Chapter 447

Octavia glanced at Lance, then added two more dishes for Cindy. The table was starting to look a little crowded with food.

“So, Claire, how was your trip to Cabinda? Everything go okay p>

“It was fine.” Claire’s answer was short. Just listening to Octavia drag out the small talk made her tired.

“What about you, Cindy? How’s the studying going?” Not wanting to be in the spotlight, Claire quickly shifted the focus.

Sure enough, the second Claire mentioned Cindy, Octavia seemed to get annoyed.

Was Claire just trying to show off her grades and put Cindy down? That’s how it felt, even if Claire hadn’t meant it that way.

Cindy tried to keep her voice steady. “No matter how much I work, I just can’t catch up to Claire p>

She glanced at Claire. “Her foundation is just so good. I went to schools that weren’t great, so there’s a lot I need to make up for p>

Cindy didn’t have to say it outright, but everyone could hear how unfair her situation had been.

And that solid foundation Claire had? That was totally thanks to the James family.

Claire didn’t get a chance to speak. Shirley jumped in first. “Well, you should work even harder then. I’m planning to study more, too. Maybe I can get into a great college p>

She looked right at the others. “Honestly, Claire and I learned all the same stuff growing up, but our grades are completely different p>

“It all comes down to brains, really p>

Cindy bit her lip, stung. Was Shirley seriously calling her dumb?

Octavia didn’t look happy about it either.

She’d always believed that Claire’s achievements were because of how she was brought up, plus all the support and money she’d gotten from the James family.

But what was Shirley really trying to say?

Latham never cared enough to argue with his brother about little things, so every time Claire learned something new, Shirley was allowed to learn, too.

Even if the two girls were never close, they still studied exactly the same things. Claire always nailed it. Shirley was just… average, no matter how hard she tried. “Don’t you think so, Octavia?” Shirley asked.

Octavia didn’t even bother with a reply. Honestly, Shirley was just stirring the pot for her own amusement.

Right then, Lance joined in. “Shirley kind of has a point p>

He looked at Cindy. “You should give

up competing with Claire, Cindy. Your grades can’t match hers, but it’s not because you’re not trying. Claire’s just always picked things up

faster than most p>

“Some people are just born with certain strengths. You can work hard and still not catch up p>

“Our family isn’t expecting you to be number one or anything. You don’t need to stress so much about it p>

Lance’s words made Cindy’s heart sink.

So even Lance thought she’d never stack up against Claire?

Claire could barely hold back a laugh. Wasn’t he just saying Cindy would never measure up? Of course that would only make Cindy want to try harder to prove herself.

“Cindy, you should focus on preparing for the exams. There’s no point always comparing yourself to Claire,” Lance added, turning all serious.

“Everyone’s got their own strengths, and maybe yours isn’t academics p>

Cindy hesitated. “I get it, Lance… but

I really do want to do well. Claire got

an early spot at Cabinda University. but have no idea if I’ll even get t anywhere good p>

“I don’t want to embarrass Mom and Dad p>

She’d heard people talk at parties, whispering about how the biological daughter couldn’t keep up with the gid who wasn’t even born into the family. That got under her skin more than she’d admit.

How was she actually worse than Claire?

It was just that her starting line was way behind. No matter how fast she ran, it

probably still looked pathetic to someone like Claire.

Lance tried to reassure her. “You really are doing your best. That’s all that matters. Mom and Dad aren’t going to care about any of the rest p>