Chapter 517

"Keeping you company," replied Lawrence, glancing at Jeremy's fingers tapping restlessly on the steering wheel. "Or maybe you're hoping to catch a glimpse of Olivia?"

Jeremy stiffened at that suggestion. "I'm not there to see her. If I'm visiting anyone, it's my little niece."

In Jeremy's mind, Mia's chubby little face popped up but the phrase 'little niece' felt like a lump in his throat.

Lawrence settled into the passenger seat in silent, his eyes half-closed.

As the car exited the parking garage, Jeremy handed him a cigarette and narrowed his eyes at the imposing Rodriguez Corporation building outside the window. "I heard Ishara was searching for you at the office. You made a swift exit the moment she arrived and you weren't subtle about it. What are people supposed to make of your engagement?"

Lawrence looked up. "Why should I care what outsiders think? Her embarrassment, did I hand it to her? She brought it upon herself."

Jeremy grasped the implication and arched an eyebrow. "So, she maneuvered you into an engagement, and this is your way of settling the score, right? Fair game. Ishara has always been hungry for power. She's created her own problems. Initially, I assumed your engagement was a tactic to lure out Oscar, but now you've truly severed ties with her. What's the ultimate goal?"

Lawrence narrowed his gaze, his expression cold as he looked outside. "I'm going to let her sweat it out until she's desperate. When she comes to me to save our relationship that's when I'll make my move."

Jeremy pondered for a moment and nodded, giving a thumbs up. "She's got Oscar well-hidden. We need to get the info out of her when she's least expecting it."

"Right."

Lawrence leaned back, checked the time and frowned. "Step on it."

Jeremy smirked. "Dude, we're in the city. In that much of a rush to see Winnie?"

He closed his eyes and didn't deny it.

Rock had left. Winnie was helping Olivia pack her bags.

The doorbell rang in the suite and Winnie, unaware of the visitor's identity, signaled for Sidney to answer it. Mia hurried forward with her small legs, grabbed a stool and unlocked the door.

The door opened too quickly and her little body stumbled forward, right into a pair of strong, lean arms.

"Ah..." Jeremy caught Mia in his arms and when he looked down, he saw a pink little munchkin with eyes like his own. His heart skipped a beat, a strange and intense feeling welled inside.

"Daddy!" Mia recognized him instantly, the handsome uncle she had seen in Lymington, both on TV and in person. He looked so much like her. For a split second, Jeremy nearly believed he had a daughter.

The unexpected address of "daddy" sent a rush of warmth through his veins.

"Sweetie, you need to get down now."

"No, Daddy. I want you to hold me!" Mia clung to Jeremy's neck.

Inside the doorway, Olivia witnessed the scene, her face frozen in shock.

Lawrence glanced at Jeremy and the little girl, his brows knitting slightly. It was uncanny. He'd seen Sam before but even Sam didn't resemble the girl this much.

"Dad!" Sidney's icy voice cut through Lawrence's reverie. "What are you doing here?"

Standing tall at the entrance, Lawrence looked inside for Winnie but didn't see her. He took his son's hand and smirked. "Didn't you ask me to come?"

"Mama doesn't want to see you." Sidney snapped, his tone cold and haughty.

"It's okay. I want to see her," Lawrence stated truthfully.

Sidney huffed, folding his arms. He thought to himself how shameless Lawrence had been and if he had believed this was some sort of tactic to impress Mama.

Pouting, Sidney retorted, "You have no idea how hard I worked to chase Rock away. I didn't do it for you. I simply can't stand the guy so don't flatter yourself."

"Thanks but even if you hadn't, I would have found a way to get rid of him." Lawrence leaned down, brought his son closer and whispered, "Has your mom been taking her medicine since she got back?"

"She mentioned her stomach still felt uneasy, and Aunt Olivia proposed going to get some antacids. I intervened. Mama believes she can endure the discomfort, so she skipped her herbal remedies. But Dad, why do you think you can prevent Mama from taking her medication?"

Lawrence's expression turned stern and serious. "Taking medicine without caution is detrimental to her health. She's been feeling frail lately. If you truly want what's best for her, you'll keep a close watch on her."

Sidney was doubtful about this answer but too young to understand. "Okay, I'll keep an eye on her."

Lawrence gently patted his son's head.

Jeremy watched the scene and thought to himself that only Lawrence could handle his smart son like that.

The man stood tall, his slender fingers tapped on the door in a gentlemanly fashion before his long legs stepped inside.

As Winnie walked over while drying her hands and asked, "Sidney, was it someone from the hotel's support staff?" Her eyes instantly fell on Lawrence. The moment the imposing man entered, the spacious room seemed to shrink.

Winnie's face turned cold immediately, her brows furrowing deeply.

Lawrence positioned himself at a relaxed distance, one hand casually tucked into his pocket as he gazed at her indifferent face with an inscrutable expression. Breaking the silence, he remarked, "Don't misunderstand. I just came to check on my son."

Winnie's voice was stuck in her throat, unable to muster the strength to send him away.

His gaze drifted to her belly which she misinterpreted as him assessing her figure. She quickly turned away. "Sidney, your guest is here. I suggest you two talk in the living room."

She didn't want to face him. Lawrence's eyes dimmed, his mood darkening.

"Is Olivia here?" Lawrence asked, tall and poised, not stepping further. He tried to initiate conversation with her.

Glancing at Winnie's bedroom, he noticed Olivia's luggage piled in a corner. Lawrence frowned slightly. "Seems a bit crowded in here, don't you think, Olivia?"

Suddenly, Olivia was caught off guard by the shift in focus, Lawrence's aim now directly on her. She had always found his presence intimidating back in Lymington and now, even more so as he was the esteemed Lawrence.

Olivia stood dazed. "Lawrence, I just arrived today. Winnie said I could stay here."

Winnie didn't understand why she was so wary of Lawrence. "I'm the one who let her stay, got a problem with that?"

"Sounds fine to me," replied Lawrence, his gaze lingering on her pale face, although internally, he certainly had concerns. She was expecting, even if it was still in the early stages.

He pulled out his phone and made a quick, low-voiced call.

"The suite next door is available. Olivia, if you wish to stay close to your friend, that's great but I'd recommend that you and your daughter take the next suite. It's close and more spacious. You can still be as close as neighbors."

Winnie was at a loss for words. Nobody gave him the permission to make decisions about her life.

Her cheeks flushed with anger, a clear sign of her irritation. Lawrence, not wanting to upset her, promptly added, "Olivia, the choice is yours."

"I..." Olivia felt coerced.

Sidney came over, arms crossed, speaking out for fairness, "I think it's a good suggestion. It is quite crowded, after all. Mom, can you see the difference between dad and Rock? Rock's all about pushing Aunt Olivia to find her own place. He just doesn't want her cramping his style but dad isn't that selfish. He puts your feelings and happiness first. You see what I'm getting at?"

Sidney was intentionally downplaying Rock's goodwill to show his mom the truth.

Winnie kept her thoughts to herself.

Lawrence eyed his son with a fond appreciation, thinking to himself that his efforts in raising the boy had not been in vain. He understood how the world worked.

Olivia snapped out of her daze with a realization. "So, Rock still clings to that thought? He's a bit petty, isn't he, Winnie? Getting jealous even over me. Compared to Lawrence, he's-ugh."

Noticing Winnie's icy glare, Olivia clammed up, stuck between a rock and a hard place. In the end, she looked to Mia to decide. "Honey, should we stay next door or not?"