chapter25

Lucinda's words hit the old man right in the heart. All the gratitude he'd felt for Lydia, for saving his life and hurting her hand in the process, seemed to vanish as he turned on her with a stern look.

"I know you saved me, but Lucinda was only worried about my safety. Stop giving her such a hard time."

Lydia's expression didn't change. She said it herself. How am I making things hard?"

Mr. Norwood's jaw set. His eyes flashed with anger. "If you really want her to kneel and apologize, then I'll do it for her. Take it as my thanks for saving my life."

He actually started to kneel in front of Lydia, struggling to get down.

Lucinda burst into tears. Grandpa, please don't!

Cameron rushed over and grabbed his father's arm. Dad, what are you doing?"

Nobody else in the room dared to make a sound. The staff knew to keep their heads down and stay out of it.

Still, everyone could see who was in the wrong. Lucinda had made the promise herself. She didn't want to keep it, and now she was twisting the story to make Lydia look bad. With all these people watching, Lucinda really didn't care what anyone thought. She was just as spoiled and unreasonable as ever.

Mr. Norwood didn't even notice Lydia's hand was still bleeding from saving him. That delicate hand was smeared with blood.

"She wants Lucinda to kneel, right? Fine. I'll do it and thank her for saving me!" Mr. Norwood's eyes were red, his voice shaking.

Cameron let out a long sigh and looked at Lydia, guilt all over his face. "Lydia, can't we just..."

Kylie gently squeezed Lydia's shoulder. Lydia, Lucinda messed up. Let her apologize to you, okay?"

She glanced over at Lucinda, making it clear she expected her to step up.

Lucinda's face was tight with resentment, but with everyone watching, she couldn't get out of it. She forced herself to look at Lydia and managed a stiff apology. "I'm sorry. It's my fault. I should have asked what was going on before I said anything. I was just too worried about Grandpa. Please forgive me for acting without thinking."

Lydia let out a quiet laugh. For Mom and Dad's sake, I'll let it go this time. Don't let it happen again.

She turned to leave, but halfway to the stairs, she glanced back. "People who can't handle losing shouldn't make bets. And by the way, I don't accept your apology."

With that, she tossed her backpack over her shoulder and walked up the stairs. Her slim figure seemed to glow as she went, untouchable and proud.

Lucinda's face turned chalk white. Her nails dug into her palms so hard she almost drew blood. If it weren't for her grandfather, her parents, and half the staff standing there, she would have screamed at Lydia right then and there.

Lydia. Who the hell did she think she was?

Cameron was worried about Lydia's injured hand. He told the staff to leave, made sure his father got back to his room to rest, and then hurried upstairs with Kylie to check on their daughter.

Lucinda stayed behind, hands clenched into fists. It was obvious she couldn't count on her parents anymore. If she wanted to win, she'd have to use her grandfather's affection to marry Connor. That was the only way she'd ever put Lydia in her place. Upstairs, Lydia found the first-aid kit and started cleaning her wound herself. "My sweet girl?"

There was a gentle knock at the door. Cameron's voice came through, careful and soft.

"Sweetheart, can we come in?" Kylie's voice was just as gentle.

They were both afraid their daughter was too upset to even talk to them.