Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 297

Larissa parked the car and told Sapphira to wait while she approached the Lincoln Manor’s gate and rang the bell. A middle-aged butler soon appeared.

“I’m here to see Josette, the second lady of your household,” Larissa stated directly. “I am her niece, Larissa.”

As the butler of a prominent family, he was well-versed in the goings-on of high society. The biggest news lately was the return of the true Judson heiress and her stunning debut at her reception, where she had outshone Regal City’s darling, Honora. Just last night, her engagement to Haskell Palmer had been the event of the season, and rumors were swirling about how highly both Haskell and the Palmer patriarch regarded her.

“Ms. Judson, please wait a moment while I inform her,” the butler said before turning back toward the house.

...

Inside the main hall.

“What?” Josette exclaimed, a surge of anger rising in her chest.

She shoved her husband, Jagger, who was trying to wake himself up with a cup of coffee. The hot liquid splashed onto his clothes and lap.

“What is your problem now?” he snapped.

“My problem? Didn’t you hear the butler? My dear niece is at the door!” Seeing his apathy, her frustration grew.

“If I hadn’t trusted you to handle Zendar, I never would have made that bet with her in the first place!”

Jagger took a napkin from the butler and dabbed at the spill.

Her resentment for Larissa deepened. If that girl hadn’t stirred up so much trouble, she never would have gotten involved in the first place. A woman’s job was to be beautiful and spend her husband’s money, not fight over inheritances. Larissa’s ambition had thrown her own life into disarray.

…

Larissa waited outside the Lincoln family gate for some time. When the butler didn’t return, she guessed that Josette had instructed him not to open the door, thinking that would be the end of it.

As if.

Sapphira got out of the car, her face flushed with anger. “Josette is deliberately leaving us out here to humiliate us,” she fumed. “For an elder to be so shameless is unbelievable!”

“Mom, calm down,” Larissa soothed. “We came here for satisfaction, so let’s not get worked up. Since Aunt Josette won’t come out, we’ll just have to make her invite us in.”