Please Me Daddy (Gracie) novel Chapter 176

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I’m Grace from the PR department

Grace

“Miss Grace, the incident in the restroom is being kept under wraps for now, but a few people did witness it. It’s only a matter of time before the information starts to circulate. To protect your identity, please continue wearing your wig and glasses for the time being. We can’t risk drawing attention to you or allowing anyone to discover who you are yet.”

Austin’s words from last night echoed in my head as I sat in the back of the cab, staring out the window at the tall, familiar building of the Reed Company. Its glass exterior reflected the morning light, cold and imposing, much like the man who ruled it.

After dinner last night, I couldn’t sleep. My thoughts refused to settle, spinning in endless circles. I thought about Apollo, about my feelings for him, about how I couldn’t keep convincing myself that it was impossible for someone to love me. Just because I had been hurt once didn’t mean I was doomed to be hurt again.

Running away had always been my habit. Whenever things became overwhelming, I chose escape. I told myself it was easier not to face it at all.

But this time was different.

This time, I was done hiding.

Even if Apollo’s feelings for me turned out not to be what I hoped, I wouldn’t hate myself for not running

away.

“Miss, are you okay?” the driver asked, glancing at me through the rearview mirror.

I blinked, snapping out of my thoughts, and nodded. “Yes, sorry. I spaced out.”

“Alright. Do you work here, ma’am?” the driver asked.

I turned to him, studying his face. He looked harmless, and curious, with nothing to hide.

I nodded.

“Oh, you’re so lucky,” he said, a hint of awe in his voice. “I’ve heard the company is nearly impossible to get into. Everyone wants to work under the Reeds. But I’ve also heard he’s a dangerous man, cold–hearted to everyone around him. I even heard he’s beaten employees who’ve crossed him. A man like that would be hard to work with. I feel bad for you.”

I looked at him for a moment, saying nothing. Instead, I reached into my bag, pulled out a few bills, and handed them to him.

He took them with a polite nod, flashing a small, awkward smile.

I stepped out of the car, but before I could walk away, something made me pause. I turned back, leaning my head slightly into the car window.

The man looked startled. “Do you need something?” he asked, his eyebrows raised.

“No.”

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Im Grace from the PR department

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“No?” he repeated, unsure.

“He’s not like that. He might be cold–hearted and dangerous, but he’s not a bad man. He’s a good boss. He’s fair to those who prove themselves. He sees competence, even when no one else does. He respects hard work. Please don’t believe every rumor you hear.”

The driver looked at me for a moment, then nodded slowly. “Yes, miss,”

I gave him a small nod in return and finally turned toward the building.

I stepped inside and passed through the security checkpoint. One of the guards leaned lazily against his post, a sandwich halfway to his mouth. The moment his eyes landed on me, he froze.

“You-” he started, eyes widening as he pointed at my face.

I glanced at him briefly, meeting his gaze, and his sandwich slipped from his mouth as he choked on his food.

I recognized him immediately. He was the security guard who had seen Apollo and me that day at the company, when I’d been drunk and shamelessly throwing myself at him. The same one who had gone on to spread the rumors about Apollo having a woman.

He was about to say something, but I gave him a small nod, as if this was any other normal morning, then walked past him.

I pulled out my ID, pressed it against the scanner, and waited for the green light. Once it flashed, I hung the badge around my neck and continued forward, my expression calm.

As I walked deeper into the building, I felt eyes following me. People slowed, some stopping altogether, their voices dropping as their gazes trailed after me.

“Oh my God. Who is that?” someone murmured.

“No idea, I don’t recognize her. Maybe she works in one of the departments.”

“I doubt it,” a third voice said quietly. “If she worked here, we’d know. You don’t forget a face like that.”

“Exactly,” another whispered. “Look at her, she’s stunning. If she worked here, she’d already be the center of attention. Everyone would be talking about her in the group chat. Half the men would be chasing after

her.”

I ignored their words and kept walking, my steps steady, and my back straight.

For once, I truly didn’t care about their opinions or their whispers trailing behind me. I didn’t care who noticed or what they thought. I didn’t care if people started recognizing me. I was tired of shrinking myself to fit into other people’s comfort.

Austin wasn’t wrong. If I wanted everything to go smoothly, if I wanted to avoid attention, if I wanted to keep my connection with Apollo hidden for as long as possible, then the smartest choice would have been to keep wearing the wig, the glasses, and the oversized clothes. But I had already made a promise to myself. I was done running. I was done pretending I didn’t exist.

So this morning, I hadn’t reached for the wig or the glasses. I tied my long black hair into a simple ponytail, pulled on a fitted shirt, jeans, and sneakers. It was nothing extravagant, or bold, but it was me. And that

I’m Grace from the PR department

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alone made it feel like a first step forward.

I stopped in front of the elevator, pressing the button. Standing beside me was a small group from the PR department. I could feel their eyes on me immediately, their gazes lingering without any attempt to hide their curiosity.

They whispered among themselves, glancing back and forth like they were trying to solve a puzzle.

Finally, one of them stepped closer, smiling awkwardly. “Hi, sorry, are you new here? You look kind of familiar.”

I turned toward them calmly. For a brief second, I almost slipped back into my old habit, but I stopped myself, and smiled.

“I’m Grace from the PR department.”

The moment the words left my mouth, it was like time froze. They stared at me, eyes wide, expressions blank with disbelief.

“You’re… who?” one of them asked, clearly thinking he’d misheard.

“Grace,” I repeated, lifting my ID badge so they could see it clearly. “PR department.”

Their eyes dropped to the badge, then back to my face, comparing the old photo to the woman standing in front of them now. One of them sucked in a sharp breath.

“Shit,” she muttered. “It’s her. No wonder she felt familiar.”

“Oh my God! You look amazing, Grace. I almost didn’t recognize you.”

“Yes! You have no idea how much we’ve missed you. We’ve been trying to get in contact with you, but none of us have your number or know where you live. And, for some reason, the company is way too secretive about your personal information.”

I looked at them, taken aback by how quickly they had adjusted to the situation.

Another looked like he was about to speak when a new voice cut in smoothly.

“So you’re Grace? I’ve heard so much about you.”

I paused and turned toward the voice. Standing just beside the PR team was a stunning woman with soft brown hair and an aura that screamed wealth and privilege. Every detail of her, from her posture to her attire, looked meticulously expensive. People around her instinctively stepped aside, as if unwilling to offend her. She smiled as she moved closer, extending her hand.

“I’m Katherine,” she said. “The new member of the PR team. Nice to meet you.”

I looked at her outstretched hand, then at her face. Her smile was flawless and friendly, but her eyes told a completely different story. There was no curiosity or kindness, only pure hatred, directed straight at me as she studied my appearance.

And in that moment, I knew this meeting was anything but innocent.