Chapter 17 No Difference at All
Lauren woke up in Elliot''s room-again
The first thing she saw was Marilyn sitting beside the bed, carefully dabbing a cotton swab against her swollen face, her expression full of concern
As soon as Marilyn noticed she was awake, she asked anxiously, "Ms. Bet, are you feeling any difort!"
Lauren stared nkly at her moving lips her tears falling silently.
Marilyn''s eyes turned red with worry. "Ms. Bet, what''s wrong? Did I hurt you?"
Lauren couldn''t hear her clearly
David''s p had further damaged her already weak right ear, leaving her only able to catch faint, muiled sounds.
But she could read lips. She understood what Marilyn was saying
Before prison, she never had to rely on lip-reading.
But after losing hearing in her lett ear, she struggled to understand the guardsmands. And when she didn''t respond fast enough. their punishments were even harsher.
To avoid more beatings, she had forced herself to learn. Even if she couldn''t hear clearly, at least she could read their lips and
Lauren swallowed the bitterness and forced a smile. "Marilyn. I''m fine. I am just really hungry.
Thinking back to what happened that morning. Marilyn felt a wave of injustice on Lauren''s behalf.
Ma. Bet is such a kind and thoughtful person. How can Mr. David Madam Alice and Mr. Elliot not see that!
"What would you like to eat. Ms. Bennent?"
"Noodle soup
"Alright. Ill make some right away
Lauren nodded. leaning against the headboard. She stared out the window, her thoughts drifting.
She wasn''t sure how ruch time had passed before the door opened again. Assuming it was Marilyn, she turned her head-only to see Alice standing there Alice met her distant gaze, and a sharp pang shot through her chest. But instead of retreating, she walked over and sat beside the bed
"Laune, I made you some noodle soup myself. Try it
She reached out to feed her, but Lauren instinctively pulled away.
I can do it myself" Lauren took the utensils from her hand.
She looked down at the bowl of noodle soup The broth was clear, the noodles soft
yet firm, topped with fresh green scallions. and a perfectly poached egg
No heavy seasonings, no extra garnish-just a simple,forting dish with an inviting aroma.
She picked up some noodles and slowly chewed. The familiar taste spread through her mouth, warming her from the inde
Alice watched her with anticipation "How is it Do you like it?"
Lauren''s hand paused mid-motion "You made this"
Chapter 17 No Difference at All
Alice nodded with a smile. "Yes. Even Willow has never had my homemade noodles. You''re the first
She said it like it was something special, a gift, a sign of love.
But Lauren wasn''t moved.
Instead, she let out a cold, mockingugh.
She didn''t say a word and simply continued eating
Alice had no idea what noodle soup meant to her.
A simple bowl of noodles had once gotten her through an entire winter.
Finished
Even after all these years, Lauren still remembered the first time Marilyn made her noodle soup-it was the winter of her freshman year of high school.
That night was pitch-ck. She had biked home, pushing through the wind and
snow,
The entire Bennen estate was dark. No one had left a light on for her.
The family had already eaten their fill and gone to bed ear while she stood there, shivering, with nothing but cold leftovers. to quiet her hunger.
Later that night, the pain hit-her stomach twisted in unbearable cramps. It wasn''t until she threw up everything she had eaten that she finally felt some relief
That was when Marilyn, up in the middle of the night, found her sick and took care of her. She made her a steaming bowl of noodle soup
From that night on, Marilyn always left a light on for her. She stayed up, waiting for Lauren toe home, making her noodle soup, dumplings, and porridge- simple,forting meals that were easy to digest.
Everyone in the Bet family knew Elliot had a weak stomach. But no one ever noticed that Lauren had developed the same condition after moving in.
She never had stomach issues at the orphanage.
Yet in her own home, she went hungry so often that she ruined her health.
How ironic.
The taste of Marilyn''s noodle soup was something she could never forget. So how could she not recognize whose hands had really made the bowl in front of her?
She finished everyst bite, even drinking the broth.
Alice''s face lit up. "Was it good?"
Lauren fixed her gaze on Alice''s lips and cut straight to the point. "Just say what you need to say. No need to beat around the bush"
Her t, emotionless tone made the gap between them feel even wider.
Alice frowned, clearly displeased. "Laurie, I truly care about you. Why can''t you just let go of the past?"
Lauren didn''t answer She just stared at her, gaze steady, sharp-as if she could see right through her.
Under that look, Alice faltered. Her confidence wavered. Finally, she sighed. "Laurie, tell me what do I have to do for you to ept me
Lauren still didn''t speak
Because site abrady knew the answer. Even if she told Alice, she wouldn''t be able
to do it. So why bother saying anything at all
een them.
Chapter 17 No Difference at All
But all she got in return was Lauren''s cold indifference
Finished
IIT just.
In the end. Alice let out a long, weary sigh and dropped the act "Laurie, Funderstand that you''re upset, but you can''t, stand by and do nothing while Bet Corporation struggles. If we don''t restore our partnership with Gray Corporation, thepany & losses will only get worse. You''re a part of the Bet family. You should do your part"
Lauren had once believed that Alice was different from the rest of them.
Today, she realized she had been wrong.
Alice was just like the rest of the Bets.
If she really wanted to pretend she cared, she could''ve at least tried a little harder.
Instead, she didn''t even bother putting in the effort-handing her a bowl of Marilyn''s noodle soup and pretending it was some grand gesture while spouting empty words about family and responsibility.
In that moment, a bitter realization hit her-no matter how much she wished otherwise, she was still one of them.
Get out
What
"Either you leave, or I do" Lauren threw off the covers, making a move to get out of bed
Alice''s chest heaved with anger. "In just five years, you''ve bepletely unreasonable.
Lauren let out a coldugh. "Of course, five years must have felt short for you- living freely, enjoying life. But for me I spent those five years in prison, either getting beaten or insulted. Five years that should have been Willow''s. You''re the one who erased the security footage. You sent me to prison and ruined my name forever. And now, you want to act like you care? Please. Spare me. I don''t need that kind of love"
You, you''re being unreasonable"
"That''s right. So do us both a
a favor and stay out of my life."
Furious, Alice turned on her heel, unwilling to face Lauren any longer.
Lauren spent the rest of the day in Elliot''s room.
That night, David stormed in, pointing a finger in her face as he explosed in rage,
Bet Corporation had lost another 110 million in just one day.
Until they restored their partnership with Gray Corporation, the losses would only continue.
Lauren simply smiled at David the entire time.
That expression alone nearly made David pass out from rage.
Before leaving. Elliot cast her a long, meaningful nce.
At the time, she didn''t understand what it meant.
Not until the next morning
When she woke up, she realized her hearing in her right ear had slightly
improved.
As she made her way downstairs, she overheard two maids whispering.
"Why in Marilyn here today?"
"I heard something happened to her daughter. The school''s even considering expelling her
Lauren head snapped toward Elliot, who was casually reading the newspaper on
the couch
Chapter 17 No Difference at All
As if sensing her stare, he looked up and met her gaze-then shed her a slow,
knowing smile.
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