“It’s okay.” Natalie stepped forward and held Laney’s hand comfortingly. “I’m free today anyway.”
It’s Garrett’s fault for not accompanying his wife. Now, my wife has to,” Brandon shot up. Natalie shot daggers at him, signaling him to shut up.
Being stared at by Natalie and seeing the heavily pregnant Laney, Brandon had no choice but to restrain himself.
“Sorry to have bothered you,” Laney repeated with a bitter smile.
Of course, she wanted to be with her husband. But given the situation, she had to endure everything by herself.
“Don’t mention it. Besides, I want to spend more time with you. If I ever get pregnant in the future, I won’t be all clueless,” Natalie assured her friend. Laney was on her last term, and the last thing she needed was a psychological burden.
It was only then did Laney feel better. Meanwhile, seeing that his work here as the driver had done, Brandon turned around and left.
As Natalie was about to hold Laney, she caught sight of Laney’s assistant, Lola, who was staring blankly at Brandon’s receding figure. She was dissatisfied with Lola. It did not stem from jealously but rather because Lola had not been attending to Laney since they had arrived. She had remained motionless by her side from the moment they got out of the car until now.
Laney was about to give birth, but her assistant was negligent. What if something happened to Laney?
“Lola, go and get Laney’s things,” Natalie reminded her.
It was not until that moment that Lola snapped out of it and realized what was happening. Upon meeting Natalie’s gaze, she quickly proceeded to pick up the bags.
“What’s wrong with Lola?” Natalie asked Laney. “Her attitude doesn’t seem to be as good as it was before.”
Laney’s smile became more and more bitter. “I had picked a hospital for the delivery, but Garrett’s father forced me to go to a different one instead. He said Garrett was born in that hospital. And the Hardings trusts the doctors there.”
A frown formed on Natalie’s face. She felt sorry for Laney.
Leo had always been tyrannical. He told Laney to move to another hospital just because of that, without even considering how inconvenient it was for Laney to move around when she was about to give birth. He had gone too far.
“Garrett went against it. He insisted on our initial choice and asked to stay by my side during the delivery. He knew how overwhelming his parents could be so he made sure Vera and Leo wouldn’t distress me.”
Talking about Garrett turned Laney’s bitter smile sweet again. Obviously, Garrett’s parents would never agree. As if reading Natalie’s mind, Laney sighed. “Then, Garrett and his father had a huge argument. His father asked Lola to persuade me to change the hospital.”
Anger burned behind Natalie’s eyes. “Garrett s father has gone too far. I doubt he cares about you at all. Does he even take you as his daughter-in-law?”
A disappointed exp**ssion settled on Laney’s face. She pursed her l*ps. “Well, they had been against my marriage with Garrett from the start. Perhaps they still haven’t accepted me now.”
She was just a mere bodyguard, after all. And an orphan before that Garrett on the other hand was born into a rich family. Their status couldn’t be more different. The Harding family holding a grudge against her was only predictable.
However, in Natalie’s eyes, Laney was a kind- hearted girl with a beautiful face and good fighting skills. Truth be told, Natalie didn’t think Garrett deserved her friend. The Harding family was wrong for underestimating Laney.
Looking al Laney’s gaunt face made Natalie more sympathetic. She was just about to say something when Lola came over with the bags. Natalie looked away and swallowed her words. “Mrs. Harding, we should hurry. We have to go to the hospital arranged by Mr. Harding.” Lola urged Laney as she carried the luggage. Her tone lacked its usual hospitable lilt, replaced with something like impatience.
Feeling helpless, Laney lowered her gaze and was about to follow Lola.
Before she got married, Laney used to be such an energetic girl. Now, her bright personality had greatly dimmed.
A pang of sadness surged in Natalie’s heart.
What frustrated her more was Lola’s attitude. She took the luggage and said coldly, “We don’t need you to follow us.”
Lola stopped, looking stunned but still calm, if not impassive. She knew Natalie’s identity. Lola couldn’t afford to offend the daughter of the White family and Brandon’s wife.
So, Lola turned at Laney, looking her directly in the eye. With a threatening tone, she said, “Mrs. Harding, this is Mr. Leo Harding’s idea. Do you want to go against him?”
Laney was already opening her l*ps to speak but Natalie stopped her. She looked at Lola coldly. “We didn’t say we wouldn’t go to that hospital. All I’m asking you is to not follow us. Is there a problem with that?”
“But…” Biting her lower l*p, Lola stood her ground “This is Mr. Leo Harding’s order. He asked me to take care of Mrs. Harding.”
“Laney is the one who’s pregnant.” Natalie didn’t try to placate Lola at all. The Harding family never scared her anyway. “We respect Mr. Harding’s decision, so we’ll go to the hospital he arranged But it’s Laney who will give birth to the baby. If she’s not satisfied, she won’t go. You also have to respect her will.”
Natalie’s words made Lola’s face pale, as though the letters were wr*pped around her neck. Still, she insisted on following Laney.
“Regardless, my duty is to ensure Mrs. Harding’s safety. I have to stay close to her.” Natalie lost all the will to argue with Lola. She carried the luggage and got into the car with Laney.
Seeing that the two were about to leave, Lola quickly clasped the door. “Mrs. Harding, Mr. Leo Harding wouldn’t like this. He will be mad at you!”
“Let go!” Natalie’s eyes suddenly turned cold. Her fierce aura sent a chill down Lola’s spine. Lola was so startled by Natalie’s imposing manner that she didn’t notice her grip on the door loosened.
It was not until the car drove away that Lola came to her senses. She stamped her feet with hatred.
Natalie’s protectiveness of Laney was not something she expected. And the mere thought of offending Natalie scared her. All she could do was watch until the two disappeared.
“Is it okay for us to do that?” Glancing back at Lola far behind them, Laney felt uneasy.
Natalie held Laney’s hand and comforted her. “You’re Garrett’s wife and the future matriarch of the Harding family. People cannot order you around.”
“But she works for Garrett’s father.” Although Laney knew Natalie was right, she was worried. “What if Garrett quarrels with his family again?” Natalie sighed. Laney cared too much about Garrett. She was no longer the carefree person she used to be.
“Don’t worry. We aren’t actually disobeying Garrett’s father. Besides, I’ll be with you. Lola won’t dare to say anything.” With a gentle smile, Natalie sq***zed Laney’s hand to reassure her.
Laney finally felt relieved. Natalie was right. She worried too much.
While the two talked, their car arrived at the hospital.
New Book: Beginning with a Daring Encounter
Celsie was tired of being labeled as an introvert, workaholic, and dull virgin by her friends. Determined to prove them wrong, she made a bet that she would do something daring on her 25th birthday. Now that the day had arrived, it was time to fulfill her promise. On her daring to-do list, there was one task: a one-night stand with someone.
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