Ch. 71..80

My Gorgeous Wife is an Ex-Convict Chapter 71-Patrick and his group of friends would often bet on whether Brian’s new girlfriend would be the one to end his single life, but anyone who took that bet was destined to lose.

The man was living the single life-and loving it.

Brian was the sort of person who appeared to be courteous to others on the surface, but in reality, he never warmed up to anyone. Patrick had known him long enough to know that Brian didn’t even like most people. Sure, Brian played the part and his impeccable manners compelled him to make small talk and be seen with all the right people, but Patrick knew that Brian didn’t give two shits for the social scene.

For Brian, it was all just a means to an end.

Emily, Brian’s latest girlfriend, who was also a rising star in the entertainment industry, approached them. She was stunning -but that was to be expected-and popular, both within their circles and the larger entertainment community.

Of course, this was all thanks to Brian.

Brian was the heir to the largest entertainment company in the country, and it was very easy for him to make anyone a star.

He’d done it several times.

Come to think of il, maybe that was why he had so many girlfriends. Why settle down with one when there was an endless stream of young women seeking fortune and fame?

Was it because of that dynamic that Brian didn’t take any single one of these women seriously?

Patrick didn’t know.

He did know that Brian had doted on every single one of his girlfriends, but when he stopped caring for them, there was no coming back from the breakup.

And the countless magazines and gossip columns in the city were quick to point that out too.

Maybe it was the challenge that kept the ladies coming.

Patrick shrugged and sipped his drink.

he would not leave them any room to compromise.

“Brian! I’m sorry I’m late,” Emily said gently. When she caught a glimpse of the bracelet in Brian’s hand, she visibly paled.

It was almost comical how she fixated on that thin, silver bracelet that he was now playing with in his hand, instead of the diamond bracelet and ruby necklace that Patrick saw her wearing-jewelry that Brian had purchased for the young starlet.

The jewels she wore were worth close to ten million.

But that small silver bracelet… for some reason this silver bracelet was taboo.

He wouldn’t even allow her to touch it.

Once, when she had tried to examine it, he had stared at her coldly and said, “Believe it or not, but if you dare, you won’t be able to use your hands anymore.” At that moment, his sharp eyes had been filled with ruthlessness.

Patrick recalled the event… it had been painfully awkward.

Emily had been so scared that she became rooted on the spot.

Brian had ordered them another round of drinks and doted on her as usual, as if he hadn’t just threatened her with bodily harm.

It was one of the more entertaining nights Patrick had experienced in a long while.

Maybe tonight would prove exceptional too. But as he thought it, Brian was tucking the small bracelet back into his pocket.

What did this silver bracelet mean to him anyway? It was small, basically the size of a child’s wrist.

Patrick had known Brian for fifteen years, and he still didn’t know the significance of it.

After Emily sat down, her gaze landed on Jason, who was not far away. She was taken aback. “That is… Mr. Reed, right? Mr. Reed?” She had only seen him once from afar, so she wasn’t cerlain.

Moreover, Jason seemed to be acting very intimate with another woman. Wasn’t it said that Mr. Reed was very cold to women?

“Yes, it’s Jason,” Patrick answered her. He smiled and then said to Brian. “Why don’t we make a bet and see if Jason will leave with this woman later. What do you think?” “There’s no need to make a bet,” Brian said.

“Why not?” Brian did not answer, but his gaze remained fixed in the direction of Jason.

When Patrick turned his head, he realized that Jason had already moved away from that woman without him noticing. That woman seemed to want to get closer, but she did not dare approach again after Jason seemed to have said something.

Then, Patrick saw Jason leave without saying another word.

Outside the club, Terrence looked at Jason and immediately said respectfully, “Mr. Reed.” “Let’s go.” Jason got in the car.

Did he come here today to prove something? Jason wasn’t sure.

He had spent a little time with old friends and business associates. He chatted with several women, and fended off the advances of several more.

It had been made clear before that he wouldn’t accept just any woman.

When he had held the striking woman who went up to talk to him today and smelled her perfume, he had been taken aback.

Yes, she was beautiful. Wealthy. Cultured.

But she hadn’t stood a chance. When she came close, he had actually been thinking about the faint soapy fragrance of another woman

My Gorgeous Wife is an Ex-Convict Chapter 72-He even had a sense of disgust when the woman got closer to him. It wasn’t so bad that he would’ve shoved her away or made a scene. But he distinctly did not like her nearness.

Indeed, holding another woman in his arms was very different. from the feeling of holding “her.” When he arrived in front of the rental apartment, he squatted down and took out the spare key under the mat in front of the door. He knew that she always liked to put the spare key there, saying that it was in case she forgot to take her key when she left for work.

He’d have to break her of that habit. It was dangerous.

Whilst he slept in the apartment, it was not a concern, but when she was alone… still on, He pushed open the door. The lights in the room were and her slender figure was sitting next to the table. Half of her upper body was lying on the table, and her head was tilted to the side as she slept.

He looked at her sleeping face under the light. Her skin was smooth and her expression serene. She looked so peaceful that his heart seemed to slow the moment he saw her.

He raised his hand and gently fiddled with the strands of hair lying over her cheeks, brushing them back and letting his fingers just barely touch her skin.

Her skin was so soft.

There were women who were more beautiful. Hell, the women at the club he’d just left were actresses and daughters of the most wealthy families in the city. They were perfect. But not a single one of them struck him as Grace did.

