chapter592

Lydia paused, then nodded. Alright." Lately, with everything going on with her grandmother, she'd almost forgotten that Elliot would be back soon.

Lucinda piped up, her eyes bright. "Elliot's new movie is a massive hit. Seriously, it's so good. You have to see it if you get the chance, Lydia."

Lydia glanced at her, a little distracted. Kylie cleared her throat. Lucinda, she can watch Elliot's movie whenever. Lydia's barely slept with all that's happened to Mrs. Smith. If she has any free time, she needs it for work."

Cameron chimed in, nodding. "Exactly. The movie isn't going anywhere. Mrs. Smith's health comes first."

Lucinda dropped her gaze, her voice small. "Sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up. Lydia looked at her. "I'll see it in the next couple of days."

Lucinda had made such a big deal out of it. If Lydia didn't watch, it would seem like she didn't care about Elliot at all.

She set her utensils down. "I need to head to the office. You guys go ahead and eat."

The Lane family had finally reached their breaking point and caved. Lydia had to make a trip to LYLX today. If she hadn't helped the Smith family all the time, Smith Corporation would have collapsed ages ago.

She drove herself over. Halfway there, her phone rang. Katie's name popped up on the screen.

Lydia picked up, and Katie's playful voice came through. "Hey, darling, do you have time for me? There's a superstar dying to have you as a guest at his concert. What do you think?"

"Nope," Lydia replied without hesitating.

Katie laughed softly. "I figured as much. What about writing a piano piece? Pays really well and everything. Any chance?"

"Still no, Lydia said, sounding almost apologetic. She really was swamped.

Katie sighed. "Alright, alright, I get it, babe. Just don't forget to rest, okay? Don't push yourself too hard."

Lydia let her voice soften. "I won't."

arrived

When she arrived at LYLX, Clark, Vivia, and Soren were already there. She could feel the resentment in the room, but they were out of options. With pressure from both Davis

Group and LYLX, no one dared help them. All they could do was sell the company to her, and at a bargain price.

Soren looked at Lydia, his whole view of her flipped upside down. He never would have guessed that the fianc e he once dismissed was actually Miss L, famous all over the world. Everyone knew how much weight the LYX brand carried internationally, and Lydia was the founder. Just thinking about it was enough to make his head spin.

How old had she been when LYLX blew up like that? Soren could hardly believe it. Regret gnawed at him. If only he'd managed to marry her, LYLX would have belonged to the Lane family. They wouldn't be in this mess now. The thought made him sick with regret.

Clark finally spoke. He looked like he'd aged a decade overnight, his hair shot through with gray. "Lydia, I'll sell you the company. But I have one request."

Lydia's voice was cool and steady. "Go ahead."

Clark took a breath, his words heavy. "I want to stay on and keep working here. You don't have to worry, I won't try anything now that the company's yours just... spent my whole life building this place don't have it ma me to start over somewhere else. I just want to stay and do what I can."

It was too late for blame or anger. Their mistakes were their own, and they had no one else to fault.