The Billionaire's True Heiress From Fake Jewel to Real Crown novel Chapter 398

Octavia smiled and steered the conversation in a new direction. “You know, I think Cindy wants her own place because she’s seen Claire living right across from the school. Now she wants to try life outside the dorms too.”

“It might be good for her. Having somewhere close by for her lunch breaks would give her more time to study,” Latham replied.

“Exactly. Other students can head back to the dorms at noon, but Cindy’s stuck in the classroom napping at her desk. She can’t really rest like that. And with that apartment belonging to our son, Cindy probably feels awkward staying there. Plus, seeing Claire in her own place while she doesn’t have one yet—that’s got to make her feel bad.”

Latham pressed his fingers to his forehead. “Wait, Claire actually bought an apartment? She isn’t just renting?”

“She bought it,” Octavia confirmed, a note of irritation slipping through. The money Claire used was supposed to be Cindy’s—everyone knew that.

Latham caught on right away. “That money is from the time she sold that Agarwood pillow, isn’t it? You should have made sure Cindy brought it home. If she had, that twenty million would’ve gone straight to her. She wouldn’t have to envy anyone else’s house right now.”

Octavia silently agreed, but didn’t like Latham throwing blame around. “Cindy’s just a teenager. She grew up in the countryside. How could she possibly spot something like that? Honestly, I think Pandora kept quiet on purpose. If she had mentioned it was an Agarwood pillow, do you think we would’ve left it behind?”

With Latham’s agreement, Octavia relaxed, then her mind wandered to the Hearth & Kettle property on the West Side. “If only we could get Hearth & Kettle for Cindy’s wedding. That would be the dream. But Pandora’s so sly. She won’t give Cindy a thing, not even though she’s her own granddaughter. It’s like she doesn’t trust her at all.”

Latham found himself understanding his mother’s point. “Cindy was a child back then. Pandora probably worried she’d lose it all. You know how naive Cindy can be sometimes. Claire, on the other hand, grew up with us and is almost an adult. If Pandora didn’t give Claire, her adopted granddaughter, something nice, she’d probably worry Claire would distance herself. Claire’s seen enough that she won’t get overwhelmed. She’s just more capable than Cindy. Giving her the house probably felt safer to Pandora.”

Latham wasn’t trying to take Claire’s side, he just honestly saw it that way.