“Hey, look! The second son of The Lynch Family is really handsome!”
“Yeah! It’s a pity I don’t have a family background like Miss Scott’s!”
“Even if you did, Mr. Lynch wouldn’t even look at you!” another person teased. “Miss Scott is beautiful and elegant!”
Peeking inside, I saw several people huddled around a phone, their faces filled with excitement.
“They seem to have a good relationship, don’t they?”
“They should… I mean, look at them holding hands. They’re so perfect together!”
“I heard they’re getting married soon.”
“Oh…”
The voices suddenly lowered. “Have you heard about Mr. Lynch… and that Laura?”
My heart skipped a beat.
“They can’t be together… Laura’s dad is a murderer!”
“Yeah, and she killed her own father.”
“Don’t be fooled by Laura’s appearance. ”
“How could Mr. Lynch be with someone like her? It must be just a fling! I heard Laura is The Lynch Family’s adopted daughter. They’re always together, playing around…”
“Ha ha…”
My scalp tingled, and my chest tightened.
But then, I heard a voice behind me roar, “What nonsense are you gossiping about? Don’t you have work to do?”
Brian was standing behind me, and I hadn’t even noticed.
Several female colleagues slipped away from me, looking flustered.
Actually, I can’t blame them for their gossip. It’s been my lack of courage to face the news of Cameron and Queenie getting married.
My love is getting married, but the bride isn’t me. Quite ironic, isn’t it?
Brian patted my shoulder, “Laura, are you okay?”
Only then did I snap out of it and gave him a grateful smile. “I’m fine.”
“They’re just idle gossipers… I’ll ask the editor to give them more work to keep them from spreading rumors!”
“Let’s just put this matter to rest,” I said softly. “Actually, they weren’t wrong about me, this kind of person…”
“What kind of person are you?” Brian widened his eyes. “I’ve never met such a righteous girl like you! Not only are you righteous, but you also have ambition, responsibility, and kindness towards others… Laura, don’t underestimate yourself, you will succeed!”
“Thank you.” I was deeply moved. Having someone stand by me at this moment made the world feel less cruel.
But in those days, facing the overwhelming news of the wedding, I still couldn’t handle it.
Carter never missed an opportunity to provoke me. He called me to come home, claiming it was time to switch out the seasonal clothing, and he had packed a few items for me to pick up. Initially, I had no intention of going, but he kept calling, and I grew annoyed, so I went back.
The servants awkwardly avoided me, and Carter welcomed me and led me back to my room.
“How do you feel? He’s getting married, are you upset?” Carter suddenly whispered in my ear.
I turned around, meeting his malicious gaze.
“Well, since you’re not the bride, being a bridesmaid wouldn’t be bad either!” He sneered. “Anyway, you’ll get to walk down the aisle with your crush!”
I glanced at him and snatched the box away.
“Laura, are you planning to leave like this?”
“What else?” I said, my back turned to him, “What more do you plan to do, Carter? I used to believe that despite our differences, we could still be like siblings, like family. At least in this household, you’ve always been kind to me since we were children… But now it seems it was all just wishful thinking!”
“Stop!” he exclaimed, stepping in front of me and gripping my shoulders. “Laura, you were the one who betrayed me first! What good does it do for me to be kind to you?”
“Carter…” I looked at him, feeling a chill in my heart. What he said wasn’t entirely unreasonable. I was the one who betrayed him first. But to what extent can a person be twisted by hatred? At this moment, there was no trace of his former gentleness in his eyes, only seething anger and hostility.
“Carter,” I took a deep breath, “I admit that I betrayed you in the past. I had feelings for someone else, but I let you misunderstand, and that was my mistake… But let me make it clear once again today, you must listen carefully… I have never liked you, never. The man I love, from beginning to end, has always been Cameron.”
“You may hate me, seek revenge on me, and I have never retaliated against you… because I felt guilty, and whatever you did was justified. But starting today, I won’t tolerate you anymore! My patience has its limits, and don’t think that your past kindness to me erases the harm you’ve done to me!”
