Chapter 342
“I’ll help you.” Cindy said, already hoping to escape Claire and Shirley’s company.
She hurried over to Patti.
But Patti just smiled. “No, no, you’re a guest. Go on, relax and have fun p>
Cindy’s heart unexpectedly sank.
They were just being polite, she knew that, but it stung when Patti called her a guest.
She really didn’t belong to The James Village anymore. Cindy clenched her fists, fingernails digging into her palm.
In the living room, Edison and Latham were having tea, with Octavia and Lance sitting nearby and chatting.
Meanwhile, lunch didn’t take long. Patti and Vicki worked together, with help from the Pearce men, moving around the kitchen and setting the table.
Claire and Shirley were in another room with the family cat. Claire was finishing blow-drying Kitty’s fluffy fur, while Shirley couldn’t take her eyes off the cat.
“She’s so cute. Can I hold her?” Shirley asked hopefully.
Claire shook her head. “Kitty’s a little princess. She doesn’t let just anyone hold her p>
“You can try petting her first, see how she feels p>
Cradling Kitty, Claire nodded for Shirley to give it a shot.
But the moment Shirley reached out, Kitty lifted one paw and swatted at Shirley’s hand.
She didn’t scratch, just delivered a few solid smacks.
Claire burst out laughing.
“She actually hit me!” Shirley looked genuinely shocked.
Cindy quietly let out a breath, grateful she’d kept her distance. She’d been swatted by Kitty countless times already.
“Kitty just loves to slap people,” Patti said, walking by with a fresh plate of food. “When she stays at our place, if I won’t give her treats, she just starts hitting me.” Hearing she wasn’t the only target made Shirley feel a little better.
Today Latham had shown up with bags of fancy supplements for New Year’s, so Pandora was in an unusually good mood.
As they settled at the table and drinks flowed, Pandora actually turned to Cindy.
“So, Cindy, are you settling in okay since you moved back p>
Cindy was caught off guard.
Pandora almost never showed concern for her.
After she’d decided to return to The
James Family, Pandora’s distante
attitude had already made Cindy unwelcome.
“I’m doing well. Thank you for asking p>
“And how’s school going p>
That question wiped the smile right off Cindy’s face.
Octavia wasn’t thrilled about it either.
teel
She’s definitely told Claire about everything, Octavia thought. How could Pandora not know by now?
“Cindy’s grades have really improved,” Octavia jumped in, wanting to defend her daughter.
“She switched schools, so she’s still adjusting. Silverpeak is a much better school than her last one p>
“There’s half a year left until the
college entrance exams. Cindy net
definitely get into a great university.
Octavia wanted to hold her head high in front of Pandora, not realizing how much pressure those words put on Cindy.
Cindy’s face went pale. Her mom was making such big promises-what if she let her down?
“I’m sure she’ll make it p>
Pandora smiled, taking a sip of tea “Honestly, which college you attend isn’t everything. Life gives you lots of challenges, and hardly anyone gets to follow their plans exactly p>
“What really matters is that you work hard p>
“Besides, now that Cindy’s back with the James Family, she doesn’t need to worry about the basics anymore p>
“Good grades or not, The James Family can support her. Isn’t that right p>
Pandora spoke so calmly, Octavia couldn’t find a way to argue.
Latham nodded. “Pandora’s right p>
“Cindy just overthinks things, that’s all. We’re not pressuring her p>
“She’s the one who ends up putting the pressure on herself p>