Chapter 552 Apologizing


    "I''ll just take a look. I won''t participate."


    The women yed with high stakes. Grace sat on the right, seemingly focused on the game. But in


    reality, she wasn''t paying attention at all.


    Before the round ended, the door opened. Matthew led the way in and asked Esme, "Have you won


    yet?"


    Esme scoffed. "You''re asking too soon. The oue isn''t clear yet."


    Grace froze and stared at Benjamin behind him, whose eyes were also fixed on her.


    Thedy sitting on the left also noticed him and asked, "Aren''t you Mr. Hawkins? You''re so young


    and promising, yet you''re willing to watch us women y cards. You must find it amusing."


    Benjamin undid his coat and ced it aside, standing next to Grace.


    "I don''t find your game amusing. Clearly, you''re skilled."


    Thedy was delighted. Anyone would willingly ept praise from an attractive man.


    Grace pursed her lips and said, "Since Mr. Hawkins is interested in the game, maybe I should give


    up my seat. I feel a bit—"


    Before she could finish, Benjamin''s handnded on her shoulder, pressing down.


    "I''m just watching."


    Grace red at him fiercely, annoyed by his presence. She didn''t even want to y. He was clearly


    making things hard for her.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    Esme watched them and tossed out an ace of hearts. "It''s rare to see you around, Mr. Hawkins. You


    seem quite free today. It''s rather unusual, though. Perhaps you''re interested in one of thedies


    here. Are you hoping for an introduction?"


    Grace tensed up, fearing she might draw unwanted attention.


    Unexpectedly, Benjamin retorted, "Ms. Lewis, you seem very nervous. Mrs. Thorne is asking about


    me. What are you so afraid of?"


    Instantly, all eyes at the table turned to her.


    Grace endured the difort and answered, "I''m just a little cold because I''m sitting near the door."


    Benjamin casually yed a card from Grace''s hand. "You forgot to make your move."


    Everyone turned silent.


    The atmosphere turned ambiguous, and Grace felt ufortable.


    After Grace had made a name for herself, everyone identified her as the resilient Ms. Lewis of


    Amirate Corporation rather than Benjamin''s ex-wife.


    But after Benjamin''s suggestive words and actions, everyone was reminded of their past.


    Even Esme got involved in stirring the pot. "Mr. Hawkins, who are you to be so concerned for Ms.


    Lewis?"


    The crowd egged them on.


    Grace just wanted to leave, but it was inappropriate to just walk out under everyone''s watchful eyes.


    Sensing her difort, Benjamin didn''t press further. "Mrs. Thorne, you''re mistaken. If anything,


    me and Ms. Lewis are just friends."


    But he didn''t borate further.


    Esme was about to continue when Grace dropped herst card. "I''ve won. I''m a bit tired. Sorry, I''ll


    be leaving first."


    It was somewhat impolite, but at this moment, she didn''t want any more misunderstandings.


    Grace stood up to leave, and Benjamin nodded apologetically to everyone before grabbing his coat


    and following her.


    Once he caught up with Grace outside, he quickly draped his coat around her shoulders. "Wear this


    if you''re cold."


    Grace immediately shrugged it off. "I''m not cold. But you''re making me annoyed."


    Benjamin stood still and said, "I''m sorry for what happenedst time. It won''t happen again."


    "Did you embarrass me just so you could tell me this?"


    They stood in a corner in the deserted corridor. The light cast a shadow on them.


    "I meant what I said."


    "If you were sincere, you wouldn''t have done that in the first ce."


    Benjamin was silent for a moment. "I''m being sincere right now. I came here so I could apologize to


    you."


    Grace was about to respond when suddenly she noticed a figure darting by. She was about to call


    out when she heard a ssh.