Laurent Mansion – A Morning of Plans
The grand Laurent Mansion stood in the early morning light, its marble façade gleaming under the golden rays. Inside, Anastasia Laurent adjusted her silk blouse as she descended the stairs, her sharp heels clicking against the polished floor.
At the base of the staircase, Juliette Laurent was already waiting, arms crossed, a knowing smirk on her face.
"You finally decided to grace me with your presence?" Juliette teased, her blue eyes twinkling with amusement.
Anastasia rolled her eyes. "It's nine in the morning, Juliette."
"Exactly," Juliette quipped. "You came back yesterday , and this is the first time we're actually spending time together."
Anastasia sighed as she reached the last step. "I needed time to settle in."
Juliette studied her for a moment before looping an arm through hers. "Fine. But today, you're all mine."
With that, the two cousins stepped out of the mansion and into the waiting car.
—
As the car pulled onto the highway, Juliette leaned back against the leather seat. "So, tell me the truth, Ana. How does it feel to be back?"
Anastasia stared out the window for a moment before answering. "It doesn't feel real yet."
Juliette's gaze softened. "I can imagine. You've been away for five years, and a lot has changed."
Anastasia exhaled. "Not just five years. Two years ago… when my father…" She trailed off.
Juliette didn't interrupt.
A shadow passed over Anastasia's features. "I remember getting the call in the middle of the night. I was still in my dorm, buried under a pile of assignments. At first, I thought it was some kind of mistake. A malfunction. Then the reports started coming in… the jet exploded midair."
A chill settled between them.
"No explanation. No mechanical failures. No warnings," Anastasia continued, her voice eerily calm. "Just… gone."
Juliette swallowed hard. "Ana…"
Anastasia shook her head, regaining her composure. "I didn't come back for the funeral. I couldn't."
Juliette reached for her hand. "You don't have to explain."
Anastasia gave her a small, grateful smile. "I knew the moment I returned, I'd have to face it. That's why I stayed in Harvard until the very end. It was easier than dealing with everything here."
Juliette sighed. "I wish I could say things got better after that, but…"
"They didn't," Anastasia finished. "They got worse."
For a moment, both cousins sat in silent understanding.
Then Juliette, never one to linger in darkness for too long, smirked. "Alright, enough heavy talk. Let's discuss something fun—like all the scandalous gossip you missed."
Anastasia let out a breathy laugh, grateful for the shift in mood. "Alright. Entertain me."
---
By the time they arrived at Le Jardin, an exclusive rooftop café in Manhattan, the conversation had veered into the chaos of the Laurent family.
"Okay, picture this," Juliette said, dramatically stirring her cappuccino. "New Year's Eve, Grandmother throws a massive party, and who decides to show up uninvited? Henri's mistress."
Anastasia nearly choked on her drink. "Are you serious?"
Juliette smirked. "Dead serious. But the best part? Aunt Vivienne didn't even react. She just sat there, sipping her champagne like nothing happened."
Anastasia shook her head, amused. "That woman is terrifying."
"Right? And let's not even talk about how Uncle Christophe lost three million dollars in a poker game last month."
Anastasia groaned. "I should have stayed in Harvard."
Juliette laughed. "You would've missed out on all the entertainment."
For a while, it felt normal. Like old times.
But deep down, Anastasia knew that nothing was ever that simple.
—-
Meanwhile, at the Dupont estate, the tension in Charles Dupont's office was almost suffocating.
Caroline stood rigidly before her father's desk, arms crossed, a frustrated frown etched on her face.
"You're changing my blind date?" she demanded.
Charles didn't even look up from his paperwork. "Yes."
Caroline's grip on her arms tightened. "And you weren't going to tell me?"
"I'm telling you now."
Her teeth clenched. "Fine. Then at least tell me who it is."
Silence.
Charles set his pen down, meeting her gaze with an expression so cold, it sent a shiver down her spine.
"It's someone we cannot afford to offend."
Caroline's breath hitched.
She knew what that meant.
This wasn't just some wealthy heir her father wanted her to marry for convenience.
This was someone powerful. Someone untouchable.
Her stomach twisted.
If the man she was meeting was influential enough to make her father tread carefully, then this wasn't just about a blind date anymore.
This was a deal.
A transaction.
Her freedom was slipping through her fingers, and the worst part? She had no idea who she was about to be tied to.
Her mind raced, panic creeping in.
This changes everything.
If her blind date wasn't Theodore Belmont anymore, then her entire plan to let Anastasia act as her to ruin her evening was meaningless. Worse, if she wasn't careful, she could end up engaged to someone far worse than Theodore—someone she couldn't manipulate or escape from.
Caroline swallowed hard.
No. She wouldn't let that happen.
But as she met her father's steely gaze, one thing became terrifyingly clear.
She was no longer in control of her own fate.
And there was no way out.