Chapter 10
Pandora’s comeback was just too satisfying.
Octavia had never really treated her well. Sometimes, Claire wondered if Octavia had always known she wasn’t her real daughter.
“You!” Octavia’s face turned red with anger. She wasn’t used to being talked back to, especially not by some old woman from the countryside.
Claire couldn’t help thinking, Oh please, you’ve had this happen before. Latham’s own mother can’t stand you either.
“Claire, do you think I’m not worthy of being your mother?” Octavia shot back, turning all her frustration on Claire.
Claire met her gaze, totally unfazed. “Octavia, do you think I’m worthy of being your daughter p>
Of course, the answer was no. Octavia was completely thrown off by Claire calling her by her first name. She didn’t say anything, but Pandora could see exactly what she was thinking.
“Guests are still guests. Pearce, please invite them in and let them observe the ceremony from outside,” Pandora said, clearly not in the mood to argue with Octavia.
Pearce nodded politely. “Octavia, this way, please p>
The courtyard outside the ancestral hall was already set up with seats. Octavia was still fuming and wanted to storm out, but Cindy tugged her arm.
“Mom, let’s just stay, okay p>
Octavia couldn’t say no to her daughter, so she sat down, still stewing. Lance didn’t seem bothered at all. He was already seated, staring straight at Claire inside the hall. Claire, for her part, hadn’t shed a single tear or shown even a moment of discomfort since coming back here.
Inside, Pandora wrote Claire’s name into the family registry herself and, in front of everyone, announced, “From today on, Claire is the Young Matriarch of the James family. Treat her as you would treat me p>
“Greetings, Young Matriarch!” Everyone in the hall, young and old, bowed to Claire at once.
Claire could hardly believe it. This was what it meant to inherit a family legacy.
Meanwhile, Cindy sat outside,
stunned. A wave of jealousy crept in. She’d grown up by her
grandmother’s side, but Pandoranet’
had never once called her Young Matriarch. She’d always thought the title was pointless anyway but seeing Pandora so eager to give it to Claire stung more than she’d expected.
“Young Matriarch? What is this, some kind of royal court?” Octavia scoffed.
Cindy agreed, and the words made her feel a little bit better about the whole thing.
Pandora had no idea what the two of them were thinking. If she had, she would’ve kicked them out on the spot.
Once the ceremony was over, it was
time to eat. The courtyard filled up quickly The food was all prepared
by the best com
in the village and
the smell alone was enough to make
anyone’s mouth water.
Pandora took her seat at the head of the
surr Claire next to her,
surrounded by the elders. Nobody picked up their chopsticks. Everyone waited for Pandora. fo
She raised her glass. “May heaven watch over the James family. Wishing our children strength and wisdom, and may our family flourish for generations p>
Everyone followed her lead, raising their glasses and taking a drink.
“Let’s eat!” Pandora called out, and finally everyone dug in.
But just as the meal got going, chaos broke out.
Suddenly, a little boy started coughing violently, grabbing at his throat, his eyes rolling back.
The woman next to him shrieked, “Jim, what’s happening?” She started patting his back frantically, panic written all over her face.
“Is he choking? He just ate a meatball!” someone exclaimed nearby.
Octavia barely glanced over, looking unimpressed. “Honestly, when’s the last time they had a proper meal p>
Claire shot her a frosty look and immediately stood up. “Let me help p>
At the same time, Cindy rushed over too. “Jim, Jim, are you okay? Lance, we need
to get him to the hospital, now! He can’t breathe p>