Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Call from Solomon Grantham

　　Truly speaking, Ethan Smith was reluctant to agree with Solomon Grantham. Amber, Nicolas's deceased mother, was his friend. He had a soft corner for Nicholas and didn't want to see him suffer. He believed that Solomon was doing wrong by forcing him to stay in the loveless marriage. Because of this, he subconsciously began to dislike Zara.

　　"People don't take much time to change their minds. I hope this girl knows that Nicholas doesn't like her. What if she elopes with someone behind Nicholas? At that time, won't you regret giving her half of the property?"

　　Ethan Smith's words forced Solomon to think twice about the will. He was indeed not wrong. Solomon didn't think in this way. After mulling over his words over and over again in his mind, he finally opened his mouth, "then add this term. If she cheats on Nicholas and initiates the divorce, she won't get a dime from Grantham's." His tone was firm while his eyes were unwavering.

　　There was a satisfactory smile on Ethan Smith's face. After writing down all the clauses, he took his leave.

　　Just as he came out of the study, the butler approached him and said, "Mr. Smith, madam invites you to tea. She is waiting for you in the backyard."

　　Ethan Smith frowned a little. He knew how vicious this woman Betty Grantham was. Certainly, she had something in her mind that she sought his meeting. The corner of his lips curled up slyly and walked up to the backyard.

　　He saw Betty sitting on a chair reading a book on the platform in the garden. She looked gorgeous as usual in her white gown.

　　He approached her, wearing a smile on his face, "Good morning, Mrs. Grantham. I heard that you want to see me. How can I help you?"

　　Betty looked up at him, keeping the book down on the table. She smiled and said, "Have a seat, Mr. Smith."

　　Ethan Smith sat on the chair opposite her and took a look in the garden. The grasses on the lawn had been meticulously pruned. Ornamental plants made the natural boundary of the garden. Two cemented artificial water bodies were there beside the platform where beautiful white lilies bloomed. The mild spring breeze was soothing the mind. The place was meant for relaxation. But right now, Ethan was more eager to know what was hidden in this woman's mind rather than enjoying the view of his surroundings. He asked again, "Tell me, how can I help you."

　　Betty chuckled, "Mr. Smith, I have been married to this family for more than 25 years. We can become friends, can't we? After all, you used to be a friend with the former Mrs. Grantham."

　　Ethan Smith's expression changed slightly, and his grips on the armrests tightened a bit upon hearing her mentioning his friend Amber. He didn't like this woman at all. He knew how Betty conspired to get married to Edward back then which stimulated Amber and later on she died of a heart attack.

　　But quickly he concealed his anger and mustered a smile, "We are already friends. Don't you consider me a friend?" Ethan's pupils shrunk while inspecting her expression.

　　Betty let out a dry chuckle, "Indeed, we are friends. That's why I invite you to tea." She poured a cup of tea for him.

　　"Thank you." Ethan sipped the tea to moisten his dry throat.

　　"You came to visit my father-in-law. Is there any important thing you discussed with him?" Betty finally revealed her intention.

　　Ethan resisted the urge of laughter and maintained his calm demeanor, "Truly speaking, I came to apologize to him for not being able to attend Nicholas's wedding. I was busy with a hearing. Sir was upset with me. But now he is okay when I explain everything." He smiled softly.

　　Betty couldn't believe him and stared at him cautiously as if she was searching for something in his eyes. After a while, she sighed dramatically and said, "Yeah, I understand. He is getting old and gets upsets easily. Anyway, I am happy to hear that he forgives you." A crafted smile surfaced on her face.

　　After taking the last sip of the tea, Ethan Smith put the cup down on the table and checked his wristwatch. "Well, thank you for the tea, Mrs. Grantham. I will take my leave."

　　Betty nodded and smiled. Ethan rose from the chair and walked out. Betty's smile gradually faded away, and her expression darkened as he looked at the departing figure of Ethan Smith.

　　.....

　　In the head office of the Apex Groups.

　　Nicholas was sitting sullenly on his seat while his solemn gaze was focused somewhere ahead. His assistant Benjamin Ryan was reporting to him, "Moore's 50% shares are under your name now. You can release them at any time. Mr. Davis Moore is still not ready to talk to you. He refused to give the appointment again." He went silent and peered at him curiously.

　　Nicholas was still not responding, his expression unreadable. Moore's company used to be Apex Groups business associate, but after that accident that happened a year ago, they became the rivals. Sasha was Davis Moore's niece. The accident sent her to a

　　coma, and her parents blamed Nicholas for everything. They took her away from the country and didn't keep any contact with him. He didn't know where they had taken her. He had searched for her everywhere for the past year, but she was nowhere to be found. It seemed that she evaporated into thin air.

