From Ashes of Scandals to His Embrace novel Chapter 381

Adolphus watched Laurinda’s anxious face, completely lost as to what had her so worked up. He kept his voice soft, trying to soothe her. “Just take a breath, okay? Tell me what’s going on. I can help you figure it out. If you need someone to look into things, I know Frostfrod inside and out. It’ll be easier for me to investigate than for you.”

Laurinda took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. She looked at Adolphus, her dark eyes flickering with something he couldn’t quite read. She didn’t dare say her suspicions out loud, terrified that her gut feeling might be right.

“Where are you? I want to go to the auction.”

She had changed her mind. Earlier, she’d thought the people involved were too cruel, and she’d wanted nothing to do with the event. But now, she felt like she had to go. She needed to see the auction staff for herself. What if she recognized someone? It might help her figure out if The Austin Family was mixed up in all this.

Adolphus didn’t expect her sudden change. He glanced at the big, closed doors in the distance, then checked the time. “Give me ten minutes,” he told her. “I’ll have Garry come pick you up. It’s a long way from where you are, but Garry can get you here fast.”

Laurinda nodded without hesitation. She ended the video call, then immediately dialed York.

He answered right away. Before he could even greet her, Laurinda jumped in. “I think the organ trafficking ring is connected to Baily, or maybe The Austin Family.”

York shot up from his chair, fully grasping what her words meant. She could hear the chair crash to the floor on the other end of the line.

“You can’t be serious. That’s illegal everywhere, even in Stonehaven. Baily wouldn’t risk everything, would he? Is he trying to take down the entire Austin Family with him?”

York really didn’t want to believe Baily could do something so horrifying. Stonehaven, or Korvath as some called it, had always valued life above all else. How could something like organ trafficking happen there?

“Okay, I’ll get on it right away. But if... and I mean if... we find out The Austin Family really is behind this, what are you planning to do?”

York knew how Laurinda felt about The Austin Family, but they were powerful, deeply rooted in Stonehaven. They’d used Laurinda’s and her father’s influence to cozy up to other families too. Going up against them wouldn’t be easy.

Laurinda heard the worry in his voice and let out a cold laugh.

“If they’re really the ones behind the organ trade, then everyone involved is done for. When they’re gone, nobody’s going to stick their neck out for the dead. I don’t believe anyone would pick a fight with me over someone who’s already lost everything.”

“As for the rest, don’t stress. There are plenty of people in The Austin Family. We’ll just help put a new head in place. Whoever takes over won’t want to see the entire family go down for mistakes they didn’t make.”