Chapter 246

Claire hadn’t expected Owen to be such a charmer. “Thanks. You’re pretty

handsome yourself p>

Owen shot Norris a grin and said, “Did you hear that? Claire thinks I’m the best looking p>

Norris just rolled his eyes. “You’re putting words in her mouth p>

Owen leaned toward Claire, lowering his voice like he was sharing a secret. “He’s totally jealous p>

Claire couldn’t help but laugh.

Norris gave Owen a warning look, but Owen just hurried Claire along. “Come on, let’s get home. Padgett’s probably worried sick by now p>

It was easy to see the differences between the brothers. Norris kept things close to his chest, while Owen seemed to light up every room.

Owen held the back door open for Claire. As soon as she got in, he tried to slide in beside her.

“Owen, front seat,” Norris called, not even looking back.

Owen paused, defeated. He knew there was no winning against Norris when he got like this, so he reluctantly climbed into the passenger seat up front. He couldn’t help thinking maybe Norris just didn’t want anyone else sitting next to Claire if he couldn’t do it himself.

Norris ignored the whole thing, focused on driving.

“Actually, I got into math because of Melissa,” Norris said as they drove.

Claire listened quietly. She’d never met her parents, not since she was born, but Norris and Owen had. Even though Owen wasn’t that much older than Claire, he remembered Melissa too. The three brothers clearly still cared a lot about her.

Along the way, Claire heard all kinds of stories about Melissa. She learned that when Melissa was studying at Cabinda University, Norris had already been born. Their parents were always busy, so Melissa would come home from class and look after him and Phil now and then. She was the first person to really teach them anything.

Phil was good at math too, but he was more interested in business than research.

You could tell from the way Norris spoke that he looked up to Melissa.

Owen’s memories were a little fuzzier. He was only twenty-five, just seven years older than Claire. When Melissa disappeared, he was only five-just a little kid.

Owen jumped in. “All I remember is that Melissa was gorgeous. I used to brag about her to my friends p>

“The other kids were always jealous I had such a pretty aunt p>

With every story, Claire felt like she could picture Melissa a little more clearly. Elegant Ms. Churchill, the math prodigy, smart and beautiful. It was like she had been blessed with everything. Someone like Melissa probably grew up with everyone around her feeling jealous or in awe.

She didn’t sound like Octavia, who always carried herself so stiffly, trying to play the perfect lady. Melissa seemed like someone wild and free.

Norris clearly understood how anxious everyone at home was. He pressed the gas a little harder, and they reached the Churchill Estate sooner than she expected.

The estate looked grand and old-fashioned, like something out of a history book. It was obvious the family had deep roots and plenty of money.

There was a parking lot out front. Norris parked, and he and Owen led Claire into the estate.

The moment they stepped in, Black the family’s dog, came running to greet them. He wagged his tail at Norris and Owen but when he saw Claire, he just stared at her content

He didn’t bark. He just circled around, sniffing her curiously.

“Black, this is Claire, okay?” Owen patted the dog’s head.

It was hard to tell if Black understood, but at least he didn’t bark. Every so often,

he’d just glance at Claire, as if he was still trying to figure her out.

Claire thought he was adorable and reached out to pet him.

“Black, sit!” Norris saw what she was about to do and called out the command.

Black immediately sat down, waiting for whatever came next.