Ch. 81..90

My Gorgeous Wife is an Ex-Convict Chapter 81-“You need to eat more, Sister.” Grace made a strangled sound.

“I’m serious,” Jason said.

She was too light in his arms. And while most men would’ve probably found that satisfying, for him, it just reinforced her frailty.

How easily she could be hurt or taken from him.

That fall… it could’ve killed her.

The night he met her… those men could have killed her.

That asshole at his country club could have drowned her.

The electric bike could’ve run her down.

And… he shuddered… just how many times did she face death while in prison?!?

Her face pressed against him and she nestled closer as if seeking his warmth.

“I can’t remember the last time someone carried me. In my memory, when I was a child, Mom was the only one who ever did this for me.” Her voice was wistful.

“My memories of those times are too vague.” He made a soothing sound.

“Jay, you’re so nice,” she murmured.

She could all but feel him smiling. When she glanced up, his mouth remained in a straight line, but his eyes glowed mischievously. “Are you going to say that I’m a nice person again, sister?” he asked.

“Yes. I want to say that you’re a good brother. I’m very lucky to have a brother like you,” she replied.

“Brother…” He shook his head.

Jason carried Grace to the entrance of the hospital and Lina’s car appeared not long after.

After the two of them had gotten into the car, Lina launched into a tirade.

“Don’t you dare even interrupt me, Grace, because this shit has gone on long enough!” With barely taking a second to draw a breath, Linarelayed the events that had transpired that day.

Although Jason had already heard the rough account of the incident from Terrence, his expression darkened dramatically at hearing Lina’s telling of it.

“That Zoe went too far! Not only did she have the malicious intention of having the store attendant kick us out, but she also intentionally tripped Grace! Can you believe that!?! Grace could’ve been seriously injured. She could’ve died. This wasn’t just a minor fall. That bitch tripped her down an escalator!!!” “Let it go,” Grace said tiredly.

“Are you insane? Grace, what part of ‘you-could-have-died’ did you not hear!?” Lina slammed on the brakes at an intersection and Jason threw out his arm to halt Grace’s forward momentum.

His hand caught her shoulder and he gently guided her back against the seat.

Seeing as how Lina was driving aggressively, no doubt a reflection of her mood, Jason slung his arm around Grace’s shoulder to cushion her back and better hold her against the seat.

“It’s all because Zoe is a Stevens…” Lina seethed.

“What does that mean?” Jason asked carefully.

“Surely, you’ve heard of the Stevens Family. They own a good portion of this city. Real estate, businesses, commerce. It’s like they have their greedy hands in everything. And Zoe… she’s the worst! Acting like she’s so entitled and as if everyone else is dirt beneath her feet.” Lina slapped the steering wheel. “If it weren’t for Grace’s good luck, she might have been seriously injured!” “I’m fine, Lina,” Grace said.

“Your foot is broken! You have bruises all over.” She eyed Jason in the rearview mirror. “Is she crazy?” Lina turned back to the road ahead. Lina gnashed her teeth with hatred. “Zoe relies on the Stevens Family which allows her to act so brazenly!” “The Stevens Family…” Jason mumbled softly with a hint of mockery in his tone.

“So what if she’s from the Stevens Family?” “Oh, Jay, you really shouldn’t look down on the Stevens Group.” Her voice was tired. “Look, I can complain about them, and they are a bunch of elitist assholes, but that doesn’t change the fact that they’re one of the ruling families in this city.” “Ruling family?” Jason scoffed.

“Money buys a lot of things,” Grace said quietly.

“Exactly,” Lina agreed. “And given their reach and influence, if this were to go to court, who do you think would win?” She shook her head and hit the brakes hard at a yellow light. If not for her injured passenger, she probably would’ve floored it through.

“You weren’t there… before,” Grace said softly. “When the accident happened, it brought in the Reed Family. The Atkinson Family.” Her dark eyes drifted to his. “I was an attorney, Jay, and I swear I was not under the influence. It made no difference.” “So you think the court case was…altered by these families?” he asked carefully.

Grace glanced away and stared out the window. “It doesn’t matter now. What’s done is done. I can’t get back my life. And neither can Jennifer Atkinson.” “Grace, that doesn’t give Zoe the right to harm you,” Lina argued.

“Taking her to court…what difference would it make? Even with the mall surveillance video, what would happen? She’d pay a small fine?” Grace shrugged. “It isn’t worth the effort.” “Then let’s not go to court,” Jason said.

“Then wouldn’t Grace be at a disadvantage?” Lina’s voice was outraged. “No, they have to compensate her for all the medical fees and her lost income. Even though these fees won’t mean much to them, we still can’t be on the losing end,” Lina explained.

Jason’s hand unconsciously tightened on Grace’s shoulder. “Your suffering will not be in vain, sister. Whoever hurts you will have to pay for it,” Jason replied coldly.

In an instant, rage bloomed within his eyes.

Grace gasped. There was fear in her eyes as she stared at him, almost as if she was seeing him clearly for the first time.

She had the abrupt sensation that the Jay sitting before her was a stranger.

A dangerous stranger.

And yet, in the next moment, the rage in his eyes disappeared and they returned to their usual calmness.

His lips opened and closed. “What’s wrong?” “Noth-nothing.” She shook her head and told herself that she was imagining things. When they arrived at Grace’s apartment, Jason carried her once again.

She cherished the way he held her, but part of her wondered what sort of violence those same hands were capable of.

My Gorgeous Wife is an Ex-Convict Chapter 82-Jason carefully placed Grace in the chair and propped a storage box beneath the kitchen table so she could elevate her foot.

“You need to eat,” he said. Then he busied himself in the kitchen reheating the food she’d prepared earlier.

