From Ashes of Scandal to His Embrace (Laurinda) novel Chapter 43

Laurinda had been searching everywhere for any sign of the Gates family's secret son's live stream, but there was nothing. Then, out of nowhere, a name popped into her mind. Graham.

That was it. The guy Adelaide had dinner with tonight was named Graham. Was he skipping his stream because he was out with Adelaide? Was this some sort of offline fan meet? This was getting interesting. Maybe this so-called illegitimate son was trying to team up with the Baker family for his own gain.

She knew the Baker family had always watched the Gates family like hawks, just waiting for a chance to catch them slipping and stir up trouble. Was this secret son actually aware of his own background and plotting against the Gates family?

***

The next morning, Laurinda was jolted awake by someone pounding on her door. She’d slept better than she had in ages, thanks to that herbal pillow Adolphus had given her. For once, she actually felt well-rested, like she’d finally caught up on all the sleep she’d been missing.

Annoyed by the noise, she ran her hand through her tangled hair and dragged herself out of bed, then opened the door.

“You better have a damn good reason for waking me up. Otherwise, don’t blame me if I stab you,” she snapped.

Laurinda was in no mood for visitors. Her glare at York was pure murder.

York glanced at her sleepy face, then checked the time. It was already past ten. He frowned. “Did you stay up all night again?”

“No, I went to bed a little after ten and just knocked out. Slept through till now.”

York looked genuinely surprised. He couldn’t remember the last time Laurinda had slept that well. He glanced at the pillow on her bed, thinking that Adolphus really did know his stuff.

“You weren’t banging on my door just to get me out of bed, were you?” Laurinda grumbled. She noticed York’s gaze lingering on her bed and felt her patience running thin. If he didn’t have something important to say, she was going back to sleep.

“No way. He still needs Laura to reel in Fabian. He’d never let that get out. It was the Baker family’s daughter. You know, Adelaide. The one who’s always butting heads with you.”

As soon as York said “Adelaide,” Laurinda snapped awake. She stared at him, her mouth opening and closing, but no words came out. When she finally managed to speak, it was just one word.

“Fuck.”

York nodded, looking just as shocked. “Yep. Adelaide. The photos are everywhere. Apparently, the paparazzi barged right into the hotel room and caught them in bed. You can see the marks on her clear as day…”

“That absolute bastard. How could he lay a hand on someone from the Baker family?”

Laurinda was furious. Sure, Adelaide was a pain and always found ways to annoy her, but Laurinda didn’t actually dislike her. In fact, she secretly enjoyed teasing her every time they met. Adelaide might be a little clueless, but she wasn’t a bad person.