Chapter 455

Chapter 455

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Althea and Daven exchanged glances, both a little puzzled as to why Lydia had come by so late at night. The conversation that had been tense only moments ago softened slightly. Still, Althea wasn’t about to back down. She couldn’t bear the thought of her husband carrying such a burden alone. Even if she couldn’t do much, she could at least be there to listen.

“Yes, Lydia. Come in,” Althea replied.

Whether this was the right decision or not, Lydia had been restless for a while now. She couldn’t keep it bottled up any longer.” Ah-am I interrupting?” she asked, her expression awkward. “I could actually talk about this in the morning, it’s just-

“No. Not at all,” Daven cut in. “Why don’t you talk first? I’ll join you in a moment p>

“If possible, I’d like to talk to both of you,” Lydia said.

Althea and Daven looked at each other again. It wasn’t like Lydia to say something like that.

“What’s going on?” Althea asked.

19

“If that’s what you want, I won’t be long,” Daven said gently, brushing his thumb across the back of Althea’s hand. Without words, he was asking her to be patient. Althea nodded faintly.

“Would you like some lemon tea? Do you mind?” Althea asked Lydia, who immediately nodded with enthusiasm.

Daven headed to the bedroom to change into something more comfortable-casual enough not to feel stiff, but still appropriate. Even though they’d known each other for years, certain boundaries still mattered.

“Is Josh asleep already?” Lydia asked as she settled comfortably against the sofa in the family sitting room where Althea and Daven were staying. The right wing of the house was spacious and far more private than the other pavilions-except, of course, for the main residence where Nathan and Riana lived.

“He’s been asleep for a while,” Althea replied, setting the cup of lemon tea in front of Lydia. “Didn’t you talk to him this afternoon p>

Lydia nodded slowly, her gaze lingering on the tea as if weighing her thoughts. “And that’s exactly why… I want to talk to both of you. Not just you, Althea-but Daven as well p>

“What do you mean?” Althea asked.

But Lydia didn’t want to speak without Daven present.

It didn’t take long before he returned, now wearing a simple, neatly pressed sleep shirt-relaxed enough for the night, yet appropriate for what clearly felt like a serious conversation. His presence made the room feel complete, as if whatever was about to be discussed wouldn’t fall on just one person’s shoulders.

“I’m sorry to intrude so late,” Lydia began, straightening in her seat. “I honestly don’t know who else to talk to. Cale isn’t home tonight p>

“It’s fine,” Daven said calmly. “Go ahead. What’s on your mind p>

Lydia took a deep breath. “Josh came to see me this afternoon. Before that, he came home looking unsettled. At first, I thought it was just normal teenage stuff-you know how Josh is now. He’s already at that age p>

Althea listened intently while Daven leaned back, his expression ticeably calmer now. “But what was that restlessness actually about p>

“Eli,” Lydia answered simply. She knew that the moment the girl casual. “You heard me right,” Lydia emphasized. “Eli went to see

“Eli went to SunRise Academy?” Althea asked.

name was spoken, neither Althea nor Daven could remain sh at school p>

Lydia nodded. “She even waited for Josh to finish practice. Josh thought she just wanted to see him and talk about school activities. But it turned out… Eli asked Josh for help-to be able to meet Mommy p>

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Chapter 455

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Lydia then relayed everything Josh had told her, including his discomfort with what he considered Eli’s rather reckless behavior.

“How could Eli even come up with an idea like that?” Althea murmured, unable to make sense of it.

“I think Eli was being pressured by Selena. Is that right, Lydia p>

“I think so,” Lydia replied. “Because there was one thing that really unsettled Josh after their meeting p>

“What was it?” Althea asked.

“Selena,” Lydia said. “Josh saw how Selena treated Eli p>

Daven straightened. “How p>

“Pressuring her,” Lydia answered firmly. “Not by yelling-but by control. The way she spoke, the way she physically pulled Eli

to force her to comply, the way she made the girl feel like she had no choice p>

Althea closed her eyes briefly. “Josh told you that p>

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