Chapter 479

Unlike her and Theodore’s situation, Natalie and Hamilton’s divorce had been brutal. Hamilton had her blacklisted, and she had left with nothing. In turn, Natalie had retaliated in the most devastating way possible.

Hearing the news, Natalie curled her lip. “Took them long enough. Now they’re finally getting married? Well, I hope they’re stuck with each other for life. At least then they can’t ruin anyone else!”

Six years was more than enough time for a once-famous star to fade from the public eye. So, although Maria had brought up Natalie’s name, the online chatter died down after a few comments, never gaining much traction.

That evening, Laura’s father came to take her home.

Penelope told Kristin and Hubert to bring her out, but the two of them shook their heads in perfect sync.

“I didn’t see Laura today.”

“Laura’s not at our house.”

Penelope narrowed her eyes. “You know, a liar’s nose grows longer and longer.”

Kristin pouted. “That’s just something you tell little kids. I don’t believe it. Right, Hubert?”

Hubert blinked innocently. “Mommy, who are you calling a liar? It’s not me or Kristin. You shouldn’t make false accusations.”

Penelope sighed in exasperation. The two of them were always perfectly in sync with their little act.

She was about to go inside and get Laura herself when the little girl appeared in the doorway, rubbing her eyes.

“Daddy, I’m sleepy. I want to go to bed.”

She seemed to think she had just been over for a playdate and that her father had come to take her home, completely forgetting she had been “rescued” and hidden away.

Seeing her, Kristin and Hubert panicked and tried to push her back inside.

“Do you want your dad to sell you to the zoo?”

“Do you want to be tied up like a little lamb?”

Their words seemed to snap Laura out of her daze, and she shook her head frantically.

“I don’t want Daddy to sell me! Waah… I’m so scared! Daddy doesn’t love me! He’s going to turn me into lamb stew!” the little girl wailed.

Laura’s father was both amused and annoyed. He moved to pick up his daughter, but Kristin and Hubert blocked his path.

“You’re a bad guy! We won’t let you take her!”

“Bad guys get taken away by the police! Mommy, call the police!”

“Call the police?” Penelope grabbed her son by the ear and pulled him aside.

“Stop making trouble. Can’t you see Laura is tired and her dad is taking her home to sleep?”

“I’m not making trouble! Laura said her dad was going to sell her!”

Laura’s father gently patted his daughter’s cheek and asked her what she was talking about.

Laura thought for a moment. “I heard Daddy on the phone with someone. He was talking about sending me away!”

“I was talking to your mother.”

Laura’s eyes lit up. “Is Mommy coming back?”

“Uh, she wants you to go to school in Orenth with her.”

“Yay! Then I can be with Mommy every day!”

Seeing his daughter so happy, Laura’s father couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness, but he smiled warmly and fifted her into his arms for a kiss.

“Yes, from now on, you’ll get to see Mommy every day.”

Laura immediately shared the good news with her friends. Realizing they had been wrong, Kristin and Hubert sheepishly apologized to her father.

“Thank you both for looking out for Laura so fiercely. She’s going to miss you when she’s in Orenth.”

Kristin pouted. “Why does she have to go to school in Orenth? Isn’t our town good enough?”

Hubert was also unhappy. “What’s Orenth? I’ve never even been there. It probably isn’t any fun.”

Penelope and Natalie each took one

of the kids to get ready for their bath. As Hubert soaked in the tub, Penelope could see his mouth was set in a firm line. He was clearly upset.