I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 132

Carter’s questioning voice was neither too loud nor too soft, but it carried to the ears of the guests in the spacious hotel lobby.

These were all business partners invited by the Donovan family. When they arrived, they started mingling and networking.

So the commotion at the front desk caught their attention.

Rhea looked at Carter calmly. Her gaze was like that of someone observing a stranger. “Why can’t I be here?”

Now, seeing him with Lauren as a couple didn’t stir even the slightest reaction in her.

“Did Louie bring you?” Carter probed.

Rhea didn’t bother to respond to someone who had long lost all sense of decency. She pulled her invitation from her bag and handed it to the hotel staff at the registration desk.

During this three–day private booking, invited guests only needed their invitation from the Donovan family to check in for free.

The receptionist checked Rhea’s name, then turned to Carter and said, “Sir, you’re missing an invitation. May I see it, please?”

Carter had one, but Lauren didn’t.

All eyes in the vicinity turned toward them. Lauren’s cheeks burned bright red under the scrutiny. 1

“I brought a friend with me,” Carter said.

The receptionist hesitated before saying, “But your invitation only lists one guest. I’m afraid it might not be allowed.”

Carter glanced at Lauren, feeling a little troubled.

When Rhea retrieved her invitation from the receptionist, he noticed that it was for two guests.

With so many people watching, Carter didn’t want Lauren to feel embarrassed. So, he said, “Rhea, lend your invitation to Lauren.”

Although he was asking her for a favor, his tone wasn’t exactly polite. If anything, it carried a hint of

entitlement.

Rhea paused slightly. A hint of amusement flashed across her sharp eyes as her lips curved into a sly smile. “Why should I?”

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Chapter 132

+25 BONUS

The lobby went silent.

The gazes around them gradually turned their way, including some from those who recognized

Carter.

“Isn’t that Mr. Jamison from Colburn?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Wait, I thought the woman in the black dress was his wife. This is such an important Donovan family event, but he actually brought another woman?”

In business, bringing a different female companion could be a strategic move. It could be two strong players joining forces for mutual benefit.

But the woman beside Carter was unfamiliar to anyone here. She was surely not a high–ranking executive or a prominent heiress.

“Hush. Mind your own business,” one of the guests said.

Carter hated being judged by his peers, and he found it especially unbearable when they looked at Lauren with biased eyes. He took a half–step forward and lowered his voice. “Rhea, don’t make this a big deal. Just lend it to her. I’ll compensate you.‘

As soon as he said that, Nathan appeared slowly outside the hotel. “Mr. Jamison, have you always been this shameless?”

The nearby business partners greeted him warmly and respectfully.

“Mr. Ravelle.”

“Mr. Ravelle.”

Nathan nodded politely, then fixed his gaze on Lauren. “This hotel only admits guests invited by the Donovan family. Outsiders are not allowed.”

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