chapter710

Lucinda read Grace's messages and couldn't stop herself from imagining how things would play out if Lydia got exposed. Connor would lose it. Grandpa Samuel would show up in a heartbeat and force Connor to call off the engagement. Her parents and brothers would be completely humiliated, and there was no way they'd ever admit Lydia was the real Norwood daughter. When that day came, Lucinda would be the only one left who deserved to marry Connor. Just the thought made her heart race.

She messaged Grace back, [Grace, my parents don't follow all the gossip on the school forum. You need to find a way to make sure they hear about all the 'good deeds' Lydia's been up to at school.]

Grace was already a step ahead. She replied right away, [Don't worry, Lucinda. I've got this.]

Since Lydia and Lucinda started school, Cameron and Kylie had been running around nonstop, handling work stuff and attending events. The last two days, though, they'd been busy arranging a donation of washers and dryers for Capital Med School, making sure everything got installed in the dorms.

That evening, as soon as they walked through the door, Grace came rushing toward them, waving her phone.

"Mr. Norwood, Mrs. Norwood, it's terrible! Something awful happened!"

Cameron and Kylie exchanged a look, then hurried over. "What's wrong, Grace? Just tell us."

Grace dropped her voice to a whisper. "This is really serious. I didn't tell Mr. Samuel.

I was worried he couldn't handle it, so I waited for you two to come home."

Cameron's forehead creased. "What's going on?"

"It's... it's about Lydia," Grace said.

That made Cameron and Kylie tense up.

"Lydia? What about her?"

Grace tried to hide her satisfaction and handed them the phone. "You better see it for yourselves."

Cameron took the phone and his eyes landed right away on a bold headline. "What..."

Kylie leaned in, frowning. "Let's read it first."

Cameron clicked the link and started reading, his expression growing darker with every line. Kylie's face was tight with anger.

"This is just too much. Completely out of line," Cameron said.

Grace put on her most sympathetic face. "Lydia really went too far this time. If the Jeffersons see this, what are they going to think? But... maybe there's been some kind of misunderstanding..."

Kylie shot her a sharp look. "Grace, what exactly are you trying to say?"

Grace rushed to explain, "Mrs. Norwood, what Lydia did was definitely inappropriate. It's embarrassing for our family. But maybe people just misunderstood her. She should clear things up herself."

Cameron's anger boiled over. "This is all nonsense. It's nothing but lies and rumors! Grace, you've worked for us for years. How can you believe the trash people post online?"

Cameron and Kylie were furious at the people spreading rumors about Lydia, not at Lydia herself. The idea that she was cheating on anyone

was just ridiculous. The wholer

School forum was nothing but slander.

Grace couldn't believe it. Even with the so-called evidence right in front of them, Cameron and Kylie still refused to believe it. Were they really just lying to themselves?

"Mr. and Mrs. Norwood, that's not what I meant! Of course I don't think Lydia would do something like that But the photos online look so real, and everyone's talking about. I'm just worried about her reputation."

Her words made it obvious she thought the photos spoke for themselves.

Cameron scoffed. "Please. We've met Lydia's instructor before. He's her cousin from Lakeview Town. They've been close since they were kids. They probably just sat and talked on the field at night How does that turn into something scandalous?"

Kylie nodded. "Exactly. The field was crowded. Can't people use their heads for once? They hear a rumor and immediately believe it. It's so frustrating."