Chapter 228 An Unexpected Misunderstanding
Lauren didn't realize that her actions had already upset Ethan. She turned to see Ethan still standing there, lost in thought, not following her.
Lauren asked, "What's wrong, Ethan?"
Ethan snapped out of it, "Nothing. Okay, let's go downstairs."
They went to the living room, and Lauren brought over two glasses of water.
Ethan looked at the calm and serene Lauren, feeling a sudden surge of frustration. He didn't know why he had become so suspicious.
"Lauren, why don't you ask me what's so important?" Ethan asked, his voice laced with bitterness.
Lauren sat down. "Ethan, why do I feel like you've been acting strange lately? I asked Richard, and nothing's going on at the company, so what's been disturbing you?"
Ethan sighed, puzzled by why Lauren had become so oblivious to him. If it were the old Quentin, she would have been anxious by now.
Ethan replied, "It's nothing. I just have to tell you that I didn't handle Matthew's enrollment well."
"What happened? Did I not prepare the documents properly?" Lauren asked, confused.
It was strange. Ethan had already found a kindergarten and submitted all the necessary documents. The kindergarten had promised that after reviewing them, Matthew could start school smoothly.
However, after waiting for five days with no news, Ethan inquired again and was told that it couldn't be done because Matthew didn't have a property deed. Even when Ethan offered to use the deed to his own villa, the request was still denied.
Ethan felt something was off and, after some digging, discovered that someone had instructed the principal not to accept Matthew.
As for who that person was, no one would tell him. Ethan was convinced it was Quentin, so he gave up. If Quentin wanted to play dirty, he would help him along.
Facing Lauren's confusion, Ethan decided to tell her what he thought.
Ethan remarked, "Lauren, I didn't want to tell you and add to your worries. However, I really can't do anything about this. Someone has bribed all the kindergartens, strictly forbidding Matthew's enrollment. As for who that person is in City A, who else could be so influential? I believe you have someone in mind."
Lauren's face darkened. She could guess that the person Ethan was referring to was Quentin. She didn't want to believe it, but seeing Ethan's certainty, she had no choice.
"However, what good does it do him? After all, Matthew is his biological son." Lauren fell into deep thought.
Lauren's doubt only fueled Ethan's jealousy. "Lauren, don't you believe what I'm saying?"
Lauren replied, "No, of course not. I just can't understand why Quentin would make things difficult for Matthew."
"Lauren, I have my reasons for suspecting Quentin, and I'm not badmouthing him on purpose. Do you know what Quentin and I talked about that day?" Ethan was a bit angry and somewhat embarrassed.
"Ethan, I don't need to know what goes on between you two," Lauren picked up her glass and took a sip of water, avoiding Ethan's angry gaze.
Ethan snatched the glass from her and locked eyes with her, refusing to let her look away.
"Lauren, we talked about you and Matthew. Quentin told me he wants to take Matthew back. I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to blame yourself for Matthew knowing his father caused this. However, I didn't expect you to start doubting me," Ethan was heartbroken.
Tears welled up in his eyes. He had given so much for Lauren over the years, only to be met with her suspicion, though he didn't realize it was all in his mind.
Lauren became anxious upon hearing this. "Ethan, I didn't doubt you. I just wanted to clarify things, never expecting Quentin to be so insidious. Fine, if he breaks his promise, I'll fight back. Don't worry. I won't allow him to do as he pleases. I'll find Jessica tomorrow and clear things up!"
Hearing this, Ethan felt a bit relieved.
Ethan said, "Lauren, please believe me. I'm not trying to sow discord, just telling you the truth."
"Alright, Ethan, I believe you, knowing you genuinely care for me and Matthew. I'm not ungrateful. I'm sorry for my bad tone earlier and hope you don't mind," Lauren interrupted Ethan, looking at him intently and apologizing sincerely.
Ethan replied, "It's okay, Lauren. We're best friends."
Ethan smiled, pretending not to care, but he was very anxious inside. 'Do I really have to go this far?'
Framing Quentin wasn't his intention, but he didn't understand why he lied so easily. Seeing Lauren fall into his trap step by step, he had successfully made her misunderstand Quentin, but he couldn't feel happy about it.
Lauren smiled genuinely, "Ethan, you must have put a lot of effort into Matthew's matter. You must be tired. Don't worry. Leave this to me. I'll handle it."
Lauren looked determined. Perhaps she shouldn't have been so hopeful from the start. Although Quentin wanted to take Matthew away, she didn't regret telling Matthew the truth. She felt no guilt towards the Robinson Family or Matthew, so she lived with a clear conscience.
However, Quentin had disappointed her deeply. He desired a perfect life, with a wife and a son, but his wife wasn't her, and his son was hers.
Lauren smiled bitterly, feeling even more ridiculous. She steeled herself, warning herself never to be soft-hearted again.
Meanwhile, Quentin was also worried about Matthew's enrollment. He had learned from Matthew that Lauren had entrusted the matter to Ethan. He was both angry and jealous, so he hurried to handle Matthew's enrollment himself.
Ethan's suspicions were indeed wronging Quentin. Quentin hadn't done anything to obstruct Ethan. He hadn't even investigated which kindergarten Ethan had chosen.
The only possible culprit was Sophia.
That day, Sophia went to find Quentin, but he wasn't in the office. The secretary let her wait in the office, and she accidentally discovered the matter. With a bit of investigation, she found out which kindergarten Ethan had arranged.
Naturally, Sophia couldn't make Lauren perfectly satisfied, so she secretly sabotaged it.
Sophia had her schemes. Quentin had always rejected her because he felt indebted to Matthew. If she could help Quentin gain custody of Matthew sooner, her wish to marry Quentin would come true.
