Chapter 261: Nolan Forrester, You’re Shameless

Chapter 261: Chapter 261: Nolan Forrester, You’re Shameless

Over the weekend, the two families arranged to meet for a small get-together. The dinner was set at Whispering Breeze Lodge, run by Shiloh Sloan.

When Jared Hawthorne and Vesper Grayson picked up Master Hawthorne that evening, he was still a bit baffled.

"Our chef at home is quite skilled. Why make a special trip to eat out?"

Jared Hawthorne wore a solemn expression. "Grandpa, there’s something important I need to tell you. It concerns Vesper’s parentage."

Ten minutes later.

Master Hawthorne looked astonished and sighed. "To think there was such a hidden story. Milton is truly good at keeping secrets."

For so many years, no one ever noticed that there was a problem with their relationship.

Everyone thought Vesper Grayson was Milton Grayson’s biological daughter.

But he had deceived everyone. Even his own wife was kept in the dark.

What a pity. The one who loved so deeply was unable to be with his beloved.

"I’ve arranged for the elders of both families to meet for dinner today. Firstly, so everyone can get acquainted. Secondly, once my work is in order, I plan to take Vesper to Veridia for our honeymoon."

Master Hawthorne nodded in approval. "You’ve thought this through. Now that she’s found her birth parents, it’s good to foster that relationship."

As they spoke, the car pulled up to the entrance of Whispering Breeze Lodge.

The courtyard was serene and elegant, and the private-kitchen cuisine was a feast for the senses. Shiloh had specially cleared out the entire restaurant, leaving the large lodge to just their party for the evening.

Not long after they arrived, Jenson Whitman, Renee Rhodes, and Chadwick Whitman walked slowly into the private room.

Jared Hawthorne quickly rose to make the introductions. "Grandpa, this is my father-in-law and mother-in-law—Vesper’s birth parents!"

Jenson Whitman strode forward, respectfully shook Master Hawthorne’s hand, and spoke with humility and grace.

"Master Hawthorne, it’s a pleasure. Thank you for your careful guidance; it’s thanks to you that we have such an outstanding son-in-law in Jared."

Master Hawthorne was all smiles. "Nonsense, it’s all a credit to his own efforts. Vesper is exceptional in character and appearance; I’m very fond of my granddaughter-in-law."

In their back-and-forth, the elders of the two families made small talk, their conversation growing increasingly congenial.

A moment later, Milton Grayson entered with Joyce Rivers. Joyce wore an elegant, perfectly tailored qipao. Her dark hair was intricately braided into a neat bun, and her makeup was meticulously applied; she had clearly taken great pains with her appearance before leaving the house.

Deep down, she had a competitive streak and refused to be outshone by Renee Rhodes.

Renee Rhodes was the unforgettable love Milton Grayson had cherished for half his life, and also the thorn in Joyce’s own heart, the object of her years of secret suspicion and restless jealousy.

Although that barrier was gone now and she knew it had been nothing but Milton Grayson’s unrequited love from start to finish.

But she still wanted to be at her very best to meet this ’imaginary rival’ who had been the object of her jealousy for over twenty years.

Their previous, brief encounter at the theater had been rushed. She had been struck by Renee Rhodes’s elegance and beauty then, but hadn’t given it a second thought.

But now that she knew her identity, her gaze was entirely different!

She linked arms with Milton Grayson, observing her new acquaintance discreetly.

Seeing her up close, Joyce Rivers truly realized that some people’s beauty is simply innate. Today, Renee Rhodes wore no makeup and not a single piece of jewelry, dressed only in a form-fitting, lotus-pink gown. Her features were gentle, and she was surrounded by an indescribable charm and grace, exuding a sense of peaceful contentment.

It was no wonder Milton Grayson had fallen for her at first sight, had never been able to forget her, and had even raised her daughter as his own flesh and blood!

Milton Grayson greeted Master Hawthorne, then took a seat with Joyce Rivers.

Since everyone had met before, further introductions were unnecessary.

At the dinner table, the conversation revolved around Jared Hawthorne and Vesper Grayson, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

Vesper had been worried, but seeing everyone get along so harmoniously, she breathed a small sigh of relief.

After a few rounds of drinks, Joyce Rivers suddenly stood up, raised her glass, and looked at Vesper.

"I’d like to propose a special toast to Vesper!"

"I was wrong before. I shouldn’t have been so petty and taken things out on a child like you! I’m here to apologize."

With that, she drained her glass.

Vesper raised an eyebrow. She hadn’t expected Joyce Rivers to be so magnanimous today as to apologize to her voluntarily.

"Miss Joyce, you don’t need to apologize. In fact, I should be thanking you for going easy on me."

Joyce’s previous actions against her had always been out in the open. She hadn’t resorted to insidious plots or tried to completely destroy her.

Otherwise, at such a young age, she would have suffered a much crueler fate long ago.

Joyce paused, a little ashamed. "It’s because I cared too much about your father..."

Milton Grayson stepped in to smooth things over. "All right, that’s enough. Vesper and I both know what you’re like."

"Vesper, please forgive your aunt."

