Josephine accompanied her grandfather in the garden for a long ti.
Listening to him ramble about the amusing happenings of recent days.
The new tea from the caretaker was delicious, the elderly man next door loved challenging him at chess despite his poor skills, and the crabapple blossoms in the nursing ho were blooming beautifully.
She listened quietly, occasionally nodding in agreent, trying hard to make her smile seem natural.
But only she knew that every minute and second felt like walking on thin ice.
The calr her grandfather beca, the more she feared that peace would be shattered.
Nathaniel Gallagher could even fake videos using AI, so who knows what ans he might employ next?
"Josephine..." her grandfather suddenly held her hand, his eyes tinged with concern, "Nathaniel... didn’t co back with you this ti?"
"This ti, it’s all thanks to him for finding an expert team from Veltland. Look, I don’t even need help walking now."
Having said that.
The old man stood up from the wheelchair and took a few vigorous steps.
"..." Josephine’s heart sank sharply, her fingertips instantly cold.
She forcefully suppressed the bitterness at her throat, pulling out a stiff smile.
The old man sighed and patted the back of her hand: "A grandfather shouldn’t ddle too much in young people’s affairs. But sotis, Nathaniel is not bad; the last ti I was sick, he was busy running around and hired the best doctors..."
Josephine lowered her head, looking at her clasped fingertips, her nails almost piercing the skin.
Before, she had sent her grandfather to a foreign nursing ho for treatnt. Instructed everyone nearby not to upset him.
So many things have been kept from the old man; he still didn’t know Nathaniel Gallagher had married Eleanor Churchill.
Not to ntion Nathaniel Gallagher was skilled at putting on a show.
This ti in Zarathos.
He went out of his way to see the grandfather several tis, even kindly personally gave the grandfather a foot bath, haircut, and pampered the elderly man.
The old man even began to forgive him, thinking of persuading his granddaughter to remarry him.
"Sigh~, young people, who doesn’t make mistakes? When I was young, I also made many mistakes." The old man spoke while glancing at Julian Grant next to him.
He knew.
This young man was also trying hard to pursue his granddaughter.
However, his first impression of Julian Grant wasn’t good.
After all, when the elderly man first t Julian Grant, Julian had dyed his hair with a trendy wild cool grandma gray, dressed very trendily and wildly, clearly not a serious man for living a proper life.
So, the elderly man didn’t like Julian Grant at all. And Nathaniel Gallagher was a man who excelled at disguising, no matter when you saw him.
He was always serious, gentlemanly, and elegant.
But actually...
The two extres reversed.
The two perfectly explained not to judge people by appearances.
"...Grandfather, I’m a bit tired now, I’ll go back to rest." She stood up, her voice slightly floating.
"Ah, alright, you go rest." Her grandfather nodded quickly, "Be careful on the road."
"Yes, I’ll co and see you tomorrow, grandfather."
"Alright."
Josephine held back her tears, forced a smile, "Then I’m leaving, grandfather, take care of yourself, call if anything cos up."
Julian Grant was waiting not far away, seeing her, quickly walking over to support her: "I’ll take you back."
"Grandfather, we’re leaving."
The old man glanced at Julian Grant, reluctantly waving his hand.
"You brat, I’m warning you, don’t take advantage and bully Josephine."
Julian Grant changed his previous unserious deanor, speaking steadily: "Don’t worry, grandfather, I’ll take great care of Josephine."
On the way out of the nursing ho.
The carriage was silent, the atmosphere stagnant.
Josephine stared at the blurred shape of trees outside the window and suddenly spoke: "I’m really at a loss for words about Nathaniel Gallagher; he managed to deceive even grandfather."
Julian Grant tightened his grip on the steering wheel: "He does these things just to keep controlling you."
Josephine’s voice trembled, "I fear he might harm grandfather. He’s too old to endure any mistreatnt..."
Julian Grant glanced sideways at her, his eyes filled with almost overflowing compassion: "I’ve already increased the security personnel at the nursing ho, they’re on guard 24 hours to prevent anyone from getting near grandfather."
Josephine didn’t speak, only buried her face in her palms.
She knew Julian Grant was doing his utmost to help her.
But Nathaniel Gallagher was like a bottomless pit; you never know how many traps he hides.
Besides worrying about her grandfather’s safety.
She worried even more about Julian Grant.
According to Nathaniel Gallagher’s vengeful nature, how could he possibly let go without retaliation?
When they returned to the manor.
The sunset had dyed half the sky red.
