Chapter 15
Laura had a rough idea of what Adora was planning.
After thinking for just a moment, she agreed without hesitation.
”
“It’s really good to have you.” Adora smiled, feeling grateful, and gave Laura her new number to save.
Seeing that it was almost noon, she waved her hand decisively.
“Come on, let’s go for a big meal–my treat! We can also plan our business venture while we’re at it!”
“Alright.”
Just as Laura was about to start the car, her phone rang.
She glanced at the screen and frowned. “It’s my dad.”
“Pick it up. Don’t be afraid,” Adora said.
Laura answered the call. “Hello, Dad.”
On the other end, her father, Warren Shaw, got straight to the point. “Are you with Adora Matthews right now?”
Laura found his question odd, but she still answered, “Yes, why?”
“She was kidnapped by traffickers for three years, caught HIV, and was dumped back only when she was on the verge of dying.
“What the hell are you doing hanging around her? Do you have a death wish?” Warren’s tone was sharp, immediately launching
into a lecture.
The car fell silent.
Sitting in the passenger seat, Adora could vaguely hear the furious voice from the other end.
Her brows furrowed as she instantly understood what was happening.
“Dad, Adora isn’t sick. That’s just a rumor.‘
“You’re a complete idiot! Who the hell would admit to having HIV? Stay away from her, or don’t bother coming home!”
“Fine, then I won’t!” Laura snapped, years of resentment boiling over.
“I’ll go straight to school this afternoon and never come home again!”
But Warren quickly changed the subject, bringing up something else.
“Since you’re free today, go have lunch with Mr. Lewis. He’s asked you out so many times. You’re going, no matter what.”
“I’m not going. I don’t like him.”
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Chapter 15
+15 Bonus
“If you don’t go, your mother’s nursing home fees will be cut off next month. Do whatever you want.” Warren threw down the
threat before angrily hanging up.
A moment later, a message popped up on Laura’s phone–a restaurant address.
Laura’s eyes turned red with anger.
Adora felt a pang of guilt.
She pulled out a tissue and handed it over. “Laura, I dragged you into this. My mom must’ve called your family.
“Otherwise, your dad wouldn’t have found out so quickly that we were together.”
Laura quickly composed herself, completely unfazed.
Instead, she comforted Adora.
“Your family is unbelievable! It’s bad enough that they reject and neglect you, but now they won’t even let others care about you?
What kind of parents do that?”
Adora felt numb.
She had long since given up on hoping for anything from them and didn’t even want to talk about it anymore.
“Adora, I can’t have lunch with you today. My dad is forcing me to go on a blind date. If I don’t, he’ll cut off my mom’s nursing
home fees.”
“A blind date? Are you getting married?”
At the mention of this, Laura’s emotions surged again.
“It’s my dad’s arrangement. The guy’s family is rich, so he’s satisfied with him. If I refuse, my mom’s treatment stops…”
“Do you even like him?”
“Of course not!” Laura huffed.
“He looks decent, but he’s disgusting–always trying to grope me, cracking dirty jokes, and constantly harassing me.
“If I refuse to meet him, he goes straight to my dad to complain. I hate him!”
Hearing this, Adora was fuming.
She fastened her seatbelt and said, “Let’s go. I’ll take your place. I’ll make sure he never bothers you again.”
Laura’s eyes widened. “Isn’t… that a bad idea?”
“How so? Don’t worry about offending your dad. I’ll cover your mom’s expenses if it comes to that. You can pay me back once you
start earning.”
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Adora knew Laura wasn’t someone who liked taking advantage of others, so she said it this way to ease her guilt.
Sure enough, Laura straightened her back at those words.
“Deal. I’ll pay you back double when I start making money!”
Half an hour later, Laura pulled up to the restaurant where the meeting had been arranged.
The two of them hid outside the restaurant as Laura pointed toward a man sitting by the window.
“Adora, that’s him–the one with short hair, glasses, and a white dress shirt. He’s on the phone right now. See him?”
Adora saw him.
Not only did she see him, but her eyes widened in shock, burning with anger!
“The creep who’s been harassing you… is that guy named Louis?”
She stared at the man by the window, so stunned to see Louis that even her voice changed.
