CHAPTER 159: CHAPTER 159: GUILT

Vivian Langdon seemed to just notice Vera Sheridan, lazily lifting her eyelids, "Senior, you’re here too."

Vera gave a slight "mm" in response, with a polite faint smile on her face.

Noah Grant subtly moved half a step closer to Vera, his hand almost touching hers.

He looked at Vivian Langdon, his expression unchanged, speaking in a flat tone, "Hello."

The elevator door opened with a "ding."

He extended his hand to block the door frame, protecting Vera as she stepped in first, with Wade Winslows following closely.

Vivian Langdon didn’t slow her pace and naturally followed in.

She was also there for a medical check-up.

The elevator descended, Vera and Noah facing the elevator doors, while Vivian stood sideways, dressed in a pink sparkly hoodie and sneakers, her high ponytail swaying, looking strikingly youthful.

She was poised and confident, her smooth egg-shaped face adorned with a smile,

"Noah, how’s Aunt Grant’s health? We had afternoon tea a few days ago and she suddenly had a headache, scared me to death.

Auntie Warren brought over some medicine later, that’s when I found out it was an old ailment."

Noah’s jaw tensed slightly as he glanced at her with indifference, then focused his gaze on the tightly shut elevator doors, "Not sure."

Vera idly tapped the medical report with her fingertips, her expression remaining composed.

Vivian spoke again, "Aunt Grant is really strong-willed, she doesn’t want you to worry. That day her face went pale from the pain, but she kept saying she was fine, held my hand and talked a lot about your childhood."

Noah’s lips twitched faintly, and he finally looked at Vivian, his gaze carrying no warmth.

"Is that so? My mother told me she felt a good rapport with you, that you got along well."

He deliberately paused, observing Vivian’s momentarily brightened eyes, then continued slowly:

"I suggested she might as well make you her goddaughter, that way it would both fulfill her fondness and prevent any misunderstandings from her arrangements."

The words fell, and a moment of dead silence ensued in the elevator.

The smile on Vivian’s face stiffened, the brightness in her eyes dimmed, and her fingertips dug into her palms.

Soon after, she frowned slightly, giving Vera a glance, aware of her humble origins.

Noah no longer looked at her, instead leaned his head towards Vera, bending closer to her ear, his voice calm and deep:

"Since you didn’t eat before your check-up, how about we grab a bite at that cafeteria near Veridia University?"

"Back in college, you loved the noodles there."

Vera lifted the medical report slightly, "I need to cut down on carbs."

Noah replied, "Then I’ll cook for you myself."

Vivian observed Noah clearly fawning over Vera, her fingertips subtly curling, yet she maintained a cheerful face, her eyes landing on Vera as she said with concern:

"Senior, as you get older, metabolism slows down a bit, don’t stress too much. My personal nutritionist is great, specializes in metabolism management, should I recommend them to you?"

Hearing this, Vera slowly turned her head, her calm gaze settling on Vivian’s face, lightly waving the medical report in her hand:

"Thank you for your kind offer, junior."

"But my weight and other indicators are fine, the doctor only advised me to maintain."

Vivian nodded, "That’s... good then."

Vera continued calmly, "Also, I have my own nutritionist team, thanks."

Vivian raised her brows, "...Alright." She was just being kind, why did Vera appear ungrateful?

At this point, with a "ding," the elevator doors slowly opened.

Noah gently placed his hand on Vera’s lower back, guiding her out first. Wade followed closely.

Vivian faced the spotless, mirror-like elevator wall, lifted her chin, carefully tidied a strand of hair in place, then walked out with long strides.

Noah’s flattering voice floated over clearly: "I’ll make a nutritious meal for you."

Vivian didn’t stop, looking at the two figures ahead, lifting her head even higher, her neck stretched taut, like a proud peacock, heading straight towards her flashy bright pink sports car.

As soon as she sat in the driver’s seat, her phone rang.

She put on her Bluetooth headset, responding nonchalantly with a "mm."

On the other end came the voice of her agent: "Vivian, the LB Coaching Team we were eyeing just confirmed... they’ve been signed by another ballet dancer, also preparing for Valois."

