Chapter 240

Sammie stood off to the side, listening, then shot Norris a look. “You really know how to keep a secret, don’t you p>

He hadn’t hidden anything himself. The Churchill family, on the other hand, had clearly figured out who Claire was a long time ago and never breathed a word to him. They’d even kept him out of the loop. That stung a little, but he could see their point. If he hadn’t known Norris as well as he did, he wouldn’t have talked so openly in front of him either.

Claire hesitated, then nodded. “Alright. I’ll go tomorrow p>

She already had dinner plans with her friends tonight and didn’t want to let them down.

“Good,” Norris said, clearly relieved she agreed. He’d been worried she might say no. Now he could finally report back to Padgett that the job was done.

Sammie gestured to a stack of papers on his desk. “These are your mother’s notes. You can take them if you want p>

Claire shook her head. “You’ve kept them in such good shape. I think they’re safer with you for now p>

Sammie took her answer in stride. “Alright, I’ll keep them here. Whenever you want to look at them, just ask p>

Claire flipped through Melissa’s old notebook. Her mom’s handwriting was neat and beautiful, her thoughts quick and clear. She always found the simplest way to solve even the hardest competition problems. Claire wondered if maybe she really did get that talent from her mom.

Just as Claire was about to leave, Sammie called out to her. “Claire, if you ever want to know more about your dad, I can introduce you to his old professor p>

Both Melissa and Agassi had been big names back in school.

“That sounds great. I’ll come by when I have time,” Claire said, not turning him down.

She and Norris left Sammie’s office together. Norris looked calm and kind as they walked.

“Tomorrow, everyone might be a little too excited to meet you. Don’t let them scare you off,” he said.

There were only three boys in the third generation, so his mom and Karla had always wanted a girl in the family. Even distant girl cousins were treated like treasures by the Churchills. But Claire was Melissa’s daughter. That was a whole different level.

Claire grinned and flashed him an “OK” sign.

Norris dropped her off at the dorm, then drove home. The Churchill family all knew the second round results were posted today and that breakStarted tomorrow. Everyone gathered at the estate, waiting for Norris to bring Claire home.

But Norris showed up alone. Everyone glanced behind him, expecting to see her.

Owen, who could never stay patient, finally asked, “Norris, where’s Claire? Didn’t she come back with you p>

The rest of the family, even Padgett, looked

ver with the same questione

in their eyes, Norris hadn’t expected them to be waiting like this..net>

“No, she already made plans to have dinner with her friends from winter camp.

She’s coming by tomorrow,” Norris explained.

“Why tomorrow? Where are they eating? I can go pick her up after,” Owen offered, way too enthusiastic.

“Don’t freak her out,” Norris warned, giving him a look.

The oldest Churchill, Caleb, turned to his son. “Are we sure she’s Melissa’s daughter p>

Caleb was still cautious. After searching for someone so long, you couldn’t just take things at face value.

Norris nodded. “It’s not just me who figured it out. My professor did too p>

Everyone knew Norris’s professor had also taught Melissa.

“Sammie figured it out too?” Caleb looked surprised. “How p>

“Claire asked him for Melissa’s old

notes. She’s got the same math skills, looks a lot like her, and her last name is James. Sammie even called Agasers old professor to

double-check,” Norris explained

Padgett’s face went hard. “Who are you calling your uncle p>