Free Web NovelChapter 374: Chapter 372: Forcing Her Out of the Grant Corporation
Mia Grant narrowed her eyes. "Good question."
She found it strange, too.
She’d had the dream several times now, but she only ever dreamed of Hayes Hughes killing her.
Anything else... there really wasn’t anything.
’Whether the dreams are connected to my life before transmigrating—just with their faces subbed in—or if they’re real memories...’
’...I’ve never once had a dream that involved Hayes Hughes.’
’But he’s supposed to be the one I can never forget.’
’How could he not play a major role in my heart?’
Mia Grant noticed this blind spot for the first time, her expression filled with confusion.
"Tell me, if you like someone but have never had a single good dream about them, what does that mean?"
Perhaps an outsider sees things more clearly.
Simon Adler answered without a second thought. "It means he’s not the one you actually like."
"..."
Mia Grant shot him a look. "You think I don’t know who I like?"
"And that’s why you’ve never dreamed about Hayes Hughes."
Simon Adler’s tone was certain.
"That doesn’t necessarily mean anything, right?" Mia Grant ventured.
"Have you dreamed about me?"
Staring at her for a long moment, he asked a completely different question.
Mia Grant thought back carefully. "I have."
At her words, the man’s eyes lit up.
Before he could speak, she continued in a flat tone, "I dreamed you were colluding with outsiders to usurp my throne and oust me from the Grant Corporation."
"..." Simon Adler’s expression faltered.
"It’s true," Mia Grant swore, "this isn’t a joke. I really did dream that. So, you’d better watch yourself."
"I hope it isn’t true, because if it is, I’ll definitely go to Trion and hire a hundred mercenaries to hunt you down."
Simon Adler closed his eyes, took a moment, then opened them again. "You were just talking about Hayes Hughes, weren’t you?"
He bluntly steered the conversation back.
"So you haven’t dreamed about him. It’s not a big deal. It doesn’t mean anything."
Even though she was infuriating, he still went along with what she said to soothe her.
Mia Grant rubbed her chin, nodding repeatedly at his words. "I think so, too."
’It’s just a dream, after all.’
But this excuse wasn’t very convincing.
On the way back, Mia Grant opened her phone, scrolled through her contacts, and found the number for Dr. Quinlan that she had saved earlier.
After hesitating for a long time, she sent him a text message.
"Dr. Quinlan, sorry to bother you. This is Mia Grant; we met recently. I was wondering if you might have some time to meet tomorrow."
Not long after she sent the message, he replied: "Of course. I’m free all day tomorrow. Feel free to stop by."
Mia Grant sent a "thank you" and let out a breath of relief.
’I just hope he doesn’t think I’m crazy.’
——
The car stopped at the Sinclair Family’s estate. Mia Grant waved. "Thanks."
Simon Adler glanced at her, his eyes sweeping over her face. "Right. Be careful with your wound. It’ll get itchy as it scabs over, so don’t scratch it. See you in Jynsia."
Mia Grant hadn’t expected him to say something so considerate. She looked at him, flattered and surprised, and slowly nodded. "See you in Jynsia."
With that, she followed a servant who had come out to greet her and walked inside.
After a few steps, she stopped, sighed, and turned back around.
Simon Adler watched her with a puzzled expression, not understanding why she had come back.
"I really don’t see you that way. You know that, right?"
Mia Grant didn’t want to lead him on.
"I know." Simon Adler’s expression was odd. "I’ve never even confessed, yet you keep rejecting me."
Mia Grant looked helpless. "I much preferred it when you used to ignore me."
"I’m not used to this."
"Like back at dinner, that way of interacting felt the most natural. I hope you can keep it up."
She was referring to when he’d called her crazy.
"You’re so demanding."
Mia Grant pressed her lips together, thought for a moment, and decided this couldn’t go on. "How about this? I’ll set you up with a girlfriend."
Simon Adler: "..."
"I don’t mean anything by it. I just think things are getting weirder and weirder."
"We’re going to be business partners, so it’s impossible for us not to see each other. But if you’re too nice to me... it’s kind of like you’re a simp."
Mia Grant deliberately made her words harsh, trying to dissuade him.
Back when the old gentleman was still alive, she’d felt a slight desire to conquer Simon Adler.
On one hand, she couldn’t stand the way he looked down on her. On the other, she needed a shield to use in front of the old gentleman.
The old gentleman’s death was quite timely; she hadn’t made any moves on Simon Adler yet.
It was a case of cutting her losses in time.
But she never would have imagined that Simon Adler would "betray" his former self like this.
She had nothing to give him, though.
It was hard to say whose fault it was.
Maybe they were both at fault.
But there was no point in dwelling on it now.
All she could do was crush his hopes.
’A man as proud as him would surely be disappointed to hear the girl he likes describe him as a "simp."’
But after listening, Simon Adler was just silent for a moment before saying, "Simon said the same thing."
"..."
That wasn’t what Mia Grant wanted to hear.
"Your persona is supposed to be an arrogant, aloof jerk. Not this."
"People change." Simon Adler put his hands in his pockets, his expression open. "You don’t have to feel pressured. I’m not trying to make a move right now."
"Let’s just be friends."
"It’s fine for a friend to be nice to you and show some concern, right?"
"Even if it’s just a business partner showing concern, I think that’s perfectly reasonable."
"Or are you just that worried about Silas Grant’s feelings?"
"In that case, you might as well terminate our contract, and we can go our separate ways for good."
The girl’s lips moved slightly, as if she was about to agree.
Simon Adler’s brow twitched. His hands clenched into fists in his pockets. Fearing she would actually say the words he didn’t want to hear, he cut her off before she could speak. "In your dreams."
"I’ve already resigned from the Hughes Corp. If I resign from the Grant Corporation so soon after, how am I supposed to make a living?"
"Mia Grant, don’t be so selfish!"
"..." Mia Grant was completely bewildered. ’What did I do?’
’I never said I wanted to terminate the contract. Wasn’t he the one who brought it up?’
’If we terminated the contract now, I’d have to pay a penalty. I’m not crazy.’
’Who in their right mind turns down money?’
For the sake of money, she could tolerate him.
’Who knew he’d just talk himself into a corner and get all worked up?’
’He’s nuts.’
’These men... honestly.’
Mia Grant sighed silently, feeling a headache coming on. In a tone one might use to soothe a child, she said, "Alright, alright. Let’s just be friends."
"Okay, you should go now."
"It looks like we’re fighting. Security is going to show up any minute."
Simon Adler gave her one last look, said nothing, and turned to get in the car.
——
When Silas Grant returned that afternoon, his gaze lingered on her for a few seconds.
Mia Grant, ever perceptive, quickly raised her hands and confessed, "I talked about work with him, treated him to a meal, and then had him drop me off at the Sinclair Family’s place on his way."
"What’s that on your face?"
Silas Grant feigned confusion, as if he had no intention of asking about Simon Adler and was only concerned about her injury.
