Chapter 28

Lauren sat on the edge of the bed. Hearing Sally's words, she raised her head and asked, looking at Darren on the sofa, "Is it because you don't want to go abroad?"

Sally and Darren were surprised. How did she know?

After a moment, Sally recovered. "Lauren," she said, "Darren will be very lonely if he goes abroad. I know you care about him and don't want him to go, right?"

Lauren remained silent, staring blankly.

Sally continued, "Besides, Darren is being sent abroad by Jeffery because of you. If you tell Jeffery you forgive Darren, he won't have to go."

"Don't beg her!" Darren interrupted, unwilling to see Sally humiliate herself.

"Darren," Sally whispered, "Do you want to go abroad?"

Darren frowned contemptuously. "No, but I don't want you to beg her."

Sally patted Darren's hand, then turned to Lauren, smiling. "He's still young. I hope you can forgive him."

Lauren finally looked at them. "If you don't want to beg me, why did you come?"

Sally and Darren were speechless.

Sally smiled—a rare occurrence, but when she did, she was like a blooming flower. "Do you think you can order me around? Is it my fault? Should I apologize to you?"

"I've only recently returned to the Bennett family. We're not close, so you shouldn't assume I'll do your bidding."

"I have no power here. Grandpa makes the final decisions. Jeffery wouldn't refuse Grandpa. You could ask Mr. and Mrs. Bennett for help."

"Or, since Jeffery is your older brother, you two could go to him yourselves. Cry, beg, swear you'll never repeat the mistake. He might forgive Darren."

"There are plenty of options," Lauren sighed. "Why ask me? I can't actually help you," she said calmly and coldly.

"Do you think I'm weak and will do whatever you say?" she asked.

"If I refuse, you'll criticize me for being cold and indifferent; if I help, you'll expect it, right?"

"Clever! Whose idea was this?" Lauren asked, looking at Sally and Darren.

Sally blushed. Darren, who disliked Lauren, would never apologize.

Angry and arrogant, Darren snapped, "I just want to know if you'll help. Tell me."

Lauren coldly glanced at him. She didn't care about his anger; it wasn't her concern. Darren's anger boiled over. He kicked the small table in front of him.

Bang! The wooden table shattered.