“You know,” Lina said. “I wasn’t too keen on this whole arrangement. You kind of came out of nowhere and basically moved in.” Lina laughed softly as she took in the small changes around the apartment. “I definitely wasn’t buying all that sister/brother stuff.” She laughed again.

Jason arched a brow at her.

“But now,” Lina went on, “It’s clear you’re good for my friend. Thank you for helping her.” Jason turned back to plating up food for Grace. “There is no reason to thank me. Grace would do the same for me.” As he said it, he realized that was true. She’d be there for him. No questions asked. No stipulations or expectations of something in return. And she wouldn’t leave his side.

Could he say that of anyone else in his life? Anyone who wasn’t on his payroll, that is. Or who wasn’t out to gain something from him?

Lina yawned.

“You should go home and rest,” Grace said. “This has been… a stressful day.

I’m sorry you got dragged into this drama.” Lina gave Grace a hug. “The other people brought the drama when they tried to bully you.” Grace just shrugged. “I shouldn’t have engaged. I know better… “That’s nonsense,” Lina argued. “They had no right to target you.” Grace’s lips tightened like she wanted to reply but decided not 1.

Lina kissed Grace on top of her head. “Can I do anything else -do you need anything else?” “No,” Grace said. “Go home. I’ll call you if I need anything.” Jason walked Lina to the door and closed and locked it behind her. Then he fed Grace her dinner. She protested at first, but Jason was insistent.

After the first few bites, she leaned back in the chair feeling so tired and weary.

Her ankle ached. Most of her body did. But mostly, she just felt beaten down.

Like she was fighting some battle and there was no way to win. What was worse, even if she did somehow prevail, none of it mattered anyway.

“I don’t like that look,” Jason said quietly.

Grace looked away. “I need to clean up.” But Jason was already moving. He brought the dishes to the sink and washed them.

Grace sat there, a bit dazed, watching. Given all that she had experienced, she seldom allowed herself to wallow or to feel sorry for herself. What point would that serve?

But just now, she felt a bit hopeless.

When Jason was done tidying up, he asked, “Sister, do you need to go to the bathroom?” “Huh?” “Yes or no?” he asked as if it was an extremely normal question.

Grace blushed to the roots of her hair. She made to stand by herself and wobbled on her feet.

She sat back down.

“Let’s try this again,” Jason said. “Sister, do you need to go to the bathroom?” Her expression was awkward but she ultimately said “yes.” Jason swept her up and carried her into the bathroom. He left her standing, and waited to make sure she was steady. Then he backed out and closed the door behind him. “Call me when you’re done,” he said.

Her face grew even redder.

It occurred to her, that by him asking, he had been paying attention to how frequently she relieved herself. On the one hand, it was a basic biological process, on the other she felt shy that he should notice such things.

When she hobbled out of the bathroom, Jason was there. He swept her up and carried her to the chair once again.

“Jay, I can walk. There’s a slight bone fracture in only one of my feet but the other is fine.” “The doctor said you should move as little as possible,” he said. “Or do you not like me taking care of you like this?” “No… no.” She shook her head.

He smiled faintly and reached out to lightly stroke her flushed face. “Although I don’t like you getting hurt, Sister, I do like how you’re depending on me.” “Depending on you?” She was a little puzzled.

“Yes, depending on me. If you want to walk, I’ll have to carry you. If you want to eat, I’ll feed you. When you’re thirsty, I’ll be the one to bring you something to drink. I like you relying on me.” Grace swallowed hard.

This seemed more personal, more… intimate than a brother helping his sister.

“I like caring for you,” he said.

His body slowly drew nearer to hers. His lips pated and his dark eyes were so focused on her, it was like she finally understood what people meant when they talked about drowning in someone’s eyes.

Jason wasn’t just attractive. He was devastating so.

The kind of man whose strength drew her in and whose face held her spellbound.

“I… I’m not used to relying on someone.” Grace whispered.

“You can get used to it in the future,” he mumbled.

If it wasn’t for the constant pain, she would think herself dreaming.

At night, before going to bed, Jason prepared a tub of warm water. He took a soft washcloth and gently washed Grace’s face and neck. He rinsed each of her hands and her forearms.

When he bent to wash her feet, Grace stopped him, “You don’t have to-” “I heard what the doctor said. I won’t get your injured foot wet. Just relax.

Please.” His voice was so earnest and she didn’t want to admit it, but she liked his touch. The gentle way he held her and massaged each limb. It was soothing and exciting all at once. And his hands… he had such great hands. Strong with long fingers.

“You need to request a leave of absence.” “From work?” Grace shook her head. “I can’t.” “You were told to rest.” “If I request time off, there is a very good chance that I won’t have a job to go back to.” She tensed. “It was very hard for me to land this job. I went on countless interviews and was always told no. The moment people learn I’m a convicted felon… no one wants a criminal working for them, Jay.” He was not deterred. “Your health is most important. You need to heal. Even if you lose this job, you must focus on your health. Without it, what would you even be working for?”

My Gorgeous Wife is an Ex-Convict Chapter 83-“If I’m dismissed, I don’t have anything to fall back on. The accident… all of my savings were cleared out with court fees and fines. I need this job. It pays the rent and buys our food…” “You still have me!” he shouted.

Grace gasped. Jay never yelled. He was always calm. Even in horrible situations-violent situations-he was not so volatile.

“I’ll earn money to take care of you,” he said more quietly. As if the outburst never happened. “Don’t give it another thought.” Grace stared dazedly at the man before her. She believed him. Even though he didn’t have a steady job and no home of his own, she trusted his word. Indeed, his words had given her an unprecedented sense of security.

Maybe she didn’t have to go it alone. Maybe she did have someone she could rely on.

“Make the call.” He brought the phone before her.

She hesitated for a few seconds, then took the phone and called her manager on-call at the Sanitation Center.

As the phone rang and she waited to be connected to her manager, she felt her blood pressure rise. She didn’t love this job, but she really didn’t want to lose it.

