Chapter 17 No Difference at All Lauren woke up in Elliots room again The first thing she saw was Marilyn sitting beside the bed , carefully dabbing a cotton swab against her swollen face , her expression full of concern As soon as Marilyn noticed she was awake , she asked anxiously , Ms.
Bennett , are you feeling any discomfort ! Lauren stared blankly at her moving lips her tears falling silently .
Marilyns eyes turned red with worry .
Ms.
Bennett , whats wrong ? Did I hurt you ? Lauren couldnt hear her clearly Davids slap had further damaged her already weak right ear , leaving her only able to catch faint , muiled sounds .
But she could read lips .
She understood what Marilyn was saying Before prison , she never had to rely on lip reading .
But after losing hearing in her lett ear , she struggled to understand the guards commands .
And when she didnt respond fast enough .
their punishments were even harsher .
To avoid more beatings , she had forced herself to learn .
Even if she couldnt hear clearly , at least she could read their lips and Lauren swallowed the bitterness and forced a smile .
Marilyn .
Im fine .
I am just really hungry .
Thinking back to what happened that morning .
Marilyn felt a wave of injustice on Laurens behalf .
Ma .
Bennett is such a kind and thoughtful person .
How can Mr.
David Madam Alice and Mr.
Elliot not see that ! What would you like to eat .
Ms.
Bennent ? Noodle soup Alright .
Ill make some right away Lauren nodded .
leaning against the headboard .
She stared out the window , her thoughts drifting .
She wasnt sure how ruch time had passed before the door opened again .
Assuming it was Marilyn , she turned her head only to see Alice standing there Alice met her distant gaze , and a sharp pang shot through her chest .
But instead of retreating , she walked over and sat beside the bed Laune, I made you some noodle soup myself .
Try it She reached out to feed her , but Lauren instinctively pulled away .
I can do it myself Lauren took the utensils from her hand .
She looked down at the bowl of noodle soup The broth was clear , the noodles soft yet firm , topped with fresh green scallions .
and a perfectly poached egg No heavy seasonings , no extra garnish just a simple , comforting dish with an inviting aroma .
She picked up some noodles and slowly chewed .
The familiar taste spread through her mouth , warming her from the inde Alice watched her with anticipation How is it Do you like it ? Laurens hand paused mid motion You made this Chapter 17 No Difference at All Alice nodded with a smile .
Yes .
Even Willow has never had my homemade noodles .
Youre the first She said it like it was something special , a gift , a sign of love .
But Lauren wasnt moved .
Instead , she let out a cold , mocking laugh .
She didnt say a word and simply continued eating Alice had no idea what noodle soup meant to her .
A simple bowl of noodles had once gotten her through an entire winter .
Finished Even after all these years , Lauren still remembered the first time Marilyn made her noodle soup it was the winter of her freshman year of high school .
That night was pitch black .
She had biked home , pushing through the wind and snow , The entire Bennen estate was dark .
No one had left a light on for her .
The family had already eaten their fill and gone to bed early , while she stood there , shivering , with nothing but cold leftovers .
to quiet her hunger .
Later that night , the pain hit her stomach twisted in unbearable cramps .
It wasnt until she threw up everything she had eaten that she finally felt some relief That was when Marilyn , up in the middle of the night , found her sick and took care of her .
She made her a steaming bowl of noodle soup From that night on , Marilyn always left a light on for her .
She stayed up , waiting for Lauren to come home , making her noodle soup , dumplings , and porridge simple , comforting meals that were easy to digest .
Everyone in the Bennett family knew Elliot had a weak stomach .
But no one ever noticed that Lauren had developed the same condition after moving in .
She never had stomach issues at the orphanage .
Yet in her own home , she went hungry so often that she ruined her health .
How ironic .
The taste of Marilyns noodle soup was something she could never forget .
So how could she not recognize whose hands had really made the bowl in front of her ? She finished every last bite , even drinking the broth .
Alices face lit up .
Was it good ? Lauren fixed her gaze on Alices lips and cut straight to the point .
Just say what you need to say .
No need to beat around the bush Her flat , emotionless tone made the gap between them feel even wider .
Alice frowned , clearly displeased .
Laurie , I truly care about you .
Why cant you just let go of the past ? Lauren didnt answer She just stared at her , gaze steady , sharp as if she could see right through her .
Under that look , Alice faltered .
Her confidence wavered .
Finally , she sighed .
Laurie , tell me what do I have to do for you to accept me Lauren still didnt speak Because site abrady knew the answer .
Even if she told Alice , she wouldnt be able to do it .
So why bother saying anything at all een them .
Chapter 17 No Difference at All But all she got in return was Laurens cold indifference Finished IIT just .
In the end .
Alice let out a long , weary sigh and dropped the act Laurie , Funderstand that youre upset , but you cant , stand by and do nothing while Bennett Corporation struggles .
If we dont restore our partnership with Gray Corporation , the company & losses will only get worse .
Youre a part of the Bennett family .
You should do your part Lauren had once believed that Alice was different from the rest of them .
Today , she realized she had been wrong .
Alice was just like the rest of the Bennetts .
If she really wanted to pretend she cared , she couldve at least tried a little harder .
Instead , she didnt even bother putting in the effort handing her a bowl of Marilyns noodle soup and pretending it was some grand gesture while spouting empty words about family and responsibility .
In that moment , a bitter realization hit her no matter how much she wished otherwise , she was still one of them .
Get out What Either you leave , or I do Lauren threw off the covers , making a move to get out of bed Alices chest heaved with anger .
In just five years , youve become completely unreasonable .
Lauren let out a cold laugh .
Of course , five years must have felt short for you living freely , enjoying life .
But for me I spent those five years in prison , either getting beaten or insulted .
Five years that should have been Willows .
Youre the one who erased the security footage .
You sent me to prison and ruined my name forever .
And now , you want to act like you care ? Please .
Spare me .
I dont need that kind of love You , youre being unreasonable Thats right .
So do us both a a favor and stay out of my life .
Furious , Alice turned on her heel , unwilling to face Lauren any longer .
Lauren spent the rest of the day in Elliots room .
That night , David stormed in , pointing a finger in her face as he explosed in rage , Bennett Corporation had lost another 110 million in just one day .
Until they restored their partnership with Gray Corporation , the losses would only continue .
Lauren simply smiled at David the entire time .
That expression alone nearly made David pass out from rage .
Before leaving .
Elliot cast her a long , meaningful glance .
At the time , she didnt understand what it meant .
Not until the next morning When she woke up , she realized her hearing in her right ear had slightly improved .
As she made her way downstairs , she overheard two maids whispering .
Why in Marilyn here today ? I heard something happened to her daughter .
The schools even considering expelling her Lauren head snapped toward Elliot , who was casually reading the newspaper on the couch i Chapter 17 No Difference at All As if sensing her stare , he looked up and met her gaze then flashed her a slow , knowing smile .
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