The Billionaire's True Heiress From Fake Jewel to Real Crown novel Chapter 340

Just thinking about those outhouse pictures she’d seen online was enough to send chills down Shirley’s spine. What if, while she was using the bathroom, a maggot suddenly crawled up by her feet?

Cindy gave her a look. “Some families in the village still use outhouses, but Grandmother’s place has a real bathroom.”

“Grandmother’s all about being clean. Her house is one of the nicest ones around.”

That was no exaggeration—the old brick house had always been considered one of the best in the area. Cindy had grown up here, and she didn’t want anyone trash-talking her home.

“Hey, is that Cindy back?” A kid at the entrance of the village spotted her and called out at once.

“Reeves, what are you still doing out here? Go home for lunch—it’s almost noon.” Cindy recognized the boy and called out with a big smile.

“Come over here. I brought you some candy.”

Giving out candy had been Cindy’s idea. Nothing made kids happier than sweets. Back when she’d visited during school breaks, she’d always buy some, but money used to be tight—it was usually the cheap kind. This time, though, she’d bought the fancy stuff from a nice supermarket. The James family never cared if she spent a little extra, and Cindy loved showing up with treats after being away so long. She wanted people to know she was doing well.

“Thanks, Cindy.” She scooped up a handful of candy, but Reeves only took two pieces.

“Go call the other kids, let them all get some,” Cindy told him, not bothered at all by how many he took.

Reeves called out, and soon more children came running. Cindy gave each of them some candy. Shirley couldn’t help laughing at how cute the scene looked.

“They’re so good,” Shirley said to Cindy. “Not wild at all like I thought.”

Shirley hung up and turned to the group. “Claire says we should just go in ourselves. Seriously, we came all this way and she can’t even come greet us.”

“And we bought so much stuff, too,” someone else chimed in, their arms full of gifts.

Octavia joined in the grumbling. “So much for country folks being warm and polite. Looks like Claire’s spent so much time out here she’s forgotten her manners.”

“She used to be so sweet. Now she acts like a stranger.”

“That’s enough,” Latham cut in, clearly annoyed with the complaints. He wasn’t thrilled either, but arguing about it here wouldn’t do any good.

He understood Claire probably held a bit of a grudge. They could talk things over with her later. Complaining now wouldn’t fix anything. They’d already made it here, and turning around just because Claire didn’t come outside would be ridiculous.