She trusted that Jay could provide for them, but she didn’t want that responsibility to fall to him.

“Hello, Mrs. Jacobson,” she said politely when her boss answered. Then she gave a summary of the accident, leaving out the whole “I was pushed by Zoe Stevens and bullied by my ex-fiancee’s new fiancee Lily Atkinson.” She thought Mrs. Jacobson would tell her no. Or that she’d have to apply with the county or request additional approvals, but there were no extra hurdles. To her total surprise, Mrs.

Jacobson inquired about her health and suggested she take longer than a week if she needed to. Furthermore, she would still be paid the minimum wage and her salary would not be affected.

Grace couldn’t believe it.

“What happened?” Jason asked.

“She said yes.” He continued to wash her foot, and his hand slipped around to massage her ankle. Then her calf.

She sucked in a breath.

His dark gaze cut to hers.

“She, uh, told me to take more time.” Grace could feel her face heating. “That particular manager has never been very warm toward me…” “Don’t overthink it. You’re injured. It’s the right thing to do.” His fingers gently along her ankle again and she felt tingles of goodness from her foot to the top of her head. Had anyone ever washed or massaged her like this? Sean never did. Even in their most intimate times, he wasn’t one for much foreplay.

As those tingles continued to race from the sole of her foot, up her leg to all those other places, Grace felt her face grow redder. She could imagine his strong hands, those long fingers, tracing higher up her legs, to where they v-ed. And once her thoughts took that turn, she couldn’t look at him without imagining the things he could do to her.

“All… all right.Thank you. I’m, uh, all clean,!” she hurriedly said. Ankles… who knew she had such sensitive ankles!?!

And yet his fingers were still gripping her leg. “Let me dry you.” “It’s okay. I’m not that wet.” At least her legs and feet weren’t… “Don’t move, Sister,” he ordered.

She felt awkward and frozen. Her senses were heightened with anticipation.

Maybe it was the meds from the hospital. Maybe it was his touch, scent, his vow to take care of her.

Whatever the reason… She wanted him.

Jason unhurriedly picked up the towel next to him and carefully dried her. Then he swept her into his arms again, only this time, as he cradled her, she angled her head.

His neck craned instantly toward hers.

His eyelids lowered. When his lips were inches from hers, she sputtered, “JJay?” His body froze slightly, then he lifted his head with his usual expression as he asked, “Sister, what’s wrong?” “It’s… it’s nothing.” She bit her lip. Oh my god, had she imagined that moment?

Was she so starved for intimacy that his kindness made her leap to the wrong conclusions?

He placed her on the bed. “You should sleep early today.” “Yes,” she mumbled in agreement.

He turned to go into the bathroom and closed the door.

Jason stared at his reflection and wondered how he’d come to be standing here.

In a matchbox of a bathroom, in a studio flat in a shit section of town, with the woman who’d killed his fiancee sleeping not five feet away from him.

It wasn’t just being in this physical space… it was the emotional side of it.

Touching Grace, feeling the flex of muscle beneath his fingertips, the smooth softness of her skin, just seeing the way she blushed and how her pupils dilated at his simplest touch… He was drawn to this woman.

He parceled each element away.

Attraction. Respect. Trust. Desire.

So long as she didn’t desire his emotions, they’d be okay

My Gorgeous Wife is an Ex-Convict Chapter 84-That night, Jason was awakened by Grace’s muffled scream.

She tossed and turned and mumbled in her sleep.

He couldn’t make out what she was saying but her pained whimpers and trembling made him think she was in fear or pain.

“Sister,” he called to her. But she didn’t respond.

When he touched her head, he frowned. Her head was hot, and her slight body was slicked with sweat.

Jason hurriedly wrung a towel soaked in cool water and wiped Grace’s forehead.

But her eyes remained shut and she was still muttering something.

No matter how he called her, she wouldn’t wake up. A flash of panic crept over him. He didn’t know what to do-and he hated feeling inept. He hated it almost as much as realizing how worried he was about her. Which meant he was in way over his head.

No. This was just a reaction given her medical history and their circumstances.

Nothing more. Nothing less.

He took out his phone and immediately dialed Terrence. “Get me a doctor. And send them to the apartment.” “Now?” Terrence asked.

“Yes, now,” Jason ordered.

“Yes, sir.” There was a pause.

“What is it?” Jason asked irritably.

“What is the severity of the situation, sir? Should I instead call an ambulance?” It was an intelligent question and it lessened Jason’s annoyance slightly. “No,” he said. “No ambulance.” Then: “I don’t think so.” “I’m working on this now, sir.” But where Jason normally would’ve hung up, he spared a second to offer some explanation because no doubt any doctor they called would want to know more details of the situation too. “She has a fever. It’s high.” “I have a doctor on the other line,” Terrence said. “I’ll relay today’s events and the medical data from her earlier hospital visit.” “Good.” Jason smoothed Grace’s brow and wrung out the washcloth to cool down her face and neck again.

“Do you want me to stay on the line, sir?” Jason was too busy with Grace to realize he hadn’t hung up the phone. “No.” “Ok, sir. See you soon.” Terrence had noticed many changes in his boss in the time since Mr. Reed saved Miss Cummins. Mr. Reed was engaging in a way that suggested more than work or business obligation. And given this woman’s background and what had transpired surrounding Mr. Reed’s fiancee’s death, it was rather incredible.

If asked to predict these events, Terrence would’ve said, ‘No. Not in a million years would Mr. Reed act like this.

But here he was. In a shanty of an apartment, with a woman who’d killed his former lover.

And Jason wasn’t just here… he was present.

But that realization was one he would keep to himself. It was not his place to question or inform Mr. Reed of his emotional attachments-or lack thereof.

Terrence used the Reed Group name to enlist the services of one of the best physicians in the city. Then he woke the doctor up and collected him from his house.

