80 The Punch

Gordon's phone rang from Mark's extension.

"Mr. President, a Penelope Winslow is requesting to see you." Mark Rong said.

Gordon frowned.

"Did she say what she wants?"

"She says it's about the Fall Fashion Show that you're collaborating on." Mark said.

Gordon sighed. "Send her in."

Charlotte frowned. "Is that who I think it is?" She asked.

"I'm afraid so." Gordon confirmed.

The door opened to reveal an over-dressed, over-perfumed, heavily makeup wearing woman. Her platinum blonde hair was perfectly styled, and her heels clicked against the marble flop.

"Gordon, darling, I'm back!" She announced.

"Why are you back?" He asked, his patience thin.

"I was hired as a model for the Fall Fashion Show! I'm told our jewelry is from your company! I was wondering if we could discuss the pieces I'll be wearing." Her sultry voice said.

"No." He answered coolly.

"You haven't decided on the pieces yet?" She asked.

"You will not be wearing anything that Rising Sun has created. So there is no need for you to be here." Gordon said plainly.

"What do you have against me?" She asked incredulously.

"You continue to provoke my wife by flirting with me. It is unwelcome, inappropriate, and unprofessional. I refuse to work with someone who possesses those qualities." Gordon told her.

"Charlotte, I don't provoke you, do I?" She asked, looking hurt.

"I don't want you anywhere near my husband or myself." Charlotte said plainly.

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"Sara, you're doing great!" Edward said as he walked close to her. The nurses wanted her up and walking so Edward had taken her to the hospital courtyard where there was a simple walking path.

"I feel like a truck ran over me." She laughed.

He stopped her suddenly and gently pulled her into his arms.

"I love you, Sara. I love you so much." He confessed.

"I love you too." She told him, leaning against him.

"Sorry it took so long." He said.

"I guessed it after the restaurant incident." She teased.

"Not one of my finer moments I must concede." He said.

Sara laughed.

"I love to hear you laugh." He told her. She smiled up at him.

"You're fun to be around. Once you lightened up!" She told him.

"I was scared." He admitted.

"Are you still scared?" She asked.

"No. I thought I was scared to love you. Then I realized I was scared I'd lose you, and I'd never told you how much you meant to me." He said.

"So where do we go from here?" She asked.

"I think I need to ask Bella's permission to marry you." He said.

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"Absolutely not! I forbid it!" Grace and Andrew's father yelled at Daniel.

"But sir—" Daniel tried to speak.

"No! I watched my daughter nearly waste away over you. I flew to the States to hold her hand while she was suicide watch. I will never Let you hurt her again. Stay away from Grace!" Her father shouted.

"Dad, they've both grown up a lot—" Andrew tried to speak on their behalf.

"Shut up! I can't believe you are the culprit behind all of this. Do you think I won't still beat you?!" He yelled at his son.

"I love him, Daddy! He didn't cause my depression. It was already there. It was only a matter of time before I broke down, so don't blame Daniel!" Grace shouted with tears.

"You unfilial daughter! Shut your mouth and go to your room!" He shouted.

"I won't!" She yelled back.

"If everyone could just calm down, please!" Grace's mother begged.

"I'm leaving with him. I won't stay here any longer. I can't take all the constant fighting in this house." Grace was crying now.

Her father stepped forward and slapped her before anyone realized what was happening.

Out of sheer instinct, quiet and gentle Daniel swung and landed a solid punch into the elder man's face.

"You may be an elder, but I will never let anyone hurt Grace again. We're leaving!" Daniel said quietly. He escorted Grace to his car outside. Andrew followed.

"What are your plans?"Andre asked them.

"I'll take her to the Civil Affairs tomorrow for our marriage license. I meant it. I won't let anyone hurt her." Daniel told him. Andrew nodded in agreement.