Chapter 71 Married Women Are More Charming

Avila dropped her off at home, quickly packed a few changes of clothes, and headed straight to the airport.

He left, and she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Whether it was emotional or purely physical, it was obvious that she was an inexperienced novice who couldn't compete with that man.

Timothy had told her about the shares, and she had to admit that she wavered a little.

When they were entangled with each other at night, she couldn't control her emotions and lost all her rationality.

To the point where she absurdly felt that being married to him wasn't as terrible as she had imagined...

After taking a shower, the mirror fogged up, blocking her view.

Lara stood in front of the mirror, raising her hand to wipe away the fog, and saw a particularly confused face.

It seemed that reality was not what she had thought.

In the past, she saw him as a brother and felt jealous of Bella because she thought Bella had taken away her loved one.

Now.

They were husband and wife, and she no longer felt that way when he went to find Bella.

She even...hoped that Bella could hinder him, thus preventing this unwanted wedding.

Her hand fell on her chest, her heartbeat a little chaotic, not restless, but afraid.

But she didn't know what she was afraid of.

For a long time, Lara sighed and murmured almost inaudibly, "Bella, I hope you can fight back this time."

Avila was gone for two days.

No phone calls, no messages, no explanations whatsoever.

Everything was going in the direction she had hoped for.

It's fine.

Lara found a hairdresser to cut Joel's hair, and as she looked at the floor covered in gray hair, her eyes turned red with heartache.

Her father was only in his fifties, and his hair was already graying.

Unexpectedly, it turned out like this.

Joel held her hand and gently patted it. "Silly girl, why cry? Everyone will grow old."

Lara pressed her face against the back of his hand. "Dad, you must stay healthy."

After a moment, Joel replied, "Alright."

All parents in the world probably yearn to accompany their children for thousands of years.

Autumn has truly arrived, even though there is still sunshine, the heat is no longer felt.

Lara leaned on her father's shoulder, a gentle breeze blew, and she fell asleep.

Timothy walked over with a blanket and gently covered her, smiling at Joel. "Uncle, you've raised a sleeping beauty."

Joel glanced at his daughter leaning on his shoulder, lovingly smiled, but inwardly worried.

"I've spoiled her since she was young, she doesn't know the ways of the world. If I were to leave someday, she won't have anyone to guide her."

"Uncle, what are you saying? Your recovery has been so good, living another twenty years is completely possible."

Joel shook his head. "I know my own body, don't comfort me. Death isn't scary, I'm just afraid that when I'm gone..."

He feared leaving his dear Lara all alone.

Timothy stopped smiling, his tone serious. "Uncle, I'll take care of Lara for you."

Hearing this, Joel looked over, a certain regret in his eyes. "On Lara's eighteenth birthday, she brought you before me and said you were her boyfriend. I've always thought you two would make a pair, what a shame."

Although Timothy was a bit playful, he had a good heart, especially towards Lara.

Joel had genuinely considered having his precious daughter be with him, but fate had other plans.

Timothy patted his head. "Uncle, I've grown up with Lara since childhood. In my heart, she is no different from Rena Acevedo, she's like my own sister. Don't worry, I will take care of her. Besides..."

Timothy paused, glancing at Joel. "Avila won't mistreat Lara."

Joel smirked, lacking any humor. "You've been friends with Avila for so many years, it's rare. You still choose to remain neutral and occasionally visit this dying man."

"Uncle..."

Joel waved his hand, smiling. "I understand what you want to say."

He had watched Arlo grow up; how could he not understand.

Ever since Lara pleaded for him to take in Arlo, he had seen through that young man.

As a man, Arlo had ambition, cunning, and skill, enough to carry the fate of the entire Morris Group.

So even if he hadn't planned everything, Joel intended to hand over the Morris Group to him.

But as a father, Joel did not believe he was a suitable husband.

Whether it was love or marriage...

In both love and fate, things should naturally fall into place. How could Joel expect a marriage forced upon Lara, acquired through schemes and harboring resentment, to go far? Joel sighed; a father's helpless sigh filled with guilt for being unable to help his daughter.

Lara stayed at the sanatorium until evening, having dinner with her father before Timothy drove her back. Timothy had spent the entire day with her at the sanatorium, which seemed suspicious for a rich kid not to go out and have fun on a good weekend.

Lara scrutinized the focused man driving and said, "You're acting strange today."

Without any context, Timothy cut her off, saying, "What are you talking about?"

Lara crossed her arms. "It's Sunday today. Why are you suddenly so kind, accompanying me at the sanatorium the whole day?"

"Can't I improve myself?" Timothy teased.

"Improving yourself? Spare me that word," Lara replied.

Timothy chuckled and shook his head. "You're really overthinking things. I'm just taking advantage of Mr. Avila's favor to keep an eye on you."

She raised an eyebrow. "What's there to keep an eye on?"

"What do you mean? I heard someone at your school is interested in pursuing you," Timothy said.

She remembered Thurman's blushing face and couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Timothy glanced at her. "No way, is it true?"

"This is ridiculous. Why would someone pursue a married woman like me?" she said.

"Married women have their charm," Timothy remarked.

Lara gave him a sidelong glance. "Disgusting."

Then she remembered something. "By the way, didn't you go to Vienna to find Chloe before? How did your conversation go?"

"...," Timothy kept his gaze fixed ahead, his beautiful peach blossom eyes filled with indescribable loneliness.

Noticing the atmosphere had become somber, Lara stole glances at his expression but tactfully did not ask further.

In fact, even without him saying anything, she understood.

Chloe treated him like a brother from the bottom of her heart. There was probably no chance for love.

The car entered Lanes Her Chateau.

Lara broke the silence again, "Timothy, if you're bored, can you accompany me to see my father next weekend?"

"No, I can't," Timothy said, parking the car at the Morris family villa and looking at her with a playful gaze. "I already have plans. There's this new model who just appeared, Daisy. She has a great figure, fair skin, and is beautiful. I made plans to go boating with her later."

Lara disdainfully remarked.

She said, "Go to hell."

The car turned off, and Timothy smirked. "A woman's heart is the most venomous. I treat you so well, yet you curse me to death. Do you have no conscience?"

Lara rolled her eyes at him and was about to open the car door to get out.

Timothy stopped her. "By the way, the date of your wedding has been set, did you know?"