Chapter 525

"You probably already have your suspicions," Rock said casually, an undertone of suppressed anger evident in his composed features.

From his response, Winnie knew.

Lawrence, in a bid to stop her from moving her company to Rock's side, had once again targeted Rock.

Her fists clenched. A rush of fury, tinged with sorrow, took over. She had never truly broken free from Lawrence's grasp. She could never cut ties with him once and for all.

Tears welled up in Winnie's eyes, and with a mix of shame and resolution, she faced Rock. "I'm so sorry, Rock."

"Why apologize?" asked Rock, a smile still playing on his lips. "As long as you choose to be with me, that's all the warmth I need. I've always been able to handle anything that comes my way. Nothing can break me. By the way, senior executives from Harrington Group are starting to trickle into Trento City. What about the key players at Triton Jewelry? Let's carve out some time tomorrow to have a meeting."

Winnie shook her head in apology. "Rock, I can't relocate the company to join you."

Rock froze in place.

Turning away, Winnie gazed out the window. She gazed out the tall building's window, her eyelashes fluttering slightly. "I've decided to go ahead and purchase the golf course property for the full price of 600 million."

"Why?" Rock asked softly, his tone light but his eyes betrayed an underlying severity.

Anger flickered at the corners of his gaze.

"You could move into the property I bought. I don't need your money. You can save 600 million in funds! Harrington Group spans a wide range of industries, and I can offer long-term partnership with Triton, boosting your development. You promised me, so why are you backing out now?"

The reason was all too clear.

Moving her company in with him would only bring endless trouble his way.

The Department of Commerce visited him today. Tomorrow might be another challenge for him.

As long as Lawrence wasn't happy, Rock's business might not have a future.

Lowering her gaze, Winnie spoke, "Rock, I don't want to be a burden on you."

"I'm not afraid! I want you by my side. If you don't stand up to Lawrence., you'll never be free. Do you understand? Winnie, do you even have a life of your own? Why let him control you?"

Perhaps there was a sting of mockery in his words that made her pause.

Winnie's face paled as she took a step back. "We don't have to build our companies together. We can still collaborate in the future. It's just that you've only just arrived in Trento City, and I don't want to make your start any harder."

"I've found great partners, and my prospects are not necessarily worse than Lawrence's. The fact that I could secure a central plot downtown proves my capability. Winnie, be with me!"

"I'm sorry, I've already made my decision about the company." Winnie had said all there was to say, all there was to clarify.

He was on edge, seething with reluctance. Winnie knew she had let him down. With her head bowed, she turned to leave.

After a moment's thought, she looked back with a frown. "Rock... That unfinished building was a tough grab. How did you manage to buy it? Who help you?"

Rock stood in the shadows, his eyes on her stunningly beautiful face, "You think there's something shady about the land I bought?"

"No!" Winnie quickly clarified, the concern in her voice unmistakable. Memories of Lawrence's words from yesterday had sparked a fear that Rock had fallen into a trap.

"Look, I've been doing business for years, having my own resources isn't a big deal. Don't fall into Lawrence's words," he said with a measure of irritation.

Winnie pursed her lips, sensing his anger. She averted her gaze and added softly, "That's not what I meant. I never doubted your abilities."

"Mmhmm... Since you've made up your mind, I respect that. When your company moves to Trento City, I'll still be a consultant at Triton. No matter how you treat me, my feelings for you remain."

That caught Winnie off guard and filled her with an overwhelming urge to flee. Her emotions swam in turmoil.

"Rock, thank you for being so forgiving. I'll never forget your kindness."

"I know you're looking out for me, too," Rock said as he gently patted her shoulder, forcing a smile through his concerns.

Winnie felt a release of tension. Thankfully, their conversation had not escalated into a fight.

She bid him goodbye and walked away.

The moment the door shut behind her, Rock's expression darkened ominously. In a surge of rage, he smashed the ashtray on the table.

The butler jumped at the unexpected violence, staring at the usually composed man, unable to reconcile the sinister look in his eyes.

"Lawrence... Lawrence. You've won again, haven't you?" Rock muttered bitterly.

He had thought Winnie's decision to relocate her company was a sign of acceptance, but Lawrence had interfered and ruined his plan.

Lawrence was engaged to Ishara, yet it seemed like he still planned on keeping Winnie to himself.

At that moment, Winnie was no longer just the woman Rock had liked. She had become a prize he was determined to win back.

Lawrence, wielding his power, had slapped Rock in the face once more, just as he did when Rock had visited his place, treating Rock with disdain from his pedestal.

Unable to contain his anger, Rock dialed a number, his eyes red with fury. "It's me... when will you finally take action against Lawrence? I'm already in Trento City, following your plan!"

"What's the rush?" came a voice, deep and enigmatic. "Didn't I get you out of jail today? Just be patient. Lawrence will soon be facing troubles from all sides. That Ishara by his side? She's nothing but trouble. Hah. If you want Winnie, she might just be your way in."

'Ishara?' Rock narrowed his eyes at the thought.

Winnie drove away from the Intercontinental Hotel, her hands gripping the steering wheel as she struggled to contain her emotions.

She gave Lawrence a call. He picked up quickly, a pleasant surprise in his voice. "Winnie, I'm at work. How was your lunch?"

"Lawrence, you're despicable and shameless!"

Lawrence was taken aback, his voice dropped. "Say that again."

"What am I afraid of saying? What gives you the right to bribe officials to have Rock thrown into jail? Was beating him part of your idea too? It must have been!"

She was fuming, teeth clenched and eyes red. "I've already compromised. I won't move the company over there. Stop making trouble for him. Next time, it'll be an all-out war between us!"

After venting her anger, she started to cough.

Lawrence's lips were tightly compressed, a vein throbbing on his temple.

In her eyes, he become the scoundrel who attacked Rock. Her trust in him seemed to have disappeared, or perhaps, Rock's presence affected her way of thinking.

Lawrence suppressed his rage, his tone cold and firm. "Hiring someone to hit him? I'm above that. You'd better think it through. Is he playing the victim in front of you? After all, this isn't the first time he's done something like this!"

"Even if you didn't hit him, just causing him trouble is bad enough!"

"Fine, I'm shameless, but I don't want to argue. Just calm down."

His chest heaved as he reminded himself that Winnie, his precious pregnant partner, needed his calm. Gradually, he managed to stabilize his breath.

Still in a foul mood, he said, "I have a meeting, I need to go. I'll check with Sidney at six if you made it home. If not, I'll come looking for you."

Winnie stared at the phone, her face ashen, not wanting to say another word to him.

Just like that, the call ended.

She drank an entire bottle of water to quell the fire inside.

That's when Olivia sent her a Facebook message.