I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 261

Chapter 261

Lauren’s mind was in complete turmoil.

One lie always demanded another to cover it.

She had managed to fool Carter for now, but what about Elena? What if Dexter had already said something to her? Would Elena still treat her the same if she heard rumors?

Lauren shut her eyes for a moment, feeling drained to the core.

When they arrived at Jamison Manor, Carter sat in the living room instead of returning to his room.

Lauren asked softly, “Aren’t you… going to rest?”

“Sit,” Carter said, then motioned for Devan to bring her a cup of warm water.

She sat as instructed.

After Devan set down the cup of warm water and left, Carter fixed his gaze on Lauren. “I’ll only ask once. Is there anything else you’ve kept from me? Anything like what happened with Dexter?”

Lauren answered without hesitation, “No! There’s nothing else!”

But at that instant, the faces of several old men flashed through her mind–tall, short, fat, thin, all kinds of men. She forced herself to block them out.

Carter narrowed his eyes. “Think carefully. Are you sure there’s nothing you’ve forgotten to tell me?”

Lauren shook her head hard, her fists clenched tight. “There’s really nothing else.”

“Alright. Go rest.”

She still felt uneasy. “Why don’t we sleep together?”

“I need to talk to Marcus,” Carter said.

Hearing Marcus‘ name, Lauren’s expression shifted slightly. “Carter, I think you should avoid all contact or business with Dexter.”

When Carter glanced up, his eyes carried a different kind of look. “You’re afraid he’ll tell me something?”

Lauren looked wounded. “No. It’s just that he’s selfish to the core. His reputation overseas is terrible. And now that he knows I know you, he might try to make things difficult for you. Working with someone like that is dangerous.”

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Chapter 261

Carter considered this, then said, “I know what to do.”

“Alright. I’ll head back to my room, then.”

“Okay.”

+25 BONUS

Truth was, even if Lauren hadn’t said that, Carter had no intention of working with Dexter. The awkwardness alone would have been enough. And beyond that, he couldn’t stomach partnering with a man who had touched Lauren.

The next morning, Carter invited Marcus to the house. In a roundabout way, he told him he wouldn’t be attending the dinner tomorrow.

Marcus went silent for a long time.

At the dining table, Carter sat with Lauren at his side. Marcus‘ gaze flicked over to her before asking Carter, “Is something going on?”

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