Ethan withdrew and asked, “What’s going on?”

Upon hearing that, Johan’s tone turned impatient. “What else? That punk stirred up trouble again. I’ve been sick of him for a while now.”

The group headed outside.

Grace quickly picked up on the dynamic—Yancey was surrounded by the crowd just beneath the city’s elite, while Ethan was in the center of it all, flanked by the heirs of the most powerful families. They were reckless, muddled, and well-mannered but always carried an air of superiority.

She let out a small sigh and went to return the outfit.

Ethan glanced at her and asked, “Grace, do you really not care about Valley anymore?”

Grace changed back into her own clothes and nodded. “Yeah, I’ve thought it through. I’m done pleasing him.”

A complicated look flashed through Jeanne’s eyes as she folded up her work uniform. “So, are you really working at Henderson Group just to chase after Ethan?”

Grace chuckled. “Come on, seriously? When I first lost my memory, I actually thought Ethan and I might’ve had something. But now? I’ve realized he’s got nothing to do with me. I just want to focus on my job and stop chasing after some guy.”

Jeanne let out a relieved sigh and smiled. “I’m glad you’ve figured that out.”

Now, with money in her account, Grace sent Joanne a ten-thousand-dollar transfer. “Here’s the money I owe you. I’m heading out—I need to find a new place in the morning. The area I’m staying in now isn’t exactly safe.”

Joanne nodded. “Take care, and next time, don’t get mixed up in stuff like tonight. Julian’s not exactly the easiest person to deal with.”

Grace raised a brow. “You know him?”

Joanne’s face stiffened up with awkwardness, and she quickly looked away. “I’ve been working here for three years. If someone comes around often enough, I’ll recognize them.” Grace didn’t press further and waved goodbye.

The next day, Grace arrived at Henderson Group, barely settling into her seat when a woman walked up with a sarcastic smile.

“Some people really treat their job as just a way to chase men,” she said. “Pulling shady moves to take someone else’s spot—I hope you’re ready for the backlash when it comes.”

Grace glanced up at the woman—Jessica Hull, the department manager.

Jessica had been out sick yesterday, but Grace clearly remembered sending her a formal leave request after she had regained consciousness.

Jessica crossed her arms and smirked. “Grace, the documents I asked you to organize never got turned in, which set the whole department back. So, you’re buying everyone afternoon coffee today. Drop your orders in the group chat, guys.”

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The team jumped in immediately.

“Thanks, Jessica!”

“I order Starbucks!”

Jessica’s smirk deepened. She always had a sharp, put-together look, but from the moment Grace had joined, her disdain had been crystal clear.

“Grace, how about Starbucks for everyone? Are you cool with that?”

Sitting at her desk, Grace acknowledged that she had missed work on her second day. Even if she had been sick, it was what it was—she’d take the hit.

“No problem,” she said. “But shouldn’t I be added to the work chat first?”

A few coworkers nearby stiffened, clearly uncomfortable. None of them had even bothered to add Grace as a contact.

Someone finally sent her the code, and she joined the group.

It was a group chat for the whole department, and even Yancey was in it.

Grace placed the orders through a delivery app as the orders rolled in. Just as she confirmed the order, Yancey stepped out of his office. He paused fleetly as he passed by her desk.

Grace kept her head down, focused on organizing her work. She was not in the mood to deal with him.

Yancey hesitated slightly. “Do you have anything to say to me? Dinner tonight. Do you want to grab dinner?”

Since she hadn’t shown up at the Lambert residence last night, he was in a good mood. He figured he’d amuse himself with her with nothing else to do tonight.

Grace’s expression darkened. “I was sick yesterday. Maybe another time.”

Yancey let out a cold laugh. “You really expect me to buy that excuse? What kind of illness lets you bounce back just in time to show up at Velvet Eclipse? The Lamberts called you.”

Who was she hiding? She wasn’t sick—she just didn’t want to break off the engagement.

Grace had no interest in explaining herself.

Yancey tapped his fingers against her desk, his tone arrogant. “I asked you a question. Are we going out tonight or not?”

Grace scoffed, “Oh, please. Drop the act. I didn’t know you were this good at playing pretend.”