The Billionaire's True Heiress From Fake Jewel to Real Crown novel Chapter 53

Lance stood there, watching Claire drive off, and honestly, it stung. She really just left with some random blond guy? He couldn’t believe it. What was she even thinking?

Shirley didn’t waste a second before she started in with her usual sarcasm. “Is that blond kid supposed to be Claire’s new boyfriend?”

Rose rolled her eyes. “Did you see the car he was driving? It looked like it hadn’t seen a car wash in months. What, is he from the sticks too?”

Rose added, “Come on, Claire just left the James family. No way she’s already looking for a boyfriend.”

“Maybe they’re just old friends or something,” someone else suggested.

But Shirley’s eyes sparkled with gossip. “Or maybe they’ve actually been dating all along, just keeping it quiet because of York.”

York frowned. “Shirley, stop making things up.”

She shrugged. “How is it making things up? Claire never really liked hanging out with us anyway. Who knows what she’s been up to?”

“And even if that was her boyfriend, he’s nothing compared to you, York. Did you see that car? Total junk.”

Shirley couldn’t help repeating herself, clearly trying to drag Claire down. She’d already decided she was getting a Panamera for her eighteenth birthday and liked reminding people about it.

Abner, who was always into cars, surprised everyone by speaking up. “Actually, I’m not sure that’s just some junker.”

Shirley snorted. “Are you kidding? That thing was so filthy, the mud was practically covering the mirrors. If he can’t even spring for a car wash, you know he’s cheap.”

“She’s just a fake who got caught pretending to be someone she’s not.”

“Yeah, and who knows where she rented that dirty car from — probably just trying to look important.”

The group burst out laughing, and Shirley looked way too pleased with herself as everyone joined in putting Claire down.

Cindy overheard and frowned. “You guys shouldn’t talk about Claire like that. She’s just... not used to everything yet.”

Not used to what, exactly? Not used to her new life, so she had to rent a beat-up car to keep up appearances? The idea hung there, unspoken but obvious.

As Shirley and the others started planning what to do that afternoon, Octavia pulled York aside. “Wherever you guys go, take Cindy with you, okay? She’s a little shy and doesn’t know everyone yet. Look out for her.”