MY BEAUTIFUL CONTRACT WIFE IS AN ASSASSIN

Ulterior Motives

After the funeral proceedings concluded, the immediate family gathered at Holt's grand villa for lunch.

The air was thick with tension as they sat together, each lost in their own thoughts. The absence of the patriarch, who had always been the life of their gatherings, cast a heavy pall over the room. Sir Anthony Holt now occupied his father's chair, while Lady Holt sat at his right, and David and Laura, of the younger generation, were seated to his left.

There was no reading of the last will and testament during the lunch, as it had already been done three months prior to the grand patriarch's demise. Sir Thomas Holt had been well aware of the simmering disputes and power struggles within his family, as well as the disdain some members harbored for Laura. He had meticulously divided his wealth while still alive, ensuring that no one could lay claim to a lion's share of his fortune.

During the tea break, the family members took turns reminiscing about their fondest moments with the grand patriarch. When it was Laura's turn, the Viscountess, her mother-in-law, turned to her with a request.

"Dear Laura, our late Viscount held you dear to his heart and regarded you as his own granddaughter. Would you be so kind as to share a cherished memory you have of him?" the Viscountess asked, her voice laced with genuine curiosity.

Laura, standing gracefully beside her husband, took a moment to compose herself before speaking.

"Since the day of my marriage, our dear Viscount has showered me with kindness and affection. His love for me was evident to all who witnessed it. In the final days before his passing, he bestowed upon my husband and me his heartfelt blessings, wishing us a lifetime of happiness and success in our union. His love and support meant the world to me, and I will forever cherish those moments. I also want to express my gratitude to you, dearest mother, the Lady Viscountess, for your acceptance and love. It fills my heart with joy." As Laura spoke, her voice resonated with sincerity, and the Viscountess's eyes glistened with pride.

Unable to contain her curiosity and animosity, Alicia directed a biting remark towards Laura. "Will you tell us, Laura, what exactly did our father say to you? Or is it something you'd rather keep hidden?" Her tone dripped with disdain, and she glared at Laura with venomous eyes.

David, sensing the tension, interjected before Laura could respond. "Dear aunt, the matter at hand is confidential and best left unsaid. It is not for public consumption." He leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on his wife's lips, a gesture that symbolized their unwavering unity.

Not one to miss an opportunity to provoke, Briar chimed in with a malicious smirk. "Oh, dear cousin, we all heard rumors of your failing marriage four years ago. Are we to anticipate a divorce in the near future?" Her words hung in the air, laced with cruelty and mockery.

Sandy, always eager to join in on the attack, added fuel to the fire.

"Indeed, dear Briar, it seems Laura's Freedom Day might be approaching. After all these years, she hasn't aged a day. Surely there are plenty of men awaiting their chance with her." Sandy's voice dripped with sarcasm, and her eyes sparkled with malice.

The Viscountess, with a mixture of grace and firmness, intervened, her voice carrying a subtle warning. "Briar, Sandy, your youth may grant you some freedom of speech, but let us not forget the importance of family and respect. Laura and David's relationship is not up for public scrutiny. Let us maintain a comely relationship moving forward."

Albert, unable to resist his own taunting, directed his attention towards Laura. "Such beauty should not go to waste. There are plenty of men waiting in the wings, eagerly anticipating your Freedom Day. After all these years, you remain untouched by time."

He smirked and winked suggestively at Laura, making his intentions clear.

David's fist clenched tightly as he glared at Albert with contempt. The room was charged with tension, and a dangerous confrontation seemed imminent. However, Raphael, Albert's father, sensed the escalating hostility and stepped in to defuse the situation.

"My dear brother, it is getting late, and we must be on our way. Tomorrow's board meeting holds a lot of importance, and we cannot afford any delays." Raphael rose from his seat, gracefully kissed the hands of the Viscountess and Laura, bidding them farewell, and took his leave, followed by the rest of his family members.

Feeling the weight of the situation, Laura excused herself and swiftly made her way to the lady's powder room. Inside, she retrieved her phone to read a message from Wallace, a trusted ally.

As she composed her reply, she was interrupted by the sound of the door swinging open.

Briar stood in the doorway, exuding an air of superiority. "There you are, lovely parasite," she taunted. "Are your financial woes haunting you again? Desperate for money, I presume?"

Not one to be outdone, Sandy added her own venomous remark. "Don't mind her. She's a witch who brings nothing but bad luck. You should stay away from her."

Laura, unfazed by their insults, rolled her eyes and prepared to leave. However, Briar and Sandy, fueled by their anger and jealousy, grabbed her arms tightly, their faces contorted with malice.

"Such a shame, Laura. We were hoping to teach you a lesson," Briar sneered, her grip tightening.

Without a moment's hesitation, Laura shrugged her shoulders with ease, effortlessly breaking free from their grasp. A mischievous smile played on her lips as she looked down at her husband's cousins.

"Oh, how sweet of you to hold me so tight. Is this how you show your love?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm as she stared them down.

In a swift motion, she shrugged her shoulders again, sending Briar and Sandy hurtling backward, crashing into the lavatories with a resounding thud.

"Goodbye, girls," Laura uttered, blowing them a sarcastic kiss before confidently leaving the powder room. The Johnson sisters were left stunned and in pain, nursing their physical and wounded pride.

They knew it would be futile to share this incident with their mother, as she would never believe them.

Alicia wouldn't believe how easily a seemingly frail girl could defeat her daughters in a fight. After all, her daughters had dedicated countless afternoons to kickboxing and rigorous workouts at the gym with personal trainers, striving to maintain their fitness and shape.

For four years, Laura had exhibited remarkable patience and tolerance towards David's relatives, who took pleasure in belittling and humiliating her in various ways. They held a strong resentment towards her for safeguarding David's position in the company and securing his inheritance through their marriage. Moreover, they were envious of the affection bestowed upon her by the late grand Viscount.

Their mistreatment of Laura intensified when Sir Thomas made an announcement. He declared that Laura would receive a 5% share of Zephyr Holding, along with Michael Angelo paintings, a two-billion-dollar sum in a Swiss account, and the old Holt Palace in Ireland. However, the condition was that she could never divorce her husband.

Fortunately, Laura maintained a cordial relationship with her parents-in-law. While it was never excessively sweet or detestable, there was always a foundation of respect. They never looked down upon her like David's wicked and obnoxious relatives did.