Chapter 186 The Unresolved Knot in the Heart
After the divorce, Kimberly chopped off her hair, stocked up on groceries, and headed home with a spring in her step.
Seeing Kimberly so cheerful, Lauren asked, "Where've you been?"
Kimberly waved her divorce papers like she'd just won the lottery.
Lauren felt a pang of sadness. Kimberly and Ulysses' twenty-plus years of marriage were over.
Kimberly's eyes sparkled as she changed the subject, "How do I look? Like a whole new person, right?"
Lauren forced a smile, still feeling the weight of it all. "Mom."
"Come on, tell me! How do I look?" Kimberly pressed. It was the first day of her new life, and she wanted to share it with Lauren.
Lauren sighed. "Not bad. The short hair suits you. You look sharp."
Kimberly beamed. "I think so too. A woman should treat herself better. I used to live so simply, I almost forgot what it felt like to dress up and feel good."
Lauren's mind wandered. For years, Kimberly had sacrificed so much for their family, carrying a burden that had worn her down.
Now, with kids of her own, Lauren understood the depth of a mother's sacrifices. She vowed to work hard to secure a bright future for both Kimberly and Matthew.
"Mom, thank you," Lauren said earnestly, looking at Kimberly.
In her heart, Lauren thought, 'Mom, thank you for loving me so much and for your selfless dedication.'
Kimberly was touched. "Lauren, I'm your mom."
The two single mothers hugged tightly, believing their lives would get better through their efforts.
Finally, Kimberly looked at Lauren seriously and said, "I let Ulysses keep the fifty million dollars. Lauren, Quentin..."
Lauren fell silent. While Ulysses had independently asked Quentin for money, Quentin's agreement likely stemmed from her influence. Before leaving City A, she resolved to speak with Quentin, hoping he could retrieve the money from Ulysses. She was determined not to owe Ulysses anything.
She couldn't avoid meeting Quentin. Lying in bed, tossing and turning, she wondered, 'Would Quentin be happy, relieved, or a little sad if he knew I am leaving City A and disappearing from his world forever?'
She patted her head, trying to stop thinking about it. In this world, nobody was irreplaceable, and everyone could survive without another person.
There were still many reports online, but with Sophia's help, the negative ones about Quentin were decreasing. The media's attacks on the internet and TV were all aimed at Lauren.
Lauren read those reports calmly. She could now face the insults and slander with composure. She understood the principle of kicking someone when they were down, but this time, she really couldn't turn things around.
It didn't matter. She was leaving anyway. Why not ignore the online hate?
She thought Quentin and Sophia would get together smoothly, but there was no news about that online.
Lauren hesitated, then finally typed "Quentin" into the search bar. Instantly, a flood of information appeared. The headline that caught her eye was "Robinson Conglomerate Faces Financial Crisis, On the Verge of Bankruptcy."
She froze, realizing this might be because Ulysses had asked Quentin for fifty million dollars. Clenching her fists, she feared she might be responsible for the Robinson family's downfall if the conglomerate went under.
After a sleepless night of contemplation, Lauren decided to seek out Quentin the next day. She believed that if she directly asked for the return of the fifty million dollars, it might resolve the crisis and possibly mend her relationship with Quentin.
The next morning, after breakfast, Lauren packed her things and was about to head to Robinson Conglomerate when her phone rang.
Seeing Quentin's name on the screen, her heart skipped a beat. She never believed in fate, but this felt like it. She quickly calmed herself and answered the call, her heart racing.
"Hello, Lauren, let's meet." Quentin's deep voice came through, electrifying her.
"Okay, when and where?" she asked, trying to sound calm.
There was a pause. Just as she was about to ask again, Quentin said, "Look out your window."
Lauren rushed to the window and saw Quentin standing downstairs. She couldn't contain her excitement and ran down to meet him.
Panting, she reached him. "Why did you come directly?"
Quentin smiled faintly, though his face showed signs of fatigue. "I waited here in case you wouldn't let me see you."
Lauren saw her reflection in Quentin's eyes, filling his entire vision.
"What do you want to talk about?" she asked, awkwardly stepping back.
Seeing her distant attitude, Quentin felt a bit disappointed but knew he couldn't rush things. "Let's find a place to sit," he suggested.
Lauren nodded. "There's a café nearby. Let's go there."
They walked to the café, ordered their coffee, and sat down, both waiting for the other to speak.
"About the press conference that day..." Quentin started.
At the same time, Lauren said, "I heard from my dad..."
They both spoke simultaneously and then fell silent, making the situation even more awkward.
"Go first," Lauren said with an awkward smile.
Quentin nodded. "Okay, I'll go first. Thank you for the press conference that day."
Lauren was stunned. "Why thank me? I don't think I helped at all. I just made a mess."
"No, at least you faced it with me," Quentin said, his eyes brighter than the stars.
