Chapter 7

"Whatever," Lorraine suddenly said.

"Funny, huh?" The man frowned slightly, clearly displeased.

"Not a joke. That's just what I think. "Lorraine replied.

"And what exactly are you thinking?" Dawson ask again.

"Deal with whatever comes my way." The girl remained calm and composed.

Dawson was losing patience. "Lorraine, I swear, you're something else. Just answer my questions properly. Stop dodging." His grip tightened on her arm, his tone growing harsher.

"If you had half a brain, Mr. Mercer, you wouldn't be asking me that."

"Oh?" Dawson almost laughed and thought, "Did she just call me stupid? Did I hear that right?"

"You've seen how I lived in the Gregory family for four years. Do you really think I have anywhere to go after the divorce? Do you think going back there would make my life any better?"

"So you're saying... you're not leaving my house, right?"

"That's right."

"Then why not just say it outright?" Dawson asked, puzzled.

"Because I don't want to feed your ego."

Words failed Dawson.

He did not see that coming. Lorraine's response caught him so off guard that he actually burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?" Lorraine asked, annoyed.

"Nothing. Go to sleep."

Dawson suddenly found this woman... quite interesting.

People thought she was quiet and obedient as she had lived under the Gregory family's roof for four years without stirring up trouble.

And yet, she had managed to stay completely unscathed under Caleb's lecherous gaze. That took real skill.

But call her meek? Since the day she set foot in Dawson's house, she had never hesitated to talk back.

There wasn't a single trace of humility in her words but fierce, unshakable stubbornness.

She had quite the temper...

That night, both of them slept soundly. Maybe they were just too tired.

The next morning, after a quick breakfast, they got ready to leave.

Before they left, Eleanor called Lorraine up to the study on the second floor.

She used the excuse of preparing some gifts for Lorraine to take back to her in-laws.

Lorraine followed her upstairs.

Meanwhile, Caleb and John had already left for work. Sienna seized the chance to get close to Dawson.

"Dawson, everyone used to say we were the perfect match."

"'Used to' being the key phrase here." Dawson replied coldly.

Dawson was playing with his phone, not even bothering to glance at her.

"She's not good enough for you, Dawson. She's just some worthless beggar."

"Oh? Then who is good enough? You?" Dawson's voice was laced with mockery. "Too bad... If you hadn't married Peter, I might've considered it. But now? Sorry, I don't do secondhand."

Sienna's face went pale. Regret clawed at her chest.

She thought, "If only I hadn't rushed into marrying Peter. Dawson might have still been an option."

The truth was, Peter had never intended to marry her in the first place.

She had schemed against him, staged a setup with reporters, and forced their families to cover up the scandal. To save face, they arranged the marriage.

Since the Gregory family had a strong reputation in Amber City, the Reed family agreed without much fuss.

But little did she know, Peter had zero interest in her. On their wedding night, he was already with his mistress.

Three days later, he skipped the family banquet.

He only sent a text, "Busy with work."

Sienna was humiliated in front of her entire family.

Meanwhile, Lorraine had returned with Dawson, which was like rubbing salt into Sienna's wounds.

Sienna had always been known as Amber City's number one beauty.

She had spent her entire life being adored and admired.

And now, she was second to Lorraine! She couldn't take it.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she reached for Dawson's sleeve.

"Dawson, I was wrong. Will you forgive me?"

Dawson pushed her away in disgust.

"What do I have to do for you to forgive me?" Sienna tried to act pitiful.

She hadn't slept all night, racking her brain for ways to make Dawson divorce Lorraine.

Upstairs study room.

"Raine, these are supplements for your mother-in-law. This tea set is for your father-in-law," Eleanor said.

"And this fan. It's a piece of art. A gift for Madam Mercer."

"Thank you, Mrs. Gregory," Lorraine said obediently.

"There's one more thing, Raine."

"I'm listening."

"The Mercer family may be rich, but their rules make it a hard place to live. If you ever feel wronged, come straight home. John and I will always have your back."

"Got it." Lorraine nodded.

"Dawson... I've heard he has a temper. Not sure if he has violent tendencies, but be careful. If he ever lays a hand on you, divorce him immediately."

"Okay."

"Alright, you should go now. Don't keep the Mercer family waiting."

Lorraine took the gifts and went downstairs with Eleanor.

As soon as she stepped down, she saw Sienna clinging to Dawson, crying.

Eleanor coughed behind her, a subtle reminder for Sienna to tone it down.

Sienna quickly wiped her tears and looked at Dawson. "Dawson, take care of yourself. Remember to get regular check-ups. Your eyes are important, okay?"

Dawson shot her a cold glance and said nothing.

But when he heard footsteps behind him, he turned.

Seeing Lorraine, he immediately said, "Let's go. The car's here."

"Okay."

And with that, Lorraine and Dawson left the Gregory's home.

As soon as they left, Sienna grabbed her mother's hand. "Mom, how did it go? Did you say anything?"

"I couldn't just tell her to get a divorce, but I laid the groundwork. The Mercer family is huge, full of drama. Dawson's uncles and aunts are all trouble. With Lorraine's meek personality, she won't have an easy time there."

"Don't worry. I told her that if she ever feels wronged, she should come straight back to our home."

"Perfect! The moment she comes back, you and Dad will go straight to the Mercers and push for a divorce. Got it?"

"Alright, enough. Go back to the Reed's house. You're married now. Hanging around here isn't a good look. People will gossip."

"I don't want to go back! That bastard Peter is still living with his mistress. He doesn't even care about me!"

"And the Reed family don't treat me well either. I don't like them."

Sienna crossed her legs on the sofa and started complaining about the Reed family.

She had been spoiled her whole life by the Gregory family, to the point where no one else ever seemed good enough for her. Her princess syndrome was on full display.

On the way back, Dawson glanced at the gifts in Lorraine's hands.

"Mrs. Gregory gave you those?"

"Yeah, she said they're for... Dad, Mom, and Grandma." Lorraine hesitated for a second but figured she might as well stay polite. After all, she had accepted a lot of gifts from them.

Dawson nodded, seemingly satisfied.

"What else did Mrs. Gregory tell you?" Dawson switched back to his domineering mode.