My CEO Husband Says I'm Irreplaceable

Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Incapable of Behaving

"What crazy ideas are you getting? My uncle is straight."

Jared Hawthorne chuckled. ’If my uncle knew what she was thinking, he’d probably be furious.’

"Wouldn’t it be boring to live with someone like that?"

"I’m better, right?"

He leaned in close to her ear and whispered something risqué.

Vesper Grayson’s face turned beet red, and she shot him a sharp glare.

’This damn man has no decency!’

When they entered, Justin Hawthorne was on the phone. His voice was stern, tinged with displeasure.

"Zhixing, can your club be a little more professional? Otherwise, it really sucks."

"Am I the type of person who’s worse than an animal? Are you insulting me, or are you insulting yourself?"

"Pull this stunt on me again, and don’t bother contacting me anymore."

Jared Hawthorne led Vesper Grayson to a seat.

Justin Hawthorne hung up the phone.

"My apologies, Miss Grayson. My friend is a bit of a jokester and was pulling a prank on me. I’ve already given him a piece of my mind."

Vesper Grayson smiled but said nothing.

"I have something else to attend to. You two carry on eating. Jared will take Miss Grayson home later."

"Got it, Uncle."

After he left, Vesper Grayson grew even more frustrated.

’Why does he always leave first? And he always has Jared take me home.’

’I can’t even tell who I’m supposed to be building a relationship with!’

"Eat."

Jared Hawthorne placed a piece of salt and pepper pork rib on her plate.

"..."

She lowered her head and ate in silence.

Jared Hawthorne refilled her glass with juice, then leaned back in his chair, lit a cigarette, and smoked with a casual air.

His long, narrow eyes rested lightly on her.

Her table manners were exceptionally refined. Her movements were gentle and measured, and the way she handled her chopsticks showed a perfect upbringing.

When she lowered her head slightly, the line of her profile was soft and clean. She chewed slowly and deliberately, and even the slight movement of her lips was quietly beautiful.

There was nothing artificial about it; she was like a painting, a delight to behold.

Just then, Vesper Grayson received a call from Dolly Hughes.

"Sister Vesper, President Lockwood took Ivy Joyce to the hospital for an abortion last night. I heard things got pretty ugly between them."

Vesper Grayson’s fingers tightened around her phone as she glanced at the man beside her.

Her eyes met his deep, dark pupils unexpectedly.

"Okay, I understand."

After hanging up, Vesper Grayson was a little annoyed.

"Jared Hawthorne, why are you always staring at me!"

"I’m not going to eat you. What are you so flustered about?" He elegantly tapped the ash from his cigarette, feigning nonchalance. "Who called just now?"

"It was a... from Ashmore." She paused, then huffed, "Why should I tell you!"

Jared Hawthorne, "..."

"What does your uncle usually like?" Vesper Grayson felt it was necessary to find out. ’What if I really do end up with Elias Hawthorne?’

Jared Hawthorne’s tone was indifferent. "I don’t know. You don’t need to know him that well."

’What kind of answer is that?’

’If I don’t get to know his uncle, should I be getting to know him instead?’

Vesper Grayson put down her chopsticks and offered a faint smile. "I’m full. No need for you to see me out, President Hawthorne. I can drive myself back."

"Since you’re already here, stay and play a round of golf with me."

’Who wants to play with him!’

Vesper Grayson looked up, her exquisite features revealing a mix of pride and aloofness.

"President Hawthorne, I’m very expensive. Can you afford my price?"

Instead of getting angry, Jared Hawthorne let out a low laugh, his tone carrying a casual yet forceful edge.

"So many people are fighting tooth and nail for the Vaudin distributorship. After I pulled such a big favor for Miss Grayson to secure it, you’re haggling over playing a round of golf with me?"

"I’ve already repaid that favor."

"That’s just your wishful thinking. I never agreed to it."

"..."

’Does he have any idea what our relationship is now, and what it will be in the future?’

Vesper Grayson took a deep breath, suppressing the turbulent emotions in her heart, and reminded him, one word at a time.

"Jared Hawthorne, I’m going to be your aunt. Can you please be more serious?"

She felt truly helpless. ’If I had known, I never would have gotten involved with this man in the first place.’

But on second thought, if it hadn’t been for him, her reputation would have been ruined that day, and the consequences would have been unimaginable.

The playful look in Jared Hawthorne’s eyes faded, his gaze deepening. "You haven’t even married into the Hawthorne family, and you’re already calling yourself my aunt?"

