Chapter 156: She Stared at the Cardboard Boxes

"All packed up?" She stared at the cardboard boxes.

"Pretty much done."

"Are you moving?"

"Yeah."

"Where to?"

Daniel Whitmore and Helen exchanged a glance, deciding there was no point hiding it.

They'd find out eventually.

Daniel: "The new Waverly Pearl development nearby."

"Buying an apartment?"

"No," Daniel shook his head. "A standalone villa."

Claire Porter's face showed perfectly measured surprise. "Daniel, where'd you get that kind of money? Even the cheapest villa there costs at least three to four million. You didn't..."

She trailed off, concern flashing in her eyes. "Nothing illegal, I hope."

"Don't be ridiculous," Daniel chuckled. "I wouldn't dare."

"Then how—"

"It's Clara—"

"Dad!" Clara suddenly walked in from the balcony, cutting him off. "You're so busy chatting, you haven't even asked Aunt Claire why she dropped by unannounced."

"Right, Claire. What brings you here today...?"

Someone who never visited suddenly showing up meant only one thing.

Claire froze.

She hadn't expected Clara to interrupt, leaving her momentarily speechless.

"I... had a client meeting nearby. Thought I'd stop by."

"Didn't Aunt Claire just get promoted to branch manager? Shouldn't you be swamped?"

Claire forced a smile. "No matter how busy, family comes first... By the way, Clara, we didn't get to talk properly at your uncle's place last time."

Clara raised an eyebrow. "What did you want to talk about?"

"After coming back this time, are you leaving again after New Year's?"

"Unless something changes, I'll return to Bellwether."

"For work? School? Or..."

Clara paused. "Let's call it exploring new opportunities."

Once her grad school acceptance came through, she could say it was for studies.

But without the official letter, she didn't want to jinx it.

To Claire, however, this vague answer sounded like code for "idling around" and "hunting for a new sugar daddy."

Her expression darkened as she beckoned Clara over. "Come, sit here. Let's have a chat."

Baffled but compliant, Clara took a seat.

"Clara, do you know what matters most for a woman?"

"?"

"Independence. Resilience. And keeping both feet on the ground."

"??"

"Look at me—grew up poor, but studied my way into college."

"Couldn't find a good job after graduating, so I started as a teller. Now I'm branch manager."

"When my marriage failed, I divorced without hesitation. Doing just fine on my own now."

"So... what exactly are you trying to say?"