Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 522

A warmth spread through her chest. Her parents must have waited up for her.

Sure enough, before she even reached the door, she heard her mother’s voice.

“There, Neville, what do you think of this design?”

Larissa stepped inside to see her mother handing a tablet to her father on the sofa. He set down his magazine and studied the screen, nodding in approval. “It’s beautiful. It has your signature style all over it.”

Her mother blushed slightly. “Good. I hope Larissa likes it.”

“Mom, what are you designing for me?” Larissa asked, her curiosity piqued as she walked over.

Sapphira quickly snatched the tablet back, hiding it behind her. “Oh, it’s nothing.”

She deftly changed the subject. “What did Zoltan want to talk to you about tonight?”

Larissa didn’t press the issue; a surprise wouldn’t be a surprise if it was revealed. She sank into the sofa, replying casually, “Faith had Finley accuse me of poisoning her in front of Zoltan.”

Sapphira didn’t ask if it was true. Instead, her eyes widened in shock. “Finley actually went through with it?”

Larissa nodded, her expression unreadable. “He did.”

A flash of anger and disappointment crossed Sapphira’s face.

“As it turns out, you were right all along,” Neville admitted with a heavy heart.

“Enough of this,” Sapphira said, clearly wanting to move on. “It’s late. Go get ready for bed. Your father and I are turning in as well.”

“Okay,” Larissa agreed.

Back in her room, after a shower, Larissa gave Shadow a new command before sleeping. From now on, Faith’s poison was not to activate without her direct order.

As she’d told Haskell, the poison was intrinsically linked to Shadow; unless her Shadow died, it could never be truly cured. The antidote she’d given Faith was merely a suppressor. If Faith and Solomon behaved, the poison would remain dormant forever. But if they ever dared to cause trouble again, it would return with a vengeance.