Ready to Rule: The Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 1009

Their faces went stiff. Sandy was their daughter too. Now that Luke was gone, Sandy was the only child they had left in the world.

“Everything is your fault.”

In the end, Jenson and Milana had brought this tragedy on themselves. If only they had paid more attention to Sandy after the surgeries, treated her fairly, maybe she wouldn’t have turned all her anger on Luke.

But it was too late for regrets.

After Luke’s funeral, the police escorted Jenson and Milana back. They looked like they had aged overnight, weighed down by the loss of their son. The hardest part was knowing their own daughter was responsible.

As they left the cemetery, Connor suggested Lydia come back with him to rest. She was still recovering, the poison in her system unpredictable, and Garrett had warned her not to push herself. Everything that happened with Luke had left her completely drained.

Lydia thought about it for a moment, then nodded. She really wasn't doing well, and going home like this would only worry her parents. It made more sense to go to Connor’s place and get some real sleep.

When they got to the villa, Connor gently lifted Lydia out of the car and carried her upstairs. He laid her on the big bed and tucked her in, careful not to wake her.

Just as he turned to leave, a hand tugged at his shirt. Lydia’s voice was quiet behind him. “That day on the open sea, were those Azure Alliance people there because of you?”

Everything had happened so fast that day, and after that they’d barely stopped moving. Lydia hadn’t found a chance to ask until now.

Connor paused, then turned and took her hand. “Yeah, I called them.”

“Thank you.” Lydia’s voice was soft. If the Azure Alliance hadn’t shown up in time, there’s no way things with Falcon’s men would have gone so smoothly.

If it was just a knife wound, Lydia would be fine. But this poison was rare. Garrett and his team were working on it, but who knew how long it would take.

Grandpa slammed his cane on the floor, furious. “What were you thinking taking her somewhere so dangerous?”

Connor just let out a heavy sigh. “It’s my fault.”

Mikey tried to stay positive. “Lydia’s an amazing doctor. She’ll figure out an antidote for sure.”

Connor shook his head. “She’s hurt. She can’t push herself.”

Everyone always assumed Lydia could handle anything because she was so capable, but she was only eighteen. She could get hurt, feel sad, cry, and most days, she was just plain tired.