Connor’s voice was cold, completely flat, and his eyes were sharp enough to cut. If looks could kill, Leila would have been in pieces.
Leila’s bravado crumbled in an instant.
“No, I didn’t… I didn’t do anything! I don’t even know them!”
One of the thugs looked furious. “You can’t just pretend you don’t know us now!”
“Shut up! I said I don’t know you!” Leila snapped, her voice shaky.
Connor watched her, unimpressed. He moved back to stand beside Lydia and glanced at Aiden. “What are you waiting for? Tell them to drag her out. Make their deal.”
He spat out the word “deal” with so much contempt it hung in the air.
Aiden didn’t hesitate. He nodded at his men, and they started untying the thugs.
“She’s yours now. Take her.”
So, these guys wanted to mess with Lydia, scratch her face, and assult her?
What a joke. They really didn’t know who they were dealing with.
Leila finally realized how serious Connor was. Her face drained of color and she was suddenly too weak to stand straight.
“I… I’m from the Fraga family. You can’t do this to me!”
Lydia raised an eyebrow, her voice icy. “And why do you think you can do this to me?”
Leila glared at her, hatred burning in her eyes. “You’re just the Norwood family’s adopted daughter! Not only did you steal Connor, you’re also trying to steal Elliot too! You’re nothing but a tramp! You deserve whatever happens to you!”
The words had barely left her mouth before Aiden stepped forward and slapped her, hard.
Blood welled up at the corner of Leila’s lips.
Aiden never laid hands on women, but this one… she was asking for it.
He couldn’t believe anyone could be this clueless.
Leila stared at him, shocked. “No way. She’s just the adopted one. The Norwoods treat her like family, but Lucinda is their real daughter!”
Aiden almost laughed. He finally saw the whole picture. Lucinda must have used this fool from the start.
“Did Lucinda forget to tell you she and Lydia were switched at birth? Lydia is the real Norwood daughter. Lucinda’s the fake one.”
Leila felt her whole world collapse. Her head buzzed like she’d been hit.
What did he just say? Lucinda wasn’t the real Norwood heiress? Lydia was?
That couldn’t be true.
Before she could even process it, Aiden continued. “Lydia and Mr. Jefferson are the true engaged couple. Lydia and Mr. Norwood are actual siblings. Everything you just said is total nonsense. You have no idea how stupid you sound.”

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