Chapter 5

Laura walked into her office, looking confident after her meeting with Mr. Johnson.

"How did the meeting go?" Ms. Seo, who had been waiting, asked.

Laura slumped into her seat, rolling her eyes. "Good."

Ms. Seo raised an eyebrow, expecting a more detailed response.

Laura glanced up, noticing Ms. Seo's curiosity. "Mr. Johnson wants full custody and no spousal support."

Ms. Seo's eyes widened. "That sounds easy."

Laura scoffed, and her expression turned skeptical. She recalled the case shocking twist from her past life. Mr. Johnson had denied domestic violence, but his wife, Regina, had presented incriminating evidence.

"What's with that look?" Ms. Seo asked, noticing Laura's concerned expression.

Laura ignored the question. "What do you know about Regina Johnson?"

Ms. Seo relaxed, thinking. "She is the development manager at Code Play, a game development company."

Laura's curiosity piqued. "Code Play?"

Ms. Seo nodded. "Yeah. Are you planning to pay her a visit?" Ms. Seo asked, but Laura smiled enigmatically.

"Getting an appointment with her won't be easy, especially with her divorce." Ms. Seo warned.

Laura stood up abruptly. "I'm feeling under the weather. I'll take the rest of the day off." Laura said but before Ms. Seo could respond. Laura was already out the door, planning her next move.

Her knowledge of the case from her past life would give her an edge, but Laura knew she had to tread carefully. Regina Johnson was a mystery, and Laura aimed to uncover her secrets.

As soon as Laura left her office, she headed straight to Code Play, Regina's workplace, determined to uncover the truth. She needed to verify Regina's domestic violence claims and devise a strategic approach for the court case, avoiding the mistakes of the attorney in her past life.

Upon arriving at Code Play, Laura took a deep breath and entered the sleek building. "Hi, I'm here to see Mrs. Regina Johnson," she told the receptionist.

The receptionist's eyes widened. "Do you have an appointment?"

Laura smiled charmingly. "No, but I'm working on a project that requires Mrs. Johnson's expertise. I'd greatly appreciate meeting with her."

The receptionist hesitated before calling Regina. After a pause, she hung up and turned to Laura with a weak smile. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but Mrs. Johnson can't meet with you today. Her schedule is packed."

Laura nodded graciously. "No need to apologize."

"Perhaps you could consider booking an appointment. I could fit you in on Monday afternoon after her court schedule." The receptionist suggested.

Laura replied, "Thank you, but Monday's too late."

"Thanks for your time," Laura added and left the company.

Determined to meet Regina before the court hearing, Laura drove to Charmount Restaurants, a five-star establishment, to gather her thoughts and grab a meal.

"I'm so sorry, ma'am, but we're fully booked," the receptionist said as soon as Laura walked in.

Laura's eyebrows furrowed as she scanned the empty restaurant. "Fully booked? I see no crowd here."

The receptionist hesitated. "Well, you see—"

Laura scoffed. "You don't want me here?

The receptionist stuttered, "No, ma'am, it's just that—"

Laura chuckled, tired and hungry. She took out her phone, pretending to call Vincent.

"I'll call my fiancé. He'll know how to handle this."

Just then, the manager approached, recognizing Laura.

"Welcome, Ms. Seymour. It's lovely to have you here today," the manager said, bowing respectfully.

The receptionist's eyes widened, unsure who Laura was.

"Welcome?" Laura scoffed. "That's far from what your receptionist said."

The manager's eyes flicked between Laura and the receptionist.

"I apologize, ma'am. She's new," the manager said apologetically, prompting the receptionist to apologize.

"I'm sorry, ma'am," the receptionist said, bowing her head.

Laura smiled, ending her fake call.

"I'll show you to your table," the manager said, escorting Laura in. Laura eyes scanned the restaurant, wondering why the restaurant was empty.

"Why is the restaurant so empty today?" Laura asked.

The manager replied, "It's actually fully booked by Mrs. Regina Johnson."

Laura's eyes widened at the mention of Regina's name.

"Mrs. Johnson? Interesting. Will she be here today?" Laura asked.

The manager nodded. "She's already here, over there." Laura followed the manager's discreet gesture.

"They rented the whole restaurant. Why sit at that spot?" Laura asked.

The manager smiled. "It's a top business meeting; they need privacy." She replied

Laura smiled, observing the setup. It looked more like a romantic date than a business meeting.

"Would you like to order now, ma'am?" the manager asked.

