chapter751

Everything's so expensive lately. I barely spent anything and that million is already gone. Just send me another five hundred thousand. That's all I'm asking."

"I know you went gambling again. I gave you everything I had. I don't even have five thousand right now, let alone five hundred thousand. Stop calling me."

Lucinda ended the call without another word.

She was shaking with anger. Why did her biological father have to be like this? Sometimes it felt like fate was just mocking her.

As she sat there fuming, Grace walked in. She was just about to say something comforting when Lucinda's phone rang again from where she'd thrown it on the floor.

Grace glanced at the screen. The name Frank flashed up.

For a second, Grace just froze. It was like a bolt of lightning went off inside her head.

She watched Lucinda pick up the phone, reject the call, then block the number and toss the phone aside again.

Grace finally snapped out of it. She stared at Lucinda, eyes wide. "Lucinda, who did you just block?"

Lucinda's hands curled into tight fists.

She didn't want anyone, not even Grace, to know about Frank. That was why she'd never told Grace about him showing up at her school.

Grace could feel the tension in the air. She lowered her voice. "When did he come looking for you?"

Lucinda's voice was tight. "A few days after school started. He showed up at the school gate and demanded a million."

Grace's jaw dropped. "You actually gave him a million?"

Lucinda's composure finally broke. She bit back tears and said, "I was with my roommates when he showed up. If I'd fought with him, everyone would've found out I'm not the real Norwood heiress. That my father's a gambling addict. What else could I do?"

Grace felt so sorry for her.

Lucinda's voice shook with anger. "And now it's only been a little while and he's already lost all that money. Now he wants more. Why? Why does tydia get to be the real Norwood daughter Why couldn't be me? Why do I have to have a

in

father like that?"

Grace couldn't help it. She pulled Lucinda into a hug, tears pricking at her own eyes.

"Lucinda, none of this is your fault.

Lucinda choked out, "If it's not my fault, then why do I have to deal with all of it? Why?"

Grace gently patted her back. "I'll handle Frank. Don't worry about him anymore."

Lucinda stared at Grace, surprised. She didn't really understand why-

Grace always stood by her no matter what, always helping her out

of every mess.

Grace stroked her hair softly. "Hey, even if everyone else gives up on you, I'll always be here. Always."

Lydia and Connor were out shopping for a gift for Grandpa Samuel. Connor looked like he was carrying the weight of the world.

After they'd picked something out and got into the car, Lydia glanced over at him. "What's going on with you?"

Connor finally couldn't hold it in. Your uncle was joking, right?

He already had enough rivals for Lydia's attention. The thought of William

introducing her to someone younger than him was too much.

Lydia stayed calm. "Not feeling very confident, are you?

Connor straightened up a little. "Of course I am. I just don't want you to feel awkward."

Lydia paused, then smiled a little.

Orson was my type, I might "Honestly, it's not a big deal. If the et

have to reconsider Conten .net>