From His Invisible Wife to the World's Icon novel Chapter 86

Frederick's gaze was dead as he stepped off the crushed USB drive.

Arthur picked it up, giving Frederick a hearty pat on the arm with a smug grin. "Good son-in-law."

"Sierra has been bored out of her mind all day and keeps asking for you."

"Coming back to the house with me?"

Frederick gave a brief nod and walked out with Arthur.

Lydia watched his broad, detached silhouette disappear, her hands balling into tight fists at her sides.

Seeing the profound disappointment in her mother's eyes, Lydia wanted to ask if she really still expected her to stay in this marriage.

But knowing Madeline had just suffered two massive emotional blows today, Lydia swallowed the question, refusing to add to her burden.

"Mom, getting the patent back is incredible news."

Noticing her mother's lingering sorrow, Lydia quickly forced a bright tone to comfort her. "Today was actually a double victory."

She shot a discreet look at Julian, who was looking deeply defeated. Catching her hint, he immediately shook off his gloom and wrapped a supportive arm around Madeline. "Madeline, we need to celebrate tonight."

Hearing their optimism, a soft, weary smile finally touched Madeline's face. "You should cook something special for Lydia. She looks like she's lost so much weight."

"Julian's cooking is top-tier."

"I'm going to eat my weight in food, and pack some up for Joanna at the hospital too," Lydia agreed with a warm smile, masking the dark clouds in her heart.

The suffocating tension in the room finally broke.

Once the two of them were laughing in the kitchen, Lydia stepped aside and called Harrison to fill him in. "Harrison, do you know anyone who installs top-tier residential security systems?"

Arthur marching his thugs in like he owned the place had set off every alarm bell in her head.

This old complex had barely any security staff and practically zero cameras, leaving them incredibly vulnerable.

It was a great location—close to friends, the university, and the hospital—making daily life convenient.

If she forced Julian and Madeline to move to a high-security luxury compound, they'd be surrounded by strangers in a sterile environment and would likely be miserable. Upgrading the current system was the better option.

With cameras installed, she and Harrison could keep an eye on them, checking in remotely. Without facial recognition or the passcode, no outsider would ever be able to force their way in again.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it right away." Harrison lowered his voice with concern. "Lydia, are you sure you're okay?"

"Julian was worried you wouldn't have much of an appetite, and since you love seafood, he made a special batch of seafood stew. Have some soup first before you dive into the crawfish." Slipping on disposable gloves, she meticulously began peeling the crawfish.

Suddenly, Joanna grabbed her wrist.

Lydia looked up to see Joanna's eyes welling with tears. "You don't have to be so sweet to me. When I'm sick..."

"Even if you weren't sick, I'd still take care of you," Lydia interrupted softly.

Lydia felt a wave of affection.

But something felt slightly off about Joanna today.

Then again, women in the throes of a new romance often dealt with wild hormonal swings and emotional instability.

"When I finally go abroad, I'm really going to need your help," Lydia said, carefully placing a peeled piece of meat onto the plate.

"With what?"

"Keep an eye on my mom and Julian when you have the time."

"With me here, you won't have to worry about a thing when you leave. I practically lived at your house when we were kids. Taking care of Madeline is the least I can do." Joanna looked at Lydia's focused expression, a fleeting sorrow crossing her eyes. She lowered her voice. "I heard from my brother about the divorce certificate..."