My CEO Husband Says I'm Irreplaceable

Chapter 85: Chapter 85: I’ve Never Coaxed Anyone But You

She wasn’t even fifteen five years ago!

Casey Nash never imagined her precious daughter would have her first crush and fall in love at first sight with a man at fifteen.

If it were anyone else, she would have supported it, but the man in question was Jared Hawthorne.

Seeing the girl’s reddened eyes, her heart softened slightly.

She too had experienced the flutters of young love, so she understood better than anyone that a secret crush was the most frustrating and agonizing burden to bear.

Keeping it a secret was torture, but confessing could mean losing all dignity.

Especially when crushing on someone you shouldn’t be.

"Sheryl, you two aren’t a good match. Besides, she isn’t just Elias’s girlfriend; she’s also the granddaughter-in-law your Grandfather Hawthorne personally approved of. Do you think you can change the old man’s mind? Or are you saying you’re more beautiful than she is?"

Sheryl Garland bit her lip. "What’s the use of being pretty? I’m not bad-looking either."

She had a sweet, lively, and charmingly winsome look—the quintessential girl-next-door. Her features were clean and energetic, exuding a youthful aura that made her seem vibrant and bright.

Plenty of guys at school were pursuing her!

"You’re not bad-looking, but Jared doesn’t like you." Casey Nash cut straight to the point, hitting the nail on the head.

When you like someone, you can’t hide it in your eyes.

Sheryl grew frustrated. "As long as I try, he’ll definitely come to like me. My cousin will help me too..."

"And you think your cousin can sway Jared Hawthorne’s decisions?" Casey’s expression was serious, but her tone was gentle. "Go home for now. Take a shower and think carefully about what I’ve said."

After the barbecue platter was brought to the table, Jared Hawthorne patiently grilled everything for her, placing the cooked pieces on her plate.

His well-defined hands held the tongs, his movements steady and meticulous. He grilled the slices of meat and seafood until they were perfectly cooked and tantalizingly colored, not letting her lift a finger the entire time.

Vesper Grayson chewed in satisfaction, her eyes narrowing as she watched the elegant and dignified man across from her, a hint of probing in her gaze.

"Is President Hawthorne always this good at taking care of people?"

"You’re the first."

"Really? Is this how President Hawthorne used to charm other young women?"

Jared Hawthorne’s eyes were deep and dark. "I’ve never charmed anyone but you," he said in a low voice.

Her heart skipped a beat. She averted her gaze and took a sip of her margarita. It was sweet, just like her mood at that moment.

Jared refilled her glass. "You don’t believe me?"

"A little. I find it hard to believe that President Hawthorne has lived this long without ever falling for someone."

Everyone has a first crush.

Any other man, surrounded by countless women, would have surely given in. How could any man truly be an exception, completely indifferent to women?

Even Luke Lockwood, who once had eyes only for her, couldn’t resist temptation and lusted after a younger girl’s body.

"I have fallen for someone before."

Suddenly, she heard the man’s deep voice.

’I knew it...’

"When I was fifteen, I was in an accident and someone saved me. I developed a crush on a young girl. She was exquisitely beautiful and delicate, like a porcelain doll. Later, I was sent to New York and lost contact with her. It took a lot of asking around before I finally found out where she was."

Vesper, curious, pressed him. "And then? Did you go look for her?"

He looked up at her, his long, narrow eyes appearing especially deep under the warm lights and starlight.

"I did, but she didn’t recognize me."

His gaze was so gentle and lingering that it made her heart tremble for some reason.

’Meeting but not being recognized... there’s probably nothing more regrettable than that.’

"Well, you could have just told her who you were."

After all, not recognizing someone after ten years is perfectly normal.

"She already had a boyfriend."

Vesper was stunned. "Do you... still like her now?" she asked softly.

Jared Hawthorne just smiled faintly. "Are you full?"

"...Yes."

He had spent the entire evening taking care of her and seemed to have barely eaten anything. It was clear he wasn’t very interested in barbecue.

"Let’s go."

He stood up, draped his jacket over his forearm, and led her downstairs.

Casey Nash smiled. "How was it?"

"It was great," Vesper said with a smile. "The flavors were very authentic, especially the premium snowflake beef. It was tender and juicy."

"Come back again soon," she said, handing Vesper a beautifully decorated bag. "This is my homemade mango rice wine. A bottle for you two. I wish you both sweetness and a long, happy life together."

"Thank you."

As they drove into the city, Jared Hawthorne asked nonchalantly, "My place tonight?"

The implication was obvious.

Leaning back in the passenger seat, Vesper hesitated for a moment before nodding.

"My things are packed."

"I’ll have someone move them over tomorrow."

Entering the living room, Vesper casually placed her bag and jacket on the arm of the sofa.

"I noticed you barely ate anything earlier. How about I make you a bowl of noodles?"

Jared raised his eyebrows slightly, a faint smile spreading across his long, narrow eyes.

"Alright. I’ll have to trouble you, then."

Vesper opened the refrigerator and found only noodles, eggs, and a can of luncheon meat.

She went into the kitchen, tied on an apron, and started cooking the noodles.

The soft light fell upon her as she moved with skillful, methodical grace.

Jared sat on the sofa, quietly watching her slender, busy figure in the kitchen.

The warm yellow light spilled gently around them, creating a quiet, cozy atmosphere filled with a sense of peaceful bliss.

In no time, Vesper had finished cooking the noodles. She served them in a white porcelain bowl, placed it on the table, and watched the steam gently rise.

She looked up at the man on the sofa, her voice soft.

"President Hawthorne, the noodles are ready. Come and eat."

Jared stood up, walked over, and sat down at the dining table.

"The ingredients were limited, so give it a try and see if you like it."

Vesper gently pushed the chopsticks in front of him, watching him with a hint of nervousness.

A man like him must have eaten every delicacy imaginable. She was worried this simple noodle soup wouldn’t suit his palate.

Jared didn’t say a word. He just picked up the chopsticks and quietly took a bite.

It was light and simple, without a hint of extravagant seasoning. The taste was mild and soothing, and a warmth slowly spread through his heart.

"It tastes wonderful. It’s light, soothing, and has a special charm." He looked up at her. "Back when you were with Luke Lockwood, did you cook for him often too?"

Vesper pursed her lips, her tone laced with displeasure. "President Hawthorne, must you bring up such a buzzkill during a nice moment like this?"

...

After leaving the café in a daze, Luke Lockwood checked into The Imperial Hotel, Northolme.

Once inside his room, he instantly deflated like a popped balloon, all the strength draining from his body.

He never expected Vesper to be so resolute this time, throwing herself into another man’s arms without a backward glance, not giving him a single chance.

He had abandoned his dignity to kneel and beg her, even resorting to despicable threats, but she remained unmoved.

Her cold, disgusted gaze was like a dense flurry of needles, piercing him until he was covered in wounds.

Just over a month ago, they were still living together, looking forward to their wedding.

But he had utterly destroyed it all with his own arrogance.

He refused to believe that Vesper could have truly fallen in love with another man in just over a month!

So he wouldn’t give up. As long as Vesper saw his sincerity, she would surely forgive him.

Even if she dated another man, did more intimate things with him... he could overlook it.

When they broke up, he could still accept her and start over.

A phone began to ring, sharp and sudden.

Luke Lockwood glanced at the caller ID and answered, "What is it?"

"President Lockwood, the project you were in charge of has been shelved because President Sutton pulled his investment. This evening, the board passed a resolution to bring in new investors through a capital increase and share expansion."

’He hadn’t even been notified.’

’Kyle Zimmerman is trying to forcibly dilute my shares.’

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