chapter1063

She didn't just deny it. She looked down on him, found him disgusting, and couldn't hide her contempt. Honestly, it would be best if she never had to see him again.

Kylie watched as Frank was led away, then turned to Lydia with a relieved sigh. "Lydia, thank goodness you found that stuff buried in the dirt today. If we'd let him keep doing whatever he wanted around here, who knows how much more trouble he would've caused."

Just thinking about it gave her chills.

Lucinda's hands curled tight at her sides. So it really was Lydia who exposed him. She had always known that Lydia would jump at any chance to kick her out of the family. Too bad for Lydia, it hadn't worked this time. If anything, today proved their parents still cared about her.

Lydia didn't seem bothered at all. "I just thought something was off, so I checked it out. If there's nothing else, I'm heading upstairs."

Before going, Lydia gave Lucinda a look that lingered just a little too long. Lucinda dropped her gaze, suddenly feeling guilty.

Lydia couldn't shake one thought from her mind. Was Frank really trying to hurt Mr. Norwood just for the Norwood family's trust and money? Or was there something else going on?

Once Lydia disappeared upstairs, Lucinda finally felt like she could breathe again.

"Mom, Dad, since everything's sorted out here, I'll head back to the hospital to look after Grandpa. I just can't relax while he's there alone."

The way she spoke, so mature and caring, made both parents stop and smile.

"You have changed so much."

"Yeah," Kylie agreed. You've had a long day, Lucinda. Why don't I go sit with your grandfather at the hospital, and you rest at home? And don't let what happened today get to you."

No matter what, Frank was still Lucinda's real father. Today must have been rough on her.

But Lucinda shook her head. "It's okay, really. Let me stay with Grandpa at the hospital. There's nothing for me to do here anyway."

Since she wasn't going to change her mind, her parents gave in.

"Alright, Lucinda. Call us if you need anything."

"I will."

Upstairs, Lydia was busy sketching designs for her winter collection when her phone chimed with a message from Iceblade.

She rolled her eyes. Who knew what he was up to now? But when she opened the message, she paused in surprise. It was a photo-Connor, Garrett and feeblade all together f a lab. She couldn't help but laugh.

She'd sent Garrett off to Country D to find an antidote for her, but now it looked like everyone had ended up there And Conner-no wonder hed only been calling lately, always saying he was busy and never

starting to video chat. So that was why.

A strange warmth filled her chest. She never expected them all to care this much.

But what on earth was Iceblade doing there? And how were he and Connor not at each other's throats?

She typed back, [Nice Photoshop. Maybe next time, skip the edits.]

Iceblade just stared at the reply, speechless. Did she really trust him that little?

The next morning, Lincoln showed up with his arms full of gifts and asked Lydia if she could come check on his grandfather. Juna tagged along too.

Kylie and Cameron were surprised. Lydia seemed to be making more friends than they realized and that was a good thing. The more friends, the better.

Since Lucinda had stayed at the hospital overnight and Kylie and Cameron needed to go visit Mr. Norwood anyway, everyone left the house together.

Lincoln drove, grinning the whole way. "Lydia, I just don't get it. If you're the real Norwood heiress and why don'tyou just tell everyone the truth?

Lucinda's the fake whet