Destined Entwining: Capturing My Devoted Beau-Chapter 535 - 288: If I Don’t Spoil Her, Should I Expect Someone Else To?
Thinking of the old Daoist saying Lawrence Winters was possessed by something, what exactly "possessed" him?
Gabrielle Winters couldn’t help but tentatively ask, "So how was Lawrence when you left? Did she talk to you? Did she try to keep you from leaving?"
Kenneth Osborne smiled bitterly, feeling that Gabrielle Winters really knows how to hit where it hurts...
But he didn’t avoid the question and answered, "Nora was just like usual, very normal. She talked to me... didn’t try to stop me. I think we definitely need to take some time to cool down between us..."
Kenneth didn’t finish his sentence before Gabrielle’s expression turned cold, cutting him off by saying, "Kenneth, did you have a fight with Lawrence?"
Kenneth paused for a moment, shaking his head, saying, "It’s not exactly a fight... it’s just that we have some differences we need to handle, cooling down is just so we don’t end up fighting."
Even though Gabrielle was quite pleased with Kenneth Osborne, her heart, of course, favored her own daughter.
She felt somewhat uncomfortable hearing this, but didn’t ask further questions.
After all, it was a matter between the children, and interfering too much might adversely affect their relationship.
So she didn’t mention Lawrence’s current condition, just smiled lightly and said, "You’re right, fighting does hurt a relationship, so it’s good to cool down first. But if you’re living alone outside, what about meals? If you’re too busy, I can have someone bring you food."
"Thank you, Auntie Wen, I learned a few tricks from my grandmaster, so I can manage for now. When I get busier, I’ll come to your place for meals," Kenneth gracefully declined Gabrielle’s offer, without completely closing the door.
After expressing some more concerns, Gabrielle hung up the phone.
At this time, Nick Zeller had already returned and, having overheard part of the conversation between Gabrielle and Kenneth, understood the situation.
He touched his chin and said, "Could it be that Lawrence’s upset is because Kenneth decided to move out? —That shouldn’t be the case, didn’t we agree to let her cohabit with Kenneth?"
"Kenneth moving out shouldn’t they be enjoying their own world as a couple?"
Gabrielle leaned her head on her hand, gazing at the sleeping Lawrence, and said softly, "It looks like they’re having a tiff, it’s good for them to calm down. Our Lawrence is burning up like this, can’t afford to coax any man."
Nick laughed warmly, "You say I’m too protective of Lawrence, but actually, you’re the one who spoils her the most."
"I am her mother, if I don’t spoil her, who else would?" Gabrielle tucked the blanket around Lawrence, in obviously low spirits.
Nick looked at her and suddenly asked, "Didn’t you tell Kenneth how Lawrence is now?"
"No, why should I? Lawrence is indeed sick, she needs to rest and doesn’t need to interact with people outside."
Nick understood her meaning, so when Kenneth called him to say he was moving out, Nick also didn’t mention Lawrence’s condition.
Kenneth had no idea about what happened to Lawrence after he left, he just reminded Nick to keep an eye on Lawrence’s arm wound and take her to the hospital if it showed any signs of worsening.
Nick looked at the high-fevered Lawrence, chuckling, "Alright, I got it. Kenneth, take good care of yourself living alone, don’t overwork and harm your own health."
After exchanging a few more casual words, they hung up the phone.
Nick quickly texted the old Daoist, telling him not to let anything slip.
The old Daoist didn’t reply, as he avoided using his phone whenever possible.
Thus, Kenneth didn’t get through when he called the old Daoist, as he simply does not answer calls.
With no other option, Kenneth sent a text, stating he’d moved out, but didn’t mention having a quarrel with Lawrence. He also said there’s still a chance to come over for meals, and to treat them to dinner.
By the time the old Daoist saw the messages from Nick and Kenneth, it was the next morning.
After another round of herbal remedies, Lawrence’s temperature had finally dropped to 38.5 degrees.
That day, Edward Foster called Lawrence numerous times, almost draining her phone battery.
In the end, it was Gabrielle who couldn’t stand it and picked up the call, saying, "I am Lawrence’s mother; she’s not well and needs rest. If there’s something important, I can pass a message."
Hearing it was Lawrence’s mother, Edward immediately sat up straight, taking his legs off the desk.
He obediently replied like a lamb, "Alright, Mrs. Winters, I understand. It’s nothing major, I just wanted to ask how she’s doing since she took sick leave yesterday."
"Oh, thank you for your concern. She’s better, recovering now. If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up now."
Edward held the phone, letting out a long sigh.
He thought to himself, Lawrence’s mom’s voice was just too gentle, quite unlike Lawrence.
...
On the third morning, Lawrence’s temperature finally dropped to 38 degrees.
And it hovered around 38 degrees for nearly a week.
On Kenneth’s first day after moving out, he called both Nick and Gabrielle in the evening after work, and texted the old Daoist, explaining about moving out, apologizing, and offers to make up by treating them to dinner.
Then he planned to cook for himself.
However, upon opening the fridge, he remembered he hadn’t bought groceries.
So he had to order takeout and ate a little.
Having been spoiled by the old Daoist’s cooking at Lawrence’s house, he found the takeout as tasteless as chewing wax, only taking a few bites before putting it in the fridge.
He went to shower after eating.
In the bathroom, he saw those toiletries all carefully chosen and arranged by Lawrence.
Besides his, there were also women’s products.
This place clearly had a mistress.
Yet somehow he left her at someone else’s home.
Kenneth took a shower, feeling increasingly depressed, and couldn’t fall asleep that night.
He got up to work on his computer for a while, found some bugs in the programs sent by junior developers, yet still couldn’t sleep.
Looking at his watch, it was already 1 AM.
He held his phone in a daze, wanting to call Lawrence just to hear her voice, even if he didn’t say anything.
But remembering the events of that morning, he ended up sending nothing.
...
On the third day, Lawrence finally regained full consciousness.
After three days of high fever and only consuming liquid food, her peach-like cheeks thinned into sharp chin-lines.
Getting out of bed, she was so weak she almost fell.
Gabrielle quickly held her steady, concerned, saying, "Why are you getting up? Go back to bed..."
"Mom, I’m fine now, the fever’s gone," Lawrence touched her forehead, a slight smile on her lips.
"Gone? It’s still 38 degrees. Although much better than the last few days." Gabrielle hadn’t closed her eyes for three days, keeping watch over Lawrence, fearing any mishap.
Seeing her much improved now, Gabrielle relaxed, but her eyelids felt heavy, nearly impossible to lift.
Lawrence noticed Gabrielle’s face, quickly said, "Mom, you must be exhausted, go get some sleep, you don’t need to worry about me anymore, I’m really much better."
Gabrielle couldn’t hold on any longer, nodded, "Then I’ll nap for a while. Take care, don’t make mom and uncle worry about you."
Lawrence nodded, watching Gabrielle leave.
She picked up her phone from the bedside, shocked by a series of missed calls and over 99+ unread WeChat messages.
Then she felt a sense of secret joy, thinking it must be mostly messages and calls from Kenneth.
But upon opening it, none were from Kenneth.
No missed calls from him.
No WeChat messages from him.
No texts from him either.
He’d moved out, three days felt like three years.
And there was no word from him.
Was he planning to break up with her?
Lawrence looked at the engagement ring on her finger, frustrated, she took it off.
She had lost so much weight that even the ring had become loose.
