From Ashes of Scandal to His Embrace (Laurinda) novel Chapter 261

Laurinda’s eyes sparkled as she looked up at him. He wrapped his arms around her, his voice gentle. “Is there anything you want me to do?”

She shook her head, lips curving into a soft smile. “No, things are good right now. The Charles family has already stepped in and is controlling the trending topics. I’m sure they’ve found Aggie and Lawrence by now. I want to see how they handle this on their own.”

Laurinda was genuinely curious about the Charles family’s attitude toward Aggie and Lawrence. Their reaction would shape her next move, so for now, she was content to sit back and watch.

***

Adah had barely landed in Cabinda before Pearce called her home in a hurry. Stepping out of the airport, she took a deep breath, feeling like the air was fresher here. She let herself imagine her father had called her back for something important, maybe to help with Raines’s birthday party. It felt like a sign she was being welcomed home again, proof that the Charles family still needed her.

That illusion shattered the moment she walked through the front door. A riding crop came out of nowhere, striking her hard across the back, splitting her clothes and stinging her skin.

She spun around, breathless and shocked, staring at the man holding the crop. “Dad, are you crazy? Why are you hitting me?”

Pearce’s face was cold. “You really have the nerve to ask? Wasn’t it you who took Aggie and Lawrence to the train station? Adah, how many more reckless things are you going to do? Isn’t ruining yourself enough? Do you have to drag the Charles family down with you?”

Adah was confused and scared. She didn’t even have time to check her injury, she just blurted out, “Dad, what are you talking about? Aggie came to me because her cousin threw her out of the Gates family. She asked for my help. She’s my sister, Dad. She begged me to get her a ticket. What’s wrong with helping her? Why are you so angry at me?”

A cold smile flickered across his face. He couldn’t wait to watch the Gates Group fall apart. Then he’d get his shot at taking over the Gates family, finally cleaning up his reputation. He knew exactly what kind of power that would bring.

Pearce didn’t like Finn’s plan, but with the company’s overseas losses piling up, he just wanted someone to turn things around fast.

“We’re in this together. Finn shouldn’t have to shoulder it all alone. If we get through this as partners, our alliance will be stronger.”

He poured a glass of water and set it in front of Bagot. After a pause, he added, “Do you know what Aggie and Lawrence did? I need you to arrange for someone to bring them back here. Then send them abroad. It doesn’t matter whose children they are anymore. What matters is that what Aileen did can’t come to light. If it does, both the family and the company will be dragged down with it.”