Chapter 24

Mrs. Bennett was finally relieved.

"By the way," Mrs. Bennett asked Lauren, "do you have a boyfriend?"

Lauren shook her head.

Mrs. Bennett thought for a moment and then asked, "What kind of man do you like? I can introduce you to some good men."

Lauren, remembering her grandfather's similar concern, repeated what she had told him.

After listening, Mrs. Bennett seemed relieved. "It turns out you like gentlemen," she said. "That's good."

Lauren was confused. She heard Mrs. Bennett mutter, "Sandy wasn't a gentleman at all. He and Sally grew up together and have a deep relationship. I think he likes Sally."

Lauren remembered Sandy as the young man who was supposed to dance with her the previous night. The warm feeling she had been experiencing vanished, replaced by coldness. Mrs. Bennett hadn't come to give her a gift or show genuine concern; she had come because of Sally.

Lauren barely knew Sandy and had no feelings for him. If Mrs. Bennett hadn't mentioned him, Lauren likely would never have thought of him again. Now, however, she recalled Sandy's connection to Sally's fainting spell at the banquet. Had her father threatened Sally to stay away from Sandy?

Feeling utterly bored, Lauren withdrew the towel from Mrs. Bennett's hand. "I want to rest now," she said.

Unfazed by Lauren's change in mood, Mrs. Bennett, slightly anxious, blurted out, "Lauren, you saw Sally faint yesterday, right? That was because she was worried you and Sandy might get together."

Mrs. Bennett grabbed Lauren's hand, her tone pleading. "Lauren, please don't get involved in their relationship. They grew up together; Sandy won't like you."

"When did I get involved?" Lauren raised her head, her eyes sharp, though the hand hidden behind her back trembled.

Mrs. Bennett nodded. "I know you're not involved now. You've only just returned to the Bennett family, and you're not close to Sandy. But I know you hate me and Sally, because Sally took everything from you. Jealousy is unavoidable; it's human nature. I understand."

"While you struggled to survive, Sally lived like a princess. While you studied hard at night to get into a good university, Sally easily applied to prestigious colleges. While you worked part-time jobs to pay your expenses, Sally played piano in a beautiful mansion."

"Sally took your place, but it wasn't her fault, Lauren. Don't hate her. Blame me for not taking better care of you, but please don't take revenge on Sally or interfere with her relationship with Sandy."

Lauren silently withdrew her hand, raising her head to look seriously at Mrs. Bennett. Even Mrs. Bennett felt a little scared.

"Mrs. Bennett," Lauren said coldly, her face devoid of emotion. She no longer cared about Mrs. Bennett's feelings. "Who said I lived a bad life? When did I say I couldn't play piano or work part-time jobs?"

"You—you didn't…" Mrs. Bennett stammered.

"That was just your assumption," Lauren said. "And I don't need your pity. I can leave now."

Lauren opened the door. As Mrs. Bennett stood outside, the car key she intended to give Lauren remained in her palm. Staring at the closed door, she suddenly realized Lauren was not at all what she had imagined.