Chapter 31

Chapter 31:

Brayden hadn’t expected such a blunt response.

To him, Gracie felt like a puzzle—intricate, layered, and impossible to solve in a single sitting.

He studied her for a beat before asking, his voice edged with suspicion, “Was that warning last night meant to stir up trouble between me and Lia p>

Gracie stopped, amusement flickering in her eyes. “So you’re already doubting her? Sounds like something’s happened between you two p>

“That’s none of your concern,” he retorted, his tone sharp.

A soft curve touched her lips, calm and unbothered. “I don’t make promises I don’t intend to keep. I truly hope everything works out for you. May your life stay steady—free from the people who might drag you down p>

Discomfort crept in quietly, settling on Brayden’s furrowed brow. “Why? We’re practically strangers to each other p>

“I’m not doing this just for you,” Gracie replied lightly. “As long as you hold your position, I can live the life I want. That makes us allies of convenience. Think what you want, but I’ve never once lied to you p>

Turning toward the window, she let the sunlight spill across her face, softening her delicate features until she looked almost gentle.

But Brayden wasn’t fooled. Beneath that calm, tender surface, he could sense the sharp edge of her ambition—quiet, deliberate, and dangerous.

Gracie, however, had already lost interest in his reaction. If he insisted on staying blind to what surrounded him, she wouldn’t waste time trying to protect him. She’d simply forge her own path forward.

When Gracie stepped into the company, Phoebe hurried over, her face clouded with worry. “Your father showed up again p>

“Out of money already?” Gracie’s lips curved into a cold smile.

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Phoebe gave a faint nod. Unease tightened in her chest, fearing Gracie would waver and let Alan bleed more funds from them. “Please—Jeffrey’s investment wasn’t easy to secure. You can’t hand any of it over to your father p>

Gracie said nothing at first. After a pause, she replied evenly, “Tell him I’m not here. Let him wait p>

Pulling on her lab coat, she strode into the laboratory without another glance.

Phoebe hesitated, scratching at her temple, but eventually did as told. She doubted she could handle Alan’s temper, yet she obeyed anyway.

A few minutes later, Alan’s impatient voice echoed through the hall. “Not here?” he barked, his tone dripping with disbelief. “Then I’ll sit here until she shows up p>

He had arrived at dawn, desperate for cash, only to discover that every withdrawal now needed Gracie’s signature. Rage burned across his features, turning his expression thunderous. Since when had his once-obedient daughter started running the company as if it were hers?

Phoebe shifted uneasily beside him. “She’s away on a business trip. Even if you wait all day, I still can’t release any funds without her approval p>

In a swift motion, Alan pushed himself upright, frustration radiating off him. “Then I’ll find someone who can p>

He strode toward the finance department office, forcing Phoebe to chase after him. “Mr. Sullivan, please p>

Ignoring her plea, Alan shoved open the door and swept his gaze across the room. Not a single familiar face remained. All the old staff had been replaced.

After a short, awkward pause, he cleared his throat and demanded, “Where’s your department head p>

A man he didn’t recognize straightened from his desk. “That would be me. What seems to be the problem p>

Alan blinked hard, caught off guard by the sudden shift. “What happened to the previous manager p>

“Fired,” the new department head replied flatly.

Shock bled into anger before settling into realization on Alan’s face. Who else could have pulled this off but Gracie? “It doesn’t matter,” he said gruffly. “Write me a check for five million from the company account p>

“I’m afraid I can’t do that,” the new department head said, his tone professional but unyielding. “Ms. Sullivan has instructed that any transaction above a certain amount requires her personal approval. Company funds are for corporate use only. Without proper documentation, I can’t release the money p>

Alan’s jaw tightened. Rage simmered beneath his skin as he snatched out his phone and dialed Gracie’s number.