chapter119

It looks like you all love throwing around your title as the richest family;s friend whenever you want to get your way." Lydia's eyes grew even colder.

Henry scoffed. "My mom and the lady of the Norwood family are practically best friends. I don't care who you are, you're done for."

Lydia just looked at him, her expression dripping with sarcasm. "Is that so?"

"My mom's on her way to the office right now. You'd better get ready to pack up and leave the Capital."

"What's everyone staring at?"

Suddenly, Rose's voice rang out from the hallway.

The secretaries who had been sneaking peeks at the commotion scrambled back to their desks, hearts pounding. They could hardly believe what they'd just seen. Mr. Ragain tried to mess with the new president and ended up getting his ass handed to him.

"Ma'am, Mr. Henry Ragain... um, Mr. Ragain " The secretary closest to Rose looked like she didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"My son's back? Where is he?" Rose's face lit up, totally surprised. Henry had gone to another city for a friend's birthday and said he'd be gone for a few days. Now the little brat was back and hadn't even called.

He's... he's in Ms. Norwood's office," the secretary replied, voice barely above a whisper.

Rose frowned, wondering why Henry would be in Lydia's office at all. Then she heard Henry yelling from inside, his voice full of pain. Mom! Mom, I'm in here! Hurry, come deal with this crazy bitch!"

Rose's eyes went wide. She didn't even stop to think. She rushed straight toward Lydia's office.

When she reached the doorway, she saw her precious son curled up on the floor, white as a sheet, looking more miserable than she'd ever seen him.

"Oh my god!" she screamed. "Henry! What happened? Who hurt you like this?"

Rose dropped to her knees beside him. Henry looked like he was about to pass out

from the pain. Her whole body was shaking with rage.

"Who did this? Who had the nerve to lay a hand on you?"

"It was-"

"It was me."

Before Henry could get a word out, Lydia cut in her tone calm but sharp as she looked at Rose. "During work hours, he barged into my office, started spouting disgusting things, and tried to put his hands on me. I've already called the police. They'll be here any minute."

Henry stared at her, totally lost. When had she called the police?

Rose was stunned. "What?"

"Mom, don't listen to her. She's making it up. She was the one trying to seduce me!" Henry insisted, refusing to admit what he'd done.

"You... shut up!" Rose snapped, glaring at her son, her anger mixed with bitter disappointment.

Henry just gaped at her. "Mom, you're telling me to shut up? I just got beat up!"

Rose knew exactly what kind of person her son was. Just like his father, he completely lost his mind around a pretty face. Lydia might be beautiful, but she wasn't like other women. She had the Norwood family behind her, and everyone knew she had a close relationship with them. How could her idiot son think he could mess with her?

Ms. Norwood, I'm sure my son just felt some kind of instant connection and, well, expressed it in the wrong way. He didn't mean to offend you. Since he's already learned his lesson, can we just let this go? I'll owe you a favor, how does that sound?"

Henry couldn't believe his ears. His own mother was apologizing and begging Lydia for forgiveness. He was so angry he nearly fainted. Mom, you're begging her? We've got Kylie on our side. Why should we be scared of some little girl?"

Lydia let out a cold laugh. There it was again, using her own mother's name to threaten people. Lydia wondered how many times her mom had unknowingly taken the blame for this family's messes.

"You... just shut up!" Rose was furious. Of all the people he could have picked a fight with, he had to choose Lydia. She and Parker had spent all of yesterday coming up with s to deal with Lydia and ?

now

this idiot son of hers had come

back out of nowhere and walked

right into trouble.

"If you want me to drop this, it's not completely out of the question." Lydia crossed her arms, looking thoughtful.

Rose heard the tone and knew exactly what that meant. Lydia was about to name her price.