PART 3

In court, Ryan pretended to be a worried father.

Carol dressed like a helpless grandmother.

Megan, pregnant and terrified, testified against Lauren.

She repeated Carol’s lies, saying Lauren was unstable and dangerous.

Then Victoria began questioning her.

Who paid the mortgage?

Lauren.

Who paid the bills?

Lauren.

Who paid for Megan’s prenatal vitamins?

Lauren.

Then Victoria asked if Carol had threatened to throw Megan out if she refused to lie.

Megan began shaking.

Victoria revealed the forged $200,000 loan attempt and asked whether Megan had seen Carol practice Lauren’s signature.

Megan broke down.

She confessed everything.

Carol had forced her to lie. Carol had forged the documents. Carol treated Lauren like a servant. Carol had told Leo his mother was trash.

The courtroom erupted.

The judge granted Lauren full custody of Leo and issued restraining orders against Ryan and Carol.

The forged documents went to the District Attorney. The loan was canceled. Carol’s hidden debts caught up with her. The house was foreclosed. Ryan pleaded guilty and lost everything.

Two years later, Lauren opened a luxury beauty studio with Diana.

She named it **The Sovereign Salon**.

At the grand opening, Leo was happy, safe, and confident.

Then Ryan appeared outside in the rain.

He apologized and said Carol now lived alone in a tiny motel room with nothing.

“She has nothing but leftovers now,” he said.

Lauren looked at him coldly.

“Tell Carol I hope she remembers what she served me.”

Then she shut the door.

Inside, a platter of hot Maine lobsters waited.

Leo smiled. “Ready, Mom?”

Lauren cracked open the biggest claw and placed the best meat on his plate.

“Yes, baby,” she said.

“We’re finally ready to eat.”

To see the full cooking instructions, go to the next page or click the Open button (>) and don't forget to SHARE it with your friends on Facebook.