Now, it was clear those fears were entirely unfounded. Claire would thrive here, no matter what.
Taking a moment to relax, Ophelia and Karla carefully studied the old estate. They shared Padgett's assessment-the James family had some serious old money. The sheer scale of the property was a testament to their ancestors' immense wealth.
Pearce invited everyone inside to sit, but the group ultimately opted for the gazebo in the courtyard. The city was sweltering in the summer heat, but out here, a refreshing breeze rolled through in the mornings and evenings. Even as noon approached, the stifling urban heatwave was nowhere to be felt.
There was a grape trellis in the courtyard, so Claire grabbed a small basket and had Owen carry it for her. She snipped off a few clusters of grapes and washed them under the natural spring water piped into the yard. Once they were clean, she brought them over to the gazebo.
Ophelia and Karla each tried one and marveled at how sweet they were. Between people snacking on fruit, chatting animatedly, and the ongoing cooking, the atmosphere was wonderfully vibrant.
The dining table was set indoors. Dish after dish was served, each a masterpiece of color and aroma. The James family's plates and bowls were incredibly exquisite and rustic, perfectly complementing the grandeur of the estate.
"Padgett, please have a seat," Pandora urged.
Once Padgett was seated, everyone else found their places around a table groaning under the weight of the feast.
The meal featured robust, countryside flavors and hearty, nourishing broths that had everyone singing praises.
"Patti is the head chef today, isn't she? I had no idea her cooking was this phenomenal," one of them complimented.
"She learned from her family. It's decent enough to get by," Pearce replied with a modest chuckle.
There was no aggressive pressure to drink during the meal. Pandora simply had someone bring out a special liquor she had infused with premium herbs, leaving it for anyone who wanted to pour themselves a glass.
Claire had originally invited Mary to come to the countryside to escape the summer heat. However, Mary had declined, unable to stop worrying about Lance, who was still stuck in the hospital.
Claire completely understood. Lance
was Mary's biological grandson, after all. With his mother arrested and Latham too busy keeping the company afloat to visit the hospital, Marx would be endlessly criticized if she didnt step in to help. While Mary didn't care about the gossip, she wasn't the type to just wash her hands of her family.
Dane was also present, though Claire had explicitly kept his status as her fiancé a secret. Pandora had specifically suggested introducing him simply as the grandson of an old friend. Since Dang had visited once before, the locals didn't pay him much attention.
The village banquets kicked off the next day. The best cooks from every household brought their A-game, and there was no shortage of helping hands. Claire was the most relaxed person there; her only job was to eat.
Oh, right-there was also a brief ceremony honoring their ancestors before the feast began. Producing another top scholar was a massive honor for a family that had once been prominent landowners The villagers were incredibly proud of Claire.
"The Clan Successor definitely inherited Agassi's brilliance. Pandora's son and granddaughter both got into the best universities. It's something to envy."
"Didn't you hear the Clan Leader? Her daughter-in-law was a genius from Cabinda. With two brilliant parents, how could their daughter be anything less?"
"I always said Cindy didn't seem like a true James. She's smart and gets good grades, sure, but she doesn't hold a candle to Agassi when he was young."
The clan members gossiped excitedly among themselves.
The banquet was a roaring success, and the Churchill family thoroughly enjoyed the lively atmosphere. Still, Padgett couldn't help but feel a pang of melancholy when he thought of his daughter.
"If Melissa could see her daughter all grown up, she'd be so happy," he murmured softly.
Ophelia quickly comforted him. "Don't worry, Padgett. Melissa and her husband are definitely fine. Even if they can't come back right now, they will eventually."
"Melissa is so smart; even if she ran into trouble, she'd find a way out of it."