Chapter 180

Lydia didn’t think she’s being heartless. No big company would keep someone around who wasn’t pulling their weight. If anything, the more successful the company, the higher their standards were for everyone, whether you were new or had been there for years.
Lydia’s answer completely turned Marissa’s impression of her upside down. She realized she’d been selling Lydia short all along. Lydia might be young, but she was incredibly capable. Now it made sense why the chairman would trust a girl her age to be president. Lydia had what it took to lead, and something even more important —she had guts that most people just didn’t.
“Ms. Norwood, I’ll give the competition everything I’ve got,” Marissa said. Her words were full of sincerity and resolve.
Lydia nodded. “Good luck.”
When Lydia finally got back to her office, she had a second to look at her phone. It had been buzzing nonstop while she was in the training session with the design department. She glanced at the screen. There were messages from Connor, her parents, Juna, Ethan, and a handful of numbers she didn’t recognize.
She checked her parents’ texts first.
Kylie: [Sweetheart, don’t forget to take a break now and then. If you’re tired, get some rest. Take care of yourself.]
Cameron: [Sweetheart, your health comes first. Don’t forget to eat and rest.] Read full story at.net
A little smile tugged at Lydia’s lips. She replied to both: [Okay.]
Connor had tried to video call her. She hesitated, then just texted back: [In a meeting.]
Juna had sent a screenshot and a message: [Girl, you won’t believe this! Lyds, someone’s offering a billion for you to show up. We are about to hit the jackpot!]
Lydia checked the screenshot. The post was from the dark web. The account was new, user name 666.
She stared at it, lost in thought.
Just then, Ethan called. She picked up.
“Lydia, your adoptive father came to the office. He was here about the contract termination. He almost got down on his knees to beg. I stopped him, but I honestly didn’t know what else to do. I can’t exactly kick him out, but I can’t let him stay either.”
Lydia’s voice turned cold. “Tell security to throw him out. There’s nothing to discuss about the contract.”
Ethan sounded relieved. “Got it. I’ll take care of it.”
“Thanks.”
She had barely hung up when Juna’s call came in. “Hey,” Lydia answered.
Juna’s voice was loud and excited “Lyds! Did you see my message? A billion! This is huge! Bigger than anything those royals have ever offered! Please, please say yes!”
Lydia’s reply was calm. “I’m busy right now. I’m not taking it.”
The bigger the offer, the messier the job. She wasn’t a miracle worker She didn’t even know who the client
was. For all she knew it was a setup
from someone shed crossed
before.

She had just come back to the Norwood family. The last thing she needed was more trouble.
Juna groaned dramatically.
“Seriously? A billion to treat one person! How do you say no to that?.. Are you doubting your skills what? Afraid you’ll mess up and ruin your Miracle Hands reputation?”
Juna was obviously trying to goad her.
Lydia paused. “Look, find out who the client really is. If you can get a name, I’ll think about it.”
Juna huffed. “Why don’t I just ask them, then?”
“If you ask, you can be their doctor,” Lydia shot back.
Ask? That would be like waving a flag and outing herself. She couldn’t believe Juna even suggested it.
Juna just laughed. “Fine, fine, I’ll do some digging, okay?”