The Billionaire's True Heiress From Fake Jewel to Real Crown novel Chapter 173

Cindy showed up with her arms full of gifts for the old lady, glancing around at Pandora’s gorgeous house. Suddenly, she realized the countryside wasn’t always the same. Some places were just… magical. This wasn’t just rural life, it was more like living in a dream.

Out in the yard, Pandora was wrapped in a cozy blanket, a cat tucked under her arm as she played with it. When she saw people arriving, her face lit up for a second, but then she noticed it was Cindy stepping out of the car, not Claire. Her smile faded and her brows drew together.

“So, did you bring your girlfriend with you?” Pandora asked her grandson, her tone teasing but sharp.

Cindy’s smile faltered, caught off guard.

Lance jumped in, pulling Cindy a little closer. “Grandma, didn’t Dad already tell you? There was that hospital mix-up with the James family. Cindy’s actually my sister, not Claire. We’re not even related to Claire.”

He made sure to really stress the part about not being related.

Cindy’s heart warmed a little. She thought Lance was standing up for her. Maybe he really did care, maybe he wasn’t actually picking Claire over her after all.

Pandora, though, just shot him a sideways look. “And where’s Claire? She didn’t come?”

“She didn’t want to.” Lance’s voice tightened at the mention of Claire. “You always spoiled her, but now she’s out there calling someone else her grandma. She’s so ungrateful.”

Lance had a real talent for stirring up drama.

Just then, Claire’s car rolled up outside. She stepped out and shot Lance a glare, but in front of Pandora her whole expression changed to sweet and sunny.

“Who said I wasn’t coming?” she said. “Grandma, I’m here to pick you up.”

Pandora’s face finally broke into a real smile. “Alright then, Latham told me everything. You’re calling off the engagement with that Byron boy, huh?”

She sighed. “Honestly, that engagement was a mistake from the start. Who still does arranged marriages these days? What’s the point? If you don’t even like each other, breaking it off just becomes a mess. Look at you now, you must be exhausted.”

Claire helped Pandora into the car. Lance was clearly fuming, but kept his mouth shut.

Cindy tried her best to look sweet and polite. “Grandma, how about I ride with you and Claire? I can sit in the back.”

She was hoping to use the ride to get closer to Pandora, thinking that if she was extra nice, Pandora would let her join.

But Pandora didn’t even consider it. “No need. Two people in one car. It’s more balanced that way.”

Cindy was left speechless. Balanced? What was this, a seesaw?

But Pandora had already shut her down, and trying to push her way in would only make things more awkward.

Claire started the car with a smile, pulling away as the neighborhood cats and dogs watched them go. The scenery out here was stunning. All the retirees living in this area had plenty of money, every house had a housekeeper, and every garden looked like something out of a magazine.