chapter407

Lucinda shot Tina a sharp glare, her eyes full of promise. Just wait. As soon as she got the chance, she'd make sure this annoying little lackey was out of here.

The competition started up again. For anyone watching at home, an hour felt endless. Lucinda especially was bored out of her mind. She pretended she needed the bathroom just to get away from the living room.

Once she got to the first-floor restroom, she made a face and muttered, "What a total waste of my time. Why am I even watching this boring contest? I could be upstairs practicing piano instead." She huffed, already imagining the day when Lydia, that country bumpkin, would have to watch her shine at the international piano competition and win it all. Lydia might be a genius doctor and top student, but so what? Piano was elegant. It was refined. There was no way someone who grew up in the countryside had ever even touched one.

Lucinda took her time washing her hands, already planning to use piano practice as an excuse to escape to her room. Before she could leave, a sudden wave of screams echoed from the living room.

"Oh my God!"

"Jesus!"

The shouting just kept going. She could hear her parents and the maids all caught up in it.

A jolt of panic shot through her. Did something happen to Grandpa? Was it his heart again?

She dried her hands quickly and rushed out, but halfway there she stopped. Why am I freaking out? Wasn't it Lydia who did Grandpa's surgery? If something went wrong again, it would just prove Lydia isn't as skilled as everyone thinks. Maybe this was the perfect moment to show Mom and Dad that Lydia's so-called talent was all talk.

With that thought, Lucinda put on her most anxious face, pulled open the door, and called out, What's wrong? Did Grandpa have another attack?"

The living room went silent. Mr. Norwood, Cameron, and Kylie all stared at her, excitement still on their faces. The maids, who had been flailing around, suddenly had nothing to say.

What is with Lucinda? Can't she hope for something good for Grandpa?

Only Grace looked serious, her expression tight. "Lucinda, your grandfather is fine. It's... it's Lydia..."

"Oh," Lucinda said, recovering fast and hurrying over to Mr. Norwood. "Sorry, Grandpa. I just heard everyone shouting and thought you..."

Mr. Norwood burst out laughing. "No worries, Lucinda. You just care about me so much, you get jumpy."

Lucinda dign't even glance at the TV. She said, sounding worried, "Did my sister's team get eliminated?

worry about it. It's not easy t

get

famous. They have plenty of time."

Everyone in the room looked at her, speechless.

Mr. Norwood felt the awkwardness and cleared his throat. "Actually, Lucinda, we're excited because we just saw Miss L. The legendary Miss L."

Lucinda put on a surprised smile. Really? Miss L actually showed up? Where is she?" She looked over at the TV, but the camera was still on the contestants.

"She's on the judges' panel. And your brother Blake is a judge too. He didn't even tell us she'd be there," Mr. Norwood said, beaming.

As soon as Blake was mentioned, Lucinda's pride kicked in. "Judging at an international competitions nothing for Blake. Let me see Why aren't they showing the judges yet?"

No sooner had she finished speaking than the camera switched.

The judges table appeared on screen. The first seat and the last were impossible to miss. In seat number one was Blake, no doubt abguit. But at the far end of the table sate

Lucinda stared at the nameplate, then at the person behind it. For a second, her mind went completely blank. It felt like her whole world crumbled in an instant.

"That's..."