From Ashes of Scandal to His Embrace (Laurinda) novel Chapter 177

Laurinda’s investigation confirmed what she’d suspected. Someone from Finn’s side had reached out to Jeniffer, and that same day, Jeniffer’s bank account fattened up by five million dollars.

Not that it did her much good. Jeniffer never got a chance to enjoy the money. Laurinda sometimes wondered if, while working some off-the-books job, Jeniffer ever regretted how things had played out.

Harden caught Laurinda’s eye from across the room. He remembered what she’d said to him that day, and the words stung more with Adolphus there at her side. Harden felt a flush of defiance rise inside him, so he stepped forward.

“Laurinda, I finished organizing my notes. I can give them to you. Even if you’re not in class right now, you shouldn’t give up on your studies. The teachers all say you’re smart. If you put in some effort, getting into college won’t be hard.”

Laurinda couldn’t help but laugh a little. She’d heard plenty of people try to talk her back into studying, but never quite like this.

“Thanks, Harden, but you should probably hang on to your notes. You’re giving me, the girl at the very bottom of the class, way too much credit. Still, I appreciate it. That day when the Blair family cornered me, you stepped in with a two-million-dollar black card. But you remember what I said, don’t you?”

She looked straight at Finn, making it clear her words weren’t just for Harden. It was a reminder for him and a warning for Finn—she wasn’t going to let them get away with any shady moves.

“Finn, my friend and I are going inside now. The presentation is about to start.”

She nodded politely, then reached for Adolphus’s hand. Together, they walked into the venue, whispering to each other with an easy closeness that was hard to ignore. People couldn’t help but feel a little envious seeing them together.

As soon as Laurinda was gone, Finn’s face clouded over. He glanced up at Harden, who was taller than him by half a head.

“What did she say to you? What did you do to make her so cold?”

Harden just nodded, barely hiding his frustration. He couldn’t accept that even if he improved himself, Laurinda would still brush him off. The school doctor might be good looking, but Harden didn’t think he was lacking, either.

Once they were seated, Adolphus played with Laurinda’s soft hand, his fingers tracing along the scar in her palm as if he was lost in thought.

Laurinda glanced over the schedule York had sent, then turned to Adolphus. He’d hardly said a word since running into Finn and Harden.

“What’s on your mind?”

He looked at her, and that familiar, mischievous smile crept across his face.