Chapter 27

After Mrs. Bennett left, Lauren stood at the door for a moment. She sneered, then grabbed a towel to dry her still-damp hair. Messy strands clung to her cheeks, framing her delicate face. Lauren always looked perfect.

Suddenly, a knock echoed at the door.

"That was loud!" Lauren thought, frowning and dropping the towel.

Outside, Darren impatiently jostled Sally, who was knocking. He looked irritated.

“I’ll knock!” he snapped, pushing her aside and raising his fist.

Knock knock! The insistent pounding sounded like a drumbeat, as if he intended to break the door down.

Nervous, Sally said, “Darren, don’t knock so hard!”

Darren frowned impatiently. He had a bad temper and was prone to fits of anger. He was on the verge of rage, but he restrained himself because Sally was present.

Sally approached the door and whispered, “Lauren, are you awake? I really want to talk to you.”

Inside, Lauren drank some water and changed her clothes.

Sally and Darren waited, but Lauren didn’t emerge. Sally bit her lip, unsure what to do.

“Darren,” she said, “Maybe Lauren’s asleep. We can see her tomorrow.” Darren’s forceful knocking had already attracted the attention of several servants. Sally didn’t want her grandfather to find out.

Darren, who had only come at Sally’s urging, wanted to leave. They turned to go downstairs. As they lifted their feet, the door opened.

They both turned to see Lauren, dressed in sportswear. Even in the simplest outfit, she looked tall and energetic. Her slightly messy hair didn’t detract from her beauty.

Sally had never considered Lauren a threat, but faced with such beauty, no man could look away. Remembering Sandy’s surprised reaction upon first meeting Lauren, Sally lowered her head, suppressing her gloom.

Lauren glanced at them. “You can come in,” she said.

Sally’s composure returned, and a smile appeared. She stepped forward enthusiastically. “Lauren, I’m sorry to bother you.”

Lauren looked at Sally quietly.

Suddenly nervous, Sally apologized again. “I’m so sorry. We shouldn’t have knocked so hard. Sorry to bother you!”

She froze, surprised by her own words. Why had she apologized before Lauren said anything? She always felt nervous around Lauren.

This isn’t good, Sally thought. I need to be more confident around her.

Once inside, Sally’s demeanor shifted. Her expression was gentle, but her tone was subtly condescending. “Lauren, we need to talk.”

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