Chapter 1806

Jasper squeezed Alyssa's hand, his gaze holding a somber weight. "There's something I need to

discuss with you."

In the room, Lauren clung tightly to Angelina, her warm tears soaking Angelina's black suit.

"Look, Madam Lauren. I'm right here with you. I'm completely fine,” Angelina reassured her,

returning the embrace. Though her voice was steady, tears welled in her eyes. "Those people only

wanted to scare you. You're alright now. It's all over...

"Such a thing won't happen again. Nothing but happiness awaits you and Mr. Landon.”

"Landon and I... do we even have a future?" Lauren's voice was barely a whisper.

Angelina's chest clenched at that question. She promptly answered, "Don't think like that, Madam

Lauren. What happened wasn't as big a deal as it seems. Mr. Landon, Mr. Jasper, and Ms. Alyssa will

handle everything. Things will return to normal!”

"Angie... I'm not stupid. I know why this happened. It's because of the Harpers. They don't want us

together.” Lauren's lashes fluttered with tears.

It was a heartbreaking sight.

"This time, they were merely trying to scare you—only hurting your left leg and kidnapping you. But

next time, they might take your life. The Harpers won't accept me, and if Landon insists on being

with me, it will only endanger him."

"No, Madam Lauren! Don't think that way!" Angelina panicked, shaking her head frantically. Tears

welled up in her reddened eyes. "You're Mr. Landon's reason for living! He wouldn't survive without

you. Fighting for power and position would mean nothing to him without you by his side.”

"But I'll only be a burden,” Lauren insisted, her voice filled with despair. "He'll have to use all his

energy to take care of me. He's already stretched thin."

At that moment, Lauren appeared different from her usual childlike and naive self. Instead, she

seemed clear-headed and rational, as if this incident had forced her to mature.

"I'm not like Alyssa, who can be Jasper's partner in every way," Lauren said. "I can't offer Landon that

kind of support. I'll only be a burden.

"And I'll also cause you to face even greater dangers, Angie. You're not just a subordinate or a

bodyguard to me. You're like a sister. You're incredibly important to me.

"I've always felt this way... I don't deserve his love. Landon is more suited to be with someone

better."

"Madam Lauren, please don't give up on Mr. Landon. I beg of you..." Angelina pleaded, her voice

trembling with anxiety, on the verge of tears.

Perhaps Lauren had long understood the Harper family's stance. She might have been aware of how

difficult it was for Landon to protect her from all the dangers. Perhaps the crisis that day was the

final straw for her.

"I know all that Landon has done for me. If we continue like this, there will come a day when he'll

lose control,” Lauren said, her eyes swollen.

She slowly closed her eyes as she recalled the time at Newton's birthday party—her first time alone

with Landon; it was in the garden, under the moonlit sky. His eyes had twinkled like stars then, filled

with joy. Now, a veil of sadness seemed to cloud those once-bright eyes.

A bittersweet smile touched her lips as she relived the memory. Tears welled up again. "I want

Landon to be himself again. I want him to move forward bravely, without any worries."