From Ashes of Scandal to His Embrace (Laurinda) novel Chapter 529

When Laurinda stepped into the room, Shirley barely glanced up from her phone, just long enough to wave hello. “Hey Laurinda, Irvin told me you guys are heading back to Cabinda tomorrow, so I thought I’d tag along. My mom’s still packing, so she’ll come a few days later.”

“Alright. I’ll make sure someone books your ticket,” Laurinda replied.

A voice floated over from the kitchen. “Laurinda, your food’s ready.”

The housekeeper poked her head out, polite as always. Laurinda nodded and followed her in, doing her best to tune out Shirley and Irvin, who were arguing over something on their screens and cursing softly.

Just as Laurinda sat down to eat, her phone buzzed. It was a video call from Adolphus. She propped her phone against a glass and answered, meeting his dark, steady gaze on the tiny screen.

“All sorted out?” she asked.

“Pretty much,” he said, his tone soft. “Did you just wake up?”

Laurinda tried not to smile as she chewed. She could tell he loved watching her like this, relaxed and with no makeup on.

He asked, “Hungry for anything in particular? Or should I take you out tonight?”

She actually took a second to think, idly twirling her fork, then looked up at the phone. “Maybe sushi? There’s that place in Apex that tastes a lot like the one I used to go to in Stonehaven. I used to drag my roommates there all the time.”

Adolphus nodded, looking pleased. “Sounds good. I’ll try to come home early. Should I have Foley make a reservation?”

“No need, I know the owner pretty well. I’ll call her,” Laurinda said.

“Alright, you handle that. I’ll pick you up after work. Are you feeling tired?”

He’d been wanting to ask that all along but hadn’t found the words till now.

Egan tipped his chin, studying Adolphus. “Seriously though, are you sure this project will clean Baal out?”

Adolphus nodded without hesitation. “Definitely. Baal isn’t shy about his ambitions. He wouldn't have set so many traps for other people otherwise. He’s probably got backup plans, sure—trying to grow his reach over in Northland, and also looking for a way into Cabinda’s market. Now that this shot has popped up, he’s going to jump on it. We just sit tight and wait for him.”

The pieces were all in place. Adolphus was just waiting for Baal to walk right into the plan.

Foley caught the next update. “Thurston’s situation is mostly wrapped up. Things have been a little crazy in Apex these past couple days. Thurston’s pulling out really shook the local economy. And get this—they’re canceling his investment in Vanguard High School too.”

Adolphus didn’t even flinch at the news. That investment had just been for show. Now that he couldn’t expand in Apex anymore, there was no reason for him to keep the money there.

“Forget about it. The Apex School has way better facilities than anywhere else around. The Department of Education won’t even care.”