Chapter 458

“You’ve liked her for a long time, haven’t you p>

“If it wasn’t for her, would you have even bothered to find me and bring me back to the James family p>

Cindy used to believe coming home was fate, something meant to be. Now she couldn’t shake off the thought, what if Lance only went looking for her so Claire wouldn’t be the James family’s heiress anymore? Maybe he just wanted to clear the path for Claire, not because he actually cared about Cindy at all.

Nothing Lance said made her feel any better. He kept explaining, but she had already made up her mind.

“Cindy, I need you to trust me. Ever since I found out Claire isn’t really a James, I started searching for you. Not for anyone else, but for you. You’re my sister. That’s something no one can change, no matter what p>

He tried again, “Cindy, stop overthinking this. The reason I spoke to her today was to convince her to let you have the guaranteed college spot p>

Cindy’s voice went sharp. “I don’t want it p>

“Cindy, stop being so stubborn.” Lance was obviously drained—he’d been out in the middle of the night looking for her and hadn’t even gone to work, choosing to come straight here instead. Yet no matter what, she still didn’t budge.

He couldn’t tell what was really going through her mind.

“Just go, Lance. I want to be alone right now p>

She turned her back on him. No matter what he said, it was like he couldn’t get through.

Lance finally gave up. “Alright, I’ll go. Take care of yourself, okay? If you’re skipping school, at least do some reading at home p>

He paused. “Order food, don’t starve yourself just to save money p>

He even transferred ten thousand to her account for pocket money, but seeing it did nothing for Cindy. She let the notification sit there and didn’t accept it.

As Lance was about to leave, Cindy suddenly called out.

“Wait, Lance… Do Mom and Dad know about all this p>

She wondered what they really thought. Would they approve? She already knew her dad was all for it-she’d overheard him last night Dad was even happy about Claire’s manage prospects, thanks to the Hearth & Kettle estate coming into play.

But what about Mom?

If Claire really became her sister-in-law one day, would Mon start doing on claire again, and just forget about her own daughter? Thinking about it, Cindy only felt the jealousy building up inside her.

Lance answered quietly. “There’s nothing certain yet. No point talking to Mom right now p>

Cindy didn’t say anything else, but as soon as Lance left, she ran to tell Octavia everything.

Octavia was furious as soon as she heard. She just couldn’t understand how her son could fall for Claire. Was Claire some kind of witch, she wondered, that she could seduce her son like this?

“Cindy, how do you know all this? Did Lance tell you himself p>

Octavia remembered her husband hinting that if Claire married Lance, the Hearth & Kettle house would stay in the James family. She’d always hated that idea and made it known.

Now, after hearing that Lance actually confessed to Claire, Octavia’s anger just kept boiling higher.

“Mom, please, you can’t say it was me who told you. I don’t want Lance getting mad. I just said it’s not right that they re brother and sister, and

he

got so angry with me Cindy

kept talking, not caring at all about

the truth or the fallout.

Octavia didn’t even doubt her for a second. As far as she was concerned, the moment Lance started having feelings for Claire, he was already turning his back on his own family.

“What is he so mad about p>

“What right does he have to be angry? Claire’s still his sister. Maybe not by blood, but she grew up in the James family. Acting like this is just disgusting p>

Octavia paced, completely worked up. “No way. I’ve got to talk to Claire about this p>

“Mom, please don’t. I really don’t think Claire even likes Lance. She wouldn’t… I just don’t see it happening,” Cindy said quickly, trying to hold her mother back.