CHAPTER 209: CHAPTER 209: VIVIAN LANGDON COMMITTED SUICIDE

Outside, lightning flashed and thunder roared, creating an oppressive atmosphere in the living room on the second floor.

As soon as Vivian Langdon entered the room, she met Mrs. Langdon’s hateful, sharp gaze.

Her father, Marcus Langdon, sat solemnly in a traditional red wooden chair.

Upon seeing her, he slammed the table, "Vivian! Pack your things and get to Valois immediately! This family can’t tolerate a scourge like you!"

Marcus Langdon was not one to defend his own; as a businessman, he prioritized profit over relationships. His only concern was whether Noah Grant would really target The Langdon Family. Opposing a rising star in the business world over an illegitimate child was a fool’s errand.

Vivian seemed greatly aggrieved, her eyes reddened and tears fell silently.

She looked at Mrs. Langdon with tear-filled eyes, "Mommy, all these years, I’ve treated you like my biological mother, tried to please you, been devoted to you, afraid you’d abandon me..."

Her voice choked with sobs, eyes full of sadness, tears rolling down her swollen cheeks, "I thought, in your heart, you treasured me like a cherished daughter, that you were proud of me..."

Laura Sterling was taken aback, her expression darkening further, "Vivian, after all that’s happened, you’re still playing innocent in front of your father!"

Marcus Langdon eyed the ’unrecognizable’ Vivian, still not fully believing she would go to such lengths!

Knowing from a young age that she was an illegitimate child, Vivian had always been ambitious, excelling both academically and in dance.

Vivian’s tears flowed even more fiercely, her lips trembling, "Mommy, Yara Paige was the assistant you arranged for me, and she did so many wrong things to frame me. Now, you’re having Dad banish me."

"I understand everything now! That supposed love, treating me as a biological child, it’s all a lie..."

Upon hearing this, Laura Sterling was again stunned, a chill rising from her feet.

She never expected Vivian could be so shameless, turning the tables and placing the blame on her.

Laura slapped the table, stood up, and approached Vivian, raising her hand, "Pat!"

Laura delivered a strong, swift slap on Vivian’s already swollen cheek!

The cut received a solid strike, the sharp pain almost made Vivian jump, but in front of Marcus Langdon, she endured it, letting tears flow freely.

"Won’t you admit it, then?" Vivian asked, wailing in despair.

Laura switched to her left hand and gave her another slap, turning to her grim-faced husband, "Marcus Langdon! Do you believe this troublemaker or me?!"

Having endured raising this illegitimate daughter for over twenty years, Mrs. Langdon didn’t justify herself or argue.

She only needed Marcus Langdon to say something!

If he still had any conscience.

Marcus Langdon lifted his eyes, meeting his wife’s resolute gaze and glanced at his daughter, whose cheek was red and oozing blood, her face covered in tears and snot.

On one side was his wife, who he had shared many years with, maintaining the family together, and on the other was the illegitimate daughter who had evoked sympathy but now threatened to drag the family into ruin.

The businessman’s calculation, the husband’s responsibility, and a father’s lingering compassion fiercely conflicted in his chest, causing it to rise and fall dramatically.

"Dad..." Vivian stumbled forward, crying out mournfully.

The air became stagnant.

Marcus Langdon stood up and declared firmly, "Of course, I believe you, dear!"

Laura Sterling paused slightly, her expression softened, and she said nothing more, walking to the side.

Vivian clenched her molars, her body wavered, overwhelmed with sorrow, "Dad... have I become the one you discard?"

"Yes... you’re a couple, a community of interests, why would you stand by me?"

"I was so naïve..."

Marcus Langdon approached her and suddenly raised his hand.

Laura turned just in time to see her husband’s hand frozen in mid-air, unable to bring it down.

"Vivian! You still dare to sow discord between me and your mother! Pack your bags immediately and return to Valois tonight!" Marcus Langdon barked harshly.

Laura Sterling’s eyes flashed with a hint of sadness.

What marital affection — his decision to believe her was nothing but a matter of calculation.

Vivian looked at Marcus Langdon, her eyelids blinking, her tears falling like beads from a broken string, "Fine, I’ll go."

"If my leaving would keep you from further chaos..."

With those words, Vivian walked towards the staircase like a lifeless corpse.

Marcus Langdon watched his daughter’s back as she ascended the stairs, a silhouette once proud and tall, now hunched like a drawn bow on the verge of snapping.

His Adam’s apple bobbed, finally not saying anything.

Back in her room, Vivian stood at the sink in the bathroom, expressionless as she looked at her increasingly unrecognizable face in the mirror, glancing left and right, then her mouth curled into a cold smile.

Vivian picked up the eyebrow razor from the rack, gently rubbing her fingers over the silver blade, the smile on her lips growing deeper.

Finally, she took the razor and slashed hard into her white left wrist!

Bright red blood spurted out instantly.

Vivian picked up her phone, snapped a photo, and sent it to her birth mother, Shannon Zane:

Living in the shadow of being an illegitimate child all my life, I thought if I worked twice as hard, I could escape from it.

But I was wrong, I truly am unnecessary.

Well, I’ll leave.

...

A flash of lightning split the night, illuminating the room as if it were daytime.

Noah Grant covered Vera Sheridan’s ear showing outside his embrace with his large hand, and in the next second, the thunder clapped loudly.

With his other hand, he held his phone, his fingertip hovering over Nathan Grant’s number.

In weather like this, Ms. Morgan was very likely to fall ill.

"Joel Quinn’s car accident, was it an accident?" Vera Sheridan suddenly asked in the silent space.

Noah Grant’s brow furrowed slightly.

"Why are you awake? Or was the thunder too loud?" He lowered the phone, holding her closer in his arms, naturally brushing her long hair with his fingertips, his voice carrying the sleepy hoarseness of gentle concern.

Vera shook her head lightly against his chest.

Noah Grant was silent for a moment before speaking in a deep voice, "The police currently conclude it was accidental... Joel Quinn was called back to work overtime by me, so morally and legally, I must be responsible for him and his family."

"As for Claire." He paused, his finger smoothing over her arm, "The nanny started in the afternoon, I’ll make sure someone is always with her, such incidents like tying shoelaces won’t happen again."

Vera buried her face into his chest, "I’m not bothered by that, I’m worried about you, how Joel Quinn’s case is affecting you."

He values his relationships, so feelings of guilt and regret are inevitable.

Noah Grant felt warmth in his heart, kissing her hair softly, "I can bear it and know my limits."

"But as for you, don’t trouble yourself over these matters, focus on preparing for the competition, and trust that I only love you—that’s enough."

Vera felt reassured, "Yes, if needed, I can help take care of Claire too."

Noah Grant pecked her cheek, "Such a considerate wife."

Wife.

He called her naturally.

Vera’s cheeks flushed, her tone carrying a hint of playful reproach, "Go to sleep."

Noah Grant, "As you wish."

The lightning and thunder continued outside, but inside, the two of them slept peacefully.

...

The next day, after breakfast, Noah Grant went upstairs, donned a suit, and headed downstairs for work, meeting Vera Sheridan again in the elevator.

"When will you move upstairs with me, or should I be the one living off you, moving here?" Inside the elevator, Vera helped him adjust his tie knot.

The man leaned in, a playful smile tugging at his lips, and asked quietly.

Vera smoothed the lapels of his shirt, her chin slightly raised, "Well then... I’ll support you."

Noah Grant smiled and nodded.

Just then, his phone vibrated.

It was Marcus Langdon calling.

Upon connecting, he heard Marcus Langdon’s somewhat somber voice:

"Noah, Vivian... has attempted suicide!"