Chapter292
Diana closed her eyes, avoiding his gaze. "What if I did?"
"I'm serious. Just give me a chance, okay?" Douglas implored with a deep, almost pleading tone as he looked at her.
"Do you really want a chance?" Perhaps touched by his sincerity, Diana suddenly opened her eyes wide and asked him seriously.
Douglas nodded, "Yes, just one is enough."
"And what if it doesn't work out?" Diana was considering giving herself another chance, too, to try something different, but this time, she wanted to be cautious.
"One month." Douglas grinned, holding up a single finger, "If after a month you still don't agree to be my girlfriend, I promise I'll stop bothering you."
"All right." Diana agreed briskly and then pushed him away, "Now you can leave."
"And..."
"If you don't leave, then there's no chance at all." Fearing she might lose control and do something with Douglas tonight, Diana had no choice but to usher him out.
Douglas looked at her with a hurt expression, "Can't I just stay a little longer? Say, I stay, and after you finish eating, I could help clean up."
"That's not necessary. I can clean up myself." With that, Diana removed her disposable gloves, rose to her feet, and pushed him toward the door.
Reaching the foyer, she nudged his shoes, "Hurry up, get your shoes on, and get out."
Douglas looked at her. He put on his shoes obediently.
Once he was done, Diana pushed him out and closed the door behind him with a loud "bang."
Standing outside the apartment door, Douglas realized that Diana was going to be more challenging to win over than he had thought.
...
The next day, in the early morning, at Willow Heights Villa.
When Liam woke up and opened his eyes, Lauren was no longer beside him. However, he could hear faint noises coming from the kitchen downstairs.
Lately, Lauren had been endearing, even learning how to make breakfast. Whenever he was at Willow Heights, she would wake up early and cook for him. The taste was quite decent.
After he got out of bed, freshened up, and dressed, Lauren already had breakfast ready on the table, just served.
"Liam, I made your favorite Tacos al Pastor and cornbread. Come and try them," Lauren said with a beaming face full of anticipation as Liam came downstairs.
Liam glanced at her, murmured an indifferent "Hmm," and walked toward the dining room while adjusting his cufflinks.
By the time he sat down, Lauren had already plated the Tacos al Pastor for him, cooling them a little before placing them in front of him.
Liam picked up his spoon and slowly began to savor the Tacos al Pastor.
Lauren sat opposite him, chin propped on her hands, her large eyes glittering with anticipation as she watched him eat.
"Liam, how's the flavor? Want me to get you another one?" Lauren reached to refill his bowl as soon as he finished.
But Liam stopped her outstretched hand and then pulled a bank card from his pocket and placed it in her hand.
"Liam, we agreed on five thousand dollars a month, and you've already paid this month's five thousand. You don't need to give me more," Lauren said, trying to mask the sudden unease rising within her as she held the bank card, yet managing a smile as if nothing was amiss.
"Lauren, this is five million. Take it. It's enough to get you through college," Liam said, looking at her impassively.
Lauren shook her head vigorously, "No, Liam, five thousand a month is enough. I don't want the five million."
Watching her, Liam let out a nearly inaudible sigh, then leaned back in his chair, still without showing any emotion, "I'm getting engaged soon. It's not appropriate for you and me to continue this."
He never had relations with more than one woman at a time. He prided himself on that discipline.
"Engaged?!" Lauren froze, her mind reeling. Soon regaining her composure, she shook her head again, "No, Liam, even if you're engaged, it's not a problem. I'll be good. I promise not to cause any trouble, and I won't let your fiancée know about me."
"Lauren, I've always thought of you as an obedient woman. I hope you won't disappoint me this time." Liam’s heart wavered, seeing Lauren's tears begin to well up, but his face and eyes remained cold and detached.
With that, he pushed his chair back, stood up, and left.
"No, Liam, you can't just abandon me," Lauren called out, following him and grabbing his hand, tears streaking down her cheeks. "I don't need your money or a title. I just want to see you once in a while."
Liam stopped, turned around, and for a moment, his brow furrowed ever so slightly as he looked into Lauren's tearful, pleading eyes.
"Lauren, be good, take the money and use it to study hard, graduate, then find yourself a decent job."
After saying that, Liam forcefully withdrew his hand and walked away with swift strides.
"No, Liam, you can't just leave me like this. You can't..." Lauren watched him leave, shaking her head in agony as she tried to follow. But all she heard was the slam of the mansion's front door.
