chapter1144

Lucinda was completely thrown off.

What did she just hear? The guy Lydia was sneaking around with last night was actually Mrs. Shaw's son, Carter? Carter was the only son of the Minister of Defense. His family background was basically legendary. No wonder Mrs. Shaw always acted so high and mighty. But now... Carter and Lydia? Seriously?

Was being good at painting really that big of a deal? Please. Lucinda felt like she was about to lose it.

Mrs. Shaw cleared her throat and looked at Kylie. "Mrs. Robinson, honestly, the first time I met Lydia, I felt such a strong connection with her. I was thinking..."

Carter quickly tugged at his mother's sleeve, sounding anxious. Mom, stop it.

Mrs. Shaw brushed him off and kept talking to Kylie. "I mean, if Lydia is interested, maybe she could give Carter a chance. He's really down to earth, thoughtful, and caring. He..."

"Mrs. Shaw, no matter how wonderful your son is, Lydia is already engaged to my grandson," a deep voice interrupted from the doorway.

Everyone turned. Grandpa Samuel had arrived. Mrs. Shaw's heart skipped a beat. Why was the Jefferson family's patriarch here? She had just tried to poach his grandson's fianc e and now she'd been caught right in the act. The embarrassment was unreal.

Carter's face went bright red. He had literally just told his mom not to say anything. Kylie and Cameron hurried over to greet Mr. Jefferson. "We didn't know you were coming, or we would have definitely come out to welcome you."

With Grandpa Samuel's status, people usually lined up at the door to greet him. How had he made it inside without anyone noticing? What were the security guards even doing? And why hadn't they announced the Shaws either? It was a total breach of etiquette.

Not that they knew Grandpa Samuel had told the guards not to announce him. He wanted to listen in and see what the Shaws were up to so early in the morning. And just as he suspected they were trying to steal his future granddaughter-in-law. Unbelievable!

Grandpa Samuel waved his hand, brushing off the formalities. "We're all family, no need to stand on ceremony." Then he glanced meaningfully at Mrs. Shaw and Carter.

Honestly, Mrs. Shaw was mortified. She quickly greeted him, Mr. Jefferson, it's been so long."

Carter gave a polite nod. "Good morning, Grandpa Samuel."

Grandpa Samuel just snorted. "You're here trying to take my granddaughter-in-law. What's so good about my morning?"

Mrs. Shaw's cheeks burned. She tried to explain, Mr. Jefferson, I really had no idea Lydia was engaged to your grandson. I really misspoke."

Carter jumped in, eager to clear things up "Grandpa Samuel, please don't get the wrong idea. My mom was just talking. Lydia and I are completely innocent We really just had dinner, nothing else."

He didn't want the Jefferson family to get the wrong idea about Lydia because of him.

Hearing this, Grandpa Samuel

calmed down a little, but thinking about the rumors flying around online still made his blood pressure rise. "We believe in Lydia. Every young lady has male friends The real problem is the person who took those sneaky photos and spread nasty rumors online. That kind of

behavior can't go unpunished. We

have to find out who did it and make sure they pay the price."

As he finished, Grandpa Samuel lowered himself onto the sofa, thumping his cane

against the floor for emphasis.

"It was Rosie."

A clear, cool voice suddenly echoed from the upstairs landing.