"How are you feeling today, Daniel?" Claire asked as she walked over to examine him.
Daniel's spirits seemed high. "Not bad at all. The pain isn't nearly as bad-I think I'm on the mend."
The fact that his condition hadn't worsened was an encouraging sign in itself. If bone cancer could be held at bay-or even defeated-it would mark a true milestone for medicine.
"Your body is so much stronger than before," Claire told him.
Daniel had some medicine, and not long afterward, he drifted peacefully off to sleep.
Claire was just about to make her way to the lab when Jennifer caught up with her. "Claire," Jennifer called out.
Claire stopped and turned. "Yes, Jennifer? Is something wrong?"
She'd expected Jennifer to be concerned about Daniel, but instead, Jennifer started talking about the demolition project.
"There was an accident during the James Group's demolition last night. Someone died."
Because this involved the James family—a family whose home Claire had grown up in-Jennifer felt Claire deserved to hear the news firsthand.
"Really?" Claire was genuinely taken aback; she rarely paid attention to anything concerning the James family these days.
She certainly never involved herself in the company business. Years ago, Octavia had been adamant that Claire stay far away from it.
Maybe Octavia had always suspected she wasn't her biological daughter, and that was why she was so determined to keep her out. Looking back, the clues had all been there.
"It turned violent," Jennifer went on. "The city's probably going to get involved, maybe even crack down on both James Group and Byron Group. This is hitting both companies hard."
Claire stared in stunned silence—she had been left completely in the dark. Both families were swept up in disaster, far too preoccupied to spare a thought for her
now.
By this morning, the press had already run stories on the James family's role in the brutal eviction
and the tragic death. Soon after net
other Scandals linked to the James Group started surfacing. Latham and Lance were now too busy putting out fires to be concerned, about any party arrangements for Claire.
"I'm just a student, Jennifer. There's really nothing I can do to help, but I hope the
James family pulls through," Claire said, her voice almost emotionless.
The ice in Claire's voice told Jennifer everything she needed to know about her feelings for the Jameses. "Before all of this, the Byrons came asking if I'd consider selling Hearth & Kettle. They wanted to know if I
move the business-or if I'd want to lease a new place from them once construction's finished."
The Byrons knew perfectly well that the property belonged to Claire. Why they came
to Jennifer, she couldn't quite fathom-but their motives were hardly pure.
Jennifer had refused them on the spot, saying the place was a wedding gift from
one of her father's old friends, and that the owner would never consider selling.
She didn't know if that answer would help shield Claire from their harassment—but if she hadn't said anything, maybe the Byrons would have kept up the chase, still hoping they could somehow get their hands on Hearth & Kettle.
Not that Jennifer was completely
selfless. Hearth & Kettle had
operated on that corner for decades and enjoyed a spotless reputation. If° she reopened elsewhere, she doubted business would be the same; people came as much for the charm of the place as forthe food.
Besides, it wasn't as if the James family needed the money. Pandora, after all these years, had never once asked for the rent. Why would she care about whatever little cash a sale might bring?
It was only after Jennifer discovered that the VIA Group was also Pandora's business that she realized just how unassuming Pandora really was. In Jennifer's eyes, Pandora now seemed extraordinary.
She owned elegant homes, powerful companies—she had it all. Yet she chose to live quietly out in the countryside, far removed from the city's chaos and ambition. All those worldly rivalries simply couldn't touch her, and money had lost any appeal.
Even if someone came offering a fortune for the property, Pandora wouldn't even bat an eye.
"Thank you, Jennifer," Claire said with a smile. "But that place belongs to Pandora. I wouldn't dream of doing anything without her blessing."
"And Pandora would never agree anyway," Jennifer replied. "Her father gave her that house as a special wedding gift."