Mrs. Grant moved closer to her, gently stroking her hand—so much that The Vault felt her skin crawl—then apologized, “I didn’t know about your situation. I just came over on a whim today and didn’t even prepare a meeting gift.”

The Vault must have had a short circuit in her brain, but now she could finally pick up on the almost-sparking signals Mrs. Grant was sending, and awkwardly tried to explain herself.

However, after thinking it over, she realized she wasn’t exactly innocent either.

Mrs. Grant didn’t give her a chance to speak. After stroking her hand, she reached to hug her waist, making The Vault instinctively dodge to the side. Mrs. Grant looked a bit disappointed, but still said kindly, “For now, I can only give you some pocket money. It’s not much—if it’s not enough, just ask my son for more. I know people like you don’t care about money, so please don’t misunderstand, it’s just a token. Our He family only has a bit of money, so don’t mind it.”

…Are you serious??

Author’s note:

The Vault: Hit the jackpot!

Mrs. Grant: Hit the jackpot!

Legs: Five thousand words!

Chapter 110: Play to Your Strengths

The Vault was facing the most confusing moment of her life, while Mrs. Grant was so overjoyed she could hardly contain herself, eager to find someone to share her happiness with.

She pushed the fruit platter and drinks in front of The Vault, once again taking the opportunity to touch her hand, and smiled, “I’m going to make a call, take your time and eat.”

Mrs. Grant quickly stood up, swaying her slender waist and walking with a spring in her step, hurrying to the balcony. Once in that private little space, she closed the heavy glass door behind her and skillfully started a group call.

The two men from the The Grant Family who were pulled into the call were already used to this, so they just made a sound of acknowledgment and waited patiently for Mrs. Grant to speak.

This time, Mrs. Grant was unusually tolerant and didn’t argue with them. She giggled and said, “Julian, I’m at your house right now.”

“Oh.”

Julian Grant was working and replied absentmindedly. It wasn’t until his fingers unconsciously typed that sentence into his document, and it appeared clearly before his eyes, that he realized what she’d said. His voice started to tremble as he asked, “Which house do you mean?”

“Of course the doghouse you always stay in. Why else would I go? To look at the dust in your room?” Mrs. Grant knew he’d been distracted, but didn’t mind. She leaned against the windowsill, holding her wind-blown hair with one hand, still in a great mood. “I didn’t expect your doghouse could hide a beauty, but why are you making the girl suffer? Are you short on money? I’m telling you, if you don’t show off your strengths, you’ll get dumped!”

Mr. Grant asked in confusion, “What do you mean, hiding a beauty?”

“I saw his girlfriend!” Mrs. Grant finally heard the question she’d been waiting for, her voice rising with excitement. “The Vault, yes, The Vault, the girl I told you was perfect in every way! Your son really used his position to bring a pretty girl home!”

Julian Grant scratched his head in panic, “What? No!”

Mrs. Grant took a deep breath, gazing at the distant mountains, feeling her life was now complete. “Your son’s been single for so many years, picky and with a weird temper, and such a straight man. I thought he’d be like this forever, hopeless. Who knew, geniuses really do things differently—he likes the sweet and naive type!” Sure enough, if you raise a son long enough, you’ll eventually get a surprise or two.

Julian Grant felt the veins on his forehead throbbing.

Is this really his biological mother? She must be a lifelong enemy!

Mrs. Grant sighed regretfully again, “It’s just that I wasn’t prepared. I didn’t know she’d be here, so I didn’t bring a meeting gift. It’s a bit embarrassing.”

Mr. Grant only caught half of that and immediately joined in indignantly, “Who dares say you’re embarrassing!”

Mrs. Grant replied calmly, “Myself.”

“…Oh.”

Mrs. Grant looked down at her nails. “So I gave her ten million. I was afraid if I gave more, she wouldn’t dare accept it.”

Julian Grant let out a wail, “Mom—”

Julian Grant was nearly scared out of his wits, thinking his own problems weren’t solved yet and now his mother was making things worse. How could he survive this?

Susan Scott had exceptionally sharp ears. Hearing this exclamation, she immediately floated out from behind the window like a ghost, peeking through the blinds with a sinister smile.

Julian Grant swallowed his bitterness, feeling a sense of impending doom. He went over, closed the curtains, locked the door, made sure no one could come in, then opened the window and stood in front of it.

Mrs. Grant was still talking non-stop, laughing as she spoke, her excitement overflowing.

