Chapter 306
“After all these years of raising her, is that really all she owes us p>
Lance walked in with Cindy and immediately caught the tail end of his parents arguing. They were, of course, talking about Claire.
He sighed, rubbing his temple. “So what, Mom? Do you want her to write you a check for every cent you spent on her growing up p>
Octavia’s face tightened. “It’s not about the money p>
“I’m just angry, that’s all,” she went on. “Look at what Cindy went through out in the countryside, and then compare it to the life Claire had in this house p>
“That’s not Claire’s fault,” Lance replied, his gaze lingering on his mother. “She told me if you really want to blame someone, blame the person who mixed up the babies in the first place p>
The meaning in his words wasn’t lost on Octavia, and for a moment, her expression faltered. Latham, nearby, looked unsettled too, though she didn’t notice it.
“Alright, that’s enough. None of this helps now,” Latham finally said, his tone decisive. “Claire’s right. You need to make a public apology. We’ll have a press conference, and then we move on p>
“No one in this family is allowed to hassle her again. Got it p>
His eyes lingered on Cindy. “Cindy, you should be focusing on your schoolwork p>
“I understand, Dad.” Cindy’s voice was tiny. She knew her dad was warning her. Tears shimmered in her eyes, making her look even more fragile.
When Latham left, Octavia quickly pulled Cindy close. “Don’t be upset, honey. Your father doesn’t hate you. He just wants you to become the best version of yourself, that’s all p>
She wiped her daughter’s tears, then frowned a little. “Where were you last night, anyway? Lance looked everywhere for you and you never turned up p>
“I… I ran into York after I left,” Cindy answered, her voice soft. She left out the scary part where she was nearly in trouble because she knew her mom would only worry.
“York?” Octavia visibly relaxed. For a second she actually looked relieved, but she soon became serious, giving Cindy a quick up-and-down. “Did you spend the night at York’s place p>
Cindy shook her head quickly. “No, Mom, we didn’t stay together. York has an apartment in the city. I just crashed there, that’s all p>
She didn’t mention that she’d been scared to sleep alone and asked York to stay the night, too. The apartment had several bedrooms, so it wasn’t like they shared a space No need to give her mother any more to worry about.
“Alright, good,” Octavia said, then launched right into a motherly lecture. “You know, as a woman, you need to have self-respect. Even if you two are engaged, you’re still so young p>
Lance didn’t stick around for that talk. He escaped upstairs to change and clear his head. Claire’s words replayed in his mind. Could she have figured something out? He fumbled with his tie, thought about calling her, then stopped himself
Claire, meanwhile, didn’t give a second thought to what anyone from the James
family wanted. Her days followed a strict pattern: after tutoring, she visited the hospital, and at night, she stayed at Edison’s place.
Right before traveling back to James Village for the holidays, she brought a bag of delicacies she’d picked up in Cabinda to see Pandora.
With a housekeeper looking after Pandora, Claire was less worried about her.
“Grandma, I can’t spend the New Year with you this time.” Her tone was apologetic.
In past years, she’d always been by Pandora’s side. After the big family dinner, it
was tradition for her to follow Pandora back to the countryside.
Pandora adored Claire and never failed to gift her something unique every year for the holiday.
“It’s alright. This is your first year going home, so it’s important that you spend it with your other grandmother,” Pandora reassured her. “Customs might be a mule
little
different out there, so just stay sharp, alright p>
She wasn’t upset at all. Instead, she gently reminded Claire to take care.