chapter1231

Nina blushed, her cheeks turning pink. "Let's talk about that when I get back after graduation. She paused, then added, You two should get some rest. I'm heading to my room."

As soon as Nina left and closed the door, Mrs. Powell leaned back against the headboard, finally looking relaxed. "She's out of the way at last. When she's home, I feel like I'm walking on eggshells every day."

Mr. Powell eyed her with a sly grin. "Hard to keep sleeping in separate rooms with her around. Maybe tonight, I'll stay."

Mrs. Powell shot him a cold look. "Get lost. Go find one of your little mistresses, just don't even think about touching my bed."

Mr. Powell's face turned icy. "You act like you're so innocent. Don't think I haven't noticed you running around with all your young guys."

"Oh, so you're allowed to cheat, but I'm not? How does that make sense?"

"I never said you couldn't. But we're still married. Can't even share a bed? What would people think if they heard about this?"

She scoffed. "You, in my bed? Keep dreaming. You don't deserve it."

Their argument got louder, both of them nearly at each other's throats.

Mr. Powell took a long breath. "Enough. No more fighting. You take the bed. I'll sleep on the sofa, alright?"

He grabbed a blanket and headed for the couch.

Mrs. Powell huffed. Now you're talking. You're just a fake anyway. You think you deserve to sleep with me? Maybe in your next life.

Fuming, Mr. Powell flopped onto the sofa, clutching his blanket, his thoughts bitter. As if you're not a fake yourself.

Deep in the night, three shadows slipped over the east wall of the Powell estate, moving like cats into the courtyard. Lydia led the way, with Juna and Carter right behind her.

Nina's voice came through on a message. "They're in the third room from the left on the second floor. I'll wait for you at the door."

The three of them dodged the night guards and made it to the main entrance. Nina opened the door quietly.

"Lydia," she whispered.

Lydia nodded. Let's get upstairs."

They pushed open the bedroom door and found Mr. and Mrs. Powell sound asleep. Juna pulled out her phone and shone the flashlight on the bed. "Wait, there's only one person here?"

Nina pointed to the sofa. "The other one's over there."

Juna finally noticed Mr. Powell curled up on the couch. She let out a quiet laugh. "At

least they have some boundaries.

Lydia shrugged. "They just do their own thing."

Juna almost rolled her eyes. Guess she'd given them too much credit.

Lydia moved to the bed to check Mrs. Powell for the barcode. Juna already knew what to do after helping Lydra so many times. She went to the sofa and waved Carter over to help her.

In no time the injections were done. It went smoother than they'd expected. Jura had figured. Mirs. Well would be a lot tougher to deal with.

"All done, Juna whispered, looking at Lydia. "Let's get you to the airport."

Lydia's flight was at 2:10 in the morning. She'd be able to sleep once she got on the plane.

"Okay," Lydia said.

Nina looked at Lydia, apologetic. Sorry you have to catch such a late flight because of all this."

Lydia gave her a reassuring smile. "It's really fine. Don't stress too much."

Anyone could see Nina was exhausted from all the pressure lately. She just nodded. "Yeah."

Once they left the Powell estate, Juna drove Lydia to the airport. She was reluctant to say goodbye. "Come back soon, Lydia."

Lydia pulled her in for a quick hug. "See you when I get back."

Juna watched Lydia walk away, feeling a strange sense of unease she couldn't shake.

Right after Lydia cleared security, her phone buzzed with a video call from Connor. "You haven't boarded yet?"

Lydia smiled, her lips curving up. "Just about to. See you in ten hours."