Chapter 37: I Heard That Person from the Hawthorne Family Will Also Be Attending

Chapter 37: Chapter 37: I Heard That Person from the Hawthorne Family Will Also Be Attending

"I found someone with the same name as Sister Vesper," Harold Warner replied in a low voice. "The information might be wrong. I need to verify it."

"What do you mean?" Luke Lockwood’s gaze instantly sharpened, locking onto him.

Harold Warner quickly handed over the iPad. "The Vesper Grayson I found is the heiress to the Grayson Group. A graduate of a prestigious academy in Northolme... I just haven’t been able to find her photo."

There were plenty of people in the world with the same name.

Perhaps it was just a coincidence.

Luke Lockwood lowered his gaze, his eyes sweeping dispassionately over the information about Vesper Grayson on the screen.

Her height and features matched the person in his memory, but her family background was worlds apart from the Vesper Grayson he knew.

Vesper had said she and her grandfather had relied on each other since she was a child. After he passed away, she was left all alone.

If she were truly the daughter of a wealthy family, she never would have been in that rented apartment in the old district, and they never would have met.

Luke Lockwood tossed the iPad back and pressed his throbbing temples. "Keep looking," he said, his voice cold and grave. "No matter what, you have to find her."

Harold Warner hesitated for a moment before carefully probing, "President Lockwood, are you looking for Sister Vesper... to ask for her forgiveness, or to get revenge on her?"

’If it’s the latter, I’m not going to help a tyrant commit evil.’

Luke Lockwood’s eyes turned cold, a chill radiating from their dark depths. "What are you trying to say?"

Under that crushing gaze, Harold Warner steeled himself and spoke as if ready to face death. "I just feel that Sister Vesper was with you for three years, and her feelings for you were genuine. You’re the one who broke her heart. She’s innocent. She doesn’t deserve to be treated this way."

"You think I’m looking for her for revenge?"

Harold Warner immediately nodded like a bobblehead.

Luke Lockwood didn’t say anything more. He slowly turned his head back, his gaze falling out the window, a complex emotion no one could decipher churning in the ink-black depths of his eyes.

She was the girl who had been by his side when he had nothing.

’Even if she really did sell the Zephyr shares, I never once thought about getting revenge.’

Soon, the car stopped in front of The Imperial Hotel.

Just as Luke Lockwood got out of the car, another vehicle slowly drove past. In his peripheral vision, the familiar profile of a woman flashed by.

His steps came to an abrupt halt, and he whipped his head around.

"Vesper!"

Vesper Grayson was at the hotel to pick up Shiloh Sloan. When she heard the familiar voice calling out, her heart couldn’t help but skip a beat.

She glanced at the rearview mirror. Even though he wasn’t close, she recognized Luke Lockwood’s figure at a single glance.

’What rotten luck.’

’I knew Luke Lockwood would come to Northolme, but I didn’t expect to run into him so soon.’

She calmly instructed the driver, "Drive faster."

"Vesper, who was that man just now?"

Shiloh Sloan had only seen the photos Vesper used to send of Luke Lockwood in work clothes; she had never met him in person.

The man was over six feet tall, dressed in a sharp suit, with handsome features and an imposing posture. He looked like an elite professional.

’He called her name so familiarly. Could he be one of Vesper’s new pursuers?’

"Luke Lockwood."

Shiloh Sloan was stunned. "Isn’t he supposed to be in Ashmore? What’s he doing here in Northolme? Don’t tell me he chased you here to get revenge!"

"You’ve got quite an imagination."

"You can still laugh? Aren’t you afraid he’ll come after you?"

Vesper Grayson’s expression was indifferent, her eyes cold. "He’s the one in the wrong. What right does he have to take revenge on me? Let’s drop it. Help me pick out an outfit later. I’m meeting Elias Hawthorne tomorrow night, and I have no idea what kind of woman he likes."

"Whatever his type is, one thing’s for sure: men don’t like ugly!" Shiloh Sloan immediately chimed in with a suggestion. "Wear something sexy. He’s been living abroad, so he’s definitely into hot girls."

