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."

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

front of everyone, Meryl

seemed Lydia was trying to use this situation to frame

who had been holding back laughter at the absurdity, spoke

decanter. Lydia had a special preference for white wine, which had

kitchen, but I was just looking

"But I saw you add something to

theatrical, like a crusader standing up to a powerful

them, murmurs and whispers began to

was anxious to keep the matter contained, knowing that family issues should be

her a reassuring smile. "Mom, I think

make the same mistake again. I trust she

the guests had been led to believe that Meryl was studying

that could affect one's

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

her attempt to backtrack

it clear to everyone

I've got a special gift for you. Want