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Just Take Your Money And Leave, Mr. Audley

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Loewe
100
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Summary

Malcolm and she had been together for six years, but now he was embracing a new love while telling her it was over. Lauren didn’t argue or make a scene. She simply dragged her suitcase behind her, accepted the exorbitant settlement he offered, and moved out without hesitation. His friends began placing bets on how long Lauren would last without Malcolm. Everyone in Eriton knew how deeply Lauren loved him, so much that she had no self-respect or temper left. It was guaranteed that within three days, she'd be begging to come back. But three days turned into another three... Malcolm couldn't sit still any longer. For the first time, he softened and called Lauren. "Are you done throwing a tantrum? If you're done, just come back..." On the other end, a man responded, "Mr. Audley, you've already broken up. There’s no turning back from this." "I'm looking for Lauren. Put her on the phone!" "Sorry, my girlfriend is tired. She just fell asleep."

EmotionUrbancontemporaryRomanceExhilarating StoryYoung AdultTrue Love

Chapter 1: Let's Break Up

Everyone knew that Lauren Carrick was head over heels in love with Malcolm Audley.

She loved him to the point where she had no life of her own, no personal space, and wanted to be around him 24/7.

Every time they broke up, it wouldn't be long before she came back begging for reconciliation.

Anyone could say the word "breakup", except for Lauren.

When Malcolm walked in with his new flame, the private room fell eerily silent for five seconds.

Lauren paused while peeling an orange. "Why is everyone so quiet? What are you all looking at me for?" she asked.

"Lauren..." A concerned look from her friend.

But Malcolm acted as if nothing was wrong, embracing the woman and sitting on the couch. "Happy birthday, Rowan."

He acted blatantly and nonchalantly.

Lauren stood up. It was Rowan's birthday, and she didn't want to ruin the party.

"I'm going to the restroom."

As she closed the door, she could hear them talking inside.

"Malcolm, isn't Lauren here? Didn't I inform you in advance? Why did you bring her?"

"Malcolm, you've gone too far this time."

"It doesn't matter." Malcolm released the woman's delicate waist and lit a cigarette.

Amidst the rising white smoke, he smiled.

The rest of their conversation was drowned out as the door closed. Lauren couldn't hear it.

She calmly finished using the restroom and touched up her makeup. As she looked at herself in the mirror, she suddenly smirked.

"So ridiculous."

What a ridiculous life.

Lauren took a deep breath and made a decision in her heart.

When she returned to the private room and pushed open the door, what she saw made her grip the door handle tightly, almost losing control.

Malcolm was kissing the woman passionately, saliva wetting the tissue between them.

Laughter erupted around them.

"Damn! Malcolm knows how to play!"

"They're kissing! They're kissing!"

"The atmosphere is so damn good. Why not kiss her?"

Lauren's hand gripping the door handle trembled.

This was the man she had loved for six years. At that moment, she felt nothing but irony.

"Hey, stop playing..." someone whispered and gestured towards the door.

Everyone turned to look at her in unison.

"Lauren... You're back? We were just fooling around. Don't be mad..."

But Malcolm interrupted his explanation and looked at Lauren indifferently. "Lauren, since you're here today, let's have a talk."

"Sure, go ahead."

"These past few years have been quite dull. We've grown distant from each other."

Lauren clenched her fingers tightly. Her nails dug into her palm, but she couldn't feel any pain.

Ha, six years of love ultimately reduced to "growing distant".

"Stella is a good girl. I think we're more compatible."

Numbly, Lauren nodded. "Okay."

"Although we're breaking up, we can still be friends. If you ever have any difficulties in Eriton, feel free to reach out to me."

"No need." Lauren forced a smile. "Since we're breaking up, let's cut ties cleanly. It's fair to everyone else too."

Malcolm raised an eyebrow. He seemed somewhat surprised.

