My CEO Husband Says I'm Irreplaceable

Chapter 46: Chapter 46: Just Consider It a Dog Bite

Joyce Rivers stood in the mall, listening to Sharon Chandler’s harsh accusations over the phone. Panic seized her for a moment, but she quickly composed herself.

"Mrs. Hawthorne, what seems to be the problem?" she asked, forcing a smile.

"Even if Vesper isn’t your biological daughter, as her stepmother, you shouldn’t be spreading rumors about a young woman’s reputation."

"But I’m only telling the truth. Didn’t you have it investigated yourself? Why don’t we meet tonight? I can have you meet my biological daughter, Gwen."

’As long as Mrs. Hawthorne agrees to meet Gwen, she’s sure to like her.’

"That won’t be necessary. Don’t call me again."

With that, Sharon Chandler hung up.

Listening to the dial tone, Joyce Rivers instantly lost all interest in shopping.

She turned and headed straight for Gwen’s company.

Seeing her mother return empty-handed, Gwen looked utterly confused. "Mom, didn’t you go out to buy my outfit for tonight?"

"Something unexpected came up."

Joyce Rivers’s face darkened as she briefly recounted the phone call.

Gwen immediately frowned. "Mom, you were telling the truth. Even if Mrs. Hawthorne’s attitude has changed, we can’t just give up. We can’t let Vesper marry into the Hawthorne family that easily."

Once Vesper became Mrs. Hawthorne, she would forever have the upper hand.

They had been rivals for over a decade; she would never allow Vesper to have a better life than her.

Joyce Rivers fell silent for a moment, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.

"You’re right. We’ll stick to the plan tonight. We’ll expose her past in front of everyone and make President Hawthorne see her for who she truly is."

The corners of Gwen’s mouth curled into an irrepressible, smug smile.

She could already picture the scene: Vesper, her scandal exposed by the Hawthornes in front of everyone, utterly humiliated and forced to break off the engagement herself.

Prominent, high-society families value their prestige and reputation above all else. They only marry well-bred young women with spotless reputations.

She knew she wasn’t as stunningly beautiful as Vesper, but she was pure, still a virgin.

On that point alone, Vesper could never compare to her.

’So what if she’s beautiful?’

’In the end, she’s just damaged goods someone else threw away.’

...

「Inside the hotel.」

Vesper was dressed in a moon-white cheongsam with a subtle, woven pattern. The fabric was an incredibly soft crepe satin that made her skin seem fairer than snow and accentuated her exquisitely slender waist. A few light-green orchids were embroidered on the collar—understated, yet their charm grew the more one looked.

Her long, jet-black hair was loosely pinned up, with just a few wisps left to frame her cheeks. She had a gentle, graceful air, like a classic beauty emerging from the misty rains of Riverbend South.

Just as she rounded the corner, she heard a waiter’s voice.

"Mr. Hawthorne, this way, please."

She looked up just in time to see a man in a suit entering private room 806.

She couldn’t see his face, only catching a glimpse of his back. He seemed to be under six feet tall, a far cry from the figure she had seen from a distance at the company the other day.

’Was the distance just playing tricks on my eyes?’

Just as she started to walk over, she caught a glimpse of a tall, imposing figure rounding the corner, and her heart sank.

’What is he doing here?’

The man’s dark eyes locked onto her as he strode in her direction.

Vesper sensed trouble. Fearing he would ruin her meeting, she hurried forward. Before he could speak, she grabbed his arm and pulled him into the adjacent private room.

"Jared Hawthorne, what are you doing here?!"

Seeing her wary expression, Jared Hawthorne’s narrow eyes crinkled. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his gaze slowly sweeping over her.

’He never expected her to look so damn alluring in a cheongsam.’

A teasing glint entered his eyes.

"Does your family own this hotel? Am I not allowed to come here for dinner?"

Vesper was taken aback. "You’re just here for dinner?"

"A blind date. My family arranged it. Came to meet my potential marriage partner," Jared Hawthorne said, watching her with a placid expression, curious to see her reaction.

"Are you kidding? Isn’t your family based in Ashmore?"

"That doesn’t prevent me from having a blind date in Northolme."

’That... actually made a certain kind of sense.’

