Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 580

"Ms. Judson, I know there's bad blood between you and Lucius," Trudy said, her voice trembling. "Just let me go, and I'll tell you everything—all the secrets of our finishing school."

The corner of Larissa’s mouth lifted in a derisive smirk. "What secrets could you possibly have? It's an open secret that you lure naive young women into your little academy, only to serve them up to powerful men in high society. All to win favors for Lucius."

The color drained from Trudy’s face, but she pressed on anyway. "You're right, that's the gist of it. But even if that gets out, the worst that can happen is I become the scapegoat. It won't be enough to bring Lucius down. And you want to bring him down, don't you, Ms. Judson? I know you have a score to settle with him."

Larissa raised an eyebrow, entirely unsurprised. She scoffed, "Oh? And I suppose you have something that could actually do some real damage to him?"

Trudy hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I do know one of his secrets. But you have to promise to let me go first."

A flicker of amusement glinted in Larissa’s eyes.

"Let's hear it," she said slowly. "If this secret is as valuable as you claim, I might consider your offer."

Trudy was out of options. To save her own skin, she had no choice but to tell the truth.

"Every year, Lucius hosts a masquerade party called Mystique Blossom. The guest list is exclusive, filled with powerful figures. And no one knows who's on it except Lucius and the Lincoln family matriarch, Helena."

Larissa’s eyes darkened. A secret party? Even Nightveil hadn't uncovered this.

"That's everything I know!" Trudy said quickly. "My academy only handles a fraction of his affairs. I'm not privy to the Lincoln family's other businesses or events."

"Oh, wait, there is one more thing," Trudy added suddenly. "Lucius saddled me with Honora." She remembered Honora, another one of Larissa's enemies!

Larissa let out a sharp, derisive laugh. "Lucius made Honora work for you?"

Right, Honora was once hailed as Regal City's most brilliant debutante. Lucius must have thought her "talents" would be perfect for training the girls they duped.

"I know Honora has crossed you, Ms. Judson," Trudy said with a fawning smile, as if she could deliver Honora gift-wrapped on the spot. "Let me go, and I'll hand her over to you myself."