Chapter 155 It Was Your Fault
Back then. Willow was full of herself, basking in the spotlight. Looking at her now–hald, tear–streaked, her face a smudged. mess–it was like seeing a completely different person
Five years ago, she was the center of attention at her graduation party, the little princess the Bennett family treated like royalty
Now? Karma had come full circle. Even Willow couldn’t escape the cuffs.
As the cops dragged Kenneth past Lauren, they yanked the sock out of his mouth.
He turned to her, looking totally let down. “Lauren, what happened to you? I don’t even recognize you anymore. I’m so disappointed. Don’t expect me to forgive you easily.”
Lauren looked up at him, her expression calm, eyes like glassy ice–quiet but cutting
All she saw was a man bloated with self–importance
Where did he get the idea I need his forgiveness!
Trying to use something meaningless to threaten her–God, he’s so dumb it’s almost sad
“Kenneth” she said, voice cool and brittle, like glass soaked in ice, “has anyone ever told you you’re like a dying peony?”
She ran her finger lightly across a red wine stain bleeding into the gold–trimmed tablecloth.
“Still trying to look elegant, but the center’s already rotted through.”
She had spent five years crawling through the dark, her body broken but her spirit hardened into steel.
And Kenneth Time had dulled his senses and left him lost in his own foolishness.
Lauren turned her head sharply, refusing to give him another glance. The way she did it–so dismissive–it was like she was shooing away a fly she couldn’t stand.
Kenneth’s throat bobbed as if he was about to say something, but nothing came out
That last look he gave her burned into his memory. In her eyes, he caught the reflection of Felix–every line of his suit precise and crisp, the fabric resting perfectly against Lauren’s slim shoulder
Felix stood there, tall and composed, his presence sharp and intimidating. Lauren might’ve looked soft on the outside, but even then, her beauty stood out. The two of them together–him strong and cold, her elegant and quietly fierce–looked like they were made to stand side by side.
And all Kenneth could feel was jealousy–deep, ugly jealousy, crawling through his chest like a snake chewing him up from
the inside.
Thad met Lauren first. So why the heck was Feliz the one beside her wou
But it didn’t matter. No amount of regret would change anything now. All he could do was let the cops drag him away.
After a long heavy silence, the energy in the banquet hall started to slowly
retur
The men glanced at Felix with cautious respect–the kind of unease only a man with real power could inspire.
The women’s eyes were fixed on Lauren, full of envy. She is so lucky to be defended like that teith no hesitation.
One by one, the guests approached, offering their carefully chosen birthday gifts to Kate.
Every gift was luxurious, priceless even. Each one a symbol of flattery, an effort to win favor.
Kate at calmly in the seat of honor, wearing a kind smile. She accepted each gift graciously, thanking everyone for their kindness.
Chapter 155 It Was Your Fault
She took a breath, then stepped forward. Her feet felt like they were made of lead.
Finished
Head bowed her voice came out low, weighted with guilt and regret. “Madam Kate, I’m truly sorry. This is all my fault. 1 didn’t protect the Queen of Blooms embroidery that Mr. Brooker had picked out just for you”
In the month she’d spent with the Brooker family, Kate had cared for her in every way possible. Every little gesture felt like a warm coal in the dead of winter, slowly thawing the ice around Lauren’s heart.
She was weak and sickly, so Kate made sure to cook different nourishing meals every day. In just a few weeks, Lauren’s face had started to regain its color,
When her legs hurt too much to move, Kate didn’t hesitate–she brought in a massage therapist to help ease the pain every single day.
Lauren knew she was far from perfect. Her past was messy, her body fragile. But Kate never judged her.
She was gaunt, and Kate still called her pretty. She had once picked up a knife in anger against her parents, and Kate still described her as warm and kind. She saw herself as someone broken, dying, and worlds apart from someone like Felix–bur Kate always insisted that he was the lucky one to have found her.
Lauren could see clearly that Kate was trying to set them up. But how could she let herself believe it was even possible!
Felix was like a star–bright, untouchable, too far above. A man like that should be with someone stunning, powerful, someone who came from a family like his
Not someone like her–damaged, exhausted, and running out of time.
The thought made her eyes sting. Tears welled up without falling
Kate noticed right away and gently reached out to grab Lauren’s hand, giving it a reassuring pat
“You did nothing wrong, sweetheart. They’re the ones who should be ashamed. The gift getting damaged doesn’t matter to
- me. What matters is that I know how much heart you put into it. That’s what makes me happy”
The more kind and forgiving Kate was, the more Lauren felt the emotion swell in her chest. Her nose started to sting, and she was barely holding back the tears.
Then Felix’s voice rang out–sharp and sudden. “No, it was your fault”
Kate’s head snapped toward him, her eyes wide with disbelief. She couldn’t help but grumble to herself, Seriously? What’s wrong with this bratt Can’t he read the room? Can’t he see Laurie’s already depening in guilt?
Send Gifts
