CHAPTER 178: CHAPTER 178: YOU’D BETTER KEEP HER SAFE!

Ian Kane’s mockery and accusations pierced through Noah Grant’s nerves.

Once upon a time, he too had condemned Ian Kane for leaving Vera Sheridan in the rain at Jean Crowe’s request.

Now...

Noah Grant’s fingers tightened sharply on the steering wheel, swallowing that guilt, and he said coldly to the person on the other end of the line, "Ian Kane, her matters are no longer your concern."

"You have no right to interfere."

"Without your recording, I would also use the trial records from two years ago to overturn public opinion for her!"

"Besides, she wasn’t taken from you; you know it was her firm decision to break away from you!"

Ian Kane sat on the broad sofa, the snowlight of the Kaelan Mountains streaming through the floor-to-ceiling window, illuminating half of his cold, pale face, casting a shadow on his nose, the other side hidden in the dimness.

"Heh..." A cold sneer escaped from the depths of his throat.

The next second, he clenched his fist suddenly, crushing the lit half-cigarette in his palm with his bare hand.

"Noah Grant."

"The things I, Ian Kane, truly want to do, require no qualifications!" His tone was icy, with a cold smile on his lips.

Noah Grant’s eyelids tightened, suddenly recalling the image of him taking Vera Sheridan towards the cliff.

"You’d better protect her well..."

"Or else—"

Before he finished speaking, Ian Kane abruptly cut the call.

He spread his palm open, the air thick with the smell of tobacco and burned flesh, yet he felt no pain.

The light from the Valdanian Mountains, through the floor-to-ceiling window, coldly illuminated the chaos in his palm, and also shone on the bottomless despair in his eyes.

To him, Vera Sheridan was an addiction deep into his bones.

Wanting to quit but unable to; wanting to forcibly possess her, yet afraid to completely destroy her.

These two thoughts, day and night, dragged him into an endless abyss of tearing struggle, unable to break free.

...

The night descended.

Vera Sheridan closed her laptop, rubbed her dried eyes, and sank into the sofa.

Picking up her silenced phone, in just half a day, public opinion had turned upside down.

Half an hour ago, the West District police’s notice in blue letters on a white background was prominently on the hot search: It was found that Vivian Langdon and her agent bribed marketing accounts, illegally obtained and exposed her privacy, and further instructed small accounts to impersonate "nannies" and "passersby" to fabricate and defame.

Finding out it was Vivian Langdon didn’t surprise Vera Sheridan.

At this time, #VivianLangdonApologizes# was also trending on the hot search.

Vivian Langdon: I’m sorry everyone! I’m sorry Senior Sister Vera Sheridan!

Recently, during the selection competition, I made a mistake due to health reasons and narrowly lost to Senior Sister Vera Sheridan. Post-competition, my mood has been very low and full of self-blame.

During this process, I was misled by some false information online, coupled with poor communication with the team. Without fully verifying the situation, I inadvertently believed some untrue statements, which ultimately led to further harm to Senior Sister Vera Sheridan, and caused great distress and negative impact to all the friends, fans, and the dance troupe who care about me...

The words reeked of insincerity.

Vera Sheridan skimmed the screen, her mouth twitching without even the interest to click on it.

Netizens weren’t so easily fooled, directly insulting Vivian Langdon, forcing her to close the comments section.

The doorbell rang.

Vera Sheridan opened the door, expecting Noah Grant, but it was the weary Maeve Holloway.

Maeve Holloway is now a renowned psychological consultant, very active online, especially frequently invited as a guest observer on many parenting and marriage reality shows.

She came straight to Vera Sheridan right after getting off the plane, even before going home with her luggage.

Worried she’d be in a bad mood after the online storm.

Hearing Vera Sheridan say in the calmest voice, "Vivian Langdon is the daughter-in-law Mrs. Grant has her eyes on," sent a chill down Maeve Holloway’s spine.

This Mrs. Grant is truly arrogant!

So openly disdainful of their Vera, how hurt must she be inside?

Maeve Holloway’s hand left Lucky’s chubby body, patting the back of Vera Sheridan’s hand.

"Vera, don’t overthink it. In the end, love is between the two of you. As long as your senior truly treats you well, protects you in all matters, and firmly stands by your side, that surpasses everything else."

Vera Sheridan supported her head with her palm on the sofa back, took a sip of her cocktail, and said casually, "What love? I haven’t even formalized a relationship with him yet."

Maeve Holloway scrutinized her, seeing nothing unusual, then picked up a drink can to clink it against hers, toasting, "Exactly!"

...

The Grant Residence, Old Master Grant and Old Madam Grant’s villa.

In the living room, Julian Grant sat on a single sofa on one side, looking stern.

Old Madam Grant held Noah Grant’s hand, sitting on the main sofa.

Noah Grant, "Grandfather, Grandmother, Dad."

"Today, in your presence, I want to make my stance clear once again."

"Vera Sheridan is the person I’ve decided to spend my life with. Besides her, I will marry no one else."

Julian Grant turned his gaze towards him.

Noah Grant, "Although I’m still pursuing Vera, and she hasn’t thought about dating or marriage, I must protect her feelings, ensuring she suffers no grievances or slander because of me."

His eyes met Julian Grant’s, with a bit more coldness.

"So, if in the future, Ms. Morgan acts on her own accord, or if anyone goes to Vera’s side saying things they shouldn’t or doing anything to disturb or harm her..."

"Then don’t blame me for completely cutting ties with the family."

Without the usual arrogance and hostility, his tone was calm, every word carrying weight, spoken from deep within.

Julian Grant’s face grew stern, "Noah Grant, you—"

Noah Grant’s Adam’s apple bobbed, "Ms. Morgan forced me; Vera, in her previous marriage, was troubled by her mother-in-law, suffered greatly, and now, my mother is no better than her ex-mother-in-law, so what right do I have to pursue her?"