It seemed that he would not get tired of looking at her even if it was for the rest of his life. And that was one hell of a sobering. thought.

A moment later, he bent down and carefully lifted her from the chair.

Even though he deliberately tried to be as gentle as possible, she still woke up.

“Jay…” She opened her eyes in a daze. Her hazy almond eyes crinkled as she smiled at him.

“Yes, I’m back,” he said, “I’ll take you to bed and you can keep sleeping.” As he spoke, he held her in his arms and walked toward the bed.

Her head rested in his arms, half-asleep and half-awake, and she snuggled closer. “You smell… nice… it’s perfume, right…? Where have you been?” “Something happened today, so I went to the bar. I probably got the smell from there.” He laid her down on the bed. “Go to sleep. I’ll go wash the smell off.” Her eyelids began to close again.

He appreciated that about her too. No recriminations. Not argument.

She trusted him.

After covering her with a blanket, he took out a clean set of clothes and went to the bathroom.

He showered, washed his hair and considered the woman asleep in the other room. He had no doubt that she’d fallen asleep at that table waiting up for him.

He’d probably made her worry.

When he dried off and dressed he opened the door to the main room. The light from behind him bathed Grace so he could see the curve of her face and the delicate shape of her lips.

He stayed there for a few minutes, watching her sleep.

Then he walked out into the room and bent down slightly, the tip of his nose getting closer to her, and he breathed in her scent.

“Grace, tell me, when should I let you know of my identity? Or should I let you keep relying on me until you can’t leave me anymore?” But she did turn toward the sound of his voice, instinctively seeking him, even in her sleep.

My Gorgeous Wife is an Ex-Convict Chapter 73-t had been a long time since Grace got two days in a row off, and on a weekend, no less. Normally, she was working overtime and taking whichever shifts she was assigned.

Since Grace finally got some rare time off, Lina took her shopping.

The two of them had not gone shopping for a long time. Grace because she lacked the time and the money, and Lina because Grace’s erratic schedule made planning a shopping trip almost impossible.

When they strolled around the mall, Grace felt as if she had momentarily returned to the past when, before the accident, she had been carefree.

She’d taken so many things for granted.

Money, time. Friendships. Her freedom.

Now, she appreciated each moment.

Her life might not be so beautiful or easy or glamorous, but she was appreciative of every minute.

Even in her best days before, when she’d graduated at the top of her class, landed Sean and her future had seemed so bright… she had not been so mindful of those things.

Lina elbowed her side. “All right, this has been going on for months now. Spill. What’s the deal with Jay? How much do you know about him now?” Before Grace could even answer, Lina was talking… “Where is he from, where’s his hometown? What kind of people are in his family? You know a lot of people can seem nice before they swindle someone.” Right. This could be one big cat fishing trick.

“Lina, if Jay was looking for someone to scam, he could find someone who actually had something to take. I’m poor. I have a dead end job. I’ve neither money nor much going on with my career.” Lina waved that away. “Tell me about his family.” Grace considered saying that she didn’t know anything, but that would just make her friend pry more. “I only know that his father has already passed away, and his mother seems to have left him. He didn’t tell me anything else, and I didn’t ask.” Grace shrugged.

“Are you dumb? That’s all you know? You should at least know what he used to do!” Lina said.

Grace smiled faintly. “Why would I need to find out what he used to do? In the past, I thought I knew everything about Sean – everything from his family background to the schools he attended. I even remembered his license plate and ID numbers very clearly. But in the end, what did it matter? I still couldn’t see him for who he really was.” “Fair.” Lina bit her lip. “Sorry.” “What’s there to be sorry about?” Grace laughed. “It’s nothing for you to fuss about, anyway. I know you’re worried about me, but I really don’t care about any of that anymore. Besides, if he doesn’t want to tell me and I persist in asking, he may just make up some stories to conceal the truth, and I wouldn’t be able to tell, so what’s the point of asking?” That was one truth that Grace didn’t really want to dwell on.

She might put forth a good front for Lina, and even for Jay.

But she knew he had his secrets.

She knew he had a whole life before she entered it.

Did it hurt that he didn’t want to share things with her? It did. But she understood him, and she recognized a kindred soul that was suffering. Who was she to force him to share his pain?

“Let’s not talk about this. Come, let’s go and get some new clothes.” Grace didn’t actually intend to buy anything, but it seemed a good enough excuse to get Lina to change the subject.

“The boss of our design research institute has asked me to wear formal clothes when I meet clients,” Lina complained as she pulled Grace into a big designer store.

Grace paused. She couldn’t afford the clothes in here and she didn’t want Lina to try and purchase something for her.

“Oh, just relax already. I won’t force you to buy anything. And I promise not to buy it for you if you’re going to have a freakout.” Grace arched her brow. “I do not freak out.” Lina pointed at her. “Tell that to your face. You already have that one eyebrow arching up.” Lina laughed. “I know that look!” Grace chuckled and gave in. Besides, it didn’t cost anything to try some clothes on. She could pretend and then claim they didn’t fit and put them back on the racks.

The two women briefly parted as Lina made her way to the formal section of the store. Grace stayed by the entry.

She could feel that the lady in the store was looking at her. The cheap clothes on her body looked completely out of place inside this shop.

That familiar sense of shame came back.

She told herself to not think like this. To not feel like this.

She’d done nothing wrong and she had every bit as much right to look around a store as anyone else.

