chapter1186

She finished speaking, her chin up and her confidence on full display as she pulled open the door. The next second, she locked eyes with Lydia. It stopped her cold. Her eyes went wide in shock.

Lucinda always thought she had Lydia figured out. She was sure Lydia wouldn't bother getting dressed up tonight. But now, seeing her, Lucinda could barely believe

it.

Lydia looked effortlessly stunning. Cool, sharp, and elegant, like she'd stepped right out of a magazine. It's the kind of beauty that made Lucinda's own big eyes feel almost useless. What on earth was Lydia doing? Why was she all dressed up like that? Did she plan to catch someone's eye at the party? Maybe she wanted to snag the attention of some important man. After all, the Shaw family's banquet would be crawling with big names.

That had to be it.

Lydia, are you... are you coming to the Shaw family's party with us tonight?"

A wave of panic hit Lucinda. If Lydia really showed up with them, everyone would find out who the real heiress was. Was she just trying to ruin everything for her?

Lydia could read Lucinda's mind without even trying. She gave her a quick glance and smiled. "What do you think?"

Lydia didn't bother saying more. She just headed downstairs.

Downstairs, Cameron, Kylie, and Blake were waiting, ready to go. When Lydia appeared at the top of the stairs, all three of them stared like they couldn't believe

their eyes.

"Oh my god, sweetheart, you look absolutely gorgeous tonight!" Cameron blurted.

"Seriously, Lydia, you're so beautiful I can't look away," Kylie added, her eyes shining. "You look just like me when I was your age. Well, almost. Your style is a little different."

Cameron nodded, still in awe. Lydia had this icy, striking vibe, while Kylie had always been soft and graceful.

Kylie glanced at Cameron, her expression playful. What's that supposed to mean? Are you saying I'm old and not pretty anymore?"

Cameron's face fell. He scrambled to fix it. "No, no, that's not what I meant. Lydia just looks so much like you." He tried to dig himself out. "You're always the most beautiful woman to me."

Kylie laughed. "You don't have to flatter me. I don't mind if our daughter is even prettier than I am."

That's just how life is. No matter how gorgeous you are when you're young, sooner or later you have to admit you're not the only stain the. family anymore.

Behind Lydia, Lucinda felt her nose scrunch in frustration. Seriously? This was just

unfair. Did her parents even remember she existed?

Not about to let it slide, Lucinda

hurried to get in front of Lydia. Ske

put on her sweetest voice and

looked up at Cameron and Kylie.

"Dad, Mom, you're being so obvious.

Don't you think I'm pretty too?"

Cameron and Kylie both looked a little embarrassed. They'd been so caught up in

Lydia's entrance, they'd totally forgotten Lucinda was there.

"Of course you're pretty! You look like a little princess tonight," Cameron said quickly.

Kylie smiled and nodded. "A perfect little princess."

Lucinda loved being called that. Princesses were always the most special, and

that's exactly how she wanted everyone to see her.

Feeling smug, she gave them a little pout. "Mom, does that mean it's okay for me to

be prettier than you in Dad's eyes?"

No doubt, Kylie's earlier words were still on her mind.

Kylie just laughed. "Of course. You're both our precious girls."

Hearing that, Lucinda finally let herself smile.

"Dad, Mom, is Lydia really coming with us to the Shaw family's party?"

Lucinda already had a plan. If Lydia insisted on joining them, she'd just tell everyone at the banquet that Lydia was her twin sister. Grandpa said it was fine. She didn't care what Lydia wanted There was no way she'd let anyone think she was just the fake heiress of the Norwood family.