chapter95

Chris blinked and stuttered, Um, Grandpa, about that... me and her..."

He could never think of Lydia as a girlfriend. Maybe he had a tiny thought about it for a second, but after watching her take down Neil and his friends with her bare hands, all he felt was pure admiration. Lydia was the kind of person you wanted on your team, not someone you had the guts to date. He figured they could just be good friends.

Mr. Jefferson laughed, delighted. "I knew you young people would get along. Chris, go for it. I believe in you."

Chris felt his heart drop. He was worried his grandpa was going to make this official before he could even react. He tried to explain quickly, "Grandpa, it's really not like that. Lydia is amazing. I'm not good enough for her."

He was realistic. Lydia would never be interested in someone like him.

Mr. Jefferson just waved him off. "I don't care. One of you has to marry Lydia."

As soon as he said that, Mikey grinned and slapped Chris on the shoulder. "You got this, Chriso." If Chris and Lydia hit it off, Mikey wouldn't have to worry about it anymore.

Connor turned to Chris too. "We're counting on you." No matter how impressive this Lydia was, she still wasn't as cool as his Chief Lydia.

Chris looked like he was about to cry. "Come on, you guys... how can you do this to me?"

They all arrived at Capital Hospital and took the VIP elevator straight up to Mr. Norwood's floor. This was the VIP suite, with its own private elevator. The price per night here started in the five figures.

Lucinda had heard that Grandpa Samuel was bringing his three grandsons to visit. She called Grace and asked her to bring a dress to the hospital, something bright and cheerful. Grace picked out a sunny yellow princess dress that made Lucinda's skin look even fairer and gave her a sweet, playful look. She didn't care about Mikey or Chris. She only wanted to look good for Connor.

That morning, she had gotten up early to cook a special tonic for Connor and brought it to the hospital. But the guard at the gate wouldn't let her in because she didn't have a pass. She ended up saying she was Connor's fianc e and that she had visited the night before. Only then did the guard tell her that Connor had already been discharged. She'd tried texting him, but he didn't reply. With no other choice, she took the tonic home, watered it down, and split it into three bowls for her grandpa and her parents.

Now, she was almost relieved the tonic never made it to Connor. If it had, she might have seriously hurt him. Of course, she would never say this out loud. Only Grace had any idea.

When Kylie spotted Lucinda in her new dress, obviously dressed up on purpose, she couldn't help but ask, Lucinda, did you go home this afternoon?

Lucinda shook her head quickly. "No, Mom. I spilled hot water on my clothes while I was getting some, so I asked Grace to bring me something to change into. Is this dress too much for the hospital? I didn't expect Grace to bring this one."

Kylie's concern switched to her daughter's well-being. "You should let the nurses handle hot water. Did you get burned?

Lucinda shook her head again, trying to hide her hands behind her back. "It's nothing, Mom."

Kylie took her hand gently and saw the bright red burn on her pale wrist. Any concern about the dress disappeared.

"Oh, Lucinda, look at your hand! Did you put anything on it? Has a doctor seen it?"

"It's just a little burn. It'll be fine in a couple of days."

"You can't ignore that. Burns hurt the most."

"Mom, let's go greet Grandpa Samuel first. I'll ask a nurse for some ointment later.

Inside the room, Cameron was keeping Mr. Norwood company, while Kylie and Lucinda waited by the door to welcome Mr. Jefferson and the others.