Ready to Rule: The Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 354

“We heard you!” Their voices rang out in perfect sync.

Nathaniel couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. The Jeffersons were really crossing a line this time.

Connor was supposed to be engaged to someone from the Norwood family, yet he was out in public with his new girlfriend like it was nothing.

Sure, they weren’t exactly close with their aunt, but what Connor was doing just felt wrong.

And Chris—don’t even get him started on Chris. That guy was strutting around, acting invincible just because he was with Connor and that bold new girl.

Nathaniel turned it over in his mind for a minute, then finally pulled out his phone and called Lucinda.

Lucinda was in the middle of pouring water for Mr. Norwood, who had just woken up, when her phone started buzzing.

She ignored it for a moment, carefully handing the glass to her grandfather. When he finished drinking, he looked at her and said, “Your phone’s been ringing for a while. Go ahead and answer it.”

“Okay, Grandpa. You just rest.”

Mr. Norwood watched her fuss over him and felt a wave of pride and gratitude. All these years, his care for her hadn’t been wasted.

Stepping out into the hallway, Lucinda checked the caller ID. Nathaniel. That was weird. She barely spoke to anyone from the Robinson family, let alone Nathaniel. What could he want?

She answered anyway. “Hey, Nathaniel.”

“Lucinda, I need to ask you something.” Nathaniel’s voice was direct, not bothering with small talk.

Lucinda’s heart skipped a beat. Had the Robinsons heard something too?

She gripped her phone a little tighter, trying to keep her voice steady. “What is it?”

“It’s about you and Connor. How are things between you two?”

Lucinda sensed trouble right away. “What do you mean?”

Nathaniel didn’t know she wasn’t a real Norwood, so he just laid it out. “I saw Connor with another girl. They looked pretty close. Did you know about this?”

Lucinda’s breath caught. “What? He… he…”

He smiled at her, a little sadly. “You silly girl. Didn’t I already tell you? Why would you even think that?”

Then he grew more serious. “If anyone ever looks down on you, you tell me. I’ll always stand up for you.”

Lucinda shook her head. “No one’s made me feel bad. It’s just… there’s something I’m not sure if I should tell you.”

He looked at her, a spark of energy in his eyes. “What could you possibly not tell your grandpa?”

She hesitated. “I think I’ve fallen for someone. But I’m scared he’ll look down on me because of who I am. That he won’t like me back.”

He was caught off guard.

“Lucinda, you…”

All this time, he’d thought Lucinda liked Connor. He’d watched her grow up, watched her feelings, and thought he knew her heart better than anyone.

She bit her lip. “Grandpa, don’t get the wrong idea. I’m not talking about Connor. After my sister came back, I realized that what I felt for him wasn’t love. It was just admiration.”