But no one is indispensable.

Laurice read that somewhere and felt the truth that lies in the phrase. She believed so, too. How very timely indeed.

Laurice swept her gaze down to the cooling tea in front of her itching to drink up just a little bit to calm her nerves down but she just couldn't bring herself to lift a finger and even if she did, it had probably gotten so cold already anyway. What a waste.

...

As Laurice wallow in her self-pity, the bickering continues as the old madam erupted as if she was running out of patience.

"Don't be impudent, Camilla." The old madam admonished, warning her daughter subtly with a tone that is slightly above her normal range.

Camilla did not concede but noticed the slight change in her mother's voice that was sending her warning signals. She cleared a lump on her throat before responding, barely uttering the words.

"If she wishes to join the company, she has the right to do so." Laurice's mother fended off as she finally resigned with such statement before drinking her worries down with water.

After a pause, the old madam replied uncaringly.

"Did i give my permission? So what if she's your daughter? That doesn't imply anything." Unable to resist the urge to vent her anger, Adelina spoke in a rather condescending manner that is very unusual surprising everyone who had gathered today. As head of the family, she was never open to her sarcasm and have always kept her cool in control. But her temper was considerably shaky at the moment as if she was clearly annoyed. Who ever said she had already accepted her daughter's marriage and offspring?

Camilla appear dumbstruck as she cast a glance at her mother who was now staring straight at her direction with a cold expression. She heard her own mother's indignance loud and clear and felt an onset of headache building up. Her face twitched. How can she retort back? Sending Laurice at the old residence may not be her own idea but she did permit for her to come. Was it her fault, then? Was she to blame for creating such uproar, by suddenly introducing a new family member and provoking her mother's achilles heel? Camilla felt constricted. With furrowed brows, she stared back at her mother and was about to speak when she heard a silent creaking sound.

It was Laurice. She suddenly stood up from her chair amidst the heated argument garnering everyone's focus and attention. She did not want to interrupt nor partic.i.p.ate in any of these sorts but she could no longer stay put and kept silent. Talking about her as if she wasn't present at all was making her so upset and restless.

Gathering her courage to speak up for herself, Laurice excused herself politely and said instead without pause. Her head slightly tilted down as she stare across the floor concealing the bottled up frustration she was feeling.

"I deeply apologize for any repercussion my sudden appearance had brought. I have no ill intentions towards the family and i do not intend to take office nor whatnot in general that i am certaintly not ent.i.tled with. I only came here as i was told and such has already been fulfilled, i might as well take my leave then. Thank you for accommodating me and sorry for all the trouble." Her sultry voice resounded across the dining hall.

She's already done here so her deciding to just go straight back home was only reasonable. Besides, she really like absolutely wanted to leave the moment she came inside.

Laurice clutch her purse tightly and was really about to head back when her mother expectedly opposed and tried to stop her but still remained seated as she called out for her.

"Laurice!" Camilla who was panic-stricken unknowingly raised her voice in horror. What was her daughter talking about? What nonsense! Leaving just like that after all the trouble indeed but for nothing? This is not what they've agreed with together.

Laurice halted. She dared not take another step ... yet. She was patiently waiting what her precious mother will tell her next.

"Quick. Apologize to your grandmother." Camilla retorted worriedly in a haste. She better save her mother some face. This is not the time to turn backs and get sentimental. It will not be a smart move if her daughter chooses to leave unceremoniously today. The old madam, Adelina herself, her own mother was already in a bad mood. She couldn't offend her any further than that or the consequences might be dire.

Laurice was in a confused state however and was totally shocked by her mother's unexpected response. Didn't she actually apologize just now? And what grandmother? Clearly, the person was not acknowledging her at all. What's the point with all this currying favor, for personal gain? Who's personal gain?

Laurice turned mute for a good few seconds unable to decipher her mother's thoughts. Her mood turned even sour as she pondered. Apologize? Did she offend her grandmother in any way possible? If such was the case, then that is totally absurd. She have done nothing wrong. In fact. she haven't done anything that might upset anyone yet. What is there to feel sorry about? If it was her mere presence that irked her grandmother, then why the h*ll did she send her here for? To embarra.s.s her? Something flicked in Laurice's eyes with that thought.

There was now a sudden chilly aura emitting from Laurice that can be sensed by anyone surrounding her. Her usual stiffness and coldness immersed as she stood her ground and face the very person ordering her around. There was no affection that can be reflected in her eyes at the moment as if stone cold making her mother utterly speechless.

Camilla: " ... "

Was this person her daughter? Why does she looks like a total stranger to her as if she was looking at her for the very first time ever?