Terrence was especially careful when knocking on the door. After all, his employer did not want Grace to discover his true identity.

Terrence kept to the side in case he should retreat without being seen. But when the door was opened, Jason immediately stepped aside and gestured him into the small room.

“Come in,” he said, ushering the doctor into the house.

Terrence took a quick survey of the room.

He’d known these studio apartments were small. But this was a fraction of the size of Mr. Reed’s office. The kitchenette was perhaps ten feet long with enough room for the sink, stove, refrigerator. A small dinette table for two was at the center. One armoire. A single bed. A pile of pillows and blankets on the floor.

One door, presumably to a bathroom. No windows save the one over the sink.

Terrence tried hard to mask his shock.

“Take a look at her,” Jason said. “What’s wrong with her? I kept calling her just now but I couldn’t wake her up.” Jason stood beside the bed.

Terrence sensed his employer had lost his usual calmness.

Jason’s expression was anxious and his posture was tense.

The doctor glanced at Terrence briefly as if for confirmation. Terrence nodded.

Dr. Raunfield immediately went to work, checking Grace’s vitals, all while Jason stood by, looking on the verge of something dangerous.

“Sir,” Terrence said gently. “Dr. Raunfield is one of the best general practitioners in the city. And we can have Miss Cummins airlifted at any time, if the doctor deems it necessary.” Jason nodded, but his eyes still had the wild look of a man about to come unglued.

“I was told she suffered a fall earlier today,” the doctor said as he took her pulse and then listened to her heart.

“That’s correct. Down an escalator.” “Hmm.” He probed around Grace’s abdomen and lifted her shirt to check her ribs..

Terrence made certain to avert his attention, spinning to face the opposite side of the room.

“Her breathing is steady. And I don’t see any signs of swelling in her spleen or anything to suggest internal hemorrhaging.” After a long while, he concluded, “There’s no major issue. It’s possible that due to the injury today, the inflammation caused a fever. It’s not unusual for a patient to run a fever or to lose body temperature if they’re going into shock.” “What do you prescribe?” Jason asked.

“Aspirin to lower the fever. If the fever still persists tomorrow, take her to a hospital for further examination.” The doctor looked at Jason then Terrence sharply. “I was told she was already treated in a hospital today. Did they run blood work?” “Full panels,” Jason said.

“Hmm. And you don’t want to bring her back to the hospital now?” Jason frowned. “She doesn’t want to go.” “Then give it a little more time. If her blood work came back okay, then this is likely a reaction to the severity of the trauma.” Jason nodded.

Dr. Raunfield wrote some notes down. “This is my cell phone, and Terrence knows how to reach me. If her condition doesn’t improve in the next few hours, call.” Once the doctor was done, Terrence walked him outside. Jason remained in the apartment and poured a glass of water for Grace to drink with the medicine. She was unconscious, but he propped her up, whispering words of encouragement to try and get her to take a sip.

Watching this, Terrence was speechless.

Jason had never been so caring with any other person. And his expression, his features etched in concern and affection.

Mr. Reed might not realize it, but he was clearly attached to this woman. And Terrence would go so far as to say his boss. was deeply in love.

My Gorgeous Wife is an Ex-Convict Chapter 85-Jason studied Grace who was still in a deep slumber. He felt marginally better having had the doctor examine her. But seeing her so still and lifeless, it was like the vice around his chest wouldn’t loosen.

“Grace, wake up.” She didn’t move.

“Sister, you have a fever and you need to take this medicine.” Still nothing.

He set the glass of water on the table and grabbed the pill. Problem was, he didn’t have enough hands to hold her up, hold the glass and insert the pill into her (m outh).

He tried to coax her once more. “Sister, open your (m outh).” He placed the medicine in his hand by her rather dry lips. “Be good and take the medicine.” However, she subconsciously pursed her lips tighter. He could not even get the pill in, let alone have her swallow it.

Jason muttered a curse. Her body was hot to the touch and she’d continue to dehydrate if he couldn’t bring her fever down. Maybe he should just call an EMT and get her back.

into a hospital ward, at least they’d be able to run an IV and administer more drugs intravenously.

But even as he thought it, he knew she hated being in the hospital and that such places brought bad memories for her.

It wasn’t so different for him.

“Come now, Sister, help me.” He made sure his voice was soft. Without any of the command or desperation he was feeling.

When she seemed to relax, he adjusted his hold and put the pill into his own (m outh) with a sip of water. Then he lifted her up and tilted her head. Holding her gently, he coaxed her (m outh) open with his own lips. He used the tip of his tongue to press the pill inside then he allowed the water into her (m outh). He angled her head back.

“That’s it, swallow for me.” When her throat moved, he took another sip of water and repeated his efforts.

The press of her soft lips against his, the feel of her tongue, it brought to life everything inside him.

She curled into his embrace and he held her close.

He wanted more. Of course he wanted more. But given the circumstances, that was just a reminder of how mindless this woman made him.

She was scarcely conscious, burning up with fever, and still he craved her like a drug.

His lips pressed into a straight line.

“Grace…” he mumbled softly, calling her name.

Suddenly, she seemed to sense him and gradually opened her eyes. Her misty gaze landed on him.

He was slightly stunned and felt an unexpected wave of anxiety at that moment.

Would she resent that he had kissed her? His heart sank. Had he taken advantage of her in some way?

He then saw her open her (m outh) and give him a s illy smile. “M om, I’ll be good. I want M om to sleep with me.” He was speechless and could not help laughing. “Grace, it’s Jay. I’m not your mother.” She smiled bigger and her big eyes were glassy.

She was delirious. The fever confused her enough to have her think she was seeing her mother.

While at first he was … not offended, just feeling, awkward at her mistake, it dawned on him, that in fact, it was an honor.

Grace’s mother had passed away early.

