Chapter 48
Vivian looked at Patrick Powell and nodded.
That night, in the oppressive, wind-lashed Grant Family old mansion.
The servants all wore anxious, frightened looks; the family members themselves were frantic and disheveled.
The entire Grant Family, inside and out, was in utter chaos.
Because of the stocks, because of Vivian’s disappearance, because of all these scandals erupting at the same time and simply refusing to stay buried!
Theodore Grant knew, their family was being targeted.
But it was also their own unclean hands that gave people leverage against them!
“Someone is definitely orchestrating all this behind the scenes p>
“And they’re even stronger than the Grant Family, their tactics even more ruthless—a force even we can’t reckon with p>
“Who is it p>
“Who is it p>
No matter what, they couldn’t dig up any clues; exhausting every connection still hadn’t turned things around one bit.
Theodore smashed up the study in fury.
He’d worked so hard to build the Grants to where they were, only for a few scandals to ruin it all so easily.
How could he accept this?
Thinking of the exhaustion of recent days dealing with everything, Theodore looked up coldly at Austin Grant.
Seeing him like this, Theodore, shaking with rage, grabbed the inkstone at hand and hurled it: “You bastard! It’s all trouble you’ve caused p>
Lillian Rivers shrieked and rushed over, grabbing Austin tightly in her arms, crying, “Honey, all of this is Vivian’s mess, how can you blame Austin p>
“If Vivian hadn’t caused that incident that night, hadn’t run off, she wouldn’t still be missing, life or death unknown p>
“She’s the one who ruined us p>
Theodore jabbed his trembling finger at mother and son: “Shut up! As if Austin Grant did nothing wrong p>
“Was it Vivian who forced him to have that affair with Zoe Monroe? And let someone snap photos and expose this scandal p>
“And you p>
“Didn’t clean up after yourself, got caught meeting with the Pinnacle Bank president in secret—where am I supposed to save face now p>
“And you, acting like a fool of a mother, do you think I can’t guess what you’ve been up to behind our backs p>
“Mother probably already suspects… and it’s not just about Austin’s affair being photographed, but also that she’s still in a coma, not waking up. If anything truly happens to her this time, I’m holding you both responsible p>
Austin and Lillian instantly fell silent, bowing their heads in unison.
Because they knew, although Old Madam Grant wasn’t as important to Theodore as the whole Grant Group, she certainly wasn’t less important than the three of them.
Just then, Austin Grant’s phone rang.
He turned to answer, voice low: “Hello p>
“What p>
“Yes, it’s me p>
“What did you say p>
“Alright, I understand p>
Hanging up, Austin, excited, turned to his parents: “Mom, Dad, they’ve found Vivian p>
Southvale Sanatorium.
Rushing to the sanatorium, Austin was quickly led to Vivian.
Vivian sat in a wheelchair, dressed in hospital garb, looking up with an exhausted, ghostly pale face.
Austin felt as if needles were tearing at his heart.
He hurried toward her.
Vivian’s face flashed anxiety and fear; she spun her wheelchair to leave.
Austin darted ahead of her, blocking the way.
“Vivian p>
“Vivian… don’t be scared, it’s my fault p>
“I truly was wrong, Vivian. I won’t hurt you again p>
Austin knelt down on one knee, cautiously reaching out to gently touch her cold, thin face.
Vivian’s eyes filled with terror, as if recalling something horrifying, and her expression deeply stung Austin.
Was she really this afraid of him?
Just when did it start—once respectful and harmonious, the two of them became what they were now?
“Vivian, whether you believe me or not, even though the woman I love isn’t you, I still treated you as my wife p>
Austin stood, heart aching, and pulled Vivian tenderly into his arms.
“I was only angry that you kept hiding from me, weren’t as thoughtful and caring as before, so I got a little rough p>
“I know you’ve suffered p>
“But the child, we’ll still have one p>
“Vivian, we’ll have a child that’s truly ours p>
As Austin spoke, he rested his forehead against Vivian’s, wanting her to see in his eyes this promise.
This time, he truly felt guilty.
So, once things settle, he’ll persuade Zoe, then give Vivian a child that’s truly hers—as compensation.
Hearing this, Vivian couldn’t hide the disgust on her face.
His kid?
Who the hell wanted his child!
She forcefully shoved Austin away, once again returning to her frightened, wounded demeanor.
“Don’t touch me p>
“I’ll never forgive any of you p>
“Have you not ruined me enough p>
Vivian quickly typed on her phone, one message after another for Austin to read.
Seeing this, Austin was shocked as he sat on the ground.
“You p>
Just then, Lina Holloway emerged.
“President Grant, as you can see, Young Madam suffered from persistent high fever for days. When she woke, her vocal cords had been irreparably damaged p>
“All of the doctors here have done everything they could p>
Hearing this, Austin’s pupils contracted violently.
He sprang to his feet, stepping up to Lina, red-eyed and shouting: “Dr. Holloway? Why is it you p>
“What do you mean by that p>
“Vivian’s vocal cords are ruined p>
“How could that possibly have happened? Don’t try to lie to me p>
Lina quickly circled behind Vivian, gripping her wheelchair.
