The Billionaire's True Heiress From Fake Jewel to Real Crown novel Chapter 296

Cindy felt a rush of emotion as she leaned into her mother’s arms, soaking in the comfort she’d been craving all day.

The warmth between mother and daughter didn’t last long. When Latham walked through the door, you could practically feel the tension radiating off him. He’d spent the whole day cleaning up the company’s reputation after the mess caused by his own family, fielding complaints from angry shareholders. Seeing Octavia and Cindy waiting at home just made his anger bubble over.

“Dad?” Cindy called out, her voice tentative as she noticed the stormy look on his face.

Latham barely acknowledged her, his reply little more than a gruff sound.

Octavia caught the shift in the air right away. She reached out gently, trying to ease the tension. “Latham, did everything get settled at work?”

She let out a sigh. “I know it was my fault this time. I just didn’t think things through. We raised Claire for eighteen years, and she turned around and acted like we meant nothing to her. It hurts. And Cindy hasn’t had it easy lately either. I worry about her.”

She went on, her frustration spilling out. “Claire lived the life that was supposed to be Cindy’s for so long. She owes Cindy. Why couldn’t she just step aside a little?”

As Octavia continued, Latham’s jaw clenched tighter and tighter.

“Enough,” he snapped, his voice cutting through the room.

Octavia finally realized how angry he really was. “Latham, are you upset?”

Her words only made things worse. Latham turned his frustration on her. “You too. I get that you’re jealous of Claire, but letting it mess up your own studies? Isn’t that going too far?”

Cindy looked up with tears brimming in her eyes. “Dad, that’s not it. I just didn’t want Claire to outshine me. I’m the real daughter of the James family, but I can’t even measure up to someone who isn’t. I don’t want people laughing at me.”

Latham stared at her, his expression serious. “You’re not as talented as Claire, and you need to accept that. But even if you can’t match her, you’re still the James family’s daughter. That alone puts you above her, no matter how much she achieves.”

“Your background sets you apart. If you keep obsessing over her, you’ll get nowhere.”

Octavia’s heart ached as she watched her daughter’s eyes fill with tears. She couldn’t help but step in. “Latham, don’t talk to Cindy like that. Claire stole eighteen years of her life. If Cindy had grown up with us from the start, there’s no way she’d be any less than Claire.”