I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 234

Chapter 234

Rhea couldn’t bring herself to spend the night under the same roof as Carter, not even if they were in

separate rooms.

After she left, Carter stayed behind with the kids.

The reason he had snapped at Scarlett the night before was that he didn’t want her loud voice to

wake them.

As for why he had stayed in the children’s room, it was because the moment he saw Peter yesterday, he was inexplicably reminded of when Peter had mentioned Lauren cutting her own hand.

He felt a twinge of doubt but couldn’t be completely certain. After all, Lauren had warned him to be cautious around Peter.

But during last night’s dinner, Carter had noticed that Rhea hadn’t exactly been warm toward Peter.

He wondered if Lauren could be lying.

“Carter, don’t you have an appetite? Why aren’t you eating?” Lauren asked with concern.

Carter glanced at the table. “There’s so little food. How am I supposed to eat?”

Just then, Peter and Aiden came downstairs.

Devan invited them over for breakfast.

However, when they saw how little food was laid out, Aiden didn’t even bother to sit. “Peter and I already planned to eat out. I thought that we’d enjoy the morning in Draventh. You guys enjoy.”

What was this?

Carter, who came from a wealthy family, had never done something so undignified.

His close friends had come over, and breakfast hadn’t even been prepared.

Carter’s expression darkened. He told Devan, “Clear this and make something new.”

Devan hurried off to the kitchen.

Lauren quickly stood up. “I didn’t expect you guys to get up so early. I was worried that the breakfast would get cold, so I didn’t prepare your portions yet. Have a seat first. The kitchen will have everything ready soon.”

“That’s fine. We’re not very hungry anyway. It’s okay if this happens once, but if it happens often, we might start to think that you just don’t like us,” Peter said sharply.

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Chapter 234

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Lauren felt extremely awkward. Her fingers twisted nervously in her palms. “We’ve grown up together. How can you say that? Sit and drink some water first.”

In reality, she had done this on purpose as Peter had kept siding with Rhea and throwing Lauren cold glares.

Carter might waver between her and Rhea, but when it came to friends, she was sure that he wouldn’t give her up for their sakes.

Lauren asked Carter, “Carter, you know me, right?”

He didn’t look at her and remained silent.

His silence weighed more than any words could.

Peter let out a chuckle, which made Lauren’s face burn. She clenched her jaw. “I’ll go prepare the

food. It’ll be faster that way.‘

Once she entered the kitchen, Peter didn’t bother hiding his disdain. “I swear, she’s becoming so petty. The cheerful, outgoing person she used to be has completely vanished. She’s such a schemer now.”

Carter frowned. He couldn’t bear to hear others speak about Lauren in that manner.

“She’s been through hell for years. With no money or influence, she’s always had to watch her back. She’s had to be a little scheming to survive.”

Suddenly, Arielle said, “Just now at the door, if it were Mom who came out instead, how would she have felt? This woman doesn’t know how to take care of us or manage the staff.”

Adrian chimed in, “Dad, you used to say that she was gentle, kind, and very thoughtful. But Arielle and I don’t see any of that.”

Indeed, Lauren had once been gentle, kind, and attentive.

But now…

Chapter 235