**Laurel's POV**

"Blake darling, drive carefully on your way back!" I called out,waving from the mansion's entrance. The afternoon sun warmed my back as I tilted my head just right.

My mother stood beside me. "Blake, take care on the road."

Blake merely nodded, not bothering with words. He climbed back into his car without looking back. The black sedan pulled away, gravel crunching under its tires.

I kept waving until the car disappeared around the bend. The moment it was gone,my hand dropped and my smile vanished.

I turned sharply and walked into the mansion.

"Laurel," my mother hurried after me,′′I′m so happy you came to visit your sister! Should we go up to the third floor to see her now?"

At the mention of Rachel, irritation flashed across my face. "What's the rush? She's a vegetable - she's not going anywhere."

I yanked my wrist away when she tried to grab it.'m exhausted. I'm taking a nap."

As I started toward the stairs, a thought hit me. I turned around,fixing my mother with a cold stare.

"Didn't I tell you to move her to the basement? I bought this mansion specífically because it has that enormous basement! Why is she still on the third floor? Are you trying to make sure everyone knows she's still alive?"

Mother's face fell. "Laurel, please don't be angry... I kept Rachel on the third floor because I thought she needed sunlight..."

"Sunlight?" I laughed harshly. "She's in a vegetative state, not a potted plant. What's next, are you going to water her too?"

My voice rose with each word. "Take her to the basement today! The online attacks against me are still going strong, and I'll need to stay here at least a week. Blake will definitely visit. What if he accidentally finds out?"

"That won't happen..."

"How can you be sure?" I cut her off. "You come here all the time. Don't you know what people are saying? What if Blake gets curious?"

Mother lowered her head. "Even if he discovers Rachel isn't dead, it wouldn't matter."

"What if?!" I snapped. "What if he mentions it to his grandfather,or his mother, or his sister? Do you want everyone to remember how you cheated on Dad? Or should the whole world know that the Rose family is still taking care of your daughter with that other man?"

Mother's face went white. She looked down,resistance melting away. "I...r Il arrange it later..."

"Not later. Now!" I demanded. "Take her to the basement! I'm going to rest, and when I wake up. I expect her to be in the basement!"

I stormed up the stairs and slammed the door hard enough to shake the walls.

*#Audrey's POV**

The taxi wound through tree-lined roads, taking me closer to Twilight Mansion. I watched the scenery change from urban to suburban,houses growing larger and farther apart.

"Miss, did your car break down? Is that why you're taking a taxi home?"the driver asked, glancing at me in the mirror.

I smiled slightly. "Why would you think that?"

"People who live there usually have their own cars. Those who take taxis are either residents with broken-down cars or staff. You look too elegant to be staff."

His observation made me laugh. "I'm actually not a resident. I'm visiting someone."

I rolled down the window, letting the fresh air rush in. The breeze felt good against my face.

"If you have friends there, you must be someone important too!" the driver said cheerfully.

I was about to answer when a familiar black sedan appeared heading our way. My heart jumped as I recognized Blake's car. *So he's already dropped off Laurel and is heading back?*

I moved to close the window, not wanting to be seen, but it was too late.

The black sedan passed us, then made a sharp U-turn. My stomach dropped as it cut across traffic and pulled in front of our taxi. Our driver slammed on the brakes.

"What the hell! Are you crazy?!" he shouted.

Blake got out and walked to my window. "Get out."

I studied him through the glass. Sunlight hit his face but failed to warm his features. I took a breath before opening the door, though I stayed seated.

"What do you want?"

He looked down at me. "You're really trying to follow them to Twilight Mansion? Didn't I tell you that today's situation ends with Jennifer being arrested? What are you planning to do at the mansion? Bring the police there to arrest Laurel too?"

I raisedan eyebrow. "So, Mr. Parker deliberately turned his car around to stop me, all to protect Miss Rose? You must care for her deeply. Even though she arranged for people to almost kill you yesterday, today you're stopping my taxi for her sake."

His brow furrowed. "How many times do I have to tell you? Yesterday's incident had nothing to do with Laurel! Jennifer acted on her own!"

I rolled my eyes. "Laurel's lies are only believed by you."

"And only you would refuse to believe the facts," he countered.

Blake pulled out a stack of bills and tossed them onto the front seat."This is for you. Take her back where you picked her up."

The driver's eyes lit up as he grabbed the money. "Yes, sir! I'll take her back immediately!"

I stared at him in disbelief. "Dude, how could you do this?"

He shrugged, "Who can say no to money?"

I bit my lip, hands curling into fists as I glared at Blake.

He ignored my anger. "Twilight Mansion is where Mrs. Rose is recovering.Laurel is accompanying her sick mother. It's not appropriate for you to go there and cause a scene."

"How do you know I'm going there to cause a scene?" I asked.

Blake adjusted his cuff links. "Why else would you go? To build a friendship with Laurel?"

His eyes swept over my bruised face. "Go home. I'll have Dr. Everett give you medicine for those scars."

I touched my face, then laughed. "Why pretend to care? You're protecting the woman behind my injuries while offering to heal my wounds. Blake Parker, don't you find your behavior disgusting?"

His expression darkened. "Audrey Sinclair!"

I stared back. "What? Can't handle the truth?"

Blake's jaw tightened. "I'll tell you one more time: everything was Jennifer's plan. If you continue to slander Laurel... I won't hesitate to help her sue you for defamation.".

I stared at him, shocked, then broke into a laugh. "Go ahead. File that lawsuit right now. Make it public. It might even give me more clues!"

I grabbed my bag. "I'll be waiting for your lawsuit!"

I stepped out and began walking toward Twilight Mansion.

Blake caught my wrist. "Where are you going?"

"To Twilight Mansion," I replied calmly.′′Ifyou won't let the taxi take me,I'll walk."

He laughed. "Do you know how far it is? Almost twelve miles. You think you can walk that far?"

His gaze swept over my legs and heels. "Walking thatdistance in those heels? Your feet would be ruined before you even got halfway."

I looked down at my pink heels, remembering how I'd put them on this morning for the jewelry company meeting. With all that had happened, I hadn't had a chance to change.

Without hesitation, I crouched down and began unfastening the straps.