Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 313

*Bullshit,* Lawrence thought. *Between me and Owen, you'd choose him every single time.*

He had only kept Quinn around for a bit of fun anyway. She was nothing more than a convenient tool.

But out loud, he smoothed his tone into something dangerously calm. "Fine. You're lucky I'm in a good mood. I'll send someone to pick you up."

"Thank you, Lawrence! I knew you still loved me."

*Loved you? Keep dreaming.*

He was already bored of her. Tossing her back at Owen's feet would be far more entertaining anyway.

He still didn't believe Owen could truly walk away from the immense wealth of the Lance family.

"I'll go get her, Mr. Lance," Zachary offered.

Zachary grabbed the car keys and headed out to collect Quinn.

"And Zachary," Lawrence called after him. "Make damn sure the old man doesn't catch wind that Owen is back in Aethelgard."

*That stubborn old bastard!* Owen completely ignored their grandfather, yet the old man still obsessed over him.

No matter how much Lawrence bent over backward to please him, he could never replace Owen in Leonard's heart.

*Fine. If I can't earn your approval, I'll stop trying.*

*Whatever I want, I'll just take it by force.*

"Understood," Zachary nodded, slipping out the door.

***

On the drive back, Quinn kept fishing for information about Lawrence's mood.

"Zachary, did Lawrence say anything when he sent you to get me?"

"No," Zachary replied flatly, his eyes on the road.

"My spot in the concert is still secured, right?"

She absolutely could not afford to lose this headlining gig.

"I wouldn't know the boss's mind," Zachary deflected.

*Yeah, right,* Zachary thought. *Your reputation is in the gutter, and you think you're still walking onto that stage? Do you think Lawrence Lance runs a charity?*

"Oh, come on, Zachary. I know you're his closest confidant. Just give me a hint."

He often used it as a secondary office, conducting business that was entirely too dirty for the corporate headquarters.

"Lawrence!"

The moment the car doors unlocked, Quinn sprinted toward the front door. Her two assistants stepped out cautiously, deliberately lagging behind.

Quinn burst into the living room, throwing her arms out to leap into Lawrence's embrace, but he coldly held up a hand, stopping her dead in her tracks.

"Go back to your room and rest."

She stank of the holding cell. It disgusted him.

"But Lawrence, what about the concert...?"

"You're off the lineup."

Real tears finally spilled down Quinn's face. She opened her mouth to argue, but Lawrence cut her off.

"In case you haven't checked your phone, your little stunt is trending across the entire internet. If I put you on that stage now, I might as well just announce defeat and issue mass refunds."

She was a public figure who had completely incinerated her own image. Acting like an entitled brat came with a heavy price.

"Take a break. Consider it a vacation."