Chapter 33
Vivian Sinclair: “No rush, wait for my command p>
After hanging up Patrick Powell’s phone call, Vivian Sinclair, dressed in a black gown, finally stepped out of the car.
When she appeared at the entrance of the banquet hall, Austin Grant was already there acting as the host alongside Zoe Monroe.
The two of them were warmly chatting and laughing with mutual friends, creating a lively atmosphere.
When they saw Vivian Sinclair’s appearance, there was a collective silence.
“She really came p>
Zoe Monroe’s friend spoke sarcastically.
“Back then, if it weren’t for her appearance, Zoe, you wouldn’t have been forced to leave the country. And today, she still has the nerve to show up p>
“Exactly, you and President Grant were such a perfect match back then, the golden couple of our school. Everyone expected you to marry right after graduation, who knew p>
Zoe Monroe’s two best friends were ordinary people.
At this moment, they stared at Vivian Sinclair as if she were their personal enemy.
Austin Grant’s friends appeared much more respectful.
Each of them stepped forward, calling out, “Sister-in-law p>
“Sister-in-law, you’re here p>
Austin Grant saw the things Vivian Sinclair was holding and couldn’t help but frown, “How did you come? Who gave you the invitation p>
Zoe Monroe then stepped forward to say, “It was me p>
“Austin, don’t misunderstand, everyone please don’t misunderstand, and don’t joke around p>
“Now that Vivian is here, if you continue to say those words about misunderstandings, what am I supposed to do p>
“Vivian, I just thought that some misunderstandings could be explained to you today, so I gave you the invitation p>
“Thank you for gracing us with your presence, seeing you really makes me feel relieved p>
“As you can see, we’re all college classmates, actually Austin and I have long moved past it, and there’s nothing between us now p>
“The reason he kept me in The Grants was just to look after me p>
“You’ve always misunderstood the relationship between Austin and me. It’s fine for me to be misunderstood and targeted, but Austin treats you so well, please don’t misunderstand him because of me, okay p>
“Oh right, today’s my birthday, and it’s a private affair, I probably shouldn’t call you the President’s wife, right p>
Zoe Monroe’s gentleness seemed like the warm sun that could melt the snow, making everyone admire her ability to hold and let go.
On the other hand, Vivian Sinclair remained cold and self-important.
However, the true implications and sarcasm in Zoe Monroe’s words, as well as the underlying truth, were only known to Vivian Sinclair.
Her meaning was nothing more than targeting her specifically?
Vivian Sinclair stared deeply at Zoe Monroe, who was somewhat afraid of the recording in her hand, and thus avoided her gaze guiltily.
At this moment, except for Harvey Holloway, everyone’s gaze towards Vivian Sinclair held a certain complexity.
Vivian Sinclair acted as if she hadn’t noticed, simply handing over her gift.
“Happy Birthday p>
Without saying anything else, she walked into the banquet hall.
Vivian Sinclair’s arrogance was displeasing: “She’s just a fake heiress of The Sinclair Family, they say her real background is an orphan, what’s there to boast about p>
“Ha, if she didn’t act this way, how could she maintain her position as the Young Madam p>
“Indeed. Look at our Zoe, all these years, she’s relied on nothing but her own efforts and talents to get here p>
“Oh yes, Zoe, I heard you’re opening a gallery p>
“You’re just too excellent p>
“Yes, unlike some people who rely on a stolen family background to get this far, and end up being nothing but a full-time wife p>
Austin Grant listened to their comments about Vivian Sinclair without stopping them.
He just stared at Vivian’s back with a slight unease.
She was coming tonight, why didn’t she inform him in advance?
Not until Zoe Monroe pinched Austin Grant’s palm and gave him an accusing glare did Austin return to his senses.
The group continued chatting and laughing, welcoming the guests.
Not far away, Julian Thorne, having watched the scene unfold from start to finish, sneered: “Idiots p>
Special Assistant Linden:?
When did Master Julian start calling people directly?
“Master Julian, who are you scolding p>
It couldn’t be the Young Madam, right?
She was ridiculed face to face like that, yet managed to remain calm, truly showing restraint.
Julian Thorne: “The President of The Grant Group is not only blind but also lacks intelligence p>
Special Assistant Linden:?
So Master Julian was scolding President Grant?
It seems Master Julian really doesn’t take to this President very well.
Julian Thorne’s eyes flashed with contempt as he shook his head.
Turning, he stepped into a nearby VIP room.
Tonight, he had an important dinner meeting, so he didn’t linger.
“Elder Rivers, sorry to keep you waiting p>
Elder Rivers was busy entertaining the little grandson he brought with him today.
