Secret Admiration: Finding True Love After Prison

Chapter 5 Framing Her Again

"What?"

Lydia looked up, startled. "What do you mean?"

The maid glanced at Meryl. "I saw Ms. Stone go into the kitchen and put something in your drink. It looked like a drug."

Several faces turned pale as the maid's words sank in.

Everyone in the Stone family remembered the kidnapping incident three years ago. Lydia had been taken after drinking a spiked beverage. Hearing that it might be happening again made Lydia's face go white, and her hand shook, causing her wine glass to shatter on the floor.

The crash of the glass drew attention from the crowd, who now looked over curiously.

Lydia, with red-rimmed eyes, turned to Bianca. "Mom...

"I'm so scared..."

Bianca, realizing what Lydia feared, quickly comforted her. "Don't be afraid. It's all in the past."

Meryl, her

Bianca didn't directly accuse Meryl in front of everyone, Meryl knew exactly

was trying to use this situation

been holding back laughter at the absurdity,

preference for white wine, which had

to the kitchen, but I was just looking

"But I saw you add something to it.

a crusader standing

them, murmurs and whispers began to circulate

to keep the matter contained, knowing that family issues should

a reassuring smile. "Mom, I think there's been

spent three years in prison. She wouldn't make the same mistake

stir as the guests had been led to believe that Meryl was

was a serious blemish, a mark that could affect one's reputation

she had slipped up and quickly tried to cover it, her face full of guilt. "I was just drunk and rambling.

backtrack only made things

made it clear to everyone that

our birthday, and I've got a special gift for you. Want to see it?" Meanwhile,