chapter92

Kylie let out a quiet hum. "The company's been bleeding money for years. Headquarters finally stepped in. I really can't get involved right now."

Rose bit her lip and tried to smile. "We get it, Kylie. Honestly, without you and Cameron, Parker wouldn't have gotten where he is today. But this Ms. Norwood... what's her story? She's got the same last name. Is she some kind of relative?"

Kylie was caught off guard again. Her daughter had guessed right, as usual. She hesitated for a second before answering, "She's actually very closely connected to our family. But I can't say more just yet. You'll understand soon enough."

It was her daughter's idea to keep things quiet. Lydia had said that if people found out who she really was, they'd see her differently. She wanted to prove herself and turn the company around on her own.

Rose just laughed. "Alright, Kylie, I get it. Don't worry, we'll do our best to work with her."

"Thanks. I hope everything goes smoothly for you all."

Once she hung up, Kylie's mood soured. She'd always treated Rose like a sister, helping her whenever she could, saying yes to every favor. Now though, it was obvious Rose cared more about her own interests. If her daughter hadn't pointed it out, Kylie might never have noticed.

Lucinda, on the other hand, couldn't believe Kylie hadn't told Rose the truth about Lydia. She just didn't get it.

"Mom, why didn't you tell Rose that Lydia is your real daughter?" She couldn't help but wonder if maybe her mom was embarrassed that Lydia grew up in the country and didn't want people to know.

But what Lucinda didn't know was that when Lydia left the hospital, Kylie had insisted on walking her to the elevator. That's when Lydia told her exactly what she was thinking and planning to do.

"Oh, your sister just doesn't want anyone to know her real identity right now."

Lucinda snorted to herself. Lydia was probably worried people would say she got the job through connections. At least she had a little self-awareness.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the earlier call, Rose's face was stormy.

"You heard that, right?" she said to her husband. "Lydia is definitely connected to the Norwood family. And now it sounds like Kylie doesn't trust us as much as before. What are we supposed to do?"

Rose was getting anxious. For years, her family had depended on Kylie's backing to get a foothold in the city, to have any power in the company, to fit in with the upper crust. Without Kylie, she couldn't even picture what their lives would look like.

Parker was just as worked up. He slapped his hand on the table, making a sharp sound. "Seriously? She's just some chick. You think I'm scared of her? If she refuses to leave, then whatever happens next will be her own fault."

Rose quickly warned him, "We can't actually hurt her. From what Kylie said, the Norwoods seem to care about her a lot."

Parker's eyes narrowed, full of menace. "Relax, I know what I'm doing."

What neither Parker nor Rose realized was that Lydia was fully aware of everything they were plotting.

She just gave a cold little smile. "Let's see who takes out who."

At six that evening, Lydia was poring over the latest financial reports when her phone rang. Kylie's voice was brimming with excitement. "Lydia! Your grandfather's awake!"

Lydia nodded, as if she'd expected it. "That's good. Start him off with something light, just some broth or cereal."

"Okay," Kylie replied, then added, "Lydia, Grandpa Samuel heard about your grandfather's surgery. He's heading over with his three grandsons to visit. Are you finished with work yet?"