Chapter 8

Laura returns to the office practically glowing with excitement. She rushes forward and hugs Clara, who instantly knows Laura must have turned the situation around in their favor.

“So? How did it go?” Clara asks, her eyes full of curiosity. Laura gestures for them to step into her office before answering.

“Remember I told you we were old schoolmates?”

“I also remember you said you didn’t exactly have the best story together,” Clara replies, recalling her earlier words.

“I don’t know how it happened,” Laura says with a smile, “but he gave up the deal for me—just like that.”

Clara turns away in disbelief, letting out a nervous chuckle. “Won’t he be really stupid to hand over such a huge contract just because you’re old schoolmates?”

“I don’t know, Clara. He was so cool about it. Maybe he was blown away by my stunning appearance,” Laura jokes, tossing her hair lightly.

Clara folds her arms, skeptical. “But are you sure we can trust his word? This deal is something that could push his company to the next level, and he just lets it go? For someone he’s not even close to?”

“Why are you so negative about this?” Laura counters. “Shouldn’t you be happy? At least now we can stop worrying for a while and focus on stabilizing the company.”

“Fine,” Clara sighs, giving in. “So when are we meeting him officially?”

“Tuesday. Be ready to work overnight. I need to make a strong impression and keep up the company’s reputation.” Laura heads off to change her clothes, her heels clicking against the floor.

Clara watches her go, then pulls out her phone with a troubled look. She dials quickly.

“I think she did it,” she says into the receiver, before ending the call.

Clara sighs and paces the room restlessly. She has worked with Laura ever since they both graduated, but what Laura doesn’t know is that she has also been reporting every move back to Avan. Clara met Avan in university; they started dating despite his engagement to Laura. She promised to help him break Laura down so they could be together freely.

At first, she refused when Avan asked her to work under Laura, but later realized keeping her enemy close would serve her better.

For years, they tried to force Laura into giving up the company.

Submitting a fake proposal to make her lose the contract was their latest plan—but now, this unexpected “old classmate” threatens to ruin everything.

On Tuesday, Laura steps into Chris’s company in a stylish two-piece suit, white purse in hand, heels clicking confidently on the marble floor. Clara walks beside her as they head straight to the receptionist, who directs them to Chris’s office.

His secretary greets them.

“We’re here to see the CEO. We have an appointment,” Clara says firmly.

The secretary nods and slips into Chris’s office. A moment later, she returns.

“He will like to see you—alone.”

Laura tells Clara to wait and enters. Chris sits behind his desk, glasses on, focused on paperwork.

For a moment, Laura’s mind drifts back to high school—he always wore glasses then too, always had a book in his hand.

“Have a seat,” Chris says, pulling her from her thoughts.

She takes the chair in front of him.

“I’ll have my secretary bring drinks. What would you like?”

“Anything is fine,” she answers politely.

Once the drinks arrive, Chris leans back. Laura wastes no time. “About Saturday night—I just wanted to confirm. Do your words still stand?”

Chris sips his coffee quietly, then raises the cup without answering.

Laura leans in.

“Why don’t we discuss the terms further? Like I said, I’ll agree to any condition you give.”

Chris lowers his cup and smirks.

“What if I asked you to hand over Lovelies to me?”

Laura’s face pales in horror, but he chuckles.

“Just kidding.”

“This project is the biggest deal my company has ever landed. Handing it over to you isn’t small—it requires a big sacrifice on your part.”

“As long as you don’t ask for Lovelies itself and it’s within my reach, I’ll agree,” Laura says firmly.

Chris looks her in the eye.

“Then let’s get married.”

Laura’s hand slips, and her cup shatters on the floor, coffee spilling everywhere.

His secretary rushes in, cleans up, and replaces it silently.

“What did you just say?” Laura blurts out, hardly believing her ears.

“Let’s get married,” Chris repeats calmly.

She stares at him.

“Do you even realize what you’re saying? You want us to get married? You must be joking!”

“Do I look like I’m joking?” he counters smoothly.

“I’m engaged, Chris. Soon to be married.”

“You can break it off. You’re not married yet.”

“What? Why would I cancel my engagement for you?”

“It’s not like you haven’t done it before,” he replies sharply.

Laura freezes, realizing exactly what he means. “That was an invalid engagement—and you were the one who ran away first,” she shoots back.

“Not like this one is valid either. Did you even get your parents’ consent?” he asks, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

“That’s none of your business, Mr. Hugh. Is this why you agreed so easily the other day? To dredge up the past?” Her voice hardens with anger.

“What if I am married?” she snaps.

“You’re not,” he says simply. Then, leaning forward,

“Remember—you promised you’d do anything within your reach. I don’t think this is so difficult.”

Laura glares, regretting those reckless words. The quiet, innocent Chris she once knew is long gone.

“If you’re not okay with the condition, then you can leave,” he dismisses her with a wave.

Laura sits there in silence for a few seconds, then rises and storms out.

Clara hurries to her side, recognizing the stormy expression, and says nothing as they exit the building.