CHAPTER 83: CHAPTER 83: DRIVING HIM TO DESPERATION

Her words pierced Evan Grant’s chest like a dagger.

Evan found himself unable to respond, his face twisted with grief and confusion.

After a long while, he finally uttered the words "Juliana."

"Don’t call me!"

Juliana lifted her shirt, revealing the hideous scars on her abdomen.

"I’m a living, breathing person who feels pain every time I’m hurt. Considering all the scars I’ve endured for you, can’t you just agree to the divorce and give me a chance to live?"

All of Evan’s defenses crumbled in front of the scars that spread across her waist like gnarled branches.

Just as he was about to embrace Juliana, his phone rang.

It was Ethan Carter calling.

"President Grant, Miss Windsor’s depression has flared up. She refuses treatment and hasn’t eaten for three days. The psychologist is at a loss; only you can handle this at the hospital."

The agony in Evan’s eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a whirlpool in his dark gaze.

"If she insists on seeing me... let her wait."

Evan hung up, steeling himself with resolve to say to Juliana, "I’ll give you an explanation. Then you can decide about the divorce."

Juliana felt a headache coming on.

She had already exposed his affair with his stepsister and cut off his company’s financial channels. How could he still think there was a chance for them?

After some thought, she picked up the phone and called, no matter the hour.

Eventually, Summer Shaw’s drowsy voice came through, "Aren’t you discharged yet? Is your sleep disorder getting worse?"

"Issue another statement: We will not consider collaborating with any company that has dealings with Cortexa Group."

Summer was instantly invigorated, "Sis, you’re really going to crush him!"

...

Mercy Hospital, a private room.

Stella Windsor finally saw the person she had been missing.

With a bandage on her hand, she noticed the bloodshot eyes and dark stubble on the man’s chin, feeling a deep pang of sympathy.

"Brother, I’m sorry. When Mom put me in the ICU, I didn’t know that room was reserved for your wife. I’ve moved out now, but I’m sorry for causing her to misunderstand you again."

As she spoke, she covered her chest.

Usually, Evan would immediately call for a doctor.

This time, however, he just stood by the door without reacting.

"Brother," Stella cried, "seeing you like this breaks my heart. I shouldn’t have clung to this familial tie. I’ll apologize to your wife; I’ll do whatever she asks, as long as you two can live happily."

"Stella," Evan’s voice was hoarse but still devoid of warmth, "once you recover, go abroad. Just like Isaac, deregister and don’t come back."

Stella’s breath hitched.

Evan avoided looking at her shocked expression and turned to leave.

Lily Windsor walked in, somewhat surprised.

"Why did the conversation end so quickly? Juliana’s pushed him to the edge; when will they divorce?"

Stella, her sickly demeanor vanished, replied, "Divorce? Juliana won. We’re done."

"What?" Lily was stunned.

"It’s your stupidity, constantly overshadowed by Juliana, unable to uphold the Grant Matriarch’s dignity. Now Evan isn’t covering your and Uncle’s expenses anymore, and I’m being sent away. Your illness won’t have the money for treatment; you’re left to die."

"How could this be? It’s impossible!"

Lily feared death immensely.

Though her sickness was advanced, she still relentlessly invited domestic and international experts to Kenton for free consultations.

Whenever she heard of effective medicine, regardless of price, she strived to obtain it.

Because with Evan Grant as their benefactor, money was never an issue.

Stella looked meaningfully at her mother, "Now it’s Juliana who decides if you live. Use your brain; arguing with her is pointless. Being impulsive won’t help; it just gives her the upper hand."

Lily’s nails dug into her pale skin, blood slowly seeping from her palm.

...

Early the next morning, Aetherflame posted that announcement on its website.

For an empire like Cortexa Group, a small jab from Aetherflame wouldn’t cause much harm. But it showed a stance, making the market even more pessimistic about Cortexa’s future.

The Cortexa board fell into more intense conflict.

At nine that day, the group announced a halt in stock trading.

What kind of turmoil Evan was facing, Juliana had no time to care; she was busy packing to be discharged.

Hearing someone enter, Juliana assumed it was Summer Shaw coming to pick her up and said without lifting her head, "The discharge procedures have been handled. Do you know who did it? This person..."

"Watch out!"

She was interrupted by Adrian Langley.

Turning around, Juliana saw Adrian Langley, whom she hadn’t seen in days, standing there, holding the knife in Lily’s hand with his bare hands, shielding her.

She picked up a stool to hit Lily.

Lily was startled and quickly let go of the knife, trembling, "I came to see her; why are you stopping me?"

Adrian, still agitated, said, "I won’t let you hurt her!"

Lily quickly explained, "I... I came to apologize. Give her the knife. She can do whatever she wants to me, as long as Evan doesn’t cut off my medication."

Juliana found this woman’s reasoning absurd, put down the stool, and checked Adrian’s hand.

"Grabbing the blade, are you stupid? Don’t you know to grab her wrist?"

Juliana called a nurse to have him bandaged.

Once done, she looked at Lily, "What does your illness have to do with me? Did I cut off your medication? Get lost and stop disgusting me."

Lily was about to speak when Peter Dawson interrupted.

"Young madam, the old matriarch sent me to take you home."

Juliana knew she had severely shaken Evan’s foundations and that the Grant Matriarch would certainly seek a conversation.

She texted Summer Shaw, telling her not to come to the hospital, and left with Peter Dawson.

Once they left, Lily hurriedly took out her phone and called, "Did you get it all?"

Whatever was said on the other side made Lily beam, "It doesn’t matter if I kneel; did you get photos of her with that man?"

...

The West Flower Hall at the Grant family ancestral home.

The flowers here bloomed even more brightly than when she left, but today the ground was covered with a layer of waterproof plastic.

The old matriarch sipped tea, but today it was perilla tea to remove any fishy smells.

And there was none for Juliana.

"You swore to me you wouldn’t do anything to harm the Grant family, yet you’ve broken your word," the matriarch said.

Juliana lowered her eyes, "I’m sorry, madam. Circumstances forced my hand."

The matriarch let out a cold laugh, "My grandson is talented in business but utterly foolish in matters of the heart. He loves you, is committed to you, and won’t let go. If you had guided him well, how could he be facing today’s predicament?"

So the matriarch blamed everything on her.

Juliana calmly replied, "Madam, you once helped me during my hardest times, a kindness I’ve never forgotten. Today, I’ve wronged you. Whatever punishment you deem fit, I’ll accept."

The matriarch smiled approvingly, "At least you’re straightforward."

As she spoke, Peter Dawson came with a cup of green porcelain tea, placing it before her.

The matriarch said blandly, "This is a high-concentration Poisonous Plant extract. Drink it and stay here for four hours. If, by then, you’re still alive, I will overlook all past transgressions."