Laura, her face covered, trembled, gazing at her mother in a blend of disbelief and fear.

Tracy's eyes mirrored disappointment. “Laura, you've disappointed me.

Have you forgotten what I told you? How dare you mess around!"

"I never messed around," Laura sobbed.

"Never? Why are you pregnant, then?" Tracy had planned to let Laura marry Gerard, but now she thought all her efforts were in vain. Fury boiled in Tracy's chest. Before she could slap Laura again, the latter choked with sobs. "Gerard is my baby's father."

Tracy's hand froze in mid-air.

She gazed at Laura in disbelief, the anger dissolving from her chest.

Grabbing her shoulders, Tracy asked in surprise, "For real?"

Laura nodded. "Yes."

"Gosh! I didn't expect you to be so competent, Laura. How did you do it?" Tracy's excitement was palpable. Laura promptly recounted what had occurred.

Tracy listened, a trace of disdain flickering through her eyes.

“Humph! I knew it. Men are never decent, always pretending to be loyal. Gerard isn't an exception. Well done, Laura! No worries. I'll secure your marriage into the Harris family," Tracy affirmed, determined to make the Harris family pay, even if they failed to make the marriage happen.

Laura nodded fervently, embraced by Tracy's arms. Stroking her face, Tracy apologized, "I'm sorry, Laura. Did it hurt?"

Shaking her head, Laura met her mother's gaze with crystal-clear eyes.

“Not at all, Mom."

Tracy hugged her more tightly and said in a deep tone, “Laura, you are my hope. After your father passed away, you became my only family. I care about you the most. You must marry into a decent family. Understand?"

Laura had heard those words countless times. Nodding in a trance, she resolved to work hard and never disappoint her mother.

Determination fueled her, a resolve to prove those who underestimated her wrong.

In the Phillips Group, Lilah took a brief respite from her work to check the progress of the TV drama. Effie's exceptional acting skills caught her attention; it was evident she had devoted tremendous effort during filming.

Impressed, Lilah commented with a reassuring thumbs-up emoji.

Suddenly, her phone rang. It was a call from Brenda.

“How have you been, my dear?" Brenda's affectionate voice resonated through the phone.

“I've been very well, thank you."

“Alright. How's everything between you and Gerard?"