Chapter 26
Angela practically yelled through the phone. “Alex sent you straight home? Ile he’s not you know, incapalile, is her
ched as I frowned slightly Thinking of that ridiculously attractive face. I let out a quiet sigh
-given his status and infhorner—was the last person anyone would expect to struggle with women.
there were only two possibilities for why Alex had never been seen with one either he was physically incapable, or he simply wasn’t
honestly, he doesn’t look like that k
There was a
hke that kind of guy” My unde wouldn’t set you up with someone unreliable, would be?” Angela went di
was a brief silence before Angela added excitedly. “Laurel, don’t stress over it. Just get him drunk and test it out yourself”
Angela mischievous laugh echoed through the phone.
I massaged my temples, already feeling a headache coming on. “Tid rather stay alive, thanks. And do you really think I could get him drunk?”
I wanted any sort of entanglement with Alex. Our marriage was nothing more than a business deal, a transaction with clear terms.
When Angela heard that Alex had originally planned to take me back to the hotel but got thwarted by Austin, she exploded. “Ts Austin full of
tomach? Does he seriously think you’d go looking for him!”
ady told him to stay away from me. He shouldn’t be bothering me again,” I said.
(course not! I mean, come on, you’re Alex’s wife now.” Angela paused for a beat before adding, “I’d love to see Austin’s reaction when he finds out hise–free to now his little aunt. He’s going to lose his mind”
With that. Angra burst out laughing at the thought.
“Don’t go around telling people we got married.” I reminded her.
Angela replied. “Got it. You and Austin just broke up. If news of your marriage with Alex gris out now, people will as climb the social ladder. Better to keep it quiet for now. But honestly, I can’t wait to see the Herrera family eat their words”
you dumped Austin 10
Hearing this, I hesitated for a second, my heart skipping a beat. “Angela, Alex and I barely know each other. This marriage is just an arrangement, thats all ald
“Oh please. Laurel dont sell yourself short. Alex definitely has his reasons for marrying you. You should take advantage of the situation and
I make sure you actually sleep with him–lock him down for real,” Angela continued, her voice sounding dead serious.
My temple throbbed. I pressed a hand against my forehead. “You’re suggesting I force myself on him? Are you insane!”
Angela replied, “Laurel don’t forget–you’re his wife now. This is your chance. Are you really going to let it slip away? Or do you not want to find your father anymore?”
Suddenly, my grip on my phone tightened slightly. I said, “Angela, I’m exhausted”
The next morning I was still half–asleep when Angela’s phone call woke me up. At the same time, a series of urgent knocks echoed from my front
door
Before I could answer it. Angela’s panicked voice came through the line. “Laurel, don’t go anywhere today. Don’t even open the door. I’m coming over later”
My brows furrowed. “What’s going on?” Angela wasn’t the type to panic. If she was chas shaken up, something major had happened.
gossip site after last night’s charity auction, Angela explained. “And I’m pretty sure there
“You and the Herrera family made the front page of every go
are repomeni camped outside your place.”
My frown deepened. “Is that all?” I asked.
Angela hesitated before adding “Rosemary disappeared from the hospital last night. No one knows where she is. Someone said they saw her near the beach in Harbor City at midnight”
“Are you okay?” Angela asked. –
My momach clenched. I hadn’t expected Rosemary to have another trick up her sleeve.
1/2
Chapter 26
“I’m fine. Just stay put and don’t read the comments, okay? People are going to be talking nonsense.” I replied
1.” Angela aid!
“Alright, I got it.” Angela d
After hanging up. I couldn’t resist
ist opening the news. Right at the top was a dramatic headline The Vicious Funcée Cheating on Her Ex. Framing the Pitful Adopted Daughter–Her Rival’s Fate Unknown”
Of course. Sensanonal enough to grab anyone’s attention. Even I couldn’t help but click on it
1 had to admit, that Rosemary played her cards well. Her mental illness was a fact, which meant clearing my name wouldn’t be easy.
Instead of trying. Rosemary had chosen to own it–turning herself into a tragic figure and using her unfortunate past to win over public sympathy,
After all, to most people, the weaker party was always the one deserving of pity
And apparently, my so–called affair was with none other than Lucas–the same guy who had shielded me at our college reunion
I felt bad for Lucas. He was completely innocent yet caught in the crossfire. Then I scrolled down to the comments. As expected, they were full of insuli
Living My Best Life: [She’s just a sick girl. Why hold a grudge against someone like that! And Laurel’s supposed to be educated? Guess all that schooling went to waste. Marrying into wealth doesn’t change where she came from.
Frog Prince: [What a heartless woman! She can’t even tolerate a poor, sick girl? People like her deserve to rot in hell]
Seeing how people cursed not just me but my family, I didn’t get mad. Instead, I logged into a throwaway account and started fighting back.
@Living My Best Life: [Hope
e your entire family gets diagnosed with mental illness, too. But hey, don’t hold a grudge–it’d be petty of you.]
@Frog Prince: [Calling someone trash makes you the real trash. And you seriously think you’re prince with gossiping all day? Keep dreaming Half an hour later. I had fired off over a hundred replies. Full–on war mode. No mercy. If someone insulted me once, I clapped back ten times harder.
Just when I was getting into it, the entire thread suddenly disappeared. Actually, all traces of the scandal vanished from the internet–every post every news article. Even the updates about Rosemary’s disappearance were gone.
I stared at the screen in shock. Then I was just about to call Angela to ask if she was behind it when a furious pounding sounded at my door
The knocks got louder, almost like someone was trying to break it down.
That was impossible. Id hidden my IP address–how has someone still found me?
out here Amanda’s enraged voice echoed through the hallway,
Figured, some things were just inevitable.