’As long as he wasn’t here to cause trouble, she could relax.’

Seeing her obvious relief, Jared Hawthorne’s gaze turned a little colder, and his tone flattened.

"Is Miss Grayson that afraid I’ll keep pestering you?"

"..."

"Relax. I won’t ruin your grand marriage arrangement. And you don’t need to take responsibility for me." He paused, a flicker of mock grievance in his dark eyes. "We’ll just chalk it up to being bitten by a dog."

’Who’s he calling a dog?’

Vesper fumed. The man could insult people without even using a single curse word.

She pressed her lips together. "Well, I hope your blind date goes well tonight."

With that, she pulled the door open and practically fled.

"Vesper!"

She had just stepped out when Joyce Rivers’s voice called to her from a short distance away.

Joyce Rivers approached, with Gwen in tow.

Gwen had clearly dressed to the nines. She wore a tight, low-cut red gown, her chestnut hair in large waves. Her makeup was vivid, and she was dripping with so many jewels she looked overwhelmingly opulent.

Her cleavage, pushed up so forcefully, looked like it could crush a fly.

Vesper was taken aback. "Miss Joyce, what are you two doing here?"

Joyce Rivers smiled warmly. "You’re having your official meeting with President Hawthorne tonight. Gwen and I were worried, so we came to help you out, to make sure everything goes smoothly."

’So kind of them?’

’More like they’re here to sabotage me.’

She hadn’t forgotten the unconcealable jealousy in Joyce’s eyes three years ago, when Master Hawthorne had specifically named Vesper for the marriage alliance.

"Thank you for your concern, Miss Joyce." Her gaze landed on Gwen as she offered a faint smile. "Sister, you look lovely. If I were a man, I think I’d be completely smitten."

Gwen instinctively puffed out her chest. Just as she was about to speak, Joyce cut in.

"She just wanted to make a good impression on her future brother-in-law. Vesper, don’t read too much into it."

"Of course not," Vesper said with a smile, not calling out their lie.

She led the two of them toward private room 806.

Inside the room, a man in a tailored suit sat at the table, his posture erect, his aura refined. His features were well-proportioned—not strikingly handsome, but appealing in a clean-cut way. He carried himself with the calm dignity befitting the scion of a great family.

’So this is the renowned Elias Hawthorne?’

’Mr. Spencer’s description of him as "divinely handsome" was a bit of an exaggeration.’

Before Vesper could speak, Joyce had already pulled Gwen forward, her smile a mixture of enthusiasm and fawning.

"President Hawthorne, I’ve heard so much about you! Seeing you in person today, you’re every bit as handsome and distinguished as they say!"

The man narrowed his eyes slightly. "And you are?"

"I’m Mrs. Grayson, Joyce Rivers, and this is my daughter, Gwen." Joyce quickly nudged her. "Gwen, say hello to President Hawthorne."

Gwen immediately adopted a shy demeanor, her voice soft. "President Hawthorne, it’s a pleasure to meet you."

’To see them now, you’d think they were the guests of honor tonight.’

The man’s gaze went past the two of them, landing on Vesper, who stood quietly in the background. A fleeting look of astonishment flashed in his eyes.

"And this is?"

Vesper stepped forward, her voice gentle. "Hello, President Hawthorne. I’m Vesper Grayson, the fiancée Grandfather Hawthorne arranged for you."

As she drew closer, she realized the man’s features bore a striking resemblance to Master Hawthorne’s.

Hearing this, the man smiled. "So it’s you. I finally get to meet the person of the hour. You are truly a rare beauty."

Vesper paused, slightly taken aback.

’Wasn’t Elias Hawthorne supposed to be stern, serious, and old-fashioned?’

"Miss Grayson, please have a seat."

He gestured for her to sit, his manners gentlemanly and refined.

"You two as well, no need to stand on ceremony. Please, take a seat."

Vesper sat down beside him, while Joyce pulled Gwen into the seats across from them.

From the moment she sat down, the man’s gaze remained fixed on Vesper. It was a look of appraisal, mixed with a hint of scrutiny.

Vesper sat with perfect posture, allowing him to watch her openly, without a hint of evasion.

"I must say, I didn’t expect someone as young as you to be so proficient in medicine, Miss Grayson."

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