45
CHAPTER 045
LAURA’S POV
The sound of the door opening made me look up, I was expecting to see Jason, but it wasn’t him. It was his grandfather–Grandpa Campbell. He stood tall, his sharp eyes sweeping the room like he owned it.
Actually he once did.
I forced a polite smile, though my chest tightened. He hadnt stepped into the company in years according to Jason, but his presence still carried weight.
I wondered why he was here. But there’s only one way to find out.
“Good morning, Mr. Campbell,” I greeted, standing from Jason’s chair. “Jason isn’t here at the moment. Can I help you with anything?”
He didn’t answer right away. Instead, his piercing gaze landed on me, and his lips curved into a thin line. I knew that look it was one of judgment.
“Laura,” he said, his voice was cold. “Still lingering around, I see.”
I swallowed the sting of his words and kept my expression calm. “I’ve been doing everything I can to support Jason and the company, sir.”
He stepped further into the room, his shoes clicking against the floor. “Support? Is that what you call it?” He said, glaring at me.
“I’ve heard enough about your so–called support, and none of it sounds good.”
My nails dug into my palms, the old man always had a way of getting under my skin, I wanted to yell at him but I kept my voice calm. “I care about this company, just like my parents did. They gave everything for Campbell Group, and I’m proud to continue their legacy.”
I mentioned my parents hoping it would calm him, but instead he just rolled his eyes. “If you really cared about this company, you wouldn’t be causing so much trouble for Jason and Ava,”
My polite mask slipped from my face, and I crossed my arms, now glaring at him. “Trouble?” I scoffed.
“I think you’re mistaken, Edward.” I said, addressing him by his first name.
Since he didn’t like me, why should I keep sucking up to him?
“Jason and Ava’s problems have nothing to do with me.”
His brow furrowed, and I could see the anger building in his eyes. “Don’t play innocent with me, Laura. I’ve been around long enough to know when someone’s stirring the pot.
My jaw tightened, but I quickly replaced my frustration with a smug smile. “Well, if you’re so sure, why don’t you ask Jason yourself? He’s the one who’s been distant with Aa lately. Maybe their marriage isn’t as strong as you think.”
His hand gripped the edge of the desk, and I could see the slight tremble in his fingers not out of fear but of anger. “Jason loves Ava. Their marriage will survive whatever nonsense you’re trying to pull you better put an end to it.”
I chuckled softly, unable to resist. “Oh, Edward, you’re living in the past. Jason and Ava are going to be divorced soon. I’ve seen the documents myself.”
He looked like someone who had just been poured a cold bucket of water. His face turned pale and lifeless.
CHAPTER 045
“You’re lying,” he snapped, his voice trembling
“Am I?” I raised an eyebrow, my tone light and teasing. “Jason knows Ava isn’t right for him. He’s just waiting for the right time to make it official”
“You won’t win,” he said, his voice firm despite the tension in his body. “Over my dead body will fallow you into
family. Jason will never choose you. Ava is his wife, and she always will be.”
my
His words felt like a stab to my chest. I tilted my head, pretending to be sympathetic. “It must be hard for you to accept, but times are changing. You don’t have the control you used to, Edward.”
His face turned red, and he took a shaky step back. I could see the strain on him, but I didn’t stop. “You’re just an old man,” I added, my voice cold. “Do you really think you can stop what’s coming?”
Suddenly, he clutched his chest, his face contorted in pain. My eyes flicked to his hand as he pulled a small bottle of pills from his pocket. The bottle slipped from his trembling fingers and fell to the floor, the pills scattering across the room.
He collapsed to his knees, gasping for air. “Laura… help me” he croaked, his voice weak.
For a moment, I just stood there, frozen as the scene unfolded before me. Then, slowly, a cold smile spread across my face.
“Help you?” I repeated, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Why should I? You’ve never helped me. You’ve never even liked me.”
He reached for the bottle, his trembling hand moving across the floor. I stepped forward and kicked it with my foot, sending it rolling out of his reach.
“Laura… please,” he begged, his voice barely audible.
I crouched down, just out of his reach, and met his desperate gaze. “You should’ve treated me better,” I said softly. “Maybe then I would’ve cared.”
His eyes widened in fear as I stood back up, towering over him. He was gasping for breath now, struggling to move. I turned and walked toward the door, my heels clicking against the floor.
“You brought this on yourself,” I said without looking back
1
As I reached the door, I glanced over my shoulder one last time. He was still on the floor, clawing weakly toward the pills.
I straightened my posture and opened the door, stepping out into the hallway as if nothing had happened. Behind me, the sound of his gasping breaths grew fainter.
22