Julian Grant’s assistant was already waiting at the entrance, seeing them getting out of the car, he quickly approached, looking sowhat grave: "President Grant, there’s sothing..."
Julian Grant gestured for him to wait a mont.
He first helped Josephine inside, settling her on the sofa, then turned and went to the terrace with the assistant.
"Speak."
The assistant lowered his voice: "Our people found that Nathaniel Gallagher already flew to Caldwen yesterday, now staying at The Elysian Hotel in Wharfside. Also... he t with Mason Zimrman, an old subordinate of Master Thompson, yesterday afternoon."
Julian Grant’s brow furrowed instantly.
Mason Zimrman was a longti friend of the Thornton Family and quite influential in Caldwen’s business world, the old man always trusted him.
Nathaniel Gallagher visiting him certainly wasn’t just for tea and chat.
"Continue to keep watch on Mason Zimrman." Julian’s voice was as cold as ice, "Also, further upgrade the security at the nursing ho, thoroughly investigate everyone approaching the old man."
"Yes."
After the assistant left.
Julian Grant stood on the terrace, gazing at the distant sea. The golden light of the sunset scattered across the waves, unable to warm the coldness in his eyes.
Nathaniel Gallagher was plotting.
He was surely seeking all-around channels to smooth things along.
Therefore, Julian must strike decisively to ruin Nathaniel Gallagher, giving him no chance to rebound.
Upon returning indoors.
He saw Josephine sitting on the sofa, holding their photo with her grandfather as the screen illuminated.
Hearing footsteps.
She lifted her head, a barely detectable plea in her eyes: "Julian, can we take grandfather away? To another place, where he won’t encounter anyone from Nathaniel Gallagher."
Julian Grant walked over, sat beside her, gently taking away her phone: "Grandfather’s too old for long rides. Besides, since Nathaniel Gallagher’s in Caldwen, wherever we hide he’ll find us."
He paused, holding her hand, with a firm tone: "Rather than flee, let’s confront. Josephine, trust , this ti we won’t lose."
Josephine looked into his calm eyes, feeling unsettled, asking, "What do you intend to do?"
Julian Grant: "Don’t worry about it, we’re going to thoroughly eradicate Nathaniel Gallagher like a malignant tumor. Otherwise, we’ll never have peaceful days."
Josephine listened, becoming even more uneasy, "But, we certainly can’t outperform him. I’m genuinely worried about his retaliation against you; he’s a madman, unscrupulous in his actions, I truly don’t want you provoking him again..."
Nathaniel Gallagher and Julian Grant’s characters.
```
She knew it all too well.
Julian Grant, though rebellious and smart.
However, he harbors no desire to kill, and he’s not malicious enough.
If soone offends him.
He may be competitive, but he won’t think about taking a life.
Julian Grant smiled slightly, "Don’t be afraid, I know what I’m doing. Scum like Nathaniel Gallagher, who has committed nurous cris, deserves to go to prison."
"If people like him are not punished, then there’s no justice in this world."
Josephine Thompson was taken aback, staring at him in shock, "Are you saying... send him to prison?"
Julian Grant t her astonished gaze, nodded, without a hint of hesitation in his eyes: "Yes, send him to prison."
His fingertips gently caressed the back of her hand, his voice as steady as a rock: "He illegally imprisoned you, used AI to falsify videos to deceive the elderly, those alone are enough to constitute a cri. Not to ntion his business tactics over the years that have crossed countless red lines, openly and covertly. As long as we find evidence, it’s enough for him to rot in jail."
Josephine Thompson’s heartbeat suddenly accelerated, her fingertips icy cold.
Send Nathaniel Gallagher to prison?
She had thought of it, but each ti the idea surfaced, it was suppressed by fear.
How could that man possibly surrender willingly?
He’d go mad, pulling everyone into hell with him.
"But... but he wouldn’t admit to it, and he has the top legal team."
"His influence is so vast, and his people are so many, how can we find evidence? What if he finds out..."
"There is no ’what if’." Julian Grant interrupted her, his tone firm and decisive, "I’ve already had a legal team and private investigators looking into it. His foundation in Caldwen isn’t as solid as in Audenburg. Once we find a loophole, we can strike precisely."
He looked at her pale face, softened his tone, his eyes filled with tenderness: "Josephine, I know you’re scared. But we can’t live under his shadow forever, we must end this. Otherwise, he’ll be like a leech, clinging to you for a lifeti, even hurting the people around you."
Josephine Thompson lowered her head, looking at their entwined hands.
