CHAPTER 92: CHAPTER 92: ADRIAN GRANT’S SECRET CRUSH ON ELEANOR WINSLOW

"Next Saturday is her birthday party. She’s just been injured, who knows if the party will be canceled," Blake Lockwood’s intent was evident, revealing a darker side.

"It won’t be," Eleanor Winslow knew Mia Winslow well, "Getting injured and attending with bandages will only draw more sympathy and she can take advantage of the situation. Her birthday party is the perfect public opportunity to attack me; she won’t miss it!"

Blake Lockwood chuckled, "Then we shouldn’t miss it either, let’s prepare a big gift for her!"

-

Hospital.

Mia Winslow sat on the bed, silently crying, her tears like floodwaters refusing to stop.

Yvonne Vance was heartbroken, wiping Mia’s tears as she said, "Mia, it will be okay, trust mom, your hand will get better..."

"No, it won’t. The doctor said it won’t!" Mia looked at her left hand, shaking her head in utter despair.

"It’s all Eleanor’s fault, that jinx!" Yvonne said fiercely, "We can sue her, including the incident from five years ago, settling both old and new scores!"

Adrian Grant finally appeared after Mia Winslow’s surgery and follow-up consultation ended.

He was dressed in a standard three-piece suit, clearly having just left the office.

Mia Winslow dismissed everyone, leaving only her and Adrian Grant in the room.

"I heard Eleanor is also hospitalized, how is her injury?" Mia slowly spoke, looking at Adrian with undisguised infatuation.

Adrian Grant picked up the medical case file at Mia’s bedside and leafed through it quickly; upon hearing ’Eleanor,’ he instinctively glanced at Mia.

"Eleanor seems to be fine, but I..." Mia smiled bitterly, "Adrian, the doctor said that my left hand can never engage in fine activities again. Even if it recovers, it’ll only be able to do simple tasks. Forget playing the piano; even typing will be a challenge."

"Do you want to change medical teams?" Adrian asked.

Mia’s expression nearly broke, "Adrian, you know very well this isn’t about the medical team!"

Adrian put down the case file and asked her, "Then what do you want?"

The sunlight streamed through the VIP ward’s floor-to-ceiling windows, yet Mia still felt cold.

She recklessly proclaimed, "Adrian, I like you, you know that, I like you! I don’t mind being criticized for being one of two women serving one man — I want to be with you! Will you give me a chance?"

She wanted to become Mrs. Grant!

Adrian seemed to find her statement laughable, "Mia Winslow, why would I have arranged the best doctors for you, do you want me to say it again?"

Having reached Adrian’s status, it was rare to witness such absurd and repetitive self-disgracing matters.

Mia’s expression darkened even more, glaring at Adrian as tears poured out once again.

A few seconds later, she raised her right hand to wipe away the tears.

"But Adrian," Mia’s expression slowly changed, taking on a more challenging tone, "when you and Eleanor divorce, you won’t see her frequently anymore. If you’re with me, at least during holidays, you’ll run into her and can speak a few words — just like when we were young."

Adrian’s eyes sharpened.

Mia, her tears not yet dry, slowly began to smile, her face looking twisted and grotesque.

"I used to think when I visited you and you were willing to see me and chat with me, it was because you had feelings for me, but actually it was always about being able to see Eleanor!"

In those days, Eleanor was the moon in the sky, and she was one of the stars that surrounded it. After Eleanor’s mother passed away, she came from Hongkong to study in Aethelgard. Though Eleanor was two years younger, she skipped a grade and was in the same class with Mia.

During their middle school years, Mia often heard tales of Eleanor’s legend — beautiful and regal like a little princess, exceptionally smart, always top of the class. No matter how hard Mia worked, she could never surpass Eleanor!

Eleanor was the daughter of the illustrious Winslow Family, while she, Mia Winslow, was just the extra baggage following her mother who married into the Winslow Family!

Mia’s only pride was one thing — the prestigious Adrian Grant liked her!

When Adrian returned to the country, he would pick her and Eleanor up from school whenever he could and take them home.

Eleanor and Adrian didn’t get along and frequently ended up walking behind.

Back then, Mia was extremely proud because the admired and untouchable Adrian Grant only talked to her!

Did Adrian Grant like her?

Mia used to be so sure.

Until one year, suddenly, Eleanor went back to Hongkong for two months. Within those two months, Adrian never contacted Mia even once!

Mia suddenly realized, every time Adrian sought her out, it was never just the two of them — Eleanor was always there!

Clearly, it was Eleanor Adrian was seeking!

Mia burned with jealousy, and what infuriated her further was that upon returning from Hongkong, Eleanor brought back a piano competition trophy — Mia was forbidden from attending that competition by Yvonne due to academic pressure, yet Eleanor won the gold!

Piano was Mia’s most esteemed talent, but after watching Eleanor’s performance, Mia realized Eleanor’s piano talent surpassed hers!

The gold trophy Eleanor brought back was like a slap in the face for Mia — it was humiliating, yet a declaration of war!

After that, came the incident where Eleanor supposedly pushed Mia down the stairs, resulting in a severe injury to Mia’s left hand, making it impossible to play the piano — a fallen piano prodigy tragedy.

It was after that incident that Adrian granted her unique attention and more privileges.

"Adrian, for the past five years, you’ve provided me with the best medical team and spared no expense in taking care of my hand. Isn’t it all to keep me from stirring up the past, where Eleanor pushed me leading to my departure from the piano scene from becoming public knowledge? Doing this now, wouldn’t it all go in vain?"

Mia kindly reminded him.

"Threatening me?" Adrian’s eyes remained calm.

The old injury from five years ago did not impact Mia’s normal life. After this incident, even if Mia was handicapped today, it couldn’t prove any connection to the event five years ago.

This injury of Mia’s would allow Eleanor to finally escape the shadow of five years past!

"Mia Winslow, five years ago, was it really Eleanor who pushed you?" Adrian had asked this many times before.

"Yes," Mia assured, "Eleanor herself admitted it, otherwise, why would she escape legal liability by going to a psychiatric hospital?"

Adrian lowered his head and chuckled.

"What, what are you laughing at?" Mia was a bit panicked, forgetting even to cry.

Adrian didn’t answer, instead he asked, "Mia Winslow, you’re aware I’ve been watching Eleanor since I was young, and now that I’ve married her, do you think I would divorce her?"

"You like Eleanor? You’re secretly in love with Eleanor? But Adrian, Eleanor doesn’t like you!" Mia’s smile was cruel and twisted, "I heard she’s been getting close to a senior recently; don’t you think he resembles Jonah a lot, who has already passed away?"