Second Life's Revenge

Chapter 20: Second Step To The End III

Mary and Lester watched Laura as she sat on the bed, wiping her tears off. They were both very concerned but couldn't do anything but quietly watch her.

Laura couldn't stop but think about being in the darkroom. She had thought, what if she never came out of it? Would she slowly die? Or would she be alone again?

"Mary, I need water."

Upon hearing her request, Mary quickly went to get Laura a cup of water and gave it to her. Laura took big gulps and finished the water. She then gave the cup back to Mary and looked at Lester's worried face.

Lester did not know why he had felt concerned for Laura. He also did not know why he had detested her, but in his eyes, he had only seen a fragile young girl.

"Are you feeling unwell?"

"I'm fine."

Laura wondered what had happened to her. She was confused about why she had suddenly blacked out after closing the window. Her memory was still fuzzy and she couldn't remember how it looked like, but she remembered just seeing a shadow.

Lester knew he was in trouble. He did not know how to tell Laura about what else had happened. He did not know how Laura would react if he had told her that the necklace she was gifted from the count was now missing.

Laura noticed Lester had something to say but was hesitant. Laura looked at Lester whose guard was up and when she called his name, he did not answer back. She knew then that he's in deep thought right now.

Then suddenly she thought, what if someone had stolen something? Her eyes widened, and she quickly got out of bed, shocking Mary. Laura then opened the secret cabinet and sighed out of relief. She thought someone had stolen the journal.

If they did end up stealing it, she would be in big trouble and she wouldn't know what to do anymore. Mary continually called for Laura, but she didn't respond as she was in deep thought.

Then what was stolen? She looked at Lester, who flinched upon making eye contact with her. Laura gave Lester a 'tell me why' face and he couldn't bear to ignore it.

"Lester, don't hide it from me. What was stolen?"

"The necklace that was given to you by Count Harrison."

Laura clenched her fists and Lester noticed she was furious. There was one person Laura suspected. It was none other than Tine. It was obvious because when Count Harrison gave the necklace to Laura, Tine looked jealous.

Still thinking about it, Tine did not deserve to have the necklace. But before confirming Tine to be the culprit, Laura needed proof. So she urgently asked Lester to observe Tine, if not maybe find the necklace.

Mary was worried about Laura because she did not know what was going on in Laura's head. Trying to change the topic, Mary forced Laura back to her bed. Laura refused, saying it was almost time for Viscountess Andrea to arrive in the estate.

Laura had planned to do something to Tine, and it was to embarrass her in front of Viscountess Andrea. She couldn't wait to see Tine's face turn red and she was going to pay back for the things Tine had done to her.

It was almost time for Andrea to come, and Laura had to move immediately. Tine wouldn't stop smiling as she looked at the necklace. She quietly thanked the black shadow who had dropped off Laura's necklace. She touched the pink gemstone and adored it.

When Count Harrison had given the necklace to Laura, she couldn't help but feel jealous. Tine wanted to at least touch it and wear it for a day. But she knew that if she had worn it out, Laura would have noticed it.

Helga knocked on the door and entered. She had notified Tine that Viscountess Andrea was coming today. Tine stood up and changed into a better-looking dress and put powder on her face.

Tine couldn't wait to impress Viscountess Andrea and had thought that she would prefer her over Laura. What Tine did not know about Viscountess Andrea is that she was not an easy person to be manipulated.

Tine heard a carriage arriving and looked out the window to see Viscountess Andrea's carriage. She had immediately thought to greet her first in order to earn her favor. She rushed down the stairs and as she was near the entrance door; she walked as gracefully as possible.

Viscountess Andrea looked out the window and saw an unfamiliar person here to greet her. She had thought Tine was a servant who would escort her to the study room. Viscountess Andrea got off the carriage and saw Tine's smile.

"It's nice to see you, Viscountess Andrea. My name is Tine Alvarado and I welcome you to our place."

Viscountess Andrea had thought wrong. She had forgotten that Count Harrison had two daughters. She bowed politely and had asked where Laura was. Tine replied in a nice tone and had said that her sister was still getting ready.

Tine took this opportunity to escort Viscountess Andrea to the study room. Once they both had arrived in the study room Tine had asked a maid to prepare tea. Tine nervously played with her fingers as she looked at Viscountess Andrea, who was sitting elegantly in front of her.

"Is there a problem, Miss Tine?"

"Ah I was thinking about how elegant you looked."

"Thank you."

The conversation had ended awkwardly and Tine did not know how to approach her. She had formed many questions in her head and it was all about becoming her tutor.

"Viscountess Andrea, I want to ask if there is still space for me to become your student?"

Viscountess Andrea felt bothered with Tine. But she can't just be biased. She opened her fan and looked at Tine.

"Why me?"

"That's easy because you are superb in teaching and I want to learn from you."

The room had filled with silence and Viscountess Andrea wasn't satisfied with her answer. Just because Tine had tried to flatter her doesn't mean her intentions are nice. She did not like people who had flattered her just to become their student.

Viscountess Andrea had expressed her dissatisfaction with Tine and had ignored her. She did not want to waste her precious time to talk with someone who wouldn't benefit her much. Before entering the room Laura had knocked on the door and it was no surprise for her to see Tine.

But somehow she had noticed that the tension in the room was quite thick, and it seemed that the mood between Viscountess and Tine was bad.

"I'm sorry that I'm late Viscountess Andrea. Oh, Tine, what are you doing here? Miss Edith is waiting for you in the library."

"I was having a small talk with Viscountess Andrea and it seems like my time is up. It's such a pleasure to talk to you, and I hope to hear from you."

Tine walked out of the study room and as soon as she left the room, she threw a fit. She stomped on the floor and ruffled her hair. She bit her lip and couldn't believe that Viscountess Andrea had ignored her.

Tine stomped her while walking to the library and still did not give up on the idea of wanting to become Viscountess Andrea's student. She thought that Viscountess Andrea was thinking about it, but little did she know, she had already been rejected the moment she had asked.

Laura sat opposite of Viscountess Andrea and poured tea in the teacups. She was internally laughing as she saw the disappointed face Tine had worn as she had walked out of the room.

"I did not expect Miss Tine to be like that. I thought she was clever by looking at her cover. But it seems like I was wrong."

"I'm sorry about Tine, Viscountess Andrea. She's still learning many things."

"Just call me Andrea. I don't really like people calling my title."

"I understand Miss Andrea."

The first time Viscountess Andrea had seen Laura, she was surprised by her beauty. But when Laura had asked her to become her tutor she felt irritated not until Laura had stated her reason. Viscountess Andrea had thought Laura was an interesting girl.

It reminded her of herself when she was just a teen. Viscountess Andrea used to a commoner and had always been envious of the people who had power.

One day she had bumped into Piers Marshall, who is now her husband. And remembered when she had gotten engaged with Count Piers, many had bad mouthed her.

Of course, she had heard many bad criticisms about her, but she never let it affect her and now she became one of the most influential women in the empire.

"And so there are still many things I want to know about you. Why don't you speak freely, Laura?"

"If Miss Andrea says so, then I won't hold back."

"It's better than putting up a cover."

Laura and Viscountess Andrea had laughed softly. Laura couldn't help but feel happy that Viscountess Andrea had trusted her. She did not have much confidence in her, and that is why she had always doubted herself.

But it seems like things were going well for Laura and she did not need to worry much about the future anymore.

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