Chapter 336
Chapter 336:
Jessie’s eyes drifted downward. “I only… want to pull him back from the edge and set him straight again p>
Gracie knew all too well the depth of Jessie’s resolve—an unwavering loyalty that would cling to the frailest thread of hope. The thought of Bernie spiraling into utter destruction was a pain Jessie refused to accept.
Taking Jessie’s hand, Gracie gently guided her to sit. “For you, I’ll offer him that thread. But if he refuses to take it, you must understand: even if you come to resent me, I will not stand by and let his actions go unchecked p>
“Okay,” Jessie whispered, nodding repeatedly as relief washed over her. “Thank you, Gracie p>
The two women rested briefly before making their way to the main gathering.
With Brayden absent, Gracie had no interest in joining the men in the game room. Instead, she sought the tranquility of the lakeside, settling under a broad sunshade with a cup of coffee, letting the gentle breeze soothe her.
Beside her, Jessie lounged in peaceful repose, nearly asleep.
“Gracie?” a familiar voice asked softly near her ear.
She blinked awake, her vision still foggy with sleep, and realized that at some point, Yousef had quietly joined them.
“What are you doing here?” Gracie murmured in surprise. Having only seen Gifford the previous day, she hadn’t expected the other Russell brothers.
Yousef sprawled across a lounger like he owned the place, flashing a lazy grin. “Had a late-night industry bash. The second I heard you were holed up here, I dragged myself here at the crack of dawn. Gary’s here too, by the way p>
“That’s unexpected. I figured he was still buried in overtime back at headquarters.” Gracie frowned slightly. “But isn’t the software already in the last phase of development p>
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“It is,” Yousef confirmed. “If all goes well, the AI platform launches next month. He actually came to thank you in person p>
After all, without Gracie’s intervention, the core data for Gary’s project might have been stolen.
“Thanks aren’t necessary. We’re partners. His success is mine as well,” Gracie said.
After they talked a bit longer, Jessie stayed eerily silent.
Had she drifted off?
Gracie turned her head, but Jessie had vanished from sight. A knot of worry tightened in her stomach as she sat up abruptly.
“Looking for your friend?” Yousef noted casually. “A man came for her earlier. I assumed you knew p>
“A man?” Gracie’s demeanor cooled instantly. “Do you know where they went p>
“Likely the game room,” Yousef speculated. “My brothers headed there too. I heard the stakes are quite high tonight p>