Chapter 12 An Encounter at the Kindergarten

There was this cabinet near the elevator, just big enough to hide someone. As soon as Grace stepped out of the elevator, she spotted Charles's car. In a flash, she ducked behind the cabinet, keeping a close watch on them.

When she saw Charles and Jasper together, saying goodbye to Bianca, her heart skipped a beat. This was the kind of scene she had dreamed about so many times.

Bianca gave a bitter smile, then suddenly sprinted over, shouting, "Mommy!" Grace's head shot up, her eyes lighting up as she scooped Bianca into her arms, covering her with kisses.

Charles stopped in his tracks when he heard Bianca call out "Mommy." He decided to apologize to Bianca's mom in person and quickly walked back.

Charles had just reached the door when he saw the elevator doors slowly closing. He squinted, catching a glimpse of a light blue figure.

Jasper ran over too. Seeing the closed elevator doors, he sighed in relief and tugged at Charles's suit pants, "Dad, I'm tired. Can we go home?"

Charles looked away, bent down to pick him up, and turned to leave.

Grace had no idea she was almost spotted by Charles. As soon as they got home, Bianca started talking about her day.

Grace didn't interrupt, just listened with a smile. Even though Bianca's words were full of disdain for Charles, Grace could tell she still liked him a bit. After all, she was still a kid.

Bianca stayed home for a day, and the weekend flew by.

After dropping Bianca off at school in the morning, Grace went to work. She was so good at her job that she finished all her tasks by noon. Her boss was impressed, and she got to leave early.

It was Monday, and Jasper was coming over for dinner. Grace headed straight to the supermarket, buying a bunch of groceries and toys. Just thinking about Jasper's happy face when he saw the toys made her smile.

After loading the car with groceries and toys, she was about to drive home when her phone rang.

It was Bianca's kindergarten teacher. As soon as she answered, the teacher's anxious voice came through, "Hi, do you have a moment? Bianca got into a fight with another kid. Can you come over?"

Grace frowned, her expression changing, "I'll be right there."

She hung up, turned the car around, and headed to the kindergarten.

Fifteen minutes later, Grace arrived at the kindergarten. As soon as she walked into the office, she saw Bianca standing there with messy hair. Despite looking disheveled, her little face was full of defiance.

Jasper was next to Bianca, his hair also messy, with some dirt on his face and a scratch if you looked closely.

Grace's heart ached, and she hurried over. She asked worriedly, "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

Bianca and Jasper shook their heads in unison, and she finally felt relieved, gently asking, "What happened? Why did you get into a fight?"

Bianca pouted, snorted, and pointed at the two boys standing opposite her, "It was them! They tried to take Jasper's toy, and when he wouldn't give it to them, they tried to snatch it and even hit Jasper! And, and..."

Bianca's eyes turned red with anger, clearly very upset.

The two boys quickly lowered their heads and hid behind the teacher, obviously scared of Bianca and knowing they were in the wrong.

Grace looked at the two boys, who had more scratches on their faces, and their collars were messed up.

Bianca raised her angry little face and continued, "They also said Jasper doesn't have a mom! Just because they haven't seen Jasper's mom pick him up!"

Grace's heart sank, her expression turning serious.

Jasper thought Grace was angry and quickly stood in front of Bianca. He explained, "It's not Bianca's fault. She was protecting me, that's why she hit them."

Grace took a deep breath, hiding her negative emotions, and smiled, "It's right for siblings to help each other. I won't blame you."

Grace knew Bianca's character. If those boys hadn't gone too far, Bianca wouldn't have hit them.

Jasper's eyes went wide with disbelief at what he heard. Bianca's smile widened as she kept snorting at the two boys.

Grace went to chat with teacher to get the full story, which pretty much matched what Bianca had said.

The two boys had more injuries, but since they started it, it was understandable Bianca hit them back. Besides, when they realized they had messed with Charles's son, their anger dissipated quickly.

The teacher sighed, looking a bit helpless. "Those two kids were definitely in the wrong, but Bianca was a bit too rough."

Grace cleared her throat, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I'm sorry for the trouble. I'll talk to Bianca at home."

While she was talking with the teacher, the parents of the other two kids showed up, apologizing to Jasper non-stop.

The parents also talked with Grace, and the whole thing got sorted out. Kids didn't hold grudges for long, and they quickly made up.

When it was time for lunch, the teacher got ready to take the kids back to the classroom.

Before they left, Grace crouched down and tidied up Bianca and Jasper's messy hair. She said softly, "Be good, I bought lots of yummy food. Wait until you get home after school, okay?"

Bianca and Jasper nodded together, "Okay!"

Grace rubbed their little cheeks, smiling warmly. "Go have lunch with the teacher now."

Bianca and Jasper ran off hand in hand, laughing. Grace didn't leave until they were out of sight.

As soon as Grace stepped out of the kindergarten, a black Maybach pulled up in front of her, making her jump.

Just as she was wondering what was going on, the car window on the driver's side rolled down, and she met Charles's cold gaze.

Grace shrank back and turned to run.

Charles quickly opened the car door and chased after her, grabbing her sleeve.

Grace had to stop, yanking her arm back. "Charles, let go of me!" she demanded.

Charles snorted, curling his lips into a sneer. "Run? Weren't you so capable? Why aren't you running now?"

Unable to pull her arm back, Grace gave up and suddenly smiled charmingly. "Mr. Montague, how can I run when you're holding my hand?"

Charles laughed coldly, watching Grace's performance.

Grace pretended not to know his intentions, widening her eyes in curiosity. "What a coincidence, Mr. Montague. What are you doing here?"

Charles raised an eyebrow, tightening his grip. "Shouldn't I be asking you that?"

Grace's expression changed, looking around. "I was just walking around. So strange, how did I end up here?"

Charles snorted. "Do you take me for a fool?"

Grace sighed. "I didn't. If you don't believe me, forget it." Her mind raced, trying to think of a way to escape.

Charles squinted, his sharp gaze roaming over her face.

Grace smiled, unusually calm.

Emily walked over at some point, whispering, "Grace, you wouldn't come here for no reason. Do you already know that Jasper goes to kindergarten here?"

Grace blinked her big watery eyes, playing dumb. "Jasper? Who's that?"

Emily's expression changed slightly. She was surprised at how calm Grace had become after three years.

Emily glanced at Charles and continued, "Charles, she..."

Charles waved his hand, cutting Emily off, tightening his grip. He asked coldly, "Tell me, why are you here?"

He was almost certain that Grace already knew Jasper was attending school here, but he still wanted to hear it from her.

Grace's gaze suddenly deepened, and she stepped forward voluntarily, getting very close to Charles.

The surrounding air seemed to freeze at that moment, and she lowered her voice. "Mr. Montague, your fiancée is still here. Don't forget, I'm your ex-wife. It's not good for you to keep holding my hand like this, is it?"

Although her voice was low, it was enough for Emily to hear. Emily's face turned red with anger, her knuckles turning white.

Charles remained unmoved, and Grace became anxious, stepping forward again, her forehead touching his chin in a gesture full of intimacy.

Emily couldn't hold back any longer, shouting, "Charles!"

Charles snapped back to reality, forcefully shaking off Grace and instinctively taking a few steps back.

Grace, now free, turned and ran, disappearing in an instant.