Chapter 72

Laura's anger at Amelia's choice to end the engagement simmered until it reached its boiling point. Once she hung up the phone, impatience twisted her features as she glared at Janessa. "You never managed to teach your daughter how to behave,and now, you show up in my house just to make a scene. Get out of here!"

Since Janessa already knew Dayna had stolen the files for Jaxton, Laura's venomous words stung like salt in a wound."If your son hadn't dragged her into this, do you think my daughter would have stolen anything?Amelia has already gone to the authorities,so how can you stand by and do nothing to help my daughter?"

"Did I ever tell your daughter to do that? Who knew she'd throw all sense out the window just for the sake of love? The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. You seduced Ricky behind Katrina's back before, and now,your daughter is trying to seduce my son. How shameless-"

Suddenly, Laura's tirade came to an abrupt stop.Janessa's palm landed hard against her cheek. Not stopping at the slap, Janessa yanked Laura by the hair. "What right do you have to judge me? Did you forget how desperate you were to win Katrina's approval before? Back then, you played the caring friend to Katrina,treating Amelia well, but now, you've stopped putting on a show."

Nothing in Janessa's life had been easy recently.Ricky's blows, Lainey's cruel taunts-she had endured enough. Laura's insult tipped her past her limit.

She let every ounce of her anger erupt. The room turned into a battleground, the women tumbling from sofa to floor, fists and hair flying

Laura's pampered life had not prepared her for this.She found herself losing ground, yelling at the house staff, "Don't just stand there! Get over here and help me!"

Startled by the spectacle, the staff stood frozen.Laura's shrill order finally jolted them into movement,but just as they stepped forward, a booming voice brought everything to a halt.

Santos Morrison, Laura's husband, arrived home. He had rushed back the moment he heard that the Morrison Group got the Eastside Project.

Stunned by the scene in front of him, Santos barked,"Will someone explain what's happening in here?" That booming voice caused Laura to freeze, and Janessa wasted no time in landing two more swift kicks to Laura.

Even though Santos's presence was enough to intimidate her,Janessa held her ground. "If you refuse to help my daughter, I'll make sure every reporter in town hears about this. Let's see if the Stewart Group will still want to work with you when the story breaks."

"Tell whoever you want. The Stewart Group has already signed the deal. They won't back out over gossip. But your daughter-let's see how she'll show her face in public when the news spreads," Laura said.

Janessa's breathing turned ragged at Laura's words.She turned to Jaxton. "After everything Dayna has done for you, is this how you repay her? Are you just going to stand by and do nothing?"

Jaxton wished the ground would swallow him up after seeing Santos. He pretended he hadn't heard what Janessa had said, remaining silent.

Jaxton's silence crushed whatever hope Janessa had left. She had been blind to his true nature before, and now, she wished she had never pushed Dayna towards him.

After the servants finally escorted Janessa out, Santos turned to Jaxton. "Explain to me what's going on. And tell me the truth about the Eastside Project."

Fear flickered across Jaxton's face, and Laura started to speak up for him. But Santos quickly silenced her with a single, unyielding glare. "Let him speak for himself."

A heavy silence hung in the air as Jaxton stared at the floor. That only stoked Santos' anger. "Look at me.Why are you always so afraid of looking me in the eye?"

With a shaky breath, Jaxton finally looked up and recounted everything that had happened in a low voice.

As soon as Santos realized Dayna had stolen documents to secure the bid and that Jaxton had signed the contract without consulting anyone at the company,he slapped Jaxton.

Seeing that, Laura jumped in front of Jaxton to protect him, her voice sharp as she said to Santos,"Have you lost your mind? Why did you hit him?"

Santos' scowl deepened when Laura instinctively shielded Jaxton. "This is exactly what happens when a mother spoils her son too much. Just look at the man he's become because of you."

"How is that my fault? You've spent your life thinking about another woman. If I hadn't stood by him, Jaxton would've grown up without any support at home." Turning his gaze toward her, Santos narrowed his eyes."Why would you say something like that while our son is right here?"

"I am just telling the truth! Haven't you always been thinking of Katrina? Even after her death, you still-"

"Mr. Morrison, something's wrong!"

Clayton dashed inside, drenched in sweat and clearly anxious.

Laura felt her heart sink as she met Clayton's anxious gaze."What happened?"

Clayton took a shaky breath and replied, "The company's money isn't enough. We're running out of funds."

"That's impossible. There's always been plenty in the accounts."

Lowering his voice, Clayton explained, "It's true. But the moment the Eastside Project kicked off, massive shipments of materials arrived all at once. In just ten hours, every last cent on the company's accounts was spent."

Laura's features tightened as she realized the Eastside Project was the cause of yet another disaster. Santos said, "Why didn't you apply for a loan from the bank?"

"We already tried. But the bank refused us."