《The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan)》


 Chapter 1

    Chapter 1


    Cordelia woke up in the middle of the night, feeling utterly knackered.


    Long story short, no one would believe it, but she had slept with Ronanst night. It was her first time,


    and it didn''t feel particrly special, just painful.


    What left a deep impression on her was when Ronan''s beard brushed against her cheek, his breath on


    her neck, his kisses on her ear, and his deep voice apanying their physical contact, making


    Cordelia''s body unbearably hot. Throughout the process, Ronan kept murmuring a name into


    Cordelia''s ear. Despite not being able to make out the name, it did nothing to lessen Cordelia''s


    excitement and nervousness.


    In the middle of the night, Cordelia woke up. Ronan was still asleep. She nced at the man''s serious


    face and somehow felt closer to him. She craved the warmth of his embrace and even fantasized about


    continuing to lie next to him, holding him as she slept. But she knew that if she didn''t leave now, it


    would mean trouble.


    Ronan was the CEO of Lumos Enterprises, who had slept with an intern, Cordelia. She knew the


    consequences would be dire. At best, she would lose her job and be kicked out; at worst, she would be


    no ce in Millstone.


    Yesterday was the first day of team building, and Ronan got drunk in the evening. He grabbed


    Cordelia''s hand, who was helping him to his room, and kissed her without warning. Cordelia initially


    wanted to resist, but when she saw Ronan''s face, she was somehow in a daze and couldn''t resist.


    Before this, Cordelia hadn''t even had any direct contact with Ronan.


    Cordelia stumbled back to her room, pretending that nothing had happened, until six in the evening,


    when several buses arrived and were parked in front of the hotel to take them back to thepany.


    Cordelia got on the bus with another intern, Brooklyn. As soon as they got on the bus, they saw


    someone sitting in the first row, resting with his eyes closed, giving Cordelia quite a start. If it was not


    Ronan, who else could it be?


    The bus was filled with people, with only the seats next to and behind Ronan empty. Cordelia''s face


    immediately turned red, and since she and Brooklyn werete, they had no choice but to sit behind


    Ronan.


    "Didn''t Mr. Evans drive here himself? Why is he taking the bus back with us this time?" Brooklyn


    whispered in Cordelia''s ear. Brooklyn had a loud voice, and even when she was "whispering,"


    everyone could hear her clearly.


    "I don''t know," Cordelia replied, looking down at her feet.


    When she got on the bus, she tried to hide her face, afraid that Ronan would recognize her. But she


    also had a glimmer of hope that perhaps Ronan didn''t remember what happenedst night. Even if he


    did, he wouldn''t know that it was Cordelia since he hadn''t had any contact with her before, and he was


    drunk, and the lights were off for most of the night.


    The ride was long, and Brooklyn started ying with her phone. Cordelia wanted to do the same, but


    she couldn''t find her phone anywhere.


    Cordelia nudged Brooklyn, "Can you call my phone? I can''t find it."


    "Where did you leave it?" Brooklyn asked as she dialed Cordelia''s number.


    The ringtone sounded, but it wasn''ting from Cordelia''s bag or her suitcase, but from the seat in


    front of them, more precisely, from Ronan''s hand.


    Cordelia tensed up, feeling as if all the hairs on her body were standing on end.

 Chapter 2

    Chapter 2


    On the bus, Ronan''s presence had turned the colleagues into silent statues, making Cordelia''s phone


    ringtone sound like a freaking fire rm in the quietness.


    Last night, Cordelia had helped a wasted Ronan back to his room, and her phone, stashed in her


    pocket, must''ve slipped out while she was undressing. After the wild night of passion, she''dpletely


    forgotten about the phone''s existence.


    The sudden ringtone scared the crap out of Cordelia, but she quickly got her shit together. It seemed


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    that Ronan''s reason for taking the bus today might have just been to wait for her, his "target." He might


    have known that she was the one he''d been withst night, or he might have not. But when the phone


    rang, and considering what Brooklyn had just said to her, she guessed that Ronan was in the know.


    That thought made Cordelia feel pretty awkward.


    Brooklyn looked at Cordelia with a puzzled look, then nced at Ronan, clearly indicating, "What the


    hell is going on?"


    "Stop calling." Cordelia held Brooklyn''s hand. She couldn''t handle more embarrassment. She didn''t


    even know how to exin this mess.


    "What on earth is going on? How did your phone end up in Mr. Evans'' hands?" Brooklyn whispered to


    Cordelia, her curiosity sparked.


    "I..." Just as Cordelia was drowning in embarrassment, Ronan in the front row suddenly turned around,


    nearly scaring the shit out of Cordelia.


    "Is this your phone?" Ronan asked Brooklyn, holding up Cordelia''s phone, which was disying "Crazy


    B." Crazy B was the nickname Cordelia had given Brooklyn.


    Brooklyn, looking like a deer caught in headlights, nodded, and said, "Yes, Mr. Evans, Cordelia couldn''t


    find her phone, so I called it."


    Brooklyn even mentioned the name "Cordelia," now there was no way for Cordelia to avoid this topic.


    "Your phone? You left it in the front seat when you were carrying your suitcase." Ronan''s gaze turned


    towards Cordelia. His eyes were indifferent but dark, familiar yet uniquely Ronan''s. Cordelia was utterly


    lost.


    "Oh, I''m such a klutz. Thank you, Mr. Evans." Despite her nervousness, Cordelia thanked Ronan, took


    the phone from his hand, and yed along with his act.


    After diffusing the awkwardness, Ronan turned back around.


    Although Cordelia appeared to be looking at her phone, she wasn''t really seeing anything. The way


    Ronan had returned her phone seemed to be a reminder thatst night''s event was over! Cordelia was


    a grown-up, she could handle this. She''d already nned to chalk upst night''s event as a dream.


    She didn''t know if Ronan remembered her name, was that a good thing or a bad thing? Cordelia began


    to hope against hope. He had so much on his te every day, how could he possibly concern himself


    with such a trivial matter?


    Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and Cordelia hadn''t seen Ronan again. Even forpany


    meetings, only the higher-ups were present, and she was just an intern who could stay or leave. Apart


    from worrying about her future at Lumos Enterprises, Cordelia asionally thought of Ronan, and that


    passionate night. After all, it was her first time.


    One day, thendline on Cordelia''s desk rang.


    "Cordelia?" The voice on the other end of the phone asked.


    Cordelia felt a rush of nervousness. The voice, why did it sound like Ronan? Ever since that night,


    Ronan''s voice uttering "Turn off the lights," had been echoing in Cordelia''s mind, so the voice was not


    unfamiliar to her.


    "Yes."


    "Come to my office."


    "Huh?"


    "Come to my office," The voice repeated.


    "Okay." Cordelia felt anxious, thinking it couldn''t be work-rted. The gap between her and Ronan''s


    positions was too huge. Even if there was a work-rted issue, they wouldn''te to her. Could it be


    about the team-building day? Was Ronan trying to let her go, to prevent more people from finding out


    about that day?


    When she knocked on the door of Ronan''s office, Cordelia found that Ronan wasn''t as absent-minded


    as he was on the team-building day. Instead, he was sizing her up from head to toe, the scrutiny


    making Cordelia''s heart flutter. And those scrutinizing eyes, though deep, were incredibly captivating to


    Cordelia.


    So, Cordelia just stared greedily at Ronan, making him slightly uneasy. "Is there something on my


    face?" he asked Cordelia.


    Cordelia snapped back to reality. "Huh?"


    Ronan didn''t continue the topic. Instead, he asked Cordelia directly, "Will you marry me?"


    Cordelia furrowed her brows. "Huh?" She said again. This topic was way off from what she''d been


    thinking.

 Chapter 3

    Chapter 3


    Cordelia looked around, finding no one else in the office.


    "I''m talking to you." said Ronan.-


    "What?"


    "Marry me." Ronan repeated.


    Cordelia''s mind slowly returned to the topic "Marry me." She was a bit shocked. She had thought about


    marriage before, but with only a month left until her college graduation, she wasn''t even considering it.


    Cordelia wondered, was Ronan testing her? After all, for a CEO, having a rtionship with an intern


    was not necessarily a loss, but it wasn''t a good thing either. He might have wanted to know if Cordelia


    had any ns of crossing the line.


    Cordelia felt conflicted. For her, Ronan''s warm embrace and his gaze, plus their unexpected romp in


    the sack, set him apart from other men. But she knew, whether in this life or the next, they could never


    be together. The reason Ronan proposed to her, a woman who wasn''t his social equal, was definitely


    not because he liked her. Thinking back to Ronan''s warning when he returned her phone, Cordelia was


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    certain that he was just worried she would cause him trouble.


    So, she lied, "I have a boyfriend."


    "Are you two nning to get married?" Ronan asked.


    "Oh, not yet. We haven''t graduated yet, no financial foundation," Cordelia responded, keeping her cool.


    "So, how far have you two gone?" Ronan seemed unexpectedly interested in Cordelia''s personal life.


    Unsure of what Ronan was thinking, Cordelia answered, "We...are living together already."


    What she meant was that she had a boyfriend, they''d done the deed, she didn''t want her boyfriend to


    overthink, and she wouldn''t go around talking about sleeping with other men. She would keep what


    happened at the team building event a secret and put Mr. Evans'' mind at ease.


    "Living together?" Ronan frowned slightly. She was clearly a virgin that night.


    Seeing his reaction, Cordelia knew what he was thinking. She quickly added, "We have been dating for


    several years and only moved in together after the team building event. After all, we just moved out of


    the dorms and found a suitable ce."


    "Don''t you want to know why I want to marry you?" Ronan was not particrly shocked to hear about


    Cordelia''s boyfriend.


    "Why?"


    "My grandfather is very ill and wants to see me married before he dies, but I don''t have a girlfriend. As


    for why I chose you, you know better than anyone. I looked around, and you were the best fit." Ronan


    sat in his office chair, confident.


    "You''re the best fit," was, no doubt, a blow to Cordelia''s pride. They''d hooked up, which made her the


    perfect fit. If he asked someone else, there would have been a lot of hesitation, but with Cordelia, he


    could have skipped that step.


    Although she knew Ronan didn''t want to marry her because he liked her, hearing his reason, Cordelia


    couldn''t help but feel disappointed. It seemed he not only remembered that night but remembered it


    very clearly. Ronan''s voice revealed his disdain for Cordelia. Even though he was asking for her help,


    he still looked down on her.


    In his eyes, she was just a calcting woman trying to hook up with her boss. She''d slept with him and


    deliberately left her phone in his room. She clearly wanted a rich husband but pretended to be innocent


    and pure. How could she expect him to respect her?


    "Name your price, whatever you want," Ronan said dismissively. "But try not to go over five million."


    Five million was indeed arge sum, but for Cordelia, it was not irresistible. After a silence, she


    delicately suggested, "Mr. Evans, you could consider a fake marriage."


    "If my grandfather found out, it would be a big problem."


    "Besides, the marriage license is secondary. The important thing is to find someone. Only when my


    grandfather sees this person will he be at ease." Ronan answered Cordelia''s question with surprising


    patience.


    Cordelia slowly nodded, then bit her lip in thought, considering how to turn him down.


    Seeing Cordelia''s hesitation, Ronan added, "This marriage has a time limit. If you agree, we can get


    the marriage license tomorrow. As for the end date..."


    "I disagree!" Cordelia firmly dered.


    Ronan''s unfinished sentence never got the chance to be spoken. He just stared at Cordelia. This was


    the first time someone had rejected him, with no bargaining whatsoever.

 Chapter 4

    Chapter 4


    Ronan was sizing up Cordelia, trying to figure out her real agenda for spending the night with him. Did


    she purposely leave her phone in his room to grab his attention? But now that she was ying hard to


    get, he was seeing her in a new light. Still, if she changed her ter, he would think even less of


    her. After all, ying hard to get was sost season in his book.


    "Alright, you can leave now," he said coldly.-


    Back in the office, Cordelia wasn''t pissed, just a bit bummed out. But since she had turned Ronan


    down, she decided to put it all behind her. What mattered most now was staying with Lumos


    Enterprises, the cream of the crop in Millstone.


    While mulling over this, she got a message from her brother, Adrian. [Cordelia, the doc said you need


    to drop by the hospital at 4 p.m. today.]


    Cordelia replied. [I''ll still be at work at 4.]


    [Then you deal with the doc yourself.] Adrian retorted.


    Cordelia knew it was no use talking to Adrian about this. It was already 3 p.m., and if she was to make


    it to the hospital by 4, she needed to leave the office at half past three. That meant she had to ask for


    leave again from the finance director.


    Cordelia was top-notch, an outstanding student in college, and had made a name for herself at work


    after graduation. But her frequent absences, especially now when it was crunch time for interns, didn¡¯t


    look good.


    Just as she expected, when she went to ask for leave, the finance director, Jordan, said, "Cordelia,


    even though you''re a good egg, your constant absences make it hard for me to write a glowing report


    for you. You want to stay with Lumos Enterprises, don''t you?"


    "Lumos Enterprises is a greatpany, and of course, I want to stay. But I do have things to sort out. I


    promise to make up for any work I miss," Cordelia said humbly.


    Jordan reluctantly agreed, and Cordelia was off, catching the bus to Millstone Hospital.


    Cordelia''s mom had been lying in the neurology ward for two years.


    "Cordelia, your mom''s hospital bill is due. Did you bring the money today?" Dr. Devon, her mom''s


    attending physician, was well aware of Cordelia''s family situation. He knew that Adrian was a deadbeat


    and that Cordelia had been hustling to pay the medical bills.


    "Oh, I didn''t bring it. I won''t get paid until the day after tomorrow," Cordelia mumbled.


    "Make it quick then, or the hospital might have to take action," Dr. Devon warned.


    "Got it," Cordelia mumbled.


    After visiting her mom, who had been on oxygen for the past two years without ever responding to


    Cordelia''s words, she left the hospital.


    Cordelia''s father had been a project manager at a construction site, and they used to be a happy family


    of four. But six years ago, he tragically fell to his death from a twenty-story building. The incident hit


    Cordelia''s mother hard, leading to her car ident. Thepensation from her father''s death and the


    settlement from the car ident had kept her mom in the hospital for over five years, but eventually,


    the money ran out.


    Once the money started drying up, Cordelia began doing odd jobs at school and tutoring to pay her


    mom''s hospital bills.


    Her brother suggested they pull the plug to save money, but to Cordelia, that was heartless. Having a


    mother to call, even if she didn''t respond, was better than not having her at all.


    Now, holding her mom''s hand, Cordelia said, "Mom, I''m preparing for my CPA exam. I know you''ll help


    me pass. Once I do, my sry will skyrocket, maybe even reaching a million a year. Then, paying your


    medical bills will be a piece of cake."


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    Cordelia even managed to smile at her mom, who gave no response. For the past six years, Cordelia


    had been hoping for a miracle, for her mom to suddenly wake up and talk to her, just like when she was


    a child, calling her De.


    "I have to get back to work now. I haven''t passed the CPA yet, so my priority is to stay with Lumos


    Enterprises," Cordelia psyched herself up.


    Staying with Lumos Enterprises meant a steady paycheck, at least enough to cover the rent and her


    mom''s medical bills. But with her constant absences, staying on was bing a tall order.

 Chapter 5

    Chapter 5


    When Cordelia left the hospital, it was already past eight in the evening. The sky had started to drizzle,


    and she took the bus back to the office. As soon as she stepped into the office lobby, she spotted


    Ronan, tall and straight, with one hand in his trouser pocket and the other holding a mobile phone,


    chatting with the receptionist. The bright and dazzling lights in the lobby made him look even more


    superior and aloof.


    Suddenly, Cordelia felt a rush of nerves. Over the past few months, she hardly had any face-to-face


    contact with him. Why did she keep bumping into himtely?


    As he walked past her while on the phone, Cordelia quietly said, "Mr. Evans," but wasn''t sure if he


    heard her. After taking the elevator upstairs, she turned around to find that Ronan had disappeared into


    the deep night.


    The rain was heavy tonight. She wondered if he had an umbre.


    Her father used to forget his umbre when he went out, and she had to run after him to hand it over.


    He would pat her head and say, "De''s all grown up and starting to take care of her old man now."


    Tears blurred Cordelia''s vision.


    Cordelia worked till four in the morning. She didn''t n to go back to her rented room, but to take a


    short nap in the office and then continue working. No sooner had sheid down on the desk than her


    phone rang and woke her up.


    Seeing that it was Dr. Devon calling, Cordelia immediately picked up. Over the past two years, when


    Dr. Devon called, it was either about her mother''s deteriorating condition or a reminder to continue


    paying the hospital bills.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    "Cordelia, after you left yesterday, your mother started to have a fever. Our preliminary suspicion is that


    there is phlegm umtion in her lungs..."


    "Is it serious?" Cordelia asked anxiously, standing up from her seat.


    "Calm down. We''ve already given her emergency treatment, and her condition is temporarily stable.


    But the surgery from yesterday and this month''s hospital bill adds up to over sixty thousand. Can you


    pay for it all at once? You''ve been dying payment, and it''s hard for me to defend you at the


    hospital... Also, your mother''s situation is quite unusual. You and your brother are both working. Can


    you hire a caregiver? Regr turning and cleaning can prevent a lot of infections..."


    Cordelia was stunned. After working all night, her eyes were lifeless. The news hit her like a bolt out of


    the blue. Forget sixty thousand, she couldn''t evene up with six thousand right now. She felt


    trapped.


    Her monthly internship sry at Lumos Enterprises was only six thousand five hundred, and she had to


    pay rent. Plus, her sry wouldn''t be paid for another half a month. Even if she could get her CPA


    certificate and earn a lot of money, that wouldn''t happen until next year.


    She also knew that Dr. Devon had done everything he could to help her. If it weren''t for him vouching


    for her, her mother might have been kicked out of the hospital long ago.


    Sixty thousand was a fortune. She had already borrowed money from all her rtives, and no one was


    willing to lend it to them now.


    Feeling helpless, Cordelia suddenly remembered what Ronan had saidst night. Compared to five


    million, sixty thousand was a drop in the bucket.


    Cordelia''s resolve began to waver. She had once believed she could earn five million, but now it


    seemed like nothing more than a pipe dream.


    Her mother needed a caregiver, something Dr. Devon had mentioned before, but she had been unable


    to afford it. Now, the consequences of not hiring a caregiver had be apparent; her mother''s lungs


    were umting phlegm due to ack of proper care. Therefore, hiring a caregiver was a necessity


    for her mother.


    Cordelia knew that Ronan was well-off and that he could easily find a woman to marry. Last night, he


    said that he had "already asked many people." She wondered if anything had changed sincest night.


    With that thought, Cordelia anxiously got up and went to the door of Ronan''s office.


    It was just past five now, and Ronan''s office was still empty. Cordelia stood at the door, waiting for his


    arrival. Just as Cordelia was so tired that she could barely stay awake, Ronan arrived.

 Chapter 6

    Chapter 6


    The moment Ronan saw Cordelia standing at the door, he knew she had changed her mind. He


    couldn''t help but sneer at her pathetic attempt to y hard to get.


    Cordelia quickly pulled herself together, knowing she was there to ask for his help, she tried to sound


    pleasing, "Morning, Mr. Evans."


    "You''re up earlier than me." After saying that, Ronan opened the door, sat in his office chair, turned on


    theputer, and started checking files.


    "Did youe to see me for something?" He asked Cordelia without much concern.


    Hearing his hoarse voice, Cordelia remembered he didn''t have an umbre in the rainst night, and


    quickly asked, "Mr. Evans, did you catch a cold? Remember to drink more warm fluid, okay? Got any


    meds?"


    Being caught in the rain was a big deal. Her father once worked overtime in the rain at a construction


    site and ended up bedridden for days.


    "Just spit it out if you have something to say." Ronan''s voice was somewhat impatient. To him,


    Cordelia''s concern was just a show.


    "Mr. Evans, do you still stand by what you said yesterday?" Cordelia asked, bracing herself.


    "What?" Ronan didn''t even look up.


    Was he ying dumb, or had he genuinely forgotten? "The thing about getting married you


    mentioned." Cordelia''s voice was a bit shaky.


    It was as if Ronan had just registered what she was talking about, "That? What''s the issue?"


    In fact, Cordelia had already expected Ronan''s attitude. Once she sought him out, he would put on


    airs. But even if he did, Cordelia had no choice. She had already lost the initiative. Now Ronan was in


    "Do you still need someone to marry?" Cordelia tried to make her voice sound as pleasing as possible.


    And this attempt to please was not lost on Ronan. "Yes." Ronan lit a cigarette and sat back in his chair,


    staring at Cordelia.


    "You asked me yesterday, and I didn''t think it through at the time, but after giving it some thought, I


    think I can do it." Cordelia tried to hide her embarrassment.


    But in Ronan''s eyes, her face was just a mask of pretense. "I do need someone to marry. That''s a fact,


    but how do you know I haven''t found the one I need?" Ronan retorted.


    "Huh?" Cordelia¡¯s eyes showed her impatience as she quickly thought about where she could get the


    money if Ronan''s path didn''t work out.


    Seeing Cordelia''s expression, Ronan thought to himself, she thought she was the one in control but


    was now being controlled. He had thought she was confident, but now he saw she was just a small fry,


    getting all flustered.


    "Why did you suddenly change your mind? I remember you saying you already have a boyfriend."


    Ronan asked after a moment of silence.


    "You said I could make terms yesterday. I''m doing this for money, and you''re doing it to give your


    grandpa peace of mind. It''s a win-win. I think that''s reason enough."


    "Alright. You''re pretty straightforward," Ronan smirked. "Can I ask why you need money at such a


    young age?"


    Cordelia thought for a moment. If she told others her mother was seriously ill, it would definitely expose


    her constant leaves of absence, which would affect her job at Lumos Enterprises. Since she had


    already lied about having a boyfriend, she might as well use the "boyfriend" as an excuse.


    "You might already know, the housing prices in Millstone are very high. If my boyfriend and I don''t eat


    or drink, we might still need two hundred years to afford a house. My boyfriend told me yesterday he is


    going to intern somewhere else. I want to earn some more money during this time, and surprise him


    when hees back." Cordelia''s ability to make up lies was pretty impressive, with no ws.


    "Will your boyfriend agree to this?" Ronan continued.


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "Of course he won''t. I''ll lie to him. A thorough lie."


    "How much money do you need?" Ronan continued to ask coldly.


    "How much can you give?" Cordelia returned to her serious demeanor.


    Ronan had initially thought of saying five million, but seeing her eagerness to earn money, and his


    growing dislike for Cordelia, he suddenly didn''t want to make it easy for her. He wanted to give her a


    hard time.


    "A basic sry of one million. Plus..." Ronan casually said, "There will be some specific terms, I will


    give you a written agreementter, it will include performance assessment content. In general, making


    five million a year here is no big deal. If you work here for two years, I''ll give you a house."


    Cordelia was stunned. Five million a year? Was making money with Ronan that easy?


    "Okay, then we have a deal. Let''s exchange contact information. If you need anything, you can inform


    me anytime."

 Chapter 7

    Chapter 7


    Ronan''s Facebook name was his real name. He was the kind of guy who had status and didn¡¯t need to


    hide behind an alias. His name said it all.


    Cordelia took a look at Ronan''s posts, but there was next to nothing, except for some articles shared


    by Lumos Enterprises PR Department.


    To keep Ronan from sticking out like a sore thumb in her phone, Cordelia renamed him as John Doe in


    her messenger. After she added him, John Doe sent a message. [Sign the contract tomorrow. Pick up


    the marriage license.] True to his word, Ronan was all business.


    Cordelia replied with a simple, [Okay.]


    After work, Cordelia swung by Lumos za to grab a new shirt for their registration. Lumos za was


    also one of Ronan''s many properties.


    The next morning, Cordelia put on some extra makeup. Her skin was naturally wless, and with the


    added makeup, her features were even more striking. She put on her new shirt. She looked stunning in


    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    the mirror, but she didn''t feel anything. After all, she had to look decent for the registration.


    The morning bus was a bit crowded. Just before her stop, a message from Ronan popped up in her


    messenger. [Come to my office.]


    Cordelia replied. [10 minutes.]


    When she arrived at Ronan''s office, her outfit turned his head, especially the curve of her chest, which


    reminded him of that night. His thoughts wandered for a moment, but he didn''t say anything. He was


    Cordelia''s sugar daddy.


    There was another person in the office, Ronan''s legal advisor, who had Cordelia sign a few


    agreements. The gist of it was that Ronan''s wealth was none of her business, the marriage was to be


    kept under wraps, but Cordelia would receive a million-dor payout at the end of the contract. There


    were also bonuses during the contract period. The bonus details were as follows.


    First, make Grandpaugh once, ten grand.


    Second, cook a tasty meal for Grandpa, twenty grand.


    Third, apany Grandpa to the hospital once, a hundred grand.


    Fourth, attend to Grandpa¡¯s funeral after his death, a cool million.


    Finally, Cordelia saw the most important use. From the day the agreement was signed, Ronan


    would give Cordelia a down payment of two hundred grand.


    Note use. For any matters not covered in the contract, Ronan had the final say.


    These bonuses took Cordelia by surprise. All she could think was that Ronan was loaded. And all the


    bonuses were about his "Grandpa." The money for one hospital visit alone could pay for a nurse for her


    mother for ten months.


    Cordelia found herself hoping that Grandpa would live a long life. That way, she''d have a steady stream


    of ie and no more worries about her mother''s illness.


    Ronan''s pay system was simr to that of Lumos Enterprises. The base sry wasn''t high, but if you


    did a good job, you could rake in a hefty sum at the end of the month. This motivated people to work


    hard.


    Cordelia thought to herself, ¡°I must do well, and earn more money.¡± She signed her name without


    hesitation.


    "Have all the documents been prepared?" Ronan asked Cordelia in a cold tone.


    "Yeah, they''re all ready." After saying this, Cordelia took out the documents from her bag and ced


    them on Ronan''s desk.


    Ronan gave it a nce, then said, "Let''s go."


    Getting the marriage license took only ten minutes. Although everything felt surreal to Cordelia, she


    was technically a married woman now. When she got back to the office in the afternoon, she went


    about her work as if nothing had happened. But one thing was bothering her, why hadn''t the two


    hundred grand arrived in her ount yet?


    That two hundred grand was the emergency relief fund that could solve her pressing issues.

 Chapter 8

    Chapter 8


    Mom''s surgery and hospital bills hadn''t been paid off yet, and it was making Cordelia edgy. Dr. Devon


    told her today was the final deadline for payment.


    But when she saw Jordan, was still in a meeting in thepany conference room, she guessed Ronan


    was probably in there as well. Sending him a message now would not be the best timing; it would rub


    him the wrong way. All she could do was wait patiently.


    Past 10 p.m., after working overtime, Cordelia trudged into the elevator, utterly exhausted. It just so


    happened, that Ronan was already in the elevator when she got in.


    Seeing Ronan seemed to perk her up a bit, and she moved to stand in a corner of the elevator.


    The money issue had been gnawing at her for a while now. ¡°Mr. Evans,¡± She said, plucking up her


    courage when she saw no one else was around.


    ¡°Mm?¡± Ronan replied casually, standing in front of Cordelia without turning around to look at her.


    Their conversation was nothing like what you''d expect from a married couple.


    ¡°I remember the contract mentioned a down payment of 200,000 after signing¡­ that money¡­¡± She


    treaded carefully since she was talking about asking for money.


    ¡°You haven''t gotten it yet?¡± Ronan asked, still not turning around to look at her.


    ¡°Mm, not yet.¡±


    ¡°You in a hurry?¡±


    Cordelia was so anxious she was about to tear her hair out. The day was almost over.


    ¡°I thought thewyer had transferred it to you already. Send me your bank ount number.¡± Ronan


    was straightforward, not dwelling on whether she was in a hurry or not. He asked for her ount


    number directly.


    This straightforwardness made Cordelia feel a bit relieved. ¡°I¡¯ll send it to you once I get on the bus.¡±


    When they got to the first floor, Ronan left the elevator without a word.


    The bus wasn''t crowded. Cordelia got on, took out her bank card, and sent Ronan a clear picture of the


    card number. Not long after, she received a transfer of 200,000.


    Just when Cordelia was inwardly praising Ronan for being so decisive, she received another message


    from him. [If you were a little more diligent and typed the numbers, the transfer might have been 30


    seconds faster.]


    Was he calling herzy?


    Cordelia was worried this would affect her marriage performance and felt the need to over-exin. [Oh,


    Mr. Evans, the bus was crowded, it was inconvenient to type.]


    [You''re in such a hurry, but you''re afraid of inconvenience?]


    So, it all came back to her being desperate for money.


    As Cordelia was contemting how to respond, she received another message from Ronan. [This


    Saturday,e to Birchwood with me to visit my grandfather, Barney.]


    Cordelia felt a pang of anxiety, and then asked. [How many days are we going for?]


    [We''re leaving Saturday morning, staying one night, anding back on Sunday.]


    To be honest, when she saw that they were going to Barney''s house, Cordelia was happy. After all, all


    her performance wages were based around him. Only by seeing him could Cordelia get more money.


    On Friday, Cordelia went to visit her mom in the hospital. Her mom was doing much better after the


    surgery. Cordelia even talked to Dr. Devon about hiring a suitable nurse to help out.


    However, when she got to her mom''s room, she saw her rarely seen brother Adrian. Adrian wasn''t


    exactly a sess story, but he had recently gotten a new job as a chauffeur for a techpany CEO.


    His driving skills were decent.


    ¡°Cordelia, how about I set you up with a boyfriend?¡± Adrian said with a grin.


    Cordelia ignored Adrian. What good coulde out of his drinking buddies? Moreover, she was


    officially married now. There was no way she''d betray her husband and give Ronan something to hold


    against her.


    ¡°Not interested. I don''t have the time right now. We can talk about it once Mom gets better.¡± Cordelia


    held her mom¡¯s hand tightly, pressing it against her face.


    ¡°Wait till mom gets better? You might be waiting a long time,¡± Adrian said casually.


    Cordelia didn''t appreciate his remark, but she didn''t respond.


    ¡°I remember you had quite a few suitors back in the day. And about that guy who passed away¡­ Are


    you still nning on never marrying because of him?¡± Adrian hade to the hospital to pester


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    Cordelia. He hardly ever visited their mom.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention him! You have no right!¡± Cordelia said sternly.


    Seeing Cordelia getting upset, Adrian dropped the topic. It was a painful memory for his sister, and he


    didn''t want to upset her. He paused for a moment before saying, ¡°Alright, alright, I won''t bring it up


    again. Don''t get so worked up. But the guy I want to introduce to you this time is Mr. Colby''s son. He''s


    a second-generation rich kid, handsome, and wealthy. Are you sure you don''t want to consider it?¡±


    Cordelia didn''t respond,pletely disregarding Adrian''s suggestion.


    Seeing Cordelia so stubborn, Adrian couldn''t help but get angry. ¡°Cordelia, you need to know your


    ce! You''re pretty, but there are plenty of girls like you out there. Don''t think too highly of yourself!


    Mom''s medical bills need to be paid, and as her daughter, you''re not even considering her medical


    expenses. You''re heartless!¡±


    Cordelia closed her eyes, letting Adrian''s words breeze past her like the wind.


    ¡°Ungrateful,¡± Adrian muttered angrily when he saw Cordelia ignoring him. He then left the room.

 Chapter 9

    Chapter 9


    Lumos Enterprises was a mile away from school. To make life easier, Cordelia shared a two-bedroom


    apartment near thepany. Meanwhile, Adrian was living solo in their mom''s house.


    Saturday, 10 a.m.


    Ronan picked up Cordelia from her ce.


    At Ronan''s request, Cordelia was dressed to the nines - white t-shirt, red mini skirt, white sneakers,


    looking fresh and full of pep. Young people always looked good no matter how they dressed.


    This time, Ronan didn''t drive. He and Cordelia were sitting side by side in the back seat. When


    Cordelia got in the car, Ronan just nced at her, not saying a word.


    Once they hit the highway, Cordelia suddenly remembered an unresolved issue. Did their marriage of


    convenience include sex? She had hastily signed the agreement without asking and was totally thrown


    off by her financial straits.


    Considering they were putting on a show for Barney and were heading to his ce soon, they were


    bound to share a room for the night. Would he want to...you know? The thought sent Cordelia into a


    flurry of anxiety.


    Not sure if the driver knew about her and Ronan''s deal, she texted Ronan to avoid the driver


    overhearing. [Mr. Evans, does our agreement include that?]


    Ronan leisurely picked up his phone when he heard the notification sound and checked the message.


    Cordelia sat up straight. From the corner of her eye, she saw Ronan replying rather dismissively. She


    tightened her grip on her phone.


    Soon, a "1 new message from 1 contact" appeared on her screen. She unlocked her phone to check


    her chat with John Doe.


    [Which one?]


    Cordelia''s mind was about to explode. He was being so nonchnt about such an important question.


    Was he genuinely clueless or just ying dumb?


    [That one.]


    After a while, her phone dinged again, she quickly checked her phone.


    [What do you think?]


    Upon seeing the reply, Cordelia was on the verge of a breakdown and was speechless. Just as


    Cordelia was unsure how to respond, she heard him say, "Am I John Doe?"


    Caught off guard by his question, she nced at him. He was looking at her phone. The chat showed


    that she was texting John Doe.


    "Huh?" Cordelia was confused, but quickly said, "That''s just a pseudonym. I was afraid if I put Mr.


    Evans, people might figure it out and blow our cover."


    She was trying to assure Ronan that she was not bbing about their rtionship, on the contrary, she


    was being discreet.


    Ronan didn¡¯t want to continue the conversation and turned his gaze back out the window.


    Cordelia thought to herself, ¡°Why is Ronan being so cold? Can''t he just answer a question properly?¡±


    If he was not answering her on messenger, she would just ask him directly. She didn¡¯t care whether the


    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    driver knew or not.


    "Mr. Evans, did you bring condoms?" Cordelia asked Ronan seriously.


    She absolutely couldn¡¯t get pregnant. She needed to get her CPA, be a sessful career woman,


    and make money. She couldn¡¯t let a child obstruct her career.


    Hearing Cordelia''s question, Ronan turned to look at her, slightly frowning, as if thinking, ¡°Why is this


    girl so udylike?¡±


    "I didn''t bring any." After saying that, he looked out the window again.


    Cordelia swallowed hard, clearly nervous. But then again, him not bringing a condom could¡¯ve meant


    he was not nning on doing it. After thest time, he could¡¯ve been thinking she was a burden and


    was having regrets. Now that he was clear-headed, he wouldn''t make the same mistake again, right?


    Besides, as the president of Lumos Enterprises, why would he want a lowly intern to bear his child?


    Feeling relieved, Cordelia let out a sigh.

 Chapter 10

    Chapter 10


    By the time they arrived at Birchwood, it was already 4 p.m.


    Before getting out of the car, Ronan said to Cordelia, "Mind your manners when you address me."


    "Huh? What?" Cordelia didn''t get it.


    "No more, Mr. Evans."


    Cordelia thought for a moment, then said without hesitation, "Alright, hubby."


    This response was so quick; "hubby" was said so naturally, it surprised Ronan a little. He guessed she


    probably called her boyfriends that all the time. Girls these days were quite open-minded. This thought


    made Ronan a bit ufortable.


    However, Cordelia knew full well. He had given her so much money, she had to put on a more


    convincing act. Cordelia was always professional, not the kind to work only under pressure from the


    boss. She was fully aware of her situation.


    Upon arriving at Barney''s house, Cordelia immediately became serious. She knew she needed to


    She reminded herself to stay alert.


    Ronan''s grandfather used to be aw professor at Birchwood College, highly respected within the legal


    field. He even appeared on TV as a guest, discussing some legal issues in marriage. No wonder


    Ronan said that his grandfather would be able to tell if the marriage license was fake. How could such


    an intellectual not see through a fake marriage license?


    Ronan''s grandmother passed awayst year. This year, his grandfather was diagnosed with lung


    cancer. Ronan had lived with Barney and his grandmother since he was a child, and the bond was very


    strong. Barney hoped to see Ronan''s lifeplete before he could pass away peacefully.


    Barney''s kind eyes scanned Cordelia, "How old is Cordelia?"


    "Twenty-three," Ronan said.


    Cordelia was a little taken aback. How did Ronan know her age? But then she remembered, he had


    nced at her driver''s license when they registered. That nce allowed him to answer Barney''s


    question very naturally in front of him. He was a crafty one.


    "A good bit younger than you," Barney said to Ronan. "eight years?"


    "Yes." Ronan smiled, speaking in a kind tone that Cordelia rarely heard.


    "With her being so much younger, you must treat her well." Barney''s smile became even more


    benevolent.


    "Of course." Both Ronan and Cordelia sat on the couch. Ronan grabbed Cordelia''s hand and casually


    kissed it.


    A wave of electricity seemed to surge through Cordelia, making her feel tingly all over. Cordelia wanted


    to pull her hand away but was afraid to blow their cover, so she just let Ronan hold it, her palm getting


    sweaty.


    "Cordelia is an intern. She didn''t want her coworkers to know about the marriage, to avoid gossip.


    But¡­" Ronan''s tone suddenly became a bit suggestive. He even nced at Cordelia, his eyes seemed


    to be talking, looking at Cordelia with a mixture of teasing and yfulness. "But recently, we felt it was


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    the right time, so we registered our marriage, and I brought her to meet you."


    No doubt, by "right time," Ronan meant they had sex.


    "It''s a bad time for you guys toe. I didn''t know you wereing, and the housekeeper has already


    taken another job. There''s no one to cook. Let''s eat out," Barney said, then suddenly remembered


    something. "If your grandmother was still here, she would''ve made you handmade pasta. You loved it


    since you were a kid."


    As he spoke, Barney''s eyes welled up.


    Barney was a schr. He and his wife never hired a housekeeper. After his wife passed away, Ronan


    wanted to hire a full-time housekeeper and a couple of caregivers for Barney, but Barney said, "I''m an


    old man now, no need for such fuss."


    Barney lived alone, with asional help from a housekeeper to cook.


    "I can make handmade pasta. If Barney doesn''t mind, I can do it. I often cook for Ronan. Right,


    hubby?" Cordelia stood up, speaking naturally and appropriately.


    Her offer to cook was partly moved by the story of Barney and his wife, and partly because of the


    money. She remembered clearly that the contract stated, that a delicious meal could earn her twenty


    grand. Plus, her disy of affection with Ronan was so convincing, that Barney would be pleased and


    more at ease.


    Ronan sat on the couch, legs crossed, hand on his chin. He didn''t expect Cordelia to be so proactive.


    He wondered if she was taking this opportunity to get into character or was just acting. But her


    performance was beyond professional.


    "Alright, Grandpa. Let her do it," Ronan smiled and spoke.


    Then, Ronan''s gaze swept across Cordelia''s face meaningfully. Cordelia, looking as if she had been


    seen through, went to the kitchen.

 Chapter 11

    Chapter 11


    Cordelia''s life wasn''t as smooth sailing as Ronan''s. When she was still in elementary school, she had


    to cook for herself because her dad was always at work on construction sites, and her mom was also


    working. At that time, she was so short that she had to stand on a stool to light the stove, cooking for


    herself and her no-good brother.


    As for hand-rolling pasta, Cordelia was a pro by the time she was in sixth grade.


    After a while, she had a steaming te of pasta on the table. Seeing Barney''s beaming face, she felt


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    like she was back in the days when Ronan¡¯s grandma was around, and Barney was eating happily.


    Ronan, on the other hand, was hard to read. Cordelia kept sneaking nces at him, wondering if she


    had lived up to the two grand standards.


    After dinner and some TV time, the moment Cordelia had been both anxious and excited for had


    arrived.


    At ten o''clock, Barney retreated to his bedroom.


    "Time for bed," Ronan said as he nced at Cordelia.


    "Mm-hmm." Cordelia followed Ronan to his bedroom.


    Ronan''s bedroom was huge,parable to the two-bedroom apartment Cordelia rented. It had its own


    bathroom, gym equipment, bookshelves, a desk, and a big double bed.


    "You shower, I''ll be in the living room." With that, Ronan took his pajamas out of the closet and left, not


    paying any attention to the anxious Cordelia left in his room.


    Cordelia felt like a puppet being controlled; she just nodded and headed to the bathroom with her


    pajamas. By the time she came out with her pajamas on, Ronan was already in bed reading. He


    upied half of the bed, leaving the other half naturally to Cordelia.


    Ronan was wearing high-quality silk pajamas, while Cordelia was in cotton ones that looked rather


    childish inparison.


    Throughout, Ronan didn''t nce at Cordelia once, focusing solely on his book.


    Seeing that he didn''t seem to be nning to sleep just yet, Cordelia took out her own book. She was


    studying for the CPA exam.


    She sneaked a nce at Ronan; he looked very calm. Cordelia knew that when he was drunk, he


    might have mistaken her for someone else. But now he was sober, he wouldn''t make that mistake


    again. After all, as the CEO, he wouldn''t do anything detrimental to his employees.


    While she was lost in thought, Ronan suddenly asked, "Are you studying for the CPA exam?"


    "Um... Yes!"


    "How many sections have you finished?" He seemed somewhat interested.


    "I have Financial ounting and Reporting and Regtion left. But this time, I only signed up for one,


    because I''m working and don''t have much time, and I''m about to graduate, so I have a lot going on. It''s


    safer to just take one and focus mostly on my job." Cordelia''s response was honest, hinting at her hard


    work at Lumos Enterprises.


    "Aren''t you going to blow dry your hair?" Ronan nced at her and saw that her hair was still dripping


    wet.


    "Oh, I, I''ll do thatter..." Mainly because Cordelia wasn''t used to blow-drying her hair from a young


    age.


    Ronan waved his hand as if to tell her to go dry her hair, but then his phone started ringing. Cordelia


    was sitting next to Ronan, and she could faintly hear him discussing the issue of interns staying or


    leaving thepany. Cordelia immediately felt nervous.


    "Just send out apany-wide notice on Monday." After the person on the line talked, Ronan only


    replied with this sentence.


    After hanging up the phone, Cordelia licked her lips nervously and gathered the courage to ask, "Mr.


    Evans, did they discuss whether I''m staying or leaving?"

 Chapter 12

    Chapter 12


    Ronan said coldly, "No."


    Cordelia felt a pang of disappointment hearing his reply but didn''t dare to push further. After all, she


    was just an intern, hardly someone who would catch Ronan''s eye.


    Just then, her phone buzzed, and she picked it up to check. There was a friend request on Messenger


    from someone named Jamie Colby. Cordelia didn''t recognize the name, so she ignored it. The inte


    was crawling with scammers, after all.


    "I''m hitting the sack," Cordelia announced, a tad nervously, then turned off her bedsidemp and


    snuggled into her bed. The air conditioning in the bedroom was cool, and the silk nket was quite


    Ronan didn''t turn his head and just murmured a soft acknowledgment. He seemed busy with his work.


    Cordelia buried her face in the nket, peeping out at Ronan with doe-like eyes. Her gaze


    inadvertently swept over his face, which was cold and stern. He looked nothing like Logan, except


    maybe a little when he smiled. But Ronan rarely smiled, and she had no idea how she mistook him for


    Logan that night.


    Thinking of Logan made Cordelia''s heart ache even more. His death was a tough pill to swallow.


    Cordelia buried her head into her pillow, tears streaming down her cheeks. She was crying so hard that


    she started sobbing.


    "Am I making you this miserable?" Ronan''s calm voice came from outside the nket.


    "No." Cordelia''s voice sounded muffled from inside the nket.


    "Then why are you crying?" He asked again.


    "I''m just a little homesick." She made up an excuse and turned around to sleep.


    Ronan didn''t ask further.


    But despite her ims of wanting to sleep, she just couldn''t drift off. That''s when a picture frame on her


    nightstand caught her attention. She picked it up. In the picture was a young woman. Although the


    photo was a bit dusty, the woman was clearly very beautiful and only a few years older than Cordelia.


    She turned the frame over and saw a name written on the back. Cordelia whispered it, "Deanna


    Stains."


    She suddenly remembered the first night they spent together, Ronan called out a name. Could it be


    her? Was she the love of his life?


    "Put it down. Don''t touch!" Ronan''s icy voice startled her.


    Startled, Cordelia dropped the frame with a tter onto the floor beside the bed. Ronan bent over to


    pick it up, inadvertently pressing against Cordelia.


    Cordelia''s breathing became rapid, her chest rising and falling. She was frightened.


    Ronan picked up the frame, carelessly stuffed it into a drawer, and remained leaning on her, not


    moving away. Just when Cordelia was at a loss for what to do, Ronan abruptly turned off the light.


    What was about to happen? The air was suddenly charged with a palpable tension.


    Cordelia clenched her teeth and blurted out, "Mr. Evans, I want to stay at Lumos Enterprises, could you


    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    put in a good word for me with the HR Department?"


    This was not a request, but rather an exchange with Ronan on an equal footing, implying, ¡°I know


    you''re turned on right now, Mr. Evans, but if you want something, you have to meet my condition and


    let me stay at Lumos Enterprises.¡±


    She knew that all interpretation of the agreement was in Ronan''s hands, but Ronan hadn''t clearly


    addressed the issue of making love in the agreement, and when Cordelia asked, he didn''t give a clear


    answer. Cordelia needed money, and a job, and now was the perfect time to make her demands.


    At this critical moment, Cordelia yed her cards just right.


    "Are you threatening me?" Ronan''s low and icy voice echoed in Cordelia''s ear.


    "No, I''m confident! I''m confident I''m doing well," Cordelia retorted.


    Ronan didn''t respond, he just lowered his head and started kissing Cordelia''s neck. His arm brushed


    against Cordelia''s soft chest, urately jolting her memory. This caused Cordelia to feel a tingling


    sensation all over.


    Her mind was clear one moment and blurred the next, then she reiterated, "What do you say, Mr.


    Evans?"


    Ronan, pressing down on Cordelia, saw her eyes swollen and red, looking pathetic yet defiant, like a


    cornered bunny.


    His grandfather had once warned him not to bully her, as she was eight years his junior.


    The anger in Ronan had subsided, and his hand gently brushed over Cordelia''s cold cheeks. "What''s


    your boyfriend''s name?"

 Chapter 13

    Chapter 13


    Cordelia didn''t get why he suddenly brought this up, but since she had already imed she had a


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    boyfriend, she had to keep up the charade. "Ex or current boyfriend?"


    Ronan snorted, he hadn''t expected his wife to be so charming. "How many boyfriends have you had?"


    "Just two."


    Just two? Seriously, only two?


    "What''s the name of your current boyfriend?" Ronan asked gruffly.


    Coming up with a name on the spot was tough, but someone named Jamie just sent her a friend


    request. So, without hesitation, Cordelia said, "Jamie."


    The world was so big, how could Ronan possibly know Jamie?


    "His name is Jamie?" Ronan asked, frowning.


    "Yes, do you need to talk to him for anything?" Cordelia responded confidently.


    "You are not allowed to sleep with him while we are married! I find it disgusting." Ronan ordered


    Cordelia.


    His attitude made her ufortable as if she was being treated like a second-hand good. "Mr. Evans,


    rest assured, I have strong professional ethics. I know what I should and shouldn''t do. Besides, he is


    currently interning out of town and can''te back. Even if I wanted to sleep with him, it''s not


    possible," Cordelia retorted, her words not fitting the mood of the evening at all.


    Perhaps it was Cordelia''s cold attitude that killed Ronan''s desire, although he still remembered their


    first night together, theforting feeling, and her warm cheeks, which were hard to forget.


    But tonight, he realized something, this intern was not so easy to control. He couldn''t let her affect him


    like this; if he did, she would seize the opportunity and be even more reckless.


    He got off Cordelia.


    Ronan''s sudden reaction confirmed Cordelia''s suspicion, maybe Ronan had been really into Deanna.


    Last time, when he got drunk, he mistook her for Deanna. This time, when she mentioned Deanna''s


    name, it upset him again. He didn''t n to do anything tonight, but due to Deanna''s influence, he


    decided to.


    "If you''re not nning to do anything, I''m going to sleep now," Cordelia said, then turned and went to


    sleep on the other side of the bed.


    Luckily, Ronan didn''t do anything that night. He didn''t bring any condoms, so if he had, she would''ve


    had to take a morning-after pill. But Cordelia wasn''t familiar with the area and didn''t know where to find


    a pharmacy. But now she was off the hook.


    The next day, Cordelia was all smiles at Barney''s house. Barney was very pleased with her, continually


    praising Ronan''s good taste. She made it through the morning, and at one o''clock in the afternoon,


    they left for Millstone.


    Cordelia''s cheeks felt sore from smiling all morning. As soon as she got in the car, her face fell. A CEO


    and an intern, their worlds were worlds apart, and they had nothing to talk about.


    Cordelia''s phone rang. It was a text from her school counselor, asking her to write a speech about an


    outstanding graduate to be read at the graduation ceremony.


    Cordelia started discussing with her teacher, including the focus and key points of the speech, as well


    as a few examples she wanted to share, asking if they were appropriate.


    Her fingers were flying over the keyboard. As Cordelia was sending an email, a notification popped up


    on her phone screen. She had received a transfer of 50,000 yuan from Ronan.


    Cordelia''s typing paused. Under normal circumstances, receiving so much money in one day would


    make her happy, but she suddenly felt a sense of irony. Him giving her money felt like a simple


    transaction.


    After sending the email to her teacher, Cordelia texted Ronan. [Thank you, Mr. Evans.]


    Ronan didn''t reply.


    Suddenly remembering something, Cordelia asked Ronan, "Mr. Evans, how often do you n to visit


    your grandfather in the future? I want to know what to expect."


    "Maybe every week."


    Cordelia was taken aback, thinking, ¡°Thank god she didn''t have a real boyfriend. Otherwise, this


    frequency would probably lead to a breakup.¡±

 Chapter 14

    Chapter 14


    Monday.


    Cordelia had barely settled into the office when an email from the HR Department popped up in her


    inbox. It was a group email.


    "After careful consideration and coboration amongst all departments, the HR Department has


    decided on the following list of interns who can be offered full-time positions¡­"


    Cordelia was on pins and needles until she saw her name on the list. A wave of relief washed over her,


    along with a sense of surprise.


    Manda, the promising intern from the Finance Department who graduated from Liberty University, didn''t


    make the cut. Jordan had once mentioned that the Finance Department only needed one intern this


    year. Now, that chance fell into Cordelia''sp.


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Jordan gave Cordelia a peculiar look.


    Initially, the Finance Department had two interns, Manda, and Cordelia. Manda was a graduate student


    from Liberty University who had a solid rapport with the director of the Finance Department, Jordan,


    and was known for her solid professional knowledge. If Cordelia hadn''t been taking so many leaves,


    she might have been in a race with Manda. Given this, plus the fact that Ronan had not agreed to keep


    Cordelia on at Lumos Enterprises before, she thought she had no chance of getting the full-time offer.


    But the reality turned out to be quite different, leaving Cordelia bbergasted.


    Judging by Jordan''s attitude, he likely rmended Manda for the full-time position. Cordelia guessed


    that it was Ronan who had made the call, which probably threw Jordan for a loop.


    Cordelia didn''t know what Ronan had said to the HR Department. Did he mention their agreement to


    get married?


    After work, Brooklyn and Cordelia nned to have a big feast to celebrate their promotions. Brooklyn,


    who worked in the PR Department, also got the full-time offer.


    As the two women stepped into the elevator, they saw Ronan standing there, one hand in his pocket,


    looking aloof and arrogant.


    Ronan was followed by several top executives who were discussing this year¡¯s advertising business.


    Brooklyn and Cordelia dared not utter a word and retreated to the back of the elevator.


    "Since you''ve got a full-time offer, you should look for a ce in thepany''s housing. Have you


    submitted your application yet?" Brooklyn whispered to Cordelia.


    Even though Brooklyn''s voice was soft, it was still audible in the confined space of the elevator. Luckily,


    the executives were engrossed in their conversation, so Brooklyn''s question didn''t seem out of ce.


    "Not yet," Cordelia replied.


    "What are you waiting for? If you don¡¯t apply now, there might not be any rooms left," Brooklyn said,


    turning to look at Cordelia.


    "I got it. I''ll apply right away," Cordelia replied, sneaking a nce at Ronan.


    The reason why Cordelia hadn''t applied for thepany''s housing was that she was concerned about


    her weekly visits to Barney. If she left every Saturday and returned on Sunday, her roommates would


    start asking questions. She was worried that, over time, her secret might be exposed. She wanted to


    ask Ronan''s opinion, but she thought that he might not care about a small fry like her. Now that she


    was not short of money, she nned to continue living in her rented apartment, which was more


    convenient for her to visit her mother or return to Birchwood.


    However, by Wednesday, Cordelia received a notice from the HR Department aboutpany housing


    check-in procedures and the need to fill in personal information.


    Cordelia was perplexed and was about to ask Jordan what was going on when a message from Ronan


    arrived. [Get it?]


    Ronan really overestimated Cordelia''sprehension. He thought that with a single sentence,


    Cordelia would understand his meaning.


    But after some contemtion, Cordelia finally got what Ronan was implying. The person who wanted


    Cordelia to stay in Lumos Enterprises was obviously Ronan, who gave the HR Department the order. If


    it were up to Jordan, Manda would be the one staying. The only reason Cordelia was kept on was likely


    because Ronan was worried he wouldn''t be able to control her if she left Lumos Enterprises. The


    reason why Ronan applied for a ce in thepany''s housing for Cordelia, as she finally figured out,


    was because he had once mentioned he disliked messiness.


    With four people in a ce, Ronan would definitely know if Cordelia''s boyfriend came to see her. It was


    a reminder and a form of control over Cordelia.


    Ronan really had "thought this through." As a CEO, he had everything nned out, even for a small fry


    like her.


    Cordelia replied. [Got it.]

 Chapter 15

    Chapter 15


    Cordelia moved into thepany''s housing, right across from the office. It was super close. This way,


    she could save on travel expenses and rent.


    She shared the house with Brooklyn and two girls from the customer service department. The house


    wasn''t big, and because they moved inter, the two other girls had already taken the sun-facing


    rooms. Brooklyn wanted to argue about it, but Cordelia said, ¡°No name on the door, if they''ve already


    moved in, just let them be.¡±


    So, Brooklyn dropped it.


    Cordelia even gave Brooklyn the slightly bigger room and chose the smallest one for herself. There


    were no windows in her room, and the venttion was poor. It was summer, the room was still stuffy


    and humid.


    After a few days, Cordelia found her dim room not quite up to snuff. The apartment block had many


    rooms, and theirs was in a not-so-great location, hers being the worst. She often had to dry herundry


    in the bathroom first before taking it back to her room.


    However, thepany''s housing was located on the pricey Magnolia Terrace in Millstone, where


    housing prices were the highest in the country and were a hotmodity. Rent would take up almost


    all the sry of a fresh grad, so you had to apply as soon as you got a full-time position. If you were


    On Friday, Cordelia got her period. She thought to herself, ¡°Finally, I don''t have to worry about whether


    or not Ronan and I should have sex when I go back to Barney''s.¡±


    That night, Cordelia got a message from Ronan. [We''re going back to my grandpa''s tomorrow. Prepare


    yourself.]


    [Sure, Mr. Evans, wait for me near The Artful Brew at the end of Magnolia Terrace.]


    She was worried that if Ronan picked her up at the dorm, her colleagues would gossip.


    On Saturday, Cordelia got into Ronan''s car.


    This time, Ronan switched to a high-end Mercedes, not as shy as the Maybach. As usual, they sat in


    the back seat without much conversation. Suddenly, Ronan sniffed and asked, ¡°What''s that smell?¡±


    Cordelia sniffed it, too, but didn''t smell anything in particr.


    Ronan squinted at Cordelia, ¡°Your clothes, why do they smell like that?¡±


    Cordelia was so used to the smell that she didn''t realize what it was. She only felt embarrassed that


    Ronan had noticed a strange smell on her. She was a girl, after all.


    She thought for a second, ¡°Is it like a damp smell?¡±


    ¡°Close enough.¡±


    ¡°Oh, it''s probably because of my room. My clothes never dry properly, so they get this smell after a


    while.¡± Cordelia instinctively med it on her surroundings, it would be way too awkward if Ronan


    thought the smell came from her.


    Ronan nced at Cordelia, said nothing, and continued to look out the window.


    This time, when they went back to Barney''s, Barney was very happy. He and Cordelia had a great


    rtionship.


    Compared to Ronan, Cordelia''s rtionship with Barney was more like a genuine grandparent-


    grandchild rtionship. Perhaps because Ronan was mature and stoic, he neverined to Barney


    about his problems and always dealt with them on his own. Barney couldn''t even help. So, Barney''s


    affection for Ronan wascking, they were more like friends.


    But with Cordelia, it waspletely different. She would always ask Barney all sorts of questions, and


    they would talk about everything, like the differences between Birchwood College and her school,


    Millstone College''s curriculum, Barney''s interesting teaching experiences, and those pesky students he


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    had to deal with. Barney never talked about these things with Ronan, but with Cordelia, he was all


    smiles and enthusiasm.


    Ronan could hear theirughter when he was quietly reading by himself. It felt like he was the one


    being left out. Barney even half-jokingly reminded Cordelia, ¡°De, have you ever thought about having


    a kid? I''d love to see what your child would look like.¡±


    It was as if Cordelia was his biological granddaughter.


    Barney had started to call her De. The first time Barney called her De, Cordelia''s heart warmed up,


    and her eyes welled up. She felt like she could hear her dad, mom, and Logan calling her ¡°De,


    De.¡± They were her closest family.


    But now, her closest family were all gone. She didn''t know if her mom would ever get to call her De


    again in this life.


    Barney was the only one in the world who called her De now.


    Cordelia''s hand froze in mid-air as she was eating, she felt incredibly guilty. She thought Barney''s wish


    might note true. She agreed to marry Ronan for the sake of the agreement, but they hadn''t


    nned on having kids. If they did, she would have had more strings attached.


    ¡°Grandpa, you''ve always been an intellectual, advocating for personal growth. Why are you suddenly


    so interested in kids?¡± Ronan tried to change the subject for Cordelia.


    ¡°Ah, it''s not...¡± Barney''s eyes dimmed a bit. His past and current thoughts were worlds apart.


    Seeing Barney like this, Ronan didn''t say anything. He knew his grandpa''s wish was impossible.


    Cordelia also felt down. Remembering her father''sst moments and looking at Barney, she felt even


    sadder.


    Once back in her room, Cordelia made a point to leave her tampon right on the nightstand.


    Ronan spotted it immediately, and he got the message.

 Chapter 16

    Chapter 16


    Cordelia was deep in thought, scribbling away at her desk.


    "What are you doing?" Ronan asked from the bed behind her. With Cordelia''s back towards him, the


    room felt somewhat empty to Ronan.


    "I''m writing the report for outstanding graduates," Cordelia replied offhandedly, typing away.


    "Is that so?"


    At his words, Cordelia began to feel a sense of unease. Did Ronan look down on her that much?


    Turning around, Cordelia met Ronan¡¯s gaze. "Oh, Mr. Evans, don''t you know that Lumos Enterprises


    only hires top graduates? If I wasn''t good enough, how could I have been officially hired? Or are you


    suggesting that I was not good enough and you had to pull some strings just to have me working under


    you, for easier control?"


    Ronan was taken aback by Cordelia''s direct rebuttal. Each word hit him where it hurt. He had always


    known that this woman would not be easy to handle.


    Ronan chose to ignore Cordelia, closing his book and heading to the bathroom.


    Feeling a bit guilty for her outburst, Cordelia decided to call it a night. After all, Ronan was the CEO,


    and her response had been disrespectful. Her gaze followed Ronan to the bathroom.


    By the time Ronan returned to the room, Cordelia was already sitting on the bed.


    Ronan picked up his book again.


    "Mr. Evans, why did you keep me in the Finance Department?" Cordelia tried to strike up a


    conversation. She had always wondered about that.


    "Do I need to exin to my employees why I kept an intern?" Ronan retorted.


    In her mind, Cordelia thought, "So it was Ronan who gave the instructions to keep me."


    "But without an exnation, people will start to specte."


    Ronan nced at her dismissively. "Specte? Isn''t it a fact that you are sharing a bed with me? Is our


    marriage legally fake?"


    Cordelia was left speechless. Shey down, listening to the sound of Ronan turning pages, turning off


    the lights, and lying down. Eventually, she fell asleep.


    Their trip back from Barney''s was smooth, and Ronan transferred another $10,000 to Cordelia.


    The amount was less than before, probably due to the fact that they had a part-time worker this time.


    However, not a word was spoken between them. Every time Ronan transferred money to Cordelia, she


    felt uneasy. She didn''t quite understand why.


    Ronan dropped Cordelia off at the same spot as yesterday and drove off.


    Just as she was about to reach her dorm, Cordelia received a message from the HR Director, Emily.


    [Cordelia, the previous dorm arrangement was temporary. Room 1507 is vacant now since a female


    employee from the Operations Department got married and bought a new house. You can move in with


    Brooklyn. It''s a double room. What do you think?]


    Cordelia was slightly taken aback. All because Ronan couldn''t stand the smell of damp on her, he had


    her moved to a double room. Being rich and powerful sure had its perks.


    Brooklyn had already checked out room 1507. It was about the same size as their previous four-bed


    room but only housed two people. Brooklyn spent the whole afternoon excitedly packing, ready to


    move into the new dorm.


    After moving into the new dorm, Cordelia spent her time washing clothes, nning to wash all the


    musty clothes from before.


    "Cordelia, Cordelia, you have to see this. I''m about to lose it..." Brooklyn stormed into the bathroom


    where Cordelia was washing clothes,ptop in hand.


    "You went to see your mother in the hospital yesterday. Look at what these people are saying."


    Cordelia turned off the tap and leaned over to look at theptop screen. Theptop was opened to the


    The title of the post was. [Who is her sugar daddy?]


    There were over a dozen pictures of Cordelia from when she went to The Artful Brew at Magnolia


    Terrace yesterday. She was dressed in a very formal dress and had makeup on. It was clear that she


    had taken great care in dressing up. She got into a luxurious Mercedes and was looking around as she


    got in.


    The tint on the Mercedes was so thick that one couldn''t see who was inside. Because of this, everyone


    was discussing, "Who is her sugar daddy?"


    Everyone seemed interested in this kind of gossip. More and more people started posting, and it


    quickly became a hot topic.


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    Brooklyn''s reply was, "This is my roommate, I swear she went to the hospital yesterday."


    But Brooklyn''s reply was not convincing at all. Someone quickly replied, "Does one need to dress up so


    much to go to the hospital? And why didn''t the car stop at our dorm, but in such a faraway ce? Also,


    I heard she and another intern werepeting for a position at Lumos Enterprises. The other person


    worked hard all the time, so why was she, who takes leave all the time, the one who stayed? What''s


    going on behind the scenes?"


    "Be careful with your words. She has connections."


    "I saw her toast to the Deputy Head of the HR Department when we went for team building. Maybe..."


    Variousments were made, all of them biting.


    At the team building event, Cordelia did toast the Deputy Head of HR, but she was with Jordan the


    whole time. You couldn¡¯t deny she got yed by some sneaky folks. There were always a lot of power


    struggles in bigpanies, man.

 Chapter 17

    Chapter 17


    Cordelia continued doing herundry, shrugging off the whole thing as a waste of her time.


    "Cordelia, aren''t you gonna stand up for yourself when everyone''s picking on you?"


    "Just let it go. No one will care about this in a bit."


    "Really..." Brooklyn looked at Cordelia. "Did something really happen between you and the assistant


    head of HR?"


    Cordelia looked back at Brooklyn. "I don''t want to talk to you."


    With that, she grabbed herundry and went out to the balcony to hang it. The only thing bothering


    Cordelia was whether Ronan would me her for this. After all, she had suddenly be the center


    of attention due to this incident.


    After hanging her clothes, Cordelia sat on her bed with herptop, writing her Top Graduates Report.


    Brooklyn wanted to say something else, but seeing Cordelia''s unwillingness to speak, she held her


    tongue, only reminding her, ¡°Don¡¯t forget, the new hires have a medical exam tomorrow.¡±


    Cordelia just hummed in response.


    Having just be the talk of the office, Cordelia wasn¡¯t looking forward to tomorrow¡¯s group medical


    check-up. The email had said, first thing Monday morning, all newly regrized employees were to


    gather in the parking lot, hop on thepany bus, and head over to Lumos Hospital for a check-up. If it


    were before, Cordelia could¡¯ve kept a low profile, but now, she''d probably be recognized by everyone in


    thepany.


    The next day, just as Cordelia had predicted, over thirty of thepany¡¯s new regr interns were


    sitting on the bus to Lumos Hospital. The bus hadn¡¯t started yet and was just parked in the parking lot.


    Despite sitting quietly at the very back, Cordelia still heard lots of people asking, "Which one is


    Cordelia?" "Who was that guy picking her up in that luxury car the other day?" "I heard her family isn¡¯t


    well-off at all. She must be a gold digger."


    Lots of people turned their heads to look at Cordelia.


    Just then, someone said, "Look outside."


    Everyone followed the voice. Cordelia also wanted to see what could possibly distract the crowd from


    their gossip.


    A low-profile Mercedes-Benz, the same one from the posts, pulled up next to the bus. Some nosy


    parkers even pulled out their phones topare the license te numbers with the ones on the forum.


    Now, everyone was holding their breath, waiting to see who would get out of the car. Cordelia could


    feel the anticipation and excitement. The car door opened, and Ronan stepped out, locked the car, put


    his hands in his pockets, and sauntered towards the office building.


    The bus was dead silent.


    Brooklyn looked at Cordelia in surprise. "The guy you''re rumored to be with is Mr. Evans?"


    "I happened to be going to the hospital that day, and he offered me a ride." Cordelia brushed off the


    incident, but Brooklyn seemed unconvinced.


    The bus had quietened down, and the post had somehow been quietly deleted. No one dared to gossip


    about the CEO.


    Cordelia wasn¡¯t sure what Ronan was up to. It could''ve been intentional or unintentional, but it warmed


    her heart and made her feel closer to him. She wanted to see Ronan again. For the first time, Cordelia


    was really looking forward to Saturday.


    On Thursday night, after working overtime, Cordelia was packing up to go back to her dorm when she


    received a text from Ronan. [Tell me your height, weight, and measurements.]


    Cordelia was looking at the message when she happened to run into Ronan in the elevator, so there


    was no need to continue the conversation over text.


    "Mr. Evans, what does this mean?" Cordelia held up her phone and asked.


    "I''m nning to take wedding photos, so I need to order a wedding dress."


    "You''re really taking wedding photos?" Cordelia was surprised. She thought they were just a couple in


    name to visit Barney.


    Cordelia was a little confused. If they held a wedding, the whole city would know. But if they divorced


    after the contract ended, wouldn¡¯t she be the city¡¯s infamous dumped woman?


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°What¡¯s your size?¡± Ronan didn¡¯t consider Cordelia¡¯s feelings and continued to ask.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never measured my body, so I''m not sure." Cordelia told the truth. She usually just picked the


    small size when shopping for clothes and had no idea about her exact measurements. She had never


    thought about entering a beauty pageant.


    Ronan turned his head and looked Cordelia up and down. His gaze made Cordelia feel a little


    ufortable, and she involuntarily shrunk back.


    The elevator reached the first floor, and Ronan walked out without saying a word. Cordelia stood


    dumbfounded in the lobby. Ronan never talked much with Cordelia and never answered questions he


    didn¡¯t want to.


    Back home that night, Cordelia received another text from Ronan. [We''re taking wedding photos on


    Saturday.]


    [Are we not visiting your grandpa anymore? Are we going to have a wedding?] Cordelia asked


    impatiently.


    [What are you thinking?]


    Ronan''s words instantly shattered all of Cordelia''s spections.

 Chapter 18

    Chapter 18


    Cordelia guessed that Ronan was probably worried about Barney being alone in Birchwood. So, he


    was nning to have Barney move in with him. If Barney did, they would have to put up their wedding


    picture. So, if Barney really came, did that mean Cordelia also had to move into Ronan''s house?


    Saturday, Cordelia went to arge photography studio using the address Ronan gave her. Ronan was


    already waiting for her there.


    Cordelia changed into her wedding dress. It fit her perfectly, making her remember the way he had


    looked at her. With just one look, he had urately estimated her size. His gaze was sharp.


    When Cordelia came out after changing, Ronan nced at her. Her beauty and figure were awe-


    inspiring. The pearl ne around her neck entuated her corbone, making her look youthful


    and lively.


    Looking at Cordelia in her white wedding dress, what Ronan was really thinking was, "This is the


    woman I''m going to spend my life with."


    Ronan''s gaze didn''t linger on Cordelia for long. He went on talking to the photographer, but he didn''t


    seem to be listening to what the photographer was saying.


    Cordelia also saw Ronan. He was wearing a ck suit, looking dashing and handsome, so much so


    that it was hard to look straight at him.


    Usually, taking wedding photos took a whole day, but they finished all the shooting in just one hour.


    After changing her clothes, Cordelia tidied up her bag and said happily to Ronan, "Mr. Evans, will you


    send me copies of the photos when you get them?"


    Ronan was adjusting his cuffs and replied without any expression, "Are you looking forward to it?"


    "Yes." Cordelia''s eyes were shining.


    "Don''t worry, sooner orter, you''ll see them. You don''t need to go back to my grandfather''s house


    today. You can enjoy your time. I''ll let you know when toe."


    Ronan''s attitude was totally like he was giving orders to a subordinate.


    Cordelia covered up her feelings of wanting to see Ronan and said,ughing, "That''s perfect because I


    registered for a CPA prep course online a few days ago. They told me toe in person to confirm it in


    the next few days. I n to go handle that this afternoon."


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    Without responding, Ronan drove off.


    Cordelia felt a bit awkward and disappointed. She had just said so much, but he didn''t respond and just


    left like that. It was a bit awkward for Cordelia. It seemed like it would be a while before Cordelia could


    see him again.


    In the afternoon, Cordelia went to Horizon Heights to sign up for the CPA prep course.


    She was always a strong learner and passed many courses through self-study. But now she was busy


    with work, so she specifically signed up for a guaranteed pass course online, because she heard that


    the teachers were all former exam whizzes.


    A young, handsome teacher walked onto the stage for the 3 o''clock ss. The girls in the ss were


    amazed by his good looks.


    The teacher wrote "Jamie" on the ckboard and said, "This is my name. You guys can call me Mr.


    Colby from now on. Let''s start the ss."


    Cordelia frowned slightly. Jamie? Was this a coincidence?


    Mr. Colby obtained his CPA certificate at an extremely fast pace and became a legend that year. His


    teaching method was clear and easy to understand, and his predictions about the questions were very


    urate. Cordelia respected this teacher very much. She felt even more that this was a coincidence


    because the teacher didn''t know her before, and he couldn''t have just added her on Facebook


    randomly.


    After ss, Cordelia walked out of Horizon Heights and saw her brother Adrian waiting for her on the


    roadside.


    "What are you doing here?" Cordelia asked.


    "Oh, my sister can afford to take prep courses now? Did you suddenlye into money? I also heard


    from the doctor that you''re nning to hire a nurse for mom?" Adrian popped his head out to ask


    Cordelia.


    Thest time they went to the hospital, the doctor casually mentioned the idea of hiring a nurse for their


    mom. Adrian was wondering then, where did Cordelia get the money?


    "I''ve officially been hired by thepany now." Cordelia tried to exin.


    "Oh, are you making a lot of money now? When are you going to treat me to a meal?"


    Cordelia didn''t want to talk to Adrian. She was about to leave when she heard Adrian''s tone change.


    He said with a ttering smile, "Mr. Colby, get in the car."


    Cordelia turned her head and saw Jamie.


    "Cordelia?" Jamie recognized her as well since they had just met in ss.


    "Mr. Colby, you know my sister? Haha, it seems like fate!" Adrian said, looking slyly at Cordelia and


    then at Jamie.


    "Hello, Mr. Colby." Cordelia bowed politely to Jamie.


    "Cordelia, you should get in the car too," Jamie said to Cordelia.


    "Yeah, yeah, if Mr. Colby asks you to get in the car, don''t refuse. Hurry up and get in." After saying that,


    Adrian pushed Cordelia into the car.


    Cordelia and Jamie both sat in the back seat.


    "Mr. Colby, have you added my sister''s Facebook?" Adrian sat in the driver''s seat and asked cheerfully.


    "Oh, I tried to send a friend request on Facebook before, but Cordelia didn''t ept it, so I didn''t add it


    again," Jamie said. "When I was calling the roll just now, I thought it was someone with the same


    name, so I didn''t dare to think too much. Can I add you again now, Cordelia?"


    "Um, sure." Cordelia slowly took out her phone and epted Jamie''s friend request.


    Jamie''s Facebook username was his real name, so Cordelia didn''t make any additional remarks.

 Chapter 19

    Chapter 19


    Cordelia finally got the picture. The Jamie that added her when she was going to Barney''s wasn''t some


    random dude or scammer, but a wealthy bloke her brother was keen to introduce her to.


    But Jamie was very polite and talented, exactly Cordelia''s type. The introduction was probably just her


    brother''s wishful thinking.


    "Now it''ll be easier to ask you about businessw," Cordelia said with a smile.


    "Right, I''ll find some questions for you to do in a few days. Businessw is the easiest subject; just


    memorize it, and you''ll pass. Spend some more time and work harder, you''ll get the certificate quickly,"


    Jamie said while nicknaming Cordelia on Facebook. Cordelia''s Facebook name was "Hoppy De."


    "Cordelia, you''ve been made permanent at Lumos Enterprises, and I haven¡¯t celebrated for you yet! I


    heard the elimination rate at Lumos Enterprises is pretty high, you''re really excellent." Adrian took the


    chance topliment his sister, hoping to leave a good impression on Jamie and sell her off at a good


    price in the future.


    "Yeah." Cordelia didn¡¯t want to deal with him and turned her head to look out the window after


    speaking.


    Jamie didn''t respond, leaving Adrian feeling pretty awkward.


    Arriving at thepany housing, Cordelia got out of the car. She walked while looking at her phone.


    Everyone who saw her was like, "Oh, the boss is here," and quickly made way for her. In their eyes,


    Cordelia was already Ronan''s girlfriend and possibly the future wife of his. Nobody dared to mess with


    her now.


    Before she could open the dorm door, Cordelia received a message from Ronan. [Come to Grandpa''s


    house at 10 a.m. tomorrow. I''ll pick you up from the residence.]


    Cordelia''s heart suddenly sped up. She didn''t expect to see Ronan so soon. Cordelia started to pack


    her stuff.


    "Cordelia, are you dating Mr. Evans?" Brooklyn suddenly leaned over and asked quietly, her eyes full of


    curiosity.


    "No, no." Cordelia hesitated but still told her best friend the truth. "We just... slept together once."


    "Whoa!" Brooklyn gasped in surprise. "Didn''t see thating. You really moved fast, sleeping with him


    just like that."


    "Not really, it was just an ident." This ident was also a surprise to Cordelia, although Ronan


    thought she''d done it on purpose.


    "So, what''s your rtionship now?"


    "Just... like that. By the way, I won''t be here tomorrow night, I have to go out."


    "Where are you going? Don''t tell me you''re going on a date with Mr. Evans?"


    "Uh... no... something else..."


    "Oh my god, you guys are totally dating!"


    "No, we''re not." Cordelia thought for a moment. Although she couldn¡¯t see Ronan now and asionally


    felt she was missing him for many reasons. For example, this time, Ronan helped her get out of the


    public eye, but Cordelia still didn¡¯t think they were dating. In a real rtionship, there were endless


    topics of conversation, but they were always silent when they were together.


    "Alright, alright, stop ying coy. I know thepany has rules against office romance. Don''t worry, I''ll


    keep your secret. Just remember to promote me to PR Director when you be thepany''s first


    Cordelia remained silent.


    The next day, Cordelia dragged her suitcase into Ronan''s car. His car was parked right in front of her


    apartment building, all the passersby saw. Now, it was impossible for Cordelia to keep it a secret.


    After Cordelia got in, Ronan just nced at her, then started the car.


    "Mr. Evans, why is your car parked downstairs? Now everyone in thepany knows," Cordelia said.


    She remembered the agreement to keep it a secret.


    "Don''t they all know already?" Ronan replied. "Better they know sooner than keeping them guessing.


    It''s also good, so we don''t have to sneak around. If your boyfriend finds out in the future, I''ll


    Cordelia gripped her clothes. She hated how he always linked everything to money, but he seemed to


    enjoy it.


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    "What if he doesn''t wantpensation?" Cordelia''s tone was a bit sharp because she was unhappy.


    Ronanughed scornfully. "Would he refuse money?"


    Cordelia lowered her head and didn''t speak. She had no ce to say anything. The reason she agreed


    to marry Ronan in the first ce was for money. One could imagine that her boyfriend would not stick


    to principles in the face of money.


    Ronan''s humiliation left Cordelia speechless. Also, he knew about the things that happened before, his


    showing up in a Mercedes was intentional, leaving her colleagues speechless. Ronan was someone


    who handled things decisively.


    "Ask Jordan for a leave, we''ll be back on Monday." Seeing that Cordelia didn''t speak, Ronan gave


    another order.


    "Leave?" Every time she heard "leave," Cordelia''s scalp tingled, always reminding her of Jordan''s


    strange look.


    "Yes. Is it difficult for you to ask for leave?" Ronan turned his head and squinted at Cordelia. "If it''s


    difficult, I''ll ask for you."


    "No need, no need, thank you, Mr. Evans." Hearing Ronan''s sarcastic tone, Cordelia hurriedly took out


    her phone and sent an email to Jordan.


    [Mr. Jordan, I have something tomorrow and would like to take a day off.] Cordelia typed nervously. The


    leave felt like shirking responsibility.


    [It''s okay, I''ll find someone to do your work. If there''s anything,e find me directly when you''re


    back.]


    The way Jordan was acting,pared to before, was like night and day. Cordelia was getting the


    heebie-jeebies. She was pretty sure Jordan had gotten wind about her and Ronan.


    Visiting Barney''s ce, as usual, Cordelia never failed to cheer him up. Barney was all aglow, not


    looking like a man suffering from lung cancer at all. Before they knew it, night fell, and Cordelia went to


    take a shower.


    Her phone was left on the bed and buzzed once. Ronan, who was reading nearby, didn''t pay any mind.


    But then, Cordelia''s phone started to go off like crazy.


    Ronan, starting to get peeved, nced at Cordelia''s phone. The screen showed 15 messages from


    Jamie. That made Ronan furrow his brows.


    Just then, Cordelia came out of the bathroom, toweling her hair.


    "Did you see your boyfriend yesterday?" Ronan asked.


    "Boyfriend? No." If she''d known her engagement to Ronan would drag on this long, Cordelia wouldn''t


    have made up the fib about having a boyfriend. It was getting harder and harder to keep up the act.


    Cordelia was contemting whether toe clean to Ronan. Next thing she knew, he had her pinned


    underneath him.

 Chapter 20

    Chapter 20


    Ronan thought that Cordelia must have met up with Jamie yesterday. Otherwise, why would Jamie


    suddenly spam her with messages? Or maybe it was just that he didn¡¯t realize Jamie was always


    sending countless messages every time.


    Ronan felt slightly relieved. After all, she was a woman who kept her word.


    "You got to be more upfront with me. If you need something, just let me know." Ronan leaned against


    the headboard, lighting up a cigarette.


    Cordelia shut her eyes, not uttering a word. She didn¡¯t know how she was being dishonest. This whole


    ordeal had put a lot of pressure on Cordelia. Remembering how she was desperate to see him before,


    she felt like she¡¯d wasted her sincerity.


    After it was all over, Cordeliaid down on her side, but couldn¡¯t fall asleep. Picking up her phone, she


    saw Jamie¡¯s messages.


    She then realized why Ronan acted the way he did; perhaps he saw all the messages from Jamie on


    her phone and assumed she¡¯d met up with him. To Ronan, Jamie was Cordelia¡¯s current boyfriend. And


    of course, if they met up, they¡¯d be all over each other.


    That was why Ronan was being rash, he¡¯d mentioned before that he hated that sort of thing.


    So, Cordelia rified, "Mr. Evans, as I''ve told you before, I''m a professional. Once I take a job, I don''t


    stick around with others. You can trust me on that."


    "A job?" Ronan asked.


    "Yeah. You pay and I work." Cordelia replied, showing a hint of annoyance in her voice.


    "You''re doing a good job." Ronan hinted, his tone softening. Perhaps his suspicions were eased.


    "Mr. Evans, I think it''s important you understand, we don''t have real feelings for each other." Cordelia


    said seriously.


    Ronan chuckled at that, his eyes not reflecting the humor. He thought Cordelia was quite naive.


    Cordelia didn¡¯t continue the conversation. Instead, she started reading Jamie¡¯s messages. He had sent


    her exam papers for businessw during the past few years, and question lists for a subject she hadn¡¯t


    registered for, even several sections of a textbook that needed reviewing. Jamie was such a good


    teacher, really thorough.


    Cordelia replied to his message: [Thanks. I was in the shower, didn¡¯t see your message.]


    Jamie responded: [No problem, take a look when you have the time. If you do all the exam papers, you


    should be fine.]


    Cordelia didn¡¯t talk to Ronan, she turned off the bedsidemp and fell asleep.


    Her dissatisfaction with Ronan didn¡¯t affect her performance with Barney the next day. She was as


    perfect as ever, so much so that Barney didn¡¯t want her to leave. As for Ronan, his longing for her


    wasn¡¯t as strong.


    On the way back, Ronan transferred fifty grand into Cordelia''s ount. He gave her the money


    casually. After all, she was just there to keep Barneypany, and she didn¡¯t cook or anything.


    Cordelia looked at the fifty thousand and texted Ronan: [What¡¯s this for?]


    After a while, Ronan replied: [You¡¯re skilled in bed.]


    Cordelia¡¯s face turned bright red. To hide her embarrassment, she quickly turned to look out the car


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    window. She hadn¡¯t realized that he was supposed to pay her after every sexual encounter.


    [If I¡¯m good, Mr. Evans, you''ll probablye back for more. Regrs are always better than newbies.


    Mr. Evans, you''re a generous man.] Cordelia sarcastically replied.


    [If you want me toe back more often, you¡¯ll have to improve your skills.] Ronan replied.


    [Okay, as long as there¡¯s money involved, I¡¯m motivated. I¡¯m a newbie, I can''t match a veteran like you.


    I need to keep practicing and learning.] After sending the messages, Cordelia tossed her phone onto


    the seat and closed her eyes to take some rest.

 Chapter 21

    Chapter 21


    Cordelia was awakened by the sound of her phone.


    It was a message from Adrian: [Cordelia, you''re looking for a caregiver for mom, right? Someone


    rmended a really good one, wanna go to check her out together?"]


    Then an address of a hotel followed.


    Cordelia thought to herself, her brother finally did something useful for once. Just as she had a tiff with


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Ronan, feeling awkward around him, she told Ronan she needed to leave, then hailed a cab to the


    hotel.


    Arriving at room 1402, Adrian was already waiting for her. Upon seeing Cordelia, he lit up, excited,


    "You''re here?"


    "Why would the caregiver meet us in a hotel?" Cordelia looked around, sensing something was off.


    "She''s providing care for another patient in this hotel. It''ll be over soon, just hang in there. Here, have


    some water." Adrian handed Cordelia a ss of water.


    Feeling thirsty, Cordelia took the ss and had a sip.


    After finishing, she felt something was wrong. "Isn¡¯t the air conditioning on? Why is it so hot here?"


    Cordelia asked.


    "It''s on, you''re still feeling hot?" Adrian''s gaze never left Cordelia, full of smugness.


    Cordelia instinctively felt something was wrong, she backed off a few steps and sat on the bed. Her


    gaze became unfocused; she was pulling at her clothesining about the heat.


    She realized what happened. Adrian had spiked her water!


    Despair and a chill filled Cordelia''s heart, she angrily said, "Adrian, you!"


    Seeing Cordelia''s reaction, Adrian was very pleased, "I''m doing this for your own good. Jamie will be


    here soon, just be nice to him, and we''ll be rolling in dough!"


    "You sold me out for money, you scumbag!" Cordelia was livid, struggling to sit up and pped Adrian,


    but she was so weak it barely hurt him. Instead, he sneered at her, pushed her back onto the bed, then


    called Jamie. Adrian gave him the address and told him to hurry over.


