The moment Mary saw Claire walking in, she ushered the girl out of the ward.
"Why didn't you stay home and rest for another day?"
Mary's heart ached for her.
This surgery shouldn't have been her burden.
If it weren't for Mary, Claire never would have taken the case.
After all, a successful surgery would be seen as nothing more than her duty, while any complications would invite vicious blame from Latham's family.
It was a thankless job.
If Claire performed this level of surgery anywhere else, she would be paid a fortune.
Yet with her eldest son and daughter-in-law, neither of them had mentioned a single word about a surgical fee.
They acted as if Claire owed Lance this surgery.
Mary's disgust for the couple deepened by the second.
They were both chronic cheaters, yet neither had breathed a word about divorce. Frankly, they deserved each other.
It was just a question of whether two people who could share wealth could also survive total ruin together.
"I came to check on the lab. There's a lot of work piled up, but I wanted to stop by and see you first."
Hearing that, Mary couldn't exactly argue.
She knew how critical the project Claire was involved in was.
"Everything's fine on my end. Lance woke up once," Mary assured her.
"Head down to the lab. I'm here, so don't you worry about a thing."
Despite putting on a strong front, Mary looked noticeably haggard.
"You need to rest too. Isn't Dr. Duncan here?" Claire gently urged. "You shouldn't be pushing yourself so hard at your age."
"Leave Lance's care to Octavia and Cindy."
Barely had Cindy's name left her lips when the girl herself walked down the hall, carrying several bags.
Cindy froze when she spotted Claire, then quickly forced a bright, eager smile. "Claire, you're here."
"Did you eat yet? If I knew you were coming, I would have picked up extra breakfast."
Claire shook her head. "No need. I've already eaten."
She couldn't help but wonder what was up with Cindy. Why was her smile so cloyingly desperate today?
Claire turned back to Mary. "If I had known you hadn't eaten, I would have brought you something."
Mary was notoriously picky and demanded healthy, nutritious breakfasts.
Claire highly doubted whatever Cindy had bought would suit the matriarch's refined palate.
"It's fine. Cindy brought something, didn't she? I'll just have a little bite."
"Now hurry off to the lab, don't waste time here," Mary shooed her away.
Left with no choice, Claire took her leave.
Cindy stood awkwardly to the side.
Ever since she discovered she wasn't Latham's biological daughter, her position in the James family had become excruciatingly tense.
Latham wouldn't even look her in the eye. Honestly, if Lance hadn't been in that crash, and if the company wasn't in utter chaos, Latham probably would have already kicked her out.
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For now, she was at least somewhat useful, helping her mother care for Lance.
Once her brother recovered, she
planned to retreat to her apartment.
As long as she stayed out of the James family's sight things should be fine, right?
Realizing she was the true beneficiary of the baby-swap scheme, Cindy felt too ashamed to even face Claire.
And she was completely at a loss when it came to Mary.
The matriarch was terrifyingly perceptive. She fully knew Cindy wasn't a true James,
yet she remained silent. Cindy knew it wasn't out of love.
Mary simply didn't want the drama.
In reality, Mary was just completely thoroughly exhausted with her eldest son's household.
Latham and Octavia were cut from the same rotten cloth, neither better than the other.
This was their mess, and Mary refused to lift a finger to clean it up.
"Mary, I brought breakfast. Please, take whatever you like."
Cindy had bought an enormous spread.
Mary selected a bran muffin, a hard-boiled egg, and poured herself a cup of black coffee.
"Thank you, Cindy."
Cindy was overwhelmed by the gentle response. "It's the least I could do. With Lance's accident and the family's troubles. haven't been able to help much content belongs fo FindNovel.net