chapter541

Iceblade: [I just don't want anyone else taking credit for this. If I can catch Connor myself, the reward is a billion dollars.]

Lydia didn't bother replying. She couldn't tell anymore if Iceblade was being honest or just messing with her.

One thing was for sure, though. The authorities had put out a search warrant. Whoever was behind the hit on Connor had to be freaking out right now. If the investigation found any of those assassins connected to him, he'd be done for.

And Lydia was right. Somewhere in the Capital, inside a command center, a man was clearly losing his cool.

"Get Blood Oath out of the country right now," he said, his tone cold. "Lay low until things settle down. Then we'll move."

"Yes, sir."

"Are you sure the leak came from Hacker L?"

"No one else could pull that off."

"So Connor has Hacker L on his side?"

"Eighty percent sure."

"Well, look at that. Hacker L!"

Connor was no ordinary guy. Even after three years away from the military, he could still get someone important like Hacker L to step in.

By that night, every Blood Oath member had already pulled out of the country, waiting for a better time to act.

Connor was almost completely healed. His injuries didn't slow him down at all. He asked Aiden to get some gifts together because he was going to officially visit the Norwood family as their future son-in-law.

At breakfast, Lydia shared the news. Kylie and Cameron were both thrilled.

"Connor's all better?" Cameron asked.

Lydia nodded. "Yeah."

Mr. Norwood looked genuinely happy. That's great. He hasn't even had a proper meal with us yet."

Lucinda kept her head down, quietly eating her waffles.

Grace noticed and spoke up. "Lydia, how many people from the Jefferson family are coming? I just want to make sure we prepare enough."

Blake had already flown out for an overseas business trip before sunrise. If he were home, Grace wouldn't dare ask so many questions.

Grace usually helped with details like this, so Kylie and Cameron just thought she was being responsible.

But Lydia wasn't buying it. She looked at Grace and asked, "How many Jeffersons do you want to invite?"

Lydia knew exactly what Grace was

up to. She

just wanted to get Mikey over, hoping for another chance to

set him up with Lucinda honestly," she wasn't even being subtle.

Grace got flustered and tried to explain. I'm just a servant, Lydia. I wouldn't know, so I thought I'd ask you."

"If you know your place, then you should wait for your employer to bring it up, not interrupt the family's conversation."

Grace's face turned red with embarrassment, but she could only bow her head and mumble, "Yes, Miss."

In her mind, though, she was cursing Lydia out.

Lucinda saw what was happening and wanted to stick up for Grace, but she held

her tongue. She didn't want Lydia to hate her any more than she already did.

Lydia, my friend invited me to see Elliot's new movie today, so I won't be home," Lucinda said quietly.

She really didn't want to stay and make things more awkward.

Grace started to panic. She wanted to say something but was too scared Lydia would snap at her again Silly girl, she thought. The Jeffersons are coming and you want

to go see a movie?

Before, Lucinda probably would have ditched her friends to stay home and impress the Jeffersons.

But things were different now.

She liked Connor, but he didn't like

her. If she kept chasing after him and her parents found out, she'd probably get kicked out of the family. Then she'd ba

nothing.

"Oh, right. Elliot posted on Twitter a couple days ago about his new movie coming

out soon," Kylie said with a smile.