The Billionaire's True Heiress From Fake Jewel to Real Crown novel Chapter 675

Mary's words made Octavia feel entirely exposed, as if she had nowhere left to hide. She didn't even know if Mary actually knew something concrete or if she was just testing the waters.

"Cindy is not a child of the James family, is she?" Mary looked straight at Octavia as she asked the question. Though phrased as an inquiry, Mary's tone carried absolute certainty.

Octavia was stunned. She didn't dare lie to the older woman. Mary's piercing eyes seemed capable of seeing straight through everything. But at the same time, Octavia was utterly shocked. How on earth did Mary know? Had Latham told her? No, that was impossible. Latham cared too much about his pride. Unless they had a completely unfixable falling out, he would never reveal such a shameful secret to his mother.

"I have known for a long time that Claire is not your real daughter either," Mary casually dropped another bombshell.

"You did?" Octavia gasped. Just how many massive secrets was this old woman hiding in her head? What else did she know? For a fleeting second, Octavia even wondered if the scandalous photos mailed to Latham had been arranged by Mary herself.

"A mother who genuinely loves her child would never neglect her daughter to such an extreme degree. You aren't particularly biased in favor of sons, yet your attitude toward Claire was always incredibly strange. You thought you hid it flawlessly, but I am a mother too. How could I possibly not notice the signs?" Mary continued speaking, completely unaware of the wild theories spinning in Octavia's mind.

Octavia was speechless. She desperately wanted to ask why Mary had never exposed her if she had known the truth all along.

"The two of you willingly chose to marry. It was a cycle of mutual hurt—one dealing it out, and the other taking it. You did things that betrayed my son, but I firmly believe he betrayed you first. I know exactly what kind of character my own son has. The two of you are perfectly matched in your flaws. If you can live together, do it. If you can't, then separate. I am old now. I have no energy left to micromanage your messy lives."

A painful lump formed in Octavia's throat as tears threatened to spill. It was true. If Latham hadn't wronged her first, breaking her heart time and time again, how could she have ever betrayed him?

"Yeah, she was," Shirley admitted. "Are you worried that Claire is actually going to mortgage her grandmother's estate?" Shirley guessed wildly.

Mary sighed. "Claire is much smarter than you are." Even if it meant selling Shirley out in the end, Claire would never hand over that precious estate.

Besides, that property originally belonged to Pandora. Why would Claire ever give it up to Latham? Her eldest son was completely delusional.

Meanwhile, Claire had absolutely no idea Mary was on her way. When she heard the doorbell ring, she assumed the takeout she had ordered had finally arrived. But when she opened the door, she was greeted by the sight of Mary and Shirley standing on her front porch.