Chapter 62
Chapter 62
After Yates finished his piece, Everard behind the counter slowly raised his head.
Everard had a sharp and chiseled look, with a cold and hard set to his features and thin lips that revealed a hint of frost. His piercing gaze swept over Yates, sending an invisible shiver down his spine, straightening him up with an involuntary chill
Raised in the lap of luxury by the indulgent love from Hackett, Yates had grown up with a defiant streak, accustomed to getting away with just about anything.
He’d faced down hardened criminals without flinching, but for some reason, Everard instilled a deep and visceral fear in him
This guy was no pretty boy.
Just as Yates thought this, he noticed Everard’s gaze fleetingly pass over his fiery red hair. The chill in the air seemed to subside a bit, easing the pressure around them. It was only then that Yates felt he could breathe a little easier.
Then, Everard’s voice cut through the silence, icy as ever. “Did she send you?”
Yates hesitated, his usual recklessness faltering as if he were facing a superior, unable to evade the question. “She doesn’t know.”
Everard tapped his credit card on the counter with his pale fingers. “Maybe you should’ve asked her first.”
Yates tensed up. Only now did he realize he’d acted rashly. Who Cordelia dated or not was her business…
But Yates wasn’t about to show weakness or embarrass Cordelia. He straightened up defiantly and declared, “Whatever happens, if you dare hurt Cordelia, I…”
He paused, then reconsidered, “Our Flame Union won’t let you off the hook!”
Everard tightened his expression and studied Yates for a long moment before finally looking away. “You can go
now.”
It wasn’t until Yates had left the Midnight Scent and the warm breeze outside hit him that he wondered why he’d simply left just because he was told to do so.
But rushing back in now wouldn’t be right either… Next time, he’d handle it differently.
Inside the Midnight Scent.
Everard watched Yates‘ retreating figure, his face clouded with
thought.
Calvert tried to make himself as inconspicuous as possible, shrinking into his shoulders, too scared to even breathe. After waiting silently for a couple of minutes, Everard suddenly let out a laugh.
Calvert froze. Had the boss gone mad with rage?
The thought barely registered before Everard spoke lightly, “Cordelia is quite popular.”
Calvert was speechless. He wished he could vanish into thin air.
His gaze fell on the credit card in Everard’s hand, grasping at the chance to offer, “Boss, shall I take the card to Mr. Griffin for you?”
“No need,” Everard glanced at the card, “Raising Cordelia is expensive.”
Calvert internally mourned for Yates allowance.
Cordelia was late to class due to the time spent with the police. The first period was Latham’s class. Knowing her dedication, Latham waved her in without comment.
After class, Latham, not in a hurry to leave, turned to Cordelia with a jovial chuckle, “Guess you won’t be
topping the class this time, Cordelia!” His playful tone relaxed the entire room.
Latham continued with a smile, “Life is full of surprises. Don’t worry, this is just the National League. The real test is in November. If you secure the first division in the province, you can compete in the Mathematics Olympiad, the big game! Scholarships to Superiority College and Top Crest Academy are picked from there.”
Merry quickly chimed in, looking back at Cordelia, “Lia, everyone knows you missed half an hour, so no worries if your score’s down!”
She checked her phone for updates from the Flame Union group chat, comforting Cordelia further, “Belides, sccting first division is epic. There are hardly any participants in our school, and winners are even rarer!”
Daniel adjusted his thick glasses and added, “Cordelia, you’re already doing great!” Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.
Their words of encouragement were soon undercut by an unsettling comment, “But what if she doesn’t even make first division?”
The room went silent as eyes turned to the speaker, Juliana. She managed a smile, feigning concern, “I’m just worried. After all, she was so disturbed by the incident. With only 80 minutes for the test and Cordelia arriving with just 50 left. The first test has numerous problems, and most can’t finish. If there is any error on the second test’s four major problems, achieving that goal becomes tough, especially with the cutoff around 200.” The chatter ceased, but Merry scoffed, “Lia could score 200 blindfolded! Don’t spout nonsense here. It’s plain to see you’re hoping she fails!”
Juliana stiffened her face. As Hanley looked on, confused, she welled up with tears, “I’m just concerned for Cordelia. Why are you all being so unfair?”
Hanley frowned, “Merry, Juliana meant well Why the harsh words?”
“Well? If Juliana had a good heart, Id eat my hat! She’s plain jealous of Liat We’re not blind.” Merry retorted.
Cordelia had to stifle a laugh Merry sure had a way with words
Juliana’s cheeks flushed as she bowed her head and tears began to stream down her face. “L… I was just looking out for Cordelia, that’s all” she stammered between sobs. I’m scared she’ll be too cocky and then, if she doesn’t win the first prize, she’ll be mortified.
Hanley furrowed his brow upon hearing this: “Even if Juliana’s math skills don’t match up to Cordelia’s, she’s still top of her class Plus, she plays piano like a young Mozart and almost landed an apprenticeship with Stanton. She’s a shining star in her right. What’s there to be jealous about? Besides, the results aren’t even out yet. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch!”
Merry, brimming with inexplicable confidence, retorted. “We’ll see in an hour, then?”
Latham wanted to offer some words of wisdom, but the bell signaling the beginning of the next period cut him off. He had no choice but to leave the classroom Just as he settled into his chair in
the office, the landline on
his desk began to ring
He picked up the receiver. “Hello, is this the math department at Greenmeadow International School?”
Latham nodded, though the caller couldn’t see “Yes, this is….?”
Whatever the caller said next stopped Latham in his tracks. Then, his face lit up with a look of pure