Chapter 772 Framing
"How dare he look down on you," Samuel said with displeasure. "Angelina, let it go. I admit Lawrence was impressive once, but his family is in decline now. He doesn't deserve you, especially since someone just mentioned he was married before."
"Dad, you can't judge someone based on a moment. I believe a man like Lawrence will rise to the top again. He won't go down easily. Look at him—calm and capable. He's a man of real talent."
Angelina was nonchalant. "As long as Lawrence has real skills, we can help him out a bit. He's not an ordinary person."
Samuel had heard about Lawrence's abilities. His brow furrowed slightly.
Seeing his silence, Angelina clung to his arm coquettishly. "At your age, you should be the best judge of character. In all of Veridiania, how many men can compare to Lawrence's abilities? Who else could stabilize the Rodriguez Group in just two months?"
She added, "This time he failed because he was set up by bad people. If you use Lawrence well, he might help you become president someday."
Samuel quickly glanced around and scolded nervously, "What nonsense are you talking about? I haven't even secured the vice presidency yet."
Angelina hinted, "You'll be vice president next year. Don't you want to move up? If you don't, Adam might take over after the president steps down. Do you really want to support him for life?"
Samuel's shrewd eyes flashed. "Have you really set your sights on him? I won't stop you, but Angelina, didn't you hear what people were saying in the hall? Lawrence still has feelings for his ex-wife."
"Isn't it just Winnie? She's married now, so she's no threat. Dad, as long as you agree, I have a way to get him," Angelina said confidently.
"Don't go overboard," Samuel said helplessly to Angelina.
Thinking about her analysis, he realized Lawrence could indeed be useful. He decided not to interfere and turned to leave.
As soon as he left, Angelina squinted her eyes and quickly called over a male waiter, whispering, "Put this in Lawrence's drink later."
After driving Angela away, Winnie returned to the banquet hall and stayed close to Rock.
She was quiet and stuck to him, but Rock, who was supposed to be happy, felt very uncomfortable.
He had many people to meet tonight, and with her by his side, he had to maintain his gentlemanly image.
After all, it wasn't time to reveal his true self yet.
In Winnie's eyes, he had always been a gentleman.
Rock pinched his brow. "Winnie, why don't you go find Ms. Stewart? I saw her with Mr. Jenkins earlier. I'm afraid you'll be bored with me. It might be better for you to chat with your friends."
He wanted her to leave.
Winnie pretended to be troubled. "But I'm your wife. It's not right to attend the banquet together and then separate. Besides, Lawrence is here. I'm afraid you'll misunderstand something again."
"I won't overthink it. I trust you," Rock said, looking at her affectionately.
In the past, Winnie would have believed him.
But since Adam's banquet, where he used the excuse of worrying about Lawrence approaching her to mingle with Samuel, Winnie knew he just wanted to attend such elite gatherings.
Moreover, Sierra's death had increased her suspicions.
She turned and walked to the side but kept her eyes on him.
She saw Rock immediately approach Samuel, seemingly inquiring about Adam's absence. He enthusiastically lit cigarettes for Samuel and several elites, his demeanor no longer calm and composed.
His slick behavior made Winnie feel waves of disappointment and coldness.
Rock indeed had multiple faces.
Had he been pretending to be a gentleman all these years?
What other faces did he have when she wasn't looking? Maybe his temper wasn't as good as he seemed. Otherwise, why would Lawrence say he was deeply hidden?
"Mrs. Harrington, there you are."
A maid suddenly approached and said, "A lady named Melanie is looking for you. She said she has something to discuss with you."
Melanie? Did Bentley find something out?
Winnie nodded skeptically and followed the maid through the villa hotel's garden towards the pool's back door.
Looking through the door, the pool area was still lively.
Rich men and women were chatting, singing, and barbecuing.
As Winnie reached the poolside, the maid suddenly stopped and quickly turned to bump into her.
She was stunned. "What are you doing?"
Before she could finish, the maid pushed her towards the pool!
Winnie's eyes turned cold. She quickly sensed the maid's hostility, sidestepped, and stuck out a foot.
The maid fell directly into the deep end of the pool.
The huge splash and the startled shout of Xavier Hill from the pool drew everyone's attention.
"Why are pushing me?" Xavier, who was swimming, collided with the falling maid.
Seeing this, Winnie immediately pretended to be scared and shouted, "Help! Someone fell into the water!"
Several servants rushed over.
Winnie deliberately blocked them from rescuing the maid.
Hearing a familiar voice, Lawrence quickly walked over from a nearby dark corner, anxiously looking at Winnie. "Winnie, are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Winnie said, feeling inexplicably angry at his handsome face. She sneered, "Because of you, I almost fell into the water. Luckily, I reacted quickly."
Lawrence frowned, then quickly noticed the maid in the water. His face turned cold.
He wasn't a fool and guessed that the maid was from the Harper family.
"What's going on?" Angelina hurried over, looking concerned.
She had expected to see Winnie embarrassingly falling into the water and hugging Xavier in the pool.
Not only would it humiliate her, but it would also give her a reputation for being promiscuous, making Lawrence dislike her.
Unexpectedly, it was her maid who fell into the water and was being pulled out in embarrassment. She was quite angry.
Especially since Lawrence had rushed to Winnie's side so anxiously.
At this moment, Angelina hated Winnie deeply.
She had been looking for Lawrence everywhere, but he avoided her and cared about Winnie.
It seemed she had underestimated Lawrence's feelings for Winnie!