The Billionaire's True Heiress From Fake Jewel to Real Crown novel Chapter 1717

In reality, it wasn't just blind luck; Barrett Stone had recognized the shifting tides and played his cards with absolute brilliance.

By saving Silas's life in that hellhole, Barrett had secured the heir's eternal gratitude.

When Barrett inevitably climbed the ranks of the FIB, his destiny would be inextricably bound to Silas's dynasty.

They would rise together, or burn together.

Silas had been groomed in the ruthless art of manipulation since childhood; he knew exactly how to bind men to his cause.

Of course, Dane had no intention of burdening Claire with the dark, political machinations of the elite.

By the time they pulled up to the Churchill Estate, it was already 7:30 PM.

Padgett lived by an incredibly rigid schedule and usually took his evening stroll right about now.

But tonight, he was glued to his chair, waiting for his granddaughter. Even though he was starving, he had only nibbled on a few pastries to hold himself over.

It was a glaring testament to how deeply the old man adored her.

"Grandpa, I'm home!"

Claire hadn't brought back a single souvenir, but Padgett couldn't care less.

He frantically scanned his granddaughter, letting out a massive sigh of relief when he saw she was perfectly fine, albeit a shade tanner.

"You reckless girl, how could you fly into a foreign country without telling anyone? Your aunt Victoria and I were terrified you'd been kidnapped!"

Padgett's fear was visceral, rooted in the agonizing memory of his own daughter walking out the door and vanishing forever.

His daughter had disappeared without a trace. If his newly found granddaughter met the same fate, the grief would literally kill him.

Claire felt a sharp pang of guilt, knowing she had caused him genuine terror.

"I'm so sorry, Grandpa. I honestly wasn't thinking straight."

"The mission was incredibly urgent. Dr. Tandy called, I grabbed my gear, and we were airborne. I didn't even have time to email my professors."

Padgett gently poked Claire's forehead, sighing in defeat. "You are exactly like your mother. You share the exact same reckless fire."

She was so young, yet perfectly willing to throw herself into the line of fire for the greater good.

Hadn't his daughter abandoned her family for her country in the exact same way?

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