Chereads / Grace Rewinds The Game / Chapter 6 - Watching from Afar

Chapter 6 - Watching from Afar

Grace Wu sifted through the stack of reports on Emily's desk, carefully filing each document into its designated folder. The quiet hum of Li Holdings' executive floor settled into the background, punctuated only by the occasional buzz of phones and footsteps in the corridor.

Emily was seated nearby, sipping on chamomile tea as she tapped away at her laptop, her stomach now visibly rounder.

"Lilly's schedule is brutal," Grace remarked, eyes narrowing slightly as she skimmed through Lilly's itinerary. "She barely gives herself room to breathe."

Emily chuckled softly without looking up. "She thrives on it. Don't try to slow her down—just keep up."

Grace arched a brow. "I'll manage."

As if on cue, the door to Lilly's office clicked open.

Lilly stepped out, phone in hand, her tone clipped and sharp as she navigated a negotiation call. Her free hand motioned toward Grace.

"Follow up with the vendors on the Skybound deal," Lilly instructed mid-conversation, not breaking stride as she disappeared down the hall.

Grace nodded, but before she could return to the folders, a deliveryman appeared at the entrance to the office. He carried a bouquet of soft pink roses wrapped in delicate white paper.

"Delivery for Ms. Li," the man announced, holding out the flowers.

Emily glanced up, and a small, knowing smile crossed her lips. "Victor," she said under her breath.

Grace's fingers momentarily tightened around the papers she held.

Victor Zhou.

She remembered that name too well. The man who orchestrated the end—her end.

Rocky's, too.

Her breath stilled.

The flowers were pristine, almost too perfect. Victor was meticulous like that. In the previous timeline, Grace had thought of him only as Rocky's rival in business—until it was too late to realize he was far more dangerous.

Emily rose from her chair with practiced ease.

"I'll take them," Emily said, accepting the bouquet and setting it gently on the reception desk. Her gaze flicked to Grace.

"You okay?"

Grace forced her expression into neutrality, nodding stiffly. "Fine. Just wasn't expecting that."

Emily smirked lightly. "Victor's full of surprises."

Before Grace could respond, the doors opened again.

A tall woman in her late fifties entered—graceful, sharp-eyed, and draped in a soft cream coat that fell effortlessly over her tailored dress.

Vivian Li. Lilly's mother.

Emily straightened immediately, offering a polite smile. "Ms. Li."

Vivian's gaze swept the office before settling on the bouquet of roses, a faint crease appearing between her brows.

"Victor again?" Vivian's voice was cool, but there was no mistaking the edge beneath it.

Emily nodded. "He's been consistent lately."

Vivian exhaled softly, crossing the room with slow, deliberate steps. As she passed Grace, her eyes lingered for just a moment.

Grace offered a respectful nod, but the scrutiny in Vivian's gaze felt different from Lilly's—sharper, more layered.

"You're Grace Wu," Vivian said, tilting her head slightly.

"I am," Grace replied evenly.

Vivian's lips pressed into a thin line before she turned her attention to Emily.

"Where's Lilly?" Vivian asked.

"Meeting with the board," Emily replied smoothly. "I can call her if—"

Vivian held up a hand. "No need. I'll wait in her office."

With a brief glance at the roses, Vivian stepped inside Lilly's office without further comment, closing the door softly behind her.

Grace exhaled once the room settled.

"She's different," Grace remarked, eyes lingering on the closed door.

Emily chuckled softly, sinking back into her chair. "Vivian's not as polished as Lilly—rougher around the edges."

"That's not what I meant," Grace said quietly.

Emily's gaze flickered toward her, curiosity sparking. "How so?"

Grace hesitated for a moment before carefully choosing her words. "Lilly feels… unshakable. Vivian feels like she's holding something back."

Emily smiled knowingly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"She is. Vivian used to run the company before Lilly took over. She's used to being the one in control." Emily's tone softened. "But times change. Lilly's different from her mother—more calculated, less sentimental."

Grace absorbed that, fingers brushing against the corner of the desk.

Her thoughts shifted back to the roses.

"Emily," Grace started, keeping her voice light. "How long has Victor been… sending things like this?"

Emily shrugged casually. "Since the fallout with Rocky. A few weeks ago, Lilly caught him with Anna at the Golden Arrow Hotel."

Grace's head snapped up.

"Golden Arrow?"

Emily arched a brow, amused by Grace's sudden interest.

"Yeah. The servers were gossiping about it afterward. Victor was there too—bought Lilly a drink that night."

Grace's stomach twisted, but she kept her expression unreadable.

"Seems too convenient," Grace murmured.

Emily smirked. "It wasn't. Victor made sure they were there—right on Lilly's home turf."

Grace's fingers curled slightly against the desk.

Of course he had.

Victor didn't just stumble into opportunities. He created them.

And now, he was circling closer to Lilly.

Emily's voice broke through Grace's thoughts.

"If you're wondering whether it's serious between them, I'd say… not yet," Emily said with a grin. "But give it time."

Grace offered a faint smile in return.

Time was exactly what Victor needed.

And if there was one thing Grace was sure of, it was this—she wouldn't let history repeat itself.