chapter646

Lydia arched an eyebrow. "You mean Aunt from the Robinson family?"

Kylie laughed. "Yeah, that's right." She hesitated for a moment, then said, "It's just your aunt. No one else. She's not the kind of person who likes to gossip, so there's really nothing to worry about if you meet her."

Lydia blinked, thinking back to a couple of days ago when Nathaniel had asked Elliot for her number and invited her to dinner. She'd been swamped with work and told him maybe in a few days.

"Okay, she agreed.

Kylie's face lit up. "Perfect."

Lucinda's hands tightened in her lap. If Lydia went, wouldn't everyone find out she wasn't their real daughter?

But then she remembered, their aunt wasn't a talker. Even if she found out that Lydia was the true Norwood heiress, she wouldn't spread it around, and definitely wouldn't tell their uncle or grandparents. Besides, the families barely spoke anyway. There was really no reason to panic.

"Lydia, did you finish arranging things for Luke's school?" Cameron asked. He remembered Lydia mentioning that Connor was helping find a school for Luke.

Luke had been in his last year of middle school when the accident happened, and he'd missed the high school entrance exams. After Lydia talked with him, he'd agreed to repeat the year and try again the following year.

"Yeah, Connor already took care of it."

"That's good to hear."

Lucinda gripped her spoon tighter. Connor would personally handle something so small? It was hard to believe.

After breakfast, Lydia didn't head to the office. She drove herself to the villa that Jenson and Milana had bought out in the suburbs.

Luke had moved there after getting out of the hospital.

All the old staff had left, so Lydia had hired some new people herself to take care of him.

The villa felt emptier and much quieter than it used to.

A maid who was tidying up noticed Lydia and greeted her. Lydia, you're here."

Lydia nodded. "Yeah. Where's Luke?"

"He's upstairs in the art studio."

Since coming home, Luke had changed a lot. He spent most of his time painting. Maybe it was his way of letting out his feelings.

Sunlight streamed into the room where Luke stood in front of an easel, lost in his work. He wore a crisp white shirt, his eyes focused

on the canvas where a sunflower

was just beginning to bloom.

His paintbrush danced lightly across the palette, scooping up bright yellows and fresh greens.

The petals were already taking shape, that vivid yellow almost glowing with life.

Lydia walked over quietly, picked up a brush, and with gentle strokes, started outlining the texture of the petals For the center of the flower, she blended deep yellow and brown, adding layers that made the sunflower look real and full.

Luke froze for a second, surprise lighting up his eyes.

He'd painted a background of blue sky and green grass, but the colors didn't really stand out. With Lydia's help, the sunflower suddenly popped, vibrant and alive.

As she added detail with every stroke, the sunflower painting seemed to come alive, the colors bold and full of energy, like a promise of something new.

"Whoa, I never knew you could paint," Luke said. His own painting skills were just average, though there was definitely potential.

Jenson and Milana might have been

harsh with Lydia, but they'd spent

plenty on Luke. Even if he hadn't

paid much attention in class, all

those years added up to some real

talent.

"Well, now you do," Lydia said, setting the brush down and flashing him a small smile.

Luke let out a long breath. "Mom and Dad really did you wrong."

"No point in bringing up the past, Lydia said easily. Then she asked, "When are you going to the company to sign the agreement?"

She planned to hand Smith Corporation over to Luke. For now, she'd manage things for him, but once he was old enough, it would all be his.