Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 219

In the car, Sapphira couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re as mischievous as ever, Larissa. Vivica looked like she was about to crush that food container.”

“Mom, you saw the way she was looking at me,” Larissa said matter-of-factly. “She looked like she wanted me dead. I’m not the type to just take it. Why should I coddle her? She’s allowed to have a temper, but I’m not?”

Sapphira loved that about her. At least she knew how to stand up for herself.

On the way, Larissa called Finley.

“Is the herb garden I asked you to prepare ready?”

“It’s ready,” he answered, his voice thick with reluctance.

“Good. Meet me there. I’m coming to inspect your work.”

“…Fine.”

Sapphira, sitting beside her, couldn’t make sense of it. Leopold was in a coma, yet Finley, his older brother, was still taking orders from Larissa. She had no idea what kind of hold Larissa had on him, but it was utterly baffling.

…

Back at the Judson estate’s east villa, Larissa had barely stepped into her room when Shadow, Snowy, and Sage, hearing her arrival, slithered over to her, winding around her ankles.

“Did you miss me?” she cooed.

The three small snakes bobbed their heads in unison.

Larissa got them each two freeze-dried spiders from the cabinet before heading out to the plot of land Finley had prepared.

Finley was already there, his face a mask of indifference. “Go ahead. Inspect it.”

Finley’s brow furrowed in suspicion. “What are you going there for?”

He had just posted a guard there yesterday to watch for the mysterious poison expert. Now, Larissa suddenly announced she was going. Was it just a coincidence? Or was this another one of her schemes to ruin his plans?

“I heard they have all sorts of rare and priceless treasures you can’t find anywhere else,” Larissa said nonchalantly. “Now that I’m a proper Judson heiress, I figured I should go broaden my horizons.”

Her casual attitude only made Finley more wary.

“I’m not going,” he said flatly.

He wasn’t stupid. Going anywhere with her was asking for trouble.

Larissa shrugged. “Fair enough. If Starlight Media doesn’t show improvement this month, you’ll be handing it over to me next month. I suppose you don’t have time to waste at auction houses. I’ll just go by myself, then.”