The grandson was originally drawing, but upon seeing him, acted as if he’d seen a monster, shrinking into his grandfather’s arms.
Julian Thorne froze on the spot.
Elder Rivers laughed heartily: “This child, the other day he accompanied me to the hospice to visit his great-aunt, and he went off painting in the garden p>
“When he came back, he claimed to have met a demon uncle who scared away his pretty sister p>
“I remember you went to the hospice that day too, was it you p>
Julian Thorne eyed the child’s face and realized it was indeed him who shared afternoon tea with Vivian Sinclair.
Not entirely comfortable, Julian coughed lightly: “Sorry, I was rude that day p>
“Uncle apologizes to you p>
Julian Thorne’s demeanor was gentle, unlike his aggressive stance towards Vivian Sinclair that day.
Under Elder Rivers’ coaxing, the little boy finally nodded bravely.
Wanting to appear friendly, Julian focused his attention on the little boy’s sketchbook, asking, “Are you drawing p>
The little boy pushed the sketchbook towards Julian Thorne.
Julian sat up straight and began flipping through it seriously.
Suddenly, his gaze fell upon one particular page.
This painting p>
Julian Thorne squinted his eyes, his demeanor instantly becoming cold once more.
“Who painted this p>
The little boy’s voice was trembling with fear: “That sister from that day p>
Julian Thorne felt his hands tremble slightly as he touched the lines.
It was indeed her!
Vivian Sinclair!
The force of the stroke, the atmosphere and color, and even the style of the whole painting… Julian Thorne recognized them all.
He had studied them for a whole three years!
How could he not recognize whose artwork it was?
In that moment, his feelings were indescribably complex.
There was an overriding sense of eventual discovery and excitement mixed with the anger of being toyed with.
“Finally caught you, W p>
Vivian Sinclair found a quiet corner to grab something to eat.
Soon, she saw Gia Grant approaching.
Vivian Sinclair’s beauty and charisma were so outstanding that, even in the corner, she couldn’t conceal her radiant presence, which quickly caught Gia Grant’s attention.
Gia Grant walked over with a glass of juice.
“Sister-in-law, you’re here too p>
“The incident that day was all my fault. Just consider Gia as naïve, and could you forgive me for my brother’s sake, sister-in-law p>
“This glass of juice is my apology to sister-in-law; will you drink it to give me face p>
Gia Grant shoved the juice into Vivian Sinclair’s hands.
If Vivian Sinclair hadn’t seen the flicker of guilt and hesitation in her eyes, she might have truly believed that Gia was there to appease her.
Vivian Sinclair handed her own juice to Gia Grant.
“Then how about you drink mine p>
Without suspicion, Gia Grant took it, and as Vivian Sinclair hesitated without drinking, Gia first gulped hers down.
“Sister-in-law, drink. You’re not suspecting I did something to the juice, are you p>
“It’s Zoe Monroe’s birthday today, why would I mess around p>
Vivian Sinclair: “Indeed. If you dare to mess around, I’ll expose the recording on your school forum, letting everyone know your malicious thoughts and jealousy towards Jasmine Tanner p>
Vivian said this while raising her glass and noticed Gia Grant’s anxious eyes with her peripheral vision; her hand holding the glass suddenly slipped.
The juice ’accidentally’ spilled all over Vivian Sinclair.
“Oh dear, I didn’t mean to p>
Gia Grant’s initially anxious expression became settled.
She fiercely glared at Vivian Sinclair: “Don’t be ungrateful p>
With these words, she stood up and left hastily, as if afraid of being called back by Vivian Sinclair.
Vivian Sinclair coldly chuckled.
If it wasn’t for Dr. Archer specially pulling her aside before she left today and giving her a heads-up suspiciously, Vivian truly wouldn’t have known Gia Grant could be so foolish!
“The young lady asked me for some drugs that would cause someone to lose their senses even in public and make a fool of themselves p>
“She offered quite a benefit, I couldn’t resist p>
Vivian Sinclair had long secretly bribed Dr. Archer to ensure that he informed her if anyone in the family except the old madam sought him.
Dr. Archer is Mrs. Archer’s son.
Knowing that Old Madam Grant valued this granddaughter-in-law highly, and since Vivian Sinclair specifically bypassed the old madam, Dr. Archer had no reason not to agree, right?
Moreover, Old Madam Grant tacitly agreed to the matter.
She was pleased that Vivian Sinclair wanted to extend her reach within this family, thinking she wished to learn how to control The Grant Family, so she turned a blind eye.
