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Chapter 2

The bodyguards nodded and quickly moved to restrain Grace.

Grace had no strength to resist and fell to the ground. Before she could react, a bodyguard began to slap her face, causing a burning pain on one side of her face.

The continuous sound of slaps echoed in the empty office.

Grace didn't know how long it lasted. She tasted blood, and her mind was in a daze.

When her face and mouth were numb from the beating, the bodyguards finally stopped.

"Mr. Montague, we've finished. Exactly fifty slaps," one of the bodyguards reported respectfully to Charles.

For a moment, a look of smug crossed Emily's face. Still not content, she tugged at Charles' sleeve and said pointedly. "Charles, Grace should know her mistake now."

Charles raised an eyebrow, his cold gaze fixed on Grace. "Kneel and apologize, and I'll let you off today," he said.

Grace felt utterly powerless, collapsing to the ground like a withering leaf, tears streaming down her face. Her vision blurred by tears, Grace vaguely saw Charles crouch down beside her, looking down at her.

Instinctively, she covered her face, not wanting him to see her in such a wretched state.

Feeling Charles' piercing gaze, Grace's heart ached unbearably, and she wanted to escape.

The next second, Charles grabbed her chin, his cold voice ringing in her ears. "Grace, I told you to kneel and apologize!"

Grace bit her lip, trying to hide her vulnerability, but she couldn't stop herself from crying. She had loved Charles for over ten years. How could he be so heartless to her?

Seeing Grace's tears, Charles seemed momentarily taken aback, then released her chin with a hint of impatience. He turned to the bodyguards. "What are you two standing there for?"

The bodyguards hesitated for a moment, then quickly moved forward. One of them grabbed Grace's arm while the other forced her to her knees.

Grace knelt on the ground like a criminal, her dignity and pride gone.

Lowering her head, she forced a smile through her swollen lips, mechanically repeating, "I'm sorry..."

Charles was momentarily stunned by how easily she apologized, his fingers unconsciously clenching, his heart aching slightly.

Charles steadied himself, his demeanor turning icy. "I'll take the kid later. And the house you're living in? I'm taking that back too. You have one day to pack."

As he walked towards Emily, his back was as cold as his words. Emily smiled secretly and leaned against him contentedly.

Grace stumbled and fell again. Watching Charles walk towards Emily, seeing them gaze lovingly at each other, she couldn't help but ask, "Charles, after all these years, do you have any feelings for me at all?" Her voice trembled with a flicker of hope.

He responded coldly, "No, I only feel disgust for you."

In that moment, Grace froze, tears streaming down her bruised cheeks and swollen lips, burning with pain.

But at that moment, no physical pain could compare to the pain in her heart. It felt like someone had stabbed her with a knife, making it hard to breathe.

Grace slowly sat up, letting her tears fall. Crying, she suddenly laughed. She had loved Charles since she was a child. Marrying him was her dream.

Even though she had been manipulated into marrying him, as long as she could be by his side, she was willing to be a good wife and take care of everything for him.

After marriage, Grace lived cautiously, trying to please Charles, making others feel sorry for her, but she didn't mind. As long as Charles gave her a glance or came home on time, she was happy.

Grace always believed that one day, Charles would see her efforts. She had thought having children would win Charles' heart, but in the end, her efforts only earned his disgust!

All these years, in Charles' eyes, everything Grace did was pointless!

Grace's hysterical laughter caught Charles' attention. He slowly turned, looking at Grace's swollen, tear-streaked face. His heart inexplicably ached for a moment, but only for a moment.

The next second, Charles coldly ordered the bodyguards, "Bring the child here."

The bodyguards nodded and left the office. Two minutes later, the sound of a crying child reached Grace's ears. She quickly came to her senses, summoning strength from deep within, and rushed over frantically. "Give me my child!" she shouted.

The frail Grace was no match for the bodyguards. With a casual wave, they pushed her down.

Her head hit the table, causing immediate pain and swelling on her forehead.

Perhaps the child sensed Grace's pain, and the crying grew louder, each cry tearing at Grace's heart.

Grace lay helplessly on the ground, pleading, "My child! Give me back my child!"

The tears she had just stopped flowed again at the sound of her child's cries.

Charles left with Emily, and the bodyguards quickly followed with the child. The crying grew fainter.

Grace had no strength to stand, only able to crawl and cry out, "Please, don't take my child! Give me back my child!"

By the time she crawled out of the office, there was no sign of them in the hallway, and the child's cries had disappeared.

Grace lay on the ground, crying helplessly.

Mia arrived late, quickly helping Grace up. "Ms. Windsor, are you okay?"

Mia had been restrained by Charles' bodyguards and couldn't come to help immediately.

Grace's voice was hoarse from crying as she fell into Mia's arms. "Mia, Charles took the child!"

Mia gently patted her shoulder, wanting to comfort her but not knowing what to say.

When her tears finally dried, Grace stopped crying. "Mia, we need to go back quickly. The other child is still at home. If Charles finds out, I'll have nothing left!"

Mia nodded quickly. "Okay, let's go back quickly."

Grace pushed away Mia's helping hand, struggling to stand on her own.

Standing up took all her strength, but even so, she stood tall. The setting sun shone through the window, casting a resolute light on her.

Grace gazed toward the direction where Charles and Emily had disappeared, her swollen eyes dull and lifeless.

After a moment, Grace's hoarse voice broke the silence. "Charles, from now on, I will never love you again!"

Three years later, at Silverlight City International Airport.

Outside, a massive crowd held up signs saying things like "I Love Bianca" and "Bianca Is the Cutest."

Suddenly, the crowd got all excited, moving in one direction.

A fan shouted, "Look! Bianca's here! She's so adorable!"

Another fan screamed, "Big eyes, long eyelashes, oh my gosh, she's so cute!"

"Bianca, over here!"

Grace, holding Bianca Windsor just outside the airport, was totally stunned. She hadn't expected this kind of scene.

She quickly lowered her head, pulling down the brim of her hat, and in her panic, she made sure Bianca's mask was on right.

But Bianca in her arms waved to the crowd and blinked her eyes now and then. This move totally won everyone's hearts.

Screams erupted, "Oh my gosh, Bianca is really too cute! Bianca, I love you!"

The crowd got even crazier, almost out of control.

Grace felt a bit helpless; she hadn't expected Bianca to get this popular just from a commercial.

To thank everyone for their love, Bianca smiled even more.

More and more people gathered around, and it wasn't until airport security stepped in to keep order that they could leave safely.

Back in the car, Bianca took off her mask, her face chubby and adorable.

Grace got in the car, and Bianca pouted and acted cute, "Mommy, hold me, give me a kiss."

Grace took off her mask and hat, reached out to hold her, and kissed her chubby little face.

Bianca laughed happily, hooked her little arms around Grace, and kissed her on the face too. She asked, "Mommy, were you scared just now?"

Bianca, like a little adult, looked at her with big eyes full of concern.

Grace shook her head and pinched her little nose, "No, I wasn't scared. I'm just so happy that so many people like you."

Bianca nodded, then looked out the window, her little face full of curiosity. She asked, "Mommy, is this where you grew up?"

Returning to her old home, Grace became lost in thought. She masked the emotions in her eyes, then nodded and smiled softly, saying, "Yes."

Bianca leaned against the car window and pressed, "Is my brother really here?"

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