Chapter 261 The Spirit of the Snail
Quentin shot Ethan a smirk, his heart heavy with sorrow as Lauren and Ethan showed up one after the other. One pretending to be all sweet, the other just plain cold. Were they here just to rub it in his face? What a joke!
"Mr. White, you got a thing for my leftovers, or you just like playing with my old toys? Whatever, man. Once you're done, it's no biggie. I've got plenty of lovers. If you want any of my exes, just holler. If I've had 'em, they're all yours," Quentin said, grinning like a Cheshire cat.
Ethan's face turned green with rage. Quentin's words stomped all over his pride.
"You! Is Lauren just a toy to you?" Ethan asked, shaking with anger.
Quentin raised an eyebrow. "What do you think?"
Ethan deflated like a popped balloon. This convo was spiraling out of his control. He wanted to stake his claim on Lauren, but Quentin just made him look like a fool.
He sighed. In a twisted way, this was good. Knowing Quentin didn't give a damn about Lauren made him feel a bit better.
"From now on, I'll protect Lauren and Matthew. Mrs. Jessica Robinson's funeral is almost over, so I'm taking Matthew now," Ethan said, ready to bounce.
But Quentin cut in, "Mr. White, you think the Robinson Mansion is a hotel where you can just waltz in and out? Since Lauren dumped Matthew here, you can't just take him back. I'm not that chill."
Ethan asked, "What's that supposed to mean?"
Quentin gave him a dark look. "I'm gonna get back what you owe me, bit by bit. Otherwise, you won't know what real cruelty is! See you in the business world, Mr. White."
"Fine, if you're a man, let's compete fair and square. Leave Lauren and Matthew out of it," Ethan said, clenching his fists, standing his ground.
Quentin snorted, eyes locked on Ethan as he left the study.
He used that arrogant tone to hide his inner sadness. Lauren was really heartless; Jessica had just died, and she and Ethan showed up now? Fine, he'd been too soft on them before, but no more.
Ethan walked out of the Robinson Estate with a smug grin. If Quentin didn't give Matthew back to Lauren, he didn't care. Matthew was a hassle anyway, better to dodge that bullet.
Initially, he didn't mind taking care of Matthew for Quentin, but seeing them so close ticked him off.
People could be self-centered, and Ethan's true colors were becoming clear. He thought he was right; he wanted Lauren all to himself.
When Ethan got back to the villa, Kimberly dragged him into the kitchen.
She asked, "Why are you so late? Lauren's been waiting for you."
Ethan had already put on his polite mask. "Sorry, traffic was a nightmare. Did Lauren really send Matthew to the Robinson Mansion? Why didn't you try to talk her out of it?"
He kept his cool, not letting on that he'd gone to the Robinson Mansion just to mess with Quentin.
Kimberly sighed, "You know how Lauren is. When you see her, make sure to comfort her. She's really upset and needs someone to lean on right now. This is your chance, Ethan. Don't blow it!"
Ethan nodded. "Don't worry. I got this."
As he headed to Lauren's room, he made up his mind about what he was going to do.
Lauren was sitting in her room, lost in thought. While waiting for Ethan, she'd been mulling over a lot of things.
Maybe City A was just bad luck for her. Ever since she came back, it's been one hit after another.
She finally decided. If City A was gonna keep being a nightmare, she'd leave it again.
Just then, there was a knock on the door. Lauren got up and opened it to meet a worried Ethan. "Lauren, you okay? Sorry I'm late," he said.
Lauren gave a small smile. "I'm fine. I left Matthew at the Robinson Mansion to see Jessica off."
Ethan walked in, nervously grabbing her shoulders. "Why didn't you tell me? I could've gone with you. Quentin's too dangerous; what if he hurt you?"
Lauren pressed her lips together, not saying anything.
Ethan kept looking at her, waiting for a response, but she stayed silent.
Seeing his concern, Lauren tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said softly, "Ethan, I need to talk to you. Come here."
Filled with uncertainty, Ethan trailed behind her to the desk and took a seat. "Lauren, just tell me. If there's a way I can assist, I'm here," he offered.
Lauren looked at him apologetically. After a long pause, she finally spoke, "Ethan, I think it's best if I go back to Pariz."
Ethan's blood boiled at her words, but seeing her pale and fragile, he held back. "Why?"
Such a simple word, but it carried so much weight. Ethan was crushed. He thought after everything they'd been through, and with her marriage to Quentin over, he could finally have her. But now, she wanted to go back to Pariz?
Ethan knew what going back to Pariz meant. He looked at her, heart aching, wanting a real explanation. But it was just wishful thinking; Lauren had no intention of explaining herself.
Lauren sighed, "Everything here is over. There's no reason for me to stay."
"Did you come back because you had a reason, but now you don't? Lauren, tell me the truth. Are you still thinking about Quentin?" Ethan asked, slamming the desk in frustration, feeling helpless.
"No!" Lauren denied it instantly.
She had nothing to do with Quentin anymore! It had to be this way!
She didn't want to admit her weakness toward Quentin and Jessica. She couldn't face anything about them anymore.
Just the hatred from Quentin and Jessica was enough to make her want to disappear.
