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

front of everyone, Meryl

to use this situation to

at the

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

go to the kitchen, but I was just looking for

I saw you add something to it. I

maid's certainty was almost theatrical, like a crusader standing up to a

began to

keep the matter contained, knowing that family issues should be

mother's unease, gave her a reassuring

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

guests had

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

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

to backtrack only made

it clear to everyone that there was some truth to the

got a special gift for you. Want to see it?"