Chapter 228: I Don’t Like the Way He Looks at You

Chapter 228: Chapter 228: I Don’t Like the Way He Looks at You

"Godmother," Vesper said. She quickly explained everything—how she’d been in danger, how Renee Rhodes had saved her, how they’d hit it off, and how Renee had taken her on as a goddaughter. Then she tugged nervously at her father’s arm. "Dad, I went ahead and accepted her as my godmother without discussing it with you first. You’re not mad at me, are you?"

"Why would I be mad at you?" Milton Grayson’s tone grew heavy, a mix of heartache and reproach. "You were in such danger. Why would you deliberately hide something so serious from me?"

"I was just afraid you’d worry and imagine the worst..." Vesper gently took his arm, leading him to sit on the sofa and speaking in a soft, wheedling voice. "Besides, I’m perfectly safe now. Things took a turn for the better, and I’m completely fine."

Milton Grayson gazed at his obedient daughter and sighed softly, his expression a swirl of complex emotions. "This must be fate. After all the twists and turns, you were bound to meet in the end."

"Dad, what are you talking about? I don’t understand at all." Vesper tilted her head and looked at him, completely baffled.

"It’s nothing." Milton Grayson concealed the complex emotions in his eyes and spoke slowly. "Ms. Rhodes saved you, so she did our family a great service. We should do the proper thing and formally invite her and her husband to a meal to thank them."

"Jared and I already took them out a few days ago."

Milton Grayson fell silent for a moment, then lowered his voice. "In that case, can you do your dad a favor? Ask her to meet with me. I want to see her, just the two of us."

"I can ask her, that’s not a problem. But Dad, are you sure you and my godmother have met before?"

"Yes, I’m sure."

"Perfect. I’m going to the Sterling estate tomorrow to administer the antidote to the family’s matriarch and Mr. Silas Sterling. Why don’t you come with me? You’ll be able to see my godmother then."

"Okay!" Milton Grayson agreed instantly. His voice was filled with an eagerness and anticipation he couldn’t suppress.

The next day, Jared Hawthorne drove Vesper to the Sterling estate, with Milton Grayson tagging along.

Jared Hawthorne glanced at Milton Grayson, the unexpected addition to their trip. He turned his head, leaned close to Vesper’s ear, and whispered, "Honey, why did your dad suddenly decide to come with us to the Sterlings’?"

Vesper whispered back, "Dad thinks my godmother looks familiar. He wants to see for himself if she’s someone he used to know."

Jared Hawthorne said nothing in response.

The car drove smoothly, and before long, it came to a steady stop in front of the Sterling family’s villa.

The moment he stepped out of the car, Milton Grayson, who was usually so calm and composed, suddenly became tense and fidgety. His fingers curled slightly, his expression taut. His usual poise was gone, replaced by a flicker of anxiety in his eyes.

Seeing this, Vesper couldn’t help but tease him with a smile.

"Dad, you’re so nervous. Don’t tell me... you and my godmother share some kind of secret past?"

Her words were spoken lightly, but they hit their mark.

Milton Grayson froze. His lips twitched as he said in a low voice, "Don’t jump to conclusions. It’s not what you think."

Vesper raised an eyebrow. It was rare to see him so flustered, and she was about to press him further when another car pulled up in front of them. Sebastian Kensington stepped out.

"Mr. Hawthorne, Miss Grayson."

Sebastian Kensington greeted them with a smile, his gaze then landing on Milton Grayson.

"Mr. Grayson?"

He had seen Milton Grayson at the wedding and knew he was Vesper’s father.

’But what is he doing here today?’

Milton Grayson gave a slight nod. "I was with Vesper and Jared, so I thought I’d come along. I trust you don’t mind, President Kensington?"

"Of course not. Please, come in, Mr. Grayson." Sebastian Kensington’s expression was warm and he was perfectly courteous.

The group stepped into the Sterling family’s grand hall, where Silas Sterling, Jenson Whitman, and Renee Rhodes were already waiting.

Seeing them enter, Silas Sterling was the first to rise, speaking politely.

"Miss Grayson, you’re finally here."

Vesper gave a slight nod and instinctively glanced at her father. He was frozen to the spot, his gaze locked on Renee Rhodes, his expression a complex mix of emotions she couldn’t begin to decipher.

’Don’t tell me I was right?’

’Did Dad and my godmother really have some kind of secret past?’

"Vesper, thank you for making a special trip to administer the antidote for the Sterling family." Renee Rhodes stepped forward and gently took Vesper’s hand, her voice soft. "The medicinal herbs and equipment you asked for have all been prepared."