The LB Coaching Team, boasting a record of cultivating numerous international top ballet competition gold medalists, is a coveted dream for countless ballet dancers.

Vivian’s grip on the steering wheel instantly tightened, "Oh? Which country?" She instinctively thought it must be a rival from Ruzka or Valois.

"Just... someone domestic, Vera. Heard she spent a staggering fifty million to hire them."

Vivian gasped, her beautiful egg-shaped face full of disbelief and disdain.

"What’s her goal?!"

"..."

Vivian found it extremely absurd, "Someone who can’t even get past the preliminary rounds spends fifty million hiring a top team, that’s just burning money!"

"Isn’t she afraid of being a laughing stock?"

As the words fell, she hung up the phone, started the engine, the sports car letting out a low roar, speeding away.

...

Vera had already scheduled a private session to train her legs, rejecting Noah’s offer.

In the home gym, a female personal trainer was guiding her nearby.

Sweat trickled down her jawline, Vera gritting her teeth, nostrils flaring, each breath carrying a fiery stream of air.

The heavy barbell pressed firmly on her shoulders and back, her leg muscles tightened beneath her workout pants.

Vera was fully focused, her eyes locked onto herself in the mirror, enduring the searing pain in her leg muscles...

Maeve Holloway, coming to see her, was struck by the scene, feeling her own legs ache.

The experience of leg training is not meant for people.

She admired Vera’s perseverance and dedication to her dreams, for a woman with a fortune of a hundred billion, yet striving to reclaim her place.

Maeve also understood, this was what Vera wanted most.

After the workout, Vera completed her stretches and lay limp on the couch, too exhausted to even shower, while Maeve handed her water and a towel.

After a while, Vera’s breathing finally returned to normal.

Maeve’s gaze turned teasing, "How are things with your senior brother recently? Gotten closer? Living one floor above and below each other..."

Two years ago, Vera Sheridan turned down Noah Grant. As a result, he still hasn’t given up after two years. As soon as Vera finished her closed training and moved into this large flat, Noah moved to the floor above.

Clearly taking advantage of proximity.

Vera looked at the ceiling, her lips curling slightly, "No, I don’t resist being ambiguous with him, but I don’t want to be anyone’s girlfriend, much less anyone’s wife."

"Right now, I just want to be myself, not be responsible for a relationship, and pursue my dreams in peace. Maeve... I still occasionally dream of the days when Ian Kane and I first went through our divorce; it was suffocating..."

Maeve Holloway remembered too.

At that time, Vera wasn’t sure if Ian had really cheated on her, she was suspicious and paranoid, wanting a divorce, but couldn’t cut herself off from the debt of gratitude for saving her life.

Insomnia, anxiety, hair loss, relying on melatonin and even sleeping pills to fall asleep.

Maeve gently patted Vera on the back of her hand to comfort her, "Luckily, it’s all in the past."

Vera’s nose tingled, "Noah is too good, I always retreat and feel guilty."

Maeve frowned, "Vera, don’t start self-sabotaging again. You turned him down and hid for two years. He’s the one who always said he respects you and wants to wait for you. If he’s doing it willingly, what are you feeling guilty for?"

Besides, even if Vera is willing to enter a relationship now, would she be happy?

That Mrs. Grant, Ms. Morgan, hasn’t even got a confirmation yet, but she’s come knocking on Vera’s door multiple times, every word cutting at her heart.

What’s more, The Grant Family’s threshold is even higher than The Kane Family’s. If Vera were to marry in now, she would have to put on a brave face, but Mrs. Grant would only pin the label of ’climbing up to The Grant Family’ onto her, making all her efforts and achievements seem like the result of relying on them in others’ eyes.

Why should Vera subject herself to that grievance?

Those words rolled on Maeve’s tongue, but she ultimately didn’t say them.

She pinched Vera’s pink cheeks, "Don’t overthink it. Your current task is to take the Lorraine Gold Award and fly even higher!"

By then, whether it’s Mrs. Grant or Mrs. Zhang, they’ll have to consider whether they’re even worthy to reach up to Vera!