    Adrian tucked Cordelia in, encouraging her before leaving, "Put on a good show!"


    The room fell back into silence, Cordelia''s vision started to blur, then the doorbell rang. Soon, a man


    walked through the door.


    "Adrian, are you here?" Jamie asked.


    Through the haze, Cordelia saw Jamie. He was tall and handsome, quite a sight for sore eyes.


    Cordelia felt her body getting hotter. As Jamie was taking off his shoes and talking, he saw a feverish


    and enticing Cordelia lying on the bed.


    "Cordelia? What are you doing here? Are you sick?" Seeing Cordelia looking all flushed and


    provocative, Jamie realized what was going on, his heart skipped a beat.


    He was not a cold fish. He had been drawn to Cordelia''s beauty at the first sight. But he would never


    take advantage of her in a vulnerable state.


    "I''ll take you to the hospital." Jamie said, concerned.


    Cordelia breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed like this was Adrian''s idea and Jamie knew nothing about


    it.


    "Stay away from me. My brother is a jerk!" After saying that, Cordelia stumbled out of bed and ran into


    the bathroom. She shut the door tight and turned on the shower, then she stood under the cold water.


    Despite it being summer, the cold water still felt icy. Thankfully, the difort was washed away.


    Jamie stood by the bathroom door, asking, "Cordelia, are you sure you''re okay? Come out, I''ll take you


    to the hospital."


    Cordelia thought, if Ronan found out about this, it would be a disaster. She just got out of his car and


    this happened, he might think she was being reckless. So, she definitely couldn''t let him know.


    "Mr. Colby, could you check the drawer for a needle or something?" Cordelia asked, feeling dizzier.


    "Cordelia, I suggest we go to the hospital." Jamie''s voice was very serious.


    Cordelia didn''t respond. With a "thud" sound, she rushed out from the bathroom onto the carpet in the


    living room. Her hair and body were wet, crawling towards the nightstand.


    "What are you looking for?" Jamie was startled, "Let me help you."


    "A needle. Help me find it.¡± Cordelia murmured.


    Jamie frantically searched the drawer, found a needle and handed it to Cordelia. Without saying much,


    Cordelia pierced her fingertip with the needle. The pain jolted her awake.


    Jamie was silent for a moment. "Get up, lie on the bed." He helped Cordelia up and took her to the bed.


    Perhaps because she was soaked in cold water, Cordelia was shivering. Her temperature dropped and


    her face wasn''t as flushed.


    "Mr. Colby, thank you." Cordelia''s teeth were chattering.


    "Stop talking nonsense!" Jamie touched Cordelia''s forehead, "Silly girl."

 Chapter 22

    Chapter 22


    Cordelia was worried that Adrian might return ande up with other nasty ideas. She told Jamie, "Mr.


    Colby, let''s leave here before my brotheres back."


    "Don''t worry, I got your back. Go get some rest first." Jamine said.


    "No way, you don¡¯t know my brother. He might be scheming against both of us." Cordelia, already risen


    from the bed. She wore a white dress. It was a girly style, but soaked and clung to her body, revealing


    her sexy figure. The scene caused an awkward silence.


    Jamie blushed and turned away after a quick nce. He took off his jacket and put it on her.


    When they reached the hotel lobby, Jamie offered to escort Cordelia home. However, Cordelia was


    afraid of being spotted by her dorm mates and the news reaching Ronan. Unable to exin, she said,


    "It¡¯s fine, thanks though, Mr. Colby."


    "Can you manage on your own?" Jamie was still worried.


    "It''s close by, I''ll be there in no time." Cordelia managed to force a smile.


    "I think it¡¯s better if I send you home." Jamie was worried that she might get into trouble.


    While they were debating. Suddenly, two car horns sounded from the roadside!


    Cordelia turned her head and her face turned pale. It was Ronan''s car.


    "Mr. Evans, why are you here?" Cordelia felt guilty for no apparent reason.


    Ronan''s face was gloomy. His eyes were like lightning, sweeping slowly over the two of them. His wife,


    alongside another man, was messing around outside a hotel and wearing his clothes!


    How embarrassing!


    In the blink of an eye, mes seemed to burst from Ronan''s eyes. His voice was filled with anger, "Are


    you two on a date?"


    Cordelia was in a tight spot, knowing that Ronan had misunderstood, and hurriedly tried to exin. But


    at that moment, Jamie pulled her into his arms and stared defiantly at Ronan, "Who are you? Why are


    you interfering with her? Do you know what Cordelia has been through?"


    Ronan responded coldly, "It''s not your job to worry about her!"


    With that, he red at Cordelia, questioning, "Aren''t youing over?"


    Cordelia hurriedly freed herself from Jamie, "Mr. Colby, I''m sorry, I''ll exin to youter."


    She quickly ran to the car and obediently sat in the back seat. The driver started the car immediately.


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    After a while, the rear window opened and a man''s jacket was thrown out.


    Jamie was at a loss for words.


    Cordelia knew that Ronan had misunderstood and quickly exined, "Mr. Evans, please let me


    exin. It''s not what you think, my brother tricked me intoing to the hotel. Then he drugged me,


    and Jamie was just trying to help..."


    As she spoke, she clumsily took out her phone, trying to show Ronan the message her brother had


    sent her.


    Unexpectedly, Jamie had sent a message: [Was that Ronan just now? Cordelia, how did you get


    involved with him? Be careful, Ronan is not a good guy. Don''t let him fool you!]


    Clearly, Jamie had quickly looked up Ronan''s information after they left.


    "So, I''m the bad guy?" Ronan scoffed, "And he''s the good guy?"


    Ronan gave Cordelia a once-over, increasingly annoyed, "So, he''s Jamie? Is he your boyfriend?"


    Cordelia felt like she was losing control. She really had dug herself into a hole! One lie led to another,


    and she needed another to cover up the previous ones!


    She quickly deleted Jamie''s message and hurriedly found her brother''s message to show him. But


    Ronanpletely rejected her exnation and simply asked, "Did you two sleep together?"


    Cordelia felt a pang in her heart and a sense of shame washed over her. So, this was what he cared


    most about. He found it disgusting.


    She bit her lip, lowered her head, and whispered, "No."


    "Good thing you didn''t!" After that, Ronan remained silent.


    Although she had already said no, Cordelia felt that he didn''t believe her. He probably didn''t continue


    questioning because he had other matters to deal with.


    They drove in silence to thepany. After Ronan got out of the car, he told the driver, "Take her back


    to the employee dormitory."


    Then, Ronan coldly walked away.

 Chapter 23

    Chapter 23


    Ronan walked into thepany lobby, then he nced at a striking woman. He paused for a moment.


    Deanna, who had been admiring a painting on the wall, turned around at the sound of him.


    "Ronan? Long time no see." Deanna approached with a smile.


    She was dressed in an opulent, emerald green dress, paired with matching heels that showed off her


    dainty legs. Her hair was lush and lustrous. Adorned on her finger was an exquisite emerald ring, giving


    her an air of mature sophistication.


    "Long time no see. Let''s head to my office." Ronan suggested, noticing the crowd around them.


    "Sure." Deanna responded with a chuckle.


    With that, she followed Ronan into the elevator.


    As they watched her graceful figure disappear, the receptionists began whispering among themselves.


    "Ms. Deanna is so stunning, she¡¯s a total knockout."


    "Totally, and her status isn''t ordinary either. When has our boss ever invited a woman into his office?


    But Ms. Deanna coulde and go freely."


    "You guys don¡¯t know?" The head receptionist said with a knowing smile, "Ms. Deanna isn''t just


    anybody. I heard she used to be Mr. Evans'' ex-girlfriend. They were even close to getting engaged, but


    then¡­"


    "Then what?"


    "I can¡¯t spill the beans on the boss''s private life, but just know that Ms. Deanna is not your average


    visitor. We better roll out the red carpet for her next time."


    "What about Cordelia? I heard she''s been getting real cozy with the bosstely." The gossip train had


    left the station.


    "She''s trying to climb the socialdder, thinking just because the boss has personally greeted her a few


    times, she¡¯s suddenly top dog. As if the boss would ever give her the time of day."


    "Exactly!"


    And with that, the receptionists erupted intoughter.


    ...


    Ronan''s office was spacious, the ck and white theme a perfect match for his demeanor.


    Ronan lit a cigarette, asking, "Back in town?"


    "Of course. However, you didn''t evene to pick me up." Deanna replied, a hint of discontent in her


    voice.


    "I''ve been tied up with work." Ronan said.


    Deanna frowned slightly, "It¡¯s fine. I decided toe find you. I brought you a gift. Do you like it?"


    Ronan nced at the gift and ced it on the table, "Thanks."


    "Aren''t you going to look at it?" Deanna pouted, "I specially bought it for you from abroad. It''s for your


    eyes. Try it on."


    With that, Deanna stepped forward, unboxed the gift and slipped the eye mask onto him.


    The warmth of the eye mask seemed to soften Ronan''s demeanor, "My eyes are fine now, you don''t


    need to worry."


    "How could I not worry? You almost went blind, couldn''t see anything. It broke my heart to see you like


    that. We waited so long for a corneal transnt." Deanna sat on the couch, her eyes welling up with


    tears, "You were just starting your business then; it was a massive setback. Sometimes I think it was


    fate, as if my father had left me in your care. Later on he passed away, and you recovered at the same


    time."


    At her words, Ronan removed the eye mask. He walked over to Deanna and gently patted her back,


    "Why bring up the past?"


    Deanna clutched Ronan''s hand tightly, "Ronan, I was wrong then. I''m sorry. I came back this time just


    to apologize to you."


    As she spoke, she softly held Ronan''s hand and gave it a gentle shake.


    Ronan felt inherently uneasy. He pulled his hand away. "Let the past be the past. I''m doing well now.".


    Deanna looked up at Ronan, her eyes pleading, "Ronan..." Tears rolled down her face, a heart-


    wrenching sight.


    But Ronan cut her off, "Where are you staying since you''ve been back? I''ll drop you off."


    Deanna wiped her tears and nced at the clock on the wall, "Alright, there have been paparazzi


    tailing metely."


    She stayed in Ronan''s office until thepany clocked off at five.


    Considering the number of employees leaving work, Ronan took her in the private executive elevator.


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    However, some employees still caught sight of them. Soon, the news of Ronan''s ex-girlfriend Deanna


    visiting thepany spread among the employees.

 Chapter 24

    Chapter 24


    After getting back to her apartment, Cordelia took a shower and changed clothes to shake off the drug-


    induced difort. Lying on her bed, she thought about what had happened just now and grew


    angrier.


    How could she have such a brother who not only didn¡¯t care about his mother, but also plotted against


    his own sister? Moreover, Ronan didn''t even want to hear her out, which left her feeling super


    frustrated.


    At that moment, Brooklyn came home from work and asked with concern, "How''re you doing, Cordelia?


    You alright?"


    Cordelia replied weakly, "I''m fine, what''s up?"


    Remembering the gossip she heard from her colleagues, Brooklyn was worried, fearing that her friend


    might have been bullied. She hurriedly asked, "You didn''t have a fight with Mr. Evans, did you? I heard


    someone came to look for him at the office and he even took her in the private elevator."


    "Huh, what about it?" Cordelia asked.


    "They say she was Mr. Evans'' ex-girlfriend.¡± Brooklyn said.


    Actually, Brooklyn had already sugarcoated it. The colleagues'' original words were.


    "Cordelia is ordinary employee. She got all cocky after riding in Mr. Evans'' car twice. She really needs


    to look in the mirror and see what she really is."


    "You''re right on the spot! Today, Ms. Deanna came to see the boss, she''s the elegant and smart type


    that Mr. Evans should marry. She even got to ride in the boss''s private elevator. Cordelia never had that


    privilege! Looks like she never will in her lifetime."


    ¡­¡­


    Hearing Brooklyn¡¯s words, Cordelia was a bit shocked. She didn''t expect the woman from the photo to


    show up so soon. And sure enough, Deanna did have a past with Ronan.


    Cordelia felt a twinge of regret. With Deanna back, Ronan might end their agreement sooner. Then,


    she''d have no ie and wouldn''t get to see his eyes again.


    That eyes which made her feel so familiar.


    The next day, Jordan went to the president''s office to submit this year''s Lumos Star list from the


    Finance Department.


    Every year, Lumos Enterprises would select Lumos Stars from the new official employees who were


    previously interns. These selected employees had the potential to enter management level.


    Normally, this would be Jordan¡¯s call. After all, Cordelia was the only intern that got a full-time job in the


    Finance Department this year. Whether she got this honor was totally up to him. But considering


    Cordelia''s situation, Jordan purposely came to test Ronan''s attitude. After all, the office gossip


    suggesting Cordelia and Mr. Evans had broken up was making him unsure of whose side to take.


    Ronan nced at the form and simply said, "Let''s keep it professional."


    "Alright, got it." Jordan replied.


    Cordelia took over the position that should have been Manda''s thest time when an intern was


    promoted to an official position, and it irked Jordan. Manda knew how to please him and was


    convenient to manipte. But Cordelia always did everything by the book and was meticulous, which


    was great for the Finance Department. But if she got into management level, that''d be trouble. He''d


    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    definitely have a problem.


    Therefore, the Lumos Star ce that originally belonged to Cordelia was also cancelled by Jordan.

 Chapter 25

    Chapter 25


    On Thursday, Cordelia received a message from Ronan: [Take a leave on Monday and pick up my


    grandfather with me.]


    [Monday?] Cordelia, irked by Ronan''s frequent leave requests, asked for rification.


    [Is there a problem?] Ronan asked.


    Cordelia was at a loss for words with Ronan''s retort.


    [What time do I need to leave?] Cordelia asked.


    [Three in the afternoon. We¡¯ll be back Tuesday morning.] Ronan replied.


    Just as Cordelia was relieved that she was only taking a two-hour leave, she received another


    message: [Cordelia, I found another one of Logan''s diaries, do you want it?]


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    This was from Whitney, Logan''s mother.


    [Of course I want it. Where is it?] Cordelia replied.


    [It''s at the ce where Logan used to teach. We''ve already collected all his belongings, but this diary


    was foundter. I thought you might want it. You can contact the principal of the elementary school


    where Logan used to volunteer.] Whitney replied then sent Cordelia the principal''s contact info.


    The principal told Cordelia that the area was pretty poor and didn''t have delivery services, so Cordelia


    had to go get it herself.


    Cordelia had already made ns with Dr. Devon to visit her mother over the weekend, so she knew


    she wouldn''t be free. Since Ronan wanted Cordelia to visit Barney''s at three on Monday, she decided


    to take the whole day off and go to Cedar Hollow in the morning.


    She thought getting a day off would be a piece of cake, but her boss Jordan wasn''t too pleased.


    "Cordelia, you just got confirmed and you''re already taking leaves so frequently. Is that appropriate?


    Monday is our busiest day, and you always take leave on Monday. Do you realize how much work your


    colleagues have to cover for you?" Jordan said.


    Cordelia thought to herself, ever since Deanna came, even Jordan''s attitude had changed.


    Seeing that her leave request might be rejected, Cordelia said, "It''s Ronan who asked me to take


    leave."


    After a while, Jordan replied, "Go ande back as soon as you can."


    Turns out, dropping Ronan''s name did work.


    Cordelia happened to bump into Ronan at the first training session of Lumos Star. Her good friend


    Brooklyn had been selected as a Lumos Star and had to attend a one-hour staff training after work on


    Friday.


    Cordelia waited for Brooklyn next to the training room.


    Ronan arrived to pick up some documents he had left behind. He seemed taken aback when he saw


    Cordelia, and she was equally surprised.


    "You haven''t left yet?" Ronan asked her.


    Cordelia quickly stood up, responding with the respect an employee should show to their superior, "Uh,


    no, I haven''t left yet."


    Lumos Star was Ronan''s training program, and he was supposed to attend the first training session.


    "You better exin what happenedst time." Ronan said to Cordelia as he was about to leave. After


    all, they hadn''t really cleared up thest incident, and Ronan had been angry at the time and hadn''t


    listened.


    "Well, Ronan, don''t you think you owe me an exnation about you and Deanna?" Cordelia looked up


    at Ronan.


    Ronan grinned smugly, "Do I need to exin anything to you?"


    His meaning was clear, no, he didn''t.


    "A husband and wife should be loyal to each other. Mr. Evans, you don''t think our marriage license is


    fake, do you? Our rtionship is for real! Why is it that you can do whatever you want in this situation,


    and I am left feeling trapped? You owe me an exnation first." Cordelia said.


    Ronan had just wanted to remind Cordelia not to overdo it, but she had countered him.


    "Are you jealous?" Ronan said, casually rolling up his sleeves.


    Cordelia chuckled, "I''m not that petty. But ever since Deanna arrived, my position in thepany has


    be difficult. I''m just defending myself. If our marriage is made public, everyone will think I''ve been


    deceived. Also, Mr. Evans, beingbeled as two-faced isn''t ttering. Any flirtatious behavior with your


    ex during our marriage can affect thepany''s stock price. You¡¯d better be careful."


    Ronan paused in adjusting his cuffs. Every word Cordelia said made him feel seen through. Yet Ronan


    didn''t let his emotions show for too long, "So in the future, you''d better stop hanging around hotel


    entrances wearing other men''s clothes." Thinking about what happened that day, Ronan was a bit


    upset, his tone bing harsher.


    "I always act above board. I won¡¯t embarrass you, but don¡¯t give me a hard time either." Cordelia said.


    Ronan left the room, his face dark. She might have forgotten, he had spent fifty million dors on her.

 Chapter 26

    Chapter 26


    At four in the morning on Monday, after a two-hour bullet train ride and three bus transfers on winding


    mountain roads, Cordelia didn''t reach her destination until ten.


    By the time she arrived at Evergreen Primary School, where Logan had once taught, Cordelia felt sick


    to her stomach.


    Ricardo, a genuinely friendly and warm-hearted guy, told her that Logan was the only one who had


    boost their image, but Logan genuinely cared for the students.


    Ricardo handed over Logan''s diary to Cordelia. Tucked inside were photos of Logan with the children,


    his warmth and kindness even more pronounced with them by his side.


    When Cordelia saw the photos, she bawled her eyes out. Her heart ached for Logan.


    After touring the campus with Ricardo, Cordelia checked the time. It was almost noon. She was due at


    Barney''s at three in the afternoon. However, while waiting for the bus on the mountain road, Cordelia


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    saw a private car parked on the side. The driver, a youngd, looked rather flustered, kicking his tires in


    frustration.


    "Need a hand?" Cordelia approached and asked.


    The guy seemed relieved to see her. "I ran out of gas and there''s no signal here in the middle of


    nowhere." He exined.


    Cordelia remembered the storeroom she had seen at the school earlier, which had a few barrels of


    gasoline. Ricardo had said it was for heating in the winter.


    "Go straight and then take a left. Look for a big tree, and you¡¯ll find Evergreen Primary School. They


    have gasoline." Cordelia pointed out.


    Seeing his nk face, Cordelia sighed, "Come on, I''ll take you there."


    He locked his car and followed Cordelia to Evergreen Primary School. Along the way, they started


    chatting. Turns out thed was also from Millstone. He worked in a smallpany and was here on a


    business trip. He thought there was a gas station nearby, but couldn''t find one. He would''ve been


    stranded on the mountain overnight if it hadn''t been for Cordelia.


    They were both from Millstone and bumping into each other in this remote area felt like a homing


    of sorts. They exchanged contact info.


    The guy''s name was Edwin.


    With Ricardo''s help, Edwin''s car was refueled. He was incredibly grateful and offered to drop Cordelia


    off at Cedar Hollow train station.


    Once on the train, Cordelia checked her phone and found a dozen missed calls from Ronan, probably


    due to theck of signal. She only got one WhatsApp message: [Where are you?]


    Cordelia quickly replied, [Sorry, just got your message. No signal until now.]


    Instead of texting back, Ronan called. His tone was frosty, "You took the day off. Where did you go?"


    Even over the phone, Cordelia could hear the chill in his voice and the anger he was holding back.


    "Weren''t we supposed to pick up Barney at three? Why were you calling me in the morning?" Cordelia


    quickly redirected the conversation.


    "Where did you go?" Ronan wasn''t sidetracked and continued to ask calmly.


    Considering she had just lectured Ronan about not to see two women at the same time and now she


    was picking up her ex-boyfriend''s diary. It could be misunderstood, so Cordelia decided to lie, "I went


    shopping. I was upset about not being chosen as the Lumos Star, so I blew off some steam."


    Ronan knew Cordelia was miffed about the whole Lumos Star thing. He was involved in it and he was


    angry at the time too. So, he didn''t probe further.


    "I was originally nning to go to Barney''s this afternoon, return to Millstone tomorrow morning. But


    there''s a meeting tomorrow, so I decided to go in the morning and return in the afternoon. I''m on my


    way now, so you don''t need to go back to Birchwood. I''ll text you the address, go back to the vi and


    wait for Barney." Ronan''s tone softened a bit.


    "Okay." Cordelia replied.


    She thought to herself, ¡°Barney''s sick. Living alone in Birchwood is worrisome, so it makes sense to


    bring him over. But does this mean Barney''s moving in with Ronan? Am I supposed to move in with


    Ronan too?¡±


    Just thinking about it gave Cordelia the heebie-jeebies. She was always at Ronan''s mercy. But


    Cordelia didn''t allow herself to dwell on it. She started reading Logan''s diary. From when they first met,


    fell in love, and he went off to teach in the rural area, it was like reliving every day of their past.


    Tears dropped onto the pages of his diary. In his entries, Logan mentioned several times about the gap


    between Cedar Hollow''s children and the outside world. His greatest wish was to buy each child at


    Evergreen Primary School aputer, but he didn''t have the funds.


    Cordelia clenched her fists. She would make sure Logan''s wish came true. But after doing some math,


    she realized she didn''t have enough money. After signing the agreement, Ronan gave her twenty


    grand in one go, and a few trips to Barney''s earned her less than ten grand. That was still less than


    thirty grand dors in total. Most of that money went towards her mom''s medical bills. Dr. Devon was


    hiring a caretaker, and she needed the remaining money for that.


    Cordelia wondered how could she make more money.

 Chapter 27

    Chapter 27


    "Where''s De, why didn''t shee with you?" Ronan''s grandfather seemed a bit grumpy in the car.


    To him, Cordelia was more like a child. Being with her always brought a sense of warmth and


    homeliness.


    "She''s still at work, you wouldn''t want to interfere with her job, would you?" Ronan added, "Stay with


    me this time. I''ve already arranged everything with the doctors. We have all the medical facilities at


    home, so you don''t need to go to the hospital."


    Ronan drove into Pearl Palms where he lived. It was four o''clock in the afternoon. The house staff were


    all out to meet them, but Cordelia was nowhere to be seen.


    With a slight frown, Ronan asked the staff, "Hasn''t thedy returned yet?"


    "Not yet. Do you want us to call her?" The maid asked.


    Ronan had already briefed the staff about his wife, so they all appeared calm in front of Barney.


    "No need, don''t disturb De at work. She''ll be home when she finishes. I''ll go tidy up a bit." Barney


    said.


    Ronan looked back, expecting to see Cordelia, but there was no sign of her. As he searched for


    Cordelia, another woman drove up.


    "Is it some kind of telepathy between us? As soon as you turn around, I''m here." Deanna got out of the


    car and said to Ronan in a suggestive tone. At that exact moment, the trunk of Ronan''s car was


    opened, revealing Barney''s luggage.


    "Let me help." Deanna volunteered to carry the luggage.


    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    Looking at Deanna, Barney slightly frowned. However, he didn''t say anything.


    "Let the staff take care of it." Ronan said and walked into the house.


    Cordelia had clearly unsettled him again. He was not in a good mood.


    Deanna had already apanied Barney to his bedroom for rest.


    "Barney is exhausted. He''s already asleep." Deanna came out of Barney''s room, light-footed.


    Ronan was still sitting on the sofa, lost in his thoughts.


    About twenty minutester, Cordelia rushed back. Her face was flushed, her hair messy, as if she had


    hustled back from a far-off ce.


    "Where''s Barney?" She started looking for Barney as soon as she stepped in, only sparing a nce at


    Deanna. She recognized Deanna at once. This was the woman she had seen in photos and heard


    about from her colleagues.


    "He''s in his room. Turn left on the first floor. He''s sleeping. Don''t disturb him." Ronan said.


    This was Cordelia''s first visit to Ronan''s house, and he nonchntly showed her the way. At this point,


    Deanna also noticed the wedding photo of Ronan and Cordelia hanging on the wall. Her face instantly


    turned pale.


    "Why are you back sote?" Ronan pulled Cordelia onto hisp, and naturally leaned in to kiss her


    cheek.


    Deanna was sizing up Cordelia. She was tall and slim, with big eyes that shone like droplets of water.


    Her nose was upturned, lips soft, making her look adorable. Even without dressing up, she was


    beautiful.


    "Who is thisdy?" Cordelia asked. She knew this woman was Deanna, and she also knew that Ronan


    was doing this deliberately to make Deanna jealous. She was just a tool for him.


    Due to the fact that Ronan couldn''t find Cordelia this morning, she decided to fully cooperate with his


    show to calm his anger.


    Cordelia''s hand reached up to Ronan''s neck, "I missed you too. Why are you back sote?"


    When Cordelia acted all cute, she was very charming. The fresh scent from her body filled Ronan''s


    nostrils, making him feel so good that he wanted to take her to bed right then.


    "Oh, by the way, who is thisdy?" Cordelia nced at Deanna.


    "An old friend of mine." Ronan said.


    "I''ll go upstairs to put away my bag." Cordelia said and went upstairs, thinking, ¡°Just friends?¡±


    She had no idea where Ronan''s room was. She just wanted to give off the impression that she would


    be visiting this house frequently. The vi was extravagant yet understated. Cordelia almost tripped on


    the staircase.


    "You''re married? You didn''t mention itst time." Deanna said, trying to smile despite her pale face.


    "You didn''t ask mest time." Ronan replied.


    He wasn''t sure what his feelings were. Perhaps because he was unsatisfied with Cordelia''s behavior


    this morning, he decided to be affectionate with her, making Deanna jealous, and then punish Cordelia


    in bedter.


    "Is she your wife?" Deanna asked Ronan.


    Seeing Cordelia and Ronan being intimate earlier had made Deanna very jealous. She was itching to


    push Cordelia away and take her ce on Ronan''sp. She never got the chance to do that before.


    She even wondered if they were putting on a show for her, but they didn''t seem to be acting.


    Ronan lit a cigarette, seemingly proud as he looked at Deanna, "Isn''t she beautiful?"


    Deanna just nodded, not answering the question directly. "She''s your wife. If you think she''s beautiful,


    then she is. I''ll leave now." Deanna said.

 Chapter 28

    Chapter 28


    Ronan found Cordelia in the study on the second floor. She was engrossed in an original German


    novel.


    "I need to talk to you about something." Ronan tapped on the study door.


    Cordelia jumped, thinking Ronan was going to bring up the events of this morning. Ronan walked


    towards his bedroom, with Cordelia nervously trailing behind.


    When they entered the room and shut the door, Cordelia looked around at the size and grandeur of the


    room. It was so extravagant that it wasn''t an exaggeration to say it was like a separate luxury vi.


    As Ronan casually changed clothes, his six-pack abs were on full disy, which made Cordelia feel a


    chill down her spine. She quickly looked away.


    Ronan smirked mischievously, "What''s wrong? Can''t bear to look? Or are you just ying hard to get?


    We''ve had sex before. You''ve touched every part of me. Are you pretending to be shy now? Was it all


    an act of pretending to fancy me?"


    "I didn''t pretend to like you." Cordelia responded. Ronan''s words made her blush, how could she not?


    "So, it was all in my head then?" Ronan retorted sarcastically. He had put on a grey shirt and was


    buttoning it up, "From now on, you''re moving in with me."


    "What?" Cordelia was surprised. Even though she had anticipated moving in, the news still took her by


    surprise when it came from Ronan.


    "What? In Barney¡¯s eyes, you and I are a couple. It''s inappropriate for you to be living elsewhere. You


    make me feel like I''ve been cheated on. I wouldn''t want Barney to worry that we are separating."


    Ronan said.


    Cordelia understood his point. After all, the price tag of five million wasn''t small. But she thought of


    Logan''s wish, and the five million wasn''t out of her reach now.


    However, she wasn''t even sure if she coulde up with the money.


    Determined, Cordelia licked her lips, "I want more money."


    Ronan paused while buttoning up his shirt, "How much are you asking for? Ten thousand a night?"


    Cordelia did the math. If a regrputer cost four thousand, she would need eighty thousand for


    200.


    So, Cordelia gathered her courage, "Ten thousand a night is too little. Pay me one million upfront. If you


    do that, I''ll move in tonight."


    Ronan''s shirt still had the top two buttons undone. He didn''t bother fixing them, leaving his chest partly


    exposed. He walked over to Cordelia, sizing her up. This intern was proving to be more difficult to


    handle than he''d anticipated.


    "So, you''ve learned to haggle?" he eyed Cordelia sharply.


    "A person has to adapt to the circumstances." Cordelia stood straight, "Living together every day, I''ll


    need to pay attention to a lot of details. It''s a mental strain."


    "So, if I don''t raise your pay, you''ll quit?" Ronan asked coldly.


    "Yes. After all, he''s your grandfather. Morally speaking, he''s just a stranger to me." Cordelia said


    righteously.


    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    Every word she said was well-ced during their chatst Thursday,. Now, she chose this moment to


    make her high-stake demand, leaving Ronan no room to negotiate.


    This was the first time Cordelia had haggled with him. One million for a single time, she was indeed


    ruthless.


    "Aren''t you afraid I might divorce you?" Ronan scrutinized Cordelia''s flushed face.


    "Barney likes me a lot. If you divorce me, he''ll definitely be upset with you." Cordelia said, a hint of


    cunning flickered in her eyes.


    "So you''re sure to stick with me? Or do you think I''m an easy mark?" Ronan asked.


    "No. I just think I''m worth that much." Cordelia said casually.


    Ronan took a deep breath, his face darkening as he transferred one million to Cordelia. Then he said


    quietly, "Stay here tonight. Move your stuff over tomorrow. Don''t let Barney see."


    Cordelia finally breathed a sigh of relief. She got the 200puters!


    During dinner, Cordelia and Barney had a wonderful chat. She was Barney''s little ray of sunshine.


    Barney even said, "With Cordelia here, I can live longer."


    "I hope you live long and stay happy!" Cordelia said with a smile.


    She nced at Ronan, who was also watching her. He was probably thinking, ¡°If Barney lived till 200,


    wouldn''t he be stuck in this marriage forever?¡±


    The next day, during her lunch break, Cordelia went back to her dorm room to pack her things. When


    she saw Logan''s diary, she felt troubled. In the end, she locked the diary in her suitcase. She thought,


    ¡°Even if Ronan was interested in her stuff, he didn''t know her suitcase''s password, so he couldn''t


    snoop around.¡±


    In the afternoon, she rode back home in Ronan''s car. When Barney wasn''t looking, she carried her


    suitcase upstairs. After unpacking her clothes, she stowed the suitcase in a hidden corner of the


    balcony.

 Chapter 29

    Chapter 29


    This week, Cordelia had been going out of her way to keep Barney happy every day.


    Barney always seemed to be pretty chuffed. Ronan would give her some money now and then,


    Cordelia didn''t care that much. Theputer expenses were covered already.


    On Sunday, Cordelia took a day off to join a CPA training course. However, she bumped into an old


    colleague, Manda, in the hallway of the training center.


    "Manda? You''re studying for your CPA too? Howe I didn''t see you here before?" Cordelia asked.


    Seeing Manda, Cordelia felt a pang of guilt. After all, she had taken Manda''s position at Lumos


    Enterprises.


    "I just started a new job and enrolled in this coursest Wednesday." Manda casually mentioned,


    sipping her coffee.


    "You found a new job?" Cordelia asked.


    Manda replied nonchntly, "Mr. Evans hooked me up with a CPA firm that pays double the sry of


    Lumos Enterprises. If I pass the exams, I''ll be a licensed ountant."


    Cordelia breathed a sigh of relief at hearing Manda''s words.


    Just then, Jamie appeared from the opposite side, and Manda''s face lit up with a smile. Jamie was


    Manda''s old ssmate from Liberty University. They shared the same mentor and had bumped into


    each other a few times. Manda had always had a soft spot for Jamie.


    "Jamie, I got you a coffee." Manda said, handing Jamie a cup.


    Jamie shook his head, saying, "Thanks, but coffee messes with my sleep. I''ll pass."


    Then, he pulled Cordelia aside, frowning. "Did Ronan do anything to youst time?" Jamie asked with


    concern.


    Cordelia blinked, shaking her head, "No. What''s up?"


    "I thought he seemed a bit off the rails. I''m d you''re okay. I was worried he mighty a hand on you!"


    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    Jamie recalled the scene where Ronan had thrown his shirt out of the car.


    Looking at Cordelia, he asked, "What¡¯s the deal with you and Ronan? Why did you get into his car that


    day?"


    This question left Cordelia speechless. After all, her marriage with Ronan was supposed to be under


    wraps. Although Ronan didn''t seem to care much about this, she could tell that Ronan and Jamie were


    not on good terms. If she spilled the beans to Jamie, Ronan would definitely be pissed.


    "He¡¯s my boss at work, and we are friends in private life." After some thought, Cordelia decided to


    downy it.


    "Just friends?" For some reason, Jamie seemed relieved and even a bit pleased to hear this.


    "Yep." Cordelia nodded, thinking to herself, ¡°Sorry, I have to keep you in the dark for now, to avoid


    ticking off Mr. Evans.¡±


    They chatted for a while, whispering to each other. Manda saw this from a distance and clenched her


    fists. Why did Cordelia always want topete with her for everything?


    Manda sneakily took a picture of Cordelia and sent it to her brother Lionel, with a message: [Look at


    this girl. Do you like her? She''s my ssmate and she''s really pretty! You can sneak a peek at her


    when you pick me up tonight.]


    Lionel responded with a smiley face emoji and agreed.


    Manda knew her brother loved to y with women''s feelings. It would be strange if he didn''t stir up


    some trouble!


    The bell for ss rang, and everyone headed to their ssrooms. Jamie was teaching, but he kept


    stealing nces at Cordelia. Manda saw this and felt a pang of jealousy.


    After ss, Cordelia lingered in the ssroom to study a bit more.


    As she walked out of the building, she saw a man approaching. He was reaching out to touch


    Cordelia''s face.


    "You¡¯re pretty." He said.


    Cordelia looked at him coldly, "Who are you? There are cameras here, so don''t even think about


    harassing me."


    ¡°What are you doing?" Manda pretended to stop her brother, but she didn''t really care. This was her


    brother after all. She wasn''t worried about the consequences. In fact, the more chaotic the scene, the


    more entertained she was.


    "Come on, let me buy you a drink." Lionel tried to put his arm around Cordelia without a second


    thought.


    Cordelia pped Lionel hard across the face.


    Lionel''s face burned, and his eyes were bloodshot, "You dare to hit me? You bitch."


    Manda saw that a fight was about to break out and was thrilled.


    Just as Lionel was about to p Cordelia back, his hand was caught.


    "This is a ce of learning, not for you to make a scene. Stop!¡± The one who spoke was Jamie. He had


    juste downstairs to see the chaotic scene, and some punk was harassing Cordelia.


    Seeing Jamie defending Cordelia made Manda even angrier.


    "Who are you? Cordelia''s boyfriend?" Lionel was rude.


    "Mind yournguage." Jamie''s eyes were red. No one had ever spoken to him like that before.


    "I¡¯m gonna kill you!" Lionel started, pulling out a switchde from his shoe.


    "Watch out!" Cordelia yelled.


    Then, she instinctively grabbed her bag and smashed it hard against Lionel''s head. The zipper of the


    bag hit Lionel''s head, and the heavy books inside caused blood to start flowing.


    The crowd immediately called the police.

 Chapter 30

    Chapter 30


    When the cops showed up, Lionel and Cordelia were in the middle of a spat. They escorted both Lionel


    and Cordelia away.


    Jamie followed in his car, but could only loiter outside the police station. It was getting dark and starting


    to rain, stirring up Jamie''s anxiety.


    Eventually, the police asked for a bail from Cordelia''s family or friends. Afraid of tipping Ronan off,


    Cordelia didn''t dare call him. Not to mention, they were only contractually connected. Ronan had no


    obligation to help her. So she called Adrian instead.


    "You need money? Sorry, I''m broke." Adrian hung up right after.


    He had drugged Cordelia before and was scolded by Jamie when he found out. Adrian almost lost his


    job, so he knew thatst incident just brought trouble. Why would he help Cordelia, when he held a


    grudge against her?


    The sound of the call ending made Cordelia extremely embarrassed. This was her own brother.


    Cordelia didn''t have high hopes in the first ce, but he was her closest kin. How could she not reach


    out to him?


    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    But she didn''t want to bother Jamie either.


    "Can''t find anyone?" The officer asked Cordelia.


    "No." Cordelia felt a bit heartbroken.


    The police investigated Cordelia''s social rtions and found out she was married to the famous Ronan.


    They called him.


    "A fight? Who did she fight with?" Ronan was incredulous but remained calm, "I''ll be right there."


    At the jail, the police told him what happened. Ronan''s face darkened as he listened. After paying the


    bail, the police let Cordelia go.


    "You just attended a training course and you''ve caused me all these troubles?" Outside the jail, Ronan


    lit a cigarette and asked Cordelia, "Do you even understand what ''married'' means?"


    "How much was the bail? I''ll pay you back. I''m sorry for causing you trouble." Cordelia felt guilty and


    wronged.


    "You want to pay me back? Then give me six thousand dors." Ronan sneered, looking somewhat


    amused. This woman who just took one million dors from him and he only asked her to return six


    thousand dors.


    "No problem." Cordelia took out her phone and transferred six thousand dors to Ronan''s bank


    ount.


    Ronan didn''t check his phone or take the money. It was his money in the first ce, so it made no


    difference.


    "Don''t tell Barney about this." Cordelia pleaded.


    "I''m toozy to tell Barney about your mess." Ronan replied.


    Ronan left the jail lobby. Cordelia, with her backpack, followed him.


    It was already dark and the rain was still falling.


    Ronan didn''t bring an umbre. He walked in the rain, water droplets falling on his hair. Cordelia was a


    bit dazed. She was supposed to be walking beside Ronan, but his strides were too big for her to keep


    up with, so she fell behind.


    Ronan never liked using umbres when it rained. Cordelia jogged a few steps and held her backpack


    over his head. She was much shorter than Ronan, so she had to tiptoe.


    "Why do you always refuse to use an umbre when it''s raining?" Cordelia genuinely wanted to know,


    her question filled with emotion, "What if you catch a cold?"


    Ronan nced at Cordelia, his eyebrows slightly furrowed.


    "I usually park in the underground parking lot, so I rarely get wet." Ronan replied sinctly.


    "But you still need to have an umbre ready." Cordelia insisted.


    Ronan didn''t respond.


    When they reached the parking lot, Jamie saw Cordeliaing out and quickly asked what happened.


    Ronan''s face darkened further.


    Cordelia felt extremely embarrassed, as Ronan had just mocked her for attracting so much trouble.


    "What''s your rtionship with Cordelia?" Jamie was angry when he saw Ronan''s cold expression and


    Cordelia shielding him from the rain.


    "Didn''t you tell him?" Ronan frowned and looked at Cordelia.


    Cordelia didn''t reply. She felt extremely awkward.


    "Why didn''t you protect her?" Ronan interrogated Jamie, looking enigmatic.


    "I didn''t know what was happening inside. No one called me." Jamie said.


    Ronan gave a small smile, "But the police called me."


    "So, Cordelia, did you tell the police he''s your friend?" Jamie was somewhat tense, "You could''ve


    asked me for help. I don''t mind."


    Ronan sneered again, looking at Cordelia.


    Cordelia was mortified.


    "Cordelia...¡± Jamie had a bad feeling.


    "The police found out, he''s actually my husband." Cordelia said.


    Jamie remained silent at Cordelia¡¯s words.

 Chapter 31

    Chapter 31


    "Let''s go." Ronan said, grabbing Cordelia''s hand and they hopped into the car.


    Jamie standing dumbfounded, Ronan was married to Cordelia? He sent Adrian a message: [Did your


    sister get married?]


    *


    In Ronan''s car.


    "Why haven''t you spilled the beans?" Ronan grilled Cordelia.


    Cordelia clutched her bag tight; she''d dug herself into this hole.


    "I don''t know how to break it to him." Cordelia hung her head. She needed to exin the whole fake


    boyfriend thing.


    "Is there anything to be ashamed of being married? Or are you scared it''ll burst his bubble?" Ronan


    mocked.


    "It''s not like that.¡± Cordelia said.


    "Didn''t he go for an internship? Why is he escorting you to ss?" Ronan asked again. His words were


    ice-cold today; they sent chills down her spine.


    "He''s my tutor at the prep ss, teaching me businessw." Cordelia said.


    "So, every time you''re off to the training ss, are you actually going on dates with him?" Ronan asked.


    "No, let me exin.¡± Cordelia said.


    "I won''t let you step foot in that prep ss again!" Ronanmanded sternly.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    Hearing this, Cordelia got antsy, saying, ¡°I paid $1,800 for a top-notch course, they promised I''d ace the


    exam and there''s no refund!" Cordelia retorted decisively.


    "You''re not allowed to go!" Ronan said coldly, "I''ll give you $18,000. You can''t go! If you do, I''ll break


    your legs!"


    Cordelia knew resisting was futile, and if she kept arguing, he''d treat her even harsher. So she just sat


    back against the car seat, eyes closed.


    When they pulled up at Pearl Palms, Ronan took out his phone and transferred $18,000 to Cordelia.


    The moneynded straight into her bank ount.


    Cordelia stomped off with her backpack, pissed. She went to bed early without even having dinner.


    "What''s up with De?" Barney asked, he cared about Cordelia, "She is not having dinner?"


    "She''s upstairs, throwing a fit!" Ronan said.


    Barneyughed, "Even if she''s pissed, you should cut her some ck. You''re older after all."


    Ronan didn''t respond. When he went upstairs, Cordelia was lying in bed, covered head to toe in a


    nket. Ronan yanked the nket off.


    "What''re you doing?" Cordelia snapped, squinting at the sudden light.


    "Getting mad won''t change a thing. You better face the reality." Ronan said coldly.


    Cordelia huffed and turned her back on Ronan. She''d need another n if she wanted to attend the


    prep ss.


    It wasn''t because Cordelia was hell-bent on the prep ss, but she felt it was a shame to waste the


    $1800 registration fee since there was nothing between her and Jamie.


    Cordelia had a rough night''s sleep. When she woke up in the morning, Ronan was getting dressed


    near the bed.


    She got up, picked up Ronan''s shirt, and started dressing him. Ronan frowned slightly, unsure of what


    Cordelia was thinking but her actions were incredibly gentle, like a mother''s.


    "Actually, Jamie isn''t my boyfriend. I was just pulling your leg." Cordelia buttoned up Ronan''s shirt. Her


    fingers lightly touched his chest, and the warm touchforted Ronan to his core.


    "So, do you still have anything that you need to tell me?" Ronan looked down at her. Though his tone


    was reproving, he couldn''t hide the affection.


    Cordelia sensed his soft spot from his words and gathered more courage, "You asked me to marry you


    back then, but I didn''t want to, so I made up a boyfriend story. Coincidentally he wanted my contact but


    I didn''t give him. When you asked me what my boyfriend''s name was, I just blurted out his name. I


    didn''t expect there would be a real person by that name. He''s my brother''s boss'' son and a tutor at the


    prep ss. My brother wanted to set us up, so he added me on Messenger."


    "You better be telling the truth!" Ronan said.


    "Of course I''m telling the truth." Cordelia''s fingers were busy with Ronan''s buttons, she looked at him


    with innocent wide eyes.


    "Are you buttering me up?" Ronan asked.


    "Ronan, are you that easy to butter up? You''re smart and intelligent, who could pull the wool over your


    eyes?" Cordeliained a bit.


    "He''s been pursuing you but you didn''t turn him down. Maybe it doesn''t matter now, but what about the


    future?" Though Ronan''s tone was calm, there was a hint of dissatisfaction.


    "I''m not that kind of person. Besides, I''m married now. If I cheat on you, you''ll definitely be pissed."


    Cordelia leaned in closer to Ronan.


    Ronan didn''t respond, ready to leave.


    "Dear husband, let me go to this prep ss! There''s nothing between Jamie and me. It was just a trap


    set by my brother. Nothing happened." Cordelia stopped Ronan.


    "Say that again."


    "Dear husband, we''re sharing property, so it''s just money moving from one pocket to another when we


    borrow from each other. But the money I paid the prep ss is in someone else''s pocket, and it''s


    natural for me to feel bad." Cordelia persisted.


    In the end, Ronan didn''t object, "Let me know when you''re going to ss next time. And make sure


    Janice apanies you every time!"


    "Thank you, dear husband." Cordelia was thrilled and even nted a kiss on Ronan''s cheek. She


    thought Ronan would be mad, but he just nced at her and said nothing, seemingly enjoying her


    words.


    Through this experience, Cordelia finally discovered Ronan''s Achilles'' heel. As long as she didn''t argue


    with him, showered him with praise, and went along with him, she''d be fine.

 Chapter 32

    Chapter 32


    On a Sunday noon, Cordelia told Ronan that she had a ss to attend in the afternoon.


    Ronan, sipping his coffee leisurely, said, "Have Janice apany you."


    "You''re so considerate." Cordelia was thrilled.


    "Don''t tter me. If there''s any more trouble, forget about attending." Ronan picked up a napkin to wipe


    his hands.


    Cordelia stuck out her tongue, thinking, ¡°Nothing ever seems to get past Ronan.¡±


    At the ss, Cordelia ran into Manda.


    However, Manda was vague and even trembling, seemingly scared. "Cordelia, I''m sorry aboutst


    time." Manda spoke, "My brother was in the wrong."


    "It''s fine, after all, you can''t control your brother''s actions." Perhaps because Cordelia had an


    irresponsible brother, she understood Manda''s situation.


    This time in ss, Manda deliberately sat far away from Cordelia.


    Cordelia was somewhat puzzled.


    When Jamie arrived for ss, his gaze naturally fell on Cordelia. Despite Manda''s hatred for Cordelia,


    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    she could only hang her head and say nothing.


    Ronan had broken Lionel''s leg and even sent someone to his house to check on him, putting on a


    show, and warning Manda and her brother not to be ungrateful. Having witnessed Ronan''s fury for the


    first time, Manda was naturally scared.


    To avoid offending Ronan, Cordelia deliberately avoided Jamie''s gaze and left the ssroom as soon


    as ss ended.


    Upon seeing Cordelia, Janice greeted her with a beaming smile, "Are you tired, ma''am?"


    "I''m not tired, I just had one ss." Cordelia left with Janice.


    Jamie, trailing behind, frowned. He remembered Cordelia mentioning that Ronan was her husband. But


    Adrian denied it when he asked. Now, the Evans family''s maid came to pick Cordelia up personally.


    What was going on?


    Jamie decided to investigate the matter himself. Two dayster, Jamie showed Adrian a photocopy of


    Cordelia and Ronan''s marriage license.


    "See for yourself!" Jamie was clearly angry, especially since Adrian had previously attempted to


    introduce his sister to him.


    "What''s this about?" Adrian picked it up, disbelief written all over his face.


    "Who should I ask if not you? You better not pull stunts like this again!" Jamie said.


    "Could this be fake?" Adrian asked hesitantly.


    Jamie gave a bitter smile, "I have a friend who got some connection. It¡¯s real."


    Upon saying this, Jamie walked away, disappointed that Cordelia was already married.


    Adrian''s initial shock slowly turned into delight. Ronan, the man he didn''t even dare to think about, was


    his brother-inw! No wonder Cordelia didn''t hesitate to find a caregiver for their mother.


    Had he known, he wouldn''t have bothered setting up Cordelia with Jamie. What a waste of effort.


    On Saturday, Adrian visited Ronan''s vi. Ronan was taken aback as he didn''t know Adrian.


    "Isn''t De here?" After saying this, Adrian naturally settled himself on Ronan''s couch as a family


    member. Cordelia visited her mother every Saturday, Adrian knew she wouldn''t be home, so he had


    asked on purpose.


    "No, are you looking for her?" Ronan furrowed his brows.


    "Yes, my dear brother-inw." Adrian said.


    "You are my wife''s brother?" Ronan asked with a frown.


    He recognized the man before him; it was Cordelia''s mediocre brother.


    "Yes, she just told me about your marriage. I know you must have reasons for keeping it a secret, but


    living in a shabby little house doesn''t suit my status as the billionaire''s brother-inw. You should get


    me a vi, right? And my job, you should help me find a better one. I''m currently working as Thomas


    Colby''s driver. If your subordinates hear about this, it might not sound too good." Adrian seemed to be


    pressuring Ronan.


    "Thomas? Is Jamie his son?" Ronan asked, still frowning.


    "Yes. Also, our mother is sick and needs money. The hospital fees are ten grand a month, and hiring a


    caregiver costs one grand a month. In case of emergencies, you should at least cover our expenses for


    five years, right?" Adrian said.


    "How much do you need?" Ronan asked calmly.


    Adrian spread out his hand, "Five million dors."


    Ronan chuckled, seemingly mocking Adrian''s greed.


    "I can help you find a job, but my money doesn''t grow on trees either." Ronan said tly.


    "If you don''t pay, I''ll have my sister divorce you! She and Jamie are in love. It was love at first sight.


    Jamie doesn''t mind that she''s been married before." Adrian couldn''t contain his anger, standing up


    from the couch.


    "You can discuss that with her first, then talk to me." Ronan retorted coldly.


    Seeing that he couldn''t threaten Ronan, Adrian huffed, "I''ll go to yourpany and reveal your


    marriage."


    "Really? That''s fantastic. It would save me the trouble of fending off annoying suitors." Ronan chuckled


    again.


    Adrian was speechless.


    Seeing that he got nothing from Ronan, Adrian stormed off in a huff.

 Chapter 33

    Chapter 33


    Ronan made a call to his subordinate, asking him to check up on Cordelia''s mom''s condition. He also


    specifically looked into what happened on the day Cordelia and he got married.


    His assistant responded, "Cordelia''s mom had a lung infection that day, and the medical bills came out


    to six grand."


    Initially, Cordelia had refused to marry him, but then she changed her mind. Ronan finally pieced


    together the reason, she needed the money.


    She had no feelings for him, nor she was leading him on.


    Thinking about all this, Ronan couldn''t help but feel a bit down in his heart.


    But there was one thing Ronan didn¡¯t get it. He had already given her a bunch of money, even


    excluding that 18 grand he gave her out of spite, it was at least 30 grand. That should be more than


    enough to cover the 6 grand in medical bills. Plus, he had told her that once the mission was


    just greedy?


    At 3pm, Cordelia came back.


    ¡°Was the food at Brooklyn¡¯s mom¡¯s ce any good?¡± Ronan asked, lounging on the couch.


    Cordelia had said she was going out to eat at Brooklyn''s ce today. Brooklyn lived in the suburbs of


    Millstone and would return every weekend.


    ¡°It was delicious.¡± Cordelia said.


    ¡°Oh? What did they make?¡± Ronan asked.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Cordelia hadn''t expected Ronan to care about the details, ¡°Just some standard home-cooked


    meals.¡±


    Ronan stared at her, saying, ¡°Cordelia, you know Pinhio, right?¡±


    ¡°Huh? I didn¡¯t lie. I didn¡¯t.¡± Cordelia¡¯s eyes started to flicker, and her ears turned red. He had seen right


    through her.


    ¡°Going to the hospital to visit your mom isn¡¯t something you need to hide. Why didn¡¯t you just tell me?¡±


    Ronan was probably very disappointed in Cordelia, so he went upstairs.


    Cordelia stood there, thinking how did he figure it out. Last time she told Jamie that Ronan was her


    husband, but Jamie wouldn¡¯t know about her mom being in the hospital. Did he ask Adrian?


    Thinking of this, Cordelia was taken aback and texted Adrian: [Have you been to my ce?]


    Cordelia didn''t reveal any current information, just sent a probing message. If Adrian hadn''t actually


    contacted Ronan, her actions would seem very strange to him.


    [Cordelia, your ce is huge! I''ve never seen such a big vi in my life. I asked Ronan for money, but


    he wouldn''t give me any. Can you spare a hundred grand? For a richdy like you, a hundred grand is


    nothing, right?] Adrian replied.


    Upon seeing this, Cordelia panicked and only replied: [Piss off!]


    Seemed like Adrian had indeed contacted Ronan.


    Cordelia suddenly felt guilty towards Ronan. She dropped her backpack and went upstairs where


    Ronan was changing his clothes.


    Cordelia suddenly hugged him from behind, nuzzling into his back. Ever sincest time, she knew that


    showing vulnerability andpliance was the most effective strategy with Ronan.


    "So, what''s this all about?" Ronan asked, his voice much softer than before.


    Cordelia held onto him; this sensation felt incrediblyforting.


    "You know everything about my family situation, don''t you?" Cordelia asked.


    "Your brother filled me in." Ronan said.


    Cordelia understood that Adrian had indeed been here and he even tried to shake Ronan down for


    money. "Just ignore him. I don¡¯t even want to deal with him. I apologize on his behalf, okay? I have


    examsing up, and once they''re over, I''ll stay home every day with Barney." Cordelia felt very


    "Now you''re begging for mercy?" Ronan asked.


    "I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°After the exams, you won''t need to attend the tutoring sses, correct?"


    "That''s right." Cordelia said.


    "I wish you could finish your exams sooner." With that, Ronan stepped forward and put on his shirt.


    Cordelia understood the subtext to finish her exams sooner and stay away from Jamie.


    Suddenly leaving Ronan''s embrace, Cordelia felt a bit lost. Cordelia felt that Ronan probably had some


    resentment towards Jamie. After all, Jamie had been a real pain in the ass for the proud and aloof Mr.


    Evans.


    Cordelia also thought that she really should finish the exams sooner.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 34

    Chapter 34


    The test took ce on Saturday from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.


    Cordelia, upon arriving at the exam venue, realized that she had forgotten her Driver''s License at


    home. She didn''t have a clue where she left it. She didn''t want to disturb Ronan, but without his help,


    she couldn''t take the exam. So, she called him.


    "Hey babe, can you do me a favor and find my Driver''s License? Ipletely forgot to bring it with me."


    She tried to keep her cool even though she was in a hurry.


    "Are you sure your brain''s up to an exam?" Ronan''s voice was t.


    "I''m dead serious, I left my Driver''s License at home. It''s urgent. I''m begging you. Please." Cordelia


    pleaded.


    "Hold on." With that, Ronan hung up.


    He told Deanna, who was lounging on the sofa, "Wait for me downstairs."


    "What''s up?" Deanna asked, feigning concern.


    "Cordelia''s gone for an exam and she''s left her Driver''s License behind." Ronan headed upstairs after


    saying this.


    "Really? Well, you better go find it then." Deanna pretended to smile sweetly.


    Deanna hade to Evans'' residence under the pretext of visiting Barney, who happened to be taking


    a nap. She hade to talk with Ronan, and with Barney out of the picture, it was the perfect


    opportunity.


    However, seeing Ronan being bossed around by Cordelia and even going upstairs to find her stuff,


    Deanna may not show it but she was seething inside.


    Ronan didn¡¯t find anything so he got Janice to help out. After all, women had a knack for knowing


    where other women stashed their stuff.


    Ronan found Cordelia''s suitcase on the balcony, and cracking the lock was child''s y to him. He didn''t


    find her Driver''s License in there, just a notebook with a worn cover.


    Something felt off to Ronan. Why would Cordelia hide this notebook in such a secret spot? He picked it


    up and flipped it open. A photo fell out. It was of a handsome man with a bunch of kids; the guy was


    really good-looking.


    "Sir! I found Mrs. Evans'' Driver''s License. It was in her old canvas bag''s pocket, the one she washed


    and left in the bathroom." Janice''s excited voice echoed behind Ronan.


    Ronan''s thoughts were interrupted.


    "Take a cab and give it to her. I''ll text you the address." Ronan said.


    "Okay." With that, Janice headed downstairs.


    As Janice rushed out of the living room, Deanna asked her, "What''s up, Janice? Where are you off to?"


    "Oh, I found Mrs. Evans'' Driver''s License. I''m going to deliver it to her." Janice left in a hurry after


    saying this.


    Deanna thought to herself, ¡°If they''ve found the Driver''s License, why hasn''t Ronane downstairs


    yet?¡±


    Meanwhile, Ronan was upstairs going through the notebook. It was thick and spanned about three


    years. The owner of the notebook was a guy named Logan. His name and home address were written


    on the cover.


    Logan, a name Ronan was hearing for the first time.


    Three years ago, Logan met a pure-hearted girl with a brilliant smile and he fell for her at first sight.


    They started dating and went to school together. They went to ski in the winter, and swim in the


    summer. They were the world''s most lovey-dovey couple.


    The girl had even met Logan''s parents. They were just waiting for the day to get married.


    Then Logan graduated, and he went to teach in a remote area.


    Almost every diary entry mentioned the same name, De.


    De was Logan''s girlfriend. She was Cordelia.


    Logan''s love letters to De were full of passion and affection; they also expressed his concern for the


    less fortunate children in the remote areas and his sympathy andpassion for the world.


    Thest entry, Logan only wrote half a page. The rest was in Cordelia''s handwriting: We nned to get


    married right after college, but you''re nevering back!


    Logan''s biggest wish was to donate 200puters for the rural school kids. Cordelia''s note said: I''ll


    make sure your wishes true.


    Ronan''s thoughts slowly rewind. The day Barney came, Cordelia came home looking all tired and stuff.


    She wouldn''t pick up her phone all day, then he told her to move to Barney''s ce. She asked for more


    money, which caught Ronan off guard. It was the first time she haggled with him. If there were no


    surprises, that money wasn''t for her mom, but for her first love.


    At this, Ronan tightened his fist. For the first time in his life, he had been yed for a fool.


    No wonder her attitude had been so sweet recently!


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Her being nice to him was just a facade; she was actually trying to get money for her deceased ex-


    boyfriend!

 Chapter 35

    Chapter 35


    "Ronan, why are you still here?" Deanna asked, appearing out of nowhere.


    Ronan, feeling down and more than a bit pissed, closed Logan''s diary, "I''m just about to head down."


    Deanna had already walked over. "What''s this?" Deanna picked up Logan''s photo from Cordelia''s


    suitcase. She knew it had to be Cordelia''s suitcase because Ronan wouldn''t be caught dead with a


    suitcase of this sort. She also knew the diary in Ronan''s hand was rted to Cordelia.


    Maybe the reason Ronan was taking forever toe downstairs was because he had discovered


    something.


    "Ronan, this guy looks a bit like you." Deanna lifted her head as if she had figured something out.


    In reality, Logan and Ronan only had a slight resemnce, but now that Deanna pointed it out, they


    seemed to look more alike.


    "Really?" Ronan''s face turned even paler. He managed a weak smile.


    Deanna observed Ronan''s expression, and continued, "Yeah, especially when he smiles, he looks


    even more like you."


    "Let''s go downstairs." Ronan took the photo from Deanna, tucked it into the diary, and put everything


    back to the way it was.


    "Who''s this guy? Why does he look so much like you?" Deanna yed dumb, subtly stirring the pot.


    "Nothing." Ronan''s expression turned even more serious.


    After Deanna left, at nine o''clock, Cordelia and Janice returned home. Janice had been waiting outside


    the test center for Cordelia to finish her exam.


    Barney asked Cordelia how her test went.


    "I did really well, Barney. Thanks to your tutoring in International Business Law, I wouldn''t have passed


    otherwise." Cordelia said while eating, she was starving.


    Ronan didn''t say a word. He had always been a man of few words, so Cordelia didn''t pay much


    attention to his strange mood.


    "Don''t tter me." Barney replied with a smile.


    "No, I''m genuinely grateful. I''ve never studied International Business Law before, it''s a really tough


    subject." Cordelia replied seriously.


    Barney studied Civil Law and Commercial Law. International Business Law was a part of it, as well as a


    part of Economic Law.


    "Get ready, you''re going on a business trip tomorrow." Ronan said.


    "Okay, where am I going?" Cordelia was a bit lost.


    "It''s ast-minute decision by the Finance Department. I''ve already agreed." Ronan said.


    Cordelia was still a bit confused, thinking, ¡°Well, just go with the flow. She can''t really refuse anyway.


    Even though she''ll miss Barney, staying home all the time could raise suspicions.¡±


    "You''re sending De on a business trip?" Although Barney didn''t want her to leave, he was a sensible


    man and knew not to stand in the way of De''s career.


    "Yes." Ronan said.


    "How long will she be gone?" Barney asked.


    "That''s not confirmed yet. It depends." Ronan answered.


    After dinner, they went upstairs.


    Ronan told Cordelia the truth, "The business trip is just an excuse. You''re going to move out. Your dorm


    room has always been empty."


    Cordelia paused for a moment. She nodded, and mumbled. She didn''t fully understand why.


    "I''m afraid..." Cordelia said.


    "Afraid you won''t sleep well?" Ronan''s tone was a bit mocking.


    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    Cordelia blushed, exining, "No, I''m afraid it''ll affect Barney."


    "Don''t worry, you''ve fulfilled your role." Ronan said.


    Ronan was the client. Cordelia didn''t fully understand his viewpoint. Even though they had been living


    together for over twenty days, theirmunication hadn''t reached a heart-to-heart level. It was still the


    same as before. They were very familiar with each other''s bodies though.


    "Well..." Cordelia said.


    "I''ll pay you and make up to the promised half a million dors." Ronan said.


    When Ronan brought up the money, Cordelia didn''t object. After all, she did all this for the money. She


    didn''t pretend to be noble, since he said so, let it be.


    "I''ll go pack." With that, Cordelia picked up her suitcase from the balcony and quickly gathered her


    clothes.


    Ronan watched silently from the side.


    The next day, after saying goodbye to Barney, Cordelia put her suitcase in Ronan''s car,


    As Cordelia carried her suitcase towards the dorm, people started whispering, "She broke up with Mr.


    Evans"


    "I bet Mr. Evans was just ying with her. Once he got bored, he sent her back"


    "She''s back, how embarrassing."


    Then came the softughter.


    Cordelia returned to the dorm under everyone''s gaze.


    Brooklyn knew that Cordelia moving back from Mr. Evans''s house with her suitcase would be


    embarrassing, so she didn''t ask any questions, just saying, "Have you eaten? Let''s go to work, it''s


    almost time."


    Cordelia paid no mind to the gossip and soon started a new week.

 Chapter 36

    Chapter 36


    Cordelia had some sweet reveries about Ronan, but she wasn''t pinning high hopes on the marriage.


    Being kicked out, she didn''t feel the sting of loss or gain.


    She even shot Adrian a message: [Look what you''ve done. You threatened Ronan and he threw me out


    straight away. How much space you reckon I upy in his heart? He throws me a dime when he''s in a


    good mood and I don''t even dare to take it, yet you thought it was a good idea to ckmail him!]


    The whole point of this was to get Adrian to drop the idea of ckmailing Ronan, to alert him that


    Ronan was no pushover.


    Adrian, seeing the message, got even more pissed off. He too realized that Ronan was no easy mark,


    let alone someone to be trifled with.


    "Heartless! Cold-blooded!" Adrian muttered bitterly.


    "Who are you talking about?" Jamie asked.


    Adrian was the Colby family''s driver, tasked with taking Jamie to the ounting firm today. Jamie had


    his own firm.


    "Ronan, he kicked Cordelia out!" Adrian said.


    "Why?" Jamie asked.


    "I don''t know. Maybe he did it to mock and trample on the dignity of us poor folks. Who knows what his


    real motive was?" Adrian replied with a dark chuckle.


    As expected, Jamie furrowed his brows.


    After a while, Adrian went on, "Also, when Ist visited Ronan, he said that his marriage with Cordelia


    was just a formality. Apparently, Ronan''s grandfather is sick and he needed to get married to show him


    how happy he is, just to put the old man''s mind at ease. That''s why he picked Cordelia."


    That was Adrian''s well-considered conclusion.


    During hisst visit to Ronan''s ce, the maid had whispered to him that Barney was ill and sleeping,


    asking him to keep his voice down. Adrian also noticed the medical supplies and loads of medications


    around Ronan''s house.


    Later, Adrian found out that Ronan''s grandfather had only recently moved in, most likely because his


    condition had worsened. Ronan was probably putting on a show, ndestinely getting married to cheer


    up his grandfather and then quietly divorcing, with Barney being the only one in the dark.


    Ronan kicking Cordelia out really did make it seem like there were no feelings between them. No


    wonder he showed her no sympathy.


    So, Adrian figured that the key to the whole marriage situation was Barney. Barney was the key!


    Adrian felt that he needed to handle both Cordelia and Ronan, while also keeping up rtions with


    Jamie. He had always been trying to push Jamie and Cordelia together.


    "No wonder Ronan treats Cordelia so badly." Jamie eximed angrily, "How dare he treat De like


    this! He''s going too far!"


    Upon hearing this, Adrian thought to himself, ¡°There''s hope yet! The Colby family turned out to be more


    reliable.¡±


    He didn''t bring up Cordelia and Logan, fearing that Jamie might have doubts and reservations if he


    knew about Cordelia''s first love.


    "I hope they get divorced soon so that Ronan won''t mistreat my sister anymore. It''s just a marriage of


    convenience after all!" Adrian said with a righteous expression, looking every bit the protective older


    brother.


    "How do you know they''ll get divorced?" Jamie asked.


    "Well, isn''t it obvious? A loveless marriage is bound to have an expiration date. Do you really think


    Ronan will never marry someone he loves? He''s loaded, why would he put up with this?" Adrian


    argued as if it was a given.


    Jamie found Adrian''s words very convincing. After his training course ended, he had initially thought


    that Cordelia was already married and he had nned to quietly quit, to let go of his hopes. But


    Adrian''s words reignited the me of hope in Jamie''s heart.


    ¡­


    Things weren''t going so smoothly for Cordeliately. If she had remained a regr employee, no one


    would have been pointing fingers at her. If she had married Ronan, she would have been surrounded


    by praises. But her situation was rather unique. From an obscure employee, she had shot to stardom


    and crash back down.


    It seemed like people enjoyed watching her rise and then fall hard. The sounds of mocking and ridicule


    kept ringing in her ears.


    Jordan often made Cordelia work overtime and assigned her the heaviest tasks, under the pretext that


    young people needed to toughen up.


    Cordelia didn''tin; she just quietly got on with her work. She knew Jordan was deliberately


    making things difficult for her, but she didn''t hold it against him. After all, power came withContent rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    responsibility. She did rely on Ronan to get out of her financial woes, so she was okay with facing a bit


    of bacsh now.


    One day, Cordelia didn''t finish work until five in the morning. As she packed her bag, she stared at the


    umbre inside and fell into deep thought. She wanted to see Ronan again, but never got the chance.


    As Cordelia was in the elevator yawning and clutching her bag, a man appeared before her. Thinking


    she was seeing things due to fatigue, she rubbed her eyes.


    "Haven''t you seen me before?" Ronan¡¯s cold voice came through.


    "Mr. Evans? Why are you here so early?" Cordelia was pleasantly surprised.


    She had been longing to see him but never got the chance. Maybe her prayers had been answered.


    And now, here he was, standing right in front of her.

 Chapter 37

    Chapter 37


    Ronan had no intention of paying attention to Cordelia. He was just about to step into the elevator


    when Cordelia stopped him.


    "Mr. Evans." Cordelia called out.


    "What?" The elevator doors shut, and Ronan didn¡¯t make it in.


    "Hold on a second." She then started rummaging through her bag.


    Her canvas bag was stuffed with all sorts of things - a wallet, books, tissues. An umbre wasn''t big,


    but finding it wasn¡¯t exactly a piece of cake. After not being able to find it, Cordelia started feeling guilty


    and gave an awkward smile to Ronan.


    "You just get off work?" Ronan shot her a frown.


    Ronan rarely smiled, his face mostly expressionless.


    "Yep. Found it." Cordelia said, quickly pulling out the umbre, "Mr. Evans, here''s an umbre. Don''t


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    want you to catch a cold."


    Ronan looked at the umbre, but didn¡¯t take it, "So, what''s this for?"


    He thought she was just trying to butter him up with an umbre. After all, the way the boss treated her


    determined her position within thepany. Cordelia''s current situation wasn''t good. The fact that she


    had to work until 5am was evidence enough.


    ¡°This is an umbre.¡± There was a look of innocence in Cordelia¡¯s clear eyes, "You never use an


    umbre when it''s raining. What if you catch a cold?" She even pushed the umbre towards him a bit.


    Seeing that Ronan still didn''t take it, she suddenly realized, "Mr. Evans, this umbre was sent to me


    by a ssmate from abroad. It''s not some mediocre brand. It''s a high-end foreign brand, quite pricey."


    "You got this especially for me?" Ronan finally took the umbre. He nced at the eagle on the


    handle.


    "Yes, it suits your status. Remember to use it." With that, Cordelia turned around and left.


    Ronan entered the elevator, his tense mood slightly eased.


    Cordelia got back to her dorm, just as Brooklyn was getting up to go to the bathroom. Brooklyn asked,


    "You''re up this early?"


    Coming out of the bathroom, Brooklyn muttered, "Could have slept for another two hours."


    Then, she suddenly remembered something, "Wait, Cordelia, you just got back, right?"


    "Yeah, I need to lie down for a bit." Cordelia hung her bag on the door.


    Brooklyn instantly woke up, "How is this okay? Why is it that only you have to work overtime in the


    Finance Department? Do they think they''ve been too nice to you before and now want to bring you


    down a peg or two? Is this even fair?"


    "It''s okay. I didn''t say anything. Why are you getting worked up?" Cordelia was simply too exhausted


    and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow, not saying another word.


    Brooklyn couldn''t hold it in and gave up on the golden opportunity to go back to sleep. Instead, she got


    on theputer and started venting on Chatterbox. Sheined some people just go with the


    crowd. They were a bunch of fair-weather friends, who would bully and mock others when they hit rock


    bottom.


    This was just a rant. No one was explicitly mentioned, and nor pictures were posted. But everyone


    knew she was talking about Jordan. After all, Cordelia was the only one who had to work until the wee


    hours in the morning due to his arrangement.


    Only after posting did Brooklyn go back to sleep. She was woken up by her phone ringing. The head of


    PR Department wanted her toe to the office after she got to work.


    "Whatever, what am I scared of anyway? Screw this job. I can quit anytime!" Brooklyn was resolute,


    "Everyone in thispany is the same anyway."


    "What happened?" Cordelia, just up andbing her hair, asked Brooklyn with concern.


    "Nothing!" Brooklyn said.


    After Brooklyn went to the director''s office, she was given a severe dressing-down. The director said


    she liked to take the spotlight and"blindly spoken up for others. He even said, "The rtionship


    between departments is so delicate. Are you dumb or just incapable of thinking? If you piss off the


    Finance Department, who''s going to pay you? From today, you don''t have to attend training every


    Friday. Also, that article you were going to post on the tform has been cancelled due toyout


    issues. You can leave now."


    Even though Brooklyn was pissed off, she didn''t regret it.


    Cordelia didn''t find out what happened until she got to work, her colleagues were all whispering about


    her. She sent a message to Brooklyn asking her to delete the post. Brooklyn was still in the director''s


    office and didn''t see it. By the time she saw it, she thought, ¡°Since I''ve already been punished, what


    difference does it make if I delete it or not? Let everyone see Jordan''s true colors.¡±


    Jordan, with a grim expression, sarcastically said to Cordelia, "Cordelia, your good friend really cares


    about you, huh? It''s quite something."


    What could Cordelia say. If Brooklyn insisted on not deleting the post, there was nothing she could do.


    Cordelia knew that Jordan had a major beef with her. This wasn''t Brooklyn''s fault. Since she officially


    joined thepany, Jordan had been looking for a chance to kick her to the curb.

 Chapter 38

    Chapter 38


    Pissing off her boss was inevitable. To avoid giving Jordan any ammunition, Cordelia had to work even


    harder to ensure he couldn''t pick on her work. But there was one thing she made time for every night,


    no matter how busy she was ¨C to message Barney on WhatsApp.


    It was a habit she''d kept up since she moved out of the Evans family''s house. She''d send Barney loads


    of pictures of Southern Ridge, where she was supposedly currently on a business trip.


    When Barney would ask her when she wasing home, she''d reply, ¡°Barney, work''s really hectic


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    here. I might need to stick around a bit longer.¡±


    ¡°De, I really miss you. When are you going toe back and visit this old man?¡± Barney asked.


    Reading this, Cordelia felt a lump in her throat. It was something her parents used to say to her. Now,


    there was nobody left to tell her that. Sure, she had friends and colleagues, but they couldn''t rece


    the power of family.


    Cordelia replied, ¡°Grandpa, I miss you too. I''ll visit you when I get a chance.¡±


    Barney removed his reading sses and held his phone. He walked into the living room, and asked


    Ronan, ¡°When are you going to let Dee back? She''s been gone for ages.¡±


    ¡°What did she tell you?¡± Ronan flicked through a finance magazine distractedly.


    ¡°She sent me pictures of Southern Ridge, said work was crazy there, and she''d need more time.


    Ronan, can''t you talk to her boss? Get her toe back sooner? I know I shouldn''t interfere with her


    work, but my old body ain''t getting any younger.¡± Barney had started to plead with Ronan.


    Cordelia hadn''t messaged Ronan at all in the past two weeks. Theirst chat was a fortnight ago. But


    she was constantly chatting with Barney. The contrast made Ronan feel ignored.


    Messaging Barney wasn''t something they had discussed beforehand. Maybe it was because Cordelia


    was kind, or maybe Barney was herst chance to get back to the house.


    She must know that once she won Barney over, Ronan would give in. Cordelia might be getting


    desperate because her current situation was tough.


    Despite this, Ronan had no ns to let here back. Even though their marriage was just a formality,


    he couldn''t stand the thought of her pining for another man. It was agonizing. But thinking about the


    umbre Cordelia gave him, his heart softened. She seemed sincere, and she even bought the


    umbre from abroad.


    It would be easy for him to change her circumstances.


    Ronan opened Cordelia''s Facebook page. She didn''t post much, mostly pictures from the inte and


    notes about her ounting exams.


    But yesterday morning, she added a new post: New day, gotta keep going! Attached was a picture of


    her breakfast: a fried egg, a piece of toast, and a ss of milk.


    Ronan gave her a like. Soon, many others started to like Cordelia''s post, including Jordan and many


    colleagues. Before long, Cordelia''s Facebook post had received 108 likes.


    Cordelia thought, surprised, ¡°The Ronan effect is really something. But why would he like my post?¡±


    Everyone was confused by Ronan''s actions. It seemed like they hadn''t broken up, but just had a fight.


    Now they were back on good terms. Everyone was sweating bullets, fearing they had somehow


    messed up.


    The next day, something even stranger happened.


    When Cordelia walked into the office, Jordan greeted her specially, saying, ¡°Cordelia, you''re here?


    There''s a shortlist for thepany''s Lumos Star award every year, to rece those who don''t do well


    in training. I''ve rmended you this time.¡±


    ¡°Emm.¡± Cordelia seemed a bit nervous.


    Soon, Brooklyn messaged Cordelia: [Cordelia, my article that was pulled has been reinstated, and


    they''ve also reinstated my Lumos Star status. Can you believe it?]


    Cordelia quickly realized this was all thanks to Ronan. His casual ''like'' on her post yesterday had


    changed thepany''s opinion of her. A small action from him, and thepany had to make big


    moves.


    Cordelia felt a chill down her spine, wondering if Ronan thought of these butterfly effects when he liked


    her post.


    So what did Ronan''s action mean? Was he trying to help her? Or did he just identally like her post?

 Chapter 39

    Chapter 39


    Today, Ronan attended a meeting and passed by Dennis Street in the afternoon. He clearly


    remembered that Logan''s house was on Dennis Street. He thought to himself, "This man named Logan


    was just Cordelia''s first love, and he had no connection to me. I had no reason to go to his ce."


    But his curiosity got the better of him, he had the driver pull over the car and he went to Logan''s house


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    alone.


    Logan''s address was written on the title page of his diary. Ronan didn''t know if he was just too focused


    on this or his memory was just that good, but he remembered Logan''s address crystal clear.


    A middle-aged woman answered the door.


    "Is this Logan''s house?" Ronan asked.


    "Yes, you are?"


    "I was Logan''s partner when he was teaching in remote areas. Just call me Mr. Evens. I originally


    nned to donateputers to their school, but it''s a pity what happened to Logan." Ronan said.


    "Well, alright, Mr. Evens. Pleasee in." Said Logan''s mom, a woman named Whitney, who warmly


    pulled Ronan into the house. Ever since Logan''s death, she treated all of Logan''s friends with such


    warmth, as if she could see her son in them.


    Logan''s dad, Lawsen, was cooking in the kitchen. Whitney introduced him, "This is Mr. Evens, a friend


    from when Logan was a teacher."


    "Mr. Evens, hello." Lawsen greeted him warmly too, but he was too busy cooking to shake hands. "Mr.


    Evens, why don''t you join us for dinner tonight?"


    Logan''s parents were both honest and down-to-earth people.


    "We''ll see." Ronan replied, but he remained mostly silent.


    He noticed a picture hanging in the living room. It was Logan, who was indeed handsome. Sacrificing


    himself to save others, not many people in the world could match that.


    "Logan¡­" Whitney couldn''t even finish her sentence before tears started to fall. "Logan went to remote


    areas to teach children. We fully supported his decision, but we didn''t expect this to happen."


    "This is just a small token." Ronan said, pulling out a wad of cash and handing it to Whitney.


    "No, we can''t take this money. Please take it back, Mr. Evens. If you try to give us money again, I''m


    afraid I have to ask you to leave."


    Ronan had no choice but to take the money back. "I''ll leave you my number. If you need anything, feel


    free to call me." Ronan said.


    He gave them his assistant''s private number, which was unknown to anyone at thepany. He was


    curious to see whether Cordelia would try to contact this number, given that "Mr. Evens" was a friend of


    Logan and worked in theputer industry.


    Ronan wasn''t sure what he was up to, setting a trap for Cordelia. He returned to his office.


    Whitney called Cordelia to tell her about a friend of Logan¡¯s who came to visit, and mentioned that this


    Mr. Evens was in theputer business and had nned to donateputers to Logan''s school.


    Since Logan''s death, Whitney had been meticulously informing Cordelia about anything rted to him.


    "Computers?" Cordelia repeated.


    She had already received the money and had been searching online for reliableputer suppliers.


    Since he was Logan''s friend and had previously expressed the willingness to donate, he was probably


    trustworthy. Cordelia was somewhat pleased at the good news.


    "Right, he was nning to donate, but unfortunately, Logan had this ident."


    "Whitney, do you have his contact information?"


    "Wait a moment, I''ll tell you." Whitney then gave Cordelia the number Ronan had left.


    "Okay, I''ll contact him."


    "De, is this a difficult thing to do?"


    Donatingputers would cost quite a bit. Cordelia didn''t want Whitney to feel pressured, so she


    brushed it off.


    After hanging up, Cordelia dialed the number. Of course, she had no idea that the person answering


    the call was Ronan''s assistant.


    Ronan had already briefed his assistant, so he knew how to respond.


    At that moment, as Ronan was walking into his office, his assistant came over with the phone. "Mr.


    Evans, it''s Cordelia." His assistant whispered, holding up the phone.


    Ronan lit a cigarette, med the lighter on the desk and said sarcastically, "She''s quick. Answer her as


    I told you."


    In the end, Cordelia and the assistant agreed: this Saturday, Cordelia would visit theputer factory


    in the suburbs. The assistant sent her the specific location on WhatsApp.


    Ronan had previously acquired a smallputerpany for OEM production, and now it was finally


    He had set a trap, and she had taken the bait.

 Chapter 40

    Chapter 40


    Now the thing was settled, Cordelia felt extremely happy, even a bit excited. This was her first time


    handling a transaction involving tens of thousands of dors, which made her a bit jittery.


    Worried about running into a swindler or some bad egg, she asked Brooklyn to apany her.


    Brooklyn was no longer a scaredy-cat, feeling a bit more confident in herself. She was more than


    willing to lend Cordelia a hand.


    "Actually, in this case, it would be best if we brought along a male friend. If you asked Mr. Evans to


    her snacks while chatting with Cordelia.


    "Is it that simple? We are having some issues right now. Plus, this matter involves my ex-boyfriend.


    How could I possibly ask him toe with me?" Cordelia said.


    "Why did you have to have a falling out with him? You saw it yourself, with just one ''like'' from him, your


    situationpletely changed. Everyone respects him. Why did you have to pick a fight with him?"


    Brooklyn asked in confusion.


    "Don''t even mention it. I''ve always been pretty obedient to him." Even now, Cordelia couldn''t


    understand why Ronan suddenly asked her to move out of his house.


    How could she act ording to his preferences if she didn¡¯t even know what he was thinking?


    "You should apologize to him and act a bit more obediently. Mr. Evans likes that sort of thing," Brooklyn


    suggested.


    "How do you know? Have you done this before?" Cordelia asked, sounding a bit jealous.


    "I wouldn''t dare. I don''t even get a chance to meet Mr. Evans." Brooklyn said, acting all innocent in front


    of Cordelia. "But seriously, this afternoon, my sister is sending me some food."


    "Your sister? Isn''t she about to have a baby? Doesn''t it make you feel guilty that she''s lugging around a


    big belly to deliver food to you?"


    "She won''te herself, she''ll send her brother-inw. I heard he''s quite impressive," Brooklyn said,


    her face full of admiration.


    "You''ve never met him?"


    Brooklyn shot Cordelia a nce. "No. He wasn''t at her wedding. I think he was out of town."


    "I can check him out for you this afternoon."


    At six o''clock in the afternoon, the doorbell rang, and Cordelia went to open the door. As soon as she


    opened the door, she was taken aback. "Edwin?"


    "Cordelia?"


    "Who are you looking for? Me?"


    Edwin held up the bag in his hand, "My sister-inw asked me to deliver some food to her beloved little


    sister. I didn''t expect you two to be roommates. How convenient."


    Brooklyn came out and saw that Edwin was indeed handsome, and her eyes lit up.


    "How about I treat you two lovelydies to dinner tonight?" Edwin suggested.


    "What about the food Brooklyn''s sister sent?" Cordelia asked, frowning.


    Brooklyn was already hooked. After all, who wouldn''t want to have dinner with a handsome guy?


    "That food can be put in the fridge to eat slowly, it won''t go bad. Come on, I''ll treat you to some


    barbecue," Edwin said enthusiastically.


    Cordelia and Brooklyn had been under a lot of stress recently and needed to rx, so they readily


    epted the offer. Plus, Cordelia loved spicy food. The spicier, the better.


    While eating, Edwin asked Cordelia, "We''ve never chatted since bing friends on WhatsApp. So


    you work at Lumos Enterprises. Big things are in your future."


    "For a grassroots worker like me, the future is limited. Brooklyn has a broader future. After all, she''s a


    Lumos Star, the future senior manager," Cordelia said this while also expressing her admiration for


    Brooklyn.


    Cordelia noticed that Brooklyn had a crush on Edwin, and she had to make a push for her best friend.


    Brooklyn and Edwin had already exchanged contact information.


    "By the way, on Sunday I''m going to visit aputer factory in the suburbs. We''ve never been there


    before, and we''re worried about getting scammed. We thought about bringing a male friend along.


    Would you like toe with us?" Brooklyn invited Edwin. "My sister once told me that her brother-in-


    the most suitable candidate."


    "Visit aputer factory? No problem, I can drive you twodies there. Are you nning to buy


    "We n to buy two hundredputers and donate them to children in remote areas. It''s the same


    school we visited together before," Cordelia exined casually, since she and Edwin had visited that


    primary school together.


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    "Two hundredputers, that''s a generous investment."


    "Not really. Actually, I sold my father''s old house in the countryside to raise this money." Cordelia


    replied, fearing that Edwin would ask about the source of the money and put her in an awkward


    situation.