"Isn’t it just a matter of time?" Vesper Grayson stated the fact calmly. "Grandfather Hawthorne said so himself. Don’t tell me you can change his decision?"

"I can’t change it. You’re definitely going to marry Elias Hawthorne in this lifetime!" His narrow, dark eyes revealed a hint of playful certainty.

Vesper Grayson pressed her lips together. "Since that’s the case, then the next time you see me, President Hawthorne, you should behave yourself!"

Jared Hawthorne wrapped an arm around her shoulder and chuckled. "But who can blame me when Miss Grayson is so stunningly beautiful? Every time I see you, I get all worked up. I can’t behave at all."

"Jared Hawthorne!"

’He wasn’t listening to a word she said.’

"I’m here."

"Aren’t you afraid that if Grandfather Hawthorne finds out, his fury will be directed at you?"

"Worried about me?" Jared Hawthorne leaned down and planted a kiss on her cheek. "Don’t worry, the old man wouldn’t dare get angry with me."

Vesper Grayson pressed, "Why?"

Jared Hawthorne’s lips curled into a meaningful smile.

The afternoon sun blanketed the entire green golf course. The wind was light, the clouds were sparse, and the view was expansive.

The golf cart stopped at the edge of the fairway. Jared Hawthorne got out first, his posture tall and straight, his movements swift and clean—clearly the practiced motions of someone who frequented the course.

Although Vesper Grayson had practiced a few swings that morning, now that she was on a proper fairway, she was still far from proficient, but she wasn’t completely clueless either.

She took her stance, gripped the club, and aimed. Her form wasn’t perfect, but it had a certain clean, crisp energy.

Jared Hawthorne leaned on his club, watching. He didn’t get too close, only speaking up to offer some light guidance after she swung.

"Keep your center of gravity a little more stable. Don’t rush the turn."

As he spoke, his gaze was focused and his jawline sharp and distinct. The usual carefree, roguish air about him was gone, replaced by a serious and steady demeanor.

Sunlight fell on his lowered eyelashes, casting a faint shadow. The lines of his profile were hard and handsome.

Watching his focused expression, Vesper Grayson’s heart gave an unexpected leap.

"Why are you looking at me? Look at the ball."

"..."

Vesper Grayson adjusted her form as instructed and swung again. The white ball flew much farther than before.

"Fast learner," he commented lightly.

Jared Hawthorne took his own place at the tee. "Watch how I do it once. Practice a few more times, and you’ll get the feel for it."

With that, he swung gently. The motion was crisp and powerful, and the white ball landed steadily in the ideal spot.

Meanwhile, Gael Keane was walking with Gwen Grayson through a corridor, heading toward the golf course.

"Gwen, about last time, it was my fault. I went home and did some serious soul-searching. I asked you out today specifically to apologize!"

Gwen Grayson crossed her arms and snorted coldly. "Totally unnecessary. If my mom hadn’t made me come, I wouldn’t be here."

The memory of the last reception, where Gael Keane had turned on her and acted like a spineless coward, filled her with disgust.

She had originally had a pretty good impression of Gael Keane, and Mrs. Keane had even intended to set them up, which she hadn’t refused. But after what happened last time, all her favorable feelings for Gael were gone.

’If I actually got together with him, the moment trouble started, Gael would definitely be the first to throw me under the bus.’

’She despised men like that most of all!’

"Gwen, this is a membership card for the club. I loaded five million on it. Take it. You can bring your friends here to hang out in the future. Just consider it my way of making it up to you!" Gael Keane shoved the card into her hand.

Gwen Grayson was about to refuse, but when she heard the words "five million," she didn’t.

She glanced at the golf course, utterly bored, when her eyes suddenly froze.

On the green fairway, Vesper Grayson was standing there holding a golf club, and next to her stood an incredibly eye-catching man.

The man was tall and slender. Even in simple, casual sportswear, he couldn’t hide the noble and cold aura that was ingrained in him. He had his head tilted slightly, and she couldn’t tell what he was saying to Vesper Grayson, but his profile was sharp and distinct, with a high-bridged nose and a hard, smooth jawline.

’That’s not Elias Hawthorne!’

’Well, well, Vesper Grayson. Stringing along the Hawthorne family marriage while hooking up and fooling around with other men on the side.’

’The Hawthorne family has a respectable reputation. If Master Hawthorne saw this, I wonder what he would think!’

She took out her phone, aimed it in their direction, and, from a clever angle, snapped several photos that made their poses look intimate.

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