My gorgeous wife is an ex-convict (Grace)

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. 

“You’re not so high

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

fresh air. Greg grabbed her arm

had taught him a lesson that

one here to

eye. “Your ex is untouchable… but you aren’t. And I still owe you for what he did to me.”

glittering like this was the

She walked a few feet over to

paperwork over to her, saying, “This is

the document, she said, “Grace, sorry you had to make

Sure, she was. 

the way Mia grinned, this had been better than Christmas.

turned around and was about to leave the room when Greg caught hold of her arm. “Why are you in

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

refused to open her mouth. She turned her head and

shirt. He became angry and gave Grace one tight slap in the face, shouting,

he took up the bottle of red wine

soaked her

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

Maria laughed openly. 

“Grace, apologize to Greg quickly.

found the idea ridiculous.

expected to apologize to Greg. No. That

and she might have to deal with being looked down upon for the rest of her

pursed her lips. “No.”

only became more infuriated. “Grace, do you think that you’re still Sean’s girlfriend? I’m giving you a chance to apologize to me. Even if I raped you right here, no one would stand up for

Grace was horrified as the other guests filed out of the room, ignoring

entirely. 

hit

screamed as he

none of her classmates spoke for her, let alone stood

wrong with her skin?” Maria

accident,” Mia replied.

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

faded

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

was stepping on her right hand

yet apologized to Gregory,” Maria said. She looked as if she couldn’t wait to see Grace in a

pain in Grace’s hand reminded her of her prison days when her finger bones had been broken inch by agonizing

unable to defend herself and

going down without a fight. She used all of her might to push Maria’s foot away from her right hand. Then she

to get out of this place. She had to

However, a strong force came from behind her, catching her by her hair and yanking her backward. She screamed, feeling hair

Leave me

the room remained closed and no one

the hand he held in her hair. “Are you trying to run away? Don’t you know that my family is one of the shareholders of

as he made that

saying, “Greg, what are you trying to

That’s… Sean’s voice.

Grace shivered. 

again-let alone in such a

a coincidence. Your ex-girlfriend is here to have a meal with me too. However, your ex-girlfriend doesn’t know what’s good

Sean replied neutrally.

near his brow. “I’m thinking I owe her from

pulled Grace’s hair, forcing her

face Sean.

transpired, it was like a chasm of grief was boiling up to swallow

there, besides Sean… Lily Atkinson.

bones. Who’d stood beside him and goaded

the mercy of Greg, was

go,”

as if asking his permission.

here for dinner,” he said. “How you choose to…entertain…yourself is up to you,