Ready to Rule: The Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 1033

The next morning, Connor pulled up to take Lydia to school. Lucinda had been up early, all dressed up and ready. As Lydia bent down to get in the car, Lucinda came running over.

“Lydia, can you ask Connor to give me a ride too? We’re all headed the same way anyway.”

Lydia paused, hardly glancing at her. “I’m not the driver. If you want a ride, ask him yourself.”

Aiden, gripping the steering wheel, didn’t dare say a word. Was he supposed to decide something like this? Anyone could tell Lydia didn’t want Lucinda tagging along. He shot a desperate look at Connor, silently begging for help.

Connor wasn’t about to let anyone mess with his precious alone time with Lydia. This drive was his one chance to be with her without interruptions.

He looked over at Lucinda, his expression cool. “Isn’t your driver right over there waiting for you?”

Lucinda forced a smile, trying to play it cute. “I just thought, since you’re already driving my sister, maybe I could catch a lift too. That way our driver doesn’t have to make another trip. Please?”

Connor checked his watch. “Time’s tight. It’s the first day of school, so there’s going to be traffic. It’s better if your driver takes you, or we’ll all end up late. Isn’t that right, Mr. and Mrs. Norwood?”

Kylie and Cameron was watching, and that’s the only reason Connor ever bothered being this polite. He would rather shut the door and leave Lucinda standing there.

Kylie jumped in with a smile. “Lucinda, he’s right. The roads will be packed today. No reason to make things more complicated. It’s quicker for everyone if your own driver takes you.”

Lucinda was fuming inside. All she wanted was for Connor to take her to school. She just wanted to get under Lydia’s skin. But every single one of them was siding with Lydia.

“Connor’s right. Fine… I’ll go with our driver then.”

If she couldn’t find any leads, there was no way Aiden and his people would get results quickly. Plus, she suspected Night Eagle was working with the Terra Syndicate, and that meant they had to be extra careful.

Aiden felt a mix of relief and gratitude. At least Lydia understood what they were up against.

Connor reached over and gently wrapped his arm around Lydia’s waist, pulling her onto his lap. “Take it easy, okay? Don’t push yourself so hard. Your health matters most.”

He knew how Lydia was when she got caught up in work, and it worried him. She might look fine, but the poison in her system was no joke. They couldn’t afford to risk it.

Lydia was quiet for a moment, then nodded. “Don’t worry. Garrett left before dawn. He’ll definitely bring back the antidote.”