Chapter 185
Laura's POV
Russell's voice cut through my scattered thoughts. "Laura, I need you to stay in Starport to follow up on the luxury goods project."
I looked up from my laptop, surprised. "Stay? I thought we were returning to headquarters next week."
"Plans have changed." Russell's tone carried a weight I hadn't heard before. "We're partnering with Wilson Holdings—the city's leading enterprise. This could be a massive opportunity for us."
Wilson Holdings. The name sent a chill down my spine. I'd missed what could have been a life-changing networking opportunity at the business summit before.
"What's the timeline?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Fast-tracked. I've already arranged dinner tonight with their project lead. Tomorrow morning, my representative will accompany you to Wilson Holdings to sign the formal partnership agreement."
I stared at him, processing this information. "You've already... negotiated the terms?"
"The groundwork has been laid for months. Laura, this isn't just business—this is strategic positioning. Wilson Holdings doesn't partner with just anyone."
Months? Russell's mysterious confidence felt off somehow, but when good fortune finally arrives, I couldn't question it. This might be exactly what I needed—a chance to prove my worth.
"I'll be ready," I said firmly.
---
The late afternoon light cast long shadows across the Harrison family estate as my car pulled into the circular drive.
I found Richard in the master bedroom, fresh from the shower. Water droplets still clung to his shoulders, and I noticed how the stress of recent weeks had changed him. He'd lost weight, making his cheekbones more pronounced, his jawline sharper. The way the light hit his blue eyes was almost predatory—a dangerous gleam that hadn't been there before.
"You're back early," he said, reaching for a towel. His voice carried that flat tone he'd adopted lately, as if he were speaking to a stranger rather than his wife.
"I have news," I said, moving toward the walk-in closet. I needed to find something appropriate for tonight's dinner—professional yet elegant, refined enough to meet Wilson Holdings' standards.
I pulled out a charcoal gray suit, then reconsidered, reaching for a navy blue dress instead. The dinner was important, but I didn't want to appear too formal. Finding the right balance between authority and approachability would be crucial.
"Interesting day?"
"Actually, yes." I considered my words. "Russell gave me a major project. A partnership with Wilson Holdings."
Richard went very still. I could feel his attention sharpen.
"Wilson Holdings," he repeated slowly.
"The dinner meeting is tonight. This could change everything for my career." I reached for another jacket, trying to keep my tone casual. "It's moving unusually fast, but—"
Suddenly, Richard's arms wrapped around my waist from behind, pulling me against his chest. His skin was still damp and warm, but the tension in his muscles made me freeze.
"Take me with you," he said quietly.
I turned in his arms, studying his face. The dangerous gleam in his eyes had intensified, and there was something calculating in his expression that I didn't recognize.
"Richard, this is a business dinner. I can't just—"
"I said take me with you." His grip tightened slightly. "Please."
That "please" got to me. Richard rarely asked for anything, never with that particular tone—half command, half desperation.
But looking at his face, seeing the sharp edges that grief and anger had carved there, I found myself nodding.
---
Richard's POV
Grace. The name pounded in my head like a drumbeat. Wilson Holdings. Of course it was Wilson Holdings.
Grace had deceived me again and again, even leading to Grandma's death.
I wanted to see the look on her face when she realized I was there.
"Help me choose," Laura said, holding up two different suit jackets. "If you're coming with me, at least you can help me look presentable."
I barely glanced at the clothes, pointing randomly at the navy suit. My mind was elsewhere.
Laura had no idea what she was walking into. She didn't know that Grace was the heir to that empire.
These two women were just the same.
Grace had betrayed me.
And Laura... was the one who truly ruined my life!
---
Andrew's POV
The city lights flickered below my office's floor-to-ceiling windows. I held the phone to my ear. Elizabeth's voice came through clear and satisfied on the other end.
"Everything is proceeding according to plan, Andrew. The partnership with NaturaLuxe will move forward tonight."
"Grace won't know about this and can't interfere," I confirmed, loosening my tie.
I stood by the building's floor-to-ceiling windows, a slight smile playing at the corners of my mouth.
But as soon as I hung up, the smile vanished.
The partnership between NaturaLuxe and Wilson Holdings had been discussed even before Robert's death. But the specific project had never been finalized. Now that Russell intended to establish a branch office in the city, the collaboration could finally materialize. This was naturally a good thing.
Robert had entrusted this project to Elizabeth before his death. It had always been her people handling the negotiations. Now that the deal was about to be finalized, Grace surely had no knowledge of it.
Technically, legacy projects didn't need to go through the approval process again. But even so...
When Elizabeth specifically called asking me to receive the VIPs, I knew things weren't simple. After some inquiry, I understood: the people NaturaLuxe sent were from the Harrison family.
Richard Harrison and Laura Parker.
I had no moral standards about right and wrong—I only cared about choosing sides. The enemy of my enemy was my friend.
If Richard could make Grace uncomfortable, I was willing to use him, even ally with him.
But the Harrison family was too disappointing. I'd previously considered supporting Richard, but that man was useless. Most crucially, Grace had moved on too quickly. If Richard couldn't play the emotional card with Grace, he truly had no value at all.
Now Elizabeth was strongly supporting NaturaLuxe, obviously wanting to bypass Grace and regain control of the company. Add Laura to the mix, and things were about to become very interesting.
If Grace refused to partner with NaturaLuxe, she'd be acting against Wilson Holdings' interests—against her father's legacy. If she agreed, she'd be creating new enemies for herself.
Elizabeth's methods were always subtle, like a dull knife. Even if she couldn't kill Grace, she would definitely make Grace's life at Wilson Holdings unbearable.
Laura and Richard were that dull knife—though blunt, they could be effective through continuous torment.
Thinking of this, I almost felt a trace of pity.
Almost.