Ready to Rule: The Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 173

Lucinda froze, her whole body tensing up. Her heart twisted painfully in her chest.

Seriously?

Parker and Rose were really trying to throw her under the bus?

“Dad, no way. I never told them Lydia was your and Mom’s goddaughter.”

Cameron noticed how rattled she was and tried to reassure her. “Lucinda, we know you wouldn’t do something like that. But both Parker and Rose told the same story. They said you told them Lydia was just our goddaughter, so they thought there wouldn’t be any consequences if they went after her.”

Lucinda felt like the floor had disappeared beneath her feet.

Unbelievable. How dare those two old snakes try to pin this on her!

“Dad, Mom, I swear, I never said anything like that. They’re just trying to frame me.” Lucinda’s eyes brimmed with tears and her voice caught in her throat. She looked like she’d never been so wrongly accused in her life.

Kylie jumped in right away, her tone gentle. “Lucinda, please calm down. We’re just trying to understand what really happened so we can explain it to the police and your sister. The second we heard about it, your dad and I both knew you wouldn’t do something like that.”

Lucinda bit her lip, a flash of disappointment and anger flickering in her eyes.

If they really believed her, would they even be having this conversation?

Clearly, they still gave Parker and Rose’s story some credit. Back in the day, her parents would have handled something like this quietly, behind her back. They never would have questioned her face to face, let alone make her feel so small, just to protect their real daughter.

“Lucinda, we’re not doubting you. We just need to know what’s true so we can confront Parker and Rose. If they keep telling the police you misled them into hurting Lydia, and the police get involved, it’ll get messy fast.”

Cameron could see how hurt Lucinda was. He softened his voice, trying to explain.

Cameron gave her shoulder a reassuring pat. “Don’t worry, we got to the bottom of it. Lucinda’s a good kid. It’s better we asked her directly. If rumors like that spread, people would say she can’t stand her own sister.”

“You’re right.”

Connor had insisted on sending Lydia home, so she let him ride shotgun while Aiden followed right behind in his own car.

Aiden kept close, barely leaving any space between them. He was terrified Lydia would floor it and leave him in the dust, and then he’d have to face the music for not being there when Connor needed him. That “useless driver” label would stick for good.

And if Connor ever got mad enough to fire him, he’d have nowhere else to go.

“Lunch tomorrow?” Connor’s tone was gentle, almost melting.

Lydia raised an eyebrow, her eyes fixed on the road. “Are you that free these days, or is business at Jefferson Group really that slow?”