Before Grace went to Velvet Eclipse, she had already prepared herself for this.


    So, she ignored the malicious whispers around her and walked directly to Simon''s side, sitting down next to him.


    "Mr. Yule, I noticed that you haven''t had a chance to look at the documents from Henderson Group yet. When would be a good time for you to take a look? I''m more than happy to work around your schedule."


    Simon gave her a half-smile, his fingers idly swirling the stem of his wine ss.


    "Are you trying to use Ethan to pressure me? You don''t actually think he feels anything special for you, do you?"


    Grace''s demeanor immediately turned respectful. "I wouldn''t dare. This is just a task assigned to me by Mr. Henderson, and I mustplete it. I wouldn''t be able to exin it to him otherwise."


    Simon''s gaze grew cold, and he was about to make a move, but realized that every word Grace said was perfectly measured and hard to pick apart. She was far too smooth.


    Although he was ufortable, a sly smile crept up his lips as an idea formed in his mind.


    "If you want me to look at the contract, I''ll make a deal with you. The first person who walks in here, you go kiss them."


    Grace''s brow furrowed slightly, but she understood that if she didn''t satisfy Simon tonight, this contract would be dyed further.


    Everyone in the top circle knew she was the one liaising with the Yule family on behalf of Henderson Group. If this project were dyed because of her, people would start talking.


    So, she nodded. "Alright."


    Her agreement was so quick that Simon was momentarily taken aback. Didn''t she have a boyfriend? Was she lying about that?


    A mischievous glint passed through his eyes, and he grinned.


    "Alright, everyone heard that. Ms. Lambert is willing to kiss the first person who enters this room to seal the deal for our cooperation. Get your phones ready. This


    is the agreement we made, and she''s the one who agreed to it."


    He was sure that after tonight, pictures of her kissing someone would be all over the ce.


    Grace didn''t care about the whispers from the people around her. Right now, she just wanted toplete the task at hand.


    The murmurs began again.


    "I wonder who''s going to be unlucky enough to be first."


    "If he knew he was about to get kissed by Grace, he''d probably never walk through that door."


    "Better get those phones ready."


    Everyone was excited, waiting eagerly for the first unfortunate person to walk through the door.


    A minuteter, the door slowly opened. As the person in the wheelchair appeared, everyone froze, quickly putting their phones away and pretending nothing was happening.


    They knew well enough who to offend and who not to offend in their circle.


    People like Simon, at the center of power and influence, often still


    gather for meals with them.


    However, Ethan never participated in


    such trivial gatherings. At most he would show up to honor Simon, make a brief appearance, and then leave.


    No one would look at Ethan differently because of his leg. A man like him, no


    matter where he stood, radiated an undeniable presence.


    When Grace saw Ethan, her heart skipped a beat, and a cold shiver ran down her spine.


    Simon was surprised to see Ethan here, but then he smiled.


    "Ethan, you came just in time! Grace, it looks like your luck''s run out. Go on, it''s your turn."


    Ethan didn''t seem to know what was going on, his voice calm. "What are you ying at now?"


    Simon emptied his ss in one gulp. "Of course, we''re having some fun. Just a minute ago, I made a deal with Ms Lambert. If she''s willing to kiss the first person who enters the room, I''ll let her off the hook for tonight. And look, it''s you. I think she''s feeling a little awkward right now."


    Grace''s face was absolutely crimson. She knew she couldn''t kiss Ethan.


    Especially after learning about his maniptive ways, she had kept a respectful distance.


    She looked at Simon, trying to keep herposure. She asked, "Mr. Yule, can I rece it with a drink instead?"


    Simon''s expression darkened, but then he seemed toe up with something that amused him.


    "What, you''re so averse to kissing


    .n


    Ethan? I get it. Ethan is Yancey''s uncle, and the family rtionship awkward. Besides, we all know Ethan isn''t into women. If you kissed him, you might disappear from this world tomorrow. Alright, fine. Drink ten bottles of vodka, and I''ll let you off the hook."