chapter539

Alright, I'll listen to you. Oh, and I'm Shadow," he said.

Lydia arched an eyebrow. "Second place. Not bad. You've got potential."

Shadow might have been ranked second, but the gap between him and L, who was first, was huge.

Now that everything was out in the open, Mr. Jefferson let out a heavy sigh. "The Jefferson family has been loyal for generations. Are we really going to let a bunch of schemers smear our name like this?"

Just thinking about it left him feeling empty inside.

Grandpa, this isn't over," Connor said, his eyes steady and determined. "I'll prove to everyone that the Jefferson family is still the same as it always was."

Mikey nodded, backing him up. "Don't worry, Grandpa. We've got this. You don't need to stress over it."

Mr. Jefferson's face softened with pride. "Your father would be so proud of you. But Connor, once you're fully recovered, you'll need to make an official visit to the Norwood family."

Ever since Lydia returned, the Jeffersons had visited the Norwood family twice, but Connor's status back then was nothing like it was now.

Connor agreed right away. "Don't worry, Grandpa. I'll go visit them soon." He wanted to let his future in-laws know that he and Lydia were doing well and that he'd take care of her. He wanted them to feel at ease.

Mr. Jefferson nodded and turned to Mikey.

Mikey looked confused. "Why are you looking at me? When Blake goes as their future son-in-law, I'm not going along for the ride." The last thing he wanted was an awkward run-in with Lucinda.

Chris quickly chimed in. Yeah, I'm not going either. I'd just be in the way."

Mr. Jefferson just waved them off. "Do whatever you want."

He turned back to Lydia then, his eyes crinkling with a smile. Lydia, how are you so amazing? You went to the most dangerous places in Southeast Asia by yourself at fifteen. Do you have a fan group? Can you add me to it?"

That night, Jenson and Milana couldn't sleep at all. The pain was just too much.

When Lydia had shot them earlier with her hidden gun, it had hurt for a second, but then the feeling faded They'd checked themselves

afterward and didn't see any needle marks, so they figured there was nothing to worry about.

They were so wrong. By nightfall, their bodies ached all over. Even turning over in bed was nearly impossible.

"Honey, we... we should call an ambulance," Milana said, her voice trembling.

Jenson struggled to grab his phone from the nightstand and dialed emergency services. Please hurry," he pleaded. My wife and I can't take this pain anymore." He was honestly scared that Lydia had actually done something to kill them.

Milana, fuming, still managed to curse Lydia through gritted teeth "Lydial She'll get what's coming her We raised her with so much effort, and instead of being grateful, she's trying to kill us..."

Jenson was terrified too. Facing something unknown like this brought a whole new

level of fear. He was scared he might really die at any moment.

I... I'll call Sandy," he said, trying to keep his voice steady.

They could barely move and needed someone they trusted nearby.

Milana nodded weakly. "Call her. Get that girl down here now." She was completely fed up with Sandy and sometimes wished she didn't have a daughter like her, but she needed

San if she wanted to save her precious son. That was the only reason she could swallow all her

resentment for now.

Jenson called once, but Sandy didn't pick up. He tried again, still no answer. The third time, Sandy finally answered the phone.

Jenson spoke quickly. "Sandy, your mother and I got hit by Lydia's hidden gun today. We're in so much pain we can't move. You need to come over right now."

There was a pause on the other end. Sandy's voice was lazy and distant. If you're hurt, shouldn't you call an ambulance? Why are you calling me?"