Chapter 273

Claire shot Dane a mischievous wink, silently begging him not to spill her secret. Dane’s face didn’t give anything away. He looked as calm as ever.

Padgett studied the handwriting, squinting a little. “This looks a lot like Claire’s writing, doesn’t it?” He still remembered how Claire wrote, even after all these years.

Latonia wasn’t convinced at all. To her, the handwriting looked like it belonged to an expert in traditional medicine, someone old and wise. When she heard Padgett say that, she just thought he was trying to make Claire look good in front of everyone.

Claire jumped in before the conversation could go any further. “Grandpa, my handwriting isn’t nearly this neat. You’re just biased because I’m your granddaughter p>

Padgett couldn’t help but grin, his eyes crinkling with pride. “But I really think-” He stopped himself, suddenly aware that no one else would believe him. People would just assume he was bragging about Claire because he was her grandpa. Especially his old rival, Achilles.

Achilles was reading over the prescription, looking serious as he checked every single herb. “The prescription looks fine,” he said finally. “Why don’t we just go to the university hospital for a quick checkup? No time like the present p>

He still sounded worried.

Baldrick glanced at Claire and shook his head with a smile. “Not today. We have guests at home p>

Achilles understood right away. The ‘guests’ were Padgett and Claire. He figured the two families probably had more to talk about regarding the engagement. Honestly, it felt like he and Latonia were intruding.

That thought left him a little uneasy.

“We’ll get out of your way, then,” Achilles said.

Padgett looked way too pleased with himself, like he’d just won some kind of contest. Achilles shot him a look and decided not to bother with him.

“My legs aren’t what they used to be, so I won’t see you out,” Baldrick said, turning instead to Dane. “Dane, could you walk Achilles and Latonia to the door p>

Dane stood up quietly and led them out.

At the door, Achilles stopped and turned to Dane. “That’s far enough. You can head back inside p>

Latonia lingered, glancing at Dane, clearly wrestling with her thoughts. Finally, she blurted out, “Dane, are you really going to get engaged to Claire p>

Achilles watched his granddaughter, disappointment clear on his face.

Dane’s voice was cold. “That’s between Claire and me p>

Latonia went quiet, struggling to find her words.

“I just care about you. We grew up together Her voice trailed off. She was too proud to say anything more, especially with her grandfather

standing night there.

Resides, Dane. wasn’t exactly being warm to her. And he was about to get engaged to someone else.

“Thanks for your concern,” Dane replied, sounding completely uninterested.

“Latonia, let’s go. Don’t waste Dane’s

time.” Achilles couldn’t take it

anymore. He called his

granddaughter to leave. He thought

Latonia was amazing and there

were plenty of good families out

there. Dane was just being arrogant.

“Okay.” Latonia could hear the unhappiness in her grandfather’s voice. She turned

and walked away, but even after Dane went back inside, she kept glancing over her shoulder.

Achilles shook his head in

frustration. “don’t know what you see in him. He’s as cold as an iceberg. If he cared about you at all, he wouldn’t let some family arrangement make you this upset. If he’s not turning down the Churchill family, it’s probably because he wants their money-and Claire’s good looks p>

Latonia knew her grandfather had never liked Padgett, and in his eyes, the Churchill family was nothing but rich. But putting that aside, did he really think Claire was prettier than her?