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.

Meryl in front of everyone, Meryl knew exactly

seemed Lydia was trying to use

holding back laughter at the absurdity, spoke up.

glanced at the drink in the decanter. Lydia had a special preference for white

did go to the kitchen, but I was just looking for

"But I saw you add something to it. I swear I'm not

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

whispers began to circulate among the

to keep the matter contained, knowing that family issues should be handled privately. Publicizing them would

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

spent three years in prison. She wouldn't make

guests had been

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

guilt. "I

her attempt to backtrack only made

obvious discomfort made it clear to everyone that there was some truth to

to fix 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