Chapter 180: You Can Only Take Her Side
An awkward silence settled over the hallway.
William didn't react to Isabella's mockery. When he heard Nathan had left the room on his own, his expression relaxed momentarily.
Isabella brushed off the dust that had clung to her clothes and took Olivia's hand, heading toward their room.
"Mom, is Joseph training tomorrow?" Olivia asked curiously, wiping away her tears.
They happened to pass by a window. Isabella glanced outside.
"No training tomorrow. The snowstorm's too heavy," Isabella said.
"Then what will we do?" Olivia asked.
Isabella stopped at the window. Outside, snowflakes fell endlessly, just as they had since their arrival.
"Let's go skiing," Isabella said suddenly, remembering what she'd mentioned to Richard earlier.
Olivia glanced toward their room. "Julia's still not feeling well. Shouldn't we wait until she's better?"
Julia had been suffering from severe travel sickness since the flight—vomiting and dealing with stomach troubles. Richard's assistant had taken her back to the hotel separately when they'd landed.
Richard stood beside Isabella and peered out the window.
"The doctor said this afternoon she's recovered. She should be able to join us tomorrow."
They continued talking as they entered their room.
Behind them, Nathan overheard Isabella's words.
Skiing...
He desperately wanted to go too.
He tugged on Laura's arm. "Laura, I want to go skiing too."
The cleaning staff was still dealing with the mess in the hallway. As the hotel employees who'd helped search for Nathan walked past, they reminded William and Laura to keep better watch over their child.
William's expression darkened. He turned and strode back to his room without a word.
"William—" Laura called out sharply, wanting to explain herself.
What if William thought this whole incident was her fault?
But the man ahead of her didn't even glance back. From beginning to end, he refused to spare her a single look.
"Laura," Nathan called timidly.
Laura's head snapped down to meet Nathan's wide, curious eyes. Fury flared inside her chest.
If Nathan hadn't offered those explanations just now, maybe William wouldn't have directed his anger at her.
But she couldn't let Nathan see her rage.
In an instant, Laura's mind raced. She remembered that Nathan was her only lifeline to securing her place in the Montagu family.
She crouched down with a smile, placing one hand gently on Nathan's shoulder.
"Nathan, who do you like more—me or your mother?" Laura asked, her voice deliberately soft and tender.
Nathan's pupils trembled. "Laura, I..."
Even though Laura was smiling, why did he feel so afraid?
Laura's smile remained as she repeated, "Nathan, you have to choose one right now."
There could only be one lady of the Montague household.
If Isabella didn't leave, there would be no place for her.
Laura had to force William and Nathan to make a choice between them.
"I like Laura," Nathan mumbled in a muffled voice.
Laura's smile bloomed instantly. She pulled Nathan into a tight embrace.
"Nathan, I knew you loved me most." She planted a happy kiss on his cheek. "Since you like me best, you have to remember one thing."
"No matter what happens, whatever the situation, you can only take my side."
Laura's hand slowly moved upward, coming to rest gently on Nathan's soft cheek.
"What if Laura does something wrong?" Nathan asked carefully.
Laura's smile gradually took on a tone of absolute conviction. "I will never be wrong."
Outside the window, the snow fell heavier and heavier.
By the time they woke the next morning, when Olivia pressed her face against the window to look out, The blizzard has stopped.everything outside had turned into a vast expanse of white.
Isabella pulled out the ski gear she'd prepared in advance for Olivia.
Sized perfectly for her and in her favorite shade of pink, it looked absolutely beautiful.
Julia finally managed to drag herself out of bed as well.
Though she still looked somewhat weak, she was in much better shape than when they'd first landed.
Isabella had specially borrowed the hotel kitchen to prepare chicken soup for Julia.
After breakfast, they headed straight to the ski resort.
Since both children were beginners, they chose the beginner slope first.
The snow depth was moderate, and the gradient wasn't too steep—perfect for kids learning to ski.
"Isabella, you and Richard go over there. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of Olivia!" Standing in the prep area, Julia confidently took on the task of teaching Olivia to ski all by herself.
Richard frowned slightly, still looking uncertain.
"Julia, don't be ridiculous."
She was just a kid herself. Richard wasn't about to trust one child to look after another.
"Mom and Dad have been teaching me to ski since I was little. I'm really good at it!" Julia puffed out her chest with confidence.
Richard mercilessly punctured her pride. "You still only dare show off on the bunny slope. If Mom and Dad knew you were already claiming you could teach someone else, they'd probably jump out of their skin in shock."
Nathan pulled Laura by the hand and rushed over to the prep area.
Seeing the fully equipped group before him, he turned to Laura with hopeful eyes.
"Laura, where's the ski gear you got me?"
Laura's expression turned awkward.
She hadn't expected that what was supposed to be just a trip to watch the race would include skiing. She hadn't prepared any gear at all.
Fortunately, the resort had a shop selling equipment.
But it didn't look as nice as what people brought themselves, and the prices were twice as high.
Laura bought three sets directly. When she returned with them, Nathan took one look and pouted.
"I want sky blue."
William wasn't picky. He silently took the gear from Laura's hands.
"They don't have blue here. I'll buy you a set next time, okay?" Laura coaxed Nathan softly, trying to negotiate.
Nathan's mouth flattened into a stubborn line. "But I really prefer blue. And Olivia has pink gear—why can't I have blue?"
Olivia's ski gear had been personally selected by Isabella at a shop. Not only the color, but the quality was far superior to what Nathan had just received.
He felt sour and miserable inside.
Why did Olivia get carefully chosen equipment while he had to make do with inferior gear? Nathan's heart burned with resentment at the unfairness.
Laura tossed the ski gear at Nathan's feet, barely managing to suppress the anger boiling inside her.
He should be grateful to have anything at all. What right did he have to be picky?
Nathan looked up at William. "Dad, I want blue ski gear."
William's hand paused mid-motion as he was putting on his ski boots.
"Use this set for now."
As soon as William spoke, Laura finally breathed a sigh of relief.
From last night until now, she hadn't been able to have a proper conversation with William.
His cold, indifferent attitude terrified Laura. She kept feeling like he was holding a grudge against her.
"Be good. When we get back down the mountain, Laura will buy you some candy," Laura quickly crouched down to help Nathan change his boots.
William finished putting on his ski gear and stood up. As he walked forward, he tossed out a single sentence: "His teeth are rotting. He can't have candy."