Chapter 42: Drink Something Hot
Mason Grant harbored immense hostility toward Julian Faulkner.
Watching from the sidelines, Vivian Lowell sensed that something was slightly off.
"Huh?" Vivian studied Mason. He hadn’t shown the slightest hint of surprise when he saw Julian. Did he know from the very beginning that Julian was with her?
Wait a minute! After she was trapped, she had called the duty room, but no one had answered. How did Mason know she was trapped and bring people over to rescue her?
Could today’s incident be related to Mason?
Growing suspicious as she hid behind Julian, Vivian secretly took out her phone and sent another message to her assistant.
"Someone came to rescue me. Go to the security room and pull up the earlier surveillance footage. Check what was happening elsewhere in the hotel when the accident occurred on my end."
The message was quickly sent, and her assistant replied with an "OK" emoji.
Meanwhile, Julian slowly took a half-step forward, completely shielding the half of Vivian’s body that was still visible to Mason.
At that moment, Vivian’s head bumped against Julian’s back. She couldn’t see his face, but she could feel his overwhelmingly powerful aura. He was probably glaring at Mason with his signature icy gaze and an expression of utter disdain.
"It’s none of your business," he said flatly.
"You!"
Mason was clearly infuriated by Julian. He wanted to rush over to Vivian, but Julian gave him no chance, blocking her solidly.
"Vivian!" Mason shouted. Unable to do anything about Julian, he obviously hoped Vivian would step out to see him and have a proper talk.
He didn’t want to marry Shelly Lowell anymore.
This thought had been lingering in Mason’s mind since the very first day Shelly returned home. Shelly wasn’t as beautiful as Vivian, nor was she as talented. Why did he have to marry Shelly just because she was the biological daughter of the Lowell Family?
Today, she had even caused such a massive scandal!
For the sake of the marriage alliance and the interests of the Grant Family, his mother had proposed conditions to Sharon Galahad. Sharon had agreed, but did that mean he, Mason, had to be sacrificed for it!?
After the banquet ended, Mason had gone to find Mrs. Grant to tell her that the person he truly wanted to marry was still Vivian. Even if Vivian wasn’t the biological daughter, Lowell Group was still running on her designs. As long as he married Vivian, it would be equivalent to grasping the lifeline of Lowell Group. That way, whatever conditions Sharon could offer, Mason could effortlessly obtain them too!
However, Mrs. Grant unexpectedly refused!
Exasperated, Mason had wanted to look for his father, but as luck would have it, Shelly overheard parts of his conversation with Mrs. Grant. Shelly became furious, which directly led to the elevator losing control. Fortunately, Mason had been nearby at the time. He managed to stop the elevator from plummeting and brought people over to rescue Vivian.
At this very moment, Mason called out Vivian’s name, hoping she would respond to him and understand his sincere heart.
But... why wasn’t Vivian answering?
Hiding behind Julian, Vivian had no idea what Mason was thinking. She only felt that the man was truly disgusting. He was trying to have his cake and eat it too, wanting both this and that while putting on a facade of deep affection. In reality, the only person he loved was himself!
It was absolutely sickening.
Vivian didn’t want to stay here. She also knew that after the incident with the scrolling big screen tonight, Sharon was bound to look for her. After all, she was the one who had planned the gala. She was also the one who would have had the opportunity to tamper with it.
"Julian." Taking the opportunity, Vivian poked Julian’s back and whispered against the back of his neck, "Take me home, okay? Let’s go home."
In an instant, Julian, whose aura had been fully unleashed, completely relaxed. He softened, much like a bristling cat suddenly becoming docile. Although his back was turned to her, Vivian could still feel his tenderness in that moment.
"Okay, let’s go home," he said.
"Mhm!" Vivian nodded and tugged at the cuff of Julian’s sleeve.
Half an hour later.
The car pulled up at the Faulkner estate entrance. Looking at the familiar grand villa, Vivian felt an intense sense of warmth; for the first time, she truly felt like this was her home.
"Thank you, Julian." Vivian was delighted. Although she wanted nothing more than to pounce on him and give him a kiss, she decided against it upon seeing his placid expression. He didn’t seem particularly thrilled, so she’d better drop the idea! No one could force this tsundere to do something he didn’t like!
"You’re welcome."
After Julian responded and parked the car in the underground garage, the two of them went upstairs together.
In the living room.
Grandma Faulkner was still watching TV. Seeing the young couple return together, she smiled sweetly and said, "You both came back together tonight? Are you hungry? Shall I have Shaw make you some late-night snacks?"
"There’s no need, Grandma. We’ll skip the snacks. I’m just going to drink a glass of milk, take a shower, and go to bed!" Vivian said. She walked into the kitchen and grabbed a carton of milk from the fridge.
Just as she was about to unwrap the straw and drink it right away, her hands were suddenly empty. The milk had been snatched away by Julian, who, without her noticing, had followed her in and was now standing right beside her.
Vivian stared at him in utter bewilderment. She went to the fridge to grab another carton, muttering under her breath, "If you want to drink some, get your own. Why did you take mine?"
Just as the thought crossed her mind, Julian walked over to the microwave, poured the milk into a bowl, and heated it up. With a soft DING, he took the bowl out and handed it to Vivian.
"Drink it hot," he said.
His three simple, concise words left no room for refusal.
Speechless, Vivian looked at the hot milk emitting wisps of steam and actually accepted it. Before she even had the time to hand the second carton of milk she had taken out to him, Julian had already turned around and left the kitchen.
Did this guy follow her into the kitchen purely because he was afraid she would get an upset stomach from drinking cold milk?
There was no way!
This just had to be a coincidence, right?
Vivian couldn’t believe this was Julian showing concern for her!
After mentally psyching herself up and giving it some serious thought, she decided to follow his example. She heated up a cup of milk in the microwave and carried it upstairs, preparing to give it to Julian.
As Vivian walked out of the kitchen, Ms. Shaw happened to walk over. Seeing the two cups of milk in Vivian’s hands, she was about to speak.
However, Grandma Faulkner shot Ms. Shaw a meaningful glance.
Stunned, Ms. Shaw swallowed her words. It wasn’t until she watched Vivian head upstairs that she turned to Grandma Faulkner and said, "Mrs. Faulkner, Mr. Faulkner doesn’t actually like drinking hot milk, does he?"
Hearing this, Grandma Faulkner chuckled and turned back to watch TV.
What did it matter if he liked it or not?
It was hot milk prepared by his wife. She firmly believed that Julian, that boy, would definitely drink it!