“Please calm down, President Grant p>
“A few nights ago during a storm, Mrs. Grant collapsed by the roadside and was rescued by an elderly couple recuperating here p>
“I only found out it was Mrs. Grant today, when I came in to work p>
“That’s why I called you immediately p>
“I’ve already reviewed her case thoroughly. She was unconscious for several days with a persistent fever and couldn’t speak. And since no one here knew who she was, there was no way to contact you sooner p>
“But now that Mrs. Grant is awake, I wasted no time in notifying you p>
It was obvious Vivian was very displeased by Lina’s ’tip-off,’ so she turned and violently pushed Lina’s hands from her wheelchair, glaring with resentment.
Austin shook his dazed head hard, trying to clear it.
“How could this happen p>
“Vivian, how did you end up like this p>
He looked distraught.
But Vivian only stared at him coldly.
Was he really sad?
Absolutely not!
She was alive—compared to claiming an anonymous woman’s body at the morgue, shouldn’t he be utterly disappointed?
Hadn’t he already assumed she was dead?
If it weren’t for her need for revenge, Vivian might have considered just vanishing from the world.
This was her chance to disappear from these scumbags for good.
But doing that was letting them off too easily.
Seeing the open, blazing hatred in her eyes, Austin shrank away guiltily.
He couldn’t meet Vivian’s stark, clear gaze.
It was like he couldn’t face the fact that it was his fault she’d become this way.
As Vivian’s legal husband, Austin could take her away directly.
Vivian didn’t resist; instead, she glared resentfully back at ’Lina Holloway,’ and just before she disappeared from sight, she winked at Lina.
Lina let out a quiet breath, thinking she’d finally muddled through.
She turned and called her real boss.
“Mr. Thorne, I’ve helped Miss Sinclair perform the act on this side p>
“Everything’s covered at the sanatorium; I’ve personally taken care of all the files—so even if the Grant Family investigates, there won’t be any holes p>
“Luckily, this sanatorium is owned by The Thornes; otherwise, at that newly acquired place in the west of town, I’ve heard some employees already saw Miss Sinclair—she’d be easily exposed p>
“By the way, I’ve also arranged your meeting with Miss Sinclair. In three days, she wants to visit your home to see the young lady herself p>
Julian Thorne took a long moment to respond: “She said that? Three days from now p>
Lina couldn’t read Julian’s tone, so she answered honestly, “Yes, she asked to herself p>
Julian Thorne: “Mm. Got it p>
Hanging up, Julian looked at Special Assistant Linden, who had only half delivered the earlier report.
“Go on p>
Julian turned away, continuing to overlook the vast expanse of Ardis from the towering floor-to-ceiling windows.
Special Assistant Linden pushed his glasses, speaking precisely, “Those old red-hat hackers have cracked the hospital’s previously damaged data p>
“Just another two hours, and we’ll have a precise list of mothers who underwent IVF during the window when your sperm was stolen p>
“That way, we’ll quickly be able to identify who received your sperm and carried your child p>
Julian Thorne: “Wait p>
“In two hours, I want the complete list p>
Vivian was taken back to the Grant Family mansion by Austin.
She was so frail, she could only get around by wheelchair.
Austin personally attended to her every need, carrying her up and down, and they’d never been this physically close before.
Until Vivian was wheeled into the main hall.
Lillian Rivers, face dark, sat gloomily on the couch.
Gia Grant wore an expression full of hate.
Theodore Grant strode over, glaring down at Vivian, his eyes cold as knives.
“Vivian, if you’re safe and sound, why did you hide and not come home these days? Why not show your face, leaving the Grant Family at the center of this mystery about your life and death p>
“Was it intentional p>
“Did you scheme against us on purpose, waiting to stand by and watch our downfall p>
“Are you taking revenge on Austin for betraying your marriage p>
“If all this is your doing, how dare you still come back p>
You had to admit, Theodore Grant was truly the master of the Grant Family!
His instincts were razor-sharp!
Vivian nearly faltered in front of him, exposed by his scrutiny, but thankfully before she could speak, Austin stepped forward first.
“Dad, it wasn’t Vivian p>
“She was in a deep coma with a high fever for days—she didn’t know a thing about what was happening outside p>
“If someone hadn’t saved her, she might actually have p>
“Also, her vocal cords got burned, so she can’t speak p>
Theodore looked suspicious: “Really p>
Austin nodded solemnly: “I checked thoroughly—the sanatorium files are all clean p>
Theodore’s expression finally eased.
He slumped into a seat, rubbing his forehead and sighing, “Now that things have reached this point, I’m not trying to assign blame p>
“But since Vivian is back, our top priority is the Grant Group’s PR p>
“Pass along the orders: organize a press conference immediately p>
“Vivian, listen close—you’re our daughter-in-law. You must clean up the mess you’ve made and help the Grant Family through this crisis, understood p>
Vivian didn’t rush to nod.
Instead, she raised her phone and displayed her prewritten message for the whole Grant Family to see.
“Fine, but I’d like everyone to drink a bowl of my calming, nourishing herbal soup first p>
“Is that too much to ask p>
The Grant side fell into a deadlock.
Elsewhere, Julian Thorne arrived at the two-hour mark.
Special Assistant Linden hurried in again.
“Master Julian, it’s done p>
“Here’s the list you wanted p>
Linden’s face was a bit strange.
Julian glanced at him, taking in his odd expression, then, lowering his head over the list, his entire body froze.
Special Assistant Linden was stunned: No wonder Master Julian—who never changes expression no matter the crisis—looked so shocked. It was outright uncanny!
Because there was a name on the list they could never have anticipated!
Julian Thorne truly hadn’t expected it.
He stared at the name among the women who’d done IVF, glaringly clear: Vivian Sinclair!