The Billionaire's True Heiress: From Fake Jewel to Real Crown novel Chapter 514

“You did well, Cindy.” Octavia ran her fingers through her daughter’s hair, her touch gentle and comforting.

“Latham, didn’t you say you’d booked a private room at Hearth & Kettle? Should we head over now?” she asked, turning to him.

Latham nodded. “Yeah, let’s go. I just need to make a quick call.”

By the time Claire picked up Latham’s call, she was already at Hearth & Kettle.

“Is there something you need, Latham?” Her voice was polite, but distant, the kind of polite that felt like a wall.

Latham could hear it in her tone, and it pinched at something inside him, but now wasn’t the time to argue.

“I heard you left your exam early... Did it go well?”

Claire didn’t ask how he found out. She just answered calmly, “It went fine. Pretty normal.”

Latham smiled, completely satisfied. “Well, I’m sure you’ll come out at the top of your class, as always.” This was exactly the daughter he’d always imagined: calm, competent, never bothered or overwhelmed. Not like Cindy, who looked like the weight of the world was on her shoulders every time anyone brought up test scores.

Honestly, Latham and Octavia hadn’t exactly been winning parenting awards lately.

“So, where are you and your grandmother now? Let’s have a meal together. We should at least celebrate you and Cindy finishing your exams. You’re finally adults now.”

Claire remembered the last time he threw her a coming-of-age celebration. He’d said something similar about growing up. The words never really meant much.

She paused, then just shut him down gently. “Grandma and I are already at the restaurant. She ran into an old friend, someone she hasn’t seen in years, so it’s probably not the best time to join us.”

Latham sighed, but didn’t press. “Alright. Congratulations to you, anyway.”

He knew that was that—if Pandora had found an old friend, there was no chance the family would eat together today. Fixing things with Claire would take time, and Latham had learned to be patient about it.

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