Ready to Rule: The Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 81

“You did great.” Lydia gave him an encouraging nod.

Josef looked down, a bit embarrassed. “I didn’t really do much. It’s just... Mr. Ragain and his crew think they’re untouchable because they are close to Mrs. Norwood. They’re getting bolder every day. I just wonder what would happen if she found out what they’re actually doing.”

Josef was just an ordinary guy. He’d gotten into a famous college on his own smarts and worked his way up to Norwood Enterprises. But going up against someone like Mr. Ragain, who had the richest woman in the country behind him? He had no idea what that would mean for him.

“Don’t worry,” Lydia said, her voice steady and clear. “If Mrs. Norwood finds out what they’ve done, she won’t just let it slide.”

Josef felt a little more at ease hearing that. He was also curious. The chairman’s last name was Norwood, and so was Ms. Norwood’s. Were they related? Maybe family? But he didn’t ask.

“Alright, get back to work. I’ll let you know if I need anything.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

After Josef left, Lydia opened her laptop. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, and lines of code filled the screen. In less than a minute, she was inside Greenward Power’s security system.

Maybe Parker thought he was invincible, because he hadn’t even bothered to hide the camera in his own office. Watching two figures making out on the screen made Lydia’s stomach turn.

She was so relieved she never agreed to swap offices with him. Just the thought made her feel sick.

What really surprised her, though, was seeing Marissa, the design director, with him. Marissa of all people? How could she stand being with someone as greasy and gross as Parker?

Lydia kept scrolling. Marissa wasn’t the only one. Parker had a revolving door of girls coming into his office for not-so-work-related activities—she even spotted someone from the finance department.

They were talking about embezzling money, too.

Lydia let out a cold laugh. She’d always suspected Parker was rotten to the core.

Switching camera feeds, she checked on the finance department. Right then, Colt, the finance director, was snapping at his team, looking stressed.

“Come on, get those numbers tight,” he said. “She’s young, but it doesn’t mean we can slack off.”

“Mr. Norwood, I got you noodles from downstairs. Hope you like it.”

Josef had asked around eleven-thirty what she wanted for lunch. She’d just said noodles would be fine.

“Thanks, it smells amazing.”

She started opening the container, but her phone buzzed. It was Kylie.

Perfect timing. She wanted to ask about the Parkers anyway.

“Hi, Mom.”

As soon as she answered, she heard Kylie sobbing on the other end, her voice shaking. “Lydia, it’s your grandfather. He’s in critical condition. Garrett isn’t in the Capital and the doctors are doing everything they can. Please, come to the hospital and see him...”