chapter604

"Goddaughter?" Paige and Leila looked at each other, wide-eyed. It wasn't every day that the wealthiest family in the country took in a goddaughter.

"Lucinda, your parents already have you. Why would they need a goddaughter, too?" Paige asked, her tone tinged with suspicion. Both she and Leila came from powerful families and knew that sometimes, "goddaughter" was just a fancy word for bringing a secret love child into the house.

Lucinda shook her head. "Remember when I told you my grandpa was really sick? She's the one who saved him. My parents were so grateful, they made her their goddaughter."

"Oh, that makes sense," Paige said, finally relaxing.

Leila let out a breath, her worries fading a little. But she couldn't shake the memory of seeing Lydia and Elliot walking together earlier, so close and comfortable with each other. Elliot was beyond handsome, the kind of guy every girl dreamed about. If Lydia liked him, she'd have the perfect excuse to be around him all the time.

"Wait, didn't Elliot just get back today? How is Lydia already so close with him?" Leila pressed.

Lucinda could see right through Leila's concern. She knew Elliot wasn't interested in dating anyone right now, and he definitely didn't have feelings for Leila, but she didn't want to say that out loud and make things weird.

She hesitated, then said, Honestly, I'm not sure. Lydia just asked Elliot to go for a walk in the garden, and he couldn't really turn her down."

That was all it took for Leila to start thinking of Lydia as a rival.

Paige noticed how tense Leila had gotten and tried to lighten the mood. "Lucinda, you don't think she has a crush on your brother, do you?"

Lucinda put on her best surprised face. "No way... I mean, I don't think so?"

Leila moved in closer, looping her arm through Lucinda's. Hey, Lucinda, isn't Elliot's tour next month? I heard the tickets sold out in seconds. Do you think you could ask him for a couple of good seats for me and Paige? We really want to go."

Paige nodded eagerly. "Yeah, just like before. We'll pay you for them."

Lucinda grinned and pulled two tickets out of her pocket. "Don't be silly. What are friends for? Elliot gave me these VIP seats earlier. They're yours."

Paige and Leila stared at the tickets, their faces lighting up with excitement. "Lucinda, you're the best. Seriously, we love you."

Leila hugged Lucinda tight, almost squealing with happiness. It was moments like this that Lucinda loved her friends' attention and admiration made her feel special, even if it meant she had to tell a little white lie.

"By the way, Lucinda, how are things with you and Connor?" Paige asked, her voice gentle.

Lucinda just smiled. "We're good. Everything's great."

Paige gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "That's wonderful. Connor is such

a rare find. You have to hold on to him."

Leila chimed in, nodding. Yeah, Lucinda, you can't let anyone else get near him. You've got to keep a close eye on your man."

Leila was already making plans in her head. After Elliot's concert, she was finally going to tell him how she felt, she couldn't keep her feelings b?ttlecup any longer and she was terrified that another geat her to it.

Out in the garden, Lydia and Elliot were walking side by side.

Elliot glanced over at Lydia, his expression full of admiration. "You're honestly incredible, Lydia."

Lydia smiled, a soft laugh slipping out. You can just call me Lydia, like Mom and Dad do. And you're pretty amazing yourself, Elliot."

Elliot's grin widened. "Alright, Lydia.

But seriously, it took me six years of

hard W You were only fifteen

hard work in the industry to get

where lam

three years ago, and you were

already a superstar. And Melody

Mastro... how did you even pull that off?"