Tessa held her throat, looking as if she couldn’t bring herself to speak.


    It lined up perfectly with what Grace had just said the mother and daughter were inplete sync.


    Grace followed up seamlessly, “My daughter, who used to be so lively, now won’t even speak. All of this… is because of your son.”


    And just like that, all the me shifted squarely onto Julian.


    Everyone turned to look at the fool behind them.


    Julian gave them a dopey grin, vacant and clueless.


    Carol, who had been helped up by the butler, looked at her son and felt nothing but deep resentment.


    Why was this old woman in front of her so lucky?


    Her children were not only sessful but also deeply filial.


    That was something everyone in the industry already knew.


    But now, no matter what she said, it was toote.


    Their children were already grown.


    Grace looked at Julian, clearly unable to even speak properly now, and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.


    He had once been such a promising young man, and now he had be like this.


    Still, it didn’t excuse his actions.


    Strangling someone, no matter what state he was in, came with consequences.


    Grace brought the focus back. “Take a good look at the contracts on the table.


    “Walton Corporation is officially ending its partnership with Hayes Enterprises. As for the profits you’ve earned from us, I won’t pursue them.


    “I just hope you’ll do the sensible thing and sign the termination documents.”


    Grace raised her hand, casually admiring her fresh manicure. “If this gets any uglier, it won’t end well for anyone.”


    Albert looked at the pile of contracts on the table, and his face turned even darker.


    He hadn’t expected her to be so ruthless this time, truly leaving no way out.


    Carol’s mind snapped clear as well.


    She quickly stood up, tugging at Albert’s sleeve, gently shaking her head at him.


    She knew very well that if he signed those documents, she would no longer be the admired, high–society wife of a wealthy businessman


    How would she be able to hold her head high in public after that?


    What would she be in the eyes of others<b>? </b>


    Even Julian began to panic.


    He had already ended up like this, yet Grace still wouldn’t let their entire family off the hook


    If they truly lost their status as the Hayes family, then who would lie be?


    Albert, too, was feeling the pressure mount.


    He was clearly caught between a rock and a hard ce.


    There were already plenty of people eyeing his position. If the Walton projects disappeared, theirpany would lose more


    than half its value.


    And Grace was giving them no time at all—he hadn’t even secured a new partner yet.


    That kind of blow to thepany would be devastating.


    Albert swallowed hard, his eyes pleading as he looked at Grace. “Madam Grace… can’t we really talk this over one more time?”


    He couldn’t understand how things had spiraled to this point.


    Grace caught the look in his eyes and found it almostughable.


    She crossed her arms. “Now you regret it, but where were you when it mattered?


    “Why didn’t you keep your son in check back then? You let himmit such a disgraceful act.


    “If you ask me, people shouldn’t wait until blood is spilled to realize they’ve made a mistake. By then<b>, </b>it’s toote.”


    Chapter <b>1020 </b>