My CEO Husband Says I'm Irreplaceable

Chapter 50: Chapter 50: My Nephew Is Pretty Handsome, Right?

Jared Hawthorne spoke nonchalantly, "How did you know I was there?"

"The old man told me. But why didn’t you show your face tonight?"

I got his message as soon as I arrived, telling me not to reveal my identity yet.

As a result, people mistook me for Elias Hawthorne.

He picked the woman himself, but she couldn’t even recognize Elias Hawthorne in person.

Now that’s interesting.

"You punk, since when are you nursing a secret crush?"

Jared Hawthorne leaned back in the sofa, his posture relaxed, and tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest. "It’s a long story."

...

The warm water rose to her shoulders, and the hazy steam enveloped her in a blur.

She closed her eyes, hoping the hot water would calm her mind, but images of Jared Hawthorne kissing her in the car replayed uncontrollably in her head.

It was as if an invisible pair of large, lightly calloused hands were tracing their way over her skin through the warm water.

Her fingertips unconsciously brushed the side of her neck, where the lingering heat of his breath remained.

They traveled down, over her shoulder, and when they touched the skin of her chest, she shuddered violently. Her breath caught, and even her fingertips felt weak.

The water’s surface rippled gently, reflecting a sensuous light in her eyes.

’I can’t believe how pathetic I’m being,’ she cursed herself inwardly. ’I can’t stop thinking about him. It’s like he’s bewitched me!’

After her bath, she went downstairs to get some water.

On her way back upstairs, she heard arguing from Milton Grayson and Joyce Rivers’s bedroom. The door opened right after, and she quickly hid in a shadowy corner.

"Milton Grayson, I truly regret marrying you! Since you can’t forget her, why don’t you just spend the rest of your life with a dead woman!"

"You’re being completely unreasonable."

Milton Grayson, carrying a pillow and a blanket, walked into the study without looking back.

Vesper Grayson’s dark lashes lowered, hiding the emotion in her eyes.

...

「The next day」

Vesper Grayson went to Vaudin for the handover.

Valen received her personally.

Compared to his perfunctory manner the first time, his attitude now could be described as respectful and cautious.

"The handover is complete. The collaboration will now officially begin. Contact me anytime if you have questions."

Vesper Grayson stood up, shook his hand, and bid him farewell.

"Vice President Grayson, about last time, I’m very sorry. I shouldn’t have been prejudiced against him based on rumors."

"Don’t worry about it. I’m sure that after we’ve worked together longer, Mr. Vavle will have a completely new impression of me."

Her voice was light and gentle, exuding a calm confidence. Her magnanimous and open demeanor suggested she hadn’t taken the previous unpleasantness to heart at all.

Valen felt ashamed, and a look of admiration entered his eyes. "Vice President Grayson, you are so poised and magnanimous at such a young age. With your vision and broad-mindedness, your future is surely limitless."

"You’re too kind."

She gave a polite smile.

’This guy must be a smooth operator to have gotten this far,’ she thought. ’He knows exactly what to say to whom—a real silver-tongued devil, slick as they come.’

Just as she got in the car, she received a call from Elias Hawthorne.

A deep, refined voice came through the line.

"Miss Grayson, a new golf course just opened on the outskirts of the city. The environment is nice. How about you come play a round, and I’ll treat you to lunch afterward?"

Vesper Grayson started the car. "Will it just be you, President Hawthorne?"

"Is there someone else Miss Grayson was hoping for?"

"Just asking. Send me the location. I happen to have some free time to head over."

The call had just ended when she received a location pin.

About forty minutes later, the car pulled into the open-air parking lot of the suburban golf course.

Vesper Grayson got out of the car and entered the clubhouse lobby.

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, spilling onto the marble countertops.

"Hello, I have an appointment," she said concisely. "Elias Hawthorne."

"Miss Vesper Grayson, correct?"

