Chapter 269
Baldrick wasn’t expecting to see another old friend walk in. Instinctively, he glanced over at Padgett.
The truth was, these two had never really gotten along. Achilles always complained that Padgett cared too much about money, while Padgett thought Achilles was just another stuck-up academic with too many opinions and too much drama.
Padgett scowled. “What are you looking at?” He couldn’t help but wonder why Achilles had shown up right after him. Was the guy following him on purpose?
Baldrick grinned. “Just checking if you’re about to puff up and start squabbling again like a fighting rooster p>
Padgett shot him a glare. “Speak for yourself. You’re the rooster here p>
Baldrick burst out laughing. “Alright, alright, I’ll stop teasing. Dane, could you go out and welcome Achilles in p>
Dane stood, gave Claire and Padgett a polite nod, then headed out the door.
Claire watched her grandfather leaving the room and caught Padgett waggling his eyebrows at her, clearly up to something.
“Grandpa?” Claire had no idea what he was getting at.
Baldrick seemed to know, though. “Your grandpa used to be so jealous of everyone
who had a granddaughter. Achilles always teased him about it p>
Suddenly, it all made sense to Claire. “Well, he doesn’t have to be jealous anymore p>
Padgett slapped his thigh, grinning from ear to ear. “Exactly. Achilles has rubbed it in my face for years. Now it’s my turn to enjoy this p>
A voice came from the hallway, loud and sharp. “Enjoy what, exactly?” Achilles hadn’t even entered yet, but he was already making his presence known.
Padgett might say he wasn’t looking for a fight, but he immediately sat up ramrod straight, looking ready for battle. Actions spoke louder than words.
Claire watched as Dane came back in, leading an older man and a young woman. The older man looked gentle and refined, nothing like her own grandfather.
Padgett wasted no time. “Achilles, are you following me? I just got here, and you show up right after. What, are you keeping tabs on me now p>
Achilles barely blinked. “Are you the
only one who’s allowed to visit?
didn’t come for yo
back
Letonia just got
k and was worried about
Baldrick, so she dragged me along
to check on him p>
He was well aware of his
granddaughter’s real intentions, and he didn’t mind them at all. Dane was a good kid, practically grew up with With Latonia. The two of them together just made sense.
Latonia, meanwhile, was looking at Claire in surprise. She hadn’t expected to see her again so soon, especially not here.
“Claire? What are you doing here?” She greeted the elders before turning back to Claire, unable to hide her curiosity.
“I’m here with my grandpa to visit Mr. Green,” Claire said, nodding toward Padgett.
Latonia’s eyes widened in shock. Of course, she knew who Padgett was. The Churchill family had money and her own grandfather never missed a chance to argue with Padgett. The two old men were like oil and water.
Her grandfather always held it over Padgett because he didn’t have a granddaughter. But now… when did this granddaughter suddenly appear?
“You’re Padgett’s granddaughter? How come I’ve never seen you before?” Latonia asked, clearly confused.
Achilles turned to Claire. “Are you Melissa’s daughter p>
Melissa running off with another man had always been the Churchill family’s dirty laundry. Padgett hated when anyone brought up his rebellious daughter.
“Your daughter’s back?” Achilles looked at Padgett.
Padgett rolled his eyes. “That’s none of your business. All you need to know is that I finally have a granddaughter too p>