THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS-Chapter 374: Steffan Was The Target

"Wait for my call," George said as he flipped the card between his fingers.

"Can I leave now?" Isabella asked impatiently but George knew that underneath that indifferent facade, she was very excited.

Who wouldn’t be? It’s not everyone that gets to dine at the Masters Place and besides the function he was taking her to was no ordinary one. However he couldn’t help but commend her acting, she did a good job of pretending not to be interested at all.

George smiled and extended his hand for a handshake. "Of course, I can’t wait to see you again, Bells."

Isabella looked at George’s extended arm for a few seconds before placing her own in it but George almost withdrew his hand as soon as it made contact with Isabella’s.

"Bye," he said and stepped aside, signifying that Isabella was free to leave.

George glanced back at Killian, who gave him a subtle nod of approval.

He had seen everything from where he had parked and knew that the mission was successful at least to this point although he didn’t hear what they talked about.

"So?"

"I just got myself a date," George snapped as he settled into the seat beside Killian. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Killian’s brow shot up. "A date? What do you need a date for?"

"Wasn’t that why you asked me to approach her? So that I won’t be left to myself when Lauren shows up with her dumb fiancée?"

"I don’t know what you’re talking about but that’s not why I asked you to meet her?"

"I thought you would never get to that. So why exactly did you make me fix a dinner date with a total stranger?" George

"She’s not a total stranger. She’s one of the suspects connected with Lauren’s attempted murder," Killian revealed at long last.

"What?!" Killian’s eyes widened in disbelief. Why did you make me do all that for someone who hates Ren to the point of almost killing her? Are you sure you’re her brother?"

"And to think that I paid so much attention to her just now... invited her for dinner and even gave her a nickname? Tsk!"

He glared at Killian. "Do you believe I can punch that smirk off your face right now?"

"Why would you take out your frustrations on me? I didn’t ask you to fix a date with her. I only asked you to..."

"I don’t need you to remind me of what you told me to do. I only tried to make it more convincing like you requested, but now it seems I’ve been fooled by you again, and I swear this is the last time I’ll allow that to happen. Now get me out of this damned place." George protested.

"Meanwhile at the expo center, Lauren finally freed herself from the reporters and managed to find her way to the huge reception which had been carved out for family members.

As she entered, the first person to lunge at her was Danny.

"Aunty Lauren, you won!" he screamed excitedly.

"Yeah I did, sweetheart," Lauren bent down to Danny’s level and scooped him up in her hands.

"I told you you’d win," Danny boasted.

"Of course, I had to win so that you don’t get disappointed."

"Congratulations, Lauren," both Sarah and her husband said as they finally arrived by Lauren’s side.

"Thanks mom, thanks, dad," Lauren smiled at the couple. "I’m glad you all came."

"We couldn’t miss it for anything," Stanley and Candace responded.

Lauren was shocked that the whole family was there just like they had promised her. They were more than enough consolation for her own parents that could not make it.

"He went to get something and will be here soon," Sarah said when she noticed Lauren’s eyes darting across the hall.

She blushed and returned her gaze to the people before her but just then Steffan walked in with a huge bouquet of flowers.

When their eyes met, Lauren’s breath quickened in her chest.

"Congratulations my mysterious acquaintance," Steffan chuckled and handed over the bouquet to Lauren.

"Really? Was that any way to congratulate someone dear to your heart?" Lauren sneered but still received the flowers. After all, he was her fiancé and it was his duty to give her flowers.

"Today’s a happy day and we shouldn’t waste it arguing over irrelevant things."

"So tell us, where do you want us to go for the celebration? We’ll take you wherever you desire, just mention it," Stanley said.

"Awnnn, brother. That’s so nice of you but I’m sorry, I won’t be able to go. Why don’t we make it some other time," Lauren politely refused.

"Why? Are you turning down our request now that you have become famous?" Candace teased jokingly after her husband’s request was rejected.

"There must be a reason. I believe she had something to do that’s why she said no," Steffan quickly explained before Lauren could clarify.

Everyone turned to him in shock. He was speaking up for Lauren just like before.

It was when he saw the eyes on him that he realized he had just defended Lauren. Why he did it, he didn’t know.

A normal him would have condemned Lauren’s actions but not only did he not find anything wrong with it but he outrightly defended her.

Sarah’s nervous laughter broke the silence.

"I can see that you too have developed so fast without our knowledge," she said.

"We have not ...." Steffan began but didn’t get to finish

"No need to explain yourselves. We understand perfectly that you two have secretly fixed a date to hang out alone," Candace said with a mischievous glint as her eyes darted from Steffan to Lauren.

"You must have misunderstood, sister, it’s not what you think," Lauren said helplessly.

"Really? Is it? Then why don’t you want to celebrate your victory with us, we’re family, you know?"

"Of course, we are, but something came up suddenly. A dinner party had been organized for all the contestants this evening by 8pm. And I was just thinking of who to take along as my date since I couldn’t go alone," Lauren explained.

"But since you’re all here, I might as well ask brother Stanley to accompany me."

"Oh, that’s very sweet of you, Lauren. I didn’t know you loved me so much," Stanley smiled affectionately as he left his wife’s side to hold unto Lauren’s hand.

"You can’t be serious, Stanley. How can you accept the invitation?" Steffan rebuked.

"Why shouldn’t I? Don’t tell me you are jealous."

"Why should I be jealous? What I’m concerned about is that you as a married man could easily go out on a private date with someone who is clearly not your wife. How do you think your wife will feel?"

"I don’t mind," Candace said with a sweet smile.

She was initially shocked by Lauren’s choice but when Stanley agreed, she understood what they were trying to do... Steffan was the target.

"I’ll happily lend Stanley to Lauren for the night," she added to everyone’s astonishment, especially Steffan who couldn’t keep still.

"What?!" Steffan’s eyes widened in disbelief.

That was exactly the reaction they were all expecting but what they didn’t know was whether he would rise up to the challenge or decide to ignore their little game with the excuse of working tonight.