From Ashes of Scandal to His Embrace (Laurinda) novel Chapter 59

"I was freaking out. They were blocking the door, just standing there so we couldn't leave."

Shirley was seriously stressed, her eyes red from worry. The second she heard Fabian was trying to start something with Laurinda, she almost wanted to run out and throw a punch herself.

"It's fine. Let's just go back. We don't want to mess up the class for everyone."

Laurinda gave Shirley a gentle pat and headed back to her seat. She pulled out her phone and sent a quick message to York. After a moment, York texted back.

Bonnie says she's got it under control. Don't stress.

Laurinda stared at York's message for a second, trying to picture how Bonnie would handle it. She couldn't, but she trusted Bonnie to figure things out and decided to let it go.

She put her phone down and looked up to see Shirley still looking worried.

"What's up?"

"I was the one who messaged our teacher to come help. I didn't get her into trouble, did I?"

"No, don't worry. She can handle herself."

Laurinda tried to reassure her. But she couldn't stop thinking about Laura's smug little face. The whole Austin family mess was moving way too slow for her liking. She was starting to get impatient, already thinking up new ways to make life harder for them.

***

Meanwhile, Fabian was in the back of Bonnie's car, pain shooting through his arm, his whole body weirdly weak. He tried to sit up and look out the window, only to realize they weren't heading home at all.

"Where are you taking me? Do you even know who I am? If you touch me, my dad is never going to let this go. Just take me to the hospital, okay?"

The scenery outside got emptier and more run-down, and Fabian's anxiety kept growing. He tried to fight back, but the pain and weakness left him helpless.

"Bonnie."

She nodded. "Take him in and get the pictures. Don't hold back. Give him the full treatment."

Two people dragged Fabian out. He kept struggling, tossing out offers and promises, hoping Bonnie would change her mind.

She ignored him completely and headed toward the entrance.

Right by the door, she spotted someone hiding in a corner. Bonnie had known Laura was following her all along. She'd even slowed down at a few lights to make sure Laura could keep up.

When she walked over, Laura was on her phone, frantically trying to call the Gates family. No one was answering.

Laura felt someone behind her and turned around. The sight of Bonnie's striking face made her recoil in fear and fall straight to the ground. Her voice shook as she stammered, "What… what did you do to Fabian?"