It wasn’t ‘him’ that was like her mother, but the same sense of security and care.

The corners of Jason’s lips subconsciously rose. “One of us lost a father whilst another lost a mother when we were young.

We’re truly quite similar.” “M om, won’t you stay with me? I’ll be good. Very, very good…” Her eyelids were half-open, her cheeks were flushed red from the fever.

His heart broke a bit for the child she had been, alone, and so eager for affection. He knew full well how her father and step-family had treated her. They’d made their position very public that they denounced her.

“Please don’t leave me,” she whimpered.

“All right.” He could not refrain from answering her. He opened his palm to hold her hand and placed it next to his cheek. He gently rubbed his cheek against her palm and softly said, “Go to sleep. I’ll stay with you.” The irony wasn’t lost on him that he’d spent hours trying to get her to wake, and now he was telling her not to.

Only then did she close her eyes and fall asleep once again. Her slumber was not as uneasy as before and so long as he touched her and held her hand, she seemed to be at peace.

Jason silently studied her. Grace was… beautiful. The longer he was in her presence, the more her steely strength and gentle nature endeared him. The flush on her face only accented the shape of brows and (m outh). He caught himself staring at that (m outh), thinking about the softness of her lips, and the way that barest kiss had made him want more.

His feelings for her were growing.

The more time he spent with her, the more he could not imagine his life without her in it.

He didn’t know what that meant for his future.

And he didn’t want to.

“Dad! M om!” Zoe hastily went to complain to her parents the next day.

“Yesterday, Brother hit me because of Grace! He took her side over mine-and Lily was there too. How could he embarrass us like that?!? And you have to know that Lily was furious. It was like he was picking that piece of trash ex over Lily!” Sean’s expression was grave as he sat in the Stevens.

residence’s living room. He paid no mind to his sister’s complaints as his mind was full of the actions Jason would be taking to retaliate for Grace’s injury.

“You came across Grace yesterday?” their father asked.

“Yes, we did,” Zoe replied indignantly. “She’s just a road sweeper but she shopped at the mall and even entered a luxury store! And Sean had the nerve to try and buy her off! He wrote a huge check-” “That is enough!”

My Gorgeous Wife is an Ex-Convict Chapter 86-But Zoe didn’t stop.

Their parents watched her as she launched into a rant about how cheap Grace was, how shameless she was to set foot in the designer store, and a litany of other grievances that sounded hollow at best. And of course she latched onto him writing Grace a check for millions.

He hoped she cashed it.

It was a sizable chunk of money and it could get her back on her feet.

And it was probably the only gesture standing between him and Jason Reed breaking down the door to their house right now.

“Mom!!!” Zoe railed. “He slapped me! In public!” Sean knew the real root of the problem was that Zoe had taken a hit socially when Grace hadthe accident-they all did. And him hitting her… if that went viral, he’d all but kill his sister’s social life again.

“I warned you,” Sean began, But Zoe went apeshit as soon as he said it, and he opted not to bother trying to reason with her.

She was unreasonable even on her best days.

Would Grace accept the money? he wondered again.

That check was enough that it could be considered compensation for her injuries.

Not all of her injuries… That niggling voice came from the back of his psyche. Where at the oddest times he recalled the prison and everything that had befallen Grace.

Punishments he himself had seen to.

He didn’t feel guilty about things per say, but he did think that he could have left things alone, not encouraged Lily so much nor tried so hard to stay in the Reed Family’s good graces.

But that was all in the past.

Not after today… “…it might not be a lot of money to us,” Zoe went on. “But that golddiggin bitch doesn’t deserve a penny!” “Sean, surely Zoe is mistaken. You wouldn’t make such a mistake,” Mrs.

Stevens stared at her son anxiously.

“You should ask Zoe what she did,” Sean replied instead. “She told Grace to choose a dress from the shop to buy for her and Grace chose a couture dress. I was just cleaning up Zoe’s mess.” “Just because she chose it, you had to give it to her?!” Zoe retorted insolently.

“Brother, why didn’t you say that you still have feelings for Grace?” “I’m saving your life!” Sean shouted. He was itching to slap his sister again.

“Oh please.” Zoe’s hands shot to her hips. “What is Grace, the sanitation worker, going to do to me? Do you even hear yourself right now?” “That’s right. Sean, you’ve gone too far, hitting your sister because of Grace. That woman is a curse. If it weren’t for her, would our family have to be so wary of the Reed Family and afraid of offending them?” Of course his mom defended his sister. She always was her favorite.

“Mom, it’s not what you think it is…” “Then what else could it be?” his mom replied. “That Grace is still unwilling to give up. You’re already getting married and she’s still inserting herself in your life? Trying to take your money!? How dare she!” His mom’s eyes were glowing with rage and he watched as she worked herself into a full-blown meltdown. Sean stood up abruptly. “Mom, why don’t you ask what Zoe did to Grace later? She intentionally tripped Grace and caused her to fall down the escalator!” “So what?” Madam Stevens said dismissively. “What’s the worst that could’ve happened? She got hurt? Big deal. The Stevens Family can compensate for any amount of medical fees. Did you really have to hit your sister over something like this?” Sean took a deep breath. He reminded himself that he had information that his family did not. If Grace wasn’t supported by Jason Reed, would he be agonizing over these things and going out of his way to help Grace? Probably not.

But he couldn’t tell his family the truth, not without risking Jason Reed’s wraththe one thing all of his efforts were intended to avoid.

“We are better than this,” Sean said neutrally. “Should a video surface of Zoe intentionally tripping a woman down a flight of stairs, we will create a PR nightmare for Stevens Corporation!” “Oh, please. Do you think I’m stupid? I already paid to have the mall surveillance deleted.” Zoe huffed. “And what about the situation you’re creating with Lily?” Zoe shot back.

