chapter107

He had wanted to listen in on the two of them earlier, but to his surprise, they were nowhere to be found outside.

He couldn't wrap his head around it. Tonight should have been the first time his brother ever met Lydia, so why had his attitude done a complete one-eighty? Connor looked way more relaxed and cheerful than when he first arrived. There was a softness in him now that hadn't been there before.

But there was one thing Connor clearly didn't like how Chris was addressing Lydia.

"From now on, she'll be your sister-in-law. And Lydia's tired tonight. She can help me some other day."

Everyone froze. Sister-in-law? What was going on between them?

"Lydia, you and Connor..." Kylie finally couldn't hold back.

Before Lydia could get a word out, Connor stepped forward, all polite and proper. "Mrs. Norwood, Mr. Norwood, the engagement between the Jefferson and Norwood families has always been between Lydia and me. We've decided to go through with it. Of course, before anything happens, I'd give Lydia enough time to see for herself whether I'm worth trusting with her future."

Lydia stared at him, completely speechless. When had she said anything about getting engaged?

Lucinda went pale, her fingertips digging into her palms. She looked like she might topple over at any second.

Just a moment ago, Mr. Jefferson had been sure Connor was up to something, but now it looked like the opposite. Was Connor actually interested in Lydia? If that was the case, it was fantastic news.

Connor, if that's really how you feel, that's wonderful!" Mr. Jefferson's mood did a full turnaround. Connor had been dodging this engagement forever, giving him plenty of headaches, but now after just one meeting with Lydia, everything changed. It had to be Lydia's influence.

Cameron and Kylie exchanged glances and smiled, though they still looked a little confused.

"Connor, as long as Lydia wants it, we support her."

The message was clear. The final say was in Lydia's hands.

Connor nodded. "I'll make sure Lydia says yes herself."

"Good, that's good."

Mr. Jefferson was desperate to figure out what was going on in Connor's mind, so after a few quick words with Mr Norwood he said his goodbyes Cameron and Kyle were just as eager to get answers so they didn't try too hard to keep anyone from leaving.

As soon as the elevator doors closed, Cameron and Kylie turned to Lydia in perfect sync. "Lydia, what's going on here?"

Lydia had seen this coming.

Inside,

sha was still sitting with . She was bet

Mr. Norwood. She was

shaken to even come out and say goodbye, just sitting there in a daze

Lydia waited a moment, then told them the truth. He got bitten by a snake on

Highridge. I was the one who saved him."

"What?" they both blurted out, completely stunned.

Could something like that really happen by coincidence?

Lydia nodded. "Yeah."

Cameron's eyes went wide with realization. "No wonder Connor's attitude changed. So that was it."

Kylie's face filled with worry. "But Lydia, does he just feel grateful? Or is it actually... something more?"

Lydia was honest. I really don't know."

She truly didn't.

Cameron tried to reassure everyone. "Feelings can grow. I trust Connor's character. Let's see how he acts from now on lif he's serious about

Lydia and Lydia likes him too th?n this marriage could work."

Kylie thought that made sense. She nodded and turned to Lydia. "Lydia, do you

actually like Connor? Or do you get along better with Chris?"

Kylie just wanted to make sure Lydia was following her own heart.

Lydia laughed. "I'm not interested in Chris."