From His Invisible Wife to the World's Icon novel Chapter 96

Lydia's heart slammed against her ribs. Her grip on the phone tightened to the point of pain.

Suddenly, a loud knock echoed through the room. "Lydia?" Harrison called from the doorway.

Simultaneously, a sharp bang came from the phone's speaker. Gable had pushed open the guest bedroom door on the feed, instantly breaking them apart.

Lydia squeezed her eyes shut and forced herself to exit the app.

Seeing them betray her with her own eyes was agonizing, but what overwhelmed her more was the crushing disappointment. She had been a fraction of a second away from recording undeniable proof!

She had to find a way to get Gable out of the house.

"You're still here this late?" Harrison walked in as she opened her eyes.

"I need to head to the hospital and give Mr. Ford the update on our departure in 17 days. Want to come?" Harrison's tone softened. "Grandma Eleanor isn't doing well. We can pay our respects while we're there."

The mention of Xavier brought Joanna's warning rushing back. Keep her distance. Don't be a burden. "You handle it, Harrison. I'll follow your lead."

Packing her documents into her briefcase, Lydia walked out of the institute with him.

"The city is hosting an international tech summit the day after tomorrow. I want you to come with me," Harrison suggested. "Networking with the top minds and the local officials will be huge for both the institute and your career."

She knew he was grooming her for success. "Thank you, Harrison."

After parting ways with him, Lydia heard a steady rhythm of footsteps behind her. She spun around and saw Griffin.

A sudden realization hit her—Griffin followed her everywhere. That meant...

Her fingers curled into tight fists.

Did he see Xavier hold her? Did he tell Frederick?

Thinking back to the psych clinic last night, Griffin had covered for her...

"Griffin, do you report everything I do to Mr. Foster?" she asked bluntly.

"Mrs. Foster, the boss only ordered me to protect you. He doesn't ask about your personal matters."

"Do you want me to start sending him your itinerary?" Griffin paused, asking seriously.

"No. Definitely not," Lydia breathed a sigh of relief.

When she got back to Tidal Crest Manor and pushed open the master bedroom door, she found Frederick sitting on the sofa in a crisp white bathrobe.

She frowned. The sound of running water echoed from the master bathroom.

A minute later, Sierra stepped out, wearing a skin-tight silk nightgown.

"Lydia, the pipes in my bathroom downstairs completely burst. Freddie told me to use this one," Sierra said, her voice sugary sweet, but her eyes gleaming with absolute malice.

"Sierra is a guest, she's staying the night," Frederick cut in, immediately shielding the other woman. "Don't start a fight."

She hadn't even said a word, yet in his eyes, she was already the villain.

Lydia let out a cold scoff, turned on her heel, and walked straight downstairs into Gable's room.

Near the hallway, Frederick suddenly stopped and turned back.

His dark, penetrating gaze locked onto Lydia's hollow eyes.

He frowned. "Why were there contractors here yesterday?"

Panic spiked in Lydia's chest. She gripped her fork so hard her knuckles turned white, scrambling for a lie.

"Sir, they were landscapers."

Gable's voice rang out from behind her, instantly shattering the tension.

Frederick glanced at the blooming tulips in the front yard, bought the lie, and walked out with Sierra.

"Gable..."

Lydia looked at the older woman, who was waiting attentively. Knowing Gable had nowhere else to go right now, she couldn't exactly say she was trying to catch her husband cheating and needed the house empty. Instead, she just offered a weak smile. "Good save."

Maybe she could take Gable out to relax tonight, giving Frederick and Sierra the empty space they clearly wanted.

Gable smiled and began clearing the plates.

A short while later, Mildred arrived right on schedule.

At 45, Mildred was still elegant and warm. She immediately grabbed Lydia's hand the second she walked in. "Lydie, I heard about the whole mess with Freddie and your sister."