“Hey, look who it is! Why would someone like you come here? It’s simply lowering the grade of this entire establishment!” A voice sounded out from the inside of the store.

Grace looked up and saw two familiar figures.

One of them was Lily, and the other one was Zoe Stevens, Sean’s little sister.

The two women wore expensive luxury brand clothes and carried famous highend handbags. There was no mistaking their looks of contempt.

In particular, Zoe’s nose went up in the air and her lips curled in an ugly snarl.

There had been a time when she would’ve said that she’d like Zoe Stevens. But to see her now, it was as if the young woman wished her dead.

When the staff at the counter saw Zoe and Lily, they immediately greeted them enthusiastically. “Miss Atkinson, Miss Stevens, a new batch of clothes has recently arrived! Come, let us bring the Fall lines out for you.” The manager, a man in his thirties, snapped his fingers. “Champagne for the ladies! Please take a look to see if there are any clothes that you like. Some of them came straight from the Milan Fashion Show.” “Sure, why not,” Zoe said before smiling at Grace with malice. She accepted a flute of Champagne. “Grace, do you want to try on clothes as well? Oh, wait, I think with your current salary, even if you were to save up for a year, you wouldn’t be able to afford the things here. How could a mere sanitation worker dare to enter here?” When the other staff members heard the words “sanitation worker,” they all looked at Grace in surprise, and their gazes also started to fill with contempt.

Grace’s face heated with embarrassment.

“What’s wrong with sanitation workers?” Lina asked. She had been checking out the clothes on the shelves at the other end of the store. When she noticed the commotion, she rushed to Zoe and said, “Which law states that sanitation workers are not allowed to enter this shop to look at clothes?” “But can she even afford them?” Zoe said disdainfully, “Grace is just a street cleaner, but you want to come to this store to check out the clothes? You just want to make trouble, don’t you?” As she spoke, she looked at the staff next to her. “Shouldn’t those who deliberately make trouble in the store be ‘asked’ to leave?” Zoe was a frequent visitor here. The staff usually fawned on this young lady of the Stevens Family, so the supervisor immediately walked over to Grace and Lina and said, “If you’re not planning on buying anything, then you need to leave. Now.”

My Gorgeous Wife is an Ex-Convict Chapter 74-“Who says we can’t afford to buy something? I can…” Lina was about to bite the bullet and just buy an outfit to vent her anger and make the staff stop looking down upon them.

Grace held her back in time and said to the senior staff, “Can’t we just have a look in the store?” “You two have come to a store which is far out of your income. range. You might be here to make trouble, and it is my job to protect the rights of the other guests in the store.” The supervisor acted as if he was being reasonable.

Grace responded directly, “But you don’t have any evidence against us. In fact, you are clearly discriminating against us. for no good reason. By the way, what you just said?” She held her phone and waved it for good measure. “I have already recorded it. I think this should work as a good piece of evidence for me to hand over to the management of the mall.” up “You…” The supervisor’s face immediately turned red. He had never thought that the other party would record his words.

“Grace, that’s enough,” Zoe scolded. “You are someone who sweeps the streets. Why would you come here to shop? Do you still miss the days when you got to wear this kind of thing?” Zoe said mockingly, “If you really want these clothes, then I can take pity on you and buy something for you.” “Why? Can’t a sanitation worker come here to look around and shop for clothes? Or does the Stevens Family think that sanitation workers are inferior to others? If the public knows. that the Stevens Family looks at sanitation workers in this way, I’m not sure how they will feel about it.” Grace said her words in a neutral tone. She wasn’t making a threat so much as stating a fact. Zoe’s personal behavior was a reflection on the Stevens Family.

Zoe sputtered but she didn’t go so far as to refute what Grace said-probably because she knew Grace was right and she didn’t have any argument.

Zoe held her tongue. Only because if it really did leak, what she’d said, and somehow it flowed out onto social media that she’d said that sanitation workers were inferior, then she would probably get flamed to death on the internet before the end of tomorrow.

And it wouldn’t just be her, but the whole family too.

“Why do you have to be so serious?” Lily, who had been silent throughout, suddenly said.

Grace barely masked her surprise. Lily was the last person she’d expect to come to her defense.

Lily smiled coldly and went on. “Sanitation workers can certainly buy clothes here, but as with any store, if one isn’t actually making purchases, they shouldn’t loiter. That’s an impediment to store owners. If you aren’t going to buy anything, then don’t interfere with other people’s business.” From the sparkle in her eye, Lily thought she’d scored the last word, and, already she could see the store manager perking up like that bit about loitering was the key to proving his innocence.

But Grace wasn’t ready to be thrown out just yet.

“This one is fine.” Grace directly pointed at a dress with a price. tag of four million dollars. It was a one-of-kind couture gown and the designer’s name was valued around the world. It was at true showpiece. “Didn’t Miss Stevens just say that she wanted to buy a dress for me? Then let’s just get this one.” Zoe almost spat blood. She despised Grace Cummins. And she might have been being catty to say that she’d buy Grace something. But she didn’t mean it!!!

“Miss Stevens, you’re not going to go back on your words, are you?” Lina asked. She smiled and stepped closer to Grace.

Zoe’s face turned even redder.

Lily said disdainfully, “It’s not that Zoe can’t afford to pay for the gown. It’s just that buying something like this for a murderer is not worth it.” Grace’s face went as white as a sheet of paper. Lina stepped in front of her.

“Who are you calling a murderer?” Lina snarled.

