Chapter 448 Jealousy
The sight was a sudden shock to him, deeply unsettling.
In Lymington, Rock had outsmarted him. Lawrence clenched his fists, his features contorted with a chill malice. Surrounded by people, he looked casually at Rock, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "And who might this be?" Winnie stiffened, sensing the question wasn't as innocent as it seemed. Rock gently patted her shoulder and stepped forward, facing the crowd. "Lawrence, is it? A pleasure to meet you. I'm Rock, Winnie's fiancé." "Who? Never heard of him," Lawrence sneered coldly, his lips twisting disdainfully. He noticed Winnie's nervous expression toward Rock and said in an icy tone, "An illegitimate daughter paired with an unknown fiancé—that's fitting!" Winnie’s face paled, her chest feeling as if it had been pierced by a dagger. He had scolded Angela for calling her a bastard before but now he was hurting her with his own words. Winnie cursed inwardly as her fists clenched tightly together. The atmosphere turned tense as everyone took in the scene. Rock met Lawrence's gaze evenly, a faint smile on his lips. "The Harrington Group, while not as illustrious as the Rodriguez or Blanchet families from Trento City, has been establishing itself there for a few years now. We have a practical approach and, frankly, we arrived in Trento City even before Mr. Lawrence made his return home. I've started an electronics and high-end skincare factory in the economic zone. Ladies, perhaps you've tried the Harrington Group’s products?" The women's eyes brightened as they exclaimed, "That new powerful hairdryer, that's a Harrington product, right? It's the talk of the town." "So, you're the brains behind it." "To establish a factory and acquire land in the economic zone so early on shows Mr. Rock's foresight is quite commendable." Carlos stepped forward, casting a glance at Winnie's pale face, ready to commend Rock, "A noble family background is one thing, but being young and accomplished is another. If my daughter is happy, I'm not overly concerned with status..." "The economic zone, you say? That entire area belongs to the Rodriguez family. Watch your step in the future, Mr. Rock, or I can have it demolished as easily as I say it!" Lawrence spoke with a casual menace, then turned to Carlos with a rhetorical sting. "Uncle Carlos, surely you agree that family heritage is crucial, don't you?"
The murderous glint in his eyes sent a shock through the Blanchet family, leaving them momentarily stunned. Rock's face contorted with displeasure. Lawrence was no longer the man he used to be; now he stood as the nation's formidable Mr. Lawrence, wielding power that could dwarf Rock's tenfold. When he said "demolish," entire fortunes could crumble, like the Harrington Group's. The gap between the two men's stature was obvious at a glance. Carlos's expression was sour, but out of respect for Lawrence's status, he held his tongue and directed Ishara, "Ishara, please show Mr. Lawrence to his seat." "Mr. Lawrence, please take the head of the table," the ever-obliging Ishara offered with deferential politeness. Lawrence nodded to his elders as Ishara clung to his arm like a loyal companion. "Lawrence, it's time for dinner." His eyes flicked to the girl's hand on his arm, then shot a frosty glance at Winnie. Unaffected by her indifference, he let Ishara lead him away. "How are you feeling today?" "Same old... ahem, but having you join me for dinner gives me an appetite. I'll make sure to eat extra." With a side glance that was all but warm, Lawrence murmured, "Good girl. Eat well; your health matters most." "Ahem," Ishara coughed demurely. Winnie pretended not to hear, but Ishara, ever so polite, called out, "Winnie, Mr. Rock, why don’t you join us at the table?" Winnie shot Ishara a cold glance, indicating she was about to decline when Lawrence casually twirled his wine glass and remarked playfully, "The Blanchet's prestigious seating isn't for everyone, Ishara. Remember, there's a hierarchy. Only invite those who match the status." At those words, Rock's face flushed a sudden shade of green, a dark chill flashing through his usually gentle eyes as he clenched his fists. Angela burst into loud laughter. "Indeed, not everyone is worthy to sit with Mr. Lawrence and it seems that Mr. Rock falls short." Winnie glanced at Rock, humiliated in front of everyone, and her patience snapped. "Enough, Lawrence. Weren’t you also from Lymington not so long ago? Has rising to the top made you so keen on stepping on others? Rock, let's sit at a different table. After all, us mere mortals don't deserve to share a table with the esteemed Mr. Lawrence."
