Chapter 4 From Pawn to Queen
When Grace’s familiar voice came through the phone, Anne felt a sudden warmth in her eyes, and she almost broke into tears.
“Oh, Grace… I’ve missed you so much,” Anne said softly. That single line carried all the emotions she had been suppressing for far too. long.
There was a brief hesitation on the other end before Grace’s slightly annoyed voice followed. “You still remember me? I thought you’d forgotten I even existed.”
“How could I?” Anne replied earnestly. “You’re the one I’ve missed the most.” The sincerity in her tone was undeniable.
“Did something happen? Do you need my help?” Grace asked, her concern immediately apparent.
At Grace’s words, Anne’s expression disappeared into an icy calm. Three days ago, she had begged Grace to secure the lead role in a major production for Alicia–a golden opportunity that could catapult her to fame.
The role had originally been painstakingly secured by Grace for Anne herself, but under Alicia’s sweet–talking persuasion, Anne had handed it over to her instead.
Anne sighed inwardly, “I was such an idiot back then, Even when I was this foolish, Grace never turned her back on me. In
Chapter & From Pown to Queen
my past life, it was me who pushed her away, which led to her being used by Alicia and ultimately losing her life. This time, now that fate has brought me back to this turning point, I won’t let any of that happen again.”
“Grace, babe,” Anne asked, her voice soft but firm, “can we meet in person right away?”
“Anne… Are you really okay?” Grace asked, her concern deepening.
“Let’s talk in person,” Anne replied, avoiding the question.
Grace sounded noticeably tense on the call, her concern for Anne evident. She wasted no time and quickly arranged a meeting spot and
time.
Grace had been handling matters in nearby Ashenridge, but ast soon as she got Anne’s call, she dropped everything and rushed back. By the time evening rolled around, Anne sal across from a weary–looking Grace in a high–end restaurant, briefly explaining the situation with Hugh and Alicia.
- on.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Grace’s worry was clear as she pressed
“Be honest with me–what’s going on between you and Hugh? You were swearing up and down that you’d give up everything and marry for love just three days ago, you know?”
Anne let out a self–deprecating laugh. “I admit I was blind. That’s why I called you here, my dear, to talk about how I’m going to turn the tables from now on.”
Chapter From Pawn to Queen
175
Anne then shared a rough outline of her plans with Grace, including her decision to finally take Grace’s long–standing advice–to embrace her true potential and become a dazzling star, showcasing her unparalleled acting skills.
“Babe… are you sure you haven’t lost it because of all the crap you’ve been through? Are you sure you know what you’re saying?” Grace asked, staring intently at Anne. This sudden change in Anne left her utterly bewildered.
“I’m perfectly clear–headed, and I mean every word I just said,” Anne replied with calm determination as she met Grace’s gaze. “Haven’t you always wanted me to become the best of the best?”
Grace nodded. “Of course, I’d be thrilled if you really mean it. But three days ago, you were begging me to pour everything I had into supporting Alicia. You even handed her the lead role we just secured.”
As she spoke, her sharp eyes never left Anne. She could tell Anne was serious, but the transformation had happened so quickly that she couldn’t shake the feeling she was missing some critical piece of the puzzle.
Anne reached out and grabbed Grace’s hand, her expression serious as she said, “I know this might sound a bit strange right now, but please believe me. I mean every word. All you need to do is trust me. From here on out, whether it’s Hugh or Alicia, they’re nothing but obstacles in our way. I’ll make them wish they’d never crossed us.”
Grace didn’t respond immediately. She simply stared at Anne,
Chapter 4 From Pown to Queen
studying her closely. This was someone she knew better than anyone else, and yet, in this moment, Anne felt like a stranger. A strange sense of disconnect made Grace feel slightly dazed.
Still, hearing Anne say such things brought Grace a measure of relief. She chalked it up to her own persistent advice finally breaking through to Anne.
“Alright,” Grace replied, locking eyes with Anne. Her voice carried a gravity that matched Anne’s seriousness, but her lips curved into a soft smile.
To celebrate, Anne treated them to an extravagant feast, and the two of them indulged to their hearts‘ content. By evening, they reluctantly parted ways, though Anne lingered for a moment before finally letting Grace go.
As for the resources Alicia had already secured, Anne couldn’t care. less. From now on, they were adversaries, and Anne was determined to take control of everything, piece by piece.
After leaving Grace, Anne strolled alone through the bustling streets. The city was stunning, alive with lights and energy. She felt a pang of regret–she really ought to take more time to appreciate it.
While Anne was lost in the beauty of her surroundings, a black sedan suddenly sped past. Her gaze flicked to the car, but it quickly disappeared into the night, the tinted windows concealing any view of its occupants. She frowned and muttered to herself, “How can they drive that fast in a crowded area? That’s too irre-”
Chapter 4 From Pawn to Queen
5/5
She didn’t even have time to finish her thoughts before the car jerked the steering wheel, pulling sharply to block her path. It screeched to a halt, forcing her to step aside. The car’s maneuver was bold, almost reckless, but she managed to move out of the way just in time.
Anne was about to walk away when the car door opened abruptly. A man in black stepped out and stood in front of her. His face was expressionless, but his sharp gaze locked onto hers as he greeted her softly. “Good evening, Ms. Chastain.”
He was dressed impeccably in a tailored black suit, his gold–rimmed glasses adding a touch of sophistication that hinted at his elevated status. Anne’s eyes narrowed as she met. his gaze, her tone turning cold. “Who are you?”
The man gave a small nod, his demeanor calm and composed. “A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Chastain. My name is Justin Bowers. Mr. Kendrick has requested to see you.”
B
Write your comment
