Chapter 14 She Is Quite Frank
Lawrence's eyes landed on Hazel, and he raised an eyebrow slightly. "Did you make all this?"
Hazel lifted her chin proudly. "Of course, Lawrence. Let me help you wash up and get ready for dinner."
She took his coat and set it aside, then wheeled him to the bathroom.
Ruby popped out from the kitchen, smiling as she saw them together. "Mr. Johnson, you're back! Mrs. Johnson spent the whole afternoon learning to cook these dishes for you. She really cares about you."
Hazel blushed at the compliment. She felt a bit guilty, knowing she had earned a lot of money from this meal.
Lawrence didn't expose her, instead nodding in agreement with Ruby. "Yes, Hazel is very good to me."
His tone was gentle, almost as if he were praising Hazel, but she detected a hint of sarcasm. Her face grew even warmer.
Thankfully, Ruby soon left, and the other staff were nowhere to be seen, leaving just the two of them.
Hazel wheeled Lawrence to the dining table and sat across from him. "Try it and see how it tastes."
Under Hazel's expectant gaze, Lawrence picked up his utensils and began to eat.
"How is it? Is it edible?" Hazel asked nervously when he didn't speak for a while.
"Not bad," Lawrence finally said, his face revealing nothing. Seeing Hazel's hopeful expression, he added, "It's quite good."
Relieved, Hazel smiled. "You should check out the farm and Prosperity Boulevard when you have time."
Lawrence ate with elegant manners and nodded. "Sure."
Once the legal paperwork was finalized, she would go see them. After all, they would soon be hers.
Whether Lawrence was genuinely hungry or Hazel's cooking was good, he ate more than usual. Seeing this, Hazel's smile grew wider.
After dinner, Hazel suggested they go for a walk. She wanted to take better care of Lawrence, knowing that being his wife had brought her significant assets, which would help her business ventures.
The sky was still tinged with the red hues of sunset, and the evening breeze was pleasant.
At first, they walked in silence. Once they were a distance from the villa, Lawrence spoke up. "Jason mentioned you went to Victory Square today to look at office spaces?"
His voice was clear and pleasant. Hazel wasn't surprised Jason had told him. She knew she couldn't hide her plans to start a fragrance company from Lawrence.
"Yeah, I checked out a few places." Hazel replied.
"For what?" Lawrence asked.
"To start a company, of course." Hazel replied.
Lawrence looked at her with a hint of surprise, then said something seemingly unrelated. "I don't like looking up at people."
It seemed he didn't want her to start a business. Hazel met his gaze, and they silently challenged each other.
The air grew tense until Hazel suddenly smiled and knelt in front of his wheelchair. "Honey, you need to get better soon, so you won't have to look up at anyone."
Lawrence didn't respond immediately. His long fingers tapped lightly on the wheelchair as he thought. His deep eyes focused on Hazel's beautiful face, his expression unreadable.
"What if I never get better?" Lawrence said.
Hazel looked at him confidently. "Lawrence, you're amazing. You'll definitely get better. But if you don't, I'll stay with you forever."
Whether she meant it or not, only Hazel knew.
Lawrence leaned forward slightly, gripping Hazel's chin and forcing her to look up. "You're smart. You know what I'm talking about."
From a distance, it might have looked like they were flirting, but Hazel sensed the warning in his words. Her heart trembled, but she boldly held his hand and rubbed her cheek against his palm. "Thanks for the compliment, honey. If I weren't smart, I wouldn't have met someone as incredible as you."
Her tone was playful, like a mischievous fox.
Lawrence narrowed his eyes. He had underestimated her. She could be sharp-tongued and venomous, but also knew how to act coy and charming.
He didn't like people playing games with him, but Hazel's schemes were transparent and somewhat honest.
Lawrence asked, "So, what kind of company do you want to start?"
Realizing he wasn't going to argue, Hazel kept his hand close. "I want to start a fragrance company. Got any advice, honey?"
With a business genius like Lawrence by her side, it would be a waste not to use his expertise.
Lawrence asked, "Isn't your family, the Andersons, already in the fragrance business? Why not take over your father's company instead of starting your own?"
Lawrence's tone was slightly malicious, as if encouraging her to fight for her inheritance.
"If I could take over, would I have gone through what happened a few days ago?" Hazel rolled her eyes. If she had that ability, she wouldn't have needed to marry to escape her family's control.
Besides, if she joined Keith's company, he would find ways to steal Chloe's formulas.
"I've been learning about fragrances from my grandmother since I was a kid. You used my blend last night. You know my skills. Can't I start my own company?" Hazel added.
Thinking of the sleep aid fragrance from the previous night, Lawrence's eyes showed a hint of approval.
Since his parents' death, his sleep had been poor. In this house full of schemes, he had to be cautious with every step, and the Johnson Group's issues kept him busy.
He hadn't had a good night's sleep in a long time.
Hazel's fragrance had indeed helped.
"So, you want me to be your first customer?" Lawrence asked.
"Yes, and it would be great if you could help promote it, honey." Hazel said.
Calling him "honey" had become more natural for Hazel, no longer causing her the initial embarrassment.
"You sure know how to use people." Lawrence glanced at her coldly, his tone icy.
Hazel smiled, stood up, and pushed his wheelchair forward.
They returned to the villa after the sun had fully set.
Throughout the walk, Hazel had a lingering question. If living with the Johnsons was so stifling, why didn't Lawrence move out?
Perhaps her expression was too obvious, as Lawrence noticed something was off. He looked at her quietly. "Speak your mind."
Hazel said, "Have you considered living somewhere else? It might help you sleep better."