The receptionist quickly checked the reservation, and after confirming it was correct, handed her a wristband with the golf course’s logo. "Mr. Hawthorne just went to the driving range to warm up. I’ll show you the way."

Vesper Grayson followed the receptionist through the magnificent lobby, down a hallway lined with a light gray carpet, and then outside onto the vast, open golf course.

Before her stretched a meticulously manicured, emerald-green lawn. A gentle breeze carried the scent of grass and sunshine, and in the distance, a lake shimmered. The view was expansive and tranquil.

After walking along a winding path for a moment, she spotted a tall, upright figure in the distance.

Jared Hawthorne, dressed in a simple white golf outfit, stood tall and straight on the practice tee, swinging a club.

His movements were sharp and fluid, a blend of power and grace. As he swung, his body extended, his gaze focused and serene. He exuded an air of relaxed nobility.

Sunlight fell on his well-defined profile, making his eyes seem exceptionally deep. He had shed some of the cold hardness he wore in the business world, replaced by a touch of gentleness.

’Why is he here?!’

Vesper Grayson stood a short distance away, not wanting to interrupt.

A low, gentle voice inquired from beside her.

"My little nephew is handsome, isn’t he?"

She withdrew her gaze and turned to meet the man’s smiling eyes.

"He is handsome... but didn’t President Hawthorne say it would just be you?"

If she had known Jared Hawthorne was here, she definitely would have found an excuse to decline the invitation.

’It’s not that I’m scared, I just feel... awkward!’

"There’s nothing to be done. Jared has been clingy since he was a child. He wanted to come, so I couldn’t really say no." Justin Hawthorne smiled. "So, Miss Grayson, do you mind the extra company?"

...

’He’s already here, can I really say I mind?’

’I can’t just kick him out.’

"Miss Grayson, you seem to have quite the opinion of my nephew, don’t you?" Justin Hawthorne’s eyes narrowed, a meaningful smile playing in their depths.

Vesper Grayson quickly replied, "Not at all. I only met your nephew for the first time last night. We’re not familiar with each other..."

Jared Hawthorne lowered his club, turned, and strode closer, catching the end of her sentence. He spoke in a sarcastically pointed tone.

"That’s right, not familiar at all!"

...

The man’s intense gaze pinned her in place, leaving her nowhere to hide. Vesper Grayson’s body stiffened, feeling the guilt of being caught bad-mouthing an acquaintance.

Justin Hawthorne’s lips curled into a smile. "Miss Grayson, do you play golf often?"

She shook her head lightly. "Not really. I’ve never played much."

Hearing this, the smile in Justin Hawthorne’s eyes deepened. He seized the opportunity and looked at Jared Hawthorne.

"Perfect. Eli—Jared is quite a good golfer. Let him teach you. You young people should teach each other, practice together... you’ll get familiar with each other in no time."

’Why does that sound so strange?’

’Does Elias Hawthorne not have feelings for me? Does he have no intention of developing a relationship?’

’Why else would he have his nephew teach me!’

’Instead of teaching me himself?’

Jared Hawthorne’s thin lips curved up slightly, his gaze landing on her with a hint of amusement.

"Miss Grayson, I don’t just teach anyone. But since my uncle has spoken, I suppose I can make an exception and teach you this once."

Vesper Grayson met the man’s deep, dark eyes and smiled faintly. "Actually, I’m not that interested in learning!"

Jared Hawthorne’s eyebrow twitched, the amusement in his eyes fading slightly. "You’re already here. It would be a shame not to even try."

He grabbed her wrist and, without another word, pulled her onto the course.

The warmth of his palm seeped through the thin fabric of her clothes, his grip firm and inescapable.

"Jared Hawthorne!"

She looked back in a panic at Justin Hawthorne, who noticed her gaze and gave her a wave.

"Good luck! Jared will be a great teacher."

...

’This uncle and nephew pair are both insane!’

’Pushing his own potential marriage partner onto his nephew... isn’t he afraid something will happen between them and he’ll end up a cuckold?’

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