    She hadn''t told Brooklyn about her arranged marriage with Ronan, so Brooklyn didn''t know where the


    money came from.


    Her father''s old house was in the countryside, a ce Cordelia had never visited, let alone sell.


    Fortunately, Edwin didn''t pry.


    What could Cordelia say? That she got the money through a sham marriage?

 Chapter 41

    Chapter 41


    Sunday at 10 a.m.


    Edwin picked up Brooklyn and Cordelia in his Audi from the downstairs of their apartment building.


    Their destination was a factory located in a suburban area that had developed in recent years. The


    area was predominantly filled with factories, and it was spacious with very few people around.


    They arrived at 1 p.m.


    Zach, the factory manager, warmly weed them, showed them around the workshop, and


    introduced them to the processors in detail.


    "Can theseputers delivered to Cedar Hollow?" Cordelia asked.


    "Absolutely. We have a robust logistics system at our factory, Ms. Haselwood. You can rest assured."


    Cordelia nodded in acknowledgment.


    Meanwhile, Ronan was sitting in the manager''s office, monitoring the factory''s surveince footage. As


    soon as Cordelia and the others walked in, Ronan noticed them.


    Seeing Edwin by her side, he thought to himself: Figures. His wife was a truly charming woman, always


    surrounded by different men.


    The training course was over, and her rtionship with Jamie was over. Now she was with Edwin.


    "If I wanted to buy two hundred units, what would be the price?" Cordelia was impressed with the


    quality of theputers and the advanced logistics, so she wanted to ce an order as soon as


    possible.


    Edwin, who owned a gamingpany and was very knowledgeable aboutputers, was also


    impressed with the factory''s products.


    Zach furrowed his brows slightly. "As for the price, I''m afraid that''s out of my hands. We''ll have to bring


    in the president for that."


    "Do you mean Mr. Evens?" Cordelia remembered that the person she spoke with on the phone was Mr.


    Evens.


    "Well, no, not him. Ourpany was bought out. We''re going OEM, and it''s the higher-ups in our


    parentpany who call the shots. Let me give them a call." With that, Zach stepped away to make a


    phone call.


    In the meantime, Cordelia was discussing the price with Edwin.


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    "If you''re purchasing in bulk, it should be about 3500 bucks a unit. See if you can swing that," Edwin,


    being an expert in the field, suggested.


    Cordelia nodded, thinking to herself that this time Brooklyn had made the right choice in seeking


    Edwin''s help for the assessment.


    Suddenly, Edwin received a text from Big Bro: [Don''t let on that you know meter.]


    Edwin frowned, not quite understanding.


    Ronan was the "Big Bro" Edwin referred to. Three years ago, Edwin started a gamingpany but it


    was failing. With no other option, he applied to be Ronan''s chauffeur at Lumos Enterprises.


    After learning about his experience, Ronan said, "Look, don''t be a chauffeur anymore. Start over where


    you failed."


    Ronan invested $200,000, which saved Edwin''spany from bankruptcy.


    Grateful to Ronan, Edwin saved his contact as "Big Bro" and sent him well wishes on important days.


    However, Ronan never replied.


    Given that he had epted Ronan''s help, Edwin felt the need to repay the favor. If Ronan wanted him


    to pretend they didn''t know each other, he would do his best.


    But the wordter puzzled Edwin. Could it be that Ronan was in this small factory right now?


    "Our boss is here," Zach announced. "Ms. Haselwood, you can discuss the price with him."


    Since the workshop was long, they were standing at the far end of it. Cordelia looked at the man


    approaching from a distance and waspletely taken aback.


    How could it be Ronan?


    Ronan was striding towards them step by step. Cordelia''s emotions were in turmoil as she quickly


    thought. In theory, a high-ranking person like Ronan wouldn''t personallye to such a small factory.


    Yet, here he was, ready to discuss prices with her personally.


    Wasn''t that strange? Did he already know something?


    Cordelia tried to find a photo of Ronan on her phone, but there was none in her album.


    Brooklyn, standing next to her, tugged at Cordelia''s sleeve. "What should we do? That''s Mr. Evans.


    What if he finds out you''re here because of your first love? How would he react?"


    "Stay calm." Cordelia downloaded a picture of Ronan from the Inte and sent it to Whitney.


    [Whitney, is this the manager you met that day?]


    Cordelia''s intuition told her that Ronan must havee prepared this time. Otherwise, he would never


    spend his weekend in this small factory.

 Chapter 42

    Chapter 42


    Not long after, Whitney''s message came through: "Yes, that''s him. He looks quite handsome."


    Cordelia looked puzzled. How did Ronan know Logan, and even visited his house? She suddenly


    thought of her diary. Could Ronan have read it? Was it the day she asked Ronan to help her find her


    Driver''s License?


    Cordelia immediately sent a message to Janice: "Janice, did you find my Driver''s License in my


    suitcase when you helped me look for it?"


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    Before Janice could reply, Ronan had already walked over.


    "Mr. Evans, Ms. Haselwood wants to discuss prices with you. She needs two hundredputers,"


    Zach said.


    "Really? She''s an employee of ourpany, what does she need two hundredputers for?" Ronan


    asked with a calm smile, his gazes deep and unreadable.


    Brooklyn was somewhat spooked. Edwin also had no clue what Ronan was up to. He guessed that


    Ronan didn''t want to reveal their rtionship in front of his subordinates.


    Ronan wanted to gather more information from him.


    Unbeknownst to him, Edwin had be Ronan''s mole.


    "Well, here''s the thing. I used to have a boyfriend named Logan. He was a teacher in Cedar Hollow.


    His wish was to donate two hundredputers to the primary school children he taught. Unfortunately,


    he sacrificed his life trying to save a child from drowning. I want to help him fulfill this wish," Cordelia


    said candidly.


    Since Ronan already knew, she might as well just say it.


    "Really? Is that so?" Ronanughed, "Were you and your ex-boyfriend very in love?"


    Cordelia paused. Her rtionship with Logan was clearly recorded in the diary.


    She didn''t bother hiding it anymore, "We were very in love. We were even nning to get married."


    Brooklyn, who was unaware of the situation, anxiously squeezed Cordelia''s hand, ming her for


    being crazy. Even if she wanted to make Ronan jealous, she didn''t have to go this far.


    Ronan narrowed his eyes, and his gaze turned icy. Knowing that Cordelia had such deep feelings for


    her first love, Ronan''s mood worsened. His tone became more confrontational, and his coldness


    towards Cordelia more apparent.


    "Is that so? But the cost of two hundredputers isn''t cheap. Even if you''re willing, it''ll cost tens of


    thousands of dors. You''re so young, unless youe from a wealthy family, how could you have so


    much money?" Ronan stared at Cordelia intently.


    "I saved up for it." Cordelia said firmly.


    "Well, saved up?" Ronanughed, "To save, you need to earn enough money first. How did you earn


    it?"


    Cordelia''s face turned pale. She couldn''t reveal how she earned the money in front of Brooklyn, Edwin,


    and Zach. She obtained this money from Ronan through selling herself, through unsavory means.


    "Mr. Evans, Cordelia is a member of the Finance Department, and she''s very meticulous with her


    ounts and would never engage in any improper behavior. Plus, she''s not the cashier, and she


    doesn''t handle cash directly. You must trust Cordelia," Brooklyn quickly defended Cordelia, thinking that


    Ronan might suspect Cordelia of having a shady source of ie. Cordelia''s job duties made her


    position sensitive.


    Hearing Brooklyn''s exnation, Edwin realized that Ronan didn''t want them to mention their


    rtionship because he wanted to learn about the source of Cordelia''s money from Edwin.


    "Is that so? If it''s for a donation to a primary school, then we''ll treat it as a donation from Lumos


    Enterprises. The money will be paid by thepany''s special funds, which will alleviate your financial


    burden," Ronan said casually.


    Cordelia clenched her fists and gave a soft reply. Although she didn''t have to pay now, she wasn''t


    happy. She originally thought that the rural students would think of her and Logan when they used the


    Ronan''s strategy was deeply calcted. Now Cordelia was just a tool for him to use.


    Ronan instructed Zach to buy two hundredputers and deliver them to the primary school in Cedar


    Hollow as soon as possible.


    "What''s the address? You haven''t told me the address yet, have you?" Ronan slightly frowned and


    asked Cordelia.


    "Well, I know," Edwin said, "I ran into Cordelia near that primary schoolst time."


    "Well? When was that?" Ronan asked Edwin with a smile, his gaze drifting over Cordelia.


    What a coincidence.


    "I remember it clearly, it was Monday. The address is Evergreen Primary School in Cedar Hollow. I''ll


    send you the exact location."


    Cordelia''s face was now extremely pale. Today, under Ronan''s questioning, all her secrets couldn''t be


    kept, including the fact that she didn''t answer Ronan''s call because she went to Cedar Hollow that day.


    Janice''s message only came back at this time: "Ma''am, I was cleaning up just now, so I only saw your


    message. I found your Driver''s License in your washed canvas bag. Mr. Evans was looking for your


    Driver''s License in your suitcase at the time."


    Now it was clear. He knew everything.

 Chapter 43

    Chapter 43


    After sorting out the business, the three of them all came back together. She was now scared to


    interact with Ronan, not knowing how many secrets he could extract from her.


    When Ronan got home, Janice told him that Mrs. Evans had sent her a message that day. Checking


    the timestamp of the message, Ronanmented coldly, "She''s quick to react, no wonder she''s so


    frank."


    Less than a weekter, Ronan''s secretary personally delivered a donation certificate to Cordelia:


    Mr. Ronan, Miss Cordelia:


    The 200puters that you donated to Evergreen Primary School have been distributed to the


    students.


    Thank you very much!


    Looking at this certificate, Cordelia had mixed feelings. She had originally hoped her name would be


    alongside Logan''s, but now it had been reced by Ronan''s.


    Just now, Ronan''s secretary personally delivered the certificate, and everyone was curious. They all


    gathered around to see what it was. When they saw "Mr. Ronan, Miss Cordelia," their expressions


    froze. It seemed that Ronan and Cordelia didn''t break up, but were getting closer.


    Everyone, especially Jordan, was shocked. His previous attitude towards Cordelia was a bit too


    extreme and needed to be corrected.


    The next day, Jordan told Cordelia that she had be the new Lumos Star.


    Cordelia knew this was just Jordan trying to please Ronan and lost interest, not caring too much about


    it.


    Jordan also informed Ronan, who didn''t respond.


    That day, Cordelia received a call from Ronan in the office. "Hello, Mr. Evans." Since everyone in the


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    office knew, Cordelia just directly addressed him as "Mr. Evans".


    Sure enough, everyone in the office perked up their ears.


    "My grandfather fainted, but I''m out of town for a meeting. Can you go home and check on him?" Even


    though the situation was urgent, Ronan''s voice was still calm.


    "What?" Cordelia cared a lot about Barney and immediately agreed, "I''ll take a leave right away."


    After ending the call with Ronan, Cordelia went to ask Jordan for leave. Jordan immediately agreed


    and told Cordelia to take care ande back when things were sorted out.


    When Cordelia arrived at Pearl Palms, she saw Deanna taking care of Barney. She did seem toe


    quite frequently. If it weren''t for her deep affection for Barney, Cordelia wouldn''t want to go in under


    these circumstances.


    She quietly walked over to Deanna.


    Deanna was using a wet towel to wipe Barney''s lips, afraid they would get too dry.


    "Why are you only here now?" Deanna reproached, "Thankfully we have medical equipment at home.


    The doctor said Barney''s blood sugar dropped, and they''ve already given him glucose."


    "This isn''t a movie. You''re not doing this professionally. Let me do it." Cordelia said lightly.


    She could tell at a nce that Deanna was just pretending to be caring. Maybe that was how she did it


    while acting, but this was not how to take care of a real patient.


    "Well, really? I''m not familiar with taking care of the sick, I don''t have experience, you do it then."


    Deanna said, smiling as she left her seat and stood next to Cordelia.


    Cordelia carefully wiped Barney''s lips. She had taken care of her father for several days and her


    mother for six years. Despite her young age, Cordelia had a lot of experience taking care of bedridden


    patients. Even though Deanna''s words seemed fine, Cordelia could hear the sarcasm in them.


    Deanna felt a bit ashamed seeing how Cordelia took care of Barneypared to her own method.


    "Ronan really didn''t choose wrong. If it were me, I couldn''t do these things." Deanna said with a smile,


    "If something happened to Barney, I might not be up to the task, but you''re different. You''re like a real


    nurse."


    Deanna''s words were clear. Ronan marrying Cordelia was like marrying a nurse. Moreover, it sounded


    like it wasn''t Ronan who didn''t want to marry Deanna, but Deanna who didn''t want to marry.


    Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Deanna flicked her hair with her right hand as she spoke. A


    shiny bracelet on her wrist was exposed in front of Cordelia. And on it, the two names were clearly


    visible, abination of Ronan and Deanna''s names.


    Cordelia knew exactly why Deanna was unting this in front of her.


    Combining Deanna''s words from earlier, Cordelia spected that Ronan might have informed Deanna


    about their agreement to get married. Perhaps he intended to marry Deanna in the future and had


    asked her to be patient, assuring her that he would soon divorce.

 Chapter 44

    Chapter 44


    Just as Cordelia was taking care of Barney, Deanna jumped in, "Alright, you''ve done enough. It''s my


    turn."


    Without thinking twice, Cordelia got up. Just at that moment, Ronan walked in. Deanna''s interruption


    was perfectly timed.


    Seeing Ronan, Cordelia was instantly reminded of the awkward situation when they were buying the


    He nced at Barney, adjusted the IV drip to be slower, and then said to Cordelia seriously, "Come out


    with me."


    Cordelia had no choice but to follow him out.


    They reached a corridor a bit further from Barney''s bedroom, and Ronan asked Cordelia to lean


    against the wall.


    "Why would you let her do such heavy work?" he asked harshly.


    Cordelia thought resentfully, why can''t she do this work?


    "When do you n to divorce?" Due to her bad mood and theputer purchase matter, Cordelia''s


    tone was also a bit unpleasant.


    Obviously, her question caught Ronan off guard. "Are you looking forward to the divorce?" He frowned


    at her.


    "Deanna''s back, and I''ve moved out. I think a divorce is just a matter of time. I just want to know when,


    or else I''ll feel uneasy." Cordelia looked up, but not at Ronan.


    "Well, really? Do you not understand why I asked you to move out? Or do you want toe back to


    make money?" His mockery was heavy, "Right, you''ve bought yourputer, so you''re not short on


    cash now."


    "Do you really have to do this for Logan? He''s not even alive anymore, so what are you still holding


    onto? What about you snooping on my diary? That''s private. I could sue you." Cordelia stared into his


    eyes.


    "Then go ahead."


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    Cordelia knew her threats wouldn''t scare Ronan; he might even find it amusing. She huffed and turned


    her head away.


    "You stand here."


    "When are we getting a divorce?" She asked again.


    "Just be Mrs. Evans for now." After saying this, Ronan went into Barney''s room.


    It seemed Cordelia still had to y the role of Mrs. Evans for a while. Probably until Barney passed


    away, then he would break off the fake engagement and marry Deanna.


    "Cheapskate." After Ronan left, Cordelia muttered under her breath.


    Unexpectedly, his footsteps suddenly stopped, then he came back. "What did you say?" He asked with


    a frown.


    Cordelia lowered her head, "Nothing. You''re really handsome."


    He knew that wasn''t what she said, but he didn''t want to argue, so he walked away.


    When he entered the room, Barney was awake, and he asked Ronan, "Where''s De? Is she back?"


    "She''s back. She''s outside."


    "Hurry, let her in." Barney waved his hand eagerly.


    "Barney, I''ll go get her." Deanna then left the room.


    Seeing Cordelia standing against the wall, a strange smile appeared on Deanna''s lips, "He really treats


    you like a nurse, huh? Go on, Barney''s calling for you."


    Upon hearing those words, Cordelia felt wronged and excluded.


    Seeing Cordelia, Barney immediately smiled, "De, are you back from your business trip? Are you


    nning to stay?"


    Cordelia didn''t dare answer casually, she snuck a nce at Ronan.


    "Yes, she''s staying at home now."


    "Well, are you two having a fight? You''ve just got married, haven''t you? Ronan, that''s not right."


    Deanna patted Ronan''s shoulder, pretending to be concerned. As if she had a say in their rtionship.


    "I have work this afternoon, I have to go." Deanna stood there gracefully, "I didn''t drive today. Ronan,


    could you give me a lift?"


    Shepletely ignored Cordelia''s presence.


    Out of chivalry, and given the vi''s remote location which made hailing a cab inconvenient, Ronan


    decided to drive Deanna away.

 Chapter 45

    Chapter 45


    In the bedroom, only Cordelia Haselwood and Barney Evans remained.


    "Barney, you want something to eat? I can whip up some porridge for you." Cordelia hadn''t seen


    Barney in a while, her eyes misty with unshed tears.


    "Nah, I''m good. Actually..." Barney sat up on the bed, edging closer to Cordelia, "I faked that fainting


    earlier."


    Cordelia looked taken aback, "Why would you do that?"


    "To get you toe see me. I know I don''t have much time left, and not much time left with you."


    Hearing this, Cordelia''s tears started to flow, choking out, "Barney."


    "I heard what Deanna Stains said earlier. Six years ago, I already didn''t like her. I always felt like she


    had a lot of ulterior motives. I''ve got your back, but you gotta toughen up too. Stop letting Ronan kick


    you out and giving Deanna the upper hand." Barney said gently.


    "Barney, how did you know?" Cordelia asked, her face damp with tears. She felt embarrassed, not


    expecting Barney to have figured it out.


    "I''m not getting any younger, what can''t I see?"


    Cordelia''s heart skipped a beat. Did Barney know about her agreement to marry Ronan?


    What should she do if Barney found out?


    "Listen to me and stay strong. Ronan''s a stubborn kid, be gentle with him."


    Cordelia nodded, "Got it."


    "He''s older than you and should take care of you, but sometimes, you gotta give in too." Barney


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    advised gently.


    "Alright. Barney, have an orange." Cordelia peeled an orange for Barney.


    ¡­¡­


    When Deanna got in the car, she noticed an umbre on the passenger seat.


    It was a designer umbre from Europe, with an eagle on the handle.


    Deanna remembered, Ronan Evans never used umbres.


    He liked to walk in the rain alone, and there had never been an umbre in his car.


    There was no way he would suddenly change his habits after all these years.


    So this umbre definitely wasn''t his.


    It was clear who bought it.


    Deanna was both jealous and angry.


    "Ronan, how did you end up with a knock-off umbre?" Deanna held the umbre, asking Ronan.


    Ronan never used umbres and naturally wouldn''t know anything about the brand, much less tell if it


    was real or fake.


    "What?" Ronan had already started the car.


    "This is a knock-off. You got scammed, didn''t you?" Deanna pretended to inspect the umbre.


    "Really?" Ronan frowned, not knowing what "surprise" Cordelia had in store for him this time.


    "Yeah, the real deal should cost over 900 bucks. Judging by the workmanship, this is less than a


    twentieth of the real deal." Deanna seemed amused, "Ronan, using this umbre makes you look


    pathetic. If your clients see it, they might think Lumos Enterprises is all show. Should I just toss it?"


    "No need. Just leave it there." Ronan''s voice sent chills down the spine.


    Deanna just smiled and put the umbre down.


    She guessed that Ronan wouldn''t verify if it was real or not. He wouldn''t have the time, and he would


    just take it out on Cordelia.


    His attitude towards Cordelia today had pleased Deanna immensely.


    She believed given some time, she could tear them apart for good.


    When Deanna was leaving, she said to Ronan, "That girl, she''s from a simple background and doesn''t


    understand a lot of things. Don''t be too hard on her, being too harsh could backfire. You hear me,


    Ronan?"


    "I''m leaving." With that, Ronan drove off.


    On the road, he nced over at the umbre.


    Even if the umbre was worth 900, Cordelia could have bought a cheaper one if she didn''t want to


    spend that much. What did Cordelia take him for?


    Also, the money Cordelia had was given by him, yet not a dime was spent on him.


    When he got home and locked the car, Ronan received a message on Messenger from Edwin.


    Bro, about theputer thing, don¡¯t get it twisted and think Cordelia had ulterior motives. She told me


    she paid for it with the money from selling her dad¡¯s house.


    Ronan clenched his teeth, there was no shortage of peopleing to her defense.


    It seemed if he didn''t make her suffer a bit, he would be doing a disservice to these people defending


    her.


    He didn''t understand why Edwin suddenly brought up theputer thing today.


    To make him angrier?


    It just pissed him off.

 Chapter 46

    Chapter 46


    After getting out of the car, Ronan, with an umbre in his hand, walked into the vi.


    Cordelia just came back from Barney''s room to Ronan''s bedroom.


    "Haven''t you gotten your stuff back yet?" Ronan asked her.


    "Not yet. It''s such a drag to always be lugging suitcases around if you keep sending me away,"


    Cordelia replied, ¡°Besides, there were diaries in the suitcase. It''d be safer to keep them in the


    bedroom.¡±


    "Take your umbre back. Sleep in the bedroom next door tonight," Ronan handed the umbre back


    to Cordelia.


    He saw Cordelia''s puzzled and upset expression.


    "You don¡¯t want this umbre anymore? I had my friend buy it for you from overseas," Cordelia looked


    up at Ronan, "It sucks to get rained on."


    Whenever Cordelia thought of the time her father got sick, she felt incredibly sad.


    Ronan said nothing, but he had already put the umbre on the bed.


    His message was clear: he didn''t want the umbre anymore.


    Cordelia didn''t know what Deanna and Ronan had just talked about, but his attitude suddenly changed.


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    "Well, fine then!" Cordelia said, "You don''t appreciate people''s good intentions! You can just get soaked


    in the rain."


    Thinking that Ronan might have been influenced by Deanna, Cordelia''s tone became somewhat cold


    and bitter.


    "Cordelia!" Ronan didn''t expect Cordelia to say so, he called out in a low voice.


    Cordelia ignored him, picked up her quilt, and headed towards the next room.


    Sleeping separately was perfect, this way she could avoid his harassment and get a good rest.


    That night, Cordelia didn''te downstairs for dinner.


    Shey in bed half the day, not understanding why Ronan suddenly got so angry. She could


    understand his impatience with her because of Logan, but today he suddenly returned her umbre,


    just what was he angry about?


    After much thought, she guessed, could it be that Deanna was stirring up trouble, iming that her


    umbre was a fake?


    Thinking about this, Cordelia got angry. Why did he listen to everything Deanna said?


    Was everything she said the truth?


    The next day was a training session for "Lumos Star". As one of the newly selected staff members, this


    was Cordelia''s first time attending.


    It just so happened to be Ronan''s ss.


    Generally, he only held these kinds of sses once a month. He would discuss thepany''s


    development and macroscopic matters. After all, those present were all potential future managers of


    hispany.


    Cordelia sat in the first row, next to Brooklyn.


    Ronan, in a grey suit, exined his topics in an in-depth and understandable manner, with a serious


    demeanor.


    Perhaps because he was the president of thepany, the young colleagues were all very focused,


    without any chatter.


    Just two minutes into his lecture, Cordelia exaggeratedly sprawled out on the desk.


    She fell asleep.


    She was in the front row, right under Ronan''s nose, and she fell asleep...


    She did it on purpose to let him see.


    This was her response to his behavior the previous night.


    She wanted to humiliate him in front of all his colleagues.


    Although there were only about twenty people present, who were all chosen from this year''s interns, it


    was like having twenty megaphones, soon the entirepany would know...


    Brooklyn nervously jabbed Cordelia''s arm, whispering, "Are you trying to stir up trouble by sleeping in


    the president''s ss?"


    No matter how much Brooklyn poked, she couldn''t wake up the pretend-sleeping Cordelia.


    Ronan stared intently at Cordelia.


    But in the end, he maintained self-control and continued his lecture.


    In this ss, his attention was mostly on Cordelia.


    He wanted to see just how long she could pretend to be indifferent.


    Cordelia was sleeping through the whole ss.


    More urately, she was pretending to sleep.


    Throughout the ss, she didn''t give him any respect.


    Fine, just fine.


    She sure knew how to hold a grudge!


    The colleagues at the back all had seen her, and they were all whispering, "Mr. Evans can''t control


    Cordelia."


    Ronan''s voice had changed a bit because he was suppressing his anger.


    Sleeping in Ronan''s ss...


    In the six-year history of Lumos Enterprises, Cordelia was the first!


    Cordelia had made a new record that probably no one would ever break.


    She had challenged Ronan''s authority.


    After ss, Ronan knocked on Cordelia''s desk and she sleepily opened her eyes.


    "Come here," Ronan tried to maintain a good temper in front of all his colleagues.


    After Ronan left, Brooklyn told Cordelia, "You''re asking for trouble, you''ve pissed him off."


    Cordelia then followed Ronan back to the office.

 Chapter 47

    Chapter 47


    "Are you asking for a sacking?" Since Cordelia made Ronan feel utterly embarrassed and naturally, he


    was pissed.


    He lit a cigarette and then mmed the lighter onto the desk with a loud bang.


    "Are you doubting that the umbre I bought for you is a knockoff?" Cordelia was also fuming.


    "You''re quite the thinker." Ronan squinted at Cordelia, his eyes unreadable to her.


    "Tell me, do you really think that the umbre is fake?" Cordelia was getting even angrier. It turned out


    that he was easily influenced by Deanna''s instigations.


    Cordelia walked over to Ronan with her phone, showing him her chat history with her ssmate,


    Vivian.


    "Last Friday, I transferred $1,000 to Vivian. She''s not a professional shopper, she was just doing me a


    favor. Even if she wanted to scam me, she wouldn''t be able to find a fake! What else could it be


    besides the real deal?" After saying this, Cordelia put her phone back in her pocket.


    Ronan''s anger subsided.


    Cordelia scrolled through the texts quickly, but he managed to catch two sentences.


    [Who''s it for? Such an expensive umbre?]


    [Anyway, it''s for someone very important.]


    [Boyfriend?]


    Cordelia didn''t answer.


    So, in Cordelia''s eyes, he was a "very important person".


    "So what are you trying to say?" Ronan''s face noticeably softened.


    He should have realized earlier that Deanna was deliberately stirring the pot, but he really didn''t know


    how to tell if the umbre was genuine or not.


    And this involved Cordelia...


    Cordelia still cared so much about money.


    "So, it was wrong of you to make me sleep in the room next door. You nitpick me, allow yourself to


    make mistakes but not me, and easily believe in rumors." Cordelia was furious thinking about how he


    had made her move to the next room to sleep because of Deanna''s words.


    "Can''t you sleep alone?" Ronan teased.


    "I feel wronged."


    "Scared? Want to move back into my bedroom?"


    "Don''t tter yourself!" Cordelia answered.


    But honestly, Cordelia was a bit scaredst night. After all, the Evans family''s mansion was huge and


    she had never been to that bedroom before when she was with the Evans family, it was unfamiliar and


    naturally she was a bit scared alone.


    "You can move back into my bedroom, depending on how you behave." Ronan''s lips curled slightly, in


    a good mood.


    Cordelia sneered at the idea of "depending on how you behave", because there is no specific standard


    for seeing performance, it totally depends on his likes and dislikes.


    "I will gradually get used to sleeping alone." Cordelia said with a bitter tone.


    "Oh? It seems like you''re really not used to it. Is it because you''re missing something?" Ronan is


    usually very serious and rarely jokes around with people, let alone somewhat flirting words like this.


    "You''re what I''m missing. Mr. Evans, isn''t that what you want to hear, to satisfy your vanity? Anyway,


    you made me sleep in the next room, and I made you lose your dignity in ss, we''re even." Cordelia


    replied, lifting her head.


    "What exactly are you missing about me?" Ronan continued to prod.


    Cordelia''s face turned red and she wanted to leave.


    "Why didn''t you tell me earlier that the umbre was real? Why did you wait until I lost my dignity to tell


    me?" Ronan had just gained the upper hand in the conversation and wanted to continue teasing


    Cordelia.


    "I just wanted to see you lose your dignity!" Cordelia answered nonchntly.


    Just then, there was a knock at the door.


    Ronan immediately switched to his serious tone when he talked to his subordinate, saying in a


    maic and serious voice, "Come in."


    The person who came in was Jordan.


    He had been eavesdropping outside the door.


    The news of Cordelia sleeping in training ss had already spread throughout thepany.


    Bymon sense, as a director, he should take action, so he came to consult Ronan.


    But he had already heard their conversation...


    Yesterday Ronan and Cordelia had a quarrel over the umbre.


    Ronan might have felt that Cordelia didn''t value him enough, bought him a fake, so he made Cordelia


    sleep in the next room.


    This was a lot of information.


    So, Cordelia used to sleep with Ronan, and Jordan didn''t know how long it had been going on.


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    And, Ronan''s words just now, were really hard to ept.


    She was missing something of his...


    He didn''t expect that Ronan would make such a joke.


    There were rumors among thepany''s colleagues that Ronan would pick up and drop off Cordelia


    every day, but Jordan thought, how could Cordelia, with her status, get into Ronan''s bed?


    But it turned out it was true.


    Ronan usually appeared very mature and steady, just standing there would make the temperature


    drop, new employees would feel nervous around him.


    He said some indecent things in front of Cordelia.


    Cordelia even dared to sleep in front of him.


    Thinking of his previous actions, Jordan felt somewhat ashamed, since he misunderstood their


    argument and even set up obstacles for Cordelia.


    "Hello Mr. Jordan." Cordelia turned back to her office, greeting Jordan.


    Jordan nodded to Cordelia.


    Cordelia found it strange. Jordan was usually very reserved, howe he nodded at her this time?

 Chapter 48

    Chapter 48


    In the evening, as usual, Cordelia hit the sack in the bedroom next door after getting home.


    Ronan didn''t beckon her to his bedroom.


    Come Saturday morning, when Cordelia woke up, it was already past 10 am.


    She was still half asleep. After heading downstairs, she saw Ronan and Barney chit-chatting at the


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    dining table.


    She didn''t have a clue what time they had breakfast or how long they''d been chatting.


    Cordelia was so hungry her stomach was growling.


    Ronan threw her a nce and carried on yakking with Barney.


    "Ma''am, are you nning on breakfast or lunch?" Janice joked as she saw Cordeliae downstairs.


    "Um, just whip up anything for me to munch on, Janice. Thanks." Cordelia was ustomed to doing


    things herself since she was a kid, so she was not quite used to this cushy life. She always felt like she


    was putting others out and felt guilty, so her words were always filled with gratitude.


    "Sure thing, I''ve rustled up some spaghetti bolognese for you. It''ll be ready in no time.¡±


    "De, got any ns for today?" Barney asked Cordelia.


    Barney''s tone with Cordelia was different from when he spoke with Ronan. It was like he was talking to


    a kid.


    Cordelia turned to Ronan, "I visit my mom every Saturday. I''d like to do so this week too. Is that okay


    with you?"


    Ever since Adrian Haselwood ckmailed Ronan, he was in the loop about what was happening at


    home. So she justid it out there instead of making up excuses every time she wanted to visit her


    mom.


    "Go ahead." Ronan said.


    "De''s mom is sick? And you''re not visiting as the son-inw?" Barney seemed surprised. "That''s not


    how we, the Evans family, act."


    Cordelia was taken aback. She was happy enough with Ronan agreeing to let her go. She never


    expected him to go with her. Or rather, she always knew deep down that their marriage was a sham, so


    she never thought of asking Ronan to visit her mom.


    "Alright." Ronan agreed without a moment''s hesitation.


    Cordelia felt a bit uneasy. She couldn''t put her finger on it, but she wasn''t exactly thrilled.


    Janice served up the spaghetti bolognese, pulling Cordelia out of her thoughts. There was an egg in it.


    Cordelia had been allergic to egg yolk since she was a kid. Eating it would make her nauseous and


    throw up.


    Eggs were usually for breakfast. But since she had breakfast with Ronan and Barney, no one would


    notice even if she didn''t have eggs. She never told Janice about her allergy because she didn''t want to


    be a pain in the ass.


    Cordelia started eating. She finished the spaghetti, leaving only the egg in the bowl.


    She originally nned to toss the egg when she washed the dishes. Even though she knew wasting


    food wasn''t right, she really couldn''t eat egg yolk.


    "Aren''t you eating the yolk? Give it to me." Ronan suddenly said.


    "Huh?" Like seeing a lifesaver, Cordelia looked up nkly.


    "You don''t like the yolk, do you? Give it to me." Ronan repeated with a poker face.


    It took Cordelia a while to realize her secret was spilled by Logan''s diary.


    In Logan''s diary, there was a time when Cordelia identally ate yolk and got sick. Logan took care of


    her for a long time.


    Apparently, not only did he check Logan''sputer, he even read this.


    She couldn''t read Ronan''s expression. She didn''t know whether he really cared for her or was just


    messing with her.


    "Where do you want me to put the yolk?" Cordelia asked.


    He had already finished his breakfast and there were no dishes in front of him.


    "Just hand it to me." He said naturally.


    Cordelia hesitated. Despite their intimacy in bed, this level of flirtation on sharing food was something


    they''d never had.


    Cordelia carefully held the yolk with one hand while supporting it with the other, fearing it would fall.


    She fed it to Ronan.


    Then she went back to eating, her heart pounding. She heard Ronan say, "Grandpa, please go on."


    She tuned out their conversation. All she could think about was the intimate moment she just had with


    Ronan.

 Chapter 49

    Chapter 49


    After dinner, Cordelia and Ronan headed to the hospital together.


    Without asking Cordelia, Ronan drove straight to Millstone Hospital.


    Cordelia knew about Ronan''s extensive connections, so he was well aware of her mother''s condition.


    When they arrived at the parking lot, Cordelia signaled to get out.


    "You better not visit my mom," Cordelia said.


    She wasn''t sure why she had such worries.


    "What''s in the ward that you''re not letting me see?" Ronan was lighting a cigarette.


    With his eyes half-closed, he spoke nonchntly, like a man who''s seen the world, teasing a


    greenhorn.


    But it was his attitude that deeply attracted Cordelia.


    Whether blushing from arguing or shyness from being attracted to him, Cordelia''s cheeks turned rosy.


    "The hospital is a busy ce, lots of chatter. It might tarnish your reputation."


    Ronan nced at his watch, "Four o''clock, I''lle pick you up."


    "Okay, sounds good," Cordelia exhaled deeply.


    It seemed that he didn''t n on visiting her mother today. He was only here to drop her off out of


    respect for his grandfather''s orders.


    Cordelia headed towards neurology.


    The corridor was crowded with people, and Cordelia saw lights and cameras, not knowing what was


    being filmed.


    As she was about to pass through the crowd, she saw a woman in a dark green dress, holding a


    cigarette, exuding an indescribable charm.


    Cordelia froze. It was Deanna.


    So she was shooting a movie here.


    Cordelia didn''t have a good impression of Deanna, always feeling that she was scheming and could be


    used if she wasn''t careful.


    She hurriedly entered her mother''s ward.


    Unexpectedly, it was bustling today, not only with Adrian and Jamie Colby, but also a very kind middle-


    aged woman who seemed to be a caregiver.


    "Ms. Haselwood," The caregiver saw Cordelia and politely said, "I''m your mom''s caregiver, my name is


    Trina."


    "Nice to meet you, Trina. I¡¯m Cordelia. Did Dr. Devon hire you?" Cordelia felt warm inside.


    Even though she had only nced once, she could tell that Trina was proficient and professional. She


    was taking care of her mother''s sores.


    "Wasn''t it you?" Trina was a bit confused.


    "No, it wasn''t."


    "Cordelia, wasn''t it you who asked Dr. Devon to hire a caregiver?" Adrian also looked at Cordelia with


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    puzzled eyes.


    "It was Mr. Evans who asked me to hire Trina. Trina is the most expensive caregiver in our hospital,


    three thousand dors a month," Dr. Devon came in and said.


    "Mr. Evans?" Adrian and Cordelia both showed surprise.


    While Jamie, seemed a bit disappointed.


    After all, the person who hired the caregiver wasn''t him.


    "Yes, didn''t you know?" Dr. Devon said.


    Cordelia felt warm inside.


    After Dr. Devon and Trina discussed a few points of attention, they left.


    "This Ronan, he''s really deep, who knows what he''s thinking. Cordelia, has he made any excessive


    demands on youtely?" Adrian said.


    He said this so that Jamie would hear, implying: Ronan and Cordelia''s rtionship was merely a


    transaction, so Jamie could pursue her with peace of mind.


    "Stop talking nonsense." Cordelia didn''t take Adrian''s bait.


    Jamie gently pulled Cordelia''s hand, "Can youe out and talk to me for a bit?"


    Cordelia followed him out.


    "Long time no see, teacher Jamie." Outside her mother''s room, Cordelia said naturally.


    "The course is over, why are you still calling me teacher Jamie?" Jamie was also very casual.


    Jamie had seen Cordelia several times, but he never found the right opportunity to talk to her properly,


    especially after what happenedst time at the training course.


    He heard Adrian say that Cordelia visited her mother every Saturday, so he asked Adrian to


    apany him here. Otherwise, Adrian wouldn''te to visit his mother.


    "You were my teacher once, so you''ll always be my teacher. Teacher Jamie, what''s up?" Cordelia


    asked.


    "If you''re short on cash, you can tell me. I know we didn''t know each other when you needed money,


    but it''s not toote. Once you pass the CPA, your sry will be different. Why did you choose to sign a


    marriage contract with Ronan?" Jamie tried hard to say this.


    Hearing the word ''contract'', Cordelia slightly frowned.


    She felt it was likely Adrian had guessed from Ronan''s attitude and now Adrian was trying to match her


    with Jamie.


    Even worse, he might have said that Cordelia and Ronan''s marriage is "formal but loveless".


    Cordelia didn''t want a third party involved in her marriage.


    "Teacher Jamie, actually, it''s not like you think, that my marriage to Ronan is only formal and loveless.


    We had feelings for each other before." Cordelia even smiled slightly at Jamie.


    Jamie frowned tightly, holding Cordelia''s hand somewhat uncontrobly, "Cordelia..."


    "Teacher Jamie, I''m already married."


    After saying that, Cordelia went back into the ward.


    Just in case, if she didn''t rify, one day the rumor of a "loveless, formal marriage" might reach


    Barney''s ears.

 Chapter 50

    Chapter 50


    After returning to the ward, Cordelia started discussing patient care matters with Trina.


    Just then, Barney sent Cordelia a message on Messenger, asking about her mom''s condition.


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    Cordelia was touched. Barney was a highly educated gentleman.


    She voice replied to Barney, "Barney, my mom''s good, no need to worry."


    "Cordelia, who are you talking to?" Adrian asked.


    "None of your beeswax."


    Adrian guessed she was probably talking to Ronan''s grandpa.


    Seemed like Cordelia and Barney were close.


    A wicked idea popped into Adrian''s head.


    "Adrian, is your mom okay?" Jamie called out to Adrian from the doorway.


    "She''s fine. You heading out?"


    "Yes."


    Adrian took onest look at Cordelia. Judging from Jamie''s demeanor just now, he had a hunch


    something was off between them.


    Adrian was bothered. He thought Cordelia was too stubborn and he needed to use a tougher approach.


    Cordelia checked her watch. It was almost four. She exchanged a few more words with Trina before


    leaving.


    Deanna was still busy shooting.


    Cordelia didn''t pay it much attention.


    But what she didn''t know was that Deanna had seen her talking to Jamie in the corridor earlier.


    Downstairs, Cordelia sent Ronan a message. Ronan immediately called back, saying hurriedly "I''ll be


    there in five minutes", then hung up.


    Once in the car, Ronan was on the phone discussing work matters like how to tender for a plot ofnd


    in the south, the estimated price, how many houses to build, etc. He also nned to build another high-


    end mall.


    Cordelia was bored so she started scrolling through her phone. She felt sleepy and dozed off in the car.


    It wasn''t until they were almost home that Ronan finished his call.


    "Did you fall asleep?" He asked.


    Cordelia woke from her sleep and mumbled, "I had a nap."


    "Where were youst night? You seem very tired." Ronan teased Cordelia.


    Cordelia ignored him, turned over and went back to sleep.


    During dinner, Barney kept asking about her mom''s condition, what disease, how the treatment going,


    any troubles. He was very concerned.


    Cordelia thought Barney was a good man. Even though he had lung cancer, he still cared about others


    so much. She was very moved, felt warm inside but also sad thinking Barney might pass away soon.


    After dinner, Ronan went upstairs.


    After a while, Cordelia, clutching her nket, moved from her room to his.


    Since Ronan started sleeping alone in this double bed, he always slept in the middle.


    Seeing Cordelia, Ronan put down the book in his hand, looking at her with interest, "What''s up?"


    He was too cocky,pletely disregarding how Cordelia felt standing there with her nket.


    "I want to sleep here." Cordelia looked down.


    "Oh?" Ronan startedughing as if it was funny, "Did I hear it wrong? I thought you were used to


    sleeping alone."


    "I...am still not used to it. I feel a bit anxious. Can you move over a bit?" Cordelia said in a small voice.


    Cordelia was still a little girl after all. She had exined to Ronan about the umbre incident.


    Although Ronan was discontent about theputer she donated, that was in the past, and her ex had


    passed away. Even if he was unhappy, it wouldn''t help.


    He shifted over, making room for Cordelia.


    Cordelia spread out her nket, identally brushing against his warm arm. He was really hot.


    In Ronan''s room, the air conditioning was on high, so the temperature was rather cold.


    Cordelia plucked up the courage and crawled into his nket.


    Ronan was getting annoyed with her.


    But he was Ronan after all, and had some self-control despite Cordelia not seeing any reaction from


    him.


    "Thank you." Cordeliay in his nket, he was leaning against the headboard. Cordelia lifted her


    head, her eyes sparkling, and spoke to him.


    "For what?"


    "Thank you for finding the best caregiver for my mom. I just found out today."


    "So you came to sleep in my bed because of this?"


    "Of course not."


    Ronan couldn''t help himself, he moved down and pressed himself against Cordelia, turning off the


    bedsidemp in the process.


    Cordelia''s hands were on his chest, "Hold on."


    "What''s wrong?" Ronan was a bit impatient.


    "Be gentle..."


    "Wasn''t I gentle before?"


    "Well, you were really rough." Cordelia said sincerely. It always hurt her.


    "Alright, I''ll be gentler in the future."

 Chapter 51

    Chapter 51


    On Monday, Cordelia hopped off Ronan''s car at the entrance of Lumos Enterprises.


    She bumped into Brooklyn in thepany lobby.


    "Looking all smiley today. Had a good timest night?" Brooklyn asked Cordelia.


    "Cut the crap." replied Cordelia, ncing back, noticing that Ronan was parking the car and didn''t


    apany her into thepany.


    Now, whenever Cordelia couldn''t see Ronan, she''d feel a sense of loss.


    She knew this marriage would sooner ortere to an end, so she decided to make the most out of


    the present.


    After a busy morning, Cordelia was getting ready for lunch when she heard some noise at the door.


    A few people walked into the office, pushing carts full of fancy food bags.


    "Hard work pays off, folks. These are from Ms. Deanna." a staff member announced.


    Cordelia thought to herself: Ms. Deanna? Deanna?


    All eyes turned to Cordelia.


    Why are they all looking at me? It''s from Deanna, Cordelia wondered.


    When a food bag was handed to her, she opened it to find a beautifully prepared Bibimbap.


    "Ms. Deanna is so nice to us. So generous."


    "Yeah, looks like she treated the wholepany. How much did she spend? There are thousands of


    people in this building."


    "Must be a few grand. What''s on the food bag?"


    They all seemed to purposely praise Deanna, as if to provoke Cordelia.


    Cordelia nced at the bag. It read, "My Dear Dr. Rond", along with a dramatic photo of Deanna


    with red lips, looking stunningly beautiful.


    It was a promotion for her new show, probably the one shot at the hospital.


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    Cordelia didn''t eat egg yolks, so she picked it out to throw it away. Even though she felt it was wasteful,


    no one wanted her egg yolk.


    Just as she tossed the egg yolk in the trash, she heard someone say, "The official showdown begins."


    Cordelia was taken aback, then realized: they thought she threw away the egg yolk as an act of


    defiance against Deanna.


    Cordelia didn¡¯t want to overthink it and started eating, disliking the atmosphere.


    ...


    Deanna went to Ronan''s office.


    The staff had also brought a meal for Ronan, but his was more luxurious, an upgrade from the regr


    employees''.


    "I''ve got a new workce drama series, Ronan. Give me a hand promoting it." Deanna said with a


    smile.


    "I''m not in a PR firm, nor am I in the Promotion Department. Your efforts here will hardly make any


    difference." Ronan said bluntly.


    "I just want to do my little bit. Is it good?" Deanna asked.


    "I''ve already ordered food. I''m eating." Ronan replied, "Seems like I have to disappoint you. Your show


    looks good. Where was it shot?"


    Ronan asked casually, then called his secretary to take his meal to Cordelia in the Finance


    Department.


    Deanna clenched her teeth nervously. Ronan was deliberately putting her on the spot.


    The secretary took the meal away.


    "At Millstone Hospital." Deanna replied, watching as her carefully prepared meal was taken to the


    Finance Department.


    Ronan slightly frowned, "Really?"


    "Oh, I ran into Cordelia at the hospital when I was filming on Saturday." Deanna said, "She seemed to


    be chatting with a guy outside for quite a while."


    "That''s her brother."


    "Does she have two brothers?" Deanna seemed to understand, "I was wondering why they were


    holding hands. I was going to tell you to keep a tight leash on your wife."


    Ronan''s expression became icy.


    Cordelia hadn''t told him anything about her experience at the hospital, only thanked him for hiring a


    caregiver for her mother, then went to sleep on his bed.


    The two men must have been Adrian and Jamie. Adrian was the Colby family''s driver, and it wasn''t


    surprising that he went with Jamie.


    Ronan spected that Adrian, having not achieved a satisfactory result here, might be trying to


    introduce Cordelia to Jamie again.


    "Oh, Ronan, I should go. I have work this afternoon. You didn''t like the meal I ordered for you. What a


    waste of my efforts."


    With that, Deanna left.

 Chapter 52

    Chapter 52


    The secretary delivered Ronan''s meal to the Finance Department.


    This immediately silenced the behind-the-scenes chatter of the Finance Department, as all female staff


    members'' attention shifted from idle gossip to jealousy. After all, Cordelia was just an ordinary


    employee like them, what could possibly be so special about her? Besides being a bit more attractive,


    but what''s the use of beauty?


    Just a few days ago, she had moved out of the Evans family residence, but now it seemed like she was


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    back in Ronan''s good graces.


    "I''m already full." Cordelia said awkwardly to the secretary, "Could you take the meal back for me?"


    "Mr. Evans has already eaten, he specifically had it brought for you." The secretary replied.


    "Well, thank you." Cordelia couldn''t refuse, so she put it in the fridge, intending to eat it after work.


    Just as she finished tidying up her desk, she received a friend request from "mour Hub", Cordelia


    assumed it was an ad, so she didn''t ept it.


    Soon, her phone rang. It was a call from Ronan.


    "Why didn''t you ept the request?" His tone was as cool as ever, with a hint of seriousness.


    Cordelia didn''t think she had offended him today, so she figured his attitude had nothing to do with her.


    "What request?"


    "mour Hub is making a dress for you. ept the request." After saying this, Ronan hung up.


    Cordelia was left confused, not understanding why she needed a dress.


    Ronan didn''t offer an exnation, and she didn''t ask.


    She epted the request.


    The other party enthusiastically said, "Mrs. Evans, could you send us a full-body photo of yourself?


    We''ll customize a dress ording to your traits. Mr. Evans has already given us your size, but we''ll


    need to customize the color and style."


    Cordelia sent the photo.


    "Mrs. Evans, it''ll be done in three days. We guarantee your satisfaction."


    Cordelia had a lot of work to do today, so she didn''t think much about the dress.


    Around four in the afternoon, Cordelia started to feel hungry. Normally, she would just go home to eat,


    but Ronan''s meal was already on her desk, it would be a waste not to eat it.


    Plus, Ronan had thoughtfully removed the egg yolk.


    Seeing this, Cordelia couldn''t help but smile sweetly.


    Perhaps it was her good mood, Cordelia found the meal very satisfying.


    After work, she got into Ronan''s car.


    His face was cold.


    "Who pissed you off?" Cordelia asked.


    "You did!"


    Cordelia was a bit annoyed, she hadn''t even seen him today, how could she have possibly made him


    angry?


    Without saying anything, she turned to look out the window, figuring that asking anything more would


    only make him angrier.


    "I''ve already made ns for Saturday, I invited some people over for dinner. The dress is for that day."


    Ronan suddenly said.


    "But... Isn''t our marriage agreement supposed to be a secret? Wouldn''t it be bad if I went out with


    you?" Cordelia asked somewhat worriedly.


    "Our marriage has bemon knowledge which can''t be hidden anymore. I don''t mind." Ronan


    said, one hand on the steering wheel, looking straight ahead.


    Cordelia thought to herself, ¡°It''s easy for you, rich people can get married a second time, or even a fifth


    time, it doesn''t matter. But what if we get divorced in the future? How am I supposed to get remarried?


    People will think that I got half of Ronan''s wealth in the divorce, all my suitors will be after my money.


    How am I supposed to deal with that?¡±


    Cordelia was not happy.


    Ronan had once helped her solve a problem, and she was grateful to him for that. But now, his


    disregard for her situation made her resentful.


    Cordelia''s mood today was like a roller coaster ride.


    All because of Ronan.


    "What, not happy?" Ronan nced at her.


    "No." Cordelia''s voice betrayed a hint of grievance.


    "Are you afraid that after a divorce, you''ll have trouble getting remarried?" Ronan''s tone was slightly


    mocking, "You sure do think a lot."


    Ronan hit the nail on the head, making Cordelia embarrassed. She could only lean back in the car and


    pretend to be asleep.

 Chapter 53

    Chapter 53


    Cordelia came home and told Barney, "I''m not really feeling like eating tonight."


    Concerned, Barney asked, "Why aren''t you eating? Are you on a diet or something?"


    "No, Barney. I already ate at work."


    "Don''t just go on diet for the sake of it, healthes first," Barney said with genuine concern.


    After a brief chat with Barney, Cordelia headed upstairs.


    Around eight in the evening, Cordelia started experiencing stomach pain.


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    Sweating profusely, her stomach in knots, she curled up in bed.


    Upon seeing Cordelia''s condition, Ronan frowned, "Are you running a fever?"


    "I don''t think so," she replied, her teeth chattering and drenched in sweat.


    Looking at Ronan''s expression, Cordelia felt a sense of unpredictability. She grabbed his wrist, "What


    did I do wrong? I just can''t seem to read you."


    Ronan just stared at her, "Now''s not the time for this."


    He shot her a stern look.


    Cordelia didn''t dare to say another word.


    "We''re going to the hospital," Ronan said, lifting Cordelia off the bed and heading downstairs.


    At the nearest private hospital, Ronan set Cordelia down.


    With the height of 170cm, Cordelia weighed around 50kg. Once inside the hospital, she noticed beads


    of sweat on Ronan''s forehead.


    In that moment, Cordelia found those eyes even moreforting.


    "You don''t need to carry me, I''m not that sick, I can walk." Cordelia said, even though her stomach pain


    was worsening. She didn''t think much of it since she had experienced worse.


    "So what would you consider a serious illness?" Ronan retorted.


    Cordelia was speechless, not knowing if life-threatening or vegetative state-inducing diseases were


    considered serious.


    The doctor quickly examined Cordelia and diagnosed her with gastritis.


    She had eaten cold food at work which had triggered it.


    Soon, Cordelia was moved to a private room.


    Ronan stayed by her side.


    Cordelia felt a bit embarrassed.


    "What cold food did you eat?" Ronan asked.


    Cordelia exined everything that had happened that day.


    When she recalled the conversation at the office, Cordelia rified, "I didn''t mean to set Deanna up,


    and I wasn''t faking illness. The food she brought for you was hot, but the office microwave was broken,


    so I had to eat cold food."


    By the end, Cordelia''s voice was barely above a whisper, as if she knew she had done something


    wrong.


    "Was it my fault? Did I cause you trouble?" Ronan asked, furrowing his brows.


    "No, everything you say and do is right," Cordelia assured him, her eyes wide, face pale, and


    Even in her state, she was still joking.


    "Are you jealous of Deanna?" Ronan asked.


    "I...I don''t have the right to be jealous," Cordelia replied, her eyes downcast and a hint of sadness in


    her voice.


    Ronan stopped talking to Cordelia and called the Logistics Department to rece the microwave in the


    Finance Department.


    He then called Jordan to get leave for Cordelia without stating a reason.


    The reason wasn''t important.


    "Do I need to stay in the hospital?" Cordelia asked Ronan.


    "ording to the doctor, you need to be on IV for three days."


    "Three days? There goes another weekend," Cordelia muttered under her breath.


    Ronan was speechless.


    The next day, everyone in thepany knew about Cordelia''s leave because the microwave in the


    Finance Department had been reced.


    The microwave had been broken for some time, but it was only reced when Cordelia fell ill.


    Apparently, Cordelia had quite the influence.


    "Isn''t it obvious? Cordelia got sick just when Deanna brought food for everyone at thepany. It''s


    clear she''s ying games," thepany gossiped.


    "Can''t Cordelia use some tactics against Deanna who''s clearly after Mr. Evans? She just wiped out all


    of Deanna''s brownie points."


    The entirepany was abuzz with rumors.


    When this reached Brooklyn, she defended, "Don''t talk nonsense, Cordelia isn''t like that."


    No one dared to say anything more, they just whispered behind her back. After all, Cordelia was quite


    the strategist, and Mr. Evans seemed to listen to her.


    They didn''t want to risk retribution.

 Chapter 54

    Chapter 54


    Cordelia stayed up in the hospital for three days.


    By the time she was discharged, it was already Friday.


    Ronan arranged her discharge and told her to take the day off, assuring her that a dress would be


    delivered shortly.


    The working staffs from "mour Hub" delivered the dress in the afternoon, along with matching


    essories like pearl earrings and hairpins.


    Cordelia got dressed upstairs. She was wearing a light pink cocktail dress, simple yet elegant. It


    "Like what you see?" Cordelia asked from the staircase, addressing Ronan who was lounging on the


    couch downstairs.


    Ronan looked up to find her shimmering like a luminous pearl, radiant like the morning sun. He was


    momentarily stunned, feeling a spark that seemed to ignite from within.


    He had felt this way six years ago, the moment a certain girl held his hand... but it never happened


    when he held Deanna''s hand.


    He lowered his gaze back to his book and replied nonchntly, "You look good."


    Cordelia didn''t care much for her own beauty. She was more used to wearing hoodies and jeans. This


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    sudden change to a formal dress felt rather restrictive.


    She squinted, revealing a hint of impatience.


    She thought Ronan''s response was half-hearted, but that was expected. After all, they were just


    partners in a marriage of convenience. Who would care about whether she looked beautiful?


    Asking for Ronan''s opinion seemed unnecessary.


    "This dress is a bit loose on Mrs. Evans," said the mour Hub staff.


    "Oh, I was sick a few days ago. I might have lost some weight," Cordelia replied.


    "I knew it. How could the measurements provided by Mr. Evans be wrong? Ms. Haselwood, let me


    adjust it for you. It won''t take long."


    Cordelia retreated back to her room. She had no clue who Ronan was going to meet, but she guessed


    it was someone she didn''t know.


    Due to this engagement, Cordelia rescheduled her visit to her mother to Sunday.


    On Saturday night at the Golden Bay Resort, Cordelia met Ronan''s guest. He was a man in his fifties,


    extremely humble, almost bending over as he shook hands with Ronan, repeating "Mr. Evans, nice to


    meet you."


    Ronan simply replied, "How do you do?"


    He didn''t mention the guest''s surname.


    Cordelia did not recognize the man either.


    "This is my wife, Cordelia," Ronan introduced.


    Cordelia nodded politely, and the guest began to shower her withpliments, praising her beauty and


    aristocratic demeanour.


    As they sat down, they began discussing business. Cordelia couldn''t join in.


    She quietly started eating the food on the table.


    During the conversation, Ronan mentioned the guest''s son, "Why hasn''t he arrived yet?"


    "He mentioned he had something to do. He''ll be a bitte," the guest replied.


    "Is he out with his girlfriend?" Ronan asked with a chuckle.


    "No, he has his own ounting firm, PrimeNumbers ounting. He''s been quite busy and doesn''t


    have a girlfriend yet. If Mr. Evans happens to know any eligible girls, please do introduce them to my


    son."


    The guest seemed quite nervous talking with Ronan, his forehead beaded with sweat.


    "Sure," Ronan responded.


    Cordelia thought, ¡°PrimeNumbers ounting, the most renowned ounting firm in Millstone, is his


    son''s?¡±


    In fact, the guest was Jamie¡¯s father.


    "My wife is also studying for her ounting certification," Ronan changed the topic towards Cordelia.


    "Oh, really? That''s quite promising. How many subjects has she passed?" asked Jamie''s father.


    "Three," Ronan answered for Cordelia.


    "Very impressive, really impressive," Jamie''s fatherplimented again.


    His phone rang, he answered, and gave the room number. It was probably his son about to arrive.


    "Is your son arriving?" Ronan asked with a smile.


    Ronan''s smile was a portrayal of calmness andposure, exuding his elegance.


    "Yes, he''ll be here shortly."


    Not long after, there was a knock on the door.


    "Dad..." the new arrival called out to the previous guest.


    Cordelia''s hand, which was in the middle of taking a bite, froze. So did her mouth. She was stunned.


    Jamie?


    Jamie seemed to notice Cordelia as well.


    "Cordelia?" he eximed in surprise.


    They eyes met.


    "Jamie, you know Mrs. Evans?" Jamie''s father asked.


    Seeing Ronan sitting next to Cordelia, Jamie said, "Oh, Cordelia... was... a student in my ounting


    ss."


    Jamie sat next to his father, looking exceptionally awkward.


    Cordelia''s hand still frozen in its ce, started shaking.


    She suddenly realized why Ronan brought her here, to embarrass her and Jamie.


    But why did Ronan choose today?


    Cordelia was eating but couldn''t swallow her food.


    There was nothing between her and Jamie, but Ronan''s actions today made it seem otherwise.


    It seemed like Ronan was using this dinner to send a message to Cordelia: stay away from Jamie.

 Chapter 55

    Chapter 55


    "Jamie, you''re such a catch. Howe you''re still single?" Ronan asked with a grin.


    "Just haven''t found the right one yet." Jamie replied, his face pale.


    Ronan stopped talking to Jamie and started to discuss a juicy piece of gossip from Millstone: the wife of


    a well-known financier, Grant, had an affair with a young man. She thought her husband wouldn''t do


    anything to her, but little did she know, Grant found photos of her and the young man, stripping her of


    everything. Both she and the young man were now unable to survive in Millstone.


    "Yeah, she didn''t watch her own back, letting a big shot like Grant be theughing stock." Jamie''s


    father grumbled, wiping his sweat with a tissue.


    "This youngd''s just asking for trouble, dragging others down with him. He''s got a serious punishment


    He seemed like he was just making casual conversation.


    Cordelia, however, felt a shiver down her spine.


    So did Jamie''s father, Thomas Colby.


    He was a sharp man. Just now, Cordelia mentioned she was studying for the CPA exam and Jamie


    knew her.


    Ronan wasn''t one for small talk, much less inviting him to dinner for no reason. He must be hinting at


    something.


    Probably warning Cordelia and Jamie.


    Ronan was really ying hardball.


    After dinner, Cordelia and Ronan left.


    Jamie was about to say something to Cordelia but was silenced by a stern look from his father.


    "Are you throwing away your dignity?" Thomas scolded in a low voice.


    Once in the car, Jamie asked Thomas, "Do you know Ronan? How did you meet?"


    "You''re not allowed to see Cordelia anymore. No matter how much you like her. She''s Ronan''s woman


    now." Thomas sternly warned Jamie.


    "But there''s no love between them! They''re bound to break up." Jamie protested.


    "As long as she''s not leaving him, you''re the one who should be seriously punished. Didn''t you get


    Ronan''s hint?"


    "But dad, why are you scared of Ronan?"


    Thomas'' face became frosty, but he remained silent.


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Years ago, when Ronan was studying abroad, Thomas was involved in a scheme against Ronan''s


    father. Later, Ronan got hold of evidence and has been controlling him since. So, even though he was


    a man in his fifties, he had no dignity in front of Ronan.


    In Ronan''s car.


    Cordelia didn''t say a word, looking sick.


    She began to feign sleep, ignoring Ronan.


    She was wondering, why did Ronan choose to host a dinner now?


    mour Hub messaged her on Monday, meaning, by then, Ronan had already nned the dinner.


    That day, Deanna delivered meals to everyone in thepany, specially printing her picture on the


    takeaway bags.


    And she was shooting the drama at the hospital where Cordelia¡¯s mom was.


    Cordelia picked up her phone and immediately messaged Brooklyn, "Did Deanna go to thepany


    on Monday?"


    Soon, Brooklyn replied, "I just subtly asked the reception, they said, she usually goes straight to the


    CEO''s office."


    That made it clear, Deanna must have said something to Ronan.


    Cordelia couldn''t understand, as the CEO of Lumos Enterprises, how could Ronan blindly trust


    Deanna''s words?


    Or was it because Deanna was Ronan''s ideal lover, so he believed whatever she said?


    That day, Cordelia thought Deanna was seriously filming, but she didn''t expect that she had noticed


    Cordelia in the distance.


    She really went to great lengths for this.


    Back home, Cordelia grabbed her duvet and headed for the guest room.


    Today Ronan hadpletely humiliated her.


    "Upset?" Ronan asked Cordelia coldly.


    "What position did you put me in today? If you have something to say, why not ask me directly?"


    Cordelia stood in the living room, full of righteous indignation.


    "Would you tell?" Ronan scoffed.


    "I won''t tell. I''ll just wait for Deanna to tell you. Whatever she says, is the truth!"


    "So it''s not the truth?"


    Cordelia remained silent.


    She was furious. That day, Deanna only saw, she didn''t hear their conversation.


    So, what Deanna conveyed to Ronan was probably just Jamie holding her hand, maybe even adding


    some of her own assumptions.


    As for what Cordelia said, she didn''t hear it, even if she did, she wouldn''t tell Ronan.


    Deanna just wanted to stir up trouble, to make Cordelia divorce as soon as possible!


    "If you dare to have any intimate behavior with other men in the future, I won''t let you off." Ronan''s


    voice was cold as he gave Cordelia the final warning.


    Cordelia was taken aback by the phrase "intimate behavior", she angrily sat on the bed with her duvet.


    "You''re not allowed to sleep in the guest room tonight!"


    Cordelia looked at him with reddened eyes, "You''re a tyrant, possessive, selfish, and inconsiderate!"


    "Want a divorce?" Ronan was smiling, but it wasn''t genuine.


    "Yes, I want to escape from your cage as soon as possible!"


    "Don''t even think about it!"

 Chapter 56

    Chapter 56


    After Ronan vented his rage on Cordelia following his rant, she woke up battered and bruised.


    Cordelia was pissed. She didn''t believe she was at fault, but that Ronan was too quick to believe


    Deanna''s words.


    When she got up, she didn''t utter a word to Ronan but packed a big shopping bag with some of her


    clothes and even sneakily took the marriage certificate.


    She decided she wouldn''t being home that night.


    Then, she hailed a cab to the hospital, not letting Ronan y the chauffeur.


    In the hospital corridor, she ran into Deanna again, who was still on filming.


    Cordelia just stood there.


    Deanna could tell Cordelia wasn''t having a good day but wasn''t sure if it had something to do with


    Ronan.


    After all, she had spilled the beans to Ronan on Monday, so if he was going to blow his top, he should


    have done so by now.


    "Ms. Deanna, I can speak for myself, no need for you to y the messenger. I know you''ve got a thing


    for him, maybe one day, I''ll happily hand him over to you." With that, Cordelia walked away, leaving a


    bunch of bewildered onlookers.


    Being seen as ady of grace and poise, Deanna had to cover for Cordelia, "That''s my sister, she''s a


    bit hot-headed, sorry for the drama, let''s get back to shooting the next scene."


    Deanna watched as Cordelia entered a patient''s room with a cold stare.


    She had seen the room Cordelia''s mom was in before, the patient''s name on the medical card read:


    Shelley.


    Deanna remembered the name.


    ...


    Cordelia decided to stay in her mom''s ward for the day and head back to her dorm room the next day.


    Her mom had a private room with an extra bed forpanions, so she could chat with Trina and


    wouldn''t feel lonely.


    Deanna sent Ronan a message on Messenger, "What''s up with your wife today? She came to the


    hospital asking what I had told you and even mentioned divorcing you and handing over you to me.


    Everyone there wasughing at me, so I had to say she''s my sister."


    Sitting on his couch at home, Ronan''s face icy when he saw the message, a vein in his temple


    noticeably throbbed.


    He told his grandpa that Cordelia wouldn''t being home that night, because she had to care for her


    ailing mother in case her condition suddenly worsened.


    His grandpa was understanding, "That''s understandable, a nurse can''t solve all problems."


    But Ronan''s mind was elsewhere.


    On Monday, as soon as Cordelia started work, her phone began to ring.


    "Come here." It was Ronan''s voice.


    Cordelia was still pissed at Ronan.


    He wanted her toe over, but she defied him, especially since Mondays were always busy.


    After waiting for a while without seeing Cordelia, Ronan decided to call Jordan.


    "Get Cordelia to my office."


    Jordan felt a chill run down his spine, he knew Mr. Evans only asked him because he couldn''t get her


    himself. If Jordan couldn''t get her either, it would be his fault.


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    "Cordelia, Mr. Evans wants you in his office." Jordan cautiously said to Cordelia.


    "I''m working on this ount." Cordelia was fully focused on theplex ount in front of her.


    Jordan felt headache, and he called Ronan to tell him Cordelia was busy with an ount.


    Ronan took a deep breath, trying to control his temper, "Tell her, if she doesn''te, she won''t get the


    money!"


    Jordan didn''t understand, he thought it was a joke.


    As the Chief Financial Officer, he was unexpectedly ying messenger on a Monday morning.


    He ryed the message to Cordelia, who was clearly taken aback. She marked the ount she was


    working on and headed to Ronan''s office.


    Cordelia knew that the "money" Ronan referred to was the agreed-upon bnce payment of $500,000.


    She had put in so much effort. She couldn''t just give up now, could she?


    Buying aputer didn''t put a dent in her pocket, she wasn''t short on cash now, but she wasn''t willing


    to let go!


    After all, the $500,000 was agreed upon beforehand.


    She knocked on the door of Ronan''s office.

 Chapter 57

    Chapter 57


    "Come in." Ronan''s icy invitation ushered Cordelia into his office.


    Cordelia stood quietly in the center of Ronan''s office, her eyes downcast.


    Ronan leaned back in his chair, sizing up Cordelia.


    "Is my influence not worth as much as money?" Ronan¡¯s sarcasm was obvious.


    "Mr. Evans, if there¡¯s something you want to say, spit it out. I''m busy." Cordelia replied coldly.


    "I seem to be missing some items at my ce. Did you happen to see them?"


    Cordelia furrowed her brows slightly, looking up at Ronan. What was he trying to imply? Was he


    using her of theft?


    "What''s missing from your ce?" Cordelia¡¯s voice was tinged with anger.


    "Did you take our marriage certificate? If you didn''t take it, then we have a thief, and I need to call the


    police." Ronan said, seemingly serious.


    Cordelia''s heart eased a little. So he wasn¡¯t using her. But she was worried Ronan would actually


    call the police, so she admitted, "I took it."


    "Oh? And what do you n to do with it? nning to take control of the divorce?"


    "Yes," Cordelia responded.


    Ronan startedughing, as if mocking Cordelia''s naivety, "You do know that a divorce is only valid with


    both parties present, right?"


    "I know!"


    "So, how were you nning to hand me over to Deanna? Because you have the marriage certificate?"


    Ronan looked straight at Cordelia.


    His gaze was sharp, like he could see right through Cordelia.


    Cordelia''s heart was pounding. She was a mess, feeling like she had been sold out.


    Why did Deanna tell Ronan everything? And why did Ronan believe it all?


    Seeing Cordelia¡¯s helpless and angry look, Ronan seemed to read her mind. "It seems you really did


    say these things."


    Cordelia wasn¡¯t a liar. She couldn¡¯t deny what she had said.


    "If you get caught saying things like this again, be careful, I might punish you!"


    Cordelia thought to herself: What kind of punishment? In bed, I suppose? How else could you punish


    me?


    "If there''s nothing else, I''ll be leaving." Cordelia''s previous arrogance was gone.


    Ronan was a master at negotiation. He knew how to corner Cordelia, making her feel very


    ufortable.


    That night, she returned to her dorm room, carefully opened her suitcase, and checked Logan''s diary.


    Everything was fine. She ced the marriage certificate on top of Logan''s diary.


    Just then, Brooklyn burst into Cordelia''s room, "Cordelia, you''re back? I just opened the door and it


    was unlocked, I knew it was you."


    Cordelia wanted to cover it up, but it was toote, Brooklyn had seen.


    "You''re married?" Brooklyn was shocked, picking up the marriage certificate from the diary.


    Ronan, Cordelia.


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    Brooklyn couldn''t believe it. She knew Cordelia and Ronan were living together, but she never thought


    they were married.


    Wasn''t Ronan supposed to marry someone of equal social standing?


    Brooklyn had even thought that Mr. Evans would marry Deanna, and that he was just temporarily


    attracted to Cordelia''s youth and beauty.


    Unable to hide it any longer, Cordelia confessed, "Don''t tell anyone, keep it a secret."


    She didn''t mention anything about their agreement to have a marriage of convenience, because if she


    did, she would breach the agreement and have to pay a penalty.


    "Don''t you trust me?" Brooklyn thumped her chest, "Why are you living in the dorm again? Had a fight


    with him?"


    "Don''t even mention it," Cordelia locked her suitcase and put it in the closet, "He suspected something


    between me and Jamie, and set a trap for us."


    "He found out about you two?" Brooklyn''s face was full of curiosity.


    "Absolutely not! There''s nothing between me and Jamie, he''s just imagining things." Cordelia quickly


    exined.


    "Then he must be really in love with you!" Brooklyn looked envious, "I can''t even imagine what Mr.


    Evans, who''s always so noble, wise and sharp-eyed, would look like when he''s jealous?"


    "Not at all." Cordelia scoffed, "That''s his possessiveness, not jealousy. He absolutely can¡¯t stand


    something that has his mark on it being touched by another man."


    "You''ve been marked by him? Where? Where?" Brooklyn pretended to sniff around Cordelia, "Oh, I get


    it. He''s marked you physically, hasn''t he, Cordelia?"


    Cordelia''s face turned red instantly, "Get lost!"

 Chapter 58

    Chapter 58


    Cordelia hit the sack in her dorm tonight.


    Ronan didn''t text or call, which left Cordelia on pins and needles, clueless about what he was thinking.


    The next day at work, the Training Center dropped a bombshell, "Friday''s training session has been


    moved to today, with Mr. Evans taking the reins. He''ll be diving into corporate crisis management. Be


    there or be square."


    The Training Center set up a chat group specifically for ¡°Lumos Star¡±, which also included other


    instructors and top dogs. Of course, Ronan was in the mix.


    Ronan''s session was supposed to be next month, so why the sudden change of ns to today?


    His thoughts were always a tough nut to crack and Cordelia couldn''t make heads or tails of it. If it


    doesn''t make sense, then don''t rack your brains over it.


    Brooklyn sent Cordelia a message, "Are we going this afternoon?"


    Cordelia wanted to avoid Ronan like the gue. She decided she couldn''t give a damn about him


    anymore.


    "Nope," Cordelia replied.


    "Your beef with him shouldn''t get in the way of your job."


    "I don''t want to see him."


    "Like it or not, he''s your hubby. You and Mr. Evans tied the knot, so not showing up will leave your


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    husband in the lurch. Will he be ticked off?"


    Brooklyn must''ve been juggling too many chats and dropped the ball, identally posting her message


    in the training group instead.


    Cordelia was also working and figured Brooklyn hadn''t seen her message since she didn''t respond, so


    she didn¡¯t sweat it.


    Until a coworker nudged Brooklyn and asked with wide eyes, "Cordelia and Mr. Evans got hitched?"


    Brooklyn''s eyes popped, "How''d you know?"


    "Didn''t you say so?" the coworker held up her phone.


    Brooklyn tried to recall the message, but it was toote.


    Brooklyn knew she''d stepped in it and felt majorly awkward.


    There were over twenty people in the training group, and Cordelia was the only person from the


    Finance Department. She was a bit slow on the uptake, but the news about her spread like wildfire.


    By the time everyone was gossiping about "Mrs. Evans", Cordelia had a lightbulb moment: Who are


    they talking about?


    Until Brooklyn awkwardly said, "Cordelia, you might wanna check the training group chatting."


    Cordelia thought: It''s just an afternoon training session, what''s the big deal? But when she opened the


    group chat, she was gobsmacked.


    "Recall it."


    "Toote now, punish me," Brooklyn sent a crying face emoji.


    Cordelia thought, "I''m screwed. He specifically asked for our marriage to be hush-hush, now the cat''s


    out of the bag and the wholepany knows. What''s he gonna do to me?"


    Ronan was also in the training group, no clue if he saw it or not.


    Coworkers were chirping about, "Cordelia''s pback game is strong this time, not letting Deanna off


    the hook, first getting the boss to swap the microwave, now dropping the marriage bombshell. She¡¯s a


    piece of work."


    "Of course, Deanna is a strong rival, but it looks like her status is hanging by a thread."


    It seemed like they wanted Cordelia to overhear, not mincing their words.


    "Shush, she''s Mrs. Evans now. Let''s zip it or we''ll be in hot waterter."


    ......


    Cordelia originally nned to skip the training, but considering she''d stirred up a ho''s nest, she


    wanted to gauge Ronan''s reaction.


    In the afternoon, under everyone''s watchful eyes, Cordelia showed up in the training room.


    She didn''t snag a seat in the front row, opting for the back row instead.


    "This is all on you, you''vended me in hot water," Cordelia berated Brooklyn.


    Brooklyn looked helpless, "I have no idea how it ended up in the training group. It was an honest


    mistake. We were chatting when the group message popped up, I didn''t look closely."


    Ronan took the stage, fired up hisptop, and got the ball rolling.


    All eyes were on Cordelia in the back row, who kept her head down.


    Ronan looked suave, tall andmanding, all business while teaching.


    Throughout the session, Cordelia tried to read his poker face for any signs of his mood, but it was a lost


    cause.


    After the session, Ronan assigned homework.


    "There''s someone who initially didn''t want to see me, but ultimately showed respect and decided to


    attend ss. Whateveres next, I believe this individual knows the drill. Tomorrow, please hand in


    your assignment to me directly."


    Ronan wasughing, but it was far from warm or sincere, his eyes were as cold as ice.


    He was being sarcastic, telling that person: challenge epted.


    All eyes were on Cordelia.


    They also cottoned onto something: Mr. Evans saw Brooklyn''s message, but didn''t dispute it. So,


    Ronan and Cordelia must''ve really gotten married.


    Cordelia wished she could crawl into a hole. Her mind was in turmoil, thinking, ¡°I''m done for.¡±

 Chapter 59

    Chapter 59


    Tonight, Cordelia originally nned to stay in her dorm room.


    However, she spilled the beans about getting married, which is a breach of contract that requires a


    penalty. So instead of receiving half a million dors, she might have to return the money she


    previously received.


    Facing the current situation, all she could do was apologizing to Ronan.


    Ronan walked up to his car, seeing Cordelia standing by it.


    He paused, "What''s the deal, Ms. Haselwood?"


    "Mr. Evans, I spentst night in my mom''s ward. The caregiver was too busy and, as a daughter, I had


    to help out, right?" Cordelia awkwardlyughed.


    "So?" Ronan took out a cigarette, leaning against the car door while smoking.


    "I don''t want Barney to worry, so I''ming home with you now."


    "Do you take the Evans family for granted? Come and go as you please, without saying a word?"


    Even if Cordelia had a thousand rebuttals waiting, this time she was wrong.


    She vited the agreement, which might lead to a considerable loss, as Ronan has the final say in


    interpreting the contract.


    She lowered her gaze to her feet, not saying a word, looking somewhat innocent.


    Ronan was smoking, looking at her, "You going back just like that seems a bit childish, don''t you think?


    You should at least make a vow, like no more leaving without notice."


    Cordelia thought for a moment, raising one hand, "I swear, if I ever want to leave the Evans family, I


    must inform Mr. Evans in advance and only leave with his consent."


    "Also."


    "Also what?" Cordelia looked puzzled.


    "Don''t go around flirting with men."


    "I didn''t." Cordelia was a bit nervous. Did he have to use the word "flirt"?


    Ronan put out his cigarette, threw it on the ground, and turned to get in the car.


    This meant "no further discussion."


    "Mr. Evans," Cordelia stepped forward to stop Ronan, "I swear, I won''t flirt with other men."


    Cordelia felt somewhat self-deprecating saying the word "flirt", but she had no other choice.


    "Get in."


    Only then did Cordelia let out a long sigh of relief.


    "What about the marriage certificate? Not nning to return it?" Ronan asked Cordelia.


    "The marriage certificate? It''s in my dorm room."


    Ronan took out his phone and called Emily, the HR Department Director, asking her to vacate the dorm


    room Cordelia was staying in, room 1507, and arrange for a new person to move in.


    Upon hearing this, Cordelia panicked. It was so unexpected. She just took out the marriage certificate


    and didn''t do anything else, and now she was losing her dorm room.


    Ronan didn''t mind everyone knowing about his marriage. He took things as them came.


    "Yes, she''s married, so she doesn''t need the dorm room anymore," Ronan was still on the phone with


    the HR Director. "Don''t bother to inform her separately, she''s in my car, and I''m going with her to pack


    up."


    After hanging up, he turned to Cordelia, "There will be a new person to live in your dorm room instead


    of you, so go pack up your stuff."


    Cordelia wore a look of resignation.


    The car left the parking lot, stopping at the dorm building across from thepany.


    Cordelia went to her room like a lost puppy.


    Seeing Cordelia return, Brooklyn asked anxiously, "Did he do anything to you?"


    Cordelia frowned, stuffing all her belongings into her suitcase, "I lost my dorm room. He told me to


    move out, and you''re going to have a new roommate."


    Brooklyn sat on the bed, annoyed at her own mistake and anxious about the new person. She didn''t


    know if she would be easy to get along with.


    "I told you before, arguing with him will get you nowhere," Brooklyn said.


    Cordelia felt the truth of the words, but said nothing.


    Back at Pearl Palms, Cordelia went to her room to do homework.


    Ronan was leaning against the headboard reading, and Cordelia ran into a problem so she took her


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    book and went to ask him.


    "Mr. Evans, I can''t figure out this problem, can you exin it to me?" Cordelia went to Ronan, bending


    down, ready to learn humbly.


    "How to handle a PR crisis? Haven''t I already exined this? You didn''t sleep in ss, why don''t you


    understand?" Ronan looked at Cordelia with a slight frown.


    He really knew how to kick a girl when she''s down.


    He stepped on Cordelia''s dignity and hurt her feelings over and over again, even settling old scores.


    The light from behind shone on Cordelia''s face, making herplexion rosy. Her ears looked


    transparent under the light.


    She gently licked her lips, not daring to look at Ronan who was seriously staring at the book, "Could


    you help exin it to me?"


    "What''s in it for me?" Ronan''s gazended straight on her face.


    "Um, what do you want?" Cordelia held back her anger.


    "Serve me well tonight. You''ve been driving me crazy these past few days."


    After a while, she licked her lips, "Alright."


    Only then did Ronan exin in detail.

 Chapter 60

    Chapter 60


    Cordelia had been staying in the Evans'' house for quite a few days. Until one day, Ronan dropped the


    news that his grandpa''s birthday was a few days toe.


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Does your grandpa''s birthday call for a big bash? What do I need to do?" Cordelia asked, all serious-


    like.


    "Grandpa isn''t one for showy stuff so it''ll just be us three celebrating."


    Cordelia checked the calendar and saw that the day fell on a Sunday.


    On Friday night, she hit the mall and ordered a massage bed for Barney, nning to give him a


    surprise on Sunday.


    She also nned to cook up a feast on Barney''s birthday.


    However, Ronan kept her upte on Saturday night, and being young and fond of sleeping in, she


    didn''t roll out of bed until 10 a.m. on Sunday.


    Still half-asleep, she stood at the top of the stairs and saw Barney sitting in the living room with some


    leftover pizza on the table.


    Cordelia figured it was the work of the house help.


    When she descended the stairs, she saw Deanna, apron-d and in slippers, bringing out a dish of fish


    from the kitchen.


    "Woke up thiste?Did you forget Barney''s birthday?" Deanna teased Cordelia.


    Cordelia wanted to exin that she hadn''t forgotten, but she just woke up and hadn''t done anything


    yet.


    "Grandpa," Cordelia started, feeling guilty for sleeping in, apologizing to Barney.


    Barney chuckled gently, "It''s okay if De forgot my birthday, it''s only the first year."


    Cordelia thought about how Barney was getting up there in years, there might not be a second year, let


    alone a third.


    But she had missed most of this all-important birthday this year.


    Thinking about this, Cordelia felt her heart sink.


    "It''s okay, I know you meant well. Don''t beat yourself up about it. Finish up the pizza, you haven''t had


    breakfast, you must be starving. I understand," Barney said kindly.


    Cordelia knew what Barney meant. The tears welling up in her eyes didn''t fall, she just said shyly,


    "Grandpa, thank you."


    Just then, Deanna came out of the kitchen with another dish, seeing the closeness between Cordelia


    and Barney, and hearing their conversation, a hint of displeasure crossed her face.


    But being an actress, she quickly put on a smile.


    "Where''s my husband?" Cordelia looked around, not seeing Ronan.


    She deliberately said "my husband" loud enough for Deanna to hear.


    Cordelia knew Deanna was always stirring the pot, not only had she spread rumors that Cordelia''s


    umbre was a fake, she spilled the beans to Ronan about Cordelia and Jamie, and thest time she


    said "she would give Ronan to her".


    "Your husband? He went out to get me some cooking ingredients. We ran out at home," when Deanna


    mentioned Ronan, it sounded like she was saying "my husband".


    "Oh," sensing something off in Deanna''s tone, Cordelia responded coolly.


    "I made tasty food for Barney this morning. I''m preparing your dishes now, it''ll be ready soon," Deanna


    returned to the kitchen with a look like she owned the ce.


    Cordelia looked at the feast on the table: tomato beef brisket, pumpkin soup, pasta, approximately


    twenty dishes in total.


    All of these should have been prepared by Cordelia.


    Deanna was probably trying to belittle Cordelia by doing all these.


    The massage bed Cordelia ordered had arrived and the delivery guys were moving it into Barney''s


    room.


    Barney was thrilled, "Whatever De buys, I like. I like anything De buys."


    Cordelia smiled too.


    "Did you just order this for Barney? You woke upte, but you managed to make amends just in time,"


    Deanna joked.


    She meant that Cordelia actually forgot Barney''s birthday and just hastily ordered a birthday gift for


    him.


    Cordelia knew Deanna was up to something, but she didn''t want to argue with her, especially since


    Barney wasn''t fond of Deanna anyway.


    When Ronan came back, he went into the kitchen and put down the ingredients.


    Seeing Ronan dust-covered, Deanna said, "Look at you, you''re all dusty, let me dust you off."


    Then, Deanna picked up her apron, one hand on Ronan''s shoulder, and started dusting him off.


    Cordelia saw this but pretended not to. Inside, though, she felt a pang of jealousy.


    But she knew it wasn''t her ce to say anything.

 Chapter 61

    Chapter 61


    What was supposed to be a birthday celebration for three turned into a gathering for four.


    Deanna had a big cake made for Barney and also put a birthday hat on him.


    The doorbell rang and the maid went to answer it, only to find an unwee guest - Adrian.


    Cordelia''s face turned pale at the sight of Adrian. She realized that he had tried to ckmail Ronan


    before and failed, so this visit must be premeditated.