A fair point. “You just let me worry about my fiancee.” Sean turned back to his parents. “Anyway, Mom, Dad, look after Zoe. Don’t let her create any trouble…” Just then, his father’s phone rang suddenly. Dad answered the call and after listening for a few moments, his face immediately turned pale.

“Dad, what happened?” Sean asked quietly.

“The bank has suddenly closed on our loans,” his father said in a shaky voice.

“How could this be? Didn’t the bank say that there wasn’t a problem before? Why don’t you call Bank Manager Chasetao?” his mom hastily suggested.

“It’s no use. Bank Manager Chasetao was the one who called me,” his father replied.

Sean took a deep breath.

He needed to think. This situation called for damage control.

He’d already tried to make good on his sister’s actions, but clearly it was not perceived that way. Maybe the slight would’ve gone unchecked but tripping her down the escalator… Zoe had gone too far.

And, really, was his sister-and mother-so stupid to think that Grace couldn’t have died? She could have broken her neck or bled internally.

Sean’s whole body broke into a cold sweat.

Stopping the loans would impact the operating revenue and diminish the flow of funds for Stevens Group. Was this the backlash?

Or was Jason just beginning?

My Gorgeous Wife is an Ex-Convict Chapter 87-Sean wanted to repent before Jason had a chance to do anything more damaging to the Stevens family.

But he didn’t get the opportunity to meet him.

He placed multiple calls to Jason Reed’s assistant, Terrence.

But that went nowhere.

It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that Jason Reed was dodging him.

But Sean couldn’t let it go.

He had to protect his family.

In a bold move that he acknowledged could blow up in his face, he went to Grace’s apartment, and stood by the entrance.

When Sean noticed a Bentley parked not far away from the property and a figure getting out of the car, he hurriedly got out of his Ferrari to approach the man.

“Mr. Reed, the incident that happened before was because my sister did not have any sense of propriety. But I have compensated Miss Cummins and will make further reparations. Please show your moral superiority by being merciful and letting the Stevens Family be,” Sean pleaded.

“Let the Stevens Family be?” Jason snorted lightly.

“If you have any conditions, please list them. I will accept any request that I am capable of fulfilling.” Jason’s dark eyes were cold and there was none of the mercy that Sean had called upon. Sean’s blood seemed to congeal in his veins.

“Come to think of it, I owe you a favor,” Jason said suddenly.

“A favor?” Sean was stunned. And wary. “When would you, Mr. Reed, have a need for a favor?” He laughed nervously. “But of course, whatever you might need.” “How about this? I’ll let the Stevens Family off the hook, as long as Zoe does not attend your engagement dinner,” Jason said calmly.

Sean waited a few seconds to see what else Jason Reed would require. “Is that all?” Jason only stared at him.

Sean let out a sigh of relief. Keeping Zoe away? That wasn’t such a big deal. Sure, there would be a lot of ruffled feathers both with his parents and sister, but ultimately, even if Zoe wasn’t there, they could all save face.

“Thank you, Mr. Reed,” Sean said hurriedly. “I’ll see to it.” “Don’t thank me. I should be the one thanking you instead.” Jason placed a hand on Sean’s shoulder, slowly tilting his body to be within earshot and speaking in a low voice that only the two of them could hear. “I should thank you for breaking up with Grace so thoroughly back then. If you hadn’t broken up with her, I’m afraid I would have had to put more effort into it now.” Jason’s statement was relayed gently, as if he was taking part in an appreciative chat between friends.

Jason Reed strolled away after that. His hands in his pockets and nary a care in the world.

Sean stood rooted to the spot.

What had just happened? And what did Jason mean?

If I hadn’t broken up with Grace in the first place, then would! have been Jason’s current target?

What Jason had said sounded less like something to be thankful for and more like a threat.

Meanwhile, Zoe was in a high-end club waiting for her friends to come and distract her from her boredom. She still couldn’t believe her brother could be such an asshole as to pin the bank rejecting the loans on her. As if offending Grace Cummins meant anything?

Grace had no contacts. No friends of prestige.

Hell, her own family had nothing to do with her, if the gossip was to be believed.

How could it be possible that that road sweeper Grace would have any connections with the bank and be able to persuade them not to loan money to the Stevens Family? That was ridiculous!

Just as she was pondering it, the private room door was pushed open. However, the people who entered were not the friends that she had been waiting for but a group of strange men.

“Who… are you?” Zoe asked carefully.

They closed the door behind them, and one of the large men blocked it.

She felt a trickle of terror and she reached for her phone, intending to call someone, maybe the police. Actually things were happening so quickly, she wasn’t really thinking so clearly.

“What do you want?” she asked, keeping the panic at bay.

Maybe these were new bouncers.

The leader walked toward Zoe and calmly said, “Miss Stevens, begging your pardon. Can you please confirm that the person in the video is you?” As he spoke, he played a video on his phone. It was the surveillance video of Zoe intentionally extending her leg to trip Grace.

Zoe was suddenly taken aback. She’d paid an obscene amount of money to get those surveillance tapes wiped clean.

How the hell did these people get a hold of them?

“What…what do you want? Are you trying to blackmail me with this? Let me tell you something, I’m Zoe Annabelle Stevens! If you dare to blackmail me, the Stevens Family will not let your get away with it! You’d better delete the video now…” The man smiled wickedly. “I’ll take that as confirmation. Thank you…” Then he stepped toward her.

My Gorgeous Wife is an Ex-Convict Chapter 88-Zoe had barely finished her threats when the stranger grabbed her arm. He held her in place and with his other hand with the phone, he snapped a photo of her.

“Delete that, this instant!” Zoe screamed.

But the big man ignored her. He turned to the men behind him. “Break her right leg. In the video, she stuck out her right leg.” “What… what does that mean?!” Zoe was frightened. She looked for a way out, but there was none, and the men were closing in.

