<h4>Chapter 260: Suspicion</h4>


    James looked at Grace coldly, his frustration building over Eric’s cryptic message about "that man." Grace was usually surrounded by her circle of close friends, rarely giving anyone a reason to suspect infidelity. Yet, Eric’s words had stirred doubts.


    Grace’s eyes shed with surprise, but she quicklyposed herself. "What could I possibly have done? I’ve done nothing wrong! My conscience is clear," she said, trying to sound confident.


    James smirked, his doubt obvious. "Then why did Eric ask Henry to ry a message to you about a man? He told Henry to tell this man toe forward, or he’d release a recording. That recording isn’t about Henry—it’s about you. Henry tried to lie to me just now, but I know he’s covering for you!"


    Grace’s heart raced, and she felt a chill creep over her. What did Eric know? Could he have figured out the identity of that man?


    "James, don’t believe Eric’s nonsense! He’s deliberately trying to create misunderstandings between us! Henry... Henry has feelings for E, and that’s why he’s siding with them." In her desperation, Grace even threw her own son under the bus, hoping to divert attention away from herself.


    James frowned, sensing something off. Henry’s panic earlier had seemed genuine, not something easily faked. Grace’s quickness to me their son only deepened his suspicions. Henry was never one to lie easily, yet Grace was quick to use him.


    "Is that so? Are you sure you’re not lying to me?" James asked, his voice tinged with doubt as he studied Grace’s face.


    Grace forced a bitter smile and sped his hand tightly. "James, you must see what Eric is doing. He’s trying to destroy us! Ever since... well, since I inadvertently caused Victoria’s death, he’s held a grudge against me."


    James fell silent. Grace wasn’t wrong—Eric had indeed med her for his mother’s suicide. But something about her exnation didn’t sit right. Grace had always spoken kindly of Eric before, urging James to make peace with him. Yet, ever since Grace’s scandal hade to light, her tone had shifted, and she frequently spoke ill of Eric.


    Had her true nature finally revealed itself?


    The once seemingly benevolent stepmother, always advocating for peace between father and son, had turned malicious, now speaking venomously about Eric. James couldn’t shake the feeling that Grace was trying to cover something up. Was she shifting me to hide a deeper secret?


    "Darling, please don’t let Eric manipte you. If he truly is your son, then go ahead and give him half of your shares. I won’t oppose that. But don’t let his lies make you doubt me," Grace said, her eyes filled with feigned hurt, as if she were about to cry.


    James sighed, drawing her into an embrace. "Alright, I believe you."


    Inside, however, he felt more confused than ever. Something wasn’t adding up. If this had been the Grace of old, she would have urged him to reconcile with Eric. But now, she seemed desperate to turn him against his son. Was she that eager to see Eric fail?


    "Eric... that kid is driving me insane," James muttered, shaking his head. "I don’t know how to deal with all of this."


    "No matter what you do, I’ll support you," Grace said softly, but there was a cold smile lurking on her lips.


    Eric, you think you can outsmart me? she thought to herself. Heroes often fall prey to women, and I’ve remained undefeated for years. There’s no way you can bring me down with some silly recording.


    Grace was confident that Eric didn’t have anything incriminating. If he did, surely, he would have used it against her already.


    "Thanks, Grace," James replied softly, though his eyes still held a flicker of doubt.


    Grace might have overyed her hand. In her eagerness to defend herself, she had unwittingly shifted James’s suspicions even more. The gentle, nurturing Grace who once wanted peace between James and Eric now appeared to be someone entirely different.


    James couldn’t forget the humiliating shareholders’ meeting earlier in the day. Eric had torn him apart in front of everyone, exposing his weakness and using him of being manipted by a woman. And then there was Henry—his son’s unusual behavior had only deepened James’s suspicions.


    After sending Grace off, James slumped into his chair by the desk, overwhelmed with uncertainty. Should he trust Grace? Or should he trust Eric? The weight of his thoughts bore down on him as he sat in silence for what felt like an eternity. Finally, he picked up the phone and gave a quiet but decisive order.


    "Keep an eye on both Mrs. Grace and Henry. If they do anything unusual, inform me immediately."


    "Yes, sir," the voice on the other end responded.


    For the first time, James had allowed suspicion to creep in, doubting Grace’s intentions and actions.


    ...


    At Chloe’s home, E and Eric were frequent guests, often enjoying meals in the warm, family-like atmosphere. Charles’s six-month-old son, Nathan, was growing fast, resembling his father more with each passing day. E had developed a fondness for the little boy and always enjoyed ying with him, eliciting excited giggles from the infant whenever she was around.


    Since Robert’s passing, E had hung his cherished painting in her new home, though she still allowed Grandpa Carter to borrow it for his own study and work. Despite sharing the Carter name, Carter Group and Sean’s family had no real rtion, but the twopanies were worlds apart in their business dealings and reputation.


    Aunt Carter, spoke up with a smile, "I heard you and Chloe are into investments these days. If she turns into a businesswoman, I’ll have you to thank, E!"


    E blushed a little, modestly waving off thepliment. "Oh, Auntie, I’m just dabbling. We’re only talking about it for now—we haven’t found any real targets yet."


    Aunt Carter grinned, clearly intrigued. "Well, have you ever considered the bar business? The other day I went to the supermarket and noticed a bar nearby that’s doing quite well. I heard the owner is looking to sell since he’s moving abroad. It could be a good investment."


    E exchanged a nce with Eric. She wasn’t particrly skilled in managing a bar, and she knew the entertainment industry carried significantly higher risks than sectors like fashion or retail. Bars and nightlife spots often attracted a mix of people, some of whom could cause trouble, which might be hard to manage.


    However, if she leaned on Eric’s influence, she could potentially handle such a venture.


    "We’ll definitely think it over," Eric said, smiling. "Bars are part of the entertainment industry, and with me by her side, E wouldn’t have anything to worry about, but..."


    "I agree that the entertainment industry is tricky," Chloe chimed in. "E, you’ve never liked those kinds of ces."


    E nodded, recalling her past life when Hannah had dragged her to those types of venues. The experiences had left her with a negative impression, particrly because she had unknowingly be exposed to a hidden drug in that environment. That past trauma still made her ufortable with the idea of being involved in such a business.


    "But I heard that bar, ’Ten Nights,’ makes quite a profit. Eric, if you’ve got the capability, why don’t you take it on? After all, why let a good opportunity go to waste?" Aunt Carterughed. "Besides, I’ve heard you and your father aren’t on the best terms. If you want to stand on your own two feet, you’ll need a good source of ie."


    Eric chuckled lightly. "I’ll give it some thought."


    "Mom, enough of that. Eric has his ns. Let’s just enjoy the meal," Charles interrupted, cutting off the conversation with a gentle but firm tone.


    Though the conversation shifted, E felt a strange unease. Aunt Carter usually wasn’t one to pay much attention to business matters. Why had she suddenly brought up the idea of the bar, especially with such insistence toward her and Eric? It seemed out of character.


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