Ready to Rule: The Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 737

Connor pulled up in front of the house with Lydia in the passenger seat. By the time they made it home, it was already nine-thirty. Lydia had promised Kylie they’d be back an hour earlier, but things hadn’t gone as planned.

Inside, Kylie and Cameron had been pacing near the front door, stealing glances outside every few minutes, hoping to see their daughter. Kylie’s worry was clear. “She said eight-thirty. Why aren’t they back yet? She’s not even answering my texts.” Her voice trembled just a bit.

Cameron tried to sound reassuring, but there was tension in his jaw. “Connor went to pick her up himself. I’m sure it’s nothing serious.”

Lucinda had already been home for an hour. The past couple of weeks at camp had left her looking slimmer and a little worn out, and now she was starving. Kylie had even called earlier to say she’d cooked all of Lucinda’s favorite dishes. Lucinda thought she’d walk in the door and go straight to dinner, but instead they’d all ended up waiting, stomachs rumbling, for over sixty minutes. Lydia still hadn’t shown up, and Lucinda was fuming, resentment burning in her eyes.

She finally snapped. “Grandpa, it’s late. Lydia’s not home, she’s not replying. Maybe she and Connor decided to eat out and just forgot about us.” The accusation in her tone wasn’t even subtle.

Mr. Norwood considered this, then shook his head. “Connor went to pick her up. I doubt they stopped for food. Neither of them is careless about time. Maybe something happened to slow them down. Let’s be patient.”

Lucinda balled her fists so tight her nails pressed hard into her palms. Of course, everyone was only worried about Lydia. Not a single person had asked if Lucinda was hungry or tired. It was always Lydia. That name felt like a curse.

Then the sound of a car engine drifted in through the window. Kylie and Cameron rushed to the door, relief flooding their faces as soon as they saw Lydia and Connor outside.

“Lydia, Connor, you’re finally back. Did something happen on the road?”

Lydia didn’t bother making up excuses. She nodded, looking a little tired. “Yeah, something came up. Sorry you had to wait.”

Connor went on. “They tried to force Lydia to take the blame for Rosie cheating at military camp. They used threats and violence to try to get her to agree.”

He let out a short, cold laugh. “Guess they thought having Jackson backing them meant they could get away with anything.”

Cameron’s anger boiled over. He slammed his hand on the table, making the dishes rattle. “Unbelievable! Benjamin and Mandy are disgusting.”

Mr. Norwood’s expression was just as dark. “Jackson’s about to be promoted. Mandy might be the Hydes’ adopted daughter, but she’s still family to Jackson, and that’s why she thinks she can do whatever she wants.”

Cameron shook his head. “So what? Their daughter cheats her way through camp, gets caught, and now they want Lydia to take the fall? Are they out of their minds? What a bunch of idiots!” He was so furious he didn’t even try to hold back his language.