Chapter 345
Shirley had more than enough money to call herself a little heiress. She could drop thirty or fifty thousand on a shopping day without batting an eye. If she wanted something more expensive, asking her parents for two hundred thousand wasn’t a problem. But coming up with twenty million on the spot? No way.
The red envelope didn’t hold that much, honestly, but Shirley was genuinely delighted to get it. Claire could see how happy she was, so she took Shirley out into the yard to enjoy the afternoon sunshine for a while.
Soon, Latham said it was time to leave.
“Pandora, we’ve still got plenty to do for the New Year. We shouldn’t stay too long,” Latham said, always so polite. Pandora smiled, just as friendly and welcoming.
“Alright, safe trip home. Here, take some of our local specialties with you,” Pandora said, signaling to Pearce to bring over two country chickens, two ducks, and some fresh eggs, all prepared and ready to cook.
“Take them home. If you’re not hungry, you can give them away to friends or neighbors,” she offered, setting the bags down.
It all looked great, especially for soup or a stew, but Claire could already see the disapproval in Octavia’s eyes. “Pandora, really, you should keep those for yourselves. We don’t need them in the city,” Octavia said, barely hiding her dislike at the idea.
Latham, quick to recover, grabbed Octavia’s arm gently and thanked Pandora. “These are rare treats in the city, Pandora. We’re grateful. Thank you so much p>
It was true-authentic farm-raised chicken and duck were impossible to find at the average market. Usually, their family would have to send someone all the way out to the countryside to bring these back. When someone gave you something good out of kindness, why turn it away?
Octavia hadn’t expected Latham to override her and accept Pandora’s gifts. Her face was stiff, her mood obviously soured. Just then, Shirley piped up. “I want to stay with Claire and play for one more day. I’ll go back tomorrow p>
Octavia became even more impatient. “Shirley, we brought you out here, so it’s only right we take you back ourselves p>
“What if something happens to you out here? How are we supposed to explain that to your parents p>
Shirley pouted. “Octavia, I’ll be with Claire. What could possibly happen p>
Octavia just wouldn’t give in. “Who knows what could happen p>
Shirley knew it was pointless to argue, so she turned to Latham instead. “Latham, please? I really want to stay. The countryside is so much fun, and Claire will look after me p>
Latham didn’t have a problem with it, and he even glanced at Cindy. “Cindy, do you want to stay the night too? Lance can pick you both up tomorrow p>
“I Cindy hesitated. She didn’t want to stay-she still didn’t like the countryside.
Before she could answer, Octavia
spoke up sharply. “If Shirley wants to stay, fine, but Cindy’s not. I hired a tutor for her, and her first lesson is tomorrow. Staying here would mess with her studies content
Octavia answered before Cindy could even say a word.
Pandora hadn’t planned to ask Cindy to stay anyway, so she just smiled kindly. “School comes first, of course p>
Cindy realized that this meant Pandora never really saw her as close family. Otherwise, why wouldn’t she try to keep her around?
Shirley was thrilled to be allowed to stay. That afternoon, she and Claire went up in the hills to pick wild berries, search for greens, and roast sweet potatoes over an open fire. She tried everything, loving every minute and still wanting more.
That night, they had a whole roast lamb right in Pandora’s courtyard.
“Edison, you’re a cooking genius! This is amazing!” Shirley gushed, singing Edison’s praises.
Anyone who didn’t know better
might have thought Shirley was Edison’s real niece. He didn’t seem to mind her at all. Even though she acted spoiled and could be dramatic. sometimes, she wasn’t
unreasonable. Maybe being in
someone else’s home made her
better behaved.
Jenny was happy too. This roast lamb tasted nothing like what she’d eaten when she was living abroad. It was so much richer and more authentic, and the whole night felt special.