Chapter 181
“You’re just like your dad in so many ways.” Pandora glanced at her granddaughter, her eyes warm.
Claire nodded. Ever since she was little, she’d been a quick study. Anything she tried, she picked up fast. Especially when it came to hands-on things, she was on a whole different level compared to most people.
“People who are smart always end up facing more risks, you know.” Pandora’s tone turned a bit more serious. “If your father had been more ordinary, he could have spent his whole life enjoying the James family’s fortune, living easy. But he insisted on taking a path no one could predict p>
“We couldn’t protect him, no matter how much money or power we had p>
“And your mom, well, I heard she was some kind of math whiz, working with precision instruments. I don’t really understand all that stuff, but your father mentioned it once or twice p>
“But what I do know is, your mom was bright and beautiful. The first time I saw her, I realized I wasn’t the only stunning woman in the world p>
Claire couldn’t help but laugh at that. Pandora’s confidence took her by surprise.
“I’m not joking,” Pandora said, a small smile tugging at her lips. “We have photos of your parents at home, you know. I put them away for safekeeping p>
“Your mom’s name was Melissa. She was as beautiful as the moon, really. Your dad said he was completely captivated from the moment he met her p>
Once Pandora started talking about Claire’s parents, she couldn’t stop, even though she hadn’t spent much time with them.
“I did some digging into your mom’s background. She was probably a daughter of the Churchill family p>
“The Churchills told everyone their daughter had passed away p>
“I think Padgett was unhappy about your parents being together, that’s probably why he said that p>
“The Churchill family is huge and complicated. If they don’t reach out to you first, there’s no reason for you to contact them p>
“Honestly, they might not even know you’re Melissa’s daughter p>
“And that’s for the best. The James family had eyes on us for over ten years. Who knows what the Churchills are capable of p>
“They make a big show of things in Cabinda. If they bring trouble to you, that would be a real problem p>
Pandora’s words were full of caution, and Claire listened carefully.
“Claire, you’re a smart girl. You know what they say sometimes, the brightest minds get hurt the most p>
“If you can, try not to get tangled up in money or power. The James family is sitting on a mountain of gold, but no one to spend it p>
“You never have to worry about money. Still, the James family needs to learn to keep our wealth hidden p>
Claire wasn’t sure she understood all of it, but one thing was clear: she had no idea just how rich her family actually was.
With all the assets they kept hidden
away, money was probably just a number no
to Pandora. There
way anyone could spend it albin one fetime t
When word got out that Claire would be heading to Cabinda for a winter camp, no one was happier than Baldrick.
He’d been staying here for a month, but Dane couldn’t stick around any longer and was heading back to Cabinda.
Once he was back, Baldrick knew it would be nearly impossible to see Claire again, let alone ask her for acupuncture.
But staying here meant spending the holidays alone, which sounded way too lonely.
He thought about hanging out with Pandora, but there was always that bit of awkwardness between a man and a woman alone together.
Going back to Cabinda just made more sense.
When he heard Claire was going too, Baldrick suggested they travel together. Claire didn’t say no.
Meanwhile, when Cindy found out Claire had won a prize in the math competition and was chosen for the winter camp, she couldn’t help but feel bitter.
If only she’d grown up in the
grown up in the James
family. If only she had the same
educational opportunities as
Wouldn’t she have been picked too p>
Cindy refused to believe Claire was better than her.
Apart from the competition, Claire kept a low profile at school. She didn’t like drawing attention.
When Molly heard about the competition, she started stirring things up again. “Cindy, I really think you’re the one who should’ve gotten into that winter camp p>