Laura’s Victory Second Chance

Chapter 29

The people who had once stabbed Laura in the back were all right there.

Emma pointed at Laura, clearly agitated. “What’s your plan here? These are the guests who came to celebrate your birthday. You want to sue them? You must be out of your mind!”

Laura’s actions today caught everyone off guard; she was like a weapon drawn in battle, ready to spill blood.

“Guests celebrating my birthday? Please. How many of them have said ‘Happy Birthday‘ to me? Are they really here for my birthday or just here to gawk at my disgrace?”

Her words hit hard, leaving some people in the room feeling guilty. Someone thought, ‘Honestly, how many of us came out of genuine goodwill?‘ The guests were likely just here for Olivia or the Sharpe family. In a crowd of hundreds, not a single person seemed sincere.

Some guests were angered by Laura’s words. “We’re not part of the drama between you three, and we won’t judge who’s right or wrong. But it’s clear the Sharpe family raised you, and now you’re disrespecting your adoptive parents. Isn’t that the definition of ungrateful?”

Laura shot back with a sarcastic smile, “I suggest you think before you speak. I’d hate for you to end up like Mr. Quinn–trying to defend someone but making a fool of yourself instead. You all have reputations to uphold; don’t ruin them.”

Since the truth had come out, Robert’s friends hadn’t uttered a word, trying to remain invisible. With the Olivia scandal looming, they hoped Laura wouldn’t bring up the bet.

But no way would Laura forget something so crucial. With a smile, she turned to Evan. “Mr. Quinn, you agree with me, don’t you?”

Evan noticed her smile. In a different circumstance, he would have been ready to joke around. But now, her smile made him uneasy.

The old Laura had been delicate like a dainty flower, lovely but lacking substance. Today, however, she was stunning and sharp, radiating an intimidating presence.

Evan felt a flare of embarrassment. He had confidently assured everyone that Robert would never be the cheater, only to be proven wrong shortly after. He had learned his lesson: steer clear of anything related to Laura from now on.

“You’re right, Ms. Sharpe,” he said, his tone completely different now–he was eager to avoid any further complications with the bet.

But Laura stepped closer and said, “Oh, I almost forgot. You had some pointed questions for me earlier. What was it again? There’s still something you haven’t done, right?”

Evan forced a smile, but inside, his mind was racing. ‘What do you mean by almost forgetting? You remember perfectly well! Then he said, “Ms. Sharpe, I didn’t grasp the situation earlier. I didn’t expect my trusted friend to act like this. We’ve had no issues before, and no recent conflicts, so how about we just drop this?”

Evan felt resentment toward Robert for dragging him into this mess. He had been trying to support Robert, but Robert had chosen to watch him be humiliated without saying a word.

He thought, ‘Our brotherhood feels over. This started as a rivalry between the Sharpe and Brown families–why did I have to be the one to step up? Now I have landed myself in hot water.‘

Laura smiled sweetly. “No, one must keep their word.”

She radiated the aura of a smiling assassin. Evan glanced at Robert, who was still hiding away like a turtle. If Robert didn’t step up now, he would be looked down upon by everyone in their social circle.

Finally, Robert broke the silence. “Laura, this was my fault. Don’t take it out on Evan. For my sake, let’s put this behind us.”

Hearing Robert’s words, Laura felt a surge of frustration. “Don’t think too highly of yourself Do you think I’m still that old Laura who just followed your every command?

“Fine, you’re right. This mess is your fault. But if you want to help your buddy so much, here’s your chance: the bet stays. I’ll agree to transfer the person in question from Evan to you. All you have to do is kneel and slap yourself three times while calling yourself a scumbag.”

Robert’s expression changed instantly. “Laura, you can’t be serious…”

A few bystanders still on Laura’s side were eager to see what happened next.

“Robert was the one cheating on Laura. This punishment suits him perfectly!”

“Exactly! Evan made the bet on his behalf. Evan has always been loyal; he can’t back down now, can he?”

That kind of punishment was a direct blow to anyone’s pride. Kneeling would be a humiliation Robert wouldn’t easily recover from.

1/2

3.23 PMI

Chapter 29

Evan noticed Robert faltering. “Don’t forget, Robert, that this bet was made for you. It all comes back to my trust in you. Is this how you show gratitude to me?”

Robert frowned deeply. “Evan, I didn’t…”

“Really? So why not just agree to her terms? I must have been out of my mind to get tangled up in your drama. I finally see it, Robert—while I consider you a good buddy, what do you see me as?”

“Robert, it’s not right. We are stepping up for you, yet you’re betraying us.”

“If I’d known you were this kind of person, I would never have become friends with you.”

With everyone chiming in, Robert felt the weight of their judgment closing in on him.

He blamed it all on Laura and shot a resentful glare at her. “You’ve humiliated me, nearly killed Liv, and now you’re trying to alienate me from my buddies. Laura, how did I not realize earlier that you were so ruthless?

“We did do something wrong, but haven’t we suffered enough? How long are you going to keep this up?”

Laura’s mood, which had lifted slightly, sank again at his words. “Ruthless? Did I force you to sleep with Olivia? Did I make her pretend to be innocent? Did I hold a knife to their throats, demanding they make that bet?

“Robert, take a hard look in the mirror. You should be ashamed for saying such things. You keep calling me thick–skinned, but frankly, you’re the most thick–skinned guy.

“If you really cared for me, why would you have slept with Olivia? If you genuinely cared about her, why would you let her take the fall? If brotherhood meant anything to you, knowing your buddy was at risk, why would you still let him gamble with the consequences?

“I was blind to see you for the coward you are!”

Robert felt dazed by her harsh words, momentarily shaken from his usual compliant state.

Laura took a breath. “So, who is going to kneel? You made a bet, and now you have to face the music. What’s it going to be? Are you going to bail on your word?”

Evan stayed silent, his piercing gaze fixed on Robert. The threat was evident; if Robert backed down now, there would be no place for him in Yelville.

Desperate, Robert looked back at Laura, clinging to a sliver of hope. “Lau, do you really want me to kneel?”

“Why else would I waste my time talking to you?”

Robert gritted his teeth. “Fine! I’ll kneel!”

“Wait,” Laura interjected, raising her hand.

Robert’s face brightened. “Lau, I knew you couldn’t go through with it!”

Laura fought back nausea and pointed to the durian sitting nearby. “Kneel on that.”