In the Lap of Luxury
Chapter 499 Hiding a Man

Lydia couldn't help but tease, "I'm just curious. When did you buy a house there? And when did you start cooking? It looks so delicious.

"Come on, spill the beans. Do you have any secrets you're keeping from us?"

Grace blushed at those words, and her words became somewhat incoherent. "What secret? I just... I just shared bits of my life. I didn't expect it to attract so much attention." Lydia clearly didn't believe her and said doubtfully, "Really? Gracie, are you hiding a man in Summitview Manor?"

That was such a ridiculous statement.

"Absolutely not!" Grace blurted out.

She looked up at Xander in the dining room, and her heart started pounding again.

She quickly held a hand up to her chest, as if to hide her inner turmoil. Then, she said, "I have something else to do. Let's talk later."

With that, Grace hung up the phone.

But at this moment, she lost the courage to return to the dining room. Leaning against the corner, she cradled her phone and stomped her foot in regret. Why did she ask that question earlier?

What if things weren't what she had assumed? It would be too awkward, wouldn't it?

"Gracie."

Xander appeared in front of her without her noticing, and his voice startled her.

"Yes? What's wrong?"

Raising his eyebrow, he said, "Hurry up and have breakfast. You're going to be late for work."

Seeing him behaving as usual, Grace breathed a sigh of relief. The tension that had been building up was eased at once.

"Okay."

Though her tone was calm, a hint of disappointment welled up inside her.

At the office, Grace was visibly absent-minded. Luke called her several times before she snapped back to reality and asked, "What's wrong?"

Luke's eyes flashed with doubt, but he remembered his role and didn't inquire further.

He said professionally, "Ms. Lewis, Mr. Barnes has scheduled a meeting with you. It's time to leave."

Only then did Grace come to her senses. She grabbed the coat from her office chair. "Okay, let's go now."

Luke followed her closely and left the company.

Once they reached the entrance of Barnes Group, they ran into Jessica. As the saying went, enemies did indeed cross paths often.

During this period, Jessica had been in the limelight. Along with Landon Realty, she had gained a foothold in Pamore.

Leading the way at the front of the crowd, Jessica appeared to be engaged in a lively conversation, looking like the epitome of a career woman.

Upon seeing Grace, she couldn't help but stop in her tracks. When their eyes met, the air crackled with tension.

Jessica smiled. She turned around and walked toward Grace. "It's been so long, Ms. Lewis. But why bring just an assistant with you? Isn't that a bit tacky?"

Her words were full of sarcasm, and she was acting high and mighty.

Grace raised her eyebrows nonchalantly and retorted sharply, "That's not quite right, Ms. Landon. Our approaches to doing things just differ."

Jessica didn't care. "Now that Landon Group has risen, Grace, I've proven with my strength that I'm not inferior to you. In fact, I've surpassed you. What do you have to compete with me?"

Grace smiled calmly. "You indeed have your strengths, but here's a piece of advice. Being too high-profile may not be a good thing. After all, the higher you climb, the harder the fall."