Chapter 27 One Shield, One Battlefield
Grayson had invited her out for noon on Sunday.
Henry had demanded to see her Sunday afternoon.
This Sunday, Sarah was booked solid–with both a shield and a battlefield.
+8 Pearls
Near noon, she finished changing and stood at Grayson’s door, gently knocking.
“Mr. Grayson, I’m ready.”
The door opened, and the man appeared, standing tall in the doorway.
He narrowed his phoenix eyes slightly as he looked her over, a faint flicker of amusement crossing his gaze.
“Heartbroken enough to dress like a student today? Mourning your youth?”
Sarah felt a twinge of embarrassment. Calling this a “student look” was already generous.
She’d worn a white blouse and jeans–simple and casual–no makeup, no lipstick. She didn’t want to stand out before her meeting with Henry that evening.
It looked… plain. Maybe even sloppy.
“Is it inappropriate?” she asked.
Grayson was dressed in a sharply tailored suit–refined, elegant, commanding. Next to him, she looked like she belonged on the campus steps of a college building.
Grayson’s gaze slowly traced over her, pausing on her bare face.
Even without makeup, she was still breathtaking.
“….As long as you think it’s appropriate,” he said finally, lips curving, though something unreadable flickered in his eyes.
Only when they reached their destination did Sarah realize the meaning behind that look.
Grayson had brought her to a business lunch.
Around the table were faces Sarah recognized–people with power, money, and the kind of influence Shane had spent years trying to get close to.
These people had refused to meet with Shane, always dodging him.
But today, they came for Grayson.
Sarah’s gaze lowered.
Shane was always trying to stand on equal footing with Grayson. But the truth was–they were worlds apart.
As Sarah followed Grayson into the room, someone cracked a joke: “Mr. Grayson, where’d you pick up the schoolgirl?”
She flushed with embarrassment, wishing she could disappear.
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Chapter 27 One Shield, One Battlefield
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Grayson merely smiled and gestured for her to sit. Calm and steady, he grabbed a napkin and wiped her spot again before she could sit.
“She’s not a schoolgirl. She’s my assistant for today.”
A pause–and someone teased, “Sure she’s not your girlfriend?”
“Don’t keep her hidden if she’s that pretty, Mr. Grayson.”
Sarah’s ears flushed crimson.
Grayson’s fingers lazily traced the rim of his small white wine glass. His tone remained even, but a slight chill crept into it.
“We’re here to talk business.”
Instant silence.
No one dared keep joking–because they were all afraid of him.
Sarah glanced at his profile–perfectly sculpted, his brow calm, his eyes unreadable.
Her heart stirred.
He was shielding her.
She had followed Shane to plenty of business meetings. Shane never stopped the jokes. He never shielded her.
She had always endured them alone.
Now, sensing the tension she’d unintentionally caused, Sarah rose quickly.
Facing those powerful men across the table, she held her head high and smiled with poise.
“Since we’re all friends of Mr. Grayson, why don’t we share a drink together?”
She lifted the glass of white liquor with practiced ease.
That radiant smile, those bright eyes, that confident charm–her presence lit the room.
She’d done this a hundred times before. She knew how to handle it.
The men exchanged glances–then smiled and raised their glasses.
The tension dissolved.
But before Sarah could take a sip, a hand reached in and took the glass from her.
Grayson drank it all in one go.
“I’ll drink.”
Sarah’s chest tightened.
Hard liquor, business games–it had become routine for her.
Shane never saw anything wrong with it. If she got drunk, he’d just frown and call her trouble.
THE MOS CON ALS Assolte walind
3:54 PM
Chapter 27 One Shield, One Battlefield
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+8 Pearls
This was the first time someone didn’t let her drink.
Moments later, a server brought her a glass of red wine–low in alcohol.
Staring at the rosy liquid, Sarah lowered her lashes and smiled faintly.
She braced herself. If Grayson got too drunk, she’d take over.
But by the time the lunch ended, Grayson hadn’t even flushed.
All Sarah did the entire meal was pour drinks for him.
After the guests left, Grayson glanced at her from the corner of his eye. “Call a driver. I’ll get you home.”
“Okay.”
She checked the time–then shook her head.
“Mr. Grayson, Ihave something to do. Let me call a driver for you instead. You go ahead and rest.”
