From Ashes of Scandal to His Embrace novel Chapter 2

“Aiken brought back the daughter he kept hidden away in the countryside, and lately he’s been reaching out to the Gates family. Their youngest, who married into the Cabinda family, just came home, and Jeniffer is already trying to befriend her.”

Laurinda’s face barely changed when she heard about the real heiress. She just nodded, as if it all made perfect sense. “Alright, I get it. You can leave now.”

Once the man was gone, Laurinda opened the file he’d left behind. She read through the papers, then tucked them away in the safe in the lounge. Afterward, she sat down at her vanity, staring at her own reflection for a long time. Finally, she picked up her phone, scrolled to her photo album, and looked at a picture of her family.

“Dad, Mom, my time with the Austins is almost over…”

A gentle voice called from outside the door. “Laurinda, are you in there?”

Snapping out of her thoughts, Laurinda put her phone away and stood up to open the door.

Jeniffer greeted her with a warm smile. She fussed over Laurinda’s dress, smoothing the fabric with careful hands, as if Laurinda was made of glass. “Why are you still in here? Today is your coming-of-age ceremony, and it’s the day the next Austin Group heir is announced. You’re the star, you can’t go missing. Your grandfather, Aiken, and everyone else are waiting for you.”

Laurinda watched Jeniffer with a small, knowing smile. If she hadn’t caught Jeniffer poisoning her water back when she was twelve, she might have believed this gentle act was real.

“It’s so crowded in there. I just wanted to get some fresh air before things started. Let’s head back, though. We shouldn’t keep Aiken and Grandpa waiting.”

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