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."

towards Meryl, her expression hardened. "Still up

Meryl in front of everyone, Meryl

use this situation

had been holding back laughter at

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

looking for something to

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

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

whispers began to

family issues should be handled privately. Publicizing them would only bring

a reassuring

make the

had been led to believe that Meryl was

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

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

backtrack only

discomfort made it clear to everyone

you've just come back from abroad, have you adjusted to the time difference? Today is our birthday, and I've got a special gift for