Chapter 25
Regina stepped forward cautiously, tugging at George’s jacket sleeve. “George, let’s go,” she said softly.
But George, fuming from the earlier confrontation with Laurel and Roderick, didn’t even hear her. He turned on his heel and stormed off.
Regina stood frozen in place, staring at her empty hand. Her heart was full of resentment and unwillingness.
When Laurel had pulled out the marriage certificate earlier, Regina had been so thrilled she almost cheered out loud. Laurel was finally out of the picture! No more competition for George!
But George still stared at Laurel even after learning about her and Roderick. Worse, he had actually begged for her forgiveness.
At that moment, Regina realized something: no matter what, she would never hold the same place in George’s heart that Laurel did.
Alongside the jealousy consuming Regina, a tiny voice in her mind whispered: What if I were more like her!
If I were just as good as Laurel–no, better than her–if I could help George the way she could, he’d treat me differently. He’d see me, finally! Regina thought bitterly
With the
that thought, Regina made up her mind; she was going to become better than Laurel.
On the way to the dining room, George couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. The events of the past two days just didn’t add up
George knew Laurel. She loved him obsessively, to the point where, even just before the engagement party, her world had revolved around him. A. woman like that wouldn’t suddenly change overnight.
So when had her attitude toward him shifted? George replayed the sequence of events in his head. Yesterday, Laurel’s been the first to arrive at the hotel to prepare for the engagement party.
“Seeing how tired she was, I went out of my way to show my consideration, asking the staff to take her upstairs to rest,
But when she came back down later, she wasn’t the same. She was distant, and reserved:
Suddenly, something clicked in George’s mind.
The hotel belonged to the Lynch family. They always kept an entire floor reserved for family members. As his fiancée, Laurel would have been placed there.
And the hotel manager had mentioned, in passing, that Roderick had stayed there the night before. The pieces fell into place. Laurel and Roderick must have crossed paths yesterday.
George clenched his fists as the re
realization struck him. He and Roderick had never gotten along. George had sent an invitation out of politeness but hadn’t expected Roderick to attend the engagement party.
Not only had he come, but Roderick had witnessed George’s humiliation when Laurel rejected him. And when Laurel had stepped off the stage. she’d glanced in Roderick’s direction
George’s suspicions deepened. Those two looked far too
too comfortable with each other, as if they’d known each other long before yesterday. George thought, This wasn’t sudden. They planned this. Laurel deliberately used my entanglement with Regina to stir sympathy and public opinion on her side.
up
drama, garnering
Then, under the guise of preserving both families‘ reputations, she had married Roderick. It wasn’t about peace or honor–it was about cutting me loose!
This was all part of their schemer George was convinced he had finally uncovered the truth, and his entire body trembled with anger. What a perfect setup! Those two have been playing me for a fool this whole time
When he was forced to kneel earlier and beg for forgiveness, Laurel and Roderick must have been laughing at him on the inside! George wanted to slap himself for his stupidity.
“I just kept my composure and exposed their lies, I wouldn’t have been so humiliated: Laurel, that bitch! George thought bitterly. She looks so prim and proper on the outside, but secretly, she’s been involved with Roderick all along!
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“She doesn’t even care about the years we had spent together, our engagement, or the alliance between the Lambert and Lynch families. All she wants is to set me up, ruin my reputation and then kick me to the curb!
“And Roderick–he always has a problem with me, competing with me at every turn. But now, he dares to go after my woman too! Those videos and photos! It must be Roderick gave them to Laurel to deliberately drive a wedge between us.
Roderick, you’re asking for it! George seethed. 1 let you off before because you weren’t fighting me for control of the family business, but now you’ve crossed the line!
Trying to steal from me? My fiancée? 111 make you pay for this! I’ll show you I’m not someone you can mess withr
In the Lynch family dining room. Laurel had just taken her seat when George walked in. His face was stormy, and his sharp gaze swept over Roderick before lingering on Laurel.
