chapter820

Lucinda stared at her phone, feeling completely frustrated.

[I wish I could, but I've done everything I'm supposed to. They still don't trust me.]

Grace messaged back. [They're wary because they think you'll fight Lydia for Connor. Just tell them you're not interested in competing with her.]

Lucinda replied, [I already did, but they don't believe me.]

Grace asked, [Has the Hansen family's heir contacted you lately? Listen, Lucinda, if you want the Norwoods to trust you again, you need someone solid by your side. I think Mr. Hansen is a great option.]

Lucinda frowned without even thinking about it. [Caspian? I don't even like him. Honestly, I feel sick just seeing him.]

Grace insisted, [He's the only one who can help you right now. Otherwise, they'll keep you at arm's length, and eventually, they'll find some excuse to kick you out.] Lucinda's hands tightened around her phone. Get kicked out of the Norwood family?

No way!

She couldn't let that happen. If she left the Norwoods, she'd have nothing.

After a long pause, she finally typed back, [I get it. Caspian... he's been after me for years.]

Now that she thought about it, Caspian really had been persistent. He'd had a crush on her forever and never gave up.

Grace replied, [That's perfect. Just remember, you have to keep him on his toes. Guys only stay interested if they have to chase you. I know you can do it. Oh, and don't forget, Sandy from the Smith family hates Lydia too. If you get the chance, she could be a great ally.]

Lucinda's eyes narrowed. Grace had a point. Sometimes, the enemy of your enemy really is your friend.

After school, Sandy grabbed a cab back to her villa.

"To Emerald Gardens, please," she said.

The driver nodded and pulled away from the curb.

Sandy glanced down at her phone, scrolling through the school forum. Her apology post was still blowing up. Most of the comments were either gossip about Lydia or people just trashing her.

She wanted to delete the post so badly, but she was afraid Lydia would just come after her again.

Seriously, this sucked!

She let out a shaky breath and looked up, suddenly realizing something felt off about the route.

She frowned. "Excuse me, are you sure you're going the right way?"

The driver didn't answer. He just kept driving.

A cold prickle ran down Sandy's

einet

spine She remembered all those news stories about girls getting into trouble in cabs by themselves.

Her heart started racing. She tried the door handle, but it was locked tight.

"Let me out! Stop the car!"

She yelled, "What's your problem? I'm not riding with you anymore. Open the door!" "Who are you? Let me out!"

She banged on the window, but it didn't help at all.

"Stop the car!"

She reached through the metal bars between the seats, grabbing for the driver's hair as far as she could reach.

"Get your hands off me! Sandy, quit it and behave yourself!" the driver snapped, finally losing his temper.

Sandy froze. That voice.

"Soren?"

It was Soren!

Soren glared at her in the mirror, his eyes full of anger. Shut up already. You're so loud! Sandy, you better calm down."

Sandy forced herself to steady her breathing. She tried to sound calm, even though her heart was racing. "Just tell me what you want. There is no need to pull a stunt like this.

Soren stepped on the gas, his voice ice cold. "You begged me to save you, remember? You said you'd give me Smith Corporation as payment But how did you pay me back? Today, I'm going to make sure you regret crossing me."

His ribs had finally healed enough after his injury, and clearly, Soren had been

waiting for this chance to get back at her.