The Billionaire's True Heiress From Fake Jewel to Real Crown novel Chapter 34

Jennifer was quick to step forward, slipping an arm around Pandora to gently guide her out. She led the group toward a private room, one that almost never saw the light of day.

These rooms were reserved for only the most important guests. Regulars and newcomers alike rarely even glimpsed them.

“It’s been years since I’ve set foot in Hearth & Kettle,” Pandora said with a soft laugh. “Guess I was trying to avoid old memories.”

Old memories. That hung in the air for a moment.

Jennifer, always smooth, shifted topics right away. “And these two? They must be your grandkids?”

Pandora smiled, introducing them. “The girl on the left is my granddaughter, Claire. And on the right, that’s Dane, the grandson of an old friend.”

Jennifer greeted both warmly. “I know what Pandora likes, but Claire, Dane, what about you two?”

Claire answered easily, naming a couple of her favorite dishes. Dane just mentioned a few foods he couldn’t eat, leaving the rest up to the kitchen.

“Pandora, just wait here a minute. I’ll take care of things myself,” Jennifer said.

That made the manager do a double take. The owner herself, cooking for guests? That almost never happened.

Once everyone was settled, the manager slipped out to find Jennifer in the kitchen. She had her hair tied up and was already moving with practiced ease, sleeves rolled and hands busy.

“Boss, who exactly is Pandora? You’re never the one who cooks for guests.”

Everyone knew that of Daniel’s three daughters, the youngest was the most talented, inheriting his culinary skills. But she was also known for avoiding the kitchen whenever she could.

Usually, Hearth & Kettle ran on the skills of her senior apprentice and a student she’d trained. Jennifer liked to joke she was a professional slacker. She’d taught someone else to handle things so she could take it easy.

Pandora grinned. “This was part of my dowry. Your great-grandfather arranged it for me.”

Claire’s eyes went wide. She could hardly believe it.

Pandora was seriously rich.

Word was, this place had been built to royal standards. If Cindy knew just how wealthy Pandora was, would she regret rushing to reconnect with her birth family?

“Please don’t tell me you have even more dowry properties,” Claire said, only half-joking.

Dane, who knew more than he let on, just smiled. His dad had told him Pandora’s father had put most of her wedding gifts in banks all over the place.

Before Pandora could answer, Claire waved her off, laughing. “Forget it. I think I’d rather be surprised now and then!”