I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 258

Chapter 258

Sweat beaded on Lauren’s forehead within seconds. She didn’t know what Dexter was doing there or what she was supposed to do.

“Lauren?” Elena called out.

Lauren was so nervous that she didn’t even know where to look. “Um, I…”

“Take a seat. Don’t stand on ceremony,” Elena said.

Kieran was already chatting with Carter.

“I’ve heard of you. A promising young entrepreneur from Colburn.” Kieran smiled. “You’ve got a bright future ahead.”

Carter nodded politely. “Thank you, Mr. Austin.”

“And Mr. Hopper, I’ve heard of you,” he added.

Dexter raised an eyebrow. “Me too.”

Meanwhile, Lauren kept wanting to escape from this room but dared not move. She forced herself to sit. Her smile was extremely stiff.

Carter acted as if nothing had happened and casually chatted with Dexter. “Did you come to Dalea alone?”

“My wife felt sick from the flight, so she’s resting at the hotel and didn’t come here.” As Dexter took a drag of his cigarette, his gaze casually flicked over to Lauren.

He exhaled the smoke, then asked, “And this is…”

Lauren’s heart skipped a beat. What was he planning to do?

Carter looked down briefly and replied, “A friend.”

He couldn’t reveal to Dexter that Lauren was more than just a friend. His pride as a man wouldn’t

allow it.

Dexter had touched Lauren. The more Carter thought about it, the more irritated he felt.

“I’m glad that Elena has befriended such a capable young man,” Kieran said.

Carter clinked glasses with him.

But Dexter’s gaze never left Lauren. “What, you don’t recognize me now?” he joked.

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Chapter 258

Lauren felt her head spin. “What?”

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She had no idea how to respond. She was terrified that Dexter might let everything slip. If that happened, Carter…

Why hadn’t Elena told her that Dexter was Kieran’s guest?

Kieran was surprised. “You two know each other? What a coincidence.”

Dexter smiled meaningfully. “We do, and we’ve known each other for years. I’m her godfather. I never expected to run into her here either. Lauren, come sit with me.‘

Lauren’s cold sweat poured. Her hands dug into her palms as she silently prayed that Carter

wouldn’t take this to heart.

But Carter was watching her reactions closely.

Logically speaking, seeing Dexter should have filled her with disgust, hatred, and fear. But at that moment, Lauren’s face showed nothing but glaring diffidence and avoidance.

That was hardly the proper reaction toward someone who had assaulted her.

Carter sipped his wine. “Excuse me. I need to use the restroom.‘

Kieran gestured. “Someone, help Mr. Jamison to the restroom.”

“Thank you, Mr. Austin.”

Once Carter left, Kieran said, “Ah, so Ms. Thayer is the goddaughter you mentioned?”

Dexter nodded, then stood. “I’ll use the restroom too.”

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