Chapter 265: Chapter 265: Joanna Sherman’s Pride, Nothing But Copied Homework
Not wanting to provoke her and cause more trouble, she simply said, "Cedric is still here. I won’t argue with you. I’ll be going now."
Watching Joanna Sherman’s hurried retreat, a meaningful glint appeared in Old Mrs. Grant’s eyes.
Sue also sighed softly.
’You could tell she had a guilty conscience just by looking at her.’
But with Cedric Grant present, they couldn’t say much more.
"Great-Grandma, Grandma Sue," Cedric Grant greeted them.
Old Mrs. Grant walked up to him and patted his shoulder gently. "Cedric, were you scared?"
Only then did Cedric Grant act like the child he was, letting out a soft "mhm."
Her heart ached for him as she pulled him into a hug.
But a moment later, she released him, her benevolent expression turning stern. "Cedric, the men of the Grant Family are never allowed to be spineless. You knew perfectly well that Joanna Sherman destroyed the relationship between your mother and father, so why did you call her here?"
Old Mrs. Grant had heard about some of her great-grandson’s recent behavior, and she knew she couldn’t count on Vincent to discipline him.
She had to step in herself.
Cedric Grant quickly shook his head. "Great-Grandma, I didn’t ask Auntie Joanna to come. She came on her own."
’He’d long since regretted it.’
Hearing that he wasn’t the one who had invited Joanna Sherman, Old Mrs. Grant’s expression softened, and she patted his shoulder.
Then, she found the doctor to ask about Vincent Grant’s condition.
"Mr. Grant’s recent bouts of vomiting blood, triggered by extreme emotional distress, have taken a significant toll on his body. We recommend complete rest."
"We also advise that he maintain emotional stability going forward."
"A doctor can treat the symptoms, but we can’t offer a permanent cure."
Old Mrs. Grant nodded slightly, sighing internally.
’Maintain stability?’
’Is that even possible?’
’He did something unconscionable, and now he’s suffering the consequences. This is karma.’
After the doctor left, Cedric said, "Great-Grandma, Bun is in this hospital too. She has a high fever..."
He hoped Old Mrs. Grant would go see Bun, and he also hoped she could help talk to his mother for him, so she wouldn’t be so angry with him.
Of course, Old Mrs. Grant could see what Cedric was thinking, and she sighed again.
’Cedric is just a child, but that doesn’t mean his mistakes can be so easily forgiven.’
Still, Old Mrs. Grant went upstairs.
Meanwhile, Joanna Sherman headed downstairs, injured.
Once in her car, she flew into another destructive rage.
Only after she had vented her anger did she call Mira Quinn. "Listen to me, and listen good. Keep your mouth shut. You are not to say a single word about what happened back then!"
Mira Quinn scoffed. "You’ve only given me a hundred thousand and you’re already telling me to shut up? Have you no shame?"
"What’s the rush?"
Joanna Sherman gripped her phone, disgusted by Mira Quinn’s insatiable greed.
"I’ve signed a ten-billion-dollar contract with Jenson Forrest’s company. You think I can’t afford your paltry ten million?"
"Just keep your mouth shut, and you’ll be well rewarded in the future!"
"Jenson Forrest? He was willing to sign a ten-billion-dollar contract with you? For some reason, I find that hard to believe." Mira Quinn’s voice was laced with sarcasm. "He doesn’t mind that you’ve been around the block?"
"You!"
Mira Quinn’s taunt stung Joanna Sherman deeply. She gripped her phone, wanting to tear Mira to shreds.
She took several deep breaths to barely suppress her rage. "Mira Quinn, listen here. I was able to wrap Vincent Grant around my finger, so what’s Jenson Forrest? Just be a good girl and do as you’re told, and there will be plenty of rewards for you in the future!"
"But if you spill something you shouldn’t and ruin me, then with that pathetic brain of yours, you can forget about ever helping the Quinn Family make a comeback!"
Joanna Sherman’s words were harsh, but Mira Quinn had to admit they were true.
Even after being called brainless by Joanna Sherman, she could only grit her teeth and swallow the insult, offering a weak retort. "You only managed to get your hooks into Vincent Grant because of Sophia Shaw, didn’t you? Others might not know the truth, but you certainly do."
