Chapter 467

"It's nothing urgent. Did Ishara tell you? She wanted to compete for the sales project I assigned to you. This is the first time she has made such a proposal since she joined the company. She requested stock shares as an incentive, and I think that's acceptable. First, it'll give her a boost, and second, I'm confident you'll win without a doubt. After the victory, the shares wouldn't really matter; I'll immediately have a reason to promote you to a position of power at the headquarters."

In Carlos's view, it seemed improbable for Ishara to take charge of the company. Ambition is good, of course, but when thinking about the future of the company, he still preferred to support Winnie.

Winnie couldn't help but smirk inwardly. Ishara was just exploiting their father's equal love for them. To their father, both daughters were dear to him, but Ishara was still the golden child in his eyes. Yet, Winnie knew this facade would eventually come crashing down.

"Alright, let the best one win. I won't let you down, Dad," Winnie said, nodding in agreement.

"That's settled then. I won't interfere. I'll have the general manager of ST handle the arrangements. Go home with the kids."

After Carlos finished, he went back inside where Amy and Leah had already left. Once alone, he turned his stern gaze on Eleanor.

"My dear, why are you looking at me like that?" Eleanor feigned innocence.

Carlos hadn't forgotten the words Winnie spoke near the pond. He was no fool and warned her coldly, "The Rodriguez family is not to be trifled with. If you're plotting something, don't mess with the senior members of the Rodriguez family. Amy alone could crush you without breaking a sweat. And to think you'd scheme against even a child, I don't know what to make of you! If you mistreat Sidney again when he visits our family, you can forget about being Mrs. Blanchet!"

Eleanor's head spun. The last time Angela mentioned divorce, Carlos had spoken these in secret. But now, the scoundrel was brazenly threatening her to her face.

"What are you talking about? Just because Winnie slandered me, you want a divorce? Ever since she came back, you've been cold and have been plotting a divorce to favor your daughter with Irene? You're heartless, Carlos! After over twenty years with you..." Eleanor began to cry hysterically.

"Stop talking nonsense. When have I ever said I wanted to be biased toward Winnie? You're always stirring up trouble. I can't believe Ishara has you for a mother!"

Carlos, known for his strong principles, was fed up with her drama and shook her off, ascending the stairs coldly.

Eleanor's face contorted with hatred. If Winnie was still alive, there would never have been peace in this household, and sooner or later Carlos would have squandered everything they had.

Clenching her fists, she struggled to her feet and rushed back to her bedroom to grab her cell phone.

Outside the Blanchet family's lavish villa.

Leah watched Winnie, cradling the child, standing beside the tall and dashing Lawrence. Together, they almost looked like a picture-perfect couple... a match made in heaven.

Leah glanced at Sidney, noticing the distinct widow's peak on his forehead. It bore an uncanny resemblance to Winnie's.

It seemed Sidney's mother was Winnie.

Leah squinted slightly and said to her grandson, "Lawrence, take Sidney to the doctor immediately. I was quite unfortunate today. I had some matters to attend to back at the Rodriguez's this afternoon and never expected the staff to lose sight of Sidney."

"Great Grandma, it's not the staff's fault." Sidney had deliberately slipped away from the watchful eyes of the housekeepers Leah had assigned to spy on the Blanchet family.

Feeling he had troubled his grandmother, Sidney apologized, "Great Grandma, I'm sorry."

"My dear, I am the one who should apologize. When you get back, tell your mother I'm sorry," Leah said with an insinuation.

Winnie's cheeks burned with guilt, unsure of what to say, so she stayed silent, lowering her head.

"I'm tired; I'll head back first," Leah said as she got into her car.

Lawrence came to see her off, "Grandma, make sure you get some rest when you get home."

Leah seized the opportunity to grab his arm and whispered, "The young lady isSidney's mother, isn't she? Listen, Lawrence, next time we need to have a proper chat."

Lawrence knew she wanted to question him about his dealings with Ishara.

He murmured a response and directed the driver to leave.

As she headed back to her car, Winnie's demeanor turned frosty, "Mr. Rodriguez, your part is done. I will take care of my son."

Had she flipped so quickly, becoming a stranger to him?

Lawrence's expression darkened as he stared at her soft, pale cheeks, "He is my son too. I'm taking him to the doctor."

Winnie wanted to retort by saying, 'How could you leave your son behind for your lover just the other night?' But with Sidney present, she withheld her words.

"Alright, Dad, get in. Why should my mom bear the responsibility alone when I almost drowned? You're responsible too," Sidney declared, his tone as steely as his resolve.

In the face of the child's authority, both adults momentarily held their tongues.

Lawrence marched commandingly towards the driver's seat and sternly reminded Winnie, "Make sure you hold him tight."

Winnie, fuming, turned her head away in silence.

At the stately Rodriguez Mansion.

Amy carried her daughter back inside and called several doctors over, the grand estate was tense and anxious.

Hellen rushed in with her purse in tow, "What happened to Tiffany?"

Amy turned with aggravation, "Who else but that little brute Sidney? Why did you just return, Mom? While other grandparents look after their grandchildren, you're always preoccupied with Mars. Do you even care? It may appear to others that I'm not even your biological daughter and that Mars is your genuine son!"

Hellen's face faltered, a flicker of emotion passing through her eyes before she smacked Amy on the head, "Nonsense! Don't you know what Mars is doing for us? Do you really want to see the Rodriguez Corporation fall into Lawrence's hands?"

Hellen glanced at the spoilt Tiffany, who was raised to be too arrogant by Amy, and like her mother, not very smart.

Hellen couldn't help but scold, "You need to deal with your daughter's behavior! Why is she clashing with Lawrence's son at a time like this? Mars has big plans to deal with Lawrence at work; stop causing these petty squabbles!"

"I know Mars is working on something big, but does that mean we should just take it? Today Tiffany was humiliated by Sidney, and if word gets around, how will I ever show my face? Everyone will think I'm scared of Lawrence, especially those like Eleanor, daring to take advantage of Tiffany! And then there's Winnie, so full of herself to my face, isn't she just riding on Lawrence's coattails? I think exposing Lawrence and Winnie's affair would tarnish his reputation, painting him as a womanizer, damaging his good name!" Amy ranted.

Hellen, however, was distracted by a particular detail.

"Are you saying that Winnie and Lawrence have mended their relationship now?"

Amy scoffed, "All I know is they left the Blanchets' driveway together. Lawrence is dating Ishara, sure, but he hasn't cut ties with Winnie either!"

Hellen's grip tightened with a cold intensity.

At first, I thought Winnie and Lawrence. had split up for good, and with the secrets she holds, she'd never spill the beans to Lawrence. But now, if there's still a lingering connection between them, it's only a matter of time before Lawrence uses what she knows about Mars to his advantage. With her and Mars in Bob's bad books, they're done for.

A glint of cold light flashed in Helen's eyes. It looks like Winnie can't be left alone; it's time to act!