Chapter 301 Bad Things Are Coming
Leaving Robinson Conglomerate, Lauren was still feeling down. She was confused; Quentin had promised to help save Ulysses, so she should've felt better. But there was this weird mix of bitterness and sweetness in her heart.
After thinking it over, she realized it was Quentin's attitude that was bugging her. Why was he so agreeable this time? He always claimed he wasn't the helpful type. Was a villa design plan really enough to sway the tough Quentin?
Lauren couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his willingness than just the design plan. Deep down, she knew Quentin was kind. She'd seen it the first time they met, hidden beneath his tough exterior. Maybe, just maybe, his actions were driven by something deeper—something he wasn't ready to admit.Whether Quentin could actually help or not, she was grateful for his effort. Thinking about it warmed her heart, taking her back to the day she first met Quentin. The memory of her heart skipping a beat was still fresh.
Lauren smiled. Only when she thought of that day did she smile so sweetly.
Snapping back to reality, she realized she had walked a long way with Matthew. She looked at him apologetically. He had been jogging to keep up, looking all innocent and cute as he panted.
"Matthew, let's head back," Lauren said.
Matthew stopped and asked, "Where are we going back to? Are we going to see Uncle Ethan?"
Lauren nodded. Just thinking about Ethan gave her a headache. She didn't want to explain to Ethan why she asked Quentin for help. In her mind, she and Ethan were no longer romantically involved.
Plus, she didn't need to report everything to Ethan, like she was his maid or something.
Matthew seemed to read her mind. He pouted and asked, "Mommy, Uncle Ethan always argues with you. Why can't we just ignore him? Why do we have to see him?"
Lauren looked at Matthew helplessly. He was so smart and mature that she couldn't hide much from him. "Because Uncle Ethan and I are good friends, and friends argue sometimes. It's normal. Once the argument is over, it's fine."
That was the best explanation she could give. Matthew nodded, half understanding, and didn't ask more.
But Lauren's heart wasn't at peace. She knew Ethan probably couldn't accept just being her best friend.
She took a cab to Kimberly's beauty salon to tell Ulysses that Quentin had agreed to help. But she was surprised to see an angry Ethan in the lounge.
When Ulysses and Kimberly were arguing in the store, Ethan and his friends had gone to a nearby coffee shop. When he came back, he didn't see Lauren and Matthew.
At first, Ethan didn't think much of it. He wandered around the store, killing time. But then he overheard customers talking excitedly about what had happened.
After asking around, he found out Ulysses had been there. Panicking, Ethan asked Kimberly where Lauren was. Kimberly hesitated but eventually told him that Lauren had taken Matthew to see Quentin.
Ethan was crushed. Just as he was about to dig deeper, Lauren walked in with Matthew.
Seeing Ethan's intense stare, Lauren felt like a deer in headlights. She tried to hide her panic and asked Kimberly calmly, "Mom, where's Dad?"
Kimberly shot Lauren a look, signaling her to be mindful of Ethan's feelings, but Lauren ignored it.
Feeling worn out, Kimberly said, "He went to another lounge to change clothes. I'll go get him."
Lauren nodded and sat on the sofa. Ethan stared at her, hoping she'd explain. But Lauren avoided his gaze completely.
Ethan tried to keep his cool, but his anger was so intense that the veins on his neck bulged.
"Lauren, don't you have anything to say to me?" Ethan asked coldly. If she would just explain, even if she lied, he'd choose to believe her.
Lauren spoke softly, "My dad had some trouble, but it's resolved now. You don't need to worry."
She didn't mention Quentin's name, fearing it would make Ethan more anxious and angry. But the more she avoided it, the more Ethan felt she had feelings for Quentin.
"I'm not talking about that. Why didn't you tell me immediately when your father was in trouble, but went to Quentin instead!" Ethan's anger surged, like it was about to explode.
Lauren frowned. "It's complicated, and my dad offended the Mafia. You never deal with the Mafia. Even if I told you, it would just be one more person to worry about!"
This explanation was weak; even Lauren didn't believe it, so how could Ethan?
From the moment Lauren learned of Ulysses' trouble until now, Ethan's name had never crossed her mind. She didn't know why the first person she thought of was Quentin. Was it just because the Mafia boss specifically asked for Quentin?
Lauren was irritable, with so many things piling up in her mind, making it impossible to sort out her thoughts.
Ethan laughed sarcastically, "Just one more person to worry about? Is that all I am to you? Quentin knows the Mafia in City A, and he's capable, sure. But am I so worthless to you that you'd rather go to him and so you're thinking of breaking off our engagement?"
Ethan's voice grew louder, scaring Matthew, who trembled in Lauren's arms.
Lauren's face turned cold, and she retorted mercilessly, "I never thought that. Breaking off the engagement has nothing to do with Quentin. Don't drag others into this."
"Listen to yourself. Even now, you're defending Quentin. Are you still thinking about remarrying him?" Ethan seemed extremely angry, on the verge of an emotional breakdown.
At that moment, the door creaked open. Ulysses walked in, having changed his clothes. He smiled at Lauren. "Lauren, I just heard you want to remarry Quentin? That's great news!"
Ulysses had brought up the worst possible topic. Kimberly pushed him irritably. "Now let Lauren tell you how things were resolved so you can be at ease and leave! Lauren, hurry up!"
Lauren stood up, ignoring Ethan, which only fueled his anger further.
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