<b>Chapter 1048 </b>


    Albert felt a chill settle deep in his chest. He already knew how this day would end.


    That useless woman Carol–she couldn’t do anything right.


    Now she was unconscious, lying in the bedroom.


    Honestly, it was probably a relief for her.


    Thinking that made Albertugh at himself.


    Since when did passing out be a kind of blessing?


    Why hadn’t he realized it sooner?


    The thought alone made Albert feel ridiculous.


    He stood in the living room, watching Grace and her group slowly approach.


    The butler, trembling, asked, “Sir, should I close the living room doors?”


    Albert shook his head, signaling no.


    With the way Grace looked today, there was no hiding from her.


    He had hoped to dodge her once, but who would’ve thought she’de back around again?


    Of course, this woman wouldn’t rest until she got what she came for.


    “There’s no escaping this. Let’s just give it up.”


    Albert didn’t bother reading the butler’s expression. He walked straight toward Grace, a fawning smile stered across his face.


    “Madam Grace, what a pleasant surprise. Long time no see.”


    Grace didn’t even know how to respond to that. She had just been here earlier, and now this man had the


    audacity to say such a thing?


    “What, the doors locked just now–wasn’t that your doing?”


    Grace let out a cold chuckle.


    This old bastard really had no shame. He could lie through his teeth without blinking.


    Why hadn’t she noticed that before?


    Tessa crossed her arms and looked Albert up and down, her gaze full of disdain.


    She still remembered how different things had been during herst visit to the Hayes residence.


    Back then, the old couple didn’t act like this at all.


    Back then, both of them were eager for her to finalize the engagement as soon as possible.


    But now, facing her mother, why was he acting so spineless and submissive?


    Tessa found itughable.


    So, this was human nature after all.


    She really hadn’t misjudged them–neither of them were any good.


    If she had married into that family, it would’ve been like throwing amb to the wolves, like a rabbit


    tossed into a den of predators.


    But now, she hade to understand something.


    These things were never hers to avoid.


    Being born into a family like the Waltons meant the man she married could never be ordinary.


    He had to be someone who matched her status, nothing less.


    That was exactly why Tessa carried herself with such pride.


    For some reason, an image of Lucas suddenly shed through her mind.


    Only someone like him was worthy of being her fiancé.


    A man like that was someone she could spend her life with.


    As for Julian? No, thank you.


    That man was pathetic to begin with.


    Life with him would be nothing but dull routine, a future so predictable it wasn’t worth imagining.


    That kind of life was never what Tessa wanted.


    Meanwhile, Albert, hearing Grace’s words, could only rub his hands together awkwardly and say,


    “Of course not. I was just resting earlier and didn’t hear anyone knocking.


    <b>“</b>If it was my mistake, then I take full responsibility.<i>” </i>


    Grace rolled her eyes inwardly at such a pathetic excuse.


    Did he really think she’d believe that?


    But now wasn’t the time to argue over nonsense like that.


    There was no point.


    Right now, her only goal was to make sure Julian ended up behind bars.