Chapter 504

"Listen, you're reading too much into this. Alan and I have a strictly professional relationship. I was job hunting and happened to secure a position at Imperial Jewelry Company. Please, don't mention anything to Dad. He didn't have many options. Alan is well-respected in Lymington. Remember how he used to work with you back in Trento City? Dad believed having Alan around might provide some protection for our family."

Winnie grasped the situation. Elliott had made concessions and strategic moves for the sake of their family, even willing to reconcile with Alan. It served as a stark reminder of her own vulnerabilities. Winnie tightened her fist, resolved to showcase her strength upon returning to the Blanchet family. At Triton Jewelry, she was determined to make a significant impact in Trento City.

"Alan might be a decent boss, but he's definitely not boyfriend material. You know, he once left me in the middle of a deal to reunite with an ex. Lena, don't be too trusting." Winnie intended to give her a small fright and Lena's complexion paled.

"Winnie, why spread rumors about me? I told you that girl was all over me, and nothing happened that night." At that moment, Alan appeared in the doorway, resentment in his eyes as he glanced at Lena.

"Not everyone is like Lawrence, incapable of severing ties with his past lovers." He started with sarcasm, but then his tone shifted. "But with Ishara revealing her true colors, Lawrence should finally recognize who truly deserves his love. I'd love to see him begging for your forgiveness, ha!"

Winnie remained unfazed by his sycophancy and warned him, "Stay away from my cousin."

"I don't know what you're talking about. Lena and I are just colleagues, nothing more." Lena hung her head, looking defeated and coughed hastily. "Winnie, shouldn't you be heading to the airport?"

"Winnie, it's about time." Rock glanced at his watch. "I'll give you a lift."

The three of them arrived at the airport. Sidney watched helplessly as this scheming man took the seat next to his mother. He was fuming inside. If only Oscar was here, no random dude would be sitting next to Mom.

He scowled, hesitated and finally sent a photo to Uncle Jeremy.

Rock spread out the land bidding documents but his mind wasn't on work. He looked up at Winnie and spoke softly, "Winnie, can we talk just between us?"

Winnie's hand stiffened on the documents and she quickly composed herself. "Sure, go ahead."

"I knew deep down why you initially went to Trento, hoping to mend things with Lawrence," Rock said with a nostalgic squint and a bitter smile.

"If it weren't for him dating your sister, you wouldn't have been so disheartened. It was a challenging period for me as well. But what I need to convey to you is that my feelings haven't altered. If you've genuinely moved on from Lawrence, would you consider giving me a chance? I promise, I'll be the support you require. Whenever you reach out, I'll stand by you - never to betray you like Lawrence did."

Rock had overheard her tell Elliott outright that her concern for Melissa had nothing to do with Lawrence.

Those words, laced with bitterness, had deeply affected Winnie. Distress etched across her face as she pondered, her thoughts swirling like a tempest. She contemplated whether she had genuinely moved on from Lawrence, especially considering his compassion toward Melissa, stirring chaos in her mind.

Additionally, they now had a mission at hand - to rescue Oscar. Lost in the moment under Rock's sincere gaze, Winnie was taken aback when Sidney suddenly erupted into a fit of violent coughs and snorted as if about to vomit.

Winnie swiftly gathered her son in her arms. "What's wrong, honey?"

"What else? Listening to all this pretentious talk, it's enough to make anyone sick!" Sidney patted his chest, seeking solace in Winnie's embrace, and defiantly stuck his tongue out at Rock.

Rock's complexion paled slightly. While Winnie felt flustered, he tried to maintain composure, responding with feigned indifference, "It's normal for kids to struggle with their mom's new relationships. But Sidney, you'll understand when you get older."

"I won't accept you even when I do. My dad never betrayed my mom. He loved her, me, and Oscar." Sidney growled bitterly, his anger evident as he turned away to check if Uncle Jeremy had replied to him.

"Come on, little guy, you shouldn't be listening in on adult conversations." Holding her son, Winnie felt a sense of helplessness regarding Sidney's behavior but was relieved that his outburst had disrupted the conversation. Otherwise, she had no idea how to let Rock down gently. As Olivia had said, Rock had been nothing but kind to her and it wasn't always easy for her to find the words to say no to him.

