Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 256

Wren felt a pang of sorrow but didn't lie to him. "We won't fight in public."

Leo wasn't entirely satisfied with that answer.

But he understood the nuance—they wouldn't do it outside.

As for what would happen when they got back, he chose not to ask.

The boy had learned to leave breathing room for the adults.

It wasn't a good sign.

Wren gently squeezed his hand. "If you get scared, you can send Mom a voice memo."

"Okay."

Throughout the car ride to the hotel, Lawrence remained silent.

Wren sat on the opposite side of the backseat, her head down, reviewing the guest list for the evening.

There was only half an arm's length between them, but it felt like the vast graveyard of their entire broken marriage separated them.

As the car neared the hotel, Lawrence suddenly spoke. "You don't need to be so tense tonight."

Wren didn't look up. "I know how to handle myself in a social setting."

"That's not what I meant."

She finally looked at him. "Then what did you mean?"

Lawrence met her gaze.

The city lights streamed through the window, washing over her face in alternating flashes of light and shadow.

He wanted to say that for tonight, they could pretend not to be enemies.

He wanted to say that Leo hoped they would get along.

He wanted to say that it had been far too long since they had attended something like this together.

But every single one of those statements felt loaded with a self-serving agenda.

Ultimately, he just said, "There will be a lot of people watching."

Wren withdrew her gaze.

"Don't worry. I won't embarrass you, Mr. Langford."

The sheer formality of "Mr. Langford" made Lawrence's brow twitch in irritation.

The car pulled up to the hotel entrance.

The red carpet wasn't incredibly long, and there wasn't an overwhelming media presence, but since it was a Langford Medical event, plenty of photographers were still lined up, waiting.

The door opened, and a barrage of flashbulbs went off.

Lawrence stepped out first.

He walked around to the other side and extended his hand to Wren.

He had done this countless times before.

To outsiders, it looked gentlemanly.

To Wren, it was pure optics.

She stared at his outstretched hand but didn't take it immediately.

They walked into the banquet hall side by side.

The brilliant lights, the clinking of champagne glasses, the laughter, the glamorous attire.

The familiar scene rushed at her, wrapping around her like a pre-woven web.

A guest was the first to approach, flashing an overly enthusiastic smile. "Mr. Langford, Mrs. Langford, it's been ages! With all the nasty rumors flying around lately, I kept telling everyone—couples never hold grudges overnight!"

Lawrence didn't immediately deny it.

He even shifted his stance slightly, closing the physical gap between him and Wren.

Wren looked at the man's extended hand and shook it politely.

"Good evening."

The man's smile widened. "Mrs. Langford is as gracious as always."

The tension in Lawrence's eyes began to ease.

But right at that moment, Wren released the man's hand. She picked up her cardholder from the tray an attendant was carrying and pulled out an invitation.

"Actually, Stellaris is hosting a closed-door review on patient data ethics next week. If you're interested, you're more than welcome to attend."

The man's smile faltered for a fraction of a second.

Lawrence turned his head sharply to look at her.

Wren's expression remained perfectly serene. It was as if her presence tonight was never meant to prove her status as Mrs. Langford.

It was to place her own name directly into the hands of everyone who truly needed to see her.