Larissa's Game of Thrones (Larissa) novel Chapter 85

Neville, who had just walked up behind them, spoke, his voice calm but firm. “Paxton, you yourself said she just got here. You’re her uncle, but how well do you really know her? Yet you’re already spreading rumors that she has no manners?”

He fixed Paxton with a hard stare. “You haven’t spent a single day teaching her anything, so don’t you dare pass judgment on her.”

Vivica bristled. “That’s not fair, Neville! It’s that exact attitude that’s made her so shameless and ill-mannered. All the guests have arrived, and she’s still a no-show. It’s completely unacceptable.”

She knew exactly why Larissa was late. Sapphira must have warned her to change her dress. But a custom gown wasn’t something you could just slip on and off by yourself. The whole ordeal would take time.

“Let her waste time,” Vivica thought with a smirk. The longer she kept the most distinguished families in Regal City waiting, the more they would resent her. Kiernan would lose face, and his displeasure with Larissa would grow. The alternative was for Larissa to rush over without changing, forcing a direct comparison with Honora. Then everyone would see who was the princess and who was the ugly duckling.

Either way, Larissa’s welcome party was already a disaster for the Judson family.

Zoltan’s expression remained impassive, but he cast a meaningful glance at his grandson. Haskell, however, appeared perfectly calm. He knew something must have delayed Larissa; she wouldn’t give her enemies ammunition so easily. Whatever the emergency, he was confident she could handle it.

“Uncle Paxton, Aunt Vivica,” a clear, confident voice rang out from the entrance. “I was delayed for a moment, and you’re already bad-mouthing me in front of my fiancé’s family and all these distinguished guests? That’s not very classy, is it?”

The voice continued, laced with amusement. “You sound like a couple of gossiping busybodies. I’m not sure your own etiquette is anything to brag about.”

At the sound of that voice, Haskell signaled for Crispin to turn his wheelchair toward the entrance. Nearly every guest in the room did the same.

Neville looked at Sapphira, who was now standing beside Larissa. She met his worried gaze, and he saw that her earlier panic had been replaced by a quiet calm.

“What happened?” Neville whispered, his expression tense with concern. “Why would Larissa wear that dress knowing it was a setup? She’s walking right into their trap.”

“It’s alright,” Sapphira murmured back. “Just trust Larissa and watch.”

Though he didn’t understand, the confidence in his wife’s face reassured him.

Vivica, stung by Larissa’s public rebuke, snapped, “What could have possibly delayed you? We’ve been running ourselves ragged planning your party!”