    "What are you doing here?" Cordelia asked.


    "I''m your brother, and it''s your husband''s grandpa''s birthday. We''re all family, shouldn''t I be here?


    Happy birthday, Barney." Adrian handed a bouquet of flowers to Barney.


    Cordelia knew Adrian was up to no good and remained on high alert.


    Ronan understood Adrian''s intentions too, but chose to remain aloof due to Barney''s presence.


    "De, who is this?" Barney asked Cordelia.


    "Oh, I''m Adrian, Cordelia''s brother. You were resting when I visitedst time." Adrian casually took a


    seat at the dining table.


    "Oh, I see. Ronan, why didn''t you introduce him?" Barney asked Ronan.


    Deanna sat on the side enjoying the drama. She originally intended to mess with Cordelia and Ronan''s


    rtionship today.


    But seeing Adrian''s attitude, she suspected he was up to no good.


    "Don''t me Ronan. After all, they''re in a contract marriage, we shouldn''t havee in the first ce."


    Adrian said, "The contract marriage was told to me by my sister, right, Cordelia?"


    The table fell silent.


    Cordelia kept her head down eating, her face pale.


    She had never mentioned the contract marriage to Adrian, how did he know?


    "Oh? What''s this about a contract marriage?" Deanna asked, starting to y along with Adrian.


    Deanna had already noticed Cordelia''s pale face.


    "Cordelia, why don''t you exin?" Adrian turned his gaze to Cordelia.


    His meaning was clear. If Cordelia was smart and gave him money, he would keep his mouth shut. But


    if Cordelia was stubborn, he wouldn''t keep the secret. He figured Cordelia had a good rtionship with


    Barney, so she wouldn''t disregard his feelings.


    Adrian was cunning, choosing this moment wisely. Any hesitation from Cordelia, and Barney would


    know.


    "Contract marriage? I''m pregnant now, does that count as a contract marriage?" Cordelia lifted her


    head and said with a smile, "ording to your understanding, my husband and I got married and


    divorced based on contracts, you probably think we''re trying to deceive grandpa. But now we''re having


    a child, who would the child belong to if we divorced? Given my husband''s character, you tried to


    ckmail himst time and failed, and you''re here again, you should be able to tell what kind of person


    he is. If it was a contract marriage, would he let me keep the child? Would I be so stupid to get divorced


    and still have the child? Besides, I''m going to be an ountant in the future. I would never lose myself


    over some petty cash. Getting divorced and having a child, why would I choose that?"


    This caused a stir, and also brought up Adrian''s attempted ckmailst time.


    The implication was that Adrian was trying to ckmail again, and what he said couldn''t be trusted.


    Cordelia was furious with Adrian, on one hand, because Adrian was her brother and he wanted to end


    this marriage, which Cordelia would absolutely not allow. On the other hand, it was because of Barney.


    Cordelia hoped he could live a long life. How heartbroken would he be if he knew his beloved De


    was not the granddaughter-inw he had been hoping for?


    Deanna''s face turned awkward. She was pregnant?


    Ronan was originally nning to ask Adrian "how much money he needed to stop talking nonsense",


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    but he saw that Cordelia''s responses were spot-on.


    Now he''s just quietly watching like Deanna.


    "You''re pregnant? Why didn''t you tell me?" Ronan looked at Cordelia gently.


    Cordelia didn''t know how much of Ronan''s "gentleness" was real and how much was fake, but he was


    ying along well.


    "Humph, it''s all your fault." Cordelia pretended to me Ronan and turned her head to the side.


    Ronan thought to himself, ¡°Apparently, Cordelia is a better actress than Deanna.¡±


    "Why is it my fault?" Ronan wanted to see what Cordelia was up to.


    "Pregnancy, if just saying, I can do it too." Adrian looked at Cordelia, he knew his sister was smart from


    a young age, he wondered what idea she came up with this time.


    Cordelia pouted her lips, ming Ronan, "We had a fight a few days ago, I wanted to go back to the


    dorm, but you brought me back from the dorm and gave my dorm to someone else, insisting that I


    get to see my pregnancy test results."


    Ronan finally understood, Cordelia wanted to take this opportunity to get her dorm back.


    All her stuff was already brought back, there was nothing in the dorm, but Ronan couldn''t expose it


    now.


    Cordelia was actually taking advantage of the situation, even at this critical moment, she remembered


    this.


    "Do you really want to separate from me?" Ronan looked angry.


    "If you make me angry again, I''ll go live in the dorm and won''t share a bed with you." Cordelia looked


    like a spoiled child, "Call quickly, don''t let the HR director assign the dorm to someone else."


    Ronan had no choice but to call the HR director.


    But in Adrian and Deanna''s eyes, it seemed like Cordelia and Ronan were unting their rtionship.

 Chapter 62

    Chapter 62


    Ronan started dialing a number.


    "Did you give Cordelia''s room to someone else?" Ronan asked, his voice carrying a hint of pressure.


    He purposely switched to speakerphone, not just to let Adrian hear, but also to reassure his grandpa.


    "Not yet, do you want to return the room to her?" Ms. Emily''s voice was gentle.


    "Yes, Cordelia''s stuff is still in the room, so let''s keep it for her."


    "Alright, Mr. Evans." Ms. Emily ended the call.


    Hearing this, Adrian and Deanna looked disappointed. It seemed the previous story about Ronan


    kicking Cordelia out of the dorm was true.


    Adrian was still puzzled. Were they really not in a sham marriage?


    "That''s settled then. I''ll get Brooklyn to bring over my pregnancy test results." Cordelia said casually,


    then started fiddling with her phone.


    "Aren''t you going to call her?" Ronan asked, not just for Cordelia, but also for Adrian and Deanna to


    hear.


    "If I call, you''d hear where I left my stuff, wouldn''t you? I don''t want you to know."


    Cordelia nced at Barney, who was grinning from ear to ear.


    He probably thought Adrian was just talking nonsense. And he was already excited about bing a


    great-grandpa. Such is life''s joy, huh?


    Cordelia felt a pang of sadness. What if Barney found out it was all a lie? How heartbroken would he


    be?


    Cordelia quickly texted a ssmate: Victoria.


    Victoria was an obstetrician.


    Victoria, Brooklyn, and Cordelia were close friends in college. But since Cordelia and Brooklyn worked


    at the samepany, they hung out more often.


    [Victoria, I need your help. Can you create a pregnancy test report for me? Three weeks pregnant. I''ll


    have Brooklyn pick it up at the hospital.]


    [nning a shotgun wedding?]


    [Hurry, Brooklyn will be at the hospital in ten minutes.]


    The other party didn''t ask any more questions, just replied with a "Sure."


    Soon, Victoria issued the report and sent a snapshot to Cordelia.


    Cordelia replied: [Brooklyn will pick it up right away.]


    Victoria asked again: [Can you tell me what''s going on? I heard from Brooklyn that you married with


    yourpany''s Mr. Evans. Are you trying to avoid a mistress by pretending pregnant?]


    Cordelia didn''t have time to answer, hastily sending a message to Brooklyn: [If you have time now,


    could you please go to the hospital and get a pregnancy test report from Victoria? Bring it to Pearl


    Palms. Big reward.]


    [Are you pregnant?]


    [I''ll tell youter, it''s urgent now. Big reward.]


    [I''m leaving now, don''t forget my big reward.]


    After sending the message, Cordelia finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    "That''s settled, my roommate will bring my pregnancy test report. Let''s eat first." Cordelia acted


    nonchntly, silently praying for Brooklyn to hurry and for nothing to go wrong.


    Both Deanna and Adrian were suspicious. Adrian wanted money, Deanna wanted to confirm if the two


    were in a "sham marriage". However, they didn''t expect Cordelia to actually be pregnant!


    Ronan kept ncing at Cordelia. He knew she was no ordinary woman. Now, she remained calm


    under pressure, lying with ease. Even he started to question whether she was really pregnant.


    It took about forty-five minutes for Brooklyn to arrive.


    She looked around Ronan''s house, continuously praising how luxurious it was.


    Cordelia pped the pregnancy test on Ronan''s table.


    Ronan nced at it, the date was a week ago.


    He looked at Cordelia with a slight frown. So, she really was pregnant?


    Deanna also looked at the pregnancy test. As an actress, she could easily identify real from fake props.


    But this pregnancy test was clearly not fake, and even came with an ultrasound report in a medical


    bag.


    Deanna''s face turned pale. She wanted to get rid of Cordelia.


    But Cordelia was embarrassed to let Barney see the pregnancy test, because she knew it was fake.


    "I''m going to be an uncle?" Adrian originally nned to expose their agreement marriage, and take


    advantage of Cordelia, but he ended up shooting himself in the foot.


    "So, aren''t you going to give me a gift?" Cordelia boldly extended her hand towards Adrian.


    Adrian''s face turned awkward, but he didn''t dare to be stingy in front of Barney. The fact that Cordelia


    was pregnant was undeniable. He pulled out five hundred dors from his pocket and handed it to


    Cordelia.


    He originally nned to take advantage of Cordelia, but he ended up being taken advantage of by her,


    and even had to pay her.


    He left dejectedly.


    Not long after, Deanna also left disappointedly.


    Barney spoke a lot to Cordelia, and even instructed the servants to prepare more delicious food for her.


    Then, Barney went for a nap.


    Brooklyn and Cordelia chatted for a bit downstairs.


    Cordelia informed her that she had reimed her dorm from Ronan.


    "Really? How''d you do that?" Brooklyn was also excited. She didn''t like sharing a room with others.


    "Just outsmarted him."


    "Hmph, Mr. Evans just let you off easy. You think you can outsmart him? He''s so smart." Brooklyn


    scoffed at Cordelia''s words.


    Cordelia nodded in agreement, but then she thought, how smart could Ronan be in front of grandpa?


    Brooklyn said, "Okay, go ahead. Mr. Evans is waiting for you upstairs. Don''t forget my generous


    reward."


    "Sure, I''ll transfer the money to you." Cordelia said, then started transferring money to Brooklyn.


    Brooklyn happily epted it, then left.


    Once the house had quietened down, Cordelia let out a long sigh of relief, still a bit shaken. If they''d


    slipped up even a bit, grandpa would have found out their marriage was a sham, which would''ve been


    a massive blow for him. Thankfully, she''d managed to think on her feet.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Cordelia headed upstairs to the bedroom, where Ronan was already waiting for her.

 Chapter 63

    Chapter 63


    Ronan was changing his clothes in the bedroom.


    He nced at the pregnancy test and ultrasound results on the table. They looked so real it could fool


    anyone.


    His hand paused, his thoughts drifting.


    Cordelia walked in. She no longer had the exaggerated and coquettish expression she had downstairs.


    She looked exhausted, flopping onto the bed as soon as she entered. The struggle was over, she took


    a deep breath.


    Yet, a more pressing matter was on the table: now that she was "pregnant", how was she going to


    "terminate" the pregnancy sessfully.


    ¡°Thank God grandpa didn''t suspect anything. I was afraid he might get upset,¡± Cordelia seemed to


    mutter to herself.


    ¡°Are you really pregnant?¡± He asked Cordelia, his voice as serious and calm as usual.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Cordelia opened her eyes, looking at Ronan who was five steps away. ¡°Why are you asking


    this? Don¡¯t you know whether I¡¯m pregnant or not?¡±


    Ronan always took precautions. She was probably referring to this.


    He also knew that it would be easy for her to forge a pregnancy test.


    Still, for the first time, Ronan had a flicker of hope: what if? Condoms aren¡¯t 100% reliable.


    ¡°Who did this report for you?¡± Ronan asked, realizing her meaning was ¡°not pregnant¡±, his mood


    sinking a little.


    ¡°My ssmate Victoria. She, Brooklyn, and I, we¡¯re besties, like a solid triangle,.¡± Cordelia said.


    ¡°Oh?¡± Ronan looked at Cordelia, relieved, a bit annoyed. ¡°Besties? What role do you y in this


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    rtionship?¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± Cordelia¡¯s eyes sparkled as she reminisced about her school days. ¡°I''m the sharpest character.¡±


    She even made a triangle with her hands.


    ¡°I see. You''re so sharp it hurts,¡± Ronan said.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Cordelia was a bit puzzled by his words.


    Cordelia sensed something off about Ronan''s tone. Today was Barney''s birthday and they just got


    through a tough situation. Shouldn''t he be happy? Why was he so moody?


    ¡°Did I do something wrong?¡± Cordelia felt a bit wronged. ¡°Are you upset because I told my brother the


    truth about our marriage? I didn''t tell him voluntarily, he guessed it. Telling him onlynds me in trouble.


    If I tell anyone, our agreement would be terminated. What''s in it for me?¡±


    Ronan didn''t answer. But that night, he took out his frustration on Cordelia.


    Tears welled up in Cordelia''s eyes as she asked, ¡°What¡¯s this about? Are you upset because I hurt


    Deanna''s feelings by saying I was pregnant?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I''m upset! But not about that.¡±


    ¡°Then what are you upset about?¡± Cordelia thought: anyway, it¡¯s definitely not about me.


    Ronan seemed lost in desire, he didn''t answer, just kept kissing Cordelia''s neck.


    By Monday, the wholepany was talking about Cordelia''s pregnancy.


    When she went to the pantry to get coffee, a colleague kindly suggested, ¡°Cordelia, coffee isn¡¯t good


    for you, switch to milk or water.¡±


    When Cordelia returned to her desk, she found a new, thick cushion on her chair.


    Everyone avoided Cordelia, afraid to identally touch her and cause a scene.


    Cordelia was surprised.


    Only Brooklyn knew the truth. Cordelia asked Brooklyn, "Did you tell everyone in thepany?"


    "No, a colleague just asked where I was on Sunday, I said I went to deliver something to you. She


    asked, you went to Mr. Evans¡¯ house? For what? I saw Deanna at your house that day, so I said I was


    delivering your pregnancy test. This way, if Deanna bothers Mr. Evans again, people will know she''s


    destroying a family with a child. If Mr. Evans responds in any way, it would be considered infidelity.


    Once this gets out on the inte, they¡¯re done. Tell me, wasn''t I brilliant?¡±


    "You''re such a big mouth," Cordelia replied.


    "I''m not, my colleague is."


    Brooklyn knew Cordelia''s pregnancy was a sham. Her grand gesture might cause trouble for Cordelia.


    After some time, if Cordelia''s belly doesn''t grow, they would say Cordelia faked her pregnancy to win


    favor. Then, the one exposed on the inte wouldn''t be Deanna, but her.


    Cordelia was frustrated, thinking: how am I going to exin this? Won''t I turn out to be a big liar?


    Thepany seemed to be ttering her, but in reality, they were ttering Ronan''s "offspring", or


    rather, they were indirectly ttering Ronan.


    Cordelia understood this.


    She told Adrian the truth in an opposite way on that day: contractual marriage, having a child was a big


    hassle. She was still young and wanted to be a CPA in the future. How was she going to apply for


    a job with a child? How was she going to get married again?


    Moreover, Cordelia felt that Ronan was very indifferent to this matter. He definitely wouldn''t help


    Cordelia find a way to "abort".


    The director of the Training Center sent a notice, "From now on, the Lumos Star training on every


    Friday will be changed to Monday, and this week is still Mr. Evans'' ss. Everyone, submit the


    homework Mr. Evans assignedst time to the group."


    Brooklyn sent a message to Cordelia, "Mr. Evans again."


    Cordelia frowned slightly, thinking: doesn''t he get tired of lecturing all the time?


    Twenty-some homework assignments were submitted in the group one after another.


    Nobody dared not to do the homework assigned by the CEO.


    ss started, Cordelia and Brooklyn sat in thest row.


    Ronan was lecturing on the stage. He said he had to go on a business trip the week after next, so he


    was giving the lecture this week. He just assigned homeworkst week, afraid that people would forget.


    "Where is he going on a business trip?" Brooklyn asked Cordelia.


    "How should I know, it could''ve been a spur of the moment thing."


    Ronan began critiquing the previous assignment, the crisis PR one, which was super crucial.


    "Only Cordelia did a qualified job on this assignment, everyone else, do it again!" Ronan was dead


    serious.


    All these trainees were cream of the crop, yet in Ronan''s eyes, they were all greenhorns.


    The atmosphere in the training room turned a few degrees cooler.


    "You''ve got some solid upbringing there. We''re not all that lucky." Brooklyn seemed a bit bummed.


    "Cut the crap." To her surprise, Cordelia found herself a bit ttered.


    Her eyes twinkled as she looked up at Ronan.


    Coincidentally, Ronan''s gaze met hers and Cordelia quickly looked away.

 Chapter 64

    Chapter 64


    "Why are you so chipper?" Ronan asked Cordelia on their way home in the evening.


    Cordelia broke out into a satisfiedugh.


    "You praised me for the first time, of course, I''m thrilled." She couldn''t hide her joy.


    "You''re reading too much into it." Ronan smirked slightly.


    "Why is that?"


    "I don''t want people thinking I''m not treating my wife right." Ronan said nonchntly.


    Cordelia turned her gaze to the window, ignoring Ronan. He always had a knack for putting a damper


    on things.


    "Where are you going on your business trip?" Cordelia asked Ronan, "Why didn''t you tell me sooner?"


    "I''m going back to Birchwood, and don''t spill the beans to grandpa."


    "Why wouldn''t you tell him about your trip?" Cordelia looked at Ronan surprised.


    "Just don''t, tell him it''s for work."


    "Isn''t it for work?"


    Ronan didn''t answer, he simply looked straight ahead, silent.


    ¡°Fine, be that way!¡± Cordelia thought angrily.


    Cordelia had spent another three weeks with the Evans family without any issues. To her surprise,


    Barney''s health wasn''t getting worse, it was actually improving. He would go for walks every morning,


    asionally swim, and was very careful with his diet. He was full of determination and resolve to fight


    his illness.


    Sometimes, Cordelia would apany Barney on his walks or swims.


    She once told him, "Grandpa, I admire your courage and optimism in fighting your illness."


    Barney just smiled.


    Cordelia felt that Barney was full of energy because he had something to look forward to.


    How disappointed would he be if he found out she wasn''t really pregnant?


    During those twenty-something days, Cordelia even pretended to go for a check-up.


    Finally, Ronan left for his business trip.


    To her surprise, on the first day of his trip, Deanna invited Cordelia out for a meal.


    She called Cordelia.


    Because of Deanna''s past provocations, Cordelia didn''t have a high opinion of her, so she decided not


    to go.


    "Do you know what Ronan is up to?" Deanna asked over the phone.


    Cordelia was puzzled. She had asked Ronan why he was going on a business trip several times, but


    he never told her.


    It seemed Deanna knew. Cordelia could even hear the smugness in her voice.


    "Of course, I know, Ms. Deanna, no need to rub it in." Cordelia retorted, fearing that if she went out to


    eat, Deanna might set her up with a bunch of men, takepromising photos of her, and expose her to


    everyone in Millstone.


    "Don''t make me out to be the bad guy, Ms. Haselwood. It will be someone''s death anniversary soon. I


    wanted to discuss it with you."


    Cordelia thought it was not Ronan¡¯s grandma''s death anniversary. If it was, Ronan wouldn''t have kept it


    from his grandpa. So, who could it be?


    Driven by curiosity, Cordelia wanted to see what Deanna was up to.


    Deanna invited Cordelia to the most romantic spot in Millstone, Sweet Serenade.


    When Cordelia arrived, Deanna was already there, dressed in ck, looking conservative.


    Cordelia found it odd, Deanna was known for her sexy and bright image, why was she in ck today?


    "Cordelia, you are here?" Deanna asked.


    She always addressed her as "Cordelia".


    "What do you want? I''m afraid you''ll secretly photograph me if I''m seen with you." Cordelia looked


    around cautiously.


    Deanna chuckled, "Cordelia, you''re hrious. This ce is for members only, the membership fee is


    $100,000 a year, and those paparazzi can''t get in."


    "What do you want?" Cordelia asked, a bit nervously, hoping to get to the point.


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Do you know why I''m wearing ck today?"


    "I have no idea." Cordelia shook her head, bewildered.


    "Because tomorrow is my father''s death anniversary."


    Cordelia''s mind went nk, that exined Deanna''s ck attire and possibly Ronan''s business trip.


    "Death anniversary? Your father passed away?" Cordelia asked.


    "Yes. Every year on this anniversary, Ronan would go back to be with my mother. He''s never missed it.


    I couldn''t go back because I was afraid I''d cry uncontrobly. My father once saved Ronan, and Ronan


    bought a few houses for my mother in Birchwood and visits her every year. Ronan and I dated for a


    year, and we were very much in love. He worked his fingers to the bone to marry me, but I was angry at


    him for not spending time with me, so I went overseas. He called me dozens of times a day and even


    came to find me, but I didn''te back. Ronan was furious, he told me if I didn''t return, he''d marry


    someone else within a year. Now I''m back, but the position of Mrs. Evans is already filled. A few days


    ago, he told me he''d marry me in a few days."


    Cordelia thought, ¡°Deanna probably said all this to make her abort the baby.¡±


    She knew some of the history between Ronan and Deanna, because there were photos of Deanna in


    his house, and Deanna had always tried to win Ronan back, hoping that Cordelia would divorce him.


    Cordelia was somewhat aware of Ronan''s future ns to marry Deanna.

 Chapter 65

    Chapter 65


    Cordelia wasn''t about to let Deanna win. She didn''t take the bait, but she did need a valid excuse for an


    abortion.


    "I know, he doesn''t love me," Cordelia dered, "I''m going to get an abortion!"


    She said it with such conviction and righteous indignation, as if she was venting her frustrations.


    She also used this opportunity to assert that she loved Ronan, despite their marriage being one of


    convenience.


    "Slow down, I think you guys are bound for a divorce eventually. You''ll be a single mom," Deanna


    advised, seeming saddened, but thinking to herself that Cordelia was young and easy to manipte.


    "I understand. I''ll take the afternoon off tomorrow for the surgery," Cordelia retorted, taking an angry sip


    of water, "Ms. Deanna, I added you on Messenger." This way she can show Deanna the proof.


    And with that, she had a justified reason for the abortion.


    After she left, a sly smile crossed Deanna''s face.


    The following afternoon, Cordelia asked Jordan for a half-day off for a "medical check-up", asking


    Brooklyn to apany her.


    How could the directors refuse such a request?


    The girls headed to Victoria''s hospital.


    "Cordelia, why don''t you just tell people your baby couldn''t survive, why do you need an abortion? Isn''t


    that just unnecessary?" Brooklyn asked in the cab.


    "Deanna wants me to get an abortion, so I''ll show her the proof. Besides, everyone at work knows I''m


    pregnant, if I show them the abortion certificate, they''ll keep their mouths shut. If I say the baby couldn''t


    survive, I''d have to exin it to everyone. They''ll think I faked the pregnancy just to piss off Deanna,"


    Cordelia exined. She had thought about spreading the word that Deanna forced her into the


    abortion, but she decided it was too cruel.


    Victoria issued Cordelia an abortion certificate.


    When she left the hospital with the certificate in hand, the day was still young. Brooklyn bought


    Cordelia an ice cream from a street vendor and they sat by the roadside, eating and chatting.


    As for when to tell her grandfather, Cordelia thought: maybeter, otherwise he won''t be able to


    exercise properly.


    Since Ronan knew she wasn''t pregnant, no further exnation was needed.


    Deanna had been tailing Cordelia from her car since she left the office.


    But Cordelia''s hospital visit was too short, and eating ice cream right after an abortion?


    Holding what looked like an abortion certificate, what on earth was going on?


    Did Cordelia not actually get an abortion and was just fooling Deanna?


    Or was Cordelia never pregnant and was just fooling Ronan?


    If she wasn''t pregnant, then her im of being pregnant must have been a y for Ronan''s attention!


    That must be it.


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    Cordelia even sent Deanna a message, with the abortion certificate attached.


    But instead of feeling ted at Cordelia losing the baby, Deanna felt frustrated at being yed.


    With that in mind, Deanna hatched another wicked n.


    Back at the office, Cordelia left the certificate on her desk and pretended to go to the bathroom. Sure


    enough, someone saw the document.


    Word that "Cordelia had an abortion" spread like wildfire at the office.


    "Did she sneak off to get an abortion while Mr. Evans is away? Who does she think she is?"


    "Maybe there was something wrong with the baby."


    "The baby was only a month old, what could be wrong? And even if there was, wouldn''t she wait for Mr.


    Evans to return and discuss it? She couldn''t wait a few more days? She must''ve done it secretly."


    The office buzzed with rumors, as if everyone was awaiting an impending storm.


    A few dayster, Ronan returned.


    No one dared to mention Cordelia''s abortion in front of him.


    On her way back from the Operations Department, Cordelia took the elevator.


    It stopped at a certain floor and someone got on. She looked up from the documents she was reading


    and was surprised to see Ronan.


    "When did you get back?" Cordelia asked, a hint of surprise in her voice.


    "Just now. Miss me?" Ronan asked, not looking back at her.


    His tone was casual, as if asking, "have you finished your work?"


    Cordelia thought of Deanna''s words, felt a pang of sadness, and casually said, "Not yet."


    Ronan''s expression darkened slightly. He got off the elevator at his floor.


    After work, Cordelia got into Ronan''s car, the atmosphere between them somewhat tense.


    "This is for you," Ronan said, handing Cordelia a box of high-end choctes.


    "Thanks," Cordelia said, opening the heart-shaped box of choctes, thinking to herself: he probably


    never bought things like this for Deanna.


    Cordelia picked a piece and started eating.


    "Grandpa''s been doing welltely," Cordelia said casually, munching on her chocte.


    "I know."


    "And that''s about it."


    "What about you? How are you?" Ronan asked again.


    Cordelia stretchedzily, "Same old, same old. Can¡¯t you see? I''m good, eating well, sleeping soundly.


    You weren''t around, so I had the whole bed to myself."


    "So, did you miss me or not?" Ronan asked again.

 Chapter 66

    Chapter 66


    Cordelia cast her eyes down, feeling a bit down in the dumps. She thought about how he would call


    Deanna dozens of times a day, even chasing her overseas. With these thoughts, she suddenly felt she


    didn''t really matter to him.


    He''d been in Birchwood for five days and only called Cordelia once, asking about Barney.


    Cordelia realized she couldn''t expect much from this marriage. After all, it was a contractual marriage


    and it was bound to end one day.


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    So why should she say "miss him" to make him happy?


    "Not at all!" Cordelia emphasised again.


    Ronan''s face darkened.


    When they got home, Ronan brought out everything he bought for Barney, saying he''d been on a


    business trip to Southern Ridge.


    Cordelia thought to herself: What a liar! He clearly went to Birchwood. Probably because he knew


    Barney didn''t think much of Deanna, he didn''t mention anything rted to her.


    He really knows how to consider people''s feelings!


    At night, back in the room, Ronan was eager to get intimate with Cordelia.


    Thinking about what Deanna had said that day, Cordelia lost interest.


    She was merely a tool in this contractual marriage.


    Besides, he protected Deanna in front of Barney just now, not even letting Barney know where he had


    been.


    Cordelia lost all interest.


    "Not in the mood?" Ronan whispered in her ear, as hey on top of her.


    His voice was deep and sexy, making Cordelia''s ears itch all the way to her heart.


    "I don¡¯t feel like doing it today," Cordelia said, her eyes downcast in the dark.


    Ronan''s breath grazed Cordelia''s face and she dodged.


    "Why? Are you really pregnant?" Ronan asked, puzzled.


    "No. Just don''t want to," Cordelia said again.


    "If you''re not, then what''s there to be afraid of?" Ronan didn''t give up.


    Cordelia was uncooperative, even a bit resistant, leading to her waking upte the next day.


    Ronan seemed unaffected. He got up early as usual.


    In fact, after he finished freshening up and came back to the room neatly dressed to get his watch, he


    saw Cordelia getting up from bed, her body wobbling a bit.


    He stared at Cordelia,ughing heartily.


    "What''s so funny? It''s all your fault!" Cordelia said angrily, "You''re all ready for work and didn''t even


    wake me up."


    "Didn''t want to disturb your sleep. After all, getting only three to four hours of sleep a night is pretty


    tough," Ronan teased.


    "I''m going back to the dorm tonight!"


    "You dare!"


    Cordelia sighed helplessly, got up and freshened up. By the time she got to the office, she was indeed


    Jordan didn''t say anything, he just coughed lightly.


    Cordelia didn''t take any leave because of the abortion, she didn''t know how to exin to Ronan and


    felt anxious.


    People in the office were gossiping.


    "Ronan came back yesterday, they probably, you know, stayed upte."


    "But she just had an abortion, didn¡¯t she? Doesn''t Ronan know? You''re not supposed to have sex for a


    month after an abortion."


    Cordelia was very tired and didn''t enjoy office gossip. She forced herself to work hard, but her mind felt


    like it was filled with paste.


    The gossip went in one ear and out the other.


    She had be ustomed to the gossip in the office.


    Deanna walked into Ronan''s office with a can of chicken soup in her hand.


    As soon as she entered, her face immediately showed an anxious expression, "Ronan, do you know


    which office Cordelia is in? Yourpany is so big, I don''t know where to find her."


    Deanna is usually a very elegant woman and rarely shows such anxiety.


    "Are you looking for her?" Ronan asked, surprised.


    "Yes, what''s going on between you two? Surgery is very damaging to the body." Deanna said urgently,


    "Tell me quickly, which office is she in?"


    Ronan found it strange, Cordelia always said she was fine.


    "Who told you she had surgery?" Ronan asked Deanna with a frown.


    "You don''t know? You don''t know about something this important?" Deanna looked at him as if he were


    an alien.


    "What happened to her?!"


    "I''m currently filming a scene that requires a hospital setting. I went to the maternity hospital and saw


    Cordeliaing out of the obstetrics department. She looked pale and weak, and she was holding a


    medical record. I asked the doctorter, and he said she had an abortion. The baby was three weeks


    old." As Deanna spoke, she began to cry, "If it were me, I would never choose to terminate the


    pregnancy. Surgery is definitely very harmful to the body. Can you pass her this chicken soup for me?"


    With that, Deanna wiped her tears and left.


    It seemed as if she didn''t want to see this tragedy any longer.


    Deanna''s acting was so superb that no one doubted her story!


    Deanna had thought everything through. Whether Cordelia was pretending to be pregnant to win favor


    or was actually pregnant but chose to terminate, as long as Deanna said the opposite, it would


    definitely arouse Ronan''s suspicion. Even if Cordelia didn''t have surgery, she just had a medical record


    of the procedure.


    Sure enough, Ronan began to have doubts!

 Chapter 67

    Chapter 67


    Ronan was alone in his office, deeply lost in thought.


    Last night, she had rejected him in bed. Even earlier, she''d insisted that she didn''t want kids, that her


    goal was to be a CPA and make a ton of money.


    She told him it was all lies to trick her brother, but in retrospect, that was far from the truth!


    She had indeed aborted his child, and kept it from him.


    Cordelia!!


    He dialed Cordelia''s number on the office phone.


    "Get to my office now!" His voice was icy cold.


    Cordelia was drained, and she was in the middle of a task that couldn''t be interrupted. So, she tried to


    put him off. "Can it wait?"


    "Now."


    Cordelia reluctantly let go of her work and trudged to his office.


    No sooner had she stepped in than he angrily blurted, "Did you abort our baby?"


    "What?" Cordelia was clueless about what he was talking about.


    "While I was away, did you abort our baby?" Ronan red at Cordelia, his eyes seemingly lethal.


    Cordelia frowned slightly, thinking: She had never been pregnant in the first ce, hadn''t she already


    told him that?


    "I wasn''t pregnant, I just lied to fool my brother," Cordelia said.


    But then she noticed the lunchbox on Ronan''s desk.


    Who had been here? Deanna? Deanna had once sought her out, wanting her to abort the baby. Now


    that she had acted ording to Deanna''s wishes, had Deannae to spill the beans to Ronan?


    Deanna was a crafty and cunning woman.


    Cordelia was no match for her, she knew that whatever Deanna said, Ronan would believe it.


    After all, Deanna was his first love!


    She scoffed coldly, "No matter what I say, it won''t make a difference. Since you''re convinced I''ve had


    an abortion, let''s just say I did. I''m leaving!


    "Stop right there!" Ronan tried his best to contain his rage.


    He got up from his chair, stepped towards Cordelia gradually, until she was backed up against the door


    with no room to escape.


    Cordelia looked at Ronan, her brows slightly furrowed and panic in her eyes.


    "Why did you abort our baby?" His eyes were bloodshot as he stared at Cordelia, just mere inches


    away from her.


    Indeed, Deanna could stir all his emotions, at least this side of Ronan was something Cordelia had


    never seen before.


    "We were bound to get a divorce anyway, why should I keep the baby?" Cordelia raised her head, her


    eyes full of determination and defiance.


    "Why didn''t you discuss it with me?"


    "I never told you I was pregnant, so there was no need for a discussion. How much are you willing to


    pay for the baby?" Cordelia asked him, a sarcastic smile dancing on her lips.


    "How much do you want?" Ronan stared at Cordelia intently, asking her word for word.


    "Fifty million dors."


    "Money issues can be easily solved." Ronan seemed to be seething with anger, yet he remained eerily


    calm.


    Cordelia suddenlyughed, "What''s the point of discussing this now? The baby is gone."


    "Go sleep in your dorm tonight!" Ronan growled in a low voice, "I don''t want to see you!"


    "Fine." Cordelia agreed nonchntly.


    As Ronan turned around, Cordelia walked out of his office.


    While walking, she thought: She had already told him that she wasn''t pregnant, but he wouldn''t believe


    her. A single word from Deanna had set him off. Staying in the dorm was a good idea, it would keep her


    away from his rage.


    Cordelia hurried down the corridor.


    People who saw her were whispering amongst themselves: She must have had a secret abortion and


    had a falling out with Mr. Evans.


    Earlier, Jordan had seen Cordelia going to Mr. Evans'' office. He had been worried sick. After Cordelia''s


    abortion, he didn''t let her take a leave, fearing that Mr. Evans would get angry.


    Now, he had to go to Ronan''s office.


    On the way, Cordelia saw him, simply greeted him, and nodded.


    Obviously, Cordelia and Mr. Evans had probably had a fight.


    Jordan had a cold shiver down his spine.


    He knocked on the door to Ronan''s office.


    Ronan had just lit a cigarette and was leaning on his chair in irritation, which made Jordan even more


    reluctant to speak.


    "Just say it." Ronan seemed impatient.


    "Mr. Evans, here''s the thing, Cordelia had an abortion earlier, but she didn''t take a leave, so I didn''t let


    her either. This might not be good for her recovery, I didn''t think much at the time, please don''t be


    angry." Jordan exined.


    "How did you know she had an abortion?"


    "She... when she came back from the hospital, she left her medical record on the desk and went to the


    restroom. Someone sitting next to her saw it and told me."


    "You can leave now." A cloud of smoke filled Ronan''s vision, making him wonder why she would bother


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    to forge a medical record if she was faking her pregnancy.


    "Is everything okay, Mr. Evans?"


    "I said you can leave." Ronan frowned in annoyance.


    Jordan quickly made his exit.


    After work, Ronan didn''t want to go home, he just sat in his office.


    Until it was very dark outside, he didn''t turn on the lights, nor did he n on leaving.

 Chapter 68

    Chapter 68


    Cordelia returned to the office, her face gloomy and she remained silent.


    She headed back to her dorm all by herself around six in the afternoon.


    Just so happened that Edwin was there too. Seeing Cordelia, he greeted, "You''re back, Cordelia?"


    Brooklyn shot Edwin a re.


    Brooklyn had told Edwin about Cordelia''s marriage to Ronan, but didn''t spill too many beans, just that


    Cordelia was hitched and her hubby was Ronan.


    Brooklyn could see Edwin had a thing for Cordelia, and wanted him to get over it sooner rather than


    Brooklyn asked her, "What brings you back here?"


    "Don''t even get me started, I''m absolutely livid. He''s just too much!" Cordelia tossed her bag onto her


    bed.


    "What in the world happened?" Brooklyn asked her, "If you''re feeling down, how about we go grab


    some barbecue? Edwin''s treating us to a feast. If I knew you wereing back tonight, I would''ve


    dragged you out of the office."


    "Sure, why not. A barbecue sounds good. I don''t have to work today or tomorrow anyway." Edwin was


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    trying to ease the tension, he didn''t expect to run into Cordelia today.


    Cordelia was thinking: she did nothing wrong. She told her brother about her fake pregnancy to stop his


    ckmail. She had exined it all to Ronan, but why won''t he believe that she''s not pregnant? He


    even suspected that she actually had an abortion while he was away. What''s going on in his head?


    "Let''s go." Cordelia finally said, out of frustration.


    The three of them walked out of the dorm together. Brooklyn didn''t press Cordelia for details because


    Edwin was there. She knew that Cordelia and Ronan had a fight about the abortion, but Cordelia''s


    pregnancy was a hoax from the start. The pregnancy test was even hers. Doesn''t Ronan know that?


    Thankfully, Cordelia''s old dorm bed was still avable.


    Ronan drove out of the underground parking, saw the three people chatting at the dorm entrance and


    frowned. Is she really not bothered, or she just doesn''t care?


    He drove away in a hurry.


    Back home, Barney asked, "Where''s De, why didn''t shee back?"


    Ronan slumped on the couch, rubbing his forehead, "She''s staying at the dorm."


    "Why is she back at the dorm again?"


    Ronan paused, then said, "Grandpa."


    "What?"


    "Our baby is gone. It was an ident." Ronan looked guilty and upset.


    Surprisingly, Barney was very open-minded, "It''s okay, it''s okay. You guys don''t have to feel guilty,


    especially not De. If the baby''s gone, it just means it wasn''t meant to be. You guys will have another


    child, right? Ronan?"


    Barney looked at Ronan expectantly, hoping for a reassuring answer.


    But Ronan wasn''t sure if that day woulde.


    "Yes, grandpa." Ronan had to brush it off.


    "Then call De back." Barney sat across Ronan, pleading.


    Ronan remembered how happy Cordelia looked when she left with others, and felt the irony.


    "Maybe another day." He said.


    "When is another day? Noter than tomorrow!"


    Ronan pondered for a moment then said, "Alright."


    Barney sent a message to Cordelia, "De, why did he drive you out again?"


    Cordelia was enjoying the barbecue, she looked very happy, but she was actually using this happiness


    to mask her inner hurt and resentment.


    Seeing Barney''s message warmed her heart and softened the blow.


    She wiped her nose and replied to Barney, "I guess I screwed up."


    Barney sent another message, "Come back after you''ve cheered up. He''s also having a hard time, try


    to understand him."


    Cordelia replied, "Barney, I''m nning to go shopping with my roommates tomorrow, is that okay?"


    Barney replied, "Just make sure youe back soon. I worry when you''re out there on your own."


    Cordelia read this message over and over again. It''s been a long time since anyone cared about her


    like this.


    Cordelia''s eyes welled up, she missed Barney too.


    But even if she wanted to go back, she needed Ronan''s approval, and to be honest, she didn''t want to


    go back.


    She thought, maybe only Deanna''s words were credible in Ronan''s eyes.


    The more Cordelia thought about it, the more she felt it wasn''t worth it. On her way home, she even


    blocked Ronan''s number.


    He can forget about finding her.

 Chapter 69

    Chapter 69


    The next day, Cordelia and Brooklyn went shopping and happened to walk pass thergest bookstore


    in Millstone, Pages & Prose.


    This bookstore was a four-story stunner, fancier than average mall, and a hotspot for social media


    influencers.


    Cordelia nned to buy a textbook on financial cost management and a few practice problems. As long


    as she passed thisst exam next year, she''d have her CPA certificate.


    As they walked in, they noticed a line of people queuing up ¨C it seemed like a book signing event. To


    their surprise, it was Jamie who was signing.


    ¡°Mr. Colby?¡± Cordelia was taken aback.


    It was early autumn, and Jamie was wearing a stylish grey shirt.


    ¡°Cordelia? What brings you here?¡± Jamie asked while signing books, ncing at his watch, ¡°Why don''t


    you guys look around? I''ll be done in 15 minutes.¡±


    Cordelia went to pick out her textbook and Brooklyn bought a novel,ining, ¡°These books are so


    pricey.¡±


    After Jamie was done signing, he had two books in his hands.


    ¡°For you two, one each.¡±


    Cordelia took one, it was titled The CPA Sess Blueprint.


    ¡°Did you write this?¡± Cordelia''s eyes sparkled with admiration for Jamie.


    ¡°Yep.¡±


    Cordelia nced at the inscription in her book, which read: May your dreamse true soon.


    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Colby.¡±


    Perhaps they both found theirst encounter at the hotel too awkward to mention.


    ¡°I''m heading to my ounting firm now. Wanna tag along?¡± Jamie checked his watch.


    He was always on the clock, always busy.


    Cordelia had always wanted to work at an ounting firm. With her day wide open, she was thrilled to


    ept Jamie''s invitation.


    So, they hopped in the car with Jamie.


    Jamie said that when he returns home tomorrow, he can help Cordelia find the notes on financial cost


    management. He has already highlighted the key points and provided annotations. With Cordelia''s


    intelligence, as long as she puts in the effort, she will definitely pass.


    ¡°Once you pass, you cane work at my ounting firm.¡± Jamie seemed to say it offhand.


    Cordelia thought of Manda, who was working at an ounting firm even without a CPA certificate.


    ¡°I don''t have my certificate yet. Can I stille?¡± Cordelia asked.


    Brooklyn elbowed Cordelia lightly and gave her a meaningful look, as if to say: Don''t let your feelings


    mess with your work. Lumos Enterprises'' job opportunities are golden.


    She thought Cordelia was just being bitter.


    ¡°Sure, you can start as an assistant. Once you''re officially a CPA, you''ll hit the ground running.¡±


    Cordelia was seriously considering it. Being a CPA was a dream she had harbored since she was


    fifteen. Plus, big corporations, with all their hustle and bustle, were better than the constant scrutiny


    and rumors about her and Ronan. Couldn''t people just focus on their work instead of gossiping all the


    time? Maybe it was because Ronan was the subject of the rumors that people were so interested, but


    the constant chatter was wearing her down.


    What''s more, Cordelia just had a big fight with Ronan, and it had dampened her interest in Lumos


    Enterprises.


    As they arrived at Jamie''s ounting firm, Cordelia was struck dumb.


    PrimeNumbers ounting.


    During their encounter at the hotel, Thomas had mentioned that PrimeNumbers ounting was


    Jamie''s.


    Thergest ounting firm in all of Millstone, home to the top financial experts.


    Cordelia was overwhelmed with excitement, ¡°You''re the¡­¡±


    ¡°Founder and partner.¡± Jamiepleted her sentence.


    Cordelia immediately felt full of admiration for Jamie.


    Jamie gave them a tour. Each ountant had their own office, everyone was busy.


    Through the ss doors, she saw everyone working with intense concentration, dressed professionally


    and totally focused.


    This was what professionals looked like. Cordelia yearned for such a work environment, just like the


    one she dreamed of.


    ¡°Are you guys hiring right now?¡± Cordelia asked Jamie, her eyes shining.


    ¡°Yes, one of my partners, Brenda, is looking for an assistant. She''s a female ountant and it''s tough


    to find the right fit. Are you interested?¡±


    Cordelia nodded earnestly.


    This was the work environment she had always dreamed of.


    After the tour, to not impose on Jamie, Cordelia and Brooklyn took the bus home.


    ¡°Cordelia, I still think the job opportunity at Lumos Enterprises is rare. Maybe reconsider your decision


    to quit?¡± Brooklyn suggested.


    Cordelia shook her head, ¡°I can''t stay there anymore. We''ve had a fallout, and also, people at the


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Brooklyn agreed with this.


    When Brooklyn asked why Cordelia had a fallout with Ronan, Cordelia told her the truth about what


    happened on Barney''s birthday, but she left out the part about Adrian mentioning a "contractual


    marriage".


    What irritated Cordelia the most was that Ronan always listened to Deanna.


    Brooklyn thought for a moment, then said, ¡°It seems to me that Mr. Evans listens to Deanna, but only


    because what she says hits a nerve. He really wants you to have his baby, and you just had an


    abortion, which made him really mad.¡±


    Cordelia took one look at Brooklyn and was like, "Him? No way!"


    Brooklyn figured, since it was all a big misunderstanding, she ought to help clear things up.

 Chapter 70

    Chapter 70


    Once Cordelia got back to her dorm, she went straight to tidying up her books.


    As soon as the idea of switching jobs popped into her head, she got cracking on her resignation letter.


    In her room, Brooklyn mustered up the courage to message Ronan.


    But the problem was, she didn''t have Ronan''s contact info...


    She was just a regr employee. Without Cordelia''s connection, Ronan might not have known her at


    all. Nervously, Brooklyn found and added Ronan''s contact from thepany group chat.


    Brooklyn started drafting the message, then read it over several times, making sure there were no


    typos. She didn''t want her direct boss to catch her being careless.


    Ronan saw her message.


    He found out that Deanna was the one making trouble. Cordelia wasn''t pregnant, so there was no


    miscarriage.


    Ronan''s anger subsided. He was a bit disappointed, but it was all a misunderstanding after all.


    Brooklyn told Cordelia about it.


    Though Cordelia said, "Mind your own business," she wasn''t that pissed. Misunderstandings needed to


    be cleared up after all.


    She was still miffed that Ronan only listened to Deanna though.


    Ronan shot Cordelia a message: Come home.


    But the message didn''t go through. Cordelia had blocked him.


    This was the first time Ronan had ever been blocked.


    He chuckled helplessly.


    She''s so bold, so temperamental. He tried to call her several times and each time got the same


    automated message: The number you dialed is currently busy.


    He had no idea what other "surprises" Cordelia had in store for him.


    Since she was still mad, he decided to wait until Monday to talk.


    However, Monday morning, Jordan handed Ronan a resignation letter. It was from Cordelia.


    Cordelia''s resignation letter was quite conservative. She thanked her colleagues for their care and


    help, but she hoped to leave thepany within two to four weeks. That way, thepany could find


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    someone to rece her.


    "Mr. Evans, Cordelia has always performed well in the Finance Department and has a great


    rtionship with her colleagues. I don''t know why she..." Jordan hesitated.


    As the director of the Finance Department, Jordan''s workload has been getting heavier and heavier,


    always having to consider the feelings of Cordelia and Ronan.


    Jordan didn''t know why Cordelia resigned, but Ronan did. Cordelia was angry with him, so she


    resigned. But it''s not like Cordelia to do that. "No approval!" Ronan rejected it without any expression,


    then signed his name.


    Jordan told Cordelia about the president''s reply. Cordelia frowned slightly. As long as she got her CPA


    certificate next year, she would resign immediately. If he didn''t approve, she would submit it every


    week. He would get fed up sooner orter. She hoped to sort out this issue sooner.


    In the afternoon, Cordelia received an express delivery from the city. It was Jamie''s financial cost


    management notes, which were very detailed. It was clear they were from someone who was good at


    studying. Cordelia gently touched the notes, feeling relieved.


    Jamie sent a message: Did you receive the notes? It shows you''ve already signed for it.


    Cordelia replied: Yes, thank you very much.


    Jamie also sent Cordelia a "job application form" and sent a message: You applying for an assistant


    position, right? Start with this.


    The form was very detailed, showing that PrimeNumbers ounting Firm also had very strict


    requirements for hiring.


    Cordelia replied: But Mr. Colby, my resignation application was returned. I may not be able to join for a


    while.


    Jamie sent a message: No problem. You fill it out first, and I will put your resume in the talent pool.


    Cordelia replied: Okay.


    Obviously, it was inappropriate to fill out an application form for another unit during work hours, so


    Cordelia nned to find time to fill it out.


    Now, in Cordelia''s bag were two books, one was The CPA Sess Blueprint that Jamie had signed the


    other day, and the other was a financial cost management textbook she bought from the bookstore. In


    addition, she wanted to bring these notes and make use of her spare time, like lunch breaks and meal


    times.


    Just as she was about to start work, the internal phone on Cordelia''s desk rang again.


    "Come home tonight to visit Barney."


    It was Ronan, a one-linemand.


    Cordelia hummed in response. No matter how much she and Ronan disagreed, she never shirked


    when it came to Barney.


    "But my afternoon might be unpredictable," Cordelia hinted that she didn''t want to go home with


    Ronan.


    Ronan got it, he was silent for a moment, "Go by yourself."


    In the afternoon, Jordan asked Cordelia to deliver documents to the tax department. He said that after


    delivering the documents, she didn''t need to return to thepany, which meant Cordelia was off work


    at four. When she left the tax bureau, Cordelia got on the bus back to Pearl Palms. There was no traffic


    at this time, and she could get home quickly.


    Barney was very happy to see Cordelia. He didn''t mention the baby at all.


    Barney wanted to eat pasta, and Cordelia went to the kitchen to cook for him.


    While they were sitting on the sofa discussing whether the pasta tasted good and chatting, Ronan


    came home.

 Chapter 71

    Chapter 71


    When Cordelia bumped into Ronan, he was checking his watch.


    "Skipped work?" Ronan''s voice was always calm and deep.


    "Mr. Jordan sent me to the tax office and said I didn''t have toe back." Cordelia replied, seeming


    distracted.


    Barney had finished his meal and said, "I''m going out for a walk. Enjoy your chatting."


    With that, Barney left with a chuckle.


    Ronan sat on the sofa, legs crossed, watching Cordelia.


    After tidying up the dishes, Cordelia came out of the kitchen, picked up her tote bag from the table, and


    prepared to leave.


    Ronan was quick to react, catching Cordelia''s arm. The tote bag slid on the table, almost falling to the


    floor.


    This was the second time Cordelia had ended up on hisp, the first time was when they were


    pretending to be lovey-dovey in front of Deanna.


    "Are you leaving?" Ronan squinted, watching Cordelia who sat on him closely.


    Cordelia''s face turned red, even her ears were blushing, she looked upset.


    She stared sternly ahead, "Didn''t you tell me to move into the dorm? I''ve already seen Barney, so I


    should be going."


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Are you upset?" Ronan started tough.


    Speaking of "upset", Cordelia remembered Ronan''s wide eyes - now that was someone who was truly


    upset.


    She snorted, "I''m not sure who has a bigger temper."


    "Compared to me?" Ronan said, "Usually, I have a pretty good temper."


    "Good?" Cordelia chuckled. Everyone in thepany knew how tough Ronan was. He always had a


    cold expression, like a sign on his face read "Stay away or you''re dead". He dared to say he was good-


    tempered.


    "Not good?" Now, his voice became soft, indeed a "good temper".


    "I''ll keep my opinion."


    "But you, when did you start obeying me? I tell you to go home and you do." Ronan asked her again.


    "When did I not listen to you?" Cordelia turned her face, ready to unload her rage from these past few


    days on him, "If I don''t obey, wouldn''t you chew me up and spit me out?"


    Just the thought of Ronan''s wide eyes made Cordelia shiver.


    "Chew you up and spit you out? Murder is something I dare not do, it''s illegal." Ronan lowered his head


    and said with a smile.


    "Of course I don''t mean you''d kill, I mean in..." Cordelia tried to exin, but suddenly realized: How did


    I fall into his trap again? I''m always off guard!


    "Why did you stop talking?" Ronan continued questioning Cordelia.


    Cordelia remained silent, her face growing even redder.


    "In what way?" Seeing Cordelia''s reaction, Ronan continued to probe.


    He kept pushing until she couldn''t take it anymore.


    "I''ve been feeling unwell these past few days, heart palpitations." Cordelia changed the topic, looking


    up.


    Suddenly, Ronan''s hand touched Cordelia''s chest.


    Her heart rate instantly elerated, and she dared not move.


    "Heart palpitations, first you have to be moved. Who are you moved by?" His hand moved on


    Cordelia''s chest, as if checking her heartbeat.


    Cordelia''s heart was racing, he was really testing her limits.


    Cordelia was speechless.


    After a moment, she managed to say, "Anyway, it''s not for you!"


    "Really?" Ronan feigned surprise, "Not moved by me? Then wouldn''t I die of heartbreak?"


    "Then go ahead and die of heartbreak. Once you''re dead, I''m your first-line inheritor, I can inherit all


    your assets." Cordelia said smugly.


    Ronanughed, "I forgot you''re my spouse. You''re right, killing the husband and seizing the property,


    that kind of drama, you can definitely pull it off."


    Cordelia lowered her head, her heart was pounding, she was panting.


    "Have you two made up?" At this moment, Barney''s voice could be heard in the room.


    Cordelia quickly got off Ronan''sp, her face flushed with embarrassment, while Ronan remained


    leisurely on the couch.


    He looked at Cordelia with a yful gaze.


    Cordelia blushed and hastily said, "Barney, why are you back so soon?"


    "You didn''t want me toe back? Makes sense, I should have given you two more time, my bad."


    Barneyughed.


    Cordelia had never seen Barneyugh so happily, it seemed that he wasn''t upset about losing the


    baby.


    But Barney''s words still made Cordelia blush, she left a "Barney, howe you''re so good at joking?"


    and ran upstairs.

 Chapter 72

    Chapter 72


    Ronan and Barney had a little chit-chat downstairs.


    As he was about to head upstairs, he identally bumped into Cordelia''s bag.


    Cordelia''s bag had slid to the edge of the table, and with Ronan''s touch, books fell onto the floor. As he


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    bent down to pick them up, a book opened to the title page, on which was written: "May your dreams


    Ronan''s face fell instantly. Jamie''s handwriting was elegant. The note even included a date and


    address. The date wasst Saturday, and the address was Pages & Prose.


    Cordelia had already read over a hundred pages of this book, and she''d folded a corner where she''d


    stopped reading.


    Over two days, she''d read over a hundred pages. She sure is a fast reader!


    There was also a notebook on financial cost management, also from Jamie, filled with dense notes.


    Another textbook, bought from Pages & Prose, bore the store''s stamp.


    So, where had Cordelia been those few days she was mad at him and didn¡¯te home?


    Ronan put the books back with a glum face and went upstairs.


    So Cordelia''s resignation wasn''t a spur-of-the-moment decision. He knew it. She wasn''t impulsive.


    She was thoughtful.


    "You''re up?" Cordelia asked when she saw him, her voice indifferent, but her eyes were full of lingering


    affection, like a girl in love.


    "Who''s got your heart racing, huh?" Ronan asked, leaning back on the couch, closing his eyes.


    "Definitely not you!" Cordelia retorted with a yful tone of annoyance.


    "I know it''s not me!" Ronan replied casually, "I''m just a contract husband, I don''t care."


    His words made Cordelia''s heart sink a little.


    "As long as you know! Where am I supposed to sleep tonight?" Cordelia nced at him, he was lying


    on the couch, his matureposure and steadfastness were irresistible.


    "If you''re here, you sleep in the bedroom. You nning to sleep with another man?" Ronan''s tone was


    light, with a hint of cold sarcasm.


    Cordelia merely grunted in response.


    She knew that if she slept in the bedroom, she wouldn''t get a good night''s sleep. Sure enough, after


    their intimacy, her body bore scratch marks. Sheined a bit petntly, "You hurt me."


    "You think being intimate with someone else wouldn''t hurt?" Ronan retorted coldly.


    Cordelia remembered his ''contract marriage''ment earlier. Even though they''d made up, she still


    believed Deanna''s instigation. Cordelia still had some doubts. In a somewhat spiteful tone, she said,


    "My future husband."


    "Oh? Really? Who''s your future husband?" Ronan started tough, augh so cold it sent chills down


    Cordelia''s spine.


    Ronan''s demeanor was slightly off, but Cordelia thought he was perfectly normal when he was


    downstairs earlier. It was impossible for his mood to change in such a short amount of time. If it did, his


    mood swings would be too frequent.


    Cordelia figured she was just overthinking.


    "I''m going to sleep, no more chitchat." She said, turning over to sleep.


    The next day, Cordelia went downstairs and found her bag neatly arranged by Janice. She was a bit


    surprised and specifically asked Janice, "Janice, did you touch anything in my bag?"


    Janice responded, "Ma''am, your bag was about to fall off the table. If I hadn''t tidied it up, how could it


    possibly be sitting neatly on the table?"


    Knowing her bag was as it was the night before, Cordelia was relieved.


    She wasn''t aware that Ronan had been watching her every move.


    Once in the car, Cordelia held her canvas bag tightly.


    While waiting at a red light, Ronan casually nced at her and jokingly asked, "What''s in your canvas


    bag? Afraid I''ll steal it?"


    "Treasure. Of course, I''m afraid you''ll snatch it!" Cordelia answered nonchntly.


    It indeed was a treasure!


    Ronan wished he could smash that precious treasure to pieces!

 Chapter 73

    Chapter 73


    Ronan called Brooklyn into his office.


    This was Brooklyn''s first time in Ronan''s office, and she felt both nervous and scared.


    She had a hunch that Ronan wanted to talk about Cordelia.


    Brooklyn looked at Ronan and trembled with fear, unable to understand how Cordelia could have such


    a close rtionship with a man like this.


    "Did Cordelia meet Jamiest Saturday?" Sure enough, the first thing Ronan mentioned was Cordelia.


    At this moment, Brooklyn felt like she was in a hot seat with Ronan acting as a lie detector. She didn''t


    dare to withhold any information from him.


    She told Ronan everything about seeing Jamie at the bookstore that day and how Jamie took them to


    his ounting firm. Cordelia was very interested in that kind of working environment, and Jamie


    mentioned that they were currently hiring assistants, suggesting Cordelia to consider it.


    "He only gave her a book? No notes?" Ronan asked Brooklyn.


    "Uh-huh, Jamie said he''ll give her the notes in a few days."


    "I see." Ronan frowned again, hinting that there could be more to their meet-up than what Brooklyn had


    just told him.


    "Mr. Evans, I''ve advised Cordelia that applying for a new job isn''t easy and she should think it over. But


    she''s been dreaming about this kind of work environment since she was 15. Plus, she''s fed up with all


    the gossip about her in ourpany." Brooklyn''s words also indicated that Cordelia''s interest in the


    firm had nothing to do with Jamie.


    "She said that herself?" Ronan raised his eyebrows slightly.


    "Yes, she did."


    "I see." said Ronan.


    "Mr. Evans, you should know that Cordelia wants to earn her ce in thepany by her abilities, not


    by these rumors." Brooklyn added, trying to portray Cordelia as a professional woman, not someone


    who would change jobs just because she fancied someone.


    "You can go now. And don''t tell Cordelia about this."


    "I definitely won''t tell her." Brooklyn thought, if she stirred up more trouble between them, it would be a


    real mess.


    After Brooklyn left, Ronan sat in his office deep in thought for a while.


    In the afternoon, the HR Department issued new office rules, making some minor adjustments to the


    original content and adding a new one: colleagues should respect each other and refrain from


    spreading rumors. Vitors would be fined $200.


    Upon seeing this new rule, people in the office started whispering, saying that it was Mr. Evans'' way of


    addressing Cordelia''s situation.


    "Shush, no gossiping, or you''ll be fined 200 dors."


    They all ridiculed the new rule.


    Cordelia also found it troubling: why did this new rule feel like it was custom-made for her?


    After work, Cordelia still had some unfinished tasks, so she let Ronan leave first.


    At 8 p.m., Cordelia finally finished all her work.


    The office was now empty and very quiet. Cordelia opened Jamie''s application form and started filling it


    out.


    It was several pages long, and Cordelia didn''t finish until nine. Afterpleting it, she sent it to Jamie.


    Cordelia took a cab back to the Evans family''s house. She was exhausted and threw her bag and


    phone on the bed before heading to the bathroom.


    The moment her phonended on the bed, it rang several times.


    Ronan nced sideways and saw "Jamie."


    Jamie again!


    Cordelia''s phone wasn''t locked yet, so he opened it. Jamie had sent her several voice messages, and


    above the voice messages was the application form Cordelia had sent to Jamie.


    She came back sote just to finish this at thepany!


    Nobody could top her when it came to pulling off secretive moves!


    Without showing any emotion, Ronan went downstairs to make a phone call.


    When Cordelia came out, she saw that Ronan wasn''t in the room. While drying her hair, she checked


    her phone and listened to Jamie''s messages. Jamie said that some parts of her application were not


    detailed enough, like her award history andpetitive experiences, and asked her to fill in more.


    "Okay, thanks, Mr. Colby."


    Cordelia heard Ronaning upstairs and quickly put her phone down.


    "Where did you go just now?" Cordelia asked.


    "Why? Scared that I might interrupt your good thing?" Ronan said in a seemingly careless manner. His


    sarcastic tone made it hard for Cordelia to tell if he was serious or not.


    "No, just asking." Cordelia carefully observed his expression.


    "I was on a call with a German."


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Cordelia paused in drying her hair and looked at him with admiration. "You speak German?"


    "Is that so strange?" Ronan asked, looking at Cordelia.


    "No, I just didn''t know before."


    "There¡¯s a lot you don¡¯t know." His tone revealed his dissatisfaction with Cordelia.


    Cordelia thought: his mood is as unpredictable as the weather in June.


    After they got into bed, Cordelia leaned over to Ronan''s ear and said, "I''ve given you a nickname."


    Ronan frowned, "Nickname?"


    "Yes." Cordelia giggled, wondering if giving him a nickname was a bit too much.


    "What is it?"


    "Junie." Cordelia said, trying to hold back herughter as she watched his reaction.


    "Why Junie?"


    Cordelia pressed her lips together in a smug smile, "Do you like it?"


    "No!" Ronan replied, then rolled over and pinned Cordelia underneath him.


    Whether Cordelia was genuinely oblivious or just feigning ignorance about his anger, one thing was


    clear, her secret contacts with Jamie and her ns to covertly switch jobs had really pissed him off.


    But she, acted as if nothing happened.


    Ronan hated her innocent act.


    "I''m Junie, what''s your name?" Ronan harshly kissed Cordelia''s neck, his breath by her ear making her


    blush.


    Cordelia''s face turned bright red, "Me? I''m the flower trampled by Junie."


    Ronanid on top of Cordelia.


    It was a bright moonlight night, and the room was incredibly quiet, only their breathing could be heard.

 Chapter 74

    Chapter 74


    The moment Cordelia hit the office, there was a job posting email from the HR Department waiting for


    her.


    It seemed odd to her. She was already an employee of Lumos Enterprises, why send a job posting mail


    to her? Aren''t job postings usually sent to job sites or thepany''s official website for external


    recruitment?


    She read through the email carefully: thepany nned to establish a new Audit Department, which


    would operate independently from Lumos Enterprises, essentially being a subsidiary of Lumos


    Enterprises. This department would be led by a well-known auditing expert from Germany named


    Wyatt, and they were currently hiring both externally and internally. The minimum requirement was a


    master''s degree; preference would be given to those with a CPA certificate.


    In addition to this, applicants would have to go through three rounds of tests, including two written tests


    and one interview.


    The job posting was massively appealing to Cordelia.


    She really wanted to apply, but she only had a bachelor''s degree, not meeting the master''s degree


    requirement.


    From the job posting, it was clear that Lumos Enterprises had higher standards than PrimeNumbers


    ounting.


    In the past, Cordelia thought that PrimeNumbers ounting''s application form was already pretty


    formal, butpared to Lumos Enterprises, PrimeNumbers ounting seemed like child''s y.


    Cordelia was the type of person who found no thrill in easily attainable things. Only things that required


    hard work and struggle to achieve were valuable to her.


    The Audit Department of Lumos Enterprises was like a distant star to her.


    Lumos Enterprises was a globally renowned corporation, while PrimeNumbers ounting was only


    well-known within the Millstone area.


    Between the two, Cordelia quickly weighed her options.


    She felt anxious all morning, her qualifications not meeting the requirements of Lumos Enterprises''


    Audit Department. Plus, she had already filled out the application form for PrimeNumbers ounting,


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    she felt like she was torn between two options.


    At lunch, she expressed her thoughts to Brooklyn while they were eating.


    "Obviously, staying at Lumos Enterprises is the smartest choice, moving to Lumos Enterprises'' Audit


    Department would be like an internal transfer, while going to PrimeNumbers ounting would be like


    changing jobs and starting from scratch," Cordelia said, "But my qualifications don''t meet the


    requirements of Lumos Enterprises'' Audit Department."


    "What''s so hard about that? You can ask your hubby for help," suggested Brooklyn.


    Brooklyn didn''t foresee that Ronan would move so quickly to stop Cordelia from jumping ship.


    Touching her cheek, Cordelia said, "I don''t really want his help."


    In the past, she asked Ronan for help because she needed a steady job and ie. Now, she wanted


    to realize her personal value. If she asked Ronan for help, people in thepany would definitely say


    she got the job through nepotism, she wanted her career as an ountant to be unblemished.


    "Why not ask for his help? You think if you don''t ask him, people will believe you got the job based on


    your own abilities? Even if you really did, your qualifications don''t meet the requirements and you don''t


    have a CPA certificate, people will definitely have their doubts," Brooklyn analyzed for Cordelia.


    After listening, Cordelia nodded, "You have a point."


    Even if she went to the Audit Department, she would just be an ordinary employee, and with her status,


    there would be a lot of gossip.


    She decided to ask Ronan for help.


    "Oh by the way, I heard that the top floor of the office building that has always been closed off is


    currently being renovated, it''s going to be the Audit Department''s office," Brooklyn said, "Let''s go check


    it out after lunch."


    "Sounds good," Cordelia was also looking forward to seeing the new office environment, she wanted to


    see how itpared to PrimeNumbers ounting.


    After lunch, Brooklyn and Cordelia went to the top floor of the office building.


    Cordelia was amazed, the spacious and bright office, numerous nts, ss rooms one after another,


    all disyed a professional charm, and there was even a separate gym.


    "Cordelia, I heard the gym in this building is only for the people in Audit Department, they even hired a


    famous yoga teacher named Kitty," Brooklyn said enviously.


    Cordelia didn''t know who Kitty was, she just knew she must be very good.


    She wasn''t sure if she could get into such a high-end ce.


    "Just go ask Mr. Evans to lower his hardware requirements for you, you''re really good at exams, aren''t


    you? You do well, get your certificate next year, who would dare to look down on you then?" Brooklyn


    encouraged Cordelia.


    Cordelia nodded seriously.


    But Ronan was still on her cklist.


    Cordelia showed a mischievous smile, took him off the cklist, hoping he hadn''t messaged her in the


    past few days, the less he knew the better.


    After work, she sent Ronan a message: Hey babe, off work yet? Waiting for you in the underground


    garage.


    When Ronan saw the message, he knew she was up to something.


    She even went as far as to take him off the cklist.


    She had never been this affectionate before!

 Chapter 75

    Chapter 75


    In the car.


    "Honey, was work stressful today?" Cordelia sweetly asked.


    "It was okay." Ronan responded nonchntly as he calmly drove the car.


    "Hmm, I¡¯m just worried you might be tired."


    "Worried about what? Our quality timest night didn¡¯tst that long." Ronan said, trying to downy it.


    Cordelia blushed. She didn''t mean that. Not at all.


    Where was he taking the conversation?


    Cordelia coughed lightly, attempting to steer the conversation back to work. "I got an email today about


    thepany setting up an Audit Department. Is it true?"


    "Wyatt ns on starting interviews next week." Ronan replied.


    "Next week?" Cordelia asked, surprised.


    If the interviews were starting next week, she was totally unqualified. She didn''t have a master''s degree


    or a CPA license.


    "Yep. What''s up? Why are you so interested in this? Does it concern you?" Ronan seemed to think very


    little of Cordelia''s abilities. "This is something for high-level professionals to worry about. You''re just a


    low-level employee; what''s there for you to worry about?"


    Clearly, Ronan hurt Cordelia¡¯s feelings.


    "Do I really suck that much in your eyes?" Cordelia frowned, her voice portraying her hurt emotions.


    Ronan chuckled, "You''re not that bad. Didn''t you say that you wanted to quit?"


    Mentioning her resignation made Cordelia a bit awkward, "I... I just thought my colleagues at the


    Ronan scoffed, "Then why are you so concerned about the newly established Audit Department?" His


    attitude turned more serious.


    "I... I''m preparing for the CPA exam; I want to..." Cordelia sounded a bit unsure since she needed a


    favor from Ronan.


    "Want what? You want to join the Audit Department? Looking for a backdoor?" Ronan continued to


    question her.


    "I..." Cordelia hesitated for a moment, but then nodded firmly. "Yes, I really want to. I''ll do my best."


    "You''re telling me this as someone who wants to quit?" Ronan clearly didn''t believe Cordelia''s promise.


    "I..." Cordelia hadn''t expected that seeking help from Ronan would be thisplicated.


    With the resignation issue being used against her, her situation had now be extremely difficult.


    If he knew that she had submitted a job application to Jamie, the consequences could be even worse.


    "That''s not my call to make. Wyatt is in charge of recruitment; you know he''s very rigorous."


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Cordelia was stunned. Did Ronan mean he was rejecting her? With her qualifications, she wouldn''t


    even get a chance to interview.


    "If you can''t make the decision, why did you say so much earlier?" Cordelia asked, frowning.


    Ronan looked at Cordelia. "Did your true colors show?"


    Cordelia ignored him and adjusted the back seat so she could pretend to sleep.


    Not getting his help made Cordelia''s mood even worse.


    She closed her eyes, but her mind was racing; she was determined to join the Audit Department.


    That night, while Ronan was taking a bath, Cordelia started writing her resume at the table.


    Cordelia decided to write another resume in German to leave a good first impression on Wyatt.


    She didn''t know German.


    But Ronan did.


    When Ronan came out of the bathroom after drying his hair, he saw Cordelia in front of theputer.


    Her resume was alreadyplete.


    Cordelia turned her head and looked at Ronan with gentle eyes. "Honey, can you do me a favor?"


    "What is it?"


    "Can you trante my resume into German? Please, honey!" Cordelia looked like she was sincerely


    pleading.


    "Cordelia! Don¡¯t you think you''re too dependent on me?"


    Cordelia immediately became submissive. "I know asking you to trante my resume means I''m not


    independent, but I really can''t speak German at all, and I really want to make a good impression on


    Wyatt. Please. Besides, wouldn''t you feel embarrassed if I remained a small employee in the


    ounting department?"


    With that, Cordelia stood up, pushing Ronan down onto the chair. "I''ll give you a massage as well as


    anything you want tonight!"


    "Go downstairs and chat with Barney!" Ronan grabbed the mouse.


    "Okay, I''m going right now." Cordelia responded and then headed downstairs.

 Chapter 76

    Chapter 76


    About an hourter, Cordelia came up from downstairs to find Ronan already in bed, reading.


    She sat down at theputer and looked through the content Ronan had tranted. Even though she


    didn''t understand it, it seemed detailed.


    What surprised Cordelia was the name at the end of the German resume: Ethan.


    "Ethan? Who''s that?" Cordelia asked Ronan.


    "Did I write Ethan?"


    "Forgot already?" Cordelia pointed at the name on theputer screen for Ronan to see.


    "Don''t sweat it; leave it like that."


    Cordelia was a tad confused. She figured that Ethan might be an alias for Ronan. Despite him saying


    that she was not qualified to apply for the Audit Department and that he wouldn''t help, he still put his


    name at the end of the German resume.


    With a rmendation from the president of Lumos Enterprises, the otherpany would likely take


    Cordelia seriously.


    Her heart swelled with gratitude. Ronan always helped her when she least expected it.


    How sad would she be when their marriage of convenience ended one day?


    What would she do when he married Deanna?


    Cordelia checked the resume onest time before sending it off to the HR department.


    She made up her mind. She would tell Jamie that she wasn''t nning on working for hispany.


    Even if she couldn''t work in the Audit Department, she shouldn''t have other ns considering how


    Ronan treated her.


    After they had gone to bed, Cordeliaid her head on Ronan''s chest, not saying a word, her eyes


    slightly moist.


    "Don''t tter yourself; I sign off on all my foreign materials to avoid them being giarized." Ronan


    mentioned nonchntly.


    Cordelia fell silent.


    Why was he like this? He always had to ruin her sentimental moments.


    Annoyed, Cordelia picked up her phone and changed his nickname to ¡°Junie.¡±


    Ronan nced at it.


    "I¡¯m no longer John Doe?" Ronan asked casually.


    "Yep, you have a name now. What''s my nickname on your phone?" Cordelia asked suddenly.


    She had never seen Ronan''s phone all this time.


    "Jane Doe." Ronan replied.


    Cordelia got mad. Why did he always have to one-up her?


    She wrapped herself in the nket, turning her back to Ronan to sleep.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    The next day, Cordelia was in good spirits and worked diligently all morning. At eleven, she received a


    call from an unknown number.


    "Cordelia?" The voice on the other end was a calm and pleasant female.


    "Yes, that''s me, and you are?" She didn''t sound like a salesperson.


    "I''m Brenda, a partner at PrimeNumbers ounting. You''re the assistant Jamie introduced, right? I


    was driving out and happened to pass by Lumos Enterprises and thought we could have a chat. Do


    you have time?" Thedy was very polite and straightforward.


    Cordelia figured it wasn''t appropriate to discuss job interviews with anotherpany while at work.


    Even though she wasn''t nning on working for Jamie''s firm anymore, she still had to clear things up


    with them.


    "Sure, there''s a caf¨¦ named Bean Boulevard across from our office; how about we meet there in a bit?"


    "Sounds good; I''ll be there soon."


    Cordelia worked for another ten minutes before heading downstairs.


    Brenda looked about forty; her skin was wless, and she was dressed professionally. She exuded the


    confidence and charm of a career woman, which made Cordelia a bit envious.


    "Brenda?" Cordelia sat down across from Brenda.


    "Cordelia? I ordered a steak and a sd for you; is that enough?" Brenda asked warmly.


    "That''s perfect. Thank you, Brenda." Cordelia was taken aback by Brenda''s thoughtfulness, making it


    hard for her to refuse.


    "Cordelia, I''ve seen your resume. Your education level isn''t very high, but that''s okay; you''ve done well,


    and Jamie has also mentioned how good you are. I¡¯m pleased, and it seems like you have a clear n


    for your future. Have you decided when to start working at our firm? I¡¯m really busy right now and in


    desperate need of an assistant. The sry varies for different ountants¡¯ assistants at our firm, but I


    can offer you $2000 a month.¡± Brenda was concise and straightforward.


    A sry of $2000 was much higher than what Cordelia was making now.


    Cordelia stirred her coffee. "Brenda, I''d like to continue working at Lumos Enterprises. I don''t want to


    switch jobs."


    "You''ve changed your mind?" Brenda seemed visibly surprised. "I heard Lumos Enterprises is


    establishing an Audit Department. Are you nning on joining them?"


    Cordelia nodded seriously. "I''m really sorry, Brenda."


    "I see." Brenda replied, "But I read Lumos Enterprises'' Audit Department''s recruitment information, and


    the requirements are really high. Apart from education, you have to pass all CPA subjects. Many


    people willpete for this position; do you think you''re up for it? If you don''t get a position in Lumos


    Enterprises'' Audit Department and thene to us, we might not want you."


    Even though Brenda said this with a smile, Cordelia heard the seriousness in her voice, making it


    difficult for her to let this opportunity slide.


    "I understand. I may be a bit foolish and know that the road ahead is tough, but I still want to give it a


    try. I don''t want to just sit on the fence." Cordelia said.


    Even though Cordelia turned down Brenda''s offer, Brenda still feltforted by Cordelia''s honesty.


    Plus, Brenda knew it was Jamie who slipped Cordelia''s resume into her mailbox and that today''s


    follow-up interview was her idea in the first ce, not Cordelia''s. So Brenda didn''t hold it against


    Cordelia; instead, she really admired her.


    "So does this mean we can''t work together for the time being?" Brenda asked again.


    "That''s right." Cordelia answered with a smile.


    "Then I guess I''ll just have to settle for a dinner with my friend Cordelia."


    Cordelia also felt quite relieved to see Brenda be so chill. They had dinner together, chatting about a


    bunch of stuff that had nothing to do with work.

 Chapter 77

    Chapter 77


    When Jordan came down for lunch, he immediately spotted Cordelia and Brenda at a table across from


    him.


    He frowned.


    Lumos Enterprises was nning to establish an Audit Department, and the idea didn''t sit well with


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Jordan. Most of the responsibilities of the Finance Department would be transferred there, which would


    essentially undermine his position as the CFO. Since Cordelia was ¡°Mrs. Evans,¡± she would


    undoubtedly join the Audit Department, and his nightmare about Cordelia ranking higher than him was


    about toe true.


    He didn''t want Cordelia in the Audit Department; after all, she knew a lot about the Finance


    Department, and future audits wouldn''t be in his favor.


    He knew Brenda from back in the day; they had a bit of a romantic entanglement.


    Jordan wanted to speak with Mr. Evans so he could let him know that Cordelia was currently chatting


    with Brenda.


    As a finance person, Cordelia hanging out with an ountant from another firm could potentially raise


    suspicions, even if they weren''t discussing work.


    He was about to take the elevator upstairs when he ran into Ronan and his assistant.


    "Mr. Evans." Jordan greeted him politely.


    "Hmm." Ronan responded briefly; he was about to have his meal.


    "Oh, by the way, Mr. Evans. I need to take a leave. I just bumped into an old ssmate of mine; she''s


    chatting with Cordelia at the caf¨¦ across the street. You can call my cell if you need anything."


    "Hmm." Ronan frowned slightly, wondering why Cordelia would know Jordan''s female ssmate.


    For someone at Jordan''s level, it wasn''t necessary to ask for leave for a half-day absence. He must''ve


    mentioned it to Ronan because he ran into him.


    While walking out of Lumos Enterprises, Ronan immediately nced at the caf¨¦ across the street.


    Sure enough, Cordelia was chatting with a charmingdy.


    "Who is that? Do you know her?" Ronan asked his assistant.


    "Brenda?" The assistant replied, "She''s a partner at PrimeNumbers ounting."


    Being familiar with the leaders of majorpetingpanies was part of an assistant''s job.


    Ronan''s face darkened. If he remembered correctly, PrimeNumbers ounting was Jamie''spany.


    There was no doubt that Brenda was chatting with Cordelia with the intention of introducing her to her


    future working environment.


    Cordelia was really good at nning for her future, grabbing hold of Jamie with one hand and the Audit


    Department with the other. Ronan knew she had already sent her resume to Jamie and also to the


    Audit Department.


    Even if one side fell through, she still had the other as a backup.


    "You go ahead and eat." After saying that, Ronan went back upstairs to get his car keys.


    If she wanted to have it both ways, he would let her taste the bitterness of neither side having her back.


    Ronan first called the HR department, instructing them to reject Cordelia''s resume.


    "But, Mr. Evans, you tranted Cordelia''s resume." Emily from HR reminded Ronan, meaning he had


    already signed Ethan''s name on the back of her resume, indicating to HR that Cordelia should be


    allowed to take the written test.


    "Reject her resume." Ronan didn''t borate further.


    Emily wondered if Cordelia had upset Ronan again. She always ended up suffering the consequences


    but kept provoking him.


    "Alright, Mr. Evans."


    Ronan then called Thomas. "What''s your son''s phone number?"


    Thomas on the other end of the phone seemed a bit nervous. ¡°My son? What did he do to upset you


    again?¡±


    ¡°Tell me his phone number.¡±


    ¡°If my son has offended you, I can apologize on his behalf, but you need to calm down.¡±


    ¡°Phone number!¡± Ronan was tired of the other''s rambling, so he harshly issued an ultimatum.


    Thomas gave the phone number and immediately tried to call Jamie, only to find that Jamie¡¯s phone


    was busy.


    ¡°Where are you?¡± Ronan asked Jamie on the phone.


    He had given Cordelia opportunities, quietly setting up the Audit Department and imposing restrictions


    on office gossip, all in an effort to keep her. He even personally helped her trante her resume, but


    Cordelia showed no appreciation and even intended to switch jobs.


    Thispletely infuriated Ronan.


    "I''m at the office. Do you need anything, Mr. Evans?"


    "Do you think I would call you if I didn''t need anything?" Ronan responded with disdain.

 Chapter 78

    Chapter 78


    In Jamie''s office.


    Ronan didn''t say much and just quietly dropped a stack of documents.


    Jamie was surprised. He picked up the documents and saw that they were detailed records showing


    how Thomas, his father, had conspired with several otherpanies to frame Ronan''s father many


    years ago.


    The more Jamie read, the more shocked he became.


    "When do you think I''ll submit these documents to the prosecutor''s office?" Ronan asked while sitting


    across from Jamie.


    Jamie turned pale. ording to the documents, his father could be sentenced to at least twenty years


    in prison.


    "Was it the moment Cordelia started working at my firm?" Jamie asked.


    Everyone in Millstone knew that Ronan had set up the Audit Department, and Jamie had always


    suspected that Ronan knew about Cordelia''s career move. His visit to Jamie''s office today only


    confirmed Jamie''s suspicions.


    "Smart. You should know what to do; I don''t need to say it." Ronan squinted at Jamie.


    Jamie was fond of Cordelia, but between the twenty-year prison sentence his father might face and


    Cordelia, he would rather temporarily give up on her.


    "But aren''t you and Cordelia in a marriage of convenience?" Jamie asked. Adrian had told him this, and


    he believed it.


    "A marriage of convenience?" Ronan lit a cigarette with a calm expression. "Do you think I''d agree to a


    marriage of convenience? If it were a marriage of convenience, I wouldn''t care about her at all."


    Jamie thought Ronan had a point.


    "I understand." Jamie felt down.


    Regardless of whether it was a marriage of convenience or not, they were already legally married.


    Now that Jamie was obedient, Ronan stood up to leave.


    As he got to the door, he stopped, turned around, and warned him. "Stop hitting on my wife!"


    Jamie was speechless for a long time. Since the two were now legally married, his behavior was


    indeed considered "hitting on" Cordelia.


    ...


    In the afternoon, Cordelia had a tough time.


    Just as she returned from the caf¨¦, she received an email from the HR department. "Thank you for


    submitting your resume, but there is a significant gap between your qualifications and our expectations.


    We hope you continue to strive."


    "Significant gap."


    Cordelia was instantly devastated.


    It seemed that even the resume Ronan helped revise was of no use. These emails were personally


    reviewed by Wyatt, so Ronan had no say in the matter.


    Then she received a text from Jamie. ¡°Cordelia, thank you for your trust in our firm and for submitting


    your resume, but Brenda said that you declined. Since that''s the case, we won''t force you. Brenda will


    be looking for a new assistant.¡±


    Suddenly, she had lost both job opportunities.


    Cordelia was feeling down. She wondered if her abilities really seemed so poor.


    For the rest of the afternoon, she had no mood to work.


    At five o''clock after work, she went to the parking lot.


    Ronan hadn''t arrived yet, so she stood there, stepping on one foot with the other, trying to calm herself


    down.


    This was the first time Cordelia felt so insecure.


    Cordelia looked down at her feet as tears slowly streamed down her face.


    Ronan walked towards her and quietly stood there, watching Cordelia''s deste figure.


    This was the first time he had seen her in such an emotional state.


    He was initially very angry because she was seeing twopanies at the same time, but after seeing


    her so helpless and pitiful, his anger subsided a lot.


    Ronan opened the car door, and Cordelia came back to her senses. She quickly got into the passenger


    seat from the other side and wiped the tears from her eyes.


    In the car, she kept covering one side of her face with her hand while gazing out of the window.


    As the car pulled out of the garage, Ronan asked, "What happened?"


    "Do you think I''m terrible?" Cordelia asked as her voice slightly wavered with sadness. "I thought I was


    great, but it turns out I can''t do anything right."


    Ronan couldn''t help butugh. "Why would you say that?"


    "Today the HR department replied, saying my qualifications and their requirements are vastly different.


    I..." Cordelia lowered her head. "Even with your rmendation, it''s no use. Did I embarrass you?"


    "Hmm." Ronan responded sinctly, neither saying "embarrassed" nor "not embarrassed."


    However, it was clear that Cordelia didn''t want to hear his response; she just wanted to vent her


    feelings.


    "I''ve always done well in school; I¡¯ve always been able to study in the best private schools, but in my


    sophomore year of high school, something happened at home. My dad passed away and my mom was


    hospitalized, so I had to take care of her while going to school. So because of my family situation, I


    didn''t apply for grad school; I gave my school''s direct admission quota to someone else. I''ve always felt


    like it''s not my fault, but today..." Cordelia twiddled her hands as she spoke, "Today, the HR department


    sent me an email, saying that there is a significant gap between my qualifications and their


    requirements¡­ A significant gap..."


