CHAPTER 36: CHAPTER 36: PRESIDENT KANE, MADAM IS WITH ATTORNEY GRANT...

Vera Sheridan listened to Ian Kane’s words, her watery eyes staring unblinkingly at herself in the mirror. Slowly, her face transformed into her mother’s weary, melancholic visage.

She shook with panic, gently shaking her head, "I’m not like her, I won’t become her."

Ian Kane, cheek pressed against hers, spoke in a cold tone, "If that’s the case, why don’t you trust me?"

"Is it that I haven’t accommodated your coldness enough, or have I done something wrong? Tell me." A hint of sadness flashed in the man’s dark eyes.

Vera Sheridan shook her head.

Ian Kane gave a bitter smile, "If it’s neither, then it’s you who’s overthinking, imagining me to be like your father or mine."

Seeing his hurt expression, a dull ache hit Vera Sheridan’s heart.

He also most feared becoming someone like his father.

They shared similar miseries, both wanting to escape the shadows of their families and be loyal partners to each other.

"I’m sorry, maybe it’s just that I’ve been—" her voice trembled, breath unsteady.

Ian Kane interrupted her, "I’m tired of hearing those three words."

"Vera, calm down." He released her and turned towards the door.

Vera abruptly turned around, watching his departing figure, her vision gradually blurring...

Soon after, a car engine sounded from downstairs.

Ian Kane had left.

In the vast room, only Vera Sheridan’s solitary figure remained.

Unconsciously, she had become a woman trapped in the fortress of marriage, embroiled in self-doubt.

And in the photos on the bedside table, there she was once, in a White Swan ballet dress, standing on tiptoes, neck held high.

Coldly aloof, confident, and graceful.

That night, Ian Kane never returned.

Vera Sheridan relied on melatonin to fall asleep.

...

During another psychological therapy session, Vera Sheridan poured out all her bitterness.

Her emotions calmed, the therapist advised her, "Miss Sheridan, your current mental state is very fragile. Try not to be affected by negative emotions, avoid negative news and people, engage more with nature, like hugging trees, walking by the river or sea, or interacting with animals."

Shock therapy has a side-effect response period, and Vera is currently in this stage.

After getting some sleep aids and antidepressants, she left the hospital and went to her animal rescue base.

At the base, volunteering with the others to feed and deworm the cats and dogs, she felt much better after a busy day.

She didn’t go to the dance troupe, avoiding the nauseating associations conjured by seeing Nina Sullivan.

...

That day, upon leaving the hospital, Vera had the family driver take her to the Sidon Chess Club in Ardendale, where she was a member.

This chess club was founded by several prestigious Go enthusiasts and is open to distinguished members of society. Vera loves Go, having won a national first prize in college, and joined the club two years ago.

The club is located inside a famous garden in Ardendale.

The garden includes several Ming and Qing ancient buildings, rockeries, and pavilions, with a unique scenic view.

Seeing Vera arrive, the retired elderly chess friends waved at her.

Vera went over to greet each of them.

"Little Vera, you finally decided to come by? Come over and see, isn’t this the solution to the game you left behind the other day?" Old Director Morgan called to her.

Vera glanced at the board, pursed her lips, and placed a black stone at the three-three point, "Old Morgan, as Simon Vance’s ’The Go Manual of Peach Blossom Spring’ says: ’Breaking with a push and cutting the pattern in the Golden Well Region.’"

Old Director Morgan looked at the black stones forming a large dragon-killing maneuver, suddenly realizing and giving a thumbs-up.

"Quick, quick, take a seat. Today, I must win a game against you, young lady!"

Vera did not decline, sat down, set her phone to silent, and concentrated on playing Go with the elderly man.

As the game progressed, more and more people gathered to watch.

The game reached an intense level, with Vera launching a fierce attack and Old Director Morgan vigilantly defending and continuously wiping sweat while thinking of ways to dismantle her moves. Vera held a thermos, sipping water as she waited for him.

Inadvertently looking up, a tall figure entered her view.

In the April scenery, the garden blossomed flamboyantly, and the man’s figure moved through the corridors, revealing a handsome face full of courage and depth at the corner.

Vera was startled, not expecting to see Noah Grant here.

As some elders greeted him, Vera realized that Noah Grant had also recently joined the club.

He came over, exchanged greetings with her, and joined the elders in watching her game against Director Morgan.

Director Morgan’s sweat increased without finding a way to dismantle Vera’s moves, anxious at heart, "You, you all, how should I play? Old Man Yorke? Old Man Goldsmith?"

Everyone waved their hands.

"Noah, you say! You’re young, your mind is agile, you surely have a move!"

Vera looked up, gazing at the man opposite her, their eyes meeting.

She quickly lowered her head.

He certainly knew this move.

He had taught her during college—the Grand Diagonal Strategy.

Noah Grant averted his gaze, casually tapping his finger on his dress pants, "Director Morgan, silence while watching a game."

Director Morgan paused, knowing he knew but didn’t speak, so he stood up, giving way, "You, you play! I have to see how to dismantle her move in this game!"

Noah Grant looked at Vera, seemingly amused, "Do you mind?"

Vera smiled, "Senior, please sit!"

"Oh, so you two know each other!" Old Morgan adjusted his reading glasses.

Noah Grant undid his suit buttons, sat down, and said faintly, "We go way back."

Vera, "..."

Faced with an opponent like Noah Grant, she quickly gathered her focus, earnestly competing against him.

...

The Kane Group, President’s office.

Ian Kane dialed Vera’s phone for the third time, still no answer.

Is she mad because I haven’t come home for three nights?

The man raised his eyelids and called Maeve, "What’s my wife doing at home?"

Maeve, "Sir, Madam went out at 1:30 in the afternoon and hasn’t returned yet. Old Man Coleman is with her."

Ian Kane stared at the gradually setting red sun through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, hung up the phone, and dialed the driver, "Where is my wife?"

Driver, "President Kane, Madam is at the chess club, playing Go with Attorney Grant."

Hearing this, Ian Kane’s hand froze, the pen tip piercing through the white paper!

Images flashed through his mind of Noah Grant and Vera Sheridan staying up all night in the Go club at Veridia University, stories known throughout the campus.

Ian Kane tossed the pen aside, picked up a pack of cigarettes, pulled one out, held it to his lips, leaned down to light it, took a few puffs, and pressed the intercom button, "Prepare the car."

The evening descended.

Luxury cars gathered at the entrance of the garden, several security personnel maintained order.

Vera was following a few elderly men, stepping over the threshold and walking down the garden’s stone steps. Reaching the last step, her right ankle suddenly went numb, causing her to stumble.

Following behind, Noah Grant promptly caught her arm, steadying her.

Vera, "Thank you."

Noah Grant frowned slightly, "Foot hurt?"

Ian Kane had just gotten off the car, witnessing this scene, his figure halted.

Noah Grant still held her arm, and she didn’t pull away...

His eyes narrowed slightly, Ian Kane slammed the car door forcefully, striding towards them, nodding perfunctorily to a few retired elders, devoid of his usual politeness and warmth.

At this moment, Vera and Noah Grant both noticed him.

Ian Kane slowed his steps, assessing them with a seemingly amused gaze, his focus eventually landing on Noah Grant’s hand clasped around Vera’s arm...