Onder boomed withughter, his voice radiating warmth and generosity. "My son has been smitten


    with Lauren since school! After seeing her again at the Schmidt''s cocktail party, he couldn''t get her out


    of his mind. Freddy genuinely cares for Lauren. Your concerns are unfounded!"


    Minnie chimed in, "Exactly! You could say Freddy and Lauren are childhood sweethearts!"


    Betty scoffed inwardly. Childhood sweethearts indeed, except Lauren wasn''t Freddy''s sweetheart.


    Javier''s frown eased upon hearing their words.


    The Hodgsons then left Seaview Manor in their luxury car. Onder and Minnie sat together, with


    Freddy facing them.


    "It seems Mr. Javier has a favorable impression of you."


    Onder sat with his legs crossed. He had nowe round.


    In a more rxed tone, he remarked, "While Lauren may not be your social equal, you''re right—


    marrying her would boost my chances in future elections. Moreover, your career prospects would


    certainly improve as Javier''s son-inw."


    Though Freddy''s expression remained stoic, his eyes betrayed his discontent.


    Onder, noticing his downcast demeanor, scoffed. "I know Lauren has mental health issues. But look


    at it another way—it''s not all bad. Once she''s part of the Hodgson family, she won''t wield power or


    cause trouble.


    "And when her condition worsens, you''ll be her primary caretaker. Wouldn''t that give you


    complete control over her Beckett family fortune?"


    "Freddy, the future of your father''s career lies in your hands," Minnie added eagerly, her eyes gleaming


    with anticipation for the marriage alliance.


    Freddy stared out the window, a wave of gloom washing over him as he remembered Zoe''s


    instructions.


    N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    Exhausted from her previous night''s activities, Betty was about to retreat upstairs after the Hodgsons''


    departure when Javier stopped her.


    "How did you know that Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson were here to discuss a marriage alliance?"


    Betty was momentarily taken aback by the question. Her mind raced as she struggled toe up with


    a response.


    Finally, she managed an awkwardugh and stammered, "I, uh... just picked up on their eagerness.


    They brought Freddy and gifts for Lauren, so I assumed they were proposing. Dad, are you seriously


    considering marrying Lauren to Freddy?"


    Javier narrowed his eyes, a cold glint shing within them. "Lauren''s marriage to Landon is definitely


    not happening. He is not her only option."


    A wide smile stretched across Betty''s face, fueled by Lauren''s misfortune.


    "I''m just not sure who it was who colluded with the Harpers to hurt Lauren." Javier gritted his teeth.


    "The thing I hate most is when people attack me from behind. When I find out who it was, they''ll pay


    dearly for what they did."


    Betty''s smugness was short-lived as her heart leaped into her throat.


    Suddenly, firm footsteps echoed from outside the living room. Momentster, Newton, in his


    wheelchair, nked by Jasper and Ben, entered.


    Jasper observed the tension in Betty''s demeanor and remarked to Javier, "It''s rare for us to be on the


    same page."