Chapter 190

The tension between them lingered for a few minutes, leaving Grace caught in the middle as she observed the two men. Edgar, having lost the effects of 023, appeared to have a slightly stronger aura than Nick, with his eyes carrying an even colder glare. Grace found herself at a loss for words, realizing that this situation was reminiscent of their first encounter. She coughed twice, diverting their attention, and gestured for Nick to look towards the dining room.

In a soft voice, she said, “Brother Nick, take a look. The dishes are ready in the dining room. I’ll wait for you there. I’ve also prepared two bottles of fine red wine. It’s been a while since we had a proper drink together. If I don’t get drunk tonight, I won’t go home.”

“Sounds good,” Nick replied. He withdrew his gaze from his rivalry with Edgar, looked at Grace tenderly, and walked with her to the restaurant to take their seats.

“Sister Grace, your culinary skills are truly exceptional. These dishes are delicious. I wasn’t very hungry initially, but now my appetite has improved,” Nick praised.

“I’m glad you like them,” Grace replied.

Meanwhile, Edgar remained standing in the stairwell, his eyes fixed on their interaction. Although Grace had informed him of her plans for the evening, seeing Nick so joyous and calling out to him still pained his heart. When had he ever received such treatment?

Inside the restaurant, Grace smiled and pursed her lips. Nick reached out to pour the wine but was stopped by her.

“Sister Grace, you have a servant here. Let her fulfill her duties. Why bother pouring the wine yourself?

Nick said.

Grace’s expression faltered for a moment before returning to a smile. She placed the red wine down and glanced towards the stairwell.

“Edgar, come here,” she called.

Nick smirked, sitting up straight as though he had grown accustomed to this dynamic over the years.

Edgar approached them, and Nick looked at Grace’s face with a slightly startled tone, saying, “Sister Grace, it seems there’s something on your face. Let me wipe it for you.”

Grace remained motionless as Nick’s affectionate gaze met Edgar’s cold one. Before his hand could reach her face, Edgar tightly grasped Nick’s wrist, His face contorted In a gloomy expression as he managed to squeeze out a few words through gritted teeth. Nick raised his head, sneering, “It’s not up to you to decide what I want to do.” Nick’s tone grew more serious as he spoke. Edgar maintained a tight grip on his hand, his own eyes glaring fiercely.

Nick attempted to break free but was unsuccessful, growing increasingly annoyed. “Sister Grace, do you see how he treats his master? Such arrogance! This stray mutt should have been put down a long time ago!” Nick exclaimed.

Grace was about to respond when Edgar coldly snorted, “My master has always been Grace. What are you?”

Their eyes locked once again, their hands caught in the middle as they engaged in a silent battle. The air around them grew heavy with tension.

Grace let out a sigh. It seemed that wherever she went, with Edgar present, there was always an intense conflict between the men. She coughed once again, and Grace shot Edgar a warning glance.

“Enough, let go,” she ordered.

With her command, Edgar obediently released his grip. However, he remained standing between them, like a mobile camera, monitoring Nick for any signs of excessive behavior.

Nick retrieved a tissue from his pocket and elegantly wiped his sleeve, expressing his annoyance.

“Sister Grace, I don’t think this meal will be enjoyable with someone around who behaves like this.”

Understanding his implication, Grace raised her gaze and looked at Edgar before addressing him seriously. “Master Nick is my guest. You came here and offended him deliberately, trying to make me angry. It seems that I have spoiled you too much in the past, causing you to forget your place.”

She turned her attention to the outside of the villa and raised her voice. “Come in!”

Fifteen and Seventeen hurriedly entered the living room, stazuling upright.

Maintaining her composure, Grace didn’t even spare a glance at Edgar. “Take him to the basement and let him reflect on his actions. He should not be released without my order.”

Fifteen and Seventeen exchanged a puzzled look, hesitating for a moment. Edgar frowned, his face cold and hurt. “Are you punishing me for him?”

Grace coldly smiled at him, her red lips curling. “What else? Brother Nick and I have known each other since childhood. I have cherished him since we were young. Although I held grudges against him in the past, I’ve come to understand. Let bygones be bygones. After all, he still holds a special place in my heart.”