Otherwise, Vivian Sinclair wouldn’t have known about it.
The juice she accidentally knocked over just now must have had something suspicious, right?
However, Vivian Sinclair also had a special gift awaiting Gia Grant.
Let’s see who’s really going to be humiliated tonight.
Vivian Sinclair’s dress got stained.
Fortunately, she had prepared ahead, and she went upstairs to change.
Before heading up, she received a text from Patrick Powell: Boss, Gregory Monroe is in and should be near the banquet hall entrance soon.
Soon after, Vivian Sinclair heard some commotion at the entrance.
Instead of checking, she ascended the stairs from the middle of the banquet hall.
Vivian wasn’t in a hurry to go to the changing room but twisted and turned until she arrived at the emergency exit stairs. After hearing a loud door slam followed by Patrick’s text, she followed downstairs.
Reaching the first-floor exit, Vivian Sinclair pushed open the door slightly to hear Zoe Monroe’s voice.
“What exactly do you want p>
“I already gave you a sum of money back then; can’t you consider me dead? Why do you keep pestering me p>
“I’m begging you p>
“Just leave p>
Gregory Monroe looked at his dazzling daughter with unconcealed anger on his face, raising a hand to deliver a slap: “Well, you little brat p>
“Back then, I worked hard to support your college education, and you think a little money’s enough to abandon me and the whole family p>
“While you live a high-end socialite life, what kind of life is your old man leading p>
“Your brother’s still in jail, yet you have no conscience and aim to get rid of us p>
“Let me tell you, no way p>
Gregory Monroe’s agitated attitude left Zoe Monroe both angry and afraid.
These past few years, she hadn’t faced such humiliation.
A sudden urge to kill arose in her heart!
Yet, she panicked, constantly looking behind her to avoid being discovered.
Just now, Gregory Monroe appearing at the banquet hall entrance nearly scared the life out of her.
Unclear on how he suddenly showed up, she had no choice but to pull Gregory outside, aiming to swiftly get rid of him.
“What exactly do you want p>
“Can we talk about this later p>
“Today is my birthday; I’m begging you p>
Gregory Monroe made an extortionate demand: “Give me…fifty thousand p>
“I heard you’re attached to a president. Impressive, I assume you’ve earned quite a lot from being supported, right p>
“Give me fifty thousand tonight and I’ll leave immediately p>
“Or else, hmph, I’ll let everyone know I’m your father p>
Just at this moment, a noise suddenly came from behind the door.
Zoe Monroe turned abruptly in panic.
She shouted anxiously in a trembling voice: “Who p>
Footsteps sounded.
Zoe Monroe, without hesitation, turned and pursued.
“Stop p>
She only saw a black silhouette hurrying away, convinced it was the eavesdropper.
Zoe Monroe panicked beyond measure.
It’s over; this time it’s truly over!
If anyone heard her conversation with Gregory Monroe, all her painstaking efforts to maintain her image would collapse!
Her family was her shame, and the world absolutely couldn’t know her background and origin.
Especially Austin Grant; what would he think of her?
And those who ridiculed Vivian Sinclair would turn around to mock her!
She couldn’t allow it, absolutely couldn’t!
Only one thought dominated Zoe Monroe’s mind: she couldn’t let this person escape and destroy the perfect day she had long awaited, meticulously prepared, intending to make a stunning appearance at her birthday banquet!
Thus, Zoe Monroe charged forward with full force.
She swiftly grabbed a stick from against the wall.
Seeing the shadow, she didn’t even think and swung it at them—
Yet before she could hit the figure, she saw a hand suddenly yank the shadow forward.
Just then, the tightly shut corridor door slammed open with a ’bang p>
All spotlight beams converged.
The shadow unexpectedly stumbled on the ground.
And Zoe Monroe, her face twisted in rage, holding the stick with an outstretched hand, looked menacing, just after committing an assault.
The entire banquet hall was astonished.
“Zoe, what are you doing p>
Austin Grant pushed through the crowd and stepped forward, disbelief on his face.
Everyone else shared the expression of shock, staring at Zoe Monroe like she was a madwoman.
Zoe Monroe snapped back to reality.
When she looked down at the person on the ground and saw it was Vivian Sinclair turning her head around, the stick in Zoe Monroe’s hand fell heavily to the ground.
Before Zoe Monroe could speak, Vivian Sinclair was already clutching her stomach, her face pale as a sheet: “My…my child p>
Blood trickled down Vivian Sinclair’s leg.
Vivian Sinclair, in immense pain, raised her face full of hatred towards the people in front of her: “Zoe Monroe, why did you harm my child p>