Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 87

Larissa deliberately emphasized the words “adopted daughter.”

In the days since her return, Paxton and Vivica had carefully avoided telling anyone Honora’s true status. At the party, only the family’s closest circle and those who had made it their business to dig for information knew the truth. To most of the guests, Honora was still a true Judson heiress.

Since Paxton and Vivica were so determined to protect Honora’s position, Larissa decided she would be the one to tear the façade down.

As expected, her words sent a shockwave through the room.

“Honora is adopted?”

“I hadn’t heard that. I just knew the Judsons brought a new heiress home. I assumed she was Neville and Sapphira’s daughter, since they seem so devoted to this Larissa girl.”

“Right, that’s what the invitation implied.”

Honora was stunned. Not only had Larissa exposed her as an adopted daughter, but she had also brought up the dress controversy herself. What was she planning? Wasn’t she afraid of being exposed for wearing a fake?

Sensing the guests’ eyes shifting between her and Larissa, Honora realized that for now, her status as an adopted daughter was far more scandalous than the dress.

“Nonsense!” Vivica retorted. “How would we know what you were planning to wear tonight? You’re just trying to deflect blame.”

Leopold saw the tide turning against Honora and knew he had to intervene. He couldn’t let her become the target of gossip.

“Exactly!” he boomed. “Larissa, I personally chose this gown for my sister, Honora. I couldn’t care less what you decided to wear.” He paused, his voice dripping with disdain. “Besides, isn’t that gown you’re wearing a fake? I followed this piece closely, and I know for a fact that only one exists in the entire world. I had to pull some serious strings to get it for Honora. Since the one she is wearing is authentic, that must mean yours is a cheap knockoff.”

“That makes sense.”

As the focus shifted back to the dress, Honora secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Leopold shot Larissa a triumphant look. Let’s see her talk her way out of this one.

Vivica seized the opportunity. “Sapphira, Larissa has been in the country for too long. Perhaps she doesn’t understand what wearing a counterfeit means to people in our circle. But you do. If you’re going to be her mother, you should have taught her better.”

Many of the guests cast sympathetic glances at Haskell.

“If I were Haskell, I’d be mortified. My fiancée is making a fool of herself.”