Chapter 458

Ishara's status from the night before at 9 PM read, "Met a Mr. Rodriguez who treasures me like a jewel~ xoxo"

The accompanying photo showed a delicate girl lying on a chaise lounge, with a man supporting her head in the crook of his arm while his other hand held her wrist, likely taking her pulse. The contrast of her pale skin against his large masculine hand was a provocative touch, his body hovering over hers as if they were about to kiss...

Staring at the photo, Winnie felt as if her eyes were bleeding with betrayal.

She knew this could be Ishara manipulating angles, her whole point of adding Winnie's Facebook was probably for this reveal.

However, the dull ache in her throat surged regardless.

It was around 9 PM the night before when he refused to drive Sidney and her back to the hotel. She even glanced at him then, thinking he had some urgent matter.

It turned out he was in a rush to be with Ishara--a tangled web of intimacy.

Enthralled by Ishara, even his care for Sidney had faltered.

Winnie could swallow her own bitter feelings, but the thought of her son being slighted was too painful to bear.

No wonder Sidney had tried to block her view, perhaps to save her from this sight.

Her eyes stung with pain; no surprise he favored his new love so openly, even appointing Ishara manager. It seemed like everything was set up so Ishara could press down on her with his support?

To him, she had become nothing more than an insignificant speck.

"Ms. Winnie, Mr. Rodriguez wants you in his office!" Melanie called from the doorway, her voice tinged with concern.

Winnie's fists were clenched, a frosty haze in her eyes as she turned to leave the office.

Knock, knock-

Lawrence stood behind his desk, his gaze intense as he called out, "Come in."

Winnie, with a sneer, clicked her high heels across the floor as she entered. "To what do I owe the pleasure, Mr. Rodriguez?"

Seeing his towering figure ignited a blaze of anger within her.

Lawrence studied her icy facade, his brow furrowed. He strode toward her and, with his long arms, softly shut the office door beside her.

He pondered his words, "I didn't realize you were also in the ST sales department

When I introduced Ishara earlier, it was only because she-"

"Only because you've fallen for her, enchanted by the new flame in your life, isn't that right? I get it." Winnie's laugh was brittle, reaching the depths of her scornful eyes.

Those were Ishara's taunting words, and it was ridiculous that now she believed them-men's hearts changed as fast as flipping a book.

Other than his newfound affection, there was no other reason for him to dote on Ishara.

Lawrence was momentarily shocked, sinking into thought at her sarcastic tone. "No need to be so passive-aggressive."

"And who's being manipulative here? To win a lady's favor, Mr. Rodriguez seems to have forgotten all about his ex-wife."

"I've said it before, her promotion has nothing to do with me. I just want to look out for her."

Even Ishara admitted it! So, he had no excuse. This was another game he was playing to keep her hanging.

Winnie's heart grew colder. The term 'to look out' explained everything, and she cut him off with a mocking smile. "Mr. Rodriguez, we're on the clock. Do you have something urgent?"

His approach, met with her coldness, sent a stinging through his temples. He remembered, the wound still unattended and painful, as he had rushed here after dealing with Oscar's incident...

Yet, there she was, hellbent on misunderstanding him.

His demeanor softened momentarily as he took hold of her slender wrist with his large hand. "Come with me, I have something important to tell you."

"Let go of me!" His touch only made her recoil.

Recalling the intimate photo of Ishara, she felt the once beautiful hand that had touched the other woman was now repulsive.

When he didn't let go, she sharply pulled away.

"Damn." Lawrence's palm had a scrape from a car accident, and the jolt of pain made him gasp.

Winnie caught a glimpse of the crimson stain and, seeing his gritted teeth, almost asked about his injury.

But at the last second, her pride shut her down-it was none of her business.

"If you've got something to say, I'm not interested. If Mr. Rodriguez is trying to flirt, go find your sweetheart. Isn't the reason you have her here to sicken others at your convenience?"

Her voice dripped with mockery.

Lawrence's face turned stormy with irritation. "Winnie! Can't you give it a rest?"

He had been bursting to share the good news about Oscar with her, to lift her spirits, but it was like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over his head, the words stuck in his throat.

Disappointment and sorrow tightened his fists, and his handsome face grew icy. He stopped looking at her. "If you don't care to listen, then just get out."

Winnie paused, her hands clenched, and then she marched toward the door.

"Lawrence, I brought you the first-aid kit. I'm really worried about your forehead getting infected..."

The office door creaked open from Ishara's gentle knock, her soft voice floating in. "Oh, Winnie, you're here too?" Ishara's awkward smile was endearing as she coughed, weighed down by the medical box, yet she persisted to Lawrence's side.

The sight of her fragile self was concerning--it naturally could send a man's heart racing.

Winnie scoffed with a cold, mocking gaze.

"Sit down, Lawrence, let me bandage you, or else I'll really start crying," Ishara implored, tears swirling in her eyes.

Lawrence gave Winnie a frosty glance. Ishara was aware of his injury and cared, but Winnie might as well have been blind to it, indifferent to him now.

Chilled to the core, Lawrence sat down on the couch, letting Ishara tend to his wound. His lips parted indifferently. "Ishara, I've left breakfast on the table for you. Have it before you go."

A quick glance at the double-serving breakfast, his expression turned grim, his appetite vanished.

Ishara glimpsed Winnie's rigid silhouette at the door, her soft eyebrows knit in feigned distress. "Lawrence, Winnie's still here. It's embarrassing how you're fussing over me."

Lawrence stiffened, then scoffed coldly, his words cutting deeper, "Why should we care about her? Make sure you finish the natural health supplement and nutritious soup. If you don't, I'll feed it to you myself."

"Seriously." Ishara sighed with feigned resignation, her voice dripping with contentment, "Now I know what it's like to be doted on by a boyfriend."

The door handle turned cold in Winnie's grip; she slammed the door shut with a force that betrayed her inner chill.

So, this was his game--to summon her here just to flaunt how he was pampering Ishara over breakfast.

It was pathetic.

Biting her lip, Winnie walked away.

Inside, after Ishara had applied the medicine, she walked over to the table only to find there was no natural health supplement or nutritious soup in the breakfast. Both servings were identical, one including a sweet dessert preferred by women.

Her face paled with realization--the breakfast wasn't prepared for her at all.

Lawrence lifted his gaze, his demeanor calm and indifferent. "Ishara, let's go have some organic food."

Organic food was known to boost energy. Every shred of his kindness, each indulgence, it was all so transparently for his mother.

Lawrence was a man with a frosty heart, seemingly immune to the charms of other women.

In his presence, her pitiful demeanor would normally awaken a desire to protect and feelings of compassion in most men, but he remained unmoved.

Fingers clenched tightly, Ishara gritted her teeth. If that was the case, then she'd have to make use of her looks to shatter the world of these two people as swiftly as possible.