chapter963

Lydia paused for a second and said, I'm fine.

That was all it took for Cameron, Kylie, and Mr. Norwood to finally breathe again, relief washing over their faces.

Lydia, thank goodness you're alright. Please, be careful. Lucinda just told us that Leila tried to hire someone to kidnap you. Lydia, where are you? We can come get you."

Lydia sounded almost amused. Oh, really? Because I'm actually with Leila right now. Maybe you'd like to hear what she has to say?"

Suddenly, Leila's voice burst through the phone, frantic and furious.

"Lucinda! Why did you lie to me?"

"I treated you like a sister. Was I just nothing to you?"

"You liar! You're heartless! You used me!"

"Lucinda! I hate you! You fake!"

Lucinda's face drained of color. Kylie and Cameron both turned to her, eyes wide.

"Lucinda, what is she talking about?"

"What did you lie to her about? How did you use her?

Lucinda frantically shook her head, hands up in denial. No, I didn't! Dad, Mom, you have to believe me, she's making this up!"

Lucinda! You liar! I actually trusted you!" Leila kept screaming, every word like a slap.

"Dad, Mom, Grandpa, you have to believe me, Lucinda pleaded, her voice trembling. "I wasn't even there when she and my sister argued yesterday. I only found out because Paige messaged me about it AS soon as I saw her message I came to find you. I really dont know what Leila is talking about."

Tears welled up and spilled from Lucinda's eyes, her whole body shaking with the effort not to break down.

Lydia's voice came through again, steady and calm. "Let's leave it at that for now. We're taking her to the police station."

Cameron nodded. "Alright, Lydia. Which station? We'll head over right now."

"The first precinct," Lydia replied.

After hanging up, Cameron turned to Lucinda, who was still crying. "Lucinda, your sister and the others are already on their way to the station. We're going too. Let's get to the bottom of this, okay?"

Lucinda felt cornered. There was no way out now. That stupid Leila just couldn't do anything right. She hadn't managed to hurt Lydia, and now she'd dragged Lucinda down with her. Unbelievable. What an idiot! Thank goodness she'd had the

sense to tell her parents everything first. Otherwise, she'd be in real

trouble right now.

"Dad, Mom, I'll go to the station and face Leila. I won't let her come between me and my sister."

Kylie watched Lucinda closely, looking for any sign of guilt. Sensing nothing, she allowed herself a little hope. She really didn't want Leila's words to be true. Please, Lucinda, don't let us down.

Alright, Lucinda. We'll go together. If Leila really tried to hire someone to kidnap your sister, she's going to have to answer for it."

Okay, Lucinda said, nodding.

At the police station, Leila was still a mess, crying and denying everything. She claimed Lucinda had used her, lied to her, made her believe Lydia was only the Norwood family's adopted daughter, nothing more.

When Lucinda walked in with Kylie and Cameron, they heard every word.

Lucinda's eyes filled with tears again as she tried to defend herself. "Dad, Mom, my sister didn't want anyone

to know her real identity, so I

tell them

couldn't tell them the truth. I just told everyone you treated her like your own daughter. It was Leila who jumped to conclusions, She's only doing this because she's mad my sister hit her and now she wants revenge."