Chapter 370
“This place is gorgeous. It really deserves to be taken care of. What a shame it’d be to tear it down p>
Mabel made up her mind to show the photos to her parents when she got back, hoping to convince them to go all-in on the bid.
“I’d never agree to demolition,” Claire promised.
“That’s a relief.” Mabel trusted her. Claire didn’t seem like the kind of person who needed money badly.
She doubted Claire would give up the estate just for a little cash.
But just in case, Mabel pressed on. “If you ever reach a point where you truly need the money, could you call me first? I’d be happy to buy the estate at whatever the market rate is p>
Honestly, who even knew what “market rate” meant for a place like this?
Privately, Claire thought that with a family as generous as her grandfather’s, she’d never actually run out of money, not in this life.
Still, seeing how hopeful Mabel looked, she nodded. “If it ever comes to that, I’ll think of you first, Mabel p>
Mabel’s face lit up. “Is it alright if I call you Claire p>
Claire just shrugged.
They swapped numbers.
Later, Jennifer called Claire and Dane over for dinner. Mabel led Eaton back to their own private dining room.
Their meal wasn’t even halfway done.
But with everything on her mind, not even the amazing food tempted Mabel. As
soon as she sat down, she started going through the photos.
“Eaton, you’ve really gotten good at this. You made me look fantastic p>
“As long as you’re happy, Mabel p>
Valerie watched them, frowning.
“Mabel, don’t you think you’re being a little too trusting with Claire? Don’t you ever wonder if she’s telling the truth p>
“I heard her birth parents are from some little village. Her grandma, too. How could they possibly own such a huge estate p>
“Isn’t it possible her family had money ages ago?” Mabel shot back, rolling her eyes at Valerie.
“Valerie, what is your problem with Claire p>
Mabel couldn’t stand Valerie’s attitude.
Valerie tried to smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “It’s just-she’s a little too lucky, don’t you think? She spent eighteen years living someone else’s life p>
“That’s really unfair to Cindy, the other girl p>
Who knew what Valerie was really thinking.
“That’s not fair. Sure, she got lucky becoming the James family’s daughter, but it’s not like she wanted it to happen Getting switched
birth, both girls lost out.” Content”.net
“They’ve both gone back to their families now, haven’t they p>
Valerie scoffed. “Sure, but Claire still got a better deal than Cindy, obviously p>
“That’s none of our business.” Mabel was done arguing. They clearly just saw things differently.
Meanwhile, Claire and Dane sat together, talking through the West Side development plans.
“If you want to keep Hearth & Kettle, you’re going to need to draw a hard line,” Dane said.
“Everyone thinks Hearth & Kettle belongs to the White family, so I bet the developers will talk to them first p>
“But if Latham gets the project, you know they’re going to want Hearth & Kettle included p>
“That spot is just too good,” Dane
said. “It covers so much ground, and
if they knock it down and put up a commercial building it’d be worth a fortune content
He wasn’t wrong.
Claire took a bite, thinking it over. “The James family has been looking for partners.
They want to team up and take on this project together p>
“They’re even eyeing you for it. That’s why they’re being so friendly p>
Dane grinned. “Well, they’re going to be disappointed. I have zero interest in getting involved p>