chapter112

Kylie seemed to realize the same thing. She turned to another maid and said, Tina, Grace will keep looking after Lucinda. From now on, you'll be taking care of Lydia."

Tina wasn't as experienced as Grace, but she'd been with the Norwood family for almost seven years. She was steady, hardworking, and even managed two other maids herself. This promotion was a good fit for her.

Tina looked stunned, but quickly stepped forward and nodded. "Yes, ma'am. Don't worry, I'll take excellent care of Miss Lydia."

Lucinda was so irritated she could barely keep it together. If they wanted to give Lydia her own personal maid, why not just say so? Why drag Grace into it?

With Kylie watching, Lydia finished her milk without a word, then headed upstairs to her room.

Lucinda hurried after her and caught her just as Lydia was about to go in. Hey, do you love Connor?"

Lydia turned, face calm and chilly. "Why do you care?"

"I do care," Lucinda insisted. "Before you came back, he was my fianc ."

The meaning was clear. You stole him from me.

"But he doesn't even like you," Lydia replied. She didn't wait for a response, just opened her door and went inside.

Lucinda stared at the closed door, biting her lip so hard it almost hurt.

She was right.

It was only tonight that Lucinda finally had to admit that Connor probably didn't like her at all. But if Lydia had never returned, Connor would still be her fianc , and maybe just maybe he would fall for her in time.

Lydia had ruined everything.

"Miss Lucinda, it's getting late. You should get some rest," Grace said softly behind her.

Lucinda clenched her fists and

stormed back to her room. As soon as the door clicked shut, she kicked a fancy stuffed doll across the floor. He eyes were red and she glared at Grace. "Why? Why did Connor

choose Lydia after meeting her only once?"

Grace looked shocked. "Miss Lucinda, what do you mean? Connor... he's interested in Lydia?"

She hadn't seen that coming.

Lucinda collapsed onto the sofa and burst into tears, letting out all the hurt and frustration she'd been holding in.

Grace handed her a tissue and tried to comfort her. "Miss Lucinda, you'll swell your eyes. How's Mr. Norwood doing?"

Right now, only her grandfather could help her.

Lucinda kept sniffling, then finally wiped her face and answered in a shaky voice. Grandpa's fine, but everyone's just accepted Lydia and Connor being together. No one says a word."

"Miss Lucinda, as long as Lydia and Connor haven't gone to register their marriage, you still have a chance."

"But Connor... he doesn't even like me." That was the part that hurt the most.

"Men can change their minds. And Lydia's always so cold and stiff. Who would want that over someone kind and gente? As long as they havent got married anything can happen. Don't worry. I'll always be on your side, no matter what."

Lucinda felt her heart warm a little. "Grace, you're so good to me. Better than my parents, honestly. All they care about now is Lydia. They don't even think about how I feel."

Grace patted her shoulder gently. "Miss Lucinda, you're beautiful and thoughtful, so much better than Lydia in every way. Just wait. Sooner or later, they'll realize who their real pride and joy is."

"Yeah," Lucinda sniffed, feeling a little better.

Meanwhile, Lydia went back to her room and took a shower. She had barely stepped out of the bathroom,

towel wrapped around her hair,

When her phone started ringing

nonstop. She walked over, drying her

hair, but by the time she picked up, the ringing had stopped. There were thirty-six missed calls.

She just stared at the screen, speechless.

Then, the phone lit up again. The caller ID read: Fianc .