Chapter 127 The Banquet and the Storm
"Quentin is almost well, going to be discharged in a couple of days," Lauren replied.
"That's good to hear. You've really had a tough time lately," Ethan said, looking at the gaunt Lauren with deep concern.
Yet, he no longer had the right to care for her, to love her.
Lauren shook her head. "It's okay. After all, he got hurt because of me, and I should take care of him."
"Are you really taking care of him just because he saved you?" Ethan blurted out.
Lauren hadn't expected him to ask this question and was momentarily at a loss for words.
Ethan smiled faintly. "What are your plans now?"
Lauren finally responded. "I was just about to tell you. Ethan, my presence has caused some issues with the Robinson Conglomerate. I plan to handle this myself."
"Handle it yourself? How? Are you planning to become the spokesperson for Robinson Conglomerate?" Ethan asked.
"No, this time, Quentin suggested that we use Robinson Conglomerate's fifteenth anniversary celebration. There will be a banquet with everyone connected to the Robinson family in attendance. I will show up as Mrs. Robinson to dispel the rumors that Quentin and I are divorced."
In the past few days, Quentin and Noah had carefully discussed this plan and agreed it was the best idea. Lauren was okay with it as long as it worked.
"Rumors? But you guys did divorce. Why do this now? I don't understand. Lauren, are you really planning to go back to him?" Ethan felt increasingly confused about her intentions. Why was she going to such lengths?
Lauren lowered her head. "To be honest, Ethan, I just want to help Quentin. He's done so much for me. I can't ignore that. I want to do my best to help him. Also, the child needs a father's love. I can't be that selfish. So, this is also a chance for him. I think I will remarry him."
Even though he saw it coming, hearing these words directly from Lauren still pierced Ethan's heart.
The child needed a father, a biological one. No matter how much Ethan could treat this child as his own, he could never win back even a sliver of Lauren's love.
"Alright, since you've decided, I'll support you!" Ethan smiled sadly, concealing his sorrow so well that Lauren didn't notice, and even he was deceived.
"Thank you, Ethan. You've always supported me, right or wrong. Having you as a friend is truly a blessing," Lauren said, tears of joy streaming down her face. She desperately needed understanding and support.
Ethan instinctively reached for his pocket to grab a tissue but stopped himself.
Laurenhad someone else to care for her now, and it wasn't him. There was no need for him to overstep.
"By the way, Ethan, I have an invitation here. I hope you can attend Robinson Conglomerate's fifteenth-anniversary celebration on December 21st. You are my only friend. I really hope you can come," Lauren said, taking an invitation from her bag and handing it to Ethan.
Ethan's gaze wandered when he saw Quentin's name as the inviter.
Though he could now pretend to be indifferent, he really couldn't bring himself to attend such an event and witness Lauren and Quentin looking all lovey-dovey.
"I'm sorry, Lauren. I might not have time that day, but I'll try. Is it okay?" Ethan said apologetically. He really lacked the courage to attend this anniversary celebration.
Lauren shook her head. "It's okay, Ethan. If you have things to attend to, go ahead. But I still want to thank you for your support. It gives me the courage to stand before everyone on that day."
"Lauren, no need to thank me. It's what friends do," Ethan said with a sarcastic smile.
After lunch, Lauren returned to the hospital and told Quentin about her meeting with Ethan.
Quentin didn't react much. He knew Ethan had lost the ability to compete for Lauren.
Of course, he was also grateful to Ethan. Without him, Quentin might not have realized his true feelings for Lauren so quickly, nor would he have been able to win her back.
"Alright, let's not talk about others. Today, let's go to the ancestral home together and tell Grandma about our plan for the anniversary so she can cooperate with us," Quentin said.
"Okay," Lauren replied.
In the evening, Quentin took Lauren to the Robinson family's ancestral home. They shared their entire plan with Grandma Robinson, who was overjoyed.
"This plan is truly excellent. This will be the best gift for Robinson Conglomerate's anniversary celebration," Grandma Robinson couldn't stop smiling. Lauren's agreement to appear as Mrs. Robinson meant she had completely forgiven Quentin and was considering remarriage.
She nodded approvingly at Quentin, impressed that he had managed to persuade Lauren to attend the banquet. This was indeed great news.
"Grandma, on the day of the anniversary, I hope you can accompany Lauren in front of everyone. Since she's pregnant, if the media ask tough questions, I'd like you to help protect her," Quentin said.
Although Quentin wanted to be the one protecting Lauren at the banquet, as the president of Robinson Conglomerate, he would be too busy that day to give her his full attention.
"No problem, Quentin. You focus on your work. I will take good care of Lauren," Grandma Robinson said earnestly, holding Lauren's hand tightly.
Lauren smiled and said, "It's okay, Grandma. You don't have to be so nervous. Since I've agreed to do this, I'm fully prepared. You don't need to go out of your way to protect and take care of me."
Grandma Robinson, however, was not reassured. "No, Lauren, you need to listen to us this time. There will be a lot of people at the banquet, and you need to stay vigilant!"
Lauren knew Grandma Robinson meant well and nodded obediently.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was December 21st, the fifteenth anniversary of the Robinson Conglomerate, and the day Lauren would appear in public as Mrs. Robinson.
Lauren changed into her gown, growing more nervous as the time approached.
Two years ago, she had longed to appear in the public eye as Mrs. Robinson. She had fantasized about it countless times, never expecting it to come true today.
Lauren's feelings were complex. The start of the banquet would mark her entrance into a world of scrutiny, paparazzi, and representing the Robinson Conglomerate, leading a life far from ordinary.
But Lauren had no regrets. She did all this for the one she loved, so she felt no fear.
