Chapter 200: Help Me Vet Them?

Chapter 200: Chapter 200: Help Me Vet Them?

"Your condition stems from anxiety and depression, which has in turn affected your physical health," Vesper Grayson said calmly. "The treatment will first focus on relieving your stress and restoring your digestive health. After that, we’ll work on nourishing your body and rebuilding your strength. The goal is to slowly restore your vital energy, calm your mind, improve your appetite, and stabilize your emotional state."

"What does that mean?" Justine Hughes only half-understood.

"Miss Hughes, for this breast condition, standard medical treatment requires surgery. Chinese medicine can only play a supportive role—regulating your body, strengthening your constitution, and calming your mind. It cannot replace surgery for a complete cure." Vesper Grayson took out a pen and paper and quickly wrote out a prescription. "This prescription is specifically to regulate your constitution. Take one dose in the morning and one at night. You should still schedule the surgery as soon as possible. Don’t delay, or the condition could worsen and the cancer cells could metastasize."

Justine Hughes quickly accepted the prescription, her voice soft as she thanked her. "Thank you, Miss Grayson. I’ll be sure to take the medicine as prescribed."

’Tyson said Miss Grayson’s medical skills were extraordinary, that she could cure even the most difficult and stubborn diseases.’

Vesper Grayson gave a faint nod and said no more.

In the car on the way back, Jared Hawthorne asked in a low, seemingly casual voice, "How is Justine Hughes’s health?"

"So concerned about her? Why don’t you stay at White Horse Estate and take care of her?" Vesper Grayson said sarcastically.

Jared Hawthorne didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "Honey, don’t take it out on me. We’re just friends."

She huffed lightly before explaining Justine Hughes’s situation.

’At least this proves she’s really sick and not just pretending to be frail.’

"I thought she was doing well all these years. I guess she got famous, but her health suffered for it." Jared Hawthorne took her hand. "You have me now. You don’t have to work yourself to the bone. If anything comes up at the company, I’ll have Maxim Chandler handle it for you!"

"He’s *your* assistant. What would it look like for him to help me? Besides, it’s not like I don’t have an assistant of my own." She suddenly remembered something. "Tomorrow is Joyce Rivers’ birthday. You should come back with me."

"But I thought you two were never close?"

"Dad asked us to go. Even if I don’t do it for her, I have to do it for him."

...

On Sunday, the main hall of The Grayson Residence was festively decorated, and Joyce Rivers wore a beaming expression.

She was busy in the kitchen, with Gwen Grayson helping her. Jonathan Grayson was watching TV in the living room, and Milton Grayson was practicing calligraphy in his study. It was a picture of domestic harmony.

"Mom, when Big Sis gets here later, please don’t give her the cold shoulder. Don’t make things difficult for Dad," Gwen Grayson reminded her cautiously in a hushed voice.

The smile on Joyce Rivers’s face faded instantly. She slammed a kitchen utensil down and glared at her daughter irritably. "Who do you think I’m doing all this for? It’s for you and this family! You ungrateful girl, always siding with outsiders!"

"Sis is already married into the Hawthorne family, and we all know how wealthy they are. She has no interest in fighting us for the Grayson family’s assets. Stop judging a noble person by your own petty standards," Gwen Grayson couldn’t help but retort.

"Who are you calling petty? Why don’t you say what you mean!" Joyce Rivers’s voice shot up, her displeasure obvious.

Seeing this, Gwen Grayson quickly backed down. "Fine, fine, I’m the petty one. Happy now?"

"Get out! Just looking at you irritates me. You’ve completely ruined my good mood!"

Seeing her mother’s temper flare, Gwen Grayson quickly slipped out of the kitchen.

"I’ll go see if Big Sis and my brother-in-law are here yet."

As she reached the entryway, she saw that Jonathan Grayson had already abandoned the remote and was eagerly peering out, his hands on the doorframe.

"Big Sis!"

Seeing the limited-edition luxury car pull slowly through the gates, Jonathan Grayson’s eyes lit up. Like a joyful bird, he took off running on his short legs.

Vesper Grayson had just pushed the car door open. Seeing him running so fast, she quickly called out in a gentle voice.

"Slow down, watch your step! Don’t fall."

Jared Hawthorne’s brow furrowed. Seeing the little guy stumble, he strode forward and scooped him securely into his arms with just enough force that he couldn’t struggle free.

Jonathan Grayson’s body went stiff, his little face filled with confusion. He struggled and yelled.

"Let me go! I want a hug from Big Sis!"

He stretched his arms toward Vesper Grayson, looking at her expectantly.

Before Vesper Grayson could speak, Jared Hawthorne’s face darkened, his tone firm and unyielding.

"No. I won’t allow it."

Jonathan Grayson’s eyes instantly reddened. His little mouth trembled, and he looked at Vesper Grayson, aggrieved and on the verge of tears.

"It’s all right. It’s just a hug, it’s not a big deal." Vesper Grayson’s heart softened. After all, this was a child she had watched grow up. It was only natural for him to be so affectionate after not seeing her for so long. In the past, Jonathan had always been the most clingy and dependent on her.

