THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS-Chapter 392: Run Away Together

"Do you need to see a doctor?" Lauren asked, her eyes narrowing at George, who sat across from her in her small office, looking more like a lost puppy than his usual composed self.

"And why’s that?" George asked, feigning nonchalance.

"You’ve been acting strangely for the past two weeks. I barely recognize you. Are you sure you’re alright?"

"What makes you think I’m not okay?"

"First you appeared at the dinner party with a girl nobody knew from Adam and then you ditched her to chase after that creepy woman in a doctor’s coat for the rest of the night. And as usual, I had to clean up your mess. So, I’ll ask again, what’s really going on?"

"Nothing’s going on, Ren?"

"Really? Then explain why I haven’t set my eyes on you or heard from you since that night. Where have you been for the past two weeks?"

"Oh, that? Something came up and took up most of my time."

"And Dolly? Are you entangled with her now? I thought you were keeping an eye out for me. How could you stoop so low as to date my enemy?"

"Jealous, Ren? Just admit it... you care about me just as much as I care about you. Why don’t we just run away together?" George teased with a smirk that instantly got on Lauren’s nerves.

"Cut the crap, George. I’m not joking."

"Neither am I."

Lauren sighed helplessly. How did she end up with such a cousin? "For starters, I don’t love you. You’re my cousin... the one I can’t stand the most. And secondly..."

"Your dumb fiancé has finally decided to regain his memory and you’ll soon be jumping the broom with him, right?" George interrupted, a smirk playing on his lips.

He enjoyed seeing how Lauren’s face turned beet red with anger, especially when he twisted things around the way he just did.

She wasn’t the only person who could be spiteful. How dare she lie that she hated him the most?

Would she have clung to him all these years if she hated him the way she made it sound? Or helped him fend away those nauseating girls that would never let him be?

Or been so concerned and furious about his two week disappearance which he couldn’t disclose the reason for her own good for now?

Don’t love him? She was clearly lying through her teeth.

Before Lauren could retort, George leaned back in his chair, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Come on, Ren. We’ve been through too much for you to pretend like this. I’ve always been there for you, even when no one else was, you can’t say you don’t love such a dedicated, handsome and accomplished knockout like me," he boasted, finally drawing a smile from Lauren’s angry face.

Lauren folded her arms, trying to maintain her angry composure but failed miserably.

"You’re my cousin, George. I don’t have to pretend to care when I clearly do, happy now?"

George’s smirk widened. "Oh, so you care, huh? You’ve always had my back, but what if I want more than just your concern? What if I want you by my side for real, not just as family?"

"Don’t push it, George," Lauren warned, her voice edged with irritation. "I have my own life to sort out, and it doesn’t include running off with you. And let’s not change the topic, Dolly’s no friend of mine, and I can’t figure out why you’re involving yourself with her. What’s your game?"

"No game, Ren. I’m just exploring options," George said with a serious expression that caused Lauren to break out in cold sweat. She thought George was joking initially but it seems she was wrong.

"Options? With her? Why her, George? You’re playing with fire. And I’m not about to be dragged into whatever mess you’re brewing."

George stood up, his expression getting more serious. "Maybe it’s not a mess, Ren. Maybe it’s me finally making my own decisions, without everyone else dictating what I should do. Including you."

Lauren stared at him, caught off guard by his sudden shift in demeanor. For a moment, she saw past the playful banter to the real frustration simmering beneath the surface.

"Fine, George. Do whatever you want. Just don’t expect me to pick up the pieces when it all falls apart," Lauren said, her tone colder now.

George’s smile faded, replaced by a resolute set to his jaw. "I wouldn’t ask you to, Ren. Luckily this time around, I’ve gotten someone who would help me pick up those fallen pieces. So be rest assured, I won’t be coming to you."

Without another word, George turned and walked out of her office, leaving Lauren standing there, grappling with the sudden unease that settled in her chest.

George with Dolly? How come? What spell did she cast on him? First it was Steffan and now George?

No, she wasn’t going to let that witch have her way with George. George was too good to be ensnared by such a scheming bitch.

She was sure George was not in his right senses to have agreed to start anything with Dolly knowing the kind of person she was. She has to break whatever spell she cast over him. That was the least she could do to help George.

Again and for the upteenth time, she still has to clean up his mess. But this time was more complicated than the others and she wondered how she was going to go about it.

She sat back down at her desk, running a hand through her hair in frustration.

As she tried to refocus on her work, her phone buzzed with a message from Steffan. A small smile tugged at her lips despite herself.

"I’m off for the afternoon, what do you say about lunch?"

"I’ll be over in a jiffy. Give me like... say... thirty minutes to wrap things up here," she texted back.

"Or should I come pick you? I should be there just by the time you’re done with your work?" 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"No, I’ll meet you at the hospital," Lauren quickly texted.

She needed to sort out some things once and for all, maybe going there will give her a clue on how to, so it was best she seized this opportunity to do so.

"Alright, I’ll be waiting," Steffan’s reply entered her phone.

After wrapping up what she was doing, she instructed Horatio to keep an eye on things and headed out.

After their return from the headquarters of Barista Royale where they’d gone on their one week tour, things had been rather hectic as the popularity they received from the contest also caused an explosion in their business.

They were currently working on opening a bigger outlet since this place was no longer enough to host the patrons that flocked into the little shop everyday.

But that would be after the court hearing which was to take place in a week’s time.

She couldn’t wait to see the devil who wanted to end her life prematurely.

If she had died then, how would she had become so popular and become a household name on every coffee enthusiast’s mouth.

But thank God for Steffan, who saved her.

She stopped briefly by the traffic light and by the time she navigated through the traffic and arrived at the hospital, it was already past 2pm.