Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 139

Phoebe raised an eyebrow. "That was fast."

Wren answered it.

Lawrence's voice came through the line—deep, steady, and laced with that controlling edge she was entirely too familiar with.

"Did you receive the invitation?"

"I received it."

"You will attend the foundation gala with me."

It wasn't a question.

It was a notification.

Wren cast her eyes down at the word "wife" printed on the invitation and suddenly found the situation mildly amusing.

Lawrence was absolutely seizing this opportunity.

He had been forced lately to take on the burdens of his child, his mother, and Margaret, all while being aggravated by the lawsuit and the project. He desperately needed a public venue to re-verify that she still existed within the boundaries of his authority.

Even if it was merely a performance for outsiders.

"Give me a reason," she said.

Lawrence replied coldly, "The foundation requested both husband and wife attend together. Langford Medical cannot afford any domestic scandals right now."

Wren shot back, "And am I the one manufacturing Langford Medical's domestic scandals?"

The line went silent for a brief second.

Lawrence's voice dropped lower. "Wren, this is a public event. It is not the place for you to throw a tantrum."

"I'm not throwing a tantrum," she said. "I am simply evaluating whether it is worth going."

Hearing this, Lawrence's expression darkened.

Every time she opened her mouth lately, it sounded as though she were negotiating a business deal that had nothing to do with him.

He choked down his irritation. "The Southside Medical Foundation. Thirtieth anniversary. Vivian Vance might have been connected to it back in the day."

Wren's eyes flickered.

Lawrence couldn't see her expression, but he heard the slight hitch in her breathing on the other end.

That dark thrill in his chest flared up again.

See.

She wasn't entirely indifferent.

As long as there was a lead concerning her mother, she would willingly step back into Langford Medical's territory and stand by his side.

"I will go," Wren said.

Lawrence's grip on the phone relaxed.

"I haven't forgotten," she said. "Which is why I'm going."

"Then do what you're supposed to do."

Wren let out a soft laugh.

That laugh was incredibly light, yet it made Lawrence's heart violently plummet.

"Lawrence, what I am supposed to do has never been helping you play pretend at a happy marriage."

With that, she hung up.

In his office, Lawrence gripped his phone, his face stormy.

Xavier didn't dare make a sound.

After a long time, Lawrence finally put the phone down, his gaze dropping back to the invitation.

He was clearly furious with her, yet for some inexplicable reason, a persistent, dark undercurrent continued churning in his chest, impossible to suppress.

She was coming.

No matter how clear-headed she sounded, she was going to be there.

And when the time came, she would be standing beside him.

She would be called Mrs. Langford.