True Fated Marriage (Grace and Heinz)
Chapter 74

Lilian was silent as she sunk her head.

The beating stopped as well.

Seeing Mrs. Chen's temper lifting slightly, Grace spoke, "Mrs. Chen, this matter can be classified as a private affair. As the saying goes, don't wash your dirty linen in public. You seem to be a wise lady, and probably prefer a peaceful solution to this matter."

"Peaceful solution? Wouldn't that let this woman off the hook too easily?" Mrs. Chen asked, she flared her nostrils in anger, and her eyes were icy. This cold fury and longing for revenge was normal for every wife who had been cheated on. "And Lorenzo Chen, wouldn't this be such a light punishment for him?" Mrs. Chen added.

Grace Smith could empathize with Mrs. Chen.

"You're right, Mrs. Chen. Lilian is guilty as charged. She has received a beating today which she deserved. But if someone has to pay the price of punishment with their life, you might replace yourself in a quandary. " Grace Smith articulated each word as clearly as she could. "In this case, you already bear great suffering as the victim. Why bring even more sorrow and grief to yourself due to the missteps and failings of others? That would not be prudent." Grace Smith added.

Mrs. Chen's mind involuntarily went blank for a moment.

These words struck a chord with her. She frowned, piercing Grace Smith with a thoughtful gaze.

Grace waited patiently for Mrs. Chen's response, as she did not want to agitate her.

"Lilian Rose, you still pretend to be innocent?" Mrs. Chen spoke. "I don't know whether Grace Smith is guiltless or not. But I just caught you in the act with Lorenzo Chen. Do you still dare to claim innocence?" Mrs. Chen asked.

"No, I'm partly to blame," Lilian said, she started to catch on to Grace Smith's plan to pacify the situation. "Mrs. Chen, I'm sorry, I was wrong. I beg you sincerely for your forgiveness. Please have mercy on me." Lilian added.

"Leave the publication and banish yourself from Northern City." Mrs. Chen commanded harshly.

Lilian curled her lips, kept silent.

If she left Northern City, where would she go?

She had no funds, and returning to her home town would be humiliating. She wasn't getting any younger, would she be able to replace a match?

"Why, you don't want to leave?" Mrs. Chen asked, she instantly understood what she was pondering over. She asked in a taunting manner, "You want money, don't you?"

Lilian Ross nodded. "At this moment, Lorenzo Chen owed me. I don't want to be without savings as I reach a certain age." Lilian Ross explained.

"That's not my problem," Mrs. Chen said. "If you want some form of compensation, it won't happen." Mrs. Chen assured.

When Lilian heard this, she was vexed. "I sacrificed my dignity for nothing all this while then?" Lilian Ross asked.

"Lilian," Grace interjected. "I think you've seen Lorenzo Chen's true nature. Why don't you leave? Money can be made, don't fret over a few pennies. You have lost your character and dignity, would you like to also lose your life over this? Is it worth it?" Grace Smith asked.

Her words left Lilian in stunned silence.

Lilian gaped at her. At a loss for words, she was completely dumbfounded.

Reality dawned upon her that she was no match for Mrs. Chen as an adversary. It was futile to even think of getting any compensation.

Mrs. Chen also frowned thoughtfully as she glanced over at Grace Smith.

Sensing her indecision, Grace continued, "Women should try to help each other. Today, you were beaten up, but Mrs. Chen as Lorenzo's wife must be in pain and grief from the betrayal of her marriage. Her husband reneged on his promise of mutual love and trust. You are injured physically, but she is equally in great emotional pain as well."

"Lilian, yes it's true you are not getting younger. It is the case for Mrs. Chen as well. She has family and children which she is duty-bound to." Grace Smith continued.

"Mrs. Chen in comparison cannot escape her obligations, She can only accept her fate and the heartbreak that comes with it. She has to grit her teeth, pretend like everything is alright, just for her children to grow up in a stable family." Grace Smith explained.

