Chapter 241 Matthew's Determination
Matthew had never seen Lauren cry like this before, and he was a little scared.
"Mommy, what's wrong? Please don't cry," Matthew said, his heart aching.
Lauren let go of Matthew and carefully examined him for any injuries. After confirming that he was fine, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Matthew, why are you so disobedient? Why did you leave home without saying a word? Do you know how dangerous it is outside? Do you know how worried I was?" Lauren's fear grew as she spoke, unable to imagine the worst-case scenario.
Matthew lifted his head proudly and declared, "Mommy, don't worry. I didn't talk to strangers, and I wouldn't go with them. I cleverly told the driver that you were waiting for me at the Robinson Conglomerate entrance and asked him to take me there directly. However, the security wouldn't let me in, so I waited outside for a long time."
Lauren was somewhat angered by Matthew's words. She said, "Don't you know you did something wrong? Luckily, the driver was willing to bring you here. What if he was a bad person and sold you? You'd never come back!"
Lauren was disappointed. Matthew was smart, but he was also arrogant and dismissive of others. If he didn't correct this behavior, it would become a bigger problem as he grew older.
"Mommy," Matthew called out.
Matthew looked at Lauren weakly, then turned to look at Quentin, who was expressionless, hoping he would help him out.
Quentin strode over and looked down at Lauren. He said, "Matthew told me you have a new life now. So, is Matthew a burden to you? Is that why you don't care about him?"
"No, I didn't!" Lauren hurriedly refuted, staring at Quentin's bloodshot and weary eyes.
Quentin ignored Lauren's sadness and directly pulled Matthew into his arms.
He said coldly, "If you want to live your life, then Matthew will stay with me from now on."
"Quentin, do you really want to take Matthew away? Yes, I was indeed negligent today and didn't take good care of Matthew. You can blame me and scold me, and I'll accept it. However, if you want to use this opportunity to take Matthew away, I'm afraid I have to disagree no matter what."
"Blaming you and scolding you won't help. If something had happened to Matthew today, even if you died, you wouldn't be able to escape responsibility! Quentin said sternly.
Lauren stood defiantly in front of Quentin. No matter what she said, Quentin wouldn't listen.
Matthew, in Quentin's arms, turned to look at the sad Lauren, then looked back at Quentin.
Matthew said, "Daddy, Mommy, please don't fight. I'm scared. Can't you talk things out? Why do you have to fight?"
Lauren, heartbroken, tried to touch Matthew's face, but Quentin pushed her hand away.
Lauren took a deep breath and looked seriously at Quentin. She said, "Our adult grievances shouldn't involve Matthew. Quentin, think calmly. Isn't it better for Matthew to stay with me? I've been taking care of him wholeheartedly for the past three years. Today was a special situation, and I apologize and admit my mistake. However, you can't completely deny me; it's too unfair."
"You want to live your life. You might have your children in the future. Can you guarantee you'll treat Matthew as well as you do now?" Quentin asked sarcastically.
In fact, Quentin didn't care who raised Matthew. What bothered him was that Matthew told him Lauren was with Ethan.
For the past three years, he had never considered starting a new life. Why should Lauren be able to forget the past and start anew? He wouldn't allow it!
Lauren felt Quentin was being unreasonable. She calmly looked at Matthew and Quentin and said, "Ultimately, this is about who Matthew will live with, so he should be the one to choose."
"Fine!" Quentin laughed coldly, confident that Matthew would choose him. "Matthew, you choose. Do you want to live with me or with your mommy and Ethan?"
Matthew's eyes widened. Neither of them could provide the life he truly desired.
"Mommy, please don't let Uncle Ethan be my daddy," Matthew pleaded with Lauren.
Lauren was troubled. She lovingly took Matthew's hand and said, "Matthew, honey, you need to be reasonable. Uncle Ethan will be good to you. Give him a chance, okay?"
Matthew was extremely disappointed. He pulled his hand away from Lauren and hid in Quentin's arms, ignoring her.
Lauren was heartbroken. She could foresee that Matthew wouldn't choose her, and the thought terrified her. Without Matthew, what meaning would her new life have?
Quentin was overjoyed. He praised, "Good boy, Matthew. I knew you'd choose me."
Quentin looked at Lauren triumphantly, wanting to teach her a harsh lesson.
Lauren's tears flowed uncontrollably. She covered her mouth with her hand, trying not to cry.
"No, Daddy." Matthew stood between Quentin and Lauren again, facing Quentin. "I want to live with Mommy. I'm a man, and I need to protect her. Didn't we agree on this?"
Quentin glared at Matthew. A long time ago, he promised to keep Matthew at Lauren's side to protect her. However, now, out of spite, he was ignoring that promise.
Lauren, overjoyed, hugged Matthew. Before Quentin could speak, she quickly said, "Quentin, thank you for letting Matthew stay with me!"
Since Lauren had already expressed her gratitude, Quentin had no choice but to agree, though he was reluctant.
Seeing Lauren's happy face, Quentin's heart also felt a bit brighter.
"Don't get too excited just yet. If you neglect Matthew again, I'll take him away, and no matter what you say, it won't make a difference," Quentin said awkwardly.
Lauren straightened up and looked seriously at Quentin. "Don't worry, and you won't get that chance. I swear!"
Quentin said, "You better be right!"
Lauren smiled and took Matthew's hand to leave. Quentin didn't offer to see them off, as he had other matters to attend to.
After Lauren and Matthew left, Noah came out of the adjacent room.
"Quentin, you're really good at pretending. You still care about Lauren but act all tough to scare her. What's the point?" Noah teased.
Quentin glanced at Noah and said, "Don't misunderstand. I allow Lauren to take Matthew for his good. He's still young and needs his mother."
"Is that really the case?" Noah raised an eyebrow, clearly not believing him.
It would be strange if he believed Quentin's words.
