Laura’s Victory Second Chance

“Hey, have you heard? The Sharpe family’s real heiress is back in town,” one guest whispered to another.

“No way! This is gonna be good. I can’t wait to see Laura’s face when she’s put in her place,” the other replied, at smirk playing on their lips.

“They said she was some orphan, but now the real deal’s here. Laura’s days of pretending are over,” a third chimed Win

The socialites were buzzing with gossip. Laura had never quite fit in with their crowd. Outside the Sharpe family. most people were unaware of her true lineage, and she’d always been the outsider.

“Check out Olivia over there, one pointed out. “She’s the real Sharpe heiress.”

“Talk about a stunner. That dress she’s wearing must have cost a fortune, another remarked.

“The Sharpes aren’t holding back for her. Laura never got this kind of attention,” a guest mused.

“Please, she was always in hand-me-downs. Now she’s probably stuck with knockoffs, someone snickered. “Look at Olivia and Robert. They make such a cute couple, a woman gushed.

Olivia caught snippets of the conversation and smiled inwardly. The tide had turned in her favor; she was the center of attention now. She quickly wove her way through the crowd, chatting up the socialites and joining in on the gossip about Laura with a dramatic flair.

“Can you believe how mean Laura is?” one of the socialites asked.

“If I had a sister like that, I’d set her straight,” another chimed in. “She’s always acting like she’s better than else.”

everyone

Olivia shook her head, feigning innocence. “Oh, come on. Laura’s still my sister. She’s just feeling a bit threatened by my return. She doesn’t mean any harm.”

“Right, but she’s the one who tried to drown you and then pretended it never happened. You can’t be too nice, Olivia. Nice girls finish last,” a friend warned.

“Luckily, your parents adore you. Look at this turnout today; they’re all here to see you, not for Laura’s birthday,” another girl said with a sly grin.

“Once that country bumpkin shows up, we’re going to give her a roast she won’t forget,” one of the girls added, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Olivia was still feigning innocence while glancing around, her thoughts drifting to Laura. Olivia was wearing a designer gown that cost a fortune. If Laura showed up in her usual second-hand finds, it’d be a Sharpe family

scandal.

“Wh**re you calling a bumpkin?” A cool voice sliced through the air, turning heads.

It was Laura, striding in wearing a striking red dress that clung to her curves, the slit in the skirt teasing her toned

20:3

legs. Diamonds glittered on her, catching the light and dazzling the room.

Laura, usually makeup-free and flat-footed, was a vision in heels and expertly applied makeup. The ten- centimeter stilettos added an aura of regality, and the dazzling necklace at her throat was the pièce de résistance, sparking envy among the ladies.

“Is that really Laura?” the socialites murmured, their voices tinged with disbelief.

“That necklace… it’s the ‘Amor Eternum, right?”

“The one worth 17 million?”

“And that dress-didn’t Meredith Vaughn auction it off? It’s worth 330 million!”

The dress had been a closely guarded secret. Many guests recognized the exclusive design from fashion shows, but none expected such a lavish gown on the girl they’d dismissed as plain.

“That dress! I thought a mystery buyer got it. How’d it end up on Laura?” The socialites, ready to ridicule, were left speechless.

Instead of the country mouse they anticipated, Laura was a celestial princess, a vision of beauty that left them feeling insignificant in comparison.

Olivia’s plans to humiliate Laura crumbled, replaced by a jealousy that seared like fire. She felt like she was being roasted alive.

Beside them, Robert was transfixed by the radiant Laura. His desire, once dormant, was now a burning, intense flame.