A moment later, an anguished wail rang out in the private room… When Grace woke up the next day, her fever had gone down.

Jason said, “Ah, there you are. Luckily the fever has settled. If not, I’d have to carry youdown to the hospital today.” “I… had a fever last night?” Grace mumbled.

“Yes, you had a fever and you said plenty of things in your fevered state,” he replied.

Oh, that didn’t sound good. She felt a flush creeping up her face that had nothing to do with being ill. “What… what did I say?” She really hoped she didn’t say anything inappropriate or anything that she shouldn’t have.

“You said that you’d be more obedient, be a good baby, and that you wanted me to stay by your side,” he said with a rare hint of playfulness in his gaze.

It took her a second to process what he’d said, and then she laughed. She’d obviously been delirious.

“However, Sister, don’t worry. Even if you aren’t a good baby, I’ll still stay with you,” Jason replied unhurriedly.

Grace’s face was still red but she stared at Jason in astonishment.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“You’re…joking with me.” She smiled thoughtfully. “I keep feeling that you’re… uh, slightly different from before. And when I get to see this lighter side of you, I know something’s different.” He was stunned, as if he had also just been made aware of his transformation.

“You have changed me,” he said softly.

He stared fixedly at her and then suddenly leaned forward, his lips inches away from hers.

“Ah!” she shrieked. She subconsciously wanted to take a step back but had forgotten that she was having difficulty moving.

His hand caught her waist in time and he pulled her even deeper into his embrace.

She dazedly studied him. With his face so close to hers, she could see the flecks of gold in his dark eyes and the perfect lines of his brows and lips. His eyes really were breathtakingly beautiful, even his lashes were long and curved to draw all attention to that part of his face.

She was so close she could see herself reflected in his pupils.

“Sister, do you like my past self or my current self?” Only when his voice suddenly rang out by her ear did she abruptly snap out of her trance.

At that moment, both of their faces were very close, and the tips of their noses were almost touching each other. If they were any closer, their lips… would touch.

His breath fanned against her mouth and his arms tightened around her. It … it was as if they were about to kiss!

Grace opened her eyes wide and felt as if her brain was short-circuiting.

“Sister?” His voice resounded once again.

“Ah, of course your current self… is slightly better. It feels as if we’re closer,” Grace hurriedly explained. “Uh… Jay, please let go of me, I won’t fall down. We’re a little too close right now.” She could almost hear her heart beating wildly.

His lips curved seductively. “Is it bad to be close?” he retorted as he drew closer still.

My Gorgeous Wife is an Ex-Convict Chapter 89-Grace tried so hard to control the direction of her thoughts. She had been the one to call him brother, to relegate him to such a role. Why would she think he would want to kiss her? Why would someone so handsome and so valiant want her in such a way?

“Do you want me to move?” he asked with his lips a hair’s breadth away from hers.

Was he asking her to move toward her or away? And what if this wasn’t what he wanted? Would that ruin everything between them?

“Hmm,” he murmured and it was as if the vibration crossed the short distance between them. She felt it. And her whole body hummed with it. “You don’t know what you want.” He shrugged and stepped away.

Sensing she’d offended him in some way, she tried to explain, “It, uh, feels weird standing too close,” Grace said. And it was true. After the last few years, she had not been intimate with anyone. She’d kept everyone at a distance. Having him so close to her… it unnerved her.

“All right then,” Jason said easily and removed his hand. He took a step back and tidied up the things on the table.

She let out a sigh of relief and stroked her own cheeks, which felt warm.

“By the way, Sister, just now when we were standing that close, did you want to kiss me?” he asked unexpectedly, stunning her.

Grace blinked owlishly and blushed. Had he read her mind? Was he gauging her reaction because he’d felt it too?

“Uh,” she sputtered.

“Is it a very hard question to answer?” he asked with a slightly arched brow.

“I… I, of course…” “If it were you, I would allow it,” he replied, cutting off her sentence. “I don’t like other women kissing me, but if it were you, it would be okay.” Sunlight shone into the room through the narrow glass window and landed on him.

This man was everything she’d ever wanted or needed. And she longed for him.

And was he admitting that he wanted her too? At least for a kiss?

Her hand went to her mouth, and touching her lips, they felt swollen, overly sensitive. As if just thinking about his mouth on hers had made her body physically anticipate it.

She knew she should tell him no, that they were as brother and sister, and that what they had was good. She shouldn’t risk their relationship by talking about kisses. But the words stuck in her throat and as she continued to stare at him, she caught herself nodding at what he’d said instead.

In the afternoon, Grace had nothing to do and swiped through her phone, coming across news relating to Zoe. The news stated that Zoe had been brought to the hospital late last night. She had allegedly offended someone who had ordered one of her legs to be fractured. Once it healed, there was no guarantee that there would be no residual effects.

Therefore, it appeared as if Zoe would be absent from the engagement dinner between the Stevens and Atkinson families, which was to be held in several days’ time.

The paparazzi who had published the news had not discovered who Zoe had offended. However, the Stevens Family’s position on the attack was vague and they refused to comment on it. The reporter also went on to say that they had not reported the incident to the police, which some speculated to mean that they accepted this event.

Then the reporter took it one step further, suggesting that the person who Zoe had offended was from a more influential background than the Stevens Family.

Which was really saying something, because everyone knew the Stevens Family was not shy about airing their grievances.

Grace skimmed through the news feed, seeing the articles running on multiple sites. Then she unconsciously raised her head to glance at Jay. When she was injured, he’d said that Zoe should pay the price.

But she couldn’t believe that Zoe would actually face any consequences.

And yet she did. Her right leg was broken. And someone had leaked the photos from her ride in the ambulance with her leg elevated on a splint.

Was this a coincidence? Or perhaps… “Sister, why are you looking at me like that?” Jason asked as he suddenly lifted his gaze to look at Grace.

