Chapter 30

Latham just stood there, speechless for a moment. Then he managed a strained smile. “Alright, we’ll do it your way p>

“But, no matter what you call me, I want you to know… in our hearts, you’ll always be our daughter p>

Claire thought privately that Latham was much sharper than Octavia. At least he knew how to keep up appearances, even if everything was falling apart behind the

scenes.

Since she didn’t say anything, Latham pressed on. “Claire, about that favor I mentioned earlier. It’s about Dane p>

Claire’s brows drew together. “Latham, if you’re hoping I’ll talk to Dane for you, try to get him to invest in the James family project… that’s not going to happen p>

Latham’s face grew tense. “I know it might be a big ask p>

“If you know it’s a big ask, then maybe you shouldn’t be asking me at all,” Claire cut him off.

It finally hit Latham that in just a couple of days, this daughter of his was no longer someone he could control.

“My deal with Dane was strictly business, nothing more p>

“My grandma only met him for the first time that day p>

“She and his grandfather were old friends, but she barely knows him p>

“Do you even know what kind of person Dane is p>

“If I go asking for favors now, don’t you think it could end badly p>

Latham fell silent. She had a point. If it was just a business deal, then once it was done, there’d be no reason to push for more. If Claire started begging for a partnership with the James family, it would be stepping over the line. Favors only worked when you used them at the right time.

“You’re right. I’m sorry. I didn’t think it through p>

Just when Claire thought he’d finally drop it, Latham spoke up again. “I heard you still have another agarwood pillow p>

Claire glanced up at him. “Do you want to buy it p>

“What? No, that’s not what I meant.” Latham looked thrown. “I was just thinking about your grandmother. She hasn’t been sleeping well fately. wondered if an agarwood low pillow might help her p>

Claire got it right away. He meant his own mother, Pandora.

“Grandma’s not sleeping well?” Claire acted surprised. “Really? I’ll call her right now and ask p>

Latham’s smile froze in place. “Let’s not get into that now. We should get the testing done first p>

“Alright.” Claire smiled faintly, didn’t argue, and fell in step beside him.

They ran into Octavia coming down the hallway with a middle-aged man. The man wore glasses and looked every bit the gentle, scholarly ty Claire recognized him right away-Wade, Octavia’s old

ΟΛΟ

classmate.

“Honey, Wade already set everything up. We can go ahead now,” Octavia said.

Latham shot Wade a grateful look. “Thank you, Wade p>

Wade adjusted his glasses with a straight face. “Of course. Octavia and I go way back. I’m happy to help p>

“Let’s get started. We’ll collect the samples now p>

Claire went in first. Latham waited outside. Octavia finally turned to her husband.

“What were you and Claire talking about just now p>

Back in the village, Claire hadn’t brought up the pillow, and Octavia had been relieved. But now that they spoken in private her nerves were back

Latham looked at her. “Claire said you wouldn’t let Cindy take the agarwood pillow because you thought it was old and worn out. Is that true p>

Octavia’s expression changed instantly. She knew Claire wasn’t up to anything

good. She’d actually gone and tattled.

“Honey, you can’t blame me for that. Pandora had the pillow sewn into some ragged old cloth. It looked filthy p>

“I’d already gotten a brand new bedding set ready for Cindy at home. Why would we want that thing p>