Chapter 117

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With her eyes wide in shock and tears streaming down her face, Lauren reasoned, “Mitchel, Jocelyn just wasn't thinking clearly.

Plus, it's old. How could I survive in prison?

Mitchel's eyes met his, and his next words sent a shiver down his spine.

«Jocelyn gave Kyle two million dollars. Where would he get so much money from? "I need an explanation."

Two million was not a small amount.

For a maid like Jocelyn, it could be her life savings.

Who would spend everything they had just to set someone up?

Mitchel suspected the money had come from Lauren.

In other words, he didn't believe his story.

In an instant, fear took over Lauren. Tears ran down her face uncontrollably and her makeup ran. Desperate, she grabbed Mitchel's pants and pleaded, “Mitchel, I swear I don't know anything about this. I am weak. How could I conspire against anyone?

At that moment, Jocelyn fell to her knees and shuffled next to Lauren.

«My lady, I am very sorry. I sold her jewelry to get the money. I acted on my own, thinking I was protecting you.

"This is all my fault."

“Is that so, Lauren?” Mitchel asked as he narrowed his eyes at Lauren.

Before Lauren could muster a response, she added, “Think twice before you answer. This could be your last chance to earn my trust.

Lauren felt like she had been struck by lightning. She was petrified and speechless.

Just yesterday, Kyle revealed that Matteo was investigating him. Upon finding out, Lauren bribed him with two million dollars and promised him the cash if he took the fall. Under no circumstances could he tell the truth.

Earlier, before Mitchel showed up, Jocelyn had given Lauren an emergency escape plan. If things went wrong, blame Jocelyn.

Lauren had ignored him at the time. He assumed Mitchel was just suspicious of a fake paternity test. How bad could the situation be?

Before, a few tears and Mitchel would surely forgive her. But now, it was a different case. Mitchel was very serious.

With no choice but to follow the plan, Lauren masked her nervous voice with sobs and pretended to scold Jocelyn: “Jocelyn, how can you be so heartless? Mitchel has always treated me well. He wouldn't abandon me..."

«My lady, then I was beside myself. Please take good care of yourself from now on…”

Their collective misery struck a chord with anyone listening.

Teary-eyed, Lauren turned to Mitchel and pleaded, “Mitchel, Jocelyn has been with me for years and has always been diligent. Could you find it in your heart to forgive her just this once?

Mitchel looked back at Lauren and asked, "Is there anything else you're hiding from me?"

Lauren was caught off guard. She wasn't sure what Mitchel already knew, so she could only feign innocence.

«Mitchel, I have never hidden anything from you. Don't you know me inside and out?

"If you say so". Mitchel looked away and turned to Matteo.

"Matteo, leave the rest to the police."

With anxiety showing on her face, Lauren blurted out, “Mitchel, wait…”

Mitchel interrupted her with an icy look.

"Lauren, people must pay for their mistakes."

Lauren was stunned into silence by his cold gaze.

At that moment, he was overflowing with hatred. Raegan had emerged unscathed despite all her schemes, while she lost a trusted servant.

Jocelyn's loyalty to her was beyond doubt. Jocelyn's family were puppets of the Murray family.

Without such a loyal servant, it would be difficult to carry out his plans in the future.

Once Matteo took Kyle and Jocelyn away and the tension deflated, Lauren felt like she was about to break down. She lunged forward and wrapped her arms around Mitchel, wetting his shirt with her tears.

«Jocelyn is gone. Mitchel, you are the only thing I have.

Mitchel's frigid eyes met hers as he gently pushed her away.

“Lauren, I've arranged for you to see a specialist in Swynborough. It can provide you with a complete cure for what ails you.

A wave of panic washed over Lauren. The truth was that he had recovered a long time ago.

At Swynborough she was injected with a new type of medication to make her look sick and gain Mitchel's trust.

If he sent her to another doctor in Swynborough, his secret would be out.

“Mitchel, the healthcare here at Ardlens has been gentle and effective. I don't feel pain anymore. Can't I continue my treatment here?

«I want you to make a full recovery as soon as possible. This is not discussed,” Mitchel said firmly.

Lauren froze. He heard the unyielding steel in her voice and knew better than to argue. From now on he would have to play his cards carefully.

However, it wasn't all bad.

Going abroad with Mitchel for treatment could be a great opportunity to deal with Raegan.

Realizing this, she looked up at him and said weakly, “I'll do what you say, Mitchel. When he's better, we can start a family. Maybe then your mother won't be so hard on me.

Truth be told, Lauren had no desire to have children. Furthermore, he never liked children. But if having a child was the golden ticket to winning a man's affection, so be it.

And Raegan's pregnancy didn't earn Mitchel's attention? Well, he didn't care if it worked.

Mitchel was silent. A few moments later, she frowned and said, "Once you're healed, you should focus on living well."

Lauren assumed he meant living well with him.

“When are we leaving?” Lauren asked, elated.

"Day after tomorrow. "I have already spoken to your father so that someone can pick you up and take care of you during the operation."

Lauren's heart skipped a beat and she was scared.

«What do you mean, Mitchel? Aren't you going to be there with me?

"From now on you will stay in Swynborough, and your family will accompany you there," Mitchel explained, his voice devoid of emotion.

It was like a bolt from the blue. Lauren was stunned. It took a moment for the weight of Mitchel's words to sink in.

Her face drained of color and she felt like she had been slapped.

"Mitchel, are you... are you kicking me out?" he stammered.

"Lauren, arranging this surgery is the last thing I will do to take care of you," Mitchel stated flatly.

While Lauren seemed to have seen a ghost, Mitchel was indifferent.

It was obvious that this was not a sudden decision.

Mitchel had been thinking about it for a while.

Lauren burst into tears. He felt like he was falling into an abyss.

«No, Mitchel! "I can't live without you!" she screamed hysterically with tears all over her face.

“This is not up for discussion, Lauren.” Mitchel lowered his head and added: “If you agree to live in Swynborough, the business cooperation with the Murray Group will continue. But if you insist on staying in Ardlens, I will sever all business ties.

Lauren felt cornered.

The choice was obvious. Her family would force her to abide by Mitchel's conditions.

«Why, Mitchel? Why are you doing this to me? Lauren wailed.

"I've asked you before if there's anything else you're not telling me."

Mitchel said as he looked her directly in the eyes.

"Do you really think I haven't heard anything?"

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