"I think something more dignified, graceful, and demure would be more likely to catch his eye."

She was prim and proper to the core, raised since childhood to be dignified and composed. She couldn’t let loose, let alone act sultry.

...

"President Lockwood, I have the key cards. Shall we go in?"

Harold Warner came out and saw him standing frozen at the entrance, staring intently into the distance, so he couldn’t help but speak up.

"Harold, I just saw Vesper."

"Are you... sure you weren’t mistaken?"

"There’s no way I could be mistaken."

They were together for three years. No one knew her better than he did.

Even if Vesper Grayson were turned to ash, he would recognize her in an instant.

Harold Warner mentally rolled his eyes.

’Fucking scumbag. Even if you did see her, have some self-respect. Can’t you just stay away and stop being a nuisance?’

He glanced out of the corner of his eye.

"Secretary Joyce, what are you doing here?"

Ivy Joyce hurried over to Luke Lockwood, her eyes slightly red-rimmed.

"Luke, I missed you. Please let me stay by your side, okay? I promise I won’t cause any trouble."

She gently caressed her abdomen, her voice soft. "The baby misses its daddy too."

She took Luke Lockwood’s hand and pressed it against her belly.

Luke Lockwood snatched his hand back, his eyes cold and dark.

"Ivy Joyce, are you following me?"

"Luke, I was just so worried about you. I know you came to Northolme to find Sister Vesper. When you find her, I’m willing to help you explain things to her. I’ll get on my knees and beg for her forgiveness... After I give birth to the baby, I’ll disappear immediately and never bother your family of three again."

A family of three.

Those four words struck a nerve with Luke Lockwood.

He had been an orphan since childhood and craved a complete, warm family more than anyone.

Luke Lockwood lowered his gaze and stared at her. "Are you really willing to explain to Vesper and give the child to her?"

"I am," Ivy Joyce answered softly. "As long as you and the child can be happy, I don’t care about anything else."

Seeing her being so reasonable, Luke Lockwood’s expression softened slightly.

"Rest assured, as long as you keep your word, I’ll make sure you’re taken care of." He turned his head and ordered Harold Warner, "Get her a room."

Ivy Joyce pressed her lips together, her voice filled with grievance. "Luke, can’t I stay in the same room as you?"

Luke Lockwood’s tone was frigid. "I don’t like women who take a mile when given an inch."

’Damn it!’

Ivy Joyce gritted her teeth inwardly.

’I originally thought that with Vesper Grayson gone, I could naturally take her place by Luke Lockwood’s side. But ever since she left, he’s been incredibly cold to me. He won’t even touch me.’

’I’ve tried everything, but he remains completely indifferent.’

’If I hadn’t taken the initiative, Luke Lockwood wouldn’t even deign to look at me.’

’Now that I’m carrying his child, I will never let Vesper Grayson have him. And there’s no way in hell I’m giving my baby to her to raise.’

’Men always want what they can’t have.’

’Luke Lockwood can’t get Vesper Grayson out of his head, but it’s only because of that face of hers.’

’But if her face were ruined...’

’Would Luke Lockwood still want her then?’

...

After she finished shopping and returned to the company, Aaron Sawyer came to find her.

He placed an invitation card on her desk.

"Miss Grayson, President Grayson would like you to attend this evening’s tech summit in his place."

Vesper Grayson was puzzled. "Since when was Dad interested in the tech industry?"

"President Grayson wants you to increase your visibility in business circles, get to know more industry leaders, and expand your network," Aaron Sawyer added with a smile. "By the way, I hear that prominent figure from the Hawthorne Family will also be in attendance. If you’re lucky, you might even get to meet him ahead of schedule."

Vesper Grayson had little interest in the summit, but she was genuinely curious about Elias Hawthorne. She wanted a chance to see this legendary titan of the Hawthorne Family for herself before their formal meeting tomorrow night.

"Tell Dad I’ll be there on time."