fantishu
CHAPTER 20
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The third gift was a stunner: a world-class architect promised to erect a landmark building in one of the world’s busiest squares, all themed around Laura Godfrey, Once done, it would bear her name.
Gifts kept coming-number four, five, six…
By the time the sixteenth was revealed, Joseph had finished his pièce de résistance: a pastry that was more art than food, made with the priciest cocoa and decorated with edible gold. It was a one-of-a-kind treat, and he presented it to Laura with a flourish. “Happy birthday, Ms. Godfrey! This is your seventeenth gift.”
The gifts included luxury cars, fine art, a square named for her designs, and songs just for her. Seventeen VIPs stood by her side, each more influential than all the guests who’d come to see Olivia.
These bigwigs were all smiles, acting like old friends. At that moment, Laura outshone everyone, the center of
attention.
No one even acknowledged Olivia or the Sharpe family’s “real daughter.” David wondered if they’d mixed up the gifts, but it was clear everyone only knew Laura.
The gifts Olivia had received, worth tens or hundreds of thousands, were laughable compared to Laura’s haul. The guests were agog, murmuring, “This is nuts! One of these gifts would set me up for life!”
“It’s so romantic! It’s like they’re making up for all the birthdays Laura missed.”
“What did Laura do to deserve this?”
“It’s not from her parents. It must be from Robert. He’s really into her.”
“Laura, it’s obvious that Robert is totally smitten with you, some said to Laura with envy.
But Robert knew he couldn’t just invite people like the pastry chef or Meredith Vaughn. His gaze fell on the necklace around Laura’s neck. Could all these extravagant gifts be from her suitor?’ he wondered.
He didn’t know who this person was, but they had the power to give such gifts-clearly, they outranked him.
Helplessness washed over him. He’d spent a fortune on that red dress, bidding a cool thirty-three million, only for this mystery person to casually outbid him by tenfold. Before the game even started, he was outplayed.
Elara and Christopher, clueless about the full story, thought Robert was just planning a proposal. The crowd kept praising the Brown family.
“Mrs. Brown, your son knows so many important people.”
“If mine was half as impressive, we’d be set! Could you ask Meredith to make a dress for my daughter?” “Absolutely! Robby can mention it,” Elara said, beaming with pride, thinking her son was the epitome of success.
Elara mused, “Even though Laura is part of the Godfrey family, they’ve never officially acknowledged her. Maybe there’s an opportunity for my son here. But first things first, securing that 700 million is key.
Everyone assumed this was all about the Brown family, and the Browns were enjoying the newfound glory and compliments.
Only Laura knew who was behind this grand event. No one else could have summoned such influential guests. And no one else would ever pay her this much attention again.
The grand hall was abuzz when the doors burst open. Instead of a crowd, a single figure strode in, all in black- Cedric August. Confidence oozed from him as he held a sleek black box.
The room gasped, “What? Another gift?!”
“Remember, it’s Laura’s eighteenth birthday today. We’re just waiting on the last one.”
“Oh my gosh, after those first seventeen, what could top it? This eighteenth gift must be out of this world.”
Excitement crackled through the air. Each gift had outdone the last, and everyone was on the edge of their seats. Olivia had thought her day was going well, but next to Laura’s haul, her own gifts seemed meager. All eyes were on Laura, and Olivia’s heart sank with envy and frustration, feeling utterly powerless.
The crowd murmured, “I can’t wait to see what’s in that box
“Stop it! That’s for Laura, not you.”
“Ugh, just announce it already! I’m about to pop from anticipation.”
Under the hot lights, Cedric finally spoke. “Ms. Laura Godfrey, you can choose to accept this eighteenth gift or not. My boss said you have three seconds to decide, so take your time.”
As Cedric counted down from three, Laura recalled her past conversations with Easton.
“When I turn eighteen, will you marry me?” she had asked.
“I’m blind and in a wheelchair. You sure about this?” Easton had replied.
“Is this your way of saying you’re into me?” she had teased.
“Too cheap for that, Easton had shot back.
Cedric stepped closer, facing Laura with the black box. The crowd buzzed, speculating about the mysterious benefactor.
Laura, in her red dress, radiated elegance. She took the box with both hands, a small smile playing on her lips, “I will gladly accept whatever he gives me.” The box felt cool, much like the man himself.
“My boss said if you accept this gift, there’s no turning back Cedric stated.
A hush fell over the room, everyone wondering what could be inside the box.
“I’m all in, no regrets. Laura smiled brightly, captivating the room.
Everyone held their breath, eyes wide, not wanting to miss the reveal.
Olivia stared at the box, her eyes ablaze with jealousy. Her free. She longed to tear Laura apart and take her place, to cl
As Olivia fumed, she watched Laura’s hand slowly lift the lit
Olivia stared at the box, her eyes ablaze with jealousy. Her heart pounded, a demon inside her desperate to free. She longed to tear Laura apart and take her place, to claim the spotlight and the gifts for herself.C0pyright © 2024 Nôv)(elDrama.Org.
As Olivia fumed, she watched Laura’s hand slowly lift the lid of the box.