Cedric Grant sensibly took the initiative to add a chair.

"You must be Faye’s sister-in-law and brother-in-law," Chad Jennings said, looking at Eleanor Crawford and Miles Grant.

When Sophia Shaw and Vincent Grant had gotten married, they hadn’t invited Chad Jennings.

They had never met.

Chad Jennings took the initiative to introduce himself. "I’m Faye and Joanna’s father, Chad Jennings."

"And this," he added, "is Joanna’s mother."

"Joanna?" Eleanor Crawford looked at Miles Grant, her expression darkening.

Who in the Grant Family didn’t know about the history between Joanna Sherman and Vincent Grant?

For Joanna Sherman’s sake, Vincent Grant had once rejected the family’s arrangements, choosing to build a company from scratch. He had nearly severed ties with the family over the matter.

"My Joanna is quite famous now. I’m sure you two know of her."

At the mere mention of Joanna Sherman, Chad Jennings’s face lit up with excitement.

"Could you two perhaps speak with the Elder? Ask him to consider Zenith as well. Zenith has Joanna’s technology, and with Vincent Grant overseeing things, it’s all in the family. You can be completely at ease."

"Of course, Lead Aerospace and Zenith could also work together. Joanna is humble; she’s willing to learn from Lead Aerospace."

Sophia Shaw had always known Chad Jennings was shameless, but she never imagined he’d be shameless enough to show up at their door to promote Joanna Sherman.

"Vincent Grant, why didn’t you tell me you invited them?"

Sophia Shaw shot Vincent Grant an icy glare.

"Setting aside the fact that this is a private family dinner, the rocket project is classified. Its details can’t just be casually disclosed, can they?"

"Faye, how can you speak like that!" Chad Jennings interrupted, clearly displeased. "Why can’t we be invited? I’m Cedric’s maternal grandfather—and your father!"

"Besides, Joanna is your sister, and the Grants are family now. Why can’t I be told about the rocket project?"

"Faye, you’ve been narrow-minded since you were a child, always making a mountain out of a molehill."

"Don’t you dare embarrass us in front of Vincent’s brother and sister-in-law!"

Cedric Grant couldn’t help but chime in, "Yeah, Mom! It’s my birthday. Grandpa and Grandma Sherman only came because they like me."

Cedric Grant really didn’t want them to leave.

’If they leave, what if they tell Auntie Joanna that Mom chased them away? How will I ever face Auntie Joanna again?’

’I’m doing this for Mom’s own good, too. I don’t want people to think she’s the kind of person who can’t even tolerate her own father.’

Her appetite was gone.

Sophia Shaw stood up.

She nodded at Eleanor Crawford and Miles Grant.

"I have to go, something’s come up. Please, enjoy your meal."

Then she turned and walked out.

"Sophia Shaw, how could you..."

Chad Jennings stomped his foot in frustration.

Sophia Shaw ignored them and strode out.

Only when she had left the toxic atmosphere far behind did she finally take a deep breath.

It sounded like someone was running out after her, but Sophia Shaw didn’t look back. She just jumped into her car and drove away.

Her phone began to ring incessantly.

It was Vincent Grant.

Sophia Shaw didn’t want to answer. She silenced the phone and tossed it aside.

But the turmoil in her chest grew more and more violent.

’Chad Jennings’s words were so vile.’

’Does he not remember what really happened back then?’

’Joanna Sherman was jealous that I had all of Chad Jennings’s attention, so she targeted me, bullied me. And he, feeling sorry for Joanna Sherman, put all the blame on me.’

’After getting bullied by Joanna Sherman at school all day, I would come home only to be scolded by Chad Jennings.’

’That father-daughter duo has done so many shameless things, and even now, they don’t feel a shred of remorse!’

’If Eleanor Crawford and Miles Grant weren’t here—and they’ve always been decent to me—I would have definitely given Chad Jennings a piece of my mind!’

The more she thought about it, the heavier her heart became.

Back inside the house, Eleanor Crawford also stood up.

"I don’t think we should stay for this meal," she said.

Their status was not one to be taken lightly. They were having dinner with Vincent Grant as family.

What was the meaning of throwing Chad Jennings and Yvonne Sherman into the mix?

Vincent Grant knew the military’s protocols, so he didn’t press them to stay, merely escorting them out. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Once outside, Miles Grant had Eleanor Crawford get into the car first.

He clearly had something he wanted to say to Vincent Grant alone.

Eleanor Crawford gave Vincent Grant a disappointed look.

