Chapter 19
Clarise trembled with anger, her voice sharp with conviction.
“Dear, don’t worry. Everything you and the baby suffered- make sure you get justicer
Lavender offered a small, knowing smile but said nothing
If Cyanne had made her life difficult, she had no intention of letting her off easy either.
Outside, just as she was about to hall a cab, a Rolls–Royce pulled up and stopped in front of her.
The back window rolled down slowly, revealing Red. He turned his gaze toward her
“Get in.”
Once inside, Lavender glanced at him and asked, “Didn’t you say I could go home on my own? Why did you come pick me up after all? I heard from my assistant you had a bunch of meetings today. Are they all taken care of?”
He was still working through files on his lap and didn’t look up.
Lavender thought something was off with him today. She glanced at the rearview mirror, catching Roy’s eye.
Roy gave her a brief look and explained, “Ma’am, when Sir Red heard you were meeting with your former in–law, he canceled all his meetings just to come get you.
“You should’ve seen him on the way here–the man looked like he was ready to kill someone.”
Lavender couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.
But suddenly, Red stopped flipping through his documents, shot a cold glance at Roy, and said in a low, threatening tone, “Sounds like you’re good at talking. Want a transfer to PR?
Roy instantly fell silent and focused on the road.
Lavender chuckled once more. “Come on, he was just stating facts. Why are you being so scary?
“Are you seriously upset that I met up with my ex–mother–in–law?
“I did it for you, you know. You ruined Desmond’s leg–sure, the Hackett are scared of your family name, but I thought if I gave them a little sugar, they wouldn’t make too much of a
scene”
He still didn’t say a word, so she leaned in and gently bit his earlobe.
His face flushed instantly, and her voice softened to a whisper.
“Alright, don’t be mad. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to be upset.
“But I can promise you this–from now on, I won’t meet up with any of them behind your back.
“Red, do you seriously not trust yourself? You treat me so well–what, do you think I’m blind enough to want anyone else?”
14:58 Thu, 22 May
Her flirting was clumsy at best, but it worked like a charm on him.
47%
Red’s blue eyes locked onto hers. He reached out and cupped the back of her head, drawing her closer.
“If you weren’t blind, how’d you mistake someone else for your savior? You’ve already been dumb once. Who’s to say it won’t happen again?”
That rendered Lavender speechless, and Red smirked and slowly let go of her.
“Tonight, you’re coming with me to my parents‘ place for dinner. Mom wants to meet you.”
Lavender looked at him helplessly.
What a petty man. She went to see Clarise, and now he was dragging her to see his mother the very same night?
“That’s way too last–minute–I haven’t prepared anything. Can’t you give me at least a little time to get ready?”
It was her first time meeting his mother. Showing up empty–handed felt all kinds of wrong.
Red replied, “She said the gifts don’t matter. What she cares about is seeing you.
“As long as you show up, she’ll be happy.
“It’s a family dinner, but there’ll be quite a few people. Even if I’m not by your side every second, don’t be nervous. I’m the head of the family. That makes you the future lady. If anyone makes you uncomfortable, don’t bother being polite.”
His words warmed something deep in Lavender’s chest.
Three years ago, when she married into the Hacketts, she’d attended a similar family dinner.
As they left the villa, Desmond told her coldly, “Plenty of elders will be there tonight. You’re representing me–don’t embarrass me.
“You’re the younger generation in the Hacketts. Whatever the elders say, just listen. Don’t talk back.”
She had endured so much in that family.
But now, in the Ralstons… Red gave her the one thing she never had before–respect, plus the kind of safety she didn’t even realize she needed.
