From Ashes of Scandal to His Embrace (Laurinda) novel Chapter 145

When Laurinda met Irvin’s worried eyes, she knew he was genuinely concerned. This time, she didn’t brush him off. She spoke clearly. “Don’t worry about me. I’ve always been in charge of my own life. If anyone wants to control me, they better be ready to risk everything.”

York came over to collect the test tube, and Laurinda walked back to class with Irvin. As soon as she sat down, Shirley leaned over and whispered that the homeroom teacher had come by looking for her more than once.

Laurinda frowned, not sure why the teacher wanted her. She stood up and headed to the staff office.

When she pushed open the office door, the room was empty except for one woman sitting at the teacher’s desk.

Before Laurinda could say a word, the woman rushed toward her. Laurinda instinctively stepped back, putting space between them.

Catching Laurinda’s reaction, the woman stopped about a meter away with a nervous smile plastered across her face.

“Laurinda, right? Do you remember me? I’m your aunt!”

“Aunt?” Laurinda looked her up and down. The woman did look a bit like Florrie, but Laurinda had never heard anything about Florrie’s family. For someone to show up now just felt off.

“I don’t remember you. I’ve never even heard I had an aunt. You’ve got the wrong person anyway. I’m not part of the Austin family anymore. At my coming-of-age, they announced I was switched at birth. I was kicked out.”

Laurinda watched the woman—Bella—go from awkward to shocked to skeptical.

“So Jeniffer told you I had money and you just believed her? Use your head.”

Bella’s face twisted with frustration. Her eyes darted around the room and landed on a fruit knife on the desk. She snatched it up, pointing it at Laurinda with trembling hands.

“I don’t care. I want money. I want a million. Look at your clothes. You don’t look broke. If you don’t give me the money, I’ll... I’ll…”

Bella’s voice started to shake, and she waved the knife in Laurinda’s direction in a panic. It was obvious she’d never tried something like this before. She was scared her bluff wouldn’t work and she’d leave with nothing.

Laurinda took in Bella’s wild expression and decided not to agitate her any further. She just let out a quiet, steady sigh.