When they arrive at the event hall, Lauren notices that the party has already begun and they are really late. 
They were gaining unwanted attention, especially from girls. It was one of the things she hates the most – attention. The cause of it was a traumatic incident that happened when she was young.
Lauren was holding Kaizer's arm. She unconsciously tightens her grip around his arm. 
Kaizer felt Lauren’s grip on his arm suddenly tighten, so he slightly bent down his head to look at the woman.
In a worried tone, “Are you alright? Do you want something or there's something that is bothering you?” Kaizer asked her. He observes their surroundings that might cause her discomfort.
Lauren glared at the man after hearing his question. “Do I look alright in your eyes? How about trying to feel how intense their gaze is? I feel like I won’t make it out alive.”
Kaizer left out a chuckle. “Don’t mind them. Just relax and have some fun.”
“Do you think I still want to relax? We entered a battlefield, alright? You even managed to laugh like that, while it looks like my heart is going to come out of my body because of the nervousness.”
“I won’t allow anything to happen to you. Just stay by my side and only think of this handsome boyfriend of yours.”
His remarks lessen the anxiety that Lauren was feeling at that moment. She also laughed at what he said. “I didn’t know that you also have a thick face.”
“Am I wrong? Weren't you the one that told me I was handsome?”
“Tch. Let’s go, it looks like a lot of people are already waiting for you.”
Lauren changed the subject because she couldn't deny what Kaizer said. It's true that he is handsome.
Not far from their place, Lauren noticed a group of men who were obviously talking about business. Also, those men were looking at them from time to time even when they were talking. 
“On second thought, why don’t you go there alone? Where is your assistant, I'll just go with him while you talk to them. Anyway, what was his name?”
Kaizer frowned after hearing what she said. He did not like what he heard.
Lauren confusingly looked at Kaizer because he suddenly stopped walking. “Why? Is there something wrong?”
“What did I tell you a while ago?”
O…kay? It was a long conversation so he said a lot to her earlier, so which one is it? 
Lauren feels she needs to crack her head, to be able to answer the right thing… no scratch that…, not the right answer but the one he wants to hear. He seemed so serious and his face was somewhat scary, there might be bloodshed if she chose to say the wrong thing.
“Ah… Don’t mind them?”
“…”
“Have fun and relax?”
“…”
‘Why did it suddenly become a ‘...guess what I said…’ segment?’
In the short time that they were together, she still couldn't read his mood. It will change suddenly. There’s no warning. 
What a moody person! 
Did she say something he didn’t like?
Lauren recalls in her mind their conversation earlier before he suddenly acted like this.
…
…
… ‘Just stay by my side.’ 
And what did she reply?
‘On second thought, why don’t you go there alone? Where is your assistant, I'll just go with him while you talk to them.’
‘What was his name?’
…
…
…’ don't tell me that the thing on my mind right now was the reason? Uhh-oh…
Lauren looked at Kaizer. Did he get mad because of it? Uhh… seriously this guy?!
“Ah… don’t be mad. I will stick to you if that’s what you want. I won’t be looking for another partner, okay?”
“Hmm…”
The man's face suddenly brightened after hearing what Lauren said. He intertwined their hands and then continued walking toward the group of businessmen.
She has survived, right?
It seems that Lauren should be more nervous about Kaizer and not about those around her. She just kept quiet while the person next to her won again in their conversation.
This one is a tough opponent, it looks like she will never win over him.
.
.
.
The Anderson family was having an intimate dinner together with the Silvester family to celebrate a successful project. They will be a family in the future and being in a partnership will benefit them both.
The project this time was a high-rise condominium and their target market was those prominent figures. The plan was a success and they have the approval of the board of directors. They just need another investment and today they got an invitation from Emerald Corporation for their upcoming event.
The proposed proposal seems to have been successful which is why they were given an invitation. For sure, prominent figures were going to attend. For five years the bidding event conducted by Emerald Corporation has always been a hot topic.
All of it is worth celebrating.
After eating dinner, the two families enjoy their time in the living room for some refreshments. Hazel baked a cake earlier and they are all eating it now. She also brewed tea for them.
Fernand and William also left immediately to head to the study room where they continued the conversation about the project. Meanwhile, Stella and Marielle were busy talking about their children's engagement party.
Hazel noticed that Theo looked around as if he was looking for something.
“Is there a problem? It's as if you've been looking for something for a while.”
“I don't think I've seen Lauren yet?”
Theo knows Lauren too well and he knows that on such occasions the lady won’t want to miss it, no matter how busy she is. Family is her top priority. He also thought that she might just be in the room like she often does when there is a gathering at the Andersons' house. So as not to grab any attention, especially since only a few people know that she is an illegitimate child.
But it was just an intimate dinner for them.
Hazel lowered the cup of tea she was holding. The smile on her face also disappeared but she made sure that Theo wouldn't notice it.  
“To tell you the truth, I don’t know where she is. She’s not coming home these past few days. We checked her room but her suitcase and other important documents such as her passport are nowhere to be found.” She explained it to her fiance with a sad face.
Theo thought about what she said. "Where in the world is she going?" 
“We don’t know.” She shakes her head. “When we got home, our maids informed us that Lauren left the house in the afternoon. At first, I don’t believe that Lauren was able to do that but they said that she’s also taken her luggage. But I know that she will be back, maybe she’s just got some time for herself because Dad was upset with her a few days ago.”
Lauren has nowhere else to go so she will definitely go home soon, that is what Hazel thought. Lauren will realize soon how lucky she is in Anderson’s house because right now she has no money. But the truth is Hazel wishes that she never comes back.
“Did something happen that made Uncle upset with her?” 
Theo noticed that the expression on her face changed.
“Hazel, what’s wrong? You can tell me.”
Theo saw that Hazel was hesitant to tell the story, but she still told him what had happened.
“The other day… the bracelet that you gave me was missing and it was found in her room. So daddy scolded her because she still didn't want to admit it even though she was caught.”
Theo looked at Hazel in shock. Lauren can't do that, she has no interest in material things. He knows this very well because whatever gift he gives, she refuses. Sometimes she brings the gift to return it to him.
“We know that Lauren can’t do that.”
“That's also what I thought of Theo… but the case is, many people saw her go to my room. They told me what had happened because they could no longer keep what they knew a secret. And how could the bracelet have gone there if she hadn’t taken it from my room? You know me better Theo, if it is about those material things, I can buy them again. But that bracelet… you gave it to me. ”
Theo could only hug Hazel.
“C-can we stop talking about her?” Hazel asked, she even almost cried.
“Yes, I’m sorry if I brought it up.”
After Hazel’s story, Theo is still not convinced that Lauren can do that.
When Marielle saw her son hug Hazel she smiled at them.
“I didn’t know that aside from cooking, you’re also good at baking.” Marielle complimented.
Hazel shyly released the hug and then faced the missus. “I-I’m not… I just recently enrolled in a baking class, so I’m still not that good, Auntie.”
“I’m really lucky to have you as my daughter-in-law. Anyway, Theo? Did the two of you decide when you want to hold your engagement party?”
Marielle was really excited for Hazel to be part of their family. A thoughtful and well-mannered girl to be her daughter-in-law, others will surely be jealous. 
Their marriage was agreed upon by their parents ever since they were a child. Thus, this topic made Hazel always feel excited.