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."

she turned her gaze towards Meryl, her expression hardened. "Still up to your

in front of everyone, Meryl

seemed Lydia was trying to use this situation to frame

back laughter at the absurdity, spoke up. "It wasn't

special preference for white

was just looking

I saw you add something

was almost theatrical, like a crusader standing up to a powerful

murmurs and whispers began to

contained, knowing that family issues should be handled privately. Publicizing them

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

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

as the guests had been

mark that could affect one's reputation

up and quickly tried to cover it, her face full of guilt. "I was just drunk and rambling. Don't take it

attempt to backtrack only

made it clear to everyone that

the situation, Lydia said, "Meryl, since you've just come back from abroad, have you adjusted to the time difference? Today is our birthday, and I've got a special gift for you. Want to see it?" Meanwhile, the noise