My CEO Husband Says I'm Irreplaceable

Chapter 137: Chapter 137: Steward Hawthorne Is So Nosy

"You’re back."

A deep male voice came from inside the shop. A moment later, Kevin Hawthorne walked out and smoothly took the shopping bags from Shirley Langley’s hands, his tone doting.

"Why didn’t you buy more clothes?"

"I’m minding the shop all day; I have no use for so many new clothes," Shirley Langley replied softly.

"I’ve told you to close this shop. It’s not like I can’t support you. Why put yourself through this?" Kevin Hawthorne frowned, his expression full of heartache.

"I’m not used to a life of being waited on hand and foot. Besides, you can’t be with me every second of the day. Running a small shop helps me pass the time."

Kevin Hawthorne reached out and gently pulled her into his arms, promising in a low voice, "I’ve made you suffer for so many years. Don’t worry. When the time is right, I’ll divorce that old hag Nancy Linton. I’ll give you a grand wedding, and our family of three can finally be properly reunited."

Shirley Langley leaned against his chest, a hint of hesitation in her voice. "Wouldn’t that... be too cruel to Nancy?"

"Cruel? She’s occupied the position of Mrs. Hawthorne for so many years, enjoying a life of luxury. That’s a blessing in itself. You’re just too kind, always thinking of others." Kevin Hawthorne said dismissively. "Considering she raised our son for all these years, I’ll give her a bit more money as compensation when the time comes. We won’t owe each other anything."

As they spoke, Aidan Hawthorne was lounging on the sofa inside the shop, head bowed as he casually played on his phone, as if this were all perfectly normal and nothing to be surprised about.

Outside, Nancy Linton felt a sickening wave of nausea churn in her stomach. A chill shot from the soles of her feet to the crown of her head. She couldn’t take it anymore. She spun around, bracing herself against the wall of a building on the street, and doubled over, vomiting violently. She threw up every last bit of what she had eaten for lunch.

’How disgusting. The way this family acts is absolutely sickening!’

Vesper Grayson rushed forward to gently pat her on the back and help her breathe. Then, she pulled a tissue from her purse and placed it in her hand.

Nancy Linton wiped the corner of her mouth and straightened up. She managed a weak, ethereal smile for Vesper Grayson, her face still deathly pale.

"I’m sorry you had to see that."

"Aunt, you’re not in a state to be out right now. Let me take you home so you can rest." Vesper Grayson’s heart went out to her. ’No woman could withstand such a double blow: finding out the man sleeping beside her had deceived her for over twenty years, and the child she personally raised had long since betrayed her.’

"No, it’s fine. I’ll just take a taxi home myself." Nancy Linton shook her head and walked slowly toward the curb.

Her figure was gaunt and frail. The evening breeze rustled the hem of her clothes, making it seem as though a single gust of wind could blow her over. The sight of her desolate and despairing back filled Vesper Grayson’s heart with a sour, complicated feeling.

Vesper Grayson drove back to her office alone. On the way, she got a call from Shiloh Sloan.

She hit the answer button, and Shiloh Sloan’s wailing voice came through the speaker.

"Vesper, he’s gone! And my five million dollars are gone with him! WAHHH..."

Vesper Grayson’s brow furrowed slightly as she quickly asked, "What on earth happened? Slow down and tell me."

"I went out to buy groceries this morning, and when I got back, Lindsay Shepherd was gone! He just disappeared without a word! Not even a ’bye’!" Her voice was filled with a mix of anger and indignation.

Vesper Grayson sighed. "I told you not to bring strange men home. You just wouldn’t listen."

"But he promised me five million dollars! How could he go back on his word? How could he lie to me!" Shiloh Sloan was practically hopping mad.

"Are you upset just because of the five million?" Vesper Grayson didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

"What else would it be? Why do you think I worked so hard to feed him and take care of him!" Shiloh Sloan fumed. "If I ever run into him again, I’ll make him regret it! Perfect. Now I have one more deadbeat on my list!"

"He might have left suddenly because of an emergency. Besides, I always felt he wasn’t just some ordinary person. For him to leave on his own might not be such a bad thing for you," Vesper Grayson analyzed objectively.

On the other end of the line, Shiloh Sloan was fiddling with a smooth jade thumb ring. Something suddenly occurred to her, and she said, "Oh, right! He left this thumb ring when he left. I have no idea if it’s worth anything, or if it can cover the five million. I’ll take a picture and send it to you. Can you take a look and tell me if this thing is actually a valuable treasure?"

"Alright, send it over. I’m driving right now. I’ll talk to you about it when I get to the office."

"Drive safe."

Once she was in her office, she opened the photo Shiloh Sloan had sent.

It was a white jade thumb ring, carved with an indecipherable totem pattern. But the jade itself was smooth and translucent; its quality looked quite good.

’It won’t sell for five million, but it should be worth a million or so.’

She sent Shiloh Sloan a voice message with her assessment.

Shiloh Sloan: [Well, it’s not a total loss then. But I’m not going to sell it. I’ll display it in my house as a lesson to myself. From now on, I’m getting paid upfront before I save anyone!]

Vesper Grayson: [You’ve got a good head for business.]

Shiloh Sloan: [That class reunion I mentioned is tonight. Are you coming with me?]

Vesper Grayson: [Still haven’t given up on Nolan Forrester?]

Shiloh Sloan: [It’s not like that! I just want to clear up the misunderstanding with him. I don’t want people thinking I’m fickle.]

Vesper Grayson: [Got it. See you tonight.]

...

That evening, she called Jared Hawthorne to tell him she was going to a class reunion with Shiloh Sloan.

"Patriarch Forrester has been in Northolme for a few days. I was hoping to take you to visit him tonight."

"Let’s do it tomorrow. I already promised Shiloh."

’I’ve been so busy lately, I almost forgot about Patriarch Forrester’s treatment.’

"Okay. Send me the address. I’ll come pick you up later."

"Okay. It’s The Belrose on Belrose Avenue."

"Don’t drink any alcohol."

"I know, I know. You’re so controlling, Steward Hawthorne."

She complained, but a sweet smile still played on her lips.

"Think I’m controlling now? Miss Grayson, we have a long life ahead of us!" Jared Hawthorne chuckled, his low voice laced with a sultry ambiguity. "If you don’t behave, I’ll have to ’punish’ you properly when you get home tonight."

He deliberately emphasized the word ’punish,’ his voice trailing off suggestively, leaving much to the imagination and making her blush uncontrollably.

"How dare you bully me! I’m not talking to you anymore!" Vesper Grayson huffed. Fearing he would say something else to make her heart pound and her cheeks burn, she quickly changed the subject. "Aunt came looking for me this afternoon."

"What did she want?"

"She wanted me to ask for your help in finding her son." Vesper Grayson sighed. "I feel so bad for her, having lived a lie for over twenty years. Why don’t you help her? It wouldn’t be much trouble for you."

Jared Hawthorne raised an eyebrow. "You’re getting soft-hearted again. You’re always so quick to sympathize with others."

"She’s your aunt, she’s not just ’others,’ is she?" she said, a little indignant. "More importantly, your second uncle and his old flame are taking things too far. And that ungrateful brat, Aidan Hawthorne! Do you have any idea what we walked in on today?"

She spilled everything she had seen and heard that day, holding nothing back.

"Elias, as a woman, my heart breaks for her!"

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