Chapter 455


    Janice returned to Millstone the following day, airing her grievances to Ronan. She had expected to


    meet her future daughter-inw in Birchwood, but there was no daughter-inw to be found. It was all a


    ruse by her son.


    Janice was deeply hurt, although she didn''t voice it. On this matter, she and Ronan shared an


    unspoken understanding.


    That evening, Harold stopped by Ronan''s ce, leaving a stack of items at his doorstep.


    It was Emerson who discovered them upon leaving the house, and he passed them to Ronan.


    "What''s this?" Ronan asked Emerson.


    "Sketches. The person in the sketches is…" Emerson handed them to Ronan.


    Seeing theplete portrait titled "Porcin," Ronan was taken aback. There she was, her hair, her


    dress flying in the wind, illuminated like a me in the setting sun. It was breathtaking.


    Ronan knew that to create such a masterpiece, the artist’s heart had to have been truly inspired.


    Even Emerson was moved by its beauty. "Thed''s a lost cause," Emerson remarked genuinely.


    "How so?" Ronan questioned. His eyes looked unfathomable as they bore into Emerson.


    The person in the sketch was captivating, indicating the thought and effort the artist had put into it.


    "His first love, ended before it could bloom."


    "And what if it didn''t?" Ronan shot back. "By the way, what are your ns for the Fourth of July?"


    Emerson''s eyes went wide with suspicion. "What are you up to?"


    "Nothing, really. If you''re free, why not head back to Millstone? I''ll hold the fort here. If Empower


    Operations needs me, I''ll be ready," Ronan stated.


    "You serious?" Emerson could hardly believe his ears.


    "Of course. If you want to leave, you can go now," Ronan said.


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    "Fine, I''ll pack up and leave tomorrow. I''ve been babysitting and cooking for you. I might as well be a


    nanny," Emerson grumbled before retreating to his room.


    The Fourth of July was only a week away. The holiday would start next Tuesday, with makeup sses


    on the weekend.


    During Saturday''s sses, Cordelia noticed Harold''s absence. His usual spot in the third row, his


    "throne," was vacant, and the ss seemed deted.


    Feeling guilty, Cordelia sent Harold a message via Messenger after ss. [Why didn''t you show up


    today?]


    [I''m sick. Thanks for your concern, ma''am.]


    The formal "ma''am" put a tangible distance between Cordelia and him.


    Cordelia heard some girls gossip about Harold being heartbroken after meeting his mother. Cordelia


    couldn''t help but shback to her days at Lumos Enterprises.


    With memories of the past resurfacing, Cordelia felt it was time to return to Millstone. She missed


    Brooklyn.


    That night, she sent a message to Brooklyn using her old phone. [Brooklyn, how are you? It''s Cordelia.]


    Her response came after a while, [Scammer?]


    Cordelia chuckled before sending her a selfie. In the photo, she still looked youthful and beautiful, but


    her eyes held a confidence and intellect that wasn''t there before.


    [When are youing back to Millstone? When are you visiting me? Where will you stay in Millstone?]


    Brooklyn bombarded her with questions.


    Cordelia hadn''t thought about any of these yet.


    [Can I stay at your ce? Will it be too much trouble?] Cordelia asked Brooklyn.


    [Sure. Edwin and I are married now. We have a kid.]


    [Really? How old is the child? I guess I''m the godmother then.]


    [Sure.]