    Ronan nced at her just as a tear slid down Cordelia''s face andnded on herp, followed by


    another. Her tears continuously flowed out.


    Ronan suddenly felt that he might have gone a bit too far.


    "Is that all?" He asked.


    "Also..." Cordelia''s eyes flickered. She didn''t want Ronan to know that she also applied to


    PrimeNumbers ounting; after all, she had already been rejected. She thought it was better to have


    less trouble, so she didn''t want to bring it up. "It''s not just that; there''s another thing, but I don''t care


    much about it. Only the rejection from Lumos Enterprises'' HR department really upset me."


    "You don''t care?" Ronan caught her words.


    "Yes." Cordelia continued. "Do you think I embarrassed you?"


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "What''s done is done. What can ya do?" Ronan responded nonchntly.

 Chapter 79

    Chapter 79


    Janice was hustling around the kitchen, preparing dinner.


    Cordelia was all mopey and down in the dumps, so she spoke to Barney, trying to excuse herself.


    "Grandpa, I''m not feeling too hot. I think I''ll just head upstairs."


    "What''s up with De?" Barney asked Ronan.


    Just the two of them were left at the table.


    Suddenly, Ronan felt a sort of gloom hanging over the dinner.


    "Work trouble." He said.


    "Can''t you help her out?" Barney reprimanded Ronan.


    Ronan didn''t say it, but he was the cause of Cordelia''s setback.


    "Go make Cordelia some pasta." Barney instructed him.


    "Grandpa!" Ronan protested adamantly.


    "Ronan!" Clearly, Grandpa wasn''t like Ronan''s subordinates, who would quiver at his re. "Just do it.


    I''m watching you. What if De starves?"


    With no other choice, Ronan went into the kitchen and cooked up a te of pasta for Cordelia,


    If it were the old days, he would never stoop to doing such a thing.


    But this time, he even carefully picked out the yolk.


    He had Janice deliver it to Cordelia.


    Cordelia was sitting at her desk, reading. She didn''t bring back Jamie''s notes or the book he had


    rmended, fearing it would stir up unnecessary drama at home. She only brought ounting


    textbooks home.


    But at this moment, she couldn''t focus on anything and was just staring nkly at the book.


    Janice brought in the pasta. "Ma''am, Mr. Evans cooked this himself."


    "Him?" Cordelia couldn''t believe it.


    "Yes. This is the first time in all these years that I''ve seen Mr. Evans cook. Eat up, Ma''am." Janice


    stirred the pasta a bit, making sure it didn¡¯t stick together.


    Cordelia was puzzled, but she figured Ronan probably felt guilty for not being able to help her.


    She was touched by his attentiveness after noticing that the egg was halved with the yolk removed.


    This reminded her of the times when her father would asionallye home. Cordelia would offer to


    cook for him, but he would pat her head and say, "Daddy will cook for you."


    When her dad cooked eggs for Cordelia, he would boil them, slice them open, and rece the yolk with


    stir-fried minced meat and vegetables before cing them in her noodle bowl.


    Ronan didn''t do that, but his gesture was enough to move Cordelia.


    As she wolfed down the noodles, tears streamed down her face.


    She missed her dad.


    Although her dad had left her, she felt like he wasn''t far away. He was right by her side.


    Downstairs, Ronan emailed Emily from HR. "Keep a spot open for an assistant in the Audit


    Department."


    "Got it."


    After sending the email, Ronan went upstairs.


    "Done eating?" Ronan asked.


    "Mhm, thank you." Cordelia was taken aback by Ronan''s gesture.


    "Don''t get ahead of yourself. Grandpa told me to do it." Ronan replied.


    Cordelia fell silent.


    The warm feelings in Cordelia''s heart hadn''t subsided yet. She ate messily while Ronan sat beside her,


    and there was still a noodle hanging from her mouth. She couldn''t help but hug Ronan''s waist.


    His body exuded a kind of warmth, a different aura from her father''s. Ronan''s unique blend of


    aloofness and sexiness had her hooked. This was apletely different feeling from her father''s.


    Cordelia''s face was buried in Ronan''s body. Her sobbing sounded like a kitten''s meow. She wanted to


    be alone but couldn''t cry loudly. She was filled with grievances, and her crying grew louder.


    "Why are you crying again?" Ronan frowned.


    "I''m sorry, I couldn''t control myself. I''ll stop crying; I¡¯ll stop right now.¡± Cordelia quickly sat up from


    Ronan¡¯sp and wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.


    She didn¡¯t realize that her tears, mucus, and noodles had all smeared onto Ronan¡¯s clothes.


    ¡°Cordelia...¡± Ronan looked down at his clothes, his teeth grinding.


    After seeing Ronan¡¯s usually pristine shirt all crumpled and dirty, she felt like she had done something


    wrong. She quickly got up from the chair. ¡°Don¡¯t be mad. I can help you clean it.¡±


    She stood in front of Ronan, starting to unbutton his shirt.


    Her face was still streaked with tears, and her eyes were glistening, giving her a beauty that was both


    poignant and alluring, even though her hair was slightly disheveled. She looked down while


    unbuttoning his shirt and muttering. "It''s just a little ident. Why are you making a mountain out of a


    molehill? You really are...".


    Cordelia started at the bottom button and worked her way up.


    Looking at Ronan''s body from such a close distance made her blush and her ears heat up.


    Ronan remembered that thest time he changed in front of her, her face was flushed.


    How long had it been, and she still hadn''t gotten used to it? Was she really that innocent?


    Too bad. She had already given her first time to him.


    Ronan found it amusing. He spread his arms, letting Cordelia undress him without hesitation.


    "Change me." Ronan stood still and told Cordelia.


    "Alright!" Cordelia took the dirty shirt to the bathroom to wash it.


    Couldn''t he put on his own clothes?


    Cordelia first filled the basin with water, added some detergent, and let the shirt soak.


    "Your husband is still not dressed." Ronan shouted from outside the bathroom.


    "Okay, wait a sec. I''m just soaking the shirt." Cordelia was all flustered and a little peeved.


    Aftering out of the bathroom, Cordelia randomly picked a dark blue shirt from Ronan''s closet and


    helped him put it on.


    Ronan looked good in dark blue. Actually, he looked good in any color. He was like a mannequin in a


    shop window.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "Still cold?" After changing his shirt, Cordelia looked up at him.


    Ronan was fiddling with his cufflink, saying nonchntly, "Well, aren''t you considerate?"


    Cordelia thought to herself. ¡°Considerate? This is clearly just hard work.¡±

 Chapter 80

    Chapter 80


    Ronan was back in bed with his nose buried in a book, while Cordelia sat at the desk.


    She found it great that both of them were such bookworms. They were a diligent couple indeed.


    "Why don''t you read in bed?" Ronan asked.


    "I''m afraid if I get toofy in bed, I won''t feel like getting up to do theundry." Cordelia answered,


    picturing herself as the hardworking heroine in fairy tales and feeling a pang of sympathy for herself.


    "Your determination to do theundry is trulymendable." Ronan said as he flipped through his


    book.


    The arrangement of the desk in their bedroom reminded Cordelia of her grandfather''s house since she


    always sat with her back to Ronan.


    Sometimes she would hear the sound of Ronan flipping pages. Sometimes it''d be quick and sometimes


    slow, with moments when he didn''t turn a page for a long while. Whenever he stopped flipping,


    Cordelia would wonder what was up with him. Why wasn¡¯t he reading? Did he fall asleep?¡¯


    She¡¯d asionally nce back.


    This happened quite a few times.


    Until one time, when Cordelia nced back, she made eye contact with Ronan.


    ¡°Why do you keep looking at me?¡± Ronan raised his head to ask.


    Cordelia was at a loss for words after been caught in the act.


    "I''m going to do theundry." She quickly responded and headed for the bathroom.


    To Cordelia, doingundry was no big deal. She had been washing her own clothes since elementary


    school, and even in college, she didn¡¯t using the washing machine, believing it to be more efficient and


    less wasteful. Washing a shirt was a piece of cake for her.


    She quickly finished theundry but didn''t wring it dry, fearing she might ruin Ronan''s clothes. So she


    hung them in the bathroom to drip dry before moving them to the balcony.


    His clothes, like him, were treasures.


    As Cordelia climbed into bed, her hands were red and looked tender. Without thinking, she blurted out.


    "You look really good in that shirt."


    "Oh, really?" Ronan responded.


    "Yes, you look good in dark blue, gray, ck, basically any color." Images of him wearing those colors


    filled Cordelia''s mind. "Especially that time you wore a dark gray shirt. The girls in the office couldn''t


    stop talking about how dashing you looked."


    "Is that so?" Ronan''s tone remained calm. "In that case, why don''t you buy me a few more?"


    Cordelia was speechless.


    She only wanted topliment Ronan. After all, everyone loved a goodpliment, and if Ronan


    were in a good mood, her night would be easier. But she didn''t see thising, and now she was in a


    bind.


    "Not willing to?" Ronan turned his head to look at Cordelia.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Suppressing augh, Cordelia said, "Of course I am. I cane backte tomorrow night, go shopping


    with Brooklyn at Lumos za, buy your shirts, and thene back. Or I could just stay at the


    dormitory tomorrow."


    "As you wish."


    Ronan easily agreed, pleasantly surprising Cordelia.


    The next day at work, she messaged Brooklyn to make ns for shopping and staying at the dormitory.


    ¡°Mr. Evans doesn''t mind?¡± Brooklyn asked, puzzled.


    "He said I could do as I please." Cordelia happily replied.


    But Brooklyn felt like something was off.


    She couldn''t pinpoint exactly what it was.


    After work, Cordelia and Brooklyn went to Lumos za for dinner and shopping. Cordelia was like a


    bird finally seeing the sky after being caged, so they walked aroundughing and chatting.


    Lumos za was the most upscale mall in Millstone, but the prices were disheartening. The shirts


    there cost two to three thousand each, and Ronan had told her to buy him ¡°a few.¡±


    Cordelia was reluctant to buy even one, let alone ¡°a few.¡±


    "Just buy them. It''s his money anyway." Brooklyn suggested.


    "Even if it''s his money, we can''t just squander it."


    "You''re right. It''s your family''s money after all."


    Brooklyn still had no idea that Ronan''s wealth had nothing to do with Cordelia.


    They visited several stores, and soon their eyes were tired from all the browsing. They were about to


    head downstairs to look at cosmetics. Brooklyn wanted to buy a toner, and Cordelia wanted to buy a


    set of face masks.


    As they were looking at makeup, the ground floor of the mall suddenly became crowded. A lot of


    people poured in.


    Cordelia and Brooklyn looked over to see Deanna walking in, followed by a group of bodyguards. She


    was probably here for an event, considering how high-end Lumos za was.


    Upon seeing Deanna, Cordelia became upset. "Let''s go; we should continue shirt shopping."


    Just as Cordelia got on the elevator, she received a message from Deanna. ¡°Cordelia, is that you? I


    just saw someone who looks a lot like you.¡±


    Cordelia didn''t reply.


    Although she was still shirt shopping, she felt uneasy. She figured once Deanna saw her, she''d start


    scheming again.


    Sure enough, as soon as Cordelia left a store, Deanna caught up with her. "Are you shopping for shirts


    for Ronan?"


    "Ms. Deanna, is your event over?" Cordelia asked.


    "Yes. Actually, I have a few shirts I bought for Ronan at home. About four or five. Since you''re picking


    shirts for him, why not take mine as well?" Deanna offered.


    Cordelia raised an eyebrow, wondering why Deanna was so juvenile!


    "Sure, the shirts here are pretty expensive anyway." Cordelia said with a smile. "He asked me to buy


    him a few, but I didn''t even want to buy one. They''re so pricey. You can''t tell my husband though, or


    else he''ll scold me."


    "No way. Now that I''ve given you all this, how could I possibly do such a thing?" As Deanna said this,


    she thought to herself. ¡°Serves you right for getting scolded! You¡¯re such a greenhorn, falling so easily


    into the trap I set, all for a little bit of cash.¡±

 Chapter 81

    Chapter 81


    Brooklyn grabbed Cordelia''s hand, trying to calm her down.


    Deanna saw this and immediately said to Cordelia, "Alright then, where should I drop off the shirts for


    you?"


    "Um..." Cordelia replied, "If you bring them to the office, I might run into him and he''ll realize that I didn''t


    actually get him any shirts. He might get mad, so can you drop them off at my dorm after work?"


    "Sure thing. It''s settled then." Deanna then took off.


    "Are you a bit of a dunce or what? She''s fooled you again and again, and you keep falling for it!"


    Brooklyn continued. "I even gave you a hint by grabbing your hand, but you didn''t bat an eye. If Mr.


    Evans kicks you out again, don''t expect me to take you in."


    "How could I be so easily duped? Don''t I know what she''s really up to? Let''s go back. There¡¯s no need


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    to buy shirts tonight. We''ll save some dough." Cordelia was happy and had a triumphant smile on her


    face.


    Brooklyn was puzzled, having no idea what Cordelia was thinking.


    Cordelia had a good night''s sleep that night. No one disturbed her, and she didn''t have to get up early


    the next day. She slept for a solid ten hours and went to work the next day feeling refreshed.


    Not long after she started working, someone knocked on her desk.


    Cordelia looked up to see Ronan standing there.


    She instinctively stood up from her chair. "Mr. Evans."


    This was the first time Ronan hade to the Finance Department.


    The other employees were nervous. Although they all pretended to be working hard, they were curious


    about Ronan''s visit and held their breath to listen to the conversation between Cordelia and Ronan.


    "Where''s the shirt you bought me?" Ronan asked with a frown.


    "Huh?" Cordelia thought to herself. "I''m going home tonight. Does he really need toe to the office


    to get his shirt?"


    She answered him. "I spent all night at Lumos za yesterday, but I couldn''t find the right one. I''ll go


    again tonight."


    "Don''t y games with me." Ronan frowned.


    "What games am I ying? I have to find a shirt that suits you, don''t I?" Cordelia was getting a bit


    frustrated and started defending herself.


    "So if you can''t find one, you won''t go home?" Ronan asked.


    "Yes. The vi is too far from Lumos za." Cordeliained a bit.


    "Do you find it morefortable to stay in the dorm than at home?" He asked again.


    Cordelia felt like something was off when she heard the word fortable.¡± What was he implying?


    She eyed Ronan''s outfit and saw that he was wearing a ck shirt. He looked very handsome, tall, and


    fit; he was very attractive.


    "Hurry up!" With that, Ronan left.


    Just now, Ronan had nced at Cordelia''s desk and saw a book: The CPA Sess Blueprint.


    She didn''t take the book home anymore, only reading it during breaks at work and flipping through it


    secretly in the office.


    The colleagues in the office didn''t understand whether Mr. Evans came to urge Cordelia to buy his


    clothes as soon as possible or to urge Cordelia to go home as soon as possible. But the fact that Mr.


    Evans coulde to the Finance Department office in person was enough to show that this was


    unusual.


    Everyone began rmending websites where Cordelia could buy shirts, but all she said was


    ¡°thanks.¡±


    She had her own n.


    Cordelia decided not to go home again that afternoon. She specifically sent a text to Ronan. "Hubby,


    I''m going shopping again tonight."


    "Should I thank you for caring so much about me?" Ronan''s reply was sarcastic.


    He had originally intended to let her stay in the dorm for one night.


    Now it seemed like this was going to be an endless hassle, creating troubles that would just keep piling


    up.


    Cordelia only replied with a smiley face emoji.


    At eight o''clock in the evening, Deanna''s shirts were delivered. She didn''t deliver them herself.


    There were three shirts: one ck, one navy blue, and one gray, all colors that Ronan usually wore.


    She knew Ronan well.


    Cordelia and Brooklyn carefully examined the shirts and found that the backs of the shirts all had


    initials printed on them, likely Ronan''s initials.


    "Where can we find a tailor?" Cordelia asked.


    "There''s one right behind our dorm, The Suit Gallery. It''s an old brand; it¡¯s been around for a hundred


    years.¡± Brooklyn said. ¡°What are you up to?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Cordelia grabbed Brooklyn and the three shirts and headed out the door.


    She asked the tailor at The Suit Gallery to make three shirts identical to the ones she brought, but with


    a change in thebel, removing those initials.


    The tailor said it would take ten days, and he couldn''t guarantee the fabric would be exactly the same,


    only that the appearance would be the same.


    "As long as they look the same, that''s fine."


    After Deanna sent the shirts, she texted Ronan. "Ronan,st time I was in Dubai, I had three shirts


    made for you. I ran into Cordelia buying shirts for you the other day and told her not to bother. I gave


    her the shirts since she wanted to save some money."


    Ronan read the message and began grinding his teeth in anger.


    Then Cordelia sent him a text, asking if she could stay in the dorm for ten more days.


    Ronan swallowed his anger and agreed.


    He wanted to see what tricks Cordelia would y.


    For the next ten days, Cordelia had afortable life. She went out to eat delicious food with Brooklyn


    every day, watched TV dramas together in the evening, and finished reading Jamie''s CPA Sess


    Blueprint. Jamie had a deep understanding of ountants.


    During these ten days, the Audit Department started recruiting on the top floor.


    asionally, Cordelia would see elites in high-end clothes going to the top floor for interviews. This


    made her think about her unfulfilled dream of bing an ountant, and her mood would instantly


    drop.

 Chapter 82

    Chapter 82


    The Suit Gallery wrapped up the making of these three shirts on a Friday, and Cordelia, reluctant to bid


    farewell to Brooklyn, took the shirts home.


    She hadn''t seen Ronan for several days.


    As a low-level employee, it was difficult to see the CEO.


    Ronan sat on the sofa, scrutinizing her with interest and a hint of anger.


    "Back already?" Ronan asked her. "Where are the shirts you bought?"


    Cordelia took out the shirts from her canvas bag.


    One look, and Ronan knew that these were custom-made from Dubai. She hadn¡¯t even changed the


    packaging, a clear sign of her feelings for him.


    "You''ve put on weight." Ronan remarked while looking at Cordelia''s chubby face.


    She had regained the weight she lost when she was sick.


    "What?!" Cordelia immediately touched her face, eximing in panic. "I put on weight? How''s that


    possible?"


    Ronan snickered. "Why wouldn''t it be? You''re always gobbling down junk food."


    "What?!" If she knew she would gain weight, she wouldn¡¯t have eaten so much. The food outside was


    more to her taste, while Janice''s cooking was too nd.


    "Did you finish reading that book?" Ronan narrowed his eyes and asked Cordelia again.


    "Book? What book?" Cordelia blinked, thinking that he couldn¡¯t possibly know about the book Jamie


    wrote. Could he? Was he just messing with her?


    "It''s the book on financial cost management."


    Cordelia heaved a sigh of relief, so he wasn''t talking about The CPA Sess Blueprint. She replied.


    "It''s a textbook; it''s impossible to finish it so quickly. It takes time."


    Ronan smirked; he could see the guilty look on Cordelia''s face.


    "Oh, by the way, do you want to try on the shirts I bought for you?" Cordelia said as she took out the


    three shirts from a fancy bag.


    "How much did each cost?" Ronan asked.


    Cordelia held up two fingers.


    "Two thousand?"


    Cordelia didn''t answer and just smiled smugly.


    Ronan was familiar with this brand; he used to order custom-made shirts from Dubai, each costing


    seven to eight thousand dors. He figured that frugal Cordelia wouldn''t have bought them.


    Ronan casually tossed the shirts aside. He was disappointed and somewhat angry.


    He went to his bedroom and started reading. After her shower, Cordelia saw Ronan''s cold demeanor


    and felt uneasy.


    Sometimes, silence was scarier than an outburst.


    "What''s wrong?" Cordelia approached Ronan, gently touching his arm.


    "Leave me alone!" Ronan''s voice was very low, but the tension in the air still frightened Cordelia.


    Cordelia sighed inwardly and tried to slip away quietly.


    But Ronan grabbed her and pulled her onto the bed.


    "I told you to leave me alone!" Ronan had been bottling up his frustration, with nowhere to vent.


    She was back, but she had been skirting around the edge of danger. Her naive and childish demeanor


    seemed deliberate.


    She had done such a thing yet still looked so innocent, which infuriated Ronan.


    Ronan ripped Cordelia''s clothes off.


    "I want to work in the Audit Department!" Cordelia told Ronan, who was sitting next to her.


    Cordelia didn''t want to use her privilege; she hoped to get into the Audit Department fair and square to


    avoid gossip.


    But the situation was different now. Watching others bustling with interviews while she could only stand


    aside made her anxious. She wanted to work in auditing but didn''t have the opportunity. She could only


    get her CPA certificate next year, but by then, things might change and the job requirements might be


    higher.


    At this point, she was willing to ask Ronan for help, even though it was thest thing she wanted to do.


    Cordelia''s breath was hurried, her eyshes fluttered, and her nostrils quivered slightly with her breath,


    making her look like a very cute girl.


    But why did her every request vex Ronan so much?


    Cordelia could always easily ignite Ronan''s anger.


    She ignited the mes but did not put them out.


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Putting out the mes was something Ronan had to do himself.


    "Did youe back for this?" Ronan asked angrily.


    "Of course not..." Cordelia wanted to say that it was just a coincidence, but before she could finish her


    sentence, she was interrupted by Ronan.


    "No!" Ronan cut Cordelia off before she could finish.


    Cordelia''s fighting spirit waspletely extinguished.

 Chapter 83

    Chapter 83


    The next morning, Cordelia woke up snug in Ronan''s arms, who was still fast asleep.


    She was sore all over and ticked off, mostly because Ronan had rejected her request to enter the Audit


    Department the night before.


    She rolled over, turning her back to him.


    Just then, Ronan''s phone rang.


    "Today? She''s free too. Cool, see you at noon." Ronan hung up.


    "Deanna''s movie''s wrapping up; she''s gotta jet for some shoots. She invited me to lunch before she


    bails and hopes you can tag along." Ronan exined to Cordelia after hanging up.


    Deanna sure moved fast.


    "Sweetie, could you put on the shirt I bought for you?" Cordelia looked at Ronan, asking him gently.


    Ronan frowned at Cordelia. Didn¡¯t she know that the shirts were from Deanna? This could be a setup.


    Was she dumb?


    "I''m not wearing it." Ronan tly refused, grabbing another shirt from the side.


    Knowing Ronan was a man of his word and wouldn''t back down, she dropped to her knees on the bed


    and nted a kiss on him.


    It was the first time she''d ever initiated a kiss with Ronan.


    The kisssted a good while.


    "What are you doing?" Ronan asked, frowning at Cordelia as they broke away.


    But his tone wasn''t hostile.


    Cordelia felt a bit embarrassed after the kiss, unable to meet Ronan''s eyes.


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    She touched her lips lightly with her finger, as if she were ashamed of her actions.


    "I just... I just wanted you to wear the shirt I bought." Cordelia said as she held up the shirt.


    "If something happens, it''s on you!" Ronan figured he''d be in hot water either way, and with Cordelia


    being so insistent, he was curious to see what she was up to.


    "I''ll take responsibility for all of it!" Cordelia hurriedly responded.


    They headed to the coffee shop that Deanna had booked.


    Through the window, Deanna saw the lovey-dovey couple approach. The woman was cute and chic,


    while the man was mature and poised.


    That man was supposed to be hers.


    Deanna wished she could immediately off Cordelia, especially after learning who her mother was.


    Cordelia and Ronan sat across from Deanna.


    Cordelia was all smiles, oblivious to the soon-to-ensue awkwardness.


    Deanna was seething after seeing Cordelia like this.


    Then Deanna seemed to notice Ronan wearing the shirt she bought. She took a sip of her coffee. "Oh,


    Ronan, you look really good in this shirt. Who would have thought that even after all these years, you


    still hadn''t changed a bit. The size I used to have custom made for you still fits. Cordelia, thanks for


    giving the shirt to Ronan."


    This was Deanna being crafty, nning to expose Cordelia in public.


    But Cordelia responded with innocence. "Ms. Deanna, what are you talking about? I don''t get it!"


    Deanna was smug, thinking Cordelia was naively assuming she wouldn''t expose her in front of Ronan.


    Deanna could tell Cordelia''s "I don''t understand" was merely an excuse to save face from the


    embarrassment of having gifted her husband a shirt bought by his ex-girlfriend.


    "I''m saying this shirt was a gift from me to Ronan. I had you give it to him, right? I sent it to your dorm."


    Deanna stirred her coffee, speaking calmly.


    "Ms. Deanna, you should have evidence before using people. You''ve never sent any shirts to me. I


    bought this shirt for my husband at a high price." Cordelia looked wronged, trying her best to keep a


    cool head.


    Ronan stirred his coffee, wondering why Cordelia was arguing over this. Couldn''t she see that


    everyone would recognize this designer shirt from Dubai?


    "High price? How much?" Deanna couldn''t help butugh.


    Ronan actually married such a dim-witted woman, it was hrious.


    Today''s scene would have been perfect with some paparazzi around.


    Cordelia held up two fingers again. "A lot!"


    "Two grand?" Deanna looked scornful. Two grand was a high price?


    "Two hundred dors a piece. It''s quite pricey," Cordelia said earnestly.


    Deanna wondered if Cordelia was stupid. When had Ronan ever worn clothes that cost only a few


    hundred dors?


    Ronan coughed a little, looking somewhat embarrassed.


    "Ronan, you''ve got taste. This shirt was custom made for you in Dubai for eight thousand dors a pop.


    I used to get you over twenty every year. Your name''s on thebel." Deanna looked uninterested in


    talking to Cordelia, turning instead to Ronan.


    "What Label?" Cordelia looked clueless. "What are you talking about? Thebel on the shirt I had


    custom made for my husband says ''RC.'' It''s the initials of our names, Ronan Loves Cordelia."


    Cordelia turned to ask Ronan.


    "What?" Deanna was surprised. "Let me see..."


    "Who do you think my husband is? Do you think anyone can look at his clothes? You''re an outsider, so


    what gives you the right? But I can take a photo for you."


    With that, Cordelia got up, used her phone to flip open Ronan''s cor, and snapped a photo of the


    Ronan then realized that Cordelia was getting back at Deanna. Cordelia wasn''t as dim as Deanna had


    thought; she was clever.


    He''d experienced her cleverness more than once or twice.


    She even went so far as to seduce him just to get him to wear this shirt.


    Even though this morning was fantastic, realizing it was all part of Cordelia''s scheme made him feel


    like he was being used.


    RC? Interesting.


    He hadn''t really paid attention to the brand, but now he was suddenly curious.


    "Take a look." Cordelia handed her phone to Deanna. "You lied and said you gave me the shirt. Would I


    really give my husband a shirt bought by another woman? I''m not that dumb."


    Deanna was speechless. It was only after a closer look at Ronan''s shirt that she realized it wasn''t


    custom-made from Dubai.


    Cordelia was crafty as hell. Her schemes had duped Deanna, costing her dignity in front of Ronan.


    "I have a flight to catch, so I need to leave early." With that, Deanna picked up her bag and left.

 Chapter 84

    Chapter 84


    After Deanna left, Ronan didn''t bolt right away. He ordered another steak, clearly nning to have a


    long chat with Cordelia.


    Cordelia was all fired up initially, but with Deanna''s exit, she seemed a bit deted, idly stirring her


    coffee.


    She worried Ronan would blow his top over Deanna since she was his pet. She had customized over


    twenty shirts for him in the past year, and now that she had been bullied by Cordelia, Ronan would


    definitely stick up for her.


    As long as he didn''t defend Deanna in front of her and didn''t dent Cordelia''s dignity too much, Cordelia


    would be content.


    "How much did my clothes cost?" He asked Cordelia softly.


    He had spotted that Cordelia had swapped out the shirt Deanna had given him. He hadn''t looked


    closely before and had missed that.


    "Two hundred each; didn''t I tell you that before?" Cordelia replied, a bit rattled.


    "Where did you buy them?" Ronan asked as he nced at his shirt. It was hard to tell the genuine from


    the fake. A shirt that cost 200 bucks looked as good as one from abroad that cost a few grand.


    "I had them tailored at The Suit Gallery. I asked them to put thatbel on specially."


    Thebel was on the cor''s back. Ronan wanted to see it but couldn''t.


    "Where''s the shirt Deanna gave you?"


    Cordelia licked her lips. He had finally asked that question, and she tensed up instantly.


    "Uh¡­ I gave it away." Cordelia said, scratching her head.


    "Oh? Who did you give it to?" Ronan asked, his voice mild as he turned his head to look at Cordelia.


    Cordelia was terrified that Ronan would blow up at any moment, so she nervously said, "I gave it to


    Edwin; you remember him, right? He went with me to buy aputerst time."


    "I remember."


    "His size is simr to yours, so it won''t disgrace the clothes." Cordelia was a bit anxious, afraid that


    Ronan would make her take the clothes back.


    "So why didn''t you take them back?"


    "Why should I?" Cordelia ducked her head. Her eyes squeezed into slits; she was seemingly a bit


    aggrieved. "To outsiders, I''m Ronan''s wife, and there are so many people watching me at thepany.


    Even if I have to put up with betrayal, I can''t just take it lying down, can I? I''m not a fool. Where does


    my husband wearing a shirt given by another woman leave my dignity?"


    "So who''s your husband?" Ronan asked while cutting his steak, his voice always gentle.


    "It''s you, of course."


    Ronan didn''t argue. "If you knew her intentions weren''t pure from the start, why did you ept her


    shirts?"


    "She''s been trying to get you to kick me out and humiliate me. Should I just sit back and wait for you to


    fathom your taste; what''s so great about her other than her looks?"


    "What did you say?" Ronan asked, frowning at Cordelia.


    "Nothing."


    Cordelia propped herself up on the chair with both hands, her shoulders shrugging. She was a bit on


    edge, knowing that Ronan wasying the groundwork to give her a hard time, so she felt very


    unsettled.


    Despite the long preamble, Ronan didn''t kick up a fuss. After dinner, he drove Cordelia home.


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    As soon as they got upstairs, Cordelia started to help him undress.


    "What are you doing?" Ronan asked. "Are you this easy with other men?"


    "No, it''s just that this cheap shirt doesn''t do justice to your charisma. Let''s get it off." She swiftly


    removed Ronan''s shirt and ced it on the bed.


    As she was looking for another shirt for Ronan, he nced at thebel on the cor of the shirt she had


    taken off, which indeed read: RC.


    "Are the other two shirts the same as this one?" Ronan asked Cordelia.


    "The same, 200 bucks each."


    "Put them away." Ronan said.


    "What?" Cordelia had already taken a dark gray shirt from the wardrobe. She adeptly helped Ronan


    into it, buttoning it up while looking up at him and chatting.


    "Put it away."


    "Do you want to wear it? But..." Cordelia wanted to say that he thought a shirt worth two grand was


    cheap, let alone one that cost 200. It didn''t go with his status.


    "The quality''s not half bad."


    "Really? If you like it, then I''ll have your shirts tailored at The Suit Gallery from now on. It''s quite a


    money-saver; even if you''re loaded, you can''t just throw money around, right?" Cordelia said excitedly,


    her face glowing. "The quality of this shirt is pretty good; it won''t disgrace you."


    "They must be exactly the same as these three." Ronan said.


    "Okay." Cordelia replied. She suddenly remembered something¡­ Thebel.


    "What about thebel? Does it need to be the same?"


    "The same."


    Cordelia was a bit puzzled, wondering if he understood what RC stood for.


    But since he insisted, Cordelia didn''t have any other choice.


    "How often do you want a new one?" Cordelia asked.


    "Two a month."

 Chapter 85

    Chapter 85


    The next day at work, Brooklyn texted Cordelia specifically, saying she had something to talk about.


    "What''s up?" At noon, Cordelia and Brooklyn were eating Mexican chili stir-fried shrimp outside.


    The Mexican food joint was tiny and tucked in a corner of towering buildings, but it was always packed.


    Cordelia and Brooklyn could only munch in a corner. This time, Cordelia ordered the super spicy meal.


    It was so hot that it turned her lips red.


    "I went to submit some documents to our director today. She was on a phone call and said that Wyatt


    wasing back tomorrow. Wyatt will take charge directly." Brooklyn continued. "Aren''t you interested


    in joining the Audit Department? I think you can seize this opportunity."


    Cordelia frowned. "No-go. The HR department sent my resume back; apparently I don''t meet their


    requirements, so it''s useless for me to submit it again. I even asked Ronan for help, but he refused."


    "Keep it down; it''s Mr. Evans in public, not Ronan. Be careful not to be overheard." Brooklyn looked


    around. "Here''s what I''m thinking. Even though HR rejected your resume, you could trante it into


    German and give it directly to Wyatt. Who knows? You might just get lucky and get picked by Wyatt."


    Cordelia figured that going straight to the boss was more effective than going through subordinates.


    Brooklyn did not know that Ronan had already tranted Cordelia''s resume. Cordelia was nning to


    print out several copies and give them to Wyatt as soon as he arrived.


    Now that she had hope, Cordelia was thrilled and returned to thepany joyfully with Brooklyn.


    Just as they entered the lobby, they saw Ronaning out of the elevator.


    He was probably going for lunch.


    "Hello, Mr. Evans."


    "Hello, Mr. Evans."


    Cordelia and Brooklyn greeted Ronan at the same time.


    Ronan walked briskly; he just nced at Cordelia and frowned.


    "You''ve been eating spicy food again!" He said.


    After that, he walked away.


    Cordelia wanted to say something, but he had already left, so she didn''t.


    "What did he say?" Brooklyn asked Cordelia. "Does he mind you eating spicy food?"


    Brooklyn seemed shocked.


    "Yes."


    "He even cares about what you eat? He''s really too controlling. He''s not just the president; he''s more


    like your husband now." Brooklyn shook her head in resignation. "Just keep treating us singles like


    this."


    "Don''t you have Edwin?" Cordelia joked, but she was thinking about the expression on Ronan''s face


    just now. He was concerned about her. Yes, he was indeed concerned about her.


    "Us? We have no rtionship." Brooklyn knew that Edwin was somewhat fond of Cordelia; if Cordelia


    was not already married, he would have pursued her long ago.


    Cordelia hung her head, feeling both sweet and somewhat mncholic in her heart.


    She knew that this fleeting sweetness might soon disappear.


    Ronan walked to the lobby door, and just before he stepped out, he heard two people mocking Cordelia


    from outside. "She is Mr. Evans'' wife; it''s only natural for her to call him by his name. We can''t; we can


    only call him Mr. Evans."


    Then the two girls who were chatting walked into the lobby and ran into Ronan.


    They immediately became so nervous that they shook all over; they should have kept their mouths


    shut. How unlucky they were to have been overheard by Ronan.


    They greeted Ronan and then hurried towards the elevator.


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    Ronan walked on, wondering where Cordelia had openly called his name, allowing others to hear.


    Usually, she called him Mr. Evans, and asionally at home, she would call him hubby. He had never


    heard her call him by his name.


    ¡­


    Cordelia returned to her office, removed the ¡°Ethan¡± from behind the German resume, and then printed


    it out. She had two copies in eachnguage.


    She was nning to apply for a transfer to the Audit Department. It was an internal transfer, so


    Cordelia didn''t need to be discreet about printing her resume.


    The moment the resume came out of the printer, Jordan walked in from outside and saw Cordelia


    printing her resume.


    "Cordelia, are you printing your resume?" Jordan asked with a smile on his face.


    Ever since he found out about Cordelia''s identity, Jordan had always had a smile on his face when


    dealing with her.


    "Yes, I''m thinking of applying for the Audit Department." Cordelia thought moving to the Audit


    Department would be an honor for the Finance Department, and Jordan should be happy about it.


    "I see. Well, continue with your printing." Jordan responded, and he went back to his office.


    He couldn¡¯t let Cordelia leave. No way! Absolutely not!


    Once Cordelia went to the Audit Department, there would be no benefits for him.

 Chapter 86

    Chapter 86


    The Audit Department''s swanky digs on the top floor were all set up, with Wyatt having already moved


    in. Every day, new job seekers wereing in to interview, some with master''s degrees, others with


    PhDs, all with strong education backgrounds.


    Cordelia took her bilingual resume and paid Wyatt''s office a visit.


    Wyatt was now forty-something. He was a friendly and humble guy with some seriousnguage skills,


    so he and Cordelia had no troublemunicating.


    "Ms. Haselwood, you can submit your resume directly to the HR department. I''m still new here and


    don''t know the staff all that well." Wyatt said.


    "To be honest with you, Mr. Wyatt, I''ve already submitted my resume, but the HR department bounced


    it back. But I really want to work in auditing. I was a top graduate at school, got schrships every


    year, passed three CPA exams, and am currently working in the Finance Department. Just have a look


    at my resume." Cordelia said while exuding a cool and collected aura.


    Wyatt gave her a nod and started perusing her resume. Cordelia was one of the few people who had


    brought in a resume in German, which impressed Wyatt.


    "Ms. Haselwood, do you speak German?" Wyatt asked Cordelia.


    "Oh, no, I don''t."


    "Then your resume..."


    "My husband tranted it for me." Cordelia reluctantly answered, careful not to mention Ronan''s name


    to avoid any misunderstandings.


    "You''re married?"


    "Yes, just recently."


    "So when are you guys nning to have children? I know it''s a sensitive question. Sorry, Ms.


    Haselwood. I don''t mean to offend, but it''s important for the job interview." Wyatt said with a shrug.


    Cordelia got it.


    Women often get asked this question during job interviews.


    Wyatt had already said that it was a necessary question for the job interview, so Cordelia didn''t feel


    ufortable. She simply answered. "I probably won''t have any ns to have children in the next five


    years."


    Considering Barney looked pretty fit, it would be no biggie for him to live another five years. If she were


    to have children, she''d probably have to wait until after divorcing Ronan and finding a new boyfriend.


    That was way too far off. She probably wouldn''t have kids within the next ten years.


    Wyatt thought for a moment. "Alright, Ms. Haselwood,e for a written test on Friday, and I''ll keep


    your resume."


    Cordelia was thrilled. She was right in guessing that the higher-ups were easier to deal with than the


    grunts.


    She didn''t let Ronan know about her applying to Wyatt. On one hand, she didn''t want to use his


    connections; on the other hand, she didn''t want him to interfere.


    Just as Cordelia was applying to Wyatt, Jordan was preparing a transfer request form for Ronan to


    sign, applying for Cordelia to be sent to Lumos za as a field ountant and team leader.


    Ronan frowned at the form. "You want to send her to the field office?"


    "Yes, I just didn''t want to make the decision myself in case it would affect the two of you meeting."


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    Jordan said, trying to kiss up to his boss.


    "We barely see each other at thepany anyway." Ronan leaned back in his chair.


    "What?" Jordan didn''t catch that.


    "You go talk to her about it. I have no objections." Ronan handed the form back to Jordan.


    When Jordan returned to his office, he gave Cordelia the task of going to work at Lumos za for a


    month.


    "But I just submitted an application to the Audit Department"


    "Don''t worry, it would be great if you could go to the Audit Department. But even if you can''t, being sent


    out to work for a month is a good opportunity, you could get a promotion when youe back to the


    Finance Department. Even if you went to the Audit Department, you''d just be an assistant." Jordan


    whispered to Cordelia, sounding like he really wanted her to stay.


    But what he really wanted was for Cordelia to stay in the Finance Department and not go to the Audit


    Department.

 Chapter 87

    Chapter 87


    On their way home from work, Cordelia let Ronan in on the tough decision she was facing.


    "I''ve already submitted my resume to the Audit Department; Wyatt kept it, and I''m taking the written test


    this Friday." Cordelia was now feeling a bit smug. She felt her move was bold, but she got what she


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    wanted.


    "Wait, you?" Ronan seemed taken aback.


    "Yes, me." Cordelia replied. "Jordan''s offer was also pretty tempting."


    "Did you tell him I was the one who tranted your resume?" Ronan asked calmly.


    "No. I didn''t want anyone to think I got it through connections." Cordelia exined.


    "Well, at least you didn''t use the name ¡®Ronan.¡¯"


    Cordelia sensed a hidden meaning in Ronan''s words. Her German resume had his other name, Ethan,


    written on it. What did this have to do with the name Ronan? Did he somehow know that she had called


    him by his name at lunch?


    How did he find out? How did he know everything?


    "Seems like getting rejected by the HR department didn''t dent your confidence." Ronan said casually.


    "Yes, I''ve always wanted to work in auditing. I won''t stop until I reach my goal." Cordelia replied,


    clenching her fist.


    He casually pulled out a book from the car. It had a belly band and was still wrapped in stic, looking


    really high-end.


    "I got you a book." He said.


    Cordelia was puzzled but gasped when she saw "Written by Ronan" on the belly band.


    "You wrote a book?" Cordelia asked, looking surprised.


    "What? Did someone else write a book?" Ronan feigned ignorance.


    Cordelia caught on and almost blurted out something she shouldn¡¯t have. "No! No one."


    She opened the book and saw that it was titled "Common Misconceptions and Strategies in


    Performance Evaluation".


    "Did you write this?" Cordelia asked, feeling like Ronan''s words and actions were pointed today.


    "No, the HR department wrote it, but it''s under my name. You can only have this book in your bag, no


    other books. Or, if you do, don''t let me see it! Or else, you know what''sing." He spoke in his usual


    emotionless yet straight-to-the-point tone.


    A chill ran down Cordelia''s spine. Did he know about Jamie''s book? If he didn''t, then his aim was too


    good. She has to tread lightly around him, or she might get in big trouble.


    "Fine, I won''t put any other books in my bag!" Cordelia was only a bit annoyed. After all, she had


    already finished reading Jamie''s book.


    She carefully put Ronan''s book into her bag.


    The next day, Wyatt came to Ronan''s office to discuss some matters.


    The new department hadn''t been established yet, so naturally, there were many issues to sort out.


    "Did Cordelia submit her resume to you?" Ronan asked Wyatt.


    "Yes, that employee from our Finance Department. She left quite an impression. Quick to react, logical,


    clear-headed, and very professional."


    Ronan felt a strange sense of pride. He coughed lightly. "You might not know this, but she is my wife."


    He hoped Wyatt would take care of Cordelia, given her recent good performance and theck of


    contact with Jamie. Also, Jordan from the Finance Department was just notpetent enough to


    nurture talents.


    Wyatt was shocked. He justmented that Mr. Evans'' wife was very low-key andpetent for


    delivering her resume in person.


    "But Ronan, you are not doing so well. Cordelia told me you guys are not nning to have kids in the


    next five years. It''s your problem, isn''t it?" Wyatt joked.


    "Did she say that?" Ronan frowned at Wyatt.


    "Yes, she seemed very determined."


    "She can''t make that decision on her own!" Ronan retorted.

 Chapter 88

    Chapter 88


    Cordelia had been following Jordan''s advice and working at Lumos za every day. She had been


    handling the finances there and was super busy. Now, she no longer carpooled with Ronan but went to


    work and came home on her own, then went straight to bed.


    On Friday, she came back to thepany to take a test for the Audit Department. There were two


    tests in one day, and there was another interview next week.


    At the written test, Cordelia ran into someone: Manda.


    The Audit Department was hiring from all over, and Manda also came to take the test. After all, the


    sry at Lumos Enterprises'' was pretty high. It started at 20 grand with no cap, which was quite a


    draw. Manda sessfully passed the preliminary test and entered the written test stage.


    This time, it was Manda''s half-brother Lionel who came with her. Lionel heard from Manda that


    Cordelia also worked at Lumos Enterprises and guessed that Cordelia would apply to the Audit


    Department too. Manda loved to stir the pot, hoping her half-brother and Cordelia would have a run-in.


    Cordelia tried to avoid Lionel when she saw him, but Lionel had already spotted her, his eyes filled with


    mixed feelings.


    "Cordelia, wait for me!" Lionel said, staring straight at Cordelia.


    Thest time Lionel harassed Cordelia, Ronan had someone teach him a lesson. But that didn''t make


    him back off. Instead, he found Cordelia even more fascinating. She was tough and unique. She made


    it hard for him to suppress his thoughts, leaving him feeling a bit miffed. Plus, Cordelia was really


    pretty; if he could date her, he''d be the envy of everyone.


    After seeing Lionel, Cordelia was reminded of thest time she was taken away by the police. That


    time, Ronan was furious.


    On Monday, the Audit Department released the list of people who entered the secondary test, and


    Cordelia''s name was on it.


    But she suddenly didn''t want to go to the Audit Department anymore.


    She emailed Wyatt, stating that after careful consideration, she felt that she was better suited for a job


    in the Finance Department, thanked Wyatt for his support, and apologized for the trouble she had


    caused.


    Wyatt went to Ronan and asked. "Ronan, did you know your wife has turned down the job at the Audit


    Department?"


    "I had no idea." Ronan was also surprised; after all, the Audit Department had always been Cordelia''s


    goal.


    "Could you ask her why? Her test results were excellent, and I don''t want to lose this talent." Wyatt


    said.


    From what Ronan knew of Cordelia, she would prefer the Audit Department over the Finance


    Department.


    Could she be thinking of going to Jamie''spany?


    He checked the time and saw that it was almost quitting time, but she finished work at the same time


    as the mall, at ten o''clock.


    He went out for a meal, stayed in the office for a while, and then drove to Lumos za without telling


    Cordelia in advance.


    At about ten past ten, Cordelia walked out of the mall, looking worn out and still holding a cup of coffee.


    She was wearing a white shirt paired with jeans and carrying a canvas bag, looking like a college


    student. But at this moment, maybe because she was tired, her eyebrows were drooping, looking a bit


    pitiful.


    When Cordelia got to the entrance of the mall, Ronan''s car honked a few times.


    She reacted slowly and then got into Ronan''s car, still sipping her coffee.


    "Are you drinking coffee again?" Ronan looked at the coffee in Cordelia''s hand and frowned.


    Cordelia was very sleepy, and her mind was a bit fuzzy. She nced at the coffee in her hand. "It''s


    from your mall; I''m not the only one drinking it."


    "I don''t have the right to control what other people do; they''re not my wife." After saying that, Ronan


    started the car.


    Cordelia''s originally fuzzy mind became a bit clearer because of Ronan, and she felt sweet inside.


    She silently put the coffee in the trash can in front of the car and then looked out the window.


    "Why aren''t you going to the Audit Department?" Ronan got to the point. "Didn''t you always want to


    go?"


    "Did Wyatt tell you?" Cordelia looked out the window. "I saw Manda at the written test; she passed too."


    "And so what? What does that have to do with you?"


    "I just didn''t want to upset you." Cordelia looked down and started fidgeting with her hands.


    Ronan felt pleased after listening to Cordelia. She was starting to consider his feelings. He nced at


    her. "Why would I be upset?"


    "Manda''s brother, Lionel. Last time, we both got taken to the police station. If I went to the Audit


    Department, I''d definitely be an assistant like Manda. We''ll inevitably have conflicts at work. Her


    brother might take advantage of that. I can tell that her brother is a troublemaker. I''m afraid there will be


    a conflict, and it will embarrass the Audit Department. You''d get mad and unhappy. So, I won''t go. In


    the Finance Department, even if her brother has any ns, he can''t carry them out. I''ll wait until next


    year. Next year, when I get my CPA license, I''ll go. I''ll learn more in the Finance Department for another


    year." Cordelia remembered how Ronan looked outside the police stationst time, and she didn''t want


    that to happen again.


    Ronan held the steering wheel, feeling like the cool breeze tonight was veryfortable.


    "Are you really not going?" He asked Cordelia again.


    Cordelia nodded seriously. "I''m not going!"


    The moment Cordelia finished her sentence, Ronan''s phone, which was sitting smack dab in the


    middle of the two, started buzzing.


    She nced over, and a name jumped out at her: Deanna.


    Seeing that name made a bitter taste fill Cordelia''s mouth.


    Ronan took the call on his earphones, his conversation now inaudible to Cordelia. From the looks of it,


    it seemed like a run-of-the-mill chat.


    Cordelia''s gaze drifted to the window, a sour mood creeping up on her. However, she wasn''t in a


    position toin.


    Ronan ended his call without giving her any exnation.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Once they got home, Ronan headed to the bathroom for a shower, while Cordelia went straight to bed.


    She knew Ronan had been trying to get close to her these past few days, but after seeing Deanna''s


    call, she decided to shut him out.


    Wrapped in a towel, Ronan stepped out of the bathroom to find Cordelia already asleep, looking as


    cute as a button. Her skin was soft and smooth.


    He sat by her bed, unable to resist brushing his finger lightly against her cheek.


    He was reminded of her saying, "I''m just afraid you''ll be upset."


    Ronan went downstairs to make a call to Wyatt, requesting to cut Manda from the interview without


    giving any reason.


    Additionally, he rang up Jordan, pressing for more hands in the Finance Department because the


    workload at Lumos za was killing Cordelia.


    Jordan hurriedly agreed, figuring that Mr. Evans was looking out for his missus. He promptly arranged


    for two more people.


    Ronan had thought about getting someone to keep an eye on Cordelia''s coffee consumption but


    realized it was a no-go as she had her own rights.


    Luckily, the grinding days at Lumos za wereing to an end.

 Chapter 89

    Chapter 89


    A month had passed, and Cordelia along with her two other colleagues were moved back from Lumos


    za to their original office.


    Upon hearing that Cordelia had turned down the Audit Department position, Jordan was over the


    moon. The day Cordelia returned, he wanted to promote her to Finance Manager right away. As long


    as she stayed under his wing, he''d be at peace.


    Winter was knocking on the door and all of Cordelia''s winter clothes were still at her mother''s house.


    On Saturday, while visiting her mother, Trina asked her to bring some stuff for her mom. Cordelia


    thought it would be a good opportunity to sort out her clothes while she was there.


    Her home was an old building with no elevator. On her way up, Cordelia twisted her ankle badly. Her


    right foot swelled up like a balloon.


    She had nned to soothe it with hot water once she got home. But when she opened the door, she


    got the shock of her life.


    Her brother, Adrian, was stark naked, getting it on with a woman right in the living room.


    Cordelia averted her eyes and tried to leave, but they seemed to have zero fucks to give about her


    presence.


    "Adrian, who''s this? Why does she have your house keys? Don''t tell me you''re screwing me over¡­"


    The woman said sarcastically while wrapping a towel around herself nonchntly.


    "Kendra, what the hell are you on about? That''s my sister. She works at Lumos Enterprises, and her


    husband is Ronan, some rich dude." Adrian retorted. He had been holding a grudge since Cordelia


    tricked him out of his moneyst time. He was hell-bent on payback.


    "Are you guys dressed yet? I need to sort out some stuff in my room." Cordelia spoke with her back


    turned to them, feeling extremely awkward.


    "Aren''t you the bossdy at Lumos Enterprises? Why do you need to sort out your clothes? You could


    just buy a few mink coats; they''re super trendy. You''re too frugal to be a rich man''s wife." Adrian''s


    girlfriend, Kendra, jabbed at her, leaving Cordelia perplexed.


    Kendra then turned to Adrian and said, "Didn''t you say Ronan''s grandpa was sick? I''ve been thinking


    that your sister seems more like a nursemaid that Ronan brought home!"


    Kendra''s snide remarks weren''t because of Adrian, but because Cordelia was the woman Jamie loved,


    and she, Kendra, was smitten with Jamie.


    "Cordelia, weren''t you pregnant? Howe you don''t look pregnant at all? Were you lying about being


    pregnantst time? If you''ve lost the child, your sham marriage wouldn''tst, would it? If you really got


    married, why didn''t Ronan buy you new clothes and make youe back for your old ones? Where''s


    the money I gave youst time? Give it back!" Adrian extended his hand for the money.


    "If you''re so sure it''s a sham marriage, you should know that Ronan''s wealth isn''t mine. I don''t have


    any money. You can run to Grandpa again; let''s see if he believes you this time." Cordelia retorted and


    then went into her room.


    She limped as she walked.


    After seeing this, Kendra couldn''t resist another jab. "Who would''ve thought that Lumos Enterprises''


    Mr. Evans would marry a cripple?!"


    "You misunderstood my sister. I guess she just twisted her ankle. She''s fine. Even if Ronan''s eyesight


    is poor, it''s not that poor." Adrian added.


    Adrian had told Kendra about Cordelia several times. He knew he couldn''t gain anything from her, let


    alone from Ronan. They wouldn''t give him a dime, so he had to resort to sarcasm.


    "I also twisted my ankle, darling..." Kendra, still wrapped in a towel, twisted her ankle yfully. "Carry


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    me!"


    "Sure." Adrian agreed and swept Kendra into his arms.


    Cordelia chose to ignore them. She acted as if she hadn''t seen their earlier antics and continued to


    pack her clothes.


    "Would Ronan do this for you? Don''t think I''m belittling you, but with your behavior, you''re more like


    Ronan''s hired help. You have to y the granddaughter-inw for his grandpa and take care of him.


    Rich folks are always scheming." Kendra continued her mocking. "How much does he pay you every


    month? Does he let you use that money to hire a caregiver for your mom? Don''t you feel pathetic?


    Look at how much better your brother treats me."


    Kendra was venomous. Adrian knew why, but he kept quiet. After all, she was speaking his mind.


    "By the way, do you have the guts to call Ronan? I''d love to see if he''de to carry his injured sister-


    inw downstairs. You''re already Mrs. Evans, and you''re still wearing your old clothes. You''re really


    degrading yourself." Adrian said as he took a drag of his cigarette with a smug look on his face.


    "You should call Ronan." Kendra added.


    Cordelia didn''t know why Kendra kept urging her to call Ronan, but she knew both Adrian and Kendra


    were up to no good.


    Cordelia didn''t give a damn about what they said.


    Of course, a significant reason was that she didn''t dare call Ronan. She knew he wouldn''te, and


    she didn''t want to bother him.


    Just as Cordelia finished packing her clothes, her phone rang. It was Ronan.

 Chapter 90

    Chapter 90


    Cordelia stepped out onto the balcony to take a call.


    "Why aren''t you home yet?" Ronan asked, his tone authoritative, like a boss scolding an employee.


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    "I went to see my mom and to pack up my winter clothes. I also needed to bring her some daily


    necessities." Cordelia replied.


    "When do you expect to be back?"


    Cordelia nced at the time on her phone. "Probably in about two hours."


    "Ronan, your wife sprained her ankle. If your marriage wasn¡¯t a sham, you shoulde pick her up."


    Adrian¡¯s voice echoed from behind Cordelia, his tone full of mockery.


    Adrian and Kendra had somehow positioned themselves behind Cordelia. Kendra was barely wrapped


    in a towel, as if she wanted everyone to gawk at her sexy figure.


    "You sprained your ankle?" Ronan asked Cordelia.


    "No biggie. It happened when I was climbing the stairs..." Cordelia felt a lump in her throat. Her own


    brother was not only not helping her but also making her lose dignity in front of others. She choked


    back tears.


    Ronan hung up the phone.


    Deciding not to let Adrian see her upset, Cordelia quickly brushed away her tears and turned to him.


    "Bro, do you think provoking me will do any good? I''ll make sure you don''t see whatever you want to


    see. unting your rtionship in front of me like that, I bet you guys aren''t as solid as you seem!"


    With that, Cordelia retreated into her room to pack.


    Kendra leaned against the door frame, eyeing Cordelia. Other than being young and innocent, Cordelia


    had no other notable qualities. She wondered what Jamie saw in her.


    Cordelia was aware of Kendra''s gaze but chose to ignore her, busying herself with packing. When her


    phone rang again, she had nearly finished packing.


    It was Ronan.


    "Open the door." He said.


    As Cordelia pondered which door he meant, it dawned on her. Could Ronan be here?


    Somewhat hesitant, she walked to the door and opened it to find Ronan standing outside.


    "You sprained your ankle?" He looked down at her foot.


    Cordelia thought that he was probably just here to prove that their marriage wasn''t fake in front of


    Adrian.


    "It''s nothing serious." She replied.


    As Ronan stepped into the room, he gently guided Cordelia to sit on the sofa and knelt down to


    examine her foot. "You''re packing without telling me? Let¡¯s go home."


    Ronan stood up, scooped Cordelia into his arms, and carried her down the stairs, ignoring Adrian and


    Kendrapletely.


    Cordelia lived on the third floor, and Ronan carefully carried her down each step.


    After remembering how he had carried her in the hospital, she felt warmth flooding in. She clung to his


    neck, resting her head on his chest.


    Ronan nced down at her.


    As they reached the stairwell, they encountered someone. Ronan frowned slightly before continuing


    out with Cordelia in his arms.


    Cordelia immediately recognized the man as Jamie. He looked rushed; he was probably on his way to


    see Adrian, but why was he sweating so much? Was there an emergency?


    Upon seeing Cordelia and Ronan, Jamie stopped in his tracks and turned to stare at them.


    Ronan settled Cordelia in the car and noticed Jamie was still watching. He leaned in and nted a kiss


    on her.


    Cordelia felt a rush of heat and responded eagerly to his kiss as her arms tightly hugged his neck.


    She knew Ronan was doing this to show Jamie their love, get him out of her hair, and satisfy his


    possessive streak.


    Ronan slid into the driver''s seat and shot Jamie onest nce.


    "Does your foot still hurt?" Ronan asked Cordelia after getting in the car.


    "Not so much. You didn''t have to do that, you know. There''s really nothing between me and him."


    Cordelia referred to the kiss, feeling a bit uneasy about it.


    "What did I do?" Ronanughed helplessly. "What¡¯s your brother up to now? Why would he go to your


    house?"


    "I have no idea." Cordelia frowned, "Thanks, by the way."


    "For what?" Ronan asked.


    "For treating me with respect in front of them. Otherwise, my brother would keep thinking that we were


    just pretending." Cordelia exined.


    She might have sounded confident to Adrian, but she knew she was bluffing. If Ronan hadn''t shown


    up, she wouldn''t have been able to prove her point.


    Thankfully, he did!


    "You''re too polite." Ronan replied with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

 Chapter 91

    Chapter 91


    Jamie showed up at Adrian''s ce.


    "What brings you here?" Adrian asked Jamie in surprise. "Did you bump into my sis and Ronan?"


    "Yep." Jamie answered, looking pale.


    It seemed they were getting along pretty well; it didn¡¯t look like they were faking it. Even though


    Cordelia looked a bit resistant when Ronan kissed her, it didn''t prove anything.


    "I think Cordelia and Ronan are deeply into each other. You guys won''t be able to break them up, so


    you might as well drop that idea." Kendra spoke with a sharp tone.


    She intentionally lured Ronan over just now. Of course, she knew Jamie woulde because it was


    she who texted him.


    Jamie might have already seen Cordelia and Ronan together.


    Kendra just wanted Jamie to know that his feelings for Cordelia were pointless.


    "Jamie, don''t get it twisted. Ronan went upstairs because he disdained Cordelia for cleaning up her


    clothes, thinking it damaged his image. He scolded Cordelia loudly. When she didn''t listen, he picked


    her up and left, saying that he was going to teach her a lesson at home. You should go check on her."


    Adrian said hastily.


    Jamie''s eyes filled with anger immediately. "What did you say?"


    Then he turned around and left.


    "Jamie! Jamie¡­" Kendra called out from behind, but Jamie was walking too fast. Kendra was only in a


    towel, so she couldn¡¯t go out and could only call his name anxiously.


    "This is all your doing!" Kendra said to Adrian.


    "How dare you use me? You think I don''t know what you''re up to? Okay, let''s say we both have a


    part in this! I want Jamie to chase after my sister! He saw you in my bed, but did he react? No. He only


    has my sis in his heart, so you better give up." Adrian said sarcastically.


    Kendra felt very angry. She liked Jamie, but he told her that he had someone else in his heart, asking


    her not to like him anymore.


    Kendra wasn''t willing to ept that. She told Jamie that if he didn''t agree to be with her, she would do


    something extreme. She would sleep with Adrian.


    She purposely texted Jamie toe over today, wanting him to see it. She didn''t expect Cordelia to


    ...


    Ronan and Cordelia were back home.


    Ronan carried Cordelia directly to the upstairs bathroom. When he went upstairs, he asked Janice at


    home to bring up the medicine for treating sprains.


    He turned on the hot water, prepared a stool for Cordelia, then rolled up his sleeves, squatted down,


    and started washing Cordelia''s feet with hot water.


    Cordelia''s foot instinctively pulled back a bit. She felt a bit ufortable with Ronan washing her feet.


    "Stay still." Ronan held her foot.


    Cordelia''s hands and feet were always cold in winter. Now that they were held in his hands and


    washed with hot water, the warmth spread throughout her body.


    Cordelia felt veryfortable, as if she had returned to her childhood. She hadn''t experienced this kind


    of intimacy in a long time.


    He deliberately pressed lightly on the swollen part of Cordelia''s foot.


    "Does it feel good?" He looked up at Cordelia.


    The moment their eyes met, Cordelia felt an intimate emotion flowing between them.


    She stared into Ronan''s eyes, feeling a bit weird. He seemed to be both her father and her husband.


    Cordelia even had the impulse to kiss him.


    "Why are you always staring into my eyes?" Ronan noticed that Cordelia liked to gaze into his eyes.


    Cordelia came to her senses and said, "Your eyes are beautiful."


    Ronan seemed to be in a good mood; he asked again, "Does it feel good?"


    Cordelia nodded; she was in a good mood too. "It feels great."


    Ronan continued to wash Cordelia''s feet with hot water, his movements gentle.


    The bathroom was quiet; only the sound of the water was audible, as if time had stopped.


    Then noisy voices came from downstairs. Janice seemed to be preventing something. There was a


    male voice shouting. "Who the hell is he to hit Cordelia?"


    Then there was a noise like someone wasing upstairs, and soon Ronan''s door opened.


    Ronan frowned slightly. He looked very angry.


    Cordelia already recognized that it was Jamie''s voice; she didn''t know what had happened.


    Ronan washed his hands under the tap, wiped them with a towel, and walked out.


    "Where''s Cordelia? What did you do to Cordelia?" Jamie''s voice came in.


    Janice walked into the bathroom. She was applying medicine to Cordelia''s foot, so Cordelia couldn''t


    walk for the moment.


    "I didn''t bother you, but you came to me." Ronan said sarcastically.


    Jamie didn''t respond; he just stood there.


    "How I treat my wife is none of your business." Ronan spoke calmly. "Jamie, didn''t anyone tell you what


    happens when you barge into someone''s house without permission?"


    "What did you do to Cordelia? Where''s Cordelia?" Jamie scanned the room.


    To avoid a conflict, Cordelia said to Janice. "Janice, could you speed it up a bit?"


    "I''m massaging my wife''s foot. You want to watch that kind of private stuff?" Ronan spoke calmly. He


    sat on the sofa as if Jamie were just a minor underling of his.


    Jamie was somewhat shocked.


    "You make all kinds of dramatic moves to lure my wife, then invite her to your office for a tour, entice


    her to fill out a resume, and arrange an interview for her when she''s at work. Jamie, you''re quite the


    scheming man." Ronan listed Jamie''s actions. "You''re fully prepared to y the third wheel, but do you


    really have the guts to snatch someone from me?"


    When Ronan said that, Jamie was clearly at a loss, not knowing how to respond. How the heck did


    Ronan know all these things? Did Cordelia tell him? Were they really that close?


    Cordelia was also bbergasted. How on earth did Ronan know all these things? Howe he knew it


    as if he had seen it with his own eyes?


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    And what else was he in the dark about?

 Chapter 92

    Chapter 92


    After Ronan said that, Cordelia decided to hide in the bathroom. She was too self-conscious toe


    out. Her feet, which were warm just a while ago, had turned cold since leaving the hot water. Ronan''s


    words sent shivers down her spine.


    "I didn''t!" Jamie defended himself.


    Ronan snorted lightly, "You have the guts to confront me, but no courage to admit it! I hope you haven''t


    done anything you shouldn''t have."


    "So, did you set up the Audit Department for Cordelia?" Jamie asked, finding it hard to believe. He was


    baffled at what game Ronan was ying.


    "Yes. What about it?" Ronan said. It wasn''t entirely for Cordelia, mainly because the financial system of


    Lumos Enterprises was so massive, and he didn''t trust Jordan that much. Jordan had limited


    capabilities and some selfish thoughts of his own. Cordelia was the catalyst for the establishment of the


    Audit Department.


    "So, you set up the Audit Department for Cordelia, but in the end, she didn''t join?" Jamie asked


    disdainfully.


    "You don''t need to worry about that. It''s the result of a discussion between Cordelia and me. As for the


    reason, it''s none of your business." Ronan lit a cigarette, squinting his eyes as he sized Jamie up.


    He knew that Jamie must''ve been provoked by Adrian, hence hising over.


    Jamie stood there for a long time, then walked away dejectedly.


    When the room finally quieted down, Janice came out of the bathroom and headed downstairs.


    Cordelia also came out, wearing her slippers.


    She stood by Ronan like a student who did something wrong in front of the teacher. With her head


    down and hands in front, she said in a voice that was barely above a whisper, "Don''t be mad!" She


    even carefully tugged at Ronan''s sleeve.


    "What did you say?" Ronan looked up at her. Her face was full of remorse.


    "Please don''t be mad!" Cordelia raised her voice slightly, her tone somewhat changing.


    "Still ordering me around?" Clearly, Ronan was not pleased.


    "Please, it''s all my fault. I wanted to change jobs but didn''t tell you." Cordelia said, pouting.


    Ronan nced at Cordelia, "It¡¯s fine this time, but you need to listen to me in the future."


    Cordelia nodded, knowing that she had been caught by Ronan this time. He would have an "excuse",


    making it difficult for her to disregard his words in the future.


    She didn''t know how Ronan found out, but if he set up the Audit Department for her, what more could


    she ask for?


    Ronan rubbed his forehead.


    "What''s wrong? Not feeling well?" Cordelia asked with concern.


    "I just came out of the bathroom; the sudden brightness is blinding me." Ronan said slowly, "and..."


    "And what?" Cordelia asked hurriedly.


    "Your attitude pissed me off!" Ronan said.


    Cordelia was speechless.


    "Is it serious? Let me massage it for you. Want some eye drops?" Cordelia tried to appease Ronan in a


    low voice.


    "No need, it''ll be fine in a bit." Ronan kept his eyes closed, rubbing his forehead.


    Ronan''s phone kept ringing.


    "Check it for me." Ronan told Cordelia.


    Cordelia thought could he read her mind? He always seemed to see through her. Just a few days ago,


    she was thinking that she had never checked his phone.


    "Okay." Cordelia took his phone and saw a message from Deanna, with photos of her shooting scenes.


    She was dressed very stylishly, seemed like a strong woman at first nce.


    Another message read: [Ronan, I''ll be back in Millstone for the ''My Dear Dr. Rond''unch in a few


    days. Will youe? I miss you. Do you miss me?]


    Cordelia fell silent, her mood dropping.


    "What''s wrong?" Ronan asked.


    "Deanna''s shooting on set. She''ll be back in Millstone for aunch in a few days, and she''s asking if


    you miss her." Cordelia''s voice was tinged with a hint of resentment.


    "Let me see." Ronan reached out his hand.


    After handing him the phone, Cordelia left. She went to the bathroom to pour out the foot bath water,


    thinking he probably regretted letting her check his messages. He was probably replying to Deanna


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    now. She didn''t even know what he replied to Deanna. This sucked!


    Cordelia was torn between feeling guilty towards Ronan and being mad at him. She felt guilty because


    he had done so much for her, yet she was mad at him because of his overly intimate rtionship with


    Deanna in front of her.

 Chapter 93

    Chapter 93


    The guilty and displeased feelings toward Ronan had carried over till the next day.


    By noon, Cordelia had arranged to have lunch with Brooklyn, but to her surprise, they bumped into


    Ronan and a group of high-level executives returning from the outside.


    They seemed to have had a site visit in the morning.


    When their eyes met, Cordelia inevitably felt awkward. Given herplicated feelings towards Ronan,


    she lowered her head and deliberately hid behind Brooklyn.


    As Ronan walked past her, he said, "Why are you always avoiding me? And no junk food allowed."


    Cordelia and Brooklyn froze. Just one sentence from Ronan had stopped them in their tracks. No junk


    food allowed, so they should eat something else. But in the end, they chose junk food. At the


    restaurant, Cordelia spoke more cautiously, her voice barely above a whisper.


    "I have no idea how he knew about those things. It''s making me feel very defensive." Cordelia said.


    Brooklyn also felt guilty, because she betrayed Cordelia before. She could only try to lighten the tense


    mood, "So, if there''s anything else you haven''t told him, better spit it out now. Honesty is the best


    policy. Resistance only makes things worse."


    At this point, Cordelia suddenly remembered, "That day he gave me a book and told me that I could


    only carry this book in my bag. No other books are allowed. Do you think he already knows about the


    book Jamie wrote?"


    Brooklyn nodded quickly, "He must know. This is not a hin. It''s a clear message. I''m also curious how


    he found out."


    Then, Cordelia mentioned the message that Deanna sent yesterday. At the mention of this, Brooklyn


    got excited, "Let''s get Edwin. Get him to wear the shirt Deanna sent, and we should sent her a warning.


    She''s just a mistress. What''s there to be so cocky about?"


    However, Cordelia felt that it wasn''t a good idea, as Deanna was his first love and they were bound to


    get together someday. As for her and Ronan, they were just a couple by agreement and would


    eventually separate.


    "We''ll see." Cordelia ate her meal slowly.


    When they got back to the office, Brooklyn told Cordelia, "You must confess to Mr. Evans."


    Although Cordelia was reluctant, she knew that if he exposed the matter in an ungraceful manner one


    day, she would feel even more embarrassed.


    So, she took The CPA Sess Blueprint that Jamie gave her along with his notes, and went to


    Ronan''s office.


    "Did you have junk food again?" Ronan frowned at Cordelia''s lips.


    Cordelia quickly defended herself, "No!"


    "Cordelia, do you find these little schemes amusing?" Clearly, Ronan was annoyed at Cordelia''s lies.


    "Don''t be mad." Thinking that she was going to confess to Ronan today, Cordelia''s voice became very


    ttering, "I didn''t mean to. I only ate a little bit. I came to give you this."


    With that, Cordelia ced the notes and the book on Ronan''s desk.


    Ronan already knew, so he wasn''t surprised, "Anything else?"


    "No, there''s nothing between him and me." Cordelia waved her hands anxiously.


    "Take it back!" Ronan pushed it back to Cordelia. He only cared about Cordelia''s thoughts and wasn''t


    interested in Jamie''s stuff at all.


    "Does this mean honesty is rewarded?" Cordelia asked cautiously.


    "You could say that." Ronan said, "And this is for you."


    "What''s this?" Cordelia saw Ronan push three tickets towards her.


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    She picked them up and saw they were for theunch of My Dear Dr. Rond. Without asking, she


    knew they must be from Deanna.


    "Where''s your ticket?" Cordelia asked Ronan.


    "I''m not going. Not interested." Ronan said.


    So, Deanna gave Ronan three tickets? She was really something, to give out three tickets!


    Thinking of Deanna, Cordelia felt annoyed. She turned and left, and as soon as she got back to her


    office, she started discussing Deanna with Brooklyn.


    "See, you''re so nice to her, but she''s not grateful at all. Instead, she gave you three tickets. Is she


    hinting that there¡¯s a third party between you two?" Brooklyn asked, "Just do as I told you at noon."


    Cordelia thought for a moment, and decided to do just that.

 Chapter 94

    Chapter 94


    The press conference for My Dear Dr. Rond was held on Saturday afternoon.


    After spending time with her mom, Cordelia headed over with Brooklyn and Edwin. Deanna had


    hooked them up with front row seats. The venue was kind of hot, so Edwin stripped down to his shirt.


    Brooklyn had specifically told him to wear that shirt, just to embarrass Deanna.


    When Deanna spotted Cordelia and her friend Brooklyn in the front row, she recognized them from a


    previous encounter at the mall. But, Ronan was nowhere to be found.


    Especially when Deanna saw Edwin, she couldn''t take her eyes off him. She could recognize the shirt


    she bought.


    Cordelia and Brooklyn were so happy seeing Deanna''s frustration.


    After the press conference, Deanna pulled Cordelia aside and asked, "Where''s Ronan?"


    "You''re asking about my husband?" Cordelia replied, "He''s not into these kind of things, so he sent me.


    I''m here on his behalf."


    "Where''s the shirt I bought for him? Why did you give it to someone else?" Deanna was fuming, her


    eyes practically shooting daggers at Cordelia.


    "Don''t me Cordelia for this. It was Mr. Evans who gave it to me. I once failed at starting my own


    stepped in at the right moment.


    Deanna was fuming.


    Cordelia was shocked. So when she went to buy aputer, Ronan already knew Edwin? Why did he


    pretend not to know him? To gather more information?


    What didn''t Ronan know? She felt like a clown in front of Ronan; he knew everything.


    Cordelia was celebrating her victory after defeating Deanna. But when she got back to Pearl Palms,


    she found Deanna sitting on her sofa, chatting with Ronan.


    Barney was not in the living room.


    Knowing Barney disliked Deanna, Cordelia figured he had retreated to his room upon seeing her.


    Cordelia''s mood instantly dropped.


    "Stop right there!" Ronan chided Cordelia in a low voice.


    Cordelia was already upset about Ronan hiding his connection with Edwin, and now him telling her to


    stand in front of Deanna was simply humiliating.


    Thest time his grandfather was ill, he had already made her stand once.


    Cordelia stood there begrudgingly, thinking, "Deanna is such a pain. She stirs up trouble in my house


    and leaves a bad impression on Ronan."


    "How can you give away something that someone else gave you?" Ronan frowned, sitting on the sofa


    and scolding Cordelia like a child.


    Cordelia huffed and turned her head, not wanting to see Deanna''s smug face.


    "If anything is to be given, it should be me giving it. What''s up with you doing?" Ronan continued, "The


    gifts from our guests, I haven''t even given them yet, and you''re already making a move. Who''s the


    head of this household, do you even know?"N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    Cordelia was too pissed to understand what Ronan was implying.


    Deanna''s smug smile was reced by a look of embarrassment. What did Ronan mean by his words?


    He was saying she was a guest, that he and Cordelia were family. He was the head of the house and


    Cordelia must listen to him.


    After a stern lecture to Cordelia, Ronan turned to Deanna and said in a soft voice, "I''ve talked to her,


    she won''t do this again. Don''t you have work to do?"


    Realizing that Ronan was asking her to leave, Deanna had no choice but to get up and go.


    Cordelia went upstairs, dropped her bag, and sat on her bed. Ronan followed soon after. He came up


    to Cordelia, amused by her pettiness.


    His hand gently touched Cordelia''s chin, "Is this why you''re upset? Because I scolded you, or because


    I know Edwin?"


    "Do you know everything?" Cordelia looked up at Ronan.


    "More or less." Ronan lit up a cigarette.


    "So..." Cordelia stared at him and tried to gauge Ronan''s expression, "Do you know why I came to


    work at Lumos Enterprises?"


    Ronan''s brows furrowed, and he paused in lighting his cigarette.

 Chapter 95

    Chapter 95


    While Cordelia was taking a shower, Ronan texted his assistant to do a background check on her


    school records.


    Cordelia was snuggled up in bed, all warm and cozy. It was the start of winter and the heating had just


    kicked in, so it was still a bit chilly. Plus, she just got out of the shower, so she felt extra cold.


    "So why did you choose to work at Lumos Enterprises?" Ronan asked Cordelia, who was in his arms.


    Cordelia hesitated for a moment, "Everyone in Millstone knows you''re a looker."


    "Is that so? Did you have a thing for me from the start?" Ronan queried.


    Cordelia burst intoughter, avoiding furtherment on the subject.


    The next day, while Cordelia was at work, The Suit Gallery delivered two shirts, one dark grey and one


    navy blue. Both shirts were custom-made to the measurements she providedst time.


    A shop assistant waited in Cordelia''s office, asking if Ronan could try them on. If they didn''t fit, they


    could take them back for alterations and have them ready by the afternoon.


    Cordelia thought it over. Ronan had never worn a navy blue shirt before and he was picky about his


    clothes. She decided it was best to let him see it first. So she texted Ronan, [The Suit Gallery has


    dropped off two shirts for you to try on. They can take them back for alterations if they don''t fit.]


    Ronan replied, [Bring them up.]


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Cordelia left the shop assistant in the conference room and went to find Ronan with the shirts.


    Once she arrived at his office, she noticed a middle-aged woman she didn''t recognize. The woman was


    eyeing her with a somewhat unfriendly expression.


    "These are the shirts. Since you haven''t worn this color before, I thought you might not like it, so I


    brought them here for you to check them out." Cordelia ced the shirts neatly on the table, revealing


    thebels.


    "What do you think?" Ronan looked up at Cordelia.


    "Hmm." Cordelia looked at the shirts and said, "I think they''re lovely. Everything looks good on you."


    Ronan chuckled, "Everything looks good when you''re looking at someone you love."


    "I''m serious." Cordelia protested, thinking, ¡°What''s gotten into Ronan? He''s even saying things like this.


    Kinda cheesy, but I''m happy.¡±


    Without arguing further, Ronan said, "Come with me to try them on."


    "Where to?" Cordelia asked, ncing again at the middle-aged woman.


    If they were alone, Ronan could just try on the shirts in his office.


    "The bathroom. Let''s go." Ronan led Cordelia to the bathroom.


    Once they were behind closed doors, Cordelia had Ronan bend down so she could whisper in his ear,


    "Who''s thatdy outside?"


    Cordelia wondered if that woman was a rtive of Ronan''s, hadn''t she done something wrong?


    "Don''t worry about it. She''s not important." Ronan began changing clothes.


    Cordelia was skilled at helping Ronan change, her movements smooth and practiced.


    As she helped him change, she whispered, "I thought she was someone from your family. She scared


    me for a second."


    "What are you afraid of?" Ronan asked her, "Are you afraid to meet my mom?"


    Cordelia didn''t respond, but a sweet feeling rose in her heart. However, she had no idea where


    Ronan''s mother was.


    "Check the mirror. Do the shirts fit?" Cordelia said.


    Cordelia stood behind Ronan, looking at his reflection. He was dashing, fit, and utterly captivating. She


    couldn''t help but think how lucky she was to share a bed with such a man. But she knew it would never


    be hers. She had to wake up from this dream at some point. And what was wrong with dreaming a little


    longer?


    "They fit." Ronan then began to unbutton his shirt.


    Cordelia helped him change while saying, "Should I tell them that they can make shirts in this color in


    the future? Should the shirts stay here for now?"


    "Go ahead." Ronan said.


    Cordelia left the bathroom, nodded at the seemingly unfriendly middle-aged woman, and walked out


    the door.


    "So that''s your wife?" The woman said, "She seems very dutiful, probably takes good care of you. I bet


    you''re quitefortable."


    Her words were filled with sarcasm, implying that Ronan had only married Cordelia to have a caretaker.


    "On the contrary, she always manages to get on my nerves." Ronan neatly folded the shirt and casually


    ced it on the couch, a smirk ying on his lips.


    The middle-aged woman nced at the shirt next to her, noting thebel. Very unique, both retro and


    ssic.


    If she remembered correctly, Ronan''s wife''s name was Cordelia.


    "By the way, Ronan, don''t forget my request." She added, "And this is just between you and me.


    Deanna doesn''t know about it. The house doesn''t have to be in my name, just put it in yours."


    She was Deanna''s mother, Le.


    "I know. I have a new house over on Peace Avenue. You can move in whenever you want. I''ll have


    someone deliver the keyster." Ronan was smiling, but it was a forced smile, devoid of warmth.


    "Thank you, Ronan. I just feel like I''m getting old and I miss Deanna. Plus, Niks..." Le''s voice


    trailed off, tears welling in her eyes.


    "Let''s not talk about Niks." Ronan''s voice dropped.


    After Le left, she mentioned to Deanna that Cordelia had helped Ronan try on shirts. It seemed that


    the shirts Ronan was wearing now were custom-made by Cordelia, with her trademark on them.


    *****


    Deanna plopped onto the couch, looking all miffed. Ronan wasn''t wearing the custom-made clothes


    she got him. Instead, he was putting on a shirt from Cordelia and he had given away all the clothes she


    gifted him!


    "Ronan, what''s up with your taste, seriously?" Deanna thought.


    "Oh, right. Mom, we need to move into the house Ronan gave us ASAP. After all, it''s under his name."


    One n failed, Deanna started scheming another one.


    "No problem, Ronan said that house is all set. We can just move in." Le said.


    "Oh, yeah. And remember, never ever mention that incident from six years ago in front of Cordelia.


    Turns out, she''s the one who''s been a thorn in our side, always stirring up trouble for us. Remember,


    it''d be best if she doesn''t bring it up in front of Ronan either. If she spills the beans, we''re gonna be in


    trouble." Deanna warned.


    "Got it." Le''s face turned dead serious.

 Chapter 96

    Chapter 96


    After work, Ronan got home and was having dinner with his family when he received a message from


    his assistant: [Mr. Evans, your wife had no particr incidents during her school days. She had a well-


    known rtionship with Logan. They were once voted as the number one ''Top 10 Couples'' on the


    campus forum. If Logan were still alive, they would probably be married by now. Also, Cordelia only


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    sent her resume to Lumos Enterprises after graduating, which might be rted to Logan.]


    After reading the message, Ronan quietly put down his phone, not uttering a word throughout. Their


    first sex also had something to do with Logan.


    Cordelia was chatting with Barney about an animal rescue station, a topic Ronan wasn''t interested in.


    After taking a shower, Cordelia stood in the bedroom, wiping her hair and reading a book at the same


    time. Ronan watched her coldly, thinking she had theposure and elegance of a well-educateds


    woman. The sexiness she exuded when reading had nothing to do with her body, but it moved him.


    By the time Cordelia''s hair was dry, she had also finished a chapter of her book.


    "It''s so cold." Cordelia crawled into the warm quilt and sighed.


    "Did you feel this cold in school?" Ronan, who was reading a book next to her, asked calmly.


    "Hmm." Cordeliay in bed, looking at the ceiling, "Howe I never felt cold in school?" Back then,


    she was always looking forward to her date with Logan the next day, then she would fall asleep


    sweetly.


    "What made you not feel cold?" Ronan asked again.


    Cordelia thought for a while, but didn''t tell him the truth. She simply answered, "Maybe because the


    dormitory was small and there were many people. With everyone chatting at night, you wouldn''t feel


    cold."


    "What did you do during the day?" Ronan suddenly became interested in Cordelia''s school life.


    " I went to ss during the day. Life was monotonous, you probably wouldn''t be interested." Cordelia


    never mentioned Logan. Perhaps it was a hurdle she couldn''t get over, so she always avoided the


    topic.


    "What did you do when you were with Logan?" Ronan suddenly asked. His tone was calm, as if he had


    casually brought it up.


    Although it had been a while since Logan''s incident, Ronan didn''t want to mention it. But he did


    anyway.


    Cordelia was at a loss for words. She didn''t understand why he brought up Logan out of the blue. The


    name pained her. She remained silent.


    Ronan nced at her, only to see her staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.


    "Have you guys ever done this?" Ronan set down his book, turned to her, and passionately kissed


    Cordelia. His hands were busy undoing her nightgown.


    Cordelia was momentarily confused. She couldn''t tell whether the man in front of her was Logan or


    Ronan. She wrapped her arms around Ronan''s neck, looking incredibly tender.


    Kissing him was usually a joyful affair for her. Even though she was the one initiating, she was never


    this soft and tender.


    Until Ronan lifted his body and stared at her sternly, "I''m not him!"


    Cordelia suddenly felt embarrassed and angry, and her tears started to fall onto the pillow, "Why did


    you mention him? When did I ever treat you like him?"


    Ronan impulsively moved closer to Cordelia, turned off the lights, and made love to her over and over


    again.


    Cordelia didn''t understand why he suddenly became so emotional, or why he brought up Logan out of


    the blue. His mentioning of Logan soured her mood.


    After their lovemaking, it was already 3am. Cordelia was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open.


    She fell asleep. But Ronan couldn''t sleep. He lit a cigarette and leaned against the headboard reading


    a book.


    Cordelia''s side of the bed must''ve been really cold. She was asleep, but instinctively moved towards


    Ronan''s side.


    Ronan''s body was warm, Cordelia wrapped her arms around him, sleeping soundly.


    Ronan''s gaze was no longer on the book, but on Cordelia beside him. Maybe because of the warmth,


    herplexion was a bit flushed. Her mouth seemed to be murmuring something, but he couldn''t hear


    it clearly.


