Chapter 291 Kicked Out
At the dinner table, Matthew was chowing down like there was no tomorrow. He hadn't felt this happy in ages. When he's in a good mood, his appetite just skyrockets, andsoon enough, all his beloved dishes were almost wiped clean.
Feeling stuffed, Matthew had a lot on his mind. "Mom, Grandma said you've been super busy helping Uncle Ethan with some stuff. She also mentioned you might marry him soon. Is that true?"
Lauren sighed, feeling a bit overwhelmed by Matthew's curiosity. "Matthew, you just focus on your schoolwork. I'll handle my own stuff. Don't worry about it."
But Matthew wasn't letting it go. "Mom, I have the right to know. In my class, a couple of kids have divorced parents, and they say their step-parents are awful. I'm scared."
Lauren pulled Matthew into a hug. "Matthew, don't be scared. Trust me, okay? I love you more than anything. No matter what happens, I'll always protect you."
Matthew believed her completely. But he couldn't shake the memory of what he saw at The White Mansion, where people were giving Lauren a hard time. He was sure she wouldn't be happy marrying Ethan.
Just then, the door creaked open. Lauren jumped a bit because it was supposed to be just her and Matthew at home tonight. Kimberly was busy with her new beauty salon, and Ethan was tied up with work.
She turned to see who it was, and in walked a lady dressed to the nines. Lauren knew her well. Anyone with a key to Ethan's place wasn't a stranger; it was Ethan's mom, Esme.
Lauren quickly moved from the living room to the door, looking at Esme nervously. "Mrs. White, you're here!"
Esme gave a gentle smile. "This is my son Ethan's villa. Am I not allowed to visit?"
"No, Mrs. White, that's not what I meant," Lauren stammered.
Esme wasn't exactly known for her kindness, but her attitude this time was way different from before.
Last time, Esme had faked being polite because Ethan was around, and she didn't want to cause a scene. But now, she had no reason to hold back and let her true feelings show.
Esme strutted in and plopped down on the sofa, looking at Lauren with a smug expression. "I've been wanting to talk to you, but Ryan said you've been busy with Ethan's company stuff. Now that you're free, we should have a chat."
Matthew hid behind Lauren, his eyes wide with fear. Lauren patted his head. "Matthew, go to your room and watch some cartoons."
Matthew nodded and dashed upstairs.
Lauren took a deep breath and spoke slowly, "Mrs. White, I know you don't like me being with Ethan. But Ethan and I have been friends for years, and we've been through a lot together. I hope you can give me a chance, okay?"
"That's absurd! Lauren, I can't believe how shameless you are! Our families were neighbors, and I watched you grow up. How dare you say such things! I don't know what tricks you used to make Ethan wait for you, but if you had any decency, you wouldn't ruin Ethan! What you're doing is biting the hand that feeds you!" Esme didn't care about how she looked and started yelling at Lauren.
She was fuming, her anger not cooling down one bit. "You've been divorced and have a kid. Worse, you've pissed off Quentin. What makes you think you deserve to be with Ethan? You made Ethan stay with you in Pariz for three years, and now you're back, living in his villa. Do you really think you can become part of the White family by making Quentin's kid Ethan's? I'm telling you, it's never gonna happen!"
Lauren didn't rush to defend herself against Esme's accusations.
What Esme said was true. She had selfishly wasted many years of Ethan's time and had damaged his reputation.
She admitted to all of this, but she would never admit to trying to use Matthew to gain wealth and enter the White family.
Lauren's eyes were cold. She owed Ethan a lot, but that didn't mean she had to silently endure Esme's insults and slander. "Mrs. White, I know I'm not the wife you envisioned for Ethan, but I'm not as terrible as you say. Ethan is an honorable gentleman, and we've never done anything shameful. I'm staying in his villa because I have nowhere else to go. Ethan graciously offered us shelter."
Lauren's words only angered Esme more. Esme sneered, "Nowhere else to go? The fortune you got from Quentin in the divorce could buy countless villas! Yet here you are, shamelessly moving in. Do you think I can't see through your schemes? Lauren, stop pretending to be noble. You're nothing but a high-class gold digger!"
Hearing this, Lauren felt utterly hopeless. Not only did this insult her dignity, but it also shattered her last bit of hope for Ethan.
Furious, she turned to leave. She had nothing more to say to Esme. Esme was an elder, so she couldn't argue back. Esme was also the owner of this house, so she couldn't kick her out. Therefore, the only one who could leave was her!
Seeing Lauren's leaving, Esme shouted at her back, "If you know what's good for you, you'd better move out today and never think about marrying Ethan or becoming a member of the White family!"
Lauren paused, lifted her head stubbornly, and said coldly, "Not everyone wants to join the White family!"
"Haha, that's great! Remember what you said today. Don't make me look down on you," Esme mocked smugly.
Lauren straightened her back, walking away without looking back. She went to her room and started packing her things, preparing to move out.
She wasn't doing it out of spite. Staying here was never a long-term plan. She and Ethan had discussed leaving, but it had been delayed and now had caused trouble.
Esme's hostility and slander made Lauren feel numb, but after that, she became calm. She knew that once she left today, her marriage to Ethan would be impossible. She didn't feel regret, just a bit sorry for Ethan because she couldn't keep her promise.
Seeing Lauren pack her clothes, Matthew seemed to understand something. "Mommy, did that woman make things difficult for you? I'm going to tell Daddy!"
Lauren quickly grabbed Matthew, "Matthew, you must never say that again. I can handle my own matters. Didn't you say you did not want to stay here? We're moving out now, okay?"
Hearing this, Matthew was overjoyed and quickly nodded in agreement.
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