Ready to Rule: The Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 196

“What?” Kylie could hardly believe what she was hearing.

John, voice shaky, rushed to explain. “Madam, I swear I wouldn’t lie to you. You can ask Miss Lucinda. Jesse from the kitchen was there too.”

Kylie and Cameron just stood there, at a loss for words.

Since Kylie had the phone on speaker, everyone around could hear every word.

“Alright, let’s leave it there for now,” Kylie finally said, and she had no choice but to hang up.

By then, Lucinda was already in tears. Her face pale and blotchy, she walked over to Cameron and Kylie and dropped to her knees. “Dad, Mom, I didn’t know Grandpa wasn’t supposed to have corn. I just remembered he always liked it, and I thought he was doing better, so I brought him some. I had no idea it would turn out like this. It’s all my fault. If you want to yell at me or punish me, I won’t complain.”

She was sobbing so hard she could barely get the words out, looking small and miserable down on the floor.

Cameron and Kylie rushed to lift her up, each taking one of her arms.

“Lucinda, you meant well, but this can’t happen again. Your grandfather’s health is fragile, and he has to eat only what the doctor says,” Cameron said gently. He couldn’t bring himself to blame her. If he and Kylie hadn’t slept in that morning, all of this might have been avoided. Deep down, he knew it wasn’t really Lucinda’s fault.

Kylie nodded, her voice soft. “That’s right, Lucinda. We’re not blaming you. The important thing is your grandfather is safe. We just have to be more careful next time. It’s okay. No more tears.” She pulled out a handkerchief and wiped away Lucinda’s tears.

Lucinda sniffled, nodding. “I understand, Mom. I promise I’ll be more careful.”

“Dad, Mom, I was just peeling an apple for Grandpa. I should have asked Lydia to bring him breakfast instead. It’s my fault for being so clumsy. I didn’t look after him properly.” She started crying again.

Lydia cut her off. “You don’t have to change the subject. I wasn’t at the hospital, but I’ve been in touch with Dr. Hady the whole time. If I’m right, you must have said something that upset Grandpa during breakfast. He got agitated, choked on the corn, and started coughing. The panic and anger made things worse, and that’s how his blood vessels burst. Isn’t that what happened?”

Lucinda’s face drained of color.

Lydia went on. “You don’t have to hide. There are cameras all over the hospital, even in his room. We can just check the footage and see for ourselves.”

The mention of security cameras made Lucinda’s heart race. She turned to Cameron and Kylie, her eyes full of panic and hurt. “Dad, Mom, please believe me. I didn’t say anything to upset Grandpa. He just suddenly asked why you weren’t at the hospital, and I told him you came back from the police station late with Lydia. Maybe he thought something bad had happened and got worried. He started coughing, then he was spitting up blood. I swear, I never meant to upset him. It’s my fault for not taking good care of him. I’m sorry!”