    "What did you say?" He leaned in closer to her and asked.


    "Daddy." Cordelia mumbled.


    At least she wasn''t calling out Logan''s name!


    Ronan stroked Cordelia''s hair, and Cordelia continued to sleep peacefully.


    The next morning, the weather was gloomy. It was dark, looked like it was going to rain. The winter was


    close.


    After getting up, Cordelia made the bed while shooting Ronan a few nces. He was putting on a suit,


    looking quite dapper.


    Cordelia murmured under her breath, "You''re such a jerk! I wasn''t thinking about Logan!"


    Ronan walked past Cordelia, gently lifted her chin, and stared into her eyes, "Then who were you


    thinking about?"


    Cordelia was at a loss for words, unable to express what she was feeling.


    Seeing Cordelia''s slightly downcast eyelids, Ronan couldn''t help but joke, "Thinking about your dad?"


    "How did you know?" Cordelia was taken aback, she grabbed Ronan''s arm and asked in panic.


    "Did you take me for your dad?" Ronan let go of Cordelia and went to put on his watch, "I don''t have a


    daughter as big as you."


    He went downstairs. Cordelia stood upstairs for a moment, then she followed him.

 Chapter 97

    Chapter 97


    Cordelia was yawning non-stop during dinner, looking dead beat.


    Barney chuckled, "What time did you sleepst night?"


    Cordelia blushed, "Grandpa."


    "Alright, alright. I''ll stop it." Barney seemed extremely gleeful.


    Cordelia sneaked a peek at Ronan, who was eating with a poker face. As if staying upte had nothing


    to do with him. Wild at night and prim and proper during the day.


    "But today is Friday. Hang in there and you can sleep in on the weekend." Barney said.


    Thinking about this, Cordelia also felt excited. She looked outside, and the weather didn''t look too


    good. Seemed like it was going to rain.


    "Don''t forget your umbre when you head out." Cordelia reminded Ronan with concern.


    "Got it." Ronan responded.


    Cordelia started falling asleep the moment she got in Ronan''s car, all the way to the office.


    Just arrived at work and while tidying up, she received a message from Brooklyn: [Cordelia, are you


    free tomorrow? If so,e with me to my sister''s ce.]


    Cordelia replied: [I might be with my mom in the morning, is the afternoon okay?]


    Brooklyn: [Sure, we¡¯ll go in the afternoon. They''ve invited me for dinner.]


    Cordelia sent back an "Alright".


    While turning on herputer, she thought, ¡°Wait a sec, Brooklyn''s sister''s ce is also Edwin''s.


    Brooklyn mentioned before, her sister''s family lives in a big house with everyone under one roof. Could


    it be... Brooklyn is going to see Edwin under the pretense of visiting her sister?¡±


    But Cordelia was swamped today. As a financial manager, she was busier than she used to be. She


    was a dedicated worker and had no time to chat with Brooklyn at the moment.


    The Lumos Star training was scheduled on Friday again. This time, Ronan was the speaker. It had


    been a month and a half since hisst lecture.


    Cordelia and Brooklyn were sitting in the second row. Ronan, full of energy, stepped onto the stage.


    Cordelia was amazed. He never seemed tired and his eyes seemed as if they could see through


    everything.


    Cordelia was fighting off sleepiness the entire day, feeling absolutely drained. Even though Ronan''s


    lecture was great, she couldn''t help but doze off.


    Brooklyn, afraid she would fall asleep, nudged her. She also passed Cordelia a note with a simple


    drawing of a person visiting someone''s home, reminding her not to forget about tomorrow''s date.


    Cordelia was amused by the goofy drawing and her sleepiness was mostly gone. She couldn''t help but


    smile. To thank Brooklyn for keeping her awake, Cordelia drew a heart on the note and passed it back


    to her.


    When she looked up, ready to continue listening to the lecture, she realized Ronan had already left the


    stage. He was calmly lecturing while walking towards Cordelia''s seat.


    Cordelia thought to herself, ¡°Ronan never leaves the stage during his lectures. What''s he up to?¡±


    Then, Ronan took the note from Brooklyn, read what was on it, and stopped his lecture.


    The room went silent.


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    He looked up at Cordelia, "Who do you like?"


    "Huh?" Cordelia snapped back to reality. Caught daydreaming by the teacher in ss, she and


    Brooklyn would probably be asked to leave. She was a financial manager now.


    In her panic state, Cordelia made a gesture. She first pointed at herself, made a heart shape with her


    fingers, then pointed at Ronan.


    "Who else but you?" Cordelia said innocently and pitifully.


    Ronan was silent for a moment. He held the note, returned to the stage and continued his lecture.


    Crisis averted, Cordelia breathed a sigh of relief. Brooklyn was even paler than before. Luckily,


    Cordelia reacted quickly.


    But in the eyes of their colleagues, Cordelia openly expressed her love for Mr. Evans in front of


    everyone, how envious!


    An opportunity to express and an unhesitant deration of love.


    They all remembered Cordelia''s words.

 Chapter 98

    Chapter 98


    After ss, Brooklyn was still recouping from the recent frightening moment. She confessed, "I was


    frightened out of my wits just now. Lucky you handled it coolly."


    "What''s so scary about him?" Cordelia was puzzled.


    "Have you heard about his past stern behavior? He fired the whole PR Department. You''re with him


    every day, so you might not feel it. But what about before? You were terrified of him too." Brooklyn said.


    Cordelia wasn''t in thepany when he fired people, so she didn''t know about it. But she used to be


    quite afraid of him. Every time there was a team building activity, she would feel extremely nervous as


    soon as his phone rang.


    "You have to continue helping me tomorrow." Brooklyn said.


    "Help you with what?" Cordelia stopped abruptly, sensing that Brooklyn had some other ns after


    hearing her words.


    "You need to dress down, and make yourself look poor. Like youe from a less fortunate family."


    Brooklyn said with anticipation.


    "Alright, so you want to show Edwin''s parents that you don''t despise poor friends. I get it. You''re afraid


    I''ll steal your thunder." Cordelia said.


    After work.


    Cordelia got into Ronan''s car.


    "I''ll go to Brooklyn''s house tomorrow afternoon with her. Edwin is staying at her sister''s house too. In


    other words, she''s going to meet her future mother-inw. She asked me to apany her, and I


    agreed. I want to ask for leave." Cordelia said seriously.


    "Go ahead." Ronan''s voice was gentle.


    He knew what Cordelia had said in the training ss today was a temporary coping strategy, probably


    to soothe him in case he was angry. But regardless, it sounded good.


    Silence fell between them again.


    Cordelia suddenly remembered that he had once fired the entire PR Department, so she brought up


    the topic, "I heard that you fired the whole PR Department before. Why?"


    "I didn''t like them." Ronan said.


    Cordelia hummed in response, somewhat puzzled by his actions. It was so hard to find a job


    nowadays, and he just fired everyone because he didn''t like them. Was that reasonable?


    "Any other reasons?" Cordelia asked again.


    "They were overpraising me in the media articles." Ronan said.


    Cordelia suddenly felt very awkward, she turned her head to look at Ronan, "Don¡¯t you like being


    praised?"


    Ronan nced at her and continued driving, "It depends on who''s praising me."


    "About what I said today." Cordelia felt like she might have crossed a line and possibly touched his


    bottom line. She wanted to ask if she had said something wrong just now, and she wouldn''t say it so


    excessively in the future.


    "What did you say?" Ronan seemed not to understand, looking at Cordelia with a frown.


    "I said I love you. You''re not repulsed by it, are you?" Cordelia''s face turned slightly red as she


    repeated her words.


    "Do you admit that you were ttering me?" Ronan countered, his expression somewhat disappointed.


    Cordelia suddenly understood that she had fallen into his trap again. She couldn''t say anything, she


    just turned her head to look out the window, trying to ease her embarrassment.


    "How sincere are you?" He asked.


    "What?" Cordelia responded.


    "How sincere are you towards me?" He asked again.


    Cordelia thought for a while. He had just agreed to her leave request, which was good. If she said


    something he didn''t want to hear, it might hurt his feelings. So, she answered, "Full score, ten points."


    "Full score?" Ronan mulled over the word, "If the full score is twelve points, would you give me twelve


    points?"


    "Of course, top score." Cordelia answered.


    After waiting for a while, she saw that he had no reaction. Cordelia leaned back and fell asleep in the


    back seat.


    But Ronan knew clearly that what she said was even more ttery.


    On Saturday, Cordelia purposely picked out her most in clothes to wear. She didn''t usually wear


    makeup, she just washed her face and applied moisturizer. She carried her canvas bag and wore her


    She stood in front of Ronan, adjusting her sses, "Do I look in?"


    Ronan was reading on the sofa. At her question, he put down his book and looked her up and down.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "Not in, but cute." He replied. He meant it. She had a small face to begin with, and the ck-framed


    sses made her face look even smaller.


    "Huh?" Cordelia was a bit at a loss. She went back upstairs and found even more in clothes. She


    changed from her ordinary sportswear into her school uniform. Carrying a big backpack, she appeared


    before Ronan again.


    "Do I look in now?" She asked Ronan again.


    Ronan was already frowning, "Not in! Does your friend want you to highlight her beauty? No way!"


    "It has nothing to do with her!" Cordelia retorted.

 Chapter 99

    Chapter 99


    When Cordelia went to see her mom, Trina told her a big news. A few days ago, Shelley''s pinky finger


    twitched a little.


    "Are you for real?" Cordelia was over the moon. After all, her mom had been bedridden for six straight


    years, and this was the first sign of movement. "You sure you didn''t see things?" Cordelia asked. She


    was skeptical and needed a more solid confirmation.


    "How could I have gotten it wrong?" Trina replied, "I''ve been caring for patients for ages, I know the


    difference between peripheral nerve death and a reflex." As she spoke, Trina continued to wipe


    Shelley''s hand.


    "Thank you, Trina." Cordelia¡¯s eyes welled up with gratitude. Her faith in her mom''s recovery was all


    thanks to Trina''s care.


    "No big deal, it''s my job." Trina reassured, gently patting Cordelia''s head.


    In the afternoon, Cordelia and Brooklyn went to Brooklyn''s sister''s ce in Sunnydale Meadows on


    Peace Avenue, a posh residential area.


    The door was opened by Edwin.


    "Why are you dressed like that?" Edwin was surprised at Cordelia''s student outfit.


    Cordelia justughed it off without answering.


    To make Brooklyn shine brighter, Cordelia intentionally downyed her own appearance today.


    Compared to Brooklyn, Cordelia looked in Jane.


    Brooklyn dropped by her future inws'' ce under the pretense of visiting her sister. Edwin''s parents


    had a good impression of her, which made her quite happy.


    Edwin seemed a bit down and didn''t talk much.


    After leaving Edwin''s ce, Cordelia and Brooklyn took a stroll around the bright neighborhood.


    "To make you shine, I sacrificed my image so you owe me a hundred bucks. Plus, I made you look so


    good, that''s another hundred." Cordelia felt a bit sour about her sacrificed image.


    "Are you trying to rob me? You rich people are such penny pinchers!" Brooklyn knew Cordelia had


    made quite a sacrifice, so she agreed to buy her a gift.


    "You..." Cordelia teased.


    "Cordelia, you already have such a rich husband, do you really care about my money?" Brooklyn


    retorted jokingly.


    The two girls continued their yful banter and almost bumped into ady walking her dog.


    "I thought I was seeing things. Never thought it would actually be you, Cordelia. What a coincidence


    running into you here." Deanna, dressed in casual clothes and walking a husky. She sized up Cordelia,


    then chuckled, "No wonder Ronan doesn''t like you. Your outfit is a total embarrassment."


    Seeing Deanna, Cordelia was taken aback, but Deanna didn''t pull any punches.


    "So, you live here." Cordelia didn''t want to waste words on Deanna.


    Smiling, Deanna said, "This house wasn''t bought by me. It''s... Never mind, it''s in his name. Telling you


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    might upset you since he asionally stays here."


    "So, you''re trying to tell me that the house belongs to my husband? We''re married, and I have a half


    share in his assets. So, Ms. Deanna, you''re actually living in my house." Cordelia shot back, "I have


    every right to kick you out anytime."


    Deanna was so mad she could feel her chest tighten, "How could he like you the way you are?"


    "Ms. Deanna, he likes me just the way I am. He didn''t fall for you even though you''re always dressed to


    the nines. Maybe you should do some soul-searching?" Cordelia replied without backing down.


    "Oh, by the way, I have something to tell you. Come here." Deanna didn¡¯t continue the topic, she


    beckoned Cordelia.


    Brooklyn tried to hold Cordelia back, not wanting her to go. But Cordelia knew Deanna¡¯s words must be


    rted to Ronan. She was curious, so she went over.


    "Six years ago, during the early stage of Ronan''s business, he got injured on a construction site. Lime


    got into his eyes, and he had to have a cornea transnt. He waited in the hospital for a long time. Just


    when he was about to lose hope, someone in the hospital passed away and donated their cornea. I


    took care of Ronan after the surgery until he was discharged. We started dating afterward. Our


    rtionship was strong and hard to break. Don''t bring this up to him. Ronan hates people talking about


    his transnted cornea. Don''t let it slip. If Ronan gets angry, don''t say I didn''t warn you." Deanna


    walked away with her dog after finishing.


    Cordelia stood there, dumbfounded. Her mind waspletely nk. She never brought it up, because


    her father told her not to on his deathbed. She just didn''t expect that Ronan would also mind people


    bringing it up, just because the cornea wasn''t his own.


    "Looking at you, I feel sorry for Ronan. What a waste!" Deanna had walked far away, but she turned


    back and jeered at Cordelia.

 Chapter 100

    Chapter 100


    Cordelia stood there for a long time, zoned out, until Brooklyn called her out of it.


    "What did she chat with you about? Don''t let her words get to you." Brooklyn warned Cordelia.


    "She said I looked shabby." Cordelia casually replied.


    "Come on, let''s go shopping. Let''s use Mr. Evans'' money. That''s what he gets for keeping a mistress!"


    Even though Brooklyn also knew not to fully trust Deanna''s words, the house was indeed Ronan''s, and


    Deanna probably wouldn''t lie about that.


    Pissed off, Cordelia and Brooklyn hopped into a car and went to a mall. They didn''t go to Lumos


    Enterprises. They did not want to spend Ronan''s money at his own store, because wouldn''t that be just


    making him richer?


    Without hesitation, Cordelia shot Ronan a text. [Need money to buy clothes!]


    It''d been a while since Ronan had given Cordelia any money. Upon receiving Cordelia''s message, he


    was a bit puzzled, but he still asked. [How much?]


    [Twenty grand.]


    In no time, Cordelia received a transfer of twenty thousand. She didn''t expect Ronan to be so


    generous.


    Unlike Brooklyn, besides being angry that Ronan was keeping a mistress, Cordelia was more upset


    that he didn''t mention the past. He only knew the cornea wasn''t his, but didn''t know about the person


    who donated the cornea.


    Cordelia felt like crying. She bought a lot of clothes in the mall, all high-end brands, each piece costing


    several thousand dors.


    When she got home, she was wearing a high-end cashmere sweater and a miniskirt, with high leather


    boots on her feet, and her hands full of shopping bags.


    Ronan was sitting on the sofa downstairs, reading a book. One look at the bags in Cordelia''s hands,


    and Ronan knew they were expensive.


    "What? You want me to wear a two-hundred-dor shirt, while you buy such expensive clothes?"


    Ronan teased Cordelia, joking around with her.


    Cordelia ignored him, went straight upstairs, and started crying on her bed, feeling sorry for her father.


    But she knew, even if she felt sorry, she couldn''t bring it up with Ronan because her father told her not


    to, and Ronan wouldn''t like it. Besides, his affair with Deanna was a long-standing issue, whether


    Cordelia was there or not, it wouldn''t affect their rtionship. Cordelia was just a tool, to be tossed


    aside once she''d outlived her usefulness.


    "Who''s been messing with my girl? Spill." Ronan walked upstairs, and put his book on the side table


    next to the sofa, acting all high and mighty.


    Cordelia knew she couldn''t utter a word about the unfairness she''d suffered tonight, or she''d seem


    petty.


    "Nothing." Cordelia wiped her tears, sat on the bed, knees curled up, and picked up a book pretending


    to read.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "Not talking?" Ronan asked again, his tone getting heavier.


    "Stop asking." Cordelia''s voice was hoarse from crying, and she even lifted her arm to wipe more tears,


    looking pitiful.


    Ronan picked up his phone and called Edwin.


    "What happened tonight? Why did my wifee back crying?" Ronan questioned.


    "Crying?" Edwin was taken aback. "She wasn''t treated unfairly or anything. What''s going on? Did she


    have an unpleasant encounter on the road?"


    Ronan nced at Cordelia, she seemed to be pretending to read, but she hadn''t flipped a page for a


    while and was still sobbing.


    "Where do you live?" Ronan thought for a moment, then asked.


    "Me? I live in Sunnydale Meadows on Peace Avenue."


    Ronan hung up and it all clicked. She probably ran into Deanna, who might have told Cordelia she was


    living in Ronan''s house and even teased her about being poor. That''s why Cordelia needed money for


    clothes.


    Ronan texted his assistant to sort some things out the next morning and to get Deanna to go as well.


    The next day, Ronan took Cordelia to the property management bureau.


    Cordelia nned to change into her usual clothes, but Ronan said, "No need to change, just wear what


    you worest night."


    Cordelia could only follow Ronan''s instructions. She had cried so muchst night that her eyes were


    swollen. Now she was being led by Ronan, not knowing where he was taking her, but she didn''t ask


    any questions.


    At the property management bureau.


    Deanna and her mother Le were already there, Ronan''s assistant had informed them toe and


    handle the Property Deed today.


    They spected that Ronan might have been transferring the house to them. Deanna was even


    thinking, if the house was under her name, then she couldn''t be said to be living in Ronan''s house


    anymore. She didn''t know what Cordelia told Ronanst night that led him to make this decision today.


    But Deanna thought it wasn''t bad. Ronan transferring the house to her meant Cordelia was starting to


    care about her, and that was all that mattered.


    Ronan came with Cordelia, who had obviously been crying.


    Deanna was gloating; it seemed like Cordelia was really jealous. She noticed Cordelia''s outfit, it was no


    longer the shabby attire fromst night, but very stylish and eye-catching.


    Deanna was also deceiving herself. If she didn''t dress up, how could Ronan be infatuated with her?


    "Add my wife''s name to the deed for the house on Peace Avenue," Ronan told the property


    management bureau.


    Cordelia was shocked, and she looked at Ronan with confusion, not understanding what was


    happening.


    Deanna and Le were even more surprised; the situation hadpletely exceeded their expectations.

 Chapter 101

    Chapter 101


    "Ronan, you¡­" Deanna was freaking out. She used to live in Ronan''s house, and their rtionship


    was all fuzzy. It was like she was Ronan¡¯s girlfriend or something.


    But now, he wanted her to stay in the house he shared with Cordelia. What was the deal here? Was


    she a guest? Or just a freeloader? As a superstar, couldn¡¯t she afford her own ce?


    Ronan didn¡¯t say anything, and just waited for the housing authority to finish up. Once the property


    deed was sorted out, he handed it to Deanna. "This is the property deed. You''ll need it for a lot of stuff."


    "But Ronan¡­" Deanna was about to say something, but Ronan turned to Cordelia. "If anything unfair


    happens, tell me. No crying. Let''s go!" He grabbed Cordelia''s hand and took off.


    Le gently tapped Deanna''s arm from behind. "What just went down?"


    "How should I know?" Deanna snapped back.


    Deanna watched Cordelia and Ronan walk away, a glint of malice in her eyes.


    Ronan said Cordelia had suffered some "injustice." Deanna had no idea what tricks Cordelia had been


    up to!


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Cordelia, you sly fox!" Deanna thought to herself.


    Even after they got in the car, Cordelia was still baffled, not knowing what Ronan was up to. She


    figured Ronan was doing this for Deanna. After all, as a CEO of a publicpany, having a celebrity


    live in his house was a surefire way to draw paparazzi. It would make sense for Ronan, being the


    clever guy he was, to avoid any stock price crash. Plus, with Cordelia around, it could help clear up any


    misunderstandings.


    After all, ording to the agreement, Ronan''s assets had nothing to do with her. The name on the


    property deed could include her or not - the interpretation was all his.


    Although Cordelia''s doubts weren''t entirely dispelled, she was touched by Ronan''s actions. Eventually,


    he told Deanna that the house belonged to him and Cordelia, and Deanna was just a guest.


    But there was one thing Cordelia didn¡¯t get. Weren¡¯t Ronan and Deanna an item? Why was he treating


    Deanna like this?


    Just as Cordelia was lost in thought, her phone rang. It was a text from the training course she had


    enrolled in before, telling her she had passed her economicsw exam and to pick up her transcript at


    Horizon Heights.


    In an instant, all her worries disappeared. Cordelia couldn¡¯t help but smile. She hadn¡¯t even checked


    her score yet, and they were already asking her to pick up her transcript. She quickly logged onto the


    website to check her score ¨C 84 points. A very high score.


    ¡°Can you drop me off at Horizon Heights?¡± Cordelia asked Ronan.


    Ronan knew Horizon Heights was where Cordelia had her training. He didn¡¯t seem too interested,


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°I passed my economicsw exam. They want me to pick up my transcript.¡± Cordelia added, ¡°I scored


    84.¡±


    ¡°Is that a high score?¡± Ronan asked indifferently. He turned the steering wheel at the corner, heading


    for Horizon Heights.


    ¡°Of course¡­¡± Cordelia stopped mid-sentence. Clearly, Ronan wasn¡¯t interested in her exam results.


    And being a graduate of a prestigious overseas university, her score probably seemed insignificant to


    him.


    When they arrived at Horizon Heights, Cordelia said, ¡°Wait for me here, I¡¯ll be right back.¡±


    Then she got out of the car and briskly walked towards Horizon Heights.


    Adrian¡¯s car was parked in the distance, and he saw Cordelia approaching.


    Cordelia¡¯s appearance took Adrian¡¯s breath away. Honestly, Cordelia was naturally pretty ¨C with long


    legs, wless skin, and a beautiful face. She stood out in a crowd. Even when she dressed down, you


    could spot her a mile away. Now, dressed in a miniskirt and a red tee, she looked even more stunning.


    She could easily be the prettiest girl on the block, or even in the entire city.


    From where Cordelia got out of the car, Adrian could see Ronan sitting in the car, smoking, his gaze


    drifting over towards Adrian.


    Adrian thought to himself, ¡°Had he bought her new clothes because Cordelia''s old clothes were too


    in and might have marred his image?¡±


    At the administrative office, there weren''t many students who had passed, and everyone had different


    times to collect their transcripts. So, it was just Cordelia and one other teacher - Jamie Colby.


    Jamie had the same reaction as Adrian when he saw Cordelia.


    "Mr. Colby," Cordelia said a bit awkwardly, considering thest incident at Pearl Palms between Jamie


    and Ronan.


    "Cordelia, you scored 84, that''s a high score. I didn''t even score that high in economicsw when I was


    a student," Jamie said gently.


    In her mind, Cordelia thought, ¡°Mr. Colby knows how to appreciate people. He knows that my score is


    high, unlike someone.¡±


    "All thanks to your great teaching, Mr. Colby," Cordelia replied.


    "No matter how well I teach, there are still students who fail. It''s all because you''re a good student. Are


    you nning to study cost ounting here too?" Jamie asked again.


    Cordelia thought, ¡°One economicsw course has already caused so much drama, if I take another


    course here, won''t it wreak more havoc?¡±


    "Nah, it''s just that I''ve got plenty of time to study but no time for sses, so I''m skipping that," Cordelia


    said politely.


    Jamie nodded and then nced at Cordelia''s outfit. "You''re looking pretty snazzy today!"


    His gaze made Cordelia feel ufortable. Remembering the drama his presence had caused,


    Cordelia wished she could change her clothes right then and there.


    "Oh, is that so? Thanks, Mr. Colby. Gotta bounce now." After the niceties, Cordelia made her way out of


    the administration office.


    She nearly bumped into someone.

 Chapter 102

    Chapter 102


    When Manda saw Cordelia, she paused for a moment, then shot Cordelia a side-eye.


    Cordelia noticed but had no idea why she was getting the cold shoulder.


    "Manda, are you working in the Audit Department now?" Cordelia asked.


    Since deciding not to join the Audit Department, Cordelia had stopped caring about it. She was worried


    that the more she thought about it, the more she would yearn for it.


    "How could I possibly get into yourpany¡¯s Audit Department? Thanks to you, I can''t even if I


    wanted to!" Manda replied with a sarcastic tone.


    "So, you didn''t get in?" Cordelia asked her again, not understanding why Manda couldn¡¯t just give a


    straight answer.


    Manda didn''t answer; instead, she just nced at Cordelia and walked away.


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    Cordelia then overheard a conversation in the office, "Mr. Colby, I''m here to get my transcript. I checked


    I scored 76, that''s pretty high, right?"


    "Pretty good." Jamie handed over the transcript to Manda.


    "Mr. Colby, is there anyone in our ss who scored higher than me?" Manda asked again.


    "Cordelia did, she scored 84."


    Manda didn''t say anything.


    Cordelia didn''t catch the rest of the conversation and left. After getting into Ronan''s car, she asked


    Ronan, "So Manda didn''t get into the Audit Department?"


    "Do I have to keep tabs on every employee?" Ronan retorted.


    Cordelia didn''t continue, realizing that Ronan probably didn''t care much about these things.


    "Where did you get your transcript?" Ronan asked again.


    Cordelia''s face turned red immediately. She and Jamie had nothing going on, but every time Ronan


    asked, it felt as though she had a one-night stand with Jamie. So she vaguely replied, "Just from one of


    the administration staff."


    Ronan didn''t say anything, but he was thinking, "Who are you trying to fool? I clearly saw Adrian''s car."


    ¡­


    The next day when Cordelia showed up to work in her new outfit, the office chatter started,


    "She''s changed."


    "Look at who she married, Mr. Evans."


    "I bet that outfit was bought by Mr. Evans, look at the material. Definitely not cheap, probably several


    thousands of dors."


    "Keep your voices down. Office gossip can cost you."


    ¡­


    Cordelia was nning to ignore thesements like she usually did, but who would''ve thought that in


    the afternoon, someone would try to sneak a photo up her skirt and another person would grope her


    chest on the bus.


    Cordelia was furious and med it on her new outfit. Coupled with Jamie''s look yesterday and the


    office gossip this morning, she decided to return the rest of the clothes. She regretted spending so


    much money on clothes in a fit of anger against Ronan.


    The next day at work, Cordelia went back to her usual attire and dumped the remaining five or six


    outfits in Ronan''s car, nning to return them with Brooklyn in the afternoon.


    "Why are you lugging all these clothes around?" Ronan nced at the five or six shopping bags in her


    hand.


    "I''m nning to return them. I don''t like these clothes anymore."


    "If you didn''t like them, why did you buy them?" Ronan asked.


    Cordelia looked out of the window, thinking, ¡°Actually, I bought them out of spite because you had an


    affair!¡± But she didn''t say it out loud.


    "Were you mad at me for having an affair?" Ronan asked.


    Cordelia was taken aback, how did he know everything? She looked at Ronan in horror. "I¡­"


    "I''m with you every day. When would I have the time for an affair?" Ronan said casually while driving.


    Cordelia thought to herself, ¡°True, he''s always at home after work and hardly goes anywhere. He


    doesn''t seem interested in the hustle and bustle of the outside world.¡± Thinking of this, a smile crept


    onto Cordelia''s face.


    "Why did you buy so many clothes and then decide to return them? Mr. Evans can afford them."


    Brooklyn asked after work, looking at the clothes in Cordelia''s hands.


    "He can afford it, but I can''t live such avish lifestyle."


    In the mall, Cordelia, and Brooklyn each held a cup of coffee and slowly browsed the shops. As for


    Ronan, Cordelia told him to go home and not wait for her.


    Coincidentally, Adrian and Kendra were also at the mall. Kendra was eyeing all the merchandise while


    Adrian could only watch, unable to afford them. Then they saw Cordelia, who was returning some


    clothes.


    "Cordelia, you look great in these clothes. Why are you returning them?" Adrian sneered.


    Kendra was even more annoyed. The clothes were so expensive, each costing thousands. Adrian


    couldn''t afford them; only Jamie could. But Jamie wouldn''t even look at her, while Cordelia was


    returning them, making her both envious and jealous.


    "I don''t like these clothes, so I''m returning them." Cordelia didn''t want to bother with Adrian or Kendra.


    "But Cordelia, you really do look good in these clothes. Very eye-catching." Adrian started to


    "How would you know?" Cordelia frowned as she was wearing ordinary clothes today.


    "I''m just guessing. Who wouldn''t look good in clothes this expensive?" Adrian realized he''d misspoke


    and quickly made up an excuse.


    Cordelia didn''t give a hoot about Adrian and returned the clothes.


    After parting with Kendra, Adrian immediately buzzed Jamie. "Ronan bought De a few pieces of


    clothing, probably just to show off when Dees to get her report card from you. But now, he''s had


    De return the clothes. De actually quite liked these clothes, you know how girls are, always eager


    to doll up. When she was returning the clothes just now, she seemed pretty bummed out, it broke my


    heart to see. If I weren''t strapped for cash, do you think I''d let my sister put up with this crap?"


    "What did you say?" Clearly, Jamie was riled up by Adrian''s pot-stirring. How could he let Cordelia be


    treated this way? Ronan was clearly loaded, how could he treat Cordelia like this?

 Chapter 103

    Chapter 103


    "Whatever, I''m just venting. I won''t bore you with the details," Adrian said, noticing Jamie was about to


    get duped.


    "Which mall are you at? I''ming over," Jamie replied.


    Adrian sent him the location, and Jamie arrived in no time.


    Exaggerating the whole situation, Adrian said, "Ronan couldn''t care less about Cordelia. He''s having


    her put up a front, yet he won''t give her a dime. She has to return all the clothes he bought."


    "Which clothes did she return?"


    Adrian pointed them out to Jamie one by one.


    "Pack up all these clothes. I''ll buy her a few more..." Jamie''s thoughts wandered to Cordelia''s height as


    he spoke. He had a great eye for fashion, so the clothes he picked for Cordelia were absolutely


    stunning.


    "Also, could you arrange a delivery to her house? Here''s the address..." Jamie was typing Cordelia''s


    address on his phone as he spoke. "I''ll pay extra for it to be delivered by tomorrow afternoon."


    "Whose name should we put on the delivery?" The salesclerk asked, seeing Jamie as a big spender


    who had just dropped 30 grand in their store.


    With a slight frown, Jamie replied, "Just say... say it''s from her husband."


    Jamie''s intention was to embarrass Ronan by iming he was the one who sent the gifts, even though


    he clearly wasn''t.


    Adrian watched the whole thing unfold with great amusement.


    The next day, as Cordelia and Ronan were having dinner at home, there was a knock on the door. A


    woman in a uniform walked in, holding a bunch of clothes from the same brand Cordelia had returned


    the day before. There were at least a dozen pieces.


    Cordelia recognized her as the salesclerk from the store where she''d returned the clothes.


    "What''s wrong?" Cordelia asked, thinking there might be an issue with the returned items.


    "Oh, your husband bought back all the clothes you returned to our store yesterday. Plus, he bought you


    a few more items. Would you like to take a look?" The clerk exined.


    Upon hearing this, Ronan paused his eating, then resumed without a word.


    Cordelia looked at Ronan tenderly. Although she didn''t like extravagance and thought the clothes were


    too expensive, she was moved by this gesture from him.


    "You really didn''t have to," Cordelia said to Ronan. "They''re so expensive, and I might not even wear


    them."


    "Don''t mention it!" Ronan replied indifferently, wiping his hands with a napkin and tossing it aside.


    "Keep the ones you like."


    With that, he went upstairs.


    Downstairs, Barney said with a grin, "That''s just how Ronan is. He''s not a big talker."


    Despite knowing that their marriage had an expiration date, Cordelia felt a sudden sense of


    contentment. Maybe it wouldn''t be so bad if it didn''t end after all, considering how well Ronan treated


    her. She even found herself feeling a bit jealous of Ronan''s future wife.


    Upstairs, Ronan was on the phone discussing the acquisition of City Mall, the same mall where


    Cordelia had returned the clothes. He needed an answer by the following morning.


    The next day, while Cordelia was at work, she received a message from Jamie. [Did you get the


    clothes I bought you?]


    Cordelia was puzzled. [What clothes?]


    [The clothes I bought for youst night. Did you get them?] Jamie then sent a series of pictures of the


    clothes Cordelia had returned the day before.


    [You bought them? I thought they were from my husband?] Cordelia was confused. If they weren''t from


    Ronan, why would he im they were? Given his standing, he did not need to lie. Wouldn''t he be


    embarrassed if his lie got exposed?


    Despite her confusion, Cordelia had a hunch. The clothes must have been bought by Jamie. She


    pondered on how to question Ronan about this, treading lightly so as not to mention Jamie. If Ronan


    found out the clothes were from Jamie, she would be in a pickle.


    After work, Cordelia got into Ronan''s car.


    "Darling, all the clothes I returned are back. You bought them again for me. I really love them! Thank


    you," Cordelia said.


    "As long as you''re happy." Ronan replied. He knew who bought the clothes and noticed Cordelia


    started calling him darling again, a sign she had something on her mind. This implied she knew who


    bought the clothes and that person might have spilled the beans.


    "At first, I thought they weren''t from you," Cordelia hinted.


    Ronan nced at Cordelia and asked, "So, do you have another man in your life? Or are you not


    satisfied with me?"


    "No, I didn''t mean that at all," Cordelia quickly rified.


    When they got home, a person who looked like a salesclerk was waiting, iming to deliver cosmetics


    and jewelry to Cordelia.


    Cordelia looked at Ronan, slightly puzzled. The clerk was also from City Mall. Why had staff from this


    mall been delivering things to hertely? This made her think the gifts might not have been from Jamie


    after all.


    "Just ept them." Ronan said to Cordelia.


    The cosmetics were very expensive, and although Cordelia didn''t know much about jewelry, she


    guessed they wouldn''t be cheap either.


    After the clerk left, Cordelia asked Ronan, "Why has this mall been sending me stufftely?"


    "Oh, I''m nning to acquire that mall. Here''s the proposal," Ronan handed Cordelia the acquisition


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    proposal. "They''re probably trying to curry favor with you, hoping I''ll up the price."


    Cordelia was taken aback. So was Jamie the one lying?

 Chapter 104

    Chapter 104


    Ronan sparked up a cigarette, lounging on the bedroom couch. His eyes were fixed on Cordelia, lost in


    thought.


    "Whatcha thinking about?"


    "Nothing," Cordelia replied, although her mind was racing. ¡°Did Jamie lie to me? Who bought that


    dress?¡±


    Just as she was zoning out, the doorbell rang downstairs.


    After Janice opened the door, they heard a voice. "Mr. Evans, Mr. Evans..."


    Cordelia nearly jumped out of her skin. It was Jamie''s voice. She felt a mix of confusion and anxiety.


    She remembered thest time Jamie had barged into her home.


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Do I need to hide?" Cordelia asked Ronan, puzzled.


    "What''s going on between you two? Why would you need to hide?" Ronan replied calmly, although his


    eyes were icy cold.


    "I..." She wasn''t sure why Jamie was here, and if it had anything to do with the clothes.


    Jamie entered Ronan''s room, gave Cordelia a fleeting nce, then knelt in front of Ronan. Cordelia


    was taken aback, watching from the side.


    "Mr. Evans, please spare my father. He''s in his sixties with serious health issues. If you want to take


    revenge, take it out on me," Jamie pleaded, his hands gripping Ronan''s knees.


    Cordelia thought to herself, ¡°Jamie''s father, Thomas? What the heck happened?¡±


    "Son paying for his father''s sins? Not interested." Ronan said slowly, his legs crossed, looking at Jamie


    kneeling before him.


    "I know, you''re really after me. My father is scared shitless and is being investigated by the prosecutor''s


    office. If charged, he may face 20 years in prison. With his health conditions, he might not even make it


    that long..." Jamie was crying, his hands still holding onto Ronan''s knees.


    "You''re overthinking," replied Ronan.


    "I screwed up, Mr. Evans. I shouldn''t have bought Ms. Haselwood... I shouldn''t have bought Mrs.


    Evans those clothes. I like her a lot. I know you''re upset because of this..." Jamie confessed.


    "Bought her clothes?" Ronan seemed puzzled. "What clothes?"


    "The ones Cordelia returned at City Mall. I bought them for her again and told her you bought them, to


    embarrass you..." Jamie spilled everything, faced with the possibility of his father spending 20 years


    behind bars.


    "Oh? Is that so?" Ronan said, giving Cordelia a look.


    Cordelia recoiled slightly. She thought, ¡°Ronan is acquiring malls. It''s not strange for them to send gifts.


    He probably thought the dress was also a gift from the mall. The salesclerk said it was from Cordelia''s


    husband, so he misunderstood. It''s not his fault.¡±


    "How much did you spend?" Ronan asked again. "You shouldn''t be picking up the tab for my wife''s


    dress."


    "I don''t need that much money. If you can release my father, I''ll be content. I lost my mother when I was


    little, so my father and I only have each other..." Jamie cried bitterly.


    "ountant Colby, considering you came to plead with me personally, I''ll drop the charges and pay you


    back in full. How much did you spend?" Ronan remained calm.


    "Twenty-eight thousand."


    "I don''t have your bank ount details. I''ll have De transfer it to youter," Ronan said, mentioning


    De for the first time as if to show Jamie that he and Cordelia were tight.


    "Thank you, Mr. Evans. I''ll leave now," Jamie said, standing up to leave.


    As he passed Cordelia, he wanted to look at her, but he didn''t.


    Throughout, Ronan''s voice was soft, very gentle. But Cordelia felt a chill running through her, her


    breath quickening. It was as if everything was under Ronan''s control, and she had no idea what went


    wrong.


    It was a while after Jamie left that Cordelia managed to force a smile. It was stiff and awkward.


    "Husband, you misunderstood, right?" Cordelia asked Ronan.


    "Yeah, I misunderstood. Didn''t expect him to stir up trouble." Ronan lit another cigarette. As he pulled


    out his lighter, Cordelia took it from him, saying, "I got it."


    Her hands were shaking as she lit Ronan''s cigarette. Maybe deep down she knew that Jamie was a big


    shot in Millstone too. But now, he was kneeling in front of Ronan, spilling all his secrets. She was just a


    nobody. Trying to y games with Ronan was like signing her own death warrant.


    So, what was Ronan''s motive today? Was he trying to warn her through Jamie?


    If Cordelia had any future dealings with Jamie, God knows who''d be the unlucky one!

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    Chapter 105


    In the evening, Cordelia''s mood had finally improved a bit. Shey in bed, asking Ronan, "What did you


    hand over to the prosecution?"


    Ronan pulled out a stack of documents from the bedside table and handed them to Cordelia. "Take a


    look for yourself."


    Looking at the documents, Cordelia was horrified. Ten years ago, Thomas coborated with several


    Widow Dismemberment Case, which led to a massive blow to the reputation of Signature Estates''


    CEO, Olen Evans. Signature Estates was knocked off its feet, with Olen attempting suicide and


    subsequently moving abroad with his wife.


    Cordelia turned her head to look at Ronan, who was no longer reading a book, but leaning against the


    bedhead, half-closing his eyes and smoking.


    "Olen is..." Cordelia searched for the right words.


    "My dad." Ronan interjected.


    Cordelia slowly nodded her head. Now she finally knew where her inws had gone. Suddenly, she


    understood that beneath Ronan''s calm andposed surface, there was his painful past. This pain


    was caused by Jamie''s father, and Barney was diagnosed with lung cancer.


    She really wanted to hug Ronan, but she was afraid he would push her away. She had always thought


    she was the pitiful one, but now, Ronan was too. However, she couldn''t contain her inner urges and


    turned around to hug Ronan.


    "I didn''t know this." Cordelia''s tears rolled down, her voice slightly choked up.


    "Didn''t know what?" Ronan heard Cordelia''s voice and saw her crying again, crying so pitifully that he


    actuallyughed.


    "I was angry at you before because I didn''t know you were also..." Cordelia wiped her tears, suddenly


    feeling that Ronan was a good person. He gave her money, helped her with everything, and found a


    caretaker for her mother. Their rtionship was baseless, only money, but he still did what he should.


    "If I knew you were like this, I wouldn''t have been angry at you!"


    This was actually Ronan''s strategy. Jamie wanted to buy clothes to embarrass Ronan, but he wouldn''t


    let Jamie seed. If Cordelia knew the clothes were bought by Jamie, who knows what would happen,


    so, Ronan used this strategy to make Cordelia mistakenly think that when he had previously admitted


    the clothes were his, it was just a misunderstanding. He let Jamie say it himself, showing Jamie''s


    narrow-mindedness. And through his warning this time, Jamie would have to think twice before making


    a move.


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    Unexpectedly, the person acting didn''t get emotionally involved, but the one watching did. Ronan''s goal


    was achieved!


    "So, don''t be mad at me in the future!" Ronan took the opportunity to say.


    Cordelia nodded her head solemnly.


    The next morning, Cordelia woke up early. This was one of the few times she woke up earlier than


    Ronan since they started living together.


    Cordelia and Janice were making breakfast downstairs, and she even made a lunch box for herself.


    When Ronan came downstairs, Cordelia carefully arranged his breakfast. A sandwich, sausage, cereal,


    and coffee...


    "You''ve changed? Are you starting to care about your husband?" Ronan said while buttoning his cuff.


    "Yes, didn''t I tell youst night? I will try to avoid making you angry from now on." Cordelia stood in


    front of Ronan, looking up at him as she spoke.


    Their conversation made Barney, sitting aside, chuckle and continue eating his meal.


    "What''s this?" Ronan saw the lunch box next to the dining table and asked Cordelia.


    "Oh, this is a lunch box I prepared for myself. It''s all light food, chicken breast, sd, fried egg, and two


    slices of whole wheat bread. You suggested before that I should eat less spicy food, but most of the


    food outside is heavy-vored, I have to eat even if I don''t want to, so I made it myself," Cordelia


    replied to Ronan seriously, holding her fork.


    "Good," Ronan said approvingly, then started eating.


    After breakfast, Cordelia took her lunch box and got in the car, then carefully said, "Honey, since I''m not


    sure about your taste, I didn''t make food for you."


    "Roast beef, chicken breast, bolognese, cream pasta, and fried steak, you can make these, right? I


    think you may not be able to make moreplicated dishes," He replied.


    Cordelia coughed lightly; she was just politely stating the reason why she didn''t cook for Ronan. But


    how could he say that she couldn''t make moreplicated dishes?


    Did he mean that Cordelia should also cook for him next time?


    Cordelia felt that she was really asking for trouble, adding an extra task for herself.

 Chapter 106

    Chapter 106


    As soon as Ronan mentioned cream pasta and fried steak, Cordelia''s mind began to wander. Another


    person, someone she knew, was particrly fond of these two dishes as well.


    Tomorrow, Cordelia nned to visit this person, but she didn''t share this n with Ronan.


    When she arrived at the office, the first thing Cordelia did was to transfer some money to Jamie. It was


    the money she had borrowed from Ronan to buy aputer, and she hadn''t spent a dime of it. Then,


    she sent back The CPA Sess Blueprint and the notes on financial management that Jamie had


    given her, indicating that she had settled her debt with him.


    She sent Ronan a message with the transfer record and the tracking number of the package and then


    wrote two words. [All clear.]


    Ronan''s reply was short. [Good.]


    Even though there had been no issue of debt between her and Jamie before, this "all clear" was more


    of an expression of Cordelia''s attitude.


    She was afraid that one day, Ronan would put her in a position where she couldn''t get herself out.


    For the first time, Cordelia brought her own homemade food to the office. At lunchtime, she couldn''t


    help but post a photo of her lunch on Facebook.


    Ronanmented. [Don''t forget about tomorrow.]


    Cordelia responded with an "OK" hand sign emoji.


    The post, unsurprisingly, received a lot of likes from her coworkers¡ªthis was the first time Ronan had


    evermented on someone else''s Instagram post.


    All her colleagues who was her friends on Facebook, naturally, liked the post as well.


    That night, Cordelia prepared the meals and made roast beef, chicken breast, and fried steak for


    Ronan the next day. Plus, she also prepared some coffee for him.


    She didn''t make lunch for herself, as she nned to take the day off.


    When Ronan saw there was only one lunch on the table, he asked, "Where''s my lunch?"


    "Darling, this is your lunch. I took the day off yesterday. I need to visit a ssmate today."


    "A ssmate?" Ronan frowned.


    "Yes, I''m not lying this time." Cordelia said pitifully.


    "Go ahead then." Perhaps due to the incidents of the previous day, Ronan knew Cordelia wouldn''t do


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    anything outrageous.


    Cordelia felt a huge weight off her shoulders. She didn''t leave with Ronan, instead, she took the bus


    alone to the cemetery where her father, Castiel, was buried. It had been six years.


    Cordelia ced a bunch of daisies on her father''s grave. She had a lot she wanted to say to him.


    "Dad, I''m here to see you. It''s been a while." Cordelia said, tears rolling down her cheeks. When both


    her parents were alive, she was a very happy child. "Before you died, you told me to keep an eye on


    that guy. I''ve been watching him for you, making sure he doesn''t abuse your eyes. He may be a bit


    harsh and looks down on people sometimes, but I believe he won''t do anything bad. You asked me not


    to tell him, so he wouldn''t feel guilty all his life. I hope he can live a righteous life, not in the shadows.


    I''ve been doing just that. Especially now, with our rtionship, I can''t tell him. Dad, there''s one more


    thing. The creamy pasta and fried steak you loved, he loves them too. Dad, do you think he liked them


    before? Or did he start liking them after he got your eyes? I''m not sure."


    At this point, Cordelia couldn''t control her tears, and she was bothughing and crying.


    ¡°Actually, Adrian wanted to see you too. He''s just too busy with work, and he doesn''t have time."


    Cordelia made excuses for him. Ever since her father passed away, Adrian had never visited. He felt


    that their father had left him nothing but a vegetative patient to take care of. Cordelia knew all this, so


    on the anniversary of their father''s death, she didn''t call Adrian over, fearing his presence would


    unsettle their father.


    Looking at her father''s tombstone, Cordelia stood there for a long time. Of all her rtives in the world,


    her parents couldn''t respond to her anymore, and her brother was always against her, which made


    Cordelia feel very cold.


    As soon as she got on the bus leaving the cemetery, Cordelia''s phone rang. It was Adrian.


    "Do you remember that today is Dad''s death anniversary?" Cordelia asked angrily.


    "Today is dad''s death anniversary? I don''t care! Get over here!" Adrian, seemingly not caring at all,


    ordered Cordelia around. He seemed to be very angry, not even showing up on their father''s death


    anniversary, but still managing to be mad. What a joke!


    "What is it?" Cordelia was very unhappy. Thinking of thest time her brother drugged her, she decided


    not to go.


    "I won''t harm you this time! I''m at the caf¨¦, even if I wanted to, there are cameras here. I don''t want to


    go to jail! I''ve sent you the location, hurry up." Adrian hung up after saying that.


    Cordelia looked at the time and found that it wasn''t even noon yet, so she went to the caf¨¦ Adrian


    mentioned.


    There was a book and a notebook on Adrian''s table, the book was Jamie''s The CPA Sess


    Blueprint, and the notebook she recognized as the one about cost management in finance. So, Adrian


    was here for Jamie.


    "What did Jamie do to you? He has already paid for the clothes." Adrian interrogated Cordelia, tapping


    on the table.


    "If he paid, just say he paid. Why did he say my husband paid? Is he my husband?" Cordelia''s eyes


    were still red. "Today is dad''s death anniversary. Do you know that?"


    Adrian coldly turned his head away. "He didn''t acknowledge me as his son, so I don''t acknowledge him


    as my dad!"


    "You..." Cordelia''s eyes reddened.

 Chapter 107

    Chapter 107


    "Jamie only said it was your hubby''s money as a way to take a jab at Ronan for not covering your tab.


    But lo and behold, your sly husband saw an opening, nned to throw Jamie under the bus, and


    suddenly it''s cool to ckmail a rival with whatever Mr. Thomas did in his youth? Jamie''s got no clue!


    So what can he do if Ronan gets Mr. Thomas thrown into the mmer for 20 years? Just do nothing?!


    Jamie''s been holed up at home over this, not eating or drinking for days! Drop him a message, give


    him a pep talk! It''s your mess, you sort it out!" With that, Adrian stormed off.


    Adrian only had Jamie''s back because he wanted Cordelia and Jamie to be an item. That way, he


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    could score more perks from Jamie. Plus, Ronan was too stingy. Also, if Jamie and Cordelia hooked


    up, Kendra would stop pestering Jamie. Although Kendra seemed loose, she was still a virgin when


    she was with Adrian, which was a real shock to him. Virgins were hard toe by these days.


    For the first time, Cordelia found herself agreeing with Adrian''s words.


    Maybe that was what made her feel a little wary of Ronan. He was quick on his feet, could spot


    connections between things in the blink of an eye, and make snap decisions.


    Cordelia stirred her coffee. Adrian didn''t take the books and notebooks. They were still there. Cordelia


    picked them up. A note fell out from the book. [Cordelia, I''ve been too ashamed to see you. But the


    book and the notebook are innocent. They could help you in the future. Take them.]


    Cordelia chuckled. Jamie must have felt humiliated being seen by her, kneeling before Ronan. But it


    wasn''t his fault, he was just being dutiful.


    She sent Jamie a message. [Mr. Colby, don''t overthink it. Got the books and the notebook.]


    Cordelia put the books and the notebook into her bag. She had to hide them well when she got home.


    ...


    Before Ronan even made it to the office in the morning, Deanna called. It was her dad''s death


    anniversary.


    Ronan almost forgot. "Where are you? Should I pick you up?" Ronan said, frowning.


    "Ronan, Mom, and I are at themunity gate. We thought you''de get us, but..." Deanna broke


    down as she finished her sentence, sobbing. "You haven''t called. You forgot, didn''t you?"


    "Of course not. I''m on my way." Ronan made a U-turn and headed for Sunnydale Meadows.


    Sure enough, Le and Deanna were there, their eyes filled with sadness.


    Deanna hopped in the front seat, while Le sat in the back. Ronan drove towards Birchwood. When


    Deanna got in the car, she saw a bag on the front seat. It was a lunch box. She moved it to the


    dashboard.


    Cordelia had bragged about her lunch box on Facebook the day before. Ronan evenmented on it!


    Turned out, not only did Cordelia prepare her own lunch, but she also made one for Ronan too.


    To Deanna''s surprise, Ronan actually brought the lunch. He was willing to bring a lunch made by


    another woman! Were they really that close? ,It sent a chill down Deanna''s spine.


    She pretended to wipe away tears, sobbing. "Dad''s been gone for six years, but he hasn''t truly left us.


    He lives on in our hearts. How could you forget him, Ronan?"


    "I didn''t." Ronan answered, a slight frown on his face.


    "I remember Deanna''s father said before he died, although he couldn''t live on, he hoped to bring light


    to others..." Le trailed off, sobbing. "Ronan, you and Deanna, you used to be so close. I thought you


    were going to be my son-inw, but..."


    "Mom, Ronan is married. Stop talking nonsense." Deanna snapped at Le.


    "Ok. Let''s go visit your father." Le wiped away her tears and changed the subject.


    "Mom, did you bring any food? I haven''t eaten since I got home from workst night; didn''t have


    breakfast either while waiting for Ronan. I''m really hungry now. My stomach is aching a bit." Deanna


    clutched her stomach.


    "I was going to visit your father. I didn''t have time to prepare food!" Le scolded Deanna. "We''re on


    the highway now. There''s no ce to buy food. It would take a long time to get to a rest stop to eat. We


    don''t have that much time."


    "There''s food in that bag. Eat that." Ronan pointed at a bag. "It should still be warm."


    Deanna opened the bag. The food inside was still warm. She thought, ¡°Cordelia really takes care of


    Ronan. She prepared so many dishes for him, even coffee!¡±


    "Did your housekeeper make this? It looks delicious. I''ll take a picture and send it to my assistant. She


    can learn from it." Deanna took out her phone and snapped a picture.


    "No, Cordelia made it," Ronan answered, frowning.


    "Oh, it was Cordelia. I''m sorry, Ronan. I thought such a task..." Deanna pretended to be embarrassed.


    She didn''t finish her sentence, but her point was clear. She thought such a task should be done by a


    housekeeper.


    Deanna started eating. She had barely taken a bite of the first beef steak when she stopped and gave


    a cry.


    "What''s wrong?" Ronan nced at Deanna, noticing her painful expression.


    "The meat is undercooked and there''s too much salt. But it''s okay, I''m really hungry now, I won''t be


    picky. I''m just d there''s something to eat," Deanna continued to eat.


    Ronan thought, ¡°Cordelia really needs to improve her cooking skills.¡±


    Deanna definitely looked famished. She wolfed down everything Ronan brought and even finished off


    the coffee, not leaving a drop for him.


    "Sorry, Ronan, I kind of ate all your food. I''ll make it up to you somehow." Deanna wiped her mouth.


    Cordelia surely had a knack for cooking, the fried steak was delish, but Deanna said it was gross. Well,


    it was all in her belly now, so Ronan couldn''t taste it anyway.


    "It''s just a meal, no biggie," Ronan said.


    "No matter how small the favor, I''ll repay it in full. Speaking of which, you used to always be with


    Cordelia, going to and from work. Howe she''s not here? Wasn''t she supposed toe with you?"


    Deanna asked curiously.


    "She''s not in the loop."


    "Really?" Deanna shot Le a nce. If she was out of the picture, things would be easier. She


    continued, "Where did she go?"


    "She said she was visiting a ssmate." Ronan replied.


    "Visiting a ssmate..." Deanna mused.


    By eleven, Ronan''s car pulled up to Birchwood.


    At Deanna''s father''s grave, Ronan expressed that for the past few years he''d been taking care of


    Deanna and her mother, living up to the expectations set by her father.


    "Father, Ronan''s been very good to us. He''s married now but he hasn''t let you down," Deanna said.

 Chapter 108

    Chapter 108


    Cordelia was bawling her eyes out all day, feeling downright miserable. When she got home, she threw


    Jamie''s book into her suitcase.


    Ronan had once rummaged through her suitcase. She reckoned he probably wouldn''t be nosy about it


    anymore.


    After doing all that, Cordelia hit the hay, waking up at the crack of dawn the next morning.


    Ronan hade home past eight the previous night, by which time Cordelia was out like a light. When


    he got up, she was in the kitchen whipping up a packed lunch.


    "What''s cooking today? You didn''t go overboard with the salt again, did you?" Ronan asked her.


    Cordelia was taken aback, then eximed in surprise, "Did I over-salt something yesterday? Which


    dish was it?"


    "The fried steak, were you trying to assault me with a salt overdose?" Ronan joked.


    Cordelia was even more startled. Since her father was a big fan of this dish, she had been making it


    since she was knee-high to a grasshopper. Even if she cooked it with her eyes closed, it would still


    If that was the case, she''d use less salt in the future.


    Once she got to the office, Cordelia started to crunch the numbers. She overheard someone


    whispering behind her, "Mr. Evans wasn''t in the office yesterday. This document wasn''t signed off."


    Cordelia thought to herself, ¡°Ronan wasn''t at the office yesterday? Where did he go?¡± Then, where on


    earth did he eat the lunch I made yesterday?


    Just as Cordelia was racking her brain, she received a message from Deanna. [Ms. Haselwood, your


    cooking skills are really something. I finished off the meal you made yesterday. Just that the fried steak


    was a bit too salty. You could use less salt next time.]


    So, he was out with Deanna yesterday!


    So, it was Deanna who had her food!


    So, he was making a request on behalf of Deanna this morning!


    The first meal she made for him was given to the woman he fancied the most, and he even made


    requests in front of her! Cordelia was shaking with anger, gritting her teeth. She knew their marriage


    was a sham, and that it wouldn''tst. She didn''t expect him to tell her everything, but was there any


    point in him doing this?


    Cordelia felt really hard done by! She figured she might as well have thought of yesterday''s meal as


    dog food!


    Then, she texted Brooklyn to have lunch together.


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    [You''re pulling my leg, right? You''ve got your packed lunch. Why bother asking me out?] Brooklyn


    wasn''t that into it.


    [The lunch is for you, I still prefer the heavy vors from outside.]


    [Well then, it''s a deal.]


    Brooklyn was thrilled. She had been eating out all day long and was sick and tired of it. She really


    wished someone could cook for her.


    At noon, Cordelia took the lunch box and met Brooklyn at a taco ce.


    Cordelia was eating tacos, not saying a word; Brooklyn was enjoying the food Cordelia made, finding it


    really tasty.


    "What''s up?" Brooklyn asked, noticing Cordelia''s unhappy face.


    "Nothing." Even though Cordelia was peeved, she didn''t spill the beans.


    "Then you must have brought the packed lunch because Mr. Evans didn''t want you to eat spicy food,


    right? What would he think if he knew I had your lunch?" Brooklyn was still a bit worried.


    "Rest assured, I won''t tell him."


    Thinking of Ronan eating the lunch she made, Cordelia was seething with anger!


    For the rest of the afternoon, Cordelia was buried in her work, not uttering a word. The next day, she


    got up early as usual to prepare breakfast for Ronan.


    When Ronan got up and sat down for breakfast, he said to Cordelia, "Yesterday''s food was top-notch.


    What''s on the menu today?"


    "I''ve got everything ready; you''ll know when you see it," Cordelia replied nonchntly.


    Ronan didn''t check, asking Cordelia to pack it up for him, and then they headed off to work.


    Today, Ronan had an important group meeting. By lunchtime, there were still a few issues left


    unresolved. Everyone was so hungry that their stomachs were growling. Ronan ordered food for


    everyone to eat while continuing the meeting. During this time, someone was still exining the slides.


    "Mr. Evans, what would you like to eat? I can order for you," The assistant asked Ronan.


    "Just fetch my lunch box from my office," Ronan replied.


    Ronan thought that the food Cordelia made yesterday looked good and tasted delicious; he didn''t


    expect her to be such a whiz in the kitchen.


    The assistant fetched it.


    Everyone else looked on with envy as Ronan opened his lunch box. Cordelia had shown off her packed


    lunch on social media the day before yesterday, so the whole office knew about it. They said Cordelia


    brought her own lunch and even Mr. Evans hadmented. So, it seemed like this lunch box was also


    made by Cordelia. ,It appeared as though Mr. Evans was deliberately winding up the other men.


    Ronan opened one of the lunch boxes; inside were only two slices of in toast. His face had already


    turned sour, especially when all the top executives in thepany were watching him. He then opened


    the second lunch box; inside were two slices of cheese.


    As for the coffee, there wasn¡¯t any today.


    Ronan coughed lightly, closed the lunch box, and whispered, "Let''s continue the meeting."


    He was pranked by Cordelia today. But he didn''t understand, why did Cordelia do this?

 Chapter 109

    Chapter 109


    After the meeting ended, it was three in the afternoon, and Ronan was starving. He had his assistant


    order some food for him. Then, he called Cordelia, saying, "Come over."


    On the phone, his voice sounded deep and maic, with an edge of anger.


    Cordelia knew what was going on. Jordan had told her right after he came back from the meeting that


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    Mr. Evans had lost his dignity at the meeting today.


    Cordelia went to his office.


    "What''s going on? Are you messing with me?" Ronan sat on his chair, lighting up a cigarette in a


    manner like he was interrogating a subordinate, and then mmed the lighter on the table.


    "That fried steak, I''ve been making it for over a decade. I could do it with my eyes closed, and it


    wouldn''t be salty. But you''re telling me it''s salty?" Cordelia responded confidently, not backing down


    because of Ronan''s questioning. On the contrary, she believed she was right.


    "Over a decade? You like that dish?" He asked.


    Cordelia remained silent for a moment, "Not me, I don¡¯t like it."


    "Then who does?" Ronan''s way of talking made Cordelia, who was already upset because Deanna had


    eaten her food the day before, feel a bit overwhelmed.


    "It''s... my family likes it."


    "Me?"


    "No, not you. Were you my family a decade ago?" Cordelia''s response was a bit harsh as if she was


    annoyed by Ronan''s question or his teasing.


    "Right, I only recently became your family."


    The word family warmed Cordelia''s heart, so she softened her tone and stopped arguing with Ronan.


    "It was Deanna who told me that the food I cooked was a bit salty, but that''s impossible."


    "So she told you. So you''re jealous now and want to get back at her?" Ronan''s tone remained casual,


    as if all of Cordelia''s words were within his expectations.


    Caught out by Ronan, Cordelia was naturally embarrassed, her face flushed bright red.


    "I... I didn¡¯t... and..." Cordelia was stammering. Even though she had plenty of reasons, she always


    seemed to be at a disadvantage when talking with Ronan. "I took Jamie''s books and notes back


    yesterday!"


    "So you want me to look at these books and notes, tell me you''re jealous, and hope I''ll be jealous too?"


    Ronan said.


    His words made Cordelia''s face redder.


    "You... I..." Cordelia was at a loss for words, thinking Ronan was extremely annoying.


    "What''s wrong?" Ronan found Cordelia''s flustered state amusing.


    "Starting today, I¡¯m not cooking anymore. I''m too sleepy in the morning. Plus, I like spicy food!" After


    saying this, Cordelia turned around and left. She didn''t know how many more secrets she would reveal


    if she stayed any longer!


    Back in her office, Cordelia felt useless. The words she wanted to hear, he didn''t say, but the things she


    didn''t want to reveal were all dug out by him!


    Moreover, Cordelia heard her office colleagues discussing something in private. Only after listening


    carefully did she find out the reason. It was the end of the year, and thepany decided to give all


    employees a raise. This kind of news would, of course, excite everyone.


    However, Cordelia didn''t receive any information about a raise.


    After Cordelia transferred jobs, her sry increased by a third. When she was promoted to finance


    manager, her sry increased again. Although her sry had already increased twice, she was still not


    sure if she would be on the list for this raise. In theory, this raise was for all employees, and her job


    performance was also very good.


    So, Cordelia sent a message to Jordan, "Director, will I get a raise this time?"


    Jordan replied, "In theory, you should have a raise, but the president just mentioned to me privately that


    the decision on whether you will get a raise needs to be made a bitter."


    Cordelia was confused. She had to wait a bit longer?


    She guessed that she might have been on the list for a raise before she prepared lunch, but after


    preparing that terrible lunch, she was excluded. Had she encountered this situation because she had


    bad timing with making that bad lunch?


    That was just bad luck!


    Plus, she just had a quarrel with Ronan, saying she wouldn''t make breakfast for him anymore. Was


    Ronan waiting for her to apologize now?


    If he thought she was going to beg him, he was dead wrong!


    Cordelia was still angry, crossing her arms over her chest, not wanting to do anything. Why was she so


    unlucky?


    It seemed like Ronan wanted her to beg for his forgiveness. However, Cordelia had no intention of


    doing so.


    She sent a message to Ronan. [I n to go shopping with Brooklyn this afternoon and then go home.]


    Where would her self-esteem be if she ran to him every time she had a problem? Even if she had to


    apologize, there should be a buffer time.


    Ronan just replied. [OK.]

 Chapter 110

    Chapter 110


    Off work now.


    Cordelia spilled the beans to Brooklyn about everything and asked how much her sry bumped up.


    "Me? My pay''s shot up a few hundred bucks." Brooklyn''s eyes sparkled with excitement. "Not too


    shabby, actually."


    A grimace appeared on Cordelia''s face.


    "You shouldn''t havee to me this afternoon, but rather go to your hubby. You were too hard on him


    at lunch." Brooklyn suggested, "Let''s hit the streets, then you head home and demand a raise ASAP."


    Cordelia agreed. She wasn''t a numbskull to let her anger miss out on a chance for a pay raise.


    The two found themselves in a cosmetics store, filled with products they didn¡¯t usually see. And lo and


    behold, Cordelia found her beloved Zenwood Soap. Before college, she used this soap a lot. It left a


    faint sandalwood scent after a bath, which smelled heavenly. But she couldn''t find it anymore since


    college. She bought over a dozen this time and stashed them in her tote bag. It was as if she had


    discovered a treasure trove.


    In front of the pedestrian street, there was a stretch of vintage buildings, with a TV drama being filmed.


    "Let''s check it out, maybe we''ll spot a celebrity?" Brooklyn suggested excitedly.


    "Like you''ve never seen a celeb before?" Cordelia shrugged. She got peeved even thinking about


    celebs.


    Brooklyn still took her to the front of the crowd. The extras were dressed like something out of the


    Renaissance.


    "Ms. Deanna is here..." someone murmured.


    A nanny van parked in the nearby alley, and Deanna stepped out. Cordelia frowned, why did she run


    into this woman wherever she went?


    She was loaded with work, right off the set of My Dear Dr. Rond and onto this period drama set.


    As Deanna approached, she spotted Cordelia and took the opportunity to take a swipe at her.


    "Ms. Haselwood," Deanna, dressed in a purple nnel dress, looked graceful with an air of vintage


    nobility. "Your cooking is actually quite good. The other day I was famished, and Ronan fed me your


    food, leaving him hungry all afternoon."


    This set Cordelia''s teeth on edge. Moreover, she was curious where Ronan and Deanna had gone the


    day before yesterday.


    "My husband told me," Cordelia replied calmly. "He''ll have my cooking again tomorrow. Ms. Deanna,


    you''re our guest. It''s only right for him to look after you."


    Deanna thought, ¡°This woman has the nerve to talk back at me.¡±


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    Deanna spotted Cordelia''s tote bag. Her tote was unzipped, filled with a lot of soap, and bulging. It was


    easy to see what was inside.


    "I have scenes to shoot today. I gotta run." Deanna left.


    She thought, ¡°Cordelia still uses this dor-a-bar soap. What an embarrassment for Ronan.¡±


    As she reached the front door of Pearl Palms, Cordelia hid her anger and discontent, recing it with a


    smile. She was going to have Ronan give her a raise.


    "You''re back?" Ronan was reading on the couch downstairs. His grandpa had gone to bed.


    "Yeah, I''m back, dear," Cordelia replied smilingly. "I''m gonna prepare the ingredients for tomorrow''s


    lunch box in the kitchen."


    Seeing Cordelia''s expression, Ronan realized she''d always had her ducks in a row. Despite refusing to


    cook during lunch, she''d started preparing now.


    After prepping the ingredients, Cordelia said, "Dear, I''m gonna take a bath, you should call it a day


    soon."


    "Alright." Ronan''s eyes were still on the book as he replied offhand.


    Cordelia went upstairs for a bath, using her newly bought Zenwood Soap. After her bath, she put on


    herfy pajamas and hit the sack.


    Ronan was already waiting in bed. He initially wanted to see Cordelia''s next move, but a sudden scent


    brought him back to reality.


    "What''s that smell?" he asked Cordelia.


    "What smell?" Cordelia was drying her hair, "I don¡¯t smell anything special."


    "Come here," Ronan called Cordelia over.


    When Cordelia climbed into bed, Ronan held her in his arms. Her pajamas felt reallyfortable, and


    her scent was refreshing. He was moved at this moment, the scent reminded him of something from six


    years ago. Back then, he couldn''t see, only smell this scent. But it''d been gone ever since.


    Ronan felt a mix of emotions. He closed his eyes and nted a gentle kiss on Cordelia''s cheek, her


    eyebrows, her neck...


    Cordelia thought, ¡°What''s with him?¡±


    His hands gently cupped Cordelia''s face, and he started kissing her lips passionately, it felt really good.


    He gently pinned Cordelia under him again.

 Chapter 111

    Chapter 111


    After some passionate time together, two hours had passed. Cordelia had yet to bring up her request.


    After everything, he didn''t continue reading, but leaned on the bed, slowly regaining his sanity. Even if


    they were so alike, Cordelia was not the one in his heart, and he was only fooling himself.


    "What do you use for showering?" he casually asked Cordelia.


    "I saw a merchandise store on the pedestrian street today. They have this old brand of sandalwood


    soap, and I bought a dozen or so, quite cheap." Cordelia blushed. She was exhausted, lying in bed,


    thinking about how to bring up the matter of a raise.


    "Did you use this before?"


    "Didn''t we all use soap for showering when we were kids? Of course, you might be an exception."


    Cordelia''s eyes were starting to fight to stay open.


    "Why would I be an exception?" Ronan leaned against the headboard, looking sideways at Cordelia.


    She seemedzy and sexy, causing his heart to skip a beat.


    "You''re rich, you must use high-end products like shower gel, and also, you give such high raises to


    asked Brooklyn. She got a significant raise. How much can I get?"


    Hearing Cordelia mention this, Ronan didn''t look asposed as usual. "Are you short of money?"


    "I''m not now, but it''s a recognition of my abilities. Besides, everyone in the Finance Department got a


    raise; if I don''t get one, others will think there''s something wrong with my work. A raise represents your


    recognition of my work ability, and it''s my job security," Cordelia said seriously. She prided herself on


    being diligent and responsible and didn¡¯t want to give anyone any leverage.


    "Aren''t I your security?" Ronan retorted.


    Cordelia thought to herself, ¡°Don''t you understand what marriage agreement means?¡±


    "You, of course, are a factor I consider." Cordelia licked her lips and reluctantly said, "But it''s what I


    deserve. If everyone else gets a raise and I''m the only one who doesn''t, what do you think others


    would think? It''s not just about the money. Not giving me a raise is like not trusting me." After speaking,


    Cordelia turned over.


    "How much do you want?"


    "Really? You''re really going to give me a raise?" Hearing that she would get a raise, Cordelia turned


    back around, her eyes sparkling.


    "Yes."


    "Then I want the same as Brooklyn." Cordelia thought, ¡°This way, Brooklyn won''t feel it''s unfair.¡±


    "Okay. I will notify Jordan tomorrow to file with the Finance Department."


    Hearing this news, Cordelia was overjoyed and gave Ronan a peck on the cheek. "Thank you, hubby!"


    Then, she went to sleep.


    Tonight, she sacrificed herself, said things against her heart, and finally got the opportunity for a raise.


    She felt it was all worth it.


    Now, Cordelia''s sry was still much lesspared to the Audit Department, but she had decided to


    look for a job in the Audit Department next year. If she knew Manda wasn''t going to the Audit


    Department, she would have gone this year.


    Cordelia began daydreaming.


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    Ronan was not carefree like Cordelia. The scent of sandalwood from six years ago still lingered in his


    mind. He took out his phone and sent a message to Deanna. [You had a special scent on you before. I


    remember it smelled really good. What soap was it?]


    On the other side, Deanna had a performance tonight, which just ended. Seeing this message, she


    was a little surprised. She remembered seeing the sandalwood soap in Cordelia''s bag this afternoon.


    Was Ronan reminded of it because of that?


    Deanna replied. [Back then, kids from ordinary families like me all used sandalwood soap. I always


    used Zenwood Soap. I stopped using itter since I became a public figure.]


    Upon seeing this message, Ronan thought to himself, ¡°I guess I was overthinking.¡±


    Deanna put down her phone, turned to her assistant, and asked, "Do you know where to buy Zenwood


    Soap?"


    "That cheap soap? There''s a grocery store nearby, I''ll go check it out, that brand is quite old." The


    assistant left for the store after replying.


    She bought all the Zenwood Soaps in the store.

 Chapter 112

    Chapter 112


    Cordelia was in a good mood, getting up before the crack of dawn to whip up breakfast for Ronan.


    Today, she went all out and prepared a feast for two,plete with a seafood tter, roast chicken,


    and mashed potatoes. Plus, she brewed some coffee for Ronan.


    Being the CEO and all, he had a ton on his te, not to mention he was a guy, so he probably ate like


    a horse.


    As Ronan came down for breakfast, his gaze fell on the lunchboxes by the table. "Are you trying to pull


    a fast one on me again?" Ronan asked her.


    "Nope, our meals are exactly the same." Cordelia opened the lunchbox to show him.


    Ronan didn''t say anything, but he looked pretty pleased.


    After a moment of thought, Cordelia asked, "Where... where did you go with Deanna the other day?


    The day when she had the meal I prepared."


    "It was the anniversary of her father''s passing."


    "Oh," Cordelia seemed somewhat disappointed.


    What a coincidence. That day was also the anniversary of Cordelia''s father''s passing, but she never


    told Ronan about it. Ronan chose to apany his first love, Deanna, back to Birchwood instead of


    being with her. She had seen iting.


    "What''s wrong?"


    "Nothing." Cordelia forced a smile onto her face.


    "By the way, I want to return the clothes you bought for mest time. They''re too shy and not really


    my style. Plus, they''re way too expensive," Cordelia said. "What do you think?"


    "Sure, I''ll have someone help you return them," Ronan said. He was in the middle of negotiating the


    acquisition of a mall, so it shouldn''t be a problem.


    But they both knew, Jamie had seen these clothes, which made them feel rather ufortable.


    "No need, I can go to the mall myself while doing some shopping." Cordelia wasn''t ustomed to


    having personal attendants.


    "Also, where did you put his books and notes you brought back yesterday?" Ronan asked casually as


    he continued eating.


    Cordelia thought, ¡°No wonder he didn''t get mad when I brought it up the other day. He''s been nning


    to ask me all along. He''s such a nitpicker, never letting anything slide.¡±


    With a disheartened voice, she said, "The notebook is in the office, and the books are in the suitcase."


    "Hmm." Ronan nodded in understanding. How he would deal with this would depend on his mood.


    Arriving at thepany, Jordan discreetly told Cordelia about her raise.


    "That much?" Cordelia was astounded. The amount was significantly more than what Ronan had told


    her yesterday.


    "The extra is what I negotiated for you. You''ve been burning the candle at both ends working at Lumos


    za recently. Also, since your promotion, you''ve been taking a lot off my te," Jordan said with a


    smile.


    "Thanks, boss." Cordelia feigned gratitude.


    Having been at thepany for close to half a year, Cordelia had a good read on Jordan by now. She


    knew thepany wasn''t his, nor was the money. So Jordan could afford to fight for a higher sry for


    her, putting her in his debt.


    Cordelia thought the extra money could be used to buy things for Ronan. She could get him a tie when


    she went to the mall to return the clothes tomorrow.


    During the lunch break, Cordelia started eating her homemade lunch. Thinking about Ronan, who was


    probably eating too, made her feel contented.


    The seafood she was having was from the same supermarket as Ronan''s. So, did that mean they were


    closer now? Thinking about these subtle connections filled Cordelia''s heart with sweetness. But there


    was also a touch of mncholy after the sweetness.


    Just as she was lost in her thoughts, there was a stir in the office.


    "Mr. Evans posted on Facebook, it''s his first time..."


    "What did he post?"


    Cordelia was also curious; she picked up her phone to see what Ronan had posted. It was just a


    picture of the lunch Cordelia had made for him.


    You had to hand it to Ronan, he had some mad photography skills. Theposition and colors really


    brought out the vor of the food. Of course, Cordelia''s cooking skills yed a big part too. The dishes


    and coffee together looked incredibly sumptuous.


    The reason Cordelia didn''t let Janice cook was, firstly, Janice had never done it before, and Cordelia


    wouldn''t be unreasonable and dump work on her. Secondly, she believed that Ronan would find her


    cooking more appetizing, which gave her a sense of aplishment.


    She felt incredibly aplished, just like right now. Cordelia chuckled and thought that perhaps Ronan


    felt his lunch yesterday was too shabby and embarrassing. So, he posted on Facebook to show off to


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    the other executives and prove that he had brought the wrong lunch yesterday.


    Cordelia considerately defended Ronan''s pride andmented on Ronan''s Facebook post. [You


    brought the wrong lunch yesterday. That wasn''t meant for you.]


    In this way, she helped him salvage his dignity from yesterday.


    As colleagues passed by Cordelia, and someonemented, "You two are so lovey-dovey."


    "Yeah, Mr. Evans is even publicly showing off the food."


    "Right."


    Hearing their enviousments, Cordelia found that something that was supposed to be pleasant


    sounded somewhat jellying from them.


    Cordelia ate her lunch quietly, feeling incredibly happy inside.

 Chapter 113

    Chapter 113


    After dinner, Cordelia washed up the dishes and checked her phone for a bit since she still had some


    time before work.


    She saw ament Deanna left on Ronan''s Facebook post. She dropped a drooling emoji with a


    Cordelia''s smile disappeared instantly. She understood that every word from Deanna had deeper


    meanings. She wondered what Deanna was up to.


    Ronan replied to her. [Cordelia made it.]


    Almost no one at thepany followed Deanna, so most people wouldn''t understand thisment.


    They would only see the picture Ronan posted and Cordelia''sment.


    Cordelia swallowed her anger and replied to Deanna. [If you want some,e over to my ce. I''ll


    cook for you.]


    Cordelia felt that her reply was both gracious and demonstrated her position as the host.


    Deanna replied to Ronan, [Ronan, Cordelia invited me over to your ce. Do you agree?]


    Ronan replied, [Sure.]


    Cordelia, holding back her anger, asked, [This weekend at noon?]


    Deanna. [Sure.]


    Cordelia''s good mood waspletely ruined by Deanna.


    In the afternoon, when she got into Ronan''s car, Ronan asked Cordelia, "When did you start following


    Deanna?"


    "When you went to Birchwoodst time, she contacted me... and I just followed her." Cordelia wanted


    to say that Deanna wanted to see the proof of her miscarriage, but she decided not to badmouth


    Ronan''s ex in front of him.


    "What did she want from you?" Ronan insisted on knowing.


    "She told me her dad saved your life," Cordelia said lightly, omitting the rest.


    Ronan frowned slightly but didn''t say anything else.


    After dinner, Cordelia took a bath with Zenwood Soap. This sandalwood soap was the first one her


    father brought home when she was a child. Cordelia loved the scent and had been using it ever since.


    But due to the impact of foreign brands, this soap gradually disappeared from the market.


    Also, Cordelia noticed that Ronan seemed to be more gentle with her in bed. After turning off the lights,


    he would whisper in her ear asking, "Do you like it?"


    Cordelia, her lips a deep red, felt like she was the one he deeply loved.


    Cordelia genuinely replied, "I really like it."


    Because of his tenderness, Cordelia became gentler, and her eyes were filled with a soft glow. Even


    Barney noticed and asked her, "De, why do you look more and more beautiful these days?"


    "Really? Thank you, Barney." Cordelia stole a nce at Ronan, who was expressionless.


    Cordelia knew he was always like this, so she didn''t say anything.


    On Wednesday, Cordelia took some clothes to the mall for exchange and decided to walk around by


    herself. This time she didn''t invite Brooklyn, afraid that Brooklyn would notice her unusual mood and


    make a fuss.


    After returning the clothes, Cordelia went to the men''s department to buy a tie for Ronan. She saw


    Jamie trying on ties there. Hispany was close to this mall, so he came after work.


    "What are you buying in the men''s department?" Jamie was both surprised and slightly shy when he


    saw Cordelia.


    "Oh, I''m buying a tie for my husband," Cordelia replied. "Are you buying a tie too?"


    "Yes, I am." Jamie seemed a bit awkward.


    Cordelia had thought about this. She believed that Jamie didn''t do anything wrong. It wasn''t his fault


    before, and it was understandable when he kneeled to Ronan for his father.


    Although, Ronan''s father was also pitiful.


    "Mr. Colby, why don''t you help me choose a tie," Cordelia suggested, trying tofort Jamie. "I''ve


    never bought a tie before."


    "If it''s for Mr. Evans..." Jamie said, "How about this red and blue striped one?"


    Just as Cordelia was imagining how Ronan would look with this tie, Adrian''s voice came, "Are you


    done, Mr. Colby?"


    Adrian noticed Cordelia and Jamie together, and a smile appeared on his face. "Cordelia, are you


    buying a tie for Mr. Colby?" Adrian said slowly.


    "Stop talking nonsense!" Cordelia disliked Adrian''s insinuating look.


    "Then what are you two doing together?"


    "I''m done shopping. Let''s go." Jamie carried his shopping bag and left with Adrian.


    Before leaving, Jamie looked back at Cordelia.


    Given the incident of buying clothesst time, Cordelia thought if someone else, especially Jamie, was


    involved in the process, Ronan probably wouldn''t want this tie. She could even imagine Ronan taking


    off this tie and throwing it in the trash.


    Cordelia went to another store and bought a id tie for Ronan, costing her a few hundred bucks.


    When she got home, she showed the tie to Ronan.


    "Is this for me?" Ronan asked.


    "Yes, do you like it? Try it on." Cordelia blushed a bit since this was the first time she bought something


    for him.


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    "I really like it." Ronan looked up at Cordelia.


    Cordelia''s face slowly turned red because what Ronan said was exactly the same as what he said in


    bed. Seeing the subtle changes in Cordelia''s expression, Ronan pretended not to know why and


    stroked his chin, asking her, "What''s the matter?"


    "You''re such a perv!" With that, Cordelia scampered off upstairs.

 Chapter 114

    Chapter 114


    The weekend was just around the corner.


    Cordelia purchased some ingredients, preparing for Deanna''s visit. She knew this was going to be a


    challenge. When Deanna arrived, Cordelia was cooking in the kitchen with Janice.


    Deanna first asked about Barney''s health, and then she started chit-chatting with Ronan.


    Ronan was sitting on the couch, looking spaced out.


    Cordelia cooked a lot of dishes. She thought that even though Deanna wasn''t likable, her father had


    once saved Ronan''s life, so she should try her best to be a good host.


    "Dinner''s ready,¡± Cordelia said, bringing out all the dishes.


    Barney sat on one side, Cordelia, and Ronan on the other. She also thoughtfully asked Ronan if he


    wanted a drink.


    "Drink? Are you okay with that?" Ronan turned his head, looking at Cordelia with half-closed eyes.


    Cordelia knew Ronan was just putting on a lovey-dovey front in front of Deanna. She didn''t understand


    what was going on between them, but Ronan always acted more affectionately in front of Deanna.


    However, she couldn¡¯t help butugh. ¡°When did I ever stop you from drinking? Want me to pour you a


    ss?¡±


    Ronan handed over his ss, and Cordelia poured him a ss of red wine.


    Cordelia also poured a ss for Deanna. ¡°Drink up. I made these dishes, and if they don''t taste good, I


    hope you won''t mind."


    "De, you''re too modest. When has Ronan everined about your cooking? Look, you were mad


    at him the other day and only made him toast, didn''t he still enjoy it?" Barney joked.


    Cordelia knew he didn''t like Deanna and was trying to help her.


    "Barney, can you not spill the beans?" Cordelia pretended to be angry.


    "Alright, alright, I''ll shut up. As long as you two are happy, my illness will get better. Maybe I won''t be


    sick at all. For my longevity, you guys must be happy," Barney continued.


    Actually, he usually didn''t talk this much.


    "Okay."


    The conversation between Barney and Cordelia practically exhausted Deanna''s fake smile. She


    thought, ¡°Cordelia, don''t get too cocky.¡±


    The meal ended with superficial smiles all around. After the meal, Janice cleaned up the table, and


    Cordelia helped.


    Barney went back to his room to take a nap.


    As Cordelia was cleaning up the table, she walked by Deanna and wondered, ¡°Why does Deanna also


    smell like sandalwood? Does she use that soap too?¡±


    Maybe the smell of the food had masked her scent during the meal. It wasn''t until now that Cordelia


    noticed.


    She carried the dishes into the kitchen. Only Ronan and Deanna were in the living room.


    Deanna''s words drifted into Cordelia''s ears as she was washing dishes in the kitchen.


    "Ronan, a few days ago, you said you wanted to smell me after my shower, said that I used to smell


    like this. Today I purposely used sandalwood soap to shower, did you smell it?" Deanna said.


    "Really?" Ronan said. "It does seem to smell like something."


    Deannaughed.


    Hearing this, Cordelia''s heart fluttered. She quickly walked to the kitchen door, trying to close it, but


    their conversation still drifted in...


    "Oh, really?" Ronan responded to Deanna casually.


    "Yes, but I haven''t used it for many years. Back then, everyone used to use soap to bathe," Deanna


    said.


    Deanna said this just to tell Ronan that if every person who used Zenwood Soap was his dream girl,


    then his dream lovers could be found all over the street.


