The Ex-Wife's Redemption: A Love Reborn Chapter 99

Grace's shrill voice echoed through the mansion halls, each word seemingly dipped in poison. "Where is that gold-digging bitch Sophia? Get out here, you worthless tramp!"

I froze mid-step, my hand instinctively gripping the kitchen doorframe. Ever since her punishment after our last encounter, Grace had been plotting her revenge. Hearing I'd returned to Maple Grove must have been the perfect opportunity to unleash her pent-up rage.

Her high heels clicked sharply against the marble floor as she stormed through the foyer, her face contorted in fury while she searched for me. I squared my shoulders and entered the kitchen, deliberately ignoring her tirade as I picked up a cooking spatula and began examining the refrigerator contents.

"Look at me when I'm talking to you!" Grace screamed, her face flushed with anger.

I cast her an icy glance, my voice perfectly level. "What's that stray dog barking about? Someone should teach it some manners."

Grace's eyes widened in disbelief. Without warning, she lunged forward, her hand raised to deliver a slap. I blocked the blow with the metal spatula, the sound of flesh hitting steel echoing in the kitchen.

"You bitch!" she hissed, nursing her stinging hand. "What kind of spell have you cast on my father? Why does he listen to everything you say?"

I continued preparing dinner, refusing to give her the satisfaction of seeing me rattled. She wanted to see me panicked, but I wouldn't give her that pleasure. "I don't cast spells, Grace. I simply treat people with respect—which is precisely what you never learned to do."

"You worthless slut!" Grace screamed, her voice rising to a pitch that made the kitchen staff flinch. "How dare you hit me! I'm telling Henry! He'll beat you senseless for this!"

Without warning, she aimed a kick at my legs. I sidestepped her attack, nearly laughing at her clumsiness.

"Are you sure you want to continue this?" I asked coolly. "Have you forgotten about those photos I have? The ones of you and your... interesting companion checking into that hotel? I wonder what your father would think about his precious daughter's taste in men."

Grace's face drained of color. Those photos weren't actually mine—Betty had taken them while arranging accommodations for a client. She'd happened to spot Grace passionately kissing some young punk with ridiculous hair before heading upstairs together. Betty, tired of watching Grace torment me for years, had immediately sent me the pictures as potential leverage.

"You... you wouldn't dare!" Grace sputtered, her confidence faltering.

I hadn't planned to use those photos against her, but her constant provocations left me no choice. "Try me," I challenged.

Something in my tone must have frightened her, because what happened next was completely unexpected. Grace lunged toward the knife block, grabbing a large chef's knife and pointing it directly at me.

"Give me those photos," she demanded, her voice suddenly low and dangerous. "Give them to me now!"

The scene before me was shocking. I took several steps back, my heart pounding. "Grace, put the knife down."

"GIVE ME THE PHOTOS!" she screamed, advancing toward me with the blade extended.

The kitchen staff scattered in panic, none daring to intervene with the young mistress brandishing a weapon. I continued backing away, trying to maintain a safe distance.

I understood her resentment—she'd been the pampered princess, adored by everyone until I arrived. Suddenly her father and grandfather showed preference for me, praising my gentleness while criticizing her arrogance.

"Everyone loves you so much," Grace spat, gesturing wildly with the knife. "Poor, sweet Sophia—so understanding, so well-mannered! They've all been blinded by you. You're nothing but a gold-digger who trapped my brother!"

I retreated toward the staircase, desperately trying to keep distance between us.

"Grace, please. We can talk about this. Just put the knife down."

"And now even Henry is falling for your act!" she continued, her eyes wild with jealousy.

She lunged forward again, forcing me up the stairs. The servants huddled at the bottom, too afraid to help.

"Where are you running to?" Grace taunted, following me up the stairs. "My brother doesn't even like you! You've been throwing yourself at him for years, and what has it gotten you? He has never loved you!"

As we reached the second floor, I heard a door open behind me. My blood ran cold when I recognized Billy's small voice.

"Mom? What's going on?" he asked, his innocent face appearing in the doorway of his room.

Grace's eyes lit up when she spotted him. "Perfect timing," she murmured, changing direction and moving toward my son.

"NO!" I screamed, throwing myself between them. "Grace, stop! He's just a child!"

Billy screamed in terror as he saw the knife, stumbling backward and falling onto his bottom, his eyes wide with fear.

"Grace," I pleaded, my voice breaking as I shielded Billy with my body. "Please. Put the knife down. I'll give you the photos—all of them. Just leave my son alone."

Her eyes flickered with interest. "All of them? The originals and any copies?"

"Yes," I promised. "Everything. Just put the knife down."

These photos weren't even that important to me. Betty had sent them as insurance, nothing more. I'd never intended to actually use them against Grace.

Grace hesitated, the knife still extended. "Show me your phone. I want to see you delete them right now."

"We need to go to the bedroom," I said cautiously. "My phone is charging there."

She nodded sharply, keeping the knife pointed at us. "Move. Slowly."

With one arm around Billy's trembling shoulders, I carefully guided him toward our bedroom, Grace following close behind with the knife.

Just as we neared the door, Henry appeared in the hallway, his expression changing from irritation to shock as he took in the scene before him.

"Grace!" he roared, his voice thunderous in the confined space. "What the hell are you doing?"

Grace didn't lower the knife. "Stay out of this, Henry! She promised to give me back those photos!"

"Put the knife down. NOW!" Henry commanded, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Grace's hand trembled slightly. "But Henry, she—"

"I said put it down!" Henry stepped forward, positioning himself in front of Billy and me. "Whatever problem you have with Sophia, we'll discuss it after you drop that knife and go to Father's study to await punishment."

"Punishment?" Grace laughed bitterly. "Of course! Hypocritical Sophia escapes everything, while I get punished! She's turned this entire family against me!"

"Grace," Henry's voice softened slightly. "You're my sister. I love you. But right now, you're threatening my wife and son with a weapon. Drop it, and we'll sort this out."

For a moment, something vulnerable flickered across Grace's face, but it quickly hardened into the purest hatred.

"Your wife?" she spat, raising the knife higher. "Brother, get out of my way! Let me kill this bitch! Our family has plenty of money and power—I won't even go to jail! Move!"

Everything happened so fast. Grace lunged forward, the knife aimed directly at my chest. Henry moved instantly, his hand shooting out to grab the blade. Blood immediately spilled onto the hardwood floor as the knife sliced into his palm.

Grace froze, the sight of her brother's blood seeming to snap her back to reality. The knife clattered to the floor as she stumbled backward, her face a mask of horror.

Chaos erupted around us. Staff members rushed up the stairs, shouting over each other.

"The master is injured! Quick, get the first aid kit!"

"Restrain Miss Grace! Wait for the master and mistress to decide her punishment!"

Two security guards grabbed Grace by the arms as she began to struggle wildly.

"No! Don't touch me! I want to see Mother! Let me go!" she screamed, fighting against them.

"Lock her up!" Henry ordered, clutching his bleeding hand.

As they dragged her away, Grace's voice rose to a desperate shriek. "Henry, I'm your sister! You can't do this to me! You're choosing this whore over your own blood? She betrayed you, and you're still protecting her!"

I watched in stunned silence as Grace disappeared down the hallway, her accusations still ringing in the air. Beside me, Billy clung to my leg, his small body shaking with fear.

Henry stood motionless, blood dripping from his hand onto the floor, his expression unreadable as he stared after his sister.