From Ashes of Scandal to His Embrace (Laurinda) novel Chapter 279

Seraphina nudged Adolphus under the table with her foot, subtle but pointed. She just couldn’t believe he hadn’t explained to Laurinda what that jade bracelet really meant.

Adolphus barely glanced at her. He kept calmly placing food on Laurinda’s plate, never missing a beat. By the time dinner was over, he still hadn’t bothered to clear things up for Seraphina.

After they left the restaurant, Teddy took Jasper back to the Flame Training Base. Seraphina ended up in the back seat of Adolphus’s car, pulling out her latest design sketches to show Laurinda.

Laurinda flipped through the drawings, genuinely impressed. Seraphina had real talent. Every sketch was gorgeous, each one more stunning than the last. The designs sparked her own inspiration, and she suddenly wanted to create a set of jewelry to go with Seraphina’s wedding dresses.

Laurinda was still lost in thought when her phone started to ring. She glanced at the number and hit decline right away. The same call came through three more times, and she ignored it every time. That’s when a new message arrived, just a single photo. Laurinda looked up and said, “Can you pull over? I need to take this call.”

Adolphus watched her through the rearview mirror, reading the worry on her face. He pulled over. Before the car had even fully stopped, Laurinda had jumped out, phone already pressed to her ear.

Seraphina watched her leave, anxiety creeping into her voice. “Aren’t you going to check on her?” she asked Adolphus.

He shook his head slightly. “If she wanted us involved, she wouldn’t have asked me to pull over. She’ll handle it.”

Outside, Laurinda’s phone rang again. This time, she answered. A deep voice came through, rough with irritation.

“So you finally picked up. Laurinda, this has gone far enough. Do you really want to push those old men until they drag you back? Just stop already.”

Laurinda let out a short, cold laugh. “Let them try. It’s not like they haven’t done it before.”

“Don’t try to talk me down. I’m not letting this go. If they want a fight, they can come at me directly. I’ve only got one life, and I’m not afraid to bring them down with me.”

When Laurinda decided to act, she never intended to let things slide. She wasn’t about to compromise, not before she got what she was owed.

Kenny felt a headache coming on. He knew Laurinda meant every word. She always did. He forced himself to stay calm.

“Then what do you want, Laurinda? Just tell me what it’ll take for you to let this go. I’ll do whatever I can.”

“I don’t need you to do anything,” Laurinda said, voice steady. “I’m fine with how things are. When my friend is better, Stonehaven’s problems will be over. Just keep your people in check. If they mess with me again, Stonehaven can start digging its own grave.”