"Of course comparison is always subjective, but it seems like she might have it worse than you," Grace added.

She spoke these words with conviction.

Both women were thoughtful and silent.

Mrs. Chen felt her emotions stirred up. She didn't expect Grace Smith to speak on her behalf, and everything she said resonated with her.

Gazing at Grace Smith, she felt her defenses coming down, her eyes watering slightly, and she willed herself to remain self-possessed and strong. Seeing her in such a state,

Grace felt sorry for her. Facing the silent Lilian Ross, she spoke carefully and earnestly, "Mrs. Chen's treatment of you was just due to her anguish. Lilian, on your part, it's also not wrong to ask for a compensation. The blame mostly falls on that scumbag. His behavior has affected both women negatively."

She still could not get over the fact that this man had been attempting to fabricate lies. She felt he was completely callous and unrepentant.

"Mrs. Chen, without Lilian Ross in the picture, there may still be other women in the future. So, regardless of whether she leaves Northern City or not, I promise you she will leave Lorenzo Chen. If she still continues to meet him and be with him, the next time you catch her in the act you can take whatever drastic action against her as you please." Grace Smith promised.

"Lorenzo Chen is really appalling." Mrs. Chen agreed. But she couldn't completely eradicate the hatred she harbored for Lilian Ross.

"I am of the opinion that Mrs. Chen, you are aware of Lorenzo Chen's doings, but never confronted him for the sake of your family, children, parents and your reputation. You did not want to cause extra anxiety or misery to others, so you shut one eye and let it slide." Grace Smith continued.

"Your foresight and wisdom enabled you to predict today's chain of events. Your sense of self control and reason was exemplary. Having Lilian Ross beaten up was not the worst action you could have taken against her. You were already merciful and compassionate considering the suffering you had to endure." Grace Smith explained.

"Can I be so bold to appeal to you on Lilian Ross' behalf to take the high road just this once, and let her go?" Grace Smith pleaded.

Grace Smith spoke carefully, all the while trying to empathize with Mrs. Chen, using all her reason and wits to help plead her case. Her words affected Mrs. Chen deeply, causing her to ponder on the situation. Something had struck a chord with her. Mrs. Chen blinked momentarily and shut her eyes briefly. "Let her go." She ordered her men.

The two henchmen looked at each other, exchanged glances, and released Lilian Ross.

In that instant, Grace Smith felt relieved, the tension seemed to subside slightly.

Judging from Mrs. Chen's command, it was obvious that Lilian Ross had been reprieved for now.

She gazed towards Mrs. Chen. She saw an expression of strength, with a tinge of loneliness and disappointment. Mrs. Chen seemed nevertheless full with steely determination.

"How long have you been with him?" Mrs. Chen asked, she looked at Lilian Ross.

Lilian Ross was taken aback by this question. She curled her lips and said, "I've been with him for nine years."

"Nine years?" Mrs. Chen sneered, feeling the irony of the situation. "Alright, nine years, fifty thousand a year. I will give you another fifty thousand to treat your injuries, a total of five hundred thousand." Mrs. Chen said.

Lilian Ross and Grace Smith were both astonished.

500,000. That was not considered a huge sum of money.

But this was coming from a woman who had been cheated on. It was a true reflection of her sense of honor and magnanimity.

Grace Smith was impressed by Mrs. Chen.

This really demonstrated her strength of character.

Lilian Ross was in disbelief.

Mrs. Chen took out a cheque book and pen and wrote down a cheque for five hundred thousand. She flung it at Lilian Ross.

"I give you this 500,000 as Grace Smith has vouched for you. I will warn you again, you will have to leave Lorenzo Chen. We hereby call it quits." Mrs.

Chen said.

Lilian Ross still could not believe what was happening. She stood frozen.

"Lilian?" Grace Smith prompted her.

At Grace's prompting, Lilian came to her senses and nodded in agreement. With a hollow smile, she responded, "Yes, I agree to leave him. From this day onward, well go our separate ways."