From Ashes of Scandal to His Embrace (Laurinda) novel Chapter 262

Bagot finally looked up, a cool smile playing at his lips.

“So you're worried people will find out Adah pushed her siblings to go after Laurinda, and if that comes out, it’ll hurt her? And you want me to just swallow the loss?”

He knew all about the drama between Adah and Laurinda. Now that Laurinda had Adolphus in her corner, nobody could touch her. Not even the Charles family.

“Come on, how could you say that about me? What I’m worried about is if this turns into a big mess, someone will dig up Aileen’s past and drag the Charles family down with it. The James family is already breathing down our necks. We can’t let anything slip.”

“Bagot, I’m your brother. I’m trying to protect you too. If word gets out that neither of those kids are yours, you’ll be the one embarrassed. I’ll take care of whatever Adah did. Just bring them back, and I’ll handle everything else.”

Bagot didn’t respond right away. Pearce watched him for a moment, then let out a long, tired sigh.

“Aren’t you seeing someone else anyway? You and Aileen never even had real feelings for each other, so why get so worked up about this? Let’s just leave it as I said. I’ll handle the arrangements for those two to go abroad.”

Bagot hated that Pearce was using the woman he kept outside as leverage against him, but he didn’t dare push back. He just nodded.

“Alright. I’ll have them brought back right away. But... don’t touch the woman I’m seeing.”

Pearce’s mood lightened when he saw Bagot fall in line.

“Relax. I won’t get involved with your people. Go take care of it. Tonight, I’m going to Raines’ birthday party at the Bill family’s place. You sort things out and come along too.”

Bagot agreed, stood up, and left. On his way out, he grabbed a folder from Pearce’s assistant and headed out of the Charles estate.

Pearce stood by the window, staring outside. The Charles family was getting harder and harder to control. Even Bagot was starting to show his ambition.

“Obviously. I’m wearing the Lane family’s heirloom on my wrist. If you’re not mine, who is?”

She lifted her arm and wiggled her wrist at him, a little smug and a little playful. Did he really think she didn’t know what was going on?

She’d figured out the jade bracelet wasn’t ordinary the moment she saw it yesterday. Part of the reason she’d accepted it was because it was from Adolphus.

He was the type who never fought for anything, but deep down, he always knew what was his. Even if he decided to let it go, he’d make sure everyone knew it was only because he allowed it.

Adolphus was surprised she’d caught on. He hugged her a little tighter, unable to hide his excitement.

“You’re not scared?”