"Forget it. I’m not one to force things."
The man’s jaw tightened, his entire body radiating an icy chill.
He turned to leave.
Vesper Grayson stepped in front of him, the hem of her dress flaring in a soft arc.
"President Hawthorne, you’ve misunderstood me," she said, her voice perfectly soft and tinged with a feigned, pouty grievance. "I just think there are too many prying eyes here. It’s hardly appropriate. Why don’t we set a time and find a quieter place to... properly enjoy each other’s company?"
’I’ll just placate him for now. Whether I actually show up later is entirely up to me, isn’t it?’
Her almond-shaped eyes tilted up. She had paid special attention to her eye makeup today. With every glance, her eyes shimmered with an indescribable, flirtatious charm, yet she carried a hint of seductive allure as if she didn’t even know it was there.
Jared Hawthorne’s dark eyes narrowed. He leaned in and grasped her chin, the calloused pads of his fingers rubbing gently against her porcelain-smooth skin. The pressure was light, yet it conveyed an absolute, unquestionable sense of control.
"What makes you think I, Jared Hawthorne, am someone you can beckon and dismiss as you please?"
Far from being intimidated, Vesper Grayson took the opportunity to grasp his wrist. Her fingertips, like a wheedling kitten, brushed against his palm. "Last time in Varden, weren’t you quite satisfied with me, President Hawthorne?"
’Why else would he chase me all the way to Northolme?’
Jared Hawthorne raised an eyebrow, a faint smile in his eyes. "But I recall Miss Grayson rejected me last time, saying you had to remain as pure as jade for your husband from your arranged marriage."
’This bastard really holds a grudge.’
Jared Hawthorne’s brow twitched. A trace of mockery flashed in his eyes, slowly morphing into a cold smile. "But if I remember correctly, Miss Grayson rejected me quite decisively last time. You said you had to remain as pure as jade for your husband from that arranged marriage. Isn’t that right?"
’What a petty bastard. He really holds a grudge.’
Vesper Grayson’s red lips curled. She ran the tip of her tongue over her lower lip, and her slender fingers shot out, hooking the end of his bow tie and giving it a gentle tug.
The distance between them closed in an instant. Her breath, warm and fragrant as an orchid, caressed his Adam’s apple. "President Hawthorne, can you really bear to refuse me?"
How could Jared Hawthorne possibly resist such a blatant seduction? His eyes darkened, a primal desire igniting in their depths.
He pressed her against the cold, hard wall. Her fingertips unconsciously clenched, wrinkling his shirt. He devoured the soft tremble of her lips, stole the very air from her lungs, and drowned her completely in his powerful kiss.
Their lips and teeth met, their breaths tangling together.
After what felt like an eternity, the kiss finally ended.
Her lashes fluttered down as her gaze dropped. Her fingertips weakly hooked his collar as soft gasps escaped her lips. A deep blush spread to the tips of her ears, and her body went limp, melting against him like a pool of spring water.
’Damn bastard, how is he so good at kissing?’
’Could this be his first time? No, he’s nothing like a novice.’
’He seems to be an expert.’
’He’s terrible!’
Jared Hawthorne looked at the little woman leaning against his chest, her lips red and swollen, her almond eyes shimmering, and he couldn’t help but chuckle.
"Look at you, so pathetic. Your legs go weak from a single kiss. If we make it to the bedroom, could that little body of yours even handle it?"
"..."
Vesper Grayson rolled her eyes. "President Hawthorne, could you please not act all high and mighty after getting what you wanted?"
"Who’s the one acting high and mighty after getting what they wanted?" Jared Hawthorne raised a hand and pinched her soft, smooth cheek. "Can you still stand?"
’He’s looking down on me!’
She pushed him away forcefully and looked down to straighten her rumpled dress.
She then pulled a compact mirror from her purse, tidied her appearance, and reapplied her lipstick.
In an instant, she was back to her usual exquisite, beautiful self.
Jared Hawthorne leaned against the door behind him with his arms crossed. A wicked smirk played on his lips, and his deep-set eyes held a hint of unslaked desire.
Once Vesper Grayson was sure everything was in order, she looked up at the man watching her with an unreadable half-smile.
