Chapter 154 - 152: Silas Grant Saw the Wedding Invitation
Mia Grant was frozen to the spot.
She vaguely sensed the subtext in Hayes Hughes’s words, but she couldn’t be sure.
Because, in her mind, it seemed out of character for Hayes Hughes.
After a brief silence, she lifted her gaze to look at him, but her eyes didn’t meet his. Instead, she sneakily glanced at his blackening value.
It still hadn’t fluctuated.
"What I mean is... we aren’t exactly close with the Sinclair family. Handling this relationship going forward might not be as easy as you think."
"Hayes, I just need an opportunity like this to leave the Grant family, that’s all. It has nothing to do with anything else. It didn’t have to be anyone specific, but as things stand, the Sinclair family stepping in will indeed save a lot of trouble."
Hayes Hughes’s eyelashes trembled slightly. He seemed to have just realized what he had said. His brow furrowed, and a flicker of regret crossed his eyes.
’There were many ways to solve the problem, but an engagement was indeed the most stable option right now.’
’A marriage alliance would also form a layer of protection for her.’
’And among the possible engagement partners, the Sinclair family was indeed the best choice.’
’Right.’
’He had almost forgotten the nature of their relationship, the distance that separated them.’
’He could ignore the judgment of the world, but she couldn’t.’
’He couldn’t be so selfish as to ask her to stand with him.’
Taking a deep breath, Hayes Hughes’s usual warm smile returned to his face.
The topic was closed.
He just needed to respect her choice.
The tense atmosphere finally began to dissipate.
Mia Grant silently let out a breath and smilingly accepted the tissue Hayes Hughes handed her.
The next second, she heard Hayes Hughes mention Kian Keller’s name.
"What?" She hadn’t heard him clearly, her expression vacant.
Hayes Hughes had no intention of hiding it from her. He said softly, "When I was getting off work, I ran into Mr. Wallace from Orthopedics in the elevator. He cut his vacation short to come back and work overtime. Because of Kian Keller."
"Mr. Wallace said his leg injury is serious. He started walking on it before it had properly healed, so his condition isn’t good. The Keller family had him forcibly transferred here."
"..."
Mia Grant’s expression went blank for a moment.
She abruptly remembered the man she had just seen.
’Didn’t that man say Kian Keller was grounded by his family?’
On one side was a man she had just met for the first time; on the other was Hayes Hughes. Of course, she chose to believe the latter.
Hayes Hughes wouldn’t lie to her, nor did he have any reason to.
Across from her, Hayes Hughes took in her every reaction. After a long moment, he asked, "Do you need me to take you there?"
The VIP wards in the private hospital couldn’t be entered or exited freely.
Mia Grant came back to her senses and, with almost no hesitation, slowly shook her head.
Hayes Hughes was surprised.
He could clearly sense that Mia Grant cared about Kian Keller. The worry in her eyes after hearing about his injury was a completely subconscious reaction.
’She wants to see him.’
"I can take you there without anyone finding out," Hayes Hughes said, thinking she had other concerns.
Mia Grant still shook her head.
After a pause, she explained, "What he needs right now are doctors. And given his personality, he probably wouldn’t want anyone he knows visiting him at a time like this."
’Rationally and emotionally, I should go visit him. After all, his motive for ignoring the doctor’s orders had to do with me.’
Hearing this, Hayes Hughes let out a soft laugh. "But I feel that you’re different from everyone else."
"..." Mia Grant frowned, not quite understanding. "Hayes, are you saying you want me to go see him?"
’He was just conflicted about my engagement to Felix Sinclair a moment ago, so why is he suddenly pushing me toward Kian Keller?’
"It’s not what I want." Hayes Hughes shook his head slightly and said to her, "It’s you."
Mia Grant was taken aback.
"Mia, I’m not familiar with him. And I’m not that magnanimous."
Hayes Hughes gazed at her, his eyes shimmering with tiny flecks of light, so beautiful it was hard to look away.
His voice was unhurried, like spring water flowing gently down from a distant mountain—clear, bright, and silently landing upon the heart...
"More than worrying about him, I’m worried you won’t be able to sleep tonight."
——
As soon as Sean Cole landed in Portia, he was "hijacked" by Lee and taken directly to Simon Adler’s house.
The living room was dead silent.
Simon Adler usually lived alone, and he had two dogs and a cat.
Perhaps sensing their owner’s mood, the German Shepherd and Czechoslovakian Wolfdog stood guard obediently at the door, while the Ragdoll cat lay quietly in a corner, occasionally stealing a glance at the figure on the sofa.
"Boss, you were looking for me?" Sean Cole’s expression was sheepish, as if he had no idea what was going on.
Simon Adler looked up at him. After they locked eyes for a moment, he asked, "Since when did you become a paparazzo?"
"..." Sean Cole was at a loss for words. "I was only doing it for you."
"Did I ask you to go today?"
"Sort of."
"?" Simon Adler laughed in exasperation.
Sean Cole explained, "Although you didn’t say it out loud, as your assistant, I am absolutely certain of your intentions. That’s why I, at all costs and risking everything..."
Simon Adler snatched the ashtray from the table and hurled it at him. Sean Cole let out a curse and dodged out of the way.
’This guy is just too proud for his own good,’ Sean Cole thought. ’He’s clearly into her but refuses to admit it.’
Simon Adler looked at him, his face impassive. "Don’t get clever. And don’t make wild assumptions."
Sean Cole sighed. "Actually, on the way to a business dinner this afternoon, I saw you repeatedly looking at Miss Grant’s photos in the car."
"...I did not."
"You also zoomed in on the picture."
"...I did not."
"I also saw you hit ’save.’"
"...I did not."
"The window’s reflection."
"..."
Sean Cole’s words were a fatal blow.
Simon Adler opened his mouth but said nothing.
Sean Cole held up a hand. "Don’t even try to deny it. You weren’t this hesitant when you forked over a million to buy the photos."
"..."
Standing to the side, Lee, who had been enjoying the drama, sucked in a sharp breath and silently shuffled a few steps away.
Of course, Sean Cole was only this reckless because he had an ace up his sleeve. Right before Simon Adler could make a move, he quickly said, "Not only did I get photos this time, but I also have some very important news!"
At his words, a glint appeared in Simon Adler’s eyes. He put down the object in his hand. "Speak."
"However, I don’t think you’re going to want to hear it."
Simon Adler gave him a smile. "Is that so? Well, I also think it’s about time you found a new job."
"..." Sean Cole cleared his throat. "The Grant family is preparing to spread the happy news in Portia that Miss Grant is getting engaged. Miss Grant asked me to... fan the flames a bit."
’This was the second condition.’
Engagement?
Simon Adler froze, almost subconsciously asking if it was with Silas Grant.
’On second thought,’ he mused, ’only if she had a death wish.’
"Does Silas Grant know?"
"Probably not. I heard Mr. Grant has been at the office all day."
"Is that so?" Simon Adler said, lost in thought.
’Does he really not know? I doubt it.’
"So, should we still help Miss Grant?"
Simon Adler snapped back to reality and shot him a look. "You already promised her. Can you go back on your word?"
——
Hughes Corp, CEO’s Office.
An assistant holding a file was about to push the door open when a loud crash suddenly came from inside.
Eric’s brow twitched. He stepped forward at once to block the assistant. "Go back in half an hour."
"What’s going on?" the assistant asked in a low voice.
Eric leaned against the door, thought for a moment, and sighed. "Given the time, he probably just saw the engagement announcement."