My CEO Husband Says I'm Irreplaceable

Chapter 102: Chapter 102: How Can You Be So Domineering

Vesper Grayson had always been confident in her proposals, but she knew full well that without Jared Hawthorne pulling strings behind the scenes, she never would have met Elena. In fact, she probably would have been stopped by Valen at the door, unable to even get a meeting.

So when she suddenly heard the bastard praise her for being capable, she felt an unexpected twinge of guilt.

She silently cut the steak on her plate and didn’t respond.

Zane Rivers had finished most of his meal, so he stood up and left.

"Do you just agree to have dinner with anyone who asks?"

Jared Hawthorne’s gaze lingered on the corner of her mouth for a second. He reached out, gently wiping away a smudge of sauce before pulling out a napkin and methodically cleaning his fingertips.

Vesper Grayson froze for a moment. The warm touch of his finger pad lingered on her lips, and a faint blush crept onto her cheeks.

"He’s your friend, and he’s the owner of Starlight. He invited me personally, so it would have been rude to refuse outright."

"Just turn him down next time." Jared Hawthorne’s tone was level, but it carried an authority that brooked no argument. "I don’t like you having dinner with other men."

"You’re so possessive..."

’In the business world, socializing was the norm, and networking over meals was unavoidable.’

’He was the president of the Hawthorne Group, with a powerful background—distinguished and untouchable. Of course he had the luxury of turning people down as he pleased. But she was different. The Grayson family was merely middle-class. If she dared to pull rank and offend people left and right, her future path would become impossible.’

’Besides, she and Jared Hawthorne weren’t even engaged; they were just a couple. She didn’t want to ride his coattails, throwing her weight around. If they broke up one day, she would lose her backing and instantly become the laughingstock and target of everyone in Northolme.’

Jared Hawthorne’s lips thinned, his tone deep and steady.

"I’m only this way with you. I don’t care about anyone else. I have your back, so you don’t need to worry about what others think."

He spoke the most audacious, fearless words in the calmest tone.

’Coming from anyone else, she would have thought it was just arrogant boasting. But coming from Jared Hawthorne, she believed it without a shadow of a doubt. He had the power to back up his words.’

"Don’t worry, President Hawthorne. I won’t let myself be wronged."

"I’m going to Portclyde tomorrow for a three-day business trip. Want to come with me?"

...

When Zane Rivers returned to his office, he saw Roya Winters waiting by the door and his brow furrowed in annoyance.

"Zane, you’re back."

As soon as Roya Winters saw him, her eyes lit up. She moved to take his arm, but Zane Rivers subtly dodged her.

"If you have something to say, come inside."

Roya Winters’s fingers stiffened, but she quickly plastered on a sweet smile and followed him in obediently.

"Zane, I was wrong last time. Please don’t be angry with me anymore, okay?"

She poured a cup of tea and placed it in front of him, pressing her soft body close and deliberately brushing her ample curves against his arm.

Zane Rivers shot her a cool glance, his tone chilling.

"An innocent face, but wanton to the core."

"President Rivers, I’m only like this with you..." Roya Winters looked up at him, her expression shy and timid. In the past, no man had ever been able to resist this look.

But a flicker of annoyance was all that crossed Zane Rivers’s eyes. He was completely uninterested.

"Out with it. What do you want?"

Roya Winters quickly offered him the teacup, her voice sickeningly sweet.

"President Rivers, I’m filming with Yvonne Lowell, and we really aren’t getting along. I’m worried it will affect the production schedule... Could you maybe find someone to replace her?"

"What did she do to offend you this time?"

"Who could stand that attitude of hers? She’s rigid, boring, and totally inflexible. Besides, didn’t you use to have a poor opinion of her too?"

Yvonne Lowell certainly had a unique personality, unlike most celebrities. But since joining the company, she had never once stirred up trouble. She completed every role and endorsement with professionalism. On top of that, she was popular with audiences and was now considered one of the industry’s "Four Little Flowers."

The two were natural competitors at the company, and Roya Winters had often targeted Yvonne behind the scenes. These petty squabbles were usually handled by Lana Chandler, and Zane Rivers had always turned a blind eye.

But things were different now.

Yvonne Lowell had caught Vesper Grayson’s eye, and he, in turn, needed to leverage that connection to maintain his good standing with Jared Hawthorne.

"That’s not happening." Zane Rivers took a sip of tea, his tone measured. "If you’re really that uncomfortable, you don’t have to be in this film."

Roya Winters’s expression froze. "President Rivers, what are you trying to say?"

’In the past, Zane Rivers had never refused her anything she asked for. She thought this would be a simple matter of him giving the order.’

’She had already been bragging about it in the makeup room this morning.’

"It means exactly what you heard." Zane Rivers set down his cup, then suddenly gripped her chin. The pressure was not light. "Roya Winters, I told you from the very beginning that we were just an act. Did you really start thinking you were my girlfriend?"

A sharp pain shot through her jaw, and Roya Winters’s face went white as a sheet.

Her eyes widened, fear rising in their depths, but she still summoned the courage to clutch his hand, her voice trembling.

"President Rivers, I’m sorry... I got too caught up in the role... But I really do like you. Please, can you give me a chance..."

"Like?" Zane Rivers let out a low chuckle, but the humor didn’t reach his eyes. "Did you really think I’m clueless about the things you do behind my back?"

The color drained completely from Roya Winters’s face. Her lips trembled, but she couldn’t utter a single word.

"Alright, there’s no point in spelling it all out." Zane Rivers released her, wiping his fingers as if shaking off something distasteful. "As long as you know your place, you’ll get all the resources you’re due. Not one less. But if you dare get arrogant because you think you’re special and push your luck, believe me, there are plenty of others who can take your place."

Not far away, Finn Summers saw her emerge and hurried over, asking in a low voice, "Roya, how did it go? Did President Rivers agree?"

Roya Winters’s face was a thunderous mask. Without a word, she spun around and stormed back into the dressing room.

’Damn that Jamie Linton! She must be scheming behind my back! Otherwise, President Rivers would never be this cold to me!’

’It didn’t matter. She was Starlight’s cash cow, more valuable than anyone. President Rivers would never truly cast her aside.’

’In this world, no one could compare to her!’

...

News that Miss Kensington’s chronic illness had been completely cured spread like wildfire.

Rumor had it that the old matriarch was gravely ill, with not much time left. She had supposedly been bedridden for years, with no medicine or treatment having any effect. Yet now, she had a rosy complexion and a spring in her step, as if she had been reborn overnight.

Many people went to great lengths to find out which miracle doctor had brought about this rejuvenation and saved the matriarch.

Sebastian Kensington had long since issued a gag order, and no one dared breathe a word.

But there’s no such thing as a wall that’s perfectly sealed. Someone vaguely heard from a member of the Kensington Family’s medical team that the person who cured the matriarch was a young, beautiful woman with the surname Grayson.

Her full name, however, remained unknown.

The moment the news broke, a family of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners in Northolme with the surname Grayson was instantly put in the spotlight. Countless people flocked to their door seeking consultations. This family did have some real skill, successfully treating a number of people’s chronic conditions. For a time, their clinic was constantly besieged by hopeful patients, their doorway as crowded as a marketplace.

The story spread like wildfire, eventually shooting to the top of the trending topics online.

The Kensington Family never issued a response, which everyone else took as a tacit confirmation.

Vesper Grayson scrolled past the trending topic in her office, giving it only a passing glance before moving on, not giving it a second thought.

She just sighed to herself, ’There are always con artists, but this year seems to have more than its fair share.’

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

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