Chapter 3 Shocking News

"How could your father do something like that!"

A shouting voice echoed from inside a room of one of the large residences on the edge of the city.

Laura was seen sitting on a sofa next to her best friend, Emma Robinson, the daughter of the Robinson family.

Laura had told Emma everything that happened. As a result, Emma was furious.

"It was clearly Nora who forced you to go to that place, yet you're taking all the blame! Your father's favoritism is so obvious!"

Laura sat silently, hugging her knees, not responding to Emma's comment at all. She already knew her father had always loved Nora more than her. Living together for years, some things were constant in the Hartley residence.

If Laura wanted something, Nora would inevitably ask for it. At that point, Simon would surely force Laura to give in and hand her possession over to Nora. If Nora made a mistake, Laura would be the one punished, with the excuse of not watching out for and taking care of her sister.

Everything Laura owned, Nora had to have, and everything Nora owned... Laura was forbidden to possess. Only items Nora didn't want could belong to Laura.

Because of these dynamics, Laura and Nora had vastly different looks and demeanor. Laura was simple and quiet, while Nora was glamorous and headstrong. To put it simply, Laura looked like the maid's daughter and Nora was the mistress's child.

'If Mom were still alive and Dad hadn't remarried, would Dad's treatment of me have been different?'

Questions like this often surfaced in Laura's mind.

Calista, Laura's biological mother and Simon's first wife, had died of a severe illness when Laura was just three years old. Although faint, Laura remembered her mother's dying wish: that she always be obedient and dutiful to her father. That was why Laura rarely made demands of Simon.

But now!? Didn't Laura even have the right to demand justice!?

Pondering this, Laura ended up answering her own question, 'It's pointless...'

Blaming anyone wouldn't change anything. The damage was done.

Laura's virginity couldn't be reclaimed, her father had banished her, and even her fiancé refused to see her.

Seeing Laura's profound sadness, Emma felt deeply sympathetic. She hugged Laura and said, "No matter what happens, I'm here."

Emma's words immediately brought tears to Laura's eyes. Laura began to cry uncontrollably in the arms of her best friend.

Her own father refused to listen to her explanation, while her friend, who shared no blood relation, was more sympathetic. Although grateful, this fact truly broke Laura's heart.

Why was her father so cruel?

Several hours passed with Laura crying in her friend's arms. Only when her sobs subsided did Emma finally say, "Get some rest, Laura. You must be exhausted."

With puffy eyes, Laura replied, "Thank you so much, Emma. I owe you big time."

Emma managed a small, helpless smile. "You're like a sister to me; don't be so formal." She added, "Don't worry about anything! You can stay here as long as you need!"

Hearing that, Laura nodded and offered a faint smile.

-

Two weeks passed since Laura had been staying at the Robinson residence. Although there were still times she secretly cried, the long-lost smile slowly began to reappear on Laura's face.

During these two weeks, Laura had tried to contact Noah. Even if she knew their relationship could never be the same, Laura wanted to explain what really happened and apologize for hurting and disappointing him.

Unfortunately, it seemed Noah had blocked all of Laura's contacts. Thus, Laura gave up and decided to move on.

Not wanting to remain idle and worry Emma and her family, Laura murmured, "I... I have to do something."

With lighter steps than in previous days, Laura left her room to find her friend. When she neared the first floor, Laura saw Emma and Alan, Emma's older brother, watching a television broadcast and swearing.

"Are they insane?! How could they do this to Laura!" Emma's voice, full of deep anger, echoed from the Robinsons' living room. "I knew there was something wrong with the head of the Hartley family!"

Laura frowned, wondering why Emma was cursing her father again. She continued down the stairs and looked toward the television that Emma and Alan were watching.

Instantly, Laura's eyes widened when she saw the news broadcast.

[Instead of marrying the Hartley family's first daughter, Noah Myers ends up announcing his wedding plans with the Hartley family's second daughter, Nora Hartley!]

Nora was seen standing beside Noah, showing their engagement rings to the camera. Wide smiles adorned both their lips.

Laura couldn't clearly hear the reporter's words. Her eardrums buzzed for a moment as her head suddenly felt like it was spinning.

Why was Noah engaged to Nora?