From Ashes of Scandal to His Embrace novel Chapter 7

With Laurinda’s permission, the butler popped open her suitcase. Inside, there were just a few sets of clothes and some books. That was it. Everyone in the room let out a breath they’d been holding. They’d been eyeing Laurinda’s jewelry for ages, and now it was finally theirs.

“I’m finished signing.” Laura’s mood soared when she saw the suitcase held nothing valuable. Her pen moved faster as she scribbled her signature. She handed the folder over to Kendal, shooting Laurinda a look that practically screamed victory.

Laurinda caught that smug look, but just smiled and took the folder from Kendal. She signed her name with a flourish.

“Congrats, you’re the next heir of the Austin family.”

Hope you can keep smiling like that forever, Laurinda thought, but she kept the words to herself.

She passed the folder back to Kendal so he could handle the rest of the handover. With her suitcase in hand, she didn’t bother looking back as she walked straight toward the front door.

As she reached the entryway, Laura’s voice rang out from behind her, loud and full of attitude.

“Butler, toss everything she used in that room. It’s mine now.”

...

Standing by the road, Laurinda took a long breath and tipped her face up to the sky. The weather couldn’t have been better. Clear, blue, perfect.

A Rolls-Royce Phantom eased to a stop in front of her. The door opened and out stepped a man in his fifties, dressed in a sharp black suit. His black hair was slicked back and tied neatly, and there was a huge, excited smile on his face.

Laurinda’s expression softened when she saw Cain. Her voice turned light, almost teasing.

“I told you there was no need to pick me up. I remember the way home.”

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