Before meeting Claudia and Laura, Josephine told Liam, "They're gonna hit me later. Help me out, okay?"
Liam shrugged. "Not my problem!"
Claudia and Laura had no clue she was back.
Liam set up the meeting, and they got there first.
As they chatted, the topic inevitably turned to Josephine.
Laura was both angry and hurt. "Heartless! It's been five years, and she hasn't contacted us!"
Claudia added, "It's all because of Stuart!"
"Don't even mention Stuart!" Laura snapped. "I saw him on TV yesterday, and it pissed me off!"
Claudia asked, "Was it that charity auction? I heard he donated a lot."
"Probably trying to buy some peace of mind," Laura sneered. "He's done too many bad things."
Claudia and Laura's hatred for Stuart hadn't faded over the years.
No matter what, they blamed him for Josephine's disappearance.
Every time they met, cursing Stuart was a given.
As they were ranting, the door to the private room opened.
Liam walked in, and Laura crossed her arms. "Mr. Clement, you set this up and you're late?"
"Sorry," Liam grinned. "I had to pick up a gift."
Claudia laughed. "Is it my engagement gift?"
Laura was confused. "Why are you standing at the door? Come in."
Josephine, hiding behind Liam, peeked out. "Surprise!"
Laura and Claudia were stunned, like they'd been hit with a freeze spell, eyes wide, mouths open, not reacting.
Josephine walked in, and Liam quickly shut the door.
"So, happy with the gift?" Liam waved his hand in front of Claudia. "Snap out of it!"
Claudia's eyes welled up, and tears started falling.
"Josephine!" Claudia screamed and rushed to hug her.
Laura's eyes were red too, trying hard not to cry.
But it was useless. She suddenly stood up, walked over, pulled Claudia away, and punched Josephine.
Laura hit her once, then again.
Josephine, already in tears, grabbed her hand. "Little Laura."
Laura, feeling embarrassed, wiped her tears angrily. "Don't call me that! Do I know you?"
Josephine reached out to hug her. "Little Laura, Claudia, I'm sorry."
Claudia rushed over and hugged them both. "Josephine, why did you take so long? I missed you so much!"
Laura struggled to push them away. "Who missed her? Who is she? We don't know her."
She then pushed Josephine. "Go away! We don't know you!"
Claudia, scared, pulled her back. "Little Laura, this is Josephine! You were the most worried about her."
"I wasn't worried about her at all!" Laura was furious, tears streaming. "She's heartless, gone for over five years! Does she consider us friends?"
"I'm sorry," Josephine hugged her again, tears falling. "I'm really sorry."
Besides saying sorry, she didn't know what else to say.
Laura patted her back a few more times, finally breaking down and crying while hugging her.
This was different from when Josephine went abroad.
Back then, they stayed in touch and knew how each other was doing.
But Josephine just vanished, leaving only a message through Liam.
For over five years, she gave them no news at all!
Laura wanted to strangle her!
If it weren't for Liam's updates, knowing she was okay, Laura wouldn't have been able to sit still.
The three cried, fussed, and cursed for a long time before calming down.
Claudia sniffed and looked at her two best friends. "You two look like little kittens when you cry."
They all looked at each other and burst into laughter.
Laura pushed Josephine again. "You're still laughing!"
Finally, they all sat down, eager to know where Josephine had been and what she had done all these years.
Josephine told them everything and then dropped a bombshell.
"Little Laura, Claudia, there's one more thing I need to tell you." Josephine took a deep breath. "I have a child."
The two were stunned again.
Laura was the first to react. "Did you adopt a child? An orphan? Boy or girl?"
Claudia was still in shock, mouth open.
Josephine shook her head. "No, it's my biological child."
Claudia swallowed hard, then said in surprise, "You got married and have a child?"
Josephine shook her head again.
Laura took a sip of water, then slammed the cup on the table. "What's going on?"
Since Josephine hadn't hidden it from Liam, she certainly wouldn't hide it from these two.
She was prepared to be scolded when she decided to tell them.
After she said it, the room fell silent.
After a while, Laura stood up, grabbed her bag, and started to leave.
Josephine quickly hugged her. "Little Laura!"
Laura cursed, "Josephine, are you out of your mind? I've known you for so many years, and I didn't know you were so stupid!"
Laura could still curse, while Claudia was still in a daze.
However, hearing Laura curse, Claudia burst into laughter again.
Laura glared at her. "You're still laughing!"
Claudia quickly shut her mouth, feeling scared.
Liam spoke up, "Her child is over four years old now; nothing can be done."
Laura gritted her teeth. "Yes, there is! I'll cut ties with her! Someone so brainless doesn't deserve to be my friend!"
Josephine hugged her and tried to soothe her, saying many nice things, and Laura finally threw her bag down and sat back, still looking angry.
Claudia wanted to ask about the child but didn't dare.
In the end, it was Liam who explained the situation and said that Stuart must not find out about this.
"It's impossible to completely hide it from him," Laura said coldly, "The fact that you have a child will come out sooner or later. Stuart is a bad man, not easy to fool. The urgent thing is to find a father for the child!"
Claudia instinctively looked at Liam.
Laura glared at her. "Why are you looking at him? He can be a godfather at best!"
Josephine raised her hand. "Well, there's no need to rush."
"Shut up!" Laura said, "Stuart is crazy. Do you think he's easy to deal with?"