Chapter 287: Clashing Again

Chapter 287: Chapter 287: Clashing Again

Shelly Lowell’s words made Mason Grant very awkward.

Mason Grant stood rooted to the spot. He couldn’t just leave. He knew that if he walked away now, word of this incident would spread, and the Grant Family would lose face completely.

Mason Grant also realized that Shelly hated him.

He had overestimated his importance in her heart. It seemed his decision to stand by and do nothing when the Lowell Family was in trouble had deeply hurt her.

The standoff hung in the air for a moment.

Joy Drake, who had been enjoying the drama from the sidelines, finally broke into a gentle smile. She took Shelly’s hand and said, "Shelly, you’re being so naughty."

"Mr. Grant didn’t mean it. Alright, let’s stop teasing him. I still have to introduce you to a lot of people tonight, so we don’t have time to chat with Mr. Grant."

"Mr. Grant, you should head back for now. Please forgive our poor hospitality. Next time, I’ll be sure to invite you to visit the Drake Family. How does that sound?"

Joy Drake’s eyes crinkled into a smile.

Her polite and warm demeanor made it hard to imagine that, deep down, Joy Drake was full of malicious intent.

Regardless, Joy Drake’s words had given Mason Grant a way out of the awkward situation.

Mason Grant nodded with a smile. He looked at Shelly and said, "I’ll be going then. I look forward to our next meeting... I also hope we can clear up this misunderstanding."

"Shelly, I’m part of the Grant Family. Sometimes... my hands are tied. I’m sorry. I really am. I hope you don’t hate me."

Shelly still ignored him.

Mason Grant didn’t press his luck and turned to leave.

The tension finally eased. Joy Drake continued to lead Shelly around the banquet hall, introducing her to some of Aethelburg’s influential figures.

After dinner, Vivian was ready to leave.

She hadn’t seen Mr. Drake all evening. He wasn’t with Shelly, and he didn’t seem to be at the banquet at all. She had no idea where he had gone.

A few minutes ago, however, she had received a text from him.

"If you have any questions, I’ll explain everything when we go hiking in a few days. It’s getting late, and I have something to attend to. You can head home first. Be safe."

"Oh, and about the house in the luxury residential area—I’ll continue to live there by myself. Feel free to drop by whenever you’re free. You don’t have to worry about any of the other Drakes knowing about it."

The house in the luxury residential area.

Vivian knew Mr. Drake was talking about the house next to Julian’s. ’So even after taking Shelly in, he’s still going to live alone?’

Vivian found this even more bizarre!

But since Mr. Drake had said he would explain everything during their hike in a few days, she decided it was best not to press the issue for now.

"Okay, Mr. Drake. It’s getting late. You be safe on your way home, too."

Vivian replied, but there was no response. He must have really been busy.

Vivian put her phone away and looked at Julian. "Julian, I’m full. Can we go home now? It’s after eight, and I’m getting a little sleepy!"

’Getting sleepy right after eating!’

’I’m finally becoming the kind of person I used to envy!’

"Mm."

Julian agreed softly, taking Vivian’s hand as they prepared to leave.

But, of course...

Since Shelly was the star of tonight’s banquet, it was obviously impossible for Vivian to leave without any incident.

After all, a little drama had just unfolded between Shelly and Mason Grant.

Just as Vivian was about to leave, Shelly finally appeared before her.

"Vivian Lowell. What a coincidence. We meet again."

Shelly was smiling. She had approached with Joy Drake, and both of them wore their signature smiles—the kind that seemed so gentle.

But Vivian knew that danger lurked beneath those smiles.

’Tsk.’

Vivian couldn’t help but think to herself.

’Joy Drake really is something else. She and Shelly have only known each other for less than half a month, and she’s already coached her so well.’

’I wonder if Joy will end up becoming my past self?’

’But then again, Joy isn’t that foolish. She’s not like my past self, who only knew how to give.’

’Joy’s greed is far more terrifying than Shelly’s.’

"Miss Drake, hello to you both."

Vivian offered a perfunctory greeting. "It’s late, and the banquet is almost over. Julian and I are getting ready to head back."

"If you need something, we can talk next time."

"You..."

Shelly probably never expected that even after becoming "Miss Drake," Vivian would still show her so little respect. She was about to retort when Joy stopped her.

"In that case, we won’t keep you, Mrs. Faulkner."

