Falling For My Ex's Uncle - Chapter 48: Chapter 48

At Rosemary's audacious words, I couldn't help but sneer, narrowing my eyes as I fixed my gaze on her. "How do you manage to turn people's kindness into your shameless confidence?"
Rosemary froze, her eyes flashing with surprise and a fleeting hint of hatred.
"Laurel, enough. If it weren't for the fact that you're a woman, I'd have slapped you by now," Austin snapped, his voice rising in anger.
I narrowed my eyes, mocking, "Don't talk like you've never hit me before."
The room fell into a hush, followed by a wave of whispers.
Austin's face turned an uncomfortable shade of red.
But it was Amanda who lost control first, her hand shooting toward my face in a slap.
She hadn't noticed Alex moving forward, stepping in between us, blocking her. His usually gentle face now radiated a rare coldness and displeasure, a palpable chill that made the air seem colder.
Alex looked down at Amanda, his gaze sharp with barely-contained fury, yet his voice remained eerily calm. "Amanda, what do you think you're doing?"
Amanda paused, clearly not expecting Alex to protect me.
To be honest, I hadn't expected it either, especially since I was the one who had caused all the trouble.
It was his birthday today, and now it seemed like I'd made the Herrera family the laughingstock of the event.
Everyone here was someone of importance, and I wouldn't be surprised if tomorrow's entertainment headlines were full of reports about the chaos at the party.
Would Alex, in a fit of anger, even think about breaking things off with me?
The thought of my 1.5 million dollars flying away made me want to cry.
"Laurel pushed Rosemary down from the second floor, and now she won't apologize, but she's here stirring up trouble," Amanda spat, not the slightest bit fazed by the fury on Alex's face, continuing to smear my reputation.
Of course, she had never respected me. Why would she let some insignificant person like me mistreat her precious adopted daughter?
Alex curled his lips into a smile, his anger seemingly evaporating as he turned his attention to me, his gaze full of mild curiosity. "You pushed her from the second floor?"
I shook my head, calm as ever. "No, I came here to attend a party, not to find trouble."
"Stop trying to wriggle your way out of this," Amanda hissed. "You're just jealous of Rosemary. She's made the Herrera family take you in, but you can't accept it."
I gave a thin smile. "Well, then I owe you and your family thanks, don't I? For the six years of staying unmarried."
"Six years? They were together for six years, and now suddenly they're breaking up? Which girl wouldn't have some resentment?"
"Didn't you hear what the girl said? She's thankful for the 'not marrying' part. Who would want to push their daughter into a pit of fire, knowing the man's the one who hits women?"
The whispers around us grew louder, and Amanda's anger boiled over. "Laurel, stop talking nonsense. You're the one with the venomous heart. My son didn't want you, and now you're blaming Rosemary and taking revenge in front of everyone!"
"When have I ever taken revenge? I'm just speaking the truth. Six years to finally see my true face? Maybe you should go see an eye doctor," I said, a mocking smile curling my lips. "If Rosemary is so perfect, why not adopt her as a daughter-in-law? Just let me know when, and I'll make sure to send a grand gift. You deserve to live happily ever after so no other poor girl falls into your clutches."
"You..." Amanda was so taken aback she couldn't speak, her feet stomping in frustration. "You're such a good actress, always pretending to be so well-behaved. But you're jealous and vicious inside!"
"Well, I owe that to you. You really brought out the worst in me. The wicked always meet their match."
At that point, several young women nearby covered their mouths, stifling giggles, and others chimed in, "Every time I argue, I think I've done well. But today's lesson was full of new vocabulary!"
As I noticed the crowd was thoroughly enjoying the spectacle, I quickly glanced at Alex beside me, suddenly realizing I might have gone too far. I quickly shut my mouth, feeling the weight of his gaze.
I had only been speaking the truth, but even a rabbit can bite when cornered.
"Of course, coming from a poor family, you have no manners."
I had intended to stop the argument, but Amanda actually started criticizing my parents? Really, she thought she could get away with that?
"Well, I suppose your husband must've been too poor to afford a proper bride back then. And your manners are no better," I shot back, my smile as cold as ice.
Amanda's face shifted between shades of pale and red, but before she could respond, Alex's cold voice cut through the air.
"Amanda, did you actually see Laurel push someone?"
Amanda froze for a moment, then quickly retorted, "Rosemary said it was her! What's the matter? Are you calling her a liar?"
"Amanda, did you forget that Rosemary is sick?" Alex spoke calmly.
Amanda looked at Alex, disbelief written all over her face. She hadn't expected him to take my side.
"Alex, Rosemary would never lie!"
"Do you think the people I invite would lie?" Alex's voice was colder now.
"Amanda, don't be fooled by her appearance," Amanda snapped, clearly losing patience as she shot me a venomous glare.
I opened my mouth to respond, but Alex's warning glance stopped me. I bit my lip—1.5 million dollars was on the line, so I could bear it.
Alex sighed softly. "Amanda, I don't want you to have a misunderstanding with Laurel. After all, she's still part of the Herrera family."
Amanda looked at Alex with confusion, then scoffed, "She wants to be part of the Herrera family? That's never going to happen."
Austin shot me a suspicious look, his brow furrowing slightly.
It seemed like he believed I was here to win him back.
Even Rosemary's face shifted, and she nervously tugged at Amanda's arm, whispering, "Mom, if Austin is willing to reconcile with Laurel, please don't stop him. Really, I'm fine."
Her expression was so full of restraint and sadness that anyone who didn't know better might think I'd been bullying her.
As if I'd dare. She had mental issues—who would touch her?
"Amanda, you misunderstood. Laurel and Austin have already broken up. They have no ties anymore. So if she's entering the Herrera family, she doesn't need your approval. The man who wants to marry her is me."
The room fell silent as everyone's eyes turned to me in stunned disbelief.
Before anyone could fully react, Alex's sharp gaze turned toward Rosemary. "So, you think Laurel pushed you because she hates you? But she's already with me—what's there to hate? You've cried wolf too many times."