Chapter 187 The Unresolvable Conflict
Lauren's heart pounded even harder after Quentin's words. She tried to steady herself and replied in her iciest tone, "It's fine."
Quentin took a sip of his coffee, feeling a bit uneasy. Sitting across from Lauren again stirred something inside him, making him restless. He tried to calm his racing thoughts.
After finishing his coffee, Quentin finally asked, "What were you going to tell me earlier?"
It was rare for Lauren and Quentin to sit down and talk calmly. It brought back memories of their good times together. She smiled bitterly, realizing she still hadn't kicked her habit of daydreaming.
Lauren steeled herself and looked at Quentin. "My dad told me he asked you for five million dollars in compensation. You shouldn't give him that money."
"It's worth it. Ulysses is right. He raised you for twenty years, and you became part of the Robinson family through marriage. Asking for some compensation is reasonable. Besides, you carried Matthew, and I haven't fulfilled my responsibility to take care of you both," Quentin said, feeling a pang of sorrow. For the first time, he didn't finish what he wanted to say.
Lauren pretended to be indifferent to Quentin's sadness. Without responding to his words and eager gaze, she took a light sip of her coffee.
After Quentin finished speaking, Lauren finally said, "We don't need that money. Matthew is my child, too. If you want to compensate him, you don't have to do it this way. I know Robinson Conglomerate is currently facing some difficulties, and you need funds for turnover. So take the money back. My dad shouldn't take it."
Quentin raised an eyebrow. "I've never taken back money I've given away."
"Then consider this an exception," Lauren said firmly.
Quentin had seen Lauren's sharp tongue today. He stared at her, wanting to know the moment she gave in.
But Lauren was no longer the woman who saw him as her whole world and didn't dare to defy him. She glared back with a fearless expression.
"You have no right to instruct Ulysses to refuse the money since that is what I gave him," Quentin said with a smug smile.
Indeed, Lauren couldn't get the money back, nor could she stop Ulysses from accepting it. Her plan to make Quentin ask for the money back and cut ties needed to be more complex.
Lauren believed Quentin would agree to her suggestion due to the Robinson Conglomerate's crisis. However, Quentin's domineering nature meant he wouldn't compromise his pride for money.
"Forget it, I've said my piece. What you do is your choice. I can't interfere," Lauren said coldly.
Having said all she needed to, she felt no guilt toward Quentin.
"Why are you so distant with me? I thought our hearts were close," Quentin said, disappointed. She had faced such difficult times with him, so why couldn't she give him another chance?
This caught Lauren off guard. After everything, Quentin could still say something like this to her. What was this supposed to mean?
"Mr. Robinson, you might be mistaken. The press conference was partly my responsibility. I was owning up to my mistake. It had nothing to do with you. As for the five million, I've made my stance clear, so whether you take it back or not is your business. I've said all I needed to say. Goodbye!" Lauren said ruthlessly.
To avoid further confrontation with Quentin, she had to leave decisively without giving him any hope, as she had already decided to depart.
To Quentin, Lauren's change of attitude was swift, like flipping a page. One moment, they were discussing things calmly. The next, she became cold and distant. She remained truly unpredictable to Quentin.
"Lauren, stop!" Quentin's loud, angry shout startled Lauren. She stood still, her voice cold. "Mr. Robinson, do you have any other instructions?"
Quentin gazed at Lauren's impassive face, unable to find the words to persuade her to stay.
Seeing Quentin remain silent, Lauren deliberately let out a cold laugh, then went to the counter, paid for her coffee, and left without looking back.
Quentin's face was ashen. Lauren was near yet far currently. At the press conference, he thought Lauren wanted to reconcile, but it turned out he was just wishful thinking.
But he was unwilling to give up. He remembered Noah telling him that women often said one thing but meant another, and maybe Lauren was testing him as Noah had said.
So, Quentin immediately stood up to chase after Lauren. When he finished paying and reached the coffee shop door, he saw Lauren getting into Ethan's car.
Quentin thought, 'So that's how it is! The reason for her distraction was Ethan! She was fiddling with her phone to contact Ethan! The reason she changed her attitude so quickly was Ethan!'
Quentin heard his heart shatter. The result of arrogance was such bitterness. He finally understood.
He looked sarcastically at the departing car, then turned back to where his car was parked.
In Ethan's car, Lauren was puzzled. "Ethan, why are you here?"
Ethan smiled warmly. "I happened to see Quentin's car parked outside your building. I was about to leave but then saw you at the coffee shop entrance."
"Really, what a coincidence!" Lauren responded with a forced smile.
"By the way, I want to take you somewhere. I promise you'll love it and feel better," Ethan said mysteriously.
Ethan didn't ask what Lauren and Quentin had talked about but instead took her to his real estate company, where Lauren currently worked as a design assistant.
Lauren's interest was piqued. "Is there such a place? I'm looking forward to it."
The company's designers had approved Lauren's housing design plan, but Ethan had yet to inform her about it amidst recent events.
Seeing that Lauren was about to leave, he wanted to tell her this news before she left as a parting surprise.
Hopeful, Ethan took Lauren to the construction company's building. Seeing the company name, Lauren felt puzzled about Ethan's intentions.