“What are you yelling for? I haven’t even started on you. If I hadn’t come over suddenly, were you not planning to tell me? You hid it well! Can your mother criticize you? Where else can you find a girl who’s smart, has good character, is beautiful, and isn’t materialistic?”

Julian Grant said with a headache, “Mom, you’re exaggerating. There’s really nothing going on! Can you please go home?”

Mrs. Grant was still passionately imagining the future, only wishing the sky were higher: “Our He family’s gene pool is about to reach its peak! When you have a child with an IQ of 180, I’ll help you raise them! Grandma will spoil them!”

Julian Grant was so exasperated he laughed, then said coldly, “Where’s this IQ 180 coming from? Are you kidding? You want to give birth to a Da Vinci?”

Mrs. Grant was very reasonable: “I’m not pinning my hopes on you, so don’t feel too much pressure.”

Julian Grant was at a loss, holding his forehead in despair, “Mom, please stop.”

Mr. Grant asked absentmindedly, “Huh? Really?”

Mrs. Grant got annoyed as soon as he spoke, “What do you mean, really? They’re already living together, what are you even listening to? I told you, you don’t care about your son. At a time like this, can’t you put down your stupid work for a second?”

Julian Grant pleaded again, “Mom, can you please leave my house? Our relationship isn’t what you think! And take the money back. You just stuffed ten million into her hands out of nowhere—how do you expect her to feel?”

“What do you mean, not what I think?” Mrs. Grant frowned. “I’m telling you, son, if you’re going to sleep with her, you have to take responsibility. The He family is very traditional!”

Julian Grant felt all his emotions condense into a familiar heartache.

Mrs. Grant earnestly said, “I know she doesn’t lack money. She’s so smart, and she’s content being a university lecturer. Lecturers don’t make much, so it shows she’s not after fame or fortune. But what can you do? Your only strength is being rich. If you two aren’t a perfect match, all you can rely on is money—or shamelessness. I don’t really trust your abilities.”

At this point, Mr. Grant jumped in again, “Dad supports you!”

Julian Grant stood at the window of his high-rise office, the cold wind biting, feeling the urge to just throw his phone out and be done with it.

Mrs. Grant said, “Mom gave you a handsome face, now all you need is a smart little brain.”

Julian Grant gave up resisting, his tone icy, “So if the kid’s not a little genius, you won’t like them?”

Mrs. Grant raised her elegant brows as if insulted, “Don’t talk nonsense, you’re overdoing it! Even if you’re not a little genius, I never looked down on you.”

Mr. Grant sighed, “You two are thinking way too far ahead. You haven’t even discussed the wedding banquet, and you’re already talking about the next generation?”

Julian Grant: “……” You’re the one thinking too far ahead.

After venting, Mrs. Grant finally calmed down. Julian Grant kept urging her to leave, like a broken record. She impatiently responded a couple of times, indicating she got it.

The headquarters of San Yao was very close to this apartment. Mrs. Grant knew that if she didn’t leave soon, Julian Grant would come back in person, and if he started arguing with her, it would seriously damage her image in The Vault’s eyes.

Mrs. Grant took out her powder puff to touch up her makeup, checked herself in the mirror to make sure she was flawless, then put on her elegant demeanor and walked back to the living room.

The Vault was sitting on the sofa reading. When she saw Mrs. Grant come out, she stood up and nodded politely.

“Did I disturb you?” Mrs. Grant noticed her restraint and realized her unannounced visit had indeed disrupted The Vault’s study. The timing of their meeting wasn’t ideal. The tenderness in her eyes was almost liquid as she said considerately, “I’ll be going now, and stop by to see Julian on the way. Do whatever you need to do, no need to see me out.”

Despite her words, The Vault still personally walked her to the door.

The two maintained the utmost courtesy, going through the farewell process five or six times until the silver elevator doors closed between them.

The Vault breathed a sigh of relief, her facial muscles finally relaxing after being tense for so long.

She returned to the empty room, looking at the scene that was exactly the same as before, her mind went blank for a moment, forgetting what she was supposed to do next.

After about a minute or two, she slowly snapped out of her daze, bent down to pick up the slip of paper worth ten million, pinched it between her fingers for a moment, then, with mixed feelings, took it to Julian Grant’s study and placed it under the mouse.

Regret.

What a pity.

She reluctantly left the study and closed the wooden door.