Chapter 215 Renewed Conflict
Sophia faced Lauren's hostility with a calm smile. She stood there, looking like she had just stepped out of a painting, serene and composed.
"Miss Walker, don't see me as an enemy. Everything I said before was for your own good. Otherwise, you wouldn't have had these three years with Matthew," Sophia said, a smug smile playing on her lips.
Lauren sneered, "So you want me to repay your 'kindness' from three years ago? Sorry, but that's not happening."
"You're joking, right? The past is the past. I don't need your thanks. I'm giving you advice now, hoping you'll consider it carefully and agree," Sophia replied, her smile turning sly.
Sophia's schemes ran deeper than Lauren's, so she wasn't worried. She never saw Lauren as a real rival, just a pitiful woman who had been cast aside by Quentin.
"Miss Hall, you're quite the schemer. You say you don't want repayment, but then you want me to agree to your demands," Lauren scoffed.
Sophia's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. She remarked, "I don't mind your ridicule. Everything I do is for Quentin. Whether it was three years ago or now, we both loved Quentin, so you shouldn't refuse me."
Lauren felt that talking to Sophia was a waste of time. She retorted impatiently, "Don't get it twisted. It's you who loves Quentin, not me. Didn't you always think I married Quentin for his family's wealth? So what emotional card are you trying to play now?"
With that, Lauren walked away, knowing Sophia's sudden appearance meant trouble.
"Miss Walker, can you really watch Jessica die with regret?" Sophia's cold voice stopped Lauren in her tracks.
Lauren sighed and turned back. She questioned, "What are you talking about? How is this related to Jessica? I won't be your pawn!"
'Don't think you can threaten me with Jessica! I'm not the weak and helpless person I used to be,' Lauren thought.
Sophia stepped closer. She asked, "I'm not exploiting you. You know Jessica's situation. Are you really going to ignore her wishes?"
"I'm not!" Lauren snapped. "How dare you say that? As an outsider, you shouldn't interfere in my issues with Jessica."
Sophia laughed. She retorted slyly, "Yes, I'm an outsider. But even I know Jessica's greatest wish is for Matthew to return to the Robinson family. Even though Jessica loves you most, you keep Matthew for yourself. Are you still selfless?"
Lauren flushed. She had thought about this and made her biggest compromise. She could take Matthew to visit Jessica occasionally, but she couldn't let him stay with the Robinsons!
"Miss Walker, relax. Three years ago, I worried Matthew would return to the Robinson family and compete with my future children for the fortune. But after seeing him, I realized I liked him. So, I might let him back to satisfy Jessica's final request," Sophia said, trying to sound noble, as if she was bearing all the burdens alone.
Lauren found it laughable. How could Sophia so casually suggest separating her from Matthew? She had truly underestimated Sophia's shamelessness.
"Miss Hall, I appreciate your concern, but Matthew is my child. I raised him. Where he lives and grows up should be decided by me, his mom, not by someone unrelated like you," Lauren retorted mercilessly.
Sophia raised her eyebrows arrogantly, a look that didn't match her stunning face. She pretended to be helpless and said, "You're so heartless. Jessica didn't want to burden you with these things. I think it's unfortunate that she was too hopeful because the Lauren she cares about is an ungrateful person."
With that, Sophia showed a disappointed expression and walked away proudly.
Lauren felt weak, dropping her phone and wallet. Sophia's words made her doubt herself. Was she really heartless and ungrateful? Maybe she was.
Jessica had always been good to her. Even in her current condition, Jessica didn't want to trouble her. And even though she knew Jessica's health was failing, she couldn't accept sending Matthew back to the Robinson family.
Matthew was fascinated with Quentin and so happy to play with him. Lauren feared that if she sent Matthew back, he would be so delighted that he would forget about her, his mom.
Dejected, Lauren moved to the side of the road and sat down, weighing the pros and cons of both choices. She didn't know how long she had been sitting there when a car stopped in front of her, honking.
Lauren looked up, squinting against the harsh summer sun. She raised her numb hand to shield her eyes and barely made out who it was.
It was Quentin.
Lauren's heart beat steadily as she maintained eye contact with Quentin in the car, neither of them speaking.
Growing impatient, Quentin said in a low, annoyed voice, "Get in the car."
Lauren frowned. She demanded, "Mr. Robinson, say what you need to. I have to work."
Quentin found it amusing. He said sarcastically, "Are you working on the side of the road?"
"That's..." Lauren wanted to retort but held back.
She didn't have the energy to argue with Quentin. Both he and Sophia had come to find her. Were they so eager to take Matthew away from her?
They were too naive!
