Gael Keane’s face was as white as a sheet as he stared daggers at Vesper Grayson.
His eyes churned with intense hatred.
By now, how could the surrounding crowd not understand? They had been played by the pair!
The manager quickly retrieved the security footage and projected it onto the large LED screen in the hall, instantly replaying the entire farce.
Gwen Grayson, holding a wine glass, deliberately approached Vesper and suddenly lunged at her, only to be deftly dodged by Vesper, who had anticipated the move and spun away.
Caught off guard, Gwen Grayson fell straight to the floor. The two of them hadn’t made even the slightest physical contact the entire time.
What followed was the scene of Gwen’s tearful accusations of being bullied, with Gael Keane chiming in to help frame Vesper.
Their clumsy and malicious expressions were magnified on the big screen. Everyone present was dumbfounded, utterly shocked by the pair’s shameless behavior.
Gwen Grayson swayed on her feet, so mortified and indignant she wished the ground would swallow her whole. She turned to make a desperate escape.
But as she passed Vesper, a hand shot out and firmly grabbed her wrist.
"Where are you going, little sister?"
A gentle smile played on Vesper’s lips, and her tone was soft. "Even though your acting was subpar and you deliberately tried to frame me, we’re still sisters, after all. Just apologize to me, and big sister won’t hold it against you."
’Anyone can pretend to be magnanimous, right?’
Gwen struggled frantically. "Vesper Grayson, let me go! I would rather die than apologize to you!"
’She made me lose all my dignity today, and now she expects me to grovel? In her dreams!’
Vesper sighed softly, her voice filled with helplessness. "Little sister, you’re breaking your big sister’s heart. Even if you’re unwilling to apologize to me, you should at least say you’re sorry to everyone here whom you deceived."
This statement not only painted her as open-minded and magnanimous but also highlighted her kind heart, always thinking of others.
Just moments ago, she was the one who had suffered a terrible injustice, the one being pointed at and scorned by all.
Yet now, she didn’t show a hint of a grudge. Instead, she was trying to get justice for the guests who had been deceived.
"Miss Grayson is so beautiful and kind-hearted. It’s obvious the other Miss Grayson was just purely jealous and staged this whole scene to frame her!"
"She’s both stupid and wicked. No wonder President Grayson always favored his eldest daughter—who wouldn’t? Why dote on someone with such a venomous heart when you have a daughter who’s like a little angel?"
"Speaking of Miss Grayson, she was always a model of virtue and talent back in school. She constantly did charity work on the quiet and would even take the time to feed stray cats and dogs."
"Now that you mention it, I remember! In college, she represented Northolme University in a dance competition and won the gold medal. Even the National Song and Dance Ensemble was fighting to recruit her!"
"Contrast that with the other Miss Grayson, who’s been spoiled and arrogant since she was a child. I heard she even bullied her classmates in school. Her character is just on another level of awful."
Gwen Grayson’s face was deathly pale. She squeezed out a hoarse "I’m sorry," then violently shoved Vesper aside and fled in humiliation, covering her face.
Gael Keane also took advantage of the chaos to quietly slip away.
Vesper turned, offering the crowd a slight, apologetic smile. "My apologies, everyone, for making you witness such a farce. My younger sister just made a mistake in a moment of confusion. I hope you can all find it in your hearts to forgive her."
The guests quickly resumed their conversations, and the recent drama became nothing more than a trivial interlude at the cocktail party.
Vesper walked over to Sean Chandler and nodded her thanks.
"Thank you, Mr. Chandler, for stepping forward to bear witness and clear my name."
"There’s no need for thanks, Miss Grayson," Sean Chandler said coolly. "I am both the owner of this hotel and the host of this party. I naturally can’t allow such sordid affairs to spoil the atmosphere."
With that, he walked onto the stage and began to formally host the event.
Vesper let out a long breath, her taut nerves finally relaxing. She picked up a glass of champagne, tilted her head back, and downed it in one go.
Suddenly, she felt an intense, scorching gaze land on her, impossible to ignore. She looked up, and her eyes met a pair of long, dark, narrow eyes belonging to a man.
Jared Hawthorne was leaning against the second-floor railing, a wine glass held between his fingers. The corner of his mouth was turned up in a half-smile as his gaze locked firmly onto her.
Vesper’s heart trembled. The memory of that wet and domineering kiss flashed through her mind, and she hastily averted her gaze.
"Elias, this little cat of yours is much wilder than she looks,"
Noah Nash chuckled. Anyone else who had been framed like that, facing a room full of accusations, would have broken down in tears long ago. But she remained calm and composed from start to finish. She not only noticed the hidden camera but was also able to counterattack in public, calculating every step.
If it weren’t for that surveillance footage, she probably would have had to suffer the injustice in silence today.
"If she were truly docile, she wouldn’t have run away three years ago," Jared Hawthorne said, coolly retracting his gaze before turning and walking into the private room.
Meanwhile, Vesper finally found an opportunity when Mr. Valen was alone. She immediately approached him, her tone earnest.
"Mr. Valen, hello. My name is Vesper Grayson. Could you spare five minutes to speak with me privately?"
Valen had witnessed the entire farce. Even though she had proven her innocence, the ugly scene of the Grayson sisters turning on each other had left a negative impression on him.
More than rapid growth in performance, he had always prioritized family harmony. He believed that only with a congenial atmosphere at home could a team’s morale be high and a company achieve steady, long-term success.
"I’m sorry, Miss Grayson, but I currently have no intention of partnering with Grayson Corporation."
Valen gave her no opening, shutting the door on her completely.
Vesper was about to press her case, but Valen gave her no opportunity.
"If you’ll excuse me."
’A setback before I could even get started, all ruined by that one rotten apple, Gwen.’
Gritting her teeth, she hurried after him.
Just as an annoyed expression began to form on Valen’s face, she spoke quickly, her expression sincere.
"Mr. Valen, this is the operational proposal I’ve prepared for Vaudin’s agency in the Greater China region. I hope you can find a moment to look it over."
"And if I don’t take it, you’re not going to give up, are you?"
"I will never give up!"
Valen stared at her for a moment before reaching out and taking it.
But before Vesper could even breathe a sigh of relief, she watched as Valen reached the staircase and casually tossed the proposal she had so carefully prepared into a trash can.
Vesper’s eyes hardened, and her lips pressed into a thin line.
Her anger lasted only for an instant before she regained her composure.
She walked over, silently retrieved the proposal from the trash can, and wiped it clean of the filth.
"Let me see it."
Vesper snapped her head up and looked straight into Jared Hawthorne’s deep, dark eyes. He stood silhouetted against the light, his well-tailored black suit accentuating the sharp line of his shoulders. An unlit cigarette was perched between his fingers, and his gaze swept coolly over her dirt-stained fingertips.
"Are you here to laugh at me, President Hawthorne?"
She hugged the proposal in her arms tighter, her voice sullen and tinged with a strange sense of grievance.
’She’d spent several sleepless nights working on this proposal, only for someone to toss it in the trash like garbage.’
Jared Hawthorne crushed the cigarette and started pulling her up the stairs.
"Where are you taking me?"
She instinctively struggled, refusing to go with him.
"What? Do you want me to carry you?"
"..."
She didn’t doubt his words for a second. He was truly the kind of man who would do whatever he pleased.
She immediately fell in line, obediently following behind him.