Chapter 28
She had worked on several major projects–bridges, churches, and city defense structures–around five or six years ago.
As an investor, Pedro admired her and saw potential in her. It made sense that he would want her to collaborate with Stanton Group.
Juliana felt more confident.
Her gaze toward Grover grew even warmer.
When the car arrived at Stanton Group, after the meeting began, Juliana finally learned that Pedro’s project with Stanton Group involved a fully integrated senior living complex, similar to a nursing home.
Before the meeting ended, Juliana excused herself and left Stanton Group.
Pedro was an Stophis investor, and Stophis was already facing an aging population. She needed to quickly find reference solutions from Stophis for senior living in order to become the lead designer for this project.
The meeting lasted a full four hours.
As Grover was preparing to arrange their hotel accommodations, Pedro suddenly asked, his voice serious, “Grover, your marriage is stable, right?”
Grover was confused.
“I need your marriage to be stable!”
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Although Grover didn’t understand what Pedro meant, he responded politely, “Of course.‘
After settling Pedro and the other collaborators in, Grover sat down in his office, rubbing his temples.
He couldn’t understand–why would Pedro, who knew Juliana was the one he loved, insist on his marriage being stable?
But no matter the reason, he had no choice but to put the divorce on hold for now.
A bitter smile crossed Grover’s mind.
Tracie had been trying to meet with him, even following him to the wine event, all because she didn’t want the divorce.
In a way, it was exactly what Tracie wanted.
Picking up his phone, Grover dialed Juliana’s number.
That afternoon, Juliana reached out to a design firm in Stophis after exploring multiple channels. The firm agreed to sell her a complete, ready–made plan for senior living facilities.
This was great news.
It was almost as if everything she had hoped for was falling into place.
Her plan was to buy the design, adapt it to the local market, and then implement it.
Just then, Grover’s call/came through. After answering, Juliana was about to discuss the details of the plan, but Grover spoke first, “I’ll have to delay the divorce from Tracie for a bit.”
Juliana paused. “Why…?”
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Grover explained the situation.
After a brief moment of frustration, she quickly pieced it together. “I guess Pedro is worried that the divorce might cause Stanton Group’s stock to drop before the collaboration is finalized. Once the deal is in place, you’ll divorce her!”
“I never wanted anything to do with her again, but now, I have to delay it because of this,” Grover said, his voice tinged with disdain for Tracie.
“Poor you, Grover,” Juliana said, her tone warm. She comforted him, not because she felt sympathy, but because she knew Tracie wasn’t a real threat to her.
Even if Grover never divorced Tracie, he would always love her. As for Tracie, she was nothing more than a clown.
Meanwhile, Tracie, sitting at her computer, had just received a call from Wilmer, who told her that he’d filtered a list of potential investors and sent them to her inbox.
Tracie opened her email and was surprised to find a message from Earline.
Curious, she clicked it open.
[Tray, by the time you read this, I will have passed away. I have a terminal illness and didn’t want to suffer, so I chose to end my life painlessly. I’ve always regretted how I treated you in the past, and as a form of apology, I’ve sent you a gift, hoping it will help you.
[Tray, your integrated senior care plan is excellent. I can already see you becoming a prominent figure in the industry soon.
[I’m so proud of you!
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[Please don’t be sad for me. I’ll be watching over you from heaven, wishing you happiness and health, and may you always be surrounded by love.
[Finally, remember to check your gift. Think of it as a surprise for you.]
Reading the email, Tracie was overcome with emotion and began to
cry.
She hadn’t realized how much Earline had cared for her, regretted her past coldness, and even sent her a gift.
But during her time in Stophis, she had been so distant with Earline.
Had she known about Earline’s incurable illness, she would have visited her.
But now, it was too late.
‘What kind of gift could Earline have sent me?
‘A luxury handbag? Jewelry?‘
None of that mattered.
All she wished for was that Earline could rest in peace, free of pain.
When she visited Stophis again, she would make sure to pay her respects at Earline’s grave.
Wiping away her tears, Tracie refocused on the investor details.
The first name she saw left her in shock.
It was Scott Moran, the current head of the Moran family, who had long been on bad terms with Grover.
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Rumor had it that Scott was ruthless, known for his crratic behavior. He had caused his own brothers to fall out, even making his father fear him.
He was a cold, heartless man who cared for no one–not even his family.
Tracie had no intention of working with someone like him.
She was about to close the email when Mandy’s excited voice rang out from behind her, “Scott! Tracie, Scott is the most sought–after man in Truatol! You should divorce that jerk Grover and go straight to Scott!”
Tracie rolled her eyes. “Does sleeping with a man make you money? I’m not going anywhere near Scott. But the divorce? That’s happening! Tomorrow’s the day Grover and I agreed to divorce. After that, I’ll be a free woman! And a single, successful female CEO at that!”
Mandy was speechless.
The next day
At 9 AM, Tracie arrived outside Stanton Group.
Before she could enter, she ran into Grover’s assistant, Jackson.
“What are you doing here? This isn’t a place for you. Get out!” Jackson said, showing no respect or courtesy toward Tracie.
“I’m here to divorce Grover!” Tracie replied, her face cold as she locked eyes with Jackson.
