From Ashes of Scandal to His Embrace (Laurinda) novel Chapter 324

One of the technicians turned to Kinsey, eyes full of hope. Kinsey could only shrug and give a tired smile. “She can’t. She’s just a senior in high school. She still has college ahead of her. Why would she work here?”

“What? She hasn’t even started college? Then how is she so incredible?”

The techs were honestly amazed. They graduated from top schools, but compared to Laurinda’s skills, they suddenly felt like amateurs. For a moment, they questioned everything they’d accomplished.

Laurinda just smiled and kept quiet. She figured she should let them hold onto at least a bit of their self-esteem. If they were good enough to work for the police department, they had to be pretty capable already.

Still, people at her level were rare anywhere in the world.

Once the files on the flash drive were taken care of, the techs packed up their gear and left.

Laurinda and Adolphus stayed where they were, lounging on the sofa like they had all the time in the world. Kinsey noticed and raised an eyebrow, giving Laurinda a questioning look. “What now? Is there something else?”

“I want to see Aileen. Can you set that up?”

He knew it. Of course Laurinda would have another impossible request. Kinsey let out a heavy sigh, totally defeated by this girl. “Alright, give me a bit. I’ll take you to see her in twenty minutes.”

He left the office to make the arrangements.

Laurinda settled in and sent the list to Jack, asking him to dig into who those people were connected to.

Adolphus leaned over to peek at her phone, eyes narrowing when he recognized a familiar name.

About ten minutes later, a female officer walked in. “Laurinda, Kinsey’s ready for you. Come with me.”

“Oh, you’re really that confident?” Laurinda flashed a cool smile. “I hate to break it to you, but I already cracked the password. And that self-destruct program you set up? Please. It was nothing to me.”

Laurinda’s open disdain hit its mark. Aileen glared at her, hatred simmering in her eyes. She thought Laurinda was just as awful as her mother. She wished Laurinda would just disappear, too.

Laurinda ignored the look. She raised an eyebrow, lips curling into a sharp, mocking grin.

“I just wanted to see what kind of news your people sent to boost your ego so fast. Thinking about how you begged me for help... wow, that was pathetic.”

“Laurinda, you—”

As soon as Aileen realized she’d been rescued, she regretted ever asking Laurinda for anything. That video call was a humiliation she’d never get over.