Chapter 501


    After sending a message on Messenger, Cordelia checked the location of the Rose Bistro. It was


    conveniently close to the Crown Hotel. Eason must have been tied up with conferences these past few


    days, hardly venturing out to explore the culinary delights of Birchwood. That was why he opted for the


    Rose Bistro, a spot nearby that he probably tried and liked.


    Eason never bothered with online reviews. He trusted his own experiences above all.


    The fireworks at Central Square had wrapped up, and it was nearly ten o''clock when the trio joyfully


    returned to Ronan Evans'' car.


    "All done?" Ronan inquired.


    "Yeah, it was bustling! We don''t get that in Millstone. Birchwood''s got it all. Mr. Evans, how could a


    Birchwood native like you move to Millstone and miss out on such a beautiful night?"


    "Me? I went for a job and ended up staying in Millstone. Such is life," he said with a light chuckle.


    "You''ve got quite the sense of humor! With your crEdithtials, the Millstone City Council would be falling


    over themselves to have you. Right, Cordelia?" Brooklyn teased, turning to Cordelia.


    Cordelia hadn''t expected Brooklyn to put her on the spot like that, but she yed along, "Oh yeah,


    definitely. Money talks."


    Ronan''s brow furrowed slightly. Why did he get the feeling that Cordelia was taking jabs at him?


    Brooklyn shot Cordelia a look that seemed to say, "Do you even know how to speak?"


    After dropping Brooklyn off at the campus hotel, she said to Ronan, "Mr. Evans, go ahead, I need to


    talk to Cordelia for a bit." She hadn''t considered that maybe Ronan wanted to linger and chat with


    Cordelia after dropping her off.


    Brooklyn''sment was in line with what Cordelia was thinking.


    Ronan drove off.


    "What''s wrong with you? Mr. Evanses all this way, and all you do is spout nonsense?" Brooklyn


    scolded Cordelia. "You two have kids together, and you should just make it work. He''s middle-aged.


    What''s he going to do? Think about it, Cordelia. If you don''t want him, there are plenty of others who


    do. Do you want your child to end up with a stepmother someday? It''s your life. I''m taking Andi and


    leaving tomorrow."


    "You''re leaving so soon?" Cordelia said.


    "Yeah, I''ve got another one on the way, remember?" Brooklyn replied. "What on earth are you thinking


    about all day?"


    Brooklyn hadn''t mentioned it this time, and Cordelia had indeed forgotten.


    "I''ll take you to the bus station tomorrow. What time?"


    "After breakfast, maybe ten?"


    "Sounds good."


    The next day, after seeing Brooklyn off on the bus, Cordelia returned to the campus to pack her things.


    At four in the afternoon, she left for the Rose Bistro.


    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    Eason was already there waiting for Cordelia. When he saw her, he waved her over.


    "I''m leaving tomorrow. Will youe to see me off?" he asked Cordelia.


    "Tomorrow? There''s a faculty meeting. I might not be able to."


    "That''s fine," Eason said. "There will be other days. We have time."


    The waiter brought over caviar and sea urchins. Eason gestured with his hand toward the waiter and


    said, "For her."


    Eason always put Cordelia first, which, after a while, made her feel a bit embarrassed.


    "Did you miss me?" he asked.


    Cordelia thought for a moment and nodded.


    "Like missing your dad?" Easonughed again.


    "What are you saying?" Cordelia lifted her head to look at him.


    Easonughed heartily. "Missing me like a dad is fine. As long as you missed me."


    "Are youing back after this trip?" Cordelia asked.


    "Pretty soon. I might be coborating with your school on a psychology project. I''ll be giving a lecture,


    and Birchwood College has already sent me an offer to be an honorary professor. I couldn''t make it this


    time, but perhaps next time for a presentation," Eason exined.


    "Our school?" Cordelia was quite surprised.


    "Yeah, excited?"


    Cordelia thought to herself, “Ronan became an honorary professor, and now Eason is bing one


    too?


    "Pretty excited," Cordelia said with a smile.


    "Probably in about a month. If I''m not too busy, I''lle and see you. What would you like me to


    bring?"


    "Bring me a vinyl record of the band, Scarf. They don''t sell them here." Cordelia requested.


    Few people knew of them, let alone their vinyl records.


    "That''s easy. Anything else?"


    "That''s all."