Chapter 56
So, she’s Ji Xingqian’s sick little sister, Stella.
Vivian Sinclair looked into those pure, childlike eyes and couldn’t deny it.
“I think… yes p>
Stella’s eyes lit up instantly: “Then sis, can you teach me to draw p>
“I want to paint the hole in your heart p>
Vivian stared in disbelief. “You can really understand my paintings p>
Stella tilted her head, confusion written all over her face as she stared at Vivian: “Yeah p>
“Your hole seems to be getting bigger and bigger p>
“I told them, but they don’t believe me p>
“So I want to light a fire so everyone can see it more clearly p>
“But the mistakes I make also seem to keep piling up p>
“W, please tell my brother, everything I say is true p>
Vivian walked over, reached out and held Stella’s hand, using it to help her pick up a paintbrush.
“Don’t be afraid. I’ll teach you p>
Stella finished a painting successfully.
She was so happy she danced around excitedly.
Even when Crawford came to take her downstairs to rest, she was still reluctant to leave Vivian.
“Sister, when will you come see me again p>
Even though Vivian was actually a year younger than Stella.
But in front of Stella, she played the role of big sister so naturally, without a hint of awkwardness.
Vivian gave Stella a gentle smile, unable to refuse her: “Then, how about next week p>
Stella: “Then I’ll wait for you, W! I’ll always be waiting for you p>
As soon as Stella left, Julian Thorne reappeared from who-knows-where.
He leaned against the door behind Vivian, his eyes complicated yet gratified as he looked over: “This is the happiest day Stella’s ever had p>
Vivian was incredulous. “How could that be? It’s only my first time meeting her p>
Julian didn’t explain much, simply went on stating the facts: “This was also the first time she met a stranger and managed to interact so freely p>
“Miss Sinclair, you really are different to Stella p>
Vivian never imagined she could have such an effect on someone.
Is it really because my hands can create paintings that others so love, even ones that heal their hearts?
Vivian looked up, a little lost.
“But it seems like Stella understands my paintings even more than I do p>
Vivian didn’t stay for dinner.
It was like she suddenly remembered something urgent, and rushed to leave.
Lina Holloway tried to persuade her repeatedly, but Vivian wouldn’t change her mind.
“Dr. Holloway, please give me a ride down the mountain, thank you p>
Lina could only glance back at Julian’s ashen face.
“Mr. Thorne, this p>
Julian shoved his hands into his pockets, walked up, and circled around Vivian: “Miss Sinclair, what are you afraid of p>
“Afraid I’ll force you to keep painting, or afraid Stella’s sincerity will make you ashamed for giving it up so easily p>
Vivian snapped, her voice low: “Enough p>
Now she no longer feared anything about Julian—she just wanted to shake off the oppressive feeling in her heart as quickly as possible.
He doesn’t know anything p>
He has no idea!
“Mr. Thorne, I won’t go back on what I promised Stella p>
“I’ll still come to see her p>
“But W, she’ll never pick up a paintbrush again p>
With that, Vivian didn’t wait for Lina, and instead wrapped her coat tighter and hurried out toward the main gate.
Julian watched her back, his expression dark and unreadable.
On him was a helplessness, an icy chill, but no trace of anger.
Not until Vivian’s figure had nearly disappeared did Julian finally turn to Lina, who stood waiting without daring to move.
“Go see her off p>
Lina drove after her.
“Miss Sinclair, get in! It’s cold outside p>
Vivian wasn’t one to invite suffering. She saw no one else in the car and hurried to get in.
She was rubbing her hands when Lina spoke: “Miss Sinclair, please don’t be mad at Mr. Thorne p>
“He knew you were coming today, so he cleared a schedule that was set two months ago p>
“And when you were alone with Miss Stella, he was worried Stella might lose control and hurt you, so he stayed nearby the whole time p>
“Also, when your car couldn’t make it up the mountain, as soon as I went to ask, he drove over himself p>
“Miss Sinclair, this meeting mattered a lot to him p>
Vivian: “I know, it’s all for Stella p>
Lina heard her misunderstanding, and hastily explained: “No! Because you’re W! And, because you’re Miss Sinclair p>
Vivian didn’t understand.
Lina continued: “For the last three years, because he was looking for you, Mr. Thorne has studied your works—online, physical copies, everything—thousands of times p>
“Maybe, he understands your paintings better than anyone else now p>
“Like Miss Stella said, there’s a hole in your work that keeps getting deeper. Mr. Thorne was actually the first to say so. Stella heard it, and in her innocence just liked your paintings, then gradually kept asking where the hole was p>
“Later, that led to sixteen cases of arson p>
“Mr. Thorne felt really sorry and guilty about it p>
Vivian was utterly shocked.
She never would’ve thought it was Julian who first saw her real inner world p>
Lina: “So he’s probably more upset about you giving up painting than anyone else p>
Vivian didn’t reply.
But inside, she was in complete turmoil.
Was I just being ungrateful?
The housekeeper prepared 108 dishes. At least I should have tasted them.
My attitude was so rigid, like a stubborn rock.
Vivian was about to suggest, shamelessly, that she should go back, when suddenly her phone rang.
“Young Madam, Old Madam has woken up and wants to see you p>
Lina drove Vivian to the repair shop where the rescue car was waiting.
