CHAPTER 141: CHAPTER 141: NOAH GRANT: SENTENCED TO BELONG TO YOU (REVISED)

I’m back.

A deep voice, hoarse like it has traversed mountains and deserts.

From the initial attraction and heart’s flutter, to the later forced exile, and then the long watchful struggle... ten years, he finally returned to her side.

Sitting in the wheelchair, she slightly tilted her chin.

Her pale skin resembled fine porcelain, glowing fragilely under the light.

Her stunning face, the corners of her eyes tinged with red, tears clinging to the base of her thick lashes, about to fall but not yet, one corner of her eyes wet.

Her lips moved unconsciously, as if countless words were stuck in her throat.

Noah Grant’s Adam’s apple bobbed heavily.

His gaze locked onto her tear-filled eyes and stubbornly suppressed sobs, his heart felt like it was being tightly gripped and crushed.

Suddenly, he kneeled down, one knee on the ground, his tall figure instantly lowered to her level, their gazes meeting.

With rough fingertips, he gently wiped away her tears, his deep black eyes looking into hers, his handsome face with a faint, elusive smile, "It’s okay now."

His low and hoarse voice scraped over her eardrums like gravel.

The rough palm against her cheek, his mature male scent filling her nostrils, brought more tears spilling from Vera Sheridan’s eyes, as she hoarsely replied, "Mm."

The next moment, she opened her arms and threw herself at him without hesitation!

Noah Grant’s chest felt hot, almost at the same time he opened his arms, his strong arms possessively pulling her tightly into his embrace!

His forceful embrace possessed a desperate urgency and a nearly fierce tenderness, as if he wanted to merge her into his very bones.

Vera’s face burying deeply into the warmth of his neck, and her hot tears instantly soaking through his shirt.

Their thunderous heartbeats clashed fiercely against each other, separated only by thin clothing.

Surrounding them were only the sounds of heavy breaths and sobs...

...

After a long time, Vera gently turned her head, her face still resting on his shoulder, looking at his emaciated profile, "You’ve lost weight... was it very tough inside?"

Her fingertips unintentionally traced his prominent jawline.

Noah Grant’s arm, holding her waist, suddenly tightened, almost embedding her into his embrace.

His dark eyes locked onto her reddened eyes, the corners of his lips curled slightly, a faint, elusive smile:

"Not tough."

"It’s just... I missed you." The husky voice was grating.

Vera’s heart clenched, tears welling up again, she asked softly, "How was the verdict?"

A faint, almost wild smile flickered in Noah’s eyes.

He leaned in, his hot breath sprang on her sensitive ear, his voice low:

"Sentenced me..." He paused, his gaze captured her teary eyes, "To belong to you! Effective immediately, no appeals allowed."

Upon finishing, not giving Vera time to react, his scorching lips, with an irresistible force, fiercely pressed down, sealing off all her unspoken words and surprised gasps.

Sunshine filtered through the grapevines, casting dappled light on the embracing couple.

A ginger cat squatted nearby, its round eyes curiously watching these entwined, inseparable humans.

After an unmeasurable time, Vera, panting heavily in his arms, flushed with exasperation, chided, "Noah Grant, be serious, what really was the verdict? Nathan remained tight-lipped."

Noah Grant, holding her, settled onto a stone bench, seating her securely on his lap, his arms still firmly encircling her waist.

His jaw gently rubbed against her soft hair, his voice calm, revealing little emotion:

"License revoked, never to engage in any legal-related work again."

Vera’s body stiffened, her heart feeling heavily struck.

Looking at his thin yet still handsome face, her lips moved, her voice thick with emotion, "Noah Grant... that was your belief..."

She knew what the law meant to him, it was the foundation of his security and pride, a symbol of the righteous and honorable "Second Young Master Grant" in her memories.

Now, all because of her...

Noah wiped away the tears welling anew at her eyes with his fingertip, his action gentle but steady.

"Don’t overthink." He cut off her unspoken guilt, looking calmly into her eyes, "I wrote in the letter, this isn’t a sacrifice for you."

