Laura’s Victory Second Chance

David was sweating as the crowd watched him intently.

“Is Mr. Sharpe going to default on that debt?”

“Over 150 million, right? I don’t think he can come up with that all at once.”

“It’s not just about cash flow. I bet Emma never planned to pay it back; how can she spend so freely with no guilt?”

“Even as an adoptive mother, she shouldn’t be using Laura’s inheritance like that.”

“After everything that happened today, who knows what Laura’s been through in private?”

“What blows my mind is Mrs. Sharpe claiming to have raised Laura with grace while embezzling over 150 million. And she wouldn’t even spend on a decent gift for Laura’s coming–of–age? Heartbreaking.”

“Want to be adopted? Just join the Sharpe family, where you’ll lose your inheritance.”

At this point, even the most oblivious guests could see the real nature of the Sharpe family.

Listening to the gossip, Olivia felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had played her cards right; if not, she would be the one facing all this criticism.

Emma’s face burned with shame. She could defend herself on many topics, but here, with evidence and witnesses all around, she was cornered. Public humiliation stung, making her both furious and embarrassed. ‘How dare that ungrateful girl put me through this?‘ she thought.

David tried to hold onto some semblance of calm as many eyes fixed on him. He licked his dry lips nervously.

“Lau, listen,” he said, forcing a smile. “This was supposed to be your birthday party. Why make a scene over a family matter? I promise I’ll transfer the money to you as soon as we’re home. Let’s not ruin the moment. Have a drink.”

David felt utterly humiliated, clueless about how he’d come up with the cash. The Sharpe family was about to become a laughingstock again. “See? I told you they wouldn’t have the money.”

“Looks like they’re trying to swallow it whole. Poor Ms. Sharpe.”

“If it weren’t for all this drama, I bet the Sharpe family would’ve taken her money quietly.”

David’s hands curled into fists as he glanced at Laura, a hint of desperate appeal in his eyes. It was a look she had never seen before.

“Dad, we were a family once. I won’t hold you to it. If Mom used the money, she did; think of it as a reward for raising me,” Laura said.

Just as David felt a weight lift off his shoulders, her words struck him like a cold breeze. ‘A family once?‘ he thought to himself with a puzzled look. Emma said coldly, “At least you have a conscience.”

David had to bite back the urge to snap at Emma, instead nervously fixing his gaze on Laura. Her once–innocent eyes now held an unsettling maturity as if she had planned this whole thing. If that was true, she was far more dangerous than he’d realized.

A sinking feeling settled in David’s gut. Laura had crafted this moment, and he felt uneasy about what she might say next

“Lau, how could I take a reward? I promised your father I’d take good care of you. You called me Dad, and we’ll always be family. I’ll have my assistant transfer the money right now,” he quickly said.

David feared that Laura might decide against handing over the shares. The reason Alistair had kept the shares away from David was that he worried David and Emma would mistreat Laura. So, the transfer was set to happen when Laura turned eighteen.

This gave Laura the upper hand. No matter their intentions, David and Emma were now at her mercy.

Before Olivia returned, their relationship had never been strained. But things changed later. David and Emma doted on Olivia, often ignoring Laura’s feelings. She had always been the good daughter, but now it felt too late for them to realize how deep the rift had become.

Emma was oblivious to the real issue at hand. She tugged on David’s arm, her tone defensive. “What do you mean? Didn’t you hear her? She doesn’t want it. We’ve raised her for years; can’t we at least get something from her?”

Emma’s disdain for Laura was palpable, and she wasn’t thinking clearly..David was at his breaking point. “Just stop talking, he snapped, frustration boiling over.

Realizing she was crossing a line, Emma fell silent, avoiding David’s gaze.

Γιν

In a lazy drawl, Laura chimed in, “Mom, Dad, you don’t need to worry about the money. I have just one condition.”

“What condition?” Emma replied quickly, a nervous edge in her voice. She was already guessing what Laura might ask for–maybe taking back Olivia’s room or punishing Olivia in some way.

In the center of the room, Laura stood tall in her bright red dress, exuding confidence. She said slowly, “From now on, I want nothing to do with the Sharpe family.”

David nearly stumbled at her words. This was it–Laura had no intention of handing over the shares. He couldn’t accept it at all. After all those years of raising her, he thought it would lead to a payoff with the Godfrey family shares.

Emma was equally stunned. She never expected Laura, who was usually obedient, to make such a bold statement at this gathering.

At that moment, it seemed like Laura had thoroughly prepared for this. Severing ties with the Sharpe family was her ultimate goal. Nothing else mattered. Emma knew if Laura succeeded and the shares slipped away, David would be furious.

Realizing how serious this was, Emma rushed forward and grabbed Laura’s hand, her face a mask of anxiety “Lau, I know you’re upset with me. It’s all my fault. We haven’t been paying attention to your feelings these days. I’m so sorry. Please don’t say these things.

“Olivia has been through so much, and we love her, but we’ve neglected you. I can’t lose you too. We’ll make things right, we’ll pay back what we owe you–every penny. Please, don’t stay angry.”

Emma switched from being fierce to gentle in an instant, but all Laura felt was distaste. There was no warm affection in Emma’s words, just a desperate attempt to cling to the wealth.

Laura found the whole situation absurd. ‘How foolish I had been to think they actually cared about me in my previous life. Their faces are all about profit, she thought to herself.

Laura stayed silent, but the hint of tears welled up in her eyes, and her long lashes fluttered down like curtains hiding her true feelings. Seeing this made Emma even more anxious.

“Lau, if you’re upset, please, just let it out. You can yell at me if you need to; I would rather you vent your anger than keep it bottled up.” Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

Taking a deep breath, Laura pushed aside her sadness. “Mom, do you know what my favorite color is?”

“Pink!” Emma answered without hesitation.

Laura typically wore a uniform at school and didn’t own many casual clothes, most of which were pastel or light colors. Pink was a safe bet; it was a girl’s staple.

“Dad, do you know what my favorite food is?” Laura asked next, her eyes studying them.

David’s mind was racing. Laura had lived with him for over a decade and never complained about food, she ate whatever he put in front of her and always said, “Thank you, Dad” But he had no clue what her favorite dish was.

Suddenly, he recalled peeling crab meat for her once, how her face lit up with joy. Although he didn’t understand why she was asking these questions now, he sensed that the answer mattered a great deal to her. If he failed to guess right….