Chapter 455

“Just… just a little Cindy stammered, her words not coming out right as she tried to explain. There was no way it was just a little. York hurried to the bar, texting

Lance on his way.

Lance was worried when he heard Cindy had gone out drinking, but knowing York was already looking for her made him relax a bit.

“What happened? Why would Cindy go to a bar out of nowhere?” York asked as soon as Lance picked up.

“Did something happen to her p>

Lance hesitated. “Claire got the early admission. Cindy just happened to see me talking to Claire, that’s all p>

York immediately understood. If it was about Claire, it made sense. Cindy always felt less than whenever Claire was involved. He got it. Honestly, Claire didn’t just make other girls feel that way. Even most guys got nervous around her.

“I’ll get Cindy out of the bar first. Do you want to come get her, or p>

Lance cut him off, sounding uneasy. “I don’t think she wants to see me right now. Can you stay with her tonight p>

York was quiet for a second, surprised. “You trust me that much p>

Cindy was drunk, and yet Lance was just asking him to look after her. Weren’t Lance

and Cindy engaged? Wasn’t he worried York might cross a line?

Lance just sighed. “I trust you. You’re basically my brother-in-law, aren’t you? Watching her for one night shouldn’t be a problem p>

York shook his head, at a loss for words. A while ago, Lance would never have called him brother-in-law or let him near Claire alone. He was super protective and on edge. Now with Cindy, everything was different.

Maybe realizing he was asking a lot, Lance softened his tone. “If you take her home now, it’ll just make my mom and everyone panic. Just look after her tonight. Cindy’s mature. By tomorrow she’ll be okay

“Take her to that apartment I have across from Silverpeak International College,” Lance added. “She lives there now p>

York frowned, not quite believing his ears. “Did you guys kick her out or something p>

Lance quickly said no. “Nothing like that. Cindy saw Claire living on her own near campus and wanted to do the same. I think… she just wants to keep up with Claire p>

Lance didn’t blame her. He

understood Cindy was still trying to find her place in the family. “She’s in her last year of high school,” he explained. “She wanted to be closer to school have more time to study. She hasn’t really settled in yet, but maybe this will help her adjust p>

York finally understood. “Makes sense. Cindy looks all soft and gentle, but underneath, she’s really tough. Must’ve been rough for her, seeing Claire snag first place in the competition p>

Lance didn’t want York to get the wrong idea about Cindy, so he defended her gently. “She’s just competitive with herself. No one at home is putting pressure on

her p>

Lance always saw it as normal.

Cindy came from the countryside. Of course, she couldn’t match up to

Claire right away. There was one

huge gap-eighteen years of different lives. Rushing herself so hard would only hurt her.

Claire, on the other hand, just did her thing, totally unaffected by what anyone thought.

“That’s one of the things I like about Cindy,” York said quietly. “That determination. She’s stubborn and sweet at the same time p>

But Claire? She was good at everything. It made it hard to even stand next to her without feeling small. Even though she was younger, York never felt like he had the upper hand.

And then, just like that, York’s mind went back to something his father had suggested. Why in the world did Hearth & Kettle end up going to Claire?