Chapter 149
Just a moment ago, Vivian Sinclair was still gleefully watching the viral video of Austin Grant and Zoe Monroe getting cozy, and the next second, the video was taken down.
But the story had already exploded all over the internet.
Less than an hour later, it shot straight to the top trending search.
Vivian twisted her mouth with a look of disgust and clicked her tongue.
Thinking of that scene just now, all she felt was ’my poor eyes p>
Right in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, those two barely had any clothes left on, pressed up together with nothing to hide behind.
Zoe Monroe was practically glued to the glass.
Her gorgeous figure was squashed out of shape.
Austin Grant’s whole face was clear as day.
There’s no way the whole internet wouldn’t recognize them.
And the weirdest part? The lighting in the video looked like it was broad daylight.
He really has nothing better to do.
Even with injuries hanging on him, still doing this kind of thing.
“Looks like that beating he got was way too light p>
Otherwise, why would he still have energy to go at it like this?
Watching all the nasty comments piling up online, Vivian had to stifle a laugh.
“Absolutely disgraceful. Is there no one who can keep these rich brats’ private lives in check p>
“How does a video like this even go viral p>
“Holy shit, that’s not his wife, is it p>
“Looks like it’s really not. That Young Madam Grant isn’t nearly this plain-looking p>
“Ugh—cheating scumbag, go die p>
“Cheating and still so high-profile, got no shame p>
“Pfft! What wealthy heir? Didn’t The Grants just get delisted? About to go bankrupt, right p>
“To the upstairs commenter: Even bankrupt, these people’s pocket change could last us normies a lifetime. And come on, you think they didn’t keep backup funds? Their assets were probably moved ages ago p>
“Ugh—cheating scumbag, go die p>
“The Grants sure are exciting, I’ll give them that! Wasn’t there a kidnapping and murder scandal just days ago p>
“Just a few days and here we go again, more trashy news. Trying to distract from that kidnapping case p>
“Guys, look, even though the vid’s gone, people screenshotted it! Is the woman in it that legendary first love p>
“Ugh—cheating scumbag, go die p>
“It’s her! Holy shit, it really is the first love. Talk about true love p>
“So it’s actually cheating then, right p>
“Wait, is this an old video p>
“Of course not! Look at President Grant, he’s still covered in injuries p>
“Damn, this is wild! Even banged up he’s that vigorous p>
“Sheesh, total alpha CEO vibes—dying but still gets with true love first p>
“Ugh—cheating scumbag, go die p>
“Can you people chill? That’s true love, okay? Long live true love p>
“Right, the Grant Family’s gone through so much lately. President Grant’s mom just went to jail, rumor has it even the old Mrs. Grant hasn’t been buried yet, and now President Grant can’t help venting with his soulmate. If that’s not true love, is it moral collapse or the death of humanity p>
“Upstairs, are you low-key shading President Grant as inhuman p>
The internet’s one-sided sarcasm naturally turned into another Grant scandal.
But what was strange to Vivian was, she’d occasionally spot mentions of herself, yet as soon as she refreshed, they’d be gone.
Any comment about her was quickly buried.
So even though this time Austin Grant and Zoe Monroe’s scandal hit top trending, as the ’ex-wife’ whose divorce hadn’t even been announced, she was barely mentioned at all.
Vivian was still puzzled when The Grant Group urgently held a press conference and dropped a bombshell announcement:
President Grant, Austin Grant, was officially voted out by the board today for reasons of personal misconduct!
He’s stepping down from his role as Executive President.
Even though The Grant Group’s announcement was fast, the stock market couldn’t withstand the blow and collapsed completely.
The Grant Group was already teetering.
Theodore Grant, sick as he was, could only barely keep the whole company from falling apart.
But with Austin’s scandal making things even worse, plus all their rivals striking while the iron’s hot, The Grants were right at the edge of total disaster.
Vivian was calmly doomscrolling when Jasmine called.
“Vivian, my dad just got taken away by the Young Master p>
Her voice was shaky and on the verge of tears, clearly losing it.
Vivian: “Austin Grant p>
“What kind of insane stunt is he pulling now p>
Vivian just felt pure annoyance at his name.
Jasmine sobbed, “He only left a note, just saying he wants to see you p>
“Vivian, what do I do p>
“Should I get Brother Powell to help look for him p>
Vivian had been run absolutely ragged these days—she didn’t want to go anywhere, and especially didn’t want to be dragged into more drama with Austin Grant.
She wouldn’t cause a fuss, not even for the kid’s sake.
Besides, if she remembered right, Old Tanner’s nursing home was now owned by Julian Thorne.
