Chapter 171: Tell Me, Aren’t You Mad?

Chapter 171: Chapter 171: Tell Me, Aren’t You Mad?

"You’re my wife," Jared Hawthorne said, wrapping his long arms around her in a gentle embrace. "What’s so secretive about me coming in to help?" He rested his chin on her shoulder, his nose brushing against her neck as he inhaled her unique, delicate scent. "Mrs. Hawthorne, you’re so beautiful today. You nearly bewitched me."

Vesper Grayson’s cheeks grew hotter. She chided him softly, "You’re exaggerating. You just know how to sweet-talk me."

’This man and his endless bag of tricks.’ She fell into his tender traps every single time, letting him devour her completely.

Jared Hawthorne let out a low chuckle, his dark eyes burning with intensity. "Am I sweet-talking you? Why don’t you test it for yourself?"

"Don’t mess around, we’re in public!" Vesper Grayson hurriedly reached out to push him away, but he caught her wrist. Gazing at her fair, rosy-cheeked appearance that looked good enough to eat, his Adam’s apple bobbed. "I want to kiss you," he rasped.

Vesper Grayson was both shy and annoyed. "Not now. There are people outside."

’The famously cold and abstinent Mr. Hawthorne has absolutely no sense of occasion!’

Ever since she got together with him, she found it harder and harder to believe the rumors she’d once heard about him.

"No one would dare to come in." Jared Hawthorne lowered his head, his voice husky and hot. "Just for a second. It won’t take long."

’As if I’d believe him!’

She had been tricked countless times; how could she possibly fall for his lies again? She pressed her hands against his chest.

"No. Wait until we get home."

Jared Hawthorne leaned in closer, his hot breath fanning across her face.

"I can’t wait that long."

Vesper Grayson bit her lip and quickly pecked him on the chin.

"There, happy?"

"That’s it? A bit too perfunctory, don’t you think?" Jared Hawthorne chuckled, his fingertips gently gripping her chin as he lowered his head and kissed her without giving her a chance to protest.

When the kiss ended, Vesper Grayson was leaning limply against his chest, her red lips slightly parted as she panted softly. Jared Hawthorne looked down, satiated, gazing at her flushed lips. A look of incredibly deep and tender love flashed in his eyes.

"Jared Hawthorne, I knew I couldn’t trust you," she said, her tone coquettish but her eyes holding a hint of grievance.

’Every time, he kisses me until my legs turn to jelly, and yet the culprit himself just looks amused, clearly enjoying himself.’

"What did I do?" Jared Hawthorne chuckled, still wanting more. "Getting so delicate over a little kiss?"

"..."

"Vesper, are you ready?"

Shiloh Sloan’s voice suddenly came from outside the door.

"Y-Yes, I’m ready!" Vesper Grayson quickly pushed him away, gathered her skirt, and hurried out.

"Quick, look! What do you think of my bridesmaid dress?" Shiloh Sloan, dressed in a dusty blue strapless bridesmaid gown, gave a little twirl in front of her.

"It’s beautiful. It really makes your skin look so fair," Vesper Grayson praised with a smile.

"I think it suits my skin tone, too." After speaking, Shiloh’s gaze fell on Vesper, and her eyes lit up. "And you look absolutely stunning in that wedding dress! It shows off your figure perfectly. Once you add a diamond-studded veil, you’ll look like a goddess descended to earth. What man wouldn’t be captivated!"

The moment she finished speaking, her gaze suddenly fixed on Vesper Grayson’s lips. Vesper instinctively pressed her lips together, forcing herself to look calm.

"What is it?"

Shiloh Sloan glanced at Jared Hawthorne, who was sitting on the sofa looking down at his phone, then leaned in and lowered her voice.

"President Hawthorne seems so cold, abstinent, and proper, but he’s quite indulgent in private, huh?"

"..."

"You’re pregnant right now. You need to be careful. Don’t hurt my godson."

