Vera rued her past decisions.
Dissatisfied with Laney’s humble origins, she had embraced Kailee, who hailed from a respectable family and possessed a charming demeanor. To Vera, she had seemed the perfect daughter-in-law.
Caught off guard, Vera hadn’t anticipated Kailee’s deceit.
“How was I to know she’d be so cunning?” Vera sighed, turning to Leo with trepidation. “What do we do now? With Garrett in this state, can we still make amends?”
Leo was equally vexed.
Given Garrett’s temperament, further impulsive actions could sever their relationship permanently.
“For now, do nothing. Just wait for Garrett to bring Laney back,” Leo instructed, his voice heavy. “As for social events, avoid them. Tell people you’re traveling. I’ll have the housekeeper book your ticket.”
Since Laney refused to return home, the Harding family had become the object of ridicule in their social circle. Vera’s recent outburst at the hospital only intensified the scorn directed at the entire family.
Conversations about the Harding’s now often carried an undertone of mockery and disdain.
After all, they all belonged to prominent families. Regardless of their feelings toward in-laws, they would never cross the line. They would do anything possible to preserve their reputations. It was inconceivable that they could stoop to the level of the Hardings, who had driven their daughter-in-law to flee her own home.
“But our granddaughter…” Vera protested, discontent etched on her face.
Vera had only met her granddaughter a handful of
Leo shot her an infuriated glare. “You’re still thinking about your granddaughter now? If you hadn’t acted so stupidly, Laney would’ve returned with the baby!”
Vera had never seen Leo so livid. Fearful, she held her tongue.
After a moment, she ventured, “What if we travel together? It might help you relax.”
“Go alone,” Leo snapped, unwilling to tolerate his wife’s presence. “Reflect on your actions. You’ve lived for decades, yet a young girl outwitted you.”
With a cold snort, Leo turned and stormed off, anger radiating from his every step.
Vera watched his receding figure, feeling aggrieved and angry. She didn’t even notice her nails digging into her flesh.
It was all Kailee’s fault. If it weren’t for her, Vera wouldn’t be in this mess.
Vera stood in the hospital corridor for a while, trying to the posture of a noble lady and returned to the Harding family’s house alone.
However, as soon as she arrived home, she saw an uninvited guest.
“How dare you come here?”
Vera walked towards Kailee, furious and wanting to slap her. “What the hell do you want? Why did you do this to me?”
As soon as Vera approached, Kailee became flustered.
Did Vera know the truth? How could she pull off her plan?
Unable to figure out what Vera knew, Kailee pretended to be ignorant and asked, “Mrs. Harding, what do you mean? I respect you so much. How could I hurt you?”
Vera already saw through Kailee’s facade and didn’t want to deal with her phony act. She asked sternly, “Don’t play dumb with me. Did you put that disgusting photo in the album?” Kailee initially tried to play it cool, but Vera’s knowledge of the photo caught her off guard. Observing Kailee’s flustered expression, Vera sneered, “I’ve got even with you for what you did, but you have the audacity to come to me. I might have to inform the Gibson family about this and let them discipline their own daughter!”
Kailee’s heart raced, and she felt a chill run down her spine.
She never imagined Vera would drag the Gibson family into this.
If the Gibson family found out what she had done, she would have to face severe consequences.
“Mrs. Harding, please hear me out,” Kailee pleaded, her eyes turning red as tears streamed down her face. “I was just too fond of Garrett, so I lost my head and did something wrong. I came to apologize to you today.”
Vera looked at Kailee with suspicion, knowing that this woman was up to no good. Despite that, Vera couldn’t help but feel a bit sympathetic as she gazed at Kailee crying so pitifully.
Was it true that Kailee had simply been too enamored with Garrett, and as a young girl, had been carried away by her emotions, leading her to do those foolish things?
“Are you telling me the truth?” Vera hesitated and asked.
Kailee quickly nodded and assured her, “Yes, I am! You’re the elder I respect the most, and my feelings for Garrett overwhelmed me. Seeing him marry filled me with such sorrow that I acted irrationally. Please, believe me.”
Vera almost wanted to console Kailee, but then she recalled Leo’s warning. Her face darkened again as she said, “I accept your apology, but please leave. You’re not welcome in our family.”
Seeing Vera so guarded against her, Kailee gritted her teeth so hard that she almost broke them.
If she had accomplished her goal, she wouldn’t be wasting time with this old biddy!
As Kailee remained standing there, Vera grew impatient, urging her away, “Leave, now!”
After her sympathy ploy failed, Kailee cut to the chase, “Actually, Mrs. Harding, there’s something else I need to tell you today.”
Vera’s eyebrows furrowed, her demeanor guarded. “What now? Are you here to cause more chaos?”
“I know where Laney went,” Kailee revealed, handing Vera a photograph.
“According to my investigation, it was a member of the White family who escorted Laney to the airport. The one who helped her escape was none other than Natalie, the young heiress of the White family,” Kailee elaborated.
Hearing this, Vera was momentarily stunned.
Studying the photograph, a sudden revelation struck her about the peculiar situation.
The White family’s intervention explained the lack of information on Laney and her child’s whereabouts.
As tears streamed down her cheeks, Kailee implored, “Just ask Natalie—she’ll know where to find Laney. It’s the least I can do to help.”
Vera, though now informed about Laney, remained incensed with Kailee’s role in instigating the entire ordeal.
New Book: Beginning with a Daring Encounter
Celsie was tired of being labeled as an introvert, workaholic, and dull virgin by her friends. Determined to prove them wrong, she made a bet that she would do something daring on her 25th birthday. Now that the day had arrived, it was time to fulfill her promise. On her daring to-do list, there was one task: a one-night stand with someone.
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