‘Unlike you, I don’t like playing games, Lawrence. Take it or leave it. I have to go back to work.’ She paused for a beat. ‘With the Pangisars. One of the most influential families in Indonesia. As you well know. Shame about your aborted deal with the cybersecurity cameras. The Pangisars are very good to me.’ She took another stab in the dark. ‘They are a well-connected family, as you may know. And of course, they are socially and financially connected to Alicia’s family here in Malaysia.’ She lowered her voice. ‘Whatever you’re trying to pull off with them, through Alicia, could be jeopardised very quickly by my boss, should I mention it.’

Lawrence shot her a furious look which Grace could instantly read as, Since when do you call the shots, bitch?

She stared directly at him, so he could read the silent challenge written on her face. Since right now. Final offer, Lawrence. Or whoever you are. She pulled a pen out of her bag and put it on the table in front of him. ‘I am willing to go to court if I have to. As you can see, I have a lot of information to share – more than you know. Or we can settle this right now. It’s up to you. Sign these, and then keep your word for once, Lawrence.’

There was an agonising silence. Lawrence stared at her with cold hard eyes as if she were a stranger and there had never been a kind or loving moment between them. Then he snatched the two documents and skimmed them.

Even though this was what she had hoped for, Grace found she was astonished it was actually happening. Suddenly it hit her. There might have been others out there – women and perhaps children who had been in his life. He didn’t know who she might have found, what she might know, and he couldn’t take a chance.

Lawrence finished reading and looked up. ‘Don’t look smug, Grace,’ he said in a grating voice. ‘But, all right. I agree.’

He scrawled his signature on the bottom of each page and shoved the papers back across the table. Grace signed her name next to Lawrence’s on each document while he drummed his fingers angrily on the table-top. Then she signalled the sniffy waiter for her bill, dropping the cash on his tray.