CHAPTER 180: CHAPTER 180: MISUNDERSTOOD

Vera Sheridan was momentarily stunned, only to hear him say again, "Because of my mom, you ended up getting cyberbullied."

"I feel very guilty and also heartache... Because of me, you had to endure people criticizing and slandering you!"

He held her tighter, so much so that she almost couldn’t breathe.

Vera struggled a bit, and Noah Grant finally loosened his grip a little.

She turned to face him, holding his handsome, mature face, looking into his deep, strong eyebrows with a teasing heartache, "You care about me so much... I thought it was something like the sky falling."

Noah Grant froze, his gaze lingering deeply on her face.

Under the warm yellow light, her smooth face was adorned with a gentle smile, her cool hands cupping his face, her words full of tolerance and comfort for him.

His heart warmed, he lightly bit the tip of her finger by his mouth, his gaze sincere, "Of course I care! I can’t stand you being bullied, especially because of me!"

The resolute tone carried a bit of macho domineering, striking the quiet space.

Vera felt warm inside, and also very sympathetic towards him, pinching his thin cheek, "You think I’m a delicate little flower? I’ve always been half a public figure, these small storms... Besides, you’ve already caught Vivian Langdon, so now public opinion is one-sidedly sympathizing with me."

Noah Grant understood her inherent tenacity, "The point is, Ms. Morgan..."

Vera visibly flinched.

There was a moment of silence in the air.

"Noah Grant, you are you, she is she." She said calmly, "And I am me."

Noah Grant understood her meaning, finally nodding, "However, I still have to say, I promise that in the future, I will never let Ms. Morgan cause you any harm."

Vera met his serious gaze; of course she understood his intention to protect her.

"Have you had dinner?"

Prompted by her reminder, Noah Grant realized he was hungry, "I am hungry."

As he spoke, his gaze uncontrollably swept over the glaring whiteness at her chest and the lingering red marks.

Vera also noticed this scene, instantly misunderstanding his meaning of "hungry," and quickly dashed off his lap, her legs almost giving out as she landed, nearly falling.

Noah Grant caught her wrist in an instant.

Vera’s heart skipped a beat, wanting to pull away, but his grip was tighter.

Her cheeks warmed slightly, she protested, "Noah Grant, enough, I have a selection competition the day after tomorrow!"

Noah Grant’s eyebrows didn’t budge, and with her struggling force, his arm slightly pulled her back into his embrace.

His warm, large hand pressed against her lower back, the thin fabric of her yoga clothes between them.

The man tilted his chin slightly, with a sharply defined handsome face, the light cast a small shadow by his high nasal bridge, his dark eyes calm and unwavering.

His thin lips parted slightly, speaking leisurely, "Enough what?"

Vera was stumped, seeing his scholarly and serious demeanor, as if she was the one thinking wrong.

Noah Grant’s palm glided over her sensitive lower back, "Did I say I wanted anything?"

Vera visibly shivered, the tips of her ears rapidly turning red, biting her teeth, "Nothing, I’ll go heat up some food for you!"

As soon as the words were out, she was pulled into his arms, the next second, Noah Grant’s handsome face descended, and Vera’s heart wavered, consumed by his uncompromising deep kiss...

...

Julian Grant returned to the main house from his parents’ villa and found Rosalind Morgan in the conservatory at the back of the garden.

She was dressed in all black, making her skin look excessively pale, sitting alone in the farthest corner of the conservatory, her slender fingers holding a white porcelain wine glass, staring absentmindedly at the rain marks on the glass.

After a long while, she tilted her head back to drink it all, quickly refilling her glass.

Julian Grant put away his black umbrella and entered the conservatory. His tall stature made the whole space feel cramped as he entered.

He sat down opposite his wife.

Rosalind Morgan paused in her action of pouring wine, setting down the white porcelain wine pot.

But Julian Grant reached over, took the wine pot, and poured her a full glass, "Drink, I’ll accompany you."

The plum wine had a low alcohol content but was intoxicating.

Rosalind Morgan picked up the glass and drained it again.

She looked at her husband opposite her, her eyes suddenly turning red, "He’s going to cut ties with me, isn’t he?"

Julian Grant leaned over, his big hand covering her icy cold hand, "Don’t say silly things, it hasn’t come to that."

Rosalind Morgan tried to force a smile on her lips, but tears uncontrollably fell.

The cold, resolute look of Noah Grant that afternoon once again stabbed at her heart.

Julian Grant wiped away her tears with his thumb, his voice calm yet steady, "Rosalind, let go, let him fly."

He paused, looking into her moist eyes, "His wings have grown strong, he’s no longer the one we carried."

"Even when all domestic banks cut off loans, it didn’t defeat him. That boy effortlessly introduced overseas capital, turning a hopeless situation around. This kind of method and daring cannot be found elsewhere in the Capital Circle."

"He is now a real player in international finance, playing a game beyond our rules. We... can’t stop him, nor do we need to."

"Old Man Grant, it’s exactly because he’s so excellent now that I feel even more unwilling!" Rosalind Morgan’s hoarse voice was filled with agitation, "The higher he stands, the further he sees, and the person he needs by his side should be one who can see the scenery with him, not... not someone who needs him to stoop down and support, or even potentially become the only flaw in his resume."

"His partner should be someone who can make him shine brilliantly, not... Not someone like Vera Sheridan. What right does she have?"

Julian Grant moved past the table and sat beside her, pulling her into his arms, "Love is blind."

"Just like you and I, if during a downturn for the Morgan Family or Grant Family, should we then part ways?"

Rosalind Morgan’s throat choked, suddenly recalling the first time she had an episode... How undeterred and unwavering Julian Grant was when she insisted on a divorce back then...

She trembled all over, chilled, and Julian Grant only tightened his embrace around her.

Two days later, the second round of the selection competition.

Rosalind Morgan no longer made a high-profile appearance to support Vivian Langdon. Not out of accepting Vera Sheridan, but because after the cyberbullying incident, she completely disdained Vivian Langdon’s two-faced demeanor.

This behavior silently announced to the entire circle that the marriage alliance between The Grant Family and The Langdon Family was off.

Backstage, the girls were all putting on makeup.

A girl eliminated in the previous round brought the latest news to the front.

"Senior Sister Vera Sheridan! Second Master Grant has arrived, and by his side is the old lady from The Grant Family!"

"Today Senior Sister takes the stage first, and Second Master Grant came early!"

Upon hearing this, Vera Sheridan raised her eyes, her lips curling up, then lowered her head to see a message from Noah Grant: Wishing Miss Vera Sheridan success in your performance! Mr. Grant awaits being spoiled again!

Seeing the word "spoiled," Vera Sheridan involuntarily swallowed, her cheeks hot, quickly closed the phone, and refocused her mind.

That night, she had pleaded with him for a long time before he let her off.

She also "reluctantly" agreed to reward him for a second-round victory...

At that moment—

"Ah—!"

A short, sharp, and angry scream suddenly erupted from the corner of the dressing room, instantly cutting off all the whispering.

Everyone turned their heads in astonishment.

Only to see Vivian Langdon leap up from her chair as if pricked by something, her face ashen, sans any color of blood.