"Yes, please," Laura said, taking her eyes off Regina and focused on her menu.

"I'll have the grilled salmon with quinoa and steamed vegetables," Laura said.

"And to drink?" the manager asked.

"A glass of Sauvignon Blanc would do just fine."

The manager nodded, taking Laura's menu. "I'll put that in for you." She said and left.

Laura's eyes darted back to Regina and her supposed business partner as she finished her meal. She couldn't resist approaching them.

"Interesting date, I must say," Laura beamed, walking over.

Regina and her partner seemed unsettled, hastily dropping each other's hands.

Regina forced a smile, surprised by the stranger's sudden appearance. "Do I know you?" She asked.

Laura smiled mischievously. "I'm quite famous, so you might want to know me."

Regina's patience wore thin. "Let me rephrase my question then. How may I help you?" she asked, her smile strained.

"I visited your office earlier, but the receptionist said you were busy," Laura said.

Regina chuckled. "It's standard policy to require appointments."

Laura's eyes sparkled. "Yes, that's why I am glad to meet you here, Mrs Regina Johnson. It would save me the appointment hassle," Laura smiled

 "Anyways, I am Laura Seymour, your husband's attorney."

"Ex-husband." Regina corrected,

"Aren't you supposed to be the Russell newest daughter-in-law?" Regina asked.

Laura smiled. "I'm quite famous."

Regina's tone turned icy. "What do you want? Are you here to beg me not to divorce Raymond?"

Laura snickered. "You think highly of yourself, Regina. No, I'm not here for that."

Her gaze flicked to Regina's partner. "You seem to have found a replacement already."

Regina scoffed. "He's just a business partner."

"Is he?" Laura's raised an eyebrow conveying skepticism.

Regina made to speak, but Laura cut in. "Nice meeting you, Ex Mrs. Regina Johnson, and...," Laura's gaze lingered on the young man, familiar from her past life.

He was the same man Regina ended up with barely a year after divorcing Mr. Johnson.

Laura's smile hinted at her newfound advantage. "I'll let you get back to your... business meeting," Laura said, turning to leave.

Regina's voice stopped her, laced with venom. "Is your mother-in-law aware that you still do this?" The reference to Helen's notorious stance on her daughters-in-law not working hung in the air.

Laura turned back to Regina, her smile unwavering. "I think my fiancé's family knows me well enough," Laura replied, her tone light and careless.

With a flick of her hair, Laura walked away, leaving Regina seething.

DAYS LATER.....

The grand wedding hall shimmered with elegance, adorned with flowers and bustling with influential guests from around the world. Vincent Russell, scion of the Russell conglomerate, was marrying renowned attorney Laura Seymour.

The bridal waiting room swarmed with Laura's friends, well-wishers, and colleagues eager to capture memories with the bride.

Diane and Vivienne sat in a corner, Vivienne's gaze fixed on Laura with a lingering resentment. Vivienne had harbored animosity toward Laura since her mother poisoned her mind against her.

"I looked up Lawrence," Diane said, seizing a moment alone with Laura.

Laura raised an eyebrow. "Lawrence?"

"Lawrence Palmerston. Your friend from the bridal store," Diane clarified.

"Oh!, Why did you look him up?" Laura forced a smile. 

"I was curious. You've shared everything about yourself, including your orphanage friends, but never mentioned Lawrence," Diane said, noticing Laura's sudden unease 

Laura shrugged. "There's nothing to say. He was just another kid in the orphanage." She grabbed a nearby water bottle, gulping nervously.

"Was he your first love?" Diane asked, making Laura choke on her drink.

Laura laughed awkwardly. "Why would you ask that?"

"Well, the pictures from the orphanage website show that you two were really close." Diane said.

"Those?. That's just publicity photos, nothing more," Laura dismissed it.

Just then, Vivienne walked in, interrupting their conversation.

"Here it is, I thought I had lost my phone," Vivienne said, picking up her phone from the sofa close to Laura. She stared at it and smiled before looking up to Laura. "Hope you are ready. The event is about to start," she said.

"I'll escort her out," Diane offered.

"Don't worry, I want all attention on me," Laura said with a smile.

Diane persisted, but Laura remained firm.

As soon as they exited, Laura swiftly changed out of her wedding gown and into casual clothes.

Fortunately, she had chosen a bridal waiting room with a discreet back door. Unnoticed, Laura slipped out, disappearing into the crowd.

She vanished into the throng of guests, leaving behind the grandeur of her wedding day.