Chapter 4
Grace's POV
Eleanor Ashford stood in the doorway with a meaningful smile.
"Am I interrupting?"
I jumped up quickly, smoothing my clothes. Parker's face was red as a tomato.
"Grandmother..." His voice was weak. "How did you..."
"I came to talk to you both." Eleanor walked in elegantly, as if she'd seen nothing. "Grace, let's take a walk in the garden."
This wasn't a request—it was an order.
I glanced at Parker, then followed Eleanor out.
The estate's rose garden bloomed brilliantly in the afternoon sun, gentle breeze carrying flower fragrance. But I had no heart for the beauty before me.
Looking at Eleanor ahead, my mind filled with confusion—what did this woman want to tell me?
"You love him very much." Eleanor suddenly broke the silence.
"Yes." I didn't deny it. "I do love him."
"Even knowing this love will completely destroy you?" Eleanor slowly turned to face me, eyes sharp.
"What do you mean?"
"You already know your true identity, don't you, my child." Eleanor's smile gradually turned sinister. "Grace Smith? No, it should be Grace Wilson, shouldn't it? William's illegitimate daughter, heir to fifteen percent of Ashford Corporation shares."
My heart stopped instantly, but I struggled to maintain composure. "I don't understand what you're talking about."
"Stop the act." Eleanor stepped closer. "Though I don't know how you discovered this secret, your attitude toward me now suggests you have some leverage."
"So what?" I decided to stop pretending. "Even if you know the truth, it changes nothing."
"Really?" Eleanor sneered. "If Parker knew you were actually a wealthy heiress, do you think he'd still accept your love? Would his pride allow him to marry a woman richer than him?"
Her words pierced my heart like needles. I knew she was right. With Parker's personality, knowing the truth would make him even more insecure, more likely to reject me.
"More importantly," Eleanor continued pressuring, "if you don't cooperate with my arrangements, I'll ensure everyone knows your real identity—including Parker. How do you think he'll see you then? A liar who deceived him from the beginning?"
Damn this bitch!
"What exactly do you want?" I looked directly at her.
"Very simple." Eleanor's face showed triumphant satisfaction. "Leave Parker, marry Max. It benefits everyone."
"NEVER."
"Then prepare to lose everything." Eleanor threatened. "Your love, your shares, even your life."
After leaving Eleanor, I had only one thought—contact a lawyer immediately and claim my shares.
Once I controlled those 15% Ashford Corporation shares, Eleanor could never threaten me again.
Sitting in the taxi, I dialed the law firm with trembling hands.
"Hello, is this Miss Grace Wilson?" A young female voice answered.
"Yes, I want to inquire about William Wilson's estate inheritance..."
"I'm very sorry, Miss Wilson," the voice suddenly turned cold. "Related legal procedures are ongoing, timeline undetermined. No transactions can be processed during this period."
What?
"That's impossible! How can legal inheritance rights be suspended?"
"This involves complex legal procedures. If you object, please contact relevant departments."
The line went dead.
My hands were shaking. Eleanor, that old witch! She'd already used legal means to block my inheritance!
Second call, third call—every related department gave me the same answer. My shares were "legally" obstructed.
But this proved the shares still existed, just temporarily inaccessible. I still had a chance...
My phone rang—Eleanor calling.
"Have you thought it through, my child?" Her voice dripped with satisfaction. "Tomorrow at three PM, Max will pick you up for dinner. Remember, act sweet."
I took a deep breath, forcing myself calm. "I need time to think."
"Time?" Eleanor laughed coldly. "You have no time. Either agree to date Max, or... Parker leaves for Switzerland tomorrow."
My heart clenched. "What do you mean?"
"There's a world-class rehabilitation center there. Very quiet environment, no visitors, no communication devices. He'll receive long-term treatment until... he recovers."
Eleanor's words chilled me to the bone. Once Parker was sent to such a place, I'd lose him forever.
"I... I understand." I suppressed my rage, gritting my teeth.
"Good. Smart girls know what's best for them."
At eleven PM, I climbed through Parker's study window again.
The room was lit only by a desk lamp, papers scattered across the table. I thought he'd be asleep, but saw his wheelchair facing away from me, his silhouette lonely and desperate in the dim light.
"Parker?" I called softly.
No response.
I moved closer and found him writing something. Dense handwriting—his penmanship was usually beautiful, but tonight it was shaky, as if his hands were trembling.
I walked around front and saw what was on the desk, my heart stopping instantly.
A suicide note.
"Dear Grace, when you read this letter, I'll no longer be in this world..."
"NO!" I lunged forward to grab the paper, but Parker held it tight.
"If you marry Max, my reason for existing disappears." His voice was quiet, but each word cut my heart like a knife. "I can't watch you become someone else's wife, can't watch him touch you..."
"No! Parker, listen to me," tears poured down my face like a broken dam. "I won't marry him!"
"Stop lying to me." Parker turned his wheelchair to face me, eyes hopeless. "You've already made your choice, haven't you? Grandmother told me everything."
"You don't understand!" I knelt before his wheelchair, tears streaming. "I'm not leaving you—I'm trying to find a way!"
"What way? Marrying my brother?" Parker laughed bitterly. "Grace, I know you pity me, but I don't need anyone's sympathy."
"This isn't pity!" I gripped his hands desperately. "Parker, you must listen—I have something very important..."
"ENOUGH!" He jerked his hands away. "What more is there to say? It's all over!"
"It's NOT over!" I frantically grabbed for the paper, tearing it to shreds. "I will NEVER let you die again!"
The words slipped out, and the room fell into dead silence.
Parker froze, eyes wide. "You... what did you just say?"
