Chapter 7
Seven years ago, I got off the plane.
After turning my phone back on, I saw countless missed calls and messages from Antonio.
At first, he questioned me impatiently, calling me willful for not showing up at the photoshoot.
Realizing he couldn’t find me no matter what, he started to panic.
He had never cared about me or my life ever since he went back to the Kaufman’s house.
In his eyes, I ought to focus entirely on him and Kendall.
So, of course, he had no other way to contact me.
Whenever he needed me, I was just a call away.
Mostly, I came to him, asking him with concern about what he needed.
Then I ended up being poisoned in the basement.
Before I died, Blanche came to me triumphantly.
She stepped on my chained wrist with her high heel and carved the word “slut” with a craft knife on my arm.
I didn’t bother to read all of Antonio’s messages.
After replying “Bye“, I ignored the sharp ringtone, pulled out the SIM card, and tossed it away.
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Ramona covered up for me, and Antonio knew nothing about me, so I had lived a peaceful life during these seven years.
Before I could break free from Antonio’s grasp, Benjamin had already pushed him away with a stern expression.
“Mr. Kaufman, perhaps you should stay away from her,” Benjamin warned.
Yet, Antonio wanted to come to me again as if he hadn’t heard Benjamin at all. Then Benjamin pushed him away again.
Antonio roared at me, “Why would you leave without saying goodbye back then? Do you even have any idea how long I’ve been looking for you?
“Who gave you the permission to vanish for seven years?”
But I saw it with my own eyes. Shortly after I left, it became the trending topic that Antonio, the lead pianist of Breguadale Orchestra, married Blanche, the orchestra’s lead violinist.
They were childhood sweethearts who both came from influential families in Breguadale. After all those years, they finally married.
Everyone thought they were a perfect match, and their wedding was epic.
Promotional videos were spread online widely, and even I, in another country, knew everything about it.
Antonio stared at me intently, muttering, “Grace, you got a studio you wanna decorate, right? I overheard your conversation.
“I’ll get you my family’s best decoration team. I’ll call them now.
“This location isn’t good. You can establish your studio in the office building in the north of the city. My family owns the building. I won’t
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change you.”
I couldn’t stand him anymore and opened my mouth while enduring my disgust, speaking to him for the first time after seven years, “No need.
“I have no intention of collaborating with you. Besides, Mr. Woolery has already taken care of the decoration.”
Antonio immediately pulled a long face. Hesitating, he forced a smile, trying to look casual, and said, “That’s alright. I can still be of help, Grace.
“I’ll get the most professional HR team in my company to help you. You don’t have to worry about hiring.
“And I’ve got the best finance team, tech team, and so on. They’re all
yours.”
He planned everything though I didn’t want them at all. I was annoyed and said coldly, “Antonio, stop it. Are you nuts?
“My affairs are none of your business. Stay away from me.”
Catching the implication behind my words, Benjamin tilted his head to look at me. Then he shielded me with his arms, blocking Antonio away from me.
Then Benjamin said, “Grace has made herself clear.
“Piss off, Antonio. Or we’ll call security.”
After this, he pressed the elevator button.
We left while he was still shielding me.
“Wait, Grace. I can explain!” Antonio said.
He froze, his relaxed expression vanishing as his face turned pale.
As the elevator descended, he completely disappeared from my sight.
