Chương 42: CHAPER FORTY-TWO
Every thought disappeared from Laurent's mind as his lips tangled with those of Rose's. Mine, mine, his voice whispered in his head and he had to shut it down. This was Rose they were talking about, and he knew he couldn't trust his intuitions about her. They kept screaming that she was telling the truth, but he just didn't know.
And anyway that wasn't his biggest concern at the moment. That little moment they'd had inside had put a wrench to his plans. What she didn't know-in the case it was all a lie and she was lying- was that it wouldn't ruin the plan, though.
They'd discussed something like this happening, and he could imagine the man was already weak with relief. The incident provided lots of better opportunities for the old man.
He panted as they disengaged, seeing passion in her eyes. He didn't doubt how aroused she was at the moment, she was practically grinding him.
"Rose," he called and her eyes gradually cleared.
She looked at him and the confusion in her gaze turned into sharp focus. "I missed you," she said again, and this time he couldn't convince himself that she was lying. How could one lie with so much emotions in her eyes? No, she had to be telling the truth.
He glanced away from the look in her eyes. "I missed you," was difficult enough, he didn't plan to hear anything else.
"Come on," he said into the awkward silence. "We'll be missed."
She looked at him with another sad smile, but she held out her palm to him. He ignored it, walking away.
ROSE'S POV
Behind Laurent, she rolled her eyes. A lot of things were churning in her mind, but the one tangible thing there was what Laurent said. Her plan has been a little impromptu, but she was absolutely sure it was going to work. There was literally no way he could get away with the long lost son ever again. She was his biological daughter, and her inheritance wouldn't be stolen away under her watch.
She hurried after him, pleased when nobody jumped out to question them. Taking faster steps, she melded herself to him and pasted a big smile on her face. They took their seat just as her father took the microphone.
"It's an honor to have everyone of you here to celebrate this day with me, I do not take it for granted." She closed her eyes and her mind drifted while he continued his speech. She knew there was nothing she was really missing. She'd crafted his first speech for him about 8 years ago, and all through the years, he just changed the arrangements and a few words, but it was still her speech.
She belatedly remembered he might have an announcement when he handed the mich over. She looked at Laurent in shock. Had she missed the announcement? Surely, people would react more. Oh, her subconscious reminded her, it just meant her plan had worked.
She raised a handkerchief to her face as if cleaning something, but inside, she wore the biggest grin she'd ever had reason to.
"I have a question, Sir?" The obnoxious voice from the guy she had humiliated earlier made her drop the smile and the handkerchief. She turned to him like other people.
Her father's secretary said a few things in his ears and he paled, but then he motioned the man to speak.
"I know this is a celebration, but we were led to believe something else was happening today?"
"Were you?" was her father's cold response. He stared hard at the reporter until the man could no longer hold his gaze.
He dropped back to his seat with a small frown. She breathed a sigh of relief, and peeked at Laurent's face. He was neither smiling or frowning, and though she didn't know how, she knew he was pleased about something. Her heart started beating in her heart again.
"you just shot yourself in the foot, you just shot yourself in the foot," that phrase circled around in her head and her heart beat faster.
Had she missed something? Had he somehow seen something like this coming? She frowned and saw that her father was also still standing there, smiling at people and saying something else.
Somebody else stood up in the hall, a woman this time.
"We received a report that you wanted to announce something today, Sir," she said smoothly, "It's a pity that it was a lie Sir, but we've all enjoyed your generosity today."
She watched as her father laughed uncomfortably. That woman was smart, she'd effectively put him on the spot, and she remained on her feet, as if waiting for a response.
"Well," her father finally said, his lips pulled in a small smile. "You know what they say about secrets. It was supposed to be a secret, but might as well announce it now."
She pushed away from Laurent, and he turned to look at her, clearly distracted. This time there was an eagerness in his eyes. He turned back almost immediately.
"This shouldn't come as a shock to anyone, but at my age, I've achieved so much more than I expected to. It's time to pass the baton."
Claps and cheers rose up, but the chaos in her mind was louder. Maybe she was just overreacting, Maybe her Dad was going to announce her, maybe Laurent was being short sighted, maybe, maybe, maybe. Millions of maybes entered her mind, and it wasn't until her father spoke next that her mind quieted.
"To my heir, the acting director of Blackwell empire, I'd like to present my son, Laurent Rocco."
The hall went quiet, and so did her mind. They recovered before her though, shouts and questions echoing from every corner of the room. In front of her, reporters came taking pictures and also asking her some questions.
Her face was frozen. Her ears ringing, and her heart pounding in her ears. She couldn't possibly understand what was going on.
"Smile," someone said from her side and she did automatically, her lips pulling into a small smile.
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