Dewitt got into the car and drove back with them.
Although Claire and the others traveled together, they took two separate vehicles.
Miles, Edison's secretary, drove Claire's car.
Miles was also a native of the James Village.
He was a proper college graduate who eventually secured a job at VIA Group.
Since everyone was heading back for the holidays anyway, this arrangement worked out perfectly.
Claire's group arrived at the James Estate first, and Miles parked her car right outside shortly after.
Claire brought back plenty of holiday gifts.
However, her pile paled in comparison to Edison's contribution.
Aside from their two cars, a delivery truck had been specifically dispatched to haul his gifts.
It contained the annual holiday welfare packages Pandora provided for the elderly and children in the village.
Almost every household received a share.
The villagers respected Pandora not just because she was the matriarch, but
because she consistently brought them tangible prosperity.
Even though VIA Group was solely controlled by Pandora and originally founded by Grandfather James, the family always gave back.
The villagers received annual dividends from the village's collective income, all distributed by the matriarch.
Living a free and wealthy life, the locals felt no desperate yearning for the city.
The villagers would even write down what they needed each month so someone could buy it in bulk and distribute it.
They still frequented the nearby town markets to pick up daily necessities themselves.
The village collectively funded the children's education, and the matriarch managed those exact funds.
As a result, the people of the James Village lived incredibly happy lives.
They especially looked forward to the holidays, knowing every family would receive bonuses and gifts.
Sure enough, the moment the truck reached the village entrance this year, it was completely surrounded by excited locals.
Pandora had put Pearce in full charge of the operation, and he was already out there distributing the goods household by household.
Aside from the truck, there was another tradition: greeting the matriarch on the morning of the holiday to receive cash envelopes.
"Grandma, I'm back."
Claire's voice preceded her through the door.
Pandora was sitting by the fireplace, holding a cat in her lap.
She didn't get up at the sound, but she clearly straightened her posture and peered toward the entrance.
Knowing the older woman was likely warming herself by the fire, Claire quickly hurried inside.
"Why are you only returning today?"
Pandora sounded strict, but she couldn't take her eyes off her granddaughter.
She scrutinized Claire from head to toe.
Seeing that the girl hadn't lost any weight, she couldn't bring herself to nag about her health.
Instead, she just waved Claire over. "So? How is studying in Cabinda going?" "It's going well."
Claire was highly adaptable no matter where she went.
A look of realization flashed across Pandora's face; her own son had said the exact
same thing during his first college break.
"You are exactly like your father in that regard."
Hearing the mention of her
biological father instantly reminded
Claire of the surveillance equipment that had inexplicably appeared in her apartment
"Grandma, my identity might have been exposed, and it seems I've caught someone's attention."
Pandora's grip tightened, startling the cat awake in her arms.
"What? Did someone make a move against you?"
She had been so worried about Claire's safety that she specifically arranged for bodyguards.
However, the security detail wasn't allowed on campus.
They only stayed in the apartment adjacent to Claire's.
They followed her everywhere else, but always remained hidden in the shadows to
avoid drawing attention.
The matriarch was terrified for her
granddaughter; her son and
daughter-in-law had already disappeared and she absolutely refused to let Claire meet the same tragic fate!