Chapter 166: Play Companion

Chapter 166: Chapter 166: Play Companion

Vesper finished the work at hand around ten-thirty, and Dolly Hughes led Bella Thorne into the office.

As Bella Thorne looked at Vesper Grayson sitting behind her desk, dressed in a black business suit with a serious, capable expression, her eyes instantly lit up with admiration.

"Sister Vesper, you’re just too amazing!"

Vesper Grayson stood up and walked over with a smile. "How am I amazing?"

The comment left her a little puzzled.

"You’re beautiful, you’re incredible at your job, and Mr. Hawthorne hangs on your every word." Bella Thorne’s face was full of envy, her tone tinged with a faint melancholy. "I wish I were half as amazing as you."

’If only I were exceptional enough, would Tyson spare me a second glance?’

Vesper Grayson led her to the sofa to sit down. Sensing her dampened mood, she asked softly, "You seem unhappy. Did you and Mr. Forrester have an argument?"

Bella Thorne shook her head slightly and forced a smile. "No."

Last night, someone had anonymously sent her a photo of Tristan Forrester having dinner with Justine Hughes. She had called Tristan, but before she had a chance to ask, he replied with a single, detached word—"Busy"—and hung up.

’What could he be so busy with? Just busy spending time with the woman he actually likes, that’s all.’

Vesper didn’t ask any more questions. Instead, she took a few tourist brochures out of her drawer and handed them to her.

"See if there’s anywhere you’d like to go this afternoon. I’ll go with you."

Bella Thorne looked through each one carefully, then looked up with a smile. "They all look so fun. It’s my first time here, so I don’t know which one is better. Sister Vesper, could you recommend one?"

Vesper smiled and gave her an overview. "One is an amusement park with lots of thrilling rides, perfect for young people. The other is a historical cultural site with famous ancient architecture from Northolme. The scenery is lovely, and you can stroll through the gardens."

’She’s young; she’ll probably like that.’

In the end, Bella Thorne took Vesper’s recommendation.

Considering she was pregnant and couldn’t go on any of the thrilling rides, Vesper Grayson called Shiloh Sloan to come along.

Before long, Shiloh Sloan arrived, panting. When she looked up and saw an unfamiliar young woman standing next to Vesper, she raised a curious eyebrow.

"What’s this? Did you make a new friend behind my back?"

"It’s Bonnie’s first time in Portclyde. Help me give her a proper welcome."

"This girl looks like she’s only in her early twenties. How do you know her?"

"Tristan Forrester’s wife."

"The Forrester Family? The most prominent one in Portclyde?" Shiloh Sloan’s eyes instantly went wide.

Vesper Grayson nodded. "Mhm."

"Whoa." Shiloh Sloan sucked in a breath. "Talk about hitting the jackpot," she remarked. "Some girls have all the luck. She got married and reached the pinnacle of life just like that. I’m so jealous!"

Blinking her clear, dark eyes, Bella Thorne watched them talk, her expression quiet and curious.

"Sister Vesper, is this the good friend you were talking about?"

Vesper smiled and introduced them. "This is my best friend, Shiloh Sloan. Shiloh, this is Bella Thorne."

Shiloh Sloan had a frank and cheerful personality. She immediately smiled at Bella Thorne and said, "If you don’t mind, just call me Shiloh. Let me have the small perk of being the older one."

Bella Thorne’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled sweetly. "Shiloh, you can just call me Bonnie."

"The name suits you. It sounds so sweet, and your voice is lovely too," Shiloh couldn’t help but praise. "Do all you girls from Portclyde speak with such a gentle accent?"

Her soft, sweet voice carried an unintentional hint of coyness that was especially endearing.

Bella Thorne was taken aback for a moment, then she smiled shyly. "I guess so."

After buying tickets, the three of them entered Jubilee Valley Amusement Park. Vesper specifically found a vantage point with a clear view and had Shiloh take Bella to the rides.

"Sister Vesper, aren’t you coming with us?" Bella Thorne asked, reluctant to go without her.

Vesper gently refused. "It’s okay, I’ll just wait for you here."

’Now that she was pregnant, she couldn’t take even the slightest risk, which meant staying away from thrilling rides like these.’

Seeing this, Shiloh Sloan simply grabbed Bella Thorne’s hand.

"Come on, let’s go have some fun, just the two of us. Don’t worry about her."

Bella Thorne was young, and she soon cast her worries aside. Plus, Shiloh had a naturally lively and warm personality, able to get along with anyone in an instant. It only took a moment for her and Bella to become fast friends. The two of them darted from one ride to another, having an absolute blast and enjoying themselves to the fullest.

After going on several popular rides in a row, the two returned to Vesper’s side, though they weren’t quite ready for the fun to end.

"Sister Vesper, this place is so much fun! Are you sure you won’t join us for a little while?" Bella Thorne felt a pang of guilt as she looked at Vesper sitting all by herself. After all, Vesper had come to the park with her, but while she’d been having a great time, Vesper hadn’t been able to join in at all.

"No, I can’t. My body’s not really up for it lately," Vesper said softly, gently stroking her abdomen.

Bella Thorne’s face was full of confusion; she clearly didn’t understand the reason why.

Shiloh Sloan handed her a cup of fresh-squeezed juice and leaned in to whisper in her ear, "Vesper’s pregnant. She’s got a little baby in her belly."

Bella Thorne instantly covered her mouth, her shocked gaze falling on Vesper’s abdomen. A moment later, a look of delight spread across her face.

"Sister Vesper, congratulations!"

"Thank you." Vesper’s eyes were gentle as she smiled.

"So when are you and Mr. Hawthorne planning to have your wedding?" Bella asked curiously.

"Next month. Once the invitations are printed, I’ll send one over to you."

Bella Thorne nodded enthusiastically, her eyes filled with anticipation. "Okay! I’ll be sure to be there on time!"

Meanwhile, in a project office at Jubilee Valley, an assistant was respectfully reporting to the man standing before him.

"President Hawthorne, this is Evercore’s most profitable investment project. The annual revenue is..."

Today was Liam Hawthorne’s first day officially taking over for Aidan Hawthorne. He had been scheduled for an on-site inspection of their properties first thing in the morning, and the park manager trailed beside him, chattering nonstop about the project’s profits and historical visitor flow.

Liam Hawthorne’s expression was indifferent as he listened distractedly. His gaze swept absently across the distance, but it suddenly froze on a familiar figure, stopping short.

Vesper Grayson was dressed in a simple, casual sweatsuit, sitting quietly in a wicker chair. A gentle smile played on her lips as she listened to her friends talking beside her.

She had pulled her long, dark hair up into a neat bun on top of her head. Her face was bare of makeup, but that couldn’t conceal her delicate, stunning features. She possessed a clean, pure beauty.

Liam Hawthorne’s thoughts were instantly pulled back to the past, to the first time they had met. She had been alone then, dragging a suitcase, dressed in a simple white T-shirt and black pants. Her hair had been in a bun, just like now, and her eyes were so bright they had captivated him for a lifetime in a single glance.

She was still just as breathtakingly beautiful now, but that beauty no longer belonged to him.

The stark realization was like a fine needle, stabbing viciously into his heart and causing a sharp pain to bloom in his chest.