My CEO Husband Says I'm Irreplaceable

Chapter 31: Chapter 31: The Outcome is Undecided

Vesper Grayson smiled calmly.

"I just said a few words. Why are you getting so worked up? If you’re really that capable, let’s see you talk after you’ve signed the contract with Vaudin."

With that, she walked past her and into the elevator.

Before the elevator doors closed, Gwen Grayson squeezed in and stood beside her.

"Everything is ready for me now; all that’s left is to sign the contract and seal the deal! I hope you can still act as calm as you are now when that happens, sister."

Vesper Grayson glanced up. "Instead of that, I’m more curious about how you convinced Valen to meet with you privately."

After all, the fiasco the other day must have left a bad impression on Valen.

When she had tried to greet him, not only did Valen reject her, but he even threw her proposal into the trash can.

She didn’t believe Gwen’s eloquence alone could have persuaded Valen.

Gwen Grayson couldn’t wait to show off.

"Well, I have a good mother, don’t I? Not like my dear sister, who doesn’t even know who her own mother is. How pitiful!"

This was probably the only thing she could lord over Vesper Grayson.

Vesper Grayson’s fingers curled into a fist. It was true she had never met her mother, nor did she even know who she was.

’Where did she come from, and where did she go?’

Her father had found her and given her that name.

Seeing her silence, Gwen Grayson assumed she had hit a nerve and her red lips curled into a triumphant smirk.

"Sister, your mother never even registered her marriage with Dad, so they weren’t a legal couple. My mother, however, is Dad’s properly wedded wife. That makes me the legitimate eldest daughter of the Grayson Family and the heir to Grayson Corporation. Even if you wanted to compete with me, you’d never win."

Vesper Grayson had never thought about competing with her. She just wanted to ease her father’s burden and do her part for Grayson Corporation, nothing more.

"Gwen Grayson, the Ming and Qing dynasties ended long ago. How can you be so young yet so feudal in your thinking? Besides, I am Dad’s child and my name is on the Grayson Family’s household register. Whether you like it or not, the fact that I’m your older sister will never change!"

The elevator doors opened, and Vesper Grayson strode out.

Fuming, Gwen Grayson stomped her foot on the spot, practically tearing her hair out.

’Vesper Grayson, you just wait!’

’Once I land this contract, we’ll see how stubborn you can be.’

Back in her office, Vesper Grayson had barely sat down when she received a call from Zachary Hawthorne.

Her expression turned serious as she answered.

"Grandfather Hawthorne."

"Vesper, I’ve given it careful thought over the past two days, and I’m willing to give you another chance. I hope you won’t disappoint me again this time. There must be no more running away."

"Thank you, Grandfather Hawthorne. I absolutely will not disappoint you."

"In a few days, I’ll arrange for you and Elias to meet."

"Yes, sir."

’It seems good things really do come in pairs.’

She stood up and went to Milton Grayson’s office.

"Dad, I just got a call from Grandfather Hawthorne. He’s agreed to the marriage alliance between the Hawthornes and the Graysons."

Milton Grayson was delighted. "Really?"

"Yes."

"Vesper, you agreed to this of your own free will this time. You absolutely cannot be willful again."

"I understand."

She lowered her gaze, hiding the emotion in her eyes.

She had once risked everything for love, throwing herself into it like a moth to a flame.

Perhaps a marriage of mutual respect offered its own kind of stability.

This didn’t mean she was incapable of developing feelings for a man, just that she would never again give her heart away so completely.

Her thoughts suddenly drifted to Jared Hawthorne.

Although she felt a stir of attraction for him, they were destined to be impossible.

It was time to find a chance to put an end to it with him!

...

「The next morning.」

Gwen Grayson strode smugly up to Vesper Grayson to gloat.

"Sister, Valen has agreed to sign with me. He told me to go to his company today to sign the contract."

She was dressed in a cream-colored, Chanel-style suit. The short tweed jacket, trimmed with delicate pearls, was paired with a skirt just long enough to reveal her slender calves. She wore matching Mary Janes that accentuated her graceful figure. A small gold brooch pinned to the collar echoed her pearl stud earrings, and every detail exuded a carefully crafted elegance.

