chapter1226

Mr. Norwood's eyes went wide with anger. Seriously, just look at this. He only said one thing, and they came back with ten. They really treated Lydia like she was the center of their whole world.

Lucinda was fuming too. Ever since Lydia came back, no one had ever spoken up for her like this? They always used to take her side. Now, the more she thought about it, the more upset she got. She wished she could just find a quiet corner and cry her heart out.

Kylie, on the other hand, wasn't worried about what Mr. Norwood or Lucinda thought anymore. She checked the time and called out to Tina. Tina, Lydia's been working herself to the bone lately. Tell the kitchen to make her some bird's nest soup. She should have it hot when she wakes up."

Tina nodded right away. "Yes, ma'am. I'll go to the kitchen now."

Lucinda nearly exploded. Lydia stayed in bed so late and nobody said a word, and now they were making special soup for her? This was just too much. Could their favoritism be any more obvious? Of course, she didn't dare say any of this out loud. She could only glare and grumble to herself about Lydia, Kylie, and Cameron.

Upstairs, Lydia was still fast asleep when her phone suddenly rang, dragging her out of her dreams. She glanced at the screen. It was Carter.

"What's up?"

Carter sounded surprised. He clearly didn't expect Lydia to still be in bed. In his mind, Lydia was always the first one up, working harder than anyone else.

"Sorry, Lydia. Did I wake you up?"

Lydia rubbed her forehead, her voice rough from sleep. It's fine. What do you need?"

Carter hesitated for a second, then said, "It's Nina's birthday today. She's invited a few friends over to her place. I think it might be a good chance. Maybe tonight... we go to the Powell family's and try to give the injection?"

Lydia frowned. She was supposed to fly out with her school this afternoon for the international medical competition in Country D. Since she didn't answer right away, Carter tried again. "If today doesn't work, we can always do it another time."

Lydia paused, thinking it over, then said, "Alright. Tonight works."

Nina's birthday really was a good opportunity. She could just change her flight to later tonight. As long ass she made to the competition, would be fine.

She lay in bed for a few more minutes, then finally got up, washed, and headed downstairs for breakfast.

Kylie and Cameron lit up when they saw her. Maybe it was just their imagination, but Lydia looked paler than usual today.

"Lydia, you look exhausted. You

must've been working too hard. No wonder you look so tired," Kylie said, taking Lydia's hand her whole face full of concern.

Cameron felt the same way. Looking closely, he was pretty sure their precious daughter had gotten even skinnier.

"Lydia, if you have too much on your plate, you can hand some of it off to your

team," Cameron said gently, patting her shoulder.

Lucinda rolled her eyes so hard she could've pulled a muscle. Sitting on the sofa, she chimed in with a , she fake-sweet voice. "Dad, Mom, it's because she keeps coming home late every night. Of course you won't look good if you're always up so late. If you have important stuff to do, do it during the day. Get to bed early, wake up early, and you'll look way better."

Lydia wasn't about to play along. She just shot Lucinda a cool look. "Worry about yourself."

Lucinda nearly choked on her frustration. I'm just saying this for your own good."

Lydia walked toward the dining table, her voice clear and not at all quiet. "Stop pretending. We all know whether you mean it or not."

Lucinda clenched her teeth, almost shaking with anger.