Birthday party.

Laura picked a decent-looking dress to wear. Even though Clarissa and Damon had done such a horrendous deed, it had nothing to do with her grandmother. It was his birthday today, so Laura had to show up.

Laura clutched her purse and took a deep breath. Just then, she received a call from Ketty. "Where are you now, Laura? Your Grandma has been waiting for you."

Laura narrowed her eyes. Not too far off, she could see Clarissa and Damon welcoming the guests. Her grip on her phone tightened. Ketty thought Laura hadn't arrived yet since she didn't hear her reply, so she continued, "Laura, Stop throwing a fuss. If there's any misunderstanding, we can meet and solve it together. But if you don't come, grandma's going to be sad."

Laura hung up the phone and stared mockingly at the entrance. Seeing Clarissa lean on Damon was such an eyesore to her.

Mr Haskett was the first person to notice Laura. "Young Miss, What are you standing outside for?" He said with a smile.

It may have been Grandma's birthday, but the true motive behind this party was for Ketty to make some new connections with well-known businessmen.

Laura went up to the second floor, walked past the corridor and reached Rose's study room. She knocked on the door. "Grandma! It's me, Laura!" Grandma Rose was already old, so she had little interest in such affairs. 

Laura went up to the third floor, walked past the corridor and reached Grandma Rose's study room. She knocked on the door. "Grandma! It's me, Laura!"

Meanwhile, in the banquet room downstairs, Clarissa paced back and forth while looking towards the door from time to time. "Mom, didn't you say Laura would surely come? Why hasn't she arrived yet?"

"She is here already. Go and stay with Damon." Ketty said while patting Clarissa's hand.

The place was already filled with tons of guests when Laura walked down the stairs supporting Grandma Rose, Laura didn't like crowds, but today was a special occasion and she didn't want to spoil Grandma Rose's mood.

As Rose and Laura walked down the stairs, all the guests were filled with curiosity about the girl Rose was holding onto.

Back when the news got out, everyone even thought Laura was an illegitimate child. But seeing how Rose treated her, they began to doubt their assumptions.

Ketty was beyond livid to see Rose holding Laura's hand. Clarissa's expression was just as bad. She felt even worse after seeing her Grandma and Rose. When Clarissa turned to find Damon also looking at Laura she became filled with even more rage.

Laura merely narrowed her eyes and pretended not to notice them. Had it not been her grandma's birthday today, she definitely wouldn't have come. She knew that no one in this house welcomed her, but didn't expect them to take it this far. 

---------

Laura circled the area with Rose before finally heading to the back garden to relax.

"What are you doing here?"

Laura turned in shock as a tall shadow appeared from behind her.

"Shh!"

Tony narrowed his eyes and grabbed Laura by the hand. Before she could even react, he turned and dragged her to hide behind a pillar.

Laura didn't understand what was going on and wanted to push Tony away but the latte placed his index finger on her lips, telling her to remain quiet.

"Mom! I hate her. Did you see how arrogant Laura looked just now? I know she will surely tell Grandma. She's deliberately trying to make me suffer. She knows how much Damon and I love each other – why is she still trying to make things difficult for us?"

"Don't worry. Go keep Damon company, got it?" Ketty looked around before continuing, "I already convinced your Grandma. Laura and the youngest son of Stone's family will get married this week. Your father also already approved."

"But He is a divorced man with two daughters," Clarissa said.

"This little brat is always just asking for it! She'll never know her place if we don't punish her!" Ketty gritted her teeth.

"Mom, Are you telling the truth? If Grandma says yes then Laura can't escape it."

Clarissa's and Ketty's voices slowly disappeared. Laura blinked, tears forming in her eyes.

When Laura left the Party, she was unsteady on her feet. The faster she walked, the more in a rush she became. It almost felt like a predator was chasing her from behind, causing her to break into a wild run ahead in the end. Finally, she sat on one of the benches on the roadside and started to sob.

Passers-by kept throwing her odd looks. They most probably assume that my boyfriend has dumped me. Well, they are close enough.

Something seemed to have struck her because Laura suddenly took out her phone. She then selected the number, which Patrick had saved into her contact list a couple of days ago for work-related matters.