Luckily, the car’s tire had already been changed. Vivian grabbed the keys and said goodbye to Lina.
On her way home, Lina called Julian back.
“Mr. Thorne, I think Miss Sinclair went back to the Grant Family p>
Julian just said, “Got it,” and was about to hang up when Lina quickly added, “Actually, Miss Sinclair was planning to come back and have dinner with you p>
Julian: “Something else happen at the Grant Family p>
Lina: “Overheard that the Old Madam woke up p>
“By the way, Mr. Thorne, the competition that forced Miss Sinclair to give up painting back then—seems Old Madam Grant was involved too p>
“The truth is about to come out. When it does… do you want Miss Sinclair to have the evidence p>
Julian: “Even if you give it to her, would she believe it p>
“She’s no fool—she can judge for herself p>
“Let’s set a trap when the time comes p>
Meanwhile, Vivian drove back to the old mansion in under an hour, hurrying all the way.
As soon as she got out, Mrs. Archer was already waiting for her.
“Young Madam, finally you’re home p>
“Come with me to see Old Madam, she… she might not have much longer p>
Vivian’s face fell immediately: “What did you say p>
She didn’t dare run, but still hurried alongside Mrs. Archer at a near-sprint.
In that moment, Vivian almost regretted not spending more time with Old Madam.
By the time she followed Mrs. Archer to the villa, Austin Grant and Theodore Grant were already waiting by the bedside.
At the sight of Vivian entering, father and son both turned, giving her icy looks.
As if she’d done something utterly unforgivable.
Vivian walked heavily to the bedside, took Old Madam Grant’s skeletal hand, her voice trembling: “Grandma p>
Old Madam Grant slowly opened her eyes.
She was delighted to see Vivian.
“Vivian, finally you’re back p>
“All of you, please leave p>
“I have something to say to Vivian in private p>
Theodore stood up. “Mom, don’t think too much. The medical team will be here soon, you’ll be fine p>
Austin, however, was still brooding over Vivian’s impulsive behavior days ago. He warned her, word by word: “If Grandma gets upset by you again, I won’t forgive you p>
Vivian understood what Austin meant.
He was afraid she’d tell everyone how he and Lillian Rivers had forced her to take abortion pills.
Vivian ignored him and just clung tightly to Old Madam Grant’s hand, her heart equally heavy.
Once they’d all left, Old Madam gently patted Vivian’s head: “Vivian, let me ask you just once p>
“Is there truly no way back p>
Vivian was about to reply when Mrs. Archer tugged gently at her from behind.
There was nothing but pleading in Mrs. Archer’s eyes.
She wanted Vivian to coax Old Madam.
Vivian, too, worried that upsetting Old Madam would be fatal, so she managed a smile: “Grandma, how could that be p>
“For your sake, I wouldn’t do anything so ruthless p>
Old Madam’s eyes brightened immediately: “Really p>
But quickly dimmed again.
“Never mind, you needn’t lie to me p>
“I know he must have done something unforgivable, otherwise you wouldn’t have left the old house and refused to return p>
Mrs. Archer: “Old Madam, how do you know p>
Old Madam: “You think I’m deaf? Sometimes when you’re talking, I can hear it all p>
“I even heard them say that Lillian Rivers and that beast Austin forced you to take abortion pills p>
At this, Old Madam’s voice went hoarse all at once.
Vivian couldn’t bear to see the old woman in such pain, so she hurried to explain: “Grandma, I still have the baby p>
Old Madam instantly sat half up, unable to believe it: “Really p>
“Vivian, you mustn’t lie to Grandma p>
Vivian quickly unbuttoned her coat to show the fitted dress underneath.
Her slightly rounded belly was already clear evidence of pregnancy.
This couldn’t be faked!
Old Madam’s tears of joy flowed instantly.
“Good, good p>
“Good girl. I don’t know how you did it, but you really are the Grant Family’s savior p>
“Vivian, thank you p>
Although she couldn’t tell Old Madam that the child she was carrying wasn’t physically from the Grant bloodline, being able to make her happy now, at least until her passing, would keep the truth hidden.
It was her way of repaying Old Madam’s kindness and affection.
“Grandma, they’re my babies too p>
“So it’s what I should do p>
Old Madam’s spirits lifted, even her complexion improved.
Clearly, thinking Vivian had lost the baby had been such a blow that it nearly cost Old Madam her life.
Luckily, the medical team soon arrived.
With Dr. Archer’s help, Old Madam’s condition was under control again.
When Vivian left the villa she was exhausted down to her very bones.
Theodore was talking to the lead physician, but when he saw her, he started over.
Vivian didn’t want to confront her father-in-law today. Just as she was about to have Mrs. Archer help her, Austin got there first and swept her up into his arms.
“I’ll carry you to rest p>
Austin gave her no chance to refuse, striding out with her in his arms.
Theodore, seeing the couple acting so close, didn’t follow. Instead, he just ordered a servant to make some calming soup for pregnant women for Vivian.
Vivian, finally getting away from Theodore for the moment, turned icy as soon as they passed the Rosengarde: “Put me down p>
Austin gave a cold laugh. “You better behave p>
“You really dare not tell me you kept the baby p>
“Vivian Sinclair, you’ve got some nerve, huh p>
Vivian lifted her dark eyes, her voice chilling to the bone: “Are you sure this child is even yours p>