Female Novel
Chapter 1060: Pressure
Chapter 1060: Pressure
"I did look into you, but I didn't find this company. It seems my secretary isn't doing his job well. She
should probably have her salary deducted," Ayan's words echoed within Franklin Bay's villa. Kian, who
was in a high-end apartment elsewhere, sneezed, feeling a sudden chill down his spine.
Horace smiled, showing that Ayan's comment didn't bother him.
Horace inquired, "Mr. Simpson, how do you feel about my sincerity?"
Ayan leaned back on the sofa, his expression devoid of any significant emotions, and his voice calm
and low. "Mr. Burris, you've offered a significant amount of sincerity for temporary use of an apartment.
Is that all?"
Horace smiled again. He said, "It seems you know me well."
"Since there are no outsiders here, Mr. Burris, what is it that you want to discuss directly?" Ayan
glanced at Horace but didn't reach for the items he'd offered. With the level of sincerity Horace
displayed, it was clear this wasn't mere talk.
So, Ayan was in no hurry. What was his would eventually come to him.
Horace's expression faded slightly. His voice grew deeper and more hoarse as he said, "Indeed, there's
another matter. I received an anonymous email threatening me to hand over Grace. Otherwise, they
would reveal Grace's imprisonment by the Armstrong family and let the Armstrong family deal with me."
Camille hesitated slightly, and Ayan's eyebrows furrowed. He asked, "When did you receive this
email?"
"This afternoon. I had scheduled to meet you this afternoon, but I was concerned that someone was
watching my every move. Therefore, I sent my secretary to contact Kian and attempt to reach you
through secretarial channels." Horace briefly explained, his worry growing deeper. His voice grew even
hoarser as he continued, "Mr. Simpson, can you help me find out who is scheming behind the scenes?
Are they trying to test or manipulate me for some information? My worry is whether the Armstrong
family already knows about Grace, and they are only probing to confirm it."
Ayan's expression remained unchanged as he inquired, "After Grace moved in with you, have you two
publicly appeared together?"
"No," Horace replied.
"You're quite certain about that?"
"Due to the Armstrong family's influence, Grace hasn't left the apartment since she moved in. Even her
meals are delivered by me. She's being extremely cautious, to the point that she hasn't even ordered
takeout. So, there's no way she's been seen in public."
"If you're confident that you haven't appeared together in public, then the person who sent you that
email was likely just testing you or trying to bait you. They might be trying to gauge whether Grace is
with you. After all, you and Grace were previously set up by the Armstrongs. Even if you've disguised
your relationship well at the company, people's eyes pick up on many things. Perhaps they've noticed
some subtle clues," Ayan explained.
Ayan's expression remained unchanged as he carefully analyzed the situation for Horace. If he thought
he had taken sufficient precautions, the most likely scenario was that someone was testing him.
However, they couldn't rule out that their relationship had been suspected within the company, even if
they disguised it well. People's eyes noticed many things, and there might have been some telltale
signs in their actions. Both possibilities were valid.
Horace nodded along with Ayan's analysis. He looked at Ayan and asked, "Can Mr. Simpson
investigate this for me?"
"Do you want to know who sent the email or whether they know about you and Grace? Because both
of these scenarios are related. Whether it's the former or the latter, the ultimate goal is to find out if the
Armstrong family is aware of your relationship with Grace. If they do, I'd like to know what they know so
far," Ayan inquired.
Horace wasn't worried about the Armstrong family knowing; he was concerned about what pressures
they might exert on Grace once they did. Otherwise, he would have disclosed their relationship much
earlier.
Ayan nodded and remained silent for a few seconds, his gaze slightly dimmed. Then he calmly said,
"To find out if the Armstrong family knows is quite simple. We just need to leak some information aboutnovelbin
Grace."
Ayan finished speaking and picked up his phone to call Kian. He shared his thoughts with Kian, who
promptly went to work.
Kian's actions were swift, and within ten minutes, he had some results.
Kian reported, "Mr. Simpson, it seems the Armstrong family is not aware of Miss Armstrong's
involvement with Mr. Burris. I just called the Armstrong family, claiming to have seen Miss Armstrong at
a supermarket in downtown Hance City. They immediately asked for the address and are on their way
to the supermarket now."
The fact that the Armstrong family didn't inquire about whether Grace was with someone indicated that
they likely didn't know.
Ayan scanned Horace and found no objections from him before saying, "Make sure you handle this
without leaving any traces or vulnerabilities."
"Rest assured, Mr. Simpson," Kian replied, and the call ended.
The atmosphere in the room fell silent.
Camille had been quiet and finally asked, "If it's not the Armstrong family, then who could it be?"
"We can't be 100% certain it's not the Armstrong family. Perhaps there's someone behind them, guiding
their actions," Ayan said with a faint smile. He looked at Camille and asked, "Would you mind going to
Maple Leaves Mansion?"
"Me? To see Grace?"
"Yes. Given the current situation, it's essential to temporarily remove Grace from Hance City to ensure
she doesn't experience what you went through. If, as you mentioned, the Armstrong family is involved
and they can't use you, they'll choose a new target. Besides Grace, there's no one else."
Ayan's words and tone were measured, making Camille's gaze deepen. She had experienced the
horrors of being used by the Armstrong family and felt grateful that she had not fallen victim. If she had,
she might have already been taken away by the Wesley family with Ayan's protection. Although Grace
had Horace by her side, he wasn't a local of Hance City and lacked extensive connections in the city.
Many things would be challenging to do, even with Ayan and Camille's help. Therefore, Camille's first
response was, "Will moving her out of Hance City really keep her safe?"
Camille had felt the helpless despair that came with being used, and even someone like her, who had
no real emotional connection with the Armstrong family, found it difficult. If Grace experienced similar
things, it would be a thousand times worse.
Ayan replied, "Leaving Hance City would make it difficult for the Armstrong family to threaten her. Even
if they were interested in you, there's little they could do if you're out of their reach. You don't need to
move to my apartment. I'll arrange for Grace to leave Hance City in the next few days."
"Ultimately, it's your decision," Ayan clarified. "But does Grace agree to leave Hance City?"
Leaving Hance City was a personal choice, and it required Grace's consent.
Camille added, "I'll talk to her. She trusts me, and we may not be close, but we've been sisters since
we were kids."
To be more secure and make a quick decision, Horace wanted Camille to go with him immediately to
see Grace.
Camille agreed without any issues, but Ayan had a different idea. He said, "Mr. Burris, go back first,
find an opportunity to avoid everyone, and bring Grace to my apartment. We'll join you there."
Horace was momentarily taken aback, and after a brief pause, he agreed to the plan.
Horace promptly left Franklin Bay. Once he was gone, Camille asked, "Why didn't you let me go with
him directly? That way, it would eliminate the risk of Grace being seen."
"It's late, and you being with Horace wouldn't be suitable," Ayan replied calmly.
Camille furrowed her brow slightly and said, "What are you talking about? We're just going to see
Grace."
"I know we're going to see Grace, but precisely because of that, it's not suitable. When you go to Maple
Leaves Mansion with Horace, don't you think people will notice? If you both go together, it would likely
trend immediately," Ayan explained, voicing his concerns and worries. He looked at Camille and asked
softly, "You don't think I'm being overly cautious and not wanting you two alone together, do you?"