"Rowan." Lauren looked at Rowan Ellison, the birthday boy. "Happy birthday. Have fun, everyone. I'll leave first. The plate of oranges on the table was peeled by me. Feel free to eat them all so they don't go to waste."

Malcolm didn't like eating fruit except for oranges.

But he was picky. He would only eat them if all the white pith was removed from each segment.

Over these years, in order to make sure he had his daily dose of vitamins through fruit, Lauren would peel them and remove all the pith before placing them neatly on a plate in front of him.

When Malcolm was happy, he would lovingly tease her while hugging her. "My girlfriend is amazing. How could I possibly live without you?"

"I can't wait to marry you."

He always knew what she wanted but never mentioned giving it to her.

Malcolm spoke up, "I'll have my chauffeur take you home."

"No need. I called a cab."

Rowan offered, "Lauren, let me walk you to the door."

Lauren waved her hand in refusal and left without turning back.

"Malcolm, look at how things turned out. I feel like Lauren is really angry this time."

"It's not that serious."

"That's right! How many times have they fought before? Every time Lauren comes back after a few days as if nothing happens during our next gathering."

"This time, I bet five days."

"I say six days."

Malcolm glanced at the still-open room door and smiled coldly, "I bet three hours. She'll come back to find me."

"Fine, Malcolm will win for sure. The whole world knows how crazy Lauren is about him."

"Alas, why isn't there a woman who loves me so unconditionally?"

"You're dreaming. Get lost!"

"Hahaha..."

...

Back at her villa, it was already past midnight.

It took Lauren half an hour to pack her belongings.

She had lived here for three years and now everything she wanted to take could fit into one small suitcase.

The designer clothes in her wardrobe that were never worn and the precious jewelry that was never worn were left untouched.

The only thing she felt regretful about was the collection of professional books sitting on the bookshelf.

But it was okay. Their contents were all in her mind. The medium wasn't that important anymore.

Her gaze swept across the dressing table as Lauren walked over and opened a drawer.

Inside was a check for fifty million dollars.

Underneath the check was a document named "Transfer Agreement for Plot 3-5 on the Eastern Outskirts". Even though it was on the outskirts of town, the land was conservatively worth twenty million dollars.

Both items had Malcolm's signature on them. He had thrown them down during one of their previous breakups and they had been sitting in that drawer ever since.

He believed that Lauren wouldn't dare accept them, because if she did, their relationship would truly be over.

Six years for seventy million?

Suddenly, Lauren didn't feel like it was such a loss after all.

How many women could get so much from spending their youth?

She packed both items into her bag.

Why not take it?

Love might be gone, but at least there was money left.

She wasn't some naive heroine from a romance novel who saw money as worthless dung.

"Hello? Cleaning company? Do you accept urgent orders?"

"Yes, I want a thorough cleaning. I'll pay extra."

Leaving the key at the entrance hall, Lauren got into a taxi and headed straight for her friend's house.

On the way there, the cleaning lady called to confirm.

"Miss, are you really not taking any of these things with you?"

"Yes, just handle them however you see fit." With that, she hung up.

By the time Malcolm arrived home, it was already well past midnight. The cleaning lady had already finished and left.

The strong scent of women's perfume on him made his head ache. He loosened his collar and planned to sit on the couch for a while but ended up falling asleep right away.

When he woke up the next day, familiar sounds of dishes clinking came from the kitchen.

He lifted his blanket and sat up while rubbing his temples. As he reached out for his water glass...

To his surprise, it wasn't there. His hand froze above the coffee table momentarily before he tugged at his lips. If she had returned and even covered him with a blanket, why couldn't she prepare any water for him?

"Aren't you tired of playing such childish tricks after all these years? Heh..."

Malcolm got up from bed. "Lauren, you better..."

"Sir, are you awake?"

"April?"

"You should freshen up first. Breakfast will be ready in another two minutes. By the way, were you not cold while sleeping? I turned on the heater and added another blanket..."

"Okay..."