Chapter 11

"How do you know it was just stomach pain?" the man sneered. "Are you a doctor?"

Lauren glanced at him. "Are you a doctor? Then tell me what it was."

The man froze, speechless. He knew nothing about Sally's pain; he simply wanted to criticize Lauren.

He snorted. "I'm not a doctor, so I don't know. But I won't talk nonsense like you did."

"How do you know I was talking nonsense?" Lauren rolled her eyes, speaking slowly but firmly.

The man wanted to drop the subject, but pride kept him going. "I'm sure you were talking nonsense. You said it was just stomach pain—prove it!"

Lauren nodded. "Yes."

"Prove it," he insisted.

Lauren smiled, her charm suddenly enhanced. "Are you sure you want me to prove it?" she asked playfully. Until now, Lauren's indifference had made her cold demeanor commonplace. Her smile shocked everyone with its beauty.

The man, also captivated by her attractiveness, decided to end the argument. Just then, Lauren said, "You fear the cold, always feel fatigued, and have a bad kidney, sir."

The man's face flushed crimson. Others laughed.

He exploded. "What are you talking about?"

Lauren feigned innocence. "You asked me to prove it."

Jeffery, standing nearby, saw Lauren's playful defiance and his heart softened. Stepping forward, he intervened. "You're at a Bennett family gathering. Remember that."

The man immediately calmed down. This wasn't the place for a scene. Jeffery looked around, then pulled out his phone.

He called the Bennett family's usual hospital. Sally needed to be checked. The hospital director answered and Jeffery explained the situation.

"Wait a minute," Jeffery said, turning on the speakerphone. "Go ahead, please."

The director, initially confused, then stated, "Sally's fine. It was just stomach pain from stress. She's much better after taking medicine."

Lauren had been right!

Most, however, didn't attribute it to Lauren's medical expertise. They assumed her closeness to Sally explained her knowledge.

Mr. Bennett Senior stepped forward. "Sally and Lauren are close. Lauren cares deeply about Sally. Let's get this party back on track!"

Relieved, Mr. Bennett considered asking Jeffery to dance with Lauren if no suitable partner emerged. Then, a young voice piped up, "Are you still going to dance?"

A child! Everyone turned to see a remarkably beautiful boy approaching from the crowd. He had curly hair and wore a perfectly fitting suit and bow tie. A gasp went through the room.

"He's Charlie Frank's son!" someone exclaimed.