Chapter 72

Grace furrowed her brows slightly as she held Oliver's hand. "But I still want to leave," she insisted. Oliver replied, "At home, you have friends for company, maids to handle your meals, and a driver for transportation. If we move out, you'll be alone whenever I'm on a business trip. "Besides, Mom and Dad will worry about how you're doing at the Jefferson residence and might start making assumptions." After a long silence, Peter spoke solemnly, "If you don't want to stay with us, there's an empty loft in the backyard. You and Oliver could move in there." With everyone urging her to stay, Grace's resolve to leave weakened. Oliver took the opportunity to persuade her to reconsider staying, "We can stay here for a few months. If you still feel it's not working out, we can reconsider moving out later. How does that sound?" Grace found this compromise acceptable and nodded. Recalling Oliver's past actions, she asked cautiously, "Will you keep your word this time?" Oliver didn't reac