CHAPTER 24: CHAPTER 24: PRESIDENT GRANT, YOUR WIFE HAS NO LOVE LEFT FOR YOU

Arriving at the ward, George Grant kept vigil by the bedside, while Stella was nowhere to be seen.

Lily Windsor’s face was pale as if she had applied foundation, with reddened eyes, clearly showing her sadness.

"You’re here."

George Grant took the items from Evan’s hand.

Perhaps Lily Windsor’s illness had struck him heavily, as he didn’t bring up the matter of having Juliana Jacobs apologize anymore.

However, Juliana noticed that Evan didn’t hand the jewelry bag to George Grant.

"Evan, thank you for speaking on behalf of Grandma and getting her to agree to let Lily stay with the Grant Family after being discharged. But as for Stella, you still need to convince the old lady; she’s too stubborn."

Mentioning Stella unsettled Lily Windsor.

"Evan, I’m begging you. Although the old lady has agreed to let her stay, she won’t allow her to move into the Grant Family. It’s too dangerous for a young girl to live outside."

Stella wasn’t leaving.

Juliana’s fingers slightly curled and then relaxed at her side.

Congratulations to him, his goal was achieved once more.

The day when the two of them would be together wasn’t far off now.

"Auntie, Grandma has already made the biggest concession. Life isn’t perfect, but I’ll find a proper place for her," Evan said.

Proper place = hiding a beauty in a golden house, which greatly comforted Lily Windsor.

"Then I’ll leave Stella in your hands."

Seeing how harmonious the family appeared, Juliana felt awkward standing there as an outsider.

She found an excuse to go to the restroom and left the ward.

Lily Windsor didn’t pick a fight with her this time, likely because their mother-daughter duo had already won.

Overnight, Juliana found herself at a disadvantage, anticipating countless problems in the upcoming fortnight.

Exhaustion surged again, and her head throbbed with a dull ache.

After washing her face, she was contemplating whether to send Evan a message about wanting to leave when she spotted Stella sitting in the corridor, crying.

Juliana intended to take a detour to leave, but then she heard Evan’s voice.

"So you’re here."

Stella quickly wiped away her tears, "Brother, I’m fine."

Evan’s face remained expressionless, "Your mother’s situation isn’t too bad. At this time, she needs you the most. If you can’t face it strongly, she’ll lose hope."

Stella nodding understandingly, "Don’t worry, I’m taking antidepressants and won’t do anything foolish at this time."

But her words didn’t ease Evan’s mind, as she was suffering from smiling depression, a particularly dangerous kind.

He handed her the jewelry bag, "Here, take this."

Stella took it and opened it to find an exquisite hair clip inside.

She joyfully said, "Thank you, brother."

However, after a moment of happiness, she became heavily burdened once more.

"Brother, don’t be so nice to me. The old lady is already suspicious of us. If my sister-in-law finds out, it will be even worse."

But her "sister-in-law" already knew everything.

Juliana felt a chill, unsure if it was from the coldness in her heart or physical weakness.

Losing interest in continuing to eavesdrop, Juliana turned and walked towards the hospital exit.

Evan hadn’t noticed; his response was calm and emotionless.

"Everything’s fine at home, don’t worry about it."

"Ma’am, are you leaving with President Grant?"

Ethan Carter saw Juliana, running over and asking, his voice loud.

Evan’s gaze quickly shifted over.

Juliana took a deep breath, maintaining her composure.

"I’m a bit tired and want to go back. Could you please let him know?"

Before Ethan Carter could speak, Evan left Stella and walked over.

"Why didn’t you say earlier if you’re not feeling well? Let’s go back now."

After speaking, he habitually took off his jacket and draped it over her.

The fresh oceanic wood scent swept over her, making Juliana feel like countless ants were crawling on her back.

Her liking for the scent turned to disgust, all because of Stella.

Juliana wanted to take off the clothing, but Evan held the two sides of the coat and fastened them securely.

"Stella’s current situation, both inside and out, isn’t good. Giving her the jewelry is just to cheer her up a bit. Don’t overthink it, hmm?"

Juliana lowered her gaze, not responding to his words.

To be overthinking, she first had to have feelings for him.

However, her feelings had been carved out by him, little by little, yet he hadn’t realized it.

Stella watched Evan wrap Juliana in his arms and leave.

Words unspoken, full of reluctance.

"Miss Grant," Ethan Carter’s smiling face interrupted her gaze, "President Grant asked me to stay. If you need anything, just let me know."

"Thank you, Assistant Carter."

Stella’s eyes showed a faint light.

...

Evan found that Juliana spoke noticeably less.

In the past, this woman would sit in his passenger seat and chatter about all the fresh things she had seen.

But this trip back and forth, she was as quiet as a statue.

"Auntie’s illness has been diagnosed, and Stella needs to stay by her bedside to fulfill her filial duties. Once Auntie’s condition stabilizes, we’ll then arrange for her to leave."

Yet it’s feared that Lily Windsor’s condition will remain stable indefinitely.

Juliana raised her eyebrow slightly, saying nothing.

But Evan caught onto this subtle movement of hers.

"Juliana!"

He raised his voice a little.

Only then did Juliana react.

She forced a smile, "It’s your matter, so you decide."

Her attitude was so understanding, yet Evan just wanted to get angry.

"Haven’t you had enough?" he asked, holding back his temper.

Juliana picked at his leather seat cushion, uncertainly asking, "What am I making a fuss over?"

Evan fell silent.

If he continued, he feared he might burst with anger.

At Platinum Bay, Juliana wasted no time unbuckling her seatbelt, tossing his coat away, and jumping out of the car, not even sparing him a glance.

Evan felt a blockage in his heart.

Even though she had stopped quarrelling with him, accommodating him in every way, the tension between them felt even more palpable.

After taking a few phone calls, he decided to visit the master bedroom to talk with her.

However, he found that she had locked the door.

Not only locked, but probably also barricaded with a sofa, as he couldn’t push it open.

Evan succumbed to her cold violence, feeling both frustrated and amused.

Early the next morning, Juliana went downstairs alone to have breakfast.

Mrs. Young brought over a rectangular jewelry box.

"President Grant went to the company early this morning. Before he left, he asked me to give this to you."

Juliana opened the box on the table.

Inside was a golden hairpin, crafted with a kingfisher feather design.

Mrs. Young was enamored by it.

"This one must be quite pricey, right?"

Juliana scanned the item with her phone, checked the price and nodded, "It’s an intangible cultural heritage piece, slightly more expensive than Tiffany’s."

Mrs. Young’s mouth formed an O shape.

It must’ve been an attempt to console her after he was caught giving jewelry to Stella last night.

Evan certainly knew how to manage the household harmony.

But alas, he was born in the wrong era.

Now is a monogamous era, and she couldn’t tolerate any indiscretions.

Juliana, without hesitation, listed the golden hairpin on a secondhand website.

Mrs. Young was even more astounded.

Over the next two days, both Juliana and Evan were busy.

Though both left early and returned late, they miraculously avoided crossing paths.

Each night, Juliana barricaded the door with a sofa, sleeping soundly.

Until that hairpin was sold for a six-digit sum.

Mrs. Young couldn’t resist sharing the news with Evan, who returned from overtime work.

"President Grant, you still can’t let go of Miss Grant. I think Madam has lost any affection for you."

Evan’s temples throbbed furiously, his face terrifyingly cold.

Juliana, having finished her shower, came out to find someone standing by the windowsill, startling her.