Chapter 36: Idiot

Grant Group.

Finishing up some paperwork, Harrison Grant looked up at the sofa where a little boy was sitting. With a fruit platter in one arm and a tablet in the other, he was curled up quietly, not making a peep.

His chubby little face was set in a serious expression, his eyes focused intently on the tablet. He’d said he was learning a story to tell his mom when they got home, to help her fall asleep.

’What an adorable child.’ Harrison Grant’s heart melted at his innocent words.

He had practically watched Amanda Vance grow up. She’d had a hard life, but now, with such a lovely son, it seemed her hardships were finally giving way to happiness.

Sensing his gaze, Felix Ford looked over. Meeting Harrison’s gentle eyes, he paused for a second before breaking into a brilliant smile. "Uncle, you don’t have to mind me," he said. "I’m okay on my own."

He used to do the same thing when his dad was working in the study, sitting on the sofa and waiting for him to finish so they could play together. It was just a shame he never managed to wait long enough. His dad was always too busy, and he always fell asleep too early.

Noticing Harrison looking at his tablet, Felix thought he wanted to play too. He immediately put on a serious face. "Uncle, you need to focus on your work, okay? That way we can go home sooner. I’ll play with you when we get back."

It was just like how he had to finish the homework his teacher assigned before he could play; Harrison had to finish his work first.

His tone was so earnest and serious, as if he were coaxing a kindergartener, that Harrison Grant couldn’t help but chuckle. "Alright."

Harrison lowered his head and went back to work. Only then did Felix Ford nod in satisfaction. ’Uncle is such a good boy.’

「At the Ford residence」

Amanda Vance was still answering Cecilia Reed’s questions.

"It wasn’t much. President Ford just said I used him."

"What?" Cecilia Reed exclaimed, alarmed. "What’s this all about?"

Amanda Vance explained everything to her. And really, Samuel Ford wasn’t wrong. If he hadn’t been there, Shirley Vance and Sarah Sullivan wouldn’t have been in such a hurry to knock her down a peg that they’d completely lost their composure.

’Not that their IQs were very high to begin with.’

After hearing the whole story, Cecilia Reed had a strange look on her face. Logically, Samuel Ford had every right to be angry. But from what Amanda described, it didn’t sound like he was. He said he’d remember her... and then what?

Cecilia grew anxious. She had a feeling this wasn’t about revenge. Knowing Samuel Ford’s methods, if he truly wanted to retaliate against someone, would he really wait this long?

The more she thought, the more grim her expression became. ’This isn’t about revenge,’ she realized. ’It’s more like he’s saying Megan has caught his interest.’

At that thought, her face darkened. She glanced at Amanda Vance’s expression, but seeing that her friend seemed unfazed, she relaxed slightly.

Just then, Hayden Grant sauntered over, a triumphant grin plastered on his face. He flopped down next to Amanda Vance, twirling a car key in his hand. "Megan, I won a car off Shawn Ford, too!" he boasted. "Pretty amazing, huh?"

’Amazing, my ass.’

Cecilia Reed aimed a kick at him.

Hayden Grant dodged just in time, her kick hitting empty air. When he saw who it was, his face fell. "What are you doing here?" he asked through gritted teeth.

’Why is this bitch here?’

Of all the people in Megan’s circle, he found Cecilia the most irritating. She was always trying to steal Megan away from him. He’d even started to wonder if, after being betrayed by some man, she’d switched teams. It would explain why she was constantly clinging to Megan.

And most importantly, Megan was way nicer to Cecilia than to him.

Cecilia clearly didn’t care for him either. "You were supposed to be protecting Megan, and you ran off to go racing?" she snapped. "Megan got bullied and you didn’t even know. What good are you?"

’She knew it. Men were all useless.’

Hayden Grant’s brow furrowed. "Someone bullied Megan?"

Amanda Vance shook her head nonchalantly. "It’s nothing. Just Shirley Vance. I was actually waiting for her to try something."

’If she didn’t make the first move, how could I justify striking back?’

’After all, I’m the big sister.’

’Her again.’

Hayden Grant’s face darkened. If Megan didn’t still need the Vance family to find the Jade Pendant, he would have made them disappear long ago.

The little scene had attracted quite a few onlookers. Amanda Vance had no interest in being part of a spectacle, so she stood up. "I’m heading out. You two?"

"I’m leaving."

"Me too."

They both spoke in unison. As the words left his mouth, Hayden Grant couldn’t resist shooting Cecilia Reed another dirty look. ’She’s trying to steal Megan from me again.’

Cecilia glared right back, not showing a hint of weakness. ’He’s useless. A complete liability.’

Amanda Vance was used to their bickering and paid them no mind. She simply nodded and started walking toward the exit. But just as she reached the door, she suddenly stopped and looked up in a specific direction.

"What is it?" Hayden Grant asked, confused.

"Nothing." Amanda Vance pulled her gaze back. ’That’s weird,’ she thought. ’Why did I feel like someone was watching me? But when I looked, there was no one there.’

In a room somewhere, Jean Vance saw her look up. Their eyes met through the screen, and his heart leaped. He frantically switched tabs, but a moment later, he switched back. Her image was already gone.

He couldn’t stop himself from reaching out a small hand to touch the spot on the screen where she had just been. He missed his mom.

He had wanted so badly to rush out and hug her just now. But if he had, he wouldn’t have been able to explain why he was here.

’No, not yet. It’s not time.’

He took a deep breath, forcing his racing heart to calm down. The memory of Shirley Vance making things difficult for his mother flashed in his mind, and a cold glint appeared in his eyes. ’The Vance family, is it? Even if I can’t make them disappear completely just yet, I can at least teach them a little lesson.’

’Hah. They bullied my mom and think they can get away scot-free? In their dreams!’

He pursed his lips, and his fingers began to fly across the keyboard.

The Vance Residence.

The moment Shirley Vance and Sarah Sullivan walked through the door and saw Holly Vance, they burst into tears.

Holly Vance was taken aback. "What’s wrong?" he asked, surprised. "Weren’t you going to the Ford family’s banquet? Why are you back so early?"

Hearing this, the two only cried harder. Sarah Sullivan, wiping away tears, said, "Holly, maybe we should just get a divorce. It’s all my fault. If it weren’t for me, Shirley wouldn’t have been bullied like this. I should just take her and leave, just like before. We’d be happy and content if you just came to visit us when you have time."

Holly Vance’s frown deepened. "What exactly happened?"

Shirley Vance said through her tears, "It’s all my fault for upsetting my sister. That’s why she humiliated me like that. I don’t mind for myself, but Dad, Mom and I were representing the Vance family today! My sister didn’t show us any respect at all. It was just too much."

The moment he heard Amanda Vance’s name, Holly Vance’s expression grew even darker.

Sarah Sullivan and Shirley Vance exchanged a glance. Pulling their usual trick, they embellished the story, pinning all the blame on Amanda Vance. They claimed she had schemed against them, causing Shirley to wear a cheap, off-the-rack dress to the banquet, where she was mocked and humiliated. It was all Amanda’s fault.

Just as they expected, after hearing their story, Holly Vance was so furious he looked ready to rush over and beat Amanda. "Amanda Vance!" he seethed.

He spat her name through gritted teeth.

Suddenly, his phone chimed. His face paled as he read the message.

Sarah Sullivan and her daughter suddenly had an ominous feeling. "What is it?" Sarah asked tentatively.

Holly Vance’s hand trembled. As Sarah leaned in, he suddenly slapped her across the face. "You idiots!" he roared. "You’ve completely disgraced the Vance family!"