My CEO Husband Says I'm Irreplaceable

Chapter 33: Chapter 33: Building Up Strength for Another Date

When Vesper returned to the company and walked into her office, her eyes swept over the sofa, and she froze.

"Waiting for me, dear sister?"

She strode inside and placed the file on her desk.

She calmly sat down in her swivel chair.

She raised an eyebrow, meeting Gwen Grayson’s anxious, unconcealed stare.

"Did Elena sign the contract with you?"

"So that’s what you wanted to know." She didn’t answer, asking instead, "What do you think?"

She was intentionally silent, wanting to watch Gwen squirm in her desperation to know the outcome.

"Vesper Grayson, are you enjoying this?"

Gwen Grayson shot up in frustration, marched over to the desk, and reached for the file to see for herself.

Before she could grab it, Vesper slammed her hand down on the file.

"Gwen Grayson, this is the office, not a place for you to throw a tantrum!"

Gwen Grayson met her sharp gaze, a flicker of shock in her eyes. She was momentarily intimidated by Vesper’s sudden, imposing aura.

"It’s just a simple answer, why be so dramatic? It’s not like I’d make fun of you if you couldn’t land it."

Gwen pulled her hand back, crossing her arms over her chest.

’Even I couldn’t sign the deal with Vaudin. Vesper has been gone from Northolme for three years and doesn’t know the first thing about the current market. There’s no way she could have succeeded.’

Vesper stared at her quietly and said in a cold voice, "Get out."

"You! Hmph!"

Gwen spun around angrily and left.

Once the door closed, Vesper rubbed her temples.

She took out her phone and found Jared Hawthorne’s contact on WhatsApp.

[President Hawthorne, want to meet up tonight?]

[I’m running on empty lately. Can’t ’serve’ Miss Grayson right now. Let me recharge my batteries before we schedule anything.]

Vesper stared at the message, utterly speechless.

’How could that dog of a man lie through his teeth like that?’

’He was always the insatiable one, like a starving wolf.’

[Could President Hawthorne try to have a purer thought for once? The contract was a success. I simply want to treat you to dinner to express my gratitude.]

After she sent the message, there was no response for a long while.

Vesper picked up the file and went to the President’s office.

She knocked lightly on the door.

"Come in!"

She pushed the door open and walked in.

"Dad."

Hearing her voice, Milton Grayson looked up and beckoned her over.

"Vesper, you’re here. Come and try this Yuqian Longjing tea that just arrived. It’s this year’s first harvest."

Her maternal grandfather, Henry Grayson, was a tea lover. Since Vesper had spent several years with him as a child, she also knew a thing or two about tea. That’s why Milton Grayson always shared his best leaves with her.

"I’m in for a treat today."

She walked over and sat down across from him.

She took the cup Milton Grayson offered, lowered her gaze, and took a delicate sip.

After letting the tea slide down her throat, she offered her assessment.

"Fresh, smooth, and mellow, with an elegant, nutty fragrance. The aftertaste comes on quickly, and the flavor is full-bodied."

Milton Grayson nodded, his eyes showing his appreciation. "It’s gentle but not cooling, cleanses the palate, and soothes the body. It’s incredibly pleasant. If you like it, take two canisters with you."

"Thank you, Dad."

"So, what did you come to see me about?"

"I’ve successfully secured the exclusive agency rights for Vaudin. Here is the contract for you to review."

She placed the file on the desk in front of him.

Milton Grayson picked it up, looking skeptical. When he finished reading, a hint of astonishment appeared on his face.

"But Gwen said..."

"I don’t know how Gwen managed to contact Valen, but the person who signed with me was Elena, the President of Vaudin Asia-Pacific. Her feedback on Gwen’s proposal was that it was flashy but impractical, with no viable execution plan."

"Good, I understand. You’ve worked hard."

"Dad, I’d like you to publicly announce that I’ve successfully signed the Vaudin contract at the meeting on Monday."

