Chapter 5
If it weren’t for the same name… Vivian Sinclair looked up, realizing that in the darkness it was still just a shadow.
She hadn’t truly seen that person’s face from start to finish.
She quickly hid her trembling hands behind her back, her heart pounding uncontrollably, even panicked.
It was as if her own earth-shattering secret was about to be exposed, making her want nothing more than to escape at once.
“Thank you p>
She lowered her voice, turned, and swiftly vanished into the shadows.
Reaching the main gate, Vivian looked at the old Grant family residence.
Brightly lit, with melodious music floating through.
She forced herself to snap awake and stay calm, taking Lina Holloway toward the Grant family’s garden.
“Young Madam, you’re back p>
“Oh my god, how did you get hurt p>
“Quick, call p>
Vivian: “No need, I’ll go in myself p>
Once the two of them disappeared, Special Assistant Linden turned to look at the man in black on the plush seat behind him.
“Master Julian, are you worried Lina Holloway still turns up empty-handed tonight, so you left her a way to reach out—giving us another path to find W p>
Julian Thorne: “Someone in the Grants is deliberately covering this up p>
“A year ago I sent someone to ask Theodore Grant, and it was clear he had no idea about what happened p>
“But someone in the Grant family must know the truth p>
Julian had tracked W’s whereabouts for three years.
He finally traced it back to the Grant family.
If Lina Holloway still couldn’t find anything, he would step in personally!
Thinking of that face just now—disheveled yet still stunning, those clear eyes.
Julian’s heart flickered: “Turns out she’s got some backbone p>
Linden: “Master Julian, what did you say p>
Just as he finished speaking, the phone rang.
“Master Julian, the group who kidnapped you and Miss back then has shown up again p>
Inside the old Grant residence, guests filled the garden inside and out.
Nearly every notable figure in Ardis City was gathered here tonight.
All dressed to the nines, gliding with drinks in hand, chatting and laughing as the elegant strings wove through the air.
Vivian Sinclair kept an incredibly low profile.
So much so, no one even noticed her.
In the main hall, several Grant family hosts were surrounded by the crowd, walking with glory among the guests.
Glasses clinked back and forth, faces flushed with pride—feeling even more smug and triumphant inside.
From now on, the Grants—they’d be the elite of Ardis.
The Grant family’s excitement and thrill reached their peak at this moment.
The one who drew the most attention was, of course, the eldest Grant son.
The Grant Group’s acting CEO, dressed with grace, strikingly distinguished—wherever Austin Grant went tonight, he was the center of attention.
This time, it was said he was crucial in leading the Grant Group to a successful IPO.
With an heir like Austin, guests showered the Grants with congratulations, many offering to toast him in person.
“President Grant is truly impressive at such a young age p>
“Is this the Young Madam Grant p>
“Rumor has it the Young Madam is not only accomplished but a stunner. Seeing her tonight… it’s not quite what I expected p>
A guest held up his glass and cast a scrutinizing look at the woman beside Austin Grant.
But as soon as he spoke, not only did the Grant family’s expressions freeze—Zoe Monroe, who had made herself up for tonight, looked absolutely mortified.
Only Austin Grant kept his poise as he introduced, “Timothy Chamberlain, she’s just my secretary, Miss Zoe Monroe p>
Just a secretary?
Who’d buy that?
Look at that secretary—those longing, pitiful eyes nearly melting on President Grant.
Many people exchanged knowing looks.
“Word is, since the Young Madam’s background came out, the Grant family turned cold to everyone else—guess it’s true p>
“Yeah, at an event like this, the Young Madam doesn’t even show up and he’s got a young and pretty secretary beside him. Really disrespectful to the Sinclairs p>
“Didn’t the Sinclairs come tonight too p>
Not far away, Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair wore awkward smiles that were about to crack, but their eyes were so cold it looked like ice would drip off.
Beside them was the Sinclair daughter lost for twenty-two years—Catherine Sinclair.
Mr. Sinclair, Simon Sinclair.
