The Billionaire's True Heiress From Fake Jewel to Real Crown novel Chapter 484

“I’m serious, Julia. You really should take a page from Claire’s book. She works hard, doesn’t get caught up in drama, and she even snagged first place, both individually and as a team, at the math competition.”

Julia, of course, zoomed in on the one thing that mattered to her. “Wait. Elvis and his group didn’t win first?” She paused for a beat, then grinned. “Claire must be pretty amazing. If I ever get the chance to visit Solenia, do you think she’d show me around?”

Nolan thought for a second. “As long as you don’t do anything that gets on her nerves, I think she would.”

Julia tilted her head, curious. “What would actually annoy her?”

He shrugged. “I’m not sure. But she did treat you, and she gave you that super expensive miracle medicine. So she definitely doesn’t hate you.”

Honestly, Nolan thought, Julia was pretty adorable when Elvis wasn’t around.

Meanwhile, Claire was already on her flight, munching on the snacks Nolan had picked out for her. He really had a knack for making girls happy. Every little treat was exactly what she loved. The snacks were delicious, and the chocolate—wow. It wasn’t just any chocolate, either. This was the kind of brand that gets called the “Hermès of chocolate.” Claire handed some out to her friends, even sharing with Norris and the other teacher traveling with them.

The trip went by like a blur—food, laughter, a quick nap. Before they knew it, they’d made it to Cabinda International Airport.

Winners always draw attention, and since their team had taken the top spot in the competition, reporters were already there waiting for interviews. Teachers greeted them at the arrival gate, and soon enough, journalists formed a loose circle around Claire’s group.

The first person they wanted to talk to was Norris, of course. Young, good-looking, and he just happened to be the teacher leading the team.

One reporter perked up even more when she found out Norris was an associate professor at Cabinda University. Suddenly, everyone wanted a piece of him.

After the usual round of questions about the competition, things took a turn. A female reporter locked eyes with Norris. “Can I ask how old you are, Norris? And, um, do you have a girlfriend?”

Norris smiled. “No girlfriend.”

Claire found herself staring at the reporter. She was striking, with sharp eyebrows and a vibe that screamed “girl boss.” Claire couldn’t help but wonder why she was being so blunt, and in public, no less. Sure, everyone loved a little gossip, but this seemed a bit much.

Norris didn’t miss a beat. “Sorry, I’m not planning on dating anyone right now.”

A shadow crossed the reporter’s face, just for a moment. She let out a quiet laugh. “Funny… You said the same thing when I asked you ten years ago.”

The moment was so quick, Claire barely caught it. A colleague of the reporter’s, perhaps sensing the awkwardness, quickly chimed in, chuckling, “Wait, you and Norris actually go way back? You were classmates?”

“Fannie, you never told us about that,” someone added.

Fannie, the reporter, forced a smile. “Guess there’s a lot you guys don’t know about me. But it probably doesn’t matter. I doubt Norris even remembers me now.”