Chapter 22
Laurel raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed by Roderick’s quick wit. She met his steady gaze with a playful laugh and uid. “What else” Take responsibility, of course”
“Oh! And how do you plan to do that?” Roderick’s lips curved into a slight smirk.
“Laurel” Before Laurel could finish. George stormed forward, unable to stand her flirting with Roderick right in front of him. He grabbed her arm and pulled her out of Roderick’s embrace.
Laurel shook him off, her patience wearing thin. “Are you out of your mind, George! First of all, Regina is your fiancée. Everyone in Oslonia City knows it. Second, I’m not joking–Roderick and I are legally married. We registered this morning.”
George’s expression stiffened, disbelief clouding his face. He forced a calming tone. “Laurel, let’s not blow this out of proportion. We’ll talk in private later. There are so many elders here. Don’t make a scene.”
Laurel immediately stepped back, putting space between them. Her tone turned icy. “Who says I’m making a scene?”
Bill, who thought Laurel was just throwing a tantrum to pressure George into giving her a proper status, chimed in to mediate, “Laurel, George already explained it was all a misunderstanding. Let it go.”
His voice softened as if he was trying to coat her. “Regina was just saving face at the engagement party. It doesn’t count. How about 1 arrange a grand wedding for you and George in two months!
“As for that video, I’ve already spoken to Warwick. It was a stupid mistake on Regina’s part. She pestered George to film it. I’ll have her apologize.
and we can move on.”
Bill shot a pointed look at Regina, who stood there feeling both wronged and humiliated
“Why does everyone bend over backward for Laurel Regina thought bitterly. Tm the real daughter, yet I always have to step aside for this adopted brat
Apologizing to Laurel was the last thing Regina wanted to do. But after George accused her last night of intentionally handing the video to Laurel, she had no choice.
She had begged George to believe her, even offering to apologize if it would help smooth things over. Now, if she backed out, George might cut her off completely–and that was unthinkable.
She had loved George e since childhood and dreamed of marrying him. If George ignored her. life would lose all meaning.
After a long internal struggle, Regina gritted her teeth, lowered her head, and stepped forward. Her voice was soft and subdued. “Laurel, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so foolish and caused you to misunderstand George.
“That video was just me being silly, pestering him to film it. I don’t even know how you got it, but whoever gave it to you was obviously trying to stir
up
trouble between you two and ruin the alliance between our families. Please don’t fall for it.”
She glanced at George with teary eyes before adding, “Laurel, there’s nothing going on between George and me. If you don’t believe me, I—”
She paused and closed her eyes with a sorrowful look. “I’ll leave Oslonia City. I’ll stay far away from both of you and never bother you again.”
“Regina…” George’s chest tightened at her words, and he turned to Laurel, his tone filled with frustration and blame. “Laurel, Regina’s already apologized. Let it go.”
Laurel let out a cold laugh. “Just you being silly? George, do yourself a favor and stop talking before you dig an even deeper hole.”
George froze, a flicker of unease flashing in his eyes. Lowering his voice, he warned, “Laurel, I’ll admit everything’s my fault. Vent your anger on me if you must, but don’t take things too far.
Laurel smirked, her tone mocking. “Oh, now you’re scared, huh! I let you off easy yesterday, but you just couldn’t help yourself, could you?”
“Laurel!” George hissed through gritted teeth, his anger barely contained.
He wasn’t just worried–he knew Laurel had more than just the video. She had photos, intimate ones of him and Regina.
Chapter 22
And yet, even knowing this, he had dared to push all the blame onto Laurel earlier, banking on one thing–her feelings for him.
George had always believed that Laurel cared about him deeply, enough to put his interests first no matter what.
He convinced himself that her outburst yesterday was nothing more than a tantrum. As long as he apologized and showed some sincerity, he figured the photos she had wouldn’t be an issue.
But things didn’t go the way he expected. Since last night, Laurel hadn’t answered his calls, and even the Lamber family couldn’t locate her. He hadn’t gotten a single chance to smooth things over.
Fearing that Laurel might confront Warwick at the Lynch Mansion before he could explain. George rushed over early with the Lambert family to get ahead of the situation. His plan was simple: shift the blame to Laurel and avoid Warwick’s wrath.
Laurel did show up–but not alone. She arrived with Roderick, claiming they’d already registered their marriage.
George didn’t buy it for a second. After all, since yesterday, Laurel had been using Roderick as a shield, trying to force George to choose between her and Regina
But even after Regina’s apology and his own concession, Laurel refused to back down. Now, she was dragging the matter straight to Warwick.
George glanced nervously at Warwick, who sat at the head of the room with an unreadable expression Anxiety gnawed at him as he reached for Laurel’s hand. “Let’s step outside and talk.”
Laurel sidestepped his hand effortlessly. “Why go outside? Everyone’s already here. Let’s clear the air once and for all”
“Laurel…” George started, but before he could finish, Warwick’s deep voice cut through the tension.
“Laurel, if you’ve got something to say, come over here and tell me directly.”
George froze, panic flickering across his face. He quickly tried to intervene. Grandfather, Laurel’s just upset with me. It’s nothing serious–we can sort it out privately.”
“Nothing serious?” Warwick let out a cold snort, his tone sharp. “The entire city is buzzing with rumors that my grandson is having an affair with his
fiancée’s sister.
“I don’t care about my personal reputation, but if you tarnish the Lynch family name, I’ll make sure you regret it.”
“Grandfather, it’s really just a misunderstanding–George tried to explain, his voice wavering
“I didn’t ask you.” Warwick’s gaze turned to Laurel, his expression grave. “Laurel, you tell me what’s going on.”
George shot Laurel a warning look, but she found it almost laughable. George, do you still think I’m the same naïve girl you could manipulate? Too bad for you–I’m here to settle the score, she thought.
Her lips curled into a cold smile, a smile that cut sharper than a blade.
Ignoring George’s silent threats, she walked straight to Warwick, pulled out her phone, and tapped a few times before handing it to him. “Take a look at this first,” she said calmly.
George’s face tumed ghostly pale. He knew it was over.
Warwick’s eyes scanned the phone screen, narrowing as he took in the contents. The air around him turned icy, the shift in his demeanor palpable.
After a moment, he placed the phone down and handed it to Elliot, who was seated to his left
Elliot accepted it with a respectful nod, though unease crept into his posture. When he glanced at the screen, his eyes widened in shock, and his
