Alarmed, I pounded on the door forcefully. "Lauren, open up! I know you're in there! It's me, Chloe!"I pounded for an eternity and finally heard some shuffling from inside. I breathed a sigh of relief. "Lauren, it's me, Chlo. Please open the door, okay?"Finally, the door clicked open. I was flooded with relief and quickly pushed the door open. What I saw inside made me gasp.As the door swung open, I found Lauren lying on the floor, looking disheveled and far from herself."Lauren!" I rushed in and lifted her, gently brushing away the tangled mess of hair on her face. "Lauren, what have you done? Lauren..."My hand stroked her cheek, but the room was heavy with the odor of alcohol, making it difficult to breathe. I set her down and rushed to open all the windows. Then I hurried back to hold her. Not letting Carol stay was a mistake. I quickly pulled out my phone, intending to call Carol and ask her to return. I was worried about Lauren in this state. However, she clumsily
If it weren’t for her, I might not have moved on. So, I resolved to stand by her from now on. Lauren was a wonderful friend.As I tidied up the messy room, I fed her the hangover soup. She seemed to recover.“Lauren! Are you feeling better?” I tried to talk to her.She made a couple of sounds, then fell silent again. I wanted to take her to the hospital, but I just couldn’t move her. After observing her for a while, I still wasn’t sure. So, I had to call Atlas and tell him about Lauren’s condition. He drove over.Seeing Lauren’s condition, he picked her up and took her straight to the hospital. It wasn’t until she received an IV that I could relax.Ivanna found out and came to Lauren’s room. We both kept her company as she slept.Lauren didn’t wake up until the following day. She still didn’t look too good.She looked around, confused. “Why am I in the hospital?”I replied a bit impatiently, “Where else would you be? Did you think we’d leave you at home to die? Don’t you know
Lauren’s gaze was fixed on a spot for a long time.“Before his wife passed away, she called me to her side. She told Oliver that after she’s gone, he should marry me and give me my rightful status. She said she had occupied my position for so many years, living a half-dead existence. She urged Oliver not to let me down.”Lauren’s voice was hoarse and hopeless. I started to worry.“She also said that Oliver can’t touch the current house or their savings. After all, they have a son, so those things will go to him. She asked me not to be angry and that she was being selfish. She said that once she’s gone and Oliver marries me, she can’t interfere anymore.”I thought that his wife was wise."She mentioned the bracelet given by the Hansen family when they got married. She gave it to me, saying it was something only a true Hansen family daughter-in-law could have. She passed it down so I could be a part of the Hansen family..."She looked at me as she blinked back tears. “Do you know w
We returned to the Beringer family’s residence, and this time was truly a family dinner.I wasn't as nervous this time. Key figures like Archie were genuinely kind and amiable, while Grandma Rose had already instructed her own cooks, bustling about with the preparations.Upon seeing me and Atlas enter, she happily pulled me over. "Why are you here so late?""Grandma, sorry for keeping you waiting. A good friend of mine suddenly had an issue, and I helped her, which made me a bit late." She pulled me to sit in the living room, appraising me as if she hadn't quite remembered my appearance from that day. "You’re truly a kind girl.”Then she sent a servant upstairs to call for someone, while Atlas and Archie were chatting on the side.Before long, footsteps came from the staircase. I looked up and saw two imposing, handsome men coming down from upstairs. However, the two of them had entirely different demeanors.One was scholarly and reserved, while the other was energetic and fashio
Arnold let out a mournful cry, looking quite shaken. He regarded me with a hint of skepticism. "You have your own company? Doing what? Tell me.""Construction," I blushed, feeling a bit embarrassed."You? Construction?"Sure enough, Arnold was astonished. "What kind of construction work can a delicate girl like you do?"I chuckled, "It was a twist of fate. Once I got into this field, there was no turning back."Ardie was also intrigued. "I can't believe it. You’re such a delicate girl, and you’re into construction and development?"Arnold quickly said to me, "Give the work to him. He's a rugged man who should do construction. You can just run the business. In the future, we'll be a powerful team, with me in the field, and you managing the business from the office."Atlas immediately interjected, "Arnold, are you trying to poach her? What do you mean, 'you can run the business'? She's my wife. If she wants to be in charge, it’ll be for the business of the Pierce family. She can d
The next day, I received a message from her, asking me not to look for her and that she would come back when she was done having fun.When Oliver found me, it had already been half a month later. He looked utterly desolate, completely worn out. He appeared even more aged than his age.When he saw me, he asked eagerly, "Where did Lauren go?"I looked at him for a long while before asking, "When did you realize she wasn't around?"He looked at me. "I've been looking for her for a week.”"So, you mean you didn't even notice she was gone for the previous weeks?" I stared at Oliver intently.Initially, I had respected him. After all, he held the power of life and death over many businesses, including mine.In Foswood, no businessman didn't consider him the God of Wealth. Yet, he was so miserly toward a vulnerable woman, especially one who had accompanied him for so many years.It was the first time I had seen him up close like this. His sharp eyes met mine, and his pale face twitche
I was breathing heavily, glancing at him sideways. "Don't think it's all over just like that. Those images are etched in my mind, and they've hurt me deeply. I can't ever forget them."He held me, his tone indulgent. "Then punish me. Make me hold you forever and not let go."I chuckled at his persistence. This man was truly something else; he'd switch between being firm and soft, making it difficult to argue with him."If you dare do that again, I won't forgive you. I wouldn’t care about punishing you too." I deliberately teased him. "You have someone to hold, and I do too.”We playfully bantered back and forth.His handsome face tensed up, "Someone’s acting up, huh?”I was taken aback and looked at him suddenly, trying to discern the truth in his words from his expression.He immediately sensed my reaction, bit my lips, and said, "My girl, you're even harder to coax than Ava."I chuckled to myself; I knew he was just playing around. I stopped the teasing because saying too muc
She saw me coming out and rushed toward me as if she had been injected with some sort of drugs. "Chloe, you slut! Even after divorcing, you dare to get involved with Matthew. How do you have the guts to take in this dying woman? You slut, how dare you give advice to Matthew and make him take my house away?”"Your house? What are you? You're not even worthy of that," I said coldly, pulling my dad inside. "You all go in. Mom, get inside.”With that, I took out my phone from my pocket and called the property security directly, asking them to come. I didn't know how Abby got in.The yard wasn't a place where just anyone could enter. I had specially arranged an access card for Grace, so she could come and go freely. But how this woman got in, I had no idea. I also wanted to hold the property security accountable.I pushed the older ones inside and retreated to my own door. I did this on purpose. As long as she dared to step into my house, I wouldn't be polite.Sure enough, this woman,