Chapter 230: Cannot Suffer Grievances

Chapter 230: Chapter 230: Cannot Suffer Grievances

"Nolan Forrester! He actually bought the house across from mine and said he wants to be my neighbor!"

Vesper Grayson raised an eyebrow. "Looks like he’s planning to pursue you again."

"How did you know?" Shiloh Sloan asked, completely stunned.

"Isn’t it obvious? The great Mr. Forrester wouldn’t humble himself to live in a common courtyard just to ’experience life,’" Vesper Grayson retorted with a slight smile. "So, what are you planning to do?"

"I’m not planning anything, and there’s no way I’m getting back together with him."

"It’s obvious you still have feelings for him. Why not try giving each other another chance?"

"No way! Just thinking about Mrs. Forrester’s behavior, that condescending look on her face, makes me sick. If we really became mother-in-law and daughter-in-law and had to see each other every day... the thought alone is torture."

"I’m too straightforward. I’ve never been good at navigating social intricacies, so I’d be terrible at handling a mother-in-law relationship."

"Besides, Nolan Forrester has always been a filial son. If his mother and I argued and he sided with her, I’d definitely be miserable."

And she would absolutely not stand for being miserable!

Vesper Grayson suppressed a laugh and teased, "How can you be so sure he wouldn’t side with you?"

"He left without a word and broke up with me all those years ago. Wasn’t that because he was following his mother’s orders?" Shiloh Sloan’s voice was tinged with frustration. "If I can’t have his unwavering devotion, I’d rather not have the relationship at all."

"Back then, he hadn’t secured real power yet and wasn’t in control of his own life. But now, he’s the sole authority in the Forrester Family. No one can sway his feelings or decisions anymore."

Shiloh Sloan shot her a look, feigning annoyance. "Why are you suddenly taking his side?"

"I’m just being objective. Ultimately, the choice is still in your hands."

"To be honest, my feelings for him are complicated. When we were dating, I was very dependent on him. I thought I had found someone to lean on. But after he left without a word, I learned to be strong on my own and not rely on anyone. After all these years of getting by myself, it doesn’t really matter whether I have a man in my life or not!"

She could be magnificent on her own. Without getting entangled in love, she wouldn’t have to worry about gains and losses, nor would she have to fear losing someone.

But that didn’t mean she had sworn off love entirely. If she met the right person, it would be a beautiful addition to her life.

"You know, having a man around isn’t a bad thing," Vesper Grayson said with a laugh. "You caught my bouquet, after all. I’m still waiting for you to invite me to your wedding feast!"

"That’s a long way off! I’m not getting married that early." Perhaps because she had witnessed her parents’ divorce, she understood from a young age just how torturous an unhappy marriage could be.

If she couldn’t find the right person, she would just stay single.

You can break up if a relationship doesn’t work out, but getting out of a marriage with a divorce isn’t nearly as easy!

She was very clear about what she wanted.

Shiloh Sloan sized up Vesper’s rosy complexion and couldn’t help but tease, "Look at you, glowing and full of life. It seems President Hawthorne has been ’taking good care’ of you."

"Don’t be ridiculous, I’m pregnant."

"I didn’t say anything. Clearly, you’re the one with a dirty mind."

Vesper Grayson, "..."

After the joke, Shiloh Sloan’s expression turned serious.

"Okay, no more joking. I have something serious to tell you."

Vesper Grayson took a sip of hot water and waited for her to continue.

"I spent two million to invest in a nursing home that was on the verge of bankruptcy."

"Are you planning to get into charity work?"

"I’m not as noble as you think. I’m just using the name of charity for my own convenience."

She couldn’t rest easy with Quentin Chandler being housed somewhere else, but once she became a shareholder in the nursing home, everything would be under her control.

With Quentin Chandler right under her nose, she would be the only one to decide his arrangements and his fate from now on.

Vesper Grayson understood. "You’re planning to send Quentin Chandler there?"

"Mhm."

"Has he been behaving himself lately?"

