The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 498

"After that, I heard Grandma Lowell threatening Mom. She said that if Mom ever breathed a word of that secret to anyone, she would completely bankrupt Mom's family, throw her out of The Lowell family, and make sure you never saw a single penny of the inheritance."

"So Mom gave in. She fell to her knees, crying, and begged Grandma for forgiveness."

"That was the day I found out exactly who I was and where I came from..."

Adrian lowered his gaze, masking the turbulent emotions swirling in his eyes. He remained silent.

"I know I act like an idiot," Claire murmured. "But I'm not stupid. I knew that as long as I played dumb, nothing would change."

"I'd still be the beloved daughter of the family, Grandma's precious little girl. But one thing did change that day, and none of you ever noticed."

Adrian's voice was low and icy.

"No wonder your attitude toward Mom shifted so drastically after that."

She had become relentlessly entitled, deliberately throwing tantrums to assert her dominance over Michelle Lowell.

It all made sense now.

Since all the cards were on the table, there was no point in keeping up the charade.

The pity drained entirely from Adrian's eyes, leaving behind a cold, predatory gaze that looked at Claire as if she were nothing more than a stranger.

"Since you know the truth, you should also know that the family's assets were never yours to claim."

A profound wave of disappointment washed over Claire's eyes.

"So, you swapped my lawyer for some hack just to make sure I go to prison, all so you can take whatever inheritance Grandma left for me?"

Adrian didn't even attempt to deny it.

"It seems my sister isn't entirely stupid after all."

Claire closed her eyes, letting out a ragged breath.

"I'm spoiled, but I'm not an idiot."

"So, what's the point of this little stunt?" Adrian asked coldly. "Why starve yourself?"

"To make you come here."

The crushing reality of her impending doom had genuinely killed her appetite, but getting him in the room was the primary goal.

"You destroyed your own body just to see me? That doesn't sound like you, Claire."

The sister he knew couldn't stand the slightest hunger or pain without throwing a catastrophic fit.

At the mention of the woman he despised, Adrian's expression darkened.

"I am nothing like her."

"It rubbed off on you," Claire continued, still staring blankly at the ceiling in a lifeless daze. "Grandma was ruthless and hyper-focused on reality. You inherited all of those traits."

"You're even colder than she was. You don't have room in your heart for anyone but yourself and your bottom line."

"You've spent your entire life clawing for what you want to possess. You don't care who truly loves you, and you are completely incapable of loving anyone else."

Adrian had heard enough.

"Did you drag me all the way down here just to psychoanalyze me?"

Claire let out a heavy sigh.

"I want you to do me a favor."

"What favor?"

A faint spark of life finally flickered in Claire's eyes.

"I want to see Julian Vance."