Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 6

“The Judson family, you say? They aren’t that big of a deal in Regal City. Who do they think they are? Larissa, you don’t have to go back to them.”

Larissa raised a hand to quiet the crowd. “Please calm down. I’ve decided to go back and accept the marriage. I’m going back to teach them a lesson. I just wanted to let you all know and ask you to please look after the new herbs in my garden.”

Though they didn’t understand, the villagers respected her decision.

“Alright then. If anyone at the Judson estate gives you any trouble, you call me. I’ll bring people over and tear their house down.”

“That’s right. We’ll always be here for you.”

Larissa waved. “Thank you, everyone. That’s all. You can go back to what you were doing.”

With that, she turned to the waiting Neville and Sapphira with a playful smile. “Uncle, Aunt, we can go now.”

Still stunned, Neville and Sapphira snapped back to reality at her voice.

“Oh… right.”

“Miss, let me take that for you,” the driver said, stepping forward to take the burlap sack.

“Be careful, it’s heavy,” Larissa warned.

The driver thought to himself, “how heavy could a sack a young girl carried so easily be?”

But when he took it, the weight nearly made him drop it on his foot.

Larissa blinked. “Can you manage? Don’t break anything inside.”

“No problem, Miss.” The driver gave an awkward smile, gritting his teeth as he heaved the sack into the trunk. By the time he was back in the driver’s seat, he was sweating. He couldn’t figure out how the slender young woman could be so strong.

In the car, Sapphira and Neville exchanged several worried glances before Sapphira finally worked up the courage to ask, “Larissa, what was all that you told the villagers about marrying a disabled man in place of an adopted daughter? What’s going on?”

“You didn’t know?” Larissa asked, her tone skeptical.

Sapphira shook her head. “Neville and I had no idea. We only heard from your parents about two weeks ago that Honora wasn’t their biological child. They launched an investigation and found out yesterday that their real daughter was in your village. They asked us to come and bring you home today.”

Larissa looked out the window at a sprawling estate with several villas scattered across the grounds, as grand as a presidential palace. A true Regal City dynasty. The Judson estate was nearly the size of her entire village.

She got out of the car and followed Neville and Sapphira inside. The butler, Jett, was waiting at the door and greeted them respectfully.

“Sir, Madam, welcome back.” His eyes fell on Larissa, and he gave her a polite nod. “This must be the young miss.”

“Yes,” Sapphira said, turning to Larissa with a warm smile. “Larissa, let’s go in and meet your parents and your brother.”

Larissa remained silent, following them through the wide courtyard and into the grand foyer. Standing at the entrance, her eyes swept over the four people sitting on the sofa in the living room.

First, a middle-aged couple dressed in luxurious clothes, exuding an air of nobility. Next to them was a handsome young man with a rebellious streak. And finally, a beautiful young woman about her own age, her eyes red and puffy, looking utterly pitiful.

None of them looked happy; they all seemed preoccupied. When their eyes met hers, Larissa didn’t miss the flicker of distaste that crossed their faces.

She smirked. Her family was certainly interesting.