Chapter 2 This Woman, She's Actually Alive!
1180 Words
Six years later, a high-profile jewelry conference was held above international waters.
Top jewelers from around the world gathered for the event. This time, not only would the Morgan Group unveil its latest necklace line and announce a collaboration with a Mireland jewelry giant, but they were also auctioning off a 300-year-old diamond steeped in history.
As the Morgan Group was the driving force behind the conference, they spared no expense in hosting the event aboard a luxurious airborne venue—another way to showcase their dominance to the people of Zane City.
Among the invited guests, a select few media personnel boarded the plane, whispering excitedly about the latest buzz.
"Did you hear? Mr. Morgan and Harrison might be getting engaged soon."
"Seriously? That's hard to believe. Morgan's been jet-setting across the country for years. They don't even seem close. If he were interested, wouldn't they already be together by now?"
"Come on, Harrison's his golden girl right now. She's even the face of this jewelry campaign. It's clear he dotes on her."
As the chatter continued, none of them noticed a masked woman in sunglasses leading a child past them. Her lips curled into a sneer, full of scorn and disdain.
The plane cruised steadily over the open sea. A flight attendant offered champagne with impeccable manners, placing glasses in front of each guest. But when she reached the boy, she hesitated. A child? He wasn't on the guest list.
"A glass of low-fat milk, please."
The boy looked no older than five or six, dressed in a tailored suit that highlighted his angelic features. His porcelain skin glowed, and his sparkling eyes gave him the appearance of a cherub stepping out of a painting.
Even the Bluetooth earpiece tucked into his ear lent him an air of precocious charm, as if he were a miniature gentleman.
The flight attendant paused for a moment, then smiled warmly, prepared the milk, and set it down. She thought about checking the guest list but abandoned the idea when the event officially began.
On stage, the host spoke with practiced enthusiasm, teasing the audience and building anticipation. Finally, the crowning moment appeared: a 300-year-old diamond.
Under the lights, the gem sparkled with an array of rainbow hues. Against the backdrop of a vivid blue sky and clouds, it looked as if a star had descended from the heavens.
"It's stunning. Isn't this the Weston family's heirloom? It's been in their collection forever. I guess it's only on the market now because their family went bankrupt."
"You mean Mr. Weston? That so-called businessman? Ugh, what a disgrace. A gem like that in the hands of a criminal? Talk about pearls before swine!"
Laura adjusted her sunglasses, her face an emotionless mask. She listened as the bidding began, her expression cold and detached. When the bids reached five million and stalled, she raised her paddle.
"800,000 dollars from the mystery woman in the corner!" The host's voice brimmed with excitement.
In the front row, Harrison and Simon sat together.
Harrison leaned toward Simon, trying to appear demure and poised. But before she could get too comfortable, Simon glanced back at the woman in the corner, then raised his paddle.
"970,000 dollars!"
The host's voice grew even more animated. "970,000 dollars from Mr. Morgan! Looks like this diamond will—"
"1.1 million dollars."
Laura's paddle went up again. Her calm demeanor clashed with the growing tension in the room.
Simon's brows furrowed slightly. "1.4 million dollars."
A collective gasp swept through the cabin. The diamond, as breathtaking as it was, simply wasn't worth that much.
Laura let out a low chuckle, finally rising from her seat. Her gaze, hidden behind her glasses, locked onto Simon's as she raised her paddle once more.
"2 million dollars."
The host visibly broke into a cold sweat. "Ladies and gentlemen, we'll take a short intermission before resuming the auction."
Speculation rippled through the room as curious eyes darted between Simon, Harrison, and the enigmatic woman.
"Eliot, Mommy needs to step out for a moment. Will you be okay here?" Laura's voice softened as she adjusted the boy's bow tie. Her son had been her sole source of strength these past six years, her only reason to endure.
Eliot shook his head. "I'll wait here, Mommy." He fiddled with a small gadget in his hands, the perfect picture of obedience.
Laura patted his head and stood up, heading to the restroom. Just as she was about to close the door, a hand shot out, holding it open.
Before she could react, the hand pushed her into the cramped bathroom, the door slamming shut behind them.
"Six years, Laura," a deep, cold voice hissed. "And this is how you come back?"
Pressed against the wall, Laura looked up, meeting Simon's stormy gaze. Beneath his anger, she could detect something else—relief? Joy? Whatever it was, he clearly hadn't sorted through it himself.
"Surprised? Thought I'd disappeared for good?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm as she pushed his arm away and stepped toward the mirror.
Calmly removing her mask and glasses, she revealed a face even more stunning than the one he remembered. Her beauty was sharper now, cutting.
She pulled a lipstick from her bag and touched her lips as though he weren't even there.
Simon grabbed her wrist, forcing her to meet his eyes. "Do you really think you can just walk away this time? Laura, what the hell are you playing at?"
"Me?" Laura raised an eyebrow, a mocking smile curving her lips. "I'm taking back what's mine."
She stepped closer, her eyes blazing. "My mother was driven to suicide, my father was left raving in prison, and our family was destroyed. You and Harrison owe me. And I intend to collect!"
Simon's grip tightened. "That's rich, coming from you. It was your father who—"
"My father was set up!" Laura interrupted, her voice cutting through his like a blade. "You think my dad would do something like that in front of an entire party? To someone we raised for over a decade? Use your brain, Simon. This whole thing was a setup from the start."
Simon's jaw tightened. He hated her defiance, her conviction. He hated the way her words made him doubt.
"Believe what you want," Laura said, pulling her wrist free. "But if you're still holding onto me this tight, maybe you're not as over me as you think."
Simon dropped her arm like it had burned him.
Laura smirked, leaning close enough for her breath to brush his ear. "Excuse me," she whispered, before shoving him aside and striding out of the bathroom.
Meanwhile, Harrison hovered near Eliot, trying to coax him into talking. There was something familiar about the boy, but she couldn't quite place it.
"Eliot, sweetie, don't be shy. You can call me Auntie."
A familiar voice interrupted her.
Harrison froze. Slowly, she turned around, her entire body trembling as she met the gaze of the one person she thought she'd never see again.
Laura was alive.
- Writer
