My CEO Husband Says I'm Irreplaceable

Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Another Day, Then

After freshening up, she ate at a breakfast spot before casually heading to the office.

Following the familiar path, she took the elevator to the president’s office on the top floor.

Pushing open the door, she saw that Milton Grayson wasn’t alone.

Gwen Grayson was sitting demurely on the sofa, a gloating look in her eyes as she watched Vesper.

"Dad, you were looking for me?"

She walked up to his desk and asked calmly.

Only when she spoke did she realize how hoarse her voice was.

"Have a cold?"

Milton Grayson looked up at her, his eyes filled with concern.

"...A little. I must have caught a chill last night," Vesper quickly fabricated.

Milton Grayson asked suspiciously, "Where were you last night?"

"I met up with a friend last night. By the time we finished dinner, it was already late, so I stayed over at her place."

"What friend? Man or woman?"

’Looks like Gwen used this as an excuse to tattle to Dad.’

’Luckily, that bastard had some restraint last night and didn’t leave any tell-tale marks on me.’

"A man. Is it that unusual for me to have male friends? Wasn’t my sister with a man at the party last night?" Vesper sighed, feigning heartbreak. "Her date even helped her slander me."

"Vesper Grayson, stop spouting nonsense!"

Gwen Grayson jumped to her feet, flustered. "Dad, Carnian’s mother and my mother are best friends! You’ve met him. He’s handsome, refined, gentle, and humble. How could he possibly be that kind of person?"

She had been so worried last night that the reporters on site would publish the story that she had her mother pay them off for their footage.

"You know their face, but not their heart. Some people look refined and charming, but it’s all a facade. Underneath, they’re dark and selfish. After everything was exposed last night, he turned on you without a second thought. My dear sister, haven’t you learned your lesson yet?"

Vesper’s tone was calm and measured, yet it carried a strange, convincing power.

’It seems there’s more to what happened last night.’

’Gwen was hiding something from him.’

Milton Grayson’s voice deepened. "Vesper, Gwen said you embarrassed her in front of everyone at the party last night and got her thrown out?"

"That’s true, but I wasn’t the one to blame!"

She calmly took her phone from her bag, pulled up the surveillance footage she’d had copied last night, and placed it in front of Milton Grayson.

Gwen’s face fell. She rushed forward to stop her.

Vesper was ready for this and blocked her path.

"What are you so nervous about, sister? Let Dad decide for himself who’s right and who’s wrong!"

After watching the footage, Milton Grayson’s expression turned grim. He whipped his head toward Gwen, his anger palpable.

"Gwen Grayson, look at this mess you’ve made! You start the trouble, and then you have the nerve to twist the truth and slander your own sister! I usually let your petty fights slide, but to pull such a shameful, public stunt... you’ve disappointed me immensely."

Gwen bit her lip, her eyes welling with tears.

"Dad, even if I was wrong, Vesper shouldn’t have humiliated me in front of everyone! All I wanted was to get her thrown out of the party."

’She’s good at downplaying her own fault.’

Vesper gave a sardonic smile.

"You’re afraid of being embarrassed, but I’m not, sister? I gave you a chance back there. You’re the one who refused to back down, dead set on framing me!"

She turned to Milton Grayson.

"Dad, Valen now has a very poor impression of Grayson Corporation. They’re refusing to even consider a partnership."

This was the most important partnership Milton Grayson had lined up for the second half of the year.

And now, it was ruined by Gwen.

Milton Grayson cursed.

"You incompetent fool! You’re good for nothing but causing trouble."

"Dad, I know I was wrong." Her gaze was stubborn, her eyes filled with defiance. "But I can still fix this. I swear I’ll land this partnership!"

"Fine, I’ll trust you one more time. But right now, apologize to your sister immediately!"

Gwen clenched her fists. "Sister, I’m sorry!"

’So obedient?’

A flicker of surprise crossed Vesper’s eyes.

’Since when did she learn to compromise?’

’I was almost impressed.’

"You can go. I need to speak with your sister."

"Understood."

Before Gwen left, she shot Vesper a vicious glare.

"Vesper, has Master Hawthorne contacted you?"

"Not yet."

Vesper rose and gestured for him to sit on the sofa.

She sat down on the sofa with Milton Grayson and began to methodically prepare tea, her movements fluid and graceful.

Steam wafted gently, and the fragrance of tea filled the air.

She first poured a cup for Milton Grayson before pouring one for herself and savoring it.

Milton Grayson took a shallow sip. "Your tea-making skills have improved even more since three years ago!"

Vesper lowered her gaze to the tea leaves floating in her cup, her dark lashes trembling slightly, hiding the emotion in her eyes.

’In the three years since leaving Northolme, she had worked hard to perfect her culinary skills, dedicating herself to being a supportive wife to Luke Lockwood.’

’Just because Luke Lockwood liked tea, she had secretly honed her tea ceremony skills, even secretly studying with a tea master for a month.’

’Whenever Luke Lockwood worked from home, she would brew a pot of tea and sit quietly by his side.’

’Thinking back on it now was ironic, but it seemed she hadn’t come away with nothing.’

"If you like it, I’ll make it for you often."

Milton Grayson watched her Grace-Winters-like, serene demeanor, his gaze growing distant.

"You’re becoming more and more like your mother..."

"Do I really?"

"Yes, very much so."

"Then how exactly did she disappear back then? Have you found any clues?"

She knew that, all these years, Milton Grayson had never given up searching for her biological mother.

Milton Grayson shook his head, his expression darkening with sadness.

For years, he had used every method, pouring money into the search for Janine Bell, but unfortunately, there was never any good news.

Janine Bell was like an obsession in his heart.

He had to find her, dead or alive!

Vesper comforted him. "Dad, if you can’t find her, maybe you should learn to let go."

’After all, so many years have passed.’

’Searching like this, like finding a needle in a haystack, was ultimately a futile effort.’

Milton Grayson didn’t answer.

"Regarding Valen, just do your best. What Gwen did was out of line, but she is your sister, after all. I hope you two can get along. The future of the company depends on you."

"As long as she behaves and keeps to herself, I won’t go after her."

’But if Gwen tried to frame her, she would never just sit back and take it.’

Growing up, she had always been sensible and knew her limits. The only time she ever rebelled was probably when she ran from the arranged marriage.

"Go on, get to work."

Vesper nodded, stood up, and walked out.

The moment she closed the door, her phone rang.

She glanced down and saw it was a call from Jared Hawthorne.

"President Hawthorne?"

The man’s teasing voice came from the other end.

"Not bad. Miss Grayson didn’t block my number. I’m so relieved."

Vesper’s lips curled into a smile. "I hadn’t gotten around to it. Thanks for the reminder, President Hawthorne."

"Vesper Grayson, you dare block me and see what happens. Believe it or not, the second you block me, I’ll be having tea and a chat with President Grayson."

...

’The nerve of this bastard, threatening me!’

"Lunch together?"

"I’m afraid... I’m not free."

"Heh! I’ve already made the appointment. Since Miss Grayson isn’t free, we’ll just have to reschedule."

’Does this man always have to speak in riddles?’

Vesper cleared her throat, her voice becoming soft and gentle. "President Hawthorne, can’t you take a joke? Send me the address. I’ll see you at lunch."

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