Chapter 263
Chapter 263:
Charlie was half-asleep on a bench outside. The moment he heard footsteps, he jolted upright. “Awake p>
Brayden nodded. “Why is Gracie here p>
“She gave Ms. Douglas quite the beating, then rushed straight here to stay the night,” Charlie explained briefly.
Brayden stared at him, stunned. “Come again p>
Charlie quickly pulled out his phone and played the video Sonia had sent. “This came from Ms. Douglas’ agent. Your wife didn’t show her any mercy p>
He watched Brayden’s expression carefully. Only after seeing no trace of displeasure did he let himself relax.
Brayden, looking oddly interested, took the phone and replayed the clip several times before giving it back. “Send that to me p>
“Do you want us to handle Ms. Douglas in any way?” Charlie asked cautiously.
“No. Whatever I owed her was settled a long time ago,” Brayden replied with cold finality. “Today is the last time I will ever help her. From here on out, she and I have nothing to do with each other p>
He paused, then glanced at Charlie. “Do you think… Gracie hit her because I mean something to her p>
Charlie blinked at the unexpected question, then slowly nodded. “I’d say so… yes p>
What Brayden chose to fixate on completely threw him off. Was this truly what mattered to him right now—whether he held a place in someone’s heart?
Brayden seemed almost cheerful. “There’s nothing left for you to stay for. Go home and return in the morning p>
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“You’re not taking your wife home?” Charlie asked, confused.
Brayden shot him a look. “Didn’t you hear me? I said you should go p>
Charlie didn’t dare argue and hurried off.
Gracie slept straight through until morning, waking up feeling calm and well-rested.
She opened her eyes to the pale hospital walls and needed a second to gather her thoughts before remembering where she was.
Her eyes immediately searched for Brayden, and she found him asleep on the sofa.
The soft rustle of her adjusting her blanket woke him.
He sat up right away. “You’re awake? You were out cold last night, so I didn’t want to disturb you. Do you have a moment? We need to talk p>
Gracie nodded. “It’s about Lia, isn’t it p>
“Yes.” His expression tightened. “What I’m asking is unreasonable p>
“You want me to let her go,” Gracie finished for him. “She saved your life. If giving in this once guarantees she leaves your life permanently, then it’s worth it p>
Brayden stared at her, clearly shocked that she not only knew exactly what he wanted but agreed so easily.
When he finally spoke, his voice was low. “Why would you agree to that? You’re putting yourself at a disadvantage. If you hadn’t planned ahead, yesterday’s mess could have ruined both you and your company p>
“But it didn’t,” Gracie replied calmly, stretching her arms a little. “We work well together, and I’ll always look out for what protects you. If backing off cuts her influence over you once and for all, then stepping back isn’t a loss p>
The police’s investigation into Lia’s theft would take time.
During this period, if Brayden really cut her off completely, Lia might act out of panic and desperation, maybe even exposing what happened all those years ago. If that happened, the public would accuse Brayden of being ungrateful.
Gracie would never make a choice that wasn’t worth the price.
“Thank you,” Brayden said softly. “I’ll make sure you’re properly compensated p>