Chapter 247 Two People Feeling Down
Sophia felt a pang of discomfort when she saw those intimate photos of Quentin and Lauren. She knew Lauren had completely entered Quentin's heart. She pretended not to know, but no matter how much she tried, she couldn't deceive her heart.
"If it is Quentin's choice, I'll let them be together," Sophia said sadly.
Ruby's eyes flashed with anger. Although Sophia was now the president of the Hall Corporation, the company was like a sinking ship with hardly any assets. If Sophia could marry into the Robinson Family, it would fulfill Ruby's long-held dream of entering a wealthy family.
Ruby shouted, "What are you talking about? You and Quentin are meant to be together. It was those misunderstandings that drove you apart. Besides, Lauren is just a homewrecker. If she hadn't gotten into Quentin's bed, he would never have married her. He would have waited for you."
Sophia smiled bitterly and said, "They already have a child. It's not something I can wish for and make happen. I confessed my feelings to Quentin before, but he rejected me, saying he didn't want to find a stepmother for Matthew. I can even accept Matthew, but he won't give me a chance."
Ruby advised, "Sophia, if Matthew is the obstacle to you becoming Mrs. Robinson, we should..."
"Mom, you can't say things like that! We shouldn't even think about it. If someone else hears it and something happens to Matthew, though we didn't do it, people will think we did," Sophia sternly interrupted Ruby.
However, Ruby didn't care. She asked, "What are you afraid of? It's just the two of us here. Sophia, listen to me. Think about it seriously. It's feasible. Without Matthew, the connection between Lauren and Quentin would be completely severed, and it could even be the spark that blows up their relationship."
Sophia knew Ruby was doing this for her own good. Hearing Ruby's words, she couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
That night, Lauren was telling Matthew a bedtime story, but Matthew mischievously blinked his eyes and asked her to tell him something else.
"Mommy, you spent so much time with Daddy today. Are you two getting back together?" Matthew hoped they would reconcile so he wouldn't have to live with divorced parents.
Lauren's smile faded as she looked at Matthew. She said, "What are you thinking? I have nothing to say to him. I asked him to take good care of you and keep you safe."
Matthew sighed. Lauren and Quentin clearly cared about each other, but neither would admit it, which worried him to no end.
Lauren remarked, "Alright, go to bed now."
Matthew obediently closed his big eyes, but a smile lingered his lips. He was really happy today, having both Daddy and Mommy accompany him to the Water Park. It was the happiest thing for him. Although it was short-lived, he was content.
However, being content wasn't enough. Matthew secretly vowed in his heart, 'I will make Daddy and Mommy reconcile. I want to live a normal life!'
Thinking about this, Matthew fell asleep. Lauren looked at the smile on his lips, her heart aching with a mixture of tenderness and pain. She knew what Matthew wanted, but she couldn't make it.
Lauren quietly left the room and went to the study to continue learning about foreign house design.
Ethan paced outside the study, panicking after receiving an anonymous email filled with photos of Lauren and Quentin. He wanted to confront Lauren directly, but he was afraid of pushing her too hard and making things worse.
After much thought, he decided to talk to Lauren, hoping to gauge her attitude towards Quentin.
Ethan knocked on the study door twice and walked in. Lauren smiled at him and put down the book in her hand.
Lauren inquired, "Aren't you resting yet?"
Ethan walked over, took Lauren's hand, and said, "No, I wanted to chat with you. How was today? Did you have fun?"
Talking about today's outing gave Lauren a headache. Ethan's affectionate gaze reminded her of her status as his girlfriend and felt she shouldn't hide things from him.
Lauren explained, "Ethan, there's something I need to tell you.I hope you won't be mad. Actually, Quentin was there today, too. Matthew invited him. I didn't want to go to the Water Park, but I couldn't say no to Matthew. I'm sorry. I know I should keep my distance from him."
Ethan felt somewhat relieved that Lauren didn't hide her meeting with Quentin, though he already knew about it. However, it wasn't the full answer he wanted.
He gently pulled Lauren into his arms and comforted her, "Lauren, don't say sorry. I understand Matthew wants to spend time with his dad, and I know it's tough for you being caught in the middle. I also believe that you and Quentin are over. So, let's take it slow. I'll give you time, but you also have to give me a chance."
"Thank you, Ethan." Lauren's eyes welled up with tears. Ethan had always been the most understanding and supportive person in her life.
She believed she had made the right choice!
Lauren looked at Ethan with even more guilt. A lot had happened today, and Ethan's trust only deepened her guilt. She didn't want to mention her near-drowning and Quentin saving her. What was she hoping for? She didn't know.
Ethan felt a bit hypocritical. He cared about Lauren and Quentin's relationship but had to pretend not to.
The photos in the email showed Lauren and Quentin looking at each other affectionately, with Quentin's hand on Lauren's shoulder. They looked like a couple.
Ethan really wanted to ask why they were so close. He hoped Lauren would bring it up herself, but from her demeanor, she didn't seem to want to explain further.
Ethan asked, "Was Matthew happy? It seems like Matthew has been avoiding me lately. Did I do something wrong?"
Lauren awkwardly smiled. She explained, "How could that be? Matthew has always liked you. Maybe it's just that you've been busy with work since you got back and haven't spent much time with him. He's not used to it."
Ethan's eyes darkened. He asked, "Is that so? I thought maybe Quentin told him something."
Lauren immediately denied it. She said, "No way."
Lauren's denial made Ethan even more upset. Had Lauren and Quentin really ended things? He wasn't so sure.
Ethan forced a smile. He said, "Lauren, you still trust Quentin so much! He must be happy to hear that. Although he hurt you before, you don't hold it against him."
Lauren's face fell at these words. How could she forget the past pain or the three years of Ethan's support? She felt strange for saying she trusted Quentin. Now, she had even started to despise herself.
