chapter469

She hadn't seen Night Eagle in months. Once Lucinda and Mikey finally got

engaged, she'd need to go back and spend some real time with him. But Lydia was no pushover. From here on out, she'd have to be extra careful. She couldn't let Lydia find out who she really was, not after all these years of planning.

She was still lost in thought when the door flew open, making her jump. She scrambled up just in time to see Lucinda burst into tears.

All her aches and pains were instantly forgotten. She rushed over, heart pounding with worry. "Lucinda, what happened? Are you alright? Tell me what's wrong."

Every time Lucinda cried, Grace felt her own heart twist. Her daughter was supposed to be happy and carefree, not this heartbroken. It just wasn't right.

"Lucinda, sweetheart, don't cry. Please, just tell me what happened." Grace was practically begging, feeling more anxious by the second.

Lucinda could barely get the words out between her sobs. "It's Mom and Dad, and Blake, and everyone... they..."

Grace didn't even let her finish. Her face darkened. Let me guess. They're siding with Lydia again, aren't they?"

At that, Lucinda flung herself into Grace's arms. "Grace, you're the only one who gets me."

Grace was so angry she could barely see straight. Lydia again! Last night's scheming was bad enough, and today she'd even gotten the Norwoods to gang up on her kid.

She gritted her teeth. "Lucinda, Lydia is just a wild girl who never learned how to behave. There's a reason the Smith family never took to her. Mr. and Mrs. Norwood and the boys are only on her side because they haven't seen what she's really like Give it time. They'll realize you're the real star of the Norwood family."

Lucinda actually felt a little better hearing that, and through her tears, she managed

to tell Grace what happened that day. She left out the part about Iceblade being interested in her, though.

Grace listened, her eyes going wide with surprise. Lydia was a race car driver? Lucinda might not get howe impressive that was, but Grace sure did. Back in her Black Eagle days, Night Eagle's crew loved racing. Everyone knew only people with reaI Status could afford to race, and being a top driver was a huge deal.

And now, Lydia was supposedly the world's number one racer? How had she pulled that off?

Lucinda noticed Grace's shock and scoffed. "So what if she can drive a race car? Big deal. Let's see her try to win a piano competition."

Just thinking about piano made Lucinda's confidence come rushing back. She was good at everything music, art, you name it. She'd had the best teachers since she was a kid, and Lydia could never compete with that. Lydia only knew how to run wild.

a thin set

Grace quickly pushed aside her surprise and smiled. "Exactly. No matter how talented Lydia thinks t she is, she doesn't know a thing about piano. All those rich girls in the Capital have been playing piano since they were little, and none of them play as well as you Lydia doesn't stand a chance. Tomorrow when you win the international piano competition, she'll be so

embarrassed she won't be able to look you in the eye. Let's see if she

still has the nerve to act all high and mighty in front of you."