"With Quentin Stone and Magnus watching him around the clock, how could he dare misbehave? I’m planning to have him discharged in the next day or two and send him straight to the nursing home. And I’ll send my mother in with him," Shiloh Sloan said, a sarcastic smile touching her lips. "Isn’t she hopelessly devoted to Quentin Chandler? Resentful that I had him put away and made them divorce? Fine. I’ll lock them up together so they can be with each other every day! You could say I’m fulfilling her deep and abiding love."

"If you arrange it like that, doesn’t it defeat the purpose of going through all that trouble to make them divorce in the first place?"

"The meaning is completely different. Now he’s no longer my stepfather. He no longer has any right to meddle in my life, much less interfere with any of my decisions."

Now, she was the one who could decide his fate!

Compared to Shiloh Sloan, Vesper Grayson felt she was actually quite fortunate.

Doted on by her father since childhood, her life had been smooth sailing, aside from having been unlucky in love once.

That evening, Vesper Grayson returned to the Hawthorne Estate with Jared Hawthorne, not expecting to find the family’s second branch there as well.

Upon asking, she learned that her mother-in-law, Sharon Chandler, had left for a trip to Europe yesterday and wouldn’t be back anytime soon. Kevin Hawthorne, having been repeatedly rebuffed by his wife and son and with nowhere else to stay, had used the excuse of looking after the old master to move back into the estate temporarily.

Ever since seeing Kevin Hawthorne for who he truly was, Nancy Linton had long since severed all affection for him. She no longer hoped for even a shred of warmth, and it was as if she had been reborn, rediscovering her own confidence and footing in life.

The once listless and dejected Kevin Hawthorne grew even more despondent, which only served to make Nancy Linton look more radiant and full of vitality. Although the two had not officially filed for divorce, they were already living separately and were like strangers to one another.

Nancy Linton treated Kevin Hawthorne as if he were air, her plan already laid out in her mind: the moment her son, Liam Hawthorne, was firmly established and his position unshakeable, she would immediately cut all ties with Kevin and rid herself completely of this disgusting, filthy man!

She had wasted the first half of her life on a rotten man, frittering away countless years. For the rest of her days, she wanted only to live for herself and start a new life.

Fortunately, Liam Hawthorne was making her proud. After taking over the mess Aidan Hawthorne had left behind, he not only resolved numerous problems but also successively secured several high-quality projects and signed major partnership deals, earning a great deal of face for himself in front of the old master.

Today, the old master had even mentioned having Kevin Hawthorne step down from his position and let Liam Hawthorne take full control of the business.

Kevin Hawthorne was unwilling to relinquish his power, yet he didn’t dare to openly defy the old master’s wishes.

Just as everyone was arguing about the matter, at a tense impasse, Jared Hawthorne and Vesper Grayson walked in from the entryway.

Zachary Hawthorne, who had been frowning deeply just a moment ago, instantly relaxed, his eyes filling with a smile.

"Vesper, you’re back."

"Grandfather." Vesper Grayson stepped forward and presented the exquisite pastries she had bought on the way.

"It’s good enough that you’re back; you don’t need to bring something every time." Zachary Hawthorne’s expression was kind as he casually asked, "Where do you and Jared plan to go for your honeymoon?"

Vesper Grayson pressed her lips together. "We haven’t decided yet."

’I haven’t even thought about it.’

Seeing this, Zachary Hawthorne’s smile vanished, and he turned to his grandson beside him.

"Jared, you didn’t arrange this in advance?"

"It’s all arranged. We’ll be leaving in a couple of days."

Vesper Grayson just assumed he was saying that to placate the old master.

"You’ve come at the right time. I was just discussing with your second uncle my intention for him to step down from his company position and hand it over to Luke. I want to hear your thoughts."

"This is a family matter for Second Uncle’s branch. You don’t need to ask my opinion."

Jared Hawthorne’s tone was indifferent. Although it was all part of the Hawthorne Family’s enterprise, the second branch’s businesses had long been split off and were no longer under his jurisdiction.

"You’re the one who calls the shots in the Hawthorne Family now. We should hear your opinion on all matters, big or small."