No Ads Chapter 25 Chapter 25 At six in the morning , Laura woke up right on schedule .
She had barely slept for more than two hours , but it didnt matter she had to get up and prepare breakfast for the entire family .
If she didnt , not only would Sofia be displeased , but Matteo would surely lash out at her as well .
There was a time when the Webbs had a housekeeper to handle these tasks .
But that luxury disappeared when Sofia decided Laura had failed her duty by not giving birth to a second child .
The housekeeper was dismissed , and Sofia smugly handed over the responsibility to Laura , justifying it by saying , Youre young and idle might as well put yourself to good use .
By 7:30 a.m.
, Matteo had eaten and left for work .
As Laura cleared away the breakfast dishes , Sofia stood in the kitchen doorway , arms crossed , her expression radiating dissatisfaction .
Laura , Sofia began , her tone sharp and critical , did you upset Matteo again last night ? He works so hard all day .
Can you stop adding to his stress ? Laura , utterly drained from the mornings labor and lack of sleep , forced herself to respond calmly , Sofia , I didnt .
All she wanted to do right now was to lie down and have some rest .
Sofia , unconvinced , narrowed her eyes .
To her , Lauras weariness came off as defiance.
Sofia scolded , Youve failed to give us a second grandchild , and all youve managed is just one child .
What good is that ? But have I made your life hard because of it ? No.
Ive been patient .
So dont think for a second you can act ungrateful .
If you upset my son again , Ill personally see to it that youre sent packing back to your parents house .
Do you understand ? Yes , I understand .
Lauras voice was devoid of emotion .
She couldnt muster the strength to argue .
Ill take Ari to school now .
With Arianna in tow , Laura walked the short ten minute distance to Evergreen Preschool .
Mommy , Grandma scolded you again today , didnt she ? Ariannas large , innocent eyes shimmered with sadness as she looked up at her mother .
No , sweetheart .
Laura forced a smile , her voice soft and soothing as she patted Ariannas head .
Grandma was just speaking a bit loudly .
She didnt mean anything by it .
But its all because of me .
Ariannas little face scrunched up with guilt .
Ill be even better from now on , so Grandma wont scold you anymore .
Lauras heart ached at those words .
She knelt down and pulled her daughter into her arms , holding her tightly .
Ari , dont think that way .
Its not true , do you hear me ? You are Mommys treasure .
I love you so much .
Aunt Doris loves you .
Grandma Peyton loves you too .
We all love you .
After calming Ariannas little heart , Laura waved goodbye as she watched her daughter disappear through the gates of the preschool .
Only then did her facade crumble .
Her eyes stung , and tears spilled down her cheeks .
She covered her mouth with her hand , muffling her sobs .
But before she could collect herself , her phone rang , jolting her out of her moment of weakness .
Laura , hows that $ 100,000 coming along ? Jimmys voice was cold and impatient .
I expect the money tomorrow .
1/4 Chapter 25 Dad , didnt we agree on three days ? Lauras voice trembled with surprise .
What difference does a day make ? Two days , three days its all the same .
Just get it done , Jimmys tone grew sharper as he issued his final warning .
And dont make me come to your house to get it from Matteo myself Laura gritted her teeth , her grip tightening around the phone .
I understand Doris arrived at the Hampstone Hotel and quickly immersed herself in her work .
It was just past ten when her phone rang , and Lolas voice came through , laced with urgency .
Doris , come to the front desk right now Im swamped , Doris replied , completely occupied by work .
Lolas voice was urgent , tinged with panic .
This is really important With a sigh , Doris had no choice but to agree .
She rushed to the front desk and was immediately greeted by a chaotic scene an entire horde of the Robinsons .
Doris , thank goodness youre here .
Molly , Claudias grandaunt , latched onto Doris like a drowning person clutching at a lifeboat .
You have to talk to them .
Tell them to let us go .
Whats going on ? Doris asked , completely baffled .
Ava stepped forward , wearing an expression that screamed entitlement .
Doris , Rupert said you work here , so youll be covering the bill for us .
What ? Doris froze in disbelief , feeling like someone had just dumped a bucket of ice water over her head .
Yes , exactly , Molly chimed in , her anxiety growing .
Avas right .
Theyre making us pay , and they wont let us leave until we do .
We dont even have that much money .
And we need to catch a train .
What are we going to do if we miss it ? The ticket costs a few dozen dollars .
Another voice said , Yeah , Doris , you have to solve this for us .

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Otherwise , if the tickets get wasted , youre going to have to pay us back .
Exactly , someone else added .
And if you dont compensate us , were not going anywhere .
Well stay at your parents house or even Rupert and Claudias new house .
It seemed like everyone was trying to find a way to make Doris feel responsible .
The room was filled with complaints and demands , and each person seemed more determined to get their way than the last .
