From His Invisible Wife to the World's Icon novel Chapter 48

Hearing her name, Lydia turned her head. Looking past the private chef cooking in the corner, she saw Joanna and smiled brightly. "A friend is dropping something off for me. Mr. Ford, Harrison, I'll be right back."

Harrison Zane offered a gentle nod. "Take your time."

Xavier looked distinctly displeased.

Today's meeting was actually arranged by Harrison to meet with Xavier.

Xavier wasn't satisfied with the progress of the research facility, and Harrison wanted Lydia to provide some professional insight.

She walked toward the door. Noticing Joanna staring curiously into the room, she explained, "I've officially joined Harrison's research institute."

Joanna threw an arm around her shoulder, beaming. "You finally came to your senses!"

"Being a high-powered career woman beats playing housewife any day. I swear you had water on the brain when you..."

Joanna quickly shut her mouth, realizing what she was saying. Seeing that Lydia wasn't upset, she pulled a jewelry box from her bag and pressed it into Lydia's hands. "So what about your Chairman title at the Foundation?"

"I quit."

She took the velvet box. "Joanna, I'll be heading to Silicon Valley with Harrison's research team in a few weeks. We'll be stationed there for a year."

"Excuse me? You're only telling me now?" Joanna complained, clearly offended. "Please tell me I'm not the last person to know you're leaving the country."

"Of course not." Lydia grabbed her friend's hand, coaxing her. "I haven't even told my mom yet. You're at least the third to know."

Though, realistically, her mother probably already found out from Harrison.

"That's more like it. Silicon Valley is far, but it's only a twelve-hour flight. I'll definitely come visit you." Joanna's tone shifted slyly. "Lydia, what about that other guy..."

"You mean Mr. Ford?" she clarified easily. "He's the primary investor for Harrison's research facility."

Hearing that, Joanna muttered under her breath, "Oh, so that's all it is."

"What?"

Why was Joanna acting so weird?

Just then, someone popped their head out of a nearby room. "Ms. Quinn, over here."

It was Joanna's assistant, Chase Miller.

Joanna let go of Lydia's hand. "I've got business to handle. Text me later."

"Okay. Don't drink too much," Lydia called out, watching her best friend's confident stride down the hall.

"Yeah, yeah, I know!" Joanna waved without looking back.

"Oh look, Lydia is eating here too."

"Who is she with?"

"Please close the door," Lydia instructed the waiter.

She watched the door shut on Frederick's fiercely indifferent profile as he walked past without a single glance, blocking out the mocking sneers of Sierra and Cecilia Byron.

Her heart settled into an eerie calm. Meeting Xavier's quiet, assessing gaze and Harrison's concerned look, she forced herself to eat, though the food tasted like ash.

An hour later, they parted ways at the restaurant entrance. Sitting in her car, she suddenly remembered Xavier's wet pants. She would have them dry-cleaned and returned to him.

On her way to the restaurant earlier, walking past the small garden, she had overheard two disgustingly familiar voices and stopped dead in her tracks.

"Did Charles really say that?"

"I heard it with my own two ears. He swore to Mrs. Sterling that he would give all his shares to whatever child Lydia gives birth to."

"What are we going to do? She's definitely going to seduce Frederick now! If she gets pregnant, not only will Charles protect her, but she'll inherit his entire fortune! Even if I have Frederick's baby, I'll never be able to compete with her." Sierra sounded genuinely panicked.

"Don't panic. Mom has a plan..."

Then came Cecilia's sickeningly sweet voice. "I'll get a special powder. We'll slip it into Frederick's drink tonight. You go home with him, and once you seal the deal in bed..."