Chapter 37
Chapter 37:
For seven relentless days, Gracie drove the entire research team to remain stationed at the company, surviving on no more than four hours of sleep each night. When dawn broke on the eighth morning, she rubbed the sleep from her eyes before setting off toward the lab, scrolling through her phone as she walked.
“Guess where I am? On my honeymoon with Theo. You really are pathetic, Gracie. A husband who couldn’t care less, a father who never loved you, and you think drowning yourself in work makes it better? Don’t delude yourself. Brayden will never love you. You’ll just end up a bitter, lonely woman p>
Ellie’s messages came in rapid bursts, punctuated by smug selfies of her and Theo smiling together.
That explained everything—Theo’s recent absence from Radiant Technologies wasn’t due to business. He had been on his honeymoon with Ellie.
Gracie’s expression didn’t waver. She locked her screen, muttering under her breath, “Fool.” Ellie still hadn’t realized the kind of predator she’d tied herself to. One day, she’d find herself crushed beneath her own deceit.
As Gracie neared the lab door, Phoebe appeared from the hallway.
“Gracie, your husband is asking for you p>
“Brayden Stanley?” Gracie stopped short, surprised he’d shown up in person. “All right, I’ll go p>
In the meeting room, she immediately spotted the man seated on the couch—composed, striking, and impossible to ignore. “Is there something you need from me?” she asked evenly.
“You’ve been gone from home for a week,” Brayden said bluntly. Then, realizing how it might sound, he added, “Grandpa wanted me to check on you p>
Gracie took a seat across from him, gesturing toward the glass wall outside. “You’ve probably seen for yourself—this is our critical stage. Everyone’s been working overtime. I didn’t cheat on you. If you think otherwise, you can ask anyone here or check the cameras p>
gαℓησν𝒆𝓁s．𝒸𝗈𝗺 brings magic to life
“That’s not why I’m here.” Brayden’s gaze lifted to her face—bare of makeup, framed by hair loosely gathered in a simple black tie. There was something about that quiet simplicity that drew his eyes in a way the glamour of other women never did.
“Then what brought you here?” Gracie asked, suspicion threading her tone. As the CEO of the Stanley Group, he had an empire to manage—he wouldn’t come personally without a reason.
“There’s a charity auction this weekend. I want you to attend with me,” he replied matter-of-factly. “I’ll take care of the arrangements—dress, makeup, everything. Just show up on time p>
“Fine,” Gracie agreed without hesitation.
Her mind ran through the lab’s progress. If all went according to plan, they’d complete the project within three days—just in time for the event.
Eager to return to work, she added curtly, “Next time, a message will do. You don’t need to come here yourself.” Then she turned and closed the door behind her.
Brayden’s brows drew together as he stared at the shut door.
No one had ever dismissed him so casually.
“Sir, she has already left,” Charlie reminded him cautiously.
“I know,” Brayden said coolly, standing. “Make sure her outfit for the auction is impeccable. It’ll be her first public appearance since the wedding p>
Charlie nodded, following him into the elevator. “Tonight at eight, you’re expected at Azure Club with Miss Douglas p>
Brayden’s jaw tightened. The last time he had gone out to an event with Lia, he hadn’t even seen it through to the end. Midway, he left with Gracie, sending Lia nothing more than a curt message.
Later that same night, Lia had phoned him, her voice trembling and thick with tears. She claimed she’d drunk too much, that someone had harassed her, and begged him to come pick her up.
But word from his friends painted another story—Lia had refused to leave, insisting instead on standing by the roadside. Brayden had long since stopped being fooled by her little manipulations.
Since his marriage, her insecurities had only deepened, turning her from confident to desperate, and the sight of it exhausted him more than he cared to admit.
“Cancel the reservation,” he said as he stepped into the elevator, his tone brisk. “And arrange for a luxury restaurant to send meals here every day for the next two weeks p>