Free Web NovelChapter 297: Chapter 297: He Didn’t Cheat, But Loved Her So Much That Even Her Brother Was More Important Than Me
"That’s different." Levin Sawyer couldn’t stop himself from saying something harsh, but in the end, he just covered his mouth.
’Forget it,’ he thought. ’I can’t let people think I’m ungrateful just because I can’t stand the guy.’
In the car, Sophia Shaw and Old Master Sloan exchanged a few words about charity matters. When she turned her head, she saw Jaden Rhodes staring blankly out the window, lost in thought, and couldn’t help but follow his gaze.
Outside was a stretch of yellow earth with very little greenery. There wasn’t much to see.
It was as if Jaden Rhodes was looking past the scenery, at something else entirely.
Sophia couldn’t help but think of the girl he was always searching for.
’He was able to identify The Amethyst Panthers so quickly; his skills are clearly top-tier. So how can he not find that one girl?’
Sophia wanted to ask, but with so many people around, it didn’t feel like the right time.
With Jaden Rhodes’s help, Sophia Shaw and Old Master Sloan’s conversation with the regional administrator went exceedingly well.
Hearing that they wanted to build an astronomy museum, the administrator was delighted and immediately designated an area for them.
"Cathan’s achievements in the aerospace industry are there for all to see. I’m certain the astronomy museum you plan to build will open up a new world for the children here. On behalf of every child, I thank you."
The regional administrator’s office was right by the hospital they’d stayed at previously. Old Master Sloan had been living nearby lately, so Sophia Shaw went with him to pack his things.
On their way downstairs, they passed the spot where the masked girl had played the violin, only to see Jaden Rhodes staring blankly at something on the ground.
Sophia Shaw walked over and called out to him, and only then did he snap out of it.
He then gave her a gentle smile. "Are we ready to go?"
"Yes, we are," Sophia Shaw said, and the group got into the car together.
"Brother Jaden, how do you know the local language, and speak it so fluently?" Sophia Shaw couldn’t help but ask.
’This is such a small and impoverished country,’ she thought. ’I can’t imagine anyone would think to learn the local language.’
Jaden Rhodes smiled. "I spent a few years dealing with the people here."
He didn’t elaborate, and Sophia Shaw didn’t press him for details.
’I get the feeling Jaden Rhodes is full of stories.’
Sophia Shaw and Old Master Sloan were escorted across the border by the special forces soldiers. Old Master Sloan then took a private jet directly back to Mador.
Sophia Shaw, meanwhile, took a train back to Crestfall.
Outside the main entrance of the train station stood Julian Grant and Miles Grant.
"Dad, what are you doing here?" Sophia Shaw was surprised to see him.
Julian Grant looked her up and down for a moment. "You are now Cathan’s foremost expert in the deep space sector. After such a major incident over there, I have a responsibility to come and check on you."
"You’re not hurt, are you?"
Julian Grant had recently been promoted again. His status was different from before, and the people he granted audiences to were all extremely important figures.
Julian Grant did his best to keep his tone official, but Sophia Shaw could still sense the warmth beneath his words.
Knowing he was only being so formal because he was afraid of pressuring her, her heart tingled with a slight ache. She shook her head. "I’m not hurt."
"That’s good."
On the surface, this project was a collaboration between Lead Aerospace and NASA, but it was actually backed by the Cathanian military. Its importance was self-evident.
Sophia Shaw gave Julian Grant a brief report on some of the specific details of the test.
Meanwhile, Miles Grant pulled Eleanor Crawford aside.
"Eleanor, why did I hear from your director that you want to participate in the evacuation mission in Baros? He must have misheard, right?"
Eleanor Crawford looked at Miles Grant coolly. "He didn’t mishear. I’ve already made a verbal request. I’m submitting the formal application as soon as I get back."
"Eleanor, are you crazy? Baros is a chaotic mess. What’s a woman like you going to do over there? Can you please not cause more trouble?"
"Are you so sure I’d just be causing trouble?"
His words, so full of blatant condescension, were a knife to the heart.
