Chapter 45
Pandora didn’t even hesitate. She slid the little booklet straight into Claire’s pocket. “Here. Take it p>
Claire pulled it out, curious, and saw it was a bankbook. She stared at Pandora, surprised. “Is this from your niece or something?” She’d never heard of anyone gifting a whole bankbook. Usually, people just handed over cash.
Pandora waved off the question. “It’s just the rent from the house for the last ten years p>
Claire blinked, then it clicked. Of course. Hearth & Kettle had been a wedding gift for Pandora. She’d rented it out, so of course there would be some rent money.
There was six hundred thousand in the account. That was sixty thousand a year. Not a bad haul at all.
“Why are you giving it to me, though? You should keep this for yourself. It’s your retirement fund p>
Honestly, Claire didn’t need the money. She could take care of herself. It was almost funny how everyone assumed she’d be broke and helpless after leaving the James family, like she’d be out begging on the street.
“Just take it,” Pandora said. “It’s pocket money. Go have fun p>
Claire could tell Pandora didn’t care about the money at all, so she gave up arguing. “Alright. I’ll keep it safe for you then p>
Pandora shook her head. “Don’t save it for me. Go buy something nice. Clothes, shoes, bags, jewelry-whatever you girls like p>
Claire couldn’t help laughing. She never would’ve guessed that Pandora, who lived way out in the countryside, would be so chill about shopping.
“What if I blow it all in one shopping spree p>
Pandora leaned in, lowering her voice with a little smile. “Go wild. Grandma’s loaded p>
Claire grinned, warmth bubbling up inside. “You know, if you’d told Cindy you were rich, she probably wouldn’t have rushed to get back to her birth family p>
Pandora’s face tightened. “It’s not like Cindy ever lacked money. She just can’t hold onto it p>
That explained why Pandora never told Cindy about the family’s actual situation. Claire frowned. “Can’t hold onto money? What do you mean p>
“She gives it away, to anyone and everyone. She’s always been like that, ever since she was little p>
Pandora rubbed her forehead, clearly exasperated just thinking about it.
Cindy’s so-called kindness would end up hurting the people close to her, sooner or later. That’s why Pandora kept things vague.
Claire started to get it. Some people are generous with other people’s resources, and sure, the folks they help feel lucky, but the people they take advantage of? Not so much.
Now she understood why Pandora wasn’t all that fond of Cindy. It wasn’t just about blood ties-it was about who Cindy was.
Soon, they arrived at Baldrick’s hotel.
Dane had already called ahead, so Baldrick was waiting, looking neat and polished His bodyguard opened the door for them:
The moment Pandora saw her old friend, she felt a pang. Time really didn’t spare anyone.
“Baldrick, you’ve aged a lot,” she said.
The old man, sitting primly on the sofa, smiled just a little. “Pandora, you haven’t changed. Still as blunt as ever p>
“I’m just being honest,” Pandora said, shrugging.
Baldrick’s eyes landed on Claire. “I hear you have an extraordinary granddaughter. Aren’t you going to introduce us p>
Pandora turned to Claire. “This is my granddaughter, Claire. Isn’t she gorgeous p>
Baldrick gave Claire a careful once-over. “She is. A beautiful young lady. Reminds me of how you looked back in the day p>
Pandora raised an eyebrow, teasing. “Aren’t you worried Tessie will scold you for complimenting another woman p>
Baldrick’s smile faltered for a second. “If Tessie’s watching from wherever she is, I’d
be glad if she visited me in my dreams just to yell at me again p>
He paused, voice softening,
“Though, do worry that after all the
hardship we went through, she won’t Sides Maybe
wait for me on the other side
she’s already moved on
Pandora rolled her eyes at his gloomy face. “Come on, look at me. My husband’s
been gone for ages. Do you see me moping around p>
Baldrick let out a heavy sigh. “I’m not like you. My love for Tessie was one of a kind p>