"Let's talk business, Winnie. The Rodriguez real estate under Jenkins' bid - you should follow up with him about the outcome." Rock's gaze tensed slightly, trying to shift the topic. Winnie nodded and took out her phone. "The results should be in by three o'clock this afternoon."

Jeremy glimpsed at the photo labeled "Winnie and Rock sitting together" and instantly asked Bryan to spill the beans to Lawrence.

Upon examining the photo, Lawrence violently threw his phone to the ground. An icy frost enveloped his handsome features, and the air around him seemed to plunge in temperature.

Bryan, sharp as always, had dug up the details. "Rock insisted on accompanying Ms. Winnie home. The Harrington Group is gearing up to move to Trento City, and Rock has been eyeing that golf course property for some time. He's plotting to position The Harrington Group next to Triton Jewelry's real estate development."

A snort of cold laughter escaped Lawrence's lips, his eyes narrowing. "No wonder Winnie has been eyeing that plot from daybreak." His laugh sent a chill down one's spine.

Bryan understood that, in Lawrence's view, this was all a part of Ms. Winnie's future planning with Rock which was to set up their businesses together.

Behind his desk, the man rifled through property bid documents with a vexed intensity. "If she wants the land, then why didn't she bid for it?"

Bryan lowered his gaze. "It seems Ms. Winnie aimed to minimize contact with you and the Rodriguez family, opting for Mr. Jenkins to bid on her behalf. This way, she could acquire the property discreetly, beyond your watchful eye."

"Huh." A cold smirk curved on Lawrence's attractive lips. His dark eyes brewed with a icy wrath. "The number of men she can summon on a whim is quite impressive."

Bryan noticed that Lawrence was seething with envy, a shade of green coloring his expression.

Tearing the Jenkins Company's bid document to shreds, he dismantled it with an air of icy determination. Leaning back in his chair, exuding a frosty demeanor, he issued his decree, "Brand Jenkins Company as cheaters for partaking in dual bidding. Disqualify them. At 3 o'clock, broadcast it loud and clear. If she covets the land, she must come to the Rodriguez family firm and negotiate with me directly."

"Yes, Mr. Rodriguez," replied Bryan, wiping sweat from his brow. He recognized it as a strategic move by Lawrence, fueled by anger and jealousy, aimed at driving a wedge between Winnie and Rock.

As Bryan turned and walked toward the office door, he suddenly remembered another major announcement for the day. Lawrence seemed to have forgotten his intentions. Bryan questioned Lawrence's plans to have Ms. Winnie come to the Rodriguez family company.

"What? Mr. Jenkins, you're saying your bidding rights were revoked?" Winnie was greeted by the unbelievable news the moment the plane touched down. "Just an hour ago, you said the deal was sealed for 1.2 billion."

"I sealed the deal, but Lawrence caught wind of my double-dealing and accused me of cheating. It's a disaster. Rush to Rodriguez Enterprises, either clarify the situation or enhance our offer to secure the deal. Other companies are eyeing it, and we can't afford to lose it to someone else."

Winnie's brows furrowed. Rock caught wind of the conversation and quickly instructed his secretary to get the car ready.

Together, they reached the imposing headquarters of Rodriguez Enterprises, a symbol of Trento City's grandeur. The dominance of the nation's top financial dynasty stirred a subtle sense of reverence in Rock, his gaze narrowing with a composed coolness. However, upon stepping onto the company's front steps, Lawrence's security team promptly intercepted Rock.

Feeling a tad frustrated, Winnie stated, "Hello, we're here to bid on a parcel of land from Rodriguez Enterprises."

"Yes, Ms. Winnie, please come in. He won't be needed, though." Following Bryan's directives, the guard eyed Rock with a cold demeanor.

A simmering anger brewed in Rock's eyes, a clear sign of the orchestrator behind this chaos. It didn't take much to figure out Lawrence's hand in the matter. He was intentionally creating obstacles for Rock.