Ready to Rule: The Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 998

Lydia’s fingers shook as she took it from him. For a moment, she just stared, not brave enough to open it.

Connor walked over to Coco and gently patted her head. “Did Luke say anything else to you?”

Coco thought about it, her voice small and sad. “Luke said, if he died, we shouldn’t be sad for him. Is Luke really gone?”

Connor let out a heavy breath. “He’s just gone somewhere really far away.”

“Will I ever see him again?” Coco’s eyes were wide, holding on to hope.

Connor didn’t answer right away. He didn’t want to lie, but sometimes the truth was just too harsh. He knelt down so he could look her in the eye. “Maybe tonight, when you sleep, you’ll see him in your dreams.”

Coco seemed unsure, so Connor gently changed the subject. “Did you get in touch with your parents?”

She nodded. “Yeah, I did.”

Her parents had been frantic, searching everywhere for her. When she called to say she was safe, it felt unreal, like they’d wake up and it would all disappear.

“Then you should hurry home. They’re probably worried sick.”

Coco nodded again, more firmly this time. “Okay.”

She paused, glancing over at Lydia, whose eyes were rimmed with red. Coco could tell Lydia was hurting, but she still quietly asked, “Lydia, will we see each other again?”

Lydia closed her eyes, the pain in her chest growing heavier, guilt dragging her down. So he had known, even before getting on the cruise, that he couldn’t hold on much longer.

If only she’d realized he was missing sooner. Even half a day could have made a difference. If she hadn’t been followed after the ceremony, if none of the chaos had happened, maybe she would’ve gone straight to Golden Imperial Mansions. Maybe she would have noticed Luke was gone in time.

But there are no ifs in real life.

Connor watched her, then stepped forward and wrapped her in a quiet hug, his voice rough. “If you need to cry, just let it out.”

Lydia wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, her voice cold and clear. “Tonight, we’re going to Las Vegas.”

Night had fallen, and Las Vegas transformed from lazy daylight into a world alive with neon and promise. The outlines of five-star hotels glowed under the lights, their walls sparkling in every color, like magical palaces of glass. Modern buildings reflected shifting patterns, catching everyone’s attention. The city buzzed with energy. On the Strip, fountains danced in front of casinos, giant signs flashed, and everything shimmered with possibility, the kind of night only Vegas could offer.