Chapter 565

Mars stepped out of the conference room and approached Lawrence with a dark and threatening demeanor, his facade crumbling. "You're setting me up?

"Don't forget, Lawrence, the whole internet is dragging your name through the mud. The Rodriguez family's stocks have taken a nosedive because of you.

"Yet, you still dare to provoke me at a time like this? You must not know the meaning of death."

"How could I not know? I've had a few close calls in Africa.

"If you're thinking about murder, better do it without leaving a trace.

"If I catch you, I'll just say this to you and your Hellen, Don't resent living too long."

Lawrence, holding the documents between two fingers, turned on his heel and headed back into the CEO's office.

Mars watched his retreating figure with a cold and wicked stare, as if boring holes into him.

'With troubles at home and the company in flames, I'd like to see how you'll clean up this mess.

Thinking you can outmaneuver me. Keep dreaming.'

Mars wiped the corner of his mouth viciously, licking his lips with a smirk.

As soon as Lawrence returned to the CEO's office, Bob's call came through on his phone.

Lawrence stared at the screen for a few seconds, knowing what his father was about to say.

His expression darkened; there was no escape.

His slender fingers swiped across the screen and answered, "Hello, father."

Bob adeptly took control of the conversation. "Has Mars's demotion been approved?" he inquired.

"It has," came Lawrence's succinct reply.

Bob's voice lowered, "I'm well aware that the railway project in Africa was a hot mess he deliberately threw your way.

"Yet, what's unknown to you is that he tried to have you taken out in Africa, more than once."

Bob, grinding his teeth over the assassination file Bryan had sent, clenched his hand tightly. "It seems I've indulged him too much over the years.

I gave him too much authority, and he sought to overshadow his master, Lawrence, you're feeling the blowback now, aren't you?"

Lawrence was well aware that Bob couldn't handle Mars, given the intricate ties with the Peterson Group supported by him and Hellen.

Bob wouldn't go so far as to hurt his own wife.

So, the matter was handed over to his trusted son; that way, the marital bond wouldn't be broken openly.

"Father, in the end, you're still too kind-hearted. The Peterson Group is embezzling billions from the Rodriguez family each year.

"Can you even fathom the true valuation of the Peterson Group now?

"I hate to say it, but if the Rodriguez family ever goes under, neither the Jenkins clan nor the Blanchet family will stand a chance against the Peterson Group," Lawrence mentioned with a hint of concern.

Bob was taken aback. "The Peterson Group? They can't be that powerful."

"Over the years, Hellen and I have turned a blind eye to help boost the Petersons. If they had any sense of gratitude, they would know when to stop and take this demotion of Mars as a lesson to conduct their business modestly."

Lawrence just smirked emotionlessly.

"Enough about business. Lawrence, why don't you head home and have dinner with the family tonight?" Bob quickly steered the conversation back, moving away from work to personal matters.

With that command, Bob hung up the call.

Lawrence set his phone down, leaned back in his executive chair, and closed his eyes.

As evening fell, Lawrence arrived at the Rodriguez estate.

"Dinner will be ready shortly," the elderly matriarch announced, emerging from the backyard, leaning on her cane.

Seeing his mother and old man Anday were also present, Lawrence knew his father must have something important to discuss.

Sure enough, Bob walked in, followed by Eleanor and her daughter.

"Bob, I had the servants bring Ishara's luggage into the guesthouse. The girl's modest; she doesn't have many clothes. If she needs more, our houses are close; she can easily go back to her parents'," Eleanor kept chatting, her voice unintentionally rising to carry into the dining room.

Bob nodded. "Ishara, watch your step."

"Thank you, Uncle," Ishara replied sweetly, her hand gently resting on her stomach.

"Is your stomach feeling better?"

"Much better," she replied, her eyes brightening with surprise at seeing Lawrence, then cautiously added, "You're off work early."

Lawrence ignored her, casually sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed, smoking.

"Put out the cigarette," Bob scolded his son. "From now on, everything revolves around Ishara and the baby."

"That's right, this soon-to-be wife is carrying your first official grandchild," Anday said from the sidelines, while Skylar eagerly chimed in, shooting a playful glance at Lawrence

"Lawrence had a love child. It was that Sidney who got Sean into trouble

"Amy spilled the beans, claiming it was Winnie, Ishara's illegitimate daughter, who mothered Lawrence's kid.

"Talk about a scandalous affair. Winnie being both his sister and the mother of his child. That's a Rodriguez family disgrace."

Skylar was dying to spread the word, but Bob had given strict orders, so she kept mum.

Lawrence cast a piercing glance her way.

Skylar cowered immediately, bowing her head slightly.

Anday glanced at his sweetheart and chuckled, "Skylar, watch your words; you might not be the bride just yet. Our Lawrence is quite the charmer. Doesn't he have his heart set on some other lady?

"That Winnie, he professed his love publicly before the media yesterday, vowing to marry her. Big bro, who is Lawrence actually going to marry? Any decisions made?

"His marriage is no trivial matter. It affects the future of the entire Rodriguez clan."

His nonchalant tone, laden with sarcasm, made Ishara's face turn sour.

Bob's expression darkened too. He didn't lash out at Anday but turned his frown toward the stoic Lawrence, visibly annoyed, "I'm fully aware.

"You went to propose to Winnie early yesterday morning, didn't you? Did she accept?

"That girl, she didn't say yes, did she?"

"Dad had his suspicions. She still cares about her pride; wouldn't dare to marry you."

"You threatened me with your future, told me not to meddle in your marriage. Have you conceded?"

Lawrence's Adam's apple bobbed as he exhaled a plume of smoke.

Casually snuffing out the cigarette butt, he stood up and walked to Leah, "Grandma, let me help you to dinner."

Ignoring the challenge, he left Bob choking on his words.

There was no option but to simmer with frustration; the child's temperament mirrored his own in his younger days, icy to the core.

Tension suffocated the dining table atmosphere.

Lawrence, though silent, had an overwhelming presence.

Anday couldn't take it for long; he quickly finished eating with Skylar and they left.

Ishara was like chewing on wax; since the moment she entered, Lawrence had been blatantly ignoring her.

Even if marriage with Winnie wasn't on the table, he could have at least been kind to Ishara.

"Lawrence, let me say it again, if Winnie turned you down, accept your fate.

"I've got a good eye for people; she's not content with settling. Not as well-behaved as Ishara. You and her, with all your differences, it won't work. A girl too opinionated and thoughtful, I don't like it."

Bob made it clear once again, "The things you said about marrying her in front of the media yesterday, I'll have the PR team handle it. From now on, I suggest you accept Ishara. The doctor said she bled a bit during her checkup yesterday, so I've decided to have her stay with the Rodriguez family for the time being to ensure the baby is well cared for."

Lawrence barely lifted his eyelids, his tone indifferent. "It's better she doesn't stay here. Just seeing her irritates me. If I get annoyed too much, I might just deal with that child of hers sooner rather than later."