Ready to Rule: The Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 453

Lydia narrowed her eyes, her glare sharp and unyielding. “Who is gonna kill him?”

Iceblade blinked at her, playing innocent. “Me, obviously. Who else? He swooped in and took you while I was gone.”

“I don’t have much patience left,” Lydia said, her voice icy and cold.

Iceblade could see she was really angry now, so he finally dropped the teasing look. He met her gaze and let out a low laugh. “Already hooked, are you? It hasn’t even been that long.”

“My life is none of your business. But if you hurt him, then it becomes my business.” Lydia’s voice was cool and steady.

Something complicated flashed in Iceblade’s eyes, but it disappeared just as fast, leaving him expressionless again.

“Want to know why I showed up here?” he asked.

Lydia let out a cold laugh. “You’re actually going to tell me?”

Iceblade tipped his head back, pretending to think about it. “Maybe not right now. But if you let me stick around for a while, maybe when I’m in the mood, I’ll tell you.”

Lydia’s eyes narrowed even more.

Iceblade shot her a crooked smile. “Just like before. Tell people I’m your distant cousin.”

“Get out,” Lydia snapped, clearly fed up.

Iceblade just grinned, totally unfazed. “Alright, sweetheart. Call me in the morning so we can have breakfast together.”

Then he headed out onto the balcony and disappeared in a blink.

Lydia watched him go, her brows drawn together. Iceblade was always busy, chasing targets all over the world. Was he really here for Connor this time?

When she finally lay down, she could still hear noise coming from the next room. At this rate, Grace probably wouldn’t even be able to get out of bed tomorrow.

Lucinda was sound asleep when her phone started ringing.

She groaned, rubbing her heavy head, and reached for her phone. She answered, still half-asleep.

Grace hurried to touch her burning cheeks, wishing she could crawl under something and hide. How could she have dreamt about that? After what that awful man did to her last night, why was she still dreaming about him?

“Lucinda, I… I…” She tried to speak, but her voice came out raspy and rough.

Now Lucinda caught on. “Grace, are you sick?”

Grace nodded quickly, grabbing the excuse. “I think I am. Cough, cough.”

“There’s medicine in the first-aid kit. Take something and stay here to rest. You don’t have to come with me today.”

Grace looked relieved, nodding as guilt flickered across her face. “I’m sorry. I came here to help you, and I ended up getting sick.”

“It’s fine. My parents are here.”

After a beat, Lucinda wrinkled her nose and sniffed the air. “Grace, do you smell something weird in here?”