Chapter 344

After sending several messages that went unanswered, Lawrence finally realized that Winnie had blocked him and it was all because of that forceful kiss. Her decisive action left him perplexed.

"Lawrence, Winnie's secretary just contacted me and said that Sidney has been taken back to the estate," Bryan rushed in and reported.

Lawrence's expression turned completely dark. It seemed that she didn't even want to have direct contact with him anymore.

"In addition, Lawrence, there are two pieces of news that I think you should see," Bryan hesitantly added and handed over the tablet.

After Lawrence read them, he suddenly understood why Winnie had blocked him. His eyes turned ominous. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

Bryan stood speechless, fear coursing through him, and out of the corner of his eye, he glimpsed a news photo captured by reporters showing Lawrence intimately offering Darcy a drink. Bryan hesitated for a moment before answering, "It's not as if you could have known how these reporters managed to infiltrate the hospital, right? And how did they capture that angle? The media is spreading the narrative that you and Darcy share a special relationship, and that getting married won't be affected by the Ordelia Group scandal."

Lawrence's gaze swept across the last news article: "Mr. Ordelia was assisted by someone and was safely released after a night of interrogation."

Winnie must have misunderstood the news article and thought that he had helped the Ordelia Group. Furrowing his brow, Lawrence pondered about his intentions. Almost immediately, he thought of something. His eyes flickered and he looked toward Darcy's ward next door. With a cold expression, Lawrence swiftly stood up and after a few seconds of contemplation, he instructed Bryan, "Arrange for Winnie to come to Island Electronics Group to discuss about the jewelry exhibition project with me."

Bryan paused, with a slight smirk at the corner of his mouth.

Lawrence carried the tablet and entered Darcy's ward. She had just finished washing her face and looked at him softly. "Lawrence, are you awake?"

"I'm asking you right now, Darcy, did you arrange the reporters who took those candid photos last night and the news this morning? You know that I despise such methods." Lawrence's tone was unusually cold as he threw the tablet onto the table with a resounding thud.

Darcy's heart skipped a beat, her lips quickly turned pale, but fortunately, she caught sight of Ray rushing in through the door.

"What misunderstandings do you have about Darcy? I did all those things!" Ray walked in and immediately shielded Darcy behind him, as he blurted out, "I couldn't stand seeing you leaving Darcy hanging like that. I was the one who called the reporters and purchased the news. Moreover, the Ordelia Group needs your protection and reputation now, during this crucial time!"

Lawrence exuded an icy chill and asked, "So it was you who helped to release her father?"

"What if it was? If you won't help her, are you going to stop me from helping her?" Ray defended himself wholeheartedly.

With tears welling up in her eyes, Darcy stood out, appearing innocent. "Stop arguing, both of you. It's my fault. I didn't expect Ray to want to help me. Lawrence, I'm already very happy that you promised to fulfill our engagement. I really didn't have any of these thoughts."

Lawrence stared at her for a few seconds, his gaze indifferent. Then he glanced at Ray, his expression particularly cold and aloof. Lawrence who was in a terrible mood, issued a warning, "Don't forget that you're a married man, Ray. Stay out of this matter!"

Thinking of Laura, Ray hesitated for a moment but eventually concluded that he could trust his own explanation.

Lawrence didn't speak to Darcy anymore. He instructed the maid to take care of her and went straight to the company.

Darcy's eyes were filled with cold resentment. His attitude had obviously become much colder toward her. She needed to be discharged from the hospital as soon as possible and take advantage of the situation to arrange the wedding matters efficiently.

Alan brought Winnie to the Island Electronics Group's building. The towering skyscraper had already transformed into a new landmark in Lymington. Its grand and luxurious facade showcased the strength and influence it held.

Upon receiving the extension, Bryan informed Lawrence, "Mr. Rodriguez, Winnie is in the conference room." The man's throat moved slightly as he stood up tall, straightened his posture, rolled up the cuffs of his shirt, which were soaked with the cold work, and made his way into the conference room. Lawrence raised his deep gaze, opened the door, and was promptly greeted by Winnie's figure seated in the room.

