Chapter 325
I glanced at Lydia with disapproval. “This is something Sienna and Cain caused. What does Phoebe have to do with it?” Lydia’s sense of pride was wounded by the gossip among friends and family. He realized that, due to recent issues with their sons, they had become the subject of gossip.
She felt embarrassed and, as a result, was taking her frustration out on Phoebe. Lydia said, “If it weren’t for her conflict with Sienna, Cain and the others wouldn’t have been dragged into this terrible situation.”
Elliot furrowed his brow. “What do you mean by that?”
Macaria looked at Lydia with a disapproving expression. “It was Sienna and Cain who started this. Phoebe was defending herself.”
“Are you trying to embarrass us even more?” Macaria thought, Lydia is getting more and more clueless. Sienna is the problem here. Why is Phoebe being dragged into it?
Lydia felt even more uncomfortable after Macaria’s harsh words. “I’m just thinking of Cain,” she muttered. “If this bad luck keeps up, I don’t know what will happen to him. Phoebe is his biological sister. If she can help, why is she being so heartless! I just want to talk to her.”
Macaria, sensing Lydia’s stubbornness, felt a surge of frustration. “Phoebe has already severed ties with you. If you go to her now, it’s just emotional blackmail. Not only will it not ease the situation, but it might push Phoebe further away.”
Lydia, feeling defiant, responded, “Phoebe’s my daughter. What’s wrong with me talking to her?” She looked determined, as if she had already decided to go.
Macaria, deeply frustrated, said, “Fine, go ahead and make things worse.” She turned to Carl and said, “Well, since they’re here, we no longer need to get involved. It’s best not to make things worse.” It was clear that Lydia wasn’t happy with their interference. So, they decided not to get involved anymore.
Carl was also frustrated. After all their effort today, they still ended up with nothing but complaints. That’s why, in the past, they had always avoided getting involved in their children’s affairs. He didn’t want to get involved anymore. “Alright, let’s head back to the hotel and rest. We’ll leave for Solara City first thing in the morning.”
He turned to Elliot and said, “Take care of your own family matters. Just make sure Lydia doesn’t regret it later.” Carl thought, Lydia is getting more stubborn by the day. Once she’s set on something, nothing will change her mind. If that’s how she wants it, let her make her own mistakes and suffer the consequences. The few times they called them to the mansion for a talk didn’t help; it only worsened things and created resentment. Carl thought, At least this way, we won’t be causing any more trouble. With that, he turned and walked out with Macaria.
Seeing this, Elliot couldn’t help but chase after them. Carl and Macaria immediately scolded him, and he returned to his room, defeated. He turned to Lydia with a stern look. “So, now that Carl and Macaria aren’t involved, you’re happy!” He knew that ever since Lydia had been scolded in front of the rest of the Jenkins family at the mansion, she’d held a grudge against Carl and Macaria.
Eager for Carl and Macaria to stay out of it, Lydia snapped, “I’m not happy about anything.” Lydia thought, I’m glad they’ve left, though I can’t admit it out loud. She continued, “Carl and Macaria are too distant to go to Phoebe. They’re too embarrassed to ask her for help.”
“I’m going to Phoebe.” “This is my responsibility, and I care about him. That’s why…” Seeing the stubbornness in her eyes, Elliot knew she wouldn’t back down. Sighing, he said, “Fine, if you’re set on it, go ahead. I just hope you don’t end up regretting this.”
Elliot thought, I have no pride left to face l’horbe. Lydia scoffed. “I’m not counting on you anyway.” Elliot frowned. “You should distance yourself from Ophelia for a while.” Lydia spent much time with Ophelia lately, often going out together. Over time, he noticed that Lydia’s resentment toward Phoebe had only grown deeper. Ophelia had never liked Phoebe, always showing more favor toward Sienna. Elliot thought, She’s probably been stirring things up with Lydia all along. Over time, it’s bound to have an impact on her.
Lydia snapped. “What’s wrong with you managing my friendships? Are you overstepping?” “I get along with Ophelia. So what if we spend more time together!” Elliot paused for a moment. “I think there’s something off about her. I don’t trust her and worry about her influence on you. That’s why I’m trying to warn you.”
Lydia dismissed him with a shake of her head. “I think you’re overreacting. I’ve always had a good relationship with Ophelia. We’re just getting closer now.” “This is a matter for women, something you men wouldn’t understand, so it’s best to stay out of it.” She’s been spending much time with Ophelia lately, confiding in her more than usual. The other party’s daughter was not considerate at all. She only knew how to go against her biological mother.
Lydia thought, “Brenda is just as thoughtless, always going against Ophelia. Phoebe isn’t any better, always making a fool of me.” Elliot’s expression darkened further. “You’re utterly unreasonable.” Lydia shot back, her expression hardening. “No, you’re the one being unreasonable.”
Seeing the argument escalating, Cain and Jamar exchanged confused looks. Jamar quickly stepped in, trying to break the tension. “Elliot, Lydia, have you booked your hotel yet? Let me get you settled and you can rest.” It was his way of breaking the brewing conflict between them.
Elliot sighed, still unsettled. “No, we haven’t booked yet.” “I’ll stay here tonight to keep an eye on things,” Elliot said, his concern evident. He didn’t feel comfortable leaving with Cain like this. Lydia’s mind shifted quickly, and she turned to Jamar. “There’s still availability at your place, right? Can you book two more rooms for us!”
Lydia saw on the livestream that Jamar and Phoebe were teamed up, so they stayed at the same hotel. She thought, If that’s the case, I’ll stay there too. I’ll be easier to find Phoebe. Jamar felt a chill run down his spine. He awkwardly replied, “At this hour, there probably aren’t any rooms left.” Jamar thought, I don’t feel right about putting Lydia and Phoebe together like this!
Lydia’s expression darkened. “So now you’re going against me, too?” With a huff, she grabbed her bag and stormed off. Outside, she instructed her assistant to book a room at the hotel. As Lydia stormed off, Elliot, Cain, and Jamar exchanged bewildered glances. Elliot thought, Lydia’s worked up, and we haven’t done anything to provoke her.
Cain looked at Elliot with a flicker of hope. “Elliot, do you think Lydia can borrow the artifacts from Phoebe?” Elliot sighed, shaking his head. “I doubt it.”
Chapter 323
He spoke in a low tone. “If she can’t get it, don’t blame Phoebe. After all, what you did before was pretty harsh.” “That has been mended and now she’s lost in her stubbornness.” He thought, I hope she doesn’t act impulsively. He knew that whatever he said now, Lydia wouldn’t listen.
Cain forced a smile. “I get it. I don’t have any right to blame her.” Elliot stayed behind with the assistant, while Jamar headed back to Oriar. As soon as he entered the hotel, he saw Lydia walking in with her assistant. His expression shifted, and he asked, “Lydia, what are you doing here?”
Lydia shot him a glance. “I’m here to stay, of course. Since you weren’t going to help, I had to get someone else to book it.” Jamar rubbed his forehead in frustration. “Should I show you to your room?” Lydia snorted. “I can’t afford your help.” With that, she turned and headed straight to the check-in desk with her assistant.
Jamar followed behind, his head pounding. When Lydia entered her room, he finally let out a relieved breath. He then turned and headed to his. After a moment, he pulled out his phone and sent Phoebe a message: [Lydia’s checked into the hotel. She’ll probably come looking for you.]
Phoebe had just stepped out of the shower when she heard her phone beep. She grabbed it and glanced at the message. After a brief pause, she replied: [What does she want with me? Is she after the artifacts I have!]