Chapter 13 Bringing up Divorce, Again
Quentin had to ruefully smile at the woman's ambition; she had set her sights on the Robinson Conglomerate.
He didn't want to view Lauren as a scheming woman, yet all her actions seemed to prove she had designs on The Robinson Family's assets. It only cemented his belief that she married him for the family fortune.
But as Quentin gazed at Lauren's innocent, harmless sleeping face, he found himself feeling somewhat unwilling to disturb her.
Maybe it was Quentin's cold presence that affected Lauren because she slowly woke up. Lifting her head from her numb arm, a painful tingling sensation spread from her arm throughout her body. She shook her arm violently, trying to relieve the discomfort, completely unaware of Quentin standing behind her.
While waving her hands, she accidentally hit the person behind her. Only then did Lauren realize someone was there. Startled, she scrambled to her feet and nearly took a nasty fall.
Luckily, Quentin's quick reflexes kicked in, and he grabbed the loose clothing on Lauren, lifting her like a small chick.
"What... what are you doing here?"
Lauren's heart was racing. Quentin had appeared behind her like a ghost. Good thing her heart was strong; otherwise, she would've met her maker by now.
Quentin took some tissues from the desk and vigorously wiped his hands as if he had touched something filthy.
Lauren wasn't dumb. She knew that Quentin had a touch of OCD, but all she did was touch his clothes. Did he truly need to react with such disdain? If he disliked her scent that much, then why didn't he have the courage to skip the meals she prepared? After all, he always seemed to enjoy them. Lauren added another imaginary jab to her mind.
"This is my house. Do I need to report to you in my own home, Lauren?" Quentin replied with his usual aloofness, towering above her.
"Of course not. Mr. Robinson can go wherever he pleases. But don't stand behind me and scare me!" Lauren thought the last part but didn't dare say it out loud.
Quentin turned and seated himself in another chair at his desk. He leisurely said to Lauren, "I don't remember ever mistreating you, nor do I recall forbidding you from sleeping in the bed. So, what's with lying here? Some form of self-punishment?"
He really wanted to show concern, wanted to gently remind her to be more attentive, but the words came out all wrong, coming across as scolding instead.
Lauren felt helpless hearing Quentin's words. The world could be so unfair, harboring such a domineering and opinionated man.
"I enjoy it, Mr. Robinson," Lauren said with a smile, holding back her desire to retort.
Inside, she was also regretting her actions. It wasn't just about her anymore. She had to start being more careful for the sake of the baby inside her.
"I never expected Mrs. Robinson to have such unique tastes; quite impressive, actually," Quentin spoke as his gaze drifted to the books on the desk, staring at them intently, an expression of hidden meaning on his face.
Lauren knew Quentin was mocking her and no longer wanted to waste her breath arguing with him. As she began to tidy the books on the desk, the man's voice struck her ears once more, irritating her eardrums.
"Books on company management... Lauren, you're not planning to take over Robinson Conglomerate, are you?" Quentin mentioned seemingly offhand, though his expression was serious.
His words made her laugh in annoyance; he was so full of himself.
"Mr. Robinson, please don't jump to conclusions. I have no interest in your Robinson Conglomerate, okay?"
"It's interesting. You knew me so well. As an entrepreneur, if I can't spot a business opportunity and seize it in time, how can I expect to thrive in a shopping mall? And if I couldn't spot a crisis in time, I would have been dead a thousand times over." Quentin's eyes narrowed, his gaze turning fierce as if he wanted to devour Lauren whole.
Lauren conceded, "Mr. Robinson, I have no interest in the Robinson Family fortune. If it'll give you peace of mind, I can sign an agreement stating, no matter what, I, Lauren, will never lay a claim to a penny of the Robinson Family's wealth."
Since they got married, aside from her food and drink, which were provided by The Robinson Family, all other expenses were paid from Lauren's earlier savings. Besides, Quentin had never given her a cent.
Quentin was aware of all this. Initially, he couldn't care less about Lauren's well-being, believing that as long as she had food and drink, there was nothing for her to worry about.
Quentin sneered, "Do you think I'm ignorant of the law? Since we're legally married, my assets are naturally yours. Do you really think a private agreement would be protected by law?"
Lauren felt dizzy, perhaps from being a bit under the weather, and she felt a rising urge to throw up but she stifled it.
"So, what do you propose that would make you believe me?"
Quentin noticed Lauren's pale complexion and began to worry she might be feeling ill, deciding to lay off for the day.
"I'll think it over and get back to you." Quentin stood up, no longer pressing Lauren.
"Quentin," Lauren called out to him, "let's agree to a divorce. That way I can voluntarily give up any claim to the assets, should that suffice?"
Quentin paused, looking at Lauren with skepticism. He tried to decipher her thoughts by gazing into her eyes, but Lauren's gaze was clear and unfathomable, revealing no hidden motives.
Why was Lauren bringing up divorce again? He had heard her conversation with Kimberly; hadn't she said she loved him and wouldn't seek a divorce? Was she employing a strategy of feigned indifference to manipulate him?
"Are you trying to blackmail me with a divorce?" Quentin's voice grew colder as if he intended to freeze everything around him.
Lauren couldn't help but shiver, realizing Quentin was angry. But why the anger? Wasn't a divorce inevitable? Wasn't it something he had wanted to do all along?
Lauren clenched her fists, her courage mounting as she met his gaze. "Quentin, I'm not threatening you, and I couldn't even if I wanted to. But you don't trust that I'm not interested in your wealth, so this should put your mind at ease, right?"
Quentin stood up, his face expressionless as he looked at Lauren and said, "I, Quentin, couldn't care less about that pittance. I could give it all away to beggars for all I care."
With that, Quentin brushed it off and left, leaving Lauren standing there, puzzled. What did he mean by those words? Did he not care about his fortune? Or did he not care about her, Lauren? Or was it something else?
