Lawrence hadn’t always been part of the upper social ladder. In fact, growing up, he barely had enough to survive under the roof of his drunken, deadbeat father and a mother whose only way of coping was to look the other way whenever her husband flew into a rage.
So, even as a young boy, Lawrence promised himself he would leave that household behind and never look back at that poverty-stricken town. And as promised, he left. Since then, Lawrence had worked multiple part-time jobs while putting himself through school until he graduated.
Did his life change?
Not one bit. Sure, he had escaped home and earned a diploma before landing an opportunity in the big city. But as a guy from the province trying to make it in a sprawling metropolis, he quickly learned how harsh reality could be. Discrimination was everywhere, especially toward someone like him — a guy from a small town, poor, and hungry for a chance.
In the end, no matter how hard he worked, all he could manage was a contractual job at a small office, barely scraping by on minimum wage. That was his life until he met her.
Loren Albert.
Unlike Lawrence, Loren was the heiress of her father’s construction company. She grew up pampered and protected, loved by her father, and never knew hardship. Yet she wasn’t arrogant. She was kind, gentle, beautiful—perfect in every way.
No one understood how or why Loren fell for someone like Lawrence Young, but she did. Despite her father’s opposition, she married him and had a child. Eventually, her father relented and brought Lawrence into the company.
LL Construction.
For years, things were good until Chairman Albert’s untimely death, and Loren was diagnosed with leukemia just a year after her father’s funeral. With the chairman gone and Loren’s health declining, Lawrence ended up managing the company. But everyone close to him knew the truth: while his wife fought for her life, Lawrence found solace in the arms of his first love, Jasmine.
Loren eventually found out. But she said nothing.
No one knew why she kept her silence... until later. When she passed, everything in her name had been transferred to her daughter, Lola. Not a single cent was left to her husband. In her final will, she stated that Lola would inherit everything once she turned eighteen.
So, how did Lawrence still end up with control over the properties and Albert’s hard-earned wealth?
Because in Lola’s first life, she fought for them, and even turned to Chairman Lancaster for help. But it didn’t end well. Lola was caught in a car accident and was left paralyzed for the last five years of her life until Melissa unplugged her life support. As for the chairman, his health was already fragile, and the stress of the legal battle took a toll on him.
Thankfully, Lola was given a second chance. A chance to redo everything—and make better choices. This time, she promised herself one thing:
She would take back everything that was rightfully hers.
Only now, she would do it smarter, protecting herself and Chairman Lancaster, the only person who had ever felt like family in her darkest days.
---
[Present Time]
Lola cupped her face, a smile tugging at her lips as she watched the twins enjoy their ice cream.
"Lola." Silo leaned closer, his voice low.
She arched a brow, giving him a side glance. "What’s that look on your face?"
"Well..." Silo’s face twitched. He was still reeling from what the twins had told him—the real reason they clung to her like their lives depended on it.
He scratched the back of his head and sighed. "Nothing. By the way, aren’t you going to take that thing off your face?"
His eyes landed on the prosthetic pimples on the tip of her nose, making him wince slightly. Lola was undeniably talented, but those pimples looked too real.
"Later," Lola chuckled, her gaze still soft as she watched the twins. "They’re still wearing theirs."
Silo looked at the twins... then back at Lola. The three of them were rocking full Halloween glam. Thankfully, Lola’s sensitive skin meant that everything she used was also safe for kids. But that wasn’t really the point.
"Lola," he whispered again, worry tingling his tone. "Don’t forget—their father’s picking them up in... what, two days? Not counting today?"
Lola’s smile faltered slightly. She turned to him but said nothing at first, then looked away.
"I know," she murmured. "By the way, tell our agent that Lawrence Young will be calling soon about the properties we bought for him."
Silo’s brows rose. "Why? Is there a problem?"
"No. He’s going to buy them all back."
Silo frowned. "You’re not selling, are you?"
To his surprise, the corners of Lola’s lips curved upward and there was a flicker in her eyes that made his brows furrow in return.
What was that?
"Selling them back to him has always been the goal," she whispered. "Just make sure to price them above current market value."
"Lola, what are you planning? I doubt he’ll agree. He’ll try to haggle."
"He won’t," she said simply, her smile returning as the twins looked up at her, beaming. "He’s desperate."
"Chacha, Second, want to go shopping with me?"
The twins’ eyes lit up. "Mommy, did you earn today?"
"Uhm... mhm!" Lola nodded. "I worked hard today, so I want to buy Chacha and Second whatever they want."
"Yey~! Mommy is the best~!"
As the twins cheered, Silo glanced between them and Lola, then let out a small sigh. Lola wasn’t the type to go on shopping sprees. In fact, she was the most frugal person he’d ever met. She saved every cent just to buy back the land her father had sold off.
And now? She wasn’t just planning to sell those lands back—she was spoiling the twins, too.
Should I stop her? he wondered, narrowing his eyes in suspicion. She’s never gotten this attached to anyone before. I don’t know what’ll happen when the twins leave.
Silo sighed heavily and shrugged it off.
As Lola and the twins rose to their feet and headed toward the mall, she spoke again once Silo caught up.
"Oh, and..." She glanced over her shoulder. "Try asking around. See what’s going on with the Summit Partners."
That made Silo blink in surprise. "Summit Partners?"
"Mhm," she hummed, holding the twins’ hands. "For some reason, the Lancasters and the Summit Partners are entering a partnership. I want to know if it’s worth looking into."