Mia Grant knew this couldn’t go on.
Yates Donovan was right. The Hughes Family still needed Silas Grant, so Mr. Hughes wouldn’t kill him.
However, the prolonged ntal and physical tornt couldn’t be ignored.
As long as Mr. Hughes was alive, her safety, along with that of Silas Grant and Hayes Hughes, would always be uncertain.
This feeling of leaving her fate in soone else’s hands, living every day in fear, was truly infuriating.
’As a transmigrator, I can accept any plot developnt. But that’s only if I can make it out alive.’
’Rather than wait for him to send assassins after , I should...’
Mia Grant’s eyelashes fluttered. She looked at Yates Donovan, t his playful gaze, and lowered her voice. "I don’t have a plan for now, but I’ll definitely find a way to make a move."
Mr. Hughes was in excellent health. Waiting for him to die of natural causes was likely impossible.
’Logically, a venomous old creature like him shouldn’t live long.’
But in the original novel, the old geezer had lived a long and healthy life. In his seventies, he was still robust, exercising and practicing wellness routines every morning and evening. He also got a daily, million-dollar Life-extending Needle injection. He usually seed more energetic than a college student and looked like a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties.
’Truly, the wicked live long.’
If she couldn’t outlast him, then she’d have to strike first.
Yates Donovan watched her with great interest. "Admirable spirit, but pulling it off won’t be easy."
"From what I know, he hasn’t left Portia since he retired behind the scenes. He rarely goes out, and when he does, it’s with more pomp and circumstance than an emperor on an incognito tour."
"The difficulty of assassinating him is no less than that of assassinating an emperor, you know."
Mia Grant had heard rumors to that effect.
"However, it’s not entirely impossible. Silas Grant and Hayes Hughes are excellent openings," Yates Donovan said, raising an eyebrow as he offered her a suggestion.
Mia Grant asked, "You think those two would make a move against Mr. Hughes?"
"You think they wouldn’t?" he retorted.
Mia Grant pressed her lips together. ’How should I put it?’
’Based on the original novel, Silas Grant never made a move in the end.’
’The Hughes Family was already in his hands. He always paid lip service to the old man, never openly turning against him.’
’As for now... it’s hard to say.’
But there was one thing she was sure of.
"Hayes wouldn’t."
Mia Grant’s gaze was firm. "Anyone else might do it, but he absolutely wouldn’t."
"His profession aside, it’s just not in his nature... He couldn’t do sothing like that."
"Besides, I don’t want him to know my plans."
Hearing this, the man beside her suddenly scoffed.
A voice from the front of the room cut through the air. "Mr. Donovan, do you have any objections to this result?"
The results of the bidding were being announced on stage.
Yael Donovan had been certain of winning this project, but unexpectedly, the Hughes Corp had swooped in.
Although Yael Donovan hadn’t co, he had sent Yates Donovan. In any case, they had to show so respect to the young master.
In the front row, Yates Donovan sat with his legs crossed, lazily lifting his eyelids without a word.
Not until Mia Grant reached out and pinched his thigh hard. A muscle in his cheek twitched from the pain, and only then did he force a smile and say through gritted teeth, "It’s fine. I’m very satisfied. Congratulations to the Hughes Corp."
When no one was looking, Mia Grant pulled her hand back. Yates Donovan sucked in a breath and rubbed his leg. "Could you be a little gentler?"
"I was just trying to give you a heads-up. To keep you on your toes."
"A kiss from you would’ve been even more effective."
"..."
Mia Grant shot him a glare.
Yates Donovan huffed.
Mia Grant found his reaction baffling. "What’s wrong with you?"
"You’re planning to kill his biological grandfather, and you’re worried about him finding out? You think you can keep it a secret?"
"You’re that scared of ruining your image in his eyes."
"Afraid he’ll turn against you over this?"
"It seems he doesn’t like you that much, after all. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be so insecure about it."
"What are you even talking about?"
"I don’t want to tell him because..." Her voice trailed off.
"Because what?"
Yates Donovan leaned in closer.
He wasn’t one to be lodramatic.
But sotis, he really couldn’t control himself.
’Let’s just say it’s to satisfy my curiosity.’
The girl’s eyes flickered, as if trying to avoid sothing.
After a long mont, she finally said in a small voice, "I don’t want to put him in a difficult position."
Her voice was as faint as a mosquito’s buzz. Amid the noisy crowd, and muffled by her mask, it was easily swallowed by the surrounding chatter.
But Yates Donovan still heard it.
In that instant, he couldn’t quite describe the feeling.
It was as if a bullet had grazed his ear, leaving a ringing behind.
A burning sensation began to spread, searing a path all the way to his heart.
It didn’t hurt, but his blood surged wildly. His veins felt like overgrown thorns, twisting and constricting relentlessly. The surface of his skin itched, making him want to scratch uncontrollably, but even breaking the skin and drawing blood brought no relief.
’It’s so strange.’
A feeling he had never experienced before.
He didn’t know what he was feeling, only that he suddenly wanted to laugh.
He tried to pull his lips into a smile, but they only twitched for a few seconds. He couldn’t manage to laugh.
"That’s his grandfather, his family. Even without that relationship, with his strong moral compass, he would definitely try to stop it if he knew beforehand."
"But I’m the one doing the bad deed. So, he would be torn."
"It’s better not to tell him from the start."
A soft clapping sound reached her ears, and Mia Grant turned her head.
Yates Donovan looked at her, clapping his hands slowly. "How touching. Truly a story for the ages," he drawled. "So, is this love?"
"I’m so invested. So invested."
"It’s over for . I’ve finally witnessed the real thing."
Mia Grant: "..." ’He’s insane.’
The bidding session ended, and the two of them followed the others out.
"Mr. Donovan, please wait."
Soone called out to Yates Donovan from behind.
Mia Grant turned around with him. The person who had caught up to them was one of the Donovan Family’s second uncle’s n.
"Mr. Garrison? Long ti no see."
Mr. Garrison nodded and greeted him. "Mr. Donovan, do you have a mont? Could we speak in private?"
Yates Donovan stuck one hand in his pocket and chuckled. "We’re all family here. Whatever you have to say, you can say it here."
Mr. Garrison gave a strained smile. "I’m afraid... it’s not very convenient."
Seeing this, Mia Grant nodded. "Mr. Donovan, Mr. Payne and I will wait for you outside."
Yates Donovan glanced at her, and their eyes t for a mont.
"Mm."
—
In the main hall, Mia Grant and Mr. Payne stood to the side, waiting.
"Will he be all right in there by himself?"
"Don’t worry, Miss Grant. Our young master knows how to fight."
"Who? Him?"
Mr. Payne looked awkward and explained, "The young master may look delicate, but he can protect himself."
"After all, he grew up with the old master. The young master was kidnapped as a child, so the old master..."
"Miss Grant, watch out!" While they were talking, a young woman walked toward them, and her shoulder bumped lightly into Mia Grant’s.
The next mont, the things the woman was holding scattered all over the floor.
"Oh, my! I’m so sorry, so sorry."
Mia Grant glanced down at her and said it was fine. "Let help you."
She crouched down to help.
Once the docunts were gathered, she handed them back to the woman. Their fingers brushed accidentally, and the other woman smiled and thanked her.
After the person disappeared around the corner, Mia Grant quietly opened her hand and looked down at the extra item now resting in her palm.
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