He stammered, “Laney…you…”


    Laney’s emotions were running high as she stared resolutely at Garrett and hoarsely shouted, “My


    baby and I will never go back to the Harding family! You’d better give up!”


    Garrett tensed up instantly at the sight of Laney’s devastation.


    He hurried over to her and tried tofort her in a soft voice, “Honey, I lied to Mom just now. We can


    live in our own house with our child and not go back to the Harding family. Don’t worry.”


    “Don’te any closer!”


    Laney clutched her chest, screaming frantically, “I don’t believe you! I can’t trust you anymore. You


    want to take my child from me! You’re all trying to take my child from me!”


    Her tear-streaked face mirrored her suspicion and wariness toward Garrett. Despair and sadness hung


    around her like a palpable fog.


    Garrett halted, not daring to approach her again.


    This was the first time he had witnessed Laney in such agony. For once, the usually eloquent man


    found himself at a loss for words. He knew that no sweet nothings could console her for her pain was


    both physical and emotional.


    Pressing his lips together, Garrett felt powerless. All he could do was reiterate his previous promise.


    “Honey, please believe me, okay? I won’t lie to you. Go back to your room and rest. I’ll handle


    everything.”


    Laney, gazing at the helplessness in Garrett’s eyes, felt her heart sink.


    A wave of pessimism washed over her. Reconciliation with Garrett would mean returning to the Harding


    family and a life without freedom.


    She couldn’t bear that life any longer!


    “Garrett, just go!”


    Her voice steadier, Laney knew there was no point in arguing further. “I need some time alone.”


    Relieved that Laney seemed to have thought it through, Garrett exhaled deeply.


    Just as he was about to escort her back to her room, his phone rang.


    Without a second thought, he nced at Laney. But she didn’t react or even look at him. She simply


    retreated to her room and locked the door.


    Garrett sighed, picking up the phone.


    As soon as he answered it, his assistant’s anxious voice came through the line. “Mr. Harding, the


    company is in trouble, and we need you here in person. Please hurry back.”


    His brow furrowed, Garrett inquired about thepany’s dire circumstances.


    Indeed, the situation was critical. But he stood there, hesitating, as he stared at the closed door before


    him.


    A sinking feeling crept into his chest.


    It was as if, the moment he left, Laney would slip away from him.


    But the urgency of the crisis left no room for hesitation. Under his assistant’s insistence, Garrett rushed


    to thepany.


    He had to resolve the issues as swiftly as possible.


    Meanwhile, Laney returned to her room. Observing her baby, peacefully s*uc*king little fingers and


    slumbering in the crib, she made her decision.


    She would never return to the Harding family, nor would she hand her child over to any of them!


    Laney took out her phone and texted Natalie.


    At that moment, Natalie was reviewing a design draft at home. Catching sight of Laney’s message, her


    expression turned grave.


    Noticing Natalie’s serious demeanor, Brandon asked curiously, “What’s wrong? Who sent the


    message?”


    “It’s from Laney. Take a look.” Natalie handed him the phone.


    As Brandon read the message, his eyebrow arched, but he wasn’t shocked. “It seems Laney’s had


    enough of the Harding family’s harassment and Garrett’s inaction. She can’t take it anymore.”


    In the message, Laney pleaded for Natalie’s help to escape Barnes, no longer wanting to be shackled


    by the Harding family.


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    “I didn’t expect Laney to be so resolute. When she found out about Garrett and Kailee’s affair the other


    day, she wasn’t so decisive about leaving Garrett,” Natalie remarked, surprised.


    Stroking Natalie’s head tenderly, Brandon said matter-of-factly, “Her emotions have reached a boiling


    point. One more provocation, and she’ll explode.”


    “Is that so?” Natalie mused.


    Brandon nodded, stating, “Now that it’se to this, Garrett must bear much of the responsibility.”


    Natalie was inclined to agree with Brandon.


    If Garrett had not been giving way to the Harding family constantly, Laney wouldn’t have been so


    heartbroken and broken up with Garrett so decisively, given her personality. “Are you going to help


    her?” Brandon asked gently.


    Natalie hesitated and replied with uncertainty, “Garrett is your friend. Wouldn’t it be bad for us to help


    Laney run away with the baby?”


    Brandon didn’t answer her. Instead, he asked, “But what about Laney?”


    Natalie felt even more conflicted.


    Laney was her good friend. She couldn’t ignore a good friend in need.


    Not to mention, Ian had informed her that Vera had brought some bodyguards to snatch Laney’s baby


    away. If Garrett and Ian had not been there, Laney could have been hurt. The future seemed bleak for


    Laney and her baby if things continued the way it was.


    Brandon understood what Natalie was thinking about. He encouraged her gently, “Natalie, just do what


    you think is right. Don’t worry about Garrett and me. I won’t tell him.”


    Knowing that Brandon supported her decision, she breathed a sigh of relief. She was initially worried


    he would persuade her against breaking up Garrett’s family.


    She now felt clear about what she had to do.


    “Thank you, Brandon,” Natalie said gratefully. She wrapped her arms around Brandon’s neck, k*issing


    him.


    Brandon held the back of her head and returned the k*iss.