Ready to Rule: The Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 952

Lucinda heard Grace’s voice again and rushed to check in. “Grace, what happened? Are you okay?”

Grace tried to keep her voice steady. “Lucinda, I… I just slipped and fell. Nothing serious, really.”

Lucinda’s worry was written all over her face, even from miles away. “Are you hurt? Should I call an ambulance or something?”

“No, no, Lucinda, I just need to sit down for a minute. I’ll be fine, I promise.”

“Are you sure? It sounds like you’re in pain… You’re alone over there. Maybe I should call someone just in case.”

Grace got a little flustered. “Lucinda, I swear it’s just a little bump. I’ll be fine after a rest. Hey, did you call for something?”

Lucinda let out a heavy sigh. “Grace, did you see the news about the academic competition today? Lydia was the star again at Capital Med School. All anyone can talk about is her. Even Mom and Dad. It feels like she’s the only one they care about anymore.”

Grace’s breathing evened out, her voice softening. “Don’t let it get to you, Lucinda. Lydia can show off all she wants, but she’s nothing compared to you. You got first place in the math department. And let’s be real, she’s got that old man Kevin pulling strings for her. Maybe she had the answers ahead of time? Out of all the freshmen, you’re still the best.”

Hearing that, Lucinda’s mood instantly lifted. It felt like someone finally understood her. Grace always got her.

“You really think so, Grace?”

“Of course I do. We always suspected she had someone backing her up. Now it’s obvious. If we can just find proof that Lydia and Kevin have something going on, it’ll ruin her. She won’t have anything left.”

Lucinda sat up straighter, a new spark in her eyes. “That’s exactly what I was thinking.”

If they could get the evidence, Lydia’s reputation would be destroyed. The Jeffersons would drop her. Her parents would be disappointed and kick her out of the Norwood family. Everything would go back to how it was supposed to be. That would be the perfect ending.

After hanging up, Grace shoved away a hand creeping up her side and snapped, “Frank, you pervert! I was on the phone with Lucinda and you still couldn’t keep your hands off me? What is wrong with you? You’re such a jerk!”

She’d been mortified, barely managing to cover up what was happening from Lucinda. If she’d had a knife, she would’ve used it on Frank right then.

Frank just grinned, his hands still wandering. “Come on, we’re basically an old married couple. What are you so shy about? Besides, that was our daughter on the line, not some stranger. What’s the problem?”

Ever since Frank had gotten her drunk and slept with her that one time, they’d been hooking up every few days. Their passion just kept flaring up, like they couldn’t help themselves.

Grace had been undercover in the Norwood family for years. Technically, she was Night Eagle’s woman, but they’d only been together a few times. Night Eagle had gotten hurt years ago, so he wasn’t exactly up for much anymore. Grace was still in her prime and had needs of her own. She used to sneak out to see male escorts, but now that Frank was always pestering her, she wasn’t as lonely as before.

She glared at him. “Listen up, Frank. No matter what, you can’t ever tell anyone that Lucinda is our daughter. If you do, I’ll never let you go. Got it?”