Chapter 321

Chapter 321:

“Not exactly. She’s just a little too enthusiastic, which I find overwhelming,” Gracie said. “I’m in room 1806. When you arrive, just come straight to me p>

“All right. We’ll talk when we see,” Jessie replied.

After hanging up, Gracie sank back onto the bed, her fingers restless as she searched Delia’s name online. She was taken aback by what she saw.

Delia was gifted, beautiful, and founded her own tourism development company upon reaching adulthood. After further studies abroad, she turned to philanthropy. Within just a few years, she had achieved both fame and fortune.

“Philanthropy…” Gracie’s eyes fell on the word, and her brow furrowed once more. “Could this really be a coincidence p>

Could the invitation about the charity ambassadorship be a deliberate move on Delia’s part? Or was she just overthinking things?

She was skeptical, which made it hard for her to see through Delia’s true intentions.

Time raced by, and half an hour later, there was another knock.

Jessie stepped in, shrugging off her coat as she spoke. “On the way here, I asked Eaton, but he didn’t know anything about Delia’s return. All he knew was that three years ago she had a huge fight with Brayden and decided to go abroad p>

“It seems three years ago marked a turning point.” Gracie settled on the sofa opposite Jessie. “But maybe I’m just overthinking it,” she said.

“Should we be alert?” Jessie furrowed her brow. “This resort was developed by Eaton in partnership with the Campbell family. I didn’t expect her to return as well p>

She paused, then said suddenly, “Something is fishy. A few days ago, Gifford called Eaton out of the blue, saying it had been a long time since they got together. He even mentioned the newly built resort, which is why Eaton chose this place for the dinner p>

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Jessie leaned forward, her voice low and tense. “Do you think Delia could have manipulated Gifford into doing this p>

“Since there’s no proof, let’s not jump to conclusions. If she’s really up to something, her true colors will surely show tonight,” Gracie said. “I plan to take a short rest, recharge, and be ready for tonight’s banquet p>

Whether Delia was up to something remained unclear, but tonight she was bound to cross paths with Theo, and a delicate dance of facades would be unavoidable.

“Me too.” Jessie nodded lightly, then rose and stepped out of the room.

In the private room, Brayden lounged on a leather sofa, a smoldering cigar pinched between two fingers. In a firm voice, he said, “What exactly do you want p>

“What do I possibly want? Perhaps you’re just being unnecessarily suspicious.” Gifford smiled across from him. “It’s just that we haven’t all gathered in a long while, so I thought I’d send you an invitation p>

“Is that so?” Brayden’s gaze cut like ice. “Delia is back. When did you find out p>

“That matter happened three years ago! You know full well what kind of temperament Delia has. Back then, you hurt her more than anyone ever should—all in a bid to protect Lia.” After a pause, he added, “Fine. I admit that she coaxed me, but I only reminded Eaton, and that’s the only reason he chose to host the gathering here. She has already taken the first step toward peace. Do you really have to cling to this resentment forever p>

Brayden’s gaze hardened abruptly. “I don’t object to the gathering, nor do I mind meeting again. But that incident three years ago… are you certain it wasn’t her p>

“Delia would never resort to kidnapping, but now it seems more like Lia staged the whole thing herself! You already know who Lia really is. What’s she not capable of doing? You leaned too far in her favor back then, and now you’re willing to keep repeating the same mistake p>

“I deal only in evidence,” Brayden said. “Every piece of evidence points to Delia as the one who orchestrated Lia’s abduction. And now that I’m married, if she dares lay a finger on Gracie, I won’t hesitate to sever whatever thin thread still ties us together p>

Gifford’s face turned icy, his gaze heavy with a storm of conflicting emotions as he looked at him. “What is it about Delia that is so wrong? The bond we’ve shared since childhood—does that mean less to you than a woman you’ve known for only a few months p>

Brayden rose to his feet and strode toward the door. “I may not have known Gracie for long, yet she has always cared for me wholeheartedly p>

At the doorway, he paused. “She was willing to risk her life to save me from death. For such a person, I will do anything to protect her. Consider this a warning, Gifford. Don’t dare cross the line p>

With that, he turned and walked away.

Gifford set down his wine glass and let out a helpless smile. “Delia… it’s been three years, and yet you still don’t stand a chance p>