CHAPTER 71: CHAPTER 71: THE HATRED OF A CHILD BETWEEN THEM

Juliana’s throat felt like it was on fire, and she was dizzy, but she gritted her teeth and said, "I can’t afford to drink President Grant’s water. Better save it for your stepsister."

Stanley Holt’s eyebrow instantly shot up.

Evan’s gaze darkened, and he stood up.

"So whose water do you prefer? Jared or Adrian?"

Juliana struggled to keep her balance, turning her face away, "My preferences have nothing to do with President Grant."

Evan left again, fuming.

But he hadn’t gone far when his phone rang; it was Ethan Carter calling.

Evan had just put the phone to his ear when Juliana, standing by the table, suddenly blacked out and collapsed to the ground.

"Juliana!"

"Mrs. Grant!"

Summer Shaw, Stanley Holt, and the caddies around all rushed forward.

Evan was about to turn back when he heard Ethan on the phone say, "President Grant, Ms. Windsor is emotionally unstable and has injured Miss Windsor, who has had a relapse of depression and can’t use medication."

"What is my father doing?" Evan pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Master George is on a business trip today, he’s on a plane and unreachable right now."

"Bring the car around to pick me up."

Evan forgot the sudden commotion behind him and quickened his pace away.

As their car sped away from the golf course, an ambulance approached.

Ethan instinctively asked, "I saw Second Miss Shaw return to the hotel last night with medication in her hand; could it be the madam is sick?"

Evan frowned, but recalling her prideful demeanor, he said coldly, "When she’s with the Langley brothers, she’s in such high spirits; even if she’s ill, she won’t die. Don’t worry about her."

...

At the hospital.

Fortunately, they got her to the hospital in time, preventing it from turning into heat stroke, and Juliana soon regained consciousness.

Unexpectedly, Stanley Holt was still in the ward.

Without Evan there, Juliana was about to talk business, but Stanley spoke first, "Mrs. Grant, while Aetherflame Dynamics has commendable technology, it’s not irreplaceable. I admire your enthusiasm, but I need to consider various aspects, and I’m afraid we’ll have to pass this time. You should look for other partnerships."

Summer became anxious, "President Holt, I know your company is looking for the most efficient energy storage batteries for heavy-duty trucks, and our technology has great potential. Don’t you want to take a look? Give us a chance, and it’s also an opportunity for your company."

Stanley waved his hand, "Titan Heavy Industries prefers long-term partnerships with harmonious family enterprises, and the relationship between Mrs. Grant and President Grant is clearly unsuitable."

President Holt left after his polite refusal.

Summer was hit hard with a sense of defeat.

"Excuses, all excuses! He has business competition with Evan, why listen to him and not collaborate with us?"

"Evan’s prowess is undeniable, and even though there is business competition, it’s wise not to make him an enemy. The meaning in President Holt’s words was very clear—we haven’t impressed him enough to make him disregard Evan."

Summer grasped her hand excitedly, "Our technology wasn’t even considered before he made his judgment. Clearly, he looks down on your identity as Mrs. Grant, thinking you’re only reliant on Evan."

Juliana wasn’t angry, but a sharp glint crossed her eyes.

"Then I’ll destroy this identity with my own hands, so he can’t even dream of it."

"What are you planning to do?"

Juliana thought for a moment, "Around this time every year, Evan attends an important new energy summit."

Summer, "It’s the Core Energy Summit, right? This summit is highly prestigious, gathering elites from all sides, and it’s by invitation only, happening in a week."

"Will Aetherflame be invited?" Juliana asked.

Summer’s voice was uncertain, "It might be a bit difficult this year."

"Even if it’s difficult, we must find a way. I may need to present him with a second ’gift’ at this summit."

In the afternoon, Juliana received a call from Rosalind Linton, saying her grandfather was unwell and she needed to return quickly.

Juliana hurriedly packed up with Summer at the hotel and headed back to Kenton.

Minutes after their departure, a person who looked like a secretary approached the front desk with a license plate number, "Is this vehicle registered to a guest at your hotel?"

The receptionist smiled politely, "Sorry, we can’t disclose guests’ privacy."

Within a minute, the manager rushed over, urging the receptionist to check quickly.

"It is a guest’s car," the receptionist said, staring at the computer, "They checked out ten minutes ago and should have already left."

The secretary returned to the car, appearing a bit disappointed.

"They’re gone, but I found her identity information."

The secretary handed over the materials.

"Miss Shaw is 26 this year, the same age as the madam, but the birth date on her ID doesn’t match. However, this is the closest match we’ve found so far. The hotel staff said they had an urgent matter and rushed back to Kenton."

The man’s gaze lingered on the photo, his expression calm.

"Apart from DNA, what truly resembles anything else in this world?"

The secretary quickly nodded, "Yes, it seems the madam is indeed in the Kenton area. Well... should we inform Chairman Langley about your return to Kenton this time?"

...

Juliana and her companions hurried to Mercy Hospital.

Just as they reached the inpatient department, they ran into Caleb Shaw.

"Brother, are you on the night shift?" Summer asked in surprise.

Caleb looked at Juliana’s expressionless face, knowing she was aware of their relationship now.

"I was just about to change shifts. Did you finish your business so quickly?"

This made Summer angry.

"Your good friend is leaving our company no room to breathe."

Caleb was silent.

Juliana was in a rush to see her grandfather, "You two chat, I’m going."

"Juliana."

Caleb called after her and caught up.

"I... Chase Miller was fired, and even small clinics dare not take him in."

Juliana raised an eyebrow, "So what is Dr. Shaw telling me this for? To praise your friend for being smart enough not to be easily deceived, or to commend him for behaving like a human being?"

"I’m not speaking on behalf of Evan, I just..."

Juliana watched him find his words for a long time, snorted, and turned to leave.

Summer was curious, "Brother, what deep-seated grudge do you and Juliana have that makes her dislike you so?"

She didn’t know there was a child’s vendetta between them.

"Kids shouldn’t meddle in adult affairs. Stay out of the Grant Family’s matters. If you offend Evan, I can’t protect you. Go home."

Juliana entered the hospital room, her grandfather lay with his eyes closed, receiving an IV.

Seeing her, Rosalind quickly stood up, and they moved to the doorway.

"How did he end up hospitalized so suddenly when he was doing so well just a few days ago?" Juliana asked.

"It’s all because of your wicked stepmother."

Rosalind was trembling with anger.

"She found out we live in the same neighborhood and started shouting everywhere, saying we’re haunting Evan. Not only that, but she forced the property managers to give our apartment number..."

Rosalind showed the photos she took that morning.

"Look, she put up a banner downstairs this morning, cursing you and using a loudspeaker to shout, saying you stole her daughter’s marriage and mistreated your in-laws! The whole community is now cursing us, your grandfather almost went into cardiac arrest out of anger."

Juliana fixed her gaze on the photo, seeing the banner read: [Cheap woman drugs and climbs into bed, call girl refurbishes for a wealthy marriage]