Chapter 128

“If they couldn’t sell her, she’d end up as the traffickers’ punching bag. Or worse,

they might try to train her to become one of them. The kids who grow up with these people are quick and clever. They use them to get close to other kids, win over their parents, and then, when no one’s looking, snatch another child away p>

Even if the kids hated it, there was no way they could stand up to the traffickers’ threats. In a place like that, just holding onto a bit of kindness was already a miracle.

Claire kept quiet. She’d only stumbled into this by accident, but now that she’d found out about the traffickers, there was no way she could just let it go.

“Claire, I think I know who you are,” Valeria blurted out.

Claire turned to her. “What p>

“You’re the one from the James family, right? The one who got switched at birth p>

“No wonder you’re so quick to spot traffickers. The girl who just went back to the James family, was she switched with you by traffickers too p>

Valeria looked proud of herself, like she’d just solved a big mystery.

Claire shook her head. “No, we were probably switched at the hospital p>

“Oh, really?” Valeria stared at Claire with interest. “You don’t look like a fake heiress at all p>

She’d been obsessed with all that real versus fake heiress drama lately. She’d even heard that the James family had been throwing a coming-of-age party for Claire when the truth came out.

Valeria gave Claire a sympathetic look. At first, she’d sided with the real heiress, thinking the fake one had stolen her life and her place. But

pereting Claire in

person beautiful smart, and nothing like what the rumors said-she couldn’t help but feel for her. Maybe all those people laughing at her were just jealous.

“It doesn’t matter what I look like. I am what I am.” Claire’s voice was calm. She didn’t want anything to do with the James family anymore. Honestly, the feeling was probably mutual. Otherwise, how could they keep up with that marriage alliance between the Jameses and the Byrons?

“Exactly. Claire’s with us now. She doesn’t need to be anyone’s heiress,” Edison said; stepping over. He’d arrived a while ago, but since Claire seemed happy talking with Valeria, he hadn’t wanted to interrupt When Valeria started asking about Claire’s background, though, he couldn’t help speaking up.

He’d never liked Latham’s side of the family. They might have shared a last name, but the way they did

things was just ugly. If they didmet

want @fake heiress, fine, send her back. But did they really have to do it fast? Throwing her out in the Hoddle of the night, not even letting her stay one more day… If Claire wasn’t as strong as she was, anyone else would have fallen apart. She hadn’t done anything wrong, after all. Why punish her?

Edison had nothing but contempt for that family.

“Edison, you guys better treat Claire well,” Valeria said. “I bet you’re way more reliable than that other James family p>

She knew all the gossip, of course. How could she not know Claire had been kicked out overnight? The James family hadn’t even tried to hide it. Some said it was Latham’s daughter who spread the word, others said it leaked from inside. Either way, it just showed how little class they had.

“Claire’s my niece. Who else would I treat well?” Edison grinned, looking every bit the charming, handsome uncle.

Valeria almost forgot to breathe. When Edison walked off to talk with the police, she quickly leaned in to whisper to Claire.

“Claire, does Edison have a girlfriend p>

Claire looked at her in surprise. “Wait, do you have a crush on Edison p>