Chapter 80
Chapter 80
“Grayson, you’re here too!” Valeria exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she approached him.
Grayson owed Valeria a debt of gratitude. Years ago, when she was just a small–time model and a stranger to him, she had gone out of her way to help his grandmother. Valeria stepped in after someone stole Grandma Blake’s bag, leaving her stranded and unable to contact him. Valeria brought his grandmother safely to his hotel in London, ensuring she returned to his side unharmed.
He had known Valeria for five years since that fateful encounter. Out of appreciation, Grayson had supported her career in the modeling world, granting her the opportunities she asked for. To others, her help might have seemed insignificant, but the memory of his grandmother’s relieved face stayed with him.
But that was as far as his goodwill extended. He had never crossed any boundaries with her.
Yes, Grayson slept with other models, but Valeria wasn’t one of them–a woman connected to his grandmother, someone he wouldn’t complicate with physical intimacy.
Still, he was aware of the rumors surrounding Valeria—murmurs that she was his mistress. He provided her access to his properties, finding it a small price to pay for her past kindness, with the unspoken understanding that she would maintain distance from his personal affairs.
“I was invited,” Grayson replied curtly, allowing Valeria to loop her arm around his without protest.
His mind, however, was elsewhere.
For months, Grayson had believed Isabella was in Singapore. He had returned to America and searched every corner of North Carolina, hoping to find her, but all his efforts led nowhere.
It wasn’t until Joanne’s partnership invitation arrived last week, with Isabella’s name listed among the designers, that he finally had a concrete lead.
Without hesitation, he expedited his work, ensuring everything was handled so he could leave. He had been in Paris for three days, preparing for this moment.
When he entered the auction hall, his eyes immediately found her.
Isabella stood gracefully, her hand resting lightly on Evan Monroe’s chest–a sight that made Grayson’s fists clench.
Suppressing his emotions, he sank into his assigned seat.
As the auction unfolded, Grayson purchased every piece in the Cassiera collection without hesitation. He knew the effort and passion Isabella had poured into her work, and he wasn’t about to let it go unappreciated.
As the event went on, he motioned for Eliot to give Isabella the hotel key card. They needed to talk–there was too much left
unsaid.
Eliot returned with an expression that made Grayson’s stomach tighten. “She refuses to meet with you, Boss. From her reaction, it looks like she’s not pleased to see you here.”
Grayson fixed his assistant with a penetrating stare.
“And?” The assistant hesitated, unsure whether to relay what he’d overheard from some executives who had been in the area.
“What is it?” he asked, his voice low but laced with authority, his gaze sharp and intense enough.to suffocate anyone who dared meet it.
Eliot swallowed hard before replying, “There’s talk among the executives… she’s marrying Evan Monroe.”
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Chapter 80
A wave of fury surged through Grayson. “That’s not going to happen!
He was about to storm off and confront Isabella, but he spotted her slipping out from the auction hall, walking behind Joanne’s secretary.
Without missing a beat, Grayson stood and followed Isabella. By the time he reached the elevator bank, Isabella had already stepped inside.
He cursed under his breath. He could do nothing now; the key card access system restricted the elevator
“Should I contact Ms. Joanne?” Eliot offered, sensing Grayson’s frustration.
“No!” Grayson snapped. The truth was, after everything that had happened, he didn’t know how to start fixing the pap between them.
Minutes later, he noticed the lights above the elevator shifting downward toward the auction hall floor
When the doors finally opened, the scene before him stopped his heart: Isabella lay unconscious in the arms of Joanne’s secretary.
Grayson felt a cold shiver run down his spine, his mind going blank.
“What have you done to Isabella?!” His voice thundered through the empty hallway.
Fortunately, the auction was still ongoing, and few people were around to witness the scene.
Joanne was the one who answered his question. “Mr. Blake, she collapsed in my office. Our discussion became heated, but her fainting took me by surprise.”
“Give her to me!” Grayson’s command left no room for argument.
“Y–yes, Mr. Blake!” The secretary stammered, clearly panicking and unsure of what to do.
“Be careful with her,” Joanne cautioned, “When she lost consciousness, that’s when I realized–Isabella’s pregnant!”
“W–what did you say?” Grayson’s heart dropped, his spine stiffening.
Without thinking, his hand moved gently to touch the woman’s stomach. It was true; beneath the careful draping of her clothes, he felt the unmistakable swell of her pregnancy.
Something broke inside him as the implications crashed through his mind.
How had he not known? He had been away from her for almost six months. All that time, she had been alone.
Where had he been during her pregnancy?
His fingers shook as guilt and sorrow tore through him. He had mourned alone for Grandma Blake, neglecting one person who needed him most.
“Boss, we need to get her to the hospital. Ms. Isabella’s blood sugar could drop again–this could be dangerous.!” Eliot’s voice cut through his thoughts.
Grayson didn’t hesitate. He forced himself to stay calm, and after the secretary helped lift her, he gently cradle. Sabella in his arms. He almost ran to the car, desperate to get her help.
He had done this: his absence, his grief, his choices….
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