Chapter 17

After the inspection from the Urban Management Bureau ended, Mia told Grace. “We’re having a reunion with our high school classmates this weekend. Come and join us.”

“A gathering?” Grace laughed. Given her current condition, she would be mocked if she were to go. No doubt, that was exactly what Mia intended. “You’re so kind to think of me,” she said.

“But, no. I’m not free, and I won’t be going.”

“Oh come on, Grace. These events are impossible to pull together. It’s a rarity. What is it you’re busy with? Come and join us!” Mia tried to persuade her.

Did Mia think that Grace was born yesterday?

This woman had been rude, spiteful, and petty. She could just imagine how a ‘reunion’ would play out-with Mia, no doubt, telling everyone how Grace, former beauty and valedictorian, lost it all, went to jail, and was currently working in Sanitation.

Nope. Not happening.

“I need to work over the weekend. Do you really think that weekends would be rest days for me given the scope of my job?” Grace asked.

Mia was speechless when she heard that. Indeed, she had forgotten.

“However…”

“I’m clearing the rubbish. Let’s talk another time.” Before Mia could finish her statement, Grace turned to leave.

She was not stupid. And, seriously, Mia was so obvious.

It’s okay. You’re okay.

Tomorrow is a new day.

Grace repeated her mantra and pushed the negative thoughts from her mind. She couldn’t control the mean or shallow people around her, but she could control herself. And she could choose to meet experience with positivity.

Two days later, the Vice Director instructed her to send a document over to someone from the Urban Management Bureau, only problem was it was the weekend, and the Management Bureau representatives were at a country club luncheon.

Ordinary sanitation workers were not allowed to enter such a place, and more than one employee at the prestigious club tried to intercept her as she entered the lobby.

Grace caught the odd stares of other wealthy people, their looks saying clearly, ‘what is SHE doing in here!?’ Like she was some other species or something.

Grace had been to this particular club many times before for

dinners and charity events. Sean belonged to this particular country club.

One of the staff nodded to her. “We’re expecting you,” he said.

“Follow me.”

“Sure.”

The sooner she could hand off this paperwork, the better.

Then she could leave.

The staff member led her down one hallway and into another. Then he opened the door to a ballroom. Many people were inside.

When Grace stepped in, she heard a familiar voice, saying, “Look who’s here!”

Grace saw Mia Jenkins, Maria, and some of her high school classmates.

“There you are, Grace!” Mia called out loudly.

Grace knew immediately that Mia had deliberately made this arrangement. As she was from the Urban Management Bureau, the supervisors would be eager to get on her good side. As long as Mia wanted a document and specified the person she wanted to bring it to her, the Vice Director would accede to her request.

“See! I didn’t lie to you. The prettiest girl in our class has become a sanitation worker!” Maria said, looking snobbish.

Grace’s uniform completely stood out from the classy attire of the rest of the people in the private room.

“Is this our beautiful super scholar? You were imprisoned for three years and I almost couldn’t recognize you.” Greg looked down his long nose at her. “Aw, what’s wrong, Sean didn’t want to dote on you anymore after you killed his sister?”

Between the mention of Sean, the horrible accident that ended Jennifer’s life, and seeing this man in front of her, Grace froze.

The pain of so many memories slammed into her like a flood.

smiled. “You’re not so high and mighty now, are you?”

been a rich and entitled jerk back then and he didn’t appear to have matured

a charity auction when she’d gone outside for a bit of fresh air. Greg grabbed

taught him a

was no one here to

his eye. “Your ex is untouchable… but you aren’t. And I

glittering like this was the

Greg. She walked a few feet over to Mia and

“This

“Grace, sorry you had to

Sure, she was.

the way Mia grinned, this

the room when Greg caught hold of her arm. “Why are you in such a hurry?

of red wine and put it to Grace’s lips. “Come on, drink up. Back then, you were convicted of driving under

mouth. She turned her

the face, shouting, “Ugh! Do

Greg was shouting, he took up the bottle of red wine beside him and poured

cold wine soaked her body,

gave her. They shook their heads and cringed, but no one called Greg to stop. No one tried to help

Maria laughed openly.

Greg

the idea ridiculous. She

to apologize to Greg. No. That wasn’t

butt of their jokes and she might have to deal with being looked down upon for

pursed her lips. “No.”

giving you a chance to apologize to me. Even if I raped you right here, no one would

was horrified as the other guests filed out

entirely.

by the shirtfront and sent her flying. She hit the ground hard and her shirt tore open, revealing her skin.

as he

spoke for her, let alone stood up

her skin?” Maria asked.

the accident,”

her three years of imprisonment, making her fairer than anyone. And the scars… they weren’t from the car accident, but from the beatings and abuses she

of the scars had not faded away, and they were

stand up, and though she pushed to her knees, her hand remained anchored to

stepping on her right hand

“Why are you in such a hurry to leave? You have not yet apologized to Gregory,” Maria said. She looked as if she couldn’t wait to see Grace in a more pathetic state as she twisted her heel and

in Grace’s hand reminded her of her prison days when her finger bones had

herself and was

wasn’t going down without a fight. She used all of her might to push Maria’s foot away from her right hand. Then she lunged

out of this place.

behind her, catching her by her hair and yanking her backward. She screamed, feeling hair ripped from

me

to the room remained closed and no one came

hair. “Are you trying to run away? Don’t you know that my family is one of the shareholders of this club…

as he made that

familiar voice saying, “Greg, what are you trying

froze-instantly. That’s…

Grace shivered.

alone in

Have you brought your fiancée here for a meal? What a coincidence. Your ex-girlfriend is here to have a meal with me too. However, your

Sean replied

thinking I owe her from

spoke, he pulled Grace’s hair, forcing her

face Sean.

had transpired, it was like a chasm of

there, besides Sean… Lily

to break her bones. Who’d stood beside him and goaded him to show no mercy.

them, being at the mercy of Greg, was like a nightmare roaring to

go,”

looked at Sean as if asking his permission.

dinner,” he said. “How you choose to…entertain…yourself is up to you, Greg. I have nothing to do

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