Chapter 43
In the Smiths’ mansion, after dinner, they sat in the living room, chatting.
They were talking about Phoebe’s birthday which was coming up a few weeks later.
“Last year, Mum gave me a piano for my birthday, Sheldon gave me a collection of paintings, and Dad was the most old-fashioned. He gave me money directly…” Phoebe pouted unhappily.
Allen smiled dotingly. “Don’t be angry. I’ve prepared a gift for you this year.”
Phoebe smiled. “Thank you, Dad!”
“Do you have any plans for your birthday party?” Sheldon asked.
“Birthday party…” Phoebe bit her lip, a little hesitant. “I think… I’d better not hold a birthday party.”
If she held a party, Claire would also show up. She didn’t want her to steal her thunder, definitely not!
Although Claire wasn’t capable of stealing her thunder.
Phoebe said with an innocent look, “I think it’s too extravagant and wasteful. It’s better to donate the money to the poor.”
Ada was deeply moved. “My baby girl is always so kind-hearted.”
While they were talking, Claire came in through the gate.
She carried her schoolbag, with a lollipop in her mouth, and walked in leisurely.
Everyone fell silent at the same time.
They exchanged glances with each other, and the atmosphere turned stiff.
Claire didn’t bother to say hello to them. She put her hands in her pockets and walked up to the second floor nonchalantly.
When she was gone, they went back to talking about Phoebe’s birthday.
——
In the Johnsons’ villa.
Early in the morning, Mr. Hopkins passed by the door with something.
Hunter, who had just woken up and came downstairs, asked him casually. “What are you holding?”
His low, deep voice was lazy yet sexy.
Mr. Hopkins stopped and replied. “Today is Miss Smith’s birthday. I am going to have someone deliver a present.”
Although the Smiths were nowhere near the Johnsons in social status in the capital, the two families were on good terms and their daughter and son had a marriage engagement, so every year, even if the Johnsons’ wouldn’t attend Phoebe’s birthday party, they would send her a gift.
These years, the gift was always prepared by Mr. Hopkins.
“The Smiths?” Hunter thought for a moment. “Isn’t it also Little Thing’s birthday?”
Mr. Hopkins was stunned for a moment. “Um… Yes…”
He had forgotten this.
“Will Little Thing also receive a present?” Hunter asked.
“Maybe not.”
Hunter frowned, looking unhappy. “No one is sending her presents?”
“No…”
Last time when Claire attended the principal’s banquet, she didn’t even have a decent dress on. It could be seen that the Smiths didn’t pay much attention to her, though they did dote on Phoebe quite a lot.
Claire was rebellious.
Phoebe was obedient and lovable.
Everyone knew which one of the two girls was more important in the Smiths.
Classroom
Claire was sleeping with her hat on her face when the phone in the drawer vibrated a few times. She narrowed her eyes and picked up her phone. As soon as she clicked on the screen, a message popped up.
[Miss Claire, congratulations! No. AE03 Island has been successfully transferred to you.]
What?
A new kind of scam?
Claire simply ignored it, turned off the phone, and went back to sleeping.
However, the whole afternoon, the phone kept vibrating, and dozens of similar text messages popped up.
Annoyed thoroughly, Claire directly blacklisted the number.
After school
Claire found a noodle restaurant on the side of the road and ordered a bowl of noodles with poached eggs.
In the past, her mother used to make longevity noodles for her on her birthday, which would be topped with eggs that were otherwise sold for money.
The steaming noodles were served.
Claire tasted the food.
They were not as tasty as the noodles made by her mom.
She only ate two bites before she put down the chopsticks and got up.
The sky was getting darker.
Claire walked on an empty path, kicking little stones casually for fun.
Suddenly, the tips of her ears became alert. She had keenly heard the subtle footsteps behind her.
Someone was following her!