chapter1308

Lydia gave a soft hum. "Take care, okay?"

Connor's voice was laced with worry. "You too. Things are crazy out there. Promise me you'll stay home and not go anywhere."

All the departments had started making their moves. The illegal businesses and criminal gangs were getting busted left and right. People were scrambling to save themselves.

Lydia nodded. "I know."

They chatted a little longer before she hung up. As soon as her phone left her hand, it started ringing again. Juna, sitting nearby, craned her neck to check the screen. "It's Byron," she said.

Lydia raised her eyebrows. Was something going on with Grace? With that thought, she picked up.

Byron's voice was low and serious. "Lydia, Grace broke out. Watch yourself these days."

Well, Lydia had been hoping Grace would show up. She still wanted to squeeze more information out of her.

"Keep eyes on her," Lydia said. Find out who she's meeting with."

"Got it."

Elsewhere, Lucinda had just finished a deal with Blood Oath at school. Ten billion was gone in an instant. Her grip on her phone was so tight her knuckles turned white. This time, Lydia had to die! Only if Lydia was gone could she become the pampered heiress she used to be.

The next day, Lucinda was lost in her own fantasies, picturing Lydia's "accidental death, when her phone suddenly rang. It was between classes. She saw an unfamiliar number and almost ignored it, but the caller wouldn't give up. Finally, she answered.

"Hello?"

"Lucinda, it's me. It's Mom!"

Grace's voice was tense and almost whispering. For a second, Lucinda thought

she'd misheard She didn't even notice that Grace had called herself "Mom" instead of "Grace."

"Grace?" she asked quietly.

Grace answered right away. "It's me, Lucinda. I'm out.

Lucinda assumed Grace's detention was over. She stepped out of her seat, found somewhere quiet, and lowered her voice. "That's amazing, Grace! You're finally out!"

She had a ton of questions she'd been dying to ask. And that

gel net

phone she couldn't wait to get rid

of it and hand it back to Grace. It felt

like she was carrying a live grenade.

Grace felt a little let down that Lucinda hadn't called her Mom, but figured she just needed some time. Lucinda, you got the gift I left you, right?"

Grace had checked with the storage place that morning and found out everything was picked up ages ago. She figured Lucinda must know the truth by now.

Lucinda nodded, guilt creeping in. Yeah, Grace. Thanks for the gift. Um, I spent some of the money on the card. I'll pay you back, I promise."

The more Grace listened, the more she felt something was off. She asked carefully, Lucinda, did you read the letter I left for you?"

Lucinda paused, then decided to be honest. "Sorry, Grace. I, uh, accidentally dropped the letter down the drain."

Grace almost blacked out on the spot.

"You dropped it down the drain?" Her

voice hitched up, almost a scream.

That letter had everything she

wanted to say to Lucinda, so much important stuff ever the truth about Lucinda's real background. She d rewritten it over and over for three days, crying until her eyes were swollen. And now, Lucinda had just lost it forever. Grace's heart twisted, emotions all tangled up.