Larissa's Game of Thrones (Larissa) novel Chapter 60

“Yes, Mom. I understand,” Honora replied softly, a cold smile forming in her mind.

Outshining that country girl? It would be all too easy. With just a little bit of effort, she could make Larissa the laughingstock of the city.

A confident, triumphant smile spread across her face.

…

The invitations for Larissa’s welcome party on Saturday night had all been sent out. The Judson estate had a dedicated ballroom, which Neville had arranged to be decorated with the finest materials and stocked with the most expensive wines. He wanted every prominent family in the city to know just how much he and his wife cherished their daughter.

Though he felt he had covered every detail, he still worried something might be amiss.

“Larissa, take a look at the venue. Is there anything you’d like to change?”

Larissa looked at the beautifully decorated ballroom, clearly a labor of love, and smiled. “No, Dad. It’s perfect.”

Her approval filled the new father with a surge of pride.

“And your gown has been shipped from overseas,” Sapphira added. “It will arrive tonight, so you can wear it tomorrow for the party.”

Seeing how dedicated her new parents were, Larissa felt a warmth spread through her chest. “Great. I’ll try it on tonight.”

“You’ll look beautiful, Larissa! I chose from the most famous, exclusive international designers. No one will outshine you!” Since becoming a mother, Sapphira had developed a competitive streak. “I just don’t want anyone to bully you or look down on you. After all, if you hadn’t been switched at birth, you would have been the pearl of our family, cherished and adored.”

Haskell was already there when she arrived.

Finley was slumped against one of the gazebo pillars, looking pale and weak. When he saw Larissa, his eyes filled with a mixture of hatred and fear.

Larissa ignored Finley’s glare and walked calmly over to Haskell, sitting on the stone bench beside him. Her gaze was steady, as if nothing else in the world mattered.

“We’ll start your treatment today,” she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Haskell nodded, a flicker of hope in his eyes, but mostly, it was trust.

“I’ve examined your legs,” Larissa continued. “They can be healed, but I’ll have to reconnect the tendons and bones. The process will be painful, but if you can endure it and not delay my progress, I can have you walking again in as little as three months.”