"He’s not a toddler anymore, and he’s not light. What if he bumps into you and hurts my daughter?" Jared Hawthorne wouldn’t budge.

Vesper Grayson was both amused and exasperated. She poked his arm.

"What makes you so sure it’s a girl? We don’t even know yet."

’Truth be told, she was hoping her first child would be a boy, and then later a sweet little girl, fulfilling the ideal of having both a son and a daughter. It wasn’t that she favored boys over girls; it was just that she had always envied others who had an older brother to protect them. If her daughter had a big brother to watch over her, she would be spared a lot of grief. It was a childhood regret she hoped to remedy through her own children.’

Jonathan Grayson blinked his big, bright eyes, his clear, innocent gaze full of confusion as he called out in a soft voice.

"Big Sis..."

Gwen Grayson chose that moment to walk over. She took her brother from Jared Hawthorne’s arms and explained in a low voice.

"Be good, Jonathan. Big Sis is pregnant. She has a baby in her tummy, so she can’t hold you. It would tire her out."

"Really?" Jonathan Grayson’s eyes went wide as saucers. The next second, they lit up brilliantly, and he clenched his little fists in excitement. "Does that mean I’m going to be an uncle?"

’Who would have thought he’d understand the relationship at such a young age.’

Vesper Grayson couldn’t help but reach out and gently ruffle his soft hair, praising him warmly.

"Our Jonathan is so smart. Such a good boy."

Having been praised, Jonathan immediately puffed out his chest, thumping it proudly as he made a solemn vow.

"Don’t worry, Big Sis! When the baby is born, I’ll protect her! I won’t let anyone bully her!"

The innocence of his childish words made Vesper Grayson, Jared Hawthorne, and Gwen Grayson all chuckle.

"Vesper, Jared, you’re back."

Milton Grayson, hearing the commotion in the yard, put down his calligraphy brush and came out of the study, his face full of a kind, gentle smile.

"Dad," Vesper Grayson called out softly.

Jared Hawthorne also nodded, his tone respectful. "Dad."

Milton Grayson acknowledged them warmly and enthusiastically invited them to sit. There was still some time before dinner, so he invited Jared Hawthorne to play a few games of chess. Jared naturally accepted with pleasure. The two of them played in the living room, making small talk as they placed their pieces, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Grayson grabbed Vesper Grayson’s hand and skipped excitedly towards his room, eager to show off his recent accomplishments. On his desk were neat calligraphy and a decent-looking traditional painting. A piano stood in the corner. For someone so young, he was already showing talent in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

"Our Jonathan is so impressive. When I was your age, I wasn’t nearly as good as you," Vesper Grayson praised him sincerely.

Jonathan Grayson gently hugged her leg, his voice soft and sweet. "In my heart, Big Sis will always be the most amazing."

Gwen Grayson, standing to the side, rolled her eyes and asked in mock jealousy, "What about me? Is your second sister not amazing?"

"Second Sis is... just okay," Jonathan Grayson said, tilting his head, his evaluation innocent and blunt.

"You little brat! How dare you say I’m ’just okay’? See how I deal with you!" Gwen Grayson reached out and lightly pinched his chubby little cheek, pretending to be angry.

Jonathan Grayson yelped and immediately ducked behind Vesper Grayson, his little voice tinged with tears as he pleaded for help.

"Big Sis, save me! Second Sis is bullying me!"

Watching the siblings tease and play, Vesper Grayson felt a long-lost warmth spread through her heart. She had always longed for this kind of close, affectionate sibling relationship when she lived in the Grayson home. Back then, however, Gwen Grayson had been full of hostility towards her, always competing with her and treating her as a rival. It was ironic that now that she had moved out of The Grayson Residence, their relationship was gradually easing and they had grown much closer.

"Have Dad and Miss Joyce made up recently?" Vesper Grayson asked casually.

"It’s the same as always. They bicker, paper over the cracks, and that’s how they’ll spend the rest of their lives." Gwen Grayson waved a dismissive hand, unwilling to dwell on the family’s troubles. She turned to Vesper Grayson, her eyes filled with concern. "Is my brother-in-law treating you well?"

"Very well." The corners of Vesper Grayson’s lips lifted in a small, smiling curve.

"That’s good." Gwen Grayson let out a sigh of relief, then began again, a little awkwardly. "I have to go on a blind date next week. Can you come with me and help me vet the guy?"

"Let me guess, Miss Joyce arranged it?" Vesper Grayson raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah. He’s the son of one of her friends. Studied abroad, graduated from a prestigious university, and his family runs a chain of home furnishing stores. His prospects are pretty good."

Vesper Grayson recalled something from the past and said lightly, "I thought Joyce Rivers was dead set on setting you up with Gael Keane."

At the mention of his name, a look of disgust flashed across Gwen Grayson’s face. She wrinkled her nose. "Don’t even mention that disgusting man. He’s gotten himself into some legal trouble recently. He can barely save his own skin."

"What happened?"