Lara laughed.
She laughed so hard that she forgot that these people, just a few minutes ago, were demanding to enter her house to talk to her.
“Oh, it’s nothing.” Lara took a cushion and sat on it on the floor, for the sofa was completely occupied with Arnold and his things.
Arnold stared at Lara.
He was informed about Lara’s face.
On how Lara looked exactly like his dead wife.
But nobody told him that she laughed exactly like his late wife.
She too scrunched her nose cutely when she laughed.
Her eyes would shut when she laughed.
“Excuse me?” Lara waved her hand in front of Arnold’s face.
Arnold snapped back to reality and said, “Nothing.
You look extremely identical to my dead wife.”
Lara immediately held her baseball bat, stood up and said, “I knew it.
Rich old men coming into these areas, searching for women, are for two things.
Prostitution or underworld stuff.
Get out.
I said get out.”
“Miss Collins, I’m sorry if you think we are trying to do something bad.
Just really look at this picture and tell for yourself whether you look identical to the late madam or not.” Butler Nolan took out a sepia-toned photograph and gave it Lara.
Lara took the photograph with caution and looked at it.
Really looked at it.
She looked at the woman’s eyes, her nose, her gentle smile, her moles on the face.
“This…” Lara’s voice faded as she couldn’t believe what her eyes saw.
“This is your grandmother.
Real grandmother.
Mrs Janet Ravenwood,” Arnold told Lara fondly.
He had finally found the true granddaughter of his.
The way she behaved, the way she spoke, and the talent she possessed without any formal education.
This was his true granddaughter.
Even without that face.
“Who…
are you?” Lara asked, her body suddenly giving out tears that she never asked for.
“Why are these tears coming out?
Are these the original body’s feelings?
But why is she crying when she grew up with grandparents?” Lara thought.
“I am your grandfather, Lara.
My name is Arnold Ravenwood.” Arnold said as he stood up, ready to embrace his long-lost granddaughter.
“How?
How did this happen?
How am I related to the Ravenwood family?” Lara said as she wiped her tears from her face.
“We are still investigating that fact, my dear child.
All I want now is for you to come back and live like a true Ravenwood.” Arnold said as he motioned Butler Nolan to serve Lara some sandwich and tea.
“No, thank you.
Sandwich is fine.
I had coffee before.” Lara said as she glanced at the documents kept on the sofa.
A blood test report and DNA report, with a copy of resumé of hers.
Some court documents and a cheque book.
In her mind, it instantly clicked.
“That father-daughter duo last night.
That rude, obnoxious man.
He’s the one who gave you the information, didn’t he?”
“Hearing those words about my first son from his daughter’s mouth feels refreshing for some reason,” Arnold said.
“THAT MAN, is my father?” Lara nearly yelled.
She stopped herself just in time before someone yelled that they were too loud.
“I hate the fact that he is my firstborn too, so feeling’s mutual.” Arnold said.
“That man is obsessed about his daughter in an unhealthy way.
No way I am going back to that man’s house.
Also, no offence, but that man is a criminal.
He took my blood sample and tested it illegally.
I never gave permission to use my blood other than the transfusion.” Lara said, anger rising in her chest.
“I am not going to send you to your father’s place after finding you for 23 years.
You’re my precious granddaughter.
You’ll be coming to my mansion.
If you want, we can shift Mrs Covan to my mansion as well.
Our house is nearer to the hospital and has a family doctor on call.
Her treatment will go better in better conditions.
She won’t have to work a single muscle.
My house help will do everything to keep her happy and healthy,” Arnold explained.
“How do you know…
You know what, forget it.
Rich people you are.
But Mr Arnold.” Lara was cut.
“Grandpa Arnold,” Arnold said.
“Mr Arnold,” Lara said again.
“Grandpa Arnold.” Arnold stood to his ground firmly.
“Ok, Grandpa Arnold.
There’s nothing called a free meal.
What’s the catch?” Lara folded her hands.
She was in high alert.
No rich family would be so patient for some family reunion.
“You have a marriage to fulfil,” Arnold revealed the true reason for his visit.
“No, not happening.
I’m too young,” Lara replied instantly, without missing a single beat.
“It was already promised before your birth,” Arnold pressed.
“That sounds like a you problem.
Not happening.” Lara snapped and shut down the logic immediately.
Arnold felt proud of his granddaughter.
“She is not the easy kind to make deals with without anything worthy to offer.
A true Ravenwood.” Arnold approved Lara’s mentality.
“How about I give you 10% of my company shares as a wedding gift?” Arnold started to offer.
“Not enough.
This is literally a plan to sell me off to a family.
Raise the stakes.” Lara was not satisfied with the exchange.
Companies can fall anytime.
And in case of emergency funding, shares are of no use.
“How about I not only pay for Mrs Covan’s medical treatment, but I will also provide protection to her?” Arnold offered again, adding more to the previous offer.
“Raise higher.
Not enough.” Lara was happy but not satisfied.
She had a feeling that she needed more.
“What more do you want?” Arnold opened negotiations.
“If there’s any kind of mishap directed to me or my grandmother, you have to take my side and protect me.” Lara finally expressed her deep, hidden concerns.
She had read far too many cliché novels to know that the laws are the same.
The more powerful the backing is, the less damage taken.
She still had no idea which novel she had transmigrated into, so taking precautions before entering a family so big was a must.
“Oddly specific but understandable.
Agreed.
So do we have a deal?” Arnold said as he raised his hands to make a handshake.
“I want this in writing with lawyers and contracts.” Lara refused and demanded legality and security before the deal closed.
She wanted no loopholes whatsoever.
“Done.
Nolan.
Call the Reynolds Firm.
Ask them to come here immediately.” Arnold grinned proudly as he said to Butler Nolan.
He was extremely satisfied with his granddaughter.
It was as if she had passed some kind of hidden test that he had set for her.
“Yes sir.” Butler Nolan said and dialled the number on his phone.
“Miss Lara may look like the late madam, but her attitude is like the patriarch,” Butler Nolan thought as the phone rang.