"Claire, it's been ages since you last came home. You really should visit more often," Octavia cooed, her voice dripping with insincerity.
Claire didn't even bother replying.
Octavia handed her a bowl of fruit and pressed on. "You know, ever since you were named valedictorian, all the ladies in town have been coming up to me, asking if you're seeing anyone yet. Tell me—are there any boys at school you like?"
Claire was genuinely taken aback that Octavia would show such an interest in her dating life.
"No. I've been focused on my studies. Relationships aren't on my mind right now."
Octavia relaxed slightly at that. With no one special in Claire's life, she'd be easier to
steer.
“Well,” Octavia continued smoothly, "now that you're at the top of your class, maybe it's time you gave it some thought. If you found a good family, there'd be no harm in settling down early-it might open doors for you in the future." As she finished, she watched Claire closely for any reaction.
If Claire didn't seem too put off, Octavia was ready to pitch Mrs. Clark's proposal.
"I don't think I need any extra help," Claire replied coolly. "It doesn't matter how wealthy a family is—if a person's incompetent, they'll still lose it all in the end."
"Then find someone with both character and a strong family background," Octavia replied without missing a beat.
Claire could see right through her. Octavia was determined to set her up. Wasn't the company in crisis? How did she still have time for matchmaking?
"I'm not in a rush. I'm still young," Claire answered, a polite refusal disguised as a casual comment.
Octavia finally dropped the pretense. "Well, there's something I wanted to discuss with you." Since Claire wasn't playing along, she got right to the point.
Claire smiled slightly. There it was—she was finally showing her hand.
"Oh?" Her response was as lukewarm as could be.
Qu
Unfazed, Octavia pressed on. "You might not have heard, but the company's in trouble. Latham and Lance are run ragged. There's a serious cash crunch everything's tied up in a redevelopment project. If it stalls, we could be facing bankruptcy."
Claire put on a look of helpless concern. "Sounds like Latham will have to come up with something. Did he step on the wrong toes? Seems pretty serious for things to fall apart so fast."
Of course Octavia suspected someone was deliberately sabotaging the James family. But right now, the priority was to keep things afloat.
"Who knows?All we can do is look for a way out for some funds to tide us over: The bank was
considering a loan, but..." Octavian et
hesitated, feigning embarrassment. "Mrs. Clark reached out. She says shes quite taken with you and wants to have you to dinner. Claire, I wouldn't bring this up if things weren't so desperate. Mrs. Clark says she genuinely likes you, and the Clarks are a wonderful family. Could you meet them-just once? See how it goes?"
At last, Octavia let herself sound like someone asking for a real favor.
Claire thought to herself: Mrs. Clark liked her? Please. She just cared that Claire
was valedictorian now, with a bright future ahead.
"The Clarks have a son, don't they?" Claire asked flatly.
Octavia's smile faltered, but she nodded. "They do. He's a few years older than you, about your brother's age. He went to school overseas, just came back, and now he's working at the bank a promising career."
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If he was truly such a catch, Claire mused wryly, why chase after a foster daughter
like her? Wouldn't he have his pick of society girls?