Chapter 520

"No." Jeremy firmly denied, he dared not reveal that Winnie was pregnant.

Lawrence held this with great importance. After all, the less people knew about this, the better.

"Look, just keep an eye on Winnie, okay? She's had a rough time lately and hasn't been feeling well. Make sure she doesn't self-medicate."

"Why? Winnie knows medicine, doesn't she know what she's doing when it comes to drugs?"

"Every drug has its side effects, you know. You could make her some soup, get her strength up." Jeremy's voice lacked conviction.

Olivia felt there was something off in his words, but she couldn't put her finger on what exactly it was.

Right then, both their phones went off.

Olivia had a Facebook message from Winnie, asking if she had finished her shopping.

Jeremy's phone was buzzing with a call from Bryan.

He turned away to answer, and Bryan cautiously spoke up, "I sent some updates on Rock's whereabouts in Trento City to Mr. Rodriguez, and he blew his top. He told me to get the Department of Commerce to detain Rock. I'm wondering, did Mr. Rodriguez fail to secure the property for Ms. Winnie? Did they have a fight?"

That was probably the case.

Lawrence's visit to Winnie today was definitely to prevent her from moving the company to Rock's side of town.

Winnie surely hadn't agreed.

"They had an argument. We should head back," Jeremy said after hanging up, turning to Olivia.

"I knew it! Lawrence's domineering attitude is bound to create clashes. Why is he even pestering Winnie when he's engaged? What's he up to? Not even caring for his own son but messing around with a suspect. It's just not right for Winnie!"

Olivia didn't hold back her thoughts about Lawrence when he wasn't around.

Jeremy's expression darkened, but there was nothing he could say. Lawrence had to carry this burden until everything was settled.

No one knew the risks he was taking and the reasons behind his actions.

Jeremy and Olivia hurried back to their hotel suite.

The air felt tense.

Winnie was next door with her son and Mia.

Lawrence snuffed out his cigarette and with long fingers, took the shopping bag from Jeremy without a word, heading to the kitchen.

Jeremy knew that Lawrence was concerned about the well-being of Winnie's unborn child, worrying about her stomach ailment and her nutrition.

An hour later, a delicious chicken congee and several light dishes were ready.

Jeremy went next door. "Sidney, your dad is done cooking. He's made a delicious meal for you. You better come and eat!"

"It smells good," Sidney said with a grin.

"I want some too! Can I?" Mia bounced to the doorway, witnessing Lawrence scooping up chicken soup with a grace that captivated her. The shredded chicken was fragrant and tender in the creamy broth. He was the epitome of a dashing gentleman, leaving Mia awestruck.

"This handsome uncle is so good-looking and he can cook too! Mommy, how about you marry him?" she piped up innocently.

Olivia choked on her drink, quickly smiling at her daughter's innocent comment. "Kids say the darndest things, Mr. Rodriguez."

Jeremy's expression darkened inexplicably. "Mia, that's Sidney's dad. He's already taken by Winnie. How could your mom marry him?"

Lawrence's intense gaze softened momentarily.

He turned to Winnie, who was dismissively walking away. "Sidney, help your mom sit down and eat."

"I'm not hungry," Winnie replied tersely, albeit her eyes couldn't help but stray to the hearty chicken soup simmering with stomach-soothing ingredients. She had just had a bout of stomach pain and couldn't deny the thought of whom he had made this comforting soup for.

She kept her composure as she walked to the bedroom.

Lawrence furrowed his brows in concern. She shouldn't be neglecting her health like this while being pregnant. Otherwise, her baby wouldn't thrive.

Approaching her, he urged, "Arguing with me is no reason to starve. You need to eat something or you'll feel worse later."

"Lawrence." Winnie's patience wore thin, "What exactly are you trying to accomplish by doing this? Are you trying to have your cake and eat it too, clinging on stubbornly?"

He found himself at a loss for words and lapsed into silence.

"It's just a bowl of porridge. Are we meant to be strangers after divorce? Look at how upset Sidney is."

Winnie, realizing the impact of the situation on her son, turned to see Sidney's sullen face. She pressed her lips together, knowing she had a duty to maintain a semblance of peace in front of her child. Reluctantly, she sat down, coaxing him, "Sidney, let's eat."

Lawrence picked up his jacket. Seeing her ignore the utensils, he negotiated, "I'll leave right now. My wound still hurts. If you don't mind, could you give me some herbal ointment as a repayment for this meal?"

Winnie's dark eyelashes fluttered. His injury was concealed by his shirt, invisible to the eye, but that didn't mean he was healed.

He was injured on her account and had been bustling about in the kitchen for her. She did not want to owe him anything unwillingly.

Feeling a bit calmer, she stood up, went to the room, and returned with some homemade healing ointment. Then, she tossed them to Jeremy.

Jeremy glanced at Lawrence with a look of dejection that seemed to say: 'How bad was your fight that he's so repelled by you?'

Lawrence had just left, and the room fell silent for a moment before the laughter and chatter of the kids filled the air again.

Olivia strolled over, took a casual sip of the soup, and wrinkled her nose. "Despite being an asshole, he can actually cook!"

Winnie gave her a look that said it all.

"Slip of the tongue. It's terrible!" Olivia quickly corrected herself.

Sidney, obviously annoyed, gave her a stern look. "Olivia, I'm Daddy's son. You might want to rephrase your words again."

Olivia coughed awkwardly. "It's okay."

Winnie couldn't be bothered with their antics.

Olivia leaned closer. "Did you and Lawrence had a big fight?"

"He's using tactics to pressure me, forbidding me from moving the company to Rock's area."

"He's engaged and still trying to control you? What a jerk!" Olivia cursed, but then she paused to think. "Didn't you say that the land near the golf course was perfect for a jewelry manufacturing plant? Maybe Lawrence is actually trying to help you."

Winnie's eyes turned cold. "It's possible that Rock's real estate ventures aren't stable enough. I worry Lawrence might strike at Rock because of me. Rock's been through a lot because of me, and I feel terrible."

"So, you decided to stick with the golf course area in the end? Isn't Rock disappointed?"

Winnie's lips twisted into a sly smile. "I can't keep putting him in the line of fire. Besides, my future cooperation with the Harrington Group is still on the table."

"Alright then, the priority now is to get Triton settled here quickly. Once you've built up some capital, you can use it to get in with the Blanchet family, to deal with your uncle and stepmother. Did you see the news today? Ishara was appointed to the Blanchet Group with a significant 12% stake as the new junior director. I don't get it, how can your uncle adore her so much, so selflessly?"

Winnie narrowed her eyes. "Olivia, can't you see? My father's shooting was a setup. People like Patrick and Eleanor have been lying in wait for years. At first glance, Patrick seems to be profiting since he's in control of the Blanchet Group now. But in reality, the heiress is Ishara. Doesn't it all seem like Eleanor and Patrick have been plotting for Ishara all along?"

Olivia felt a surge of anxiety, her thoughts racing. "Are you saying... Ishara could be Patrick and Eleanor's...?"