“Why? Does she not even dare to admit that she killed my sister?” Lily stared straight at Grace.

Grace pressed her lips together tightly. The scene of the car accident flashed across her mind again. If she had been a step slower at that time, she might have died in the explosion of the car crash as well!

“I didn’t.” She met the other person’s gaze and spat out these two words.

“Liar!” Lily sneered. “The verdict has already been passed. Weren’t you talking all high and mighty about some evidence just now? You have to realize that all the evidence back then pointed at you.” Grace’s eyes watered. It was true. No matter how hard she tried to defend herself, all the evidence really did point at her.

It was obvious that she had been framed, but no one believed her except Lina.

“Lina, let’s go,” Grace said.

She grabbed her friend and spun to walk them out of the store.

And she slammed directly into Sean who was on his way 1.

My Gorgeous Wife is an Ex-Convict Chapter 75-Sean was stunned. “Grace!” When Zoe saw her brother, she immediately went forward and complained, “Brother, you have no idea how shameless this bitch was just now! She asked me to buy her a dress worth millions! She doesn’t realize that she isn’t even fit to wear such a dress!” “Shut your mouth!” Sean scolded her on the spot, and his expression turned ugly.

Was his sister not afraid of anything?

The person backing Grace was none other than Jason Reed. The man was a billionaire. Forget about a dress that cost millions. There wasn’t an object in this world that Jason Reed couldn’t afford.

“Brother, what’s wrong with you? Why are you raising your voice at me? I’m talking about Grace,” Zoe argued. “She’s a friggin’ convict!” “What’s there to say?” Sean said grumpily. He couldn’t reveal the truths that he knew about Grace’s true patron. And he couldn’t afford to humiliate her and chance it getting back to Jason Reed.

Sean turned to the clerk next to him and said, “Pack up that dress.” His sudden words shocked everyone in the store.

“Sean, what are you doing? Are you going to give the dress to Grace?” Zoe asked in disbelief. “Seriously!?!” As for Lily, her lips pressed into a thin line and her eyes narrowed in unmasked anger.

On the other hand, the salesgirl looked pleasantly surprised. She could earn a lot of commission if this sale went through.

“Grace, I’m sorry. Zoe’s words were a bit rude, but she didn’t mean any harm.

Please don’t hold a grudge against her. This dress… here – just take it as an apology.” Sean’s tone was extremely humble.

Zoe looked at her brother in disbelief. “Brother, what gives her the right to make you gift her a dress? And we’re even apologizing to her now? Who does she think she is?” The more Zoe spoke, the more Sean worried. Damn it, his sister needed to shut up! She had no idea of the consequences… If Grace said something in front of Jason Reed…he could obliterate all of the Stevens Family holdings. “Enough, Zoe,” He turned to his ex.”Grace, you won’t take offense to what Zoe’s saying, right?” Sean raked a hand through his hair. This whole situation was embarrassing and that didn’t even begin to describe the daggers that Lily was all but shooting at him. He made it a point not to look at her.

Grace’s brows drew together. She wasn’t a stupid woman, and she had to be wondering why he’d go out of his way to defend her or to make his own sister apologize.

Grace’s eyes lit up and Sean could pinpoint the moment when she realized she had the upper hand. Grace pursed her lips and said, “You know, you’re right, I don’t need that dress.” Zoe all but crowed as if by rejecting the dress, Grace was proving all the other things Zoe’d said were right.

Grace tapped her lips. “You don’t need to give me the dress. Just give me cash.

Mr. Stevens, you should have a checkbook on you, right?” She knew that Sean had the habit of bringing a checkbook along with him.

Sean was obviously stunned for a moment, but even though he recovered fairly quickly, he didn’t react in time to control his sister.

“You bitch!” Zoe glared at Grace with hatred. “How dare you ask for money!” “Why wouldn’t I? Miss Stevens, didn’t you say that you would buy me something from the store? I’m just exchanging it for cash. Nothing more,” Grace said.

Grace had been playing a bluff with every intention of letting Sean beg off and drag his deplorable sister and fiancee out of the store with him.

“You’re crazy for money, aren’t you?” Zoe shook her head with disgust, “Don’t think my brother will…” However, by this time, Sean had already taken out the checkbook, filled out the amount, and handed it directly to Grace.

“Brother!” Zoe shouted.

“Enough! You already promised earlier, it’s only natural that you keep your word!

I’m helping you fulfill the promise!” Sean turned to Grace and forced a smile.

“Here, this check is for you.”

My Gorgeous Wife is an Ex-Convict Chapter 76-Grace took the check and left the store with Lina.

There was cursing and muttering and she could only imagine how the store personnel would gossip-and she didn’t care.

She’d meant to get under their skin. It was petty and unnecessary and she’d only wanted Sean to feel shameful for a few brief seconds.

But he’d called her bluff and carried through with it.

And Sean wasn’t a wealthy man by accident. He was very stingy-when he wasn’t trying to outdo himself for appearances.

“Grace, don’t you think it’s a little weird?” As soon as they walked out of the store, Lina said, “Sean wrote you a huge check and gave it to you without hesitation. Lily was present too! Isn’t he afraid his ‘fiancee’ will lose her shit?” “It is quite strange,” Grace said neutrally.

“Uh, does Sean still like you?” Lina ventured.

Grace shrugged. “No, I don’t think that’s it.” “Grace, he just spent an obscene amount of money on you.” “True. But I don’t think it’s affection that prompted it. I don’t even think it’s ego.

