Claire hadn't fought to keep him at all.
York was the one who arrogantly assumed Claire was bullying Cindy out of jealousy.
In reality, Cindy had been the one instigating the drama all along.
"She's right, I never had feelings for Claire, and the feeling was mutual. She's
engaged to someone else," York explained quickly.
Noticing Tabitha's silence, York felt the need to clarify.
The situation with Cindy was already threatening to sever their families' alliance. He couldn't risk dragging Claire's name into the mess and making things worse.
Out in the hall, Claire had merely glanced at York's family while on the phone.
She had no idea she was the main topic of their dinner conversation.
She was on a call with Dane. He couldn't make it to dinner tonight, leaving her to eat with Pandora and Dewitt.
Naturally, since Pandora was present, the restaurant manager had insisted on joining their table as a gesture of respect.
It was a lively dinner crowd.
After finishing her meal, Claire stepped out just as the Byron and James families exited the adjacent private dining room.
York gave Claire a polite nod.
Frederic also offered a stiff, formal greeting, playing the role of a dignified elder.
Claire offered them a frosty acknowledgment.
Larkin and his family stared at Claire with undisguised curiosity but kept their distance.
"Claire!"
Cindy had stalked York's family all the way to Hearth & Kettle.
Hiding in the shadows, she had watched York and Tabitha's families walk out laughing and chatting. It was blatantly obvious the engagement was still on.
Where did that leave her?
Was her chance with York completely dead?
Cindy was already spiraling into despair, but seeing Claire emerge looking utterly
flawless sent a toxic wave of jealousy crashing through her.
Unable to contain her bitterness, she barked Claire's name.
Claire slowly turned to face her.
"Do
you
need something?"
Claire's chilling indifference made Cindy want to scream.
"What are you doing here?" Cindy
deed unable to stomach the
fact
that she was destitute, while
Claire radiated wealth and success.
If they hadn't swapped their identities back.
Would things be completely different right now?
"Why wouldn't I be here?" Claire countered effortlessly.
Remembering that this massive property was Pandora's prized real estate made
Cindy burn with resentment.
That old woman was so horribly biased.
If Pandora had just let her live in this
city would have been effortless
lavish house years ago, her life i
luxurious
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"I almost forgot. Pandora gifted this place to you."
"Pandora really spoils you," Cindy sneered, her voice dripping with venom.
Claire couldn't even be bothered to argue.
If Cindy had possessed a shred of decency, Pandora wouldn't have hesitated to share her wealth.
Take the agarwood pillow, for example.
Pandora had originally given it to Cindy, but Cindy had completely trashed it.
Ignorant of its true value, she had tossed the priceless heirloom aside like garbage.
Someone that careless simply didn't deserve Pandora's generosity.
Any fortune handed to Cindy would just be squandered.
"Pandora treated you perfectly fine in the past. You just threw it all away."
Claire was losing her patience.
Cindy opened her mouth, hesitating. "Is Pandora here? I miss her. Can I go wish her
a happy New Year?"
Claire rolled her eyes. "What, are you hoping she'll hand you a wad of holiday cash?"
"...That's not what I meant." Cindy flinched, playing the victim against Claire's sharp words.
A heavy silence fell between them. Claire wasn't going to budge until Cindy dropped
the act.
Forced into a corner, Cindy finally
cracked. I'm not a true daughter of
that family anymore. Now that
they're bankrupt and my adoptive
الله
father refuses to seem completely homeless."
Claire scoffed in disbelief. "Are you telling me Octavia didn't leave you a safety net?
I doubt that."