The subsequent task of drafting a completely new contract based on the additional clauses Grace proposed was now fully entrusted to Wendy.

  Grace's purpose for coming this time was to help her sister with the contract negotiations, and now that task could be considered completed.

  "Sis, are you really leaving? Not staying even one day?"

  Learning that her sister planned to leave the same day, Chloe was very reluctant to see her go.

  Hearing this, Grace pinched her sister's cheek and said, "What would I stay here for? You focus on your work. Having me here would just distract you."

  Chloe also knew she had many scenes scheduled over the next few days, with night shoots almost every day. If her sister stayed, she wouldn't have time to spend with her. So, she could only nod: "Alright then. Are you going back to Aethelburg?"

  "Yes. Going back to enjoy some rare quiet time alone, planning to just lounge at home," Grace said half-jokingly.

  Chloe smiled and said, "That's good too. The gift I bought for you is on the bed in your room. Try it when you get back."

  The sisters hugged each other reluctantly, their affection making the others present smile warmly.

  Wendy also instructed Edward and Taylor: "You two will continue assisting Chloe for now. After this drama wraps up, if Chloe is willing to keep you, you can become her permanent assistant. Do a good job."

  Upon hearing this, their eyes lit up, and they both nodded excitedly.

  Every artist assistant hopes to work with someone good-tempered, and Chloe was practically a little fairy—beautiful and kind-hearted.

  Wendy then turned to Grace and extended an invitation: "Miss Dorothy, are you heading to the airport? You can ride with me!"

  "Sure, thank you, Wendy."

  The floor manager came again to hurry Chloe to get ready for her scene. She didn't even have time to see them off.

  Grace left the set with Wendy and Angelo, but on the way, they were spotted by Gavin, who was in full costume and makeup and also heading to prepare for his scene.

  That luminous face under the sunlight made Gavin recognize Grace immediately.

  His gaze followed her all the way. Seeing Grace and the others about to turn a corner, he couldn't help but subconsciously call out: "Wendy!"

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  Not knowing Grace's name, he could only call out to Wendy.

  Hearing the call, the group stopped and looked back. They saw Gavin in full period costume, approaching with something of a grand entourage escorted by four assistants.

  Wendy greeted him with a smile: "Gavin!"

  "Wendy, what brings you to our set? There aren't any artists under your management in this production, are there?" Gavin deliberately avoided looking at Grace, as if waiting for her to recognize him first and greet him.

  But Grace only looked at him calmly, her eyes showing no trace of familiarity, as if looking at a stranger.

  So, after exchanging a few pleasantries with Wendy, he could only pretend to glance at Grace casually, then feign surprise with a start: "Huh? It's you?"

  Grace frowned slightly, looking puzzled: Huh?

  Seeing her put on that same 'don't know you' expression again, Gavin felt a pang in his heart, but still pressed on: "Me. Don't you remember?"

  Of course, Grace remembered; she wasn't suffering from amnesia. She was doing it on purpose.

  After staring at him with narrowed eyes for a few seconds, Grace then showed a look of realization: "Oh... 'brooch guy'!"

  Gavin's expression darkened. Brooch guy?

  What kind of nickname was that?

  Wendy looked somewhat surprised, glancing between the two, and asked: "You know each other?"

  Before Gavin could speak, Grace said directly, "No."

  Gavin choked back his words, feeling a strange flicker of disappointment, but then a helpless smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

  Given how he had treated her mother, it was understandable that she wouldn't give him a friendly look.

  "Gavin, we really need to get going," an assistant beside him urged in a low voice.

  Gavin let out a silent sigh and said to Wendy, "Wendy, I have to go now. When we're back in Aethelburg, let's have a meal together if you have time."

  Wendy smiled and nodded. As Gavin turned to leave, he took a deep look at Grace. In the end, he said nothing more and left.

  Grace's reaction remained calm from beginning to end. Running into Gavin wasn't particularly surprising; she remembered Gavin was reading the 'Destined to be Queen' script on the plane.

  On the way to the airport, Angelo sat in the passenger seat, while Grace and Wendy sat in the back.

  About halfway there, Grace suddenly turned her head to look at Wendy and said softly, "Wendy, you came here with a specific mission, didn't you?"

  Wendy was looking down, replying to messages on LetsChat. Hearing this, she looked at Grace curiously, then raised an eyebrow: "Oh? What mission does Miss Dorothy think I have?"

  "The mission to sign Chloe, no matter what," Grace stated frankly. "Jones told you that you must sign Chloe, no matter what!"

  Wendy laughed: "Miss Dorothy is very clever. That was indeed Jones's intention. I didn't expect you to see through it."

  Grace smiled self-deprecatingly: "Your motives were too obvious. Even I thought the demands I made were somewhat excessive, yet you agreed to all of them. Outsiders might not see it clearly, but I'm right in the middle of it, a part of your 'play'. How could I not understand?"

  At this point, Grace went ahead and voiced her thoughts: "It's not entirely Chloe that Jones wants to sign. He wants to tie me down by signing Chloe."

  The smile on Wendy's face deepened. She neither confirmed nor denied Grace's words.

  Grace continued on her own: "Jones is banking on my willingness to spend money for my sister, so he wants to use my sister to secure me, an investor, hoping I'll invest more in 'Golden Joe's' projects in the future."

  "Since you think that way, Miss Dorothy, why did you still choose 'Golden Joe'?"

  Grace gave a slight smile: "Because I don't care about the money; I care about my sister. Your agreement to those excessive conditions of mine showed one hundred percent sincerity. It's only right that I offer something in return. After all, you wouldn't make such major concessions for no reason. I'll take a few steps back as well. In the end, reaching an agreement is a win-win!"

  These words, falling on Wendy's ears, caused a noticeable change in her expression. She looked at Grace with keen interest and praised, "Miss Dorothy, you possess wisdom and boldness beyond your years, not just intelligence."

  "Thank you for the compliment. That is indeed the case."

  Wendy chuckled softly and nodded with certainty: "I think I understand a little better now why you've achieved such success at such a young age, Miss Dorothy."

  Grace smiled without replying, turning her gaze to the passing scenery outside the window.

  Around 5:15 in the evening, Grace wheeled her suitcase back to the villa at The Royal Manor. As it was the National Day holiday, Scarlett wasn't at the university either.

  Feeling somewhat tired from the day's events, Grace tossed her suitcase aside and curled up on the comfortable, large sofa in the living room. She then took out her phone and sent a message to Scarlett: "Scarlett, I'm back in Aethelburg. We can hang out if you're free."

  Just as she put her phone down, intending to rest her eyes for a while, Scarlett's reply came swiftly: "Oh, baby! Why don't you come to my house later? My family just moved into a new place today. My parents are hosting a housewarming party. It's really lively!"

  Following that was a location Scarlett sent. Grace looked closely—The Royal Manor?