I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 157

By then, Rhea would be utterly humiliated, and men like Nathan and George would finally see her for who she was a greedy, manipulative woman!

The more Sharon thought about it, the more excited she became. She was itching to see Rhea drowning in a flood of criticism and mockery!

Lauren glanced at Carter before asking Sharon, “Are you sure about this? Did Rhea really do something like that? She’s quite willful sometimes, but I don’t think she’d stoop that low.”

“Of course I’m sure!” Sharon sighed. “You have too much faith in people sometimes. That’s why you keep getting taken advantage of! How else could she cozy up to those big shots and heiresses so quickly? She’s no simpleton. For all you know, she’s been plotting to steal all of Carter’s money this whole time!”

Lauren said, “I’m sure she wouldn’t. Don’t say things like that, Sharon.”

“God, you’re so naive.” Sharon turned to Carter. “Lauren is kind and unassuming. Carter, you have to protect her from now on.”

He pursed his lips. “I can’t deny that Lauren has been through a lot because of me.”

“If that’s the case, aren’t you going to think of a way to make it up to her?” Sharon teased.

Lauren blushed slightly. “Sharon, stop that. I don’t need anything.”

Carter glanced at her and noticed how pale she was. He asked Sharon, “Any suggestions?”

“Here.” She pulled a few tickets out of her bag. “These are entrance tickets to the auction house in the city center. Only those with a billion dollars in assets are allowed in. I’ll give you two tickets so you can take Lauren there. Get her whatever catches her eye to cheer her up.”

Someone else had given her the tickets. The auction house had been around for close to a century and had VIP customers from all over the world.

Lauren was quick to protest. “Sharon, the auction items there are really expensive. Carter’s worked so hard to build everything he has from scratch.”

Sharon said, “Well, a man works so hard to earn that much so he can spend it all on the woman he loves.”

Carter took the tickets. “It’s been years since I visited this auction house. It would be nice to check things out there.”

“Carter,

we can go, but we’re not bidding on anything. It isn’t easy for you to make a living, and I don’t need you to get me anything.” Lauren smiled gently.

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Chapter 157

+25 BONUS

Sharon teased, “Man, you’re such a wonderful woman. Carter, you really have to cherish her.”

Lauren blushed again. “Sharon…”

“Alright, alright. Peter and I will get going. See you at the auction house this weekend!”

On Saturday, Lauren woke up bright and early. She said to the maids, “Don’t prepare dinner tonight. Carter and I will be eating out.”

The maids were aloof toward her, unimpressed by her moving in so brazenly.

“Did you hear me?” Lauren asked.

The maid in charge of cooking nodded. “Yeah.”

Carter had gone to work to deal with something urgent, so he wasn’t at home. Lauren crossed her arms, her tone soft but firm as she said, “Remember to respond to everything I say in the future.”

The maids made sounds of acknowledgment.

Lauren then headed to the sitting room, where Arielle and Adrian were playing. She said, “Be good at home, sweeties. Listen to what Scarlett says. Your father and I are going out for dinner.”

Autumn was approaching, and the change in seasons made it easy for children to fall sick. Adrian

was sneezing.

“Come on. I’ll wipe your nose.” Lauren was in a good mood, so she headed toward him with a tissue.

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