Chapter 18
Vivian Sinclair looked at him with a gaze that seemed frantic.
She was increasingly unable to decipher what Austin Grant truly intended tonight.
At the moment, all Vivian could do was quietly observe and wait for things to unfold.
She raised her hand and touched her belly: “What if you accidentally squeeze, bump, or kick the babies p>
Austin’s expression immediately froze on his face.
He appeared to be somewhat worried about this issue as well.
Vivian carried the child that belonged to herself and Zoe, and there must be no mishaps.
Vivian understood his mindset well, and the excuse naturally came to her.
“I’m a light sleeper now; I think we should stick to how we used to be, not disturbing each other’s peace p>
Austin rubbed the center of his forehead and sighed: “Fine, you have a good rest p>
“We’ll discuss anything else tomorrow p>
As he walked past Vivian, Austin raised his hand to pat her head: “Vivian, stop being stubborn p>
“Enough has happened today, and I’ve already been reprimanded by grandma p>
“Haven’t you caused enough trouble p>
He hoped Vivian would quickly return to her former gentle and sensible self, so he didn’t mind coaxing her a bit more.
However, Vivian waited until he finally stepped out of the door, then slammed it shut right in front of him.
Not a single unnecessary word came out from her lips.
Austin’s face stiffened.
His eyes bore into the door, carrying a hint of exasperated anger: “Vivian Sinclair, your guts are growing, aren’t they p>
Just as he raised his hand intending to smash the door open again, the butler hurriedly arrived: “Young master, the madam requests your presence p>
The doorway finally became quiet.
Vivian immediately sent a text message to Jasmine.
“Keep an eye on Lillian Rivers and Austin Grant for me p>
“Investigate what exactly they’re up to p>
Meanwhile, Jasmine had just come out of Old Madam Grant’s villa, and upon receiving the Young Madam’s message, she sped towards the main residence as if she were turbocharged.
This night, while the manor fell into a seeming calm, a new unknown crept upon Vivian Sinclair like the darkness p>
At Crestfall Villa of the Thorne Family.
Inside the dim study, only a weak lamp shed some light.
Julian Thorne stood by the large floor-to-ceiling window looking out at the pitch-black Thorne Manor. Behind him, Special Assistant Linden had finished reporting the situation, his back completely soaked.
“Master Julian, that’s the situation p>
“That doctor and nurse not only fled but also set fire to every piece of data from the past half year within their department, burning it clean p>
“Even the data in the cloud has been completely… destroyed p>
“We were a step too late. Please punish me, Master Julian p>
Julian didn’t turn around, only letting out a cold laugh.
“Interesting p>
“Such deliberate destruction; it’s clear someone set this trap for me p>
“However, anything that has existed in this world can never vanish without a trace p>
“Find it, with any means necessary, spend any amount, but recover the hospital data p>
Special Assistant Linden immediately responded: “Yes p>
“I’ve already contacted the top hacker team domestically, instructing them to retrieve the data at all costs p>
“Moreover, the doctor and nurse who ran might have gone to Zanthos p>
“We’ve already sent a team over, and they’ll dig them up, even if it takes searching every inch over there p>
“Though there is a time issue here as well p>
Special Assistant Linden raised his hand to wipe the sweat forming on his forehead.
What he dared not voice was his fear: The longer time drags on, the more likely it is that everything will be too late by then, especially with the child’s expected arrival in a few months. Even finding the culprits may leave matters unchanged, yet Julian might truly become a father?
Special Assistant Linden was uncertain if it should be deemed a blessing or a scandal.
Julian’s face remained cold and emotionless: “Children that shouldn’t exist mustn’t be born into this world p>
The next day, Vivian was sitting by a window, absentmindedly touching her belly that had no signs yet.
Thinking of the two little lives budding inside brought an involuntary smile to her face as she nervously touched her belly, “Babies, you must grow well p>
Her demeanor softened more and more, like the thaw of spring, embodying a mother’s innate tenderness and radiance.
Seeing this, Austin, who had just intended to knock on the door, froze with his hand in mid-air.
Then, as if spellbound, he leaned against the doorframe, watching Vivian for a while.
Until Jasmine lightly coughed behind him: “Young master, you haven’t gone to work this morning, have you p>
Vivian was so engrossed and focused on her baby movements that she realized Austin was standing at the doorway.
The tenderness on her face instantly vanished completely.
Austin:?
Did he just see her roll her eyes?
Well done, Vivian!
Austin glared at Jasmine: “What are you up to now p>
Jasmine looked aggrieved and widened her eyes: “I’m following Old Madam’s instructions to invite the Young Madam to breakfast at the small villa p>
Vivian stood up upon hearing this: “Why didn’t grandma just call me p>
Jasmine: “Old Madam was worried that you might still be sleeping, so she asked me to check. Didn’t want to wake you with a phone call and said to wait until you’re awake if you were still asleep p>
Grandmother’s thoughtfulness and meticulous care warmed Vivian’s heart.
She left with Jasmine and started downstairs, reaching Rosengarde only to find Austin still following behind her.
