Chapter 2 She's Our Firm's Founder
1017 Words
Grace pressed her lips together, her delicate big eyes reflecting a mix of emotions.
She didn't know how to respond and simply kept her gaze fixed on Ethan.
Ethan, usually reserved, rarely said this much.
Grace figured it might be because their divorce would finally allow him to be with Lily. Perhaps that was why someone as composed as Ethan seemed to have a tinge of unfamiliar emotion in his voice.
Ethan wanted her to be happy—maybe because he didn't want to owe her too much.
"I will be."
Grace smiled faintly, turned around, and walked away. She didn't let him see the brokenness in her eyes.
*****
With nowhere else to go, Grace turned to her best friend, Vanessa Cooper.
"Grace, what happened to you?" Vanessa stared in shock as Grace dragged her suitcase into the house.
The next moment, Vanessa noticed her red, swollen eyes and immediately erupted in anger.
"Did someone hurt you? Tell me who it is, and I'll take care of it for you!"
Grace stayed silent for a moment before choking out her words. "Vanessa, I'm getting a divorce."
Vanessa froze, nearly falling off the couch. "What? Did I hear that right? You're getting a divorce? With Ethan?"
Grace nodded slightly. "Lily's back."
The mention of that name made Vanessa see red. "I knew it! You can't trust men! Ethan, that jerk—five years ago, when you married him, he was bedridden, paralyzed. If it weren't for you taking care of him, and learning acupuncture and massage, would he have recovered so quickly? Would he have smoothly taken over Montgomery Group and become one of Julbury's most eligible bachelors? And now, just a few days after things are good for him, that woman comes back, and he wants to dump you? Has his conscience been eaten by a dog?"
Grace gave a bitter smile, knowing her friend was just trying to defend her. "It's fine. Let him go. After all these years, his heart was never with me. I'm tired, too."
She laughed softly, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Let's just say I'm escaping my misery a little early."
"Grace, you're too good for him." Vanessa's heart ached for her. She hugged Grace tightly and couldn't stop her own tears from falling. Over the years, she had seen Grace endure so much pain in this loveless marriage.
After Grace comforted Vanessa, she finally went to her room to rest. She was utterly exhausted and slept for an entire day and night.
For the next few days, she locked herself in the room and didn't come out.
Vanessa grew increasingly worried and was just about to try and cheer Grace up when she saw her come downstairs, dressed and ready.
Grace wore a light blue pantsuit, her sleek hair cascading down her back. Her whole demeanor exuded grace and elegance.
"Grace, you…" Vanessa stared, dumbfounded.
Grace smiled warmly. "Don't worry, Vanessa. I'll take care of myself."
Her first priority after leaving Ethan was to find a job.
After leaving Vanessa's house, she hailed a cab to Hargreaves Avenue, the busiest commercial district in Julbury. Any business with offices here had to be top-notch.
Grace stepped into Hargreaves Law Firm.
The firm was a rising star in Julbury's legal world. In just five years, it had handled numerous high-profile domestic and international cases, earning national acclaim.
She was greeted by the firm's owner, Nathan Grant.
At 30 years old, Nathan had a polished, scholarly air, with his gold-rimmed glasses and composed demeanor.
After giving Grace a brief tour, he led her to the top floor to meet the firm's partners.
"Everyone, I'd like to introduce Grace Miller, who will be heading our Corporate Law Division from now on."
His announcement caused a stir among the partners.
A young woman, barely out of her twenties, was going to head such a critical department?
It was laughable. She looked more like an intern fresh out of school.
Nathan might be the firm's main shareholder, but he couldn't just do whatever he wanted, right?
The partners exchanged uneasy glances until one of them finally spoke up. "Ms. Miller, may I ask which university you graduated from? And what cases have you handled before?"
Nathan was about to interject, but Grace stopped him with a slight gesture.
She smiled faintly and handed over her résumé.
"Harvard Law School."
"The 2020 cross-border acquisition case."
"The 2021 WEW Group commercial dispute case."
"The 2022…"
One of the partners skimmed her résumé and then froze, eyes widening as they looked back at her in disbelief.
Grace, unfazed, calmly continued. "I took a break from my career for personal reasons during those missing years on my résumé. I worked behind the scenes instead."
Nathan nodded in agreement. "I can vouch for that."
One of the partners suddenly exclaimed, "Wait—you're Grace Miller?"
Grace smiled politely. "Yes, I am."
"Are you Grace Miller, one of this firm's founders?"
The question was directed at Nathan, who nodded with a faint smile before turning to Grace with an apologetic look.
"Grace, I'm sorry. It's hard to keep your accomplishments under wraps."
Back when Grace graduated at the top of her class from law school, she quickly made waves in the legal field. But her career was cut short when she left to care for Ethan. Feeling unfulfilled, she had teamed up with Nathan, a college friend, to co-found Hargreaves Law Firm.
Now back in the professional world, Grace threw herself into her work with renewed vigor. Time flew by, and before she realized it, it was already 8 p.m.
Just as she was about to leave for the day, her phone rang.
"Do you have a moment?" Ethan's familiar voice came through.
The sound of it made Grace's heart skip a beat.
"It's already 8 p.m. City Hall should be closed…" she said, trying to steady her breathing. Worried he might misunderstand, she quickly added, "Let's set a time for tomorrow instead."
"It's not about the divorce," Ethan replied after a brief pause.
"It's Grandma. She's not feeling well."
- Writer
