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."

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

Meryl in front of everyone, Meryl

use this situation to frame her

had been holding back laughter at the absurdity,

for white wine, which had

was just looking for something to eat, not to mess with

saw you add something to

a crusader

began to circulate among

to keep the matter contained, knowing that family

sensing her mother's unease, gave her a reassuring smile. "Mom, I think

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

a stir as the guests had been led to believe

their high-society circles, the mention of prison was a serious blemish, a mark that could affect one's reputation and even that of

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

backtrack only

obvious discomfort made it clear to everyone that

"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