My CEO Husband Says I'm Irreplaceable

Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Which Man Bit You?

As she finished speaking, all eyes fell on her lips.

Her lower lip was red and swollen, with a glaring wound that looked like a bite mark.

Gwen Grayson immediately piped up in a snide tone, "I heard my dear sister went to the tech summit last night and didn’t get back until late. Don’t tell me... some man bit you?"

Vesper Grayson’s expression remained placid. She leisurely picked up her soy milk and took a sip. When she looked up at Gwen, a hint of derision flashed in her eyes.

"Instead of worrying about me, little sister, you’d be better off spending more time improving yourself."

The words were spoken lightly, but they landed like a hard slap across Gwen Grayson’s face.

Just a few days ago, she had confidently vowed to secure the exclusive distribution rights for Vaudin, yet in the end, she had not only failed but had also utterly humiliated herself in front of all the senior executives.

Gwen Grayson’s expression soured, her voice turning sharp. "I’m just worried your behavior is improper, that you’re fooling around with random men. If word of this gets to Master Hawthorne, the entire Grayson Family will suffer because of you!"

"You needn’t trouble yourself, little sister." Vesper Grayson’s expression was nonchalant. "Grandfather Hawthorne adores me. He’s already forgiven me for what happened in the past and has promised to give me another chance. Tonight, I will have my formal meeting with Elias Hawthorne."

She gave Gwen a provocative smirk, which made Gwen so angry she nearly ground her teeth to dust.

Just then, her phone chimed with a text message notification.

Gwen Grayson picked it up and glanced at the screen, a secret flicker of excitement instantly crossing her eyes.

"I’m rather curious. If the Hawthorne Family knew what you’ve been up to in Ashmore for the past three years, would they still be so quick to accept you without any reservations?"

’She dated another man for a full three years, she’s probably completely worn out by now. How dare she have the audacity to come back and cling to the marriage alliance with the Hawthorne Family.’

Gwen Grayson believed she had her sister’s fatal secret in her grasp, and she waited expectantly to see Vesper fall into a state of panicked, miserable disarray.

Vesper Grayson’s almond-shaped eyes narrowed, her gaze suddenly turning sharp and cold. "You investigated me?"

"It’s not some dark secret. I just asked a friend to casually make some inquiries, simply because I was concerned about how my dear sister has been for the past three years..."

"Enough."

Milton Grayson, who had been silent until now, suddenly cut in, his voice cold and his expression grim. "Your sister was simply in a relationship while she was in Ashmore. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. If you dare use this to make trouble and ruin her marriage to the Hawthorne family, don’t blame me for disowning you!"

Gwen Grayson bit her lip, tears of indignation and resentment welling in her eyes.

’Why does Vesper get to have everything?’

’Why is Dad always so biased?’

Her appetite vanished in an instant. She grabbed her bag and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

"Gwen, you haven’t eaten breakfast!" Joyce Rivers quickly packed up a few breakfast items and hurried after her.

"Did you have to say things to upset your father right in front of him?" Joyce Rivers whispered. "It’s not up to us to decide whether the Hawthorne Family minds or not. We just need to make sure the information gets to them."

"But what if... what if the Hawthorne Family doesn’t mind?"

"Then we don’t lose anything. But if they *do* mind, it will be a thorn in their side. Even if they overlook her running from the wedding three years ago, what man could hear that Vesper Grayson was with someone else for three years and truly not care?"

"If the Hawthornes do mind, I’ll recommend you to take her place. I hear Elias Hawthorne is exceptionally brilliant—a business prodigy the likes of which you see once in a century."

Gwen was tempted, but also worried.

"If he’s so great, why hasn’t there been a single woman by his side all these years? Is he secretly hideous? Or does he have some kind of... hidden ailment?"

Joyce Rivers tapped her on the forehead. "Silly girl, is anything in this world perfect? Once you have wealth and status, you can have any man you want."

"Mom, I’m not that wild..."

Vesper had expected Milton Grayson to ask her something, but he said nothing.

"I know you’ve always been the most level-headed one. Gwen can be mean with her words, but her heart’s not in a bad place. Don’t hold it against her."

She simply smiled.

"Dad, I’m not that petty."

Milton Grayson nodded, stood up, and went to take Jonathan Grayson to kindergarten.

"Bye-bye, Big Sister."

Jonathan waved at her obediently.

...

On the way to the office, Vesper received a call from Shiloh Sloan.

"Bonnie, did you see Elias Hawthorne last night? What does he look like in person?"

"It was a wasted trip," Vesper said coolly. "But not a complete waste. I ran into Luke Lockwood and Ivy Joyce."

Shiloh immediately started cursing. "You ran into them face-to-face?"

"I avoided them, but he saw me and started asking around about where I was. For some reason, he rushed back to Ashmore last night."

’He even went to see Thomas Sutton.’

’Thomas Sutton must have revealed something to him.’

’But that has nothing to do with me anymore.’

Last night, she’d gotten a call from the police, informing her that Luke Lockwood had filed a report and requested an investigation into her.

She had simply said she didn’t know him and hung up.

’If the police put my file in front of Luke, he would definitely know my real identity.’

’But I have a feeling he still doesn’t know who I am.’

’If he knew, he wouldn’t have rushed back to Ashmore to find Thomas Sutton. He would have come straight to the Grayson villa.’

"He brought his little affair to Northolme Capital with him? Was he trying to show off how charming he is?" Shiloh scoffed. "You should have told me last night. I would’ve run over there and given him a piece of my mind for you!"

Vesper chuckled. "They’re not important. No need to waste time on them. By the way, I got promoted. I’m the Vice President of Grayson Corporation now."

"Nice!" Shiloh was happy for her, but then she remembered something else. "Oh, right, I’ve already paid in full for Whispering Breeze Lodge. I’m going to handle the deed transfer this afternoon."

"Okay. And that lending company your stepfather left you, are you really planning on selling it?" Vesper asked, advising caution. "Shouldn’t you think it over?"

Last time they’d spoken, Shiloh had mentioned selling the company and had asked for her help finding a buyer.

After reviewing Veritrust’s financial records for the past three years, Vesper felt it wasn’t a lost cause.

As long as the outstanding loans could be collected, it was a guaranteed profit. It all came down to management.

"Collecting debts is exhausting. How long do you think a woman like me can keep it up?"

In truth, Shiloh was also hesitant. The money she had previously lent out had yet to be collected.

The debtors saw that she was a woman and didn’t take her seriously at all.

And some of the deadbeats would pull all sorts of tricks to avoid paying her back.

"Why not hire some capable assistants?" Vesper suggested. "Debt collection is still a job better handled by men."

"Where would I even find them? I don’t have a clue."

"You could look at martial arts gyms, underground fighting rings... there are plenty of brawlers in those places who are short on cash. And speaking of time, your stepfather is getting out of prison soon. He lost big time to you, so he’s definitely holding a grudge."

Shiloh did a quick calculation, her tone growing somber. "He’ll be out around August of next year."

That was only a year and two months away.

Time really flew by.

"So you need to prepare for it. You can’t just enjoy the current peace and quiet."

"I’ll think about it."

Grayson Group’s open-air parking lot.

Vesper smoothly pulled her car into a parking space, pushed the door open, and got out.

The moment she looked up, her gaze unexpectedly met a pair of black eyes, as deep and cold as a winter lake. Her steps faltered, and she almost instinctively turned to get right back in her car.

"Vesper!"

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