A pile of proposals stood in front of him, and Alan said with a cheap smile, "Lawrence, we Imperial Jewelry are here to get in touch with the work."

Lawrence's expression darkened immediately. He felt a strong urge to kick out Alan who was just getting in the way. He looked at Winnie right in her eyes and said, "I want to talk to you alone, Winnie."

Winnie pulled her long hair from behind her ear and stood there, her demeanor cold. "I did what Alan told me to do."

Alan raised his eyebrows, indicating that he was not leaving. Lawrence was irritated and annoyed. He had intended to invite the woman over to explain what had happened on the news. However, she didn't even make eye contact with him, and her sense of alienation seemed to exceed the dislike she had shown the previous night. Lawrence felt inexplicably upset at the realization that she had blocked his contact, preventing him from reaching out to her at all.

All he could do was to ignore the idiot, Alan. Lawrence approached Winnie and whispered, "You should unblock me first; I have something to say."

"Haha! Winnie, did you actually block him?"  Alan couldn't help but laugh, causing the corners of Lawrence's mouth to tighten.

Winnie lifted her head, looking contemptuous. "It's not appropriate. You are already my ex-husband, and I hope you can understand that you have no right to command me. Furthermore, there is no direct work relationship between us. By adding your ex-wife's contact information, you are hurting Darcy, aren't you?"

"That's right, Lawrence. You're about to marry Darcy, so why do you want both women? There are plenty of men pursuing Winnie, so don't block my path," Alan continued, tauntingly.

"Shut up and get out!" Lawrence couldn't bear it anymore.

Alan smirked triumphantly, and continued to provoke, "Winnie, let's be honest. You wouldn't mind if this jerk marries Darcy sooner, right?"

"Yeah, Alan is right. You should marry Darcy as soon as possible, considering that being a different breed means you won't harm the rest of us." Winnie smiled coldly.

Lawrence stared at her, a raging fury engulfing his entire chest, as if he wanted to pierce through her eyes. His clenched fists tightened, and he coldly asked her, "You really want me to marry Darcy that bad?"

Winnie's heart suddenly grew cold, her lips becoming even more defiant and brazen as she retorted, "Lawrence, what kind of nonsense is that? You want to marry Darcy, but you're pretending otherwise. Of course, I can't wait for you to get married so people won't associate me with that jerk anymore."

"Then find another man, huh?" Alan threw a flirtatious glance at Winnie.

Lawrence was so furious that he couldn't speak. She really didn't seem to care at all anymore. There was no trace of nostalgia left in her heart. The flames of jealousy rose in his chest. With her indifferent attitude, it wasn't even necessary for him to explain anything. He pressed his lips tightly, emanating a chilling aura.

Unfortunately, Winnie didn't refute Alan's words. Her cold lips curled slightly as she picked up a file with one hand and said, "Lawrence, if there's nothing else, we're leaving." She walked away faster than anyone else.

After the two of them left, the door to the office closed. Bryan, filled with anticipation, walked in, thinking Lawrence had managed to salvage something with Winnie. Instead, he saw Lawrence smashing his phone. "Mr. Rodriguez, is everything all right?"

Across the street from Island Electronics, there was an inconspicuous black car parked under a canopy outside a café.

Half of Mars' face could be seen through the partially rolled down window, hidden in the shadows. Beside him, his subordinate reported, "A few days ago, your uncle, Bob, secretly came to Lymington to visit Lawrence's son, Sidney."

Mars tilted his lips and sneered. "Talk about taking forever to acknowledge him. Bob couldn't sit still after waiting for three years. He secretly visited his grandson several times, even keeping it from me!"

"Mars, Bob holds all the power in Trento City, completely surpassing his brother Blake's influence in Lymington. If Lawrence returns from the Rodriguez family in Lymington to the Rodriguez family in Trento City, you face a formidable challenge. Moreover, Bob has a daughter with his wife - your half-sister. The situation is precarious, marked by numerous covert struggles. You've been preparing for so long and now is the time to take action."

It was as if Mars hadn't heard anything, yet his eyes were fixed on Winnie as she walked out of Island Electronics, a meaningful and sinister smile playing on his lips.