?Chapter 1157:


    Gracie’s expression was troubled. “So you are avoiding me, Ethan. I don’t want to go back. My ce feels hollow. I’m there by myself, with no one to talk to. I’m scared of that loneliness. Your house is massive—multiple floors, countless empty rooms. Me staying in one wouldn’t inconvenience you. If it’s really a problem, I can even pay you rent.”


    Ethan shook his head. “You don’t have to pay me. If you want to stay, fine. My mom is alone and gets bored easily. She’s busy looking after Belen, leaving home early anding backte. Your presence would keep herpany.”


    Gracie’s face lit up. “I knew you would let me stay. You’re so kind, Ethan. When are youing home?”


    “I own several properties. If you like that house, stay there with my mom. I’ll live somewhere else,” Ethan replied, his tone t.


    Gracie’s expression crumpled, her voice tinged with hurt. “Are you still trying to avoid me? Does my presence really bother you that much?”


    Ethan’s face hardened as he spoke firmly. “I have a girlfriend, and I’m deeplymitted to her. You need to respect boundaries and keep your distance instead of shamelessly staying at my house.”


    Gracie stared at him, stunned by the sting of his words.


    “Ethan, I’ve told you, and I’ve told Miss Harper, too. As long as you are not married, I have every right to pursue you. How can you say something so cruel like that to me?”


    Ethan’s gaze was icy. “You can pursue me if you want, but not by moving into my home without any sense of shame.”


    After a pause, he called Neville over and asked him, “When is the meeting?”


    Neville responded promptly, “It starts in two minutes.”


    He then handed Ethan a file. “Here’s the agenda. It’s about the drone project, focusing on design features. Production is the next phase.”


    Ethan stood and left for the conference room with Neville, leaving Gracie behind.


    She stood there, agitation swirling within her. Returning to her office, she lingered by the floor-to-ceiling window, staring at the cityscape, lost in thought. Ethan’s attitude toward her had grown so cold that he barely wanted to speak with her anymore. Whenever they spoke, they argued.


    She thought back to a decade ago, when Ethan had beenunching his business. He used to smile warmly at her, seeking her input on everything. But now, he had be so distant. What had changed?


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    Was it because the Wilson Group had copsed? Was it because she was no longer the daughter of a prominent family? Did Ethan look down on her now?


    She believed that was part of the reason, but the real issue was Brenna.


    Determined, Gracie headed to the fifty-eighth floor.


    The area buzzed with job applicants, the crowd resembling a hectic swarm.


    She marched straight into Brenna’s office.


    Brenna was engrossed in sketching on a blueprint, seemingly oblivious to Gracie’s arrival.


    Lorna stepped in front of Gracie and bluntly asked her to leave, saying, “Miss Harper is working. Please leave.”


    “I have something to discuss with her. Who are you to block me?” Gracie snapped, her face darkening.


    Brenna turned to look at her, her tone cool. “What do you want?”


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