Chapter 3
Brandon's face stiffened. He hadn't expected Grace to be so chill about it.
He figured that even if she was guilty, she'd fight back, argue her case until the very end.
But she owned up without saying a word. 'Is this even the same Grace I used to know?' he thought.
But he'd already set the tone, and there was no way he was going to back down now.
Finally, he snapped, "Fine, you admit it. At least now I don't have to waste my breath."
That night, Brandon was hosting a party, but Grace already had dinner plans with her former colleagues, so she wasn't joining them.
She thought she could finally enjoy a quiet evening, but as she was raising her glass to her manager, Brandon stormed in with his crew.
He smacked the glass out of Grace's hand and went off on her, cursing her out in front of everyone. "Seriously, Grace? You turn me down to come here and drink with these old men?"
Grace's expression instantly frosted over. "Watch your mouth."
Brandon didn't back off. Instead, he got even more obnoxious. "You can do this, but you can't handle a few harsh words?
"Didn't I already promise you a job at my family's company after graduation? Is Stellar Genesis not good enough for you, so you have to go out and degrade yourself to move up in the world?"
Riley exclaimed in surprise, "So you got into Stellar Genesis thanks to Brandon's connections, huh, Grace?
"You really should apologize to him. Jobs are tough to land these days, and he's offering you a lifeline. Why would you go and piss him off?"
The others started urging Grace to make amends.
"Yeah, Grace, don't be so ungrateful. Brandon is the perfect boyfriend. You have to cherish him."
"Don't risk everything to please a few sugar daddies and end up losing your old flame."
"Those old guys could be your dad. Is it really worth it for the money?"
Brandon was leading the pack, spreading rumors and trash-talking, and Grace was absolutely furious.
She demanded, "Tell them. Did I get into Stellar Genesis on my own merits, or did you pull some strings for me? Go ahead, tell everyone. Would I have ever set foot in Stellar Genesis if it weren't for you, Brandon?"
Brandon looked awkward.
Seeing things were getting out of hand, the manager quickly stepped in to clear things up. "It's not what you think. Grace worked at the company for a month and did me a huge favor. We're grabbing dinner together."
When Brandon finally recognized the manager, he got it. "So you are not her sugar daddy?"
He instinctively turned to Grace to apologize. "Grace, I'm sorry."
Grace's face was icy as she grabbed her bag and coat from the chair. "Mr. Torres, enjoy your meal. I'll excuse myself."
She rushed out of the restaurant, but as soon as she stepped outside, a bunch of drunk guys cornered her.
They yanked her hair and started dragging her toward their car. "Hey, come play with us tonight."
Just as the car was about to start, Brandon rushed out and stood right in front of it, blocking their way. "Let her go."
Grace spotted Brandon and cried out, "Brandon, help me."
One of the drunks got out of the car, brandishing a stick. "You got a death wish?"
Brandon took a hard hit to the back, but he refused to give in. "I told you, let her go."
The two of them grappled, and Brandon, being younger and quicker, managed to get the upper hand.
Just then, a panicked shout rang out from the distance. "Brandon, something's wrong. Riley just fainted."
Panic flashed across Brandon's face as he took a few quick steps back. He glanced at Grace, then bolted off toward Riley.
Grace's last glimmer of hope was crushed.
She thought that, when it really came down to life and death, Brandon would remember their history and come to her rescue. But in the end, he chose Riley.
Riley was the one who showed Grace that those three years meant nothing. In Brandon's heart, she was nothing more than a punchline.
Grace closed her eyes, feeling a chill sweep through her heart. It was colder than she'd ever imagined.
She gritted her teeth, making one last desperate attempt to save herself.
While the drunks were still stunned, she seized the moment and, with a burst of courage, leapt out of the car.