“Carter, if you dare to hurt me again, hurt the people I care about, I will not let you off!”
A cold smirk crept onto Carter’s face. His gaze turned malicious, staring straight at me.
“My Laura isn’t like before!” he sneered. “It seems whoever you’re with influences you. After spending so much time with Cameron, your temper has become just like his.”
“Laura, I’m not forcing you. I hope you can see clearly who’s hurting you! Yes, I’ve hurt you too, but I’ve always done it openly! What about Cameron?”
“One day, you’ll regret it!” Carter’s expression turned contemptuous. “You won’t inherit anything, and you’ll lose your lover… When you’re left with nothing, don’t come crying to me!”
I glanced at him, then walked out of The Lynch Family without looking back.
This time, I never wanted to come back.
But staying at Holly’s house indefinitely wasn’t a long-term solution either.
Coincidentally, Patrick found me. Worried that I couldn’t overcome my psychological shadow, he specially arranged counseling sessions for me.
I couldn’t refuse his kindness.
So every Tuesday and Friday, Patrick would patiently wait for me outside the magazine office, then take me to the psychologist’s clinic after I finished work.
I also took the opportunity to ask him if he could help me find a place to live. He readily agreed and found me a small apartment in the city center, conveniently located near the magazine office, with shops and supermarkets nearby.
Most importantly, the rent was very affordable, and living alone wasn’t a burden.
I felt like Patrick was heaven-sent to rescue me.
However, rumors started swirling again in the office.
One day, Holly called me aside privately. As soon as the door closed, she gave me a mischievous smile.
“What’s up? Is something wrong?”
“Come clean with me!” she demanded.
“What?” I was puzzled.
“What’s going on with that police officer?”
It took me a moment to realize her misunderstanding.
“Don’t bother explaining!” Holly pointed at me, her big eyes blinking rapidly. “Even a blind person can see that he’s interested in you!”
“Twice-weekly counseling, regular rides, and he’s so eager to help you find a place to live… Oh, and the rent is ridiculously low! Do some research; that location and price range, it’s impossible to rent a place!”
“Holly, I…”
“In fact, that police officer isn’t bad!” She grinned brightly. “Laura, why don’t you consider it?”
I remained silent.
Silence was better at times like this.
“Let me tell you seriously, don’t brush me off!” She bumped her shoulder against mine forcefully. “He’s handsome, he’s a police officer, very reassuring! And I can tell, he’s genuinely interested in you. Every time he looks at you, it’s like he wants to melt you away…”
“Laura, that’s the kind of man who’s your true soulmate, don’t miss out!”
“Holly, I’m not in the mood to think about this right now.”
“Is it that you’re not in the mood, or that your heart isn’t empty?”
Her gaze was sharp, as if nothing could escape her eyes.
“Laura,” she said softly, “They… are getting married next week, it’s already confirmed.”
My heart clenched painfully.
“Next week, the entire Jerez State media will be there. The Lynch Family and The Scott family joining in marriage, it’s a grand occasion, a once-in-a-century event.”
I nodded, forcing a smile.
“Laura!” Holly sounded a bit annoyed. “I’m tired of seeing you in this dazed state! It’s just a man, isn’t it?”
Yes, just a man?
But this man had filled fifteen years of my life.
I bit my lip tightly, hoping the pain on my lips would distract from the pain in my heart, so I wouldn’t lose control in front of Holly.
“Laura, there’s something else I need to tell you.” She took my hand and led me to her desk, retrieving a check from a drawer.
She handed it to me, and it was a significant amount.
“What’s this?” I asked, surprised.
“We have a sponsor who’s provided some funding to the magazine,” Holly explained. “His assistant conveyed his message… He hopes we can use this fund as a scholarship to support journalists studying abroad.”
“Laura,” she flipped over the check, “Take a look at the signature.”
As I looked, I couldn’t hold back my heartache.
Little Crab…
He actually signed it as Little Crab.
Tears welled up uncontrollably, streaming down my face.