Ready to Rule The Real Heiress Strikes Back (Lydia and Connor) novel Chapter 1320

Grace’s face went pale and without even thinking, she grabbed Lucinda’s hand and tried to bolt. But Lucinda was wobbling on sky-high heels and the old, half-finished building was a mess. She barely made it a few steps before she tripped, stumbling dangerously toward the edge.

A shriek tore from Lucinda’s throat as she flailed for anything to hold on to. Grace didn’t hesitate for a second. She spun around and lunged, grabbing Lucinda’s hand just in time.

Now Lucinda was dangling over empty air, her whole body shaking. Grace clung to her, muscles straining, veins standing out on her arms.

“Mom…” Lucinda’s voice was small, but that word made Grace’s heart ache. She had waited so many years to hear her daughter call her that.

“Hold on, Lucinda!” Grace’s voice was tight, teeth clenched as she tried to pull her back up. But her strength was fading and the crumbling wall beneath them started to shift, bricks loosening under their combined weight.

Suddenly, with a deafening crash, the wall gave out. Both of them fell.

In that split second, Grace used every last bit of energy she had to push Lucinda upward. Lucinda landed on the edge, barely safe, but Grace kept falling. She hit the concrete below with a sickening thud. Blood spread quickly beneath her, stark against the cold gray floor.

Lucinda just stared down, frozen. Her mind felt empty, everything distant and muffled. She couldn’t see Grace’s face clearly, just a dark shape and the blood that kept growing. Her legs felt like jelly. She collapsed, eyes blank, unable to move.

She never imagined Grace—her mother, her protector—could be gone in an instant. All for her sake.

Her lips parted as if to speak, but nothing came out. Tears spilled down her cheeks, soaking through her clothes. She couldn’t stop them.

Arthur watched from nearby, his frown deepening. They had meant to take Grace alive. No one expected it to end like this. At least Lydia had just found out where Night Eagle was hiding.

Country T.

Lydia knew that place well. There were only a few possible hideouts.

Lydia shook her head again. “No, I’m a doctor myself. Just send me home, I’ll patch myself up. You need to take care of the rest. Don’t let Night Eagle get away.”

They had only just learned where Night Eagle was. If he found out about Grace’s death, he’d slip away for sure.

Arthur nodded, understanding the urgency. “Alright, I’ll have someone take you back.”

Juna, finally freed, rushed over, worry written all over her face. “Lydia, are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Lydia said, managing a small smile.

Juna looked at Lydia’s bruises and couldn’t hide her anger. “Thank goodness Arthur got here when he did. What if Lucinda had actually fired? God, she’s so nasty!”