftly composed herself and started mingling with the other executives. They were all shrewd people; no one dared to overfill the glass of Hilda Larson, the heiress to the Larson family. Merely five minutes after Graham departed, Hilda made an excuse of feeling unwell to make her exit.

The room’s door closed, and the guests started talking openly.

The Larson family’s heiress came back from abroad, but prefers to be a junior secretary at Whitlock Group, quite the deliberate move, someone commented.

“It’s obvious, but it seems like Mr. Whitlock isn’t interested in that way, another added.

“Do you know if he’s interested? With Hildan’s figure, any man would have a hard time resisting such temptation,” a third voice joined the gossip

“Mrs. Whitlock is quite the catch herself–beautiful face, hot body, capable, top of the line. Mr. Whitlock isn’t foolish. Marriage alliances come with a lot of benefits. Before he’s a husband, he’s a businessman. Dropping the partnership with the Saunders family to boost the Larsons doesn’t make business sense.”

“That’s true, but let’s see what Hilda as a secretary has up her sleeves. Who knows? Them leaving one after the other might mean something!”

At that moment, oblivious to the rumors swirling around him, Graham took a rideshare to the location Vincent sent. Entering the bar, his gaze swept over the booths where he saw Julianna sitting, but his eyes ultimately fell on a woman on the dance floor. He walked briskly over to her, grabbed her arm, and pulled her into his embrace.

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