No More Waiting, She Chooses Love
Chapter 697

At the break room, I casually tossed out a question to the others, "Has anyone seen Mr. Smith today?"

A few snickers and suppressed laughs followed, sparking my curiosity, "What's up? Did something happen to him?"

"He got a makeover, courtesy of his girlfriend!"

"Must've been a wild cat fight."

"Who knew Mr. Smith's girlfriend had it in her..."

"Well, if my guy hit up a nightclub without me, I'd scratch him too."

The gossip flew fast and loose, and from the chatter, I pieced it together: Grant hadn't shown up at the office because he was sporting some new 'decorations' on his face, too embarrassed to show his mug. Back at my desk, I couldn't resist and dialed Grant, figuring a check-in was in order. It wasn't to poke fun-far from it. Grant had always had my back.

"Don't buy into the office gossip mill, it's all blown out of proportion," he rushed to clarify the moment the call connected.

His denial only piqued my curiosity, "What are you talking about? What did they say?"

Grant paused, "You were at the office, right? Didn't you hear?"

I played it cool, "Been swamped, haven't heard a peep. What's got you tangled up?"

He sighed, a torrent of woes pouring out, mirroring the office rumors. Ending it with, "What I regret most is ever falling for a woman."

That line alone lifted my spirits, prompting me to tease, "Oh? Planning to switch teams now?"

"Maybe, but only if they're the Ernest type," Grant confessed, though not intentionally bringing Ernest into it. It was his way of saying his tastes were specific.

I let that comment slide, and Grant, sensing he might have overstepped, quickly apologized.

"Which club did you end up at?" I cut to the chase.

"Sapphire Lounge!" He blurted out, then fell silent, probably realizing his slip.

I chuckled, "Sapphire Lounge is the go-to for Seabreeze City's elite to wheel and deal, right?"

"Yeah, but she still got mad.

Probably because I got home late... You know how it is, women always overthink things. A perfectly normal situation turns into a full-blown drama," Grant complained,

unwittingly offending all womankind.

"Did she cool off after giving you a new look?" I couldn't resist asking.

"No," he admitted, then quickly retorted, "Who said she scratched me... Oh great, Felicia, now you're making fun of me too..."

I laughed heartily, and Grant, half-joking, threatened to dock my bonus—a bonus for work he himself had completed.

As I was still laughing, the office door opened. I swiveled around, facing the door to see Dustin standing there, holding a bouquet.

Grant, oblivious to my current

situation, continued, "Stop laughing, I've got something serious to tell you. I think I saw one of your friends at the club. Not sure though, wasn't familiar, but I've seen her with you before, kind of hip-hop vibe."

"A woman?" I asked, glancing at the figure by the door.

"Yes, seemed like she used to work with you," Grant clarified, making me instantly think of Deborah Walker.

But Deborah was supposed to be in Goldbridge, staying clear of Seabreeze City. Could it really be her?

I wanted to press Grant for more details, but with Dustin waiting, I held back, curiosity and concern swirling in equal measure.