Vera smiled, full of determination, "Got it! I’ve hired the best coaching team in the world!"

...

Upstairs.

The open kitchen was bright and tidy. Noah wore a dark gray shirt, with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his strong forearms, an apron tied in front of him.

He was slicing a piece of salmon into evenly thick slices.

Nathan Grant took a bottle of Arctic Blast soda from the fridge, "Mom has still been in touch with Vivian Langdon, afternoon tea, mahjong..."

Noah lifted his eyelids, letting out a nasal "hmph."

Nathan continued, "I told her, let me get married first, so she can hold a grandson next year. She didn’t agree..."

"She insists you get married first. I figured, let’s all just wait then."

As he spoke, his eyes lingered on the tempting salmon, and his fingers twitched eagerly.

Seizing the moment Noah turned to grab a lemon, Nathan reached out to pinch a piece.

"Don’t touch that." Noah said without turning, as if he had eyes at the back of his head, "It’s for Vera."

Nathan’s fingers froze mid-air, glaring discontentedly at his brother’s back, "There’s so much, can’t I just have a taste?"

Noah took out a box of green beans, not casting a glance at him, "Lucky still has to eat."

Nathan, "..."

He’s not even as good as a cat!

...

Maeve Holloway encountered Noah at the elevator, holding a nutritional meal intended for Vera. She casually remarked, "Senior, you’re too good to Vera, so much so that she even feels pressured and guilty!"

Noah’s eyebrows knit slightly, stunned for a moment, then nodded, "I understand."

Knowing that the mature, steady, and empathetic Noah would handle things well, Maeve said "Goodbye" and got into the elevator.

Dining room.

Vera was eating the nutritional meal Noah brought her, using a fork.

Lucky was perched on the chair beside her, chewing on the small pieces of salmon Noah had left for it, purring contentedly in its throat.

After finishing her meal, Vera braced herself on the table, trying to stand up, but her legs suddenly gave out, she wobbled and nearly fell.

"Ouch..." she frowned, softly complaining, "I trained so hard, my legs are killing me."

Noah came over, "Do you need me to carry you over?" He nodded towards the living room sofa.

Vera watched him, her heart beating faster, and she didn’t hesitate, "Yes, thank you."

Noah picked her up horizontally.

Vera wrapped her arms around his neck, her cheek very close to the warmth of his neck, inhaling the mature male scent from him.

Noah walked steadily, gently placing her on the sofa and then poured a cup of warm milk to hand to her.

He sat down on the single sofa next to her, with his gaze falling onto her face, "Did I make you feel pressured?"

Vera, holding the milk cup, was momentarily dumbfounded.

Noah looked at her, "I just ran into Maeve."

Vera understood, her nose tingling.

She lowered her head, watching the white liquid sway in the cup, saying nothing.

Noah observed her downcast profile, his voice warm and deep, "Vera, the way I treat you is because I want to. You don’t need to feel pressured or guilty."

"I said I respect your rhythm, and I meant it. You go at your own pace, live how you feel comfortable. Leave the rest to me."

Vera slowly raised her head, her eyes rimmed with red, her black eyes roiling with emotion.

After a long while, a tear silently slid down.

Noah’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he leaned in, using a tissue to gently wipe the corner of her eye.

His voice was hoarse, tinged with tenderness and indulgence, "Are you touched again? ... So easy to please."

Hearing his gentle, understanding words, Vera’s nose tingled more, and her heart surged with emotion.

She set down the milk cup and the next moment, leaned forward, gently lying against his broad back, her cheek pressed into his neck, taking a deep breath of his clean and steady scent.

"Noah." Vera’s muffled voice carried a hint of nasal tone, "What else did Maeve tell you?"

Noah’s body stiffened slightly, turning his head, "She only mentioned that, what else?"

Vera lifted her head, leaning close to his ear, her warm breath brushing over his ear, whispering softly, "Didn’t she tell you..."

Noah’s muscles tensed, "Wha-what?"

Before he could finish, Vera’s lips covered his, her slender fingers threading through his hair.