’His features were deep-set and handsome, with long, narrow phoenix eyes—a contradictory appearance that was both resolute and bewitching. I have to admit, the old man certainly showed him favor.’
’Especially now, with a smear of my plum-red lipstick at the corner of his mouth, his fair skin is suffused with a natural flush. He’s absolutely stunning, enough to make anyone’s mind wander.’
’Too bad I have to marry Elias Hawthorne. I can’t pursue anything long-term with this one.’
’Still, they both have the surname Hawthorne.’
Her heart sank.
’Don’t tell me they’re related?’
"President Hawthorne, wipe it off."
She lowered her eyes, offering him a tissue.
Jared Hawthorne didn’t take it. He leaned in closer, his intention clear.
Vesper Grayson suppressed her annoyance and carefully wiped the lipstick from the corner of his mouth.
"President Hawthorne, what’s your relationship with the Hawthornes of Northolme?"
’I have my doubts. Better to ask and be clear about it.’
’If Jared Hawthorne is closely related to the Hawthorne Family, and I’ve slept with him but am now trying to seduce Elias Hawthorne to renew the marriage contract... If the Hawthorne Family gets the wrong idea and thinks I’m a fickle two-timer, won’t I be completely screwed?’
Jared Hawthorne raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eyes. Instead of answering, he countered, "What do you think it is?"
"That’s why I’m waiting for you to enlighten me," Vesper Grayson said with a smile. "You’re from Ashmore, aren’t you, President Hawthorne?"
"Mm."
His maternal grandfather was from Ashmore, so he supposed that counted.
Hearing this, Vesper Grayson breathed a sigh of relief.
"President Hawthorne, shall we go out now?"
’If we don’t go out now, the party will start without us!’
As they stepped out, Vesper Grayson intimately linked her arm through his muscular one.
Jared Hawthorne shot her a sidelong glance.
"Hehe."
Vesper Grayson gave him an ingratiating smile.
After their invitation was confirmed, the staff at the door let them through.
The moment they entered the main hall, Vesper Grayson instantly dropped his arm and even hopped a few steps away, as if she wanted to be a mile away from him.
She put on an air of being total strangers.
"Hah!"
Jared Hawthorne let out a short, angry laugh.
’This woman is so fickle. She changes her tune faster than you can flip a page.’
’One person in bed, a completely different one out of it.’
Vesper Grayson paid him no mind, her eyes already scanning the room for her target.
Soon, she spotted Valen—blond, blue-eyed, and a towering six foot three. A crowd was gathered around him. Not far away, Gwen Grayson clutched a champagne flute, poised and ready to make her move, looking for an opportunity to get close to him.
At that same moment, Gwen Grayson spotted her, and her gaze hardened.
Seeing that Vesper was alone, Gwen stormed over.
"Vesper Grayson, how did you get in here?"
Vesper Grayson idly twisted a lock of her hair and smiled faintly. "Someone brought me, of course."
’She’s always asking such stupid questions. I’m tempted to crack her head open and see if it’s filled with straw or shit.’
"Who would bring you?" Gwen Grayson sneered, unconvinced. "Vesper Grayson, you must have snuck in. I suggest you leave now. Otherwise, when this all blows up, you’ll be sorry."
’As long as Vesper leaves, she won’t get a chance to approach Valen tonight. Then I’ll have a one hundred percent chance of persuading him and winning the exclusive distribution rights for the Greater China region.’
"Dear sister, did you think I, a fully grown person, turned into a cute little bee and flew in?" Vesper Grayson tapped her on the head. "You’re just as stupid as you were when we were kids."
Gwen Grayson clutched her forehead and stumbled back two steps, glaring at her, her hackles raised.
"Vesper Grayson, how dare you hit me!"
Vesper Grayson raised an eyebrow. "I didn’t hit you. I tapped you. Twice. Hoping to knock some sense into you."
"What’s going on?"
Just then, Gael Keane walked over.
Surprise flashed in his eyes the moment he saw Vesper Grayson.
"Vesper, how did you get in?"
Gwen Grayson wrapped her arm around Gael Keane’s and said impatiently, "Caleb, hurry and tell Mr. Chandler that a fly snuck in somehow! Have security throw her out!"