Ready to Rule: The Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 951

“Lydia, now that you’re on break, how about we take a family trip abroad? Your dad and I could take you and Lucinda somewhere nice to relax. If Connor and Caspian are free, they can come too. What do you think?” Kylie said, laying out the plan she and Cameron had come up with.

They just wanted Lydia to have a chance to rest and recharge. The only question was whether Lydia would agree.

Lucinda hadn’t heard a word about this before now. She’d been home from school for ages, and her parents never mentioned a thing. They just waited until Lydia was back to bring it up. It was like she didn’t even exist.

And Caspian? Please. She only agreed to try things out with him because he made the perfect shield. Now that he’d played his part, she really didn’t want to see him anymore. He was just... exhausting.

She would have loved to travel with Connor, but if Caspian was coming, she’d rather stay home. She was scrambling for a good excuse to say no when Lydia spoke up first.

“I probably can’t. I’ve got work to finish. You should still go, though.”

Kylie and Cameron looked disappointed, but there was no anger, just concern.

“Lydia, you’re only eighteen. You don’t need to put so much pressure on yourself. You should have some fun while you can, okay?”

Lydia smiled a little and nodded. “I know, Mom, Dad. I just really can’t get away this break. If we want to do a family trip, maybe winter break or next summer would be better.”

Lucinda jumped in. “Yeah, Mom, Dad, winter and summer breaks are longer. If we go abroad, we need at least two weeks to really enjoy it.”

Since both their daughters were feeling the same way, Kylie and Cameron gave in.

“Alright. We’ll tell your brothers ahead of time so everyone can plan. We’ll aim for this winter or next summer.”

“Okay,” Lydia said.

Fuming, Lucinda stormed back into her room and slammed the door. She threw a pillow across the bed, still annoyed, then grabbed her phone and called Grace.

No one in the Norwood family listened to her anymore. Only Grace was really on her side. She was the only one Lucinda could really talk to. How sad was that?

The first call went unanswered. The second rang out too. Finally, on the third try, Grace picked up.

“Lucinda…” Grace sounded out of breath, her voice a little rough.

Lucinda hesitated, confused. “Grace, are you okay?”

“Oh,” Grace replied, “I was mopping the floor and got a bit tired, so I didn’t hear your call.”