Chapter 36 Securing a Future


    Mia really cared for her, and Lauren could feel it.


    During those five years in prison, not a single member of the Bet family had visited her.


    Only Marilyn and Mia had taken the time to visit her, allowing her to still feel some warmth in the world.


    They were good people, so she had to protect them at all costs.


    Lauren smiled at Mia, I will listen to you. Mia?


    "Really?" A sh of surprise appeared in Mia''s eyes,


    Yes, really" Lauren nodded.


    But before I left the Bet family I had to ensure a safe way for Marilyn and Mia.


    I couldn''t let Elliot use them as a bargaining chip against me again.


    Thinking about this, Lauren changed the conversation''s subject and asked about Mia''s school life.


    "Mia, how are your studies going?"


    "Not bad. I get a schrship every semester"


    Seeing her confidence, Lauren felt relieved. "Mia, have you ever thought about studying abroad?"


    Mia paused, a flicker of longing in her eyes.


    But my family couldn''t afford it.


    Mum had me in her forties, and my father had died when I was in elementary school. Mum had raised me alone, struggling to make ends


    meet


    Mom had already worked so hard to put me through college. How could I dare to dream of studying abroad?


    "I don''t want to Though her words were firm, Lauren noticed the shift in her emotion


    "If, and I mean if, you had the chance to study abroad without worrying about money, would you go?"


    Lauren smiled bitterly, "Of course I would. But where would such an opportunitye from? It''s just a dream."


    Hearing this answer, Lauren''s heart finally calmed down..


    As long as Mia wanted to go a


    abroad, things would be easier.


    As soon as I received the 1.4 million dors, I would immediately send Marilyn and Mia abroad.


    Mia could finish her studies overseas, and Marilyn could take care of her daughter,


    Once they were gone, Elliot would no longer have any influence over them.


    If the Bet family refused to let me go, I would fight them to the end and leave all the money to Marilyn and Mia.


    That was why she had demanded 14 million dors from Alice.


    My life had been hard enough. I couldn''t let those who cared for me suffer the same fate.


    For the next two days, Lauren''s life was peaceful.


    The morning after finishing her morning routine, Willow went downstairs for breakfast but was surprised to find that David, Alice, and Elliot were nowhere to be seen.


    Willow looked at the breakfast spread on the table and asked the maid, "Are my parents and brother still in bed?


    12:25 PM D


    Chapter 36 Securing a Future


    +8 Pearls


    bites and then left as well.


    I knew that Dad and Elliot had been extremely busytely with the Eastgate


    project, leaving early and returningte every day.


    But it was unusual for Mom to leave so early.


    "Do you know where my mother went?" she asked again.


    The maid shook her head. "I''m not sure, but Madam Alice took several handbags with her."


    Willow was even more confused.


    But she didn''t dwell on it. After looking at the breakfast, she lost her appetite.


    She went upstairs, changed her clothes, and left the house..


    In a few days, the auction for thend in the Eastgate would take ce. Most of the elite in Hoverdale would attend, and she had been invited as well. She needed to buy some new clothes and jewelry to make sure she outshone the other women.


    Willow went to the most luxurious shopping mall in Hoverdale.


    She walked into a high-end custom dress shop. She was a regr customer, so the staff recognized her immediately and greeted her with a smile. "Ms, Willow, you''vee at the perfect time. We just received some limited edition dresses flown in from Glnd. The designs are unique, and the materials are of the highest quality. If you wear one of them, you''ll undoubtedly be the center of attention.


    Willow''s lips curled into a proud smile, like a peacock showing off its feathers. Her fingers lightly traced the exquisite dresses, her mind already imagining the envious looks of the other women and the admiring nces of the men at the auction.


    The more she thought about it, the more excited she became. She finally settled on a floor-length gown adorned with shiny crystals. The skin shimmered with every movement, like a starry night sky.


    The salesman''s eyes sparkled with admiration, showering her withpliments while subtly promoting other products.


    "Ms. Willow, we also have handbags that perfectly match these dresses. Would you like to have a look!"


    Willow, already floating on the praise, didn''t hesitate. Where are the bags? Show them to me."


    "This way, Ms. Willow,"