CHAPTER 68: CHAPTER 68: SURROUNDED BY RUMORS

Laura Quincy maintained a calm expression, "I was on deck having a glass of red wine with Mr. George. Later, as he became tipsy, I asked a waiter to escort him back to his room to rest."

Pausing, she smiled charmingly, "Of course, I also arranged for a pretty lady for him."

Crystal Langley and Quinn Chase simultaneously opened their mouths wide, seemingly finding it hard to believe this was true...

"But wasn’t Mr. George interested in you?"

"Where did you hear such rumors from?"

Laura Quincy casually brushed her large, wavy curls, appearing very composed and unflustered.

Crystal Langley and Quinn Chase exchanged a glance, feeling even more puzzled.

Laura Quincy chuckled, "The company is never short of gossip and rumors. Don’t take what’s fake for what’s true."

After speaking, she directly returned to her cubicle.

She didn’t know where these negative rumors about her originated. It couldn’t possibly be The Demon King, considering he came to rescue her that night...

Moreover, he had no reason to engage in such trivial matters.

Vice President Yates, perhaps?

That seems unlikely too.

Could it be Team Leader Jennings?

Does she harbor hostility towards her?

But, she’s the one who called me to work!

Meanwhile.

Inside the CEO’s office on the fifty-ninth floor.

Stella Jennings, wearing a white professional suit, sat facing Jason Hawthorne, "Jason, I truly don’t know where these rumors came from. Could it be Mr. George intentionally retaliating against Laura Quincy?"

Jason Hawthorne’s dark eyes were cold, "This is a company."

Stella Jennings’ heart sank slightly, "CEO, I’ll be sure to keep that in mind."

She thought there was no need for them to be so formal in private, but...

"Laura Quincy is, after all, a promising and talented translator. Vice President Yates has already explained the situation that night to me. She handled the problem flexibly and is precisely the talent needed by Translation Team Three. I hope you can cultivate her more."

Jason Hawthorne maintained a strictly businesslike demeanor.

Stella Jennings pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, then spoke, "CEO, do you truly see her as just an ordinary employee?"

After speaking, she stared unblinkingly at the man opposite, trying to glean something from his expression.

Jason Hawthorne wasn’t someone easy to read in one glance; his expression remained unchanged, instead, he counter-questioned, "Then how should I regard her?"

Stella Jennings was momentarily speechless, "CEO, I spoke out of turn."

Jason Hawthorne’s gaze remained icy, "Good to know. You may leave!"

Stella Jennings rose awkwardly; although it’s common knowledge she’s his girlfriend, she seemed to have no semblance of it.

Is this man incapable of understanding love, or is he naturally cold without a hint of warmth?

As she turned to leave, she felt a chill throughout her body; each step was like walking in shackles, difficult to move forward...

Laura Quincy originally thought the rumors would persist for at least a few days before disappearing, but by evening after work, no one was discussing them anymore—not even the gossip queen Crystal Langley...

She knew it surely had something to do with higher-ups; only the CEO had the power to suppress all rumors at the fastest speed.

The subsequent days were very peaceful; no one mentioned Mr. George’s name, everyone was busy with their own tasks, presenting an apparent unity and harmony.

Moreover, the weather gradually turned cooler, entering deep autumn.

For these past ten days, Laura Quincy’s life was very routine, going to work and returning home daily, spending weekends at The Hawthorne Family’s Hillside Villa tutoring Little Mars in English.

To her surprise, she didn’t see The Demon King this weekend...

Justin Hawthorne resolved her confusion, "Sis, Daddy went on a business trip again. Twinkle is used to Daddy often not being home."

His childish voice difficult to hide the emotion of disappointment.

What child doesn’t wish for their daddy and mommy to be with them every day?

Laura Quincy suddenly felt a surge of indescribable heartache; Little Mars, only five, often stayed at home alone with a group of servants, so it’s understandable he misses his father...

She lovingly patted Little Mars’ head, "Sweetie, what about Little Mars’ mommy?"

Justin Hawthorne shook his head with confusion, "I don’t know, Twinkle doesn’t have a mommy."

Laura Quincy was stunned for a while, no mommy?

How could that be?

Could there be unspeakable secrets?

Or perhaps Little Mars’ mommy is no longer around?

Realizing this, she quickly apologized, "I’m sorry! I didn’t know, Twinkle won’t blame me, right?"

Laura Quincy sensed that she had touched on Little Mars’s sensitive topic and quickly apologized.

Justin Hawthorne, however, was already used to it and shook his head obediently, "It’s okay. Little Mars has never had a mommy since birth. I asked Daddy, and he said no, Grandpa and Grandma said the same. I guess Little Mars just doesn’t have a mommy..."

The last sentence was filled with deep sadness and disappointment...

Clearly, although children easily believe what adults say, deep down, he still yearns for a mommy; otherwise, his tone wouldn’t be so sad.

