Chapter <b>1041 </b>


    Was this intentional?


    Tessa began to feel uneasy. “Mom, do you think they ran away<b>?</b><b>” </b>


    The moment she asked, she realized something felt off.


    Albert was someone who loved hispany and money more than anything–that much was obvious.


    If he were truly going to abandon thepany over this, then there would’ve been no <i>need </i>to humble himself and apologize to them in the first ce.


    Grace shook her head. “He wouldn’t.”


    She still had that bit of trust in him.


    After all, she had known Albert for a long time.


    In the business world, he was a man who prided himself on strength.


    So, something like this was simply not possible.


    The fact that he bowed his head before was proof enough.


    Grace understood all of this clearly.


    Still, today’s situation felt strange.


    Something must’ve happened. She decided they should wait a little longer.


    It was a gesture of respect for an old associate, and also time for them to prepare.


    Grace understood–it was, after all, their own son being sent to prison.


    No parent could do that easily,


    But if someone did wrong, they had to face the consequences. That was something everyone understood.


    Tessa looked at Grace and could more or less guess what she was thinking, so she stayed quiet.


    After all, these were Grace’s decisions.


    She didn’t have the right to interfere.


    All she needed to do was y the role of the victim–an ornamental one at that.


    The driver knocked on the door a while longer, but there was still no response inside.


    He had no choice but to return and shook his head at Grace. “Ma’am, I called for quite a while, but there’s


    still no response inside.”


    Grace’s expression grew even darker.


    She had nned to resolve this matter quickly, but only a few days in and so many issues had already cropped up.


    Just thinking about it made her head ache.


    “Let’s drive back first.”


    Even though autumn was approaching, the lingering summer heat was still intense.


    Just standing under the sun for a short while had already left her feeling faint.


    Tessa pressed her red lips together without saying a word.


    She could tell Grace was in a foul mood.


    Just from her face, it was easy to guess what she was thinking.


    Still, the attitude from the Hayes family was truly puzzling.


    For some reason, Tessa had a growing sense of unease.


    It felt like something important was slipping past her.


    And now<b>, </b>with the Hayeses refusing to show themselves, her heart wouldn’t stop pounding.


    Tessa shared her thoughts with Grace. “Mom, I don’t know why, but I’m feeling really uneasy.”


    Grace smiled. “Silly girl, don’t worry. I’m here. What are you afraid of?”


    <b>“</b>It’s not that…”


    Tessa lowered her head. She wanted to say something, but didn’t know how.


    How could she tell Grace she was feeling guilty<b>? </b>


    After all, Julian was only her pawn.


    She was the one who had orchestrated it all.


    If she told the truth now, Julian’s fate would soon be her own.


    Tessa wasn’t stupid–she knew what was at stake.


    Besides, Grace was already angry, and no one knew what was going on with Julian’s family.


    Grace gently patted the back of Tessa’s hand and said softly, “Don’t be scared, I’m right here.”