My Reborn Admirer Wins Over My Heart (Oriana) novel Chapter 43

**TITLE: He Returned to Break and Own Me and for His Queen**

**Chapter 43: Grant’s Panic**

“Grant?”

Alaric found himself wishing he had taken the precaution of covering his car. The expression on Grant’s face was as dark as the sky just before a thunderstorm, filled with a fury that seemed ready to unleash at any moment. Every word that had escaped Oriana’s best friend had been laced with a venom sharp enough to cut through steel.

Luna hurried over, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, the distress evident on her face. “Grant, you need to stop waiting. Oriana’s not at Seabar anymore.”

Inside, she was a tempest of emotions. The sight of Grant in such a state shocked her; she had never envisioned him sacrificing his hard-earned reputation for someone like Oriana.

Did he genuinely care that much about a woman she deemed worthless?

Grant’s gaze snapped toward her, his eyes piercing and unforgiving. “You know where she is.”

His voice was edged with a cruel sharpness, and the intensity of his stare felt like a blade slicing through her defenses. Luna felt her breath hitch in her throat, caught off guard by the pain and indignation reflected in his gaze.

“I—I don’t know,” she stammered, her voice trembling. “I only saw comments on the school’s website. They said Oriana has already applied to Jindiwood University Medical College as a teaching assistant.”

“Jindiwood University? So she really left without saying a word? Damn—has she really decided to cut ties with Grant?”

Alaric blurted out, his voice tinged with disbelief.

“Shut up!”

The roar erupted like a thunderclap, resonating in the air, and in the next breath, Grant—his face a mask of unbridled fury—stormed toward the academic office, each step echoing his determination.

*****

At Jindiwood, Oriana had arrived early, her heart racing with a blend of excitement and apprehension as she prepared to complete her onboarding at the Medical College. She had finished all her paperwork, and the anticipation of officially starting work the following day filled her with a sense of purpose.

With some time on her hands, she decided to make a visit to Nonrow Manor, situated on the outskirts of the city.

It was there that her birth parents were laid to rest.

This visit was significant; it marked her first time coming to their graves.

When she had discovered the truth—that she was not the biological daughter of the Sterling family and had been cast aside by her parents and Owen—she had felt utterly desolate. The realization that she had no family left in this world had plunged her into a deep despair.

At the entrance, Oriana purchased two simple bouquets of white lilies, their delicate petals a stark contrast to the heavy emotions swirling within her.

Following the staff’s directions, she finally located her parents’ graves. The unfamiliar black-and-white portraits on the headstones stared back at her, and she felt an overwhelming rush of emotion as her eyes filled with tears before she could stop them.

Niall and Rory were her real parents.

Her throat tightened painfully as she stood there, lost in silence for what felt like an eternity, until the cool mountain wind dried the tears that clung to her lashes. With a stiff resolve, she bent down and placed the flowers gently on the graves.

The staff offered an apologetic smile. “I’m afraid the circuits in this area are being replaced. The cameras have been down for the past couple of days. The computer system is off too, so we only have handwritten records. No phone numbers, no addresses.”

“What? How could this happen?” The man wearing sunglasses and a mask clenched his fists in frustration, disbelief etched across his face.

The man in the crisp suit, with neatly cropped hair, spoke with a calm authority that cut through the tension. “It doesn’t matter. She came today. That means she’s here in Jindiwood. We’ll see her again.”

He turned back to the staff, handing over his card. “Here’s my number. The next time she visits, you call us immediately. Whatever it costs, I’ll pay.”

The staff’s face brightened with hope. “Don’t worry, gentlemen. I’ll make sure to let you know right away when that young lady comes back.”

With renewed determination, the five men departed, their hearts aflame with purpose. They would find Niall’s daughter. They would honor him by looking after her.

*****

Meanwhile, Grant stormed into the academic office at Seabar University, radiating an aura of authority that demanded attention. “Why wasn’t I informed about Oriana transferring to Jindiwood University?” he demanded, his voice echoing with urgency.

With the rumors swirling like a tempest over the past few days, Kirk had already anticipated the reason for Grant’s sudden appearance.

He retrieved Oriana’s application and replied in a formal tone, “Mr. Holloway, this form was signed and submitted by Oriana herself. We approved it following standard procedure. There’s nothing irregular about it.”

Grant’s expression darkened further, a storm brewing in his eyes. “I’m her guardian. I wasn’t notified. I don’t approve.”

Kirk’s expression hardened, his patience wearing thin. “Mr. Holloway, Oriana is an adult. She has her own goals and ambitions. Last time, when you unilaterally withdrew her graduate recommendation, I covered for you once. Are you really planning to obstruct her from joining Jindiwood University Medical College again?”