Sean’s too cheap for that. I think it’s fear.

It seems that he is afraid that I will get mad at Zoe and then do harm to the Stevens Family,” Grace voiced her intuitive speculations.

Hearing this, Lina thought it was a bit ridiculous. “Isn’t he thinking too much into it?” “Who knows?” Grace shrugged and raised her hand to look at the check she was holding.

“What are you going to do with that anyway? Are you going to tear it up?” she asked. “Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see you spend it on yourself. It’s the least that piece of shit can do, after how he and that trash Lily treated you. But something tells me you won’t be taking that to the bank.” “No. I won’t.” Lina shook her head. “You’re just going to tear it up?” She was incredulous.

“No. Why tear it up? I’ll just donate it to someone who needs it,” Grace answered and carefully put the check into her bag.

Lina beamed. “That’s more like it!” Then she sighed. “That prick will probably use it as a tax write-off.” Both women laughed, and just like that, the painfulness of that encounter was forgotten.

They had a meal after walking around for a while, and shared several small dishes in the mall food court. It was so much like old times! Grace could almost imagine that the last few years hadn’t happened, and it was just the two of them catching up after a long week of corporate work.

But there was no undoing the past.

And seeing how she wouldn’t be who she was now, stronger and more selfaware, she didn’t resent it. If not for everything in the past, she wouldn’t have come to know Jay. Today.

“Let’s head back,” Grace said.

She had saved half her food and the full baklava dessert for Jay. She was eager to take it home to him.

When they were about to enter the escalator to the underground parking lot, they saw Sean, Zoe, and Lily again.

Ugh, these people were like a bad rash that just wouldn’t go away!

The trio looked miserable-various expressions of anger, disbelief and good oldfashioned hatred. They all stopped talking when they saw Grace and Lina approaching the escalator.

Grace had a moment’s pause where she almost held Lina back and suggested that they walk around the long way, but she didn’t want to appear weak.

She followed Lina’s lead, lifting her head and keeping her eyes straight ahead.

Zoe glared and shook her head.

“Don’t even think about it, sister,” Sean warned. “If you so much as say another word to her again, I’ll have you sent abroad.” Zoe couldn’t believe it. “You’d punish me!? For this murderous bitch!?” As Grace walked quicker toward the escalator and was about to pass by them, Zoe suddenly stretched out her foot right in Grace’s path.

Grace was caught off guard and tripped. She pitched forward, and the moving steps caused her to tumble and fall.

Lina screamed in shock and quickly ran to the side of the escalator to press the emergency stop button.

Even so, it was already too late. Grace had rolled down a lot of steps.

Lina raced down the stairs. “Are you okay? Can you move?

Tell me what hurts?” Before Grace could reply, Lina was screaming up to the top floor at Zoe. “Do you know that you could’ve killed her?” Zoe put a hand to her chest as if she couldn’t believe that someone would say such a thing. “She walked without looking where she was going and insisted on hitting my foot. It’s all her fault that she fell!” “Don’t bullshit me,” Lina screamed. “We’ll find out the moment we take a look at the security camera recording!” Lina said angrily. “And I swear to God if she’s hurt, I’m pressing charges!” She then looked nervously at Grace and said, “Grace, are you okay?” “It hurts…” Grace gasped from the pain. She was in shock and her heart was pounding. Every bone seemed to ache and she worried that she might have broken something.

“I’ll take you to the hospital right now,” Lina said hurriedly.

“You just fell down some steps and you are going to go to the hospital!? You’re really making a big deal out of nothing. Are you going to ask me for medical reimbursement next?” Zoe said sarcastically.

But no one had expected that in the next moment Zoe’s face would be slapped so viciously that she would almost fall from the escalator step herself.

“Brother!” Zoe held her face with her hands and looked at Sean in disbelief.

Sean’s face was merciless. “Apologize! Apologize to Grace right now!”

My Gorgeous Wife is an Ex-Convict Chapter 77-Why should I apologize?” Zoe said angrily. She rubbed her face and stepped near her brother as if intending to shove him down the escalator next.

At this moment, people came over one after another. One of them recognized Lily. After all, she was a popular star. Although she was wearing sunglasses and a hat that covered most of her face, she was still spotted. A crowd began to form.

“It’s Lily. Is that her fiancé next to her?” “What are they doing here?” “What’s wrong with the escalator? Did something happen just now?” Voices sounded around them. Lina helped Grace walk down the escalator. Seeing this, Sean hurriedly caught up with them.

7994 Lily’s eyes flashed with surprise. She hadn’t expected Sean to leave her behind and run after Grace! And the people around her began to spread gossip.

‘Lily’s fiancé went to chase after another woman.” “Oh my god, is this a bloody love triangle?” Lily’s face flushed with embarrassment.

She watched Sean reach Grace and Lina at the bottom of the escalator and she weighed whether to follow. Grace Cummins had killed her sister. No, she would not be checking to ensure that Grace was okay.

“Lily,” Zoe whispered. “We should go.” Dozens of people had their phones out and were closing in on them.

Lily managed a coy smile as she and Zoe held onto each other and hurried away. She covered her face with her hands and tried her best to avoid the cameras on the phones as they cut through the crowd.

