The living room fell silent in an instant.
Zachary Hawthorne narrowed his eyes, his heavy gaze sweeping over her, a hint of scrutiny hidden in their depths.
"Young lady, a move once made cannot be taken back. Since you ran away three years ago, renewing this marriage contract won’t be so easy."
As the former head of the Hawthorne family, a man who had navigated the tides of the business world for most of his life, Zachary Hawthorne’s voice carried an unshakeable authority.
"It’s alright if it can’t be renewed. I just hope Grandfather Hawthorne won’t be angry with me."
Continuing the marriage alliance with the Hawthorne family would be wonderful, of course, but if it wasn’t possible, she still hoped to appease the old master’s anger and maintain good relations between their two families.
Seeing that she knew when to advance and when to retreat, Zachary Hawthorne’s expression softened.
"I’ve received your apology. Let’s consider this matter clo—"
Ian Bell walked briskly to Zachary Hawthorne’s side and leaned in to whisper a few words in his ear.
Zachary Hawthorne’s expression faltered. He glanced toward the screen in the side hall, his eyes darkening slightly.
"I’ll reconsider the matter of the marriage alliance. You two should head back for now and wait for my news."
Vesper Grayson, who had been carefully observing Zachary Hawthorne’s expression, naturally noticed the change.
Just a moment ago, he had been about to end the marriage alliance between the Hawthorne and Grayson families, to act as if it had never existed.
But after a single glance toward the side hall, he had instantly changed his mind.
’There’s someone behind the screen!’
She composed herself, keeping her gaze lowered respectfully. "Yes. We’ll take our leave then."
With that, she gently pulled Milton Grayson up to leave. As they reached the entryway, she paused for a fraction of a second, casting a deep, subtle glance toward the screen in the side hall.
...
After they left, Jared Hawthorne emerged from behind the screen.
"There are so many young ladies in Northolme. Must it be her?" Zachary Hawthorne asked, puzzled. "What’s so special about her anyway?"
She’s beautiful, yes, but Northolme has no shortage of beauties.
With his grandson’s looks, education, wealth, and background, what kind of woman couldn’t he find?
Jared Hawthorne said flatly, "She was kind to me."
"That father and daughter were indeed kind, but you don’t need to be the one to repay them. If it’s really necessary, you can just give the Grayson Family a bit of a boost in the business world."
"You’ve misunderstood," he reminded him calmly. "Do you remember when I was eight and went to visit relatives in Ashmore, only to be ambushed and hunted on the way?"
Zachary Hawthorne’s eyes darkened. "I remember! How could I forget something so major?"
Afterward, we caught the assassin, but he killed himself. To this day, we still haven’t found out who was behind it.
But what does that have to do with the Grayson Family?
"I only escaped with my life because she and Henry Grayson saved me."
Back then, after I was sent back to the Hawthorne family, Henry Grayson left quietly.
At the time, I had broken bones and was sent abroad to recover before my injuries had even fully healed. The family was afraid the trauma would leave a lasting mark, so they never dared to mention the incident in front of me, and I never had the chance to clarify who my saviors were.
Zachary Hawthorne was stunned. "So three years ago, when you suddenly brought up a marriage alliance with the Grayson girl, that was a carefully considered decision?"
It wasn’t just some whim based on her looks.
’It seems I misunderstood!’
"Yes," Jared Hawthorne nodded. "In fact, when I was sent back to the Hawthorne family, I didn’t know who they were. I later sent people to search everywhere, only to find out they had long since moved away from Mount Corvath. It wasn’t until three years ago that I finally tracked down the Graysons, but unfortunately, Master Grayson had already passed away unexpectedly by then. I never got to thank him in person."
"In that case, it seems the Grayson girl really does share a certain fate with our Hawthorne family." Zachary Hawthorne sighed. "Fine. Since you like her, you can have it your way."
...
On the way back, Milton Grayson looked puzzled.
