Chapter 188: Garth Woke Up

Hazel's eyes widened in surprise.

"What! Aunt Luna, how do you know so much about what's going on between Lawrence and me? Are you hiding under our bed every night or something? How else could you know so much?"

Hazel exaggeratedly opened her mouth wide as she spoke.

Seeing her sarcasm deflected by Hazel, Luna was fuming with anger.

"Hazel, just you wait! Elliot, let's go."

Elliot shot Hazel a cold glance before following Luna out.

Hazel snickered, watching their retreating figures, and deliberately shouted, "Aunt Luna, I'll be waiting for you!"

Kelly noticed Luna stumble slightly as she walked away.

Once they were gone, Kelly gave Hazel a thumbs-up.

"You've got quite the sharp tongue!"

If Hazel hadn't already shut down the Johnson family members, Kelly would have been ready to start cursing them herself. It was just so infuriating!

"Of course, do you even know who I am?"

Hazel proudly lifted her chin and smiled at Kelly, just as the waiter brought their food.

As they ate and chatted, Hazel decided to tease Lawrence by sending him several photos of their lavish dinner.

[Hazel, you're doing this on purpose to make me jealous.]

Lawrence's reply came quickly.

Even through the screen, Hazel could sense his helplessness.

[Haven't you eaten yet, honey? Want me to bring you some?]

Lawrence: [No need, I've already ordered takeout. I have a meeting tonight.]

Hazel: [You're working so hard! By the way, I ran into two annoying people at the restaurant. Guess who?]

Lawrence: [Who upset you? Tell me, and I'll deal with them.]

Hazel's eyes sparkled mischievously as she quickly typed her response.

[It was Luna and Elliot. She even mocked me, saying you've changed your mind and I'll soon be kicked out by the Johnson family.]

She exaggerated a bit in her message.

Lawrence: [That's nonsense. Don't listen to them, sweetheart.]

Immediately, her phone buzzed with a notification from her bank. Her account had just received fifty thousand dollars.

Lawrence: [After dinner, go shopping. Use the card for anything you want.]

Lawrence's gesture successfully lifted Hazel's spirits after the unpleasant encounter with Luna.

After dinner, Hazel and Kelly wandered around the mall before heading home.

Days passed, and although Hazel and Lawrence continued to make public appearances together, their obvious, staged tension sparked rumors of a possible divorce.

"Mr. Johnson, there are some bad rumors circulating online."

In the Johnson Group's CEO office.

Stuart pulled up some online articles speculating about Lawrence and Hazel's divorce and showed them to Lawrence.

Lawrence paused his work briefly. "What rumors?"

Though he asked, his hands didn't stop moving.

Stuart continued, "There are rumors going around about your supposed marital issues. Mr. Johnson, should we let this continue? These negative news articles are affecting the company's stock."

"Any news from Susan?"

Lawrence brushed off the divorce rumors and shifted the conversation.

Stuart hesitated. "Ms. Knight came by this afternoon, wanting to see you, but I turned her away."

A hint of mockery flashed in Lawrence's eyes. "Good. If she comes again tomorrow, let her in. Block her a few times, then let her through. She'll get anxious."

This tactic would surely unsettle Susan.

"As for the online rumors, leave them be for now. The more anxious Susan gets, the better. How's the pressure on the Knight family overseas?"

Lawrence asked, setting aside his work to look at Stuart.

"It's done. The Knight family's stock overseas has dropped five points. Robert will likely call Susan soon. Mr. Johnson, are you sure Susan will try to steal company files in the next few days?"

Stuart hesitated but asked anyway.

"She will. The Knight family is struggling overseas, and her time is running out."

Lawrence spoke confidently, then gestured for Stuart to come closer and gave him some instructions.

Stuart quickly understood.

"Got it, Mr. Johnson. I'll make the arrangements."

If things went as Lawrence predicted, Susan would soon make her move. Stuart was curious to see her reaction when she realized the files she took were fake.

After Stuart left the office, Lawrence prepared to continue his work when his phone rang.

"Mr. Johnson, Garth has woken up."

Jason's excited voice came through the phone.

Lawrence's expression changed, and he was momentarily stunned. "Good, keep an eye on him. I'm on my way!"

After waiting so long, Garth was finally awake.

The truth behind the fire at Elysium Psychiatric Hospital might soon be revealed.

Lawrence hung up and called Stuart. "Handle things at the company. I'm heading to see Garth."

"Understood, Mr. Johnson."

Stuart had a good idea of what was happening. There were other matters at the company that needed his attention, so he wouldn't be joining Lawrence.

Instead, he quickly arranged for several bodyguards to accompany Lawrence.

On the way to see Garth, Lawrence felt a rare sense of nervousness.

It was unusual for him to feel this way, a mix of anticipation and fear.

He wanted to know the truth about that fire, but he was also afraid it might not be connected to his parents' deaths, making all his efforts in vain.

His phone rang again; it was Hazel calling. Lawrence hesitated but answered.

"Honey, what are you doing? Are you at the office?"

Hazel's sweet, gentle voice magically soothed Lawrence's negative emotions.

The driver, understanding the situation, raised the partition between the front and back seats, ensuring privacy.

"No, Hazel. What's up?"

Lawrence looked out the window as he spoke.

They chatted for a bit, and Hazel sensed something off in Lawrence's tone. After some probing, Lawrence finally revealed the truth.

"Garth has woken up. I'm on my way to see him."