The Billionaire's True Heiress From Fake Jewel to Real Crown novel Chapter 1685

And what about the old man?

Claire didn't voice the question, but Tandy saw it in her eyes.

"He wasn't eaten, but he sustained fatal injuries from a fall and didn't receive medical attention in time, so..."

It sounded like the young granddaughter had tried to lure the bear away to give the old man a chance to survive.

Unfortunately, fate hadn't been kind to either of them.

"You didn't happen to know him personally, did you?"

If this was just a story about strangers, it was a tragic anecdote.

But if it was a family member, that was an entirely different weight to carry.

Claire asked the question delicately.

Tandy fell silent for a moment. "...They were distant relatives of mine."

Just as she suspected.

"I'm so sorry, Grandpa Tandy. I didn't mean to bring up bad memories."

Tandy reached over and patted Claire's shoulder. "Alright, relax, I'm messing with you. Once we cross the border, you need to keep your emotions in check."

"I might just be a military doctor, but I've run plenty of field ops. You still have a lot to learn."

Claire was speechless. With him acting so cheerful and optimistic, she genuinely couldn't tell when he was telling the truth anymore.

"Understood. I'll be sure to learn everything I can, Grandpa."

Tandy was thoroughly impressed by how quickly Claire slipped into character.

Some people were just born with unparalleled talent, no matter the field.

"Once we arrive, a contact will meet us and coordinate our rendezvous with Silas's team as quickly as possible."

"Thank god they ran into some of our country's businessmen over there, or the consequences would have been unthinkable."

As to whether the 'businessmen' were actually informants, Tandy didn't elaborate, and Claire didn't ask.

It wasn't until their plane touched down near the Montara border that Claire spotted Stephen James.

Stephen was in disguise. He was the operative sent to take over Silas's compromised mission.

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