From Ashes of Scandal to His Embrace (Laurinda) novel Chapter 426

Adolphus’s head was pounding. He picked up his phone, but Laurinda had already ended the call. He turned to Foley.

“Did you tell her?”

“How could I say anything to Laurinda without asking you first? I didn’t want her to get suspicious, so I even sent her some chocolates.”

“I did.”

Foley was still trying to explain when Egan walked in, leaning casually against the doorframe and owning up to it.

Adolphus shot Egan a glare, ready to scold him, but Egan spoke up before he could. “Laurinda knew something was off and called me. Don’t forget, she was hurt on Mistfall Atoll before and spent a month here. There’s no way she wouldn’t recognize the place.”

That hit Adolphus hard. He realized just how clueless he’d been. He dropped onto the hospital bed, feeling completely drained, and looked over at Egan.

“Go get things ready. It’s dangerous out there. I don’t want her coming here alone.”

Egan had been bracing for a blowup, but instead, Adolphus gave in so quickly that Egan seemed almost stunned. “You really want Laurinda to come?” he asked, not sure if he heard right.

“What else can I do? She told me if I don’t want her to be mad, I should just wait here for her. My head is spinning. I’m going to lie down for a bit. Go make the arrangements and keep her safe.”

Egan’s eyes lit up, like he’d just uncovered some big secret. Maybe everyone really does have their weakness.

Just hearing the name Mistfall Atoll brought back memories of the last time he’d had to pick Laurinda up from that place. If it were up to him, he’d make sure she never had to go there again.

Laurinda looked up from her laptop and set a stack of sketches and a USB drive on the table. Her voice was steady. “Adolphus ran into trouble at Mistfall Atoll. I need to go and take care of things. I’ve already called Leo, he’ll be waiting there with his team. My uncle’s bringing people from the medical research institute to meet them as well.”

York’s frown deepened when he realized the research institute was involved. He couldn’t hide the worry in his eyes. “Is Adolphus seriously hurt?”

“He got caught in an explosion. Head injury. He’s trying to act fine, but I can tell he’s just holding it together. I don’t know the details yet. I need to bring a team and do a proper checkup.”

Laurinda lightly tapped her sketches, checked the time, and turned to York. “Henry’s plane lands in about an hour. He’ll come straight here, but I can’t wait. Tell him my sketches and the resort’s security footage are evidence. He should handle everything through the legal process. Magnolia’s resume is on the USB too. She must have found my sketches at the resort, which is how she ended up copying my jewelry design.”