Chapter 22
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Lydia ducked into the kitchen to help, unaware that she was now alone in the room and that someone was walking up behind her.
Water droplets slid off the clean dishes into the foamy sink, silently disappearing into the sudsy sink.
“Ms. Sullivan, you’re so thoughtful.” Winona’s voice came abruptly from behind, catching Lydia off guard.
But Lydia didn’t turn around, just kept arranging the bowls and plates and saying, “You’re setting the example by helping in the kitchen. How could I, the younger one, just sit here doing nothing?”
Families like the Leonards definitely had cooks and maids. These chores weren’t meant for them. But out of nowhere, Winona had stood up, dragged Lydia to the kitchen, and insisted they “lend a hand.” With Harper watching, Lydia couldn’t say no, so she’d gone along.
“Oh!” Winona stepped closer, feigning shock. “That bracelet Harper gave you is a family heirloom. You can’t wear it while scrubbing dishes.”
Lydia caught on instantly. This was why Winona had tricked her into the kitchen–for the bracelet.
She turned, smiling faintly at the plump Winona. “I can’t turn down a gift from an elder, can I? I know how important this bracelet is; I wouldn’t take it off for just anything.”
“I asked Harper for this bracelet more times than I can count, and she always said no. I can’t believe she would give it to you,” Winona said, jealousy flickering in her eyes. She sighed dramatically, “All my efforts wasted.”
Her words were a thinly veiled threat: if Lydia didn’t hand over the bracelet, she’d be the one ruining the Leonard family’s in–law peace.
Lydia rinsed the soap off her hands at the sink, her voice steady. “After getting to know Hayden, I thought the Leonards were a family with real class. But I didn’t expect there’d be someone here who’d play dirty for such small gains.”
Winona’s face contorted. With Lydia being so unyielding, there was nothing Winona could do. She let out a huff and stomped out of the kitchen.
Lunchtime rolled around, and the mood at the table was pretty nice, at least on the surface.
Hayden passed his empty bowl to Winona without so much as a glance, keeping right on talking to his second uncle, Matthew.
Winona seethed internally but kept her smile tight. With Harper around, she played the respectful aunt–in–law, hovering to refill Hayden’s bowl.
She’d just set the filled bowl down when Hayden slid another empty one her way—this time, it was Lydia’s.
Winona’s face fell, and she tried to wave Dora over to take over. Hayden’s gaze flickered to her, calm but heavy, sending a shiver down her spine.
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Chapter 22
Winona got it now–Hayden was standing up for Lydia. She glanced at her husband Matthew. But he was just chatting away beside her, completely oblivious to what was going on here, let alone stepping in to defend her.
Matthew turned to Harper, his tone casual but pointed. “Young folks have all the energy, right? That urban renewal project’s no walk in the park; only Hayden could handle it.
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“But a big new project like that might take his eye off Leonard Group’s older stuff. My projects are wrapping up, and I could step in, help lighten his load.”
Harper paused, her fork hovering mid–air as she shot him a sharp look. “This is a family dinner, not a board meeting. Knock off the business talk, or I’ll stop inviting you. You’re giving me a headache.”
Matthew fell silent, not daring to speak further. He turned away and saw Winona serving soup to Lydia. Instantly, his temper erupted. “Which lady would let an elder serve her? That’s completely disrespectful!”
With backup, Winona puffed up. “Come on. She’s a Hollander, spoiled rotten since birth.”
Her spoon paused mid–pour, a sneer tugging at her lips. “Oops, I forgot. She has no clue about proper etiquette, of course. Rumor has it she was raised without parents to teach her any manners.”
“You seem to know an awful lot,” Lydia sneered. Her fingers tightened around her fork, knuckles whitening. She’d braced herself for this, but it still stung.
“Without a mother to guide me, maybe I got it wrong,” she said softly. “I thought an elder serving me soup was an act of kindness. I didn’t mean to upset either of you.”
Winona looked anxious, opening her mouth to explain herself.
Harper cut her off, “Lydia’s had a tough life, and instead of showing compassion, you are trying to kick her while she’s down?”
She slammed her hand on the table. Her usual warmth was gone, replaced by a sharp anger. “I must have been way too easy on all of you lately.”
Matthew and Winona exchanged a shocked look. They’d figured Lydia was just some Hollander girl sent to smooth things over with the Leonards. They never thought Harper would value her this much.
Hayden set his fork down slowly, lifting his gaze to pin Matthew with a cold stare. “You’ve been running yourself ragged with those projects. Once they’re done, maybe take some time off and rest up.”
Matthew’s face went dark. “Leonard Group’s all yours now?”
Hayden’s voice turned icy. “If you could actually run the company, I’d hand over the reins without a second thought.”
Daryl, who’d been quiet all meal, spoke up, trying to defuse things. “Come on, everyone. It’s just the heat of the moment. No need to let this mess with family ties.”
Lydia hadn’t even noticed Daryl before. But now that she had a good look, she couldn’t help but think he was no ordinary character. She glanced his way, and their eyes met.
He gave her a friendly nod, and she nodded back, brief and polite. Little did she know that small, innocent gesture would
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Chapter 22
stir up a whole lot of trouble later.
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The table stayed tense, and everyone was lost in their thoughts. Only the clink of silverware and dishes cut through the silence.
After the meal, Lydia made her way to the bathroom. She had no idea Daryl was watching her leave, his gaze sharp and
ravenous.
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