My CEO Husband Says I'm Irreplaceable

Chapter 104: Chapter 104: I Didn’t Feel It, Do It Again

Mandy Grayson’s gaze casually swept over the man beside Vesper, a flash of astonishment in her eyes. She hadn’t looked closely before, but now she realized he was breathtakingly handsome.

When her eyes fell on Vesper Grayson’s delicate, striking face again, the thick jealousy in her eyes nearly spilled over.

"Mandy, look at them. They’re clearly well-dressed. You should cause less trouble."

Mitchell Grayson blocked her line of sight and reminded her in a low voice only the two of them could hear.

The Grayson Family had shot to fame overnight, their reputation soaring and becoming the talk of Northolme.

But he knew very well that their current glory was just borrowed from someone else’s achievements.

Mandy Grayson pouted. "Brother, the Grayson Family has finally had its chance to shine. We can’t let people look down on us. Once we get to Portclyde and cure Patriarch Forrester of his old ailment, our name will be famous in both cities."

"Before we came, Grandpa told us to keep a low profile. Have you forgotten everything he said?"

A boarding announcement came over the airport’s speakers.

Jared Hawthorne took her hand and boarded directly through the priority lane.

He fastened her seatbelt, thoughtfully brightened the light above her head, and gently draped a blanket over her lap.

The plane ascended smoothly, breaking through the clouds.

Vesper Grayson leaned against the window, lost in thought as she watched the city shrink below her.

Jared Hawthorne glanced at her. "What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing much. I just feel that there are too many people chasing fame and glory in this world. And yet, so many people blindly follow them, unable to tell right from wrong."

’Just sent one con artist away, and now a so-called family of master healers pops up.’

"True gold fears no fire, and the truth always comes out in the end." Jared Hawthorne patted his shoulder. "You can lean on me for a while."

Vesper Grayson’s lips curved as she tilted her head and rested it on his shoulder.

"I never thought my first trip to Portclyde would be to accompany President Hawthorne on a business trip."

’She and Luke Lockwood had actually planned to go to Portclyde before—to feel the sea breeze at Victoria Harbour and see the night skyline... But he got busy and had long since forgotten his promise to her.’

"If you’d like, I can take you with me on all my future business trips. We can travel to different cities."

"Won’t President Hawthorne find me too clingy?"

"Of course not. My only worry is that you *won’t* be clingy."

Vesper Grayson looked up, her gaze meeting the man’s deep eyes. His focused, searing look gave her the illusion of being deeply loved.

Her heart stirred.

"Lower your head."

Jared Hawthorne was puzzled, but he obediently lowered his head slightly.

The next second, her soft lips landed on the corner of his mouth.

"A reward."

The man’s eyes darkened, his Adam’s apple bobbed, and he chuckled softly. "Too fast. I didn’t feel it. Let’s do it again."

As he spoke, he lowered his head to kiss her, but the next second, her slender fingers pressed against his lips.

"No. No more."

"So stingy?"

"Rewards aren’t meant to be repeated. It depends on President Hawthorne’s performance next time. If you do well, there might be another surprise!"

The look in Jared Hawthorne’s eyes grew even more intense.

’Since they were together now, she should be a little more proactive. She couldn’t let him be the one to initiate everything every time.’

’In the past, because of her psychological trauma, she had been very resistant to intimacy with men. So, when she was with Luke Lockwood, they didn’t have many intimate moments, and he was always the one to initiate while she remained passive.’

’In fact, during their relationship, she had felt guilty toward Luke Lockwood. That was why she had secretly seen a therapist, hoping to give him a surprise on their wedding night... ’

’But the moment she found out he had cheated, all that guilt was replaced by betrayal, and not a single trace of their past warmth could ever be recovered.’

’Later, after she overcame her psychological issues and, by a twist of fate, ended up sleeping with Jared Hawthorne, she discovered that the intimacy she once couldn’t accept could also be so soul-consumingly ecstatic.’

「Three hours later, they landed smoothly in Portclyde.」

Jared Hawthorne dropped her off at The Crimson Hotel before heading off to work.

The presidential suite was exceptionally luxurious. Its 270-degree panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows offered a complete, unobstructed view of Victoria Harbour.

She admired the view while unpacking her luggage, hanging all her clothes in the closet.

She also sent a message to Aaron Sawyer to handle some work matters.

Then, she called Elena to inform her of the final choice for the brand ambassador.

"I’ve vetted her personally. Yvonne Lowell is the most suitable candidate right now."

"I trust your judgment. Since you’ve made your decision, I’ll have someone issue an official announcement once the contract is signed."

"Okay. As for the official announcement, let’s wait until I get back from Portclyde."

"Did you go to Portclyde with Yance?"

"Yeah, he’s here on a business trip, so I tagged along to do some sightseeing."

"Nice. Have fun."

"I’ll bring you back a gift."

"I’ll hold you to that."

The two chatted for a few more moments before hanging up.

Around noon, a hotel attendant knocked on her door.

"Miss Grayson, Mr. Hawthorne asked me to escort you to the restaurant."

She nodded and followed the attendant to the restaurant.

When she entered the private dining room, she realized Jared Hawthorne wasn’t alone. The man beside him was handsome with deep-set features. His eyes held the sharp composure of a seasoned businessman, and he exuded a noble, cold aura. His presence was powerful yet understated, and sitting next to Jared Hawthorne, he was his equal in every way, making it impossible to say who was more impressive.

Her steps faltered slightly.

"Come here."

After she sat down, Jared Hawthorne began to speak.

"Vesper, let me introduce you. This is Tristan Forrester, my senior from university and also my business partner in New York."

"Mr. Forrester." Vesper Grayson gave the man a slight nod.

Tristan Forrester’s sharp eyes swept across her face, but his smile was gentle. "No wonder Jared hasn’t had a girlfriend all these years. It turns out his heart was already taken."

Jared Hawthorne didn’t deny it, which in Tristan Forrester’s eyes, was a silent confirmation.

"I heard you got married last year?" Jared Hawthorne asked him casually. "Was it to Justine?"

"No," Tristan Forrester’s expression cooled slightly. "We broke up a long time ago."

A flicker of surprise crossed Jared Hawthorne’s eyes, but he didn’t press the matter.

’Back in New York, he had watched Tristan Forrester and Justine Hughes fall in love. They had broken up and gotten back together countless times, and he’d thought they would eventually make it work. He never expected them to have broken up for good.’

At the dinner table, the two men reminisced about old times. Vesper Grayson couldn’t get a word in, so she spent the whole time as a silent observer, focusing on her meal and filling her stomach.

As the meal was drawing to a close, a phone rang.

Tristan Forrester took out his phone, glanced at the screen, and answered the call.

"Okay, I’m on my way. Get them settled in."

After hanging up, he looked at them.

"Jared, do you want to come over and see my grandfather?"

"Sure. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him."

’The last time they’d met was three years ago, when the patriarch had flown to New York to force Tristan Forrester to return to Portclyde and take over the family business.’

’After that, he himself had returned to Northolme, and they hadn’t seen each other since.’

「The Forrester Estate.」

The car had just come to a steady stop in the courtyard.

A butler hurried over.

"Sir, the miracle doctor from Northolme is examining the Patriarch right now."

’A miracle doctor from Northolme?’

Vesper Grayson subconsciously thought of the two people she had seen at the airport earlier that evening and glanced at Jared Hawthorne beside her.

Noticing her gaze, Jared Hawthorne squeezed her hand, signaling for her to remain calm.

He asked impassively, "Tristan, is there something wrong with Grandpa Forrester’s health?"

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