Chapter 98

Shock rippled through Laura as her gaze landed on Kaia, who had rushed to stand between her and danger.

A look of astonishment crossed Alec's face; Kaia's sudden intervention had clearly caught him off guard.

Even so, Alec refused to show a hint of embarrassment at the situation. His hands clasped behind him; his stern demeanor remained unchanged.

After a moment, Laura shook off her shock, stepped forward, and drew Kaia close in a tight hug. She let her frustration spill out at Alec. "How long will this go on, Alec? Ever since Verena came here, this family has been falling apart. I've tried everything-I've humbled myself, lost my pride, and still, nothing changes. If that's how it is, I'm done. From now on, you deal with it."

She didn't wait for a response. Laura led Kaia away and guided her upstairs.

Inside Kaia's bedroom, Laura gently traced the outline of Kaia's puffy cheek, sorrow filling her eyes. "Why would you throw yourself in the middle of that? You know your father's temper."

Kaia knew firsthand how harsh Alec could be. Yet, unlike him, Laura's care was real-she was the one most likely to soften if Kaia reached out.

Laura would stay by her side, no matter what Alec chose to do for his own benefit.

Kaia couldn't afford to lose both, so she kept one close just in case things fell apart.

Kaia took one look at how Laura reacted and figured stepping in had been the right call.

Tears pricked Kaia's eyes, and her nose tingled as she sniffled. "If I hadn't gotten between you, you'd be the one hurting, Mom. I just couldn't let that happen."

Laura's own tears threatened to fall, but she managed a warm,gentle smile.silly girl. At least I know all the love I gave you wasn't wasted. Let's do something about that swelling."

She soon returned with ointment in hand. Dipping a swab into the cream, Laura carefully applied it to Kaia's face. The sting made Kaia flinch, but she didn't regret standing up for her mother.

Trying to ease the tension, Laura spoke softly. "Try not to blame your father. He thinks he's protecting us.The club's closure has kept him up every night."

Kaia's eyes, still red, met her mother's. She nodded quietly."|get it, Mom. I'm not mad at him. Maybe Verena didn't help us because we never really included her. Honestly, I'd feel out of place too."

That confession made Laura pause for a beat.

She hadn't forgotten the scandal stirred up by Slater's post about Kaia. But seeing her daughter's sincerity,Laura dismissed the incident as unimportant.

Her voice was calm. "We gave her a home and every chance to succeed. She's got no reason to resent us."

A faint smile touched Kaia's lips as she changed the subject. "Mom, do you remember when Verena took her college entrance exams?"

While tending to Kaia's cheek, Laura's thoughts wandered back to Verena's school days. She hesitated,recalling, "You know, I don't think she actually sat for the exams. Why are you asking?"

Kaia's eyes reflected regret as she spoke. "Everything that's happened to Willis Group is really on me. When Verena first came home, I was afraid of losing your affection, so I kept my distance. My mistakes led us here,and I want to make things right. I also need to learn about her history-maybe then I can fix what I've done.Don't worry, Mom. I'll talk to her and ask her to stop targeting us."

Laura reached over, pride shining in her expression. "You're being so thoughtful, Kaia. That makes me proud. Your father will be pleased when he hears this." After thinking for a moment, Laura recalled the timing. "It was the year Luka got seriously ill. Seven years ago."

The moment Laura mentioned the year, Kaia nearly leapt from her seat.

That put Verena in Adrian's graduating class.

In her mind, Kaia quickly connected the dots. provoked her until she left. Now look where we are! We can't hold on to anything!

Losing patience, Laura pushed his hand aside. "Alec Wilis, stop pretending you're blameless. Every timetrouble comes, you wash your hands clean. Don't pin this on me. Even if l was wrong, you agreed to it. Allyou ever do is bully your family while cowering before outsiders. Why don't you go confront lsaac if youdare? lf luck hadn't handed you a friend to invest with, you'd still be the same good-for-nothing.

Alec, proud to a fault, could never bear his weakness being spoken aloud, even in private.

Laura's words cut him to the quick.

Kaia knew her father well. With Laura's tongue so sharp, she was inviting his fury.

Resolve flickered in Kaia's eyes as she hurried down the stairs

As expected, Alec's face was twisted with rage. He raised his hand high. "Shut your mouth, you witch!'

The blow fell swiftly.

Smack! The sound cracked through the room as the heavy slap landed-not on Laura, but on Kaia, who hadrushed in, her head snapping to the side. Adrian passed the phone back and shrugged. "That's not for sure. The university is massive, and each department is full of students. There's no way to know everyone in your year."

Noticing the disappointment on Kaia's face, Adrian tried to reassure her. "Let me reach out to a buddy of mine-he knows more schoolmates than me."

Grateful for the offer, Kaia nodded. "That would help a lot. I'll send you her picture right now."

Adrian forwarded the photo, and then quickly dialed his friend.

"Wesley, I just texted you a photo. Take a look-do you recognize this girl from back then?"

On the other end, Wesley Seymour's voice sounded rough, like he'd just woken up after a wild night. "Give me a sec."

A few moments ticked by before Wesley let out a low whistle. "Whoa, where'd you get a stunner like this?"

Rolling his eyes, Adrian clarified, saying, "She's not someone I know personally. I'm asking for a friend."

Wesley's enthusiasm faded. "Ah, I get it. Sorry to disappoint, but she doesn't ring a bell."

As Adrian hung up, Kaia leaned in, anxious for the answer. "Did he recognize her?"

He shook his head. "Nope. If a girl like that had been around, especially with my friend's reputation, he would have noticed her for sure."

Hearing this, Kaia felt a surge of satisfaction she hadn't experienced in ages.

Even if Verena truly healed Barrie, a lie about her academic background would stick like a stain that couldn't be washed away.

All Kaia needed was a sliver of doubt-a few hundred people out of a thousand-casting shadows on Verena's story.

As for a grand wedding? What a joke.

Verena wanted to marry into a rich family smoothly? Things weren't going to fall into place that easily.

If Verena's secret came out on her wedding day, it would be the perfect scandal.

A sly smile curled on Kaia's lips, her confidence blooming as if victory was already hers.