I've Been There Before (Grace and Caden) novel Chapter 183

While Grace was “reminiscing the past” with Mrs. James at the garden, Jafar did not miss the opportunity to talk to Caden. The resources held by the Shaw Group were actually the ones needed by him at the moment.

Caden listened to his slightly flattering words and his intention was obvious at a glance. It would be abnormal of him to not ask him for something or to do something when he came this time. If this old guy did not pay him a visit for a purpose, for what did he come? It would turn out strange if there really was no any purpose and he would need to think more about that. He took a sip of the whiskey and his glance fell on the outside through the window. Although he was dealing with Jafar, he was occasionally paying his attention to the outside.

Jafar followed his eyes and asked cautiously with some gauges. “Is President Shaw being worried of Grace?” Caden retrieved his look blandly. He looked at him and put up a courteous smile without answering him. Jafar was a man of culture and he did not ask him further from his look. He changed the topic back to the question just now. “President Shaw, please have a look. Could you help me regarding the new plan?” Caden rubbed his finger on the wine glass and did not intend to put it down. “I need to ask Grace first.”

Jafar was astonished that he actually cared that much about Grace’s opinion. As they were talking, a gust of cold wind suddenly blew into the room and Caden immediately put down the wine glass in his hand. He stood up and strode forward while asking the butler for hot milk. He put his arm around Grace and rubbed her hands. “How could you keep on going outside when you can’t withstand the cold? I’m only turning a blind eye because Mrs. James has come. I won’t allow you to go to the garden and get blown by the cold wind again next time. The weather’s nice today, but the wind’s still cold.” He rambled on, blaming her for staying slightly longer at the garden.

Mr. and Mrs. James were startled having seen what was happening before their eyes. Everyone had said Caden Shaw was a taciturn and strict person. Who would have expected the person who was babbling like an old lady was actually the king of aloofness beholden by everyone? Grace was in a daze too and she wondered when this person had started to become so talkative. Not only he was talkative, he was blabbering on and on.

“Mister, the hot milk’s here.” The butler approached silently while carrying a tray with a glass of hot, steamy milk on top. Caden took it over and said, “Drink this first. Mr. James has something to ask you later.” Grace suddenly felt constrained and awkward. The more he showed his kindness, the more suffer she felt. She took the glass quietly without uttering a word. As she had drunk half of the milk and was ready to put the glass back onto the tray, Caden spoke. “I suppose Mr. James has something to ask for Grace’s help?” His attitude towards Jafar was absolutely different from his attitude towards Grace.

Jafar winced. He turned towards Grace and looked at her. “Grace…Dad was wrong.” A cracking sound was heard when the glass fell onto the ground and the time seemed to freeze. Grace did not look at Jafar. She stared at the broken glass and the pieces on the ground quietly without blinking. His words had just struck her pain spot. Her father had finally said those three words until now! She could no longer think, or even refused to think whether he had said it out of sincerity.

Maybe her eyes had gone sore after staring at the broken pieces for a long time, she blinked, trying to relieve the soreness. “Mr. Garcia, I’m sorry for dropping the glass and dirty the floor. I’m tired, please clean up here.” She spoke with a calm and steady voice, yet there was an indiscernible choke in her coarse voice. She turned and headed to the upstairs, yet she halted when she stepped up the staircase. “I’ll pay a visit to Mrs. James’s house next week.”

“Grace!” Both Mr. and Mrs. James’s eyes gleamed and they exclaimed out of surprise. Grace no longer spoke further. As for what Jafar wanted to ask her, she refused to hear. A wise person like her had given her answer if Caden was asking for her opinion. No matter it was due to her father’s confession or to find out the truth of the case back then, she had to go to the James house once in order to understand more. She had to “get over the past”.