Chapter 77 Laura's Return: My Counterattack, Sofia Deserves a Lesson

Elena Garcia's POV:

"No, but I can call someone who knows this guy," I said, playing dumb to Noah's teasing.

Noah threw his hands up in mock surrender. "Wow, Elena, something must've gone down between you and Marco, huh? You didn't act like this around him before."

"What do you mean?" I asked, curious about how others saw my past behavior with Marco.

"When I first met you, you wouldn't even tell Marco what was going on with you. It drove him nuts. You should've seen his face when you weren't around—he looked like a sad, abandoned puppy." Noah exaggerated his expression.

I knew he was trying to show me how much I meant to Marco, making a point to highlight Marco's concern for me.

"Back then, we hadn't confessed our feelings yet, we weren't dating," I admitted. "I didn't want to bother Marco for no reason. But now we're together. I think he'd be thrilled if I asked for his help."

"Yeah, he'd love to be your knight in shining armor," Noah said, then mumbled, "Man, Marco's such a lovesick fool!"

I smirked, "Why don't you tell him that to his face?"

Noah laughed, "Because I don't want to hear him thank me for the compliment."

Noah kept complaining about Marco being cold to him but gentle to me. His tone was so exaggerated that it almost sounded like he was whining.

I put on a serious expression. "Alright, I'll talk to him then!"

Noah quickly backtracked, "Oh, no need. I was just trying to bring you two closer."

The next few days were pure bliss.

Marco would pick me up after class and take me out to dinner. Afterward, he'd either drop me back at school or we'd go to his place, where we'd make love. His place was super close to school. When I was lying in bed, lost in pleasure, Marco kissed my spine and asked if I wanted to move in with him.

I thought it was an invitation to live together, but I couldn't answer right then, so I just kissed him hard.

Then I waited for him to slide inside me, and we got lost in the moment together.

Life was peaceful and happy, and I couldn't stop smiling.

Even when Laura cornered me at the classroom door, it didn't ruin my good mood.

The other students whispered and quickly scattered. They knew about Laura and her crew's antics but didn't dare get involved.

They were wary of the Sterling family. No one wanted to mess with the beloved daughter of a wealthy and powerful family.

"Elena, you seem to be in a good mood," Laura sneered at me.

I stared her down, flashing my brightest smile. "Yeah, and what's it to you anyway?"

I didn't know why she was coming at me. Maybe my recent happiness annoyed her, or maybe Sofia had said something to her again, or perhaps her followers finally told her about my payback at the party—though I doubted that last one since her followers looked at me with nervous eyes.

But whatever it was, I didn't care; I could handle it.

"Your attitude is really annoying," Laura snapped. She turned to the girl closest to her. "Go teach her a lesson, make sure she knows how to behave around me!"

The girl was the one I had slapped that night. Seeing her, I raised an eyebrow.

I was sure that if she dared to follow Laura's order, I'd show her my strength just like that night!

The girl hesitated; she didn't dare approach me, but she also seemed scared to disobey Laura. She stammered, "Laura, maybe we should let it go? There are too many people here."

"Who cares? My dad will handle everything! You cowardly, useless wimp!" Laura kicked her, then glared at the others.

Seeing that the rest were also hesitant to approach me, she stomped her foot in frustration. "What's wrong with all of you? Did this bitch sneak into your homes at night and slap you into having nightmares?" Laura rolled her eyes, crossing her arms, but still, no one moved.

"Maybe someone kind let them know who they shouldn't mess with," I said, my tone dripping with sarcasm.

Laura's followers looked at me with wide, terrified eyes.

Laura seemed ready to take matters into her own hands, but her followers' reluctance made her pause. Instead, she decided to get to the point.

"William is your boyfriend, right?" Laura frowned. "Tell him to answer Sofia's calls. She's pissed he hung up on her."

Laura said this like it was the most normal thing in the world, her tone demanding. From her words, I knew Sofia had sent her.

It seemed that after that night, for some reason, William had been ignoring Sofia, making her feel desperate. With no other options, she sent Laura to do her dirty work.

Laura's attitude was infuriating. If I were still William's girlfriend, her words would be a slap in the face.

But I was no longer his girlfriend.

"Really? Did she try crying to him? Maybe he'd call her right away, since they're so in love." I stretched out my words, dripping with sarcasm.

My anger was boiling over. "She looks so desperate for a man's attention, like a bitch. Is she so eager for William to answer her call so he can go fuck her?"

"Elena, shut your mouth! Sofia is your sister, you disgusting bitch. Your jealousy makes you so ugly!" Laura was furious, rushing at me and shoving me hard.

I steadied myself and sneered, "No one would be so close to their sister's boyfriend. Laura, don't you think there's a problem? Or are you used to Sofia calling the boys you like? You're such a fool. Maybe Sofia told you they were just friends, and you believed it like an idiot."

Seeing Laura's flushed face and shocked expression, I grabbed her wrist, stopping her hand from slapping me, and said coldly, "Don't get so worked up like a shrew; I'm just reminding you."

I said haughtily to Laura, "William is not my boyfriend. Sofia seduced him; he dated me for Sofia. If she wants to know about him, maybe she should look in the mirror and ask the girl staring back at her."

Seeing Laura's embarrassed expression and her shouting "liar" at me, I sneered.

I grabbed her hair, and as she cried out in pain, I leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Laura, stop acting like a whiny baby. Can't you think for yourself and figure out the truth?"

I added, "Of course, William won't answer the phone. My new boyfriend taught that scumbag a lesson. He's probably too scared to see Sofia now. If you don't believe me, you can ask William's friends about the truth. But I'm curious, have you never wondered if the boy you like would lie to you? Only if he doesn't love you." 

After saying that, I let go of Laura's arm. Seeing her red face and flickering eyes, I knew my words had hit home.

I gave her a disdainful look and calmly walked towards the classroom door.

At the door, a figure I had been looking forward to was leaning against the doorframe, watching me with loving eyes.

It was Marco's presence that made me even less afraid when facing Laura. I knew he would protect me, just like Noah said, he was my knight.

"Welcome back, my queen," Marco said with a smile and kissed me.