Chapter 335

Under Lawrence's sharp gaze, Darcy, torn between her father and self-preservation, decisively chose the latter. She immediately wiped her tears and declared, "I had no involvement! Mr. Rodriguez, it was all my father and Jeffrey's doing. I had no knowledge of anything. Just think about it, if I had known, would I have come to the trial today? I also truly never expected my father to be involved in such things... But whether he harmed Elliott or not still needs to be verified by the police.

"Besides, he is your father-in-law. Could you please say a word to the judge in his favor? It would save the Ordelia family's pharmaceutical factory in Lymington."

"Is power so easily abused in your eyes?" Lawrence looked at her with a mix of disappointment and suspicion. "The Ordelia family has opened my eyes today. Your father claimed to not know Elliott in court, but behind the scenes, he used every means to harm him. For the sake of Elliott, who seems insignificant, I fail to understand why."

"I... I don't know either." Darcy bit her lip tightly. She couldn't let Lawrence suspect the feud between the Ordelia family and the Granger family, the very feud that had caused Elliott to seek wrongful revenge and had made Lawrence a scapegoat.

Lawrence continued scolding her, "With a father like that, do you still believe he has a good heart? Darcy, are you genuinely naive or just pretending to be kind?"

Darcy froze, her body tense. Never before had Lawrence spoken such heavy words to her, questioning her character for the first time. She was at a loss for what to do, when Mrs. Ordelia rushed over and immediately clarified for her daughter, "Lawrence, Darcy is truly innocent in Elliott's matter; don't involve her. It was both me and her father who did it. Jeffery, too, is her father's man.

"My daughter is especially kind, otherwise she wouldn't have donated a kidney for your mother. For the past three years, she has devoted herself to your family without asking for anything in return. If you won't help with her father's matter, it's fine, but please don't misunderstand her because of it," Mrs. Ordelia tearfully explained while gently pulling Darcy away, who continued to plead, all the while discreetly signaling her daughter.

Lawrence exuded a strong aura as he addressed Mrs. Ordelia, stating, "It's not that I won't help but there are laws and regulations, and breaking the law naturally comes with consequences. Wouldn't you agree, Mrs. Ordelia?"

"But Mr. Rodriguez, can't you consider my personal honor..." Darcy didn't finish her sentence.

Lawrence, with a cold demeanor, didn't need to say much as he turned and walked away.

Darcy was so angry she felt like vomiting blood, stomping her foot in frustration as she thought to herself, 'This Lawrence, he clearly distinguishes right from wrong, uncompromising, not even giving any face to his father-in-law and mother-in-law.'

Mrs. Ordelia was also furious, turning around to see Mr. Ordelia being taken away by the police. Her face pale, and she was rendered speechless, overwhelmed by a mixture of shock and disbelief. "Your father has been taken away, and considering your innocence, it was worth it. This time, we underestimated that wretched Winnie, resulting in such a big loss for the Ordelia Group.

"You must convince Lawrence of your innocence, appearing completely unaware. Once you stabilize his emotions and marry him, the two of us can secure our position in your father's house. That wretched Winnie, she has caused us great harm this time. The Ordelia Group is caught up in a lawsuit, and the pharmaceutical factory in Lymington is practically ruined!"

Darcy's face turned ashen, realizing that her mother was protecting her. She gritted her teeth and cast an unwilling glance at Winnie. Winnie happened to look over as well, her face cold with a slight smile at the corner of her eyes, as if mocking her. Darcy wished she could have rushed over and torn her apart. This wretched woman had become even stronger after three years, constantly opposing Darcy at every turn and starting to retaliate against the Ordelia family. Darcy couldn't underestimate Winnie anymore. She clenched her fists tightly, feeling a deep sense of despair.

Outside the courthouse, Lawrence, dressed in a tall and straight suit, sat in the backseat of the car. Bryan sensed Lawrence's cold mood and quickly avoided the approaching reporters.

Suddenly, the man spoke while biting his cigarette, "Stop up ahead." Bryan, perplexed by his abrupt command, directed his attention forward, discovering that they were approaching the main entrance of the courthouse. Still puzzled about the man's intentions, Bryan's confusion dissipated when he suddenly spotted Winnie and her group emerging, supporting Elliott as they came out.

