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Chapter 98
Chapter 98
Larry froze, his brows creased in confusion. “Wasn’t it you who said to ask Mr. Kermit to drop Cordelia off?”
Kermit doing the drop–off?
A shadow passed over Sanderson, a storm brewing behind his eyes. Why on earth would Kermit be the one to take Cordelia to school?
His mind raced back to the previous evening at the Delaney family’s dinner party, where Rachel had dropped some cryptic remarks. Pieces of a disquieting puzzle started clicking into place as he considered Kermit’s character. A sudden realization hit him, and he spun on his heel, storming back into the living room.
Cordelia, her backpack slung over her shoulders, was surveying the cozy little cottage that was now her home.
With only two servants in the household, both of whom had followed them from the Delaney family, Fiona was currently bustling about the kitchen, whipping up some breakfast. The house was modest, each floor spanning a little over a thousand square feet, with the ground hosting the living room, dining area, and servants‘
quarters.
Their bedrooms were on the second floor. Cordelia’s room was good in light at the sunny side, boasting an en suite bathroom and a walk–in closet about a hundred square feet in size. It was a step up from her previous room at the Delaney family, decorated with more finesse and warmth.
Her bed–sheet was delicate blush pink, and the curtains a soft lilac. But what delighted her most was the large white desk, sprawling along one wall. All her study materials were already neatly arranged on it. Lorna, catching the gleam in Cordelia’s eye, couldn’t help but sigh softly to herself.
Other girls fawned over pretty dresses, yet Cordelia was won over by textbooks?
Shaking her head, Lorna spoke up. “Lia, I organized your room just the way you like it, with all your books and materials in the order you had them at the Delaney family. Everything in place?”
Her meticulous touch left nothing amiss.
Then Lorna smiled, a playful glint in her eye. “Tomorrow, after school, I’ll pick you up and we can go shopping for some clothes. Your closet is far too empty.”
Since their return to the Delaney family, Lorna had been swamped with managing the household under Laurinda’s watchful eye and had only managed to snag a few outfits for Cordelia. Each time she saw Juliana’s overflowing wardrobe, a pang of longing struck her. She had promised herself that once they moved, she’d fill Lia’s closet to the brim!
Cordelia wanted to protest, worrying about the time it would take, but Lórna, as if reading her thoughts, pouted playfully. “No arguments! Besides, didn’t you win a scholarship? Shouldn’t you treat your classmates to a little something? I’ll take you shopping tomorrow.”
At that, Cordelia paused, her inexperience with social niceties evident. Yet, if Lorna suggested it, she hesitantly nodded in agreement.
At that moment, Sanderson burst in, frantic as he scanned Cordelia from head to toe. Seeing she was. unharmed, he demanded, “Lia, where did Kermit take you this morning?”
Cordelia was the type to keep to herself unless asked about something. Having grown up in an orphanage, watching friends leave one by one, she had learned to tackle problems alone, rarely
seeking help.
But now that Sanderson asked, she answered simply. “We went to have breakfast with Calvert.”
At her words, Sanderson darkened his face, a stormy sea of worry and anger. His voice trembled with tension, “You’re okay, right? Nothing happened?”
She shook her head, ‘I’m fine.”
Relief washed over Sanderson, though his anger didn’t subside. He stormed down the stairs, forgoing his coat,
Chapter va
and headed out the door.
Lorna was equally shaken, demanding. “Where are you going?” This is the property of Nô-velDrama.Org.
Sanderson didn’t reply, only saying, “Go ahead and eat dinner, don’t wait up for me.”
After he left, Lorna pulled Cordelia close, making sure she was unharmed, Only then did she let herself relax. Over dinner, Lorna reddened her eyes. She didn’t blame Cordelia for not immediately telling them about the incident, but she was swamped with guilt and sorrow.
She served Cordelia her favorite dish, saying, “Lia, if you ever face any trouble, remember to tell me and your father right away, okay?”
Cordelia nodded.
That night, Sanderson returned late. Cordelia, hearing his arrival, stepped out of her room and saw him, his face grim and a blood–stained white shirt. He hid his hands in his pockets but managed a smile. “Lia, get. some sleep.”
She nodded, but not before noticing his hand was injured. It seemed not from being hit, but from hitting someone else.
The next day, after school, Cordelia found Lorna, true to her word, waiting with Larry to pick her up.
She was never fond of crowded places, but she followed Lorna to Greenmeadow’s most luxurious shopping center, Platinum Plaza,
The plaza was an enclave for the high–end luxury goods, a mecca for the elite of Greenmeadow. But Lorna, more of a homebody, rarely crossed paths with acquaintances here.
As they strolled casually, Lorna inquired, “Which classmates are you close with? What should we buy for them?”
Cordelia counted off on her fingers, “Sass Queen, Little Flame, Little Fang, Flames No. 1-8…”
Lorna was at a loss. What kind of names were these?
She chuckled and asked, “Which one’s your boyfriend in that bunch?”
Cordelia blinked, realizing she had forgotten about Everard.
At the sight of her expression, Lorna understood and her mouth twitched in amusement, suddenly feeling at pang of sympathy for that poor boy who was ‘sponsored for a mere three hundred bucks.
Lorna assisted her in shopping, and they entered a shoe store. Handing Cordelia a pair of Gucci sneakers, Lorna suggested, “Lia, I hear these are popular with the younger crowd. Try them on.”
Cordelia examined them, her gaze landing on the price tag: $2660.
Her eyes widened in astonishment. “So expensive!”
Lorna was about to laugh it off when a voice rang out, “Wrap up those sneakers for me.”
As the familiar voice echoed through the room, the two turned their heads to see Rachel stride in, her armst laden with shopping bags. Her smile‘ sparkled as she announced, “Juliana’s got like a dozen pairs of shoes. that are almost the same, but these are the latest style. She’s gonna love them.”
After a brief pause, her gaze shifted to Cordelia. “Don’t be jealous, Lia. The money I spent on Juliana’s shoes is from my family. Your mom didn’t get much form her family, so you guys should probably stick to the basics, am I right? After the split, it’s all about pinching pennies.”
Lorna frowned, her displeasure evident. “You…”
Before she could finish, Rachel cut her off, “I should’ve gifted you a pair of shoes too, but I’ve got all my dowry and some cash tied up in investments. Lia, how about I promise you a fancy pair when my dividends come in?”
Lorna attempted to interject, “We can afford a pair of shoes.”
Rachel took on a mocking lilt in her tone, “Lorna, if you’re fretting over a single pair of shoes, are you regretting not jumping on the investment bandwagon with us? You should at least stash some cash on the side! But then again, Sanderson stormed into our place last night like a madman and laid into Kermit. After laying hands on his flesh and blood, Kermit said no way he’s facilitating any deals for you guys now!”
Just then, the finance channel playing in the store broadcasted breaking news, “A fraud ring has recently been uncovered in Greenmeadow, with the scam amounting to a staggering $160 million! For more details, we go to our reporter on the scene…”