chapter1012

She wished with everything in her that Lydia would never come back.

Lydia didn't even look at Lucinda. Instead, she turned to Kylie and Cameron and asked, "Did we get new staff?"

The question caught Lucinda off guard. Her whole body tensed. She shot a quick look toward the flowerbeds and caught a glimpse of a familiar figure hurrying away.

Kylie blinked, clearly surprised that Lydia, who was always so busy, had even noticed. She nodded quickly. "Yeah, two of the old staff had to go home for family stuff, so we hired a few new ones. Is that alright, Lydia?"

Lydia just made a small sound. "It's nothing, really. I just noticed some new faces, so

I asked." As she said this, she glanced at Lucinda, who looked a little rattled.

Lucinda dug her nails into her palm, forcing herself to smile. "You were gone so long. Country T must have been amazing, right?

Lydia's answer was almost cold. It was fine.

Lucinda could tell Lydia didn't want to talk to her, so she stepped aside, feeling awkward. She stole a glance at Connor.

He looked as tall and handsome as ever, with this kind of quiet confidence that was impossible to ignore. His face was perfect in a way that made people stare.

But he only had eyes for Lydia. He didn't even glance at Lucinda, not even out of the corner of his eye.

Lucinda's hands tightened until her knuckles turned white. Jealousy rose in her chest like a tidal wave. All of this should have been hers.

Once Lydia and the others went inside, Lucinda finally headed toward the garden.

Frank was crouched behind a row of rose bushes. When he saw her, he waved and called out in a low voice, "Hey, kid, over here."

Lucinda's face was tight with frustration as she walked over, glancing around quickly before snapping, Call me Miss Lucinda. I've told you."

Frank just shrugged. "There's no one else here."

"Lydia's back! She's not like everyone else. You can't fool her. You better be careful. Lucinda glared at him, her patience almost gone.

She honestly regretted listening to Grace and having Frank work here at the Norwood estate. If anyone ever found out this scruffy gardener was her real father she'd never be able to held her head up again.

She had no idea what Grace was thinking, insisting he come here and saying he'd

help her. Help? She'd be lucky if he didn't ruin everything.

Frank just grinned. Yeah, yeah, I get it."

He didn't mention that Lydia might have already recognized him. He could only hope

she hadn't. After all, he'd once made a scene at her company.

But really, so what? As long as he could stay at the Norwood estate, did it even matter if people found out he was Lucinda's father?

If he hadn't overheard Grace's phone call with Lucinda, he never would have guessed his own daughter was being raised by the richest family in the country.

The Norwoods were loaded. It's the kind of rich that didn't even seem real.

Frank still couldn't believe his luck. His own daughter, living as an heiress.

Now that he was here, there was no way he was leaving.

Watching Frank act so out of place made Lucinda's chest ache in frustration. She

must have lost her mind to ever let him come here.

"I'm serious. While you're here, behave. Don't cause trouble. Don't tell anyone who you really are. Especially if Lydia's around. If you see her, go to your room and don't come out. Don't let her catch you wandering around."