?Chapter 1099:

    She decided to wait until the chaos at home became more noticeable before calling him.

    The next morning, she went to work as usual.

    Having only joined thepany recently, she hadn’t been assigned any projects yet, so she often stopped by Ethan’s office to offer her help.

    Ethan arrived just after nine-thirty today.

    Upon seeing Gracie, Ethan noticed that her mood was down. “What’s gotten you so down?”

    Gracie managed a small smile and carefully chose her words. “Yesterday, I visited the hospital with your mom to see your grandmother. She asked about my background, and I didn’t want to tell her about my massive debt, so I said my family went broke, but I still have enough savings to get by.”

    Trying to look pitiful, she added, “I just don’t want her to think less of me. Could you keep my debt a secret from her? Please, Ethan?”

    “Of course,” Ethan said without hesitation, inwardly annoyed by Elsa’s tendency to dig into his employees’ personal lives. “I’ll keep it a secret.”

    “Thank you, Ethan. I don’t know how to thank you enough. You gave me a job when I was in a tough spot, and I’m so grateful,” Gracie said, her smile warm and genuine.

    After a brief pause, she said, “You know what I’m capable of. I’m ready to take on projects. Could you assign me something?”

    Ethan hesitated. There weren’t any new projects avable, and the current ones were already assigned.

    “Can’t you give me the venture capital project? I know I can handle it, Ethan. Trust me,” Gracie said in a firm tone.

    But Ethan was reluctant to give her that project, as it was vital for thepany’s sess.

    “Why don’t you take on the project in Plomond? There’s a real estate project there that needs someone to lead it,” he suggested, thinking this might also address Brenna’s concerns about him working closely with Gracie. He wanted to send Gracie away for a while by doing this.

    “No, I’d rather not leave the city. I just want to stick around you. I’m still new to thepany and worried the team won’t take me seriously,” Gracie quickly replied.

    Gracie’s voice trembled with worry. “Pretty much everyone at thepany already knows about my debts, especially the managers. Even people at Plomond have heard about it. Ethan, I just can’t bring myself to leave this city until I’ve paid off what I owe. Please don’t make me go yet, okay?”

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    Ethan shot her a questioning look, confused by her reluctance. With the Plomond project offering such a heftymission, he figured she’d want to grab the chance to earn more.

    “You realize the Plomond contract pays at least ten million for a year’s work, right? That’s a huge sum. You really don’t want to work on that project?” he said.

    Gracie shook her head. “I can’t stand how everyone there judges me. No one takes me seriously, and it’s impossible to get them on board. Ethan, can’t you let me handle the venture capital project instead? Thatmission is even bigger, and I’d much rather be on that team.”

    Ethan gave her a firm answer. “Absolutely not. Thepany’s counting on this project, and frankly, no one wants you to head it. I can’t risk it.”

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