Chapter 12

Grace went to change her clothes. A thought struck Grace as she returned to the room after paying respects to her late mother-in-law. She turned to Oliver and said, "Let's talk." "Already? Did your father ask you to come see me so soon?" "My father?" Grace was surprised. "What about him?" Oliver was puzzled. He wondered if Brad hadn't asked Grace to come to him to discuss the materials. Oliver changed the subject and asked, "What do you want to talk to me about?" "There are only two things I wanted to talk about. First, let's try to act normal when we go back to my parents' house. I don't want my parents to find out that we hate each other and make them worry about me. "If my parents find out what I've been through at your house these past two days, they will definitely make us divorce, and that goes against your father's wishes. "Although I don't know what your father threatened you with to get you married, I'm afraid asking for a divorce now wouldn't be pleasant for you. "Second, I want us to move out because I can't get along with Juniper, and staying here will only deepen the internal contradictions in your family. "Of course, after we move out, even if you don't come home at night or get caught by the police for prostitution, I will still go to the police station to bail you out as your wife. "Also, if we move out, we won't bother each other anymore. No one will care if you want to fly off with Ms. Hart and be intimate in private. "I will also help you cover up if it's necessary. "These two conditions benefit both of us. What do you think?" Oliver narrowed his eyes at Grace and asked, "Grace, what makes you think I'll agree to these conditions? "Because my conditions don't disadvantage you in any way." Taking the initiative, she asked, "Do you need some time to think about it?" Oliver approached her, and Grace subconsciously stepped back. "If you agree, just say so. Why are you walking toward me?" "You're too short to negotiate with me," he sneered. "I..." Grace lowered her head to look at her legs, then looked up at the man in front of her. "If you're rejecting me, just say it! Why are you attacking me personally?" Oliver smiled genuinely at Grace for the first time, as if winning an argument with her brought him joy. A genuine smile could indeed lift one's spirits. However, upon realizing his behavior, Oliver's expression turned cold again. He coughed twice. Then, he grabbed his suit jacket and walked out. "Wearing a jacket in the middle of summer? You're going to overheat yourself! That's for calling me short-legged!" Grace yelled in defiance behind him. As Oliver walked out, he couldn't help but smile again when he heard her words. Upon leaving the house, he found Rodrigo blocking the doorway. "Mr. Oliver, Mr. Jefferson wants to speak with you." In a good mood, Oliver replied with a hint of piercing sarcasm, "Tell him to hold that thought." Carrying his good mood with him, Oliver emerged from the house and climbed into his car. He glanced at the black jacket he had intended to wear and tossed it aside. When Peter heard his son's exact words, fury surged through him. "You rebellious son!" Oliver had been living on his own since he was thirteen and did not reside in the Jefferson Residence. Peter and Oliver had gradually grown estranged due to differing views on certain matters. Despite their paternal tie, they were, in fact, the most estranged father-son duo. "There's nothing anyone can do about Mr. Oliver's personality," Rodrigo said with a sigh. Oliver was accustomed to being cold and distant, without needing anyone's concern or the warmth of a family. Perhaps these things were just burdens for him. Despite knowing this, Peter was still angry. Why had his son turned out this way? "Back then, I shouldn't have let him live alone out there." "Mr. Jefferson, what happened back then wasn't your fault," Rodrigo replied. As Oliver returned to the company, Robert immediately entered his office. "Mr. Jefferson, you're back to work already, right after your wedding. Didn't you even take a honeymoon?" Oliver asked, "Has anyone from the Gulliver family contacted you?" "No, they haven't," Robert replied. "Are you seriously planning to acquire your father-in-law's company, Mr. Jefferson?" Oliver was puzzled. It was strange that no one had contacted him yet. Shouldn't they be leveraging his position to secure materials from the Jeffersons for their 15 construction projects? Without those materials, everything would be stalled. "Has the Gulliver family been using our company's name to purchase raw materials from other companies?" Robert shook his head. "Mr. Jefferson, I know what you're wondering, and that's exactly what I'm here to explain. It's odd, but the Gulliver family returned all 15 contracts they signed just yesterday." The Gulliver family's cancellation of contracts came as a surprise to Oliver. "Have you figured out the reason?" "The Gulliver family hasn't given a public explanation, and anyone who's tried to reach out has been turned away by Mr. Gulliver," Robert said. Oliver placed his hand on his lips. "What are the Gullivers up to?"