From Ashes of Scandal to His Embrace (Laurinda) novel Chapter 305

As soon as Adolphus made the post, his inbox flooded with messages. Everyone who saw it was quick to send their congratulations and best wishes.

Sam just happened to be back in the city for a get-together. The moment he showed up, people started asking him about Laurinda. They were all curious, trying to figure out who she was, already planning how to impress the couple the next time they met.

But Sam wasn’t in the mood for any of it. Earl and Cathleen had just gone public with their news, and it left him feeling pretty low. When people approached him to ask about Laurinda, he didn’t bother hiding his irritation. Seeing this, a few people started speculating, convinced there was more drama going on than met the eye.

It didn’t take long for rumors to spread in group chats where Adolphus wasn’t present. Suddenly, the story was that Laurinda was seeing two people at once and Sam was left with a broken heart.

***

Seraphina sat in her studio, scrolling through Adolphus’s post with a gentle, proud smile. She’d told him before that he should make things official. It had always bothered her, thinking Laurinda might feel like a secret. For the longest time, she thought it was Laurinda who wanted to keep quiet—but now, seeing the announcement, she finally relaxed.

With everything out in the open, she wouldn’t have to worry about nosy relatives when the New Year rolled around. She could finally tell them, with confidence, that Adolphus had a girlfriend and didn’t need their matchmaking advice.

Her assistant appeared in the doorway, carrying a boxed lunch. “Seraphina, Aroma sent over your lunch.”

Seraphina stood up quickly, peering hopefully past her assistant. “Where’s Kendrick? Did he deliver it?”

“Not today. They sent someone else this time, just a regular delivery.”

Seraphina’s excitement faded. She stood there, hesitating for a moment, then grabbed her bag and headed out of the office.

Her assistant watched her leave, glanced down at the lunch in her hand, and wondered if the boss was still planning to eat.

***

Laurinda hung out with Adolphus in the study for a while, enjoying the quiet, before heading downstairs. She spotted York and Jack in the living room and smiled. She hadn’t expected Jack to come along too.

Laurinda’s eyes lit up. She hadn’t expected Jasper to make it back. She stood up, ready to go with him. “I’ll come with you.”

Adolphus reached for her hand but shook his head. “It’s okay. I’ll get them myself. You stay here, catch up with York and Jack.”

Laurinda did have a few things she wanted to talk about, so she nodded and let him go.

“Alright, hurry back,” she said.

“I will,” Adolphus promised, grabbing his coat and car keys before heading out.

Laurinda turned to York and Jack, a playful grin spreading across her face. “Come on, you two. Follow me to the study. I have something really cool to show you.”