CHAPTER 62: CHAPTER 62: THE GRANT FAMILY’S SECRET

Although Juliana promised the old lady not to help outsiders deal with the Grant family, she wouldn’t break her promise.

Having agreed on the time and place to meet with Jared, she hung up the phone and called Summer.

As soon as the call connected, Summer exclaimed on the other end.

"Oh my goodness, you’ve finally returned to the world of the living. The day after I couldn’t reach you, I went to the police, only to be told they would only handle it if Evan Grant filed a report. So, I had no choice but to buy a trending search for you."

"Did he do anything to you?" she asked.

Juliana replied, "I’m fine. How’s the company doing?"

Summer was silent for a moment, "It’s Evan Grant. He said whoever cooperates with us will have their company targeted."

Juliana suspected as much, "It’s okay. Get in touch with a few companies outside the area. We’ll visit them together another day."

They then agreed to meet at the apartment.

Summer not only brought her some soup made by her mother but also brought information on Adrian Langley.

"This world is truly fantastical; there are actually two people who look so alike."

Summer had met Aidan Linton in college.

Although Aidan studied energy economics and wasn’t at the same school as Juliana, he would visit her weekly.

He knew Juliana was frugal, so he often took her out to eat on the weekends.

Occasionally, Summer would join them for a meal, so she was familiar with him.

Juliana sipped the soup while reviewing Adrian Langley’s information.

He’s the illegitimate son of the Langley family, returned from Aridia two months ago, and is currently the Deputy General Manager at Blackstar Technologies, overshadowed by Jared Langley.

"It’s said that the Chairman of Blackstar Technologies, Victor Langley, originally didn’t intend for this illegitimate son to be involved in the family affairs. But after the accidental death of his second son half a year ago, rumored to be linked to the eldest son, he brought this illegitimate son back to keep the eldest in check."

Juliana chuckled, "With such internal strife, how could Blackstar stand a chance against Evan Grant?"

Summer sat beside her and whispered, "I’ll tell you a secret of the Grant family, but you mustn’t spread it."

Juliana nodded.

"Evan Grant also has a brother, and his mother died of postpartum hemorrhage after giving birth to this brother, so this brother is not favored by Old Mr. Grant. All family resources are tilted towards Evan. Later, five years ago, Evan’s brother suddenly stormed Old Mr. Grant’s study with a gun, demanding the group’s shares."

"In the end, it was Evan who brought people to quell this power struggle. That brother was exiled overseas, never to return, and not long after, Old Mr. Grant died from his injuries. And it was because of this upheaval that the Grant family surged forward, overshadowing the Langley family everywhere. So as long as there are profits, internal strife in affluent families is unavoidable."

Juliana, married to Evan Grant for four years, never knew about this past in the Grant family.

This showed that Evan had never truly cared for her, nor intended to be with her long term.

Seeing her deep in thought, Summer added, "Not many people know about this history of the Grant family. It’s because my brother grew up with Evan and was there when he stormed his grandfather’s study, so he’s aware. You mustn’t tell anyone."

Juliana snapped back to reality at her words, "I won’t say a word. I’m just thinking, at the bakery and the photo studio, was it his brother trying to blow me up? If it was, why come after me? He should be going after his brother to gain inheritance rights."

"I’ve heard from my brother that Old Mr. Grant’s will states that if Evan Grant dies before age 35, and without offspring, all of the Grant family’s assets will become a charity fund."

So, the plan was to first eliminate anyone who could bear offspring for Evan, and then concentrate on eliminating him after 35, making her a shield for Stella Windsor?

"Have they traced the source of the batteries at the explosion site?" Juliana asked.

Summer shook her head, "Even with everything that’s happened between you and Evan, his brother should no longer target you, should he?"

"No, you’re oversimplifying it. As long as I’m still Evan’s legal wife, he’ll continue targeting me. Right now, Evan won’t spare me either, so I have to guard against both sides."

Summer sighed, acknowledging that Juliana was fighting a lonely battle.

Juliana finished the soup and set the bowl down.

