CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 40: LEAVING EARLY

"Harrison Grant, how long has it been since you last came to the club? We thought you had finally settled down." A woman in an evening gown playfully poked James Grant’s arm.

Another woman, not wanting to be outdone, leaned in from the other side, teasingly saying, "No way! Who’s the Eldest Young Master Grant? The woman who can make him settle down hasn’t been born yet."

"Are you heading to Mint tonight? I want to ride with you."

The women were chattering incessantly, giving James Grant quite a headache.

He smiled lazily, "Can’t take you tonight, I have to take my fiancée shopping for new clothes."

"Oh, come on, it’s just a short drive."

"Yeah, our Eldest Young Master Grant doesn’t like fussy women, right?"

"Shhh—" James Grant raised his hand slightly in a gesture for silence, a hint of displeasure and chilliness flashed in his eyes, "That lady is my future wife, choose your words carefully."

The women were taken aback, and then they all let out a dry laugh.

"Never thought I’d see the day, huh! Even the Eldest Young Master Grant is off the market."

The night wasn’t over yet, and everyone in the circle heard that James Grant was marrying a ’tiger lady.’

One-third into the banquet, a beautiful woman repeatedly appeared in Evelyn Clayton’s line of sight, looking at her with a mix of disdain and resentment, making Evelyn quite uncomfortable.

At first, she didn’t know who she was, but later found out after asking. The woman was James Grant’s stepmother, Shirley Owens.

"What’s up with your stepmother? Does she have a problem with her eyes?" Evelyn Clayton asked James Grant in a low voice.

James also noticed, almost everywhere they went, Shirley Owens followed.

"Yes. She’s not well." James Grant brushed back her black hair, his voice low and magnetic, "There’s a reporter taking photos. Keith Donovan invited me over to hang out, come with me."

"Now?" Evelyn Clayton widened her eyes slightly, "Isn’t the banquet not over yet?"

"Just showing up is enough." James Grant didn’t wait for a response and grabbed her wrist, pulling her away from the table.

"Where are you going—" Shirley Owens called to them softly.

But they acted as if they hadn’t heard her and quickly walked away.

Noticing their departure from afar, Harrison Grant didn’t catch up because he was in conversation with a significant figure.

"Evelyn Clayton, that’s the girl?"

"Yes." Harrison Grant wiped the sweat from his forehead and laughed awkwardly.

"She seems quite close with your elder son."

"Ahem, it’s just a minor mishap, they’ll soon part ways. No matter what, it won’t affect your plan."

Outside the hotel, Evelyn Clayton got into James Grant’s car, her expression somewhat gloomy.

"James Grant, now that we’ve left the banquet, my task is done, right? You go see Keith Donovan, just drop me off."

"Keith Donovan wants me to bring you along."

James Grant shrugged and narrowed his eyes slightly at Evelyn Clayton.

"Alright then."

She considered it a social obligation.

Unexpectedly, James Grant directly took her to Keith Donovan’s place.

Keith Donovan had long moved out of the Donovan Family mansion, living alone in his own villa.

At that moment, all the influential heirs in the city were at Keith Donovan’s villa.

The door was opened by Shawn Donovan, who whistled immediately upon seeing James Grant arrive with Evelyn Clayton in tow.

"Wow. Our Eldest Young Master Grant still isn’t tired of it; he’s really in love this time!"

James Grant jokingly scolded and tossed his suit to Shawn Donovan, "If you can’t say anything nice, just zip it."

Evelyn Clayton followed James Grant into the living room.

The spacious living room was filled with nearly twenty people, some dressed in casual clothes, others like them, in evening gowns, as if they had gathered from all around.

She originally thought this crowd of spoiled heirs would be gambling or playing cards, but to her surprise, they were playing video games.

"Guys, come with me to check out my basement, it’ll blow your minds."