chapter855

After dinner, everyone lingered at the table, chatting a bit longer before Caspian finally stood up to say his goodbyes.

Connor, who clearly wasn't ready to leave, shot Caspian a look that said as much.

Lydia caught on right away and said, "It's getting late. You should head home and get some rest too."

Connor couldn't really argue with that, so he had no choice but to leave early as well.

As Connor and Lydia walked out together, and Lucinda followed Caspian, Kylie and Cameron watched them go, their faces full of quiet happiness. Both their daughters had found someone special. It felt almost too good to be true.

Connor and Caspian each got into their cars. Connor, of course, had his driver. They pulled away from the Norwood house one after the other. At the first red light, Connor told Aiden to honk. Caspian rolled down his window.

"Anything else, Mr. Jefferson?"

Aiden couldn't help but respect Caspian's guts. Not many people in the city would talk to Connor like that, but Caspian was bold, especially when it came to Lucinda.

Connor gave a tiny, knowing smile. "You paid four times the price for that jewelry, didn't you?"

Caspian's face fell. He'd been too busy chasing after Lucinda. His sister only paid the original price.

Connor waited, letting the silence hang for a moment. "So really, I set you up for that grand gesture. I'd say you owe me a few billion in favors."

Caspian had no comeback. He just stared, realizing Connor was way more devious than people gave him credit for. Everyone thought of him as this upright military hero, but that was definitely just the public version.

The light turned green. Connor rolled up his window and drove off.

Caspian tightened his grip on the steering wheel. He didn't like admitting it, but Connor really was on a different level.

The next morning, the city was buzzing. The long-awaited concert from Asia's biggest star was finally here.

Elliot arrived at the company early, getting ready for the show, and insisted Lydia come along.

Garrett wasn't thrilled. "I just got back and haven't even had a proper conversation with Lydia. Why are you whisking her away so early?"

Elliot shrugged, looking smug. "She's performing with me tonight. Of course she needs to rehearse."

Lucinda chimed in, her voice thoughtful. "I've never heard my sister sing. I bet she sounds amazing."

Elliot grinned, all mysterious. She really does. Lydia's voice is something else. When she gets on stage, the whole place will go wild."

Just picturing the fans' reaction when Lorelei appeared made his heart race.

Kylie looked ready to burst. I can't wait to see it."

Elliot had to admit, his mom's excitement was really for Lydia, not for him.

Lucinda rolled her eyes to herself.

Elliot was really laying it on thick et

Lydia had never sung in public before. Hopefully, she wouldn't end

up as the butt of everyonene

"Alright, we're heading out. You all

remember to get there early. I'll have

someone meet you and bring you in

so you dont get stuck in the

crowds

Normally, fans started lining up hours before the gates even opened. The crowd was always insane.

"Yeah, yeah, we got it."

Elliot led Lydia out with his usual swagger. As they got in the car, he leaned over; grinning. "Mom and Dad have no idea you're going to show up as borelet for my set. Just wait until they see you. They're going to be floored."