Bryan silently glanced at the rearview mirror and noticed the expression on Mr. Rodriguez's face. Looking in the direction of his dark gaze, he speculated carefully and said, "Mr. Rodriguez, Winnie doesn't seem to have a car. Shouldn't we offer her a ride? Her uncle seems quite inconvenienced."

Lawrence flicked his cigarette ash, his eyes shifting, exuding a cold arrogance. "Let's wait for her to come." Bryan's lips twitched, hinting at something, as he drove a few meters forward.

Winnie glanced up and spotted the Bentley. With Olivia assisting Elliott, she proceeded toward the car in her elegant high heels. Lawrence observed her, his eyes narrowing as he pinched the cigarette butt, and then subtly lowered the car window. As expected, the woman walked up to his car window and came to a stop.

Winnie lowered her head and glanced at the tinted glass. When she saw him, her lips pursed.

"What's the matter, don't you have a car to go home?" Lawrence raised his gaze, asking indifferently and with an air of nobility.

"What's wrong with you parking the car here, blocking others' way?" Winnie exclaimed. "Hurry up and leave; you're blocking other people's cars from passing!" The woman continued to mutter impatiently. Her impression of Lawrence was not favorable, given that he had sat by Darcy's side throughout the trial, seemingly indifferent, as if he were merely watching a show.

With a cold face, Lawrence turned his head away from her. However, his face darkened in an instant when he heard Winnie suddenly softened her tone and said to someone, "Rock, carefully drive to the front gate." Lawrence turned his head and indeed saw Rock's car slowly brushing against his Bentley as it drove away. Through the car window, Rock greeted him with a friendly smile that was somewhat excessively dazzling.

Then, Lawrence witnessed Rock's car pulling up to the front gate, where Winnie assisted Elliott to get in, and they all left happily. The atmosphere inside Lawrence's car was quiet for a few seconds. Suddenly, the silence was shattered by the sound of something being smashed, and Lawrence yelled, "It's because of your meddling that you won't get your bonus this month."

Bryan was also speechless, contemplating how this could be his fault. It was evident that the man himself had requested the stop. Before he could even inquire about their next destination, Lawrence's phone suddenly rang.

Lawrence frowned as he answered, "Sidney, what's wrong?"

"Daddy, Grandpa Bob suddenly came to visit me from Trento City. I don't know how to entertain him. Hurry back!" Sidney pleaded for help.

Lawrence raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised, and responded with a "Hmm."

He hurriedly returned to the villa. Bob was standing in the living room with his hands behind his back, watching Sidney play with his toy model, his serious face softening.

"Uncle, why did you come?" Lawrence walked in, took off his suit jacket, and instructed the servants to make coffee.

Bob turned around, looked at the upright young man, and admired him with his gaze. And in the silence, he said, "I heard Sidney was kidnapped and got hurt, so I came here to visit him."

Lawrence hesitantly replied, "The case is still under investigation. Is there anything I can help you with? Is there something bothering you?"

Bob's expression froze momentarily before forcing a smile and said, "I'm retired and I have nothing to do. I came to Lymington solely to visit Sidney and check up on his condition. I hope it doesn't inconvenience you."

Lawrence found himself intrigued by his uncle's unusual concern, which seemed to surpass even that of his own father, Blake Rodriguez. This was evident when his uncle attended his engagement banquet with Darcy in the past. Over the last three years, he had visited Sidney twice, displaying a caring attitude akin to that of a doting grandfather. Despite Lawrence's sharp mind and contemplation about his origins, there were certain things he realized shouldn't be dwelled upon. His mother, Madam Rodriguez, remained unconscious, leaving Lawrence in the dark about the truth.

Seeing Lawrence silent, Bob didn't want to stay longer, afraid to arouse his resentment. With a gentle touch on Sidney's head, Bob stood up and said, "Lawrence, I'll be returning to Trento City this afternoon."

As soon as Bob finished speaking, Taylor walked in and informed Lawrence at the doorway, "Mr. Rodriguez, the family doctor has arrived. There is a consultation today. Shall I accompany you to visit your mother?"

As for Bob, upon hearing the words "your mother," he was taken aback, and a flicker of darkness crossed his eyes.

Lawrence noticed and his gaze became even deeper. He suddenly asked, "Uncle, are you interested in visiting my mother together?"