She continued, her tone cutting like a knife. “As for you, I gave you the opportunity to terminate our employment contract, but you chose to stay. If you can’t handle this anger, then leave! Do you really think you hold any significance in my eyes?”

Her words pierced through him, causing a sharp pain in his heart. He knew Grace no longer had any feelings for him. Was she deliberately using Nick to fabricate a lic?

His eyes reddened, and his voice trembled as he spoke, “I understand that I’ve made many mistakes in the past, but aren’t you moved by the efforts I’ve made for you now?

Grace remained silent, noticing a glimmer of moisture in his eyes, reflecting his vulnerability and pain.

She was taken aback.

This guy truly possessed exceptional acting skills. Tears welled up in his eyes as he spoke, catching her off guard. After a two–second pause, she regained her composure.

She turned away, her face expressionless. “Initially, I tolerated your behavior because you were hurt for my sake. But you have gone too far and offended Brother Nick. I can no longer spare you. Fifteen, Seventeen, take him to the prison.”

The young lady’s orders were given for the second time. Edgar exploded, “There’s no need for punishment. You want me to leave? Fine, I’ll go!”

He turned around and stormed out of the villa without looking back, his eyes burning with anger. Fifteen and Seventeen stood there, perplexed.

“Miss” What should we do?” they asked.

“Let him go,” Grace replied.

“Yes.”

Fifteen, Seventeen, and the others left, leaving Grace and Nick alone. Finally, Edgar made his exit, and Nick took the initiative to pour the red wine on the table and filled Grace’s glass.

“Sister Grace, I am truly grateful that you stand up for me like this,” Nick expressed, his eyes filled with happiness.

Grace looked at him, suppressing her earlier coldness towards Edgar, and smiled gently. “Of course, 12:15 The Mill how can he compare to you? After all, you are the person I hold most dear in my heart. Let’s forget about the unpleasantness earlier and enjoy our drink.”

Their glasses clinked together wit a crisp sound. After the toast, Grace wasted no time and took a sip of her wine, savoring its taste. Meanwhile, Nick merely swirled his glass, his mouth carrying a hint of secrecy.

“I still remember the last time we gathered at the bar. It was clear that you had an affinity for him. I felt so heartbroken that day,” Nick reminisced, his tone growing more serious. This time, he was willing to endure pain for your sake. You should show him even more affection. Why did you take advantage of this opportunity to let him go?”

Grace’s beautiful eyes widened in surprise, caught off guard by his words.

Nick gazed at her, a playful gleam in his eyes. “Could it be that you’re deliberately putting on an act for my sake?”

Grace’s expression faltered for a moment before she regained her composure, facing him with at blank expression. “Originally, I endured your actions because you suffered for my sake. But now, you have crossed the line and offended Brother Nick. I can no longer spare you. Fifteen, Seventeen, take him to the basement.”

Fifteen and Seventeen exchanged glances, puzzled by the situation. Meanwhile, Edgar’s face revealed a mixture of coldness and hurt. “Are you punishing me for his sake?”

Grace, still wearing a cold smile, met his gaze. “Why not? Brother Nick and I have known each other since childhood. I have admired him since our youth. Despite our past grievances, I’ve come to realize that I still hold him dear in my heart.”

She continued, her words sharp and unyielding, “As for you, I gave you the chance to terminate our contract, but you chose to stay. If you can’t hear this anger, then leave! Don’t delude yourself into thinking you have a place in my eyes.”

Her words pierced through him, causing a searing pain in his heart. He knew now that Grace no longer had any feelings for him. Was she deliberately using Nick to convey a fabricated lie?

His eyes reddened, his voice choked with emotion. “I acknowledge the mistakes I’ve made in the past, but aren’t you touched by the efforts I’ve made for you now?”

Grace remained silent, her eyes catching the glimmer of tears in his, revealing his fragility and pain.

She was taken aback.

This man truly possessed the skills of an award–winning actor. Tears welled up as he spoke, leaving her momentarily stunned. However, she quickly regained her composure, her expression turning cold.

“For a while, I tolerated your behavior because you suffered on my behalf. But you have gone too far and offended Brother Nick. I can no longer spare you. Fifteen, Seventeen, take him to the basement.”

The young lady’s command was issued once again. Edgar exploded, “There’s no need for punishment.

You want me to leave? Fine, I’ll go!”