After her rebirth

The fat guy shot up, his face twisted with anger, his chubby cheeks jiggling like water ripples. He squinted at Desmond, who had just shown up out of nowhere.

His fun ruined, the fat guy sneered, "Seriously? Wanna play hero, huh? Before you go messing around, make sure you know your own damn strength. I paid for her, whether she likes it or not isn't my concern." Desmond glanced back at the trembling Laura, his eyes darkening. "How much?"

Laura's teeth chattered as she lowered her head and croaked out a number, "Fifty thousand dollars."

Laura used to be a cherished princess, surrounded by admirers, never worrying about money. She could casually buy a bag worth thousands of dollars.

But now, she had sold herself for one night for fifty thousand dollars.

And the person defending her, helping her, was the one she least wanted to show her messy state to.

Her downfall and degradation were apparent to all, but why did it have to involve Desmond?

Laura stayed silent, her eyes red, not daring to lift her head to look at Desmond.

Desmond had always been the prince charming of the school, excelling in both academics and family background. She had seen him from afar at parties, a member of the Boleyn family, with a handsome face, surrounded by admirers, radiating brilliance.

From high school to college, Laura had always followed in Desmond's footsteps. Knowing that Desmond liked Clara, she befriended Clara just to get close to him.

She even fantasized about a passionate love with Desmond, one that would make everyone envious.

Laura had crushed on Desmond, secretly, for many years.

But at this moment, the chord in Laura's mind snapped, her love died.

"Just fifty thousand dollars? I'll pay double." Desmond furrowed his brows, coldly sweeping his gaze over the fat guy, a chill flashing in his eyes. "This card has exactly a hundred thousand dollars, take your money and get lost!"

The fat guy looked at the card, astonished by Desmond's wealth.

"Whoa, which rich kid is this, throwing money around for a girl?"

Desmond grabbed Laura and was about to leave, turning back to say indifferently, "Desmond Boleyn, the Boleyn family. From now on, stay away from her!"

With that, he took Laura and left the bar without looking back.

In December, the wind was bone-chilling. The bar was warm, so Laura was thinly dressed and now freezing and pale.

Desmond sighed, taking off his coat and putting it on her.

The coat still had Desmond's warmth. Laura kept her head down but wrapped the coat tighter.

Desmond spoke, "Laura, this place isn't for you. Don't come here again."

He added, "The bar's owner is powerful, and most people wouldn't dare cause trouble here, but the place is full of all sorts of people. If anyone targets you, the consequences would be unimaginable."

Having been schoolmates for years and knowing Laura was Clara's good friend, Desmond didn't want Laura to go down an irredeemable path.

Laura had lost a lot of weight. Her once plump face was now gaunt, making her eyes look even bigger, pitiful in the cold wind.

Feeling Desmond's compassionate gaze, Laura appeared a hint of sadness.

She didn't want to come here either, but the debt collectors were forcing her to pay the debts.

Her mother was in the hospital, and the debt collectors even harassed them there, blocking their way in the ward.

The hospital had even advised them to transfer several times.

Laura had dropped out of school, had no degree, and had a criminal record. No legit company would touch her with a ten-foot pole.

Everywhere she turned, she needed money. The pressure was so intense, she hadn't slept in days. When she went to her uncle's house to borrow money, her aunt pointed at her nose and snapped, "You got no money? Go sell yourself!" She continued, "Your uncle busts his ass to make money. Your mom's illness is incurable, and she'll die sooner or later. Borrowing money is pointless."

Laura felt so drained, she was really at the end of her rope.

She slightly raised her head, looking at Desmond's broad chest close by, her voice hoarse, "Desmond, can I hug you?"

While her body was still untarnished.

Without waiting for Desmond's answer, Laura reached out and threw herself into Desmond's arms.

Like a drowning person, taking their last breath.

She hugged Desmond tightly, her nose filled with his scent.

Laura told herself, just three seconds. After that, she would completely fall into darkness, with no chance of being with Desmond.

"Laura, what are you doing?" Clara had just come out from the door, her face filled with shock and anger.

Hearing Clara's voice, Desmond snapped back to reality, pushing Laura away and rushing to Clara's side to explain, "Clara, it's not what it looks like." Desmond quickly explained how he had saved Laura.

Clara's face turned sour. Upon hearing the explanation, she managed to force a smile at Desmond. "Desmond, I believe you. I'm not that petty." Desmond sighed in relief, "Clara, you're so understanding."

"Lucas's looking for you. Seems like he's got something urgent. You disappeared after going to the restroom, you should go back in!" Hearing that Lucas had an urgent matter, Desmond didn't think much and immediately turned back to the bar.

'Clara and Laura are good friends, there shouldn't be any problem.' He didn't think any further.

As soon as Desmond left, Clara's face darkened. She rushed forward and slapped Laura hard.

As Laura collapsed to the ground, her coat slipped off, exposing her somewhat revealing attire. Clara's eyes narrowed coldly.

Clara's gentle demeanor in front of Desmond vanished, replaced by a chilly, menacing look. She grabbed Laura's hair, forcing her to lift her head. "Laura, you bitch, how dare you seduce my fiancé? I can squash you like a bug!" Laura struggled to lift her head, her eyes calmly staring at Clara.

"Clara, my dad's downfall wasn't due to an anonymous report. Why did you mislead me into thinking it was Katniss? Why? Why!"

Laura's eyes were intense, almost crazed.

Without Clara's manipulation, she wouldn't have gone astray, seeking revenge for her father and targeting Katniss.

She wouldn't have ended up in prison, her mother wouldn't have had to sell their last house, and they wouldn't be unable to afford medical bills now.

Clara was momentarily stunned, then laughed, her eyes filled with contempt. She lowered her voice, "Because you're stupid. You believed whatever I said. You deserve it."

"Clara! I trusted you so much. Weren't we good friends? What did I ever do to deserve this?" Laura's eyes were bloody.

Clara sneered, her eyes falling on the familiar coat on the ground, the one she had bought for Desmond.

"Good friends?" Clara said callously. "I knew you liked Desmond, that's why you got close to me. How does it feel to see me and Desmond in love, right in front of you?"