Chapter 272: I Like It So Much

Chapter 272: Chapter 272: I Like It So Much

The two of them hurriedly separated, putting distance between them.

The door was pushed open, and Mrs. Forrester walked in.

The moment she saw her, Clara Shepherd looked flustered, forcing herself to remain calm as she spoke.

"Sis, what are you doing here?"

"I heard you weren’t feeling well, so I came to check on you. Why didn’t you call me if your stomach was hurting?" Mrs. Forrester’s tone was reproachful.

"I was actually here to discuss something with my brother-in-law, but then my stomach suddenly started to hurt..." Clara Shepherd took the opportunity to link her arm with her sister’s, her voice softening. "Since you’re here, why don’t the three of us have lunch together?"

Mrs. Forrester’s gaze fell to her lower abdomen. "Are you feeling better now?" she asked with concern.

"I’m fine now."

"I’ve been trying to convince you to move into the Forrester Residence and live with us, but you always refuse. If you lived with us, it would be much more convenient to look after you."

"I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Besides, I don’t want to disturb you and my brother-in-law’s private time."

’If I really moved in, how could Frederick and I meet in secret?’

’The butler and servants at the Forrester Residence are all Carla’s confidants. I’d be under their watch all day. It would be impossible not to get caught!’

Frederick Forrester said in a low voice, "Clara is more comfortable living on her own. I’ll send a few more maids to take care of her daily needs. You don’t have to worry."

"She’s my own flesh and blood, my little sister. How can I not worry?" Mrs. Forrester put her arm around Clara Shepherd’s shoulder, her expression grim. "That irresponsible man... still no word from him?"

Clara Shepherd shot a quick glance at Frederick Forrester before quickly looking away.

Frederick Forrester’s body stiffened slightly, a fleeting look of guilt and unease flashing in his eyes.

"Still no word."

"You went abroad to study, but you were careless and couldn’t see people for who they were. That man tricked you, got you pregnant, and then just up and disappeared. I’ve never seen such an irresponsible bastard!" Mrs. Forrester’s heart ached for what her sister had been through, and filled with indignation, she cursed him without holding back.

Clara Shepherd pressed her lips together and lowered her gaze. "Sis, his entire identity was fake. I’ve come to terms with being deceived. But the child is innocent. I have no other wish right now except to give birth to this baby safely."

"Don’t worry. Even without that heartless man, your brother-in-law and I will definitely protect you and the baby," Mrs. Forrester soothed gently. She then turned to the man beside her and asked, "Right, honey?"

Frederick Forrester replied with a faint smile, "Of course. Whatever my wife says."

"Brother-in-law, Sis, you’re both too good to me." Clara Shepherd leaned on Carla’s shoulder, sneaking a playful wink at Frederick Forrester out of the corner of her eye.

The butler, standing to one side, took in the entire scene, and a strange sense of unease crept into his heart.

’When I came in just now, the master and Miss Shepherd both seemed to have rather disheveled clothes.’

’Ever since Clara Shepherd returned to the country seven months ago, she has been very close with the master. For every little thing, she always goes to him for help first.’

’Even for a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, their level of interaction is far too intimate.’

He suppressed the absurd suspicions forming in his mind.

...

After dinner, Jared Hawthorne strolled through the courtyard with Vesper Grayson.

The moonlight was clear and bright, its pure glow blanketing the entire courtyard. A gentle evening breeze rustled the leaves, creating a tranquil, timeless scene.

Earlier that day, the two had visited Victory Pharmaceuticals. The factory was medium-sized, fully equipped with pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment.

The Whitman Family’s main business wasn’t in the pharmaceutical sector, so they hadn’t expanded the factory or invested in new drug research for a long time. The heart failure adjuvant drug produced by the factory was comparable in efficacy to mainstream drugs on the market. Its main advantage was its low price, and its annual revenue was just enough to break even.

The Whitman Family used the pharmaceutical company to quietly help poor patients, performing acts of charity and public service.

"Is the factory’s current size sufficient? Do you need to expand it?" Jared Hawthorne asked, his eyes lowered.

"There’s no need to expand for now. Once the product is developed, we can plan for expansion based on marketing and sales performance."

She didn’t want to invest too much in the early stages. Even though she had a complete blueprint in mind, she remained cautious with her investments. Expanding the factory would be immensely expensive, and she didn’t want to be extravagant where she could be frugal.

Jared Hawthorne asked, "Should we halt the existing production line for the heart failure drug?"

"Keep one production line running as usual, but reduce the output." She had reviewed the drug’s formula; it could indeed help manage heart failure.

As they were chatting, Chadwick Whitman walked over to them.

"Vesper, there’s something I’d like to ask you about. Is now a good time to talk?"

"Of course. What would you like to ask, Chadwick?" Vesper Grayson looked up at him.