Then she glanced back at Cedric Grant inside.

She shook her head.

’I was going to try and talk some sense into Sophia Shaw, but now I see there’s no need!’

’Even her own son only has eyes for Joanna Sherman. Faye must have suffered so much all these years.’

Outside the car, Miles Grant handed Vincent Grant a cigarette.

Vincent Grant took it with his long fingers and placed it between his lips.

Miles Grant lit his own cigarette, took a drag, and exhaled a puff of smoke before speaking. "Vincent, Faye paid a huge price to marry you. Don’t let her down."

Vincent Grant gave a slight nod. "Don’t worry."

’He couldn’t promise anything else, but he could at least promise to grow old with her.’

Miles Grant looked at his younger brother.

There was an eight-year age gap between them.

Ever since they were young, Vincent Grant had been different from his siblings—stubborn, rebellious, and untamable. Not even the Elder could control him.

Aside from the one time their mother had forced his hand by threatening suicide, he had never allowed himself to be bound by anything else.

Though Miles Grant also had trouble accepting their fanatical mother, he wholeheartedly agreed with her on this one matter.

What she had secured for Vincent Grant wasn’t just a marriage; it was the honor of the entire Grant Family.

Miles Grant possessed a strong sense of duty to both his family and his country.

He gripped Vincent Grant’s arm firmly. "Something like today... it’s best if it never happens again. A woman can only be disappointed so many times before her heart truly grows cold."

Miles Grant glanced toward the car in the distance, where Eleanor Crawford’s silent, sorrowful face was visible in the window.

"Listen to your big brother this once. End the rocket project as soon as you can. If you absolutely must see it through, then do it with Faye."

This was his final piece of heartfelt advice as an older brother.

Vincent Grant’s brow furrowed. "Brother..."

’This was one thing he couldn’t concede.’

"I can listen to you on anything else, but not this."

’The rocket project was his promise to Joanna Sherman.’

’No matter how difficult, he would see it through.’

"Once the rocket project is on track, I’ll return to my family and we’ll live a normal life."

"I’ll have a second child with Sophia Shaw, a third even."

’Sophia Shaw seemed to really love children.’

"A second child?" Miles Grant looked at Vincent Grant in astonishment. "Don’t tell me you..."

He didn’t get to finish. Eleanor Crawford, phone in hand, shouted from the car, "Emergency orders! Immediately!"

A military command was absolute. Everything else had to be put aside.

Miles Grant gave Vincent Grant one last, deep look, then strode toward Eleanor Crawford.

Vincent Grant returned to the living room.

Chad Jennings and Yvonne Sherman were still there.

Wearing a party hat, Chad Jennings was singing "Happy Birthday" to Cedric Grant with great ceremony.

He had been handsome in his youth and had taken care of his appearance as he aged. He still cut a fine figure, enough to earn a round of applause from a captivated Cedric Grant.

Yvonne Sherman, meanwhile, sat with Cedric Grant, taking photos and lighting the candles.

"Dad, hurry!" Cedric Grant shouted when he saw Vincent Grant.

’It was a bummer that his uncle and aunt had left, but at least Grandpa and Grandma Sherman were here to keep him company!’

Cedric Grant’s face beamed with delight.

’Of course, it would be even better if Auntie Joanna and the little sister could come too.’

Vincent Grant walked over.

He smiled as he helped Cedric Grant make a wish and blow out the candles.

Yvonne Sherman asked gently, "Cedric, what did you wish for?"

Cedric Grant said excitedly, "I wished for Grandpa and Grandma Sherman to be healthy and live long lives, for Auntie Joanna and the little sister to be happy, and for me to do even better this year..."

"That’s enough," Vincent Grant interrupted.

"The birthday celebration is over. It’s time for Grandpa and Grandma Sherman to go home."

Vincent Grant personally escorted Chad Jennings and Yvonne Sherman to the door.

A car pulled up.

Vincent Grant held the car door open for them.

Seeing how much importance Vincent Grant seemed to be placing on him, Chad Jennings puffed up like a proud peacock and ushered Yvonne Sherman into the car.

Once inside, he eagerly pulled out his phone, ready to boast about his special treatment in the family group chat.

The car door was still open.

Vincent Grant’s voice drifted in from outside. "From now on, do not show up at my and Faye’s home unless you are invited."

Chad Jennings’s fingers, which had been flying across his screen, froze mid-tap. He looked up at Vincent Grant.

Vincent Grant’s face was backlit, shrouded in the darkness of the night, looking exceptionally grim and serious.