"Don’t be ridiculous, it’s fine," Vesper Grayson said, her cheeks burning.

Shiloh Sloan chuckled. "You silly girl. Looks like life is treating you *very* well."

"How have you and Nolan Forrester been lately? Rekindled an old flame?" Vesper Grayson quickly changed the subject.

Shiloh Sloan’s expression dimmed a little, and she shook her head gently.

"No. With my background, how could I ever marry into a prestigious family like the Forresters?"

With a mother who’d gone mad and a stepfather in prison, she and Nolan Forrester were worlds apart in social standing.

When she was young, she thought love could conquer all. Only after growing up did she truly understand that the barrier of social status was an insurmountable chasm. Her family background was ordinary, and she wasn’t willing to compromise her own happiness by forcing her way down an uncomfortable path.

If they weren’t right for each other, it was better to let go sooner rather than later.

Vesper Grayson comforted her softly, "You’re wonderful. Don’t sell yourself short."

"That’s just what you think. The Forrester family certainly doesn’t see it that way." Shiloh Sloan gave a self-deprecating smile. "Not everyone is like President Hawthorne, with a secure position in their family. And not everyone has a great mother-in-law like you do."

The mere thought of Mrs. Forrester’s shrewish and harsh demeanor made her feel repulsed.

Vesper Grayson frowned slightly. "Did Mrs. Forrester give you a hard time?"

"Not exactly ’give me a hard time.’ She just sought me out privately and told me not to pester her son. Said my background was lowly, that I wasn’t good enough for Nolan Forrester, and that being with me would only drag him down." Shiloh Sloan rolled her eyes in disdain. "You should have seen the look on her face. There’s no way I could ever get along with her peacefully."

Vesper Grayson looked at her with heartache. "Are you okay?"

"I’m used to it." Shiloh Sloan sighed softly. "I used to be more carefree and wouldn’t have taken things like that to heart. But now I know my place, and I have self-respect. I don’t want to be looked down on and trampled over."

"Don’t overthink it, and don’t worry about what other people say. In my heart, you’re the best." Vesper Grayson’s tone was sincere, not just a polite consolation.

Shiloh Sloan’s smile returned. "Of course! I, Shiloh Sloan, am always the best! I made it through the hardest years of my life; a few words aren’t going to hurt me."

Vesper Grayson patted her arm. "Go try on a few more. Maybe some distinguished gentleman will take a liking to you at the wedding, and love will find its way."

"Good point! If I get really lucky and meet a great catch like President Hawthorne, my net worth would double overnight."

Meanwhile, Summer was at the photo studio with her sister-in-law, helping her choose a wedding dress. When she happened to glance up, she caught sight of a figure flashing past on the second floor, and her expression instantly darkened.

’Why is that bitch here?’

At the last class reunion, she had been utterly humiliated because of Shiloh Sloan, and Nolan Forrester had become extremely cold toward her afterward. She had tried to see Nolan several times recently, only to be turned away with the excuse that he was busy with work. She was certain Shiloh must be pulling strings behind the scenes again, making Nolan completely smitten with her.

"Sis, you take your time looking. I’m just going to the restroom."

Summer made an excuse and walked quickly toward the second floor. She followed in Shiloh Sloan’s direction and finally stopped outside a dressing room.

Inside, Shiloh Sloan was wearing a shimmering, champagne-colored, form-fitting gown that was clearly expensive at a glance. ’With her family’s background, how could she possibly afford such a costly dress?’

Summer abruptly pushed the door open and entered, her eyes full of contempt and spite.

"Shiloh Sloan, you’re so shameless! You’ve already broken up with Nolan, yet you’re still seducing him into spending money on you! Even if you wear that expensive dress, it won’t change your lowly origins!"

"I was wondering who had such a foul mouth. So it was Miss Summers." Shiloh Sloan pretended to cover her nose in disgust and chuckled. "So what if you have a better background? The man you’re obsessed with just happens to like me. Tell me, doesn’t that just infuriate you?"