Divorced and Pregnant My New Life with a Billionaire Drives My Ex Crazy novel Chapter 131

“What?” Grandma Grace’s hand shook so hard she almost dropped her phone.

Jean, standing beside her, felt her heart jump up into her throat. “Ma’am, please, you have to take care of yourself.”

Grandma Grace waved her off, motioning for Jean to leave. Jean hesitated, her eyes full of worry, but finally slipped out of the room.

Daniel, standing in the hallway, tensed as he saw Jean come out. Jean was his mother’s closest confidante, always trusted with secrets he wasn’t even allowed to hear. What could be so urgent that even Jean got sent away? Just what kind of phone call would make his mother act like this?

Inside, Grandma Grace’s voice turned sharp and cold. “How could you let this happen?”

“I didn’t just help you win that competition. I gave you money, too. I told you to keep your mouth shut and forget this ever happened. But now, you’re the reason it got out.”

“Taylor, I’m warning you. If you drag me into this, you’ll regret it.”

Taylor knew the old lady wasn’t one to mess with. He tried to keep his tone calm, but his nerves showed through. “Ma’am, I swear, I had no idea anyone was looking into me.”

“This whole mess brought Bronwen back, and if we’re not careful, it could ruin me. I’m just as worried as you are, maybe even more.”

Grandma Grace struggled out of her wheelchair, grabbed her cane, and slowly made her way deeper into the room.

“Someone’s digging around in your past? Couldn’t you have been more careful? Who did you cross that they got all the way to me?”

Taylor’s voice wavered. “I think someone’s trying to help W. That’s the only explanation I can think of.”

A chill ran down Grandma Grace’s spine. Her face turned pale. “Do you know who it is?”

“No idea. That’s why I’m calling you. We’re in this together.”

“You came to me in the first place, offering to help push W out of the art world. Now everything’s about to come out. You have to help me. If you don’t, my reputation and my whole circle will be ruined. And you’ll be dragged down, too.”

Grandma Grace pressed her fingers to her temples, her brow creased in worry. She didn’t say a word.

Taylor sounded desperate. “Ma’am, your own grandson punched me at the gala last night because of his wife. I only kept quiet because he’s your grandson. If you don’t help, I can’t promise I won’t spill everything in public next time.”

Grandma Grace’s patience snapped. “What do you want me to do?”

Taylor jumped at the chance. “Your family’s powerful in Stonehill. If anyone can find out who’s helping W, it’s you.”

“And if you destroy the painting, there’s no proof left. Even if they know what we did, they can’t pin it on you without evidence. There’s nothing they can do to us.”

George nodded, breathless. “He came back on his own. Our people saw his car as soon as they left. He didn’t run away, ma’am. He came home.”

The words slammed into Grandma Grace’s chest. “Hurry… take me there…”

Jean rushed to help her. “Ma’am, please be careful.”

But Grandma Grace couldn’t stay calm. “Take me out front. Hurry!”

By the time they got to the front yard, Daniel was already lashing Jace with a belt. Jace’s expensive suit was ripped to shreds, blood soaking through the fabric. His skin was split in places, angry red welts everywhere.

Jace was kneeling on the ground, silent, one hand pressed to the pavement to keep himself upright. He looked like he was about to collapse.

“Stop!” Grandma Grace shouted. “What are you doing? Are you trying to kill your own son?”

“He’s your only son. If you hurt him, who’ll take over the Salisbury family?”

“Why can’t you just talk to him? Why does it always have to come to this, to the point there’s no way back?”

She snatched the belt from Daniel’s hand and ordered the staff to help Jace up.