I yfully pped Lauren''s thigh, saying, "You''re really something, girl. I must say, you''ve cleared up my thoughts. Who would''ve thought there was a mastermind right next to me?"


    "I''m no mastermind, just an onlooker with a clear view. Tanum isn''t strong enough yet, and some people don''t acknowledge us. Why? Because they think we''re winning unfairly with the support of the ATL Empire. They believe it isn''t a fair fight."


    "I have to admit that there''s some truth to that."


    "So, we need to continue to strengthen ourselves and make them submit. Bourdamun is our top priority, and making money is crucial for our growth. Didn''t Atticus also say that Melvern isn''t short of money? So, let him bleed.


    "Whether his funds are dirty or clean, we''ll make him pay through our strength. If he''s twisted, that''s his problem. We won''t get involved. We''re all in the business of making money, so this is only natural. Is there a problem with that?" Lauren looked at me triumphantly, wearing a mischievous smile.


    I then recalled the man who got drunk in my vi the night before. "People are always clear about others'' affairs but muddled about their own. It''s like trying to cut your own hair." I sighed. She nced at me, fully aware of what I meant. She retorted, "Don''t preach to me!"


    I shot her a nce. "Oliver got drunk at my cest night. I don''t even know if he''s awake right now."


    Lauren stared at me in surprise. "How did he end up at your ce in the middle of the night?"


    "He stalked us," I coldly replied, "I figured he must be downstairs when we had dinner at your ce. Did you know that he never left your ward for even a minute during your hospital stay?" Lauren''s expression turned cold, and she looked out the car window, displeased.


    "When we returned to our apartment, he showed up with a bottle in hand, already drunk. He even made As drink with him." I watched Lauren''s expression. "Are you really giving up on Oliver?"Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    "I do want to forgive him, but I can''t


    get past the hurdle in my heart. Even if I swallowed my conscience, I wouldn''t det him betray me in front of his wife. But she''s gone, and I''m still alive. It''s my heart that''s been sentenced." Lauren smiled bitterly. "For the first time, I realize what kind of person I am, Chlo."


    My heart ached, and I dared not say anything.


    "You haven''t experienced this kind of humiliation. You''ll never understand the feeling. I''ll never get over it!"


    At the mention of Oliver, Lauren


    became restless. She waved at me and said, "Don''t mention him to me again. My head hurts whenever I


    think about it. It''s ruining my good


    mood."


    I had to stay silent. Just as I was about to start the car, a figure approached, bent down to look into my car, and said, "Chloe?"


    The sudden voice startled me. Turning to the window, I was momentarily stunned. It took me a moment to remember who the woman in front of me was.


    I quickly smiled. "Michelle, right?"


    "I''m d you still recognize me." Michelle reached past the open window into the car and patted me. I opened the car door, and she quickly took two steps back, giving me the space to step out.


    Michelle greedily examined my car, eximing, "Wow, nice car, Chloe! It looks like you''ve hit the jackpot."


    I could sense the envy in her tone and calmly replied, "Oh, it''s nothing like that. Where are you headed?"


    Michelle looked up at me, answering a different question. "I''ve been watching you for some time now. I didn''t dare to believe it was you until you rolled down the car window." Hearing this, I regretted lowering the window. What was I thinking?