Chapter 452

Lance sat there in silence. Cindy hadn’t taken the arts entrance exam, and now it was way too late for that. Sure, his mom had hired all kinds of tutors for Cindy- piano, dance, the whole nine yards—but it was already senior year. Cindy was buried in academics and barely paid attention in those piano or dance classes. So, taking the so-called arts route? That just was not happening.

Honestly, Lance couldn’t believe he’d almost been convinced otherwise by his mom.

“I’m not giving Cindy the guaranteed spot,” Claire said, completely shutting him down. “You all need to drop it p>

Lance couldn’t help but think she was being so cold. “You grew up in the James family. Like Mom said, you took what should have been Cindy’s chance at a good education.” He pushed on, “If she got to live your life, with your opportunities, she might’ve been just as amazing as you are. Sure, talent matters, but Cindy isn’t dumb. She only struggles with confidence when you’re around. The only reason there’s a gap between you is because of how you both grew up. Don’t you think you should make it up to her, at least a little p>

Claire just looked at him, calm as ever. “So, Lance, you’re saying the whole mix-up at the hospital was my fault p>

“No, that’s not what I meant.” Lance knew Claire was a baby when it all happened— there was no way she was responsible.

“Let me guess,” Claire said. “You think that if I’d grown up in the countryside, I wouldn’t be who I am today. You think, deep down, I stole Cindy’s life. Is that it p>

Lance opened his mouth but no words came out. In his heart, he knew there was some truth to that.

He wanted to marry Claire, and for that to work, she’d have to get along with Cindy and everyone else. No one wanted to deal with endless family drama. So why couldn’t Claire just go easy for once? Let Cindy have the admission spot. It didn’t hurt Claire at all, and if she agreed, even if things didn’t work out, his mom and Cindy would still appreciate it. That way, no one would have a reason to object if he and Claire ended up together. To him, Claire just seemed selfish, never thinking about anyone but herself.

“Claire, what if I told you I want to marry you?” Lance said quietly. “Would you let Cindy have the spot then p>

Claire stared at him like he’d grown another head. “Are you serious p>

He frowned, thrown off by her reaction. “What’s that supposed to mean p>

“Which part of you thinks I want to marry you?” she said, her voice flat. “Honestly, what makes you believe I’m even into you p>

Lance’s mood soured instantly. Was she saying she didn’t even see him that way?

“Lance, when did you get so full of yourself?” Claire’s lips curved into a cold smile. “Sure, plenty of girls probably like you, but I’m not one of them. Have you actually forgotten we grew up as siblings p>

“We’re not siblings anymore,” Lance said, cutting her off. “Cindy is my sister now. You and I don’t even share any blood p>

“Right,” Claire tossed back, “So if

you’re not my brother, why do you assume I’d be into you? And you talk about marrying me like you’d be doing me some big favor. Wow is your ego really that huge? ordo just think that, now I’m not the James family heiress, you can treat me however you want p>

She actually laughed, shaking her head in disbelief. For years, she’d noticed something strange in the way Lance looked at her-like he

saw her as something shehenet

wasn’t.

But she never guessed he’d go so faras to suggest marriage What joke. Just the fact that he was Octavia’s son was enough of a dealbreaker for her.

“Did it ever cross your mind that if you married your former sister, people would laugh at you?” she

asked you think your net

would approve? And Cindy-

absolutely hates me. If I became her sister-in-law, she’d probably lose her mind p>