After Divorce: Remarried to a Tycoon with Twin Babies-Chapter 20: Mr. Thorne, Accounts Settled!

President Warren instantly flew into a rage. "Mrs. Grant, watch your mouth and show some respect!"

Vivian Sinclair didn’t bother to listen further.

She turned and went back to the private room to meet Tina, sorting through the matter in her head.

The strange behavior from Austin Grant and his mother these days—it really was about the inheritance.

But not the inheritance Vivian had imagined.

Turns out the grandmother had secret assets tucked away after her passing, and Austin’s family of three had discovered it, which explained their sudden change in attitude.

As expected, people are just animals driven by greed.

Even Theodore, who always seemed filial, was actually thinking about the assets his grandmother wouldn’t hand over—so that’s why he allowed Lillian Rivers to use the study.

If grandma found out, she’d be heartbroken.

Tina, who’d been obsessed with Vivian’s design sketches, came by just now. "Vivian, the jewelry you designed could easily be considered a national treasure."

"Are you really preparing this for Zoe Monroe?"

"And you’re really willing to let your husband pay to buy such expensive jewelry for his first love?"

Vivian: "I can design you even prettier ones, as many as you want."

"The money—that’s ours."

"Why should I be reluctant?"

Hearing Vivian’s casual words, Tina felt her heart let go, too.

"I was just overthinking it. We’re going to make him pay, and pay well!"

"Besides, if it’s not gorgeous, how would your husband be willing to cough up fifty million?"

"No way! If this really gets made, even fifty million won’t be enough. I want a higher price!"

Vivian: "Anyway, it’s all in your hands now."

"Just wire the money to me."

Tina agreed cheerfully. "Leave it to me. I’ll bring you good news."

Tina left happily with the sketches, treating them like treasure, and Vivian stayed until dark before taking Jasmine back to the old residence.

Luckily, Austin got busy again. For the next two days, he was in and out at dawn and night, and Vivian didn’t see him once.

Three days passed in a blink, and it was the day Austin had arranged to go to the art exhibition with Vivian.

The Thorne Group’s headquarters building.

Top floor, CEO’s office.

Julian Thorne was holding a local express mail that had arrived a few days earlier.

Because Secretary Miss Donovan had been derelict in her duties, the express mail slipped between the cracks on the desk, only to be picked up again today.

The secretary looked terrified.

Trembling, she was on the verge of tears.

She explained with a miserable face that she’d just given birth and was newly back at work, so her memory wasn’t the best.

She even volunteered to be transferred to another department. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

From the CEO’s office to any other department below was essentially a demotion.

Julian Thorne gave Marcus Holloway a little face after all.

"Let it go this time."

"But if this happens again, your salary and all the losses you cause the company—Marcus will cover them out of his own pocket."

The secretary was so stunned by the boss’s coldness and ruthlessness that she couldn’t even cry anymore.

The CEO’s secretary office had more than twenty secretaries in all.

Anyone missing could be replaced in a heartbeat.

Because the Thornes never kept idle, useless people around.

Miss Donovan knew, if she was still allowed to stay, it was by special grace—a second chance to prove herself.

Lina Holloway had no idea her sister-in-law was being threatened by capital, only excitedly said, "It’s true, Mr. Thorne."

"I’ve inquired all over, and there really will be W’s paintings at Master Greenshire’s exhibition!"

"Rumor is, it’s her very last work before disappearing!"

Julian didn’t even look up. "Why haven’t you been visiting the Grant Family lately?"

The smile disappeared from Lina’s face in an instant.

"Young Madam Grant burned that bridge."

"After she moved back to the old Grant residence, there was Dr. Archer there—so they don’t need me anymore."

"I don’t have any other excuse to sneak in."

"Sir, I’m useless."

Compared to her brother, Lina knew she was far inferior.

Not even getting this one thing done—shameful.

Julian happened to tear open the express envelope.

Rip.

Twenty brand-new hundred-dollar bills scattered across the desk.

Lina and Special Assistant Linden stared in awe and envy.

No wonder he’s called Master Julian—even opening a piece of mail comes with a pile of cash.

Still, in this day and age, who would mail actual cash?

As the two looked on in confusion, Julian squinted at the pile of money.

Inexplicably, that clear yet cold face flashed across his mind.

His instinct said—this could only be that woman’s doing.

Julian reached out with his long, powerful fingers, pulling a slip of paper from the cash pile.

The note was written in delicately beautiful calligraphy: Mr. Thorne, the money settles our account—no debts left.

Julian crumpled the note in a fist.

"No debts left?"

He let out a cold laugh.

"Typical—act one way in person, another behind my back!"

Julian was now even more sure: about W, this woman definitely hasn’t told the whole truth!

Julian looked up at Lina.

"Contact Young Madam Grant, tell her to meet you at the exhibition today."

Lina took out her phone and quickly replied, "Sir, Young Madam Grant is at the exhibition already!"

After replying to Lina, Vivian glanced at the time—exactly two in the afternoon.

Since last time, Vivian hadn’t seen Lina Holloway again.

First, when Vivian left Austin, she no longer needed to be watched for the injection charade, so the two didn’t have to pretend together anymore.

After coming back to the old residence, Dr. Archer herself told the matriarch that Vivian’s pregnancy appeared stable, so there was no need for any more injections.

