chapter766

Lydia called Luke over to register his scan. He shook his head right away, but she smiled and said, "From now on, this is your home too. Come and go whenever you want."

Luke tried again to refuse. Really, you don't have to do this. I...

She cut him off gently. Don't overthink it. Every lab has a password lock, and you can pick an empty room you want for your bedroom."

He thought about it for a second. He'd already given the villa Jenson and Milana left him to Sandy, so except for his school dorm, he didn't have anywhere to stay in the Capital. Lydia just didn't want him feeling like he had nowhere to belong, like he was all alone.

Suddenly, Luke felt this rush of emotion that caught him off guard. His eyes stung and he blinked, trying to hold it back. Lydia, you..."

She looked at him, her eyes soft. You want to ask why I'm being so nice to you, don't you?"

He went quiet. That really was what he'd been wondering. Their parents had always ignored her, and he'd never really done anything for her. But now...

"Don't ask why," she said, smiling. "I'm doing it because I want to."

Once Luke finished his iris scan, Connor finally seemed to relax. He glanced at Lydia. "What do you want for dinner?"

Lydia grinned at him. "What, are you planning to cook?"

Connor's lips twitched in a half-smile. "Why not? I want you to try my cooking."

It wasn't every day he got a chance like this. They always said the way to someone's heart was through their stomach, right?

Lydia's eyes sparkled. Then make your specialty."

She wasn't picky, and he knew it.

Connor nodded, looking at her like she was the only one in the room. "Alright."

"I'm heading back to the lab," Lydia said, picking up her things. "You two make yourselves at home."

Luke hesitated, then asked, "Do you mind if I watch you work? In the lab, I mean.

He'd peeked through the little glass window in the lab door earlier, and all those machines had really piqued his curiosity. He used to think being a doctor was just another job, nothing special. But after the accident, he finally got it. Doctors weren't just working-they

were

saving lives, giving hope, pulling people back from the edge.

Lydia was surprised but happy to see his interest. "Of course. Come on."

Connor watched them go with a little wistfulness, but he'd already promised Lydia he'd cook. Before heading to the kitchen, Lydia gave him a quick, comforting smile. "Thanks for doing this."

That small gesture warmed him. Having a girlfriend like her was no small thing.

As soon as Lydia and Luke

disappeared into the lab, Connor pulled out his phone and called Aiden, rattling off a list of groceries. He also asked him to have The Royal Court send over a few of their best dishes for dinner.

Aiden sounded totally floored. "Boss, are you really cooking yourself?"

Connor just grunted. "Don't ask so many questions."

Aiden quickly agreed, but he couldn't help thinking that he must be right. Ever since Connor left the military, he hadn't stepped foot in a kitchen. Now here he was, going all out for Lydia.

"Yes, boss. I'll handle it and send everything to the villa."

"I'll text you the address."

Aiden paused, Weren't they at Connor's place? After the call, he saw the address and blinked in confusion. Golden Imperial Mansions? Last he checked, these houses weren't ever renovated yet How was anyone supposed to cook there? But then he looke@bagain and realized it was Villa No. 9.

He still didn't get it.

Meanwhile, Lydia, Luke, and Neal stayed in the lab for nearly four hours before finally coming out. Neal had struggled for ages to break down the virus, but with Lydia there, they nailed it on the very first try.