CHAPTER 5
“Ms. Godfrey?” Olivia’s grin froze. “There’s no one by that name here.”
The delivery person’s eyes rolled. “Is Ms. Laura Godfrey around?”
Olivia and Emma shared a puzzled look. David always favored Olivia, so there was no way the necklace was for Laura. The mix-up about Ms. Godfrey was clearly a mistake.
“That’s me,” Laura said, stepping forward with a casual smile. “Have you forgotten, Mom? My biological father’s last name was Godfrey.”
At that. Emma’s face clouded over.
“Ms. Godfrey, could you sign for this?” the delivery person asked.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
Olivia wasn’t ready to concede. She flashed a sweet smile. “Um… wasn’t the necklace supposed to go to the Sharpe family? You sure it’s not for Ms. Sharpe?”
The staff quickly caught on to Olivia’s game. “The address is Sharpe, but the recipient is Ms. Laura Godfrey.” Emma insisted, “There’s been a mistake. It should be for Olivia Sharpe!”
The staff, with a polite smile, replied, “Calm down, ma’am. We don’t mess up with valuable items like this.”
Emma stepped away to call David. “What? You didn’t buy anything? If it’s not from you, then who bought it?” After hanging up, her expression was sour. She asked the delivery person, “Who sent it?”
“Sorry, but we can’t disclose client information. But this piece has a romantic significance.”
“Then it must be Robby,” Emma concluded, a wave of disappointment hitting her. It wasn’t for Olivia after all.
She’d promised to treat both her daughters equally, but that wasn’t the case.
Laura was confused. She wondered if David had a change of heart. She opened the card, which read: [Ray, my one true love.] She knew who it was from. No one else would gift her something so extravagant.
Olivia’s jealousy flared as she stared at the message. It couldn’t be for Laura. But then she had a thought. “Robby always called Laura “Lau,” not “Ray.” Habits didn’t change on a whim.”
Olivia pondered, ‘Could Robby not be the one? Has Laura been seeing someone else? This necklace is over the top, but it wasn’t from him directly. It seems Laura’s new guy’s got secrets”
Emma gazed at the glittering gem, thinking of Olivia’s love for it. She felt a twinge of injustice. “Lau you have a ton of jewelry, but your sister’s never had anything like this. Couldn’t you let her borrow it?”
Laura inwardly sneered, thinking, “Borrow? Olivia’s “borrowed” from me before and never returned.” With a sarcastic smile, she said, ‘Mom, this isn’t just a piece; it’s a token of love. It’s not something you lend out. What would people think? Who’s being courted, me or Olivia?”
Emma’s face fell I get it, but your sister really loves it. Can’t you show her some love?”
Laura’s grin widened. So if my sister likes it, I’m supposed to give it up? My feelings don’t count? What if she likes
my
clothes, my room, my boyfriend-am I just supposed to hand it all over? Mom, you want me to spoil my sister, but what about me?”
Olivia’s heart sank, and she put on a sad face. “Laura, why do you think that way? I never wanted your stuff.”
Laura laughed. “Never wanted it? You probably dream about taking everything I have!”
“Mom, I never think that way…” Olivia turned to Emma, her voice pitiful.
Laura was like a blade unsheathed. Before Emma could respond, Laura kept firing. “Mom, you just said I have too many accessories, but honestly, all my jewelry combined doesn’t match the smallest diamond on this necklace. Since you and Dad keep saying you want fairness, my coming-of-age gift should be worth about the same, right?”
Emma looked more uncomfortable than ever. The gift she had for Laura was just a bracelet, worth around 10 thousand. Laura had always been the dutiful daughter, never asking for much. A small gift every holiday was enough, and 10 thousand was already a big deal. It couldn’t compare to the 17 million price tag on the necklace.
“Of course, that’s only fair,” Emma stammered, visibly uneasy.
“Then I’ll be waiting for my coming-of-age gift, Mom,” Laura said, fully aware of what they had prepared.
“What about this necklace?” Emma persisted. “Olivia really likes it. Will you let her have it? I know you’re the most caring one in the family.”
Laura smiled slightly. “Not gonna happen.” With that, she grabbed the jewelry box and walked off with a satisfied
sirut
Emma watched her go, fuming. This was the first time Laura had openly defied her. “What an ungrateful kid!”
“Don’t get mad, Mom. It’s not worth it,” Olivia said, tugging at Emma’s sleeve.
“If only she cared as much as you do,” Emma replied.
Olivia sighed. “Maybe she can’t handle me being around. If I’d known it would be like this, I wouldn’t have come back.”
“Don’t say such silly things! You’re my daughter. Don’t worry about that 17 million necklace. I’ll go to the showroom and get you a gorgeous dress,” Emma said, her anger simmering.
In the past, Laura had listened to Emma’s every word, but now she was publicly embarrassing her. After raising Laura all these years, Emma was not about to let her take away that 700 million.