The Billionaire's True Heiress From Fake Jewel to Real Crown novel Chapter 19

“Showing up this late?”

Claire frowned, her gaze instantly landing on the young man standing between a middle-aged guy and a bodyguard.

Who was this? And why did he have to be so good-looking?

The middle-aged man leaned over and spoke quietly to Dane. “That young lady looks more like she owns the place.”

Cindy heard him and felt a pang of annoyance twist in her chest. Her face soured.

Why did Claire always seem like she was in charge? Cindy had lived here for eighteen years.

“Claire, who’s at the door?”

Pandora was inside, soaking her feet. She took her time drying off, then slipped on her socks and shoes before finally coming out to see what the fuss was about.

She studied the tall, confident young man. There was something familiar in his features, a flicker of an old memory. After a long moment, she spoke. “Are you from the Green family?”

“I’m Dane. Nice to meet you, Pandora.” Dane gave her a respectful nod, the kind you’d give to your elders.

“You’re Baldrick’s grandson?” Pandora’s eyes narrowed as she looked him over.

It had been years since she’d seen that family. People didn’t just show up like this for no reason.

“Yes,” Dane replied with a nod.

Pandora’s expression tightened. “Don’t tell me your grandfather…”

Dane immediately understood what she was thinking. He looked a little awkward.

“He’s still alive,” he said quickly.

Claire couldn’t help it. She snorted, then burst out laughing.

This guy was nothing if not blunt.

Pandora realized her mistake and shot Claire a look. “Claire, aren’t you going to let our guests in?”

Fine.

Claire flicked on the lights in the main room and turned to Dane. “Come on in. It’s freezing out here, let’s talk inside.”

The surprise visit hinted that maybe this old woman wasn’t as simple as Octavia had always thought.

“My grandfather has really bad rheumatism,” Dane said. “He’s in so much pain he can’t even sleep anymore.”

He paused, then added, “I heard your father included a pair of agarwood pillows with your wedding gifts. Would you be willing to part with them?”

Pandora studied him, her eyes sharp. “Who told you about that?”

“When my grandfather was working out here, he probably heard someone mention that your father kept your wedding gifts safe at the Civic Prime Bank…”

Dane trailed off, clearly not wanting to say too much in front of strangers.

“I do still have those pillows,” Pandora admitted. She noticed the stunned looks on Octavia’s and Cindy’s faces, but she just glanced at them, then looked away.

“But your timing isn’t great.”

Dane’s brow creased. His heart felt like it had just dropped from a mountaintop. Just a moment ago, he thought it was all going smoothly, but now it felt like everything was slipping away.

“Did you already give them to someone else?” Dane hadn’t even considered that she might have sold them.