Chapter 169

"It's not that anything bad happened. I'm just done with things here, and my parents really miss me, so I figured I'd head home a bit earlier." Claire kept her tone casual, like she was just mentioning it in passing. Jasper misunderstood and immediately looked pissed. "Seriously?! That old fart enjoyed the food just fine but now he's not willing to help? Hold on, I'm gonna call him out!" "Don't you dare," Claire stopped him quickly, her expression helpless as she explained, "He didn't exactly turn me down. I just think the dishes today didn't really suit his tastes. I've already bothered him a couple times, and I don't want to keep on doing that. My brother hopes I'll go home early too. Maybe if I'm by my mom's side, she'll feel better somehow. Besides, Mr. Blackwell is getting old—can't trouble him all the time." She wasn't saying it just to be polite. Claire wasn't the kind to lean on others unless absolutely necessary. A favor once or twice, sure. But constantly? That wasn't her sty