He paused, his Adam’s apple moving slightly, seemingly organizing his words, his tone becoming deeper and more earnest:

"It’s for the balance in my heart."

"If it’s off, it must be set right. Some things... I did do, exploiting rules, operating in the gray area. I used to think it was a means to get close to you, to pull you out of the mire quicker... but now I see, wrong is wrong."

A faint self-mockery tugged at his lips.

"Vera, I’m no longer the pure and immaculate ’Second Young Master Grant’ you remember." His voice was light yet bore an honesty confronting the past, "In these years, through business ups and downs, legal battles, I haven’t remained so clean either. This is also an explanation to myself, a chance to reflect deeply."

Vera looked at his profound eyes, her brow furrowing, heart aching with a whirlwind of complex emotions.

Noah’s lips curved slightly, his tone feigned lightness, "So, don’t feel sad for me."

"It’s just a career, I have many identities... I won’t leave you hungry."

After speaking, his intense gaze slowly lowered, fixing on her ankles hidden beneath her beige linen dress.

His warm palm gently covered her lower leg, through the fabric, cautiously lifting her skirt slightly upward.

The shallow scar exposed under the afternoon sun.

He leaned closer, his fingertips lightly stroking the edge of the scar.

"Why didn’t you wear the brace?"

"How has the recent rehab been going?"

Feeling the warmth from his fingertips, Vera’s heart softened with bittersweetness, "Just finished the first course of electro-stimulation therapy, the doctor said to sit in the wheelchair and rest for a few days, not to move for now."

Noah’s jawline tensed slightly, his gaze somberly fixed on her ankle’s old injury, "I’ve hired experts from The American Crestwood Clinic, they’re coming the morning after tomorrow to examine you thoroughly."

Vera knew, The Crestwood Clinic is a world-class medical institution. Her fingertips unconsciously curled, but she quickly dismissed the thought, nodding lightly towards Noah, her lips curling into a gentle, warm smile.

The two chatted sporadically.

An orange cat rolled over at Vera Sheridan’s feet, exposing its fluffy belly, purring contentedly.

The sun gradually sank westward. Noah Grant stood up, picked up the green rubber hose leaning against the wall, and turned on the faucet; clear water gushed out.

He stood at the base of the wall, letting the water sprinkle onto the hydrangea bushes in full bloom.

The large flower clusters in shades of blue-purple and pink-white absorbed the water, appearing particularly vivid in the dusk.

"Do you like these flowers?" he suddenly turned his head to ask, with a hint of a smile, "I just had them planted recently."

Vera paused slightly, looked up, and met his gaze directly.

The afterglow of the sunset outlined a warm golden edge around him.

No wonder...

Maeve Holloway excitedly exclaimed that renting this courtyard house was a real bargain.

In the heart of Imperia, a whole courtyard house, with a rent of only four figures.

This place was his.

She smiled, her gaze resting on the flowers, "I like them!"

"They’re blooming wonderfully! Although the climate in Veridia is a bit dry, and the hydrangea leaves tend to wilt, they need some shade..."

She has always loved these flowers, plants, cats, dogs... Loves this lively world filled with warmth and humanity!

At that moment, Noah Grant’s phone, resting on the stone table, rang. Vera called out, "Phone!"

Noah turned off the faucet, and the sound of water ceased abruptly.

He walked over to the stone table, picked up the phone, and saw the name "Ms. Morgan" flashing on the screen.

The man’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

On the other end, luxury cars gathered at the entrance of the Grant Family Estate, and inside the tea room, Rosalind Morgan held her phone with a graceful smile and spoke gently, "Noah, it’s late. You should come home for dinner. Everyone is waiting for you."

Noah stood in the shadow of the wall, his gaze heavy as it fell on the thin, lonely figure in the wheelchair.

His voice was low, "Mom, I’m not coming."

A brief pause, the air momentarily stagnant.