’The people at this company think I can’t compare to Gwen’s three years of dedicated service. Well, I’m going to throw it right back in their faces.’

’I’ll make them see that Gwen’s three years of effort don’t measure up to a single one of my successes.’

’In the face of talent, hard work determines the floor, but talent determines the ceiling.’

’Back in school, while I was burying my head in books, Joyce Rivers was taking Gwen to amusement parks. While I was competing and winning medals, Gwen and Joyce were vacationing and shopping abroad.’

’If I hadn’t tutored her in our senior year of high school, Gwen probably wouldn’t have even made it into college.’

Milton Grayson understood what she meant.

"Don’t worry. I’ll do as you’ve asked."

"And until then, no matter who asks, I need you to keep a tight lip, Dad."

"You have my word."

’Vesper has always been smart and decisive, ever since she was a child,’ he thought. ’Just like her birth mother.’

Gwen Grayson was on pins and needles all day.

She hadn’t heard anything about Vesper signing with Vaudin by the end of the workday, and the anxiety that had been plaguing her finally subsided.

’Just how capable did Vesper think she was, anyway?’

’In the end, she failed, just like me.’

’As long as Vesper didn’t succeed, then my own failure wouldn’t be so embarrassing.’

When she got home, Joyce Rivers asked her how it went.

"How did it go? Did you get the contract signed?"

To ensure Gwen could smoothly step into the Vice President role, she had gone out of her way to ask her cousin for a favor.

Her cousin was personally acquainted with Valen; the two of them often played ball together.

Leveraging this connection, Valen had agreed to give Gwen an opportunity.

"I failed. It turns out Valen doesn’t have the authority to make the final decision."

"What happened?"

"It was supposed to be a sure thing, but Elena, the President of Vaudin Asia-Pacific, insisted on seeing my proposal and rejected it on the spot. That woman tore into Valen so badly he didn’t dare make a peep."

"Then what about Vesper?"

"She probably didn’t succeed either."

"Are you sure?"

"I think so. If she’d actually secured the exclusive Vaudin deal, she would’ve broadcasted it to the entire company by now."

Joyce Rivers thought that made sense.

"I’ve already put in a word. If Vesper can’t land a significant project, she won’t get a direct promotion. We’ll just have her report to you, and then how you want to handle her will be up to my precious daughter, won’t it?"

Gwen threw her arms around her mother, cooing, "Mom, you’re the best!"

As Vesper followed Milton Grayson inside, they were greeted by the heartwarming scene of the mother and daughter embracing.

Seeing them enter, Gwen quickly let go of her mother.

"Dad, neither I nor my sister could secure the exclusive rights for Vaudin. If she wants something to do, why not move her to my business department to help me out?"

Milton Grayson shot her a look but didn’t say anything.

Gwen puffed out her cheeks and looked to Joyce Rivers for help.

"Milton, why don’t we just do what Gwen suggested?"

Joyce Rivers poured a cup of tea and handed it to him, her voice gentle. "Vesper is smart, but she did spend three years just fooling around. With Gwen to guide her, she can get up to speed more quickly. Besides, having the sisters work together could help them bond."

Milton Grayson took the cup and took a small sip. "You don’t need to concern yourself with this matter. I have my own arrangements for Vesper."

’This mother-daughter duo really can’t wait, can they?’

’They’re so threatened by the fact that I’m more capable than Gwen and could overshadow her at the company that they’re scrambling to decide my fate for me.’

’Too bad I’m about to disappoint them. Their celebration will be short-lived.’

...

Back in her room, Vesper took out her phone and checked it.

Half an hour ago, Jared Hawthorne had finally sent a reply.

[Not in Northolme right now. It’s not too late to have that meal when I get back.]

Vesper froze.

’Who knew he was so busy, managing a million things a day.’

’It’s better that he’s not in Northolme, anyway. At least I won’t have to worry about him popping up and putting me on edge.’

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