Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 182

Sapphira, who had been peeling an apple, froze. She immediately set down the fruit and the knife.

“Larissa, your father and I would never, ever think that! How could you be a curse? You are my daughter, my precious jewel! If Honora’s mother hadn’t committed that wicked act all those years ago, you would have been the cherished young lady of the Judson family, growing up surrounded by the love of your parents and brothers.”

Her voice cracked with emotion. She realized she had been wrong. She thought Larissa was emotionally resilient, but she was still just a twenty-year-old girl. Of course an event like this would make her feel vulnerable.

“And what chaos? Your father and I are perfectly fine. We’ve been blessed with a wonderful daughter in our old age! It’s only Paxton and Vivica’s household that’s in turmoil, and that’s not your fault. It’s their own doing!”

A wide smile spread across Larissa’s face, and she began to devour the rest of her meal.

“Slow down, don’t choke,” Sapphira reminded her gently.

“But it’s so good, I can’t help it,” Larissa said, her cheeks full.

Sapphira couldn’t help but smile at the sight. “Alright, then. A good appetite is a good sign.”

Watching Larissa’s contented expression, Sapphira’s eyes welled up again. She quickly picked up the apple and knife, bowing her head to hide her tears.

Larissa was her child. If Paxton’s family refused to love her, then she and Neville would love her enough for all of them. Besides, it had always been Paxton’s family, all for the sake of that adopted girl, who had been causing trouble for Larissa. She had nothing to feel guilty about.

…

After her mother left, Larissa picked up her phone and dialed Finley’s number. It rang for a long time before he finally answered, his voice seething with rage.

“Larissa, after what you did to Leopold, you have the nerve to call me?”

“Why wouldn’t I? In fact, I’m ordering you to get everyone out of Leopold’s room. Immediately.”

“Don’t worry, Mom,” Finley replied.

Not long after Vivica left, Larissa climbed through the room’s open window.

Finley stared in disbelief. Had she just scaled the building from the floor below?

Larissa dusted off her hands, walked past Finley as if he weren’t there, and approached Leopold’s bed. She took out a thin silver needle and inserted it into a pressure point on his head.

Finley finally snapped out of his shock.

“Larissa, what did you just do to him?” he hissed.