Laura’s Victory Second Chance

Chapter 23

Everyone turned to Laura, who had been looking down but slowly lifted her head. Her back was straight, and her cold gaze swept across the crowd. That look was as sharp as ice, sending chills through anyone who met her eyes.

Someone stated, “Seriously? With someone like you, it’s no surprise everyone’s pointing fingers.”

“After everything, she still wants to play the victim.” another chimed.

”

Laura felt a wave of icy anger bubbling up inside her. This was how it had been in her past life, and now it seemed like history was repeating itself. The surrounding people were the executioners, and their rumors were like weapons, forcing her into a corner where hope was hard to see.

Laura focused on the wife of a CEO who had just spoken. “You there, do you really think I’m as evil as you say? Do you think spreading lies is without consequences? Or did you just think I’d let you guys walk all over me?”

The woman she was staring at felt a shiver run down her spine. She hadn’t expected a response. With ten dresses and eighteen gifts, the man behind Laura must be someone powerful. She swallowed hard, “Isn’t it obvious? You just took that guy’s gift, and now Mr. Brown is proposing to you.”

Laura sneered.“Did I say yes to his proposal? Not that I remember.”

The woman was stunned, her mind racing. “W–Well, your sister said you were playing both sides.”

The focus shifted back to Olivia, who had initially wanted to stir the crowd’s anger. Laura locked her eyes on her. “Did you see me playing both sides with your own eyes?”

Olivia tried to look innocent.”You’re dating Robby while accepting gifts from other guys. Doesn’t that leave room for doubt? This isn’t a good look,

Laura.”

Robert felt indignant as he stood up from the ground. “Lau, I’ve been nothing but sincere to you. You’ve taken gifts, dresses, even birthday presents from another guy. But if you return the royal heirloom, I won’t hold it against you. We can get back together.” He was trying to play the part of the romantic hero while painting her as the fickle one.

The onlookers couldn’t contain their anger any longer.

“Laura, have you no heart? Robert likes you so much, and this is how you treat him?” a girl shouted.

“Robert, don’t waste your time. A girl like her isn’t worth it. You should consider someone like Olivia instead–and not hang onto a dead–end.”

Elara was heartbroken for her son. She finally spoke up, “Laura, what on earth did my son ever do to you? You’ve got him under such pressure while you’ve got your eyes on someone else! You’re not even acting like a decent person!”

“Lau, I believe you love Robby. You’re still young. Just apologize to Robby, and we elders will let it slide,” Christopher said kindly, trying to mediate. David’s embarrassment was palpable, “How did I raise a daughter like you? Robert treated you well, and he just offered you an out. Be smart about

this!”

Emma stayed silent, worried about Mr. Sinclair’s return while secretly hoping Robert and Laura would end things so Olivia could have a shot. Laura let out a bitter laugh, “So you all think this is on me? That I should be the one to say sorry?”

Olivia played the peacemaker. “Come on, Laura. Robby’s not even mad–why are you making this so uncomfortable for him?”

The crowd’s anger was palpable. “How can someone have no shame? I can’t believe there’s a woman so brazen”

“Look at her, bold as brass, no apologies!”

As the murmurs grew, David’s face turned thunderous. He raised his hand, ready to strike Laura. “Shameless! We didn’t raise you to be like this! Apologize!”

But before his hand could make contact, Laura swiftly grabbed it and flung it away. “Dad, that word suits Olivia more. My real dad never laid a hand on me. Who are you to raise yours?” She remembered every sting from David’s slaps in her past life.

“Who do you think you are, Laura Sharpe? You really have no shame!” David snapped.

“I go by Godfrey now.” Laura stepped back, her eyes blazing. She stood like a warrior, ready to face the world alone, undeterred.

Olivia seized the opportunity. “Laura, after all this time, how can you talk to Dad like that? Are you really willing to turn your back on your family for some rich guy?”

Fach accusation weighed on Laura, but she held her ground, pinning Robert with a sharp look. “Robert, do you truly have feelings for me?”

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1/2 ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

5:41 PM

Her question hit home, and Robert felt stripped bare, as if she could see through him. He quickly hid his unease. “You’re my girlfriend. If I didn’t care, why would I propose?”

“And Olivia, what’s your role in this drama?” Laura pressed.

Caught off guard, Olivia felt cornered. With everyone watching, she stammered, “I just want what’s best for you. I don’t want you to make a mistake you’ll regret.”

Laura’s voice dripped with sarcasm, “Oh, such a loving boyfriend–I hit the jackpot. And my sister, so sweet.”

Elara cut in, her tone icy, “Laura, what’s the joke? You’ve got a shady past, and now you’re mocking my son? Don’t think that just because your father is Alistair you can act high and mighty. Remember, even if he’s Alistair Godfrey, he’s long gone.”

Without a word, Laura had connected her Bluetooth, and the hall’s projector flickered to life with photos. There in the corner of a bar, Olivia and Robert clung to each other, their intimacy undeniable.

“Mom, Dad, Mr. and Mrs. Brown–see who the real victim is? Need me to zoom in?” Laura said, her voice steady.

The Sharpe and Brown families felt the sting, their heads reeling. Robert and Olivia’s faces drained of color. Laura had known all along.

She approached Robert, her voice low but sharp. “Robert, is this your idea of sincerity? Dating me while seeing my sister on the side? Doesn’t that seem a bit cheap now?”

Laura’s eyes glistened, but she refused to cry. In her past life, Robert and Olivia had wounded her deeply; every memory of her love for them was a fresh cut.

Robert had once told her, “Laura, you’re not even a patch on Olivia; don’t ever show your face to me again. You’re just a nuisance. Your so–called love makes me sick. Don’t say that in front of me again.”

“It wasn’t me! I didn’t send that message! Olivia took my phone, Robert, you have to believe me!” Laura used to beg.

Olivia had spun lies, turning Laura’s truths into deceit. Laura had become the outcast, the pariah, despised by all.

And the ones behind it all had walked free in her past life. Not this time. Laura seethed, ‘Olivia, Robert–your reckoning is here!‘

Robert met her gaze, filled with unshed tears, and panic set in. “Laura, let me explain! It’s not what you think…”

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