　　Nicholas was certain in his mind that Davis Moore knew Sasha's whereabouts, which is why he was pressuring him by creating trouble for the company. He believed that one day Davis Moore would break down and give him Sasha's address. A strange light

　　shone in his eyes in anticipation.

　　Benjamin couldn't understand what his boss was thinking. After looking at him for a while, he finally asked, "What is your order, boss?"

　　Nicholas took a few more seconds to respond, "Call him again. And this time, if he didn't give the appointment, release the shares in the market. I want to see how he will deal with it." His expression became even more ugly.

　　"I understand."

　　Benjamin took his leave, and Nicholas buried his head in the files.

　　................................

　　One month passed in a blink. During this month, Nicholas never appeared in the villa. Most of the time, Zara also stayed at her old apartment with her mother and brother. Although there was a nagging pain in her heart, she was happy because finally, Brian's surgery was scheduled after a week. With the connections of Grantham's, he got a donor.

　　Contentment was evident in Zara's eyes to see Brian smile. She almost forgot when she saw the last time he smiled. Tears of happiness pricked her eyes.

　　"I am going to the market to buy some vegetables. Stay here for dinner tonight. I will cook your favorite dishes." Charlotte chimed happily.

　　"I am going to stay here until Brian recovers." Zara gave a big hug to her brother.

　　Brian grinned from ear to ear and teased her, "When did you stay away from us. Most of the time you stayed here with us. Sometimes I forget that you are married."

　　Zara slapped on his arm playfully and scoffed, "You brat. You learned to tease me. Where is the problem if I stay here? This is also my home. I can stay here as long as I want."

　　Brian scowled at her, rubbing his arm, "Okay, okay. I understand. Don't beat me."

　　Charlotte, on the other end, stopped on the track after hearing Brian's words. The worry spread on her face. She doubted that something was amiss with Zara. Brian was not wrong. Zara rarely went back to her in-law's house. She was so occupied with Brian that she didn't care for Zara all these years. This poor girl also agreed to marry against her will just to save Brian.

　　What if something was wrong with the marriage?

　　Suddenly she became anxious. She sat on the sofa beside Zara and asked, "Zara, are you alright? Is there something you would like to share with me?"

　　"What happened, Mom? Are you not going to the market?" Zara squinted her eyes and scrutinized her mother.

　　Charlotte grabbed her hand and asked, "Does the master Nicholas treat you well? You stay here all the time. Won't he be angry with you? Is everything good between you two?"

　　Zara's face turned pale when she heard the name Nicholas. She had not told her mother that she signed a contract for two years. She mustered a smile and suppressed her sadness deep down in her heart, "Mom, he is generous and good to me. He knows Brian's condition, so he allows me to stay here as long as I want. There is nothing to worry about."

　　Charlotte's hanging heart settled down to see her smile. She patted the back of her hand and said, "I am relieved to hear this. Okay." She got up from the sofa, "Don't start bickering again. I will be back soon." She smiled and walked out.

　　"Who did she say not to start squabbling? Who was bickering here?" Brian was the one who asked.

　　"You are the one who always looks for arguing with me." Zara teased him.

　　"Don't talk nonsense. You are the one who can't stop fighting."

　　"Yes, yes. see, who is speaking."

　　..

　　..

　　..

　　Their argument continued until a phone call disturbed them. Zara glanced at the phone and saw Solomon Grantham's name on the screen.

　　She shushed Brian, placing the forefinger on her lips, "Don't make a noise. It's grandpa Grantham." She said in a low voice.

　　Brian put his finger on his lips and remained seated quietly.

　　Zara cleared her throat before answering the call, "Hello, grandpa. How are you?"

　　She heard laughter on the other end of the phone followed by his deep voice, "I am good. I am good. What about you? How is Brian?"

　　"I am good, grandpa. Brian is also doing good. His surgery is scheduled next week."

　　"Very well. Listen, I called you to invite you to dinner. It has been a month since you married. But you didn't come here to the Grantham manor. That brat also didn't bring you for once. I didn't call you all these days because I know you are busy with Brian. But now I can't wait to see you. Come for dinner today evening with Nicholas."

　　Zara's face turned pale after hearing his last sentence. If he asked her to come alone, she would have not thought much. But thinking of Nicholas, she started palpitating. However, she answered wisely, "Alright, grandpa. We will be there."