LOGINThird-Person POVAfter Johanna stabilized, she flew overseas to recover at a specialist hospital.At the same time, Alan wrapped everything up and officially handed the company to Jace.Henry had been blowing up Jourdain Corp's legal team, trying to get them to defend Gracie. Then a reply finally hit:"Sorry, Mr. Jourdain. You don't have authority to use the company's legal team. You'll need to hire your own."His chest tightened. What did that even mean?He logged into the company system—access denied. His account was frozen. Every title he had? Gone.Johanna's cold stare the last time he saw her flashed in his mind.Panic spiked.A thought hit him hard."That's impossible... No. It can't be."Henry called Alan in a rush. That's when it hit—Johanna had named Jace as heir to Jourdain Corp.Just like that, Henry had nothing.He couldn't wrap his head around it. The mom who always backed him could be this ruthless?He drove to the hospital, desperate to see her, but they sh
Henry didn't notice anything off. His mind was already set—he came to plead for Gracie.He leaned in. "Gracie's young. She can be reckless. She didn't know about your heart condition—didn't think it'd go that far. She knows she messed up. She didn't mean it."If Charlize had told her you're my mom, she would've treated you right. Nothing really happened. You're fine now, so just forgive her."She's timid. Getting taken by the police probably scared her to tears."Johanna's voice stayed flat. "How do you want me to let her off?"Henry's eyes lit up, like she'd agreed. "Just sign a letter of leniency. Don't pursue this anymore. I already wrote it—you just need to sign."He flipped open the folder, pulled out the letter, then casually shoved aside the other document inside. It was the divorce agreement Alan had sent him for me.He grabbed a pen and pushed it into Johanna's hand. "Mom, hurry up and sign. I can get Gracie out sooner."Johanna's face went cold. She hurled the pen at
After Henry and Gracie left, the tension drained out of me—and the pain hit all at once.That was when I realized... when he shoved me, it was Jace behind me, steadying me before I could hit the ground.I gave him a weak smile. "Thanks. If you hadn't shown up... I don't even want to think about it."He gave a small nod, still all business. "It's nothing. I'll take you to get checked out. I'll come back once Mom wakes up."After they treated my injuries, Johanna finally woke up.She saw only Jace and me at her bedside. Her lips parted, but she didn't ask.Instead, she said, slow and steady, "Get the surveillance footage from Vanderbilt Court today. Give it to the lawyer."Jace nodded. "I already pulled the footage. I'll call the lawyer and press charges against Gracie for attempted murder."Johanna looked at him—always the quiet, distant one—and guilt hit hard.She'd spent all her attention on sweet-talking, clingy Henry. Ignored Jace. Handed the entire inheritance to the wrong
A man stepped in, calm and steady.Jace.He took one look at Johanna and me, his frown cutting deep. He didn't interrupt the doctor or the paramedics working on her.Instead, he helped me up. "You holding up?"I nodded. "Take care of your mom. I'm fine."Henry's face darkened as he shot Jace a glare—plan wrecked, ego bruised. "Jace, let go of Charlize. She's my wife. Don't think I don't know what you've been thinking about her."Jace helped me into a chair, then rolled his cuffs and walked straight at Henry.His fist landed clean."If anything happens to Mom or Charlize, you're done."Henry clutched his cheek, already swelling, ready to snap back—The doctor cut in, urgent. "She's stable for now, but still critical. We need to move her—now. Family only. Come with us."Only after they rushed Johanna out did I finally breathe.The doctor said she got lucky—she took a heart pill in time. Otherwise, it would've been over.Henry suddenly turned to me, all fake concern. "How bad
Henry walked straight to Gracie, arm around her waist, eyes locked on the red mark on her face."Babe, you okay? Who did this? I'll deal with her."Gracie sniffed, forced out a few tears, then pointed at me. "She hit me. Dragged that old lady in here, faked an injury, tried to scam me. Then said she was your mom—like, seriously? I taught them a lesson. If you hadn't shown up, they would've bullied me to death."Henry finally looked at me.My hair was butchered, blood and strands stuck to my face. Total wreck.He didn't recognize me. Not even close."You've got guts," he said. "Starting trouble on my family's property, trying to rip off my girl. You really think you'll live long enough to spend that money?"His eyes went cold. "You hit my girl. You're not walking out of here."I looked at him with his arm still wrapped around Gracie and let out a cold laugh.Five years. Every promise, every "I love you"—all fake.I clenched my jaw. "Henry Jourdain, go on. Say it to my face. Wh
My vision went red. "She IS Henry's mother! If she dies, you and Henry are done! He can forget being heir. I'll make sure you lose everything!"Gracie pressed her foot into my face. "Shut up! You dare curse my husband? You two aren't even worth the dirt on his shoes—and you, old hag, pretending to be his mom? You're asking for it!"Just then, I spotted a guy hurrying over, a gold nameplate pinned to his suit—the mall manager."Help! My mother-in-law's having a heart attack! Call an ambulance!"He looked at Johanna—covered in blood, not moving. His face changed.If she died here, it'd fall on him, not Gracie.He forced a polite smile. "This looks serious. If she dies in your salon, it's a PR nightmare. And Mr. Jourdain just took over—he won't want this blowing up. Why don't we move them out of here?"Gracie thought it over, then snorted. "You've got a point. Fine. They broke my high-end machine—they owe me a hundred grand. Have them write an IOU, and I'll let them go."Johanna's







