First Step To The End I

Later that afternoon, a rather fancy-looking carriage had stopped in front of the orphanage. It was decorated majestically for a noble to ride, and each side of the carriage had a hint of gold and the cushion inside the carriage was soft and made of fine leather.

Laura continued looking out the window from her room and waited for Count Harrison to enter sister Abby's office.

Lisa entered her room biting her lips and holding her tears in. Lisa didn't want Laura to leave at all, she tugged her dress which Laura had noticed and proceeded to place Lisa on her lap. Like a caring mother, Laura patted her back gently and stroked her hair.

"Laura don't leave me."

Laura felt her chest tightening and hugged Lisa tightly. Laura didn't want to leave this place either, however, for the sake of getting her revenge back, she needed to go back to the warzone.

"I'm sorry Lisa I can't do that. I promise you that I'll be visiting."

Lisa frowned as she continued hugging Laura. Lisa has the idea that maybe if she hugs Laura longer she'll stay. Laura, on the other hand, paid more attention to what's outside and saw Count Harrison getting off the carriage.

Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him. She never hated or resented him but in spite of, she still had a small grudge against him. In the trial she had in the past he did not say a word to defend her at all.

She understood that it was hard to take in since she wasn't his blood-related daughter in the first place, however, he could have at least defended his daughter.

'I can't really blame him because I'm not even related to him.'

Her eyes follow Count Harrison as he was being greeted by sister Abby. Sister Abby escorted the count to her office and offered some tea and refreshments. Count Harrison sat comfortably on the couch as he waited for the special person of the day to arrive.

Laura placed Lisa back down and for the last time, she patted Lisa's head and waved goodbye. Lisa knew that it was too late to do anything and so she sent Laura a sad smile. Laura stood in front of the door and took a deep breath before entering the office.

She saw Count Harrison drinking the tea that sister Abby made. Count Harrison welcomed Laura with a heartwarming smile and offered her to take a seat. Laura coldly looked at the count and felt a glare coming from his personal aide.

Lester didn't like how she looked at the count, however, he needed to control his anger since she was soon to be the count's daughter. She had seen Lester before but they never really talked as he always stood by Count Harrison.

He was one of the people whom she didn't really like when she stayed there.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Laura."

"It is such an honor to be able to talk to you. You have always been one of the people whom I admired."

Count Harrison laughed out loud and had immediately pinned his interest at her. He has never met a commoner girl whose presence felt like a noble, it was like she was born for it.

"Do you remember seeing me by the jewelry shop?"

"Indeed I was looking out the jewelry shop, however, I've never seen you."

Lester held his anger in and calmed himself down. He thought to himself how could a mere commoner talk to a count in that tone, 'at least have some respect' he thought. Just by seeing the girl, Lester had already grown to dislike her.

Count Harrison smiled out of amusement and wondered how a commoner like her talk and answer a noble like that. Not only that it was as if she had taken some lessons before. Her sitting form was perfect and the way she drank her tea was graceful.

Count Harrison can't believe he had picked up a gem like her. With her black hair and purple eyes, she looked like a perfect villainess. It was like the ideal daughter Count Harrison has been dreaming of.

That was because he didn't want to announce Tine as the heir of the family. Since he wanted to protect his one and only daughter. The countess had died because of an illness and Laura had a little resemblance to her and that is another reason why he wanted to adopt her.

"Laura, I want to welcome you into my family. What do you say?"

Laura was prepared she had set her character up. She will no longer be the weak and kind Laura. She will be the one who would open people's eyes and reveal the truth of high society.

"Sister, can you please give us some privacy?"

"Of course you can."

Sister Abby walked out of her office and at the same time Count Harrison had asked Lester to step outside as well. Lester seemed hesitant but he couldn't defy his master's orders. Count Harrison liked how Laura had acted straightforward and without shame.

He could feel Lester starting to dislike her because of her blunt personality, however, the girl he had seen by the jewelry shop had a gentle and kind expression on her face. But he wasn't wrong about her.

She was the only girl who had black hair and no one in this world would not be able to foresee such. All the more he was curious about her. She was different from the young noble ladies he had met in the past.

He couldn't believe that she was just a 15-year-old girl. Her personality didn't match her as she was much more mature than most her age.

"What is it? It seems like you have a proposal to make."

"You aren't wrong."

"I would love to hear it."

"I want both of us to make an agreement. Once I step inside the estate you would still give me the freedom to do what I want."

"That's easy why would I restrict your freedom in your own house?"

Laura quietly disagreed with what he said because in the past he never allowed her out of the mansion. No one knew the real count Harrison. Many had called him the most gentle and kind count.

But how would a kind man be able to have such great success with his business?

Count Harrison was more to that, he was a tyrant in the inside. No one knew except for Laura because she had witnessed his real personality when she hid away from the maids. She unintentionally heard his conversation with another man whom she didn't recognize.

Ever since has discovered the true personality of the count, she had a different perspective of him. Indeed he was wasn't the kind and gentle count that everyone knew of.

"Then please sign this."

Laura handed a piece of paper towards count Harrison and he was very impressed by how talented this young girl was. He thinks that even his own daughter wouldn't be able to match Laura.

He read through the contents of the contract carefully and agreed to sign it. The agreement stated that she would be allowed to visit the orphanage at least once a month. Also stated that she would have her own freedom inside the estate.

"You're a wise girl. If you didn't make me sign this agreement, I wouldn't have allowed you to do so. But since you have beyond impressed me, I'll accept your terms."

"Thank you very much."

"Once again welcome to the family Laura Alvarado."