Austin naturally couldn’t force it anymore; Lina, even less reason to appear.

Besides, Lina belonged to Julian Thorne.

Aside from the matter of W, Vivian held an even bigger secret about Mr. Thorne!

The child in her belly belonged to that Mr. Thorne.

Vivian knew she couldn’t confess this secret.

Otherwise, she might be "handled" so thoroughly not even her bones would be found!

With no one to rely on, no background, she could only tread carefully, hiding everything from both the Grants and the Thornes.

Fortunately, Lina didn’t know she and Austin had conceived by IVF.

Lina was simply paid by Austin to help out; all she knew was Young Madam Grant was pregnant.

And that’s probably it.

Otherwise, with the same hospital’s IVF procedures, it wouldn’t take long for suspicion to land on Vivian.

Vivian felt uneasy about Lina’s sudden request to meet, but she was determined to test how much Lina really knew about her pregnancy.

Another twenty minutes passed.

The date with Austin—set three days prior—still hadn’t seen him appear.

Vivian sent him a WeChat message: "I’ll wait for you ten more minutes. If you don’t show, I’ll go in alone."

But in ten minutes, not only did Austin not appear, he didn’t even reply.

Vivian, used to this by now, still couldn’t help being angered by such obvious disregard.

She’d always been left waiting for Austin.

Whether returning to the Grants, before their fallout with the Sinclair Family, or any event the two were supposed to attend together.

Every single time, he’d bail on her.

Vivian had always assumed he was truly busy at work; even when disappointed, she never took it to heart.

Now that she knew he never intended to treat her well, Vivian realized how pathetic she’d been!

She turned and walked into the exhibition, blocked Austin on every platform, one after another.

"Sis?"

"You came to see the art exhibition, too? By yourself?"

Vivian had just stepped inside when she ran into Austin’s buddy Harvey Holloway, who was there with a stunningly glamorous date.

Last time Vivian eavesdropped at The Grant Group and found out about her pregnancy, Harvey was present.

The man was notorious—a playboy with a sordid reputation and wild, tangled private life.

Vivian had only met him a handful of times.

She nodded coolly, then walked to the other side.

Harvey, though, kept his eyes glued to her back, unable to shake off his thoughts.

The woman at his side jabbed at him, exposing his thoughts. "You call her sis, but your eyes are full of obsession."

"Young Master Holloway, you really have a way about you."

"Now I’m curious—whose ’sis’ is she?"

Harvey, ignoring the crowd, grabbed his date by the throat.

"Not your business to ask. I suggest you be smart."

"Or you’ll end up kicked out of Ardis like a stray dog."

"Get lost!"

There was nothing left of his affection from the previous night—even his eyes were vicious.

The woman stumbled out, but before leaving, threw Vivian a glare full of resentment.

Vivian suddenly felt a chill run over her.

She hugged herself, looking up at the painting before her.

A lion, lifelike as if ready to leap out at any second.

The lion stood high on a jungle mountain, gazing down at the vast, deep-blue ocean.

"I hear Master Greenshire’s exhibition will sell some paintings."

"All sales commissions will be donated to kids in the mountain regions who love art."

"If Sis likes the paintings, why not ask Grant the Second to buy you one?"

Harvey, at some point, had caught up, teasing Vivian from beside her.

Vivian felt nothing but disgust for Austin and all the people around him now.

Even more so, she resisted Harvey’s company.

"No need, Young Master Holloway."

She tossed out the line and turned away again. Harvey shamelessly followed her.

"If Sis really likes one, and doesn’t mind, maybe let me gift you a painting..."

She turned and walked straight into Austin and Zoe Monroe.

Zoe was dressed in a high-end cocktail dress, holding onto Austin’s arm.

The two looked like the perfect pair—intimate but understated—just like lovers, right in front of Vivian.

Vivian saw them together and couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh.

"Austin Grant—of course it’s you."

Exactly what she’d expect—nothing about this surprises Vivian!

Just days ago, the affair between Austin and Zoe Monroe—his first love—was exposed online; the scandal was only now dying down.

He didn’t care at all, still bringing Zoe out in public.

True love, clearly—nothing will kill it.

Vivian was fuming at Austin for toying with her, but in Zoe and Austin’s eyes, she was just a jealous wife, upset about her husband showing up with his first love.

Zoe immediately pulled her hand away, pretending to panic, and quickly explained, "Madam President, please don’t misunderstand."

"I’m just accompanying President Grant to meet Master Greenshire. It’s strictly work."

Austin saw Vivian and was surprised. "Vivian, what are you doing here?"

But he soon remembered!

Grandma had given them tickets, and he’d originally planned to come to the exhibition with Vivian today!

Clearly, Austin had forgotten all about it!

He’d brought Zoe along only because he’d gotten two new tickets for the show, hadn’t even checked the time, and Zoe had insisted on coming to see the master artist.

Besides, The Grants’ gaming company was holding a third anniversary event for its hit game, which had been a smash for three years.

If he could get a master painter to create some IP characters for the event, it would be an absolute sensation!

The Grant Group’s stock would only climb higher without end.

So yes, Austin had hoped to meet Greenshire anyway.

It’s just—he forgot about Vivian...

He couldn’t hide a bit of guilt, but seeing Harvey made it vanish instantly. "Why are you two together?"