My CEO Husband Says I'm Irreplaceable

Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Are You Playing with Me?

As night fell, the city lights flickered to life, their neon glow washing over the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Crystal chandeliers bathed the entire ballroom in a dazzling, iridescent light.

Vesper Grayson wore a matte, light camel suit. It was simple and sharp, understated yet exuding quality.

Her long hair was meticulously styled into a low chignon, revealing a slender, elegant neck and giving her an air of aloof sophistication.

Entering the hall, she picked up a glass of champagne and found a quiet corner to sit down, her posture relaxed and her gaze serene.

Whenever guests entered through the main doors, she would only lift her eyes for a brief, unruffled glance.

Until, in the next moment, two particularly eye-catching figures unexpectedly appeared in her line of sight.

It was Luke Lockwood and Ivy Joyce.

The man was dressed in a charcoal-gray, subtly patterned suit, its clean, sharp tailoring accentuating his tall frame. He carried himself with a noble and steady air, emanating a commanding presence that warned others to keep their distance.

And Ivy Joyce, by his side, wore a bright red, cinched-waist, knee-length dress—vibrant and flamboyant, yet both sharp and alluring.

’He even brought her along on a business trip for a summit.’

’In her three years with Luke Lockwood, he had never once taken her to any banquet.’

’She’d never thought much of it before, but looking back now, he must have found her unpresentable.’

’And this was the man she had once loved with all her heart, the one she had given everything to.’

’He’d deceived and placated her time and again, yet still claimed his love for her was deep and true.’

’How utterly ridiculous!’

Luke Lockwood’s gaze swept across the room. Spotting an acquaintance, he quietly instructed Ivy Joyce to get two glasses of champagne.

He then walked straight ahead.

"Mr. Crawford, long time no see."

Seeing who it was, Adler Crawford paused, his usual warmth gone. His tone was flat.

"Ah, President Lockwood. What a coincidence."

Luke Lockwood keenly sensed the other’s coldness but maintained a polite smile and initiated a conversation.

"I recall you’re a fan of baijiu, Mr. Crawford. I happen to have a few cases of aged Maotai. When we’re back in Ashmore, I’ll have someone send them over to you."

"You’re too kind, President Lockwood."

"Mr. Crawford, you’re close with President Sutton. Have you heard... any news concerning me?"

Adler Crawford had long heard that Thomas Sutton had publicly announced he was cutting ties with Zephyr.

Since Luke Lockwood brought it up himself, he stopped beating around the bush and lowered his voice to offer a hint.

"President Lockwood, you really are clueless. Did you really think Thomas Sutton helped you back then just because he valued your talent?"

Luke Lockwood’s heart tightened. "Please, Mr. Crawford, be more direct."

"That girlfriend of yours... her relationship with Thomas Sutton is not ordinary. I saw her a few times when I went to see President Sutton."

"Impossible!" Luke Lockwood retorted sharply without a second thought. "Vesper would never be that kind of person!"

’She subconsciously recoiled from even his touch, so how could she possibly fawn over Thomas Sutton?’

’The man was old enough to be her father.’

"You’ve misunderstood, President Lockwood. What I mean is, your girlfriend’s background is likely not as simple as you think."

Although Adler Crawford didn’t know Vesper Grayson well, just from her speech and demeanor, coupled with Thomas Sutton’s attitude toward her, he knew she was anything but simple.

Luke Lockwood froze, a flicker of confusion crossing his dark eyes.

’He and Vesper had been together day and night for three years. If she had such a prominent background, how could he have not noticed a thing?’

’Could it be that Thomas Sutton’s sudden investment in him three years ago was really Vesper secretly helping from behind the scenes?’

’Why would she do that?’

"Luke, what’s wrong?"

Ivy Joyce returned with the champagne. Seeing his grave expression, she approached and asked softly.

Luke Lockwood snapped back to reality and took the glass. With a somber look in his eyes, he said flatly, "It’s nothing."

The summit began, but the person Vesper Grayson was truly waiting for never appeared.

She decided to go to the restroom and then leave the hotel to avoid running into Luke Lockwood and his companion.

But she found the first-floor restroom was under maintenance.

So she had to go to the second floor.

Compared to the bustling first floor, the second floor was spacious and deserted.

A group of people was walking toward her.

The man in the lead wore a bespoke, handmade black suit. The fabric was a matte, subtly patterned, fine-spun Italian wool that shimmered under the lights with an understated yet high-quality luster.

The shoulder line was as sharp as if cut by a knife, and the waist was perfectly tailored, accentuating his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and upright, pine-straight posture.

His discreet cufflinks hinted at wealth, and every step he took exuded a natural air of nobility and authority.

Vesper Grayson stopped in her tracks, her heart skipping a beat in panic.

’She had never imagined she would run into him here.’

Just as she was hesitating over whether to greet him, the man led his group past her, his gaze fixed forward, not even sparing her a glance.

Not until they disappeared into a private room did Vesper Grayson’s tense body suddenly relax.

A strange sense of disappointment washed over her.

’It seems he took that text message from this morning to heart.’

’This is for the best. From now on, we’ll be strangers.’

’That clandestine past... it’s time to part ways and for each of us to find our own happiness.’

After composing herself, she walked slowly out of the restroom, talking on her phone.

Suddenly, a large, well-defined hand shot out from the private room beside her, grabbing her arm and pulling her inside without a word.

"Mr. Spencer, did you get any news on your end— Ah!"

The color drained from her face as she let out a soft cry.

The next second, she fell into a searing, solid embrace, instantly enveloped by a familiar, cool scent of sandalwood.

She looked up and met the man’s dark, profound eyes.

Her heart seized.

With a press of his fingertip, the man ended her ongoing call.

"Miss Grayson, you really are heartless. Use a man and then kick him to the curb?"

His warm breath, tinged with a chilling edge, whispered sinisterly by her ear.

Vesper Grayson felt a pang of guilt under his gaze. She reached out to push him away but was held firmly in his embrace, unable to move.

"President Hawthorne, that night was consensual. You’re not actually expecting me to take responsibility for you, are you?"

He let out a low, derisive laugh, his voice deep and dangerous. "And what if I am?"

Vesper Grayson’s heart leaped, but she forced a calm expression. "President Hawthorne, can’t you handle a little fun?"

"So, you were just playing with me?" Jared Hawthorne’s dark eyes narrowed dangerously, his gaze promising to destroy her on the spot if she dared to say yes.

She frantically averted her gaze. "The important thing is that we both enjoyed ourselves that night, didn’t we?"

"I helped you secure the Vaudin project. Did you think, Miss Grayson, that sleeping with me for one night would settle the score?" He laughed, his meaning unclear. "Am I that easy to get rid of in your eyes?"

Vesper Grayson bit her lip. "We’ve slept together a few times. Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for me, President Hawthorne?"

"’Fallen for’ is a strong word, but you and I are remarkably compatible in certain aspects, Miss Grayson. I’d be quite happy to develop this into a long-term relationship."

"Well, I’m not!" Vesper Grayson’s smile faded. "You should know that I’m entering an arranged marriage, President Hawthorne. So it’s impossible for me to have a long-term relationship with you, and I have no desire to stay entangled with you."

’The Hawthorne Family was incredibly powerful and influential. She was already set to marry Elias Hawthorne; if she dared to keep fooling around with another man behind his back, she probably wouldn’t even know what hit her.’

He chuckled, his tone playful. "It’s just an arranged marriage. You and he have no emotional foundation. I don’t even mind being the other man. You don’t need to act so chaste and loyal, Miss Grayson."

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