Chapter 350
Chapter 350:
Brayden let a soft smile tug at one corner of his mouth, a faint warmth settling in his eyes. “Why should I confront you? You must have had your own reasons.” He reached into the drawer and drew out a thick bundle of documents, setting them on the desk with an easy, unhurried motion.
“I learned six months ago that Lia had been lying to me the entire time—right when my condition was at its worst,” he said, his tone steady. “But she was never the real battle. The fight was with myself. I felt sorry for her past and kept pretending I didn’t see through her lies p>
The weight of the documents made Gracie’s pulse stutter. So he had known from the beginning.
Even in her previous life, he had seen through everything. And he’d repaid cruelty with kindness.
Confusion flickered in Gracie’s eyes. “So what changed? Why let me turn Lia in? Did you stop feeling sorry for her p>
Brayden released a quiet, almost amused breath. “I never loved her—not even a little.” His voice settled into something calmer, steadier. “When the truth first came out, I was furious, sure. Anyone would be. But if I’d been in her shoes, I might’ve done the same thing. Otherwise, I’d still be rotting away in that village with no escape p>
He hesitated for a beat before he added, “I was never interested in any woman. Keeping her around was nothing more than a shield against tedious suitors and a convenient excuse to dodge those arranged marriages. But things have changed… I finally have someone I want to protect. She’s crossed the line again and again trying to sabotage you, and I’m done pretending it doesn’t matter p>
The confession struck straight through Gracie’s composure, and her head jerked up as if pulled by a string, wide-eyed and startled. Heat flushed across her cheeks in a slow, betraying bloom.
She pushed abruptly to her feet, fingers tightening around the edge of her chair before she let go. “I still haven’t answered my emails. I should… get back to work p>
Without waiting for his response, she spun away and practically fled the study, her hurried footsteps trailing after her racing heartbeat.
Brayden leaned back in his chair, a quiet laugh slipping out before he could stop it.
Lᴀtｅst chᴀptєrs in
Back in her room, Gracie rested a hand against her chest as she stepped inside, startled by the rush of excitement still thudding beneath her ribs.
Quite a while passed before the flutter finally eased, allowing her thoughts to settle into place—along with the one detail she still hadn’t sorted out.
Clive’s hesitation about sending Lia to prison, his attempts to change Brayden’s mind. None of it felt like simple concern between colleagues.
Gracie gave a small shake of her head, brushed the thought aside for now, and powered on her tablet, signing into her email with steadying breaths.
“Lenora really sent me an email.” Curiosity tugged at her, and Gracie opened the message to find a forwarded report waiting inside.
A comprehensive article unfolded across the screen, outlining the surge in Alzheimer’s cases in recent years and the devastating toll it took on human memory.
Toward the end of the article, Lenora had added a long, thoughtful note of her own: “I’m wondering whether you’d be interested in developing a breakthrough treatment for Alzheimer’s. If you believe it’s viable, our next collaboration could center on exploring the mechanics of deep human memory. Even a small advancement would shake the entire field. I’m willing to increase my annual investment by another hundred million p>
Gracie’s eyes widened as she read, a spark of intrigue sharpening her focus.
“It truly would be an incredibly exciting project…” she murmured, unable to deny the pull of the idea.
Alzheimer’s had carved suffering into patients and families alike, leaving quiet devastation in its wake.
A single drug capable of treating—or even preventing—it would lift an unbearable weight from countless households.
A soft curve touched her lips as she murmured, “An extra hundred million… She really is generous p>
She glanced at the clock, mentally tracing the time difference overseas, and realized dawn had already broken on the other side.
Gracie reached for her phone and dialed, her fingers brushing the cool edge of the device.
After two rings, the call connected.
“Ms. Blakely, it’s been some time. A few days ago, I had my assistant send over some gifts from home. They should be arriving soon, and I hope you and your child enjoy them p>
Lenora’s low laugh drifted through the line. “You always manage to pick exactly what I like. So… I’m guessing you’ve read my email. Interested p>
Message from Noa: Hope you have a great morning dear readers. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. (ɔO‿=)ɔ ♥