chapter1098

Everyone burst out laughing.

Kylie grinned at her brother. "Come on, Lydia and Connor are doing great together. Don't start playing matchmaker."

William just shrugged. "If Lydia's happy, there's nothing I can do. Looks like Connor's lucked out."

Lucinda felt her excitement fizzle out. That was it? He just agreed so easily? All her anticipation had been for nothing.

Before long, people started showing up, one after another. Lydia wasn't a fan of crowds. Nathaniel wasn't either, so the two of them slipped away and found a quiet corner. Supposedly, Nathaniel wanted her advice about entering civil service. In reality, he dragged her to the rock garden to play games and vent.

Lydia, I swear, I'm just not built for a government job. My dad was locked up for three days, and now he's acting like he's lost his mind, forcing me to take this exam. I'm about to lose it."

Lydia didn't even look up from her phone. "How do you know you're not cut out for it if you don't try?"

"All I want is to race cars, beat Chris for once, and then take over my mom's company. Wouldn't it be nice to just do whatever I want?"

Lydia glanced at him. "So have you actually beaten Chris?"

Nathaniel's voice got a little smaller. "If it was just me and Chris, I'd win, easy. It's just that my teammates keep messing up. They need more practice."

Lydia just let that one hang in the air.

Nathaniel huffed. "You're one to talk. You're not even married into the Jefferson family yet, but you're already on their side. If you hadn't coached Chris, he'd never beat me, ever. He's even worse than I am."

Lydia considered this for a second. "Don't underestimate him. He's actually a government employee."

"What?" Nathaniel stared at her, as if he'd misheard.

She looked right at him. "You heard me. Racing is just his hobby. He works for the government."

Nathaniel blinked, stunned. This was not information he was ready for. They were supposed to be in the same boat, just drifting along. Chris had secretly gotten serious?

"Are you serious? Which department?"

"Don't ask. It'll just make you feel worse."

Nathaniel couldn't help himself. "It's just a government job. Not that special."

Lydia dealt the final blow. "I'm a government employee too."

Nathaniel just gaped at her, his whole worldview teetering.

Before he could recover, footsteps sounded nearby. Lydia instantly paused her

game and muted her phone. Voices drifted over to them.

"I've said it a hundred times. I don't like you. Stop following me around."

They glanced at each other. That was Rosie's voice.

"Rosie, I mean it. I'm really into you. And our marriage isn't just about us, it's about our families. Without the Davis family, how's your uncle supposed to handle the Jeffersons and the Robinsons?"

Nathaniel frowned, mouthing a silent curse. Were these people seriously saying this

in his own house?

Lydia frowned too. That voice sounded familiar. Wasn't that Alfie, Rosie's supposed not-quite-fianc ?

Rosie looked ready to explode as she glared at Alfie. "Alfie, do you really think my uncle can't do anything without your family's help? Don't flatter yourself. Take a good look in the mirror. You honestly think someone as useless as you is good enough for me?"

Alfie looked stunned, like he'd just been slapped. Rosie... I...

"I told you ages ago I'm not interested. You just keep pestering me. And by the way, your family. works for my uncle now, so you d better watch what you say or I'll make sure he hears every word."

"But your uncle's still under investigation. Are you so sure you won't need the Davis

family in the future?" Alfie shot back, trying to sound confident.