Larson family meeting

...#ADDICTED...

Her jaw tightens.She blocks the number without hesitation.

Behind her, the door opens. Matthew enters, already watching her.

"You should get ready. They’ll be here soon."

Matthew goes in the bathroom asking if she also want to take a bath. She than nodding. Steam rises. They sit in the large tub, legs tangled, silence heavy.

He kisses her shoulder, but her eyes stay distant.

"Say something." Matthew speaks in a low tone.

"The water is hot."

He watches her like he’s trying to decode a secret she won’t give him.

After they come out of the bathroom Laura zips up a stunning midnight blue dress. Matthew adjusts his cufflinks in the mirror matching suit, perfect couple on the outside.

They look at each other.

But something’s off. Cracks beneath the polish.

A knock coming from outside.

"Sir. They’ve arrived."

Matthew nods. Laura doesn’t move.

"Come on, angel."

The doors open.

Augustus strides in, charismatic, calculating. Beside him, Camilla glides elegant, unreadable, cold.

She barely acknowledges her stepson. Her smile to Laura is polite… and razor-edged.

"You’re prettier than I expected." Camilla looking judged at Laura.

Laura gives a perfect, empty smile. Augustus steps forward and hugs her. Unexpected warmth.

"Now I see why he’s so obsessed."

He claps Matthew’s shoulder with approval. Matthew barely reacts.

They walk to the dinner room.The family Larson sits around an immaculate table. Crystal. Silver. Lies between bites.

Polite chatter fills the air business, the weather, politics, nothing that matters.

Until—

"So, Laura…

I hear my son’s asked you to marry him."

The table stills.

Matthew turns, watching her closely.

"Laura?" Matthew looks worried she was to quiet tonight

She hesitates, her fork hovering above her plate.

"I’ve been thinking…

I want to focus on my studies first. My career. I’m not sure I’m ready."

A quiet beat. Then—

"What?" Matthew ask with an angry tone.

His voice cuts sharp.

"You never said that to me."

"I’m saying it now."

His knuckles whiten against the table.

"Well, that’s sensible. You’re both young. Marriage can wait."

Matthew’s face tightens rage pushing against his restraint.

He slams the table.

"Excuse me." He pushes back from the table and storms out.

Laura exhales, shaken but unreadable.

Matthew walks toward his room, but freezes as his phone buzzes.

He pulls it out. On the screen:

UNKNOWN NUMBER

“You should’ve told her the truth about Paris.”

His breath catches. Eyes go wild.

Matthew stares at the message on his phone. His jaw clenches. He forwards the number instantly to his bodyguard with one sharp message.

“Trace this. I want a name. Now.”

He paces, a storm barely contained until footsteps approach.

He turns, expecting Laura.

But it was Camilla.

"Laura’s still eating. I told her I’d speak with you myself."

Matthew narrows his eyes.

"How kind of you."

She steps further in, gaze sharp.

"I thought you’d grown.But you’re still just a boy.

Angry. Reckless. Still fumbling for your father’s shadow."

Matthew smirk.

"And I thought you’d become a better woman.

All those years playing wife to Augustus… and still no soul to show for it."

Her face twitches. She raises her hand about to slap him—

"Sir." They were interrupted by the bodyguard.

His bodyguard looks at him with a tablet in his hand. He must already find something.

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