Chapter 569

Upon entering, Lawrence's piercing gaze met with Hellen's eyes. Clutching her Hermes Birkin, Hellen stood two meters away from the bedside, exuding elegance and poise that contrasted sharply with Melissa.

Melissa, seated in her bed, appeared calm and collected in her subdued elegance. However, the years of illness had taken their toll, leaving her emaciated and pale. Next to Hellen, she felt a decade older.

With a serene expression and a slight smile for her visitor, Melissa's eyes flickered with insecurity.

Not until Lawrence appeared, did she speak in a tranquil, soft voice, "Lawrence, you're here. Hellen has come to visit me."

Lawrence entered, an icy demeanor about him as his gaze settled on Hellen's smiling face. "Hellen, what gives you the right to visit my mother? Are you close to her?"

"Lawrence, please don't misunderstand," Hellen spoke calmly and with poise, her hands clasped together. "As Bob's wife, it's only proper I visit your mother. Bob certainly wouldn't, as it wouldn't be fitting for the Rodriguez protocol. I thought I'd show my concern on his behalf."

Melissa averted her gaze, now flickering with timidity.

Hellen was the legitimate wife of Bob, part of the nation's leading family.

And Melissa was merely the woman who had once shamefully entangled herself with Bob, a mistake that resulted in the birth of Lawrence.

In the eloquence of Hellen's speech, the rights and wrongs were vividly portrayed.

Lawrence glanced at his mother, his eyes icy, "Hellen, please leave.

If I have to escort you out, it won't be pretty."

"Lawrence." Melissa hesitated, worried that her son was being too impulsive, "She is your family. She came to visit me, and a visitor should be welcomed. Calm down."

Hellen chuckled, "Lawrence, your mother certainly has better manners than you. Perhaps it's the wisdom she gained from living under someone else's roof all these years. People from small towns just have a way of speaking that's comforting."

Unruffled, Lawrence strode up to Hellen, his towering height overshadowing her. He scoffed, "I demoted Mars from his position.

"And you come here for some twisted satisfaction? To rub salt in my wounds, to spite me?

"Or perhaps you think that bullying my mother would leave a scar in my heart?

"Let me tell you, every action has its price.

"Mars is already paying his.

"What about you?"

Hellen's gaze flickered, and the smile on her lips vanished.

She retorted coldly, "Why are you on edge, Lawrence?

"Surely I can pay a visit to your mother in Trento City without it being an issue.

"After all, if she ever wishes to join the Rodriguez house permanently, it would be good for me to have grounds to oppose her with the matriarch.

"I am the legitimate wife of Bob, and a fleeting affair does not merit entrance into the Rodriguez family heritage, let alone any claim to the name."

"Is this a demonstration?" Lawrence sneered, grabbing Hellen by the arm and dragging her out, "You worry too much.

"The mother of the CEO of the Rodriguez Corporation already has a noble status and holds domestic power, that alone sets her apart from you. What can you offer in comparison?

"You only have a daughter, no son, and relying on Mars, your adopted son, won't make you an empress."

Hellen's face turned ashen.

Her fingers, clutching her purse, tightened.

Lawrence showed no mercy as he threw her out the door.

Fury boiled within Hellen, her eyes filled with vengeance. 'I lacked a son, and therefore couldn't become an empress?

'Ha, Lawrence, do you think you can hold onto the Rodriguez Corporation for long?

'The truth has a way of bringing you down. Mars was meant to be the true helmsman of the Rodriguez Corporation.'

After Hellen left, Melissa visibly relaxed.

She concealed her embarrassment, her gaze fixed on her towering son, who carried an air of innate nobility and a frosty resolve etched into his very bones. He was a natural-born leader.

She reveled in his success. "I used to worry about you, wondering if you'd be able to stand your ground amongst the cunning and treachery of the Rodriguez family dynasty.

"But seeing how you handle yourself with Melissa, I'm not concerned anymore.

"Lawrence, I have no more desire to enter the Rodriguez family's ancestral hall.

"Despite the thorn in my heart, the humiliation I've endured under Blake's thumb for years made me long for recognition.

"But you were right; as the CEO of the Rodriguez Corporation, what do I have to be insecure about?

"I'll just avoid Hellen. Your father has never shown up, but I understand his predicament.

"I don't want to cause you any trouble or start conflicts within the Rodriguez family. I'll be discharged from the hospital in a few days. Could you buy me a villa? Ideally, one close to Sidney's place, I'd love to spend time with my grandson."

Lawrence listened quietly as his mother spoke, her voice soft and gentle.

In contrast to Winnie, who exuded a delicate and tender demeanor, her occasional displays of tenderness often unveiled an underlying strength.

It had been such a long time since she had spoken to him with warmth and playful scolding.

And now, there would be no more! Memories of their past seemed to belong to another lifetime.

Her announcement of love and marriage had crushed him.

Lawrence pursed his lips, his thick lashes fluttering, unresponsive to his mother's request.

It was as if his mother pierced through his utterly troubled mood, "If buying a property near Winnie's home causes you discomfort, then I won't shame myself with the request.

"I saw today's news. Winnie and Mr. Rock have gone public with their love; they're getting married!"

Melissa sighed, clutching her son's long, cold fingers, torn inside, "I've always seen Winnie as a daughter.

"I want her to be happy, yet I can't bear the thought of her being happy with someone else.

"Lawrence, I am truly selfish. Perhaps I shouldn't disturb her.

"As a woman, I understand that moving on from the past is liberating.

"I ache for Winnie, and I think you're a fool! But after learning of my leukemia, I've come to understand your pain, and it breaks my heart.

"If there's even the slightest chance for you two, as your mother, I want to help you."

Lawrence's eyes flared red with emotion.

He released his mother's hand, revealing the harsh truth, "You don't need to worry about her and me.

"A month ago, she was pregnant with my child.

"She chose to terminate the pregnancy.

"Unless she gives me back a child, I'll never forgive her.

"Don't try to help me. All I feel for her now is hatred," he said, rising to his feet, veins bulging on his forehead as he fought to contain his emotions.

"Lawrence." Melissa's eyes widened in shock, rendered speechless by the news of Winnie's pregnancy and subsequent abortion.

Although her heart ached, her first concern was Winnie's health. "That won't do. I still need to live nearby. How can Winnie's body withstand such abuse?"

Lawrence looked at his mother, realizing that not only was he unable to escape Winnie, but neither could she escape the influence of his mother.

A cold smirk appeared on his face, and his eyes flickered slightly. "I've sent Bryan to buy a house."

An hour later, after Melissa had fallen asleep, he left the hospital room.

He received a call from Jeremy. "Mr. Rodriguez, my guys jumped the gun. We've kidnapped Leo's daughter, and even staged a fake finger-cutting to scare him! Leo was so panicked he called the cops, but he's terrified of you, and he's afraid Ishara will find out, so he canceled the report.

After wavering all day, he finally called with news about Oscar! I'm near Leo's house; if all goes well, we'll find Oscar tonight..."

Lawrence's Adam's apple bobbed, and his heart began to pound heavily; his gaze narrowed. "I'm on my way," he growled.