From Ashes of Scandal to His Embrace (Laurinda) novel Chapter 197

Trusting that Laurinda could actually ride the CEO’s private elevator was about as likely as pigs growing wings.

“Don’t believe me? Let’s just wait and see. I bet she’ll come out of that elevator again,” Edison insisted.

Even though all he’d glimpsed was her back, Edison was sure it was Laurinda who’d just stepped inside. After all, anyone who could make Adolphus bend over backwards couldn’t be ordinary.

They ended up making a bet, ten million on the line.

Suddenly, neither of them felt tired anymore. They both stared at the elevator doors, determined to find out the truth about Laurinda.

The elevator chimed. The doors slid open, and Laurinda walked out, York right behind her.

York had Laurinda’s bag in one hand and was gently adjusting the hood of her coat with the other.

They walked so closely, chatting as they went. Laurinda said something, and York leaned in, listening with full attention, sometimes replying. Anyone watching could see that these two were anything but casual acquaintances.

Edison and Orville wanted to go over and say hi, but seeing that scene, their feet were glued to the floor. Their feelings tangled up in confusion.

They looked at each other, lips pressed together, not sure what to do next. It was like they’d just uncovered a huge secret.

“Should we tell Adolphus?” Edison muttered, rubbing his temples. “He really cares about Laurinda. If he finds out about this... I swear, he might turn Apex upside down.”

Edison regretted being so nosy. This was not what he wanted to get dragged into.

Orville thought for a second, then shook his head. “Let’s just wait. Maybe we misunderstood something.”

“How could it be a misunderstanding? Did you see how close they were? I even asked Sam, and apparently, Laurinda’s pretty much on her own.”

After everything she’d discovered about Aileen, their relationship was way past just being rivals.

Laurinda turned to leave, but Aileen caught sight of her walking away. She pointed in Laurinda’s direction and asked Owen, the man beside her, “Wasn’t that Laurinda from your school? Shouldn’t she be in class right now? Why is she wandering around?”

Owen hadn’t seen Laurinda. He looked where Aileen pointed but couldn’t spot anyone.

“Sorry, Aileen. I didn’t see the student you mentioned, but I’ll look into it. If a student skips class, the school will definitely deal with it.”

“What’s there to look into? Just call her over now and ask her what she was doing. If your school can’t even keep track of one student, I’m seriously going to reconsider my investment.”

Aileen sounded so self-righteous, acting like she really cared about the students. When Owen heard her mention the investment, he got nervous and called Laurinda’s homeroom teacher right away, asking him to bring Laurinda over to explain herself.