Chapter 273: I Knew It Was You

Chapter 273: I Knew It Was You

Clutching her phone, Laura trembled uncontrollably as the furious voice roared through the speaker.

She hadn't anticipated that opening Pandora's box would unleash such demons.

"Just deal with her first. Give me time to raise the money!" Laura said, her voice cracking.

The man on the other end let out a cold laugh.

"You think you can hire hitmen without cash? Fifty grand for a murder-for-hire? Who the hell do you think you are—some Wall Street princess?"

The line went dead. The dial tone buzzed mockingly in Laura's ear as her carefully constructed plan spiraled completely out of control.

Everything had been falling into place. Isabella was supposed to disappear. William was supposed to turn to her. Why wasn't he following the script?

These criminals had become the wild card she couldn't manage.

If they'd just been reasonable—if they'd handled Isabella quietly as agreed—none of this would be happening.

Laura's anxiety spiked into something close to panic. She tried to redial with shaking hands, but her fingers wouldn't cooperate. Just as she finally managed to press the call button, sharp knocking echoed through her bedroom door.

"Laura, are you ready? We have a guest arriving. I need you downstairs to help us receive them properly."

Sophia's voice cut through the door like a blade. Laura's heart hammered against her ribs.

She steadied her breathing and called back, "I'm on the phone with my father. Just give me a minute—I'll be right out!"

Sophia's footsteps retreated. Laura sank onto the plush sofa, but it felt like sitting on broken glass.

She could deflect for now, but how long could she keep up this charade?

Terror crashed over her in waves. She felt as if she were standing in the shadow of a collapsing building with nowhere to run.

After another deep breath, she redialed.

"Listen up," the voice snarled before she could speak. "I've done my homework. If this goes to the cops, we're accessories at worst. But you? You're the mastermind. You'll face the worst charges. So think real careful—are you adding to the pot or not?"

Laura swallowed hard. "I can add more, but not much. This month's allowance is almost gone—"

"One hundred grand. One hundred grand for each of us. That shouldn't be too hard for someone carrying a twenty-thousand-dollar handbag, should it?"

Bitterness flooded Laura's mouth.

The original fifty thousand had already maxed out her credit cards. She'd sold several of William's designer gifts just to scrape it together.

"If you can't decide, stop wasting my time. This is your only chance. Figure it out, then call back."

He was about to hang up again. But Laura could smell the danger closing in. She had to decide now.

She was living in a mansion, surrounded by wealth. One hundred thousand shouldn't be impossible.

Gazing out at the Montagu estate's grand architecture, Laura found a sliver of courage.

"Fine. I'll give each of you another fifty thousand. But you have to make her disappear completely—like she never existed. If you screw this up, none of you will walk away clean."

The man chuckled. "Relax, sweetheart. We've been doing this for years. We don't leave loose ends."

The line went dead.

Laura released her grip on the phone. Her palms were slick with sweat. She felt like she'd been pulled from a drowning tank.

She cracked open the window for air, but before relief could settle in, another knock rattled her door.

"Laura! Are you ready yet? Our guest is waiting to meet you."

Laura checked her reflection, she forced an elegant smile, and opened the door.

"What kind of guest needs me specifically?" she asked with practiced sweetness.

Sophia linked arms with her, practically vibrating with excitement. "To us, he is just an ordinary guest. But for you, he is someone very special."

They descended the grand staircase. At the landing, Sophia leaned in conspiratorially.

"Haven't you been missing your mother since moving to Seaside City?"

Laura's smile faltered for a fraction of a second before she recovered. "Of course. Though we video chat almost daily. Once William and I are married, I'll see her all the time."

Sophia beamed with satisfaction. "That's what I love about you—always thinking of your mother. If William were half as considerate, I'd be the happiest woman alive."

They reached the bottom of the stairs.

"Look who's here!" Sophia announced triumphantly.

Laura's gaze locked onto the woman sitting elegantly on the sofa.

Her smile froze. Her body turned to concrete.

She couldn't move. Couldn't breathe. She could only stare.

"What's wrong, sweetheart? Too happy to speak?" Sophia nudged her forward gently.

Laura bore some resemblance to the woman on the sofa—but this woman was sharper, more refined. Every feature was perfectly sculpted. Flawless.

Laura's mouth opened, but no sound emerged.

"Ophelia," Sophia continued warmly, "we've been treating Laura like our own daughter. Once she and William are married, our families can grow even closer. That way, when she's homesick, she'll always know where to find her mother."

Sophia guided the rigid Laura toward Ophelia.

Ophelia's eyes bored into her daughter with laser focus.

Then, without warning, she raised her hand and delivered a sharp slap across Laura's face.

"I knew it was you."