"Thank you for taking care of it, Godmother." Vesper pulled her thoughts together and said softly, "Mr. Sterling, if you would please go to the bedroom and wait, we’ll begin the treatment as soon as we’ve made our preparations."

Silas Sterling nodded and headed straight upstairs.

"Honey, stay downstairs and keep my father company."

After giving her quiet instruction, Vesper turned and followed the medical staff upstairs.

In the hall, Milton Grayson slowly sat on the sofa. He appeared calm and composed on the surface, but inside, a storm was raging. Over twenty years of longing, obsession, bitterness, and anxiety washed over him all at once, and it was a long while before he could compose himself.

’It’s her.’

’It’s really her. The woman who has haunted my dreams, the one I’ve been searching for for over twenty years.’

’The woman I’ve thought about day and night for all these years... and right now, she’s standing right in front of me, close enough to touch.’

"Mr. Grayson, please have a seat." Renee Rhodes gestured for them to sit, pouring a cup of hot tea and placing it in front of him. Her smile was warm and gentle. "I truly envy you, Mr. Grayson. You’ve raised such an outstanding daughter."

Milton Grayson froze for a second, suppressing the roiling emotions within him. "I heard from Vesper that she’s taken you as her godmother?"

"That’s right. Vesper and I hit it off immediately. I’m very fond of her, and since I don’t have a daughter of my own, I decided to adopt her as one. I hope you don’t mind, Mr. Grayson?"

"Not at all. As long as Vesper is happy with it."

Renee Rhodes chuckled. "I really am envious of those who have daughters. I, on the other hand, just have a son. He’s still single, without even a hint of a daughter-in-law in sight."

"Daughters and sons each have their merits. Ms. Rhodes, your son must still be young. It’s very common for people to marry and have children later in life these days."

"Not so young. He’s almost thirty."

Milton Grayson blurted out, "Is he your biological son?"

The words had barely left his mouth when a deathly, awkward silence fell over the living room.

Realizing his blunder, Milton Grayson cleared his throat. "Don’t misunderstand. I didn’t mean anything by that."

He took a sip of his tea, trying to diffuse the awkwardness.

Jenson Whitman’s brow furrowed, and he looked at Milton with open displeasure and suspicion.

Renee Rhodes also shot him an odd look, but her excellent upbringing helped her maintain her graceful composure.

"You have a strange sense of humor, Mr. Grayson. Of course he’s my biological son. I have no interest in raising another person’s child."

’He’s her biological son... and four years older than Vesper.’

’Could it be...?’

’A thought was bursting from his chest.’

He lifted his gaze, which fell discreetly on the distinguished-looking man by her side, and a tidal wave crashed through his heart. The man’s eyes and brows... they bore a striking resemblance to Vesper’s.

Leaning back on the sofa, Jared Hawthorne’s dark eyes quietly observed Milton Grayson and Renee Rhodes. He couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something strange going on between them.

"Miss Grayson’s treatment will likely take some time," Jenson Whitman suddenly said. "Renee, let me take you to our room to rest for a bit."

"I’m not tired." She had slept very well the previous night.

"You haven’t been sleeping well these past few days. You should go rest."

Without giving her a chance to refuse, Jenson Whitman pulled her to her feet. He gave a curt nod to Jared Hawthorne and Milton Grayson and led her upstairs without a backward glance.

"Honey, slow down."

Renee Rhodes hurried to keep up with her husband, wondering what had gotten into him.

Once they were back in their room, Renee asked in exasperation, "Honey, what’s wrong with you? I’m really not tired. I slept perfectly well last night."

Jenson Whitman’s handsome face was taut. "I don’t like the way he was looking at you."

"Huh? You mean Mr. Grayson?" Renee didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She said with a playful smile, "Mr. Grayson is a married man with a daughter. Why would he be interested in me? You’re a grown man. How can you still be so jealous?"

Jenson Whitman scoffed. "And did you hear how rude he was? Asking if our son is our biological child. What kind of normal person asks something like that? If he wasn’t Vesper’s father, I would’ve given him a piece of my mind."

"Mr. Grayson is a bit odd, I’ll admit, but I’m sure he meant no harm." Renee pulled him down to sit on the sofa and began gently massaging his shoulders. "He raised Vesper to be such a wonderful person. That proves he can’t be a bad man."

Jenson Whitman took her hand. "Just stay away from him. I don’t like the man."

Renee was speechless. "..."

’Sure enough, a man’s jealousy knows no age.’

’But there’s something kind of cute about my Mr. Whitman when he’s jealous, isn’t there?’