Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 453

Milton leaned in, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “I’ve had it with Avril anyway, Mr. Lincoln. She’s constantly defending Larissa in the group chat, always arguing with me. I’ll grab her, and we’ll see if Larissa comes to the rescue. If she doesn’t, Avril will turn on her. And if she does, I’ll grab her too.”

Lucius’s expression was unreadable. “Bring her to me when you have her. Do this for me, and I’ll give you an invitation to next year’s Mystique Blossom.”

Milton’s eyes lit up. “Yes, sir!”

Mystique Blossom was the Lincoln family’s legendary, clandestine party, held at an undisclosed location once a year. It was a place where powerful men could indulge their darkest fantasies without fear of moral or legal repercussions. Milton had heard whispers about it from his older brother for years, but he had never been important enough to receive an invitation. The thought of finally experiencing the debauchery his brother had described sent a thrill of anticipation through him.

Lucius swirled the amber liquid in his glass, his reflection distorted on the curved surface. The Lincoln family’s overseas labs had just developed a new drug, a potent aphrodisiac. Once Milton delivered Larissa, he would use her to test its effects. Then, he would throw her into the fray at Mystique Blossom and let his guests have their way with her. It would be a most satisfying experiment.

...

Larissa had worked later than usual, so it was almost eight o’clock by the time she got back to the Judson estate. Her mother was in the living room, but her father was nowhere to be seen.

“Mom, is Dad not home yet?” she asked.

Sapphira looked up from the tablet where she was sketching designs for a birthday cake. “Your father is juggling both Sprout Tech and Judson Pharmaceuticals now, so he’s been very busy. He called a little while ago to say he’s working late at Judson Pharmaceuticals tonight and that we shouldn’t wait for him for dinner.”

“Oh.” Larissa dropped her bag and snuggled up to her mother, resting her head on her shoulder. “Mom, I feel like this is my fault. He used to be home every night to be with you, and now he’s so busy he can’t even make it home for dinner.”

Sapphira laughed. “He’s a father now. He can’t be lazy anymore. He has to protect the Judson family’s legacy for you.”

Sapphira’s expression softened, and she wrapped an arm around Larissa’s shoulders, pulling her close. “Larissa, those days are over. From now on, you can eat whatever you want, as much as you want.”

Larissa felt a pang of guilt. Her mother had misunderstood. It wasn’t that she couldn’t afford better food; she had just been too lazy to cook. The only time she’d eaten well was during the two months she’d dated Torrin, when he had often cooked for her.

Still, she was touched by her mother’s concern.

“I know,” she said, leaning into the embrace.

“Please, let time slow down”, she thought. “Don’t let my parents get old too quickly.”