Chapter 395

Hugo was the cop who handled her case. After they got to know each other, they actually got along pretty well and eventually became friends. Birgitte didn’t deny she liked him, but trying to explain that to Grace was pointless.

“Ms. Miller, let’s go,” Birgitte said, turning to Aubree.

The painting was already packed up, and with her business done, Birgitte had zero interest in hanging around this place any longer.

Grace’s face was already swelling from the slap. She touched her check, her anger flaring even hotter. Suddenly, she grabbed Birgitte. “What’s the rush? Trying to run because I hit a sore spot?"

“You’re not going anywhere. Unless you call Hugo right now and tell him you’re cutting all ties with him, I won’t let you go!”

“Grace!” Birgitte frowned, her patience wearing thin.

She was worried that if Grace lost control, she might cause a scene. Birgitte didn’t care about it, but she didn’t want Aubree to get dragged into it.

“You have no right to interfere in my personal business,” Birgitte said firmly.

Seeing that Grace was starting to go overboard and worried things might get out of hand, Elizabeth finally spoke up. “Ms. Miller, she’s just a kid. Is it really worth making such a big deal out of this?”

“Ms. Lawson, let me set the record straight. Out of the four of us, I’m the only one who’s nineteen – so if anyone here counts as a kid, it’s me,” Aubree said with a faint smile.

The implication was obvious. Aubree was the youngest in the group, and even she was not playing the childish card. She didn’t think Grace could use that as an excuse.

Elizabeth’s face stiffened for a second. She hadn’t expected Aubree to be so direct.

“Since your cousin is so confident about everything, why not just call Hugo and clear things up? Maybe then she’ll finally get a reality check,” Aubree added.

Birgitte knew that if they didn’t find a way to deal with Grace, there was no way they’d be able to leave today. Without another word, she pulled out her phone. “I’ll call him.”

For a brief moment, Grace’s face flashed with panic. She knew deep down that Hugo didn’t actually like her. In fact, he was probably getting sick of her clinging to him.

‘If I call him now, will he think I’m being childish and end up hating me even more?’ she thought.

Elizabeth shot her a reassuring glance. With her presence, she felt that Hugo would have to be polite for the Lawson family’s sake.

Grace caught the meaning in that look and felt a bit more confident. That’s right! Even if I’m not better than Birgitte at anything, just having the Lawson name means I’m already ahead at the starting line, she told herself.

Grace crossed her arms and scoffed, “Go ahead, call him. Who do you think you are? Hugo’s mom and dad are both high up in the military. Do you really think someone like you could ever set foot in their family?

“Hugo’s just a nice guy; he only pities you. Don’t take it so seriously, or you’ll just end up making a fool of yourself.

“Why not just walk away with a little dignity? No need to throw yourself at him and beg for embarrassment.”

Birgitte didn’t even bother listening – she was already dialing the number.

The Moore family and the Turner family had been close for generations. The Turners were in business, and in this generation, Bowen’s older brother had gone into government service. When he was still alive, the Moore family often looked out for him.

Even though he was gone now, the bond between the two families remained strong.

Today, Bowen was with Enrique, and the two families were having a small get-together at a restaurant.

Enrique was quite a bit older than Hugo’s father, but Bowen and Hugo were about the same age. The two of them stood under the porch, watching the two men fishing not too far away.

“Enrique is in great shape,” Hugo commented.

Bowen rubbed his fingers together and grinned. “Yeah, he’s healthy. He is always coming up with new ways to keep everyone on their toes.

“Thanks again for helping me out with that case in Südlichen Strand last time.”

Hugo smiled. “Mark put in a word, so even if it wasn’t me, there would’ve been plenty of people willing to help. Besides, Birgitte’s a good kid. I’m glad I got to be the one to help her out.”

Just as they were chatting, Hugo’s phone started ringing.