Mia Grant was taken aback.

"I’ll come see you as soon as I’m back." To soothe him, she thought for a moment and added, "I need to take care of these things out here first. It’s all a mess, and I won’t be able to relax. It would just get in our way."

"And don’t worry too much about the engagement. It’s over. It was just a formality, something I had to do."

"Oh, right."

"There’s a place in Portia that makes amazing roast goose. I’ll bring some back for you."

"We get a break for New Year’s Day. You should be out of the hospital by then, right? I’ll take you to a hot spring!"

"I have a speech competition next month, and the prize is a package for that newly opened hot spring resort in the capital’s suburbs!"

"When I win first place, I’ll take you! Of course, I might not win, but that’s okay. If I don’t, I’ll just pay for it myself! I can afford it."

She always had a way of coaxing people.

She pulled out all the stops. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Just some roast goose, just a ticket. To Kian Keller, these things were nothing.

If he wanted to, he could buy the roast goose shop and the resort in a heartbeat.

And he knew she was just trying to distract him.

But still, his heart was moved.

After a brief silence, he seemed to sigh.

"I understand."

Hearing this, Mia Grant breathed a sigh of relief as well.

It was strange. Of all the male leads, Silas Grant and Kian Keller were the oldest.

Yet those two were the hardest to placate.

If she had to rank them, Yates Donovan needed the least coaxing, followed by Hayes Hughes, who always put her at ease, then Ian Sinclair and Felix Sinclair.

Those two were just the biggest handful.

In Yates Donovan’s words, they weren’t just old, they were also incredibly petty.

Mia Grant seized the opportunity to change the subject, chatting with him for a few more minutes. As if checking a task off a list, she saw that enough time had passed and cautiously asked, "So, I’m going to hang up now?"

"Wait." Kian Keller suddenly stopped her. "Do you know why Silas Grant is looking for you?"

"No, I don’t. It must be something urgent."

Kian Keller fell silent. After a long moment, he seemed to make a decision and said, "Do you know why he hasn’t contacted you recently?"

"Wh-why?" Mia Grant always felt like they were hiding a lot from her.

"The old man arranged blind dates for him. Two or three a week, on average. He’s already in contact with one of the women."

... Mia Grant’s eyelashes trembled. "When did you find out?"

"After I got back from Portia. I didn’t want to tell you at first because I was afraid you’d overthink it. But if you’re going to Portia now, you’re bound to run into them. It’s better if you’re mentally prepared."

"He’s probably not serious about it. He just doesn’t want to make things awkward for you."

"Then why is he calling me over now?"

At first, she’d thought it was because of her fake engagement with Felix Sinclair.

But now, it seemed there was more to it.

"I’m not sure. I haven’t been in touch with him lately. If you don’t want to go, I can have someone bring you back."

Instinctively, Mia Grant looked up at Simon Adler, who was sitting across from her.

Unexpectedly, Simon Adler was also watching her. Their eyes met. His gaze was probing, as if he’d sensed something. He pointed to the empty seat beside him, signaling for her to return.

Mia Grant didn’t move. She glanced at him once before looking away, then said into the phone, "I’m a little curious about what my brother actually wants with me. I’ll come back as soon as I find out."

Kian Keller seemed to have expected her answer and wasn’t surprised. He only said, "Call me if anything happens."

After hanging up, Mia Grant quickly opened WeChat and found Yates Donovan.

Yates Donovan replied a few seconds later.

Kitty: Do you know about my brother’s blind dates?

Fish: Yeah, I know.

... Mia Grant was at a loss for words. She typed furiously.

Kitty: Why didn’t you tell me?

Fish: It’s just an act for the old man. That’s all.

Fish: Who told you? Simon Adler?

Mia Grant ignored his question and asked another.

Kitty: But I heard my brother has been in contact with one of them. Do you know who?

Fish: Is that so? I actually don’t know about that.

Yates Donovan didn’t usually lie.

Fish: Want me to look into it for you?

Kitty: No, it’s fine.

After a pause, Mia Grant asked again.

Kitty: What did the three of you talk about in his office that day?

Fish: A lot. But it was all unimportant stuff. Not for little kids to hear.

Fish: Why are you so nervous? Are you worried he’s had a change of heart?

Staring at the message on the screen, Mia Grant’s fingers paused. She hesitated for a moment before replying.

Kitty: Not really. I just don’t get it. If it’s an act, why call me over at a time like this?

Kitty: Shouldn’t he be seeing the act through to the end? My showing up is what would cause a problem.

The chat window went quiet for a while.

Mia Grant waited and waited, but he didn’t reply. She couldn’t resist sending a question mark.

Almost immediately, someone from a short distance away walked over and said to her, "Miss Grant, Mr. Donovan told us to escort you back to school."

...

Mia Grant looked up, bewildered.

’They’re Yates Donovan’s men.’

Suddenly, the phone in her hand vibrated, forcing her to look down.

Fish: You’re right. So, let’s go home. We’re not playing his game anymore.

Probably afraid she would refuse, Yates Donovan added another message.

Fish: That old fox is crafty and calculating. We can’t outplay him. He definitely wouldn’t be looking for you for no reason.

Fish: Be careful. If you go, you might not be able to come back. Hurry home.

Before Mia Grant could make a decision, footsteps approached from ahead again. She looked up and saw that it was Simon Adler.

He tossed out a single, bland sentence, "It’s time to board."

Immediately after, the men from the Sinclair Family also made their move. One greeted her very politely, "Good evening, Miss Grant. Do you need any help? The Eldest Young Master said to ensure your safety. The Younger Young Master also gave orders that anyone who starts trouble is to be beaten to death."

...

For a moment, a group of men stood before her, sizing each other up. Hostility sparked in their eyes, and it looked like a brawl was about to break out.

Zelo sensed something was wrong and immediately stood up. He squeezed his way into the middle of the three factions with a broad smile and began to play peacemaker.

"Everyone, calm down, calm down."

"Listen to me."

"Whether she gets on the plane or goes back to school, we must respect Miss Grant’s own wishes. Nobody else gets a say in this, got it?"

With that, Zelo looked at her and asked, "Miss Grant?"

SWOOSH. Dozens of gazes landed on her in unison.

It was hard to describe the current scene.

A crowd of tall, burly men had her surrounded, which for some reason made her feel anything but safe.

From her perspective, she had to crane her neck to look up at all of them.

Mia Grant couldn’t sit still any longer. She stood up abruptly. "Don’t rush me. Let me talk to him first, then I’ll decide."

As she spoke, she grabbed Simon Adler—who was still striking a pose with his hands in his pockets—and dragged him toward the restaurant across the way.

Only when they were out of sight of the others did Mia Grant let him go.

Simon Adler’s thin lips parted. "Speak—"

"Quiet. You listen to me."

Mia Grant made a hushing gesture. "Right now, I ask, you answer. No nonsense. Tell me the truth, is it really Silas Grant who’s looking for me?"

"Who else would it be?"

"Look me in the eye and answer."

Simon Adler frowned, meeting her shimmering, liquid eyes. "Yes."

Mia Grant stared directly into his eyes, then suddenly smiled, as if in relief. "No. You’re lying."