chapter173

Lucinda froze, her whole body tensing up. Her heart twisted painfully in her chest.

Seriously?

Parker and Rose were really trying to throw her under the bus?

"Dad, no way. I never told them Lydia was your and Mom's goddaughter."

Cameron noticed how rattled she was and tried to reassure her. "Lucinda, we know you wouldn't do something like that. But both Parker and Rose told the same story. They said you told them Lydia was just our goddaughter, so they thought there wouldn't be any consequences if they went after her."

Lucinda felt like the floor had disappeared beneath her feet.

Unbelievable. How dare those two old snakes try to pin this on her!

"Dad, Mom, I swear, I never said anything like that. They're just trying to frame me." Lucinda's eyes brimmed with tears and her voice caught in her throat. She looked like she'd never been so wrongly accused in her life.

Kylie jumped in right away, her tone gentle. "Lucinda, please calm down. We're just trying to understand what really happened so we can explain it to the police and your sister. The second we heard about it, your dad and I both knew you wouldn't do something like that."

Lucinda bit her lip, a flash of disappointment and anger flickering in her eyes.

If they really believed her, would they even be having this conversation?

Clearly, they still gave Parker and Rose's story some credit. Back in the day, her parents would have handled something like this quietly, behind her back. They never would have questioned her face to face, let alone make her feel so small, just to protect their real daughter.

Lucinda, we're not doubting you. We just need to know what's true so we can confront Parker and Rose. If they keep telling the police you misled them into hurting Lydia, and the police get involved, it'll get messy fast."

Cameron could see how hurt Lucinda was. He softened his voice, trying to explain.

Lucinda's anxiety spiked again. Her heart thudded in her chest.

tel

"Dad, Mom, I really didn't do it. When I got back from the hospital, I saw them kneeling outside in the heat, yelling their heads off. I was worried it would make our family look bad, so I went to ask what was going on. They told me Lydia fired a bunch of people as soon as she took over and that she was planning to fire them too. Then they started asking what Lydia's relationship was to us. I didn't even want to answer, but Rose kept begging me. So I just told her Lydia was the daughter you and Dad had brought back. I swear, I never said anything about her being a goddaughter."

Lucinda's eyes were red and watery, the picture of someone completely wronged.

"All right, all right, Lucinda. We were just asking. We believe you, and we're sorry for making you feel bad. It's late, go get some sleep."

Kylie reached out and gently brushed Lucinda's hair.

Lucinda nodded, looking small and pitiful. Okay, Mom, Dad. I'll go to my room now. You two should get some rest too."

"Goodnight."

Kylie watched Lucinda pad up the stairs barefoot and couldn't hold back her anger. I knew it. Parker and Rose are just trying to mess with our family."

Cameron gave her shoulder a reassuring pat. "Don't worry, we got to the bottom of it. Lucinda's a good kid. It's better we asked her directly. If rumors like that spread, people. Would say she can't stand her own sister."

"You're right."

Connor had insisted on sending Lydia home, so she let him ride shotgun while

Aiden followed right behind in his own car.

Aiden kept close, barely leaving any

space between them. He was

terrified Lydia would floor it and

leave him in the dust, and then he'd

have to face the music for not being

there when Connor needed him. That "useless driver" label would

stick for good.

And if Connor ever got mad enough to fire him, he'd have nowhere else to go.

"Lunch tomorrow?" Connor's tone was gentle, almost melting.

Lydia raised an eyebrow, her eyes fixed on the road. "Are you that free these days,

or is business at Jefferson Group really that slow?"