Ready to Rule: The Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 355

“And now he’s my sister’s fiancé, which means he’s basically my brother-in-law. I really do wish them both happiness.”

Mr. Norwood nodded, finally understanding. He’d been worried Lucinda wouldn’t be able to let go, but now it seemed he was just overthinking it.

“Lucinda, I’m glad you came to terms with it. But… about the person you said you like…”

“Grandpa, I’ve only met him twice, but I just… felt something special. I’m so confused, so…”

Lucinda’s face twisted with worry and pain, and it made the old man’s heart ache.

It was a lot for her to handle. She had always thought Connor was the one she’d spend her life with, but then she found out she wasn’t even a real Norwood by blood. That must have hurt more than anything.

“Lucinda, tell me, which family is this young man from? Just say the word. If you like him, I don’t care about my pride, I’ll try to make it happen for you.”

That was exactly what Lucinda had been hoping to hear. She hesitated, cheeks turning pink, and finally spoke. “It’s… Mikey.”

Mr. Norwood was stunned. “Mikey?”

Lucinda’s shoulders sank as she looked away. “Grandpa, I know, with where I stand now, I’m probably not good enough for him. If you think this is too difficult, just pretend I never brought it up. I’ll keep these feelings hidden, forever, and no one will ever know except you.”

She didn’t even have to say it. She hadn’t told her parents. Only her grandfather knew.

“No, Lucinda, don’t think like that. Even if you’re not our biological daughter, you’re still the most loved princess of the Norwood family. I was just surprised it turned out to be Mikey you liked.”

With Mikey making waves in politics, Samuel probably had his own ideas for him.

Families like theirs always had to think about alliances, about what marriages could bring. The Jeffersons were already connected to the Norwoods through one marriage. If they sent another daughter…

She would still be Lucinda, the girl everyone in their circle admired.

At Wind Canyon, Lydia hadn’t expected Grandpa Samuel to come along too. He’d brought chefs, servants, and a whole set of picnic supplies—everything was set up perfectly. The whole scene looked like a cozy night market hidden away in the mountains. It was honestly magical.

“Lydia, when I look at you, it’s like I’m seeing the future and hope of the Jefferson family,” Mr. Jefferson said, gazing up at the starry sky. There was so much warmth and pride in his voice.

“Grandpa Samuel, I’m really not as amazing as you think.”

She knew she had her flaws. She wasn’t perfect by any stretch.

Mr. Jefferson just smiled at her with so much affection. “The Lydia I see is already the best. You have no idea how different Connor was before you showed up. He didn’t have this calm side. He almost never smiled. He was always cold, always so serious, always keeping people at arm’s length. Hardly anyone could get close to him.”