Chapter 164: What About Me?

Chapter 164: Chapter 164: What About Me?

That evening, Jared Hawthorne accompanied Vesper Grayson to White Horse Manor to perform acupuncture on Patriarch Forrester.

On the way, the patriarch called. Jared Hawthorne answered calmly, "I understand. You can make the arrangements as you see fit."

"I plan to have your second uncle bring Luke into the company to take over Aidan Hawthorne’s former position." After saying it, the patriarch realized his slip of the tongue and corrected himself, "No, he should be called Aidan Langley now."

’An impostor like him is unworthy of the Hawthorne name.’

That afternoon, the patriarch had instructed Ian Bell to personally handle the changing of Aidan Hawthorne’s surname.

"I have no objections. Since those two companies have been handed over to Second Uncle, he can be in charge from now on."

He had never been particularly interested in the Hawthorne family’s businesses. If the patriarch hadn’t insisted, he wouldn’t have wanted anything to do with them.

"Then it’s settled. This weekend, why don’t you bring Vesper back to meet your cousin?"

Now that Liam Hawthorne had been officially acknowledged and returned to the family, it was only right and proper that Jared, as both his older cousin and the head of the Hawthorne family, formally meet him.

"I’m busy with wedding preparations recently. I don’t have time. We can talk about it later."

’He had a selfish reason hidden in his heart: he didn’t want Vesper Grayson to meet Liam Hawthorne.’

The patriarch didn’t think much of it and simply urged, "Alright. Take good care of Vesper. Don’t let her suffer the slightest grievance."

"How could I let the woman I went to such lengths to win over suffer any grievance?" Jared Hawthorne said in a low voice. "Grandfather, you don’t need to worry about us. Just wait peacefully for the wedding."

"You’ve always had your own ideas. You’ve never made me worry, not even when you were a child."

Vesper Grayson came out of the room and smiled faintly when she saw Bella Thorne waiting by the door.

"Bonnie, when did you come to Northolme?"

"I arrived a few days ago. I was worried about Grandfather’s health, so I came to help take care of him."

"Has Mr. Forrester returned to Portclyde?"

"He couldn’t get away from company business. It’s the same if I’m here with Grandfather."

Bella Thorne had bright eyes and a sweet, simple nature. She was at a blossoming age, so it was no wonder Patriarch Forrester doted on her so much.

"When you have time, I can show you around Northolme. The food and scenery here are wonderful."

"Then I’ll have to trouble you, Sister Vesper!"

Bella Thorne asked about the patriarch’s condition, and Vesper Grayson told her the truth.

"The treatment is going well. If he takes his medicine on time and keeps up with the daily massages, I believe we’ll see improvement very soon."

When performing the acupuncture today, she had stimulated the acupoints on the patriarch’s legs and already detected a faint response, which was enough to prove her treatment approach was correct.

Bella Thorne was overjoyed. "Grandfather is a good man, and heaven watches over the good. He’ll definitely get better."

On the way back, Vesper Grayson leaned back in the passenger seat and sighed softly.

"Bonnie is such a lovely girl."

’Her intentions are so pure, completely unlike those scheming ’green tea’ types.’

Jared Hawthorne raised an eyebrow. "You like her a lot?"

"Who wouldn’t like a girl so pure and kind?" Vesper Grayson frowned slightly. "It’s just... I get the feeling that Mr. Forrester doesn’t have romantic feelings for Bonnie."

Her tone was certain, not questioning.

But the unconcealable adoration in Bella Thorne’s eyes when she looked at Tristan Forrester was impossible to mistake.

’It seems like another case of unrequited love.’

Jared Hawthorne gently took her hand. "You’re not part of the situation. How can you be so sure there are no feelings between them?"

"Last time in Portclyde, your conversation was subtle, but I could tell that Mr. Forrester already has someone in his heart, right? Marrying Bonnie was also Patriarch Forrester’s arrangement, wasn’t it?"

"He does have someone he cares for deeply. Her name is Justine Hughes, and she was a senior of mine in university." Jared Hawthorne said slowly. "Tyson and she were in love for three years, on and off. They had planned to get married after graduation. I also thought they would make it to the end, but I never expected them to break up."

