From Ashes of Scandals to His Embrace novel Chapter 498

“It’s nothing. Just don’t hang out with the Ham family anymore, okay? I don’t like it.”

Laurinda nodded right away. “Fine, I’ll stay away.”

Honestly, she didn’t want to get too involved with the Ham family anyway. Things were always complicated when Lucas was around.

Adolphus slid his arm around her waist, pulling her close against his chest while he checked her shoulder.

“It’s red from biting…”

“So what? It’s not like you haven’t broken my skin before,” she blurted out.

As soon as the words came out, she realized how it sounded. A wave of embarrassment hit her, and she quickly cleared her throat, jumping up from his lap before he could respond.

“Uh… Anyway, I’m hungry. Let’s eat.”

Adolphus noticed how her ears had turned red. He stood, cool fingers pinching her earlobe as he grinned. “So, what about letting me blow off some steam? Does that offer still stand?”

His voice was teasing and a little too seductive. Laurinda could feel her heart flutter, so she looked away and batted his hand from her ear.

“We’ll talk about that later. Food first,” she mumbled.

Without waiting for him to say anything else, she hurried out of the room, her face burning as she headed for the main hall.

Right at the corner near the dinning room, she ran straight into York, who was coming to call them to dinner. He caught her before she could stumble and looked at her curiously.

“What’s the rush?” he asked.

“Nothing, I’m just hungry. Have you seen Lucas?” She quickly changed the subject, hoping he wouldn’t ask more.

“So, what, are you going to take him back in?” he asked.

“No. Adolphus doesn’t want him around.” Laurinda shrugged. If Adolphus didn’t like Lucas, that was that.

“What do you mean, Adolphus doesn’t want him around? If he was fine with it, you’d just take Lucas back, wouldn’t you? Don’t forget, you almost died in Stonehaven because of him. He wanted to cut ties with you, but you’re still thinking about forgiving him? Why, Laurinda?”

York kept his voice quiet, but the anger was obvious. He just wanted Laurinda to finally move on, to stop being so soft when it came to Lucas.

“Wait—who told you I nearly died in Stonehaven because of Lucas?” she asked, brow furrowed in confusion. That rumor was news to her. The only people she’d ever risked everything for were herself and Adolphus. No one else ever mattered that much.

York looked at her uncertainly now, doubt taking the edge off his anger.

“Didn’t you go back to Stonehaven to get Lucas? It was right after your parents died,” he said.