Julian Grant’s palm was warm, carrying a reassuring strength, yet the fear in her heart grew like wild vines.
She knew Nathaniel Gallagher all too well.
He’s soone who would burn everything, including himself, to achieve his goals.
"I’m afraid... afraid sothing might happen to you." Her voice was filled with unease, "He’s capable of anything."
Julian Grant raised his hand, gently wiping away the moisture from the corner of her eye, his movents as gentle as handling fragile porcelain: "Trust , this ti I’m fully prepared. As soon as his people move in Caldwen, mine will know. If he tries to leverage connections to suppress, my arrangents have long been in place."
He paused, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes: "And besides, the one he cares about most is you. As long as you are safely by my side, he’ll lose his composure, and the more he loses it, the easier it’ll be for him to show flaws."
Josephine Thompson stared at him vacantly, seeing the determination and strategy in his eyes.
It was only then she realized.
The Julian Grant before her was no longer the rebellious teenager with granny-gray hair she once knew.
He was calm and decisive, even carrying a ruthlessness she had never seen before. Like a sword in its sheath, once drawn, it would need to draw blood.
"Can it really... be done?" she couldn’t help but ask, a trace of hope she hadn’t even noticed in her voice.
Julian Grant chuckled, wrapped her in his arms, his chin gently resting on the top of her head: "Wait and see."
The dusk outside the window had completely set.
The night, like a massive black curtain, slowly covered the city.
The lights in the manor lit up one after another.
In the warm yellow light, Josephine Thompson leaned against Julian Grant, listening to his steady heartbeat, yet her heart was being tugged by two forces.
On one side was the longing for freedom, on the other, the fear of Nathaniel Gallagher’s mad revenge.
She didn’t know where this confrontation would eventually lead, only that from this mont on, there was no turning back for either of them.
If... Nathaniel Gallagher could really be imprisoned for 20 years.
It would undoubtedly be the best outco.
...
Wharfside.
In the presidential suite of The Elysian Hotel.
Nathaniel Gallagher just ended a call with Mason Zimrman, a aningful smile playing on his lips.
He walked to the liquor cabinet, poured himself a glass of whiskey, and drank it down.
"Julian Grant..." he muttered the na, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes, "Wants to fight ? Let’s see who destroys whom first."
He picked up the phone, dialing an encrypted number, his voice as cold as ice: "Investigate Julian Grant’s recent activities, especially that new lawyer by his side, and... keep an eye on the nursing ho’s movents, I want to know what Josephine Thompson does every day."
"Yes, President Gallagher."
He hung up the phone.
He poured himself another glass, drinking down the spicy liquid, but it couldn’t suppress the rage surging inside him.
His Josephine could only be his.
Anyone who dared to take her would die.
This silent war had already opened its most perilous Chapter.
"Buzz buzz buzz..."
The phone rang again.
He glanced at the phone, it was Evelyn Thorne calling.
"Hello..."
Once the call connected, Evelyn Thorne’s voice, laden with resentnt, ca through, "It’s ."
"Hmph~, you’re so wicked, Mr. Gallagher, needing people forward and abandoning them backward."
"If I didn’t contact you, would you have forgotten about ?"
Nathaniel Gallagher smiled amiably, not hurried or restless, and said: "How could I? Just got back from abroad and was planning to et you tomorrow!"
"...Really?" Evelyn Thorne sulkily responded, albeit with a bit of anticipation in her heart.
"Of course, so, are you free tomorrow?"
"What do you want to do?"
Nathaniel Gallagher: "Of course, invite you to dinner!"
Evelyn Thorne huffed, "Just because you invite , I should go? I’m not that easy to date, okay! You’re so insincere, why should I have dinner with you?"
Nathaniel Gallagher: "Haha, honorable Miss Thornton, may I ask if you’re free tomorrow?"
"Let’s see how you do!"
"So what would count as sincere?"
"At the very least, you’d have to have flowers prepared, right?"
"Haha, open your door now!"
Evelyn Thorne puzzled, walked towards the hotel room door!
As soon as the door was opened.
She saw several waiters pushing a trolley over.
On the trolley was a huge bouquet, at least 999 roses.
"Miss Thornton, these are roses from Mr. Gallagher."
Evelyn Thorne, hearing this, couldn’t help but laugh, "Fine, I guess you are thoughtful."
"What ti tomorrow?"
Nathaniel Gallagher laughed, "How about 11 in the morning!"
"Alright, but make sure you’re on ti. If you’re late, I will be mad."
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