Lola caught her eye and subtly gestured for her to step aside .
Doris forced a smile at the unruly group , trying to comfort them , Please , everyone , calm down .
Let me figure out whats going on first .
Lola dragged her to a quieter corner .
Once out of earshot , Doris turned to Lola and asked , How much has my family spent here ? Lola pulled up the records with a grim expression .
Its already $ 30,000 .
Last night , some of them hit the bar on the basement floor .
They ordered three bottles of premium liquor each worth thousands of dollars and then splurged on late night snacks .
Doris , your brother is out of his mind .
Why should you be paying for his girlfriends entire extended family ? She didnt stop there .
Listen to me , Doris .
You cant cave this time .
Dont let them guilt you into footing the bill .
Youve worked too hard for every penny youve saved , and theyll drain you dry .
Youve barely saved $ 30,000 yourself , and if you pay this , youll have nothing left .
Do you really want to let them bleed you 2/4 13:19 Wed , 26 Feb && Chapter 25 dry ? Im not gonna let you do that .
Lola didnt want Doris to make such a big mistake .
Lolas frustration was palpable she hated seeing her best friend get exploited by Rupert like this .
Lola glanced back at the noisy Robinsons and thought , Theyre like a pack of vampires .
As long as its not their own money , theyll spend recklessly without a second thought .
How can people be so selfish ? She placed a firm hand on Doriss shoulder .
I know youre in a tough spot , but let me handle this .
You dont owe them anything .
And if your parents try to blame you for this , Ill make sure they understand it wasnt your fault .
Lola , I know youre looking out for me , and trust me , Im no pushover .
Im not about to let them walk all over me .
Im not paying a single cent of this bill , Doris said firmly , her voice steady with resolve .
At that moment , Lola was Doriss anchor , the unwavering support she desperately needed .
Lola felt a wave of relief wash over her , seeing that Doris hadnt let familial ties blind her into sacrificing herself for her brothers selfishness .
Ill call Rupert right now , Doris announced to the rowdy relatives of Claudias .
Pulling out her phone , Doris dialed Ruperts number .
The line barely rang before he picked up .
Rupert , Doris began , her tone sharp and direct , Claudias relatives have racked up a $ 30,000 bill at the hotel .
You need to come settle this immediately .
Otherwise , theyre not leaving , and if they miss their train , its on you .
Just as she expected , Ruperts response was defensive and full of audacity .
Doris , why are you being so stingy ? Its just $ 30,000 .
Why dont you just pay it and be done with it ? Doris felt her patience snap .
I have no obligation to cover this for you or for them .
If $ 30,000 is such a trivial amount to dont and settle it ? you , why you come Rupert scoffed , clearly annoyed , I dont have time to argue with you .
Ill let Dad deal with this .
And with that , he hung up .
Before Doris could take a breath , the Robinsons started up again , their voices growing louder and more obnoxious .
Doris , were your guests .
As hosts , isnt it your familys responsibility to cover our expenses ? What kind of hospitality is this , holding us hostage like this over some bill ? one of them said , the tone dripping with feigned innocence .
Another chimed in , adding fuel to the fire , Exactly .
Your family are such frauds .
You city folks think you can take advantage of honest , hardworking people like us ? And youre working here at the hotel , Doris , someone else yelled , his tone dripping with entitlement .
Shouldnt you just handle the payment ? The commotion grew louder , and the hotel lobby quickly descended into chaos , with the dozens of relatives creating a scene that was impossible to ignore .
The din began disrupting the staff and guests alike .
Lola , her black stiletto heels clicking against the polished marble floor , strode into the middle of the mess with her usual calm yet commanding presence .
Everyone , please , she said , her voice slicing through the noise like a blade , settle down .
Ill call the Reed family right now so they can come and resolve this together .
But Ill need you to give us a little time to sort things out .
Ava , never one to miss an opportunity to stir the pot , crossed her arms and sneered , Well give you time , Ms.
Bates , but the train wont wait for us .
If we miss it , will you personally cover our travel costs to get home ? Her words struck a nerve with the already anxious crowd .
13:19 Wed , 26 Feb Chapter 25 Shes right .
The train wont wait , one of them shouted , her tone laced with panic .
Yeah , youre just stalling .
Youre trying to make us miss it on purpose , another said .
Lola didnt flinch .
If youre truly in a hurry and dont want to waste any more time , then I suggest you cooperate with us instead of making things harder , she said firmly , her gaze sweeping over the group .
Doris is part of the Reed family , someone muttered angrily .
Rupert told us we could order whatever we wanted and just charge it to her name .
If she pays the bill , this whole thing would be over .
Why is she dragging this out and making us suffer ? Doris exchanged a glance with Lola , her lips pressing into a thin line .
So it was Ruperts idea all along , Doris thought bitterly , her anger simmering beneath the surface .
How shameless can he get ? AD