Carter looked up and a glint of astonishment shed across his eyes.


    "Yes, pleasee in," he said with a beaming smile. His eyes narrowed as he smiled, revealing thick lips and a set of yellow-stained teeth. Grace couldn''t believe that such a sloppy man was involved in finance.


    Suppressing her difort, she entered the private room and sat across from him. "Hello, Mr. Zen. I''m Grace."


    Carter suddenly stood up, extending his hand to her. "Hello, nice to meet you, Miss Sherman."


    Grace was taken aback but stood up out of courtesy and shook his hand. She had intended for a brief touch and retreat, but he seemed to anticipate it and grabbed her hand firmly.


    Carter''s behavior made Grace flinch in surprise. He held her hand tightly, and his other hand reached out. He pretended to be enthusiastic as he roughly brushed against her hand.


    Grace maintained her smile and quietly pulled her hand away. "Thank you. It''s also a pleasure to meet you."


    She sat back down, quickly wiping the hand that had been touched under the tablecloth. However, she still felt ufortable, even sensing the smell of smoke on her hand.


    Carter''s assistant came over to them and poured Grace a ss of wine, filling it to the brim.


    Carter said, "Miss Sherman, you''re three minuteste. Shouldn''t there be a penalty of having to take a drink?"


    While Carter narrowed his eyes and smiled at her, his expression looked lecherous.


    Grace raised the ss, trying hard to smile while saying, "I''m sorry to have kept you waiting, Mr. Zen. This toast is to you as an apology."


    After saying that, she raised her head and drank the wine in one gulp.


    She was so busy with the project in the afternoon that she skipped lunch. Having also missed dinner, she forced herself to gulp down arge sip of wine.


    Grace felt the fiery alcohol burn her stomach. She wrinkled her brow in difort.


    Carter chuckled again, directing his assistant to pour Grace another drink. "Miss Sherman, I hit it off with you at first sight. Come, let me toast you It''s my blessing to know you."


    en


    Forced into it, Grace took another sip.


    With her phone vibrating in her bag, she took it out and smiled


    apologetically at Carter. "Mr. Zen, I''m sorry I have to go out and take a call."


    "Alright." Carter nodded.


    BUMS


    Grace walked into the bathroom as the phone had already stopped ringing automatically.


    She unlocked her phone and sent a message to Brian. [I''m outworking now, you should let Austin sleep first.]


    Then, she sshed her face with water as a freshen-up before returning to the private room.


    *****


    Austin sat on her bed with her doll, looking at Brian and asking, "Is Mommy still noting back?"


    Brian nced at the text message sent by Grace, his brow furrowing slightly.


    Hearing Austin''s words, he raised his head and gently stroked her hair. "Mommy is working overtime.


    jeline


    Austin, can you sleep first? I will look for herter."


    Austin pursed her lips and suddenly looked up at him. "Daddy, why don''t you go


    look for Mom now? I''ll wait for you guys toe back."


    "Okay, I''ll go now. I''ll get Grandma to stay with you, okay?" Brian inquired.


    Austin nodded obediently.


    Brian went downstairs and tried calling Grace again, but there was no answer.


    He thought for a moment and contacted Vivian. Learning that Vivian hadn''t returned to work, he finally called Alice.