Chapter 113

Dinner ended with polite smiles and hollow words,each side hiding thoughts they dared not voice.

The moment Lainey stepped back into the Todd family's villa, Jonny came barreling toward her like an eager puppy. "Baby, tell me-did your parents agree?Will they put money into the Todd Group?"

His hopeful face made her sick. Investment? From the Benton family? He actually thought she would beg for his sake?

Before she left, he had pressed her again and again to push the subject at the very first meeting.

But she wasn't that naive.

Bringing up money too soon would only sour the Bentons' impression of her, and she couldn't risk that. She kept her mouth shut, knowing better than to say it straight to him.

Stirring him up now would only bring trouble she didn't need.

Determined to hold her ground, Lainey lifted her chin and looked down at him with cold detachment. "already brought it up. They told me they'd make a decision once the Benton family is officially back in the domestic market."

It wasn't the confirmation he craved, but even that sliver of hope was enough to send Jonny into a frenzy of excitement.

Disgusted by the sight, Lainey brushed past him and climbed the stairs without another word.

She refused to waste any more of her time on him,not when only one day remained.

By tomorrow, she would finally walk out of the Todd family's villa for good.

She was certain that once the welcome-home banquet concluded, the Benton family w/ould stand by her side when she filed for divorce.

And at last, she would be rid of all the irritating people clinging to her.

The next morning brought Jeff and Hilda to the Todd family's villa right on schedule.

As their car waited, Jonny and Vickie as well as Emma stepped outside to see Lainey off.

Vickie clutched Lainey's hand tightly, her reluctance written across her face. "Lainey, I'm glad that you've found your parents now. I hope you won't forget about me."

Emma wasted no time looping her arm through Lainey's, her voice rising with playful insistence."Count me in too, Lainey! You're not allowed to forget me either."

The cheer in her tone only sharpened Jonny's scowl as he shot both women a wary look, afraid they might plant the wrong words in Lainey's ears.

He jumped in hastily, eager to smooth things over."Stop saying things like that. Lainey's thoughtful and kindhearted. She'd never turn her back on us."

Their cloying attention made Lainey's stomach twist but she kept her lips curved in a practiced smile,offering only the smallest nod in return.

Relief washed over her once she finally slipped into the gleaming Rolls-Royce.

What a farce.,

She had risen too high to ever look back.

The Todd family weren't even fit to polish her shoes,much less earn her forgiveness.

Every bit of her loathing sat heavy behind her poised expression.

Sitting beside her, Hilda caught the flicker of disdain in Lainey's eyes. Her fingers tightened against her lap, and a quiet certainty bloomed inside her chest.

That girl wasn't hers. She could feel it in her bones. Her real daughter would never be so calculating.

Jeff, blind to it all, carried on without suspicion.

A night of brooding had chased away every doubt in his mind, and now he gazed at Lainey with wide-eyed joy, convinced he had finally found the daughter he lost.

When the car rolled to a stop, he sprang out with energy, hurrying to the other side. "Here, Lainey. Let me carry youur things. Careful now, watch your step."

Lainey basked in the warmth of affection that was never truly hers, her lips curving as she remarked,"Thanks, Dad."

When she turned, her eyes landed on Hilda, still seated in the car with a faraway look clouding her face. Stepping closer, Lainey slipped her hand around Hilda's arm. "Mom, what's on your mind?"

The sudden touch jolted Hilda back to herself.She masked the unease in her eyes with a practiced smile. "It's nothing, dear. I was only wondering what we should wear to the welcome-home banquet next week."

An idea flickered through Lainey's mind. "Mom, have you heard of Enigma? Everyone's talking about her right now. Why don't we ask her to design something special for the two of us?"

Hilda's brows knitted as she recalled the name. She had heard of the designer's strict rules, and worry tugged at her expression. "But the banquet is in just a week. Can'she even do it in time? Besides, she doesn't usually take custom dress orders."

Lainey's confidence never wavered. Her smile carried a knowing edge. "That doesn't matter. If the money is right, she'll agree. People always do."

Faced with her certainty, Hilda gave in with a small nod. "Very well. Handle it yourself. Just let me know the cost, and I'll wire it to you."

Leaning in, Lainey pressed against her with an affectionate tilt of her head. "Mom, you really are the sweetest." Inside, a thrill sparked through Lainey's veins. Her chance for revenge against Eleanor was close at hand.

Soon, she would walk into that banquet draped in a gown crafted by Eleanor's own hands, standing proudly among Eleanor's true relatives, dazzling as the center of attention. The image of Eleanor's humiliation brought a rush of excitement.

Nolan might stand at Eleanor's side, but Lainey believed one truth above all-bloodlines and family prestige would always eclipse borrowed power. And in that arena, Eleanor would never measure up.