The Tide of Fortune novel Chapter 10

Laura and Eduardo enter the ballroom and are flooded by flashes. Laura tries to pull away, but Eduardo entangles his arm around her waist like octopus tentacles.

"Where do you think you're going, honey?" He asks whispering menacingly in her ear.

Laura doesn't answer, she just reacts agonized at the photographers thinking the beautiful couple is posing romantically for them.

Marianne sees the commotion at the entrance and smiles as she sees her daughter. She walks over to her.

"Daughter? Who is this handsome young man?"

Laura responds in distress, "Mom, this is Eduardo Casemiro, the famous author from Marçal Publishing."

"How is he famous if I don't have one of his books in our library?" Still, she smiles gently, "Nice to meet you, young man."

Eduardo replies in admiration, "Likewise, madam."

Marianne replies suggestively, "If what I hope is happening, you will be calling me Marianne shortly."

"Mother!" Laura shrieks in shock.

But Marianne only laughs, "Calm down, child! We're at a party, didn't you come to have fun?"

Edward replies mockingly, "She said that categorically when I picked her up from her house."

Laura looks like dying. That sentence says it all to Marianne who walks away with a nod of approval.

Eduardo continues in a jocular manner, "See, the mother-in-law approved of me."

"She never approved of Reggie, so she's like that with any boy I show up with." Laura tries to quell her lover's hope.

"But after all, WHO approves of Reggie Fabray? The guy is a loser! I still don't buy the idea that your father ordered him to come, after three years of hiding him from the sight of high society."

Antonio approaches the couple, "Daughter, who is this dullard and where is your husband?"

Laura becomes more terrified! How will she have fun at this party? "Schi! Dad, do you want to speak up for the tabloids?"

Antonio doesn't care one bit, "Just when I think it's time for everyone to know that my daughter is married, she actually wants to show the world that she is an adulteress?"

Eduardo tries to win over the hotel owner, "Sir, I am Eduardo Casemiro and I am in love with your daughter. I don't want to spoil the party, but we'll talk later."

But Antonio reacts with disgust, "But only under my dead body!"

Antonio walks away furiously. Laura trembles and drinks the glass of champagne in one go.

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