From Ashes of Scandals to His Embrace novel Chapter 379

Three hours later, Adolphus left Laurinda’s apartment with his men. Laurinda stayed behind, sitting at her computer, watching the empty auction hall on the surveillance feed. The place looked so empty it sent a chill down her spine. She couldn’t say why, but something about that hall just felt creepy.

She was lost in thought when her phone rang. Private number. She knew exactly who it was.

This time, Laurinda didn’t ignore the call. She grabbed her phone, stepped out onto the balcony, and picked up. The second she answered, a furious voice exploded on the line.

“Laurinda, have you lost all respect for The Austin Family? Bring back what you stole. Don’t think I can’t do anything just because you have the Holy Card. You’re still one of us!”

Laurinda let out a lazy laugh, her tone teasing and cool. “If I’m not mistaken, didn’t Jackson already bring the real Austin heiress home? What’s wrong, Baily? Laura not living up to your expectations?”

On the other end, Baily’s hand shook as he gripped his phone. He couldn’t figure out how Laurinda knew. Laura had only just arrived, and Laurinda already had the news. Did she have someone inside The Austin Family working for her?

Laurinda didn’t wait for him to answer. “Don’t bother looking for spies, and don’t waste your time asking how I found out about Laura’s arrival in Stonehaven. Here’s what you need to remember. The Austin Family doesn’t get to decide who becomes Lord, but the Lord decides the Austin Family’s fate.”

“Baily, are you really still hoping Laura can take my place as Lord? Oh, and I forgot to mention, Laura’s biological mother is still with me. Don’t test me. If you push me too far… do you really want to be the one accused of tainting the Stonehaven bloodline?”

Before Baily could respond, the call cut off. Laurinda stared at her phone, her eyes ice cold. Couldn’t even keep his cool for a minute.

Baily looked down at his shattered phone, breath coming in quick, angry bursts. He never expected Laurinda to have such a card up her sleeve. No wonder she let Laura come back to Stonehaven so easily.

“You’re giving me too much credit, Baily. You know better than anyone what my relationship with Laurinda is like. I want to marry her—I need your help for that. Why would I ever team up with her behind your back?”

Kenny clearly wasn’t interested in talking about Laura. He had something else on his mind.

“Nice move, Baily. While I was laid up, you sent my guys to Frostfrod to snatch a shipment. Now you’ve lost out twice. Don’t you think it’s time to pay for the trouble you caused?”

Kenny clapped his hands. His assistant walked in, carrying a folder. He handed it to Kenny, who glanced through the papers, still smiling, then set the list down in front of Baily.