Sean caught up to Grace. “H-how much were your medical expenses? I’ll cover it. Zoe didn’t mean it. Let’s just keep this between ourselves. We can talk-” “Talk about what?” Lina asked indignantly. “Sean, how dare you say that your sister didn’t do it on purpose? You Stevens Family people are truly one of a kind.” As she spoke, she opened the door, let her friend sit in the front passenger seat, and then sat in the driver’s seat herself. Sean had still been knocking on the door, and his face was pale. When he spoke, his voice was trembling.

At this time, even Lina could feel that Sean was scared.

However, what was he afraid of? Was he afraid that Grace would sue Zoe?

Even if they were to take the case to court, Zoe would only have to pay some compensation. The Stevens Family wouldn’t care about much money.

When Lina drove away with Grace, Sean stood rooted to the spot with only the words “I’m done for” repeating over and over in his mind.

No matter what the relationship between Jason and Grace was, at least for the moment, Jason seemed to have a special connection to Grace. Since Grace had been injured, and it was because of Zoe, then the Stevens Family was responsible And Jason Reed had the power, wealth and connections to bury them.

Damn it!

Zoe couldn’t refrain from being a bitch for a few minutes?!

Was it really that hard to take the high road? Sean calculated scenarios. How far would Jason Reed go? Would he really extend himself in such a way? Sean didn’t know.

And he didn’t want to find out… Lina drove Grace to the hospital, registered at the front desk, and then waited in line.

Although Grace didn’t say anything, Lina could tell from her expression that she was in great pain.

However, she didn’t know when her good friend had stopped crying out in pain in front of others.

Was it because of those days in prison? Had she already suffered so much that she would no longer cry out in pain?

Thinking of the strange accident, Lina felt that things were not so simple, but she had no evidence to support her postulation.

Seeing her good friend take out her phone, Lina asked, “Who are you calling?”

My Gorgeous Wife is an Ex-Convict Chapter 78-Grace found the name ‘Jay’ in her contact list on her phone and called his number. After a while, the call connected and Jay’s voice came from the other end of the line. “Hello.” “I have something to do. I’m afraid that I will be back late today. You… you can prepare dinner for yourself,” Grace said.

“What do you mean ‘you have something to do’?” “Just tell him that you’re in the hospital right now,” Lina interrupted.

“What does she mean you are in the hospital right now?” There was a pronounced change in Jay’s tone.

“I took a fall, and now I’m waiting for X-rays.” “In the hospital?” Jay said as if confirming.

“Yes.” Grace sighed.

“Which hospital?” Jay asked. “I’m coming now.” “You don’t have to come. Lina is here with me. Just wait for me at home,” she said in a hurry. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.” The other end of the phone was silent. After a long minute, Jason repeated his previous question, “Which hospital?” Grace bit her lip and replied, “First City.” Chills wracked her body and her stomach dipped at the thought of inconveniencing him. She had lost her mother when she was a child and her family had kept her at arm’s length for most of her adolescence. Prison, that had shown her that she was truly on her own.

Grace really didn’t feel comfortable troubling others for anything. No one owed her anything. And she was capable of handling life’s issues on her own.

Well, mostly.

If it weren’t for Lina, she would have come to the hospital alone without saying a word to anyone. It wasn’t that she thought she’d broken any bones, but she’d hit her head really hard. Everything ached and she was terrified that she was internally bleeding.

“I’m coming now,” Jason said.

Jason hung up the phone and immediately dialed his secretary Terrence.

“Investigate what happened to Grace today.” “Yes, sir. As you wish,” lerrence said.

“Also, check who the most skilled orthopedic doctor is at First City Hospital.

Make sure he is on call and have him check on Grace’s condition,” Jason said. “I expect a report before I arrive there.” “Understood sir,” Terrence answered again.

After this call, Terrence looked at his mobile phone in a daze. Mr. Reed’s feelings for this woman were escalating.

His instructions were precise and he knew Mr. Reed’s moods. and tone well enough to interpret that Jason was deadly serious.

There would be hell to pay if his instructions were not followed to the T.

Terrence thought of the way Mr. Reed had initially reacted to Grace Cummins.

He’d helped her-much as he would any stranger on the street. Then he’d accepted her kindness, and spent the night with her. He gradually spent more time at that apartment until he’d virtually moved into that economy rental.

Where first, when Grace had been hit by an electric bike, Jason had been slightly shaken, now, he was calling in every favor and demanding to know every detail of her accident and her treatment.

And that wasn’t counting the slights against her that Mr. Reed had retaliated on her behalf.

Indeed, he was waging an all-out war with anyone who dared to hurt this young woman.

The same woman who’d killed his fiancee.

It was… unsettling.

Mr. Reed was calculating. Cold. He didn’t exhibit any strong emotions for anyone or anything. Not his former future wife, not even his family.

His behavior now… was most interesting.

Just as Grace was waiting for the results of an X-ray scan, a nurse suddenly came over and wheeled her out of the shared space in the ER and to a private wing of the hospital. The rooms were single bed, spacious and the entire look of the area reflected a higher quality.

Grace asked, “Why have you brought me here? Dr. Haan was already treating me.” The nurse just shrugged. “I was told to bring you to Dr. Craigge.” The young man smiled. “He’s the best there is, so I wouldn’t complain. You’re lucky. He’s usually off today.” Grace was rolled into a nice room with a big window.

Everything was white and bright and looked very modern and clean. A large television was up on one wall and two couches on the opposite side of the room.

The hospital bed had scarcely stopped rolling before a middle-aged man entered the room and grabbed Grace’s chart off the rack at the foot of the bed.

