Chapter 351

Chapter 351:

Gracie let out a thoughtful breath. “I am. I’d actually been leaning in that direction for a while, but I hadn’t committed. Plenty of labs have spent years chasing breakthroughs on this with barely any progress.” She paused, fingers brushing the edge of her desk. “And you’re my investor. If I can’t deliver results soon, it gets harder and harder to justify where the funding goes p>

A quiet sigh came from the other end. “I understand the pressure. But I also have personal reasons. My parents are getting older, and their memory has been slipping faster lately. I’m terrified of the day they might look at me and see a stranger.” Her voice softened with fragile hope. “You’re the most capable researcher I’ve ever met. If anyone can pull this off, it’s you p>

That unwavering faith steadied Gracie’s pulse, lighting something determined in her chest. “All right, then. I’ll draft the project proposal tonight and send it to your inbox tomorrow. Once you approve it, I’ll put the team together immediately p>

“Sleep tight p>

Once the call ended, Gracie stretched out on her bed, yet sleep refused to settle over her.

In this life, she finally had the freedom to blaze her own trail—earning admiration, respect, and the kind of recognition she had once only dreamed of.

None of it had existed for her before, and the contrast left her chest warm and restless.

No sooner had her phone quieted than it vibrated again.

Catching sight of the caller ID, she frowned as a quiet tension rippled through her.

New updates in gαℓησν𝒆ℓs․cøm

She let her voice cut through the line like ice. “Cut to the chase. It’s late, and I’m not letting you ruin what little rest I have p>

A ragged breath crackled through the speaker before Alan spoke. “Come back. Right now.” His tone carried a strange weight, and behind it came the faint hitch of someone sobbing.

Gracie’s forehead tightened as she pushed upright. “Why can’t you just tell me? What’s so important that it has to be said in person p>

“Just get back here! Do you still want the shares or not?” Alan snapped, desperation fraying his words. “If you still think of yourself as a Sullivan, then come home immediately. Otherwise… I’ll destroy your mother’s keepsakes p>

Her spine jolted rigid. “What did you just say?” she demanded, fully awake now. “My mother’s keepsakes are still in that house? You told me they were gone p>

“Whether you want them or not is up to you. If you do, come home.” Alan ended the call without giving her a chance to argue.

A tight shadow crossed Gracie’s expression as she slipped into a set of sportswear and strode out of the villa.

Even if Alan was bluffing, the faintest chance that her mother’s keepsakes still existed forced her to act.

Inside the study, a tall silhouette lingered near the window.

Brayden’s brows pulled together before he reached for his phone. “Shadow Gracie,” he instructed quietly. “Tell me where she’s heading at this hour, and alert me the moment anything seems off p>

After he ended the call, a hard shadow settled over his features. An uneasy thought slid through his mind—had something serious happened?

“Forget it,” he muttered under his breath as he snatched up the coat draped over the chair and strode for the door. “Waiting around won’t get me answers. I’ll go see for myself p>

Outside, the Maybach waited in the driveway. Brayden climbed in and sent the car gliding down the winding drive, his focus razor-sharp as he pushed the speed a little harder than usual.

When he passed the villa where Aiden lived, a sharp, furious voice reached his ears. On instinct, he slowed the car.

“You fool! Look at the disaster you dragged us into. Because of you, they kicked me out of the company. From now on we’re scraping by on a tiny monthly allowance. How could you throw everything away for a bit of quick cash p>

Erik’s voice grew louder, filled with fury. “Don’t act like this is unfair! I’ve done everything I could for you! I told you—get the project right, and you’d be CEO of a subsidiary. But you couldn’t wait, could you? Now look at you—whining and blaming everyone else. Who’s really responsible for this mess p>

Along with Erik’s angry words, the sharp crash of objects shattering echoed through the room.

Brayden stole a quick glance in their direction but quickly averted his gaze. Without hesitation, he stomped on the accelerator.

Whatever drama was unfolding between Aiden and Erik wasn’t as urgent as ensuring Gracie’s safety.