Chapter 245: Jared Isn’t With You?

Chapter 245: Chapter 245: Jared Isn’t With You?

"Miss Sterling, I’ve found our daughter!"

Jenson Whitman took the tea from the servant and took a sip, an irrepressible joy blooming in his eyes, his voice thick with excitement.

Miss Sterling’s brows furrowed slightly as she looked at him, her face full of confusion.

"A daughter? Since when did you and Renee have a daughter?"

If she remembered correctly, the couple only had one child, Chadwick Whitman. She had even made a special trip to see the baby when he was born. She couldn’t possibly be mistaken.

How could another daughter suddenly appear out of nowhere?

"This story goes back more than twenty years. Do you remember when I was ambushed, fell into danger, and ended up in a coma?"

Miss Sterling nodded slowly.

"Of course, I remember. You were in a coma for a whole week, and Renee mysteriously disappeared during that time. I made a special trip to Veridia to watch over you, worried you wouldn’t pull through."

Chadwick was only four at the time, and various factions were covetously eyeing the Whitman Family’s businesses. It was she who had taken charge and stabilized the situation. Fortunately, his luck held out, and he eventually woke up.

"Back then, Renee had just discovered she was two months pregnant. We all thought the child hadn’t survived. But not long ago, someone told me that the baby was born safely and has been alive and well all these years."

Miss Sterling’s expression was one of profound shock. She subconsciously turned to Renee Rhodes beside her for confirmation. Renee nodded gently, the corners of her eyes turning red as deep guilt filled them.

"It’s all my fault. I lost my memory back then and completely forgot everything about the child..."

Even now, she still couldn’t remember anything, but she had unwavering faith in what Milton Grayson had told her.

"Have you recovered your memories now?"

"Not yet..."

Miss Sterling’s brow furrowed even more tightly.

"Then how can you be so sure this isn’t a trap? Have you done a DNA test?"

"No, but I know in my heart that Vesper is our daughter," Jenson Whitman added in a deep, firm voice.

He had his people investigate the Grayson Family. Years ago, Milton Grayson had rescued a pregnant woman who had amnesia. He hired renowned doctors to care for her and ensure the baby was carried to term. After she successfully gave birth to a daughter, the two of them went on a trip, and the woman suddenly disappeared.

The entire timeline lined up perfectly with Renee Rhodes’s disappearance.

"This concerns the Whitman bloodline. To be safe, you must do a DNA test," Miss Sterling said gravely. The Whitman Family was immensely wealthy; she couldn’t allow people with ill intentions to exploit the situation.

Beside them, Sebastian Kensington spoke up softly.

"Cousin, that name you just mentioned, Vesper, sounds a bit familiar. Is her surname Grayson?"

"Yes, Vesper Grayson. She’s the young woman who treated you and Miss Sterling before."

Miss Sterling froze, not expecting it to be her.

If it had been anyone else, she might have remained skeptical. But if it was Miss Grayson, her doubts vanished instantly. Vesper Grayson was the young mistress of the Hawthorne Family. The Hawthorne Group’s wealth was comparable to the Whitman Family’s; she had no reason to covet the Whitman assets.

"No wonder I felt an affinity for her the first time we met. So she’s your flesh and blood." Her gaze slowly swept over Jenson Whitman and his wife’s faces. Recalling Vesper Grayson’s features, it was clear she had perfectly inherited the best of both their features. ’The resemblance is uncanny. Simply uncanny.’

She had never considered it before, but looking closely now, the contours of her brows and eyes were indeed similar.

Renee Rhodes said softly, "I’ve already notified Chadwick. He should be on his way to Northolme now."

"I haven’t seen Chadwick in years, either. Stay a while longer this time."

"That’s the plan."

Miss Sterling mused for a moment. "Should we prepare a banquet to formally acknowledge her?"

Jenson Whitman chuckled and shook his head. "We’ll hold the banquet after we return to Veridia. We’ll announce her identity then and introduce her to everyone."

His daughter had been lost to him for twenty-six years. He would not let her suffer the slightest grievance. She would have all the dignity and grandeur she deserved, with nothing spared.

"Once you’ve set a date, be sure to let us know. We’ll attend in person to congratulate you."

...

Today was Vesper Grayson’s final treatment session for Patriarch Forrester.

The patriarch’s legs had long since regained sensation. Although he couldn’t walk normally yet, he could manage to stand by holding onto the edge of the bed.

During a break in the acupuncture, Vesper Grayson asked softly, "Grandpa Forrester, why don’t I see Mr. Forrester and Miss Hughes today?"

"They’ve returned to Portclyde. Justine Hughes needs surgery as soon as possible, and Tyson made a special trip to hire a top overseas specialist for her."

