Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 44

So quietly it sounded like a test.

Lawrence didn't answer right away.

Looking out into the pitch-black night, what flashed through his mind was the disappointed look in Wren's eyes before she closed the door on him.

An inexplicable wave of irritation washed over him.

He quickly chalked it up to Wren being far too unreasonable lately.

The colder she acted toward him, the less he wanted to humor her.

"Stop crying," Lawrence said. "I'll have someone drop off a card for you tomorrow. Outside of the project, you need money for yourself too."

This time, Willow was truly stunned.

A card.

Lawrence wasn't just covering her expenses or giving her project funds; he was giving her money for personal use.

She knew exactly what that meant.

Her voice dropped even lower. "Lawrence, I can't accept that."

"Take it."

Lawrence left no room for refusal.

Clutching the phone, a gleam of near-triumphant satisfaction slowly surfaced in Willow's eyes.

But verbally, she remained the picture of fragility.

"Then I'll hold onto it for you. If Wren finds out and gets upset, I'll give it back."

Lawrence's brow furrowed.

"She won't find out."

As soon as those words left his mouth, a brief silence filled the room.

Even Lawrence realized the implication behind them.

It wasn't transparency.

It was concealment.

But he didn't take it back.

Wren had been kicking up enough of a fuss lately; there was no need to invite more trouble over something like this.

Besides, in Lawrence's view, he had no intention of getting a divorce.

The position of Mrs. Langford still belonged to Wren.

So what if he gave Willow a few perks, a bit of favoritism, and looked out for her in private?

No one in their circle would treat this as the end of the world.

Only Wren insisted on drawing such rigid, suffocating boundaries.

After hanging up, Lawrence walked back to his desk.

That envelope was peeking out from under the pile.

His fingertips brushed the edge of it, and just as he was about to pick it up, his phone screen lit up again.

It was a message from Xavier.

Mr. Langford, for Ms. Willow's charity project budget, should we proceed with the initial approval of five million dollars?

Lawrence typed back one word.

Ten.

After sending the reply, he tossed the phone onto the desk.

Just then, Lydia's call came in.

"Willow, I heard you've been staying at the Langford Estate lately?"

Willow lowered her eyes, her voice returning to its usual obedient tone.

"Yeah, Leo has been clingy lately, so I'm helping Wren look after him for a few days."

Lydia chuckled.

"You're just too kind. Your sister doesn't appreciate you. You're holding down the fort for her at the estate, and she probably doesn't even care."

Willow stayed quiet.

Lydia lowered her voice. "How is Mr. Langford treating you?"

Willow's finger gently traced the edge of the credit card.

"Pretty well."

"Just pretty well?" Lydia chided playfully. "Let me tell you, when a man is good to you, you have to seize the opportunity. Your sister is too stuck up; she's been married all these years and still can't hold his heart. Now that Mr. Langford is willing to take you out and give you projects, this is your chance."

"Mom," Willow said softly, "Wren hasn't divorced him yet."

"So what?" Lydia scoffed dismissively. "In their circle, marriage is marriage, and feelings are feelings. As long as Mr. Langford's heart is with you, you've already won half the battle."

Willow didn't argue.

She looked at herself in the mirror.

White dress, long hair, a slender, harmless face.

Everyone thought she was gentle and understanding.

But only she knew how long she had waited for this day.