The Billionaire's True Heiress From Fake Jewel to Real Crown novel Chapter 446

“Octavia always had that smile on her face, but the second the adults left, she’d turn ice-cold with us kids,” Shirley said, thinking back to when they were little.

Claire let out a laugh. “Yeah, she never really liked us.”

Kids always picked up on those things, the little shifts in someone’s mood.

Shirley nodded, then paused, “Makes sense she didn’t like me or my brother, I guess.”

“I mean, maybe she was worried you’d get part of her inheritance. But she didn’t even know you were adopted back then, did she? So why was she cold to you too?”

Shirley replayed all those years in her head. Octavia had always been strict with Claire, nothing like how warm she was with Cindy now.

“Maybe it’s just some instinct about family… Like, you just know.”

“I don’t think we were ever close, not even when I was little,” Claire said quietly.

But she couldn’t exactly admit she suspected Octavia might have known she wasn’t her real daughter all along.

“Cindy told me Pandora’s not close to her either. So maybe it really is all about blood.”

Shirley didn’t dwell on it.

Claire sighed and rubbed her temples. “I’m kinda tired. I’m going to take a nap. You can chill in the living room if you want.”

Shirley flashed her an “OK,” then secretly pulled out her phone to message Freda.

Girl, guess what, I’ve already picked her up! My idol actually sent me a video, wishing me good luck and saying I’ll do great on my college entrance exams.

No way I’m letting him down. This is my sign to study harder than ever.

But Freda only wanted to know about Claire. What did your friend say? Our idol’s okay, right?

She’s fine, no scars or anything. And she said she’d come have dinner with us sometime.

Shirley thought for a second, remembering how Claire sometimes acted. But just a heads up, she’s a bit reserved at first. She’s actually super caring—she just doesn’t show it much. Don’t take it personally if she’s not super friendly.

No worries, I get it. Freda was already fangirling hard. Even if Claire wasn’t chatty, she was still the one who’d saved her idol. That was more than enough reason for Freda to admire her.

“The restaurant’s not far. Want to drive or just walk?” he asked.

Octavia shot him a look. She was in her favorite heels—no way she was walking.

“We’ll drive. You take the car, son. The backseat’s perfect for three,” she said, sliding right into the passenger side.

The three girls fit easily in the back. Claire took the spot by the door, Shirley was in the middle, and Cindy climbed in last, sitting by the window.

Octavia had picked a restaurant known for being stylish and kind of fancy. The vibe inside was nice, too.

She ordered first, then passed the menu around.

Claire picked out two of her go-to favorites. Shirley was all in and ordered what she wanted, too. Cindy, though, just sat quietly and didn’t order anything.

Lance glanced at them, then grabbed the menu. “Let’s get a lotus root and pork rib soup. And bring out the blueberry yam as well.”

Those two dishes were always Claire’s top picks.