Vivian turned back to stare at him: “Why haven’t you left yet p>
Austin strode up beside her: “You can have breakfast with grandma, so why can’t I p>
“Vivian Sinclair, don’t forget she’s my grandmother p>
Vivian let out a soft “Oh” and ignored him, but deliberately glanced a few more times at the corner of the wall in Rosengarde.
Wasn’t this the place where Austin Grant and Zoe Monroe had their affair that night?
What a wasted opportunity that evening.
Vivian’s gaze caught Austin Grant’s attention.
He was originally just curious about what she was looking at, but following her gaze, his heart paused slightly.
Wasn’t that…the place where he comforted Zoe that night?
He had never asked her if she heard anything that night, and she never mentioned it either.
Considering the change in Vivian’s attitude these days, it became more apparent only after that night.
Compared to before, she was almost like a different person.
Could it be that she really discovered something that night?
Austin felt a sudden, inexplicable panic.
Soon, they arrived at the small villa where Old Madam Grant resided in the backyard.
Seeing Vivian arrive, Old Madam Grant enthusiastically waved her over: “Vivian, are you hungry p>
“Grandmother specifically instructed the kitchen to prepare both Western and Chinese breakfasts for you. Do check if there’s anything you would like to eat p>
Rice noodles, porridge, buns, fried dough sticks, soy milk, rice rolls p>
Various kinds of bread, bagels, sandwiches, milk, juice, grilled sausage pizza—everything was there.
The entire table was filled with breakfast, and there was no way the few people there could finish it all.
“Grandmother, you’ve gone to so much trouble p>
“I’ve been having a decent appetite lately, so I can eat anything p>
Ever since she stopped taking those so-called pregnancy shots, Vivian’s morning sickness had gradually improved, and her appetite naturally returned quite a bit.
Recently, she’s even gained a bit more weight on her face.
Old Madam Grant: “As long as you and the babies in your belly are doing well, I’m happy to worry p>
“Oh? Austin, why are you here too p>
“It’s rare for you to show concern for your wife by accompanying her, so don’t do foolish things again, understand p>
“You’re about to become a father, and you need to shoulder your responsibilities p>
Vivian felt a bit guilty towards Old Madam Grant, after all, the child in her belly wasn’t actually a Grant bloodline, yet Grandmother was so attentive to her daily needs.
But seeing Austin Grant, and thinking of what he did, Vivian’s guilt vanished completely.
Everything that happened, Austin Grant deserved!
As for Grandmother, she would never know the truth.
Austin Grant gently pushed Old Madam Grant to the table: “Grandmother, I truly know my mistakes now p>
“Otherwise, you can ask Vivian; I specifically waited for her early today, wanting to come and have breakfast with you p>
“You really favor her by inviting her alone and preparing such a sumptuous breakfast p>
“I had to thicken my skin to come along as well p>
It was only then that Old Madam Grant forgave Austin Grant for his foolish actions of the previous day.
“You should save that smooth talk for your wife p>
“By the way, don’t say grandmother is partial. I have an old friend who recently opened an art exhibit in the west of the city p>
“Not just anyone can get tickets to this exhibit p>
“Grandmother managed to get two for you p>
“They say exposing the baby to art during pregnancy can cultivate their future temperament p>
“Take Vivian with you p>
Old Madam Grant gently brushed her fingers over Vivian’s belly as she spoke.
Seeing this, Austin Grant looked on tenderly.
He agreed to her wish.
When they were about to leave, he handed all the tickets to Vivian.
“I just asked Nicholas Chamberlain, and I have a free slot at two in the afternoon three days from now p>
“So, three days from now, meet me at the art exhibit p>
Vivian couldn’t refuse, so she put the tickets away.
After Austin Grant left, Vivian turned back to the villa.
She brought up the matter of Jasmine to Old Madam Grant.
“Grandmother, I’d like to borrow Jasmine p>
“I opened a teahouse before, and now business is good. Jasmine seems quite capable, so why not let her help me out p>
Originally, Vivian wanted to tell Old Madam Grant about Jasmine’s schooling so that she could arrange her schedule secretly.
But recently, Vivian changed her mind.
Old Madam Grant was always the matriarch of the Grant Family, while Vivian wanted to completely make Jasmine her own.
So, she couldn’t let Jasmine stay just within the Grant household.
A servant? Of course, Old Madam Grant wouldn’t refuse her.
She called Jasmine over, instructed her a bit, and released her.
Jasmine was overjoyed, as going outside meant having more freedom.
That very day, Jasmine followed Vivian out of the old house boldly.
Her father, Uncle Tanner, initially had reservations, but once he heard it was personally approved by the old madam, he dared not object.
He only complained a bit when he drove Lillian Rivers out.
Lillian Rivers, looking at her phone and not lifting her head, coldly said: “Old Tanner, in a few months, the entire Grant family will be in my hands. Are you still worried your daughter will truly run away p>
“Rest assured, I will find her a good groom p>
“I guarantee a life without worries for you p>
Old Tanner then laughed: “Yes, with you around, I have nothing to worry about p>
Meanwhile, when Mrs. Archer returned, she reported to Old Madam Grant that Lillian Rivers had gone out again.
And it was to Pinnacle Bank.
Old Madam Grant’s heart skipped a beat: “Could it be she knows something p>