Chapter 42. Hope

Rose sits in her study, the afternoon sun casting a warm glow across the room as she carefully drafts several terms of agreement. It is an unusual request, to say the least, but one that could potentially secure Lara's future and the financial stability of Croft Enterprises.

The door creaks open, and Rose looks up to see Lara standing there. Her expression is a mix of curiosity, apprehension, and most importantly, guilt. What she has done is not easy to forgive.

Lara has spent the previous days begging for Rose’s forgiveness, and for some strange reason, her stepmother seems to hold no grudges towards her. Rose has been absurdly sweet to her since the debacle.

Rose sighs, pushing the papers aside to make room for Lara to sit.

"I've been working on something, darling. It has the potential to fix the mess we have made."

Lara raises an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "Go on."

Rose takes a deep breath, steeling herself for