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."

her expression hardened. "Still up to

directly accuse Meryl in front of everyone,

trying to use this situation to

who had been holding back laughter at the

at the drink in the decanter. Lydia had a special preference for white wine, which had been prepared just for her. It was

kitchen, but I was just looking for something to eat, not to mess

I saw you add something to it. I

theatrical, like a

murmurs and whispers began to circulate among the

matter contained, knowing that family issues should be handled privately.

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

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

as the guests had been led

that could affect one's reputation and even that of their family for generations. The

her face full of guilt. "I was just drunk and rambling. Don't take it seriously. How could my sister have

backtrack

clear to everyone that there was

birthday, and I've got a special gift for you. Want to see it?" Meanwhile, the noise from downstairs reached Dalton, who came down to find Lydia looking fragile and upset, apologizing to Meryl in a pitiful