“Hello,” he said, although he was looking at the chart, not at Grace.

“Hello Doctor,” Grace said carefully.

The nurse smiled and left the room.

Dr. Craigge had been awakened by the hospital director and ordered to return to the hospital immediately. He was the senior attending physician and he knew that such a call would not have been made lightly.

There were plenty of other top orthopedic surgeons-he should know, he’d interviewed and hired them.

While under the guise of reading the chart, Dr. Craigge took stock of his patient.

Her clothes were simple. Cheap even.

They’d removed her top and put her in a hospital gown, but her pants and shoes were worn. Not dirty, just showing signs of use. The fabric faded.

The woman herself was of average weight and height. Her eyes were clear and her hair clean, if not simply styled. She wore no makeup.

No jewelry.

Her chart revealed disturbing things.

Hmm. Interesting.

‘Don’t make any mistakes,’ the hospital director had said. As if, Dr. Craigge would. He didn’t need a threat to inspire him to bring his A game.

He’d been called in like this a few times before, for politicians and business chairmen. The girl didn’t appear to be anyone of consequence.

Not that it mattered.

She was his patient now.

As a doctor, he did not care about whether the patient was important or not.

Wealthy or not.

There was an injured human in front of him, and he’d do

My Gorgeous Wife is an Ex-Convict Chapter 79-Jason strode into the hospital room. His gaze swept the space, taking in the machines beeping, the x-rays mounted on the wall and the physician standing quietly at Grace’s bedside.

“You’re here!” Grace said.

“There was a traffic jam on the highway, or I would’ve been here sooner,” Jason replied.

She smiled. “You arrived faster than I expected.” She picked at the bedsheets. “I hate that I inconvenienced you…” Jason moved to the opposite side of the hospital bed to engage the physician directly.

Lina returned to the room and handed Grace a small cup of water. “One second you were in the ER, the next you were gone. Sorry, Grace. It took me a minute to devise where they’d moved you to.” “I’m fine,” Grace said easily. She sipped the water.

“Doctor, how is she?” Lina asked. “Is my friend all right? She was knocked down several steps by someone on the escalator.” Grace watched Jason as Lina relayed the events. She wasn’t too happy with her friend for saying all of that. A muscle in Jason’s jaw started to tick.

“The injury is not too serious,” the doctor said. “Thankfully, there is no internal hemorrhaging or any signs of TBItraumatic brain injury.” Lina sighed loudly in relief.

“What did you discover?” Jason asked in a deadly calm voice.

Dr. Craigge turned back to him. “There are some slight fractures. We’ll put her foot in a brace, and she should stay off it for a few weeks to allow the bones around her ankle to heal, but… Dr. Craigge hesitated.

“But what?” Jason asked in a frigid tone.

Grace trembled.

“There are injuries that would point to more sustained, systemic trauma.” He gestured toward the X-rays of her hands. “You sustained multiple broken bones and fractures. Many of these injuries to your fingers did not set properly, and at this stage, it’s unlikely given the bone fusion and time lapsed that re-breaking and resetting the bones would affect any positive change.” Grace lowered her gaze.

The doctor cleared his throat. “I’ve noticed a number of areas on your hands, arms, feet and legs that point to significant trauma.” Grace pressed her lips together. She knew damn well who and what had caused her those injuries.

And the doctor, it seemed like he was digging for information. He probably thought her an abused woman. And she had been. Just not by some vile husband or family member.

Grace’s injuries had come in the form of retaliation and on behalf of wealthy families.

“What is the prognosis on the older injuries?” Jason asked carefully. Again, his voice was underlaced with hostility.

“It’s hard to say,” Dr. Craigge admitted. “In my professional opinion, given the traumas and how they healed, there will be complications. Perhaps if Miss Cummins had sustained suitable care at the time, the conversation would be different now…” “Complications?” Grace frowned. “But I don’t think there’s anything wrong with my body.” “You are still young now, so the effects will be less pronounced, and, you’ve properly adapted to the pain. But injuries like this can play into degenerative issues, so as you age, the complications will slowly come out!” “What kind of complications?” Jason asked bluntly.

“In the future, you may often feel pain in your joints. There will most certainly be arthritis. You may have sustained nerve damage or cramping. If it is serious, you may not be able to lift heavy things with your hands, and you might have trouble walking,” Dr. Craigge said.

Grace stayed silent, looking down at her hands and feet. Her old wounds were from her time in prison. Prisoners were afforded the minimal treatment required by law. There were no gifted surgeons to reset her bones. Her fingers were put in soft splints and taped.

Yes, the attacks had been painful, and the time spent recovering from them, even more so.

Even now, her bones and joints ached. So no doubt, what the doctor said about residual pain and worsening, debilitating injuries over time… it all made sense.

“Then… is there any way to cure it?” Lina’s voice trembled as she asked.

On the contrary, Grace seemed to be relatively quiet.

“You mainly need to recuperate and eat food that’s high in calcium.

Osteoporosis later in life would compound these issues significantly. Eat foods that reduce swelling and inflammation. Take vitamins and minerals. Also, you have to take good care of yourself. You can’t afford to continue to abuse your body,” Dr. Craigge said.

Grace leaned back and was lost to her thoughts after that.

These last few years, it seemed all she had known was abuse. Being out of prison, she’d been accosted by her own sister, by ‘friends’ of Sean and even his sister and fiancee.

