CHAPTER 41: GRACIE IS HERE 

Rayan searched everywhere he could think of.

But it was as if by magic that Gracie was wiped from the face of the earth.

Neither did she answer her calls nor was seen in public by anyone.

Janessa, when she came to the company, found that Rayan was not there.

When she asked the receptionist, she too informed that she never saw him that day. Belongs to - All rights reserved.

As Corbin too was away from the company, Janessa smiled helplessly.

Rayan could think of nothing else but Gracie because she was the most important for him.

He would not even answer Janessa's phone call when her life was at stake, but he couldn't stand not seeing Gracie for just one minute.

Had Janessa been missing from home, he would never bother to ask for her whereabouts.

But when Gracie was missing he turned the whole city upside down.

When she finished her work, Janessa received a call from her mother-in-law.

She answered the call and said, "Hi mom, what is wrong? I just got off my shift."

"I called to let you know that Atlas is in the city.He will be picking you up later.Last time you left in a haste and I forgot something that I wanted to give to you,"Sarah said from the other side.

"Okay."After the short conversation, Janessa left Alana a voicemail saying that she had to cancel their meeting.

Then she reached the nearest shopping mall.

She was still confused as to why her mother-in-law wanted to see her, but she did remember she was in a hurry and didn't bring anything as a token gift last time they met.

Thus she quickly grabbed two pieces of clothing from high-end brands and a beautiful, good quality tea set.

By the time she was done shopping, Atlas arrived right outside the mall.

When she arrived in the old house, Sarah looked with admiration at everything she brought with herself and praised her.

"Haven't I told you many times that you do not need to buy me gifts every time you come here?"

Although Sarah tried to be stern, it was evident that she was really happy with the gifts.

She loved Janessa.

The girl was perfect.

She was eloquent and efficient.

She was a very good wife to Rayan.

But they ended up getting divorced.

"Mom, you know that I and Rayan are no longer together.I..."

Janessa did not know how to continue anymore so she looked down.

Their divorce was so publicized that every citizen was aware of it.

So she did not know what her connection to the Lu family was, anymore.

Sarah understood Janessa's predicament and patted her hand affectionately.

Then she made her sit down.

After that she quickly left the room and went upstairs to fetch something.

Sarah came back and settled on the sofa.

Then she looked at Janessa with love and said, "I always wanted you and Rayan to be together, because even though I was aware that this would be a loveless marriage, I always felt that you made a very good wife.

And even though your mother let this union take place only for the sake of the Qiu Group, you should understand that in our societal class, marriage is always nothing but a deal."

In the upper class it was a known fact that almost no one got married for love.

Most of the marriages were to enhance family business.

Janessa and Rayan’s matrimony happened not only because Sarah liked her, but also because it was expected of Janessa to work towards helping the Lu family business.

But a lot of things completely changed in the last three years.

There was only disappointment now.

Janessa remained silent.

She did not know what to say or do.

She was absolutely helpless.

Had her family not forced her, she would have never tied the knot with Rayan and 'steal' him from Gracie.

Consequently, things between her and Gordon would also be different.

Maybe they would have lived a happy life together.

Sarah read Janessa's mind.

She said: "You see, life surprises us all the time.Strange things just happen.The real key is to combat them and move on."

"Combat and move on?"

Janessa's stance became a little conscious.

She felt confused.

She was not sure about what her mother-in-law tried to indicate.

What was there to make up between her and Rayan when they were legally divorced? The question of remarriage was definitely out of the discussion.

"You are very smart, dear.You know why I like you so much? It is because you are so sensible! You can win back Rayan's heart with just a little push and perseverance.As for now, you don't worry about Gracie.No matter what happens, she will never be my daughter- in-law,"

Sarah told in a very confident voice.

Her confidence was strange.

How was she so sanguine that Gracie could never become the daughter-in-law of the Lu family? Was it because Gracie just stayed in the old house of the Lu family all the time? It was actually possible since Gracie was right here before she went missing.

If Sarah had decided to keep Gracie hidden, no matter what Rayan did, he would never find her in spite of his best efforts.

The old house that the Lu family owned was so magnanimous that even Rayan himself did not know every inch of it.

But whatever happened she and Rayan would never get married again.

Their relationship was faulty and cumbersome right from the first day.

The fact that it was over was the best thing.

On top of that...Something came to Janessa’s mind but she simply shook her head.

"Like I said, you're smart.You'll figure this out.Anyway, I saw that you left this bracelet at the door last time.Listen, Rayan's grandma gave it to you.So it is yours.Keep it with you."

"But I have already divorced Rayan."

It was not fair for her to own any Lu family heirloom anymore as she and Rayan were already divorced by law."Listen to me.Take it and keep it safe with you.It might become useful in the future.I am exhausted.I will go back now to rest for a bit.It had gotten very late.Stay here for the night and ask Atlas to drop you to work tomorrow."

"Okay."

Saying this, Sarah left the room.

Janessa ate a light dinner in the dining room and decided to take a casual stroll in the yard later.

When she was still married, after a heavy meal she and her mother-in-law would often stroll like this.

But today she was alone.

As she was exercising under a big tree, she suddenly noticed that a servant was walking towards the backyard with a plate of food.

The servant looked nervous.

And she constantly looked here and there in a way that made it clear that she did not want anyone to find out where she was headed.

"What is that servant doing at this hour of the night, that also with a plate full of food?"

Janessa was having doubts, so she decided to follow her.

The old house of the Lu family being a huge property, Janessa had to follow the servant for a long distance.

Then she noticed that the woman stopped in front of an abandoned hut and pushed in the food.

Janessa waited for the servant to leave.

Then she looked a little more carefully only to realize the woman under captivity was Gracie! Gracie was kept under lock and key! Now it was clear to Janessa why Rayan failed to find Gracie even when he moved to every extent possible.

She was tucked away in such an obscure location that nobody could even imagine.

Janessa herself was also surprised to find Gracie there.

She mustered up some courage and walked up to the door.

She tried her best to open the door but realized she needed a key.

She started looking around frantically and located a broken window.

"Anybody here?"

She could hear some shuffling but everything soon became very quiet.

"Please answer me.Gracie, are you there?"

Janessa called her name this time in the hope of getting a response.

"Who are you? How do you know my name?"

Hearing this voice, Janessa was sure that she found Gracie It was malicious of the Lu family to hatch such a plan just because they could not accept Rayan and Gracie together.

No matter how much time passed they would never agree to this relationship.

It was clear that for Rayan and Gracie to be with each other, the obstacles were innumerable.

Understanding that the person was Gracie, Janessa wanted to leave quickly.

But just as she turned to walk away, Gracie figured her identity.

"Is that you, Janessa? How did you find this place?"

Janessa refrained from answering.

Instead she chose to leave the spot as soon as possible.

She could not sleep for the rest of the night.

She was in a dilemma whether she would tell it to Rayan or not.

Early in the morning with all those thoughts clouding her mind, she finally fell asleep.