Recalling her meeting with Jared Langley the next day, she asked, "So, was it Jared who killed the second son of the Langley family?"

"If there were any evidence, Victor Langley would’ve dealt with him already. But if it had nothing to do with him, Victor wouldn’t have pulled in the illegitimate son to balance him. Who can clearly say what’s true within a family like this?"

"In that case..." Juliana hesitated for a few seconds, "do you know how to get a man who isn’t close to you to take off his pants?"

Summer was shocked, "Girl, you haven’t divorced yet. Aren’t you afraid Evan will chop you up?"

The next day, Juliana arrived at The Jade Leaf ten minutes early.

Due to her forehead injury last time, The Jade Leaf gave her a lifetime membership. Juliana didn’t care much for it but appreciated the ease of access it provided.

It was the same private room, with the secretary already standing at the door.

Juliana was surprised, "Is my phone’s time off?"

The secretary, experienced, smiled slightly, "President Langley said you have a surprise for him, so he’s willing to wait."

Juliana felt the pressure exerted by the other party and lowered her eyes as she entered the room.

Jared was still sitting in the usual spot, drinking tea.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, President Langley."

She sat across from him.

Jared glanced at her, noticing she looked a bit thinner than a few days ago, and smiled, "Does President Grant not know how to take care of women, or just not take care of the ones he doesn’t like?"

Juliana pursed her lips, "In our last meeting, I thought there would be no second meeting with President Langley, so I didn’t correct you. Please call me Miss Jacobs."

Jared’s eyes turned icy.

So initially, she didn’t consider cooperating with him.

Today’s meeting was purely out of necessity.

But he liked this kind of adaptable and pragmatic woman.

"We can do the deals one by one. I’m still willing to take Miss Grant’s real estate and jewelry, just as making friends."

"No need, I’ve already sold them at a discount."

She preferred selling them for much less than the price he offered, unwilling to become allies with him due to her loyalty to the Grant family.

Jared’s smile faded slightly, "Then let’s complete this transaction. I hope the information Miss Jacobs provides is of equal value to the assistance I offer."

Juliana beckoned him closer with a finger.

Jared leaned in to listen.

Juliana whispered, "Evan Grant can’t last more than three minutes at night."

Jared was taken aback, confirming that she indeed said that, furrowing his brows, "That’s it?"

"Isn’t this a secret you can use to attack him?" Juliana countered.

The man, adept at negotiations, found himself momentarily speechless.

After a pause, he laughed but with cold eyes.

"I hold grudges, Miss Jacobs. It’s not good to play tricks on me like this."

Juliana earnestly replied, "I’m just a housewife, unfamiliar with what valuable aggressive information President Langley seeks. But I know that this sort of personal attack can harm him the most."

In the business world, such underhanded tactics are often acceptable. Still, wouldn’t gossip like a housewife only make one a laughingstock?

Jared felt her jibe stick in his chest, unable to vent it out.

Unwilling to prolong the entanglement, Juliana stood up.

"After this transaction, we’re even. Goodbye... no, we’ll never see each other again. Take care."

With that, she left the private room.

As she stepped out of The Jade Leaf’s doors, she nearly bumped into Adrian Langley.

Adrian nudged her aside, frowning, "Why are you walking so recklessly?"

Juliana was stunned.

Adrian seamlessly covered up, "Has your forehead healed and now forgotten?"

Juliana was slightly disappointed, scanning his pants, recalling Rosalind Linton’s words: Aidan Linton has a birthmark on his buttocks.

But, she couldn’t check here.

"Thanks for last time. I got you something."

Saying that, she reached into her bag.

Before heading out that morning, she specifically stopped by a bakery near the university to buy a box of thumb cookies Aidan used to buy her.

She planned to use this to test him, not expecting to use it so soon.

However, as soon as she took out the cookies, she spotted Evan Grant getting out of a Maybach nearby.

"That was just a small gesture; no need to thank me."

Adrian stood with his back to the street, unaware that Evan was approaching The Jade Leaf.

Juliana’s heart tightened. If Evan saw her with Adrian...