CHAPTER 85: CHAPTER 85: JULIAN FORDHAM HAS GONE MAD

Julian Fordham and Victoria Monroe had been together for years, and they were too familiar with each other.

Her grandmother was the most important person to her. She would definitely choose a safe place to take her grandmother, never joking with her health.

Aeridor’s top-notch medical conditions were very suitable for elderly recovery after surgery.

With Rhys Hawthorne’s help, hiding the information wasn’t difficult.

She hadn’t left town; she was at Mount Cinder.

Julian Fordham didn’t know why he had to find her so quickly, but he knew that if he delayed, he might regret it for the rest of his life.

He pressed the accelerator, and because he hadn’t stopped the bleeding from the removed needle, bright red blood slowly trickled down his hand, but he couldn’t care less.

He had to find his wife and bring her back home.

Rhys Hawthorne sat with Victoria Monroe in the tea room for an hour, waiting for her emotions to stabilize before he left.

In the backseat, Rhys Hawthorne closed his eyes slightly, his mind full of Victoria Monroe’s fragile face.

Victoria Monroe said she regretted it.

And he, didn’t he too?

He should have used all means necessary to win her back when they reunited four years ago.

But then he thought, if he had used tricks, wouldn’t he just become another Julian Fordham?

Rhys Hawthorne raised his hand to rub his temples.

His car was heading down the mountain just as Julian Fordham was heading up, and the two cars passed by each other.

The person in charge at Aeridor welcomed him overnight.

"Hello, President Fordham."

The director never imagined that the legendary rising star who could shake the entire industry would show up wearing hospital scrubs with a coat over them, even in slippers and unkempt.

Previously, Julian Fordham had always been impeccably dressed in front of the cameras, but privately he was so different.

But his fierce aura was intimidating, making him hard to underestimate.

Julian Fordham directly got to the point, his voice deep: "Excuse me, I’m here to find someone."

*

Victoria Monroe returned to the room, and her grandmother looked her over, "Why did it take you so long?"

"I didn’t want to disturb your rest, so I chatted with Rhys Hawthorne in the tea room about work and had a few cups of tea."

Her grandmother, wearing her reading glasses, was watching TV. She took off her glasses, "Girl, that young master who gave us ten million nineteen years ago, his family background is probably unusual."

"Yeah, his family is quite wealthy."

Her grandmother took out a cleaning cloth, blew on the lens, and then carefully wiped them, speaking casually without looking up, "For someone from such a background, lowering himself to act is just a game."

Victoria Monroe knew what her grandmother meant. She crouched beside her, "Grandma, even if I weren’t married, nothing could ever happen between Rhys Hawthorne and me. We’re just friends; he wants to repay the kindness I showed him back then."

"There is a gulf as vast as the heavens between us, and I’m well aware of it. I wouldn’t entertain any inappropriate thoughts."

Her grandmother patted her hand, "That’s good. Nowadays, there are so many temptations outside; I fear you might be led astray. Even if one day you and Julian do separate, Rhys Hawthorne is not someone we can aspire to."

Hearing this, Victoria Monroe quickly asked, "Grandma, what do you mean by this?"

Her grandmother raised her hand to stroke her hair, "You, child, were raised by me alone. No one in this world will love you more than I do. Julian is a good kid, and I believe he truly loves you."

"With the position he’s in now, he has too many concerns, and inevitably you’ll feel wronged. It’s fortunate that things did not escalate too much this time and that he’s willing to turn back. It’s a good thing. Grandma can understand him and wants to give him a chance."

Victoria Monroe didn’t expect her grandmother to confess first, "Grandma, you..."

"I’ve known for a long time. Grandma watched you both build up from nothing to today, and this relationship is more precious than anything. I hope you can make it to the end, at least have some support after I’m gone."

"But in the past two days, I’ve thought it over and over again. People’s hearts can change. He might turn back today, but what about next time? By then, Grandma will already be in her grave, and who else will protect you?"

"Growing old together is everyone’s dream, but how many couples actually make it that far? After this incident, you already feel wronged. Previously, Grandma only thought of finding you a backing but overlooked your thoughts, so I’ve come around. I will support any decision you make."

"Girl, you must understand that Grandma doesn’t insist on you staying with Julian, only that I want you to be happy..."

Hearing these words, Victoria Monroe could no longer hold back and threw herself into her grandmother’s arms, "Grandma."

"Silly child, no matter how things turn out with Julian, never settle for less. Our time on this earth should be spent prioritizing our own happiness, everything else is secondary."

Victoria Monroe nodded, "I understand."

The two talked it out, and most of the knots in Victoria’s heart were untied, the mist in front of her gently cleared away by a pair of hands.

She wiped her tears, "I’ll help you freshen up, you should be happy and healthy every day until the very last day."

"Okay, with you around, how could I bear to leave easily?"

Her grandmother pinched her nose, and they looked at each other and smiled.

Victoria Monroe administered her grandmother’s medication and stayed with her until she fell asleep.

Once her grandmother was asleep, she quietly closed the door and left.

It turns out, her grandmother could understand her.

So she didn’t need to worry anymore.

Her grandmother was right; nothing is more important than happiness.

As for whether she would regret it in the future, let her future self bear it.

Once she thought it through, Victoria Monroe felt a sudden clarity.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door outside.

Victoria Monroe thought it was a staff member. When she opened the door, her smile froze on her face.

Julian Fordham appeared at the door, cloaked in cold air and snowflakes.

He was wearing hospital scrubs, his handsome face as pale as paper, his hair messy, and he wore slippers.

This was the first time she had ever seen Julian Fordham so disheveled.

Victoria Monroe’s heart tightened, and she instinctively wanted to close the door.

Julian Fordham wedged a hand by the door, his pale hand revealing clear blue veins, the winding blood vessels extending into the scrub.

Especially his hand, which also bore traces of dried blood.

His lips were chapped, and he looked utterly exhausted.

"Victoria..." he spoke, his voice incredibly hoarse.

"It’s late. I need to rest," Victoria Monroe didn’t want to say much more to him.

Julian Fordham looked pleading, "Victoria, I truly know I was wrong. Please come home with me?"

"Impossible."

He removed the coat draped over him and knelt on the icy ground.

"Honey, if last night’s punishment wasn’t enough, I willingly accept more. I’ll get up whenever you stop being angry."

Victoria Monroe gripped the door handle tightly, lowering her voice, "Julian Fordham, are you crazy?"

"If you leave me, I’ll not only go crazy, I’ll die."

His bloodshot eyes were full of love and obsession for her, his voice hoarse, "Honey, what must I do for you to forgive me?"