Lawrence finished his meeting and called Rachel into his office.
"Lawrence..."
"From now on, call me Mr. Sutton," Lawrence's tone was cold, his gaze lacking the usual patience.
Had it not been for the memory of Gavin, he wouldn't have tolerated Rachel at all. He couldn't believe she had the audacity to manipulate and harm Susie behind his back.
Rachel's face turned pale as she saw the icy indifference in Lawrence's eyes. She panicked.
"Lawrence, I..."
Lawrence's angry gaze silenced her, making her realize he was serious about cutting ties.
She staggered, a bitter smile forming on her lips, "I understand, Mr. Sutton."
"Whether you stay or leave the company is up to you," Lawrence said, offering his final concession.
"I won't leave. Where would I go?" Rachel cried, terrified that Lawrence would expel her.
"You can stay," Lawrence's voice was cold and unyielding, "But you must behave yourself. If you ever scheme against me or harm Susie again, I will not let you off!"
"I didn't..." Rachel instinctively denied, but under Lawrence's piercing gaze, she couldn't continue.
"Rachel, I hope you understand me. Stop testing my limits. I hate being manipulated. Whatever you've said or done to Susie, do you think I'm unaware? Even if I divorce her, I will never be with you. If you have such thoughts again, leave immediately!"
Rachel's face turned ashen. Unwilling to accept it, she questioned, "Do you not like me at all? You used to like me, didn't you? If it weren't for Gavin, wouldn't you be with me?"
Lawrence's expression was icy, his eyes dark as he stared at her, "If it weren't for Gavin, do you think I would have allowed you near me?"
Rachel couldn't believe it. His kindness had all been because of Gavin?
Gavin, Gavin—even in death, he was haunting her.
Rachel's face turned a mix of green and white.
"Before he died, he asked me to take care of you. He saw you as more important than his life. Do you even remember his kindness?" Lawrence glanced at Rachel.
This woman was ungrateful.
She even resented Gavin.
Lawrence felt that Gavin's sacrifice for her was undeserved.
"He treated me well? Haha..." Rachel laughed bitterly, her hatred evident, "If he hadn't forced me, would I have been with him? And you say he treated me well? I'm glad he's dead. Otherwise, he would still be entangled with me, and I'd never get rid of him!"
Lawrence glared at her coldly, "You don't have to like him, but don't slander him after his death!"
He knew about the incident.
Gavin had a split personality. That day, Rachel went out with some boys, which triggered Gavin's other personality, leading to his extreme actions. He regretted it countless times afterward, feeling immense guilt and only wanting to shower Rachel with love to make amends.
"I’m not slandering him. He was a madman!" Rachel stared at Lawrence, seeing only the worst side of Gavin.
If being with Gavin meant getting closer to Lawrence, she would have never been with that devil.
"He was sick. When you provoked him, his other personality harmed you. He regretted it countless times and treated you with endless love. You know better than anyone how well he treated you!" Lawrence explained, his voice filled with regret.
Rachel couldn't believe it. How could it be true?
She laughed mockingly, "Split personality? That's just an excuse. He was a madman!"
Lawrence didn't want to argue further. He had said all that needed to be said.
"I have repaid his debt. Since you don't appreciate it, you're on your own. I have no obligation to you. Here, you are just an employee. If you harm anyone close to me again, I won't hold back!"
This was his final warning. He had been lenient enough by not pursuing the matter of her child because of Gavin.
"Are you really going to be so cold to me?"
Rachel was heartbroken. Lawrence had humiliated her several times, but she remained unwilling to give up.
They had known each other for so many years.
She couldn't believe he had no feelings for her at all.
"Get back to work. Clean yourself up and don't let anyone get the wrong impression!" Lawrence dismissed her coldly, now associating her with the loss of his and Susie's child, making his guilt even stronger.
Rachel stood there, looking at the man she loved but who treated her so coldly. She shouted in anger, "Gavin asked you to take care of me, and this is how you do it?"
Lawrence's face darkened, his gaze sharp.
This woman had no shame.
She didn’t appreciate Gavin’s love but used his memory to threaten him?
Lawrence's tongue pressed against the inside of his cheek, his voice low, "What do you want me to do?"
Rachel saw his tone soften and her heart leapt with hope.
"Just don't be so cold to me!" she said shyly.
As long as he didn't push her away, she could work on the rest later.
Lawrence found it laughable.
She dared to ask, as if she had any right.
"Lawrence, I like you. I've liked you for a long time, even longer than Gavin!" Seeing him soften, Rachel felt hopeful and threw herself into his arms, kissing him.
"..."
Susie arrived just in time to see them kissing, her mind going blank. The box of pastries she was holding fell, her fingers turning white as she clutched her phone.
Lawrence, you liar!
Without letting them notice, she turned and left, her face cold and heavy just like when she arrived.
She had waited for him to come over today but got impatient and came to see him herself. She never expected to witness this...
Ha!
He said there was nothing between him and Rachel! Doing this behind her back, how thrilling it must be!
Tears blurred her vision.
She wiped them away fiercely with the back of her hand.
But the more she wiped, the more they flowed.
Lawrence, you talk about reconciliation, then turn around and be with another woman. This is your idea of making up?
Her heart twisted in pain, Susie bit her lip to keep from crying out loud.
Why cry for such a man?
A hypocritical man!
All those sincere words were lies.
Susie took out her phone and, with a voice filled with determination, instructed, "Lincoln, send a divorce notice to Lawrence. We're getting a divorce!"
