Chapter 184

"I'm not interested in listening to your disgusting conversation." Laura sneered and looked at him coldly. "Ray, she's about to get engaged, yet she's still here helping you with your tie, keeping you in this ambiguous relationship. In reality, she's just not responsible in her feelings, and you're nothing more than her backup plan. Have you ever thought about it? You idiot."

Ray was taken aback and didn't appreciate being scolded.

Today, Laura was wearing a moon-white dress that accentuated her elegance. The touch of red lipstick on her clean face made her exceptionally beautiful.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, wanting to hold her back and reprimand her. Laura twisted her body to avoid his grasp, disgusted by the scent of Darcy's perfume on him.

But his hand was hot, gripping her wrist. Laura's eyes turned cold. "Let go of me, I'm leaving!"

"You're my wife, where do you think you're going?" Ray narrowed his eyes, enjoying her angry display.

"You never treated me like a wife before, never took me to any events. I don't even know what made you have the nerve to invite me today. But, thank you," Laura sarcastically replied.

After saying that, she left.

Thank you? Ray was puzzled by her last statement. It was Darcy who mentioned Laura earlier, and only then did he bring her here.

Outside the hotel's entrance, Laura put on her coat and immediately walked towards the corner.

Winnie got off the car and saw her handing over an invitation. "Thank you, Laura, but can't you come in anymore?"

"Well, it's a one-person-per-card policy. Just go in for me." Laura grabbed Winnie's hand, her expression turning serious. "Winnie, you've been hiding something from us! Lawrence even forced you to divorce, but you still care about him? What were you doing yesterday?"

Winnie froze for a moment. "Who told you?"

"Darcy and Ray were talking, and I overheard. What's your plan?" Laura pushed for an answer.

Winnie's face paled for a moment, realizing she couldn't hide it anymore. She briefly explained what happened yesterday.

After listening, Laura furrowed her brows and sighed, "You're so foolish. Is it worth it to stay with him under these circumstances? He's about to get engaged to Darcy, there's no room for you in his heart."

"He's still sick," Winnie smiled bitterly. "I take care of him to make amends for my uncle, and also because I can't bear to leave him."

Seeing her eyes welling up, Laura's heart ached. "Do you love him that deeply?"

"Yes, especially when he's facing so many difficulties now. I can't let go; I want to help him." Winnie said feeling a weight being lifted as she finally said it out loud and on the brink of crying.

Laura wiped the corners of her eyes for her. "But he has Darcy, and it's strange, considering how vain she is, and now that he's bankrupt, why is she still willing to stay by his side... Anyway, stop talking, quickly change into a dress and do your makeup..."

"No need, I'm not here to attend the banquet. I'll just wear a mask and stay by his side," Winnie replied.

Laura shook her head and pinched her slender and charming face. "You're even more beautiful without makeup. Go inside."

Winnie hurriedly entered the venue with the invitation, wearing a mask and hiding in the corner.

The summit began, and the banquet hall was packed with people. Standing at the center was a devilishly charming man, Alan, the old Mr. Rodriguez, dressed in a suit, with Mrs. Rodriguez in a gown, they stood on either side of Alan as though forming a shield.

The three of them were receiving compliments and congratulations from the upper class.

"Alan, congratulations! On Becoming the new CEO of Imperial Financial Group in one go. We'll have to rely more on your co-operations for future collaborations." Came from a CEO of a smaller company.

"I heard that as soon as you took the stage, you vigorously supported the artificial intelligence automotive industry under Imperial. It's a cutting-edge field!" was the comment of another.

Listening to everyone praising his son, the old Mr. Rodriguez felt satisfied. "Alan studied abroad and has a foresight in artificial intelligence."

"In the future automotive industry, it seems that the Rodriguez family will dominate!"

Winnie clenched her fist and stared fixedly at the family of three, with a fierce anger.

Someone next to her said, and Winnie overheard as the merchants were discussing all around the room, "I wonder if Lawrence will come?"

Someone shook their head, "The myth of Lawrence has faded amidst the internal struggles within the family. Even if he comes, it would only lead to humiliation. It's difficult for him to rise again."

"Old Mr. Rodriguez is truly biased. I even suspect if Lawrence is truly his own son." The first merchant questioned.

"There were rumors many years ago saying otherwise. Otherwise, would madam Rodriguez have been driven out by Mrs. Rodriguez so early?" whispered an elderly boss.

Winnie pricked up her ears, what were they talking about?

But the topic quickly shifted, "The only one who can contend against Alan tonight is the behind-the-scenes owner of Island Electronics!"

"Island Electronics is too dominant. It monopolizes the chip supply in the artificial intelligence industry. I heard they will release a new product tonight. Actually, most people are here because of it. Every business in Lymington needs artificial intelligence chips, don't they?"

"Yes, without chips, machines cannot operate." The CEO agreed eagerly.

"Quick, go to the entrance and see if the behind-the-scenes owner of Island Electronics has arrived. They say his net worth is in the trillions of dollars." As word began to spread from person to person.

Everyone discussed and then left Alan's side, leaving him quite deserted. Alan's face turned sour immediately. "What nonsense. I want to see who this person is."

The old Mr. Rodriguez said, "Keep calm. Your automotive industry must collaborate with artificial intelligence chips. Remember to establish a good relationship later-"

Just as he was speaking, there was suddenly a commotion at the entrance. Immediately, the whole venue fell into an eerie silence.

Someone asked softly, "Is that the owner of Island Electronics?"

Someone turned back, their face rigid and filled with extreme shock, "Yes, it's him...!"

Winnie was pushed outside the crowd, only focused on finding Lawrence, tightly clutching the pill in her hand. Suddenly, from the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a familiar figure at the entrance.

The man was exceptionally tall and straight, wearing a formal black suit that accentuated his narrow waist and broad shoulders, his long legs poised.

His deep eyebrows and piercing eyes were displayed for all to see. He no longer wore a mask, his handsome appearance captivating every woman present, causing them to gasp in awe.

Lawrence...

He had arrived, looking far from destitute. Winnie was left dumbfounded. Suddenly, she also noticed the man's arm, firmly wrapped around an elegant arm.

Darcy was wearing a burgundy velvet gown, with a sexy neckline revealing her smooth skin, exquisite styling of her long hair, and beside her, a man as noble as a king, surpassing the allure of every woman present.

At this moment, the announcer introduced the couple loudly, "Island Electronics CEO, Mr. Rodriguez, has entered with a female companion!" The whole crowd was in an uproar.

Meanwhile, Winnie stood there like a statue, staring at him with wide eyes, filled with disbelief.

The CEO of Island Electronics, it was him.

It was actually him?! Winnie's mind was in chaos.

Many people, just like her, wondered, "What's going on? Lawrence has transformed into the even more powerful CEO of Island Electronics?"

"No wonder he remained silent when Alan took his place, turns out he had Island Electronics in his hands." Said one of the older CEO's.

"Island Electronics is listed overseas, its market value is immeasurable, much stronger than Imperial Financial Group!" commented another as conversations erupted through out the banquet hall.

In the distance, the old Mr. Rodriguez and his family stood in the center, their expressions shocked and unpleasant, at the recent discovery.

Seeing their expressions, others sneered, "The old Mr. Rodriguez must be regretting it now. Alan played favorites and drove away the massive industry of Island Electronics!"

Alan's face turned gloomy. Ignoring the old Mr. Rodriguez's attempts to stop him, he approached with a sinister smile, "Lawrence, what do you mean? While you were CEO of Imperial Group, you secretly built Island Electronics. Did you plan to betray the Rodriguez family from the start?!"