?Chapter 997:

    Throwing Judy a look filled with scorn, Brenna walked away, taking Lilith along with her.

    Right then, Thiago arrived, weaving through the crowd toward Brenna. Ethan started to follow Brenna, wanting to clear things up with her, but the sound of his phone stopped him. He moved aside, forced to answer the call.

    “Boss, I tried everything, but I couldn’t stop him from going in. He’s already made it upstairs. He’s brought a whole crew with him!”

    After ending the call, Ethan looked over and saw Brenna deep in conversation with Gracie. The two of them talked with polite smiles, looking like friends. There was no hint of hostility between them.

    Ethan called, “Gracie!” It wasn’t that he feared Hector, but given his position, stepping in to defend Gracie might only worsen the situation. It could provoke Hector further, leading to even more severe mistreatment of Gracie in private. The faint worry in Ethan’s eyes told Gracie everything she needed to know. She caught on right away. “He’s here, isn’t he?”

    Brenna watched the exchange between them, an ufortable feeling creeping in. It almost seemed like Ethan and Gracie had their own private world, speaking to each other with a closeness that made her frown. She was standing right there, yet they acted as though she didn’t exist.

    Feeling sick to her stomach by their actions, Brenna turned and walked away.

    Ethan rushed to catch up with her and took hold of her hand. “Brenna, I need your help. The Wilson Group is in danger. Gracie and her father have been controlled by a dangerous mob boss. Gracie was even forced to marry the boss’ son, Hector. Now, Hector’s shown up. Can you help me keep Gracie safe?” His voice carried a sense of desperation, and his eyes pleaded for understanding. But Brenna’s difort only grew stronger, and her stomach twisted. She jerked her hand free from Ethan’s grasp.

    “Why should I help you protect another man’s wife? You want me to help Gracie get divorced so you can marry her yourself? Then what? Am I supposed to wish you both a happy life together? Have you ever stopped to think how messed up that sounds?”

    Ethan had never expected Brenna to respond that way. “That’s not what I’m trying to say. I honestly can’t keep her safe myself. Brenna, I’m begging you—please, just help me this one time.”

    “Sorry, but I am no saint,” Brenna replied with a chill in her tone before turning and walking away.

    ???????????? с?????????????? g??????????????????????

    Disappointment washed over Gracie, and she stood frozen, uncertain about what to do next.

    Ethan looked back at her, and the only idea that came to him was to let Gracie flee.

    “You’ll be staying at my ce tonight,” he said. Before he and Gracie could reach the exit, the heavy doors of the banquet hall swung wide open.

    Hector marched in, surrounded by his bodyguards in ck suits.

    In his thirties and looking every bit the calcting man he was, Hector carried himself with a cold edge. The moment he saw Gracie, he pulled her into his arms and mped down on her shoulders.

    Ethan’s eyes went cold as he shot a re full of hostility at Hector. “Let go of her right now.”

    Sizing up Ethan, Hector smirked. “So this is the reason Gracie ran all the way to Vand; she has the world’s wealthiest man trying to shield her. Too bad for her, though. She’s my wife, and what happens between us is none of your business.”

    .

    .

    .