    Cordelia''s hand rested on the sink, her mind a nk. No wonder Ronan had been so gentle in bed


    after the lights were out.


    She thought it was because her recent performance had greatly satisfied Ronan, or perhaps...


    She never thought that he was treating her as a stand-in. Deanna used to use this sandalwood soap.


    What satisfied Ronan was not Cordelia, but the scent on her. So, he always waited until the lights were


    out.


    That night he specifically asked her about the sandalwood soap, but Cordelia didn''t think much of it.


    He was treating her as a stand-in!


    This realization made Cordelia feel very disappointed.

 Chapter 115

    Chapter 115


    Cordelia''s tears were dripping into the sink. Upon seeing this, Janice got a fright. "What''s wrong,


    ma''am?"


    "I''m okay. Just feeling a bit under the weather. I think my period''s here," Cordelia replied.


    After leaving the kitchen and passing through the living room, Cordelia said to Ronan, "You guys keep


    chatting. I''m gonna head upstairs and rest for a bit."


    A few days earlier, Cordelia had felt some abdominal pain and chest tightness. As expected, her period


    had arrived. After putting on a sanitary pad, Cordelia sat on her bed, hugging her knees.


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    Ronan didn''te up until a whileter. "Why didn''t youe down?" He asked.


    "I''m on my period, and my tummy hurts. I''m nning to go back to my ce tomorrow. Oh, and I might


    not be able to make lunch for you," Cordelia said, her back to Ronan, facing the window, hugging her


    knees.


    Ronan sat on the sofa across the room, seeing a hint of sadness in Cordelia''s eyes. Seeing Cordelia''s


    sudden change in mood, he asked, "Are you just gonna drop me after you''ve got what you wanted?"


    "What?" Cordelia looked up at him.


    There was a joking tone in his voice. "Got a raise, and you kick me to the curb, isn''t that using and


    discarding me?"


    "No such thing." Cordelia lowered her head, resting it on her knees.


    "Do you mind that I see you as a recement?" Ronan suddenly said.


    Cordelia was taken aback, clearly shocked. She raised her head, looked at Ronan in surprise, then


    lowered her gaze in disappointment.


    "You''re not her recement!" Ronan said. He knew why Cordelia was upset. He guessed it was


    probably because he''d asked Deanna about the sandalwood soap, and Deanna deliberately used it.


    "Then whose recement am I?" Upon hearing this, Cordelia''s voice choked with tears. She wasn''t


    Deanna''s recement, but she was a recement.


    "Well..." Ronan tried to remember. He had only smelled the sandalwood soap on that girl, and her hand


    was soft. When he unwrapped the bandage, the person he saw was Deanna. So, she was also


    Deanna''s recement, but that feeling from then, he couldn''t get it back.


    "Do you care so much because you have feelings for me?" Ronan asked Cordelia, yfully pinching


    her chin.


    "I don''t have feelings for you!" Cordelia retorted with a huff, seemingly wanting to make it clear to


    Ronan that she had no feelings for him.


    Moreover, every time she was on her period, Ronan would kiss her, turning her on. It was unbearable


    and very painful. This time, part of Cordelia was angry at him, the other part didn''t want to endure such


    feelings again.


    "Did you tell Brooklyn?" Ronan asked.


    "Mhm."


    "Alright then. Take all your stuff with you," Ronan said. "And you''re not allowed to eat spicy food."


    Cordelia could only choke out a muffled ¡°Mhm.¡±


    In fact, she hadn''t told Brooklyn yet, but since Ronan had agreed, there was no need to say anything to


    Brooklyn.


    From tonight until she went to work the next day, Cordelia looked tired and didn''t talk to Ronan on the


    way. She brought a change of clothes and went straight to the office.


    As Ronan was about to take the elevator down, he saw Cordelia''s expressionless face. He gently


    stroked her chin and asked, "Miss me?"


    Cordelia turned her head. "No."


    Ronan turned around and left.


    Upon entering the office, Cordelia was surprised to find that Manda was also working there. Cordelia


    knew that Jordan had been recruiting recently, but she didn''t expect the recruit would be Manda.


    Manda was a popr intern in the past, but she didn''t stay with Lumos Enterprises and went to another


    now she worked at Lumos Enterprises¡¯ Finance Department, earning about the same as when she was


    an intern, nearly half less than Cordelia.


    Cordelia didn¡¯t understand, what was she after?


    Manda didn''t even nce at Cordelia; she just kept working.


    After Jordan arrived, he said to Cordelia, "Cordelia, Manda is a new employee. She didn''t make it into


    the Audit Department before, but she fits our recruitment criteria for the Finance Department. Plus, she


    knows our department''s business well, so I let her join."


    Cordelia just nodded half a beatter, thinking, ¡°Her brother isn''ting too, is he?¡±

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    Chapter 116


    "Shall we head back together this afternoon, Cordelia?" Manda proposed as they were wrapping up


    work.


    "Nah, I''m good. My residence is close by, and I still have some overtime to do." Cordelia was scared of


    what happenedst time repeating itself, so she politely declined.


    "Alright, then I''ll be taking off now," said Manda.


    "Sure."


    As Manda came down the stairs, she saw Jamie waiting for her in thepany lobby.


    "Mr. Colby, let''s hit the bookstore," Manda said. "I hate to be a bother, but I could use yourpany."


    "No worries, feel free to hit me up anytime about ounting matters," Jamie spoke to Manda in a


    slightly distracted manner. His eyes were darting around the lobby, scanning the people exiting the


    building, but he never spotted the person he was looking for.


    As Ronan was leaving, he saw Jamie''s back and wondered, ¡°What''s he doing here?¡±


    Manda was just an ordinary employee that Ronan wasn''t familiar with. He only heard the name from


    Cordelia a bunch of times. The Finance Department was hiring, but it hadn''t caught his attention yet, so


    he had no idea who was leaving with Jamie.


    Ronan called Cordelia, "Where are you at?"


    "I''m still in the office, got some work left."


    "You''re not seeing me off?" Knowing Jamie didn''t run into Cordelia, Ronan felt relieved.


    "I''m busy."


    "So I''m really leaving then?" Ronan teased Cordelia again.


    "Alright, goodbye." After finishing her sentence, Cordelia promptly hung up.


    It seemed like Cordelia didn''t know Jamie was here. The only thing Ronan didn''t get, why was Jamie


    here?


    Inside Jamie''s car.


    "Mr. Colby, where are we off to?" Manda asked. This was her first sessful date with Jamie. She


    originally wanted to make Cordelia jealous, but Cordelia turned her down.


    She had tried asking Jamie out a few times before but was never sessful. Therefore, Manda


    decided to work at Lumos Enterprises, despite knowing people wouldugh at her. However, Jamie


    was very fond of Cordelia, and since Cordelia worked in the Finance Department, perhaps Jamie would


    Indeed, Jamie showed up, even though his eyes were constantly searching for Cordelia.


    "To Pages & Prose," Jamie said.


    "Alright." Manda nodded seriously.


    At Pages & Prose.


    The book about financial cost management was sold out. Fortunately, the store owner was well-


    acquainted with Jamie, considering he''d done a book signing there before. They told him they''d deliver


    the book to him when it was back in stock.


    "Once the owner delivers the book to me, I''ll give it to you, alright?" Jamie told Manda.


    "Sure, sure. Thank you." Manda''s eyes sparkled. She thought, ¡°Delivering the book is a great excuse


    for another date.¡±


    "Don''t mention it,¡± Jamie replied, seemingly lost in thought.


    They also had dinner together, and then Jamie drove Manda home.


    The next day, Jamie was out of town on a business trip. He was needed for a training session and


    would be gone for approximately a week.


    Around the third day, the book arrived. Jamie wasn¡¯t in Millstone, so he asked his driver, Adrian, to


    deliver the book to Manda. At 5 p.m., Adrian was waiting outside Lumos Enterprises, smoking a


    cigarette, and waiting for Manda to show up. Jamie had given Adrian Manda''s contact info, so they had


    However, to his surprise, it wasn''t Manda who showed up, but Ronan. The tie Ronan was wearing


    seemed to have been bought by Cordelia. Whether it was or not didn''t really matter. His goal was to stir


    up trouble, not to uncover the truth.


    "Where''s my sister?" Adrian asked Ronan.


    The rtionship between Adrian and Ronan had hit rock bottom; even their greetings wereced with


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    hostility.


    Seeing Adrian, Ronan walked over, gave him a once-over, and asked, "What are you doing at Lumos


    Enterprises?"


    Adrian stared at Ronan''s tie, then chuckled. "Mr. Colby and Cordelia have great taste, they picked this


    tie for you. You look good in it. Cordelia is smart; she knew to ask for Mr. Colby''s opinion."


    Ronan slightly furrowed his brows, then replied, "I guess I should thank Mr. Colby then."


    After saying that, Ronan turned around and headed for the parking lot. Watching Ronan''s retreating


    figure, Adrian felt a sense of satisfaction. Even though Ronan had a poker face, and even had a slight


    smirk, Adrian had seen the anger in his eyes.


    That''s exactly what he wanted!


    He hoped that this would drive Ronan away from Cordelia! He would seize this opportunity and tear


    them apart.

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    Chapter 117


    Cordelia had been feeling under the weathertely, nning to hit the sack early back in her dorm after


    work.


    On her way out of the office, she saw Adrian waiting for her at the door.


    "Cordelia, why aren''t you hitching a ride with Ronan today? I saw him leave just now," Adrian queried.


    "I''ve been crashing at the dorm recently." Cordelia replied.


    Adrian mentally spected that she must have had a spat with Ronan, otherwise, she wouldn''t choose


    to stay in a dorm. He was contemting how he could further aggravate Cordelia and Ronan''s


    rtionship and get them divorced for good. He had just seeded in angering Ronan, so it was about


    time to add more pressure on Cordelia''s side as well.


    Ronan, after hopping into his car, was still fuming. He lit up a smoke, puffing away in silence.


    He knew Cordelia wouldn''t dare to go on a date with Jamie, they probably just ran into each other at


    the mall, and Adrian wouldn''t just cook up a story out of thin air. But Jamie had once helped pick out a


    tie, and that was a fact. It happened right after he agreed to raise Cordelia''s sry.


    Thinking about this, Ronan ripped off his tie, threw it out of the window, and drove off.


    He originally nned to give Cordelia a lift home today. He even had Janice prepare dinner for


    Cordelia.


    That tie was picked up by a janitor who knew it was Ronan''s parking space. Since the tie looked new,


    she had it given to Cordelia.


    Seeing the tie, Cordelia was dumbfounded. How did it end up there?Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    She called Ronan who was on his way home. "How did you drop your tie?" Cordelia asked in


    confusion.


    "Is this the tie you and Jamie picked out for me?" Ronan asked coldly.


    Cordelia went silent, thinking, how did he find out?


    "I just ran into him at City Mall that day." Cordelia tried to exin.


    "Save it." With that, Ronan hung up the phone.


    What angered him was that Cordelia had joined Jamie in picking out a tie after he had managed to


    squelch Jamie''s arrogance, which suggested that Cordelia had not apologized to him for Jamie''s


    inferiority, but rather had some sympathy for Jamie.


    Sympathy, such a peculiar emotion. Ronan clenched his fist tightly.


    Cordelia felt despondent, thinking, he did not lose his tie, but threw it out. Just like when he tossed


    Jamie''s shirt out of his car before.


    Cordelia nned to go home today too, but it seemed he was mad again. Looked like her ns to go


    home had to be postponed a few more days.


    Back at the dorm, Cordelia sat alone in her room, feeling gloomy. Brooklyn came over with a piece of


    cake, "Give this a try."


    Seeing the cake Brooklyn brought, Cordelia felt even more miserable. Ronan had never been so


    attentive to her before.


    True, she was just filling Deanna''s shoes, so how could he care about her well-being?


    Manda left the office and saw Adrian deep in thought.


    At that moment, Manda was clutching a Chanel bag. Adrian originally didn''t know much about bags, or


    rather, he didn''t know a thing about them, but thanks to Kendra, he was now well-versed in all the


    brands, although he couldn''t afford any of them.


    "Let me give you a lift, miss." Adrian offered politely, after giving Manda her book back.


    Manda wanted to get some info about Jamie from Adrian, who was after all Jamie''s employee.


    "Thank you, that would be great." Manda agreed.


    "How''s Cordelia doing at work?" Adrian asked Manda after they got in the car.


    "You know Cordelia?" Manda was clearly surprised.


    "Cordelia is my sister. We''ve had a lot of friction between us. Growing up, our parents always favored


    her and praised her while I was invisible at home. Mom always made Cordelia''s favorite dishes; she


    only attended parent-teacher meetings for Cordelia, not mine; if there was any money left, it went to


    Cordelia first. Our family wasn''t rich but we werefortable. Cordelia never had any financial


    pressure growing up, while I had nothing. Growing up in that environment, it''s hard not to be biased


    against her. Now our father has passed away, and our mother is in a vegetative state." Adrian said this,


    and his eyes were full of anger.


    Cordelia took everything away from him.


    Manda knew that it would take a lifetime to heal the wounds of misfortune.


    "Now I want to get back at my sister, but I need your help. What do you think?" Adrian asked.


    Adrian knew Manda had a thing for Jamie, he guessed she must have some beef with Cordelia too, so


    he thought that the enemy of his enemy was his friend.


    "Sure, but what should we do?" Manda asked with a furrowed brow. She had been holding a grudge


    against Cordelia for a while now. Cordelia took her position; Cordelia¡¯s grades in economicw were


    higher than hers, which prevented her from getting into the Audit Department. Now she was giving her


    a hard time in the Finance Department.


    "We can start with your bag. Like this..." Adrian started to share his n with Manda.


    Adrian didn''t really have a connection with Manda, but his determination to ruin the rtionship


    between Cordelia and Ronan never wavered, and Manda, she¡¯d been wanting to get back at Cordelia


    for some time now.

 Chapter 118

    Chapter 118


    The next day, Cordelia was hanging around outside the office for ages, hoping to clear up the tie thing


    with Ronan. But to her surprise, Ronan was a no-show, and her brother Adrian popped up out of the


    blue.


    He pulled Cordelia to one side. ¡°Here, I got you a bag. Take it.¡± Adrian handed her a Chanel bag.


    This Chanel bag was the same as Manda''s.


    Cordelia usually didn''t pay much attention to her own bag, let alone anyone else''s. ¡°This is for me?¡±


    Cordelia was gobsmacked.


    It was rare for Adrian to gift her anything, let alone making a special trip to the office to hand it over.


    She figured Adrian had an ulterior motive, so she decided to ept the gift for now and wait and see.


    She was worried that if she refused, Adrian woulde up with a new scheme which would be even


    harder to deal with.


    When Ronan finally strolled in, he saw Adrian and Cordelia chatting, and she was holding something.


    He didn''t give them a second nce and headed straight upstairs.


    Back in her office, Cordelia sent a pic of the bag to Brooklyn, asking her to check it out. Just as Ronan


    was clueless about umbres, Cordelia was clueless about bags.


    [This is Chanel, worth more than $3000 in the market. Is your brother this generous? Send me a pic of


    the hologram sticker, and I''ll have my sister check its authenticity.] Brooklyn texted.


    Brooklyn''s sister ran a big clothing store and next door was a second-hand luxury shop.


    More than $3000? Something smelt fishy to Cordelia. Her brother wouldn''t drop that much on a bag for


    her. She suspected the bag might be a knock-off. He must have set a trap for her somewhere.


    Cordelia''s phone rang on her desk. "Come here," came Ronan''s deep maic voice.


    Hearing this, Cordelia felt a lump in her throat. For days, Ronan had been as cold as ice towards her.


    Even though she knew it was risky, Cordelia felt her affection for him slowly draining away and she was


    powerless to stop it. She went to Ronan''s office.


    "How have you been these past few days?" Ronan''s tone was much softer when he saw her.


    "Good."


    "Is your stomach still hurting?"


    Cordelia blushed a bit. They were at the office, not at home. It was a bit inappropriate to ask such a


    question. "I''m okay," she replied.


    Ronan changed the subject. "What did your brother want?"


    Cordelia thought to herself, so that was why he called me here. This was just a warm-up.


    "He gave me a bag," Cordelia said.


    Ronan had no idea what Adrian was up to. "Be careful," he warned her.


    "Can I leave now?" Cordelia asked, her voice filled with disappointment. Because of the


    disappointment, her heart hurt a little.


    "Yeah, off you go."


    Back in her office, there was already a message from Brooklyn. [Cordelia, my sister checked. Your bag


    is legit. The hologram sticker matches the real deal]


    Really? Since when was Adrian so generous?


    Cordelia had no idea what Adrian was up to, but if her bro gave her a genuine bag, she''d do the


    opposite.


    She asked Brooklyn to have her sister buy her an identical fake one and send it to the office


    immediately, without letting anyone else see. A knock-off would only cost around $200. Cordelia could


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    afford that.


    Around 10-ish, Brooklyn asked, "It''s here. Where should we swap the bags?"


    Cordelia replied, "The restroom on your floor."


    Cordelia seized the moment when her colleagues weren''t looking, took her bag and went out, and


    came back with another bag. This bag was the fake one Brooklyn bought for her, and Brooklyn took


    away the real one.


    At noon, Cordelia ordered takeout in the office. She dared not to leave at this critical moment. She


    even boldly ced the bag on her office desk.


    Just when most of the people in the Finance Department were back, there came a cry from Manda''s


    side, "Where''s my bag?"


    "Manda, isn''t your bag right there on the table?" a colleague pointed to the Chanel bag on Manda''s


    desk.


    "No... that''s not what I mean. My bag is a genuine piece, bought from the boutique, cost me $3500. I


    took a photo of the hologram sticker..." Saying this, Manda took out her phone. The image showed the


    numbers on the bag''s hologram sticker. And the stuff in the bag was hers, like lipsticks, tissues, etc.


    Nothing had changed today, so it was clear that the bag in the photo was Manda''s. As long as the


    numbers on the hologram sticker matched, the bag was hers.


    "Here''s the receipt from the mall. I saved for a year to buy this bag. But now the numbers on the


    hologram sticker have changed. It''s different from before. I had an expert check it online. This bag is a


    fake." With that, Manda started sobbing. After all, $3500 was a huge sum to her.


    "Ah? Someone swapped her bag? Who did this?" her colleagues wondered.


    Then all eyes were on the identical Chanel bag on Cordelia''s desk. Cordelia usually used cheap


    canvas bags. But today, why did she suddenly use a Chanel?


    Although she was the president''s wife and not short of money, changing one''s taste didn''t happen


    overnight. Plus, there were even more quirky people among the rich.

 Chapter 119

    Chapter 119


    "In our office, someone''s real designer bag has been swapped for a fake one." someone announced


    loudly.


    Well, ever since Cordelia got married to the president, the green-eyed monster had been running


    rampant amongst her colleagues.


    Cordelia was engrossed in her work at theputer, but she was well aware of the juicy drama


    unfolding in the office. She only just noticed that Manda''s bag was also from Chanel, and it was


    identical to hers.


    "Cut the crap. She''s the president''s wife. You think making a ruckus will do you any good?"


    "I heard she''s been banished to the dorms these days, kicked out by Mr. Evans because she didn''t


    meet his standards."


    ...


    Cordelia had a crash course on how the Finance Department folks loved to kick someone when they


    were down.


    "Cordelia, check your bag. Manda''s bag has been swapped and yours is just like hers." Someone


    started to defend Manda.


    After all,pared to Cordelia, they were all underdogs, especially Manda, who had been bullied by


    Cordelia to the point of leaving thepany. She had only just returned and now her bag had been


    swapped. Everyone was jealous of Cordelia and liked to help the disadvantaged.


    "Why would I be the suspect just because her bag was swapped?" Cordelia responded calmly. "If I did


    it, would I make it so obvious?"


    "Maybe you''re the real culprit." The colleagues chimed in again.


    More colleagues returned from lunch, all eager to watch the drama unfold.


    "If it turns out my bag isn''t hers, who''s going to take the me?" Cordelia challenged.


    No one dared to respond.


    Cordelia was beginning to piece together Adrian''s scheme. He had likely colluded with Manda in


    advance, had her photograph her real bag, especially the hologrambel, then bought a fake one for


    Adrian to swap with Cordelia''s real bag. But Manda still held all the receipts and proofs of purchase.


    Cordelia would be left holding the bag, literally, with no way to prove her innocence.


    But when did Adrian start coborating with Manda?


    Luckily, Cordelia had prepared for this.


    Jordan returned and seeing everyone gathered, and asked what was going on. He told the colleagues


    to return to work, then he leaned in to whisper to Cordelia, "Cordelia, $3,500 isn''t chump change. Since


    this has happened in our office, I kindly request you to open your bag to settle this matter. After all, the


    innocent have nothing to fear."


    Cordelia stood her ground, "Mr. Jordan, you don''t believe me either?"


    She knew it was a matter of time before trouble brewed with Manda in the same office. She was


    already fed up with the Finance Department. Now she had zero attachment to it. There were too many


    backstabbers and rubberneckers and even the finance director was no exception.


    "I know, but Cordelia..." Jordan certainly hoped Cordelia was in trouble.


    Cordelia came from humble background. Even though she was now married to the president, old habits


    died hard. Perhaps she wasn''t ustomed to the finer things in life and now that she had a taste, she


    wanted to im them as her own.


    Jordan had always preferred Manda over Cordelia. Now that Cordelia was suspected of theft, he


    figured Ronan would feel the same. Even if she were ultimately proven innocent, being used of theft


    would cast a shadow in Ronan''s mind. The Audit Department was a crucial unit and Ronan would


    never let a woman once used of theft in.


    Under normal circumstances, the office wasn''t the ce to resolve such disputes. But $3,500 was no


    small amount. Moreover, Jordan wanted to see Cordelia''s pride crumble. It was clear from Cordelia''s


    in clothes and ordinary bags that Ronan didn''tvish her with luxuries. So this Chanel bag definitely


    wasn''t a gift from Ronan. With this in mind, Jordan was even more convinced of his suspicions.


    "I am the president''s wife!" Cordelia dered loudly now.


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    The colleagues started whispering amongst themselves, "So what if she''s the president''s wife?" "Can''t


    stand her cocky attitude."


    "Then I have no choice but to take this up with the president." Jordan announced and headed upstairs.


    He wanted Ronan to see that his wife was a thief. After seeing Manda''s receipt and pictures of her old


    bag, Jordan was certain of his judgment.

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    Chapter 120


    Jordan went up to see Ronan and spilled the beans about what was going on. During the conversation,


    Jordan was clearly siding with Cordelia, while Manda was adamant that Ronan should be the one to


    make the decision.


    Ronan thought about Adrian giving Cordelia the bag this morning. He had warned her to be careful, but


    he knew that it would be hard for her to be mindful in such a short time.


    "You dare to investigate my wife?" Ronan said to Jordan, leaning back in his chair, his gazes like


    daggers, piercing into Jordan.


    "I know...but if we don''t investigate, people won''t calm down." Jordan was sweating bullets.


    Jordan felt that Ronan was protecting Cordelia because he must have sensed something was off.


    Manda''s shopping receipt gave Jordan more confidence.


    "If we don''t investigate, people will think Cordelia swapped the bags. By protecting her and not allowing


    an inquiry, she won''t be able to clear her name, and it will only make matters more awkward for her.


    What I''m doing is actually for Cordelia, to help her clear any suspicion." Jordan said.


    Ronan frowned. He and Cordelia had been having a bit of a tiff, and he seldom sent messages to her.


    And with Jordan here, he couldn''t send any at all.


    Then the phone rang, it was Cordelia. "Mr. Evans, Mr. Jordan probably wants you to witness the


    investigation. Juste down." Cordelia said seriously on the other end of the line.


    "Are you sure?" Ronan asked with a furrowed brow. He trusted that Cordelia would never do such a


    thing, but she might not be able to escape Adrian''s trap.


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    "I''m sure. I''d like to prove my innocence in front of you."


    "Let''s go to the Finance Department." Ronan said after hanging up the phone.


    Jordan was secretly delighted, thinking, if he could dig up all of Cordelia''s issues,bined with her


    bad impression on Ronan, it would be tough for her to move to the Audit Department in the future. She


    would have to tread carefully under him.


    This was Ronan''s second time in the Finance Department. Thest time was when he needed a shirt


    from Cordelia.


    Manda was staring at Cordelia with a pained expression.


    Cordelia had been working in front of herputer and hadn''t left.


    "This is theser tag on the bag Manda bought. Mr. Evans, take a look." Jordan passed Manda''s phone


    over, "It''s this number."


    "Cordelia..." Jordan said.


    Cordelia reluctantly dumped out the contents of her bag and handed it over to Jordan.


    "Go ahead." Cordelia seemed quite confident in herself and disappointed in the folks in the Finance


    Department, and she went back to her work.


    Ronan watched her, her hands typed swiftly on the keyboard, and she could swiftly read numbers when


    working. She was a verypetent finance professional. He could tell that Cordelia was pissed but


    she kept mum.


    "What''s the result, Mr. Jordan?" Manda asked.


    Jordan was sweating buckets and didn''t dare to look at Ronan.


    "What''s going on?" Ronan asked Jordan as well.


    "This...this number seems to be different..." Jordan said.


    "What?" Manda was so shocked she sat down abruptly, "How can it be different?"


    "How can it be the same? Why would your bag be with me?" Cordelia said coldly to Manda.


    Manda¡¯s face was now flushed red. "But clearly..." She looked anxious and confused. Was it possible


    that Adrian tricked her and took her bag?


    Manda snatched Cordelia''s bag from Jordan''s hands without a second thought. She seemed to be


    clutching at straws, searching through Cordelia''s bag. She knew that after this fiasco, her days at


    Lumos Enterprises could be numbered. Mr. Evans had personally handled the issue. And she had truly


    embarrassed herself this time. She didn''t know whether it was Cordelia or Adrian who had fooled her,


    leaving her running around like a headless chicken.


    Suddenly, Manda burst outughing.


    Cordelia got the creeps, "What are youughing at?"


    "The esteemed Mrs. Evans, carrying a fake bag. Look at thisbel, how fake can it get? It''s all about


    the appearance, isn''t it?" Manda eximed, throwing Cordelia''s bag onto the ground.

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    Chapter 121


    The staff of the Finance Department, despite being seemingly busy, had an uncanny ability to keep an


    ear on all the office gossip. When they caught wind that Cordelia was toting a knock-off bag, the office


    broke into a chorus ofughter.


    Ronan was right here and she had humiliated him like that. Everyone was curious to see how he''d


    handle it.


    Cordelia shot Ronan a covert nce before softening her tone. "Don''t be mad."


    "Why would I be mad?" But Ronan was already fuming. The audacity of his staff to challenge him and


    cause such a scene was infuriating.


    "The money you gave me, I didn''t use it to buy a real bag. I bought a fake one and saved the rest. I


    mean, it''s just a bag, right? There''s no need to break the bank over it. We shouldn''t be using expensive


    bags to show off. What''s the point in buying such pricey bags?" Cordelia exined. By saying this, she


    not only saved Ronan''s dignity but also took a jab at Manda''s show-off tendencies.


    Ronan thought. He was supposed to be the referee, but now he was a part of her n. Even though


    she had salvaged his dignity, he still felt a bit uneasy.


    "Go home early after work," Ronan left her with these words and walked away.


    The day''s events soon became the hot gossip topic around thepany, with everyone adding a bit of


    spice to the story. Those who had previously gossiped about Cordelia now kept their mouths shut. But


    they all agreed on one thing: Manda''s days at Lumos Enterprises were numbered.


    Cordelia wondered, he told her to go home? Should she really go home today?


    Brooklyn also messaged her, [Cordelia, this genuine Chanel bag looks really good on me, how about


    you give it to me?]


    [Don''t be ridiculous. This bag is worth three to four grand. That would be fraud and punishable byw.]


    [Well, I see.] Brooklyn quickly replied.


    But Cordelia knew that she couldn''t return the bag to Manda or Adrian. If she did, she would be


    admitting her guilt. The best person to handle this was Jamie.


    Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    The thought of dealing with Jamie gave her a headache.


    In the afternoon, Cordelia was waiting by Ronan''s car, her head hanging low. She had moved to the


    dormitory because of the stand-in issue, and now she was waiting for him by his car.


    Ronan nced at her and got into his car. "How many days has it been?" he asked.


    When he visited the Finance Department at noon, he noticed her pale face.


    "What?" Cordelia had been looking out the window and didn''t understand what Ronan was asking.


    "Your period."


    "Three days."


    "Exin." hemanded.


    "Exin what?" Cordelia was still clueless.


    It felt like so much had happened since theyst spoke, as if a century had passed.


    "The tie incident."


    "I went to return the items that day and happened to see him buying a tie when I was buying a tie..."


    Cordelia exined in a monotonous tone.


    "Him?" Ronan frowned, "Who?"


    Though Ronan had a pretty good idea who this "him" was, he found Cordelia''s reference interesting, as


    if this person was always on her mind and she was quite familiar with him.


    "Jamie." Cordelia admitted, her face turning red. She didn''t want to mention his name. She had thought


    in the afternoon about asking Jamie to return the bag to Manda.


    "And then?" Ronan pressed.


    "We chatted for a bit, and then my brother called him away. I thought you might misunderstand, so I


    went to another store to buy a tie, but..." Cordelia''s voice trailed off, "You misunderstood anyway. And


    you threw the tie away."


    "So was it a waste of your effort?" Ronan asked her.


    "Yes," Cordelia looked out the window.


    "Then go and buy me another tie, or maybe a few more," Ronan suggested.


    Cordelia gave him a nce of protest before saying, "I was kidding when I said you wasted my effort."


    "But I took it seriously," Ronan replied.


    Cordelia could only silently ept this frustration. Since they had decided to reconcile, they should


    make some concrete actions to show it, right?


    A tie, it represented her efforts.


    "Let''s go buy it today," Ronan nced at Cordelia, "Also, you should change your clothes."


    "I''ve bought clothes before, but I never had the courage to wear them out," Cordelia whispered.


    Ronan shook his head, "I guess that your fashion sense iscking."


    "I..." Cordelia wanted to argue, but she couldn''t find the words.


    "Also, exin what happened today," Ronan added.


    Cordelia then proceeded to tell him about Adrian giving her a bag, and her swapping it with Brooklyn,


    leaving no detail out.


    "So what were you doing during work hours? Shopping for bags? Do you think your sry is too high?"


    Ronan asked again.


    "I..." Cordelia felt wronged, thinking. ¡°You asked for an exnation, didn''t you? And now you were


    ming me for not taking work seriously?¡±


    Normally, Cordelia would have a solid argument, but she always seemed to lose ground when facing


    Ronan.


    Ronan''s car was heading towards Lumos za. This seemed to be the first time he was


    apanying Cordelia to the mall.


    The cost of shopping at Lumos za was significantly higher than at City Mall.

 Chapter 122

    Chapter 122


    At Lumos za.


    First off, Ronan took Cordelia to the women''s clothing section. He had a unique taste, picking out


    heaps of clothes from the racks and asking Cordelia to try them on.


    He sat on a sofa waiting for Cordelia.


    Cordelia hesitated, feeling a bit shy to try them on.


    "What''s up?" asked Ronan.


    Cordelia lowered her head, whispering to Ronan, "I''m on my period. I''m afraid I might stain the


    clothes."


    "Really?" Ronan picked up some clothes, checked the sizes, and selected a few for Cordelia.


    The clothes Ronan selected were simple yet elegant, made from high-quality materials. They weren''t


    particrly shy in style, but when worn, they exuded a sense of utmost sophistication.


    If it were in the past, Cordelia might not have noticed these clothes.


    Next, he took Cordelia to buy bags.


    "I don''t need a bag. I don''t really like them." Cordelia waved her hand.


    "Do you think I haven''t embarrassed myself enough today? Even if I can bear it, I can''t ept you


    being like this. Go buy some more expensive bags than the one you had today." Ronan lightly patted


    Cordelia''s back.


    Left with no choice, Cordelia browsed around, finally setting her eyes on a bag from Herm¨¨s. It was


    made of canvas material, looked very simr to aptop bag, and was rather low-key. The price was


    okay, so she bought two, spending a total of eight thousand dors.


    Then Ronan took Cordelia to the men''s section.


    Ronan asked Cordelia to pick out ties for him; he needed ten for the evening. Although Cordelia felt a


    bit dissatisfied, she still did as he asked, picking one tie after another, trying them on Ronan and finally


    carefully selecting ten.


    "Okay, go pay." Ronan said.


    But he neither gave Cordelia money nor a card. "Me?" Cordelia was speechless. Ronan''s ties were


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    over five hundred dors each, so ten would be six thousand.


    "Yes, you."


    "Do I have to pay for my own clothes too?"


    "Who else would pay for them?" Ronan stated as if it were obvious.


    Cordelia thought to herself: Ronan wasn''t usually stingy. What was going on today?


    The total spending for the night exceeded fifty thousand. Cordelia unwillingly swiped her card.


    When she left Ronan in the future and didn''t have that much money left, she wondered if she''d feel bad


    about it.


    Thest time Cordelia received a hundred grand from Ronan, she used it to hire a nurse for her mom


    and pay for hospital bills. Just now, she spent over fifty grand , now only having a bit over twenty grand


    left. The monthly cost of making shirts for Ronan was also shouldered by Cordelia. The little money left


    was needed to pay for her mom''s hospital bills.


    Seeing her money dwindling, she suddenly felt anxious.


    That night when they went to bed, Ronan kissed Cordelia again, making her feel hot and bothered. He


    even helped massage Cordelia''s stomach. Cordelia felt warm inside, she turned and hugged Ronan''s


    neck, "Honey."


    "Miss me?" His lips were close to Cordelia''s cheek, tickling her, but he didn''t kiss her. It seemed like


    unless Cordelia said what he wanted to hear, he would make her endure this endless teasing.


    He was so cruel.


    "I miss you, a lot." Cordelia said, hugging his warm body tightly.


    Due to Cordelia¡¯s condition, Ronan didn''t ask her to make lunch the next day, and she slept inte.


    Also, Ronan demanded that she wear the clothes she bought yesterday and carry the bag she bought


    yesterday.


    Cordelia understood his intention: he probably wanted the colleagues in the Finance Department to see


    that the woman they questioned yesterday was now dressed in famous brands. All because she told


    Ronan yesterday that she bought a fake bag with his money. So today, Ronan had her decked out in


    genuine brands to teach her a lesson.


    Sure enough, as soon as she arrived at the Finance Department, everyone''s eyes were on her,


    dressed in famous brands but extremely low-key.


    "Her bag, it''s Herm¨¨s..."


    "The coat she''s wearing, I saw itst time. It costs tens of thousands, but you can''t tell just by looking."


    "Mr. Evans is really generous. This must be a show for Mr. Jordan. Let''s see his reactionter."


    ...


    After Jordan arrived at the office, he even made a point to greet Cordelia.


    Today, Manda didn''te to work. After yesterday''s incident, Jordan fired Manda to protect himself. If


    he didn''t, he might have gotten into trouble with Mr. Evans.


    Cordelia nced at Manda''s seat; she wasn''t there. She thought that she needed to return Manda''s


    bag to her, otherwise it might cause unnecessary trouble. So she sent Jamie a message: "Mr. Colby,


    are you free recently?"


    "I''m out of town, I''ll be back on Saturday. What''s up?" Jamie replied.


    "Well, are you free for lunch on Saturday? I''d like to treat you." She thought that asking Jamie to help


    mediate this could cause him trouble. But if not, Manda might sue her out of spite.


    "I''m free. I''ll message you then." Jamie replied.


    This was the first time Cordelia invited Jamie for a meal. He was very eager to rush back from out of


    town right away.


    At the same time, Jordan also received a call from Ronan: "Have Cordelia work in the Audit


    Department starting Monday."


    Jordan jumped off his chair in fright, "Okay, okay."


    It seemed like Mr. Evans wanted Cordelia to show off her style in the Finance Department today, then


    move on to the Audit Department in a more modest manner.


    If she were to go to the Audit Department today, there might be such rumors going around: "She lost


    her dignity in the Finance Department. She couldn''t stand it anymore, so she fled to the Audit


    Department."


    Ronan was really thinking about Cordelia in all angles.

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    Chapter 123


    The next morning, when Cordelia was heading to work, she found Adrian waiting for her at the office


    entrance, demanding his bag back. So she handed him the knockoff one.


    "Cordelia, are you pulling my leg? I gave you the real deal and you''re giving me a copy?" Adrian asked


    angrily.


    "A copy? That¡¯s what you gave me. How should I know? Do you have evidence to prove what you gave


    me?" Cordelia yed dumb.


    "Alright, Cordelia, I won''t let you off easily." Adrian stormed off, leaving the bag behind.


    Cordelia proceeded to the office.


    Jordan felt utterly embarrassed this time. He was confident that nabbing Cordelia was in the bag with


    Manda''s unwavering belief. But things went south, not only did he fail to catch Cordelia, but he also lost


    Manda, his right-hand woman. Given yesterday''s circumstances, he had no choice but to cut his


    losses.


    He shot Cordelia a message, [Cordelia, Mr. Evans called. He said you¡¯re starting at the Audit


    Department next Monday.]


    Cordelia was stunned when she saw the message. [Really?]


    [Really. Congrats, your wish is about toe true. You¡¯ve always wanted to work in Audit, haven¡¯t


    you?]


    [Thanks, Mr. Jordan.¡¯


    Cordelia had experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, from disbelief toplicated feelings.


    She sent Ronan a message, [Thanks, dear,] followed by a bunch of kisses and heart emojis.


    After work, Cordelia had a beaming smile. Once she got on the car, she gave Ronan a kiss on the


    cheek.


    "How did you think of transferring me to the Audit Department?" Cordelia asked with a smile. She had


    almost given up hope of transferring to the Audit Department this year.


    "In the finance department, your reputation is shot. Can''t be falling t on your face in the same ce


    all the time, better try somewhere new.¡± Ronan said nonchntly.


    "You''re always making fun of me." Cordeliained, then looked out the window.


    After a while, Cordelia suddenly remembered, "Are there any openings in the Audit Department?"


    Last time Ronan mentioned it, he had no say in Audit Department''s hiring.


    "There¡¯s just the one." Ronan replied.


    In fact, it was a position he had the HR Director hold previously.


    Cordelia was relieved. Tomorrow was Friday, she could hand over her work at the finance department,


    and start at the Audit Department next week.


    "Work well in the Audit Department. It''s a department I n to focus on developing." Ronan said


    seriously.


    "Yeah, I won''t let you down." Cordelia thumped her chest.


    On Friday, after handing over her work, Cordelia bid farewell to the finance department. She knew that


    in a bigpany like this, people could be gossipy, especially in the finance department where rumors


    flew around. Cordelia disliked talking behind people''s backs, and she hated being the center of gossip.


    She preferred a professional working environment.


    On Saturday, after visiting her mother, Cordelia went back to her dorm and picked up the real Chanel


    bag. It was so expensive that she had packed it in a shopping bag.


    Brooklyn could hardly bear it, "Why won¡¯t you keep it? It was a gift from your brother. What gives?"


    "He didn¡¯t take a dime from me, and yet I deceived him. This is fraud, get it? I have to return it to


    Manda right away. What if she sues me? Manda is really pissed right now. I have to deal with this


    immediately." Cordelia said.


    Brooklyn seemed a bit downcast.


    The reason why Cordelia asked Jamie to return the bag to Manda was because she thought Manda


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    had a thing for Jamie. Now she suddenly understood why Manda decided to work at Lumos


    Enterprises, and why Manda conspired with Adrian against her.


    Cordelia thought that Jamie was a big cheese in Millstone, so an ordinary dinner wouldn''t do, and she


    didn¡¯t want to make Ronan lose dignity either. So she picked Penny''s, a fancy local restaurant that was


    pretty well-known. She didn''t book a private room, but chose a table in the main dining area.


    Cordelia arrived early and put the bag on the table. Jamie hadn''t arrived yet, and Cordelia checked her


    watch.


    Coincidentally, Ronan and Wyatt were dining in a private room upstairs, where Ronan had invited


    Wyatt, the German, to taste some authentic local cuisine.


    Due to the one-way transparent ss windows, you could see outside from the inside, but you couldn''t


    see inside from the outside. Wyatt unintentionally turned his head and caught sight of Cordelia.


    "Mr. Evans, I think I see my new employee." Wyatt gestured.


    "What?" Ronan followed Wyatt''s gaze and saw Cordelia sitting downstairs with a canvas bag next to


    her. This morning, she said she was going to visit her mom.


    "She told me she was going out to have dinner with a ssmate." Ronan tried to sound calm.


    "A male or female ssmate?" Wyatt asked again.


    "You¡¯ll know once they arrive, won''t you?" Ronan replied with a lightugh.


    Wyatt shrugged it off with a smile and lifted his coffee. Ronan also turned his gaze away from


    downstairs.


    Soon Jamie arrived, holding a box of choctes. "This is for you. I bought it elsewhere." Jamie pushed


    the choctes toward Cordelia.


    "Your wife''s date is here." Wyatt informed Ronan, "Do you know him?"


    Ronan shot a sidelong nce, a small smile ying on his face. "Jamie, he''s a professional ounting


    coach. Cordelia passed her businessw, now treating the teacher to dinner. She mentioned it this


    morning, but I didn''t pay much attention."


    "Is that so?" Wyatt continued, "Mr. Evans, your wife once told me she has no ns of having kids in the


    next five years."


    "Does that have anything to do with our topic today?" Ronan chuckled again.


    Only Ronan knew how forced his smile was. He was getting pretty fed up inside, but he had to y it


    cool in front of Wyatt.

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    Chapter 124


    After some thought, Cordelia decided to ept the box of choctes.


    "I''ve already picked out what I want from the menu. Anything else you want to add?" Cordelia marked


    her choices on the menu.


    "Nah, just go ahead and order."


    Cordelia paused for a moment beforeying it all out for Jamie. She was worried that Manda might sue


    her and hoped Jamie would return the bag to Manda and sort this out ASAP. If she were to give the


    bag to Adrian or Manda herself, she feared she might be in deep water.


    "This thing? Adrian''s already filled me in. He knew he couldn''t get it from you, so he asked me to do it.


    Also, Manda, she asked me today if I knew anywyers, and then she wanted me to..."


    Cordelia was on edge immediately, "Is she nning to sue?" Just as she thought, Manda was freaking


    out.


    Jamie chuckled, "Yeah. But I''ve already cooled her down. It''s no biggie. I can just get her a new bag."


    Cordelia finally breathed a sigh of relief, "Thanks, Mr. Jamie. When my brother gave me this bag, I


    knew if I didn''t ept it, he''d find other ways to mess with me. So I just took it."


    "Why does your brother always treat you like this?" Jamie asked Cordelia, still vividly recalling thest


    incident where Adrian drugged Cordelia.


    Cordelia looked sad, "I don''t know, he''s been jealous of me since we were kids. Maybe because our


    parents doted on me too much. I''m the youngest in the family, and my folks had me when they were


    nearly forty. My brother was always a wild child, often ganging up with other kids to pick on me."


    Jamie frowned, "Adrian really is too much. I''ll have a word with him."


    "No, please don''t. He''ll know I told you." Cordelia said somewhat anxiously, and she pushed the bag


    towards Jamie, "This is Manda''s bag, can you return it for her?"


    "Sure, I''ll make up a good excuse."


    Cordelia smiled, "Thanks, Mr. Colby."


    "Stop calling me Mr. Colby, I''m not your teacher anymore."


    This time, Cordelia was very grateful to Jamie. This problem, nobody else could solve it but Jamie.


    Even though both Adrian and Manda went to Jamie, in the end, he still helped Cordelia.


    Jamie took the bag from Cordelia, She took the choctes Jamie gave her, and then, she hopped on


    the bus back to Pearl Palms.


    When she got home, Ronan was reading on the couch. "What''s that you''re holding?" Ronan casually


    inquired about the choctes.


    "It''s a box of choctes. My roommate Brooklyn gave it to me." Cordelia figured that if she mentioned


    Jamie, it might stir up misunderstanding. Ronan would get mad and send her back to her room. So


    better safe than sorry.


    Cordelia put the choctes in the fridge and headed upstairs to change.


    Next to the trash can in her room, she saw a bin full of shredded paper. She wasn''t bothered at first,


    but then she spotted her name.


    As she was changing, she nced down at the shreds, fuming. It was the The CPA Sess Blueprint


    book Jamie gave her, definitely torn by Ronan. And Jamie, he just did her a big favor today.


    Cordelia opened her suitcase, sure enough, the The CPA Sess Blueprint book was gone. She


    should have never told Ronan about the book.


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    Cordelia was too upset to speak when Ronan came upstairs.


    "Mad, are ya?" Ronan looked at her, her blouse wasn''t even buttoned right, and she was holding a


    handful of shredded paper. The anger was hidden in Ronan''s eyes, but his face was full of mockery.


    "Why did you tear my book?" Cordelia asked him, "Don''t you know how to show other people respect?"


    She had never been this angry since moving into Pearl Palms.


    "So Cordelia, who gave you that box of choctes?" Ronan remembered he once gave Cordelia a box


    of choctes too, but never saw her this happy. Ronan was mad today.


    Cordelia was so upset she could hardly breathe, "I''m talking about the book!"


    "Isn''t it the same thing?" Ronan raised his voice too.


    Cordelia frowned, thinking: It was indeed the same thing, they were both from Jamie, but how did he


    know? Was he stalking her?


    "Why are you stalking me?" Cordelia asked him angrily.


    "Stalking? You''re overthinking it. Cordelia, I''ve told you, don''t piss me off."


    "Ronan, you jerk, tyrant, stalker, selfish..." Cordelia felt like she was being stripped bare. She was


    prone to tears, and now she stood in the middle of her room, barefoot, tears streaming down her face


    like rain, crying like a child.


    "Cordelia, you brought this on yourself." Ronan was unbuckling his belt. He pushed Cordelia onto the


    bed and started to unbutton her half-buttoned blouse.


    Cordelia was seething and gave Ronan a hard p. The sound echoed in the room, loud and clear.


    The room fell into a brief, frightful silence.


    Ronan was stunned by the p, his movements became rougher, and his hand slipped under her


    blouse. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. He just transferred her from the Finance


    Department to the Audit Department and gave her a raise, and she went on a secret date with this guy


    named Jamie, who once made a fool of himself in front of him. And Cordelia, she seemed pretty


    sympathetic toward him.


    They were both studying ounting, which gave themmon ground. And he was her teacher. In


    addition, Cordelia once wanted to go to his firm.


    Ronan was going ham, nting kisses all over Cordelia''s face.


    When all was done, Cordelia crashed hard.


    Ronan got dressed, then headed downstairs.

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    Chapter 125


    Ronan lit up a smoke downstairs; considering his grandpa''s health, he hardly ever smoked in the living


    room. But now, he was in a funk, his view clouded with smoke.


    Seeing his grandpa walk out of the bedroom, Ronan called out, "Gramps." He snuffed out his cigarette


    in the ashtray.


    "Did you have a spat with De just now? There was quite a racket upstairs," Grandpa said, "Cut her


    some ck. She''s younger than you."


    "Got it, Gramps," Ronan said, "I''ll stay out for a few days. Take care of yourself."


    With that, he grabbed his car keys and headed out the door.


    "Ronan..." Grandpa called out.


    Cordelia woke up at two in the morning, feeling sore all over. She looked around, but Ronan wasn''t


    beside her.


    She changed into her pajamas and went downstairs,. The living room was dead quiet, and he wasn''t


    there. In his garage, there was one car missing¡ªthe Maybach he drove daily.


    In all their time married, this was his first time not being home.


    Cordelia wanted to shoot him a message on Messenger, but thinking about what happened yesterday


    afternoon, she set her phone down. He might be in Deanna''s bed.


    Cordelia tried to steady her breathing, closing her eyes, but in the dead silence of night, she couldn''t


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    fall asleep. Recalling the scene from this afternoon, she felt heartbroken.


    The next day, Cordelia got up and Ronan didn''t show up at the breakfast table. She wanted to ask


    Barney and Janice where on earth Ronan had gone but couldn''t bring herself to ask, she just sat there,


    her emotions in turmoil.


    "De, did you have a row with Ronan yesterday?" Barney asked Cordelia.


    Cordelia lowered her head to sip her oatmeal, and she nodded.


    "Good, you finally managed to kick him out," Grandpa chuckled at Cordelia, "He can''t always bully


    you."


    "Grandpa..." Faced with Barney''s jest, Cordelia felt a little overwhelmed.


    On that day, Cordelia didn''t leave the house. She was busy tidying up her clothes and washing the bed


    sheets. Suddenly, she realized that without him, the home felt like it was missing a lot. In his absence,


    the bed seemedrger and lonelier.


    The next day, Cordelia went to work in the Audit Department.


    Wyatt assigned Cordelia a spot, making her the assistant to Mna, a woman in her forties who was an


    auditor.


    In this office, there were only two people, Cordelia and Mna. Mna was a career-oriented woman,


    very friendly, but extremely serious about her work. She had been guiding Cordelia and paid no


    attention to office gossip.


    The Audit Department was on the top floor, like its own little world, the hustle and bustle outside


    couldn''t affect it, and those inside were uninterested in the outside gossip. They were all engrossed in


    their work.


    For the first time, Cordelia wanted to hear about Ronan, but couldn''t catch a whisper.


    Cordelia didn''t know if Ronan went to work that day. At lunch, she and Brooklyn went out to a pizza


    ce.


    "Do you know if Ronan came to work today?" Cordelia asked Brooklyn.


    Brooklyn looked at Cordelia in surprise, "You''re his wife, don''t you know if he went to work?"


    Cordelia didn''t even have an appetite for her favorite pizza. Where the hell had he gone?


    Cordelia honestly told Brooklyn about what had happened yesterday: Ronan somehow found out she


    had given Jamie a bag and Jamie had given her a box of choctes in return. When they got home, he


    tore up Cordelia''s book. The argument got heated and in the end, he left.


    Cordelia deliberately left out his rough treatment of her and her hitting him.


    "Some say that couples argue in the daytime and make up at night. Didn''t you guys make up?"


    Brooklyn joked with Cordelia.


    "Stop it." Cordelia was in a bad mood, "Stop kidding around."


    They did make up, but it wasn''t pleasant. He had bullied her, Cordelia even hit him, and it was a scene


    too painful to recall.


    "So are you worried about him now?" Brooklyn asked.


    "I suspect he went to Deanna," Cordelia spat out angrily.


    She thought that if Ronan went to Deanna again, Deanna would definitely boast about it, she might


    even hint at it on Facebook as a show of force to Cordelia.


    Cordelia paid special attention to Deanna''s Facebook today but didn''t see anything unusual, she


    couldn''t ask Deanna directly. If Deanna knew Ronan had left home, she would be thrilled, wouldn''t


    she?


    "How about we go shopping this afternoon?" Brooklyn asked Cordelia.


    Cordelia nodded.

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    When Cordelia returned to the office, she walked through the lobby and noticed some renovation work


    going on. It seemed like the marble at the top of one of the lobby pirs had chipped off, and the


    workers were hurriedly fixing it. After all, thepany''s image was at stake. There was also a scaffold


    set up next to the pir for the workers to carry out their work at height.


    Cordelia and Brooklyn took a detour and returned to their respective offices.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    The Audit Department was at the top floor and no one was loafing around there, so Cordelia had no


    idea if Ronan had shown up for work that day until she left for the day.


    In the afternoon, Cordelia and Brooklyn nned to go shopping, hoping that Deanna hadn''t finished


    filming her scenes yet.


    They stood at the same spot as before, but there seemed to be no scenes with Deanna that day. They


    didn¡¯t see her anywhere. Cordelia couldn''t help but feel disappointed, and her heart grew increasingly


    anxious.


    "Why don''t you just shoot him a message and ask him where he is?" Brooklyn suggested, "Why are


    you two making things soplicated?"


    "I''m not asking." Cordelia said, but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes.


    They went to the shop again, and Cordelia found out that the sandalwood soap she wanted was sold


    out. The shop owner said that new stock was on its way and hadn''t arrived yet. Ever since Deanna


    used that soap, Cordelia didn''t want to use it anymore. She just habitually asked about it this time.


    "It seems that Deanna''s assistant bought all the sandalwood soap. Deanna is filming on this street."


    The shop owner excitedly shared, as if the fact that a celebrity''s assistant had patronized his shop


    made his shop shine brighter.


    "Her?" Cordelia thought to herself, wondering if Deanna got her soap from this shop thest time.


    Cordelia sensed a connection, but couldn''t quite put her finger on it.


    When she got home, Ronan was still not there. Cordelia was distracted all night, and when she went to


    bed, she felt like the temperature in the bedroom dropped a few degrees because he wasn''t there.


    It was freezing.


    But the next day at noon, Cordelia suddenly spotted Ronan in thepany''s lobby.


    She and Brooklyn were just returning from lunch and had just reached the entrance when they saw


    Ronan talking to Jordan near the pir that was under renovation. Ronan had one hand in his pocket.


    He nced at the entrance and saw Cordelia. Then he turned back to Jordan and resumed their


    conversation.


    "Mr. Evans, Cordelia from the Finance Department has transferred to the Audit Department. I fired


    Manda, and I''m thinking of hiring a few more people. What do you think?" Jordan asked Ronan.


    In fact, hiring people for the Finance Department didn''t require Ronan''s approval. Jordan was just using


    this opportunity to tell Ronan that he had fired Manda.


    "No rush. Take your time." Ronan said to Jordan, but his gaze was on Cordelia.


    "Take our time?" Jordan was trying to figure out what Ronan meant by that.


    Usually, Ronan let him make his own decisions regarding hiring. Jordan sensed that something was off.


    "You''ve been looking for your hubby, right? There he is." Brooklyn nudged Cordelia''s arm lightly, "Aren''t


    you going to express your longing?"


    "You''re such a pain." Cordelia replied and headed straight for the elevator,pletely ignoring Ronan''s


    presence.


    Just then, a worker climbed up the scaffold. As he did so, he identally kicked it backwards, causing


    the scaffold to topple over.


    Jordan was facing the scaffold and saw it falling but did nothing. Ronan was turned away from the


    scaffold andpletely unaware of the danger.


    Seeing this, Cordelia''s heart raced. She shouted, "Watch out!" and instinctively rushed towards Ronan,


    pushing him away. But she couldn''t dodge in time and was knocked to the ground, the scaffold falling


    down on her.


    Cordelia''s head hit the ground. Just before she cked out, she looked at Ronan to make sure he was


    safe, then she lost consciousness.


    "Cordelia!" Ronan called her name.


    "Cordelia!" Brooklyn echoed.


    Jordan was panicking. He was the one who pulled Ronan aside to discuss things. If Cordelia got hurt


    because of that, was he primarily responsible? He dialed for an ambnce, and together with Ronan,


    they rushed Cordelia to the hospital. He was restless until Ronan told him to go back.


    ...


    Cordelia woke up at two in the morning, with Ronan by her side. She saw that Ronan was safe and


    sound, then she turned her head away, not looking at him again.


    Ronan immediately called the doctor to check on Cordelia''s condition.


    "The patient has a mild concussion and needs to be hospitalized for observation." The doctor said.


    "Okay."


    After the doctor left, the ward fell silent again.


    After a moment of silence, Ronan asked her, "I heard you''ve been looking for me these past few


    days?"

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    Cordelia faced Ronan''s teasing gaze.


    "I...I wasn''t looking for you." Caught red-handed by Ronan, Cordelia felt a bit embarrassed. She was


    wondering, other than Brooklyn, who else knew she was looking for him? How did he find out?


    She turned her head away, unable to move due to the IV drip.


    "Still hurts?" Ronan gently touched Cordelia''s head, which was wrapped in bandages.


    Only then did Cordelia realize the back of her head was throbbing with intense pain. It felt like there


    was a hole in her head and the wind was blowing through it. On top of that, her stomach was growling.


    "Hungry?" Ronan asked Cordelia.


    Cordelia nodded.


    "What do you want to eat?"


    "I want..." Cordelia unintentionally looked into Ronan''s dark gazes.


    She recalled her high school days, when she had to attend self-study sessions every evening, facing


    immense academic pressure that led to a hospitalization due to low blood sugar. During that time, her


    dad had visited her and specially made her a taco, which was his signature dish.


    It was thest taco Cordelia ever ate, and the taste was unforgettable.


    "Tacos." Cordelia''s voice softened.


    Ronan called Janice, "She''s hungry and wants a taco. Can you fix one and bring it over?"


    After hanging up, Cordelia said, "Later, you can go home with Janice. I''ll be fine on my own."


    "Why y tough?" Ronan lightly flicked the IV tube. It seemed like he had already decided to stay the


    night.


    Janice came with the food and the requested taco.


    While Cordelia was eating, Barney video called her.


    "De, did you just risk your life to save Ronan?" Barney seemed worried.


    "It''s not like that, grandpa..." Cordelia was about to argue, but then she thought that letting grandpa


    know about her rtionship with Ronan might not be a bad thing, so she didn''t retort. "I didn''t think too


    much at that moment."


    Grandpa chuckled, "Just tell Janice what you want to eat. She''ll make it for you every day. No need to


    rush to work."


    Cordelia nodded.


    Ronan asked Janice to go home first, and he was going to stay the night. The atmosphere between the


    two of them was still tense due to their recent argument, which made the evening a bit awkward.


    Around 1 am, Ronan fell asleep on thepanion bed. Cordelia, who had been sleeping all day,


    wasn''t sleepy. Only the bedsidemp was on.


    She was restless in bed because she needed to use the bathroom. But with the IV in her hand, it was


    difficult for her to move. However, she didn''t want to bother Ronan, partly because they had just had an


    argument, and partly because it was just too awkward.


    Cordelia struggled to get up from the bed, trying not to move the needle, then she carefully removed


    the IV bag.


    "What are you doing?" The sudden voice startled Cordelia.


    Ronan was already up, he was tall and easily removed the IV bag.


    "I...I need..." Cordelia suddenly didn''t want to continue.


    "Need to use the bathroom?" He asked.


    Cordelia''s face turned as red as an apple. Even though she had spent countless intimate moments with


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    him, she had never been this embarrassed. She never thought going to the bathroom could be an


    issue.


    "Yes." Cordelia admitted softly, with her head down.


    Even a pretty girl had to face the awkwardness of physiological needs.


    "Let''s go." Ronan held the IV bag and apanied Cordelia to the bathroom.


    When it came time to undress, Cordelia''s face turned as red as a ripe apple, "Turn around."


    "Is there a part of your body I haven''t seen?" Ronan said, reaching to help her undress.


    His gesture reminded Cordelia of that day, his rudeness and assertiveness had left a deep


    psychological scar. "Get lost!" Cordelia''s angry gaze remained fixed on him, the injustice of that day still


    fresh in her mind.


    Cordelia stood there, unmoving, her gaze firm and unwavering as she red at Ronan.


    "Are you still mad at me?" Ronan asked her.

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    Cordelia turned around and wiped away her tears with the back of her hand.


    Perhaps the effects of the anesthesia were wearing off and she felt ufortable all over; or perhaps


    her humiliation was so overwhelming that it overpowered her urge to pee. Suddenly, Cordelia felt a


    warm wetness between her legs.


    Ronan looked down and saw it. "Stubborn!" He seemed to be at his wit''s end with Cordelia''s


    stubbornness, and he said in a frustrated tone.


    Then he squatted down, took off Cordelia''s pants, and started to wash her with the showerhead.


    Cordelia had hoped to preserve some dignity, but now, it was impossible. Thest shred of dignity she


    had hoped to maintain in front of Ronan was now shattered on the ground.


    Cordelia was holding her IV drip as Ronan lifted her onto the bed and covered her with a nket.


    "Go back to sleep." he said to Cordelia.


    Cordelia turned away and ignored him.


    Ronan stayed up until Cordelia''s IV was finished and then removed the needle.


    Cordelia didn''t know when she had fallen asleep, but when she awoke, her face was still wet with tears.


    The next morning, Cordelia woke up to hear Ronan on the phone, "Bring her some clean clothes,


    underwear, bras, etc."


    Cordelia pretended not to hear and continued to sleep.


    Ronan didn''t go to work all morning, and Cordelia couldn''t pretend any longer, so she opened her eyes


    and spoke to Ronan. "Aren''t you going to work?" she asked Ronan.


    "Thepany can run without me," he replied.


    A nurse came in to check Cordelia''s temperature and change her bandages. The nurse also carried an


    electric razor on her tray.


    "What''s this?" Cordelia asked in confusion.


    "An electric razor," the nurse replied.


    "For me?"


    "Well, how else are we going to stitch you up without shaving your hair off?" the nurse said, removing


    the bandages from Cordelia''s head, changing her medication, and shaving her hair.


    "You shaved my head?" Cordelia was horrified. No girl wants her hair shaved off.


    She instinctively reached up to touch, but the nurse warned, "Don''t touch, to avoid infection."


    "No touching." Ronan sternly told Cordelia.


    This made Cordelia even more uneasy. Did Ronan see her with a shaved head?


    Women wanted to look good for the ones they loved. She had no idea what she looked like now. Was


    she very ugly?


    She was on the verge of tears. After the nurse left, she quickly turned to Ronan and asked, "Did they


    shave off all my hair? Do I look ugly?"


    "So you finally talk to me?" Ronan asked her.


    Cordelia was so annoyed by Ronan''sment that she remained silent, "Am I ugly?"


    "Can anything be uglier than being pants-less?" Ronan retorted.


    Cordelia was speechless. She bit her lip hard. Was he deliberately bringing up that embarrassing


    incident?


    Just as Cordelia was feeling embarrassed, Brooklyn arrived.


    Brooklyn asked Cordelia how her wound was. Cordelia said it should be fine, and asked Brooklyn to


    check on her mom on Saturday. Brooklyn agreed.


    Cordelia didn¡¯t notice Ronan¡¯s brow furrow slightly.


    Cordelia had to stay in the hospital for a week and Ronan was with her all the time. On Sunday, Janice


    came to take care of Cordelia instead.


    As Ronan was passing by Millstone Hospital, his car suddenly stopped. Cordelia would rather ask her


    Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    good friend to visit her mom instead of bothering Ronan. Probably because she felt he had no


    obligation to do so, and he had never visited before. But Ronan suddenly wanted to visit Cordelia''s


    mom.


    He called the hospital director and asked for Shelley¡¯s room number. He knew Cordelia''s mom was


    Shelley, as he had helped her find a caretaker before.


    Although Trina was the one he hired, due to his rtionship with the hospital director and Dr. Devon,


    they didn''t know each other. Ronan introduced himself as a friend of Shelley''s,ing for a visit.


    Trina went to the restroom to get some hot water to wipe Shelley''s body; the sound of running water


    was loud.


    Ronan looked at Shelley. She seemed to be in her sixties, with her eyes closed as if she had been cut


    off from the world for a long time.


    Suddenly, Shelley''s little finger moved. Ronan''s brow furrowed slightly. Then, Shelley slowly opened


    her eyes, looked around, and her gaze fell on Ronan.

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    Chapter 129


    Shelley was initially surprised, then she smiled with relief and said. "It¡¯s you, isn¡¯t it?"


    Her voice was low and raspy, but Ronan caught it all the same. He thought she was going to say more,


    but then Shelley slowly closed her eyes and turned her head to the side.


    Ronan checked, and she was still breathing, so she must had passed out again.


    Trina came out with a basin and a warm towel.


    "Was she awake before?" Ronan asked Trina.


    "Nope, been out like a light for six years straight. Why do you ask, Mr. Evans?"As Trina washed the


    towels in the basin, she spoke to Ronan.


    "Out for six years?" Ronan was taken aback.


    "Yup. If she''d woken up, Cordelia would''ve been over the moon." Trina seemed to be imagining


    Cordelia''s joy. "Well, Cordelia''s her daughter. You know her, right?"


    "Yeah."


    Ronan stayed there for several more hours, but Shelley showed no signs of waking up. He left. He


    could not understand how Shelley could know him? She''d been bedridden for six whole years.


    When he visited Cordelia at the hospital that night, he asked her, "Didn''t see your mom this week, how


    is she?"


    Cordelia was much better now. Her headache symptoms had almost disappeared, but she still needed


    to receive two hours of intravenous therapy daily.


    "Brooklyn went to see her for me yesterday. Mom''s still the same." Cordelia said with a somewhat


    mncholic expression. "No news is good news."


    "She''s been unconscious all these years?"


    "Yeah." Cordelia sighed.


    Now Ronan was even more confused. Who did Shelley mistake him for? The only far-fetched


    exnation was, Cordelia kept mentioning his name in front of her mom, so even though she was in a


    "What have you been telling your mom about me?" Ronan asked Cordelia again.


    Cordelia looked surprised, "I''ve never mentioned you in front of my mom."


    She had agreed to marry Ronan on the condition that he''d help treat her mom, but she didn¡¯t want to


    discuss this with her mom, so she never brought it up.


    After a moment of silence, Ronan said to Cordelia, "You''re getting discharged next Wednesday."


    Wednesday.


    The nurse removed Cordelia''s bandages. Cordelia immediately felt the back of her head, only a part of


    her hair missing. She had a lot of hair, so she could cover up the missing part, no harm done.


    When she got home that night, Cordelia held a small mirror, looking at herself in the big mirror.


    Because of the angle, she couldn''t see clearly. She walked out of the bathroom, feeling dejected.


    Ronan was reading in bed again.


    "I look horrible." Cordelia said.


    "Mmm, seen worse." Ronan said.


    Cordelia knew he was referring to the time she wet her pants. She ignored him and turned over to


    sleep.


    The next day, Lumos Enterprises'' lobby was buzzing. They were filming a shampoomercial, with


    Deanna as the star. She yed an office worker, who ran her fingers through her hair as she left the


    office.


    A few days ago, Deanna had asked Ronan if they could film themercial at Lumos Enterprises. As


    they were talking in a small alley in the pedestrian street, Cordelia and Brooklyn appeared in their line


    of sight.


    Cordelia was anxiously looking around, catching Ronan''s attention. Ronan was watching Cordelia with


    an amused smile on his face, which nearly drove Deanna mad.


    Ronan readily agreed to Deanna''s request. Deanna hoped he could be there during the shoot, but he


    simply replied, "Too busy."


    Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    They were nning to film outside Lumos Enterprises for the whole day.


    At noon, Lumos Enterprises'' employees starteding down for lunch. Deanna''s team finished their


    morning shoot and nned to continue in the afternoon. Just as Deanna was thinking about how to


    interact more with Ronan, Adrian suddenly appeared. He stormed into Lumos Enterprises, looking at


    the peopleing out of thepany.


    Cordelia and Mna also came out of the elevator.


    Adrian grabbed the director''s megaphone and started, "Cordelia, when does your contract marriage


    with Ronan end? What''s the point of this contract marriage for money? Mr. Colby took Manda to


    PrimeNumbers ounting as his assistant to stop her from suing you, and you''re here in a contract


    marriage with Ronan for money, where''s your conscience?"


    Cordelia was bombarded by Adrian''s words, and her head starting to ache. She covered the back of


    her head with her hand.

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    "Cordelia, I''m gonna grab a bite first." Mna gave Cordelia a pat on her shoulder and went off. She


    probably didn''t want Cordelia to feel awkward.


    But the lobby was still crowded with people, all whispering amongst themselves.


    "What''s a contractual marriage?"


    "It''s like setting a start and end date for your marriage. Mr. Evans is doing this too?"


    "I knew there was something fishy about Mr. Evans being interested in her.¡±


    "Adrian, cut the bull.¡± Cordelia stepped forward to shut Adrian up.


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Cordelia, have you no shame? You''d rather have a contractual marriage with Ronan than be with Mr.


    Colby? Is it all about the money that Mr. Colby can''t provide? I saw Manda at his office when I stopped


    by PrimeNumbers ounting this morning." Adrian was fuming.


    Kendra was just shooed away from Jamie, and now Manda showed up. If Manda was around Jamie all


    the time, it was inevitable that they would develop feelings for each other. If Jamie fell for Manda, what


    was left for Cordelia?


    Seeing his n falling apart, Adrian was desperate. Today, he came to expose the true rtionship


    between Cordelia and Ronan, to make the people at Lumos Enterprises aware that their marriage was


    a sham and to ruin their rtionship.


    Last time, Cordelia, out of spite, told him that she was in a contractual marriage with Ronan.


    Adrian''s outburst brought joy to Deanna. Last time, Adrian had tried to spill the beans about their


    contractual marriage at Ronan''s ce, but Cordelia''s so-called pregnancy threw him off. Deanna only


    thought about getting Cordelia to abort the baby, without thinking much.


    Right when Adrian was kicking up a fuss and everyone was enjoying the drama, Ronan stepped out of


    the elevator. He walked up to Cordelia, wrapped his arm around her waist, and calmly said,


    "Contractual marriage? If that''s the case, just wait and see if we get divorced."


    The lobby fell into an eerie silence, while Adrian stood there with his mouth agape.


    Ronan held Cordelia close, her hand clinging tightly to his body. Somehow her phone slipped into


    Ronan''s coat pocket without her noticing. As they reached the exit, Ronan told the security guards,


    "Screen people more thoroughly from now on, or you can start looking for new jobs."


    With that, he and Cordelia headed for the parking lot.


    Adrian was, after all, Cordelia''s brother, and she felt embarrassed for him.


    "Where to?" Cordelia asked Ronan after getting in the car.


    "Let''s get some food." With that, Ronan started the car.


    "What about us?" Recalling Ronan''s words about whether or not we''ll get divorced, she thought he


    meant they won''t be divorcing.


    "We''ll see."


    Cordelia simply hummed in response.


    Ronan took Cordelia to a private dining room. Without ordering anything, the waiter brought in dishes


    that looked incredibly appetizing. Cordelia took a bite and found it delicious.


    "Do you eat like this every noon?" She looked up at him, and asked in surprise.


    "What else?"


    "If you''re eating so well, why do you still need me to bring you lunch?" Cordelia was slightly annoyed.


    "To save money." Ronan chuckled.


    Cordelia wasn''t buying it. She frowned and said, "You''re eating like a king while I''m stuck with hot


    dogs."


    "Do you want to join me for lunch from now on?" Ronan asked.


    "No." Cordelia preferred food with strong vors.


    "Cut down on spicy food. It''s not good for conception."


    The sudden mention of pregnancy caught Cordelia off guard, and she choked on her water. She


    coughed, "Are you kidding me? That''s not part of our agreement."


    "Don''t you like me?" Ronan smiled at Cordelia, almost making her lost in his smile.


    "Who wouldn''t like a tall, rich, and handsome guy like you?" Cordelia fired back.


    "Including you?"


    Cordelia lowered her head, her heart racing. Even if she did have feelings for him, she knew he was


    out of her league. They were from different worlds, and she couldn''t imagine a happy future for them.


    Furthermore, she had nned not to get pregnant within the next five years. She just started at the


    Audit Department and couldn''t let a baby get in the way of her career.


    Cordelia lowered her head and slowly sipped her soup. "Don''t feel obligated because I saved you. I


    would''ve done the same for anyone. It''s instinctual."


    "Is that so?" Ronan asked. "Let''s eat."


    Today, Cordelia looked more delicate with her hair tied up. Her nose was high and her eyes were


    round. Ronan was entranced.


    Today marked many firsts. It was the first time Cordelia wore a ponytail, and the first time they had a


    meal together. Even though the trees outside had lost all their leaves, Ronan could still feel the


    vibrancy of spring and a slight sense of tipsiness. A slight smile yed on his lips.


    "Does your head still hurt?" He asked her.


    "It''s my brother. He''s such a headache." Cordelia replied.


    After they finished eating, they prepared to head back to the office.


    "Cordelia?" A voice filled with surprise came from behind them.

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    Chapter 131


    Cordelia turned around and saw Brendaing out from another private room.


    Ronan recognized Brenda. She was the one who interviewed Cordelia at the coffee shopst time and


    was an employee of Jamie. He was a bit irritated and told Cordelia, "I''ll wait for you in the car."


    Brenda didn''t give a hoot about Ronan''s attitude and started chatting with Cordelia. Although Cordelia


    had only met Brenda once, she really liked her because of her candid smile and pure nature.


    "Howe you''re here? Aren''t you supposed to be at work?" Cordelia asked Brenda.


    "Don''t even get me started. I quit." Brenda said, a bit pissed off. "You know Manda, right? She used to


    work at Lumos Enterprises."


    "I know."


    "Now she''s Jamie''s assistant, throwing her weight around all day. Jamie listens to whatever she says.


    He even ignores the opinions of us old employees. Quite a few ountants including me have quit. I


    can''t stand it anymore. I''m really confused. Jamie wasn''t like this before." Brenda crossed her arms as


    she spoke.


    Cordelia was also lost in thoughts. Could it be because of her? Manda had a hold over Cordelia. Jamie


    was afraid that Manda would expose Cordelia, so he gave in everywhere. So in a way, Brenda''s


    unemployment was partly Cordelia¡¯s fault.


    "What are your ns? Have you started job hunting?" Cordelia asked Brenda.


    "Not yet. I n to travel first and then apply for a job when I get back. At my age, and just being an


    ountant, it''s pretty tough tond a good job," Brenda gave a bitter smile. "It sucks. I mean, I''m one


    of the top ten ountants at Millstone, and my job was taken by a greenhorn."


    Cordelia chuckled at Brenda¡¯s candidness, "I''ll keep an eye out for jobs for you."


    "Just take care of yourself first." With that, Brenda left.


    After Cordelia got in the car, Ronan asked her, "What were you two chatting about?"


    "Well, nothing much. She quit her job and hasn¡¯t found a new one yet."


    "Why did she quit?"


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Cordelia didn''t mention the matter with Jamie, fearing that Ronan would be bothered by it again.


    Instead, she said, "The pressure was too much."


    They both headed back to their respective offices.


    Deanna was waiting in Ronan''s office, wiping her tears with a tissue. "What''s the matter?" Ronan took


    off his coat and hung it up.


    "Ronan, why would someone as great as you go for a contract marriage? Because of your


    grandfather? You didn''t have to. Why choose an employee? Actually, I could have been an option for a


    contract marriage." Deanna was doing her best to belittle Ronan and Cordelia''s marriage, making it


    seem insignificant.


    "You''re a public figure."


    "You didn''t even tell me. When does your contract with Cordelia end?" Deanna pretended to ask, "No


    wonder you two don''t have kids."


    "Why should it end? There''s no stiption." Ronan lit a cigarette and sat down, looking at Deanna


    seriously.


    Deanna was taken aback, "No end date? Then why sign a contract? Is it until your grandfather...?"


    "It has nothing to do with my grandfather. I fell in love with her, and we got married. Why bring up the


    contract?" Ronan raised an eyebrow, his expression irresistibly charming.


    Deanna didn''t know how to respond. "I see. Well, I wish you two happiness forever. I haven''t finished


    shooting my ad. Yourpany staff should get back to work, too. I''ll go shoot the ad." With that,


    Deanna left.


    She squinted craftily. She figured since it was a contract marriage, Ronan must have done it for his


    grandfather. Ronan wasn''t saying it now because he was afraid his grandfather would find out. Was it


    that when his grandfather died, their contract marriage would end? It must be.


    Deanna spected in silence, figuring that the grandfather was the key to the problem. When he died,


    their marriage would end.


    So, the grandfather.


    Just as Deanna left, melodious music echoed from where Ronan hung his coat. It seemed like


    Cordelia''s phone ringing, because Ronan''s phone was on the table.


    Ronan took Cordelia''s phone out of his coat pocket and picked up. It was Trina who called.


    "Cordelia, Cordelia, your mom woke up, she just spoke to me," Trina excitedly said.


    Ronan was about to call Cordelia toe up and get her phone, but thinking of what Shelley said that


    day, he decided to visit Shelley first.


    "I''m Cordelia''s husband. Her phone ended up in my pocket," Ronan said.


    "Well," Trina was still excited, "either way, tell Cordelia, her mom woke up."


    "I''ll go see her on behalf of Cordelia. She''s at work."


    "Alright. See you." Trina hung up.

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    Chapter 132


    Cordelia dove right back into work as soon as she got to the office,pletely forgetting about her


    phone. It wasn''t until Brooklyn sent her a voice message that she remembered. Since herputer


    couldn''t y voice messages, she had to search for her phone, but no luck.


    She wondered if she left it in Ronan''s car at lunch. She called Ronan on the office phone to ask him if


    he''d seen her phone.


    "When did you sneak your phone into my pocket?" Ronan teased Cordelia, "I''m heading out to a


    meeting now, I''ll bring it home for you tonight."


    "Okay." After hanging up, Cordelia converted Brooklyn''s voice message into text. The gist of it was: "I


    heard Adrian showed up today, and Deanna is still filming in the lobby. It''s such a tant provocation,


    so shameless. How could Mr. Evans agree to let her film amercial here?!"


    Cordelia responded with: "Just focus on your work."


    "Alright, didn''t expect to get caught cking off by the wife of the president."


    Cordelia didn''t reply. As for Brooklyn''s question, Cordelia understood. Deanna was, after all, his old


    me, and lending her a venue for filming was no biggie.


    Ronan went to Shelley''s room, Shelley was awake, her gazes soft.


    "So you''re the one..."


    Trina was about to speak but was cut off by Ronan. "You should leave for now."


    Trina left reluctantly without finishing her sentence.


    Dressed in expensive clothes, Ronan exuded an aura of nobility that had Trina obeying him without


    thinking.


    "You''re back?" said Shelley to Ronan.


    "Yes."


    "You know everything? Did De tell you?" Shelley continued.


    "Yes." Ronan went along with Shelley''s words, but he had no idea what Cordelia had told him.


    Shelley''s head was initially turned towards Ronan, but then she stared back at the ceiling, "Castiel can


    finally rest in peace. He didn''t want De to tell you back then because he didn''t want you to feel guilty,


    thinking you owed us something. He wanted you to move on."


    Next, Shelley grasped Ronan''s hand, staring deeply into his eyes. That intense gaze was just like how


    Cordelia asionally looked at him. A feeling of dread crept up on Ronan.


    Shelley suddenly smiled, "Your eyes are much more beautiful than his. It is impossible to tell these are


    his corneas. When he told me he was going to donate his eyes to you because you were a promising


    young man who unfortunately couldn''t see, I was surprised. De even went to see you. Back then,


    half your face were covered in gauze, and she felt so sorry for you. I used to wonder how painful it


    would be to donate corneas, but I never thought that once people are dead, they don''t feel pain


    anymore. Seeing you now, I know he''s not truly gone."


    Shelley''s tears fell. She was probably thinking of Castiel, her husband.


    Ronan''s heart surged with an unprecedented shock. He vaguely understood what Shelley was saying.


    Castiel must have been Shelley''s husband, who had donated his corneas to him, and Cordelia knew


    about this. This also exined why Shelley recognized him as soon as she woke up.


    As for why Deanna wanted to take the credit, that was a question for her.


    "Was De happy to see you?" Shelley asked, "Your name is Ronan, right?"


    "Yes." Ronan answered with difficulty.


    "De shouldn''t have told you. We were doing just fine living our own lives. She didn''t ask for any


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    anything." Shelley said anxiously.


    "No."


    Shelley finally breathed a sigh of relief. "So how did you find out?" Shelley asked again. As far as she


    knew, only she and Cordelia knew about this.


    "You just told me."


    "Eh?" Shelley panicked, "You didn''t know about this?"


    But that didn''t make sense. If Ronan didn''t know before, they should be strangers. Why would hee


    to the hospital?


    "Then how did you know I was here?" She had seen Ronan in his expensive clothes and thought


    Cordelia was in financial trouble and had told him about this, which was why he had her transferred to


    the hospital.


    "I married your daughter."


    Shelley''s lips moved as she tried to make sense of it. "You really didn''t know before?" she asked


    Ronan again.


    "I didn''t. And when Cordeliaes, don''t let her know that I already know, I don''t want her to feel


    burdened." Ronan said, "I will get the best treatment for you."


    Shelley nodded in despair, she had just woken up and had spilled this massive secret.


    She made a big mistake.

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    Chapter 133


    Ronan gave Trina a hefty sum to keep her lips sealed and promised to give Cordelia a ringter in the


    evening.


    Trina, clueless as ever, agreed.


    Ronan pulled over to the side of the road and instructed his assistant to look into Castiel.


    Six years ago, when he first started his own business, he had to pick himself up from where he fell. He


    was hands-on with everything until one time he got lime in his eyes at a construction site. His cornea


    got fried, and the doctors told him that corneas were in short supply and he had to wait.


    Ronan was the type to bear pain alone. He didn''t tell his grandparents about the incident. As for his


    parents who were far away overseas, they were as good as non-existent to him.


    Those were the darkest days of his life. Spending his days with bandages over his eyes and waiting in


    vain for a cornea, he was bordering on despair.


    One day, he went to the water dispenser with a cup to get hot water. He usually judged the water level


    by listening to the sound, but that day, his mind was preupied with work, and he was a bit absent-


    minded. The water overflowed the cup, spilling onto his hand and scalding him.


    ¡°The cup is full.¡± A woman''s voice thick with emotion echoed, sounding like a child who just had a good


    cry. It wasn''t rare to hear such voices in ces like hospital.


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    As she spoke, she turned off the water for Ronan, took the cup from him, and probably wiped it dry with


    a paper towel. She handed the cup back to Ronan and left.


    A refreshing scent of sandalwood soap lingered, soothing his senses.


    Afterward, every day, without fail, Ronan would go to fetch water and would encounter the same girl.


    She didn''t say anything, and it was as if they had an unspoken understanding. She would hold Ronan''s


    hand from the outside, wait for the water to fill, turn off the tap, and then leave without saying a word.


    This continued for a week.


    Then one weekter, the doctor informed him that they had a cornea donor. Someone in the hospital


    just passed away and donated their cornea.


    After the surgery, he spent another two months in the hospital. During that time, a girl stepped into his


    life. She imed that the cornea was her father''s and she wanted to see to whom her father''s cornea


    had been given, hoping that person would live a good life.


    Every day, she would apany Ronan to fill his cup, holding his hand just like the girl from before.


    However, something felt off to Ronan. It didn''t seem like the same girl. There was no one else in the


    hospital who knew about his daily routine though.


    When his bandages were finally removed, he saw Deanna, who was smiling gently at him.


    Deanna confessed that she was the one who helped him fill his cup before, and it was her father''s wish


    for her to evaluate Ronan''s character. Her father wanted Ronan to take care of his family since he was


    the recipient of his cornea.


    Ronan, feeling responsible, bought a house for Deanna and her mother once his career was on track.


    He started dating Deanna, but he felt there was a discrepancy between the person she was and the


    person he had imagined. He felt something was off. His feelings for Deanna might have been stuck in


    the ¡°absence makes the heart grow fonder¡¯ phase, as he was always longing for the quiet girl who had


    helped him silently.


    His assistant called, sending over Castiel''s background. A project manager at a construction site, fell


    from a high-rise, and broke his ribs. Normally, Castiel should have been hospitalized, but his assistant


    couldn''t find any hospital records. It was like Castiel just vanished off the face of the earth.


    ¡°Mr. Evans, someone must have tampered with Castiel''s records. I''ll keep looking.¡± his assistant said.


    Ronan hung up the phone. If he wasn''t mistaken, the one who tampered with the records was probably


    Deanna.


    What he wanted to know now was who the girl who helped him fill his cup back then was. Was she


    someone else, or was it Cordelia?


    There were so many people in the hospital after all.

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    Chapter 134


    Just as knocking-off time was near, Ronan''s car pulled up outside thepany. He rang Cordelia,


    saying he was waiting for her downstairs.


    After Cordelia got in the car, Ronan handed her her phone. She saw a call from Trina on the screen.


    "What happened to Trina?" Cordelia looked nervous, fearing something had happened to her mom.


    "Well, she rang to say your mom can move again. Wanna give her a call back?" Ronan asked.


    "My mom''s fingers can move again?" Cordelia eximed excitedly, "Does that mean she''s about to


    wake up?"


    She seemed to be not talking to Ronan but just excitedly talking to herself.


    "Um, maybe so," Ronan clearly couldn''t share Cordelia''s excitement.


    Cordelia rang Trina back.


    "Cordelia, your mom''s awake, and she can talk. Come quick," Trina said.


    Cordelia was momentarily stunned. She couldn''t believe what she just heard, her mind going nk for


    a while.