"Back then, Vincent Grant was crazy about Sophia Shaw, acting as her knight in shining armor. If it weren’t for your dirty tricks—getting her grandmother to lock her up and making her sick with stress—you never would have had your chance!"
Mira Quinn and Sophia Shaw used to be very close, and Mira had even thought about helping Sophia when she was locked up.
But Joanna and Yvonne Sherman were too ruthless, and she had backed down in fear.
For all these years, Mira Quinn had feigned obedience to Joanna Sherman, but deep down, she despised her.
"You know, Joanna Sherman, I heard something interesting recently. The reason Vincent Grant first noticed you was because you said you wanted to build rockets."
"If I recall correctly, that was Sophia Shaw’s dream, wasn’t it?"
Joanna Sherman was struck silent.
Mira Quinn had just shattered her pride when she least expected it.
’Her entire life, everything she was proud of... it was all just her copying Sophia’s homework!’
Joanna Sherman gritted her teeth. "Mind your own business! Just remember to keep your mouth shut!"
Mira Quinn wasn’t a fool, though.
’For Joanna Sherman to still be able to get her claws into someone like Jenson Forrest in her current situation, her methods had to be top-tier.’
’It wasn’t a bad deal, having someone like that as her personal ATM.’
Having let off some steam, she became compliant.
"Don’t worry."
---
Sophia Shaw was quite surprised by Old Mrs. Grant’s sudden visit to see Bun.
’She knew, deep down, that the old woman must have come after hearing that Vincent Grant had vomited blood.’
Sophia felt a pang of guilt, knowing the younger generation’s troubles were causing the elders distress.
Old Mrs. Grant didn’t mention Vincent Grant at all, focusing all her attention on Bun.
She was also very polite to Levin Sawyer.
But the more gracious she acted, the more uneasy Sophia felt.
As she walked Old Mrs. Grant downstairs, Sophia said apologetically, "Grandma, I’m sorry."
"Sorry for what?" Old Mrs. Grant’s expression soured. "Are you trying to get me blamed for this?"
"It was your grandfather and I who forced you to marry Vincent, trapping you in a loveless marriage for five or six years."
"It was our irresponsibility, too, that let Vincent hurt you so badly."
"We’re the ones who should be sorry, Faye."
Sophia shook her head. "It had nothing to do with you."
’The Grant Family holds a special position. They couldn’t associate too closely with Vincent, the businessman, for fear of being suspected of using him to line their own pockets.’
’It’s lonely at the top.’
’The more glamorous things appear on the surface, the more perilous they are beneath.’
’The Grant Family’s distance from Vincent and her was a way to protect the entire clan, as well as the two of them.’
’Besides, she had never gone to them to complain about her hardships.’
"The problems were between Vincent and me."
"When I married Vincent, I had my own selfish reasons. I wanted to give my feelings for him a chance to come to fruition."
Part of it was that my heart ached for Vincent, and part of it was being pressured by Old Master and Mrs. Grant.
But no one held a knife to my throat.
I take responsibility for my past obsession.
Hearing her mention the word "feelings," Old Mrs. Grant’s heart ached with pang after pang of regret.
Finally, she heaved a heavy sigh.
’Ah, Vincent,’ she thought. ’So undeserving.’
’Utterly undeserving!’
Sophia saw Old Mrs. Grant to her car before turning to go back inside.
But downstairs, she saw Rhea Dunn.
The eighteen-year-old boy was dressed in a crisp white shirt, looking youthfully handsome.
Rhea Dunn stood with his hands in his pockets, shoulders slumped, scuffing the ground with his white sneakers in dejection.
An awkward expression crossed his face when he saw Sophia.
Sophia nodded at him and started to head upstairs.
"Sophie!"
She hadn’t taken more than a few steps before the boy hurried after her.
Sophia turned, looking at him in surprise.
The boy looked nervous, but he spoke up anyway. "Are you here to see Lillian? Could you... could you please try to talk to her for me? I—I want to see her."
Sophia was taken aback. "Lillian’s in the hospital?"
She remembered Lillian mentioning that Jenson Forrest had found a renowned ophthalmologist to examine her eyes.
’Could it be...?’
’No, that’s not right.’
Sophia looked at Rhea Dunn.
’If it was just an eye exam, Lillian would have no reason to refuse to see Rhea!’
"What happened to Lillian?"
