From Ashes of Scandals to His Embrace novel Chapter 75

Laurinda looked away, refusing to make eye contact with Adah. Even as Adah’s face turned bright red with anger, Laurinda stayed completely unfazed.

“Laurinda, are you really going to be this petty?” Adah said, her voice tight. “I’ll admit, maybe I went a little overboard just now, but I was only trying to make sure you didn’t mess up the opening ceremony. There’s no reason to hold a grudge so big that we can’t even be friends anymore, right?”

That actually got Laurinda’s attention. She didn’t bother arguing, just lifted an eyebrow and watched Adah coolly.

“Worried I’d ruin the ceremony? That’s interesting. Tell me, Adah, what exactly gives you the right to say that? Are you a shareholder? A partner? The manager? Or maybe you’re part of Lacy’s family?”

Adah looked completely thrown. She bit her lip, thinking for what felt like forever before mumbling, “None of those. I’m... just a friend.”

Laurinda let out a soft laugh and really leaned on the word. “Wow. You’re pretty controlling for just a ‘friend.’”

She left it at that, not bothering to say anything more.

Adah had never been talked to like that before. Her whole life, nobody had ever made her feel so embarrassed. She thought Laurinda was being unbelievably rude, acting all superior. Deciding she’d had enough, Adah stood up and walked away without another word.

Once Adah was gone, Laurinda glanced at Irvin, who was trying—and failing—not to laugh. She’d already noticed he seemed to know Adah.

“So, you see someone you know and just pretend not to notice?” Laurinda teased.

Irvin snapped out of it, quickly hiding his smile and putting on an innocent face. “We’re not exactly on good terms. Laurinda, she’s the reason I broke up with my girlfriend.”

Some people rolled their eyes, not buying it. Others felt jealous, thinking Laurinda had used the Austin family’s resources to get ahead. Most were just annoyed, saying Laurinda was ungrateful for using the family’s support without giving anything back.

The Austin family itself felt the same way. As the crowd thinned, Baily leaned over and whispered to Laura, “Go talk to Laurinda. Remind her that everything she has comes from the Austin family. She needs to introduce you to Lacy. If she won’t come back to us, then it’s time she returned some of what she’s gained.”

Lacy led Laurinda and the others toward the stables, but Laurinda’s beloved horse was nowhere to be found. Lacy called over a staff member.

“What happened to the horse in stall two?”

The staffer checked his tablet, then answered, “The horse from stall two was picked up by a Ms. Charles. She should be over at the racetrack now.”