Lawrence's expression turned cold, his eyes flashing fury. He had only teased Rock, that little weasel, with a few words, and she had the nerve to openly challenge him, all out of concern for that guy. He watched her escort Rock to the last table, feeling an unnerving chill envelop his entire body. Ishara's lips curved into a slight smile. With just a few words, she had Lawrence and Winnie in hot water. Clearly, Rock was like a ticking bomb, and she was playing her cards well. She fiddled with a shrimp then brought it up to Lawrence with a coy smile. "Lawrence, this is my first time peeling shrimp. Want to give it a try?" Lawrence frowned as his gaze drifted back to the end of the room where Winnie was sliding a dish closer to Rock. They were sitting so close together, laughing and chatting. A pang of something cold gripped his heart. He glanced at the shrimp in Ishara's hand and, with a cold detachment, opened his mouth and ate it. "Oh, Mr. Lawrence, you and Ishara really are in your own world!" Angela teased, inciting the other ladies at the table to join in the fun. "Mr. Lawrence, Ishara's the one who's sick. Why don't you peel one for her?" The commotion at their table was hard to ignore, and Winnie, despite her best efforts, couldn't help but be aware of it even as she bowed her head to her meal. Rock frowned, his words laced with intent as he said, "Even if he's fallen out of love with you, he shouldn't be treating you like dirt—showing such tenderness toward your sister." Winnie had clenched her fists so tightly that her knuckles whitened, but she couldn't stop stealing glances their way. Catching her gaze, Lawrence's lips curled into a cold smile. "Sure, I'll peel one for Ishara." Without realizing it, Winnie snapped her fork in half. She suddenly felt a moment of queasiness. She stood up, pressing her lips together, and excused herself. "I need to use the restroom." Rock immediately rose to his feet, his voice laced with concern. "Are you feeling okay? I'll come with you." Lawrence's gaze followed them as they left, his gaze darkening. Ishara sounded hopeful and said, "Lawrence, I want the biggest shrimp..." The man wiped his hands with his handkerchief, his demeanor frosty as he stood up, saying, "Peel it yourself; I need to make a phone call." The whole table turned to look at Ishara, embarrassed on her behalf. Ishara watched his retreating figure, doubting that he was actually calling someone. A coldness flickered in the corner of her eye. Just then, a peeled shrimp was placed in her bowl. It was Patrick Blanchet. With a warm smile while being seated in his wheelchair, he said, "Ishara, you need to keep your strength up. Eat a bit more." "Thank you, Patrick," Ishara replied with a soft smile. Eleanor also served her daughter some food, shooting a cold look at Carlos. "Even Patrick is more attentive to his niece than you are to your own daughter." "Patrick cares about all his nieces. If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all," Carlos hissed back in a low voice.
"Uncle, you're mistaken. Uncle Patrick has only ever had eyes for Ishara; he's never paid much attention to me," Angela pouted her complaint. Patrick's face lit up with a peaceful smile. Despite being more handsome than Carlos, he bore the lifelong burden of a childhood paralysis, confining him to a wheelchair forever. This added a touch of sadness to his otherwise delicate and remarkable features. "Enough with your sass, Angie," Granny Xie chided, laughter in her voice. "Ishara has always been your uncle's darling, like a father and daughter, those two." Patrick remained silent, as did Eleanor, who looked up but kept her thoughts to herself. Carlos felt a pang of sympathy for his brother. "Patrick has no children of his own," he reminded the younger generation. "You all owe him your respect and care. Understand?" Angela nodded, sitting beside an older girl whose collarbone-length hair, cool demeanor, and defiant stare set her apart, almost as if she didn't belong at the table. Her presence was faint, yet at this moment, she seemed to catch a sound from the direction of the restroom, where Winnie had just departed. "Melanie, you seem pretty keen on Winnie," Angela teased, elbowing her companion. "Always watching her. Is it because the two of you share the whole 'illegitimate' thing, huh?" Melanie ignored her completely, tuning into the faint sobbing coming from Winnie.
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