chapter1310

Lucinda had always felt sure of herself. But after Grace yelled at her, all that confidence started to slip away.

"Grace, I don't think... I mean, that can't be true, right?

Before she ever got involved with them, Lucinda had done her homework. She'd scoured the dark web for information, and everything she found said they were the real deal, the most powerful group out there. There was no way they'd have such a reputation if they weren't legit.

Grace could barely catch her breath. Lucinda, seriously, think about it. Is Lydia really worth that much money? It's so obvious they're just trying to scam you."

Every word made Grace's chest feel tighter. That billion wasn't just a number. It was everything she'd worked for, saved up her entire life. And now, her own daughter had blown it all in one shot. She felt so close to pass out right then and there.

Lucinda shook her head. "Grace, don't be so negative. Let me try reaching out to them again."

Grace said, "Send me the account you transferred the money to. Maybe I can get it back."

The thought of getting the money back made Lucinda hesitate. She'd finally found a way to get rid of Lydia, and now she might lose her chance.

Grace, reading her like a book, said, "I know you want Lydia gone. Don't worry, I'll handle her for you."

Honestly, Lucinda didn't trust Grace to actually pull it off. Grace had promised before, over and over, that she'd take care of Lydia, but she'd never managed to do it. All she'd done was drag Lucinda down with her.

Lucinda, listen to me. I'm the only one in this world who truly cares about you. I heard Lydia's blind now. Dealing with her won't be hard."

Lucinda hesitated for a long time, then finally nodded. "Fine. I'll send you the account details."

As soon as they hung up, Lucinda tried calling Blood Oath again, but the call wouldn't go through. She tried over and over, but no luck. At first, she hadn't believed Grace, but now she started to wonder if they really had just taken the money and disappeared. Panic set in? We're talking about a billion. That's not something you just brush off.

She called again and again, but nothing. Her face went pale, her voice shaky.

"I got scammed... I really got scammed?"

Desperate, she sent all the transfer info to Grace, hoping, somehow, Grace could get the money back. But that was giving Grace way too much redit. Grace herself thought maybe she could purit off, but when she checked the account and realized it was overseas, and that it actually belonged to Blood Oath, she was so shocked and furious she collapsed.

By Friday afternoon, Lucinda came home from school looking like she hadn't slept in days. Kylie and Cameron saw right away something was wrong. She looked pale, tired, almost sick.

Lucinda, are you okay? You don't look well," Kylie asked, worry in her voice.

Lucinda hadn't eaten, hadn't slept, and the stress was eating her alive. Of course she looked awful, but she couldn't let Kylie and Cameron know what was really going on.

"I'm just tired. School's been rough lately. I'll be in my room."

Kylie and Cameron watched her walk away, both of them sure something was up. Kylie, especially, couldn't shake the feeling, so she decided to head upstairs and check on her.

Lucinda wandered up to her room, half in a daze, remembering she'd promised to give Grace the phone She opened her safe grabbed the phone, and dialed the number Grace was using now.

"Grace, where are you? How do you want me to get the phone to you?" Just as Kylie reached Lucinda's door, she overheard her daughter's voice.