Laurence quickly said, "I haven't been skimping on Noelle's skincare products. I bought them for her, but she refuses them. Even when I force her to accept, I don't know whether she actually uses them."
Noelle also explained, "Mr. Laurence has never withheld any of my expenses. I have my own income, and the salary he pays me every month is more than enough. I can buy my own skincare products.
"Besides, I don't even need to buy any. When I have free time, I can make skincare products myself, and Aunt Cheryl sends me some every so often.”
She lacked nothing, so there was no need for Laurence to spend money on her.
Once Laurence saw that everything he forced her to accept went unused, he would eventually stop giving her such gifts, and his money would not be wasted.
Lilian linked arms with Noelle affectionately.
As they walked, she continued talking to Noelle. Although the girl had never formally become her disciple, Noelle had addressed her as "Master" for eighteen years. Long ago, Lilian had come to regard the girl as another one of her disciples.
"If Laurence gives you something, why not use it? What's the point of leaving it sitting there? Laurence doesn't even have a girlfriend. You're the only person who stays by his side and takes care of him. It's only natural that he treats you well.
"You don't need to feel guilty. What's his is yours, and what's yours is still yours. From now on, just accept and use whatever he gives you."
"Master..."
"Listen to Lilian. That boy earns so much money and has nobody to help him spend it. If he's willing to spend it on you, just accept it. Why be so formal with him? The two of you grew up together. Your relationship is different."
Laurence picked up the conversation. “Exactly. The skincare products and gifts I give you are simply a considerate employer taking care of their employees. Noelle never gives me the chance to be a good boss."
Noelle remained silent.
Laurence only gave these things to her. He did not give them to everyone. If everyone received the same treatment, she would certainly accept them.
Seeing that Noelle remained silent, Lilian knew that none of her words had truly gotten through, but she sensibly stopped pressing the matter.
Even Laurence, who spent every day by Noelle's side, found it difficult to change her mind about certain things. Lilian, who lived far away, had even less hope of doing so.
Laurence had been concealing his identity. The two of them rarely returned to FC Manor. Lilian could not even remember how long it had been since she had spent quality time with her two disciples.
They did not return even during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
The group left the airport, got into their vehicles, and set off in an impressive convoy toward Laurence's residence.
Not long afterward, Laurence received a message from one of his bodyguards.
Someone had been following them and had been intercepted by the bodyguard vehicles at the rear.
Without asking, they were clearly from the Longbottom family.
Laurence gave his instructions in a calm voice. “Beat them up, then deliver them to the entrance of Longbottom Villa. Don't kill them. Just teach them a lesson. Take it easy."
After receiving the order, the bodyguards immediately dragged the black-clad men who had been following them to the roadside and beat them until their faces were bruised and swollen. Then they stuffed them back into their vehicle. One of Laurence's bodyguards took the wheel while another kept watch over the beaten
men.
At an intersection, they changed routes and headed toward Longbottom Villa. "What happened?" Jane asked with concern.
Laurence slipped his phone back into his pocket and replied casually, "A few bored people were following us. I had my men teach them a lesson and send them back to their boss."
“People from the Longbottom family?" Jane asked.
"Mhm. Besides them, nobody else enjoys tailing people so much."