chapter831

All those harsh words had wiped out whatever goodwill people had left for Lucinda. Lucinda, I'm glad you know you messed up. Go home," Elliot said, his voice distant. He clearly didn't want to keep talking. Lucinda's eyes filled with tears. Elliot...

Leo stepped in, clearing his throat. "Lucinda, your brother has to get back to the studio for rehearsal. Why don't you two talk more when you're home tonight, okay?"

This was a public spot and the internet was already buzzing. The last thing Leo needed was more drama with these siblings making headlines.

Lucinda nodded, barely holding it together. "Alright."

Elliot nodded back and started to turn away, but Lucinda swallowed her pride and called out to him again. "Elliot..."

He frowned. "What now?"

She hesitated, her voice soft. "It's just... my roommates heard about your concert but couldn't get tickets. They asked if I could..."

Elliot glanced over at Leo. "Any tickets left?"

Leo looked uncomfortable. "Well... we've given almost all of them away. There aren't many left."

Lucinda looked so disappointed. Elliot couldn't help but give in a little. "Find three more for her, so she can give them to her roommates."

Lucinda had hoped for more. Three tickets? That felt stingy. Back then, Elliot would've handed her five or even ten, telling her to hand them out however she wanted.

Leo sighed. "Alright. Lucinda, wait here. I'll go upstairs and grab them."

"Thank you, Leo," Lucinda said.

Leo was surprised. Lucinda had never been this polite with him before. For a second, he wondered if she was being serious. He hurried off to get the tickets.

Once Lucinda got the tickets and slipped into her car, she snapped a photo and sent it straight to her roommates' group chat.

Lucinda: [Asked Elliot for these just for you. I'll bring them to campus tomorrow night.]

The chat blew up instantly.

Mia: [Ahhh Lucinda, you're amazing! Seriously, I love you so much! You're the best, babe!]

Evelyn: [OMG Lucinda, you're so fast! My whole high school friend group went nuts trying to get tickets to your brother's concert. Once I get mine, I'm totally going to make them jealous.]

Hannah: [I can't believe this! I thought we'd never get tickets. Rooming with the richest girl in the country is the best thing ever. We're so lucky!]

Lucinda lived for moments like this, soaking up all the attention and love. She couldn't even imagine what her life would be like in the Capital

people ever found out she wasn't the reat heiress.

After everyone finished showering her with compliments, Hannah suddenly dropped

a news link in the chat and tagged Lucinda.

Hannah: [Lucinda, is this true? Is your brother really dating someone?]

Lucinda's face went dark. She fired off a reply.

Lucinda: [Of course not. She's just a friend. No way she's good enough to be my brother's girlfriend.]

Evelyn picked up on her mood right away.

Evelyn: [Exactly. I don't think she's good enough for your brother either. If he's going to date someone, it should be a girl like you, Lucinda. Beautiful sweet, thoughtful, from a good family...]

Hannah: [Totally agree. Lucinda, you have to keep an eye out for him. Girls these days can be so sneaky.]

Lucinda: [She wants to marry my brother? Yeah right. Just wait, he's going to make a statement soon that she's not his girlfriend. If it wasnt for my brother wouldnt. even bother having a meal with her]