At Thalia's residence, Raka's aunt.
“I've already heard about it from Raka,” Thalia said to the figure sitting across from her. “He said there was a rather embarrassing problem,” she added.
“A little embarrassing?” the figure across from her—who turned out to be Laura—replied sarcastically.
“It seems you haven't heard the whole story,” Laura continued as she took a slow, graceful sip of tea. “What Raka did... Did he really have to do it on Selina's birthday?”
“I thought he was a reasonably sensible man,” Laura said pointedly.
“Are you insulting the Lore family now?” Thalia shot back, displeased. Her brow furrowed as her eyes sharpened.
Laura, on the other hand, looked perfectly calm, as though she saw nothing wrong with what she'd said. “How could that be an insult? I wouldn't dare insult a member of the Lore family.”
Seeing that, Thalia was rendered speechless. She didn't want to make a fuss over such a trivial matter. “Either way, I feel disappointed about what happened too,” she said, conceding. She took a calm sip of tea, pretending not to care about Laura's jab.
“I'm the one who's even more disappointed,” Laura concluded. “I thought I could become your in-law. But unfortunately, there's nothing I can do about this.”
“Don't tell me... you want to call off their engagement?” Thalia demanded.
Once again, Thalia's expression darkened at Laura's words. As far as she understood it, Laura was implying that she intended to cancel the engagement between Raka and Selina.
How dare this old fox?! Thalia raged inwardly. All this time, she'd acted so gentle while trying to get close to the Lore family. Usually, that mouth of hers was as sweet as honey.
“I'm disappointed because you take the agreement between our two families so lightly,” Thalia said, trying to keep control of the conversation.
“The Lore family is a respected family with a long history,” Thalia emphasized. She tried to hide her unease from Laura, who had remained calm from beginning to end.
“From what I understand, it was the Lore family that took this engagement agreement lightly first,” Laura countered, striking right at the heart of the matter.
“...” Thalia fell silent, unable to think of anything to deny it with. All she could do was clench her fists in frustration, feeling as though Laura had defeated and belittled her.
Seeing that, Laura smiled faintly. She was satisfied that her attempt to provoke Thalia seemed to have succeeded.
“It seems I should be going. Thank you for taking the time to see me,” Laura said goodbye as she rose from her seat.
What?! She's just leaving like that?! There's no way this sly woman would do something like this! Thalia thought in disbelief.
The Laura Thalia knew was a woman utterly obsessed with elevating her status. And now, that woman had suddenly given up on the engagement she'd worked so hard to secure.
Seeing Thalia's incredulous stare, Laura offered an explanation. “I'm leaving because I have to take care of Selina. That poor girl is so devastated that I need to stay by her side.”
“That's too bad, then. I hope she feels better soon,” Thalia said sarcastically, still unwilling to yield to Laura's display of dominance.
Huh! Where does she get that kind of nerve? Thalia sneered inwardly. Well... I have no reason to keep clinging to her, either.
“Oh, right... I almost forgot,” Laura said, suddenly stopping in the doorway. “Have you heard that your eldest child will be returning to this city in about two days?”
“Your child will be returning with that notorious accomplice of theirs,” Laura added. A victorious smile spread across her beautiful face, which had not lost its luster with age.
The calm expression Thalia had maintained until then instantly shifted to shock and panic. Laura found it thoroughly satisfying.