Five Years Wasted Now They Beg Her Back novel Chapter 261

“Grace, this isn’t over.”

Looking at Grace’s pale face, Elliot felt a knot tighten in his stomach.

“Your grandfather’s official statement is that he did it all for revenge.”

“He says the Clarke family killed his son, so he wanted to destroy their granddaughter-in-law.”

“As for selling you to Julian…”

Elliot scoffed.

“He claims it was to find you a ‘good home,’ to get you away from the Clarke family’s drama.”

“What a load of crap!”

Elliot couldn’t help but swear.

Marrying a top student from Jarrow University to an idiot—that’s a good home?

“That old bastard’s heart is completely rotten!”

Grace didn’t echo Elliot’s anger.

She just listened quietly.

But her mind was racing.

Her grandfather was stubborn, and he hated the Clarke family.

But he wasn't a fool.

Could a few empty promises from Martin really have pushed him this far?

Unless…

Martin had given him something tangible.

Or had shown him some kind of proof that could clear her uncle’s name, something that forced his hand.

About her uncle’s death.

“Elliot.”

Grace suddenly sat up straight. “I want to investigate.”

“Investigate what?”

“My uncle’s case from back then. My grandfather said my uncle was framed, that the Clarkes killed him.”

“Martin said he could help restore my uncle’s reputation.”

“I don’t believe my grandfather would become so unhinged for no reason.”

“I want to know what, exactly, I was sold for.”

Elliot looked at her.

“Okay.”

Elliot nodded firmly.

“You’re Bastian Hawke’s next of kin. If you file a report, I, as a police officer, can pull the old case files.”

“Even though it was a commercial case, a life was lost. There has to be a record.”

“Also.”

Grace pointed to the evidence bag in Elliot’s pocket.

“You found more than just this phone at my grandfather’s place, right?”

“Did you see anything else during your search?”

Elliot paused for a second, then it clicked.

It had knocked her down into the mud.

Now, she didn’t want to love anymore.

Ten minutes later.

Elliot returned, carrying a dusty wooden chest.

It was the chest her grandfather had always kept locked under his bed like a treasure.

Grace reached out, her hand trembling as she unfastened the latch.

With a click, the scent of old paper and mildew filled the air.

A pile of yellowed notebooks and a few old photographs were scattered inside.

Grace picked up the notebook on top.

Two words were written on the cover: Musings.

It was her uncle’s handwriting.

She took a deep breath and opened the first page.

The late-night silence of the hospital was so profound you could hear the drip of the IV.

Grace leaned against the headboard, the yellowed notebook open on her lap.

Grace's hands trembled slightly.

“Month X, Day X. Sunny.

Met with the new CEO of the Clarke family today, Damien.

The old man at the Clarke family certainly has a sharp eye for talent.