chapter50

"We'll see," Lydia said, her voice steady and calm.

Chris was about to ask something else, but his phone started ringing. He checked the screen. It was his grandfather, Mr. Jefferson.

"You brat! You went to pick up Lydia. Why aren't you back yet?"

Chris laughed sheepishly. "Grandpa, we're right at the front gate. We'll be upstairs in just a minute."

Mr. Jefferson's mood instantly lifted. "Good, good. Bring Lydia up. I can barely wait."

"Got it," Chris replied.

After the call, Mr. Jefferson turned to Connor, who was lying in the hospital bed, still glued to his phone. He tapped his cane hard against the floor.

"Connor! You know your eyes aren't great. Why are you always on that phone? Lydia will be here any minute. I'm telling you, you better behave yourself. She's gorgeous and smart, you know that?"

Connor finally set his phone aside and looked up. "Didn't you already send Mikey and Chris after her? I'll just stay out of it. If people find out I am competing with my own brothers for the same girl, I'll be the laughingstock of the family."

Mr. Jefferson snorted. "Don't try to get out of this. You were supposed to be

engaged to Lydia in the first place. Now I'm letting Mikey and Chris have a shot, too.

If you back out, you think they'll just give up? No way. All three of you are in.

Whoever Lydia chooses, that's it. That's the fairest way."

Connor sighed and threw back the blankets, swinging his legs off the bed.

Mr. Jefferson frowned. "Where are you going?"

Connor shrugged. "Isn't Miss Norwood coming? I should at least look presentable.

Mr. Jefferson thought about it and nodded. "Right, right. Go change. I'll check if Chris and Lydia are almost here."

As Lydia and Chris stepped into the elevator, the doors of the one next to them slid open. A man stepped out, tall and impossibly handsome in a black coat. He stood at least six foot four, with a commanding presence. It was Connor. He'd finally had enough of his grandfather's matchmaking. Even stuck in a hospital bed, he wasn't safe from it. He needed some air.

Outside the hospital, Aiden pulled up and parked right in front of him.

"Boss," Aiden greeted.

Connor nodded and got in. "Take me to Austin's."

He was done waiting around. The four intelligence agents had been useless. If they were going to uncover Chief Lydia's identity, they would have done it by now. He was done wasting time. He'd just have to ask his friend for help, even if it meant getting teased. Finding Chief Lydia mattered more than pride.

Back in the hospital, Chris led Lydia toward Connor's room, only to hear Mr. Jefferson's voice booming from inside.

That idiot! That ungrateful brat! No wonder he's twenty-eight and still single!"

Chris blinked. What was so wrong with being single? Why did his grandpa always have to take it out on single guys?

Lydia didn't mind being single, either. Honestly, there were worse things.

"Grandpa? What happened?" Chris asked, poking his head into the room.

Mr. Jefferson turned around, still fuming, but as soon as he spotted Lydia standing quietly behind Chris, his whole demeanor changed. Suddenly, he was all smiles, taking in her calm, graceful presence and striking looks.

Grandpa Samuel," Lydia greeted, her voice gentle and polite.