Miles Grant said hastily, "That’s not what I meant. It’s just that a place like that isn’t suitable for a woman. I’ve already spoken to your director. We’ll just pretend this was never mentioned. You just stay home and be safe. Nothing is more important than your safety."
"’Safe?’" The word sounded like a cruel joke to Eleanor Crawford. "Have I ever been safe at home?"
Miles Grant looked at Eleanor Crawford, his eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment.
Seeing this, Eleanor Crawford let out a choked laugh, shattering the tears that had welled in her eyes.
’Just look,’ she thought. ’I’ve suffered so much—been neglected and bullied, lost our child, lost the right to be a mother, and even nearly lost my own life. And yet, to him, I’m ’safe’!’
"Miles Grant, have you ever loved me at all?"
"We’ve been married for so long. Why are you still talking about things like that?" Miles Grant’s tone was still one of incomprehension.
"So... you just don’t."
’I’d long suspected he didn’t have deep feelings for me, but hearing the casual indifference in his voice still felt like a knife twisting in my heart.’
’I removed all my thorns to become the version of me he’d like, but he doesn’t even have a basic fondness for me.’
’Then again, if he had even the slightest affection for me, how could he have let me be hurt without a second thought? How could he still be looking at me now with the vacant eyes of a stranger?’
"Eleanor..." Miles Grant grew a little flustered. "You know what I’m like. I’m just not good at expressing my feelings."
"Is that so?"
’If I hadn’t seen with my own eyes how he broke down in uncontrollable grief before that person’s grave, I almost would have believed him.’
’That sorrow wasn’t just because that person had given their life for him. It was the sorrow of having a piece of his heart ripped out.’
Eleanor Crawford started to laugh.
Laughing until tears streamed down her face.
A laugh that felt like a knife to the heart.
"Miles Grant, you don’t dare admit it, so I’ll say it for you. You’re in love with Claudia Murray! So in love that you pour all your affection onto Ian, just because he’s her brother!"
"Eleanor..."
Miles Grant stood there, dumbstruck, as if in shock. freewēbnoveℓ.com
But Eleanor Crawford knew how fake his expression was, and how panicked he was on the inside.
"Even though you knew Ian wasn’t mentally stable, even though you knew he was constantly hurting me, you still indulged him! It wasn’t because he’s young—it’s only because he’s Claudia Murray’s brother!"
"You use the fact that she saved your life as a shield, but all you’re trying to hide is your own corrupted heart! Miles Grant, you’ve already had an emotional affair!"
Miles Grant looked as if he’d been struck over the head. His mind went blank, but he instinctively retorted, "What nonsense are you spouting? Claudia and I were completely innocent! I have never cheated!"
"Eleanor, you’ve really gone mad!"
"Yes, I am mad! Driven mad by you!" Eleanor Crawford looked at the man before her in despair.
’Is this still the man I loved?’
’Is this still the boy I tried so hard to be worthy of, washing away all my coarseness for him?’
’When did he become so unrecognizable?’
Eleanor Crawford clenched her fists.
Julian Grant and Sophia Shaw were just a short distance away. Not wanting to make a scene, she forced down the redness in her eyes. "Listen to me, Miles Grant. I am going to Baros. If you have a problem with that, you can file for divorce."
"You can say I was abusive or that I cheated. Either is fine!"
With that, she turned and walked away.
Miles Grant started to call after her, then just shook his head helplessly.
Meanwhile, Sophia Shaw had finished speaking with Julian Grant and took her leave.
A military train pulled to a stop.
Through the train window, an elegant and serene figure could be seen.
The woman was wearing a light gray overcoat and holding a book. Though time had steeped her hair in white, it could not hide her refined aura.
One could tell she must have been stunningly beautiful in her youth.
Eleanor Crawford froze for a moment when she saw her, then hurried over to Julian Grant. "Professor Beckett is on the train. Dad, are you going to go up and say hello?"
Julian Grant’s body flinched as if he had been struck. He jerked his head up toward the train.
The elegant figure in the window captured his gaze, holding it fast as if with superglue.
But the veins on the back of his hand were already bulging.
