chapter55

"You know her?" Connor eyed Austin with suspicion.

Austin let out a laugh. "Of course I do. She's the biggest influencer on my platform, probably the most mysterious creator online. How could I not know who she is?"

"Oh, wait, I remember now. She did a livestream last night, right? Someone called CNR was dropping gifts nonstop in her chat. That wasn't you, was it?" Austin stared at him, eyes wide.

Connor paused for a beat, then shot Austin a look that was almost challenging. "Have you ever actually met her?"

Austin caught the vibe, and couldn't help but grin. "Why are you looking at me like that? No, I haven't met her in real life. I've just heard she's really pretty. At least that's what everyone says."

"So, you don't know who she really is either?"

"No idea. You're wasting your time asking me." Austin shrugged, palms up.

"Don't you have access to her registration info in the database?" Connor pressed.

Austin gave an exasperated sigh. Man, even if I wanted to help, I couldn't. No one can see her backend info. Not even me."

"Why not?"

"She set up her own firewall. I'm the developer, and even I can't get through. You get it?"

Connor looked surprised. Did that mean she was actually some kind of tech genius, maybe even better than Austin?

"She's a pro, honestly. If she doesn't want anyone to know who she is, then nobody's going to find out. You'll have to figure out something else."

Austin had been curious about Chief Lydia too. He'd even tried messaging her from his personal account, but she just ignored him. She was that untouchable.

Connor frowned, deep in thought. If this didn't work, he'd have to try his backup plan.

"Hey, hold up, Austin said, giving Connor a pointed look. "Aren't you engaged to Miss Norwood? Why are you chasing after Chief Lydia now?"

Austin wasn't trying to kill the mood, but the Norwood and Jefferson families had been planning that marriage for eighteen years. There was no way it'd be called off that easily.

Connor let out a small huff, as if he thought Austin just didn't get it.

"Do you really think I'm the only son in the Jefferson family?"

Austin's eyes widened as it clicked. Wow. This guy was ruthless he'd throw his own brothers under the bus if he had to.

Lydia walked through the front door and spotted Lucinda giving Kylie a shoulder massage. The two were chatting and laughing. As soon as Lydia came in, Kylie's face lit up with excitement. "Lydia, you're back! Did you check on Connor for us? Is he alright?"

Lucinda watched as Kylie got up to welcome Lydia, and her hands curled tightly at her sides.

She had only just heard that Chris had personally brought Lydia to the hospital to see Connor. It made her furious.

She'd stood outside the hospital for four hours last night before Aiden finally let her inside. So how had Lydia gotten Chris himself to pick her up?

What worried her most was the idea that Lydia might steal Connor from her. Sure, Chris and Mikey were amazing, but to her, Connor was the absolute best.

He's fine, Lydia replied, a small smile on her lips.

Kylie, assuming Lydia had met Connor, immediately asked, "So, you saw him? What did you think?"

Lydia didn't bother hiding the truth. "Actually, I didn't see him. By the time I got to the hospital, he'd already been called back to his company for something urgent."

"What?" Kylie's face fell. "Seriously? What are the odds?"

But as soon as Lucinda heard Lydia's answer, her mood instantly lifted, her heart practically blooming with relief.

Lydia hadn't met Connor.

She just knew it. Connor was into her.