Chapter 24
Before Laurel could say a word, Regina suddenly burst into tears, her voice trembling with emotion. “George..”
The sight of George–Oslonia City’s most sought–after bachelor, a man so full of pride–kneeling before Laurel left her stunned.
She shot Laurel a glare, her tone sharp and accusatory. Laurel, George is on his knees for you, and you still won’t forgive him? How can
you be heamless?”
As if hearing an absurd joke, Laurel raised an eyebrow and replied coldly, “Why should I forgive him just because he’s kneeling? Did I ask him to do
that?”
Regina clenched her teeth in frustration. “George set aside his pride to beg for your forgiveness, and you’re still so cruel. How can you be so cold- blooded”
Laurel didn’t flinch. Instead, she gave a faint smile and nodded. “You’re right–1 am cold–blooded. Got a problem with that?”
Regina was momentarily speechless. She had never realized just how unshakable Laurel could be,
Bill, trying to keep his voice steady, stepped in. “Laurel, I get that George made a mistake, but you don’t need to take things this far.
Melinda added, her tone tinged with reproach, “What’s gotten into you today? You’ve always been understanding. George has treated you so well- ‘can’t you let this one mistake go?”
Laurel’s expression darkened with mockery. How ironic. George was the one who had wronged her, yet somehow, because he apologized, she was being painted as the villain. The blatant moral blackmail made her stomach turn
Then, to everyone’s surprise, Prunella approached Laurel, her tone gentle and seemingly sincere. “Laurel, I know George has hurt you, and if his apology isn’t enough, then let me apologize on his behalf. I’m truly sorry. Please, forgive him”
In the past, Laurel might have caved under such pressure. After all, Prunella was George’s mother–a figure Laurel had once strived to please in addition to the Lambert family.
Prunella, confident in her soft–spoken charm, believed Laurel wouldn’t dare embarrass her. As Laurel’s future mother–in–law, she believed her gesture of apologizing should’ve been enough to compel Laurel to forgi
Everyone was urging Laurel to reconcile because none of them truly believed she had married Roderick
Laurel turned her gaze to Prunella, who appeared gentle and kind, and a cold smile flickered in her heart.
She knew Prunella wanted to keep her tied to George, pushing her to help him secure his place as head of the Lynch family
Prunella was an expert in soft manipulation–winning people over with warmth and charm, lulling people into obedience while draining them of their worth.
If this had been the past, Laurel might’ve been swayed by their so–called “sincerity” and forgiven George without a second thought. But the old Laurel no longer existed.
She now saw through their facades and manipulations. The new Laurel knew better; when dealing with opponents, she didn’t show mercy–she delivered the final blow.
Instead of responding to Prunella, Laurel calmly reached into her purse, pulling out a folded document. She handed it directly to Warwick. “Warwick,” she said evenly. “Roderick and I really did get married,”
The room froze in stunned silence. The disbelief was palpable. None of them had expected Laurel to go through with registering her marriage to Roderick
Warwick unfolded the document and studied it in silence. His expression remained unreadable as he closed it and passed it to
Winona.
Winona glanced at the paper, then at Roderick, a subtle spark of approval in her eyes. “Well, who would’ve thought this brat managed to win Laurel over? she thought with a flicker of amusement
Though pleased, she maintained her composure, holding up the marriage license for everyone to see. “It’s official Laurel and Roderick are
married”
Gasps rippled through the room as everyone crowded closer to confirm. The license looked genuine, leaving no room for doubt
All eyes shifted toward George.
George, who had been kneeling moments ago, shot to his feet the second Laurel produced the document.
If she hadn’t handed it to Warwick so quickly, he might have lunged to snatch it, though whether he’d have dared was another matter entirely. With Winona holding up the license for everyone to see, Laurel and Roderick’s names stood out in bold, undeniable print.
George’s fists clenched tightly. Though his face appeared calm, the bulging veins on the back of his hands betrayed his anger and frustration.
“Why!” he asked, struggling to keep his voice steady. “Laurel, why are you doing this to me?”
Laurel met his gaze with an unreadable expression. “George, I told you yesterday–we’re done.
“I broke off our engagement so you could be with Regina. Now you get to marry the woman you want, and neither of our families has to suffer from gossip. Isn’t that the best outcome?”
George looked at her, still unable to process it “No, 1—”
Before he could finish. Warwick’s stern voice cut in. “Laurel is right. This is the best outcome
His sharp gaze swept across the room, silencing anyone w
who might’ve dared to disagree.
Warwick then turned to George, and his rone grew heavier. “We’re all here because of yesterday’s engagement party disaster. You claimed Laurel was responsible for the damage to both families‘ reputations.
“Well, now Laurel is married to Roderick. If you marry Regina as planned, the rumors will die down, and both families‘ reputations will be restored. All the problems you’ve been worried about are solved. Do you have any objections?”
The room was silent.
It was true–Laurel’s marriage to Roderick tied up all the loose ends. But while it made perfect sense, there was an undercurrent of dissatisfaction, especially from George.
He couldn’t fathom how the woman who had been so devoted to him could suddenly become Roderick’s wife.
Ignoring George’s reaction, Warwick shifted his attention to Bill, whose face had turned an unpleasant shade. “Mr. Lambert, this marriage strengthens the bond between our families. Surely that’s worth celebrating, don’t you agree!”
Bill forced a smile, though his jaw was clenched tight. “Of course, it’s worth celebrating.”
Sensing the tension, Winona stepped in with a warm smile. “Now that everything’s settled, why don’t we all head to the dining room? Lunch is ready, and everyone must be hungry.”
Bill hesitated, the words of a hasty goodbye on the tip of his tongue. He desperately wanted to drag Laurel home and ask her about what was really going on with Roderick
But with both Warwick and Winona inviting everyone to stay, he had no choice but to swallow his frustration. Suppressing his anger, he plastered on a polite smile and followed the group toward the dining room.
As he passed Laurel, he muttered under his breath, “We’ll talk about this when we get home.”
Laurel watched him walk away, her expression unreadable.
Seizing the moment, George approached her. “Laurel, 1—”
Before he could finish, Roderick appeared at Laurel’s side, slipping an arm around her waist with a smug smile.
“Oh, George Roderick drawled. “I don’t think I’ve properly introduced you. This is my wife, Laurel.”
George’s face darkened. “Roderick, don’t push it
Roderick raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. “Push what? Is it wrong for me to hold my wife He emphasized the last word, clearly baiting George.
George’s hands curled into fists. He wanted nothing more than to wipe the smirk off Roderick’s face, but he held
This was the Lynch Mansion, and every move he made would reach Warwick’s cars.
himself back.
Through gritted teeth, he spat, “I never thought you’d stoop so low as to steal your cousin’s lancée.”
Roderick chuckled, unbothered. “And I never thought you’d mess around with your fiancée’s sister. Guess we’re both full of surprises.
George’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, it looked like he might snap.
Sensing the tension, Laurel interjected, “Roderick, let’s head to the dining room, Warwick and Winona are waiting for us.”
“Anything you say,” Roderick replied with a soft smile, his tone deliberately affectionate.
As they walked away, Laurel called out to George and Regina, who had been standing nearby watching them, “Regina, you and your fiance should Hurry up. Don’t keep the elders waiting”
George felt like the air had been knocked out of him, her casual words cutting deeper than any insult.
