From Ashes of Scandals to His Embrace novel Chapter 496

“I’m not hungry. Here, try this. Lucas brought some mochi. It’s actually really good.”

Laurinda noticed the look on Adolphus’s face and poked a piece of mochi with a fork, holding it up to his lips. He opened his mouth without thinking, taking a bite, but his eyes never left Lucas.

“So? Do you like it?” Laurinda tilted her head and smiled at Adolphus, hoping to break the tension.

“It’s good, but you shouldn’t eat more. Your stomach can’t handle it.” Adolphus took the mochi container from her hand, holding it himself to make sure she wouldn’t sneak another piece.

Laurinda didn’t mind at all. She let him take it. She’d already eaten a few on the way and felt satisfied.

The silence between them grew awkward. Laurinda glanced at Adolphus’s serious expression, then slipped her hand into his, pulling him toward Lucas.

“Let me introduce you. This is Lucas—you saw him yesterday. Lucas, this is my boyfriend, Adolphus.”

Lucas didn’t bat an eye when he heard her call Adolphus her boyfriend. He stepped forward to offer his hand. “Hi, I’m Lucas.”

“Yeah, I’m Adolphus.” Adolphus handed the mochi back to Laurinda but didn’t let go of her hand as he reached out to shake Lucas’s.

Lucas caught the possessive vibe right away. His eyes sparkled with a hint of amusement as he shook Adolphus’s hand.

“Nice to meet you. Hope we can get along.”

Adolphus didn’t bother with pleasantries. “Forget that. Just give me her backpack.”

He let go of Lucas’s hand, grabbed Laurinda’s backpack before Lucas could react, and walked straight toward the car without another word.

Lucas smiled, calm and polite, totally unaffected by the tension. He walked around to the front passenger seat, got in without a fuss, and closed the door.

Laurinda sat in the back, feeling her head start to ache. Lucas acting all innocent was just too much. She was honestly at a loss for words.

When Adolphus settled in beside her, she leaned quietly against him, lowering her voice to tell him everything that had happened in the lab today.

Adolphus listened, his replies short and quiet. He still seemed annoyed, but his tone had softened. The worst of his anger had passed.

The car finally stopped outside their house. As soon as they got out, Adolphus swung Laurinda’s backpack over his shoulder, then took her hand and led her straight toward the house.

Everyone who had come out to greet them was left standing there, looking totally lost, like they had no idea what was going on.