chapter21

The maids were frozen in shock, completely panicked by Mr. Norwood's sudden collapse. No one seemed to know what to do.

"A towel? Miss Norwood, what kind do you need? Big or small? Cotton or something else?"

Lydia pressed her lips together, looking frustrated. Forget it. Just go to my room and grab the black backpack on my nightstand."

"Yes, ma'am!"

The maid hurried off. Lydia turned back to Mr. Norwood, prying his locked jaw open with one hand and wedging the back of her other hand between his teeth to keep him from biting his tongue.

Cameron stared, horrified. His voice cracked. "Lydia!"

Kylie's eyes filled with tears. "Lydia... stop..."

Lydia barely glanced at them. It's fine. I'll be okay. This won't take long."

Meanwhile, the ruckus downstairs drifted up to Lucinda's room.

She walked over to the window and peeked out, but she couldn't see much. All she could tell was that something big was happening. The noise was impossible to ignore.

"Grace, let's go check it out."

She pulled the door open just as a maid raced past, clutching a black backpack. For

a split second, Lucinda thought someone was stealing from them.

She called out sharply. "Hey! What are you carrying?"

The maid skidded to a stop, turning around wide-eyed. "Miss Lucinda, it's Mr. Norwood. He's having a heart attack. Miss Norwood sent me to her room to get her bag. I have to hurry!"

Lucinda watched the maid bolt down the hallway, her mind racing. She didn't care about the heart attack. Instead, her brow furrowed as she considered the implication. Lydia asked for her bag? Is she leaving?"

Grace's face lit up. Miss Lucinda, this is it. Your grandfather must have finally put her in her place. She probably talked back and made him so angry he had a heart attack. I bet Mr. and Mrs. Norwood scolded her, too. That's why she wants to storm off."

Grace had already worked out the whole story in her head.

She hadn't been back in the house long, but the gossip had reached her. Lydia had argued with the old man the very night she returned. He obviously didn't like her at all.

So what if she was his real granddaughter?

The only real bond was with the one raised by his side.

Lucinda lifted her chin, pride clear on her face. A smug smile tugged at her lips, but she quickly replaced it with a look of sweet concern. "Grandfather has always loved me best. I can't believe he would try to send Lydia away for me... and get so upset he had a heart attack. No wonder things are so crazy downstairs. Grace, let's hurry and check on him."

Lucinda rushed down the stairs, putting on her most worried face. The scene at the livingroom stopped her cold.

Lydia knelt beside their grandfather, holding a long, thin silver needle, aimed straight at his face.

Lucinda forgot all pretense and shrieked. Lydia! Don't hurt my grandfather!"

Lydia's hand stilled for a split second. Without even glancing up, she pressed the needle into an acupoint with perfect precision.

Everyone froze. You could feel the tension in the room. Cameron and Kylie held their breath, nerves stretched to the breaking point.

Mr. Norwood's heart attack had hit hard. He'd passed out, his body shaking with convulsions because he didn't get his medication in time. It was the worst they'd ever seen, and both Cameron and Kylie were at a complete loss.

No one expected Lydia to keep her cool. She was calm, steady, not even flinching as she took control and did everything she could to help.

Now she was performing acupuncture. The way she moved, so confident and sure, made it clear she actually knew what she was doing.

Cameron and Kylie could only stare, amazed.

The maids around them were just as stunned. When Lydia pulled that silver needle kit out of her bag, it had scared them half to death.