chapter805

Since Mom, Dad, and Grandpa couldn't bring themselves to say no to Lucinda, they might as well just eat the dinner she made.

Lucinda hovered nearby while Kylie was on the phone. The moment she heard that Blake and Elliot weren't coming home, her face dropped.

Right then, a voice sounded at the door. "Lydia, Connor."

Kylie's eyes lit up. Her precious daughter was finally home.

"Lydia, Connor, you're just in time. Lucinda made dinner for everyone."

Before coming back, Lydia and Connor had already talked about eating at home before heading back to campus. But the second they realized Lucinda had gone all out in the kitchen again, they changed their minds. No way.

"Mom, I have to get going. I haven't even packed yet, so I'll skip dinner at home tonight," Lydia said.

"What?" Kylie looked surprised.

Connor chimed in, "Mrs. Norwood, I already made a reservation near Lydia's university. We'll eat there before I drop her off."

"Oh..." Kylie trailed off.

Lucinda glanced at Connor and Lydia, her eyes full of hope. "Lydia, I need to go to the university too. Can you drop me off on the way?"

Before Lydia could answer, Connor cut in, his voice flat. No. We've got other plans. Lucinda's fingers curled around her sleeve as she looked down, clearly disappointed.

Kylie tried to lighten the mood. "Don't worry, Lucinda. The driver will take you later. Lucinda forced a tiny smile and gave Kylie a wounded look. Okay, Mom."

Lydia went upstairs to grab her things, then left with Connor.

Lucinda stared at the dinner table, at all the dishes she'd spent the whole afternoon making. Her nails pressed into her palms.

Kylie sat down next to her and tried to comfort her. "It's alright. Your dad will be back soon. We'll eat with Grandpa."

Lucinda nodded, trying to smile. "Alright."

Meanwhile, Connor and Lydia

grabbed dinner at a restaurant near campus Afterward, Lydia nudged,

him to head home. Its late. should get some rest."

Connor looked at her, clearly wanting more. "That's it?"

Lydia raised an eyebrow. "What else were you expecting?"

Connor tipped his head back, making it pretty obvious what he wanted.

Lydia couldn't help but laugh at him. He really was like a little kid sometimes.

She leaned over, and Connor's heart skipped a beat. She pressed her soft lips to

his cheek, her scent lingering in the air around him. He felt dizzy.

Lydia, he said, his voice unsteady.

As she pulled away, Connor hugged her tight again.

When they got to the university gate, Lydia spotted a familiar figure walking out. She froze for a second.

Was that Frank?

Connor noticed her staring. "Who's that?"

Lydia's eyes stayed glued to the window. "Frank."

Connor narrowed his eyes. "Really?"

"Yeah. He's probably here to find Sandy."

Lydia was right. Frank had come looking for Sandy because he was out of money. He hadn't found Lucinda, so Sandy was his backup plan. But Sandy knew exactly what kind of person he was, so she refused to help Frank left empty-handed. Even stapping Sandy twice hadn't calmed him down. As

soon as he walked out of the gate, he pulled out his phone. "Greg, I've got a girl for you. She's eighteen. When do you have time? I can bring her over."

Whatever Greg said made Frank grin. Great. Sounds good."

Connor finally drove off, still a little reluctant to leave. Lydia lugged her suitcase back to her dorm Just as she reached the door she heard Monica and Fiona's voices inside.

"The richest guy ever, seriously. Washing machines and dryers, all installed just for

us. No wonder he's loaded. This is next-level."