Joy, still smiling and a stark contrast to the flustered Shelly, added cheerfully, "I’m sure we’ll have plenty of opportunities to see each other again."

"Is that so?"

Vivian replied coolly, "But I can’t say I’m looking forward to it."

"Let’s go, Julian." Vivian took his arm and left without a shred of hesitation.

Joy and Shelly stood watching their retreating figures until they were far in the distance.

The expressions in both their eyes grew complicated.

Shelly was seething. She distinctly remembered Joy telling her that once she became "Miss Drake," even Vivian wouldn’t be able to ignore her.

She had planned on thoroughly humiliating Vivian tonight, but she never got the chance!

’Why?!’

Frustrated, Shelly shot Joy a resentful glance, but she lacked the confidence to confront her.

Shelly owed her current position entirely to Joy. Joy knew all her secrets, and she wasn’t nearly as gentle as she appeared.

Joy was a truly bad person—the terrifying kind.

Shelly was terrified of Joy to her very core, but she had no choice but to rely on her.

She knew that if she lost Joy this time, she would be left with absolutely nothing, with no chance of ever making a comeback.

Shelly quickly masked her expression.

Joy, having studied Shelly’s expression, gave a derisive smile. "What’s the rush? You’ll get your chance. You’re still too immature."

"You don’t stand a chance against a cunning woman like Vivian. And you’d better behave yourself. Don’t you dare make a move without my permission."

"By the way. That Mason Grant from earlier... I think he’s not bad. Perhaps we can make use of him. If he comes looking for you again, you don’t have to turn him down outright."

’Mason Grant?’

Shelly seethed at the mere thought of Mason Grant.

All his sweet words back then had been lies. He’d only ever had Vivian on his mind. Even when he was with her, he was thinking of Vivian!

When the Lowell Family was in trouble, she had humbled herself and begged him, but he still refused to help!

Now that her fortunes had turned, of course she hated him.

"But..." Shelly didn’t want to listen to Joy.

But Joy quickly turned to her, a warning look in her eyes, and Shelly swallowed the words she was about to say.

"There are no buts."

Joy said coolly, "For people in our position, feelings are nothing more than a little spice in life. If you want more, you can’t let your emotions rule you."

"Mason Grant clearly understands this. And just because I’m allowing you to see him doesn’t mean I think he’s anything special. The Grant Family’s influence means nothing to me."

"I just think that Mason Grant clearly resents Vivian and the Faulkners, too. You might be able to use him. Understand?"

Shelly only half-understood.

’Use Mason Grant?’

Mason was a formidable man; Shelly didn’t think she could pull it off. Then again, she desperately wanted revenge on him, too!

"Okay," Shelly agreed meekly. "Then I’ll leave everything to you, Joy. Also... I’m a little scared of getting along with Master Drake... with my grandfather."

Shelly recalled Master Drake’s sharp eyes.

Joy had helped with the paternity test. Master Drake seemed to trust her completely and hadn’t bothered to double-check if the results had been doctored.

However, Shelly felt that while Master Drake was very kind to her on the surface—especially when the other Drakes were around, where he practically doted on her—

...when they were alone, the look in his eyes was ice-cold. It held none of the love a grandfather would have for his long-lost granddaughter.

Everyone, including Joy, believed Master Drake adored her. Because of this, many of the Drakes, though polite to her face, secretly resented her.

They believed Shelly’s appearance had robbed them of their chance to inherit the Drake family fortune and were trying everything they could to make trouble for her.

Luckily, she had Joy to help her.

Joy had always told her to get along with Master Drake, insisting that as long as she maintained the bond between grandfather and granddaughter, Shelly would certainly get what she wanted.

Shelly fell silent.

She didn’t dare tell Joy what it was really like when she was alone with Master Drake, afraid that if Joy sensed something was wrong and deemed her worthless, she would be abandoned.

All of them were now in a very delicate situation.

"Let’s go. It’s late. You’ve met everyone you needed to for today. Over the next few days, I’ll arrange for someone to properly teach you social etiquette, as well as lessons in languages and dancing."

"You have a heavy workload. If you want to surpass Vivian, don’t you dare slack off."

Shelly listened and nodded timidly, like a quail.

There were so many lessons, and she was terrified, but the thought of Vivian gave her a renewed sense of motivation.