Simon turned away, muttering angrily, “Good-for-nothing! Married her off to the Grants, and she still can’t win her husband’s heart p>
“He’s brought his secretary instead of her—she’s dragging the Sinclair name through the mud p>
Mrs. Sinclair—Wendy Warren—looked just as disappointed: “What’s wrong with Vivian tonight? The Grants aren’t even bothered to go through the motions in public anymore p>
“If only we hadn’t come here tonight p>
Catherine watched her parents say such things, arms folded, responding coolly, “Didn’t we abandon Vivian first p>
“No one cares about Vivian. The Grants just do what profits them p>
Simon and Wendy were completely taken aback by their own daughter’s words.
They stared at Catherine in disbelief, but she just picked up her champagne and drifted away as if nothing had happened.
Still, Austin Grant coming with his secretary hadn’t caused much of a stir.
After all, if the Sinclairs could swallow their pride, outsiders were just there for the show.
Meanwhile, Gia Grant glared sourly at Zoe Monroe: “After tonight, that bitch will be all anyone’s talking about p>
“Mom, how could you let brother bring her to such an important party p>
“Didn’t you always hate her most? She took five million and left Ardis, and now she’s back—so greedy p>
“Why don’t you expose her real face in front of brother p>
Even if Vivian didn’t come tonight, it should’ve been me, the Grant daughter, at my brother’s side being the belle of the ball.
Instead, Zoe Monroe, that nobody, stole my spotlight!
Lillian Rivers glanced nervously all around, then quickly dragged Gia aside.
After making sure no one could hear, she hissed, “Are you stupid p>
“Times are different—your brother is flying high now, how could I cross him p>
“Besides, back then he decided Vivian meddled in it. Why should I explain away their mistake p>
“Honestly, Zoe Monroe coming back now is perfect p>
Gia gasped, “Mom, you mean to use Zoe Monroe… and then break up Vivian and brother’s marriage p>
Gia made a chopping motion.
Lillian Rivers smiled gracefully: “I just have to give a gentle nudge—I don’t need to get my hands dirty p>
“Soon, our Grant family can vacate the Young Madam’s spot, and I’ll pick a true heiress worthy of your brother p>
“A better family, prettier, smarter—she’ll be a thousand times superior to Vivian p>
“As for Zoe Monroe, if I can send her packing once, I can do it twice. That kind of woman is the least of my worries p>
Lillian’s eyes were full of hope and fierce ambition, making Gia murmur, “Mom, finding someone better than Vivian? That’s… not so easy, right p>
Lillian shot her a glare: “What do you know p>
“And I’m warning you—don’t go stirring up trouble with your brother tonight, got it p>
“I’ll have people take lots of photos of your brother getting cozy with Zoe Monroe, then send them straight to Vivian. I heard her pregnancy’s not stable and she’s in the hospital. If she gets so angry she loses the baby—that’d finally settle things for me p>
Lillian and Gia swept back into the party, working the room.
Neither noticed a sneaky shadow slip past behind them p>
The ball began.
Austin Grant held Zoe Monroe close, sharing the first dance of the night.
All eyes on them, he gazed at the gentle woman in his arms, the two of them lost in each other as if nothing else existed.
That look—so tender and loving—everyone in the crowd saw it.
“President Grant really is a player p>
“With those looks, no way it’s innocent. Does anyone even remember that fake Sinclair heiress, the real Young Madam Grant p>
“Look at them—handsome man, beautiful woman. They really do make a striking couple p>
Suddenly, a scream rang out in the garden.
“It’s the Young Madam Grant p>
“There’s so much blood p>
“The Young Madam’s hurt p>
“President Grant’s still inside, dancing with his secretary p>
Austin heard snippets of the commotion.
His heart thudded violently.
“What happened p>
He stopped dancing, turning to the nearest servant to ask.
Soon, someone rushed in in a panic shouting, “Bad news, sir! It’s the Young Madam—she’s hurt, there’s so much blood p>
Austin’s face changed dramatically; he let go of Zoe Monroe and strode quickly outside.
Zoe bit her lip unwillingly, then hurried after him.
The others also rushed out in a flurry.
The Grant family was in for a real show tonight!
The crowd wore secretly gleeful expressions—none more excited than Lillian Rivers.
Blood?
Could it be that Vivian, the useless one, really had a miscarriage?
