Chapter 39: Angry Mason Grant
Meanwhile, with Vivian Lowell.
After Henry Sterling left, Sharon Galahad had someone cut the connection to the large screen, and the looping video came to a halt.
Below the stage, the ceaseless chatter died down, but people were still whispering to each other. What had just happened was clearly too sensational.
Shelly Lowell had already left the stage.
She was now standing beside Mason Grant, trying desperately to explain something to him.
But Mason Grant, looking like he’d been thoroughly cuckolded, was clearly not listening. He turned his back on Shelly Lowell and started to walk away.
Shelly Lowell grabbed him, while Robert Lowell had also made his way over to the Grant Family’s side, presumably to try and explain the situation.
Shelly Lowell was the darling daughter of the Lowell Family.
The engagement between the Lowell and Grant families had been arranged many years ago and was difficult to break.
The Grant Family was no small name in Aethelburg. After today’s events, the Lowells had lost face, but the Grants would be a laughingstock as well.
Their future daughter-in-law had been so intimate with another man, and there were even those photos that made her look like a paid escort. It was an utter disgrace!
On stage, Sharon Galahad attempted to salvage the situation.
Forcing herself to speak through the awkwardness, she said, "Shelly is still young, and she didn’t grow up in the Lowell family home. By the time she was in college, she was an adult. It’s normal to have a boyfriend or two."
"But now that she’s back, she has, of course, put all of that behind her. We and the Grant Family are still very good friends."
"Likewise, Shelly and Mason’s relationship won’t be damaged by this. Shelly had a very hard life before... Sometimes... it’s my fault as a mother."
Sharon Galahad was playing the victim again.
In the audience, a lady who was on very good terms with Sharon Galahad spoke up. "That’s right! Shelly was so young back then. What could she have known?"
"She might not have even done those things willingly. Now that she’s back, things are definitely different!"
As soon as the lady finished speaking, many voices in the crowd echoed their agreement.
Perhaps some were genuinely sympathetic, while others were just trying to save face for the Lowell and Grant families. In any case, Shelly Lowell wasn’t their daughter-in-law, so what was the harm in letting it slide?
Leaning back in her chair, Vivian Lowell propped her chin on her hand and listened.
She knew that today’s events wouldn’t deal a fatal blow to Shelly Lowell.
As long as Shelly was still the Lowell Family’s daughter, and as long as the family and Shelly herself could still control the lifeline of Aethelburg’s design circle, they would be able to weather any storm.
Unless—
The Lowell Family lost its influential background, and Shelly could no longer work as a designer.
Then, the Lowell Family and Shelly Lowell would be worthless.
That day was already part of Vivian Lowell’s plan, and it wasn’t far off.
Half an hour later, the banquet ended in a hurry.
The guests gradually left. Sharon Galahad coaxed Shelly Lowell, telling Mason Grant to take her for a walk since Shelly was devastated and needed company.
Mason Grant’s face was ashen, and he was seething with anger.
’Shelly Lowell is devastated and needs to be coaxed and comforted, but what about me? What am I in all this? Wasn’t what happened today a blow to me, too?’
Mason Grant was deeply resentful.
Nearby, Mrs. Grant saw this and was not very happy. She said to Sharon Galahad, "Mrs. Lowell, what happened today has been a complete disgrace to the Grant family."
"I think we should revisit the matter of our families’ marriage alliance."
When Mrs. Grant said this, Sharon Galahad’s expression darkened.
Sharon Galahad knew Mrs. Grant didn’t want to call off the wedding. ’She just wants to extort more benefits from the Lowell Family! How despicable!’
Sharon Galahad gritted her teeth, but there was nothing she could do. She could only nod awkwardly and say, "The two children are about to be engaged, after all."
"There are still matters regarding the engagement ceremony that I need to discuss with you, my dear in-law."
Sharon Galahad and Mrs. Grant quickly walked away.
Vivian Lowell, having watched the "grand opera" all evening, was starting to feel a little tired. She yawned and prepared to leave.
However, just as she was about to go, she heard Mason Grant’s voice from behind her.
"Vivian."
Mason Grant called out to Vivian Lowell, but she didn’t turn around. Because just as he called her name, Shelly Lowell, who was beside him, also called out to him.
"Mason!"
Shelly Lowell clearly didn’t want Mason Grant to have any further involvement with Vivian Lowell. She whined, "Let’s go for a walk, okay? It’s so stuffy in here!"
Mason Grant didn’t seem to answer.
Vivian Lowell didn’t turn around either. Hearing no further sounds from behind her, she thought, ’Things with David Dawson should be settled by now,’ and went upstairs.
In the hotel room, Vivian Lowell met with David Dawson.
He had already washed up and gotten himself cleaned up.
He had shaved off his scruffy beard and washed and combed his hair. He looked much more energetic than before, like a completely different person.
"David?"
Vivian Lowell was so surprised she almost thought she’d walked into the wrong room.
David Dawson, however, was very calm. He said, "I saw what happened downstairs from up here. To be honest, I don’t feel vindicated."
"But I’ve seen her for who she truly is. Vivian Lowell, thank you. I think I’ve come to terms with it. I should live for myself, not for her."
"I’m glad you’ve figured things out."
After speaking, Vivian Lowell handed David Dawson a plane ticket she had prepared. "Knowing the Lowell Family, they’ll definitely come after you for the trouble you’ve caused."
"You should go abroad for a while. As a coder, you’ll be able to make a living anywhere."
David Dawson nodded, took the plane ticket, glanced at it, and said nothing more.
Vivian Lowell turned to leave.
As she was leaving and had just closed the door, she saw Julian Faulkner standing by the hotel elevators.
’Julian Faulkner!?’
Vivian Lowell had almost forgotten about Julian Faulkner.
When everything was happening earlier, Julian Faulkner had been sitting quietly beside her; Vivian Lowell had sensed it.
’With Julian Faulkner’s sharp mind, he must have noticed something, but he didn’t say a word, acting like a mere spectator.’
After Vivian Lowell left, she had assumed Julian Faulkner would leave as well. ’So why is he here?’
’Did he follow me up here?’
’Then—’
’Did he see me go find David Dawson just now?’
’This is awkward.’
Vivian Lowell’s heart sank.
’Julian Faulkner just found out his wife went to another man’s hotel room.’
Vivian Lowell was so embarrassed she could have dug a three-bedroom apartment with her toes.
Sure enough.
After seeing Vivian Lowell come out of the room and remain silent, Julian Faulkner frowned slightly and asked casually, "Where did you just go?"