Chapter 558

Her vision blurred, and Winnie stroked her son's head, trying to convey the bitter truth, "Sidney, he has his own life.

"He's engaged now, and sooner or later, you have to face that fact.

"As I told you before, we should be as happy as you and Oscar, the little buddies, without worrying about grown-up issues.

"Just wait for Oscar to come back. You two brothers, you're each other's lifelines, my treasures."

A tear slipped down her cheek.

Sidney gently wiped it away, and though his own eyes were fierce, they were lined with more tears. He was clever beyond his years. "Mommy, are you never going to forgive Daddy this time?

"I heard your answer. He's gone too far, letting you down time and again.

"Grandma told me today to secretly try hard and find a way to reconcile the two of you.

"She's so naive, and so was I."

Winnie braced herself, shutting her eyes in acceptance. The past held fools, but she wouldn't be one of them anymore.

"Let's stop talking about unhappy things anymore. Let's go get some rest; I will bathe you."

Sidney lowered his head, his gaze fixed on his smartwatch, dark eyes reflecting disappointment. Despite multiple attempts that evening, his calls to Daddy had gone unanswered. Enough was enough. He resolved to cease trying to reach him.

"Mommy, I want to sleep with you tonight."

"Of course, you can."

"Aunt Olivia said she'll take me to the hospital in the morning. She mentioned your company is busy, and you have a fever, so you shouldn't go to the hospital."

Winnie's expression was faint. "There are plenty of people to look after Grandma; she'll recover and be out of the hospital soon."

Sidney's lips twisted in frustration; there was more he wanted to say, but no words came out.

Instinctively, he felt that this time, his mother might distance herself from his grandmother.

After all, with his grandmother recovering, his mother wouldn't have to worry about her anymore.

For the past two months, sighing was what he did most.

He was tired, always waiting for Oscar to come back so he could vent his little frustrations, the two brothers banding together to protect their mother.

The following day dawned, the morning sun casting its golden light upon the city. Lawrence's eyes bore a profound crimson sheen as he momentarily withdrew from the tumult of the Rodriguez family conglomerate.

After dealing with crisis after crisis for a solid 24 hours, outraged shareholders, plummeting stock prices, Lawrence's face remained devoid of emotion. His thoughts were clear yet scattered, all swirling around Winnie.

Her whereabouts remained unknown to him, leaving Jeremy searching and unsure of her reaction to Ishara's pregnancy and their future together.

He needed to see her, and it had to be soon.

"Bryan, get in touch with Jeremy right away."

"Mr. Rodriguez, you've been rushing to wrap up company matters to avoid being cornered by shareholders, and you haven't had a single drop of water all night. You look exhausted. Your eyes are bloodshot. Do you want to take a break before you go looking for Ms. Winnie?"

Lawrence's frigid gaze met Bryan's. His black suit remained crisply tailored, an air of grandeur still about him. His shirt unwrinkled even after a night of bustle.

Bryan sighed inwardly as he surveyed the clean-cut man before him; Lawrence's fatigue was all too evident. He had worked through the night like a soulless machine, efficient yet distracted, anxious.

"Alright. Stay calm. I'll contact Mr. Jeremy immediately to see if he knows whether Ms. Winnie is home."

"Now!"

Lawrence stashed his hands in his trouser pockets and strode swiftly down the steps to his car. The dawn's glow splashed over his chiseled features, yet his handsome face showed no sign of brightness.

Inside the car, he lit a cigarette and took a deep drag, his emotions unreadable beneath furrowed brows and dark eyes.

Nine o'clock at the Pleasant Estate, a black Bentley screeched to a halt.

Lawrence emerged, his long legs carrying him purposefully to the front of the two-story villa in Unit Four. The door, which was shut tight the day before, was now invitingly open.

The villa's living room curtains had also been drawn.

His heart pounded fiercely at that moment, a mix of trepidation and a slight tremor. She was back.

Bryan caught up to him, lowering his voice to a whisper at his shoulder, "Actually, Winnie spent all of yesterday locked up in her own company office. It's the high-rise downtown that she's leasing. That's why you couldn't find her. Jeremy managed to locate her later. But after she left Melissa's hospital room yesterday afternoon, she didn't return."

Lawrence's thick lashes twitched, and he composed himself. "She must be furious."

Bryan exhaled, giving his advice, "Mr. Rodriguez, you've got to have a proper talk with Winnie. No matter how upset she is, you need to keep your cool and explain things to her slowly. I suggest you flat-out deny that kid Ishara has anything to do with you."

The cigarette perched between the man's long fingers hesitated for a moment. His deep-set eyes peering through the shadows, he approached the front door, pressed the doorbell, and exhaled a stream of smoke, his voice muffled. "I won't lie to her about anything."

Bryan was taken aback. Lawrence had always been sincere and straightforward with Winnie, disdaining deceit. The only lie he'd ever told was about Melissa's illness that had cost him so much with Winnie, and his regret was far too late.

Apprehensively, Bryan also fixed his gaze on that door.

Abruptly, the door swung openquickly.

Lawrence paused in his tall stance, a slight smile beginning to form. But before the surprise could fully take shape, his steely eyes caught sight of the one opening the door, and instantly, the warmth drained away, leaving an icy chill.

A heavy silence filled the air.

Seeing Mr. Rodriguez remain silent, Bryan craned his neck. Upon spotting the figure, his expression turned to one of astonishment and discomfort.

"Mr. Rock, why are you the one answering the door?" Bryan couldn't help but ask.

Rock's refined silhouette blocked the entrance. He looked up at Lawrence, his cool eyes narrowing slightly, a wry smile playing on his lips. "Mr. Rodriguez? What brings you here? Are you looking for Winnie?"

His greeting was friendly, his voice neither too loud nor too soft, drifting into the house.

Winnie, in the study, stiffened abruptly.

Rock stood in the doorway without any intention of moving aside.

Lawrence's aura turned frosty, and his handsome jaw tensed. His nearly six-foot-three frame towered imposingly close to Rock.

His breathing grew heavy, and he glanced at his watch.

It was nine in the morning, and to Lawrence's surprise, Rock was the one who answered her door.

"Mr. Rodriguez, what's wrong? Surprised? Can't find the words?" Rock's voice was soft but with an edgy taunt.

Lawrence's veins throbbed, yet he restrained himself, his inner volcano subdued to a calm.

He hadn't forgotten the situation he was in. He had more pressing matters to discuss with Winnie.

"Move," Lawrence commanded.

With a swift extension of his arm, he pushed past Rock, his frustration evident as he yanked at his tie and strode into the house.

There stood Winnie in the living room, alone, delicate figure, her pale and calm face watching Lawrence.

Their eyes met, and a storm of emotions raged through him, his heart pounding tumultuously within his chest.

Her eyes, however, were pools of stillness, utterly devoid of light.

Lawrence's fiery gaze stiffened as he towered over her, looking down with an intensity that belied their closeness; suddenly, she felt leagues away.

For some reason, a foreboding feeling flickered through his heart.

Suppressing the urge, he stepped forward, his Adam's apple bobbing as he reached out to her slender shoulders. His deep eyes reddened as he rasped, "Winnie, can we talk, please?"