Ready to Rule: The Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 22

Everyone watched as Lydia placed the first needle with steady, practiced hands. She looked so confident, but no one knew if she could really bring Grandfather back. Was this just wasting precious time?

The maids were anxious, and Lucinda felt it too. She saw Lydia ready a second needle and hurried over, her voice sharp. “Lydia, stop! Don’t touch Grandfather. I won’t let you hurt him.”

Cameron stepped in, trying to keep the peace. “Lucinda, your grandfather suddenly got sick. Your sister is helping him. Let’s just wait a moment.”

Lucinda looked at her parents, frustration clear in her voice. “Dad, Mom, how can you watch her risk Grandfather’s life? She’s my age. She hasn’t even gone to college. How could she possibly know acupuncture?”

In Lucinda’s mind, Lydia was just sticking needles in at random, maybe even on purpose to get revenge on Grandfather. That had to be it. She wanted something bad to happen.

Her doubts spread to the staff. Lydia was only eighteen, and everyone knew acupuncture was for older, trained doctors. Could a young girl really know what she was doing? Or was she just pretending, stalling so they would miss the window to save him? After all, Mr. Norwood had never liked Lydia since she moved in. If that was true, then Lydia was honestly scary. How could someone so young be that calculating?

Kylie tried to calm things down. “Lucinda, your sister seems to know what she’s doing. Let’s just see what happens.”

Lucinda was even more upset. “Seems? Mom, we can afford to wait, but Grandfather can’t. We need to get him to the hospital now!”

Kylie hesitated, glancing at Lydia. “I just…”

A faint, knowing smile played at the corners of Lydia’s lips. “All right. I’ll be waiting.”

Lucinda’s hands balled into fists. She wanted to argue more, but Lydia was already focused on Grandfather again, her face intent and serious as she slid more needles in with quick, skilled movements.

On the back of Lydia’s pale right hand, a fresh, bloody bite mark stood out. It was impossible to ignore.

As more needles were placed, Grandfather’s body, which had been so stiff and lifeless, started to relax. Even though he was barely conscious, he could feel how skilled the hands treating him were. Each needle found exactly the right spot—never too deep, never too shallow. Soon, a gentle warmth spread from his chest and flowed through his whole body. He kept his eyes closed, drifting in this new, comforting sensation.