chapter280

Lydia lifted her lashes with an effortless grace, casting a look at Lucinda that made it clear she saw her as nothing more than a sideshow.

"My study methods really are that good," she said, her tone light. "Most people can't learn them... I doubt they'd work for you."

Lucinda felt her chest tighten with anger. Was Lydia actually calling her average? The nerve.

"Oh? If your methods are so amazing, does that mean you'll get a full score on the finals? Lucinda shot back, plastering on a sweet smile. If Lydia wanted to brag, she'd let her. The higher Lydia climbed, the harder she'd fall. Getting a perfect score wasn't easy. Of her four brothers, only the oldest two had managed it. Even Garrett had lost a few points. Lydia grew up in the middle of nowhere... Lucinda figured Lydia should just be grateful if she got into any college at all.

Lydia's lips quirked with amusement. "Results aren't out yet. Who knows, maybe I did get a perfect score."

Lucinda stared at her, completely thrown. Was Lydia for real? Did she honestly think she could pull this off?

Yeah, right.

"Wow, a perfect score?" Lucinda made a show of gasping, twisting Lydia's words on purpose. "You really think you can do that?"

Lydia set down her chopsticks and met Lucinda's eyes, her gaze calm and steady. "If I get a perfect score, what are you going to do?"

Lucinda paused, then smiled sweetly. "If you really ace it, I'll send you coffee every day and beg you to teach me how you did it."

Lydia nodded. "Sounds good."

Garrett chuckled from the other end of the table. "Looks like Lydia's pretty confident. Lucinda, you'd better get ready to start studying."

Lucinda clenched her jaw, but forced a pout as she looked at Garrett. "Garrett, you're siding with her! What if she doesn't get a perfect score? Maybe she'll have to learn from me instead."

She'd made it clear. If Lydia failed, she'd be the one serving coffee.

But Garrett just shook his head, smiling. "Don't underestimate Lydia. Let's all just wait and see."

Kylie laughed too. "That's right, Lucinda. I think your sister can do it."

Ever since Lydia came back, she'd been full of surprises.

Lucinda wanted to scream. Why was everyone taking Lydia's side? Why did they all believe in her so much? It was infuriating.

Connor, on the other hand, looked completely relaxed. He believed in Lydia, no question.

He glanced at her bowl and saw

she'd

y eaten half her food.

Without a word, he reached over and

filled it up again. Lason

Lydia just stared, lost for words. Did he think she was some bottomless pit? She was already stuffed.

After dinner, Connor stayed to drink

some tea before finally standing up to leave Lucinda started to get up to walk him out but Kylie looked ov at Lydia, who was whispering. something to Garrett. "Lydia aren't you going to see Connor out?"

Lydia stood, nodding. "Sure."

Outside the door, Connor glanced at her, his expression a little sulky. "If Mrs. Norwood hadn't asked, would you have walked me out?"

Lydia laughed. "What do you think?"

He pouted, looking genuinely wounded. "I really can't guess."

She grinned, finding his act kind of adorable. "I would have."

His face brightened. "Seriously?"

"Nope."

Connor blinked, looking betrayed.

She laughed again. "I'm teasing. It's just a few steps. Why wouldn't I walk you out?"

His disappointment vanished in an instant, and he reached for her hand. "I finally got off work early today. You should get some rest."

Lydia nodded, but in her head, she

was already making a list of the

things she still had to finish. net

when she wasn't at the office, the work never seemed to end