Vesper Grayson gave a faint smile. "A man as devoted as Mr. Forrester is truly rare."

Patriarch Forrester saw through the implication in her words at a glance and shot her a look.

"Vesper, I can tell you’re being sarcastic."

Vesper Grayson’s lips curved slightly. "You’re overthinking it. That wasn’t my intention."

Speaking of his grandson, the patriarch heaved a heavy sigh, utterly exasperated.

"That fool is completely muddle-headed. He’s broken Bonnie’s heart for his ex-girlfriend. They say a forced relationship is never a happy one. Was I wrong to push them together back then?"

"You don’t need to worry. Every generation has its own path to walk. Every encounter in life is a trial that shapes us."

’Who doesn’t run into a scumbag or two in their lifetime?’

Patriarch Forrester was amused by her clear-headed perspective.

"You certainly have a broad perspective. When you have time, try to talk some sense into Bonnie. There are some things I can’t easily say as her grandfather, so pass this on for me: if she feels wronged in this relationship, she absolutely doesn’t have to endure it. A three-legged toad is hard to find, but two-legged men are everywhere!"

Vesper Grayson laughed to herself. ’Is the old man encouraging his grandson’s wife to cheat on him?’

After removing the needles, she gave him detailed instructions.

"I’ll adjust your dietary therapy plan again in the next day or two. With today’s acupuncture, the entire course of treatment is finished. From now on, you can just focus on your rehabilitation, step by step."

"Thank you for your hard work."

Stepping out of the bedroom, Bella Thorne, who was waiting outside the door, looked up, mustering a faint, forced smile.

"How is Grandpa recovering?"

"He’s doing very well. He just needs to rest and focus on rehabilitation."

Bella Thorne thanked her in a low voice.

Vesper Grayson raised an eyebrow and said gently, "You’ll be able to return to Portclyde soon. Then you can be with Mr. Forrester day and night."

A trace of bitterness flashed in Bella Thorne’s eyes. She murmured self-deprecatingly, "Being together day and night won’t change anything."

A single phone call from Justine Hughes was all it took to summon Tristan Forrester away. In his heart, that woman would always come before her. Even if he refused to admit it verbally, his actions never lied.

"Grandpa Forrester specifically asked me to tell you that if Mr. Forrester doesn’t know how to cherish you, you should find a man who will. The world is not short on men."

Bella Thorne froze, her eyes widening as she asked in disbelief.

"Did Grandpa really say that?"

"The patriarch genuinely cares for you. He can’t bear to see you suffer."

Bella Thorne’s eyes stung, and she felt a wave of emotion.

In this world, only Grandpa Forrester was kind to her without expecting anything in return, treating her like his own granddaughter.

"I don’t want to bother Grandpa with these romantic troubles. Besides, venting won’t help. Matters of the heart are not something others can interfere with. If Tristan Forrester found out I was complaining to Grandpa, he’d just suspect me of having ulterior motives."

"Maybe Mr. Forrester really does just pity her and is only trying to be a friend?" Vesper Grayson smiled. "Just try to be happy."

It wasn’t her place to interfere in matters of the heart; all she could do was offer a few words of comfort.

’As for what to do, that’s her own business!’

After leaving White Horse Estate, she received a call from Renee Rhodes.

"Mom?"

"Oh, Vesper, your brother has arrived. Do you have time to come to the Sterling Family’s home? If it’s not convenient, we can come to you instead."

"It’s convenient. I’m not far from the Sterling residence right now."

Half an hour later, the car pulled into the Sterling Family’s courtyard.

Renee Rhodes was already waiting for her in the courtyard. Seeing her get out of the car, she hurried over.

"Slow down, watch your step!"

She glanced inside the car.

"Are you alone? Isn’t Jared with you?"

Vesper Grayson smiled. "He had something to do at the company. I’m only in the early stages of pregnancy; I’m not that delicate."

’I don’t need someone with me every second of the day.’

"You still have to be cautious. Pregnant women need to be careful about everything, especially since this is your first child. Nothing can go wrong."

Renee Rhodes shared her experience as a mother. Vesper Grayson listened patiently, taking it all in.

"Has your morning sickness gotten any better recently?"

She shook her head. "Still the same."

Joan had been making all sorts of different dishes for her, but her morning sickness hadn’t eased. Recently, she had been taking traditional medicine to alleviate the symptoms.

But it was a temporary fix, not a cure. There was nothing to be done about morning sickness; being a mother always involved some hardship.

Renee Rhodes frowned, her face full of worry. "What are we going to do? Tell me what you want to eat, and Mom will make it for you."

"I’ll be fine after enduring it for a while. It’s no big deal." She squeezed Renee Rhodes’s hand and asked softly, "Mom, did you have a strong reaction when you were pregnant?"