"After this meal, hurry back to your biological parents. Don’t linger around our house."
As soon as Laura sat down, she heard the cold, irritated voice of her foster mother, Natalie Forbes, urging her to leave.
Half a month earlier, Laura had undergone a routine medical checkup, during which Natalie discovered that Laura’s blood type didn’t match theirs. A paternity test confirmed that Laura was not their biological child.
Natalie and her husband, Franklin Forbes, hired a private investigator, and eventually, they found their real daughter, Judy Forbes.
Natalie had always felt that Laura didn’t quite fit in with their family. Over the years, they had never given her much love or affection. Even when naming her, Natalie couldn’t bring herself to give Laura the family surname. The name ‘Laura’ was chosen from a cemetery by a bridge in Natalie’s hometown, a name lacking warmth and meaning.
Now that they had found Judy, their biological daughter, the Forbes family couldn’t be happier.
As for Laura, the Forbes had tracked down her biological parents, who were coming to take her home today.
Laura glanced at the lavish spread on the table. It was the most extravagant meal she had ever been offered in this house—and it would also be the last.
Judy, dressed in a designer outfit, sat smugly at the table. “Laura, you should eat up. This is my parents' parting gift to you. I hear your family is quite poor. Living in the countryside is so different from the city. I wonder if you’ll be able to adjust.”
Natalie looked at Judy with affection. “Whether she adjusts or not, that’s her business. You’re too kind, Judy.”
Laura glanced at Natalie. For the first time, she saw a motherly tenderness in her eyes—but it wasn’t directed at her. It was all for Judy.
The same Natalie who had always treated Laura with cold indifference was now showering Judy with love, as though Judy were the center of her universe.
Once Judy returned, Franklin and Natalie wasted no time making her feel at home. They had Laura move out of her bedroom and redecorated it for Judy, filling it with expensive new furniture. They even bought her a piano and built a dance studio after hearing she loved to dance.
Meanwhile, Laura had been banished to the smallest, most isolated room in the house.
Laura stood up from the table, catching Judy’s smug expression. But as soon as Judy noticed her, she quickly switched to a pitiful, innocent look.
Laura stared coldly at her. “You should eat more, Judy. After all, you’ve probably never had a meal this nice before.”
Judy was momentarily stunned, but quickly masked her feelings with a hurt expression. “Laura, I was just worried you wouldn’t have such good food once you go back to your real parents. I didn’t mean anything by it. If you don’t want to leave, I can talk to Mom and Dad. Would you like to stay?”
Natalie’s anger flared. “Judy, you’re too kind! You mean well, but some people just don’t appreciate it.”
Franklin spoke up, trying to ease the tension. “Alright, let’s not say more.”
But Natalie wasn’t having it. “Why should I? Judy is our real daughter. Laura is not! Because of her, our Judy grew up in an orphanage and suffered all those years!”
Judy gently tugged at Natalie’s arm, offering a sympathetic smile. “Mom, please don’t get upset. It’s not good for your health.”
Natalie softened, holding Judy’s hand. “You see? Judy cares about me. Only a real mother and daughter can have a bond like this.”
Laura’s eyes turned cold. She stood up and headed upstairs to pack her things.
Seeing Laura getting ready to leave, Judy’s mind raced, landing on Laura’s engagement. She played the part of the concerned sister. “Mom, maybe Laura should stay. After all, she’s engaged to Alex. If she leaves, who’s going to marry him?”
Natalie and Franklin exchanged glances, suddenly remembering the engagement.
Alex Cargill’s grandfather, Nelson Cargill, had arranged for Laura to marry Alex. A marriage to the Cargill family was a rare opportunity—a blessing the Forbes family couldn’t have hoped for in a hundred lifetimes. And there was no way they’d let such a match go to waste on Laura.
That fortune should belong to Judy!
Natalie grabbed Laura’s arm. “You can leave if you want, but first, write a letter ending any ties with us. Make it clear that you’re no longer part of the Forbes family. Oh, and your engagement? That’s Judy’s now. It was arranged for our real daughter, not you.”
Judy chimed in, her voice soft and sweet. “Laura, Mom and Dad raised you for eighteen years. They weren’t perfect, but they did their best. Please don’t upset them. If you’re angry, take it out on me, but don’t hurt Mom. Her health isn’t great, and I worry about her.”
Natalie gazed lovingly at Judy, her admiration growing with every passing second. "Judy, you're the most considerate child I’ve ever had. Not like some people—a wolf in sheep’s clothing!"
She added with a smug tone, "Franklin, stop wasting words on her! Ever since Judy came back half a month ago, our business has been thriving. Didn’t you close two major deals recently? That's all thanks to Judy’s good fortune!"
Laura let out a soft, mocking laugh. Good fortune? Were those deals really because of Judy?
Without a word, Laura casually pulled out her phone and sent a message.
Judy, playing her role perfectly, blushed modestly. "Mom, those successes are all because of you and Dad. You made the right choices and investments."
Natalie beamed with pride. "Judy, don’t be so humble. You’re a blessing to this family."
Franklin chimed in thoughtfully, "Laura, we haven’t wronged you. The wedding was never meant for you. Judy is our biological daughter, and no matter what anyone says, she’s the future daughter-in-law of the Cargill family."
Laura’s sharp eyes gleamed with mockery as she looked at Franklin and calmly said, “Are you sure those deals were all thanks to Judy?”
Natalie, clearly irritated, shot back, “If not her, then who? You?”
At that moment, Franklin’s phone rang. It was his secretary, jose.
"Mr. Forbes, something’s gone wrong! Both investors have pulled out. They’re refusing to cooperate with us!"
Franklin’s heart dropped. "What?! Why? What’s going on?"
"I’m not entirely sure, sir. Both partners called and hinted that your family brought bad luck about half a month ago. They’re convinced that doing business with you will lead to misfortune. We were set to sign the contracts this afternoon, but now everything’s fallen apart!"
Jose voice, frantic and loud, carried across the room, and Laura, along with the others, overheard every word.
Half a month?
Bad luck?
They were talking about Judy, weren’t they? Just moments ago, she was their so-called lucky charm, and now she was being blamed for bringing bad fortune?
Franklin slapped his thigh in frustration. "Those deals would’ve brought in a billion dollars! A billion—gone, just like that!"
He looked at Judy, confusion and disappointment clouding his face. Natalie, for all her doting on Judy, couldn’t hide her dismay—after all, she valued that billion more than anything.
Judy’s forced smile wavered, and the glory she had basked in only moments earlier was now replaced by utter humiliation.
Arms crossed, Laura watched the scene unfold, delighting in Judy’s downfall. “Mr. and Mrs. Forbes, I think you’ll soon learn who the real lucky charm in this family is.”
With that, she turned and walked away, calm and composed.
Just as she disappeared through the doorway, Franklin’s phone rang again.
"Mr. Forbes, there’s more bad news. Our contract with Phoenix Company doesn’t expire until next month, but they’re willing to pay the penalty fee just to cut ties with us immediately!"
Natalie’s face turned ashen as she heard the devastating news. Her fury quickly flared. “I’m going after Laura right now to find out what that little wretch has done to us!”
But as she stormed towards the doorway, the scene that met her eyes left her speechless.
