The Day I Left, He Realized He Loved Me

Chapter 7 Waste Words

After being rescued from the sea, Florence spent over a month in the hospital before her body was fully healed. The only silver lining was that her child was safe, and she'd managed to deliver without complications.

Benjamin, a long-standing powerhouse in the business world, immediately recognized who the father of Betty was just by looking at her. Yet, he didn't press Florence about the marriage that had been left out of the public eye.

He treated Betty exceptionally well.

During her three years at the Foster family, Hawthorne Group was managed by Jabob. He was adopted by Benjamin and called him 'Grandpa,' just like Florence did."

Life seemed to settle down again, as though the events tied to the contract had all been just a passing dream.

Upon returning, Florence noticed that her place remained exactly as it had been, immaculate, with every detail attended to, and her wardrobe still lined with designer clothes.

'Everything I once thought was real... was nothing but a foolish dream!'

*****

After her shower, Florence heard her phone buzzing on the bed. It was a call from her friend Shirley Hughes.

"Florence, there's an auction at Heritage Echoes in three days. I heard they're bringing in some fresh, exciting stuff. Want to go check it out?" Shirley asked. "Also, heads up, I found out that Lancelot's been digging around about you lately. Be careful. Don't let him..."

"Shirley, he's already found me," Florence interrupted. "He came to Hawthorne Group to confront me. There's no use hiding now. As long as I keep Betty out of his sight, he can't do anything. Don't worry."

After a brief pause, Shirley replied, "Alright."

*****

Three days later, Benjamin had his eye on a particular auction item and asked Florence to secure it.

Heritage Echoes, Niacium's largest bar and auction house, was hosting a major auction tonight, drawing a crowd of elites and wealthy patrons.

Shirley sipped a glass of wine in their private box as she leaned against the window, watching the stream of guests below. She noticed a striking man being escorted upstairs, smiling slightly. "Florence, look, Lancelot's here... and he's with Sophia."

Florence glanced over without a word, her gaze cold.

'So there really is something big up for auction tonight. Even Lancelot showed up.'

Watching the crowd below, Shirley made a quick phone call.

Hanging up, she turned to Florence. "There's a gemstone up for auction, a pure, natural crystal. Is that the one your grandfather wanted?"

Florence nodded. "Yes, that's the one."

As the auction was about to start, Florence and Shirley headed downstairs, only to bump into a large group of people in the hallway.

From the back of the crowd, a quiet cough caught Florence's attention.

Florence turned to see Lancelot among them.

In Lancelot's view, she looked like a vision of elegance, with a statuesque figure and striking features, and was dressed in a sophisticated black velvet dress.

She had on a sleek black wool vest and completed the look with designer heels, exuding a beauty and glamour he couldn't look away.

It was a side of her he'd never seen before.

He stared at her, brows furrowed. 'She's here, too?'

The surrounding guests began to pick up on the strange tension between them.

Florence quickly looked down, pretending not to see him, and made to leave.

But the woman next to Lancelot, Sophia, asked, her voice laced with sourness, "Well, well, what are you doing here?" She raised her volume to ensure everyone nearby could hear. "Florence!" she called, making the others wonder about her connection to Sophia.

Florence clenched her fists, seething with anger.

"Dad asked you to come home for a family dinner, yet you keep turning him down," Sophia continued, her gaze sweeping over Florence up and down with disdain as if mocking her outfit. "Funny, I didn't expect to run into you here."

Little did she know, Florence's gown was a custom-made piece that Jacob had arranged for her. Irritated, Sophia stomped her foot behind Lancelot.

Florence tilted her head with a sneer. "Why shouldn't I be here? Or are places like this reserved for trash like you?"

Sophia let out a whine, clutching Lancelot's sleeve with a look of feigned hurt, pouting dramatically. "Florence, why are you so mean? I was only asking. Or are you struggling so much that you've stooped to working in this chaotic place just for the sake of luxury brands?"

She added with a smirk, "You know, Dad might've helped you out if you'd come by. Who knows, he might even have given you a generous allowance."

Her words hinted that Florence was here to work as an escort, implying her designer clothes came from such dealings.

Lancelot's frown deepened, his brows furrowing.

"Ms. Hawthorne," he finally spoke, ignoring Sophia's jabs and looking directly at Florence. "You're here for the auction, too?"

Florence's expression turned even colder. "Yes, but I think my presence here has nothing to do with you, Mr. Foster."

She scoffed, looking directly at Sophia. "My business has nothing to do with you. Keep your mouth shut, and don't try to drag me into your mess. That's your dad, not mine. Stop trying to make me care. Get a clue, you brainless idiot."

Florence pushed her way through the crowd and descended the stairs. Lancelot lost in thought, watched her leave before following suit.

"Didn't I tell you not to waste words on people who aren't worth it?" Jacob said as he arrived, having just rushed over from the company. He glanced at the people trailing Florence and quickly assessed the situation.

He flicked Florence's forehead gently, pulling a black and gold card from his pocket and slipped it into her coat pocket with a hint of mischief. "Here's your new custom black card. Unlimited. We wouldn't want anyone thinking the Hawthorne family skimped on you, Ms. Hawthorne."

His tone was indifferent, but it was clearly meant for Lancelot and Sophia to hear.

Sophia, who had just finished implying that Florence had sunk to this for money, now looked quite uneasy, her fingers clenching.

Determined to make a scene, Sophia tugged on Lancelot's arm and whined just loud enough to be heard. "Lancelot, didn't you say you'd get that yellow gemstone for me? We should go now before it gets snatched up by someone... unsavory."

Finally, Lancelot broke his gaze away from Florence.

Florence looked down at the auction card, and Jacob, sensing her displeasure, chuckled softly, gently touching her earlobe.

"Why don't you head downstairs to the restaurant and grab a bite? I'll handle the bidding and get what Grandpa wants."

Florence gave a small nod, walking away from the auction hall.