Chapter 27 Chapter 27 Doris spent an exhausting hour and a half on the subway after work before finally arriving at Tanglewood Oaks . Ever since Laura married into the Webb family , Doris hadnt visited her very often . When Doris found Lauras villa , she rang the doorbell , and to her relief , Laura answered the door . Laura was wearing an apron and an old outfit Doris remembered seeing her in a couple of years ago , and her hair was hastily tied up in a messy bun . The Laura standing before Doris now seemed like a completely different person from the polished , stylish one she used to know . Hey , Doris ! Come in . Laura greeted Doris with a warm tone and pointed inside . Aris already home from school . Doris stepped inside and immediately saw Arianna playing alone with her building blocks in the living room . Ari , look whos here , Laura said to Arianna . Arianna looked up , her eyes lighting up the moment she saw Doris . She jumped up , ran straight into Doriss arms , and squealed , Oh , Aunt Doris ! Good girl . Doris crouched down to scoop Arianna up . Guess what I brought you ? Arianna tilted her head , thinking hard and muttering , A toy ? A book ? Or chocolate ? With a bright grin , Doris held out a small square box and said , Ta da ! Open it and see if you guessed right . Arianna opened the box and gasped , Wow ! My favorite strawberry cake . I made it just for you . Its super healthy , Doris said , raising her eyebrows playfully . Thank you , Aunt Doris . Youre the best . Arianna hugged Doris tightly and planted several kisses on her cheeks . Doris gently pinched Ariannas cheek with a smile and teased , Youre such a smooth talker , Ari . While Arianna happily dug into her cake , Doris handed over a few shopping bags to Laura . I got you some clothes and skincare stuff . Laura looked at the bags , clearly overwhelmed , and she replied , You didnt have to do this . Im not exactly broke , you know . You should save your money for yourself . Laura , these are beauty supplements . Look how haggard you are now . You dont want others to call you Aris grandmother , dont you ? Doriss tone was teasing but concerned . Lauras complexion really wasnt great , and she looked more worn out than ever . Doris couldnt help but worry about Laura , and she added , I know youre doing your best to take care of your family , but a womans gotta take care of herself , you know ? Laura felt a wave of warmth . Doris was probably the only person in the world who truly cared about her like this . With a faint smile , Laura nodded and replied , Alright , thanks . Seeing it was almost dinner time , Doris stood up to leave . Dinners almost ready . Why dont you stay and eat with us ? Laura stopped Doris and suggested . Nah , I gotta get going . Maybe next time , Doris replied . As they reached the doorway , a furious voice suddenly rang out from outside . Laura ! Get your ass outta here right now ! 1/3 10:02 Thu , 27 Feb Chapter 27 Lauras face instantly turned tense . She stepped out ahead of Doris , her expression stiff . Sofia , whats wrong ? Whats wrong ? Sofia barked , her tone laced with venom . I just got a call from Meghan . She says you borrowed 100 thousand dollars from her . What the hell , Laura ? Are we not feeding you or clothing you ? 70 % +13 Why are you borrowing money behind our backs ? You want people to think we cant afford to take care of you ? Or are you using it to keep some boy toy , huh ? Meghan was the only housewife who Laura was familiar with in their social circle , and they got quite well with each other . Laura had only asked for Meghans help because she was desperate . If Laura werent forced to the corner , she wouldnt have resorted to borrowing money from an outsider . Meghan , however , had only called Sofia to suggest she show more care to Laura , but Sofia had completely twisted the situation . Hearing Sofias rant , Doris couldnt hold back anymore . She gently nudged Laura aside and stepped forward . Webb , do you have proof Lauras keeping someone else ? If not , thats slander . Sofias head snapped toward Doris , her eyes narrowing . Slander ? Youre hilarious . Im scolding my sons wife . What I say to her is none of your business . If she isnt hiding something , then why does she need so much money ? Thats her business , Doris shot back firmly . Her business ? She married Matteo , and that makes her part of our family . She has no right to be borrowing money without telling us ! Sofias voice grew colder . Sofia , I did borrow the money from Meghan . But it was for something important . Its not what youre thinking , Laura finally spoke , her voice trembling . Oh yeah ? So tell me whats so important that you needed 100 thousand dollars ? Im listening . Sofia crossed her arms and stared down at Laura . Laura swallowed hard , cornered by Sofias relentless interrogation . She bit her lip , unable to bring herself to admit she was scrambling to raise money for Ruperts wedding . Laura knew full well that telling Sofia the truth would only fuel her attacks , and worse , Sofia would find an excuse to drag her family into it . With Doris standing right there , Laura didnt dare let the truth slip . Laura knew Doris would undoubtedly confront their father , and that would cause even more trouble . Sofia , Ill pay Meghan back . Im not asking Matteo for a single cent , Laura finally said , her voice steady but strained . Sofias face darkened even more , and she retorted , Oh , so you were saying Matteo should pay it back for you ? Keep dreaming ! Let me make one thing clear , Laura . If you ever do anything to betray Matteo , Ill make sure your parents take you back . Youre lucky enough to marry my son , you know ? Doris felt her blood boil as she listened . She couldnt hold back anymore and shot back in an icy tone , Mrs. Webb , lets not forget how Matteo chased after Laura back then . She only married him because of his perseverance . The marriage was never something she asked for . If you were so against her , maybe you shouldve broken Matteos legs back then and saved Laura from this misery . You- Sofia sputtered , stunned by Doriss audacity to talk back to her . And for your information , Doris continued , not giving Sofia a chance to recover , the money was for me . Laura lent it to help me with something . Ill pay her back tomorrow . So if youve got a problem , take it up with me . 2/3 Chapter 27 Sofia let out a cold laugh , trying to regain the upper hand . Doris , with such a hot temper , no man in his right mind would marry you . Doris smirked , her lips curling into a sharp grin . You dont have to worry about that , Mrs. Im already married . Sofias face twisted in frustration . With a huff , she spun on her heel and stormed back into the house . Once Sofia was gone . Doris pulled Laura aside , guiding her to the edge of a small fish pond in the garden . Her voice softened as she asked , Laura , whats going on ? Why did you need to borrow so much money ? Laura avoided Doriss eyes and stammered . Can we … not talk about this ? Laura , Doris said , her brows furrowing in concern , youre my sister . How can I not ask ? Matteo swore in front of everyone at your wedding that hed take care of you forever . Its only been four years , and Sofia starts to humiliate you like this . I really feel sad for you . Lauras heart ached at Doriss words , but she still chose to keep the truth to herself . Doris , youre married now . You should know that tension between in laws has always been a thing . Its just how it is . Thats not an answer , Laura , Doris said , cutting through the excuse . Im your sister . Cant you just be honest with me ? If you tell me whats going on , I can help . The two of them had always leaned on each other during their growth . Their parents had never given them much love or attention , and in times of trouble , they only had each other . Laura couldnt bear to see Doris worry like this and shut her out . Laura sighed , her voice tinged with frustration . Doris , just let it go , alright ? Please go home . But Doris wasnt about to give up . Thinking of the incident that happened last night , she sensed something off through Lauras tone and asked , Laura , does this have something to do with Dad ? You borrowed the 100 thousand dollars for Ruperts wedding , didnt you ? Laura stiffened at the mention of their father and quickly shook her head . I already gave Dad that money . This is for something else entirely . She tried to usher Doris away and added , Its late , Doris . Your husband is waiting for you at home . Dont make him worry . Doris stayed rooted in place , her eyes fixed on Lauras hunched shoulders . The evening light cast long shadows over Lauras figure , making her look even more fragile . Clenching her fists , Doris fought back the wave of emotion rising in her chest and said , her voice trembling but resolute , Laura , Im not trying to pressure you . I just want to help . If you dont tell me the truth , Ill go ask Dad myself . Laura paused her steps , her hands curling into fists at her sides . A battle waged inside her as she weighed her options . Doris stepped closer , her voice softening . She was teary eyed , but there was a faint smile on her face . Laura , dont be scared . Im not a little girl anymore . I can protect you now . You dont have to carry this alone anymore . 3/3 田 AD Comment Send gift Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!