The cold look in his eyes sent a chill down her spine, but George quickly masked his emotions and took a seat across from her and Roderick.
Soon, Regina followed close behind, sitting beside George. She shot Laurel a venomous glare, her hostility palpable.
During dinner, Regina kept her gaze fixed on Laurel, copying her every move. Whatever Laurel did, Regina
ina would immediately follow suit.
Laurel was completely baffled by this bizarre behavior. What’s she trying to do? Is she upset because of what I said earlier!” she wondered.
To confirm she wasn’t imagining things, Laurel put down her fork, picked up her coffee, and took a small sip.
As expected, Regina instantly put down her fork and took a sip of coffee as well.
Laurel frowned slightly, leaned toward Roderick, and muttered, “What’s wrong with her? Is she crazy?”
Roderick had been quietly watching the wholes Now she sees you as someone worth imitating
the unfold. Suppressing a laugh, he whispered back, “Maybe George begging earlier rattled her.
“Imitating me? For what? To make George beg her too?” Laurel shot back.
Roderick had just taken a sip of water, and her words caught him so off guard that he choked, coughing violently. “Cough–cough-
“Drink slower! What’s the rush?” Laurel patted his back, looking genuinely puzzled.
“Cough, cough… Roderick coughed even harder. You’re the one who made me choke! he muttered.
Their interaction didn’t go unnoticed. To Winona and Sienna, sitting across the table, it looked like a tender moment between a deeply affectionate couple.
Winona chuckled softly. “It seems I had nothing to worry about. Your brother is quite impressive!”
Sienna grinned. “Only Roderick could pull this off–dating yesterday and getting married today. That’s my brother for you.”
Winona gave her a sidelong glance and said, “That reminds me of someone. Didn’t you pull the same stunt back then? Secretly taking the family records to apply for the marriage license with Dorian?”
Sienna’s smile froze. “Grandma, why bring him up now?”
“He’s my grandson–in–law. Can’t I mention him?” Winona raised an eyebrow. “You’ve been staying here for weeks. Why haven’t you gone back to the Hawthorne family! Did you two fight!”
“A fight?” Sienna let out a soft scoff. Td need to actually see him to fight with him”
“Well, he’s the CEO of Hawthorne Group, Being busy is normal. You’re his wife now, so stop acting like a child and try to be more understanding- Winona continued.
“Grandma, I need to use the restroom!” Sienna interrupted, clearly fed up, and bolted from the table.
Winona shook her head, watching Sienna rush off. She sighed before turning to Laurel, her expression soft and kind. “Laurel, eat more. You’ve gotten so thin lately”
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Laurel similed at the concern. “Grandma, you must be imagining things. I’ve actually put on a few pounds. You’re the one who should eat more!” With th
that, Laurel picked up a piece of bass and placed it on Winona’s plate. “This bass has almost no bones and is great for digestion. It’s perfect for you” she added.
“Good, good, good, Winona said warmly, clearly pleased. She picked up a puff and placed it on Laurel’s plate. “I had the chef make your favorite today. These will balance out all the heavy dishes”
Thank you Grandma, Laurel replied, a smile lit up her face.
Watching the exchange. Roderick smirked and placed a piece of beef on Laurel’s plate. “Eat more. You need to put on some weight.”
Laurel frowned. “Why are you burting in?”
“Grandma’s right. You’re too skinny” Roderick replied, his eyes drifting to her waist for just a second before his tone turned to tease. “Put on a little weight–it’s better to hold”
Laurel instantly caught his meaning, her teeth grinding together. ‘Roderick, you are absolutely shameless!
Just focus on eating. Everyone’s watching us,” Roderick said calmly, as if he hadn’t said anything out of line.
Laurel shot a glance around while pretending to reach for another dish. Sure enough, everyone seemed to be eating, but their attention was unmistakably on her and Roderick
George, in particular, was glaring at them with dark, venomous eyes, his expression like that of a coiled snake ready to strike.