"Vesper, what do you think Master Hawthorne really meant?"
He really couldn’t figure it out.
Vesper Grayson drove steadily, her mind also consumed with what had just happened.
"I’m not sure either. Maybe Grandfather Hawthorne saw my sincerity and decided to give me another chance."
Milton Grayson’s expression relaxed, and he smiled. "My daughter is a peerless beauty; the old master has good taste. If you really want to continue the marriage alliance with the Hawthorne family, you just need to get on his good side."
She gave an absentminded "mhm."
’Maybe the person behind the screen was Elias Hawthorne.’
’He was clearly there but didn’t show himself. Does he have a problem with me, or is he satisfied?’
’The old man’s mind is as deep as the ocean. It’s so hard to read.’
Back at the office, she got a call from her best friend, Shiloh Sloan.
"Vesper, a friend of mine said that while Elias Hawthorne is famous, he never gives media interviews and rarely shows his face in public. I’m starting to suspect he might be too ugly to be seen. Why else would he be so mysterious?"
"Maybe you should reconsider. Don’t go through with the Hawthorne marriage alliance."
Vesper Grayson thought of Luke Lockwood—handsome, capable, and full of vigor. But what good were his good looks? He still cheated on her and betrayed her.
Elias Hawthorne, on the other hand, was highly educated, a titan of industry, and kept to himself. Even if he was a little ugly, she could probably accept that.
"A man’s good looks can’t be eaten, and besides..."
An image of Jared Hawthorne’s incomparably handsome face flashed through her mind. ’I’ve already had a taste of what a handsome man is like!’
The last time she ran into him, he must have been in Northolme on a business trip.
By now, he’s probably already returned to Ashmore.
Shiloh Sloan nodded. "That’s true, but who can say no to a handsome guy? Do you think it’s possible that when Elias Hawthorne chose you three years ago, he was after your looks to improve the next generation’s gene pool?"
"..."
"Wait, my friend said they found a photo of Elias Hawthorne. It’s just a blurry shot of his back, but he looks pretty tall. Maybe he’s not that ugly after all. I just sent it to you."
A moment later, a photo came through.
Although the image was blurry and only showed his back, you could still make out a man with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and a tall, slender build. She estimated he was over six feet tall.
A knock sounded, and Aaron Sawyer’s voice came from the other side of the door.
"Miss Grayson."
Vesper Grayson said a few more words and hung up.
"Come in."
Aaron Sawyer walked in and handed her a file.
"Valen, Vaudin’s Director of Distribution for Greater China, will be at Mr. Chandler’s private, ultra-exclusive party tonight. However, you need an invitation to get in."
Vesper Grayson looked up. "Has Gwen gotten this information as well?"
"The Second Miss is also aware."
As for who could get an invitation first and get into the party, that would come down to their own abilities.
Vesper Grayson’s gaze darkened.
She hadn’t been a part of Northolme’s social circles for a long time. When she fled her wedding overnight all those years ago, she had angered Master Hawthorne, and many of her old acquaintances, fearing they’d be implicated, had long since drawn a line between them.
Fortunately, she had attended one of Northolme’s top elite schools, and her classmates were all from prominent, powerful families. Perhaps she could leverage her old school ties to get into the party?
She took out her alumni contact list and started making calls one by one.
Once they recognized her voice, they all offered polite pleasantries, but their tone was distant. Every word was laced with perfunctory excuses, showing not a shred of their former camaraderie.
Just as she was about to give up and think of another way, she finally heard a voice that didn’t shut her down—Gael Keane, her university class president.
He had once confessed his feelings for her, but she had gently turned him down.
"Keane, can you really get me in?" she asked again, seeking confirmation.
"Vesper, don’t be a stranger," Gael Keane’s voice came through the receiver, gentle yet firm. "We’re old classmates, after all. Getting you in is no trouble at all. I’ll see you tonight at The Serenity Hotel."