She shook her head.

“Zoe is injured and hospitalized.” Grace relayed the details of the news to Jay.

“Isn’t that good?” he retorted.

“I just feel that everything you say is accurate,” she said. “Like when you said that the projection ads of Sean proposing to Lily would be taken down, they really were removed. This time you said that Zoe would pay the price for tripping me down the escalator and she really had an accident. Well, I don’t know that I’d call it an accident, since someone physically broke her leg.” She thought about it and said, “I feel as if whatever you say will come true.” Jason’s face was smooth as a lake for many seconds, then his lips curved into a crooked smile. His expression somehow exasperated and amused.

“Sometimes, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry with you,” he mumbled.

“Huh?” He smiled fully. “Then if whatever I say will come true, do you have a wish that you would like to come true?” “Me?” She shook her head and said, “I don’t have dreams I wish to come true.” She thought to herself, Because I clearly understand that those dreams are beyond my grasp.

“Do you not want to find a benefactor?” he asked. “If you did that, no one would bully you, and everything you wish for could be easily attained.” She chuckled lightly. A benefactor? That was such an antiquated term. The most a girl could hope for these days was for some sugar daddy to pay her rent, and Grace had no desire to be anyone’s mistress.

“No, I don’t think there will be any benefactors in my future,” she said lightly.

“What if there could be, what would you need?” She shrugged. “If I can make sure I have enough to eat, a place to sleep and clothes to wear, that would already be great. But, brother,” she said gently, “These ‘benefactors’ you speak of, they want young, pretty things to keep under lock and key. And have you forgotten that I’m a street cleaner? What man would ever take a liking to me?” “What if a man really did take a liking to you?” he asked.

My Gorgeous Wife is an Ex-Convict Chapter 90-She bit her lip lightly. “Relying on someone else is not as good as relying on yourself. Only when you rely on yourself can you not be disappointed.” Jason nodded as if understanding. “Ah, I see what you think. And bigger expectations lead to bigger disappointments.” “Yes.” She had learned that lesson well after the accident, when she lost her family, boyfriend, job, and all the friendships she’d had previously.

“But I really want to be your benefactor, sister,” he told her. “What should I do?” He arched his brow slightly and studied her calmly.

“If it’s Jay…” She smiled and continued, “Then, all right. I’ll wait for Jay to be my benefactor.” “Why would you be willing?” he asked, trying to peel back the layers of what she was thinking and feeling.

“Because Jay would never disappoint me. Because…” She paused and continued, “No matter what, you would never abandon me, right?” He responded with a low chuckle to her question. “You’re right. I would never abandon you, Sister.” ***

At night, only when Jason saw that Grace was deeply asleep did he step out of the rental unit. He walked toward a house not far from Grace’s apartment.

However, unlike Grace’s cramped rental, this suite was wider, brighter, and much bigger. The decor was rather exquisitely done as well.

Terrence Klein was waiting for Jason in the room. When he heard knocks at the door, he immediately opened it to welcome his boss.

Terrence had not expected his boss, who usually paid no mind to anyone, let alone lowering himself to look after someone, would buy a house in the housing estate to look after Grace. Terrence knew his boss did this to manage his workload. This house was essentially a mobile office, allowing Mr. Reed to facilitate handling his business affairs while Grace slept.

Terrence gave an account of the day’s company matters. As he rattled off the events of the day and went through his agenda, he couldn’t help but wonder why his boss hadn’t brought Grace back to the hospital if nothing more than to gain a few hours away from her.

Jason listened to the briefing while quickly giving out instructions. He then ordered Terrence to contact the high-level management of their overseas branches for a web conference.

Therefore, after just a moment’s time, the high-level management of their overseas branch companies appeared on-screen one at a time and they began their meeting.

However, it seemed as if the high-level management were very curious about the backdrop of Jason’s current location. After all, despite the exquisite decoration of the room, it was still relative to an ordinary citizen. Compared to Jason’s usual location, one could describe the room he was currently in as “substandard” – and one of the executives even said so.

“Sir, where are you right now? The background…looks like a… unexpected hotel.” That was a diplomatic way of saying it.

Terrence glanced sharply at his boss, wondering how he would handle the inquiry.

Jason simply replied, “Don’t ask such unnecessary questions. Continue with the meeting.” Terrence could only chuckle drily. He knew the reason why his employer was holding an international meeting in such a place, but what could he say? That it was because a woman had rented an apartment in this small housing estate, so the boss had temporarily moved his entire working location here?

As for the decor that made the room look like a moderately-priced hotel… Terrence internally shrugged. He’d spent an entire day looking for this house in this small housing estate. Then, he’d offered a price twice its market value to force the owner to sell it and completed all the formalities at the fastest speed possible.

It was a bloody miracle he’d closed on the location, vacated it, cleaned, painted and managed to get any furniture into the space. Let alone handling decorations.

Halfway through the meeting, Jason’s phone suddenly rang. However, the phone that rang was not the one he usually used but the one Grace had bought for him.

Therefore, the foreign high-level management saw the man, who was surrounded with such mystery and affluence, suddenly answering a call on an old-fashioned and cheap phone. It appeared as if even the tone of his voice had become gentler.

Of course, the high level management team couldn’t actually hear what Jason said because he’d muted. The high-level management could only privately discuss Mr. Reed’s purpose in using such a phone and wonder about who he was talking 1.

Terrence even received private messages from some of the high-level management staff, who were clearly fishing for gossip.

Terrence wanted to tell them that the existence of the phone was already widely known within the company’s headquarters in Emerald City. The high-level management at the headquarters had seen Mr. Reed Mr.

Reed answer calls on that phone more than once.

Regarding questions related to Mr. Reed’s usage of such a phone or the person behind the calls, Terrence dared not share his secrets.