A fleeting look of panic crossed Ivy Joyce’s face. Her voice was faint. "I saw it on my sister’s vanity..."
She had previously seen Vesper Grayson wear the jade pendant every day, always keeping it close. She figured Vesper must have forgotten it in her rush to leave. The jade felt smooth and warm to the touch, and in a moment of weakness, she had put it on.
’Does this jade pendant have some special significance?’
’Otherwise, why would Luke be so furious?’
Luke Lockwood’s gaze was as dark as ink. His knuckles turned white as he clutched the jade pendant, his eyes glued to the piece of jade.
’Vesper... she even abandoned the love token he’d given her.’
All this time, he had been clinging to a sliver of false hope, to an unrealistic fantasy. He’d deluded himself into thinking that once Vesper Grayson calmed down, she would come back, and they could be like they were before.
He clearly remembered telling her what the jade meant to him as he placed it in her palm. Vesper had clutched it tightly, nestled in his arms. Her eyes were full of gentle affection as she whispered, "Luke, I’ll take good care of it. I’ll never take it off, not for my whole life."
’But now, she was gone, and she’d even left the jade behind.’
Ivy Joyce was terrified by his dark, menacing expression. She hardly dared to breathe, and even her fingertips were trembling.
"Get out! And don’t you ever set foot in here again!"
Furious, Luke Lockwood grabbed her by the wrist, shoved her violently out, and slammed the door shut.
"Luke! Open the door! I still need to change..."
Her cries outside the door were heart-wrenching, but inside, it was deathly silent. There was no response.
Ivy Joyce clenched her fists, biting her lower lip until it hurt, her eyes churning with venomous resentment. ’It’s just a worthless piece of jade. Who is he kidding with this deep-in-love act?’
’He was the one who got tired of Vesper Grayson first. Now that she’s really gone, he decides to put on a show!’
Inside, Luke Lockwood felt all his strength drain away. He sank onto the sofa, clutching the still-warm jade pendant. His back was ramrod straight, but it couldn’t hide the desolate aura enveloping him.
His throat tightened. His voice was as soft as a sigh as he murmured again and again, "Vesper, are you really so heartless? Three years... and you can just let it all go?"
...
「Two days later.」
Milton Grayson personally drove Vesper Grayson to Clearwater Garden Manor in the suburbs of Northolme.
The manor was surrounded by a sea of whispering pines, serene and secluded. It even boasted a natural mountain spring that maintained a constant temperature year-round, making it the perfect place for rest and relaxation. It was said that Master Hawthorne was particularly fond of this land, so Elias Hawthorne had spent a fortune to purchase it for his grandfather’s retirement.
The car came to a smooth stop before a carved, red-lacquered gate. Milton Grayson took out his phone and made a call.
Meanwhile, in the manor’s tea room, Master Hawthorne—Zachary Hawthorne—was leaning against a soft cushion, slowly savoring a cup of tea. He raised his eyes to glance at the man sitting silently across from him, his tone tinged with anticipation.
"Elias, since you’re here, why don’t you stay with me at the manor for a few more days?"
Jared Hawthorne’s fingertips rested on the rim of his cup as he took a shallow sip of tea.
"I don’t mind, but I’m afraid things at the company can’t wait."
"You’re always so wound up. You need to relax when you can. Don’t turn yourself into a working machine."
Of course Zachary Hawthorne knew. Jared Hawthorne was in charge of dozens of companies, swamped with affairs both at home and abroad, so busy he barely had time to breathe. He had originally thought his grandson would never return to Northolme, yet he had suddenly reappeared three years ago.
He had immediately set about arranging blind dates for Jared Hawthorne with the daughters of prominent families, thinking that if Jared settled down in the country, perhaps he would stay for good.
He never expected his grandson to be the one to bring it up, proposing a marriage alliance with the eldest daughter of the Grayson Family.
As it happened, around that time, Zachary Hawthorne had a sudden flare-up of an old ailment while he was out and was saved by the passing Grayson father and daughter. The young woman was stunningly beautiful, with a gentle temperament and a soft-spoken manner. When she smiled, her eyes curved into crescents. She was more than a good match for his grandson, though her family’s standing was a far cry from the Hawthornes’.
But what could he do? His grandson had taken a liking to her.
He wasn’t an unreasonable grandfather, so he relented and agreed.
Who knew the girl didn’t have the good fortune for it? Upon hearing about the marriage alliance with the Hawthorne Family, she packed her things overnight and ran away.