Vesper picked up her water glass. "Since Dad put it that way, of course I’ll respect his wishes. Miss Joyce, I’ll toast you with this tea instead of wine."

The atmosphere quickly warmed up again.

Partway through the meal, Vesper went to the restroom.

As she rounded a corner, she glanced unconsciously toward the entrance and saw Shiloh Sloan pressed against a wall, being kissed by a man.

She stopped in her tracks. She squinted for a moment, then recognized the man.

Nolan Forrester!

’Have they gotten back together?’

She quickly ducked behind the wall to watch the show.

The next second, Shiloh Sloan violently shoved the man away and slapped him across the face.

"Nolan Forrester, don’t push your luck!"

The man ran his tongue along the inside of his cheek, looking as if he hadn’t had enough.

"What? You’re not going to take responsibility after sleeping with me?"

Shiloh Sloan glared at him.

"You took advantage of me when I was vulnerable! Besides, you enjoyed it too, so stop pretending to be so innocent. Just go, I have guests!"

Nolan Forrester’s eyes darkened slightly. "So, you really don’t intend to take responsibility for me?"

"I didn’t even go home, and it was all for you!"

Shiloh Sloan was speechless. "I didn’t tell you not to go home, and you don’t have to fight your family for my sake. That’s a burden I can’t bear."

’We broke up years ago. Even if there are still feelings, that doesn’t mean we have to get back together again.’

’That Summer keeps popping up, and she’s driving me crazy.’

’At the grand opening, she actually snuck rats into the courtyard. If I hadn’t found them in time, this restaurant probably would’ve gone out of business before it even opened!’

’I know Summer’s type. She won’t give up this easily; she’ll just keep stirring up trouble.’

’After all, Nolan has moved out now, turning his back not only on his family and his company, but also on his engagement to her!’

’At the last class reunion, she was showing off in front of everyone, announcing their engagement.’

’Now her hopes have been dashed, and she’s become a complete joke in front of her classmates and friends.’

’Yesterday, Mrs. Forrester came to see me alone. She was just as she had been years ago—as high-and-mighty as ever, her gaze filled with undisguised contempt and disgust.’

’But compared to a few years ago, I’ve matured a lot. I no longer care about other people’s opinions, and I won’t be so easily threatened or manipulated.’

’When Mrs. Forrester saw that I wouldn’t yield to either threats or persuasion, she gave me a check for fifty million.’

’Mrs. Forrester said that as long as I persuaded Nolan Forrester to go home and give up on me for good, the fifty million was mine.’

’I usually enjoy watching those short web dramas, but I never thought I’d find myself in such a clichéd, melodramatic scene.’

’Art truly imitates life.’

’If I were still in my teens, I would never have been able to resist such a temptation.’

’But for the financially independent, twenty-five-year-old Shiloh Sloan, fifty million wasn’t enough to make her heart flutter.’

’Right in front of Mrs. Forrester, meeting her shocked gaze, I tore the check to pieces and threw it in the trash can.’

’To really get under her skin, I even said, "Mrs. Forrester, are you trying to get rid of a beggar with this chump change? If I become Miss Forrester, half of the Forrester family’s fortune will be mine!"’

’I still remember how ugly Mrs. Forrester’s expression was. If not for a shred of self-restraint, she probably would have flown into a rage on the spot.’

’As long as it pissed her off, I was satisfied!’

Nolan Forrester let out a cold laugh, grinding his teeth. "Shiloh Sloan, you truly are a heartless woman!"

"You know damn well that I had no choice when I left back then. I did it to protect you."

Shiloh Sloan opened her mouth, then looked away with a scoff. "That just proves you’re still a man! Protecting your woman is a boyfriend’s duty! I let you have your way with me, and I didn’t make a fuss, did I? So we’re even!"

"Sleeping with you once is hardly enough, then." Nolan Forrester let out a low, ambiguous laugh, his dark eyes glinting dangerously. "We were broken up for three years. Let’s say an average of seven times a day... you do the math. How many times do you owe me? You can pay me back slowly."

’Three hundred sixty-five days a year... for three years, that’s 1,095 days. At an average of seven times a day... that’s 7,665 times.’

’When would I ever be able to pay that back?’

’He really knows how to keep score!’

"In your dreams! Does Mr. Forrester really think he’s some kind of stud?" She rolled her eyes and shoved him toward the door. "Now hurry up and go. Don’t interfere with my business."

Nolan Forrester grabbed her wrist. "Tonight, either you wait for me, or I’ll come find you. Pick one."

"I choose neither!" Shiloh Sloan turned to leave, refusing to engage with his unreasonable pestering.

The moment she turned, a wave of weightlessness washed over her. She let out a soft cry as the man swept her up by the waist and strode toward the room across the hall.

"What are you doing? Put me down!" Shiloh Sloan flailed her arms and legs, struggling.

Nolan Forrester turned a deaf ear to her protests, his voice low. "I’m collecting my debt right now."

Understanding his intention, Shiloh Sloan was both mortified and furious. "Nolan Forrester, you’re shameless!" she cursed.