CHAPTER ELEVEN (11) Replica

Xiong Delun was served tea and biscuits as Grace gathered her files.

They were two other lawyers present, "No need for long talks," Grace started. "My client doesn't want to take this case to court." Grace examined the young man sitting across the table.

Delun had no reaction on his face.

"So whatever your price may be, you can name it."

Delun used his fingers to brush through his head. "That's opposite of what my client wants."

Grace was stunned. "Your client sure is courageous."

"So is your client." Delun wasn't taking any chances with them.

Grace smiled proudly. "She should be, she's Chen Rose."

Delun shook his head. "That's not enough reason, don't you think so?"

"That's fine. Contact your client and try talking him out of the court case to avoid loss and..."

Delun sat up. "My client has made his decision, and the first court hearing will be next week Wednesday. And if there's nothing more, I'd like to take my leave."

"..." the two other lawyers were speechless. Xiong Delun is a very competent lawyer, but he's willing to risk it all just to go against Miss Chen? Who in their right senses will?

Grace looked down on the files on the table and slowly lifted her eyes to meet Delun's unwavering gaze.

She wasn't one to beg, if he wants to take it to court, then so shall it be.

Grace sat up and with an outstretched hand she said, "See you in court then,"

"It would be an honor." Xiong Delun shook her hand, made a little bow and left.

Grace was offended, she drew in several breaths trying to remain calm. "What does he think of himself?"

The two lawyers wanted to disappear from her sight, but she hadn't dismissed them yet, so they remained there listening to her angry talk.

"He thinks he's so good, right? I'll deal with him myself! I'll make sure to shame him! Ahh!!" Grace angrily kicked the side glass table and it shattered.

"Ahh!" She continued to get angry. "Rose doesn't deserve this! Why was it so hard for them to understand? She doesn't deserve all these hate... she doesn't... she doesn't..."

Her eyes fell on the two lawyers, "Get out!"

They didn't hesitate a second more and ran out!

Everyone thought that Rose had a perfect life, but it wasn't so. They have friends since a long time, she knew Rose more than anyone, how everyone around her mistreated her, how she was bullied until her father put her in taekwondo class... they all looked for opportunity to harm her... it only made Grace's heart ache. Her friend was finally winning, even after HE hurt her. She kept on going, continued living for the sake of her parents. The world was filled with bitter people, but why did they have to direct it at her?

A tear dropped from Grace's eyes as she thought back to all those painful memory.

Mrs Chen also was suffering from a heart disease, due to the pain they had to endure from that same person. How would she feel if she found out her daughter was being sued? It would only add to her health issues. All of these scared Grace... they were her family also, she just couldn't sit and watch them being hurt.

More tears dropped as she tried to wipe the first one, Grace ended up crying in her office.

Meanwhile, at the Chen Empire. Rose had just finished her sketching when she got a call from Grace's office, that Grace had locked herself up in her office and was crying.

"Grace?" Rose was dumbfounded, but she immediately grabbed her purse and ran out of her office.

Seeing her rush out like that, Dandan took the employees elevator to catch up with her, inside and descending, she called the lobby so the valet would get Rose's car in front of the building.

"Boss!" Dandan panicked voice was heard all over the lobby.

Rose spun around but her patience was running thin.

"I'll follow you," Dandan offered.

They got into the car and Rose sped away. Dandan held onto her chest.

That day was Thursday, so there wasn't traffic, Rose got down from the car leaving Dandan to drive into the underground parking garage.

When Rose got their, she saw the security team testing out different keys to get into Grace's office, all to no avail.

"Hold on,"

They immediately halted when they heard her speak.

Rose examined the glass door and the only thing that came up in her mind was to kick it down.

"It's a bulletproof glass door," one of the security informed her as if he could read her thoughts.

Rose sighed, "Bring me the telephone," they did just that and she dialed Grace's office line, it rang but Grace refused to pick it.

Rose continued to call with hope that Grace would answer but after the tenth ring, Rose angrily threw the telephone at the door, it fell and scattered into many pieces but the door remained intact.

At that time, a man in his late sixties arrived.

"What is going on here?"

Rose spun to meet him, "Mr An."

"Why did your friend lock herself up?" He enquired.

"I just got here." Rose honestly answered.

"Move out of the way," Mr An said to Rose. "I brought a locksmith."

Everyone else moved away as the locksmith moved closer to the door, he examined the lock and shook his head. "It will be hard to get a replica..."

"Then will my daughter remain there?" Mr An was furious.

"If you give me a go ahead, I'll shatter the glass."

"The door is bu..." an employee tried to inform them but shut up when Mr An said, "Go ahead."

The locksmith took out a pin from his hair and put it close to the door handle. "Protect your eyes..."

Before anyone could react, the glass cracked and shattered into millions of pieces.

Rose spun Mr An around so they could have their back facing it.