C10 The Suspicion from Reece's Voice Was like a Needle in Her Heart.

"Huh?"

Loran couldn't believe his ears. His sixth brother was actually asking for Lydia's information?

His face clearly broadcasted a message: "Brother, have you lost your mind?"

But when Reece turned a cold gaze upon him, Loran's challenging stance deflated, and he patted his chest reassuringly, "No problem, no problem, I've got this."

"Good. I want all the information within three days," Reece said, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips.

Loran's face immediately contorted into a grimace.

Three days?

He wasn't a miracle worker; how could he be expected to deliver with such speed?

Yet, as bitter as he felt, one look at Reece's sharp profile made Loran choke back any complaints.

That evening, Lydia returned to the Tillman residence, exhausted.

Upon entering the living room, she noticed Reece dining with elegance.

He took a sip of soup and immediately frowned. "Ora, has the kitchen staff changed?"

"No, sir."

"Then why does this soup taste so inferior to before?" It was nearly inedible!

Reece set down his utensils, his brow furrowing in displeasure.

Ora approached anxiously and glanced at the soup Reece was critiquing. She quickly explained, "Previously, the soup was always prepared by the young mistress herself."

Reece paused, a ripple of emotion crossing his heart. The flavor he had grown accustomed to was crafted by her hands.

He looked down at the soup again, his eyes clouding with complexity.

"Since Mr. Tillman enjoys it, and the young mistress has just returned, perhaps she could make some more soup for you," Ora suggested, spotting an opportunity. She gave Lydia an encouraging look, signaling her to take advantage of the moment and impress.

Lydia caught Ora's cue in an instant. With a polite half-smile, she responded coolly, "I'm sorry, but after falling ill, I've forgotten the recipes."

"I'm tired, Ora. I'm going to my room to rest," Lydia said, excusing herself with a detached air, leaving Ora in a state of disarray in the living room.

She forgot the recipes because of a fever?

Such a flimsy excuse would be transparent to even a toddler.

Lydia might as well have openly declared her unwillingness to cater to his needs.

Reece's gaze lingered on the man's retreating figure for a moment before he disdainfully turned back to his meal.

Ora, watching from the side, caught the frown on the man's face as he picked at his food. She chuckled awkwardly, "Mr. Tillman, should I make you another dish?"

"No need."

Reece set down his chopsticks and rose, strolling casually toward the bedroom he shared with Lydia.

Once he was gone, Ora relayed the details of their interaction to Old Mr. Tillman.

No sooner had Reece entered the bedroom than his phone rang with a call from his grandfather.

"Reece, have you been giving Ava a hard time again?" With his usual quick wit, Reece surmised that Ora must have shared the recent events with the elder.

His gaze grew steely, though his voice remained even. "Not at all. I'm simply doing as you advised, trying to get along with her in the hopes of giving you a grandson soon."

"Really?" Old Mr. Tillman was clearly skeptical of his grandson's compliance.

Reece muted the phone and swiftly lifted Lydia from the floor.

"What are you doing!" Their proximity was overwhelming, so close that Lydia's heartbeat raced and her body stiffened into a rigid line.

She shoved against his chest, desperate to break free from his hold, but he only pulled her in closer.

Bending down, his lips nearly brushing her ear, he commanded icily, "Since you've taken the Blue Bay land to the Ellis family to boast, you ought to fulfill your duty and play along with me in front of my grandfather. We're in a fair exchange, aren't we?"

How could he possibly know about her dealings with the Ellis family?

Could it be...?

Lydia's eyes flashed with indignation as she confronted him. "Did you... have someone follow me?"

"I haven't got the time to waste on you," he scoffed, his grip tightening on her chin as he arched an eyebrow. "But... seeing how adept you were with the Ellis family, I must admit I'm taken aback. It even makes me wonder... are you truly Lydia?"