Laura suddenly felt a twinge of heartache, something inside her felt tightly gripped, making it hard for her to breathe...

She didn’t know what was happening to her.

Almost reflexively, she made an unexpected move, hugging Little Mars to her chest, her right hand gently stroking his back.

At this moment, anything said seemed a bit redundant...

Justin Hawthorne obediently nestled in her embrace, not knowing why, he just really liked the scent on her, it made him very comfortable.

After lunch, Laura Quincy was pulled aside by an elderly middle-aged woman. Laura knew she was Auntie Flora, the nanny responsible for Little Mars’s daily life, and she had a certain standing in this house.

"Miss Quincy, mentioning the young master’s mother is taboo in this house, no one dares to speak of it. If this gets to Mr. George, there will be serious repercussions. Besides, Mr. George doesn’t like anyone bringing up the young master’s mother in front of him."

"...I understand. I won’t bring it up again,"

Laura promised. Hearing Auntie Flora say this, she became even more certain that Little Mars’s mother was no longer alive...

Otherwise, why would everyone in the entire villa be so hush-hush about this, and why would Auntie Flora pull her aside to specifically explain?

She suddenly felt a bit curious about what kind of woman The Demon King would marry, to have a son with him?

This woman was both fortunate and unfortunate; after all, she passed away early...

She thought, feeling some sympathy for that woman.

Little did she know, when she would find out the truth later, it would be like a bolt from the blue...

After finishing the class in the afternoon, as Laura Quincy was about to leave, she suddenly heard a car returning. She thought The Demon King had come back, but she heard the sound of thin high heels instead.

Before she could see clearly who it was, she heard the staff greeting respectfully, "Good day, ma’am!"

And Justin Hawthorne joyfully rushed toward the person, his voice soft and adorable, "Grandma!"

Only then did Laura look at the entering elegant lady, who seemed to be around forty, not at all like The Demon King’s mother—people might even believe she was his sister.

She could only politely address her, "Madam."

Eleanor Ford looked her up and down, her expression somewhat displeased, "And who is this young lady?"

Before the staff could speak, Justin Hawthorne explained to his grandmother, "Grandma, she’s my English tutor. She comes every weekend to give me lessons."

Eleanor Ford’s expression slightly softened. So, she was a tutor!

She thought perhaps Jason had brought home some random woman from outside, which would be a bad influence on Twinkle.

"Oh... so it’s a tutor. Miss Quincy looks young. At which school are you teaching?"

Laura also noticed the change in attitude from Little Mars’s grandmother and politely replied, "I am not a teacher. I studied foreign languages and currently work as a translator."

Eleanor Ford nodded with a bit of satisfaction. The tutor her son chose for Twinkle naturally wouldn’t be bad. Look at her demeanor and the way she spoke, she must be a well-bred young lady from a scholarly family.

She didn’t think of her as an heiress because heiresses wouldn’t usually take on such tutoring part-time jobs...

Justin Hawthorne added, "Grandma, Sister is really nice! She knows so many things, I really love her lessons..."

He chattered on praising Laura Quincy, which further improved Eleanor Ford’s impression of her. It seemed the tutor this time made Twinkle quite happy.

Laura, however, was speechless when she saw Little Mars secretly wink at her.

What a clever little imp!

"Mrs. Hawthorne, I’ve finished today’s lesson, so I’ll be leaving now."

No matter what, Laura was reluctant to engage too much with this elegant lady in front of her. After all, they were not of the same class, and she didn’t wish to curry favor with her intentionally.

In the eyes of the wealthy, sometimes even unintentional actions can be seen as having ulterior motives.

Therefore, it’s best to make a quick exit.

Even though Justin Hawthorne wasn’t too happy about her leaving now, with his grandma here, he could only wave goodbye reluctantly to Laura.

At night, after giving her grandson a bath and putting him to bed, Eleanor Ford called Auntie Flora to her side. "What’s the situation with this tutor named Quincy? Has she charmed Jason?"

Auntie Flora quickly replied, "Madam, Miss Quincy is just the young master’s tutor and has no unclear relationship with Mr. George. During last week’s heavy storm, Miss Quincy stayed over for a night, but she stayed in the guest room downstairs. The young master likes her probably because her teaching method is special, and she is knowledgeable, unlike previous tutors who focused more on pleasing Mr. George rather than teaching the young master..."

Eleanor Ford seemed thoughtful upon hearing this, "You mean Miss Quincy is genuinely only here to teach the young master?"

Auntie Flora nodded, "Yes, I’ve been secretly observing Miss Quincy, and she hasn’t shown any signs of trying to charm Mr. George. Whenever she comes by, she doesn’t wear makeup, dresses conservatively, and doesn’t go out of her way to inquire about Mr. George when around the young master."

What she says is indeed the honest truth.

Eleanor Ford nodded in satisfaction, "Very good! Keep observing her secretly, and report any actions to me immediately! The choice of Jason’s wife can only be Stella Jennings and cannot be taken by some unclear woman."