My CEO Husband Says I'm Irreplaceable

Chapter 158: Chapter 158: Do I Need Your Consent?

Vesper Grayson’s gaze followed the figure until it disappeared around a corner of the mall.

"He’s right here at the Meridian Plaza. I remember he still had half a year left on his sentence. How did he get released early?"

"If you hadn’t told me, I would have had no idea."

"You have to be extra careful lately. Don’t go anywhere alone."

"I know. You too."

If it weren’t for Vesper Grayson’s help back then, Shiloh probably would have been utterly ruined, and Quentin Chandler wouldn’t have landed in prison.

There was no guarantee that insidious scoundrel wouldn’t resent Vesper Grayson too.

"Okay, stay in touch."

Vesper Grayson didn’t linger in the mall, leaving quickly with Dolly Hughes.

The moment she settled into the car, she seemed to sense something, her head snapping up to look out the window.

Just then, Quentin Chandler’s figure darted out from behind a pillar and vanished from sight.

Her heart sank.

A chill crept up her spine, the feeling of being relentlessly targeted.

Her fingertips gently rested on her lower abdomen as she took out her phone and dialed Leon Quillan’s number.

"Leon, it’s me."

"Madam, you were looking for me?"

"I’d like to ask you for a favor."

"Of course. Please, tell me what you need."

"Arrange for two people to watch a man named Quentin Chandler 24/7. I’ll send you his photo in a bit."

Nearby, Maxim Chandler was filled with envy and jealousy.

"Why did Madam ask you for help and not me?"

Leon Quillan’s lips curled into a smug smile. "Probably because Madam thinks I’m more reliable than you."

"That’s because Madam doesn’t know me yet. Once she finds out I’m skilled in both brains and brawn, she’ll definitely see me in a new light!"

"I’m off."

Maxim Chandler grabbed him. "Where are you going?"

"To handle the matter Madam assigned to me, of course."

"What did Madam ask you to do?"

"She asked me to arrange for people to watch a man named Quentin Chandler."

"Aren’t you going to mention this to President Hawthorne?"

Leon Quillan rolled his eyes. "This is Madam’s business. Is it our place to butt in?"

Shiloh Sloan went to the police station to get more information. There, she learned that Quentin Chandler had been granted a reduced sentence for good behavior and had already been released from prison early.

He’d been a free man for half a month.

But after his release, not only did he not seek her out, he instead went to work as a janitor at the Meridian Plaza.

’How could someone with a criminal record get hired so easily?’

’What on earth is he planning?’

She suddenly found she couldn’t figure him out at all.

Based on what she knew of Quentin Chandler, the man was selfish and vengeful. He would never be as docile and honest as he appeared on the surface.

He was definitely plotting something big.

"Shiloh, what are you doing here?"

A man’s voice suddenly rang out.

Shiloh Sloan turned her head and saw the impeccably dressed Nolan Forrester.

The man wore a custom-tailored suit, looking distinguished and elegant. With two assistants trailing behind him, he had the perfect image of a business mogul.

Since they last parted on bad terms, the two had not seen each other again.

Nolan Forrester had called her twice, but she hadn’t answered either time.

Shiloh Sloan’s tone was flat. "I’m here to ask about something. Mr. Forrester is a busy man, what brings you to a police station?"

"I’m here on business."

Nolan Forrester gave a look to his assistants behind him.

They turned to confer with the police. A few moments later, they emerged with a woman.

The moment she saw the woman’s face clearly, a cold, mocking smile touched Shiloh Sloan’s lips.

She turned and walked away.

"Shiloh, wait."

Nolan Forrester quickly caught up and grabbed her arm. "Dinner tonight?"

"No, thank you." Shiloh Sloan yanked her arm back, her eyes full of scorn. "My appetite hasn’t been great lately. I’m afraid I might throw up mid-meal and ruin Mr. Forrester’s evening!"

With that, she left without a backward glance.

Summer stepped forward, frowning in displeasure. "Nolan, why are you still involved with Shiloh Sloan? Aren’t you afraid Miss Quinn will find out...?"

Nolan Forrester cut her off coldly. "Summer, this is the last time."

Summer froze. "What do you mean?"

"Stop pretending you don’t understand!" Nolan Forrester suddenly grabbed her by the neck, his voice sharp and cold. "Isn’t it time you handed it over?"

Summer laughed, completely unabashed. "I can’t do that. Not unless you marry me. Marry me, and I’ll give it to you. Otherwise, I don’t mind exposing it, ruining Shiloh Sloan’s reputation, and making sure everyone thinks she’s a woman who sleeps around!"

His fingers tightened abruptly. Nolan Forrester’s handsome face darkened. "Are you threatening me?"

Summer gripped his arm tightly. Her face was flushed red from lack of oxygen, but she didn’t seem afraid. Instead, a hint of excitement appeared in her eyes.

"So what if I am?" Summer chuckled. "Nolan Forrester, you can’t protect her!"

Nolan Forrester suddenly released her, his eyes sinister. "You’re welcome to find out the price of touching her."

Once in the car, Nolan Forrester spoke in a low voice.

"Why was she at the police station?"

His assistant, Joseph Joyce, replied, "Miss Sloan was here to inquire about her stepfather, Quentin Chandler. He was released from prison half a month ago."

Nolan Forrester’s expression grew colder. "Investigate and find out exactly what happened back then."

"Yes, sir."

...

「The Hawthorne Estate.」

The atmosphere in the grand hall was heavy.

Zachary Hawthorne took a sip of tea, his shrewd, cloudy eyes sweeping over the few people present.

"You got here quickly. Have you made your decision?"

He was speaking to Kevin Hawthorne.

"Dad, your demands are unfair to Aidan. I don’t agree!"

"Do I need your agreement?"

"..."

"The assets are mine. If you have what it takes, go earn your own. How you distribute those will be your business, and I guarantee I won’t interfere!"

Kevin Hawthorne grew anxious. "Even though you gave me the start-up capital, I earned most of this over the years. I have the right to decide who gets it! You can’t favor others over Aidan just to compensate someone else."

"He’s lived a life of luxury for over twenty years. Now he has a high-paying job, lives in a villa, and drives a luxury car. How is he being wronged?" His gaze fell on Aidan Hawthorne as he asked, "Aidan, do you feel wronged?"

Aidan Hawthorne pursed his lips, looking obedient. "I don’t feel wronged at all..."

’How could I dare say I feel wronged? If I did, it would just make me look ungrateful.’

’In this family, the Old Man is only pleasant to my cousin, Jared Hawthorne. With everyone else, he’s indifferent, and his word is law.’

’If I want to be transferred to headquarters, I still need the Old Man to approve it.’

Zachary Hawthorne snorted. "Did you hear that? Your precious son said he doesn’t feel wronged. What are you shouting about?"

"..."

Just then, Jared Hawthorne walked in with Vesper Grayson, followed by Maxim Chandler and Leon Quillan. Once they were seated, Zachary Hawthorne spoke.

"Are the results in?"

Jared Hawthorne said lightly, "Yes. But we discovered something interesting."

Zachary Hawthorne lifted his eyes to look at him. "And what’s that?"

"You’ll know when you see it." Jared Hawthorne gestured to Maxim Chandler, who immediately handed over two of the reports he was holding.

After reading the results, a complex series of emotions played across Zachary Hawthorne’s face. When he looked at Kevin Hawthorne, his expression held a trace of pity.

’Poor Second Son. He’s been a cuckold for over twenty years and had no idea.’

Kevin Hawthorne was baffled by the look he was receiving, and a bad feeling rose in his heart.

"Dad, why are you looking at me like that?!"

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