"A friend of mine’s grandmother has been suffering from insomnia for years. She’s seen famous doctors all over the country and has been on medication for several years, but her condition keeps relapsing. Recently, her insomnia has gotten much worse. Your medical skills are outstanding; I was wondering if you might have a good way to treat her?"

"Have they figured out the cause of the insomnia?"

"The previous doctors concluded it was due to excessive worry and emotional distress, but they couldn’t determine the specific cause." Chadwick Whitman asked in a low voice, "Have you ever treated a similar case before?"

"No..."

"It’s fine if you don’t have a solution. I was just asking on a whim."

’Vesper is only twenty-six this year. She’s still new to practicing medicine. Even seasoned doctors with decades of experience were at a loss.’

’It’s perfectly reasonable that she doesn’t have a good solution.’

Vesper Grayson pursed her lips, her expression serious. "It would be best to see her in person and check her pulse. I can only prescribe the right treatment after determining the root cause."

"Then I’ll have my friend bring Lockwood over to the house tomorrow. Can you take a look at her?"

"I can do that."

A smile touched the corners of Chadwick Whitman’s lips. "You two carry on. I’m going to give him a call."

「The next morning, at the crack of dawn.」

Kyle Lockwood arrived at the Whitman Family’s home, supporting Miss Lockwood.

"Lance, Regina, my apologies for dropping in on you two so suddenly today."

"There’s no need to be so formal, ma’am. We’re very happy to have you."

Miss Lockwood had a humble demeanor. "Mr. Whitman, Miss Rhodes, there’s a particular reason for my visit today."

He explained the reason for their visit, and understanding dawned on Jenson Whitman and Renee Rhodes.

Chadwick Whitman came slowly down the stairs, greeted everyone in the living room, and spoke with a casual air.

"I told you to bring Lockwood over, but did you have to be this early?"

It was a quarter to seven.

’Vesper isn’t even up at this hour.’

Kyle Lockwood coughed twice, slightly embarrassed. "I was just anxious and wasn’t paying attention to the time."

Renee Rhodes smiled and asked, "Miss Lockwood, Kyle, have you had breakfast yet?"

"Not yet."

Miss Lockwood looked a little helpless. She usually ate around seven, but this morning, her young grandson had whisked her out of the house as soon as she woke up.

"Then let’s have breakfast first," Renee Rhodes said, leading the way while explaining, "Vesper doesn’t come downstairs until eight."

"Vesper?" Miss Lockwood looked puzzled.

"She’s my biological daughter, whom I just found after being separated for many years," Renee Rhodes said as she helped the old woman towards the dining room. "She knows medicine. When she comes down, we’ll have her take a look at you."

Walking behind them, Kyle Lockwood quietly tugged on Chadwick Whitman’s sleeve and lowered his voice.

"The expert you mentioned... it’s not your sister, is it?"

"Is there a problem?"

"..."

Chadwick Whitman glanced at him, his tone cool. "What’s with that look? You looking down on my sister?"

"No, no, of course not." He quickly waved his hands. "I haven’t even met her. Which medical school did our sister graduate from?"

"My sister. Don’t you try to claim her!"

"Yours, all yours. No one’s fighting you for her."

...

「In the bedroom.」

Vesper Grayson slowly opened her eyes and glanced at the clock on the wall. It was already seven-thirty.

She gave a lazy yawn and snuggled into the arms of the man beside her.

"Good morning, darling." Her voice, husky and soft from sleep, was sweet and gentle.

Jared Hawthorne wrapped a long arm around her slender waist, bent his head, and placed a warm, gentle kiss on her smooth forehead.

"Good morning, Mrs. Hawthorne."

"Chadwick said his friend is bringing his grandmother over today. Should we get up?"

"Mm."

Jared Hawthorne got up first and went into the bathroom, squeezing toothpaste onto her toothbrush and setting it out for her. While she was brushing her teeth, he picked up a wooden comb and expertly began to comb her long hair.

When he first started doing these things, his movements were clumsy, but after a month or two, practice had made him perfect.

After they had washed up and gotten dressed, Vesper Grayson reached out and stopped him.

"Let me put some cream on you."

Jared Hawthorne bent down slightly, lowering his head to cooperate.

Vesper Grayson squeezed out some face cream, warmed it between her palms, and gently smoothed it over his face.

"Did you change the scent?" Jared Hawthorne’s nose twitched slightly.

"Mm-hm, do you like it?"

She had been using a rose scent before, but recently switched to a milky one.

The scent was light and pleasant.

Jared Hawthorne lowered his head, burying his nose in the crook of her neck and taking a deep sniff. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and his voice was low and husky. "I love it."

His warm breath tickled her neck, making her skin tingle. Vesper Grayson’s shoulders flinched slightly, and she laughed, turning her head to dodge him.