Ready to Rule The Real Heiress Strikes Back (Lydia and Connor) novel Chapter 1322

Snowflakes started to fall outside, soft and silent, turning the world into a winter wonderland. But inside the Norwood family’s celebration, the energy was electric. The red carpet stretched from the entrance of the Royal Court Hotel all the way to the ballroom. Luxury cars kept pulling up, one after another, dropping off the city’s most important people. Nearly everyone in the Capital who mattered had been invited. The place buzzed with curiosity, little clusters of guests whispering to each other as they watched the scene unfold.

The ballroom was lit up by sparkling crystal chandeliers, making everything look bright and almost magical. Long tables were covered with beautiful food, and everywhere you looked, people were talking in small groups, catching up and trading gossip.

“Did you hear? The Norwoods are finally acknowledging their real daughter. Turns out Lucinda wasn’t actually their child. It’s Lydia, the girl who aced all her exams,” someone whispered.

“I know, right? I heard Lucinda made her life miserable. Now she’s sitting in a jail cell. Serves her right,” another guest replied.

“And get this, Connor Jefferson is apparently head over heels for Lydia. Word is, he’s planning something huge tonight.”

People couldn’t help but glance around, searching for Lydia. She stood out in the crowd in a long white dress with embroidered roses and a pair of simple silver heels. She was standing between Kylie and Cameron, her parents, with a gentle smile on her face, even though she couldn’t see what was happening around her.

Kylie squeezed Lydia’s hand, her eyes shining with pride and love. “Sweetheart, today we finally get to introduce you to everyone, just the way you deserve.”

They had waited for this day for so long. Finally, they could let the world know that Lydia was their real daughter, the only true Norwood heiress.

The crowd could barely believe it. That was Connor Jefferson, and he was really here.

Connor reached Lydia, dropped to one knee, and pulled out a small velvet box. He opened it to reveal a sparkling diamond ring. As he looked up at her, his eyes were warm and full of love.

“Lydia, from the moment I met you, I knew you were the one. We’ve been through so much together. You’re strong, brave, and so kind. Every time, you make me fall for you all over again. You make me worry, too, because I can’t stand the thought of losing you. I don’t want to waste another second. Will you marry me? Will you let me spend the rest of my life making you happy?”