THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS-Chapter 423: You’re The Only Woman I’m Comfortable With

"Dolly? She’s in police custody. Does she want you to help her with her release? That’s not happening, and you know that."

"I wouldn’t help her, even if you hadn’t said it," George replied.

"So why did she call you?"

"She said Dolly is not happy with you, Ren."

Lauren rolled her eyes. "That’s no news. We’ve always been at loggerheads from day one. Does she want me to come over and apologize?"

"Maybe," George chuckled. "Her friend mentioned that she’s planning something, although she doesn’t know the details yet, it’s something big. And it involves you."

Lauren’s eyes widened, and the uneasy warmth she had been feeling moments ago drained away. "What are you talking about?"

"She asked her to contact someone but she felt she should talk to me first."

"And why would she sell her friend off after what you did to her? Shouldn’t she be angry with both of you for cheating on her? Why is she supporting you?"

"Maybe it’s because of that friendship that she wants me to talk some sense into Dolly since she feels I’m close to her. Obviously she couldn’t convince her otherwise."

"Such a wonderful friend. Isn’t she afraid you might use the information against Dolly since she’s planning to harm me?"

"Isabella doesn’t know that it’s you Dolly is plotting against. But just be careful. Don’t underestimate her."

Lauren was quiet for a moment and just stared at her coffee cup as her thoughts spun. "She can’t touch me. Not anymore."

"I know that. Not with all the security measures Killian had put in place." George said. "But that doesn’t mean you should let your guard down."

Lauren nodded slowly. "I’ll be careful," she finally said. "But Steffan... we need to make sure he’s safe too."

George’s expression darkened, a smirk playing on his lips. "Exactly. We’re keeping an eye on that spineless man you chose over me."

"Really, George? Why do I feel you’re no longer joking about this... misplaced affection of yours?"

George’s face grew more serious. "Of course I’ve never joked about it. I’ve always meant it from day one. You’re the only woman I’m comfortable with. Why can’t you just accept that?"

"Well, you’re my cousin and that’s it," Lauren said, leaning back on the couch. "But hey, I can help you find someone you’ll love so much that you’ll forget about me in a jiffy."

George scoffed. "Don’t even go there. I don’t need your matchmaking services. You know what to do if you truly want to help me."

Lauren shrugged with a wry smile. "Suit yourself," she said and sat back to enjoy her coffee.

"By the way," she said after a pause, "I can’t help wondering why you switched to Dolly after posing with Isabella at that event. She looks like a nice girl to me."

"I had my reasons which I don’t feel obliged to share with you at the moment."

"I see," Lauren said, stifling a yawn. "If that’s the case, I think you should be heading back. I need my beauty sleep which I don’t feel obligated to share with you."

The corners of George’s mouth went up in a lopsided grin as he leaned back in his seat. "Not even a goodnight kiss? It’s the least you could do, considering the way you almost got swallowed up by that ravenous wolf of yours a while ago."

Lauren shot him a playful glare. "And that’s the very reason you’re not getting so much as a hug," Lauren fired back. "Jam the door after you when you’re ready to leave," she added as she rose and sauntered in the direction of her bedroom.

"Heartless," George muttered under his breath as he rose from the couch. He left before Lauren could enter her bedroom, but when she glanced over her shoulder, she noticed he hadn’t closed the door properly. With a sigh, she walked over and locked it.

After freshening up, she pulled out her phone and dialed Steffan’s number.

She didn’t need to wait long when Steffan, who appeared to have been waiting for her call, picked up on the first ring.

His soft voice had a teasing note when he spoke.

"Hey, Lauren. Miss me already?" Lauren couldn’t help but smile at the sound of his voice but before she could respond, Steffan seemed to remember something and immediately asked. "Has he finally left?"

"A while ago."

"I thought he’d never leave. Which sane young man calls on a single woman in the dead of the night."

"It’s just 9pm here, Doctor Steffan Rosse. How dead into the night is that?"

"So what did you two talk about?" Steffan said, bypassing Lauren’s remark.

"About Dolly."

Steffan’s tone shifted at the mention of Dolly’s name. It was the last thing he expected George would come over to discuss with Lauren. But why did he make it look like a big deal and even requested for audience alone?

"What about her?" He asked.

"George came to warn me about something Dolly was planning."

"Dolly? She’s locked up. What could she possibly do to from jail?"

"That’s exactly what I thought, too," Lauren said, running a hand through her hair. "But George got a call from one of her friends. Apparently, she’s planning something... something big. And it involves me... according to what he was told."

"Whatever it is she’s planning, she’s bound to fail."

"I know but we still need to know what it is."

"Definitely. Maybe it’s time I paid her a visit," Steffan suddenly said.

Lauren shook her head even though she knew Steffan couldn’t see her. "I don’t think this is the right time to visit her. It might interfere with whatever the others are planning."

"I’ll check with my brother first," Steffan said. Besides, I’m not planning to tell her the truth yet. Or did you tell her when you saw her today?"

"I didn’t. She still believes you are her puppet," Lauren bit out sarcastically.

"Good. Since she doesn’t know I’m fully recovered. I’ll go there in the guise of helping her."

"As ’her husband’ you mean..."

"How else? Or do you have any other suggestions we could use?"

There was a tense silence on the other end of the line before Lauren finally spoke.

"I have a bad feeling about this, but if you insist on going, just be careful. Dolly is no fool."

"I’ll be fine," Steffan reassured her. "But I also know her weakness. If she feels I’m still loyal to her, she’ll drop her guard and bring me into her plans."

"You think so?"

"I know so," Steffan said confidently.

"So when are you planning on going there?"

"It’s already late, so that’ll be tomorrow."

"But Steffan, I’m worried about you. What if she finds out you’re deceiving her and tries something against you?"

"She won’t. Or don’t you trust your man again?"

Lauren’s heart swelled at his words. "It’s not like that. I just... I won’t be able to bear it if something happens to you again."

"Nothing will happen to me. And I’m not letting anyone or anything interfere with our wedding and future again."

Lauren took a deep breath, feeling a little lighter. "Okay. I trust you. But still be careful," she reiterated.

"Alright," Steffan said and added softly. "Now get some sleep, alright? I’ll see you tomorrow."

"I will," Lauren whispered. "Goodnight, Steffan."

"Goodnight, love."