Second Chance: Marrying into Wealth Chapter 125

Lawrence edged closer, waving a knife in my face, but he didn't strike.

"Lawrence, how'd you manage to get out of the hospital?" I was genuinely curious. Even if he faked being sick, someone as dangerous as him would definitely be under police watch. Yet, here he was.

Lawrence didn't answer, but the smug smile on his lips said it all.

Just then, a young woman walked in carrying some food. She spoke to Lawrence in a sweet, gentle voice, "Mr. Phillips, are you ready? When are we leaving?"

When I saw her and heard that familiar voice, my eyes widened in shock. "Stella Hall?"

Of all the possibilities, I hadn't considered her.

"Stella, do you know what you're doing? Lawrence is a suspect. How can you be with him?" I couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow as I tried to reason with her.

Stella was a few years younger than me. She had joined the company as an intern, recruited by Lawrence himself. She was a cheerful, innocent girl with a round face and a constant smile, always pleasant to be around.

Whenever she saw me, she was always respectful and sweet. I had no ill feelings toward her.

Even though Paula, a divorce lawyer, had warned me to be cautious of young, impressionable girls like Stella who might be infatuated with Lawrence, I hadn't paid much attention. 

Apart from the way she looked at Lawrence with admiration, she hadn't crossed any lines. At least, I thought she was normal.

Lawrence sneered at me. "Do you think a few words from you will change Stella's mind? Why don't you ask her if she's here willingly?"

Stella's eyes sparkled as she glanced at Lawrence, then turned to me with a serious expression. "Melinda, you and Mr. Phillips are already at odds. You're definitely getting a divorce. Following Mr. Phillips doesn't make me a mistress. He is so outstanding, and you never appreciated him. You have no idea how hard he works for the company and how kind he is to you. You're taking everything for granted."

This was madness. She knew it was wrong to be a mistress, yet she still believed in Lawrence, even though he was a suspect.

She tugged on Lawrence's arm, her voice anxious. "Mr. Phillips, when can we leave? The hospital must know you've escaped by now. They might be searching for you. We need to leave quickly."

Lawrence's eyes flashed with impatience, but he still tried to soothe her. "Soon, just a little longer."

I scoffed at the two of them. "Stella, are you still delusional? Lawrence can't take you with him. He can't even protect himself."

"Stella, do you trust me or her?" Lawrence ignored my words and asked Stella instead.

Without hesitation, Stella looked at him with adoration. "I trust you, Mr. Phillips!"

It was clear Stella was beyond saving.

I glanced around. Lawrence wasn't the type to be driven by lust. He was highly goal-oriented. In a situation where he might need to flee, he wouldn't bring someone like Stella along unless he needed her for something.

I pressed Lawrence further. "How did you escape? Did Stella help you? You used her, didn't you?"

Lawrence's cold gaze met mine. "At a time like this, you're still fixated on that? You never focus on what's important. Shouldn't you be begging me to spare you right now?"

I didn't respond, my lips curling in a mocking smile. Begging wouldn't make him spare me. I had seen through Lawrence by now.

Seeing my silence, Stella couldn't hold back. "Melinda, I know Mr. Phillips used me. I was willing. Being useful to him means I have value. You want to know how I saved him? My brother is a cop at the hospital. I stole the keys from him, unlocked Mr. Phillips' handcuffs, and got him a nurse's uniform. I created a distraction and snuck him out."

I was speechless. I couldn't help but scold Stella, "Do you realize you're implicating your brother? Even if Lawrence escapes, what kind of life will you have? Hiding from the police, living like rats. What are you thinking?"

"Shut up. I know I'm implicating my brother, but he loves me and will forgive me. Mr. Phillips is amazing. I believe in him. We'll leave Starlight City and go abroad. The police won't find us there." She was even dreaming of the future.

Stella was more naive than I had been. I had trusted Lawrence, but not to the point of aiding in a crime.

So, I didn't try to persuade her. Instead, I turned to Lawrence. "Lawrence, even without me and Clara, you still can't stop using women. That's all you'll ever amount to."

Lawrence glared at me but didn't immediately retort. Instead, he whispered something to Stella, and she left.

Now, it was just the three of us.

Lawrence became more brazen. "So what if I use women? You're about to die, and you're still acting high and mighty. Just like your father, you make me sick. You have no idea how hard it was for me to get here, and you ruined it. I've used every resource available, including women. Stella is just a fool. A few sweet words, and she's devoted to me."

"No wonder you didn't want Stella to hear that. You're despicable! She must have helped you fake your illness too. With your situation, you won't even make it out of Starlight City, let alone the country."

Too bad Stella couldn't hear this. Maybe it would wake her up.

"I faked my illness, so what? The police couldn't do anything. It was a stroke of luck. I was sent to the hospital, and Stella's brother was assigned to guard me. Everything fell into place. Do you think I'll leave Starlight City?" Lawrence's eyes glinted with a murderous intent.

A chill ran down my spine. I had a bad feeling. "You're not leaving? What are you planning to do?"