"It's just natural for Lady Lisa to think it that way. I bet nobody can accept that their son's marriage is just in name only. It's unfair for them. Not to mention, the Laurent family is a royal family." Carla voiced up her opinion analytically.
"Anyway, they can't just force you into it. Don't they know that the marriage between you and Sir Lucas will benefit them the most? Because of Mr. Lierger's prominent reputation, I'm sure as hell the Laurent family will continue to flourish significantly in the business sector. What's more, we have never pleaded with them to marry you. You had been frank with Sir Lucas long ago that you wouldn't have any feelings toward him, but he insisted on marrying you. Both of you are not married yet, but Lady Lisa is already hinting at you to bear grandchildren for her! How ridiculous! What is playing on her mind, huh?"
Carla glared at her upon hearing the words.
Rogan pursed her lips and zipped her mouth while continuing to mutter inwardly.
Meanwhile, Freda could not hold back and mocked, "I don't think they are as unworldly as they seem to be. Perhaps they are just putting on a show as they are unable to compete amid the royal family.
Carla smiled bitterly. "You are right in a way. Lucas is the only one who doesn't have any greed for power and social status."
She had sensed that the Laurent family was not as simple as it seemed long ago.
Freda sneered as something came into her mind. "Not to forget about that young lady whose name is Marianne. My gut instinct tells me that she is not as innocent as she seems to be. I sensed her awry gaze when Lady Lisa gave you the gift. She was staring at it with that kind of look…"
She pondered for a while before continuing with her words. "That's the kind of complicated look with mixed emotions of yearning and disappointment."
"Your description is precise." Carla nodded admiringly.
"What do you mean by yearning and disappointment?" Rogan furrowed her brows, unable to understand what Freda mentioned.
"The yearning for power and social status against the disappointment of not being able to achieve her dreams…" Freda explained briefly. "Ah! Rogan, let me assign you a task."
"What's that?" Rogan asked instinctively in bafflement.
Freda whispered to her, "I want you to find out the exact relationship between Marianne and Sir Lucas."
"Aren't they cousins?" The words escaped her lips at once.
"She might be a collateral cousin. If I'm not mistaken, the royal family of F nation does not mind marriage between collateral cousins. Perhaps…" Freda analyzed warily as she gazed at Carla's countenance. "No doubt, Sir Lucas is not the type of person who will easily fall head over heels for any other woman. Nonetheless, it is unavoidable that some others might be having a ploy on their minds and taking advantage of him."
"I understand now. Don't worry. You can rely on me on this." Rogan was finally enlightened by Freda's words.
Even so, Carla advised them placidly, "The kids' safety is still the top priority at the moment. As for the other matters, just let it be. Do you get it?"
"Ms. Lierger, don't worry. We know our priorities. Anyway, it's just a piece of cake for us to sort that out." Freda buoyed her up with confidence.
"Enough of that. Time for bed." Carla put down her coffee mug and rose to make a move.
Both Freda and Rogan followed her closely behind.
When Carla was heading toward her room, she bumped into Lucas, who was just out of Lisa's room.
Once again, Lucas explained to her in embarrassment, "Carla, I hope you don't mind what my mom said just now. I have just reminded her not to bring up the topic again."
"It's all right. I understand how she feels. Is she asleep?" Carla asked softly.
"Yeah." Lucas nodded and replied gently, "It's late now. You too have a good rest."
"All right." Carla stepped into her room.
"Carla!" Lucas called out at her. Carla turned to look at him and asked curiously, "Anything?"
"Nothing. Good night." Lucas gazed at her affectionately.
"Good night." Carla smiled at him and closed the door behind her.
Little did they realize that Marianne was peeping at them all the time in silence. She only shifted her gaze from Lucas and back to her room after his figure was out of sight.
At the other end of the corridor, Freda's lips contorted into a disdainful smile. Hmph! This woman is seemingly scheming. Let's see when she will reveal her true colors!
Later, Carla was back in her room and had soaked herself in the bathtub. Recalling Lisa's embarrassing words and Lucas' blazing eyes with emotions, her heart sank as a wave of gloominess surged from within her.
Initially, she expected that she would be able to put everything out of her mind after going through the earlier disgruntling moments. Hence, she was convinced that she would feel nothing even if she had to marry Lucas for the sake of the bigger picture in the long run. Apparently, she had overestimated herself as certain things could never be forced.
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