Would she ever know any peace?

“…she can stay a few days and we can monitor her,” Dr. Craigge was saying.

“-No. I want to go home.” “Grace, I think you should listen to the doctor,” Jason said.

“I will,” she agreed. “I’ll take it easy and rest. Please. I just want to go home.” Jason gave a barely perceptible nod.

“Lina,” Jason said. “Please work with Dr. Craigge to determine any medicines Grace will need and what follow up treatments he recommends.” Grace held out her arms to Jay and he carefully, gently helped her to rise from the bed.

Lina remained in the room to obtain the prescriptions and Jason guided Grace into the hallway. When she winced, he sat her in the nearest chair. “This is ridiculous. Go back to that hospital bed and rest.” Her eyes watered. “I don’t want to stay here. Please.” He muttered a curse.

“I probably can’t just walk out of here.” Grace rubbed her head. “I’m sure there will be paperwork, and I’ll have to go on a payment plan. The county offers insurance, but I don’t think it’ll cover a fraction of this.” “Let’s not worry about that now,” Jason said. “Does it hurt?” he asked.

“Actually, it’s not that bad.” Grace drew her sweater over her hospital gown and buttoned it. “My ankle aches, but honestly, I’ve had worse. You heard the doctor.

He said that it’ll only take a few weeks to heal.” Jason pressed his lips together. “The old wounds that the doctor mentioned – did you get them while in prison?” Grace pretended to be relaxed and smiled. “I was beaten in prison several times, but it wasn’t serious.” Jason cursed again.

“Truly, it’s not a big deal. I think the Doctor was being a bit dramatic. I’ll be fine. Some vitamins, some rest, and these old wounds will be a thing of the past.” The calmer she was, the angrier Jay became.

“Sister, do you hate the person who put you in prison?” he suddenly asked.

She laughed a little. “Who would I hate? Should I hate the judge? The Atkinson family? Or the Stevens Family that has been unwilling to help me? Or maybe I should hate Jason Reed himself, right? Because really, he’s the root of everything.

My Gorgeous Wife is an Ex-Convict Chapter 80-When she said his name Jason’s whole body stiffened.

“Do you hate Jason Reed?” he murmured.

She sighed and said, “Everyone in this City knows him. When I had the car accident, Jennifer Atkinson was Jason’s fiancée. So, of course, I was not going to get out of it easily. How many people want to curry favor with him? How many people think that by hurting me it’ll gain them favor with him?” Grace’s eyes took on a faraway look. “Who knows… maybe if that accident had involved someone else. Someone other than Jennifer Atkinson, I could have won the lawsuit. Would I have been spared from being in jail for three years and experienced all those things? Maybe.” Her eyes were so earnest when they met his. “I didn’t drink and drive, Jay. I wouldn’t do that. I still can’t understand how the evidence could corroborate that sort of thing.” Jason knew the ins and outs of the case intimately.

She was not angry or sad, but the faint self-degradation she showed made him feel very guilty.

Perhaps half of her pain was because of him.

He squatted in front of her, staring at her bent hands. “It I had known that you would suffer so much, I would have protected you three years ago.” This sentence had nothing to do with the game but was something that had come from the bottom of his heart.

He hated thinking that this woman had suffered because of him. He was cold, yes, but he also considered himself fair. He wasn’t cruel. And Grace had been tortured for no other reason than that he might bestow some favors on her tormentors.

The thought sickened him.

Back then, he hadn’t cared one way or the other. But now that he knew her.

That he believed her when she said it was all an accident… it opened something in his chest that made him ache with regret.

“I know that you would have defended me,” Grace said. She patted his hand.

“Alright, let’s not talk about this.” Grace smiled again and lifted her hand to rub his dark hair.

It seemed that she had been doing this more and more frequently recently.

Lina entered the hallway and paused beside them, she shifted her feet awkwardly. “I, uh, got the medicine,” she said to the two of them. “And Dr. Craigge included two other prescriptions which we can fill once we get you home.” “Thank you, Lina,” Grace said.

“I’ll go get the car from the underground parking lot. Jay, help Grace to the entrance and wait for me.” “Alright,” Jason agreed.

He slid his arms beneath her legs.

“J-Jay, what are you doing?” “It should be obvious, no?” “They have wheelchairs, you don’t need to carry me.” “The walking boot they give you won’t suffice. You should probably have crutches.” He hefted her into his arms and moved like he intended to carry her back into the hospital room to argue for said crutches from the doctor.

“No, no,” Grace said. “I’m fine. I just need some rest.” “Exactly,” Jason agreed. “That means rest from walking,” he said simply, as if it explained everything.

“I’m too heavy for you to carry me like this!” Jason laughed. “Don’t be absurd. You hardly weigh anything.” It’s true. He noticed that the other night too, when he lifted her from the table and moved her to the bed.

She tensed in his arms. “Relax, Grace,” he whispered. “I won’t drop you.” “I know,” she said.

Then she rested her head against his chest.

Jason felt his heart beat pick up. Her scent. Her nearness. Knowing she was all right when he’d been left thinking the worst… it all sent the blood in his body rushing to his head.

Jason’s eyes were filled with a tenderness that he didn’t even know was there.

Grace lifted one hand around his neck and clung to him.

He lifted her higher. Held her closer.

His lips brushed the top of her head.

“Thank you for coming for me, Jay.” He made some noncommittal sound and then walked out of the emergency room and headed for the hospital entrance.