chapter891

Connor could barely contain his excitement when he saw Lydia's message. Ever since she started college, he could count on one hand the number of times he'd seen her. He was bored out of his mind, missing her like crazy. Now that she was finally leaving campus, there was no way he'd let her go alone.

"I'm coming with you. Seriously, there's nothing urgent at the office," he said, brushing off any excuse.

Aiden just shook his head silently. Boss, how do you say that with a straight face?

"But I-"

"No excuses. Wherever you go, I go. I'll have everything ready and pick you up in a bit."

Lydia saw how determined Connor was, so she just nodded. "Alright." The border was a little risky, but with Connor around, she figured it'd be fine.

It wasn't until eleven that night that everyone finally left the lab together. Yara had been waiting outside the whole time. She had something she really needed to say to Garrett and couldn't wait to see him. She stood there, hoping, waiting, watching the doors.

Finally, she spotted them. But what she saw wasn't what she expected. Garrett and Lydia walked out side by side, laughing and chatting like old friends. To make things even stranger, Kevin and a few of the other senior researchers were all being super polite to Lydia.

Why? What was going on? Lydia was just a freshman. How did she end up in the most secure lab? Yara felt like her world was crumbling.

Then she remembered something strange. She'd often seen Kevin leaving the high- security lab late at night while someone else stayed inside. Was that person Lydia all along?

Still reeling, she watched as Lydia and Garrett hugged. That was the last straw. Yara's jealousy exploded. Lydia was just openly flirting with Garrett now. Why did she get to do that?

The truth was, Garrett was just worried about Lydia. He knew she was heading out soon and wanted to wish her well, so he gave her a quick hug.

Be careful, both of you. Call me if anything happens.

"Got it," Lydia replied.

After Connor picked up Lydia, they caught a connecting flight to the Triangle. He could see how tired she was, so he didn't ask any questions. Instead, he offered his shoulder his voice gentle. "Get some sleep if you're tired."

Lydia really was exhausted. She nodded, let out a sleepy hum, and fell asleep right there, her head on his shoulder.

Connor had already messaged Damien, who made sure to arrive early at the

helipad by the mountain pass. Dawn was just breaking when the helicopter touched down.

"Boss!" Damien called out, leading his men to greet them as soon as they landed. When he saw Lydia with Connor, he paused, then gave her a respectful, Miss Lydia."

Since the Black Eagles had pulled out of the Triangle, everyone there had started treating Lydia like some kind of queen. Her reputation just kept growing, and now she was practically a legend.

Lydia just nodded, acting like she owned the place. "I'm here to pick some herbs on the mountain."

Damien rushed to help. "If you need any herbs, Lydia, I can send the guys up to get them for you."

Lydia waved him off. "They wouldn't know what to look for. I'll do it myself. Besides, she needed a lot this time.

When Damien saw Lydia piling up these rare, priceless herbs like they were nothing, his heart broke a little. Some of those herbs had been.

growing for hundred year net

a or

more. And their boss was just letting her take whatever she wanted?

Watching Lydia head back out with her empty basket, Damien finally leaned over to Connor and whispered, "Boss, is Lydia planning to open ben a pharmacy? These herbs aren't easy to find. If she keeps this up, there won't be anything left on the mountain."