From Ashes of Scandal to His Embrace (Laurinda) novel Chapter 516

Adolphus sat in front of a thick file about the Dale family. Thanks to ancestral land, the Dales had stumbled into a massive fortune, quickly rising to become some of the richest newcomers in town.

Flush with cash, they teamed up with angel investors, and soon every deal brought in huge profits. That was when they realized how much power mattered. Word had it Cabinda’s people were moving into Apex, so the Dales followed the money, hoping to ride the new wave and cozy up to the right power players. They threw plenty of money around, buying connections left and right.

“No wonder they have a daughter like that,” Adolphus mused, spinning the ring on his finger as he glanced back down at the file. “All money, no substance. No matter how high they climb, one day they'll come crashing down.”

Across from him, Egan eyed Adolphus, the words “male model” echoing in his mind. Honestly, he still didn't get why Theodora would ever call a man like this a male model. Did she really think all male models looked this good?

He shook off the thought. “Laurinda wasn’t affected, right?”

“I asked the staff just now,” Egan replied. “Everyone inside is in a good mood. Some teachers even dropped by. Theodora hasn’t caused any trouble for them.”

“Good. Keep it that way. Don’t let anyone mess with them. Have Foley keep close watch at the hospital. Whatever happens, keep her mother Tilda in the hospital.”

“It’s already taken care of. You don’t need to worry.”

Egan checked the time. “Thurston should be arriving any minute.”

“Is everything settled with his oldest son?”

“All done. Nine reported that as soon as Peter left the Dale Group, he headed straight to the hospital. Nine is tailing him, so nothing’s getting past us.”

There was a knock at the door. Egan got up, opened it, and found Thurston waiting outside, standing awkwardly beside a server. With his thinning hair and round belly, Thurston looked every inch the cliché of sudden wealth.

Egan watched Thurston’s shifting expressions with a faint frown, wondering what was going through the man’s head. He just hoped Thurston wouldn’t end up crying after meeting Adolphus.

“Thurston, don’t keep Adolphus waiting,” Egan reminded him.

That brought Thurston back to his senses. He answered with a quick nod and hurried inside.

At the hospital, Theodora’s injury had been treated. The moment she spotted Tilda and Peter, all her restraint snapped. Her voice rose to a shrill pitch in the emergency room.

“Mom! Peter! You have to do something about Laurinda! She hit me and my face is swollen,” she cried. “And that doctor—I want him. I don’t care what you have to do. Make him give in to me, whatever it takes…”