Vivian: “Don’t panic. If Austin wants to use your dad to get to me, he won’t hurt him p>
“Just wait for my news p>
Vivian hung up, then immediately called Patrick Powell.
“Old Tanner’s been kidnapped by Austin Grant. Find out exactly where he is, and report back to me p>
“By the way, Jasmine’s still at the nursing home. If you get a chance, bring her to the teahouse p>
Patrick got all tense as soon as he heard Jasmine’s name and agreed instantly.
Vivian hung up, then without hesitation dialed Leo Linden.
She got up and walked to the window. When the call connected, she quickly said, “Special Assistant Linden, hi, this is Vivian Sinclair p>
Leo was flustered, glancing anxiously at Master Julian still in the meeting with important guests, then lowered his voice: “Miss Sinclair, is this about The Grants p>
“You don’t need to worry—there’s nothing about you online p>
“Master Julian already set up a dedicated team. Right now, there are people watching everything online, so anything about you gets deleted instantly p>
For the first time, Vivian felt what real power was!
Sure enough, put together, the Sinclairs and Grants still couldn’t compete with The Thornes.
Otherwise The Grants wouldn’t keep getting hammered by scandals and fail miserably at PR every time.
Vivian thought for a moment and said, “Thanks p>
She figured she’d already caused enough trouble for them.
With Patrick Powell helping Old Tanner, that situation should stay under control.
As long as she didn’t leave Crestfall Villa, Austin Grant couldn’t get to her.
He’s just a stray dog now.
If she just ignored him, there’s nothing he could pull off.
Thinking this, Vivian hung up.
Leo Linden still found it all a bit weird.
But he didn’t dare hide the fact Vivian had called him.
When Master Julian’s meeting was over, Leo brought it up: “Master Julian, Miss Sinclair called me, but didn’t say much before hanging up p>
“Was she maybe thanking us for handling her online PR p>
Leo proudly adjusted his glasses, only to get a cold look from Julian Thorne: “Why does she have your number p>
“If anyone’s getting thanked, I should be first p>
“You think it’s your turn p>
Leo Linden:?
Master Julian, is that really what you care about?
Julian Thorne just said, “Block her p>
Then strode back to his office, still gripping his phone.
Leo Linden cried inside: He never gave his number to Miss Sinclair, so how the hell did she get it? Totally unfair p>
Also, Master Julian hasn’t even won Miss Sinclair’s heart yet!
Just a glorified outsider with no official status, and he’s already getting jealous!
Ha, so possessive—does Miss Sinclair know?
Leo Linden almost ran to Vivian to snitch, but thinking of his own career, he just swallowed his complaints and kept quiet.
Julian called Vivian, but she didn’t pick up.
He finally asked Felix, who said Vivian was in the garden walking with Stella Thorne, so he dropped it.
By evening, huge snowflakes suddenly began to fall.
Vivian and Stella both bundled up in thick goose down parkas.
Boots on their feet, scarves and hats on, they ran through the garden, having the time of their lives catching the snow.
Lina Holloway and Matron Turner were both scared witless watching them.
“Miss Sinclair, you and the young lady need to slow down, please p>
“Watch out for slippery ground p>
But it was rare to see Stella so genuinely happy.
Mouth open catching snowflakes, but Vivian scolded her for eating them, so she just started running instead.
Vivian wouldn’t chase after her, only called out helplessly: “Your stomach’s going to hurt tomorrow, don’t say I didn’t warn you p>
Stella finally ran back, pitifully clinging to Vivian’s arm: “Sis, Stella was wrong, I was wrong, promise I won’t eat the snow again, please don’t ignore me p>
Vivian smiled, tapping Stella on the nose.
“Okay p>
The two were happily welcoming the season’s first snow when Felix hurried over fast.
“Miss Sinclair, there’s a Mr. Grant at the gate p>
“This Mr. Grant says he wants to see you p>
Grant?
Could it be Austin Grant?
He actually found his way here?
Even though everyone in Ardis knows Crestfall Villa belongs to The Thorne Family, almost no one dares drop by unannounced.
Not just because they rarely welcome outsiders—The Thornes have always been secretive.
For Austin Grant to show up at Crestfall, is he out of his mind or just desperate now?
Vivian: “Did you confirm who it is p>
Felix nodded: “Confirmed. It’s your husband, Mr. Austin Grant p>
Matron Turner’s face flashed a look of undisguised disgust, just caught by Lina Holloway’s glance.
Lina thought she must have imagined it—once she looked again, Matron Turner was back to normal.
Until Vivian coolly said, “I’m divorced from him p>
“Ex-husband p>
She was correcting Felix, and for the first time said out loud to someone: she was already divorced.