Nigel furrowed his brows deeply, "Grant..."


    Grant''s eyes carried a hint of sorrow, and his smile was bitter. "I''m sorry, Grandpa. It''s my fault. I couldn''t help you and Dad or fulfill my duties to the Salvador family. I also ended up bing a burden. For many years, I''ve always thought about one thing-how different things would be if I didn''t get kidnapped, if I had been the one to escape from the kidnappers. If I could''ve been a bit more selfish... Would everything have turned out differently then?"


    With aplicated mix of emotions, Nigel tried to console him. "Grant, don''t think about it that way. I know you''ve suffered a lot over the years. That was an ident. You''re my grandson, too. Why wouldn''t my heart ache for you, too? Whether it''s you or Justin, I love both of you deeply."


    "Then do you love me more, or Justin more?"


    This was undoubtedly a soul-searching question.


    Nigel was momentarily at a loss for words, while Grant smiled faintly. "You don''t have to answer. I understand. But it''s okay. I won''t be angry. After all, I''m Justin''s older brother, the eldest son of the Salvador family. Even at the cost of my life, it''s my duty to protect my younger brother. Though I''ve missed you and Dad and have felt sorry for myself, I''ve never regretted risking my life to save Justin during that kidnapping incident."


    A heavy shadow clouded Nigel''s brow, and he pressed his lips together.


    "Back then, if I hadn''t helped Justin escape, the kidnappers would''ve tortured us to death. One of us had to survive to inherit the Salvador family business and fulfill our filial duties to you and Dad. Isn''t that right?"


    "Grant, about that incident... I''ll always feel indebted to you. I just hope you don''t hold a grudge against Justin. Don''t me him for it. Justin was just a child then. He was too young to understand anything." Nigel set aside his elder''s pride, almost pleading with Grant.


    A subtle, mysterious smile appeared on Grant''s pale and handsome face on the screen.


    That smile was like a snake''s cold and slender tongue, probing Nigel''s heart with eerie and hidden intent.


    "Grandpa, who are you talking to?"


    Justin walked in with his arm around Be''s waist. His face beamed with happiness.


    Nigel froze, holding his phone mid-air, unsure of what to do.


    "Justin? You''re here." Grant''s warm voice came from the phone.


    Be heard the deep, mellow voice, which immediately caught her attention.


    Justin''s expression stiffened. "Grant...?"


    Grant''s voice was gentle as he pleaded, "Grandpa, can I please speak with Justin? I haven''t seen him in a long time. I miss him."


    "Justin, your brother wants to talk to you." Nigel deliberately called Justin over alone.


    He did it to ensure that Be would not appear on the call.


    Justin walked over to his grandfather, his handsome faceposed. "Hey, Grant.”


    "You look just as spirited and handsome as ever, unlike me... Cough, cough."


    Grant tried to suppress his cough, smiling with relief. "I''m sure you and Ms. Thompson must beughing at me."


    Justin''s dark eyes narrowed slightly, and Be clearly heard everything.


    "Grandpa, your house must''ve been lively tonight, right? With Justin, Ms. Thompson, and Uncle Matt having dinner and setting off fireworks with you. Just thinking about it makes me envious of such a warm scene."


    Nigel''s jaw clenched slightly.


    His eldest grandson had always been sensitive and thoughtful. He was just as sharp and intelligent as Justin.


    But hecked Justin''s straightforward and genuine nature. Though he always wore a smile, one could never tell if it was sincere.


    Every word Grant spoke would leave one feeling uneasy andpelled to search for hidden meanings.


    Justin looked at Grant warmly. "Grant, I''ll schedule a time to visit you in Meridan with Grandpa. We can have a reunion then."


    "Will you bring Ms. Thompson with you to meet me then?"


    The room suddenly fell silent.


    As someone who was usually reserved, Justin frowned at Grant''s question, feeling bitter.


    Justin could not tell if Grant wanted to see him or his woman.


    "Well, there''s no need toplicate it. Isn''t Ms. Thompson right beside you? There''s no time like the


    vel.?


    present. Meeting through the screen is just as good."


    As he finished his sentence, Nigel waved Be over. "Come, Anna. Come meet my eldest grandson, Justin''s brother."


    Be hesitated but then walked to Justin''s side, the striking couple now in Grant''s view.


    "Justin is so lucky to have such a beautifulpanion like Ms. Thompson by his side."


    Grant''s smile widened as he gazed at Be''s stunning face. "Oh, no, I should call you my sister-inw now."


    His tone was sincere as he admired the couple.


    Justin pressed his lips together, staying silent.


    "Nice to meet you, Young Master Grant," Be said with a polite smile, addressing him formally as "Young Master Grant" instead of "Grant".


    Her choice of words was deliberate and calcted.


    "We have met before. This isn''t our first time meeting each other," Grant said, his eyebrows arching slightly and shadows ying across his refined face. Justin''s heart inexplicably tightened, and his fingers clenched.


    "If I''m not mistaken, this should be our first meeting," Be responded calmly.


    "It may be the first time you''re meeting me, but I''ve seen you before."


    Grant smiled faintly. "In the past few years, and even further back, I''ve met you. Ms. Thompson, you''re far more famous than you''re aware of Even though I reside in Meridan, I''ve visited your jewelry exhibitions several times and had the privilege of purchasing a few pieces to add to my collection. To put it bluntly, I am one of your fans."N?velDrama.Org (C) content.