They didn't wake up until Edison called, asking Claire if she wanted to grab dinner and figure out when she was heading back to The James Village.
"The old lady was just asking when you were coming back a couple of days ago."
"I called Grandma earlier to say I'd be home for the holidays, but I wasn't sure exactly when."
Claire explained.
"I'll head over tonight. Make sure you have something good ready for me." Claire never stood on ceremony with Edison.
Edison wasn't one to fuss over formalities either.
That much was obvious from the way he had stepped up during Claire's parent- teacher conference back in the day.
Hearing her request, Edison agreed without hesitation.
"Jenny hasn't had much of an appetite lately. Your company might be just what she needs to eat a little more."
Not only did a full house bring good energy, but Jenny genuinely adored Claire.
He could also tell that the two of them shared a secret they were keeping from him. However, Edison had no intention of prying.
As far as he was concerned, as long as his wife and niece were safe and happy, nothing else mattered.
They didn't need to tell him every little detail of their private conversations.
"No appetite? Then I'll bring over some of her favorite treats."
Claire remembered that Jenny absolutely loved durian.
She could just grab some at the grocery store later.
Shirley, on the other hand, knew she couldn't tag along for a free meal tonight.
"I definitely won't be able to go to The James Village with you for the holidays this year, but after I visit my maternal grandmother, I'll come by for a visit."
"Make sure you tell Patti to prep all my favorite dishes."
Shirley wasn't shy about it at all, her mouth practically watering as she recalled the meals she'd had at The James Village earlier that year.
The farm-raised poultry, paired with vegetables straight from the garden and wild mushrooms foraged from the mountains, was absolutely divine.
If she weren't still in college, she would have already packed her bags to retire in The James Village.
"Yeah, yeah, sure," Claire agreed breezily.
"By the way, come check out SUNNY with me today. The brand has been blowing up lately and their holiday collection is completely sold out
FindNovel.net
"Every single style is flying off the shelves."
Shirley actually didn't want to spend too much money, now painfully aware of how hard her parents worked for their wealth.
Her dad, in particular, was pushing fifty and still hustling to keep the business afloat.
"Sure." Claire didn't hesitate. She was curious to see how SUNNY was doing anyway.
They went out for breakfast. Neither of them knew their way around a kitchen, so whipping up something at home was out of the question.
Fortunately, there was a fantastic bakery right downstairs from Claire's apartment.
They served these tiny, savory pastries barely bigger than a quarter-that were incredibly flavorful.
Both the vegetarian and the meat options were mouthwatering.
They each ordered a mix of both fillings and devoured every last crumb.
The two of them spent the morning strolling over to the VIA Metropolis.
The mall, which had been somewhat desolate before SUNNY set up shop, had regained the bustling energy it possessed a decade ago.
"I heard the VIA Metropolis underwent a huge revamp. The whole vibe is totally different now."
"But SUNNY definitely brought in a massive wave of foot traffic."
They chatted idly as they walked through the entrance. Coincidentally, they ran into some familiar faces by the elevators. "Well, well, look who it is."
"If it isn't Shirley, the former socialite whose relatives went bankrupt, stripping her of her precious status." A girl with a bob cut sneered dooking them up and down.
These over Claire only to
the very same girls who
used to
at cindy's feet the moment Claire's true identity was exposed.
"Lucinda? Rose?" Shirley's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Don't tell me you two are here to shop?"
Why did this scene feel so incredibly familiar?