Chapter 218: Chapter 216: Meeting of Love Rivals

On the way back, Mia Grant’s head was splitting.

She had considered the many problems she would face upon returning to the Hughes Family.

She had prepared for every eventuality.

’If worst comes to worst, I’ll just fight with everything I’ve got!’

But thankfully, everything was normal.

No one asked where she had been or why she had returned so late. Nor did anyone mention why she had been at the airport.

At dinner, the old man’s expression was unchanged. He only asked about the progress and details of her blind date that afternoon.

He didn’t say a single word about her own affairs.

’It’s probably because I came back quietly and didn’t force the Hughes Family to take drastic measures.’

So, things were relatively calm.

When the old man left the dining room, Mia Grant let out a sigh of relief.

She slipped her hand into her pocket, her slightly damp palm closing around the cold object inside.

"What are you doing?"

The sudden voice startled her, and her hand shook, nearly causing it to fire.

She looked up toward the doorway, met Simon Adler’s gaze, and muttered a curse under her breath.

Simon Adler walked in, glanced around, and then sat down in his usual spot.

His expression was grim. He looked her up and down, then paused before asking, "Do you have any idea what you’re doing?"

Mia Grant calmly pulled her hand from her pocket, picked up her napkin to wipe her hands, and nonchalantly served herself some food. "I was just seeing Yates Donovan off."

"You were trying to run."

"I came back."

"That’s only because you were afraid something would happen to Yates Donovan."

’This guy’s words are as sharp and incisive as ever, hitting the nail right on the head.’

"I have to admit, you’re still clear-headed and calm when it counts."

"If you had gone back on your word and disregarded whether Silas Grant lived or died, you certainly could have left. Had you returned to Jynsia with Yates Donovan, he could have protected you well."

"But you should know the Donovan Family’s current situation. As long as the old man decides to interfere, the next person lying in a hospital bed in a vegetative state could be anyone from the Donovan Family."

It had been some time since Yates Donovan’s second uncle had his "accident," and now was the perfect opportunity for Yates to take power.

However, his own reputation was mediocre, and his uncle had always maintained a public image as a kind gentleman, so it would be difficult for Yates to win everyone over in a short amount of time.

At this critical juncture, if someone were to stir up trouble, it would indeed be a significant problem for Yates Donovan.

As for Yates Donovan, his ambitions did not lie in the Donovan Family’s business empire.

Even though he was the eldest grandson, he had never considered inheriting the family business.

He had always disliked the backstabbing and scheming of the business world, finding it akin to watching a palace intrigue drama.

Sometimes, he even viewed Silas Grant and Kian Keller as a source of amusement.

He despised his second uncle but had no intention of dealing a fatal blow. After all, they didn’t interfere with each other, each doing their own thing. As long as his uncle didn’t bother him, he saw no need to meddle in his affairs.

But life rarely goes according to plan.

Just as he himself had said, once a person has a weakness, others will have leverage over them.

He was no exception.

Mia Grant picked up a piece of fish and put it in her mouth without a glance.

The fish was tender and boneless, requiring little effort to chew.

She swallowed and said softly, "The fish is quite good today." 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Simon Adler looked at her. "We were talking about Yates Donovan."

Mia Grant tilted her head and laughed. "Yes. And you see, this kind of fish has few bones. It’s destined to be served on a platter, to become a dish."

"But a shark won’t be."

"He was never meant for the dinner table. He won’t be carved up at will. Any human who tries to threaten him will only end up as his meal."

"No one can control him."

"By the same token, he can’t influence me either. To me, he was just a piece in the game."

"And now, that piece has become a liability. I’ve chosen to sacrifice it to protect myself. Simple as that."

"He has no more value."

"So, tell the old man not to bother making any plans for him."

"I’m not leaving."

"..."

With that, Mia Grant gave him a perfunctory smile, tossed her chopsticks aside, and stood up to leave.

---

Back in her room, Mia Grant realized her period was over.

After a moment’s hesitation, she went to her own room to enjoy a long, comfortable bath.

When she returned that afternoon, Hayes Hughes hadn’t been there.

She only learned from a message that he had made an emergency trip back to Jynsia.

He said there was an urgent matter at the hospital.

Mia Grant had messaged him back but hadn’t received a reply yet.

’He should have landed long ago.’

’He’s probably still busy with work.’

’Good that he’s gone, anyway.’

Mia Grant put down her phone, slid down, and submerged herself in the water.

Thick, fine foam floated on the surface, obscuring the fair skin beneath.

The water must have been too comfortable, because Mia Grant fell asleep in the tub.

When she woke up, it was already very late.

After a quick toweling off and blow-drying her hair, she wrapped her bathrobe tightly around herself and went to the walk-in closet to find her pajamas.

---

「Jynsia.」

Private hospital.

Hayes Hughes only noticed the time after he stepped out of the conference room, his brow furrowing slightly.

He hadn’t realized it was so late.

He opened his phone and quickly replied to Mia Grant’s message.

The elevator doors opened, and he stepped inside with a group of professors.

"Hughes."

"Director." Hayes Hughes put away his phone and looked up.

The director smiled at him. "I hear you’re friends with Mr. Keller?"

"..." It took Hayes Hughes a moment to realize who the director was referring to. "I know him, but we’re not very close."

"Knowing him is enough." The director gave an awkward smile. "Would it be convenient for you to come with me somewhere right now?"

"Is something the matter?"

The director seemed to hesitate, as if he found the subject difficult to broach.

The elevator descended, and the other professors got off one by one.

Once only the two of them were left, the director finally spoke frankly.

"My youngest daughter accidentally offended Mr. Keller yesterday. I was hoping, if it’s convenient for you, that you might come with me to make an introduction... I want to apologize to him."

"Wasn’t Mr. Keller still at the hospital yesterday? How did he run into your daughter?"

The director looked embarrassed. "Yesterday afternoon, Mr. Keller was at the rehabilitation center downstairs. My daughter was passing by on her way to find me, and she ran into him."

"My daughter is young and has never been in a relationship. Well, she fell for Mr. Keller at first sight. You know how kids are—young, hot-headed, and impulsive. She spoke without thinking..."

"I’m worried that if I go by myself, Mr. Keller won’t see me."

Hayes Hughes pressed his lips together, his tone resigned. "I’ll go with you, Director. But I can’t be sure he’ll see me either."

"That’s fine, that’s fine, let’s just go over first! Oh, wait, let’s stop by my office first. I bought a little something to bring to Mr. Keller!"

Inside the VIP hospital room.

Yates Donovan was lounging on the sofa, casually unwrapping a new package of Kian Keller’s tea and helping himself.

After brewing it, he took a thoughtful sip but couldn’t taste any difference between it and a cheap pot of Tieguanyin.

"Are you sure you’re not just fobbing me off with the cheap stuff?"

"Are you here to drink tea?" From the hospital bed, Kian Keller, at the end of his patience, forcefully rolled a Buddha Bead between his fingertips. Then, as if remembering something, he began to caress the bead tenderly with the pad of his finger, afraid his previous force might have left a mark.

"Oh, right. I almost forgot."

Just as Yates Donovan was about to get down to business, a sound came from outside the door.

One of Kian Keller’s men entered and said in a low voice, "Sir, Dr. Hughes is outside."