His Adam’s apple moved slightly as he clearly uttered the next sentence:

"Tonight, I’m staying with her."

On the other end, Rosalind Morgan’s amiable expression froze and shattered instantly!

She gripped the phone tightly, her voice escalating sharply:

"Noah Grant! Don’t be ungrateful! When you had your incident, who in the family wasn’t worrying, running around for you? Now that the dust has settled, the whole family is waiting for you to come back for this reunion dinner, to welcome you home! Not coming back, where does that leave the concern of your elders, the dignity of the family? Does this make sense?!"

Rosalind Morgan’s voice penetrated through the receiver, faintly audible in the tranquil courtyard.

Vera sat in the wheelchair, her fingertips unconsciously twisting the hem of her skirt, her lips pressing slightly tight, her gaze lowered.

Then, Noah Grant directly hung up, as if cutting off an annoying noise.

He turned around, and when he looked at Vera, the coldness in his eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a layer of warm smile.

He came up to her, crouched down to be at eye level, a playful grin on his lips, "What do you feel like eating tonight?"

"Chef Grant is going to show off his skills for you."

Vera met his dark, focused eyes, her heart fluttered, and she couldn’t help but softly persuade, "Senior, you——"

Before she could finish, the phone on her lap buzzed and vibrated.

The screen lit up, clearly showing "Grandma Grant."

Noah Grant glanced at the screen, the playful grin at his mouth deepening, a knowing gleam in his eyes.

"Go ahead and take it. The old lady herself is inviting you, the esteemed guest, to come home for dinner." He emphasized the words "esteemed guest."

Vera understood what he meant, took a deep breath, and swiped across the screen to answer, "Grandma Grant."

On the other end, the tea room was filled with the scent of sandalwood.

Old Madam Grant sat in the main seat on a rosewood armchair.

"Vera." The old lady began affectionately, "That boy Noah is with you, right? Listen to Grandma, both of you shouldn’t linger outside, come back and have dinner together."

On the other side of the tea table, Rosalind Morgan held a porcelain cup, her eyelids lifted as she listened to the old lady, her smile stiffened, and her gaze instinctively turned.

Old Madam Grant caught the exchange of looks and looked at her, her tone even deeper and warmer, "Tonight’s family reunion dinner is to welcome him back, and also to expel any bad luck from our family. You are the esteemed guest and also... someone dear to Grandma. It wouldn’t be complete without anyone. As a family, we should all gather and have a lively meal, don’t you agree?"

Rosalind Morgan’s breath caught.

A woman just divorced, whose reputation had taken a hit, being elevated by the old lady to the status of an "esteemed guest," a "family," and even making an appearance at such an important family dinner?

Old Madam Grant was clearly expressing her approval of Vera!

Old Madam Grant’s gaze seemed to inadvertently sweep over her daughter-in-law’s rigid body and bowed head, "Grandma is just waiting for you to come back."

Vera held the phone, the "family" mentioned by the old lady was like a warm tide that surged over her, yet it brought a weight that almost made it hard to breathe.

She could clearly feel the silent resistance from Rosalind Morgan on the other side.

She took a deep breath, her voice was light and gentle, yet with an unshakable clarity and detachment:

"Grandma, thank you." Her tone was sincere, "I understand all your kind intentions, and I’m especially, especially grateful."

"It’s just... it’s really not quite appropriate."

"This is a Grant family dinner."

"Having an outsider intrude wouldn’t be proper."

As soon as her words fell, the smile at Noah Grant’s lips slowly tightened, flattened.

He crouched in front of her, his dark eyes locked tightly on her, inside swirling with confusion and the sadness of being pushed away, that bit of playful grin disappeared completely, and his handsome face sank bit by bit.

Vera sensed the stagnation in his gaze and the change in the atmosphere, yet still spoke into the phone, "Grandma Grant, another day, when I’m more mobile, I’ll definitely keep you company, drink tea, and listen to the opera with you, have a good chat, okay?" Her tone was soft, trying to lift the end note, with a touch of playful coaxing of an elder.