Grayson Pierce and Eloise Caldwell novel Chapter 10

Chapter 10

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Eloise and Juliette stood outside the used car dealership. Juliette was fuming. “Why did you drag me out here?

“I was going to ask him where the hell he’s been hiding all these years. Does he know you spent five years looking for him? Does he know you had his son?

“Damn, and I actually thought he was gorgeous a minute ago. Turns out he’s just a handsome jerk. A total ass.”

Eloise placed a calming hand on her arm. “Juliette, I know you care about me. But what happened between Grayson and me is in the past.

“I don’t want to be entangled with him again, and I absolutely don’t want him knowing about Noah.”

Juliette looked at her, her heart aching. She knew exactly how hard these years had been for Eloise, how she had held onto the memory of Grayson, dreaming of a reconciliation and a happy family.

Juliette siged inwardly. ‘And now, when he’s finally found, it’s like this. What gives Grayson the right to treat her this way?

So what if Eloise said some hurtful things back then? Those words couldn’t have truly hurt him, not when he came from immense wealth.

How could they? His entire foundation is unshakable. Meanwhile, Grayson was the one hiding his true identity, testing her. It’s beyond unfair.‘

“Eloise,” Juliette said. “Why don’t you just tell him the truth? Why let him go on misunderstanding you?”

A shadow of profound sadness crossed Eloise’s eyes. “And say what, Juliette? If I tell him now, he’ll just think I have an ulterior motive. I’d only be humiliating myself.

“Besides, the top tier of Ekloland’s elite… that’s not a world I dare to aspire to.”

Juliette fell silent. She understood all too well that the world of high society was not for ordinary people like them to wade

into.

After a quiet moment, she sighed. “Alright. I respect your decision.”

Eloise nodded gently. “Thank you, Juliette.”

Juliette gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “So, are we still lying a car?”

“Of course. The promotion is today,” Eloise said. “Did you see anything good?”

Juliette smiled. “Yeah, I checked out a compact SUV for you. It’s pretty good shape, the interior is well–kept. It’s a seven- year–old model.”

Eloise’s eyes lit up. “How much?”

Juliette answered, “20 thousand dollars”

Eloise bit her lip. “That’s a bit over my budget,”

“Girl, 20 thousand dollars is a steal,” Juliette exclaimed. “That’s pactically dirt cheap.”

Eloise shook her head. “Not that cheap. I saw some for just over thousand dollars.”

Juliette rolled her eyes. “And you’d actually buy one of those?”

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Chapter 10

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“No,” Eloise admitted. “I want that black SUV over there. The common one. It’s listed for 10 thousand dollars. With the thousand–dollar discount, that brings it down to 9 thousand dollars. That’s more my range.”

Juliette tried to persuade her. “Eloise, for an extra 10 thousand dollars, you could get a much better car that’ll last you years longer.”

But Eloise was unmoved; she had her priorities straight. “Juliette I have a child to raise. There are so many expenses coming

1. up.

“A car is just to get me from point A to point B. As long as it runs that’s enough. I’m not expecting it to last a decade.”

Eloise thought if it could get her through the next three to five years, that would be perfect.

Seeing she couldn’t win, Juliette relented. “Fine. Have it your way

Noah returned to Eloise’s side then, his young face looking unusually somber.

Eloise

gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “What’s wrong, sweetie? Bored?”

“A little,” Noah admitted.

Eloise comforted him, “Just a little longer. I have picked one out

Juliette watched Noah, her heart twisting for him. She leaned closer to Eloise, whispering, “How did you introduce Noah to Grayson?”

Eloise said truthfully, “I told him Noah was my brother’s child.”

Juliette frowned. “And Noah didn’t say anything?”

“No.” Eloise shook her head.

Juliette glanced at the thoughtful boy. “This kid has it tough, having to play along with the adults‘ charade.

When they went back inside, Eloise didn’t see Grayson and assumed he had left.

She didn’t dwell on it, approaching a salesperson instead. “Hi, I’d like that black SUV. Is there any chance you could lower the price a little more?”

The salesperson offered an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, ma’am,hat’s already our lowest price. With the discount voucher, you’re saving one thousand dollars.

“Honestly, I’d recommend the red SUV over there. It’s newer, the color and size suit you better, and 20 thousand dollars really isn’t too much.”

Eloise shook her head firmly. “No, thank you. The black one is fille.”

“Alright then,” the salesperson said, no longer pushing. “Let me take you over to the finance desk to process the payment.

“We’ll need your ID to handle the title transfer and license plate pplication for you”

“Will I need to come back to pick it up?” Eloise asked.

The man smiled. “No, just leave us a address. We’ll send everything to you.”

“And can I drive the car home today?” Eloise asked.

“Of course, you can drive the car home today.” The man nodded

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Eloise thought it was very convenient. The dealership was handling everything.

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Before she could complete the payment, the salesperson was called away. Eloise and Juliette waited by the counter.

A few minutes later, he returned, looking slightly bewildered. “Ma’am, I just received a notification from management. That vehicle’s price has been reduced. It’s now only 3 thousand dollar

Eloise stared. “What?”

Juliette’s jaw dropped. ‘Is this some kind of miracle?‘

Still thinking about the red SUV, Juliette couldn’t help but ask, “Is it just this car, or are all the prices reduced?”

The salesperson hesitated. “Let me go check with my manager?”

“Yes, please. Go ask,” Juliette urged, her excitement returning.

He disappeared and came back a short while later. “Ladies, it’s not a store–wide reduction. Only two specific vehicles have been marked down.”

“Which other one?” Juliette asked eagerly.

The man said, “It’s parked in the back. Let me show you.”

The other car was a nearly new luxury SUV from a premium brand. A new model would cost over 200 thousand dollars. Even at eighty percent condition, it should be priced around 15 thousand dollars.

Eloise was sure that even with a discount, it would be out of her league. “I’ll stick with the first one,” she said. “3 thousand dollars is an unbelievable deal.”

But the salesperson, following his new instructions, pressed on. This one is an incredible value. Only 6 thousand dollars. And it’s just three years old.”

“How much?” Juliette asked, convinced she had misheard.

Eloise shared her disbelief.

The salesperson repeated, his voice strained, “6 thousand dollars

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