chapter830

Lucinda's face went stiff. So Elliot was taking Lydia's side again? Seriously?

"Elliot, I know I messed up," she said, looking at Lydia with a pitiful expression. "Lydia, I was being childish before. I'm sorry."

Lydia didn't even acknowledge her. She looked straight at Elliot. "So, what are you planning to do about this?"

Elliot took a breath. "I'll post a statement and clear things up when I get home."

The color drained from Lucinda's face. "But Elliot, my sister isn't ready for everyone to know who she is yet."

If Elliot told everyone that Lydia was his real sister and not some mysterious girlfriend, the truth would come out. Then everyone online would know that Lucinda was never the real Norwood heiress. Her secret would be out for the whole world to see. She couldn't let that happen.

Elliot's gaze lingered on her. "Still, Lydia's identity will have to be made public at some point."

He could read Lucinda's mind now. She was just scared people would find out she was a fraud, scared of how everyone would look at her once they knew.

Lucinda's lips tightened, her face even paler. Of course, he was right. Lydia's real identity couldn't stay hidden forever, but Lucinda wanted to keep it under wraps for as long as possible. She needed to find someone powerful to lean on before the truth came out. She'd hoped that would be Connor or Mikey, but the Jeffersons acted like they were out to get her and never gave her the time of day. Maybe Grace was right. She needed to use Caspian to get back in the Norwood family's good graces. The Hansen family might not be as influential as the Jeffersons, but they were still respected in the Capital. It wouldn't be too embarrassing to be associated with them.

"I get it, Elliot. It's just that my sister said she's not ready yet," Lucinda said, trying to sound reasonable.

Elliot turned to Lydia. "Lydia, when do you want to tell everyone you're the Norwood heiress?"

Lydia smiled, a little mischievous. "Honestly... I could announce it right now if I wanted."

Lucinda's heart skipped a beat. She clenched her fists without even realizing. What was Lydia up to now? She wasn't ready for this at all.

"But there are still some things I

need to sort out first," Lydia went on,

her voice calm so for now, lets

hold off. But it wont be much longer."

Lucinda felt a wave of relief. At the same time, she told herself she couldn't keep

Caspian waiting around anymore.

Elliot just nodded. "Alright, we'll wait then."

Lydia nodded back. "Okay."

After lunch, Lydia stood up first. "Elliot, I'm going to head out now."

Elliot nodded. "Alright."

Lucinda blurted out, Lydia, are you going home?"

Lydia didn't answer directly. "You go ahead," she said, then turned and walked away.

Lucinda wanted to say more, but Lydia was already leaving.

"Lydia, come hang out at the company whenever you want!" Leo called after her, waving.

Lydia didn't even look back. She just lifted a hand and flashed an OK sign behind her.

Elliot looked at Lucinda. "You should head home too."

Lucinda lowered her head, putting on her best sad face. "Elliot, I'm really sorry. Can you please stop being mad at me? I swear, I won't

cause any more trouble for my Sister."

There was a time when Elliot, like his other brothers, had genuinely cared for Lucinda. Even after Lydia came back they'd still treated Lucinda a? family But she never been grateful. Instead, she got greedy, always picking fights with Lydia, and even teamed up with Grace to spread rumors about her online.