Just as he was lost in thought, the butler, Ian Bell, entered with light steps and bowed to report.
"Master Hawthorne, the Grayson father and daughter have arrived."
Zachary Hawthorne looked up. Only then did he recall that Milton Grayson had contacted him the day before yesterday, saying he would bring his eldest daughter, who had now returned home, to apologize in person.
He had been unwilling to see them, but then Milton Grayson mentioned that the girl had spent her entire savings to acquire an authentic Thornton painting for him at an auction.
It was solely because of that remark that he made an exception and agreed to meet them.
After all, he was a lifelong, die-hard fan of Thornton, and his greatest passion was collecting the artist’s masterpieces.
"Show them into the living room," Zachary Hawthorne said in a deep voice, setting down his teacup.
Beside him, Jared Hawthorne’s eyes narrowed slightly, an imperceptible glint flashing in their depths. He understood.
’So, Vesper bought that Thornton painting the other night to give it to Grandfather.’
"It’s been three years, and only now they think to come and apologize." Zachary Hawthorne’s tone was grave as he rubbed the tea residue on his fingertips. "I’m afraid this father and daughter’s motives aren’t so simple."
He glanced at Jared Hawthorne, asking casually, "Do you want to come and see them? After all, she’s the one you chose yourself back then."
"No."
Jared Hawthorne masked all emotion in his eyes. He picked up the teapot and slowly poured hot tea into an empty cup. The liquid rippled as it filled the cup, his movements slow and steady, betraying no emotion whatsoever.
"Very well. I suppose it just wasn’t meant to be." Zachary Hawthorne sighed, then changed the subject, probing cautiously, "Grandfather has recently found a few other young ladies from prominent families for you. Their family backgrounds and looks are all top-notch, no worse than that Grayson girl. Why don’t you find some time to meet them?"
"Do you take your grandson to be one of those shallow men, obsessed with a pretty face?" Jared Hawthorne lifted his gaze, his tone cool as he glanced at his grandfather.
At this, Zachary Hawthorne actually laughed. He stood and patted his grandson’s shoulder.
"An appreciation for beauty is only human. No matter how capable you are, you’re still an ordinary man at the end of the day. It’s only natural to have an eye for beautiful things. Don’t worry, Grandfather won’t make fun of you."
Jared Hawthorne pressed his lips together, saying nothing. He merely lowered his gaze to the tea in his cup, the rising steam obscuring his expression and making it impossible to read.
...
Milton Grayson and Vesper Grayson were led into the reception hall by Ian Bell.
Before long, Zachary Hawthorne emerged from a side hall, leaning on a cane. His steps were steady, carrying the natural gravitas of an elder.
"Master Hawthorne."
Milton Grayson quickly pulled Vesper Grayson to her feet and greeted him with a respectful tone.
"Grandfather Hawthorne."
Vesper Grayson also called out in a soft voice, raising the exquisite brocade box that held the Thornton painting.
Zachary Hawthorne glanced at the brocade box, his expression neutral. "Mm," he grunted. "A thoughtful gesture."
Ian Bell immediately stepped forward, bowed to take the box, and placed it gently on the mahogany table in front of him.
The moment he saw the inscription on the painting inside, a sharp glint flashed in Zachary Hawthorne’s clouded eyes and his fingers paused. ’This is clearly the painting I had Elias bid on at Apex Auction House the other day. How did it end up in this Grayson girl’s hands?’
’Could it be that Elias deliberately let her win?’
As he was pondering this, he heard Vesper Grayson begin to speak softly.
"I have long heard of Grandfather Hawthorne’s great fondness for Thornton’s paintings. I was fortunate enough to acquire this ’Envy Flower Seeking Sentence Map,’ and I hope you will like it."
She lowered her gaze slightly, her lips pressed into a thin line, a hint of remorse in her eyes.
"I have come today to apologize for my actions three years ago. When I suddenly learned of the marriage alliance with the Hawthorne Family, I was young and cowardly. I panicked and... ran away in the middle of the night. My actions were a great breach of etiquette, and I am sure they disappointed your kind intentions. For my impudence, I hope that you can be magnanimous and forgive me, Grandfather Hawthorne."
She gave a slight, respectful bow.
When she looked up again, her tone had become more solemn. "I hope, Grandfather Hawthorne, that you will give me another chance... and allow this marriage alliance to proceed."