Chapter 635: Grace Surprisingly Appears at the Pace Family
Tina merely gave a symbolic smile, as the past grievances had yet to be resolved. "My father is currently with guests, he will be out soon. Please wait a moment, dinner will also be ready shortly," Boris explained before attending to his tasks. Tina sipped her tea, "Is this meant to intimidate us?" Natalie was unimpressed, "If Leo wanted to intimidate me, he wouldn't resort to such low-end tactics." It was clear that Boris wanted to intimidate them personally. Tina laughed softly without responding.
After about an hour, Tina and Natalie were still being ignored. Boris was busy with something, and Leo had not left his study. Only when the servants had prepared the meal and called everyone to the table did Leo finally emerge. Boris hurried over, helping Leo along with a woman by his side. "Everett, when did you arrive?" Leo, visibly surprised to see Natalie, greeted her. Natalie slightly curled her lips, glancing inadvertently at Boris, "I've been here a while. Mr. Pace told me not to disturb you, so I didn't come over." Tina, meanwhile, looked meaningfully at the woman beside Leo and smiled.
Leo glanced at Boris, his words tinged with reproach, "Boris, didn't I say to bring Everett and Tina to the study after they arrived?" Boris, head bowed, replied, "Dad, I just got distracted." Tina smirked, "Mr. Pace, weren't you just standing in the kitchen the whole time? Supervising?" Boris laughed awkwardly, his intention clear. Tina, on the other hand, showed no regard for guest etiquette-did she not know that more words could mean more mistakes?
Leo looked deeply at Boris, but with everyone present, it was not the place to speak further, "Everett, Tina, come sit by me, let me introduce you." He looked affectionately at the woman on his right. As they took their seats, Tina spoke up first, "Grandpa Pace, no need for introductions, I know Miss Hancock." The woman was Grace! Tina had considered that meeting Stephanie might eventually lead to encountering Grace. She hadn't expected Grace to appear here, a former convict dining at the table of a former bureau chief of the X Bureau, truly remarkable.
Grace raised her glass, the brandy reflecting her half-smiling face, although the reflection in the glass and alcohol made her smile seem somewhat sinister. "Miss Reed, I didn't expect to meet you here today. I offer you a toast as an apology. I was foolish before, please forgive me." Grace's method of apology was evidently more polished than Stephanie's, leaving no room for criticism. This was in front of Leo, whom Natalie respected deeply and Tina was quite fond of. Tina responded indifferently, "It's not like you scarred my face, no need to apologize to me."
Grace, faced with her own misdeeds being publicly discussed, struggled to maintain her composure, but managed to keep from revealing more. She bowed her head, genuinely remorseful, "I was very upset at the time, and Stephanie said some things that provoked me. I couldn't help it... I was wrong, I was too impulsive." Boris quickly interjected, "Given the circumstances, it was indeed difficult for you to stay rational, and you have already faced punishment. People should not be branded as villains for life after one mistake, Miss Hancock, don't mind it."
After speaking, he glanced at Tina again, his eyes mocking. It was as if he was saying, "What does it matter to you what someone else is like? Why are you interfering?" Natalie shot Boris a look; this man really kept pushing her limits. Was he now openly bullying Tina in front of her?
"You should care about what needs to be cared about. If Miss Hancock doesn't take this lesson as a warning bell, there will be even greater punishments waiting for you in the future, Mr. Pace, wouldn't you agree?" Natalie warned Boris, her gaze clearly indicating-if you dare bully my daughter again, don't expect me to spare your father's face!
Boris chuckled dryly, offering no response. It was then that Leo slowly began to speak, "Grace is now a secretary at the X Bureau's secretariat, handling my affairs, a very meticulous girl." Tina raised an eyebrow. A secretary at the X Bureau's secretariat? Grace's capabilities were much greater than she had imagined.
Grace looked at Tina and explained, "Stephanie hasn't sued me. After compensating her mother, I was released from the detention center and was actually preparing to apply for the X Bureau." Tina's smile grew more pronounced. Wasn't it clear how much Grace knew? She wanted to apply for the X Bureau? Tina guessed she didn't even know what the X Bureau was before.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
But this made Tina even more curious. How did Grace get connected with the Five Poisons? When she had encountered the Five Poisons, she was posing as Grace. If they had no connection, how could it be Grace? Moreover, without the help of the Five Poisons, Grace wouldn't have been able to get into the X Bureau, even if she cracked her head open. Although the secretariat of the X Bureau didn't require physical strength, only a clear mind and efficient handling of affairs, how could a pampered princess like Grace possess such skills? If she truly had them, she wouldn't have caused so much trouble at Clearwater.
"Grace is this year's top candidate, and the agency has therefore relaxed the conditions. She really is a fine young lady, and I think you two can become good friends," Leo said, looking at Tina with a thick smile. His eyes, clouded from years of authority, were obscured by a fog that made it impossible to discern his intentions.
Tina narrowed her pupils and nodded silently, "Mm, I understand." Seeing Tina nod, Leo then discussed with Natalie the events of recent years, although he was well aware of them, he still wanted to inquire personally. After all, before Jared, Leo had favored Natalie as his successor.
After dinner, Natalie and Tina accompanied Leo for a walk in the back garden. Boris and Grace waited ahead. "This mother and daughter aren't easy to deal with, each more troublesome than the other," Boris cursed, his eyes showing a hint of fierceness. Grace, however, showed no surprise at Boris's demeanor, instead she smiled and said, "Yes, otherwise our Hancock family wouldn't have been ruined, and Rachel wouldn't have been locked in that dark house, out of the sunlight." Mentioning Rachel, a flicker of pain crossed Boris's eyes, "I don't know how Rachel is doing? I'm really worried about her." Grace looked at Boris's sentimentality with disgust, though she kept her expression neutral. "Mr. Pace, I understand your feelings. Tina and her mother are no saints. If we let them continue like this, the next ones to be locked up will be you and me."