    "Really?" Tears fell from Cordelia''s eyes, but she didn''t even notice.


    "Come quick," Trina said.


    After Trina hung up, Cordelia kept her phone to her ear for a long time. She feared that it had all been a


    dream and she would wake up. After all, six years was a long time.


    "Do you have time? Can you take me to Millstone Hospital?" Cordelia asked, finallying to her


    senses.


    "Yeah." And with that, Ronan''s car headed towards the hospital.


    Cordelia was excited the whole way. Upon arriving at Millstone Hospital, Ronan was about to get out of


    the car. But Cordelia suddenly thought of something and stopped him. She turned to Ronan and said,


    "Can you not go in?"


    "Why? Is there something you don''t want me to know?" Ronan teased.


    "No, it''s just... the hospital isn''t really your scene. It wouldn''t be polite for my mom to see you just after


    she woke up. I would have to introduce you and all. Is that okay?" Cordelia pleaded.


    "Sure." Ronan lit up a cigarette.


    Last time, Cordelia also used this kind of excuse. Ronan didn''t noticest time, but this time he


    understood. She was afraid her mom would spill the beans when she woke up.


    Cordelia dashed off to the Neurology department. As soon as she pushed open the door and yelled


    Mom, tears came gushing out.


    "De?" Her mom''s tears also fell onto the pillow.


    Cordelia threw herself onto her mom, "Mom, you''re awake? You''re really awake. I can''t believe it; it''s


    been six years."


    Shelley patted Cordelia''s back, "You still cry as easily as before. You have changed so much, I hardly


    recognize you. I remember you were still in high school, but Trina just told me that six years have


    passed." Shelley knew nothing about Cordelia''s life now.


    Cordelia''s tears came even harder; her mom was still calling her De. Finally, besides Barney, there


    was another person in this world who still called her De. Cordelia was flooded with emotions.


    Once she calmed down, Cordelia sat by her mother''s bedside, catching up on old times. Trina tactfully


    left, this being a private family matter after all.


    "What''s your brother doing?" Shelley asked.


    "My brother is a driver. He''s doing well. He often visited you while you were sick." Cordelia said, wiping


    away her tears.


    Shelley knew her son all too well, and she gave a bitter smile, "He probably wishes I was dead, right?


    Then he wouldn''t have to pay for my medical expenses. What about you, what are you working as?"


    Shelley gripped Cordelia''s hand tightly. Cordelia was overwhelmed. She had held her mom''s hand


    countless times before but there was never any response until now. "Me? I''m an auditor at apany,


    and I''m studying for my CPA. I''ll pass it next year," Cordelia said proudly.


    "De, you''re amazing," Shelley gently patted Cordelia''s head, "Well, the cost of my hospitalization is


    very high. Where did the moneye from? Trina told me just now that her nursing fee is three


    thousand dors a month."


    Cordelia hesitated, "The real estatepany where dad worked and the person who hit you both gave


    somepensation. That should cover it."


    Shelley shook her head, "That''s not enough."


    Seeing that she couldn''t hide it, Cordelia said, "Do you remember Ronan?"


    "Of course," Shelley had just seen him. How could she forget?


    "I married him. He''s rich, and he''s been paying for your medical expenses. Also, he doesn''t know about


    the eyes. I haven''t told him, so could you also keep it a secret? I don''t want him to feel obligated to


    me." Cordelia confessed, realizing that her mom would definitely find out about her marriage now that


    she was awake.


    Cordelia didn''t mention the contract marriage, fearing her mom would feel bad knowing she did


    something like that for money.


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    Shelley brushed Cordelia''s hair behind her ear, thinking to herself: It was toote, she already told


    Ronan.


    She was anxious, wondering about her daughter''s future marriage.

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    Cordelia and Shelley chatted up a storm until the wee hours.


    Downstairs, Ronan was waiting. At 8:50, a message popped up from his assistant. A Word document.


    His assistant was damn efficient. He had managed to track down Castiel''s old subordinates and his


    attending physician to get the lowdown on what happened.


    After Castiel fell off the building, he was rushed to Hope Hospital. He had busted his spine, and even


    with treatment, he would have been paralyzed from the neck down. He confided to the doc that he


    didn¡¯t want to be a burden to his family.


    When Shelley heard about a young guy in need of a cornea transnt while discussing Castiel''s


    condition with the doc, she felt a pang of regret. She casually brought it up to Castiel in their


    conversation.


    Castiel told Cordelia and Shelley that if he kicked the bucket, they should give his corneas to the young


    man, and they shouldn''t let the young man feel guilty about it - make it an anonymous donation.


    Both Shelley and Cordelia decided to take care of Castiel and not dwell on this.


    A weekter, Castiel yanked out his own oxygen tube. But after he passed away, his records


    mysteriously vanished from the hospital.


    At that time, there was a guy named Niks in the hospital. He was circling the drain. Niks had a


    daughter, Deanna.


    Niks actually died a day after Castiel. That day, two things happened at Hope Hospital. Niks died,


    and Ronan had surgery.


    The dean of the hospital happened to be Deanna¡¯s uncle.


    In reality, Niks and Castiel didn¡¯t die on the same day. Castiel died a day earlier, but someone had


    fudged the records, making it seem like Niks died a day earlier.


    As Ronan read, his eyes got a little misty. He couldn''t begin to imagine what Castiel must have felt


    when he pulled out his own oxygen tube, or what Deanna must have been going through when she did


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    all this.


    If it wasn''t for Shelley spilling the beans, he would have been left in the dark for the rest of his life. After


    all, all the records were spotless back then. He had no idea there was a guy named Castiel, let alone


    where to start looking.


    As for the girl who held his hand, Deanna always imed it was her. However, Cordelia was someone


    who didn''t like to talk about things, and even if it was her, she wouldn''t admit it.


    Of course, it could have been a stranger.


    The document also mentioned Castiel''s likes and quirks:


    He had a soft spot for fried steak; he was a whizz at making tacos; Cordelia was his pride and joy; he


    never liked using an umbre when he went out and once caught pneumonia.


    No wonder!


    Suddenly, a strange emotion gripped Ronan. So, the food Cordelia cooked for him, the umbre she


    gave him - who were they really for? She often stared into his eyes, lost in thought. The day she


    disappeared without a trace, Ronan finally knew where she had gone. It was the anniversary of her


    dad¡¯s death.


    It all clicked. Cordelia''s reason for applying to Lumos Enterprises. He had once asked his assistant to


    look into it, but only found out about her school history, nothing about Castiel.


    Turned out, it was because her dad''s eyes were in his head.


    Suddenly, Ronan didn''t know how to treat Cordelia. Should he treat her as the daughter of the man


    who saved his life, or as his wife?


    If she was the daughter of his savior, he would give her the world. But if she was his wife, she clearly


    wasn''t a good one. Cordelia''s call broke the silence.


    "Honey, my mom woke up. I want to chat with her tonight and note home. Is that okay? How about


    you go home first?" Cordelia said excitedly.


    "Make sure she gets rest. I''ll head out." Ronan''s voice was tired. After he finished, he left.


    Listening to the beep sound from the phone, Cordelia thought: What a lousy husband, no empathy at


    all.


    Of course, if she thought of him as her personal ATM, that was a different story.


    Despite her disappointment, Cordelia was still thrilled. Cordelia didn¡¯t want to tire her mother out. She


    also didn¡¯t want her mother to say all she had to say and then never speak again, so she urged her


    mom to get some sleep early.


    Shey in bed, texting Brooklyn, Adrian, and everyone she knew. She almost sent a group text.


    [Your mom woke up? That''s fantastic! Your hard work finally paid off. Congrats! I¡¯ll drop by to see her


    tomorrow.] Brooklyn replied.


    [Cordelia, you''re amazing.] Jamie texted.


    Cordelia didn''t know where she was amazing, but she was still thrilled to hear it.


    Most people sent messages full of blessings and congrattions to Cordelia. Only Adrian texted, [Now


    that she''s awake, is she going to move back home?]


    This message brought Cordelia crashing back to earth from cloud nine.

 Chapter 136

    Chapter 136


    Cordelia spent the night buzzing with excitement, not feeling a lick of tiredness the next day. She was


    afraid that her mom had only temporarily woken up and would go back to sleep again. So first thing in


    the morning, she went to Shelley''s side and gently nudged her arm.


    Shelley woke up from Cordelia''s nudge, smiled and asked, "What''s up, De?"


    Seeing that her mom seemed normal, Cordelia also smiled, "I gotta go to work now. If you need


    anything, just have Trina give me a call."


    Shelley patted Cordelia''s face, "Alright."


    As she was walking out, she bumped into Dr. Devon who wasing in to check on Shelley. Cordelia


    told Trina to inform her of the examination resultster.


    Walking down the street, she felt like she was walking on air,pletely rxed.


    Upon reaching the office and waiting for the elevator, she bumped into Jordan. He was extremely


    respectful towards Cordelia, a far cry from when she first joined as an intern.


    "Cordelia, how¡¯s your new work going? What''s the Audit Department up to?" Jordan asked with


    pretended concern.


    "Uh huh, pretty tiring. I just started, so I''m still trying to wrap my head around a lot of things," Cordelia


    replied coldly.


    Cordelia had been in the Audit Department for only a short while, but she knew that the department


    had been investigating the Finance Department''s ounts for a while now. From what she gathered,


    the issues in the Finance Department were pretty severe.


    Back when Cordelia was just a small-time ountant in the Finance Department, she didn''t have much


    authority and was kept in the dark about a lot of stuff. But now, working under Mna, she was privy to


    a lot more information. For instance, she knew that Jordan was screwed.


    But she didn''t breathe a word of this to him.


    The Audit Department was on the top floor. After Jordan got off, Cordelia continued upwards,


    wondering how someone as shrewd as Ronan could have hired someone like Jordan.


    Maybe Ronan had figured out that there was something fishy about Jordan, so he set up the Audit


    Department specifically to investigate him. It was a smart move ¨C letting the Audit Department deal with


    it meant he didn''t have to get his hands dirty.


    Ronan was one clever cookie. A true-born businessman.


    Just as she was thinking this, the elevator doors opened. And there was Ronan.


    Cordelia had been thinking about him with her eyes half-closed, and his sudden appearance, as if he


    stepped out from her thoughts, startled her and made her sway slightly backwards.


    "Thinking of me?" Ronan asked, hands in his pockets, as he stepped onto the elevator.


    Standing in front of her and looking at her reflection in the elevator mirror, he made Cordelia feel a bit


    awkward for being caught off guard again.


    "My mom just woke up. Can I stay with her in the hospital for a few days?" Cordelia asked Ronan.


    "Sure," Ronan replied sinctly, seemingly not bothered by her request.


    Cordelia smiled.


    When they reached the top floor, the elevator doors opened and Ronan, without paying any attention to


    Cordelia, headed straight for Wyatt''s office.


    Cordelia hadn''t seen Ronane to this floor since she started working in the Audit Department, and


    judging by his hurried steps, he seemed to have something important to deal with.


    As soon as Cordelia arrived at the Audit Department, she got busy with work. At lunch, she met up with


    Brooklyn for a meal. As she was waiting for Brooklyn in the lobby, she heard some of her former


    colleagues from the Finance Department gossiping in the elevator.


    "The Finance Director of Lumos Enterprises has to be at least in the top ten of Millstone to even qualify,


    right? I heard Jordan has been embezzling a ton these past few years."


    "He must be making at least 200,000 dors a year."


    Cordelia was a bit confused. What was going on with Jordan? She knew the Audit Department was


    investigating the Finance Department''s ounts and that Jordan was in hot water, but she had no idea


    things woulde to light so quickly.


    After waiting in the lobby for a bit, Brooklyn arrived. As they walked, Brooklyn whispered to Cordelia,


    "The Audit Department sure has some guts. I heard the prosecutors took Jordan away today."


    "What?" Cordelia was taken aback.


    She hadn''t expected Ronan to be so swift and decisive. She guessed that his visit to the Audit


    Department today must have been to discuss this matter with Wyatt.


    The Audit Department was a whirlpool of hidden currents, and Ronan was even more of an enigma.


    Thinking back on it, Cordelia felt a shiver of fear.


    "Jordan was one of the old employees who started the business with Mr. Evans, otherwise he would


    have been fired long ago," Brooklyn whispered to Cordelia during lunch, "You share a bed with him


    every night, don''t you know anything?"


    Cordelia was even more frightened. There hadn''t been any warning, and she, working in the Audit


    Department, waspletely oblivious.


    As Ronan''s wife, she was even more clueless.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 137

    Chapter 137


    All afternoon, Cordelia felt a chill down her spine. She knew one thing for sure. Ronan''s ordeal with


    Jordan had nothing to do with her.


    While other departments were buzzing about Jordan being taken away, the Audit Department was as


    quiet as usual.


    After work, Cordelia went to the Millstone Hospital.


    Adrian was standing at the door of the ward. When he saw Cordelia, he nced behind her, looking


    like a cat that ate the canary, "Where''s your hubby?"


    "Something big happened at thepany today, and he couldn''t make it." Cordelia said and then went


    into her mom''s ward.


    Jamie was sitting by the bed, and chatting with Shelley, looking as happy as a m. Cordelia was


    relieved to see her mom was okay.


    "Cordelia, congrats! Your mom is recovering." Jamie said to Cordelia.


    "You don''t say." If it were up to her brother, he would have taken off her mother''s oxygen mask long


    ago.


    Thinking about how Jamie was tied down by Manda because of her, Cordelia pulled Jamie aside and


    said, "Mr. Colby, I heard that ountant Brenda resigned. Was it Manda''s doing?"


    "Don''t pay heed to your brother''s nonsense. I hired Manda because of her credentials, and it has


    nothing to do with you. You just be yourself." Jamie said to Cordelia seriously, "As for Brenda, she''s


    verypetent, but our philosophies didn''t align."


    Despite what Jamie said, Cordelia knew better.


    "Bullshit! It''s definitely rted!" Adrian chimed in from behind them.


    "Adrian!" Jamie scolded Adrian harshly.


    "Cordelia, mom woke up, I just wanted to see if Ronan woulde to visit. If he does, we''ll cross that


    bridge when wee to it; if he doesn''t," Adrian said mockingly, "you should cut your losses and marry


    Mr. Colby."


    Cordelia ignored Adrian and sat by the bed, feeling guilty.


    "Mom," Cordelia spoke to her mom, "Our CFO was taken away by the prosecutor''s office today. It''s a


    big deal, so he couldn''te. Don''t take it to heart."


    Shelley sighed, thinking: he already came to see me, but she couldn''t say it, so she just said she didn''t


    mind.


    When Jamie heard that the CFO was taken away, he thought maybe this could be an opportunity for


    Brenda.


    Brenda left PrimeNumbers ounting in a huff, mainly because Manda kept threatening to sue


    Cordelia, suppressing Jamie. Jamie and Brenda had some differences before, but they were


    manageable. However, when Manda came, the conflict became irreconcble, which pissed off


    Brenda.


    Actually, Jamie could have handled Manda suing Cordelia. He just didn''t want Cordelia to have any


    stains, not even a court summons.


    The doctor had checked Shelley''s condition, she was doing well, and could probably be discharged in


    ten days.


    On Friday afternoon, Cordelia returned to Pearl Palms. Ronan was already off work, sitting on the


    couch at home.


    "Remember you have a home?" Seeing Cordelia''s return, Ronan remarked sarcastically.


    "Yeah, my mom just recovered." Cordelia was also feeling a bit upset, given Adrian''s words. After all,


    Ronan hadn''t visited her mom even once.


    Even though he was an ATM, in Shelley''s eyes, he was a son-inw.


    Barney came out and asked about her mom''s condition.


    "My mom is feeling better. The doctor said she can be discharged in ten days." Cordelia was over the


    moon.


    "What goes aroundes around. Ronan, your mother-inw has been bedridden for so many years.


    Aren''t you going to visit her?" Barney asked Ronan, frowning.


    "Hmm." Although Ronan responded, Cordelia could tell he was just going through the motions.


    Cordelia felt hurt, but she knew she had no right to demand anything from Ronan. His thoughts were


    definitely beyond herprehension, as evident from the way he brought down Jordan.


    Since she hadn''t been home for several days, she decided to help Janice in the kitchen to make up for


    it.


    Ronan saw the familiar fried steak.


    "You like to cook this dish?" Ronan stared at Cordelia, frowning slightly.


    Cordelia hadn''t had a good look at Ronan for several days. Her mom woke up, and she thought, how


    great it would be if dad was still here.


    At this moment, she also looked straight into his eyes. "Don''t you like it? I''m good at it." Cordelia said, "I


    haven''t been home for days. Can''t you put on a smile?"


    Ronan lowered his head to eat and ignored Cordelia. He used to think the fried steak she cooked was


    delicious, but now he had mixed feelings.


    Cordelia felt embarrassed. "Did you like this dish before or after?" Cordelia asked Ronan. She had


    Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    always been unclear about this question, and more importantly, she wanted to amuse Ronan.


    "When are you referring to by ''after''?" Ronan''s voice sounded a bit suppressed.


    Cordelia wanted to ask if he loved it before or after he had the cornea transnt. Even though she


    knew that a cornea transnt wouldn''t affect a person''s taste, she just wanted to ask, "After you


    started your business."


    "I loved it since I was a kid. So you''re not going to make it anymore?" Ronan looked up and asked


    Cordelia.


    Cordelia thought: was he angry again? She just casually asked a question, why was he being like this?


    "Ronan, speak nicely." Grandpa scolded Ronan.


    Ronan put down his bowl, didn''t eat anymore, and went upstairs.


    Cordelia wondered, what did she do to upset him?

 Chapter 138

    Chapter 138


    Cordelia was eating in silence. "Leave some food for him," She suggested to Janice.


    Cordelia''s cheery mood was dampened by Ronan''s sudden outburst of anger.


    Barney a kept chatting with her tofort her.


    Cordelia tried to keep her emotions in check while talking to her grandpa. After dinner, she received a


    Messenger message from Brenda. [I sent my resume to Lumos Enterprises'' HR Department today,


    applying for the position of CFO.]


    [Really?] Honestly, Cordelia was thrilled about the news. Brenda was totally qualified for the job.


    [Yeah. Jamie suggested I apply. I wasn''t supposed to agree when he first brought it up, but Lumos


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Enterprises is worth considering, so I reluctantly agreed.]


    There was aughing emoji attached to the message.


    [Great, we could work together then.]


    Cordelia was not from the HR Department, so she didn¡¯t know they hadn¡¯t posted the CFO position on


    job-hunting sites yet. That was to say, the recruitment hadn''t officially started, and Brenda had already


    sent her resume to the HR Department.


    Cordelia went upstairs.


    Ronan put down his book and looked at Cordelia. "When am I visiting your mum?"


    "You''re serious? I didn''t force you." Cordelia was stunned.


    "When?" Ronan was getting a bit impatient.


    "Today is Friday, how about tomorrow?"


    "Fine."


    Ronan agreed, and Cordelia started feeling a bit anxious, thinking about what Ronan would pay


    attention to when visiting. She leaned on the headboard, thinking carefully.


    "By the way, don''t ever mention to my mum about our marriage being a contract. I''m afraid she would


    be heartbroken." Cordelia turned around and tugged at Ronan''s arm.


    "I won''t."


    Cordelia nodded, feeling relieved, but she had a feeling that something big was going to happen when


    Ronan visited!


    After breakfast the next day, Cordelia and Ronan went to the hospital. As they approached the


    entrance, Cordelia saw Adrian standing by the bed.


    He was hardly seen when mum was unconscious, but now that she was awake, he came every day.


    How strange.


    Thinking about what Adrian had said yesterday, Cordelia deliberately hooked her arm around Ronan''s.


    "You''re here?" Adrian turned around and mocked Cordelia.


    Ignoring him, Cordelia walked to her mother''s bed and saw her mother breathing heavily with her eyes


    closed, she knew Adrian had upset her again. She pushed Adrian. "What did you do to upset Mum?


    She just woke up, and she''s still weak!"


    Shelley opened her eyes when she heard Cordelia''s voice. Her angry expression was gone. Then, she


    saw Ronan standing next to Cordelia.


    "Who is this?" Shelley pretended not to recognize Ronan.


    "Mum, this is my husband, and also my boss, Ronan," Cordelia said.


    Adrian snorted in disdain at Cordelia''s words.


    "De mentioned you before. Young and sessful." Shelley looked at Ronan, and Ronan also looked


    at her, and both of their gazes made it clear neither was surprised, it was as if it was their first meeting.


    "Really?" Ronan forced a smile.


    "De, get a chair for Ronan," Shelley instructed.


    There was only one chair in the room, which was upied by Adrian. Just as Cordelia was about to


    find another chair, Adrian spoke up, "Mum, where are you going to live after you''re discharged? Your


    daughter is so dutiful. Why don''t you live with her instead of squeezing with me in my small house.


    Besides, I have a girlfriend now. It won''t be convenient for you to stay with us."


    "Adrian," Cordelia scolded Adrian. So that was why he was arguing with Mum earlier, but the apartment


    they were arguing about was originally under both Mum and Dad''s names.


    "Cordelia, get him out of here!" Shelley suppressed her anger.


    "I won''t leave until we settle this." Adrian crossed his legs and sat stubbornly.


    Things were about to get ugly.


    "It''s not difficult. I can buy two four-bedroom apartments, one for Shelley, one for Adrian. Problem


    solved," Ronan suggested.


    His voice was unusually cold. He was supposed to be happy since he had found the person who saved


    his life and also found an opportunity to repay her, but he just couldn''t feel happy.

 Chapter 139

    Chapter 139


    "Are you for real?" Adrian got up and walked over to Ronan.


    "For real."


    "Would you put it in writing and sign a contract with me?" Adrian worried that the opportunity might slip


    away.


    "No need for a contract, I''ll have my assistant bring the keys over." After saying this, Ronan went out to


    make a phone call.


    Adrian was stunned, thinking, ¡°Last time, no matter how I persuaded him, it didn''t work. Why did he


    suddenly agree this time?¡±


    Ronan came back and said, "The assistant will bring the keys over in a bit."


    Adrian was a little taken aback, feeling like this was too easy.


    Shelley felt a bit uneasy and said to Ronan, "You really don¡¯t have to do this!"


    "It''s fine," Ronan said.


    Cordelia was thinking, ¡°What''s gotten into Ronan? Is he trying to show off to my mom that he''s a good


    son-inw?¡±


    But wasn¡¯t this too big of a price to pay? Two houses, based on the property prices in Millstone, was


    several millions of dors...


    "Are... are you sure?" Cordelia tugged at Ronan''s sleeve.


    Adrian, in a sycophantic manner, moved a chair behind Ronan. He didn''t have a chair to sit on, so he


    stood behind Ronan.


    "Let Shelley rest a bit." Ronan sat down on the chair.


    Cordelia knew that Adrian was waiting for Ronan''s assistant and wouldn''t leave until he saw the keys.


    Shelley and Cordelia chatted some more.


    Cordelia felt that Shelley seemed to have something on her mind, perhaps she was uneasy about


    Ronan''s gift.


    After a while, Ronan''s assistant brought the keys over. "Mr. Evans, these are the keys to the two


    houses in Azul Vista."


    "Azul Vista?" Adrian had a surprised look on his face. "That¡¯s¡­"


    That was a well-known luxury property in Millstone.


    "Whatever you want in return, ask Cordelia. I won''t give you anything," Adrian dered to Ronan.


    "Aren''t you leaving?" Ronan didn''t want to talk to Adrian anymore.


    Adrian looked at the keys in his hand. "Actually, I can help you, I''ll stand by your side and I won¡¯t help


    Jamie Colby anymore."


    Adrian''s attitude changed dramatically. Cordelia felt very awkward.


    After visiting Shelley, Ronan and Cordelia went home.


    "Do... do you need me to do anything?" Cordelia''s voice was a bit small. She felt very uneasy. She


    knew that there was no such thing as a free lunch.


    "I haven''t thought about it yet. I''ll let you know when I do." Ronan''s voice was always cold.


    Cordelia felt that when Ronan would figure out what he wanted would be when her life got tough. ¡°You


    really didn¡¯t have to do this today.¡±


    Ronan didn¡¯t respond, and his phone rang. It was the HR director Emily.


    Emily talked about posting a job ad on the website to hire a CFO and discussed the detailed


    requirements with Ronan. He answered a few times, and finally said, "You decide, and I''ll handle the


    final interview."


    "Will be thest one to interview the CFO?" After Ronan hung up, Cordelia asked him.


    "Yes. The CFO is a top executive, and I need to ensure the quality of the personnel."


    Cordelia thought, Brenda''s chances of being selected were slim. After all, she was an employee of


    PrimeNumbers ounting, and with Ronan''s deep hatred for Jamie, he probably wouldn''t give her a


    chance. But then again, Brenda waspetent, so who knew?


    Monday night.


    When Ronan came home, he brought back three job applications. These three people were selected


    from arge number of resumes by the HR Department. They had been interviewed all day today, and


    the three preliminary picks were quite good. Now it was up to Ronan to make the final decision.


    Emily from the HR Department was calling Ronan.


    "Mr. Evans, among these three people, there is a woman named Brenda. She used to work at


    PrimeNumbers ounting, and is indeed talented. She is one of the top ten ountants in Millstone,


    but there is a problem, we only posted the job ad on Saturday, but her resume was sent to the HR


    Department''s email on Friday. So, what do you think¡­"


    Ronan frowned. "Let me see."


    If this was true, then it could only mean that Brenda had known in advance about Jordan being taken


    away by the prosecutor¡¯s office. Even though this wasn''t a secret, Brenda knew about it too early.


    Cordelia came over and immediately saw Brenda''s resume.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "Did she pass?" Cordelia asked Ronan, a light shing in her eyes.


    Ronan looked at Cordelia deeply. "Yes."


    "Can she be selected?"


    "Not necessarily. Did you tell her about Jordan being arrested?" Ronan slowly looked up at Cordelia.


    Cordelia thought for a moment. "No, thest time I saw her was when we went out to eat together. You


    were there too. At that time, Mr. Jordan hadn''t been arrested yet. Is there a problem? Could it be¡­"


    Cordelia remembered that on Friday, when she went to see her mom, she mentioned this incident to


    exin to her mom that Ronan was indeed busy. Maybe Jamie overheard it and asked Brenda to send


    in her resume.


    "Could it be what?" Ronan stared at Cordelia.


    Jamie, again!


    Cordelia was afraid to say it out loud in case it made Ronan upset, so she didn''t say anything.


    "Nothing, I might be wrong," Cordelia said.


    However, Ronan had already guessed from Cordelia''s expression that it was probably her who told


    Jamie.


    Ronan tore Brenda''s resume out of the pile.


    Cordelia just sat there, all quiet and didn''t even dare to peep a word, scared she would tick him off


    again!

 Chapter 140

    Chapter 140


    When Ronan climbed up the stairs, Cordelia was already propped up in bed, reading. She snuck


    nces at Ronan. His mood seemed offtely.


    "Are you feeling down?" Ronan was lying in bed, and Cordelia walked up to him, looking straight into


    his eyes, questioning him.


    In the past, when Cordelia stared into Ronan''s eyes, he thought it was because she fancied him. Now


    he knew she was looking for the shadow of Castiel in him.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "Why are you always staring at my eyes!" Ronan yelled at Cordelia.


    "I¡­" Cordelia was at a loss for words.


    Ronan pinned her down. After turning off the lights, memories of Cordelia shed in his mind. Her


    constant staring into his eyes; her craving for tacos every morning; her frequently cooking steak; she


    even fantasized about Ronan liking the dish because he had her father''s eyes.


    So, in her eyes, was he Ronan? Or was he her father.


    He had once mocked her for having a sick sense of humor, now he thought it was ironic!


    He vented his anger on Cordelia.


    The next morning, Ronan let Cordelia go to work by herself, while he stayed at home.


    "Are you sick?" Cordelia asked him with concern, despite bearing his outburst the previous night.


    "Do I look like a weakling to you?" Ronan retorted. "Can you drive? If so, pick a car and drive yourself


    to work. It''s a pain to hail a cab here."


    "I can''t. I don''t have a driver''s license."


    In the past, she didn''t have much money. Affording her mother''s medical bills was a stretch, let alone


    buying a car. Even if she had a driver''s license, she couldn¡¯t afford it.


    After Cordelia left, Ronan called for his assistant to get Adrian.


    He gave Adrian a house, not only because his father had saved his life but also because having Adrian


    on his side was beneficial. At least, he wouldn''t have to face embarrassing moments in thepany


    lobby anymore.


    Half an hourter, Adrian arrived, and he asked Ronan respectfully, "You wanted to see me, Mr.


    Ronan?"


    "Has Cordelia been in contact with Jamie recently?" Ronan asked, lounging on the sofa with one leg


    over the other.


    Adrian had already reaped the benefits of being on Ronan''s side. The house was ready for him to


    move in. As for Jamie''s benefits, they were yet to be explored.


    He''d lean towards whoever offered more solid benefits.


    "Jamie is just one-sidedly in love with Cordelia, but my sister doesn''t even give him a second nce,"


    Adrian replied. "My sister only admires capable men like you."


    "Did Cordelia mention anything about ourpany to Jamie?" Ronan asked again.


    "Do you mean the thing about our director being arrested? No, absolutely not. When our mom woke


    up, Cordelia made up excuses for your absence, or my mom would¡¯ve had a bone to pick with you.


    Jamie might''ve overheard it." Adrian exined.


    Ronan''s anger subsided.


    Adrian exined why Manda had to go to Jamie''s office and the incident of Brenda being ostracized.


    "From now on, try your best to get Jamie and Manda to cooperate.¡± Ronan¡¯s intense gaze was fixed on


    Adrian. "No matter what it takes!"


    Adrian thought for a moment. "Alright. I can do that."


    "Also, if you have any problems in the future,e find me."


    "Sure," Adrian answered.


    After Adrian left, Deanna came by.


    "I just went to your office, and your secretary said you didn''te in today. It''s so hard to reach you,"


    Deanna said, cing her bag on the sofa.


    Ronan looked at Deanna''s red lips, as if seeing through her schemes.


    "Why the sudden visit? You didn''t even call me before you came." Ronan''s tone was as usual, but


    colder than ever.


    However, Deanna didn''t notice his coldness. "I was afraid if I called you, you wouldn''t let mee."


    After saying that, Deanna nced at Barney Evans'' room.


    She actually came to visit Barney, not expecting Ronan to be at home.


    "How could that be."


    "You''re always like this. I have an important project, the original investor pulled out, and I promised the


    producer that I could find an investor. Ronan, you have to help meplete it," Deanna said.


    "We need to hold a board meeting," Ronan replied.


    "Are your words not valid anymore? You weren''t like this before."


    "Investing in TV dramas is a new business, beyond our scope," Ronan said.


    Deanna feigned disappointment. She had mentioned investing in TV dramas to Ronan a few times


    before, but Ronan was very cautious, never venturing into unfamiliar territory, or he simply had no


    interest in the TV industry.


    So, Deanna knew, this was just an excuse.


    "Well! I haven''t even said hi to Barney yet. Wait a moment." After finishing her sentence, Deanna went


    to Barney''s room.

 Chapter 141

    Chapter 141


    It was morning and Barney was holed up in his room, doodling away.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "Grandpa, I''m here to see you," Deanna told Barney.


    "Is that you, Deanna? You and Ronan have a chinwag in the living room. I won''t be budging from here,"


    chuckled Grandpa.


    "Grandpa, you''re cracking me up. Truth be told, I was hoping Ronan would invest in me, but he wasn¡¯t


    biting." Deanna said, pretending to be disappointed.


    "So you want me to twist his arm, do you?" Barney replied, grinning.


    "No way, I wouldn''t put you in a tight spot." Deannaughed back. She then noticed a bottle of


    "Betaloc" medicine next to Barney''s drawing table.


    Like many elderly folks, Grandpa had his fair share of old-age ailments and relied heavily on his meds.


    Deanna, being an actress and pretty worldly, knew that this medicine was primarily for treating heart


    failure.


    "Grandpa, I better be off now," Deanna said.


    "Alright then," Grandpa replied nonchntly, continuing his drawing.


    After Deanna left, she chatted with Ronan again, "How about this, Ronan. Youe with me to my


    workce on Sunday, and then decide whether you want to invest. How does that sound?¡±


    "Sunday? I''ve already got ns." Ronan had already made arrangements to discuss a project with


    someone.


    Deanna pretended to be angry. "Well, I guess we''ll have to take a rain check on that one."


    In the afternoon, Cordelia came home and dropped a set of keys in front of Ronan. It was the keys to


    Shelley''s house, which Ronan recognized all too well.


    "What''s up?" he asked Cordelia, looking up.


    "My mom said no. Why are you giving us such a valuable thing out of the blue? My mom specifically


    asked me to bring these keys back to you today," Cordelia said. "My brother won''t listen to her.


    Besides, he''s already moved into the house you gave him. She ns to move back to the old house in


    the future, so you don''t need to bother yourself anymore!"


    Seeing Cordelia trying so hard to protect her dignity and thinking about Deanna and her mother''s


    greed, Ronan was filled with mixed feelings.


    "This house is worth a lot more than half a million," Ronan said. "Don''t you want more?" Once upon a


    time, he thought Cordelia was a real gold digger.


    "But we can''t ept it. Money needs toe from legitimate channels." Cordelia said, tidying up her


    clothes in her room.


    "Are you worried that if we get too much, it will affect our rtionship in the future?" Ronan asked


    again.


    Cordelia''s eyes dimmed. She knew that one day she would have to part ways with Ronan, so why


    would she want his things?


    "We''re going to split up sooner orter," said Cordelia.


    "Can''t bear it?"


    Cordelia didn¡¯t say anything, but her eyes welled up with tears. Despite her inexperience, she knew it


    was hard to find someone as generous as Ronan.


    "Come here for a moment," Ronan said softly, sitting on the sofa. He''d been lounging around in casual


    clothes all day.


    Cordelia looked at him, puzzled. Thinking about what he was like in bed the night before, she thought,


    ¡°He''s so unpredictable.¡±


    She didn¡¯t understand Ronan''splex emotions.


    "What''s up?" Cordelia asked, nervously sitting down on hisp.


    Ronan''s lips gently touched her cheek.


    "Why didn''t you go to work today?" Cordelia asks.


    "Wasn''t it because you wore me outst night?" Ronan replied with a smile.


    "You..." Cordelia stammered. "No matter what I say, you always have aeback. I can''t argue with


    you!"


    "I have the upper hand in bed too!" Ronan continued.


    Whenever she thought about how Ronan always made jokes like this anytime and anywhere,


    Cordelia''s heart skipped a beat.


    "I indeed can''tpete with you, and I can''t satisfy you," Cordelia said, closing her eyes momentarily,


    not really caring about what Ronan said. "What did you do at home today? Did you take the day off to


    recover fromst night?"


    "Deanna was here today, and we talked about investment stuff."


    Cordelia''s chest heaved. "I knew it! Go sleep with her. You guys slept together before, right?"


    With that, Cordelia tried to get off Ronan''sp. But in a sh, Ronan pushed her down onto the sofa,


    began to undress her, and nted a deep kiss on her cheek.


    "I only want to sleep with you!" he whispered into Cordelia''s ear.


    These days, Ronan had been trying to adjust his emotions, mainly towards Cordelia. He couldn¡¯t stand


    her gaze, couldn¡¯t stand her frequent frying of steaks, and most importantly, he couldn¡¯t stand the


    umbre she left in his car.


    He was adjusting deep down inside, but he didn¡¯t show it.


    Whenever these two emotions were at war in his heart, he would push Cordelia onto the bed with


    force, using this way to confirm that Cordelia was his wife, and she was not with him for any other


    reasons...

 Chapter 142

    Chapter 142


    Sunday.


    In the morning, Ronan informed Cordelia that he was heading out to check theunch of a project.


    "Okay." This was the first time he had voluntarily shared his itinerary with Cordelia.


    By noon, the servants were out to buy groceries, and Deanna showed up. Cordelia frowned slightly,


    bing wary.


    "He''s out inspecting a projectunch today," Cordelia exined to Deanna, knowing she was here to


    see Ronan.


    "Is that so? I''ll give him a callter then."


    "Didn''t you let him know beforehand?" Cordelia tried to remain polite, starting to entertain Deanna in


    the living room.


    "Where''s Barney? I''ll go say hi," Deanna said. "Doesn''t Barney usually take a rest after lunch?"


    Cordelia wondered what Deanna was up to, looking for Barney. She followed her.


    In Deanna''s hand was a special Betaloc pill, triple the dose of regr ones.


    After that, Deanna went to Barney¡¯s room. He was searching for a book on the shelf, wearing reading


    sses.


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    "Hello, Barney," Deanna said. "Good afternoon."


    Barney turned around, saw Deanna, and said, "You''re here? Go hang out with Cordelia outside,


    Ronan¡¯s out.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll just say hi and then I¡¯ll go.¡±


    ¡°Great, I¡¯m looking for a book on international businessw and can''t seem to find it..." Barney muttered


    to himself, continuing his search.


    While Barney was distracted, Deanna swiftly put the pill into his medicine bottle.


    Cordelia walked in, saying to Deanna, "Come on. Don''t disturb Barney."


    Deanna was dissatisfied. Why was she considered as disturbing Barney?


    "Since Ronan''s not here, I''m gonna head out. I''ll call him on the way.¡± Deanna said after walking into


    the living room, with an attitude that implied she only wished to speak with Ronan, and not anyone


    else.


    About half an hour after Deanna left, there was a sound from Barney''s room. Cordelia rushed into


    Barney''s room immediately, only to find him leaning against the bed, pale and clutching his chest.


    "Grandpa, what''s wrong? What happened?" Cordelia quickly helped Barney up, and dialed emergency.


    But the call wouldn''t go through. She wanted to use Barney''s phone but didn''t know where he had put


    it.


    In her desperation, she suddenly thought of Adrian. Adrian had received a lot of favors from Ronan, so


    he had to be grateful. Plus, as a driver, he had a car.


    "Adrian, Barney''s sick, and needs to go to the hospital. I can''t get through to emergency, and Ronan''s


    not here. I''m going to hail a cab so you bettere quickly. Stay in touch."


    "Alright." To Adrian, money talked.


    Jamie was also in Adrian''s car. "What happened?"


    Adrian told him about Barney''s illness.


    "We need to hurry over there! Cordelia can''t handle this alone." Jamie was even more anxious.


    Adrian drove really fast, quickly catching up and heading towards Ronan''s mansion.


    "You don''t like Ronan, right? Why are you being so cooperative?" Jamie asked Adrian. ¡°You don¡¯t have


    any ulterior motives, do you?¡±


    Jamie was worried that Adrian would try to set him up with Cordelia again, causing her trouble.


    Moreover, with Barney sick, Ronan would definitely be upset. Jamie wasn¡¯t sure how Ronan would


    react if Adrian did anything at this time. Little did he know, the Adrian beside him had already betrayed


    him.


    ¡°Am I that kind of person?¡± Adrian retorted.


    ¡°Listen, no funny business, got it?¡± Jamie said seriously.


    ¡°Got it!¡±


    Cordelia was out on the street trying to hail a cab with Barney, but today was unusually quiet, and no


    cars were in sight.


    Deanna''s car was parked in the distance. She had ced the pill right at the top of the bottle. As


    expected, Barney had taken it. She had also had her friend who worked at the telpany cut off


    Cordelia''s phone line, and she was keeping tabs on Ronan''s route. As for cabs, she had hired a bunch


    of people to intercept any that passed by.


    She thought, once Barney was gone, Cordelia and Ronan''s marriage would end too. What was more,


    with no one home, she would be able to frame Cordelia one more time.


    Cordelia felt incredibly helpless at the moment, like the world was ending. Thinking of Barney''s


    kindness, she teared up. "Grandpa, hang in there, we''ll be at the hospital soon."


    Deanna, in the distance, had a smug grin on her face!

 Chapter 143

    Chapter 143


    Adrian''s car pulled up within ten minutes. Jamie hopped out, helping Cordelia assist Barney into the


    car. Once inside, Cordelia dialed Ronan''s number which finally went through.


    "Missing me?" Ronan joked over the phone.


    "Grandpa''s sick. We''re on our way to the hospital you helped pick out for him before. Get over here


    now."


    Ronan''s tone immediately turned serious. "I''m on my way."


    The trio got Barney to the hospital, where the doctors needed to run some tests, pushing them out to


    the waiting area.


    Cordelia paced nervously along the corridor. Jamie headed off to pay the bills. Adrian sat and waited


    for Ronan, eager to show off his good deed.


    Ronan rushed into the hospital, Cordelia approached him and said, "Grandpa seems to have heart


    issues. The doctors are trying to revive him."


    "What happened?" Ronan''s face darkened as he spotted Jamie and Adrian in the background. No


    need to ask, it was obviously them who brought Cordelia and grandpa here. Despite his displeasure,


    he had to hold his tongue for now.


    "I''m not sure, Grandpa''s heart condition isn''t severe. I don''t understand why it suddenly¡­" Cordelia


    was at a loss, worried Ronan would me her for not taking better care of Barney. "It''s my fault. I didn''t


    take good care of Grandpa."


    Ronan sat down on a bench in the corridor, Jamie beside him. Ronan held Cordelia''s hand tightly


    throughout.


    The doctor finally emerged.


    "How is he?" Ronan immediately asked.


    "You can go in and see him." The doctor leaned in. "He only wants you in there."


    Ronan muttered something to Cordelia before heading into Barney''s room. Barneyy in bed, looking


    quite spirited without an IV.


    "How are you feeling, Grandpa?" Ronan asked, sitting by Barney''s bedside.


    Barney opened his palm, revealing a capsule.


    "Do you know what this pill is?" Barney asked Ronan.


    "I do. Betaloc, you take it regrly."


    "Open it, see how much medication is in therepared to the regr ones?" Barney handed Ronan


    another pill he normally took, asking him topare.


    Ronan opened it and found the dosage was three times the usual amount.


    "Betaloc is a heart failure medication, but you know overdosing could be fatal. If I died, with no other


    lethal drugs in my system, it wouldn''t be considered foul y. Do you know who gave me these pills?"


    Barney asked Ronan.


    Ronan frowned. Deanna.


    "There''s a reason why I don''t like her. If she wants to see this oue, I''ll give it to her. Whatever she''s


    trying to achieve, you should know. She might''ve made it so De''s phone couldn''t dial emergency


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    services and deliberately kept your line busy. If I died, De might''ve been held responsible. But this


    time, De managed to keep things under control, or else, it would''ve been unthinkable. Good thing I


    was suspicious. She''s truly evil."


    Ronan looked at his grandpa in confusion. Did Grandpa know all along that his marriage was just a


    contract? Was he deliberately pushing him to end this contract marriage? All Deanna wanted was for


    the contract to end once Grandpa passed away, and then Ronan¡¯s divorce.


    "Grandpa, I''m d you''re okay."


    "Ronan, I''ve lived a long life. Don''t think you can hide things from me." With that, Barney closed his


    eyes to rest.


    When Ronan exited the room, Cordelia anxiously grabbed his arm. "Is Grandpa okay?"


    "He''s fine, don''t worry." Thinking about how Cordelia was almost used by Deanna, Ronan''s tone


    softened.


    Cordelia sighed in relief.


    "Is Barney okay?" Adrian approached Ronan to inquire.


    "He''s fine, don''t worry." Ronan nced at Jamie with aplicated look.


    "Mr. Evans, we should get going." Jamie patted Adrian on the shoulder, and the two left.

 Chapter 144

    Chapter 144


    Monday.


    Cordelia''s phone in the Audit Department office rang. It was Ronan. "Come to my office. Bring your


    driver''s license."


    Cordelia was wondering what was up. Why was Ronan calling her first thing on a Monday morning?


    Was he going to divorce her?


    In Ronan''s office, the legal director was also there, busy sorting out a pile of documents, including what


    seemed like property deeds.


    "The house we bought in Sunnydale Meadows is now under her name. The rest of the properties as


    well." Ronan told the legal director.


    "Alright, the agreement is all set. We just need Ms. Haselwood''s signature. I¡¯ll take care of it with her


    driver''s license," the legal assistant said.


    Cordelia was a bit confused. "What?"


    "You''re going to debunk Adrian''s rumors about our ''contract marriage'' today. Off you go," Ronan


    The legal director left the office. Now, it was just Cordelia and Ronan.


    "All my properties are now under your name," Ronan told Cordelia.


    "Oh," Cordelia replied nonchntly.


    "Why are you so chill about this? Do you know what these properties mean?" Ronan asked, looking at


    Cordelia with a mix of curiosity and amusement.


    "They debunk the contract marriage rumor." Cordelia said.


    She only understood part of the truth. There was still a lot she didn''t know.


    "Well, you''re not wrong about that." Ronan got up from his chair and walked towards Cordelia.


    Debunking the contract marriage rumor was just the tip of the iceberg. Secondly, her father had saved


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    his life. Thirdly, it was to give his grandfather some peace.


    One move, and three goals were achieved.


    His towering figure made Cordelia snap to her senses. She looked up at Ronan, his eyes full of desire.


    "Did you sleep wellst night?" he asked.


    "I slept great," Cordelia replied, trying to keep her spirits up.


    After all, she was earning $2500 a month in the Audit Department, about seventy to eighty dors a


    day. She was here to work, not to sleep.


    Last night, she was so tired she blurted out, "I''m going to sleep," and dozed off with her back to Ronan.


    Her drowsy andzy demeanor, with a hint of sensuality, was irresistible to Ronan.


    Despite his struggle to detach himself from the "her father saved my life" mentality, being with Cordelia


    always stirred up a whirlwind of emotions - love, hate, gratitude, and a reluctance to be grateful...


    These conflicting emotions made his actions even more intense.


    Ronan gently pinched Cordelia''s chin. "Do you actually like money, or do you just not care? All this


    wealth doesn''t move you?"


    "I''m not stupid. Of course, I love money. Is there anything else?" Cordelia looked up at him. "There''s a


    lot of work in the Audit Department!"


    "I really want to..." Ronan leaned in, whispering in Cordelia''s ear.


    Seeing the desire and greed in his eyes, Cordelia got scared and said, "Mr. Evans, don''t scare me. It''s


    Monday."


    "I''m not just your boss, I''m also your husband, right?"


    "Yes, but workes first. I have to go."


    On the elevator, Cordelia was thinking, ¡°Was he a bit too energetic? Why was he like this so early in


    the morning?¡± But she was already losing sleep over him, with dark circles under her eyes.


    At lunchtime, Cordelia overheard some chatter in the elevator.


    "Did you hear? Mr. Evans gave half of his fortune to Cordelia. She''s now the wealthiest woman in


    Millstone."


    "Did they sign a prenuptial agreement?"


    "Doesn''t look like it. Haven''t you noticed her dark circles?"


    "What about them?"


    Cordelia was curious too. What about her dark circles?


    "People with dark circles are usually tired. It''s probably because they''ve been up all night making love.


    How else could she get so much wealth?"


    ...


    These people really didn''t hold back when it came to discussing Mr. Evans'' private matters!


    Cordelia went to lunch with Brooklyn.


    "Cordelia, I heard you now own half of Mr. Evans'' fortune. Remember to help me out and make me the


    director of the PR Department," Brooklyn said.


    "You must be dreaming. I have no say in anything. He calls the shots." Cordelia remembered how


    Brenda''s resume was rejected because she had spoken out of turn.


    "Regardless, I''ll stick with you."


    "By the way, do my dark circles look bad?" Cordelia lifted her head, pointing at her under-eye area, and


    asking Brooklyn.


    "Not really. Why? Is it because you''re too tired from... you know... bed activities?" Brooklyn asked


    casually.


    "Stop talking nonsense." Even though Brooklyn was just joking, Cordelia still felt a bit embarrassed.


    Usually, "too tired from bed activities" was something said about middle-aged men. It was


    embarrassing to have it said about her at such a young age.


    "Do you want to go with me to buy some under-eye cream this afternoon?" Cordelia asked Brooklyn.


    "You should make Ronan go with you. He''s the reason you have them. Why is he acting like nothing''s


    wrong? What if your dark circles get worse?" Brooklyn told Cordelia.


    Cordelia felt that although Brooklyn''s words were pretty subtle, they were also super sharp.

 Chapter 145

    Chapter 145


    Shelley was about to be discharged from the hospital.


    Lately, Cordelia had been tidying up the house after work every day. Ever since Adrian moved out, the


    house suddenly felt empty.


    She also cleaned her room thoroughly, covering her bed with floral sheets. In this small bedroom, the


    tranquil lighting reminded Cordelia of all the time she had spent here.


    About twenty dayster, Shelley was discharged from the hospital. Cordelia hired a caregiver to take


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    care of her mom.


    "My mom''s getting discharged, so I''m thinking of going home to keep herpany for a while.


    Grandpa should be okay, right?" Cordelia asked Ronan in their bedroom one day.


    "How long will you be gone?" Ronan asked, looking at her.


    "I''m not quite sure. My mom needs some time to adjust, and I''m not entirelyfortable with the


    caregiver I just hired."


    "Then go, call me if you need anything."


    Cordelia responded with a "sure," then picked up her backpack, dragged her suitcase, and prepared to


    leave the bedroom.


    "Cordelia," Ronan called her from behind.


    "Hmm?" Cordelia turned to look at him.


    Slowly, Ronan approached her, pushed her against the wall, and kissed her. They rarely kissed


    standing up like this, and Cordelia''s body was filled with passion.


    "Can I leave?" Cordelia said.


    "Go."


    Ronan didn''t even see her off. He always thought it was a matter of time before they parted, so why not


    now?


    After saying goodbye to Barney downstairs, Cordelia left. The house suddenly became quiet.


    Cordelia returned to her old house as if she had traveled back in time to six years ago. Her mom still


    had difficulty moving around and needed to be in a wheelchair for some time. asionally, Cordelia


    wouldy on her mom''s legs like a little girl, and her mom would stroke her hair and chat with her.


    "Mom," Cordelia called.


    "Hmm?"


    Actually, Cordelia didn''t have anything to say, she just wanted to hear her mom''s response. Whenever


    her mom answered her, tears would fall from Cordelia''s eyes.


    "Doesn''t Ronan miss you after you left?" Shelley asked Cordelia.


    "I don''t know." It had been seven or eight days since Cordeliast saw him. After all, they were superior


    and subordinate, and their statuses were vastly different, so it was normal not to see each other often


    in thepany.


    After work, they rarely texted each other on Messenger, unless it was something really important.


    Ever since Cordelia joined the Audit Department, she quit Lumos Star and stopped attending training


    sessions. She just wanted to be a professional ountant, not a manager.


    "How did you meet Ronan?" Her mom asked Cordelia.


    "Lumos Enterprises is the biggestpany in Millstone. I met him when I went for an interview. Mom,


    don''t tell him about dad''s cornea." Cordelia emphasized again. She didn''t know why she didn''t want to


    tell him. Maybe because if she did, it would be like holding him hostage, and making him hesitate about


    ever wanting a divorce.


    A favor was a favor, love was love, and Cordelia understood the difference clearly. She didn''t know how


    their rtionship would change if Ronan found out about it.


    Shelley seemed a little ufortable. She hesitated and nodded. "Then how did you guys start


    dating? I mean, someone of his status would usually be with a..."


    Upon hearing this, Cordelia knew that her mom was doubting her marriage. After all, it wasmon for


    women to "marry" handsome, wealthy men for their money.


    "Mom, I am really good-looking, you know that, right? We started dating during a team-building event


    and got married not long ago. Besides, he''s a good person." Cordelia couldn''t help but defend herself.


    "Hmm."


    In the evening, as Cordelia went out to throw away the trash and was about to go upstairs, she saw a


    car parked downstairs. Could it be Ronan''s Maybach?


    Cordelia lingered there for a while, then she turned and headed to the pharmacy. Just in case.


    When Cordelia came back home, she saw Ronan sitting next to her mom. They seemed to be getting


    along well.


    "Ronan came to see you," Shelley said.


    "You''re here after several days?" Cordelia thought to herself, but this was also for her mom to see, to


    let her know that they were actually very much in love.


    "You should care about your husband. Send a message to check on him." Ronan was sitting on the


    sofa. He looked at Cordelia, his eyes filled with deep emotions.


    "Have you been okay these past few days?" Cordelia asked him as if she had just learned "how to care


    about someone."


    "I was on a business trip."


    Seeing that he was ying along so well, Cordelia couldn''t help butugh. "Oh, you were on a


    business trip?"


    "I didn''t actually go on a business trip. So you really don''t know that you don''t care about me." Ronan


    expressed his dissatisfaction to Cordelia.


    "I''ve been really busy! Besides, no news is good news, right?" Cordelia defended herself.


    During this time, she took care of her mom every morning, rushed to thepany, came home in the


    afternoon to do housework, and didn''t hear anything from Ronan.


    Thest time Ronan came, this house was a mess, cluttered with stuff, like a warehouse. This time it


    was different, everything was neat and tidy, showing how much effort Cordelia had put in.


    The house wasn''t big, and much smallerpared to Pearl Palms. They could even hear echoes


    when they talked.


    Cordelia thought their conversation was heartwarming and ordinary.


    Suddenly, Shelley felt like a third wheel. She smiled and said, "You guys chat, I''m going to bed."


    The caregiver then wheeled Shelley into her room. Only Cordelia and Ronan were left in the room, and


    they fell silent.


    Cordelia went to wash her face and checked her dark circles in the mirror. They weren''t as severe now,


    basically back to normal.


    It showed that what skincare products you use was secondary. The most important thing was to take


    care of yourself - not staying upte.

 Chapter 146

    Chapter 146


    Cordelia just bounced out of the bathroom when Ronan swooped her up in his arms, making a beeline


    for her bedroom. Her heart kicked it into high gear. Ronan pecked her chest before booting the door


    shut behind him. He gentlyid Cordelia on the bed, his body pressing down on hers.


    "I''ve got dark circles under my eyes," Cordelia managed to say beneath him.


    "So?" Ronan stared at her, panting pretty hard.


    "Don''t keep me up all night, every night. I''ve got work to do," she told him.


    "I didn''t bring any condoms," Ronan whispered into her ear, making her tingle all over.


    He was thinking that even if she got pregnant, it wouldn''t be the end of the world. He had no intention


    of ending this marriage. He''d made peace with the fact!


    "I did." And with that, Cordelia pulled out a box of condoms from her pocket. She''d just bought it from


    the pharmacy.


    Ronan looked at her, a smirk ying on his lips. "I thought you weren''t up for it. Looks like you''re ready


    to rumble."


    "But don''t keep me up toote," Cordelia pleaded with him.


    Ronan turned off the light.


    Cordelia''s bed was one of those old wooden ones that had seen better days. It wasn''t exactly stable


    and kept rocking.


    The bed was much smaller than the one at Ronan''s ce, but it made them closer to each other.


    Cordelia could even smell the scent of Ronan''s sweat, that intoxicating pheromone smell. It made her


    heart race and her cheeks flush.


    After they were done, Cordelia''s heart was hammering in her chest, making it even harder for her to fall


    asleep.


    The room felt stuffy, so she got up and walked over to the window. The lights were off, so no one


    outside could see in. She didn''t bother to get dressed; she just pulled back the curtains.


    The moment the moonlight flooded in, Ronan saw a beautiful silhouette, curvy, slim waist, and long


    legs. His heart started racing.


    "Looks like there''s an upside to having a small room," Ronan said.


    The distance between the bed and the window in the vi was pretty wide. Ronan had had other


    flutters of excitement before, but this was something new.


    "What?" Cordelia said, propped up against the headboard, unable to sleep.


    Ronan moved in closer. "Your apartment is pretty sweet."


    "My mom loves it too. My dad was an engineer at a factory and this was thepany apartment. They


    lived here for all those years. My brother wasn''t born here, though. I think I..." Cordelia suddenly


    stopped. Her mother had never mentioned her birth.


    Back then, her brother had just started middle school and could onlye home once a month. Then


    one time, he came home to find a new addition to the family, Cordelia.


    "And then?" Ronan probed.


    "Then what?" Cordelia turned to look at Ronan. He had his hands behind his head, eyes closed,


    snuggled up against her.


    "Your dad."


    "My dad?" Cordelia thought, ¡°Had he figured something out?¡± But then she thought, she and her mom


    hadn''t said anything. How could he possibly know?


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    So Cordelia continued, "My dad felt that his factory sry wasn''t enough to make ends meet, so he


    found another job as a project manager. Then he had an ident. Let''s not talk about it anymore."


    Ronan didn''t say anything else. His heart was filled withplex feelings for Cordelia. He couldn''t tell if


    it was love that was in the driver''s seat, gratitude, or resentment towards her.


    The next morning, the housekeeper made breakfast.


    "The house is a bit simple. Don''t mind it, Ronan," Shelley told Ronan.


    "It''s fine," Ronan replied nonchntly.


    Cordelia thought to herself, ¡°He seems to get along pretty well with mom. There seemed to be an


    unspoken understanding between them.¡±

 Chapter 147

    Chapter 147


    In the morning, Cordelia and Ronan headed to the office together.


    Around eleven, Ronan swung by the Audit Department. Since the Audit Department had those see-


    through ss doors, Cordelia spotted him the moment he showed up.


    His gaze seemed to slide unconsciously towards Cordelia''s office. And Cordelia, instinctively, shielded


    her profile from his view.


    Cordelia saw Wyatt and Ronan leaving the building together. When it came to upper management


    affairs, Cordelia had no say.


    Ronan had called Wyatt to interview the new CFO. After the interview, Ronan returned to his office to


    find Deanna sitting there.


    "Didn''t lock the door, did I?" Ronan frowned slightly.


    This remark made Deanna ufortable. Was she someone that needed to be guarded against in


    Ronan''s eyes?


    "How''s your grandpa''s health, Ronan?" Deanna asked, putting on a show of concern.


    "How did you know he was sick?" Ronan responded, his expression was nothing but cold disdain


    towards Deanna. However, Deanna remained oblivious.


    She believed that over the years, Ronan''s attitude towards her hadn''t changed, so she had just been


    too willful and went abroad. Now, all she needed to do was win back Ronan¡¯s heart. His marriage to


    Cordelia was merely a contractual agreement, and once Barney passed away, the agreement would


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    end.


    "I called Grandpa a few days ago when I was out of town shooting a movie and asked about his health.


    That''s when he told me he was sick." Deanna had actually called to probe whether Barney had passed


    away.


    Turned out, he was still kicking.


    "Really? That''s good. The doctor is quite skilled," Ronan responded coldly.


    "I do hope Grandpa stays healthy, but thinking about your marriage agreement with Cordelia, I just..."


    Deanna started crying, acting like she was regretting her past recklessness. If she hadn''t been so


    impulsive, Ronan wouldn''t have had to suffer this way.


    Ronan looked at her, recalling the past. Five years ago, he had set a trap for himself. He was in debt of


    several billions of dors and was on the brink of bankruptcy. He thought Deanna, who loved him so


    much, would stick with him through thick and thin. But she had left to go abroad, iming her acting


    skills were ¡°not up to par¡±¡­


    It was onlyst year, when she found out Ronan was the wealthiest man in Millstone that she returned.


    That was when Ronan realized that she was not to be trusted. Not to mention, now he knew her true


    colors.


    But as Grandpa said, even if Deanna was guilty, it would just be attempted murder, and if convicted,


    the sentence would be light.


    Ronan decided, one day, he would make her pay for her crime of attempted murder!


    "Are you going home tonight?" Deanna asked him.


    "My wife is staying at her mom''s for a few days, so I''m going there too." Ronan said, puffing on his


    cigarette, his gaze fixed on Deanna.


    "Has Cordelia''s mother woken up?" Deanna suddenly seemed anxious, and the moment Ronan called


    Cordelia wife, she felt very displeased.


    "Yes, she''s awake, but she can''t speak yet," Ronan added.


    Hearing this, Deanna looked slightly relieved. If she couldn''t speak, that was eptable. She wasn''t


    sure how much Shelley knew about the past. Maybe she knew nothing at all?


    She had a hunch that the past was about to catch up with her.


    "I think, maybe with some therapy, she''ll be able to speak," Deanna said deliberately.


    "Maybe. Anyway, I need to get back to work,." Ronan said.


    "Alright, I''ll leave now. I just came to ask about Grandpa''s health."


    Ronan had no idea that before he had arrived, Deanna had slipped a USB drive into his bag.


    Ronan mentioned that he was going to Cordelia''s house that afternoon. Around four in the afternoon,


    Cordelia received a call from Deanna.


    "Cordelia, I left a USB drive in Ronan''s bag, could you help me find it? It has some really important stuff


    on it. Ronan can''t know, okay? Cordelia?" Deanna pleaded.


    "How did your USB drive end up in his bag?" Cordelia asked, taken aback.


    Deanna had deceived her many times before, so Cordelia had to be careful.


    "Oh, never mind that. After all, your marriage to him is just a contract. I won''t hide anything from you,"


    Deanna said.


    After the call, Cordelia was so angry she almost hung up the phone.

 Chapter 148

    Chapter 148


    Cordelia reckoned that Deanna was trying to stir her curiosity with the sh drive, hoping she would


    sneak a peek. She could guess what was inside, definitely intimate photos of her and Ronan from back


    in the day, maybe even some saucy ones of them in bed, all to stir up some drama between them. But


    Cordelia was having none of it.


    When she clocked out, she spilled the beans to Ronan.


    "You''re really not gonna look?" Ronan asked her.


    "It''s all water under the bridge, nothing worth seeing. I''m not interested." Cordelia replied, her gaze


    drifting outside the window, seemingly uninterested in Ronan.


    Ronan''s cell started buzzing, and he picked it up. Cordelia heard him talk about having HR clear out an


    office for some onboarding.


    "Got a new recruit?" Cordelia asked Ronan after he hung up.


    "Yep, CFO."


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "Who''s the new CFO?" Cordelia asked again.


    "A buddy of mine, Emerson. He''s a top gun from the University of Chicago''s finance department."


    Cordelia was bummed to hear Brenda was out of the running.


    "ying favorites, are we?" Cordelia couldn''t help showing some resentment.


    "So, if I picked Brenda, that wouldn''t be ying favorites?" Ronan fired back.


    Cordelia was silent, her thoughts seen right through.


    "I didn''t say anything," was all Cordelia could say. She felt somewhat guilty about Brenda losing her


    job.


    "You''re not crashing at the mansion tonight?" Cordelia asked, "Aren''t you worried about your grandpa?"


    "Are you trying to rush me out, or threaten me?"


    "Like I could threaten you," Cordelia scoffed. She used to know little about Ronan and rarely saw him


    at thepany, knowing only that he was the big cheese. Seeing his style and determination now, she


    knew she had to tread carefully.


    Ronan drove off to Shelley''s ce. He found himself missing Cordelia''s flower-printed sheets, and


    missing her silhouette when she opened the window.


    After some silence, Cordelia''s cell rang a few times. She checked it and saw a shocking message from


    Brenda. It was a bunch of photos, probably screenshots from videos. Jamie and Manda, stark naked,


    doing the dirty right in the office...


    Cordelia was taken aback. She felt like she had screwed over Jamie, who was a promising young man.


    Cordelia clutched her phone, her hand going white and trembling slightly.


    [See what Manda''s done? That bitch ruined the most promising ountant at Millstone.] Brenda


    messaged Cordelia.


    The feud between Brenda and Manda was old news.


    [Manda must''ve done something to Jamie. She''s gonna wreck PrimeNumbers ounting entirely!]


    Cordelia chose to stay silent, worried that Ronan might tease her if she said anything. She felt like a


    sinner, pushing Jamie into the abyss.


    Once home, Cordelia looked sickly pale.


    "What''s up, De? Feeling alright?" Shelley asked Cordelia.


    "No worries, I''ll just lie down for a bit," Cordelia replied before shutting and locking her bedroom door,


    not caring about Ronan still outside. Once the door was shut, she cried, filled with guilt and remorse.


    The maid was cooking in the kitchen, leaving just Shelley and Ronan in the living room.


    "You didn''t have to do that, De''s dad didn''t want you to know because it makes us seem like we''re


    mooching off you," Shelley said, referring to Ronan giving Adrian a house. She had already made


    Cordelia return the house he had given her.


    "It''s only right," Ronan replied casually, sitting on the couch. "If Adrian steps out of line, I can just take


    the house back. It''s under me and Cordelia''s name anyway."


    "What''s up with De? Did something happen?" Shelley nced at Cordelia''s locked door. "Girls can


    be hard to read. Please be understanding with her. If De''s giving you a hard time, tell me. I''ll sort her


    out."


    "I got it."


    "I had time today, so I had the maid push me to get you guys some amulets," Shelley said, taking out


    two small boxes from a drawer and handing them to Ronan.


    "You believe in this stuff?" Ronan chuckled.


    "Yep, it''s just for fun. Yours is for sess, De''s is for peace and joy. They''re pretty, and just perfect."


    Shelley exined. "De hasn''te out, and I''m worried I''ll forget, so why don''t you hold on to hers?"


    Ronan put both amulets in his bag. He remembered what Deanna said and felt the side of his bag,


    there really was a sh drive.


    He was staying at Cordelia''s tonight, so he obviously couldn''t watch it.

 Chapter 149

    Chapter 149


    Cordelia didn''te out for dinner all night, nor did she open the door for Ronan. She was worried that


    Ronan would notice her mood swings and start asking questions. He was a smart cookie, figuring out


    the truth wouldn''t be hard for him.


    If Ronan found out she was upset because of Jamie, who knew what he''d do. He once made Jamie


    grovel before him, for buying clothes for her, only to humiliate Jamie afterwards.


    So when Ronan knocked on the door and said, "Cordelia, if you don''t open the door, I''m heading back


    to the mansion." She responded immediately, "Go ahead!"


    Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    His pride took a hit from the curt response of his wife. He gave Shelley an awkward smile.


    "Well, I''m off then." Ronan was a man of status. Being led by the nose by a girl was already


    embarrassing. If he stuck around any longer, it would be even more humiliating. He took his keys and


    left.


    After Ronan left, Shelley knocked on Cordelia''s door, asking what was wrong. Cordelia replied, "I''m


    fine, you should get some sleep."


    Shelley reluctantly went to her bedroom. Before leaving, she told Cordelia, "You should try to sweet-talk


    Ronan tomorrow. Men need to be pampered too."


    Cordelia just responded with, "Mmhm."


    She absent-mindedly fiddled with her phone, trying to calm her emotions. Sending Jamie a message


    now would be inappropriate. As for this whole situation, it was best to y dumb.


    ...


    Ronan went back to Pearl Palms. His grandpa asked him, "Weren''t you staying over at De''s ce for


    the next few days? Why are you back? How''s De''s mom?"


    "She''s fine. I just missed you. That''s all," Ronan said as he headed upstairs.


    "Save it. You''ve got cameras in my room and a doctor on call 24/7. What more do you need to feel


    secure?"


    "All those are just precautionary measures, I still worry about your health." With that, Ronan went


    upstairs.


    Coming home tonight wasn''t just because Cordelia didn''t want him around, but also because he was


    concerned about the content on the USB. He feared trouble coulde in the dead silence of the


    night.


    After showering, he turned on hisptop and plugged in the USB. On it was a long video, chronicling


    his early days of entrepreneurship.


    In the video, he had justpleted surgery and was having a heated conversation with a project


    manager who didn''t meet the deadline. He lost his temper, and was furious, and after his outburst, he


    grabbed an ashtray and threw it at the project manager, whose forehead was bleeding.


    Ronan snorted, "Deanna!"


    The video file was toorge to be sent via Messenger.


    Deanna had to call Cordelia, hinting at a secret affair with Ronan, and then slipped the USB into his


    personal bag.


    Plus, the identity of the project manager was very sensitive. Deanna knew Cordelia''s father was a


    project manager and aimed to make Cordelia empathize and despise him, the capitalist, through this


    video. If Ronan watched the video, it wouldn''t matter much to Deanna. She believed Ronan was still


    unaware of the cornea transnt and even less likely to know where the "poison" in the video was.


    He dialed Deanna, "What''s the meaning of sending this video to Cordelia?"


    "Huh? You saw it? I was supposed to send the video of you being selected as one of the top ten


    outstanding youths. Did I send the wrong one?" Deanna responded.


    Ronan hung up. He decided to tell Deanna in the most straightforward manner that he was aware of


    her secret. He wanted her to stop her behind-the-scenes maneuvers.


    Ronanpletely destroyed the USB.

 Chapter 150

    Chapter 150


    The next day, Cordelia seemed to have gotten a hold of herself.


    "De, listen to me, treat Ronan well. You guys seem to have hit it off, and that doesn''te easy,"


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Shelley said while serving food to Cordelia.


    "Hit it off? Really?" Cordelia found it ironic. Was it because they had slept together?


    Shelley paused. "Why would you sleep together if you didn''t hit it off?¡±


    "Fair point," Cordelia responded half-heartedly. She knew their rtionship was on borrowed time


    anyway.


    "Oh, by the way, De, I got two amulets from a fortune teller for you and Ronan. You didn¡¯t wake up


    yesterday, so I gave them both to Ronan. Don''t forget to ask for yours," Shelley said. "In a rtionship,


    not only should the man give, but the woman also. Only then can you stay together for a long time."


    "Is that how you and Dad were?" Cordelia asked her mom.


    Shelley''s eyes dimmed. Cordelia realized that she might have said something wrong.


    "Oh, by the way, De, does Ronan have any ns for the Halloween?" Shelley asked carefully.


    Cordelia was now Ronan''s wife and had to respect his ns.


    "Not yet, why?"


    "If he doesn¡¯t have any ns, I¡¯d like you to apany me to Roseville."


    Cordelia didn''t respond. She didn''t want to go, but she knew her mom would go anyway. So, she had


    no choice but to agree.


    Cordelia''s grandmother lived in Roseville. She had been living with Cordelia''s uncle Ronald, a bus


    driver in Roseville. Ronald''s wife, Sienna, was a stay-at-home mom. When Shelley''s medical bills ran


    out, Cordelia tried to borrow money from Ronald. But Sienna shut the door on her, saying, "In today''s


    society, we can help if you need it temporarily, but we can''t help those who need long-term care. It''s a


    bottomless pit. Besides, Ronald and I don''t have any savings. You should ask someone else for help."


    Sienna had shut Cordelia out and cut off contact.


    Even though her grandmother was bedridden, Cordelia knew that Sienna would only see her visit as an


    attempt to borrow money. So, for the past three years, Cordelia hadn''t been to Roseville or seen her


    grandmother.


    Especially since Sienna had a cousin, Samantha, who was the same age as Cordelia and loved to


    In short, if Cordelia didn''t have something, Samantha would make sure she did. If Cordelia had


    something, Samantha would strive to have it better. As Cordelia grew up to be much more beautiful


    than Samantha, Samantha''s jealousy intensified.


    After cutting off contact with Ronald''s family, Cordelia no longer had to deal with Samantha''s stinginess


    and jealousy.


    "During the holiday, Judy will be taking a break and go home. It''s inconvenient for me to take the bus.


    Can you help me?" Shelley asked.


    "Sure, I''ll talk to Ronan and see if he can arrange something," Cordelia agreed reluctantly.


    Being married to the wealthy Ronan didn''t change the fact that her mother still had to take the bus,


    which puzzled her.


    "This might be a hassle for Ronan. He''s already done a lot for me." Her mother seemed nervous.


    Cordelia couldn''t help butugh. ¡°What¡¯s the big deal? He¡¯s your son-inw.¡±


    Shelley just sighed.


    Cordelia thought to herself, deciding that she would talk to Ronan about it after work.


    At work, Cordelia texted Ronan. [Where''s the stuff my mom got for me from the fortune teller? I want to


    pick it up.]


    He replied. [Aren''t you going to apologize first?]


    Recalling her mother''s words, Cordelia texted back. [Honey, I was wrong for not opening the door for


    you. But I was really upset yesterday, and it wasn''t about you. I promise to open the door for you next


    time.]


    [Open the door tonight.]


    Cordelia didn''t think much of his response. But she knew Ronan loved to tease. Whenever he said,


    "the door is wide open" at night, she would blush.


    [I won''t open it. Don''te in.] Cordelia yfully texted back.


    [That''s not up to you.]


    Their messages were filled with a flirtatiousness that others wouldn''t understand.


    [The amulets from the fortune teller are in my bag. Go to my office and get it.]


    [Aren''t you in your office?]


    [In a meeting.]


    Cordelia didn''t ask what meeting he was in and headed to his office. When she found his bag and took


    out the items, theputer suddenly beeped several times. She didn''t pay any mind and continued to


    look through his bag.


    As she was about to leave, some pictures caught her eye. She saw intimate photos of Jamie and


    Manda. What shocked her even more was that Adrian sent these messages.


    Cordelia was speechless, thinking, ¡°Didn''t Ronan hate Adrian? Since when did Adrian start texting


    him?¡±


    After Adrian sent out these photos, he bragged, "What do you think? This juicy gossip is gonna spread


    like wildfire soon. I''ve already put it on all the major headlines."


    "Adrian, they''re already together. You did say you''d stop at nothing."


    Cordelia was shocked, and her mind was a mess. So... it was all set up by Manda and Adrian. And her


    brother Adriandid it just because of Ronan''s "no-holds-barred" request.


    She knew her brother''s character well. If there was profit to be made, he wouldn''t hesitate. Maybe it


    was because Ronan gave him a four-bedroom apartment, he thought it was a great opportunity.


    This also exined why Ronan gave Adrian the house. Back then, Adrian was causing a lot of trouble


    in thepany. Ronan saw it and thought it would be better to have Adrian on his side rather than let


    the situation continue.


    Cordelia thought Ronan was very maniptive. She stood in Ronan''s office, tears streaming down her


    face.


    She finally realized that she was the one who hurt Jamie. Her sympathy for Jamie deepened.

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    Chapter 151


    Ronan strolled in. One hand tucked in his pocket, he was here to pick up some documents from the


    office.


    The meeting was about restructuring the Finance Department, requiring the cooperation of other


    departments. Apart from the restructuring, they also needed to address the issues left over from


    Jordan''s term and prepare next year''s budget. Today''s meeting could runte into the night.


    He saw Cordelia standing in front of his desk, tears streaming down her face.


    ¡°What¡¯s up? Your man hasn¡¯t kicked the bucket, why the waterworks?¡± He walked over to Cordelia,


    cing a hand on her shoulder.


    Cordelia pushed him away forcefully. ¡°So, you¡¯re the one behind it,¡± said Cordelia.


    At first, when Ronan heard ¡°it," he thought Deanna hadpressed the video and sent it to Cordelia.


    "Yeah, I did it, so what?" Ronan didn''t appreciate the tone Cordelia was using.


    "I can''t believe you''re such a scumbag!"


    "What now?" Ronan said, heading to his desk to pick up the documents. He nced at hisputer


    screen and saw a message from Adrian.


    Cordelia had sent him a message a while ago, but he had just walked into the meeting room and hadn''t


    checked his phone, so he had no idea Adrian had messaged him.


    He sneered at Cordelia, "So, you''re not crying over me after all."


    "Why? Why did you do it? What did he ever do to you! Is liking me a crime? Nothing happened


    between us!" Cordelia shouted hoarsely.


    "I just can''t stand his face!" Ronan curled his lips.


    "Do you n to ruin everyone you dislike?" Cordelia was on the verge of breaking down. What on earth


    did Jamie do wrong!


    Ronan clenched his jaw, the veins in his temples throbbing. "Stop your sob story about him in front of


    me!" Ronan was furious.


    "You ruined him!" Cordelia said. Even if Ronan disliked Jamie, he shouldn''t have used such despicable


    means.


    "Does it hurt to see him like this?" Ronan asked her coldly.


    Cordelia had no reply.


    "Let''s get a divorce!" Cordelia gathered her emotions and said. "I don''t want to be with someone as


    maniptive as you."


    Everything that happened made her realize how calcting and terrifying Ronan was. Also, Ronan only


    seemed to find out about what Adrian did after ncing at the screen. Maybe his previous answers


    weren''t about the same thing Cordelia was talking about.


    So, what was he actually answering? How many things had he done that Cordelia hadn''t seen?


    Now, she was being med for getting her benefactor in trouble. Maybe one day he''d sell her off and


    she''d even help him count the money!


    "Divorce?" Ronan looked at her coldly. "You only cared about the money when we got married, now


    what? Demanding emotions? Divorce because I can''t meet your demands?"


    Cordelia didn''t reply and just held her head high stubbornly. Everything before had misled her into


    thinking he cared for her.


    "We can divorce after your mom''s fully recovered but don''t forget, I have the final say!" said Ronan.


    Cordelia had nothing to say. She had no idea her mom had recovered so quickly. Most importantly,


    there was still his grandfather.


    Ronan picked up the documents, grabbed Cordelia''s chin tightly, and said, "I have a meeting now.


    You''d better reflect on your actions."


    With that, he left.


    Reflect? Cordelia didn''t know what she should reflect on. All she knew was that she couldn''t ept the


    way Ronan treated Jamie.


    What about his future? If Jamie reported Ronan, the police would definitely investigate.


    Ronan was gone. He hated seeing Cordelia so upset over Jamie.


    Even though he had been suppressing Jamie, it was clear that Cordelia''s sympathy for Jamie was


    growing. This made Ronan feel uneasy.


    And Adrian, why did he have to message at this time? Cordelia saw it!


    In his office, Cordelia couldn''t stand to stay a moment longer. After calming herself down, she returned


    to the Audit Department.


    All day, Cordelia was distracted. Mna had to call her several times to discuss work, and Cordelia''s


    responses were vague.


    "We''re about to receive an award. Why are you so down?" Mna said to Cordelia.


    "An award? For what?" Cordelia only slightly returned to her senses.


    "Our Audit Departmentpletely exposed the Finance Department. Mr. Evans has been wanting to


    deal with Jordan for a long time. Now that it''s finally done, quick and ruthless, of course, he wants to


    reward our whole Audit Department, probably after Halloween." Mna exined while sorting out the


    documents.


    Cordelia was stunned. Everyone in the Audit Department was so cunning, at least Ronan had been


    nning to deal with Jordan for a long time, and she had no idea.


    ...


    After doing this, Adrian felt like he had done Ronan a massive favor. With Jamie and Manda out of the


    picture, there was no chance for Jamie and Cordelia, and Ronan should have no more worries.


    Today''s events gave Adrian bragging rights on Facebook.


    Adrian sent a message to the family group chat. [I have good connections at Lumos Enterprises.


    Anyone looking for a job, let me know.]


    Many people saw this message, Ronald, Samantha, and some other cousins, about ten people in total.


    The reason why Cordelia wasn''t in the group was that she didn''t have a cell phone when the group was


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    created. After she got a phone, she had already cut off contact with her grandmother''s family, so


    naturally, no one added her.


    In this group chat, it was usually just a few cousins bragging about their job promotions, and raises,


    making Adrian feel inferior.


    But this time, he finally had something to show off, Lumos Enterprises, a well-known big business.


    [Adrian, you know someone at Lumos Enterprises?] Adrian didn¡¯t expect anyone to actually ask. The


    one asking was Adrian''s cousin, Samantha.


    [Yeah. And it''s no ordinary person I know.]


    [Let''s talk privately.]


    Then Samantha started a private chat with Adrian.


    Samantha didn''t do well in her high school, so she chose to study Marketing at an out-of-town


    university. After graduation, without any connections or particr advantages, she ended up working


    as a salesperson in a paper mill in Roseville.


    Samantha had bigger aspirations, not willing to settle for a humdrum life in Roseville, but she had no


    leads to a life in the big city.


    [I want to work in the sales department at Lumos Enterprises. Do you know anyone there? Can you put


    in a word for me?] Samantha asked.


    [Sales? No problem. I¡¯ll get back to you. Oh, and you can''t let Cordelia know about your job hunt.]


    Samantha knew Adrian and Cordelia had been at odds since they were kids. She replied. [Don''t worry


    Adrian. Oh, where will I stay when I get to Millstone?]


    [You can stay at my ce. I just bought a new house. Cordelia and my mom are still in the old one.]


    Thinking about her impending move to Millstone for work, Samantha was beyond excited. Plus, she


    was sure Cordelia''s life couldn¡¯t be better than Adrian¡¯s; she probably didn¡¯t even have a new house.

 Chapter 152

    Chapter 152


    Ronan impatiently lit a cigarette during the meeting. Sensing Ronan''s bad mood, Emerson asked,


    "Ronan, should we postpone the meeting until tomorrow?"


    "No need, let''s continue," Ronan replied.


    Emerson continued exining the Finance Department''s restructuring n and how it would affect


    other departments.


    By the end of the day, the entirepany knew about the argument between Cordelia and Ronan.


    Cordelia''s voice was particrly loud, so colleagues said Cordelia threatened to divorce Ronan. No


    one knew the specifics of the threat.


    Cordelia was the first person in thepany''s history to argue loudly with Ronan in the CEO''s office.


    Brooklyn sent a message. [Cordelia, you really have the guts to argue with Mr. Evans. If he gets really


    angry and decides to divorce you, what will you do?]


    Cordelia was busy working and didn''t reply. She thought to herself that her divorce from Ronan was


    inevitable anyway.


    But just before leaving work, Cordelia suddenly realized that she needed someone to apany her


    and her mother back to Roseville. Ronan was definitely not an option, so she had to find someone else.


    She messaged Brooklyn. [Brooklyn, do you have any ns for Halloween?]


    Brooklyn replied. [Nothing special, probably just watching TV dramas at home. There''s been no


    progress between Edwin and me. It feels like his heart is frozen, and I can''t get through. I can''t find an


    excuse to go on a date with him either.] Brooklyn also sent a crying emoji.


    Cordelia replied. [For the Halloween, my mother wants me to apany her to Roseville, my


    grandmother''s house. But my mother has trouble with her legs and can''t make it to the bus station on


    her own. Can you ask Edwin...?]


    Cordelia originally wanted to ask Brooklyn to be her driver because she couldn''t drive. But seeing that


    there was no progress between Brooklyn and Edwin, Cordelia made this request, hoping to find an


    opportunity to help them connect.


    Brooklyn replied, [I understand. I''ll ask him. It''s only natural for me to apany you and your mother


    since she has trouble with her legs.]


    At the end of the workday, Cordelia and Brooklyn walked and discussed their ns for going to


    Roseville. They reached the entrance hall. Coincidentally, Ronan''s car passed by thepany


    entrance with Emerson in it.


    Emerson was Ronan''s employee, and after work, they usually went for a drink.


    Ronan saw Cordelia at the entrance and then shifted his gaze, closing his eyes briefly.


    Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    Emerson couldn''t help but ask, "Hmm, Mr. Evans, have I seen that girl somewhere?"


    Ronan followed Emerson''s line of sight and looked at Cordelia again. He said, unsure of what she was


    talking to Brooklyn about, "I think her name is Cordelia."


    "Oh, she''s your..." Emerson felt awkward. "I almost got misled by you. Isn''t she going home with you?"


    "No, she''s going to her mother''s ce." The car passed by, and Ronan saw Cordelia waiting for the


    bus. Her brows were furrowed the whole time.


    Ronan sneered in his heart. She was probably feeling upset and worried about Jamie.


    With that thought, Ronan sent a message to Adrian. [Has Jamie''s news been released?]


    Ronan''s phone rang a few times. Adrian replied. [It has been released and will hit the headlines soon.]


    [Also, are there any vacancies in the sales department?]


    Ronan smiled. Adrian probably thought he had done him a favor and would start asking for conditions.


    But since Adrian had just helped him, Ronan naturally wanted to repay him. He had learned Adrian''s


    self-interest well.


    [There are.]


    Ronan knew that Adrian''s friend had low qualifications, and he probably just wanted a grassroots sales


    position. Such positions had vacancies every day.


    [Well, I have a rtive named Samantha. She currently works in sales at the Roseville Paper Mill and


    wants to work at Lumos Enterprises. Can you help arrange it? We''re family, after all.]


    [Sure. Have her start after Halloween.]


    [No interview needed?]


    [Not necessary.]


    [Then, after Halloween, I''ll have here to Millstone.]


    [Alright.]

 Chapter 153

    Chapter 153


    Evening.


    Pics of Jamie and Manda getting up-close and personal were spreading like wildfire across major


    media tforms. Of course, all the juicy details were blurred out, because, you know, public decency


    and all