That was also why, when he first went to Portclyde, he had assumed the person Tristan Forrester was marrying was Justine Hughes.

"Why didn’t they get married? Did they not love each other enough?"

"Everyone has their own pursuits. Justine is a very independent woman. As a dancer, she is completely devoted to her art and sees the stage as her life’s calling. In her eyes, marriage might be a cage that clips her wings."

In the end, she chose the career she loved.

"The night before Tyson agreed to his grandfather’s arrangement, he gave Justine one last chance to come back." Jared Hawthorne’s tone was tinged with a sigh. "But in the end, she never did."

Vesper Grayson couldn’t help but feel a bit wistful. To think that a man as outstanding as Tristan Forrester would also one day be the one who was left behind.

Jared Hawthorne suddenly changed the subject. "Today, Second Aunt brought Luke Lockwood back to the old residence. Grandfather has already had him officially acknowledged by the family and changed his name to Liam Hawthorne."

Vesper Grayson was slightly surprised. "That’s good. Second Aunt finally has someone to rely on. It’s just that getting along as a family from now on will probably be difficult for them."

"Second Aunt won’t get a divorce," Jared Hawthorne said flatly. "She has endured so many years of hardship. Why would she just let someone else have it easy?"

If Nancy Linton were to divorce Kevin Hawthorne, she wouldn’t get a single share of the Hawthorne family’s core assets, aside from Kevin Hawthorne’s personal property.

Besides, Liam Hawthorne has just been acknowledged by the Hawthorne family. His foundation is still shallow, and he needs her by his side to support him.

If Kevin Hawthorne has any more illegitimate children in the future, they would inevitably compete with Liam Hawthorne for the family inheritance.

Nancy Linton is a smart woman. She would never allow something like that to happen.

"I hope that after this incident, Second Uncle will realize his mistake and stop hurting the people closest to him!"

She had just finished her shower after getting home when she received a call from Leon Quillan.

"Mrs. Hawthorne, you asked us to monitor Quentin Chandler. He recently teamed up with the owner of a small loan company named Ben Joyce, and they’re planning to make a move on Miss Sloan..."

After listening, Vesper Grayson’s eyes hardened. "Keep a close watch on them. If there’s any movement, contact me immediately."

"What’s wrong?"

Jared Hawthorne walked in from outside, clearly having just showered next door.

A dark bathrobe was tied loosely at his waist, its collar hanging open to reveal his sharp collarbones. Droplets of water still fell from his damp hair, sliding down his temples and jawline before landing on the soft fabric, spreading into small, varied patches of moisture.

He casually dried the ends of his hair, his movements lazy and effortless. The steam, mixed with a faint, crisp scent, spread through the air, making his skin seem even paler and cooler. The usual sharpness in his eyes had faded, replaced by a lazy, captivating allure.

’Such a tempting sight,’ Vesper Hawthorne licked her lips. She was feeling a little ’hungry.’

’Too bad she was pregnant. She could only look, not touch.’

"Shiloh’s stepfather is out of prison. A few days ago, I asked Leon Quillan to have someone keep an eye on him, and he’s started making moves recently."

’He probably couldn’t find a chance to get to her, so he’s using an acquaintance to lure Shiloh Sloan out.’

Jared Hawthorne’s brow furrowed. "Mrs. Hawthorne, why do you worry about everything? Don’t forget, you’re not alone anymore!"

He didn’t want her to get caught in any danger.

Vesper Grayson puffed out her cheeks, wrapped her arms around the man’s neck, and said, "I know. That’s why I won’t show my face, but I can’t just stand by and watch Shiloh get hurt."

She told him about what happened back then. After listening, Jared Hawthorne gently pinched the tip of her nose.

"I never realized Mrs. Hawthorne had such a chivalrous heart, always ready to step in and right a wrong!"

"That’s why Shiloh and I are such good friends. We’re the kind of friends who can truly trust each other."

Jared Hawthorne raised an eyebrow. "Then what about me?"