Chapter 218: I Do

Chapter 218: Chapter 218: I Do

"Dad, don’t worry."

The officiant stood to the side, his tone gentle and solemn as he began to speak.

"Welcome, dear family and friends, to Moonlight Isle, where we will witness the romantic wedding of Mr. Jared Hawthorne and Miss Vesper Grayson. This couple has weathered many storms, their hearts connected as one. They have chosen each other for this life and all the lives to come, to face the winds and rains together, to cherish each other year after year, never to part. Now, I ask Mr. Jared Hawthorne, are you willing to love her, protect her, and cherish her for the rest of your life? To stand by her side through fortune and adversity, poverty and wealth, sickness and health, never to abandon her, and to be her companion for life?"

Jared Hawthorne looked down, his gaze fixed solely on Vesper Grayson. His eyes were filled with a deep, intense love. His low, magnetic voice, resolute and solemn, echoed in the sea breeze.

"I do. For the rest of our lives, I will give my all to keep her safe and sound, and love her until my last breath."

The officiant turned and looked gently at Vesper Grayson.

"Miss Vesper Grayson, are you willing to trust and rely on him for the rest of your life, to spend every day with him, share in both glory and disgrace, to stay by his side, and live out your days together in peace?"

Vesper Grayson lifted her eyes to meet the gaze of the man before her, a man who only had eyes for her. The tip of her nose tingled, and a gentle warmth filled her eyes. Her voice was soft, yet incredibly firm.

"I do."

The officiant smiled and announced solemnly,

"I now invite the newlyweds to exchange rings and pledge their eternal love."

In the audience, Liam Hawthorne watched the two kiss happily, his eyes turning slightly red.

The woman who once belonged to him was now marrying his cousin.

’If I hadn’t been such an asshole, this wedding would have been mine.’

But seeing the blissful smile on Vesper Grayson’s face, he knew he had to let go.

Nancy Linton gently patted the back of his hand. "Luke, you’ll find the right girl for you one day, and Mom will throw you a magnificent wedding too."

Liam Hawthorne said nothing.

After the ceremony, the guests moved to a panoramic glass banquet hall by the sea for the wedding luncheon.

The banquet was simple yet exquisite, with an abundance of delicious dishes. The guests chatted and laughed softly, raising their glasses to offer their blessings.

Jared Hawthorne led Vesper Grayson by the hand to toast the guests, never leaving her side for a moment.

"Elias, Vesper, congratulations!"

Sebastian Kensington raised his glass in a toast and pulled Julian Sterling, who was beside him, to his feet.

"Come on, Julian, toast with me."

Julian Sterling held his glass and took a sip of juice. "Yummy. Sweet."

Vesper Grayson’s gaze fell on him. ’Such a handsome man, yet someone poisoned him, leaving him mentally impaired.’

As if sensing her gaze, Julian Sterling gave her a brilliant smile.

"Fairy sister, you’re so pretty."

The others at the table had mixed expressions. Some didn’t understand why President Kensington would bring a fool who wasn’t in his right mind to such a joyous occasion.

’The Sterling and Hawthorne families don’t seem to have any private dealings, do they?’

Still, a guest was a guest, and you don’t slight someone who’s smiling at you.

Vesper Grayson raised her glass. "Thank you."

She was pregnant and couldn’t drink, so naturally, the others wouldn’t let Jared Hawthorne off the hook—he was the groom, after all.

Having married the woman he had longed for, Jared Hawthorne was in high spirits and accepted every toast.

Vesper Grayson accompanied him for one round of toasts before she’d had enough.

She sat at the dining table, nibbling on the food.

Sebastian Kensington came over and said in a low voice, "Miss Grayson, would you be able to spare some time later to take a look at Julian?"

Vesper Grayson raised an eyebrow, teasing, "President Kensington, you’re really going to great lengths for the Sterling Family. You won’t even let me off the hook on my wedding day."

"Ahem, I really didn’t do it on purpose. I went to the Sterling estate yesterday and happened to discover some unpleasant business, so I brought him to stay at the Kensington estate for a few days. And then it just so happened to be your and Jared’s wedding the next day..." Sebastian Kensington said, embarrassed. "Rest assured, the Sterling Family and I will be sure to repay you for your kindness, Miss Grayson."

"After the meal, bring him to a guest room on the second floor."

Sebastian Kensington breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay."

