The Billionaire's True Heiress From Fake Jewel to Real Crown novel Chapter 551

“So you’re saying the James family might not even outdo some country grandma.”

Henrietta started to catch on, a smile playing at her lips.

Mabel nodded, totally serious. “That’s exactly what I mean.”

“I just kept thinking, if we’d landed the West Side project, we would’ve been able to keep Hearth and Kettle going.”

“But Dad lost the bid, right?”

The bidding for the West Side project had already ended. Mabel’s family had money, sure, but they really couldn't compete with the Jameses and the Byrons this round. Those two had thrown in everything they had.

Keen, Mabel’s dad, had wanted to try for it at first. But once he saw how far the other families were willing to go, especially working together, he decided to back out.

Mabel’s family had no shortage of smaller developments anyway. The West Side wasn’t guaranteed money—the area was mostly just older folks who’d been living there for ages. Getting people to move out would’ve been a nightmare. Thinking it’d be easy to profit was just wishful thinking.

“Actually, it’s a good thing your dad lost. Pulling together that much cash would’ve stretched us too thin. Now, without the West Side to worry about, things are a lot less tight.”

“And since you want to start your own business, he can help you out with some funds.”

Henrietta and Keen spoiled Mabel. Whatever she wanted to do, they backed her all the way. That’s what happens when you’re an only child—you get the world handed to you.

Mabel had grown up with so much love, her whole life was a little bubble of happiness. Still, she was smart. She knew how things worked, and nobody was going to trick her, no matter how charming.

“Dad is way too good to me,” she grinned, hugging her mom’s arm. “You guys are seriously going to spoil me rotten. I already said I’d handle this whole startup on my own.”

Henrietta glanced around, noticing Octavia was alone. There was a brief flicker in her eyes. “Yes, sorry we’re late, Octavia. Hope you don’t mind.”

Octavia knew exactly what Henrietta was getting at. She tried to smooth things over. “I’m so sorry, Henrietta. My son got called into a meeting at the last second, and now he’s stuck in traffic.”

Henrietta wasn’t all that concerned about excuses. Seeing Octavia was being polite about it, she decided to just let it go.

Mabel had met Octavia in person a couple of times before. She greeted her sweetly and sat down.

Octavia couldn’t help but look Mabel over. The more she saw, the more she liked her. “Mabel, I’ve been wanting to invite you out for ages. Your mom said you’ve been busy. I love that you want to do your own thing and start a business.”

“It’s nice, being a daughter. You get to hang out with your mom and have fun. My son? If I don’t practically beg, he’ll throw himself into work every day of the year and forget about everyone else.”