Chapter 190: Afraid of Staining Your Eyes

Chapter 190: Chapter 190: Afraid of Staining Your Eyes

Vesper leaned against the headboard, her head lowered as she replied to a text from Shiloh Sloan.

Suddenly, the sound of a car engine cutting out came from outside. She got up, walked to the window, and leaned over to look down. She saw Jared Hawthorne get out of the car first, followed by Noah Nash.

She pulled her gaze away and slowly walked downstairs.

Two figures entered through the entryway, one after the other. Vesper spoke gently.

"Have you eaten?"

"Not yet."

Jared walked up to her, took her hand, and led her to the sofa before asking casually,

"What did you do this afternoon?"

"Watching a show."

’With no work to do, having eaten her fill and slept well, the only thing to do was watch a show to pass the time.’

’It was a rare moment of stolen leisure, a quiet afternoon all to herself. There was an ineffable sense of languid comfort.’

"What show? Is it good?"

"It’s alright. A historical drama about court intrigue."

"I’ll watch it with you after dinner."

Vesper’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled faintly. "Alright."

Watching the affectionate couple, Noah Nash felt like a complete third wheel—a glaringly bright and obvious one at that.

"President Nash, please have a seat." Vesper tilted her head toward him, then asked Joan to heat up dinner.

’Being pregnant made her hungry more often, so she’d already had an early dinner.’

Noah Nash didn’t take a seat. His expression was solemn. "Miss Grayson, I’ve come to apologize on behalf of my cousin."

Vesper chuckled softly. "President Nash, you already apologized last time. It’s all in the past, so there’s no need to dwell on it."

’Sheryl Garland was the one at fault; Noah shouldn’t have to keep apologizing for her.’

’What was past was past. It was time to turn the page, not hold on to a grudge.’

"It’s not about that incident," Noah Nash corrected, his expression suddenly stern. "It’s about your recent kidnapping and the attempt to secretly transport you to Veridia."

Vesper’s mind went blank for a moment before she processed what he’d said.

’Could it be? The person who planned my kidnapping... was Sheryl Garland?’

"Miss Garland’s resentment for me truly runs deep."

’She had always been kind and treated others well, and she had never offended Sheryl. Was it simply because Sheryl had an unrequited love for Elias that she directed all her resentment at her?’

Noah pinched the bridge of his nose wearily, his tone helpless. "I never expected her to be so two-faced—obedient and sensible on the surface, but deceitful underneath. She wasn’t like this before. Perhaps being alone abroad for so long, she was led astray by the people she was with."

’His aunt and uncle were so focused on their restaurant that they neglected her, failing to provide companionship or guidance. They let her fall in with a bad crowd, and her personality changed step by step.’

’If I had known it would come to this, I would have insisted she come back to Northolme for university.’

Vesper’s tone was even. "President Nash, none of that can be an excuse for her malicious actions."

"I understand, and I have no intention of making excuses for her," Noah said in a low voice. "I’ve already told Elias that I won’t show favoritism or ask for leniency just because she’s my cousin. How she is dealt with is entirely up to you. I will not interfere in the slightest."

’I was a little stunned. I thought Noah had come to apologize and plead on Sheryl’s behalf, hoping I’d go easy on her. I never expected him to be so principled and state outright that he wouldn’t interfere.’

"Noah has always known how to prioritize and can distinguish right from wrong," Jared said in a low voice, his tone both reassuring and partial to her. "You don’t have to consider my friendship with him. Handle it however you see fit. A person doesn’t have to be kind, but they can’t be both malicious and stupid, acting so recklessly."

’He had practically watched Sheryl grow up, but everyone has to pay the price for their actions.’

’Besides, the victim this time was his wife. For Sheryl to take such a risk, she clearly had no respect for him. She was banking on the hope that he would go easy on her for old times’ sake.’

Vesper pursed her lips and looked at Noah Nash. "If I decide not to forgive her, you won’t hold it against me, will you, President Nash?"

"Of course not. Sheryl was the one in the wrong," Noah said, pausing for a moment before his tone took on a more personal, pleading quality. "But selfishly, I do hope that you can find it in you to be lenient, Miss Grayson. Please don’t... send her to prison."

Noah Nash didn’t stay for dinner. It seemed he had come for the sole purpose of apologizing and making his position clear.

In the dining room, Vesper watched the man eating quietly across from her.

"When did you find out Sheryl was the mastermind?"

"Elara Langley confessed everything this afternoon. I contacted Noah right away and took him to see her so they could confront each other face-to-face."

Vesper rested her chin on her hand, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

"Why didn’t you take me with you?"

’She still hadn’t met Elara Langley.’

"You’re pregnant. It’s not a sight for you to see. I was worried it would upset you." Jared took a sip of water and leaned back leisurely in his chair, his gentle gaze falling upon her. "Your old phone’s screen was shattered, so it was useless. I bought you a new one; it’s on the desk in my study."

Vesper’s heart warmed. "Thank you, honey."

"Just a thank you with words?" Jared raised an eyebrow, tapping his cheek with a fingertip. The implication was obvious.

Vesper got up, leaned in, and planted a light kiss on his cheek. "I’m going to go see my new phone."

With that, she turned and headed upstairs, her movements so light you couldn’t even tell she was pregnant.

"Go slowly, and watch your step," Jared called after her retreating figure in a low voice.

...

「The next day.」

Vesper had just stepped out of the car when she ran into Gwen.

"Sis, where have you been the last couple of days? Dad and I couldn’t get in touch with you." Gwen’s eyes scanned her up and down, her face filled with worry. "Are you okay?"

Vesper raised a delicate eyebrow. "I’m fine. I was just out handling a personal matter."

’She had no intention of telling her about the kidnapping.’

Gwen breathed a quiet sigh of relief and then spoke, choosing her words carefully. "Um... it’s my mom’s birthday this weekend. Dad wants to have a dinner at home so the family can get together. Would you and your husband be able to come?"

Seeing Vesper’s silence, Gwen quickly added, "It’s okay if you don’t want to come. I can just let Dad know."

"We’ll be there."

’Although she and Joyce Rivers didn’t get along, there was no deep-seated hatred between them. For her father’s sake, she didn’t want to completely burn that bridge. Maintaining a superficial sense of harmony was enough, as long as Joyce didn’t push her luck.’

Gwen’s face instantly lit up. "Then it’s settled! Ever since you moved out, Jonathan has been talking about you nonstop. Every day when I get home from work, he pesters me for updates about you..."

"Has he been behaving himself lately? Does he still throw tantrums about getting up for school?"

"He’s gotten much better at taking care of himself and doesn’t cry as much. But he’s developed a new bad habit. He’s always getting into trouble at school and comes home with injuries every time. I ask him what happened, but he absolutely refuses to say." Gwen couldn’t help but vent. "He’s so stubborn. He won’t listen to anyone."

Vesper’s brow furrowed slightly. "He’s getting hurt often?"

"Yeah, but you know how kids are. It’s normal for them to get bumps and bruises."

"If he won’t talk, then as his older sister, you should take the initiative to go to his school and ask his teacher what’s going on."

’Jonathan wasn’t a mischievous or naughty kid by nature. He was usually well-behaved and never caused trouble. Around her, he was always obedient and sensible, doing whatever she asked.’

’Compared to the complicated Joyce and Gwen, her little brother was far more endearing to her.’