...

No one was happier than Milton Grayson that his precious daughter was getting married.

He had drunk quite a bit, and in a daze, he thought he saw a familiar face—one he dreamed of day and night.

Just as he was about to step forward and chase after her, someone pulled him back.

"Grayson, my friend, I’m so envious of you, marrying into the Hawthorne Family! We can’t go home until we’re drunk tonight!"

Milton Grayson responded distractedly and walked in the direction where he had seen the person, but he saw nothing.

’Could it be that I’ve had too much to drink?’

’Am I hallucinating?’

Then again, in the twenty-odd years since she had disappeared, he had seen her more than once, but it was always just a fleeting glimpse.

’If she were still here, she would be with me today at our daughter’s wedding, witnessing this happiness!’

"Mom! What’s wrong with Dad?"

Gwen Grayson noticed something was off with Milton Grayson. He seemed to have seen something, abruptly chasing in that direction, only to return with a look of disappointment, muttering to himself, though she couldn’t tell what he was saying.

Joyce Rivers glanced over, her expression blank.

"His precious daughter is getting married today. Of course he’s happier than anyone. Just ignore him!"

"Mom, you and Dad should make up. Don’t sleep in separate beds anymore! People say that when a couple sleeps apart for too long, it can affect their relationship."

Joyce Rivers scoffed at her daughter’s words. "We’ve been married for so many years, and it’s not like our relationship has ever been that great."

’He has someone else in his heart. Where is there room for me?’

’The living can never outweigh the dead in someone’s heart!’

Gwen Grayson pouted and pulled Jonathan Grayson to his feet.

"Where are you two going?"

"To toast our sister!"

...

"Julian, what are you doing here?"

Renee Rhodes came out of the restroom and saw a person hiding in a corner counting ants. A flash of surprise crossed her face.

’Today is Vesper and President Hawthorne’s wedding. The Sterling Family wasn’t on the guest list. How did Julian get here? Who brought him?’

Julian Sterling held a twig, counting with focused concentration, and ignored her question.

When he didn’t respond, Renee Rhodes went to pull at his arm.

"Julian, your cousin-in-law is talking to you."

Julian Sterling shook her hand off. "Thirty-three, thirty-four... Shh, don’t talk. You’ll make me lose count."

"..."

Renee Rhodes was exasperated. Assuming he didn’t understand, she could only call her husband over.

By the time Jenson Whitman came looking, Sebastian Kensington had just noticed Julian Sterling was missing and had also come to find him.

"Mr. Whitman?"

"Sebastian?"

After talking, they learned that both had been invited to the wedding.

"Miss Rhodes is Miss Grayson’s godmother?" Sebastian Kensington was extremely surprised.

Jenson Whitman smiled. "It’s a long story."

He remembered something and asked, "My wife said she just saw Julian. Did you bring him here?"

"Yes, I brought him out for a change of scenery."

"Ah, the poor kid. He was so bright and clever when he was little. I never thought..."

Sebastian Kensington said with a grave expression, "Mr. Whitman, it was caused by poison. Sterling and Mr. Sterling were poisoned too."

Jenson Whitman’s brow furrowed, and he was shocked. "Who would be so bold as to poison everyone in the Sterling Family?"

"I’m still investigating. The most urgent matter is to find a way to detoxify them and save their lives!"

"You have a point. But do you know what kind of poison they were given?"

"I don’t know. Miss Grayson is probably the only one who can figure it out."

’Vesper?’

Right. Her medical skills were profound. She had even saved him from the brink of death before.

"Then you should ask Vesper to take a look at Julian, too, and see if there’s any hope for him."

"Yes, that’s why I brought Julian here."

’Since Miss Grayson could tell that everyone in the Sterling Family was poisoned, then what poison was Julian given? Why is it that after the poison was neutralized, his life was saved, but his mind remains unclear and is even regressing?’

’His mental state is now like a three-year-old’s. He can’t even form a complete, clear sentence.’

’Just like this time, he was hit by Sean, but he kept quiet about it. He doesn’t even know how to tattle!’

Thinking of the scene he saw on the surveillance footage, Sebastian Kensington’s eyes darkened.

It was hard to imagine that if he hadn’t installed the surveillance camera on a whim, he might never have discovered that the seemingly gentle and humble Sean would actually lay a hand on Julian.

’Then, has this kind of thing happened countless times before?’