It was clear she took this opportunity very seriously and was looking forward to it.

Vesper Grayson’s expression remained indifferent as she bypassed her and headed straight downstairs.

"Vesper Grayson! It’s incredibly rude to ignore someone when they’re talking to you!"

Gwen Grayson hurried to catch up, a look of certainty in her eyes. She refused to believe Vesper was truly unbothered; she had to be putting on a cold front while secretly seething with jealousy.

She was determined to see Vesper look dejected and envious.

"What’s all this about?"

In the dining room, Milton Grayson was reading the newspaper while eating breakfast. He looked up at the sound of their voices and saw the two sisters walk in, one after the other.

Vesper Grayson sat down right next to him, but Gwen Grayson deliberately chose the seat opposite her, clearly intending to be confrontational.

A servant brought out breakfast and placed it before them.

Vesper Grayson picked up a slice of bread, dabbed it lightly with jam, and took an unhurried bite before speaking calmly.

"Dad, my little sister has some good news to share with you."

"Oh?" Milton Grayson’s gaze fell upon Gwen Grayson. "What good news?"

The corners of Gwen Grayson’s lips lifted even higher, her tone filled with unconcealed pride.

"I just got a call from Valen. He wants me to go to his company later."

A flicker of surprise crossed Milton Grayson’s eyes.

"You convinced Mr. Valen?"

"Of course," she said, lifting her chin. "He said my proposal was very well done and that he would seriously consider a partnership. He called me this morning specifically, so I imagine it’s to finalize the contract."

"Well done!" Milton Grayson praised her immediately, then added a warning, "Be careful what you say and do over there. Don’t bring shame to Grayson Corporation."

"I know, Dad."

Gwen Grayson replied, glancing at Vesper Grayson out of the corner of her eye, her heart leaping with joy.

Her father had actually praised her in front of Vesper Grayson, which was a rare occurrence.

Milton Grayson then turned to Vesper Grayson, his tone softening slightly.

"Vesper, don’t be discouraged. The company has other projects coming up that you can take over."

"I’ll do whatever you say, Dad."

Vesper Grayson looked up, her tone placid. "It’s just that my sister’s collaboration with Vaudin isn’t set in stone yet. That means, naturally, I still have a chance."

’The prize could still go to anyone.’

Hearing this, Milton Grayson nodded slightly but said no more.

"Sister, what do you mean by that?" Gwen Grayson instantly grew wary, staring daggers at her. "Are you planning to pull some trick to ruin my good fortune?"

Vesper Grayson’s lips curved into a faint smile as she met her gaze, her eyes clear and frank.

"I’ve always disdained such underhanded tricks. I prefer to let my abilities do the talking."

"Hmph! You’re all talk!"

Gwen Grayson snorted disdainfully, paying no mind to her words.

She couldn’t stand the sight of Vesper acting so confident and in control, as if she had everything figured out. For someone who had already lost, to be putting on such an act and spouting nonsense in front of their father was just nauseating.

After breakfast, Gwen Grayson eagerly grabbed her bag, hopped into her BMW convertible, and sped off arrogantly.

Vesper Grayson drove to the office but didn’t rush to contact Elena.

She took off her jacket, casually draping it over the back of her chair. Then, she took a newly opened canister of white tea from the tea cabinet and slowly began to boil water to brew it.

Steam swirled upwards, filling the entire space with the fresh, soothing aroma of the tea leaves.

She sank into the large leather sofa, her fingertips holding a warm, white porcelain teacup. She took slow, deliberate sips, her expression serene, showing no trace of anxiety. Instead, she used this moment of tranquility to organize her plans for what came next.

At half-past ten, the phone on the desk suddenly rang, shattering the silence in the room.

Vesper Grayson looked up, her gaze falling on the lit-up screen. The moment she saw the caller’s name, a hint of a smile touched her eyes.

She lifted her finger, pressed the answer key, and her voice was calm and gentle.

"Elena?"

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!