Alexander's friends also greeted him one after another.

Alexander responded briefly, then said to Claire, "Happy birthday."

Claire smiled, "Thank you," she said.

Sophia was eager to get her father's attention. "Dad," she said, "Didn't you prepare other birthday gifts for Auntie Claire? Give them to her now!"

The group suddenly fell silent, then one of Alexander's friends chuckled and pinched Sophia's cheek, saying, "That's a private gift your dad prepared for Auntie Claire. He'll probably give it to her in private. It's their little secret, so you shouldn't get involved." At that the others laughed.

Then Alexander said, "I've already given it to her."

"Huh? When?" Sophia said, then added, "Dad, you went to see Auntie Claire secretly without me again!" She indignantly folded her arms, and Alexander's friends burst out laughing.

Grace could only manage a bitter smile. Her husband and daughter not only remembered Claire's birthday and prepared gifts in advance but had completely forgotten that two weeks ago was her own birthday.

Claire felt a bit shy and said, "Let's not stand here. Let's head upstairs."

As the group walked away, Grace's mind went blank. Her heart ached intensely, and it was a long while before she silently entered the elevator to go help Lauren downstairs.

Lauren and Claire's private dining rooms were actually on the same floor.

As Grace was helping Lauren into the elevator, Alexander's good friend Jonathan Blackwood hesitated in his steps.

Alexander asked, "What's wrong?"

Jonathan Blackwood said nothing. When they looked again, the elevator doors had already closed.

They had all grown up with Alexander and knew about Grace's feelings for him. Indeed she was beautiful, but too quiet and boring. She was just pretty with no distinctive qualities, and not Alexander's type at all.

In any case, after so many years of marriage, Alexander had no real feelings for Grace, so naturally, his friends didn't think much of her either.

Alexander didn't think anything of it and turned to enter the private dining room.

*****

Grace hadn't noticed Jonathan. After leaving the hotel, she took Lauren home and then returned to the office in the afternoon.

Outside the Sterling building, she ran right into Alexander. Grace stopped abruptly in her tracks.

Seeing Grace, Alexander showed a hint of surprise in his eyes, but he simply assumed she had just returned from a business trip and didn't think much of it. His face expressionless, he passed by her coldly as if she were a stranger and entered the company building.

In the past, discovering his sudden return to the country would have filled Grace with joy. In such moments before, even if she couldn't throw herself into his arms, she would have watched him excitedly and happily, trying to talk to him even when he was cold towards her. Now, Grace only glanced once at his handsome face, no longer showing her usual excitement and joy.

But Alexander hadn't noticed these changes before, and he'd already walked away.

Watching his tall, steady figure disappear, Grace no longer cared when he had returned, but since he was back in the country, he must have seen the divorce papers by now and was probably preparing for the divorce.

Having made up her mind about the divorce, Grace didn't dwell on thoughts of Alexander anymore. Back at her desk, she immediately focused on work.

Half an hour later, Michael called with instructions. "Make two cups of coffee, Grace," he said, "And bring them to Mr. Sterling's office."

Back when she was trying to make Alexander fall for her, after learning he loved coffee, she had put a lot of effort into studying how to make it perfectly. After tasting her coffee, Alexander would only drink coffee she made, both at home and at the office. At the time, learning that Alexander truly loved her coffee had excited her for quite a while. She thought it was the first step toward success. In reality however, she had underestimated Alexander's dislike and wariness of her.

True, he liked her coffee, but that was all he liked. His attitude toward her remained cold and distant. So when he wanted her coffee, he usually had Michael contact her, and after she made it, Michael or others would come to pick it up. He never gave her any chance to get close to him.

Only occasionally, when Michael and others were busy, did she have the chance to deliver the coffee to his office herself.

This time looked like one of those occasions. From Michael's tone on the phone, it seemed she was supposed to bring the coffee directly to Alexander.

Grace approached with the coffee and found Alexander's office door was partly open. As she was about to tap politely on the door, she saw Claire sitting on Alexander's lap, and they appeared to be kissing.