The Billionaire's True Heiress: From Fake Jewel to Real Crown novel Chapter 14

Claire shot her a look. “No, they were always yours. There’s nothing for me to take.”

“Claire, do you have to be so snarky with Cindy?” Lance finally spoke up. To him, Claire was just picking on Cindy. Growing up in the countryside, Cindy was soft-spoken and gentle, nowhere near a match for Claire.

“I don’t think I said anything wrong, did I?”

Lance was about to retort, but Claire cut him off. “Don’t talk to me. You annoy me just by being here.” She didn’t bother hiding her impatience.

Lance stared at her, stunned that she could be even more dismissive than he was.

“You’re Cindy’s brother, right?” Pandora turned to Lance.

“Yeah.” Lance’s attitude shifted instantly with Pandora. He wasn’t nearly as pushy now. Something about her presence, the way she carried herself as the family matriarch, made him uneasy. This wasn’t what he’d expected at all.

Still, the fact that Pandora was so respected in the village only made him feel worse for Cindy. If Pandora was in charge, yet Cindy’s life here had been so tough, didn’t that mean Pandora hadn’t treated her well?

“Lance, you’ve always looked out for Cindy. I bet you were just as protective of Claire back then.” Pandora’s tone was light, almost friendly.

“Claire, you should toast Lance. Thank him for all his help over the years.”

The words sounded polite enough, but Lance felt the sting of sarcasm underneath.

And wouldn’t you know it, Claire went along with it. She poured herself some tea, then filled a glass with liquor and handed it to Lance.

“Thanks for everything you’ve done for me, Lance.” Claire raised her cup.

Lance opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He just knocked back the drink in one gulp.

The liquor burned all the way down. He started coughing, face turning red. “Agh… cough, cough…”

Claire tried to hold back her laughter, but she couldn’t. She was honestly enjoying the show.

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