From Ashes of Scandals to His Embrace novel Chapter 79

Lacy’s words froze Adah in place. She stared at him, completely shocked.

“Lacy, I’m your guest. Are you really going to risk offending the Charles family for that woman? You know exactly what the Charles family means in Cabinda. Are you sure this is what you want?”

Adah just couldn’t wrap her head around it. Why was everyone siding with Laurinda against her? Irvin had done it. Now Lacy was doing the same. What did Laurinda have that she didn’t?

Lacy just looked at her like she was missing the obvious. He didn’t even bother to argue.

“You’re right, the Charles family is important in Cabinda. But the city isn’t going to fall apart without you. If I wanted to shake things up, I could. Just ask the James family...”

Adah’s face drained of color. She could hear the warning in his voice.

And he mentioned the James family. Did he know something about what happened to them?

Panic crept across her face. Lacy had no patience left. He gestured to the manager nearby and pointed at Adah.

The manager understood right away. He walked over, didn’t bother with pleasantries, and led Adah out.

Now Adah was standing on the side of the road, completely lost, replaying the look on Lacy’s face when he brought up the James family.

How did things go so wrong? She’d arrived as an honored guest. Now she was being kicked out.

A car from the Austin family stopped in front of her. Laura stepped out, holding a coat. She came over and gently draped it over Adah’s shoulders.

“Adah, it’s freezing in Apex. You’re barely dressed for this weather. If you want, I can take you to the hospital. I saw Laurinda kick you from outside the arena. You must be hurting.”

Adah snapped back to reality at Laura’s soft voice and warm smile. She felt an unexpected surge of gratitude.

“Thank you. Really.”

The strangest part was that Laurinda didn’t seem to mind him at all.

York finally stepped away and walked over to Jasper, who looked like he was about to explode. York reached out, ruffled Jasper’s hair, and tried to keep his voice light.

“Adolphus knows what he’s doing. Laurinda will be okay with him here.”

Jasper looked up at York and Bonnie, his face serious.

“That woman is from the Charles family. I’ve already caused them some trouble, but it’s not enough. What they’ve lost so far is just the beginning. She targeted Laurinda on purpose.”

“On purpose?” Bonnie’s face fell. “What exactly happened?”

Jasper told them everything that went down at the riding arena. Bonnie turned away immediately, pulling out her phone to call Laird. She needed to know exactly who had been involved in targeting Laurinda.