Austin pushed through the crowd.
Vivian sat in a chair, her lips deathly pale, streaked with traces of dried blood.
When Austin appeared, she looked up at him with fragile eyes.
“Austin p>
She got up and stumbled into Austin’s arms, her whole body limp and helpless.
“I heard there was a very important party at home tonight. I just wanted to come back and surprise you, but I got into a car accident on the way p>
“I’m sorry, it was my carelessness p>
Austin’s throat tightened painfully.
Seeing Vivian so battered and weak, he was oddly flustered and anxious inside.
He couldn’t bring himself to blame her.
He forced out the words: “You’re hurt p>
Her forehead had already been bandaged, but Austin was more worried about the child she was carrying—his and Zoe’s.
But with so many people around, now wasn’t the time for questions.
Austin scooped Vivian into his arms, startled by how light she was.
Vivian, as if fearing he would worry, touched her belly in front of everyone: “Don’t worry, Austin. It’s just a surface wound—the baby’s fine p>
The crowd erupted.
Everyone genuinely pitied Vivian, the Young Madam of the Grants.
No one expected the fake Sinclair heiress to love President Grant so fiercely.
Even like this, she was still trying to reassure him.
And she’s pregnant—how could the Grant family let her go out alone?
Not only that, tonight President Grant came in openly with his secretary, and his legal wife—who’s carrying his child—nearly lost her life.
Looks like there’s seriously something wrong with how the Grants do things.
All kinds of looks landed on the Grant family—and Zoe Monroe was condemned by the crowd’s stares right then and there.
Theodore Grant, the family head, awkwardly changed his expression and rushed to smooth things over: “Child, if you’re still recovering in the hospital, why did you come back p>
“At least let the family driver pick you up p>
“Austin, hurry and take Vivian away. Get Dr. Archer here for a proper exam p>
Austin carried Vivian quickly away.
Zoe watched, red-eyed and hurting as if stabbed.
Her nails dug so deep into her palm they broke the skin.
Vivian Sinclair!
A perfect night—ruined by her!
Lillian Rivers was disappointed too.
Someone congratulated her on becoming a grandmother, and she had to force a smile.
The Sinclair trio exchanged looks.
Wendy Warren: “Let’s go check on Vivian p>
Austin Grant took Vivian back to her room.
“Austin, you’re not mad, are you p>
Vivian watched his stiff face, looking nervous and fragile—but she was asking what she already knew.
She’d ruined the Grant family’s party, ruined his and his first love’s perfect opening dance—how could he not be angry?
Yet Austin was not used to seeing Vivian so weak.
Thinking of bringing Zoe Monroe tonight, a faint pang of guilt flickered in him.
“As long as you and the baby are okay p>
Vivian touched her belly: “Don’t worry—I’d give my own life to protect our child p>
Austin felt another strange twist inside.
He was about to reach for Vivian’s forehead—but his phone intruded with a ring.
Austin glanced down at his screen, then instantly stood up.
“Dr. Archer will be here soon. I’ll be right back p>
Austin hurried out. As soon as he left, Vivian climbed off the bed right away.
She went to the window and looked down.
She knew Zoe Monroe had desperately called Austin away—and what Vivian wanted was exactly this chance.
Dr. Archer arrived quickly.
He stitched and cleaned Vivian’s wound, using only a tiny bit of local anesthetic for the baby’s sake.
But the dose was so low, it hardly worked.
Vivian shook violently in pain, gripping the bedsheet until it nearly tore.
But she managed not to make a sound.
When he finished, Dr. Archer let out a heavy sigh of relief.
“Young Madam, you’re very strong p>
“But to be safe, you should go for a proper checkup at the hospital tomorrow p>
Vivian: “Thank you. I know p>
Vivian asked Matron Warren to walk Dr. Archer out, then changed into a pure white dress.
Her long hair loose down to her waist, forehead bandaged, lips colorless, and with her hauntingly beautiful face—it was enough to inspire instant pity.
Pretending to be the innocent angel? Dead easy to learn.
As long as she could get a divorce, nothing else mattered.
She was just running out when Matron Warren returned.
“Young Madam, President Sinclair and Mrs. Sinclair are here to see you p>