Chapter 297 A Comical Reunion After a Long Separation
Time flew by, and Kimberly's beauty salon finally opened its doors.
Early in the morning, Ethan swung by Lauren's place to pick her and Matthew up to show their support for Kimberly's new venture.
Lauren wanted to say no, but Ethan didn't give her a chance. He just scooped Matthew up and carried him to the car.
She felt stuck, but she was determined. She'd been wanting to clear things up with Ethan, to not lead him on, and had been looking for the right moment.
In the end, it was Matthew's constant nagging that got her into the car.
Lauren sat in the back seat holding Matthew's hand, her face blank. Matthew was over the moon, chatting non-stop in the car.
"I finally get to see Grandma!" Matthew shouted excitedly.
Lauren gave a small smile, "Matthew, you need to be good today. Grandma's gonna be super busy. Wait until she's done, and then she can hang out with you, okay?"
"Okay! I want Grandma to buy me lots and lots of yummy food!" Matthew cheered.
Ethan glanced back at Matthew, "Hey buddy, if you want something yummy, just let me know. I'll get it for you, okay?"
Matthew's world was simple. He clapped his hands happily. "Okay!"
Lauren shot Matthew a sharp look, and he quickly changed his tune, "Never mind, I suddenly don't feel like eating."
Ethan didn't catch Lauren's look, but he knew she was behind Matthew's change of heart. He smiled and gently said to Lauren, "Matthew's still young. He's at that age where he loves to eat and play. Why be so strict with him?"
Lauren hugged Matthew and replied, "I'm teaching him not to rely on others for everything."
Ethan wanted to argue but held back. Lauren was drawing a clear line between them, which hurt him deeply; but he couldn't stop it. He kept up the cheerful act, driving as if he didn't get the hint.
They soon arrived near Kimberly's beauty salon. Lauren had already sent a flower basket to the reception. Ethan not only invited friends to help but also used his White family connections to bring in as many people as possible.
The salon was packed inside and out. It was so crowded that Lauren and her group couldn't get in. Kimberly, with her sharp eyes, spotted them being pushed out of the crowd.
With a big smile, Kimberly squeezed through the crowd to reach them. "You finally made it! Look at all these people today; I'm so busy! It's all thanks to Ethan. Ethan, thank you so much!"
Ethan smiled politely, "Aunt Kimberly, you're too kind. It's the least I could do."
Kimberly nodded with a smile. "I might not have time to take care of you today. Why don't you take Matthew through the back door? I've got lots of snacks he likes in the lounge. I'll come find you when I'm done."
"Mom, I'm here to help you today," Lauren insisted.
Kimberly quickly replied, "No need. Ethan sent several employees to help me. I don't need you. Just take care of Matthew and let me handle this."
Seeing Kimberly's excitement and happiness, Lauren nodded. "Alright, but if you need help, make sure to call me."
Kimberly cheerfully agreed and quickly ran off to entertain the guests. Lauren shook her head helplessly but had to admit she hadn't seen Kimberly this energetic and lively in ages.
Feeling reassured, Lauren took Matthew through the back door. Ethan spotted some acquaintances in the store, told Lauren, and then left to mingle.
Lauren took Matthew to the lounge. She was idly scrolling through her phone when she suddenly heard a commotion outside.
At first, she brushed it off, thinking it was just the noise from the crowd. But the more she listened, the more something seemed off. She thought she heard a familiar voice.
Lauren quickly told Matthew to stay put and wait for her to come back. Matthew nodded, and Lauren left the lounge, feeling a bit uneasy.
Outside, it was indeed noisy. The crowd wasn't just chatting and laughing anymore; they had formed a circle around someone.
Lauren searched the store for Kimberly and Ethan but couldn't find them. She had a hunch Kimberly was in the crowd. She quickly pushed through and squeezed in. Sure enough, Kimberly was there, and to her surprise, so was someone she knew all too well—her father, Ulysses.
Seeing Lauren, Ulysses rushed over and grabbed her hand, yelling, "Lauren, you have to save me!"
Kimberly quickly ran over and tried to pry Ulysses' hand off, but she couldn't.
"Ulysses, how shameless can you be! We have nothing to do with you anymore. How dare you come here! Are you trying to embarrass us? If you have any decency left, get out of here!" Kimberly shouted, not caring how she looked.
Lauren was confused, looking at the agitated Kimberly and the emaciated Ulysses, unable to understand the situation. "Mom, Dad, what's going on? Dad, how did you find this place?"
As far as Lauren knew, Ulysses had been living a good life with the money he extorted from Quentin. She never expected to see him in such a sorry state today.
Ulysses, tearful, cried, "Lauren, you have no idea.. I'm really down on my luck! I beg you, you have to help me. You are my only daughter. You can't just turn a blind eye to me when I'm in need!"
The onlookers, sensing the relationship between Ulysses and Lauren, cast curious glances their way.
Kimberly's face flushed with anger. "You scoundrel! How dare you call Lauren your daughter! How did you treat her back then! Now that you're in trouble, you come to her for help. Where were you before?"
Kimberly wasn't about to back down or show Ulysses any respect. She had been too weak in the past, allowing him to bully her during their marriage. After the divorce, she found a second life. To her, Ulysses was just a painful memory, someone she neither feared nor respected.
Ulysses pushed Kimberly, causing her to fall to the ground. She glared at him angrily, saying, "Ulysses, I'm telling you, you are not allowed to appear in front of us again! Either leave on your own, or I'll have someone throw you out!"
Seeing Kimberly and Ulysses arguing fiercely, Lauren felt overwhelmed. If Ulysses needed to talk to her, he had plenty of other ways. She couldn't understand why he chose today or what was going on.
For now, Lauren could only find a good opportunity to ask him about it after getting Ulysses to leave. She couldn't let him cause a scene here and make a fool of them.
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