The Billionaire's True Heiress From Fake Jewel to Real Crown novel Chapter 26

He paused for a second when he saw how odd Claire looked.

“Here, have some tea before you go to bed.”

Claire’s expression changed in an instant. She handed him the cup. “I didn’t brew it too strong. It’ll help with fatigue, boost your immune system, and should help you sleep.”

“Thank you, Claire.” Dane accepted the tea.

“Get some rest, then.” Claire didn’t stick around. She turned and walked away, quick and to the point.

Dane watched her go. For a moment, he felt embarrassed about the thought that had flashed through his mind just now.

The second Claire knocked on his door with the tea, he’d suspected something was off.

But it was better to be wrong. He really didn’t want to offend one of Baldrick’s old friends, or a young woman claiming to be a student of Hale’s.

***

At the same time, Octavia and her kids were back at home, tossing and turning in bed, wide awake.

Octavia was in a terrible mood. She kept thinking about the twenty million they’d missed out on, and how Claire had made them look like fools.

Latham didn’t get home until late, after midnight. He washed up and collapsed onto the bed. The smell of alcohol filled the room, making it even harder for Octavia to sleep.

She frowned. “Why did you have to drink so much?”

“It was for that project, obviously.” Latham rubbed his forehead. He’d had way too much to drink and his head was pounding.

“Did you go out to the village today? Did you bring Claire back?”

Hearing that, Octavia froze. “I completely forgot!”

She finally remembered. The trip out there wasn’t just to help Cindy move or drop off a thank-you gift. Her husband had also told her to bring Claire back first.

Latham’s face darkened. “What happened?”

He still hadn’t gotten over what he’d heard yesterday, about their son driving Claire back to the village in the middle of the night. They hadn’t even done the DNA test yet, and they were already so eager to send her away. If anyone on the outside found out, they’d think the James family was heartless, just tossing aside the girl they’d raised for eighteen years like she meant nothing.

“Yeah, I think his name was Dane. That’s what he said when he introduced himself.” Octavia left out the part where she was the one who didn’t want the pillow in the first place. Not that Latham cared about that detail.

“Dane? As in, the CEO of Cabinda Vertex International?”

Latham suddenly perked up.

Vertex International was loaded. Its CEO was the richest man in Cabinda.

If they could get Vertex International to invest in the project, they wouldn’t have to worry about funding at all.

Octavia said, “I don’t know if it’s really him, but he was wearing a Patek Philippe and drove a Rolls-Royce.”

“It has to be him!” Latham sat up, then flopped back down. “I’ll go pick up Claire myself tomorrow.”

Octavia frowned. “Just for the DNA test? You could call her. It’s not like Claire would dare refuse.”

“Yeah, and while I’m there, I’ll see what I can find out about Dane.”