chapter331

Blake was just a teenager back then.

The boy on the right, looking almost identical to the one on the left, held his chin high, cool and aloof. His eyes were icy, giving nothing away, but deep down there was a quiet strength you couldn't ignore.

That was Arthur, also in his youth.

Between them stood a tiny eight-year-old girl. Her delicate face was tense, not a hint of childish innocence in sight. Her lips were set in a determined line, her eyes sharp and unwavering, staring straight ahead.

The three of them stood on the winners' podium, their serious faces catching the light of every camera flash. There was something about them so intense, so focused that you couldn't help but feel their hunger for success and their fearless outlook on the future.

Garrett stared at the old photograph, eyes going wide in shock.

Wait, was that Lydia standing with his two older brothers?

No way. That couldn't be right.

Blake: [I only realized today when our little sister shared all those certificates and medals. We actually met her ten years ago.]

And they'd even shared the stage together.

Too bad neither of them had recognized that the little genius girl beside them was actually their own sister.

Back then, he'd felt embarrassed to be up there with a little girl, like he wasn't even as good as an eight-year-old.

Who would've guessed she was really their baby sister?

Arthur: [If we hadn't been so caught up in feeling embarrassed, and just asked for her contact information, maybe we would've found out she was our sister way sooner.]

At the time, he and Blake were just busy thinking their intelligence had been shown up by a little kid. It never crossed their minds that she could be family.

Elliot: [Seriously? What are the odds? This is all on you two. If you'd just realized who she was back then, our sister would have come home years ago.]

Blake, Arthur: [Yeah, it's our fault.]

Garrett: [Our sister is a total legend. She won that award at eight. You two were already eighteen. She's on another level. Hahaha.]

Blake and Arthur could only fall silent.

Meanwhile, Lucinda was hiding in a bathroom stall, pretending she just needed a break, quickly messaging Grace.

[Grace, where are you right now? What's going on? Why did someone die?]

She was freaking out. Murder was a huge deal. If the police found out Grace was involved and then the back to her, she couldnt

even imagine what would happen.

Grace was already on her way back to Lakeview Town, still reeling from the fact that

Lydia had racked up so many awards by age eight.

It had almost blown her cover. She couldn't believe she'd been so careless.

When she saw Lucinda's messages, she knew Lucinda must be terrified. She replied right away: [Don't worry, Lucinda I'm fine, almost back in the Capital The person who died was just stand in. It doesnt matter You're not in danger.]

But Lucinda couldn't help but worry.

The police her dad, even

Connor-everyone was investigating.

Lydia had said that even with someone dead, aftes could stirbe found. Lucinda was terrified they'd

discover something.

[But everyone's looking for the real mastermind. What if they figure it out?]

Grace didn't seem bothered at all. [Lucinda, as long as you don't slip up, they'll never trace this back to you. Trust me.]

Lucinda didn't want to stay in the bathroom too long and draw attention, so she just sent back a quick "Okay."

Grace stared at her phone, her fingers curling into a fist. "Lydia, you keep ruining everything for me. I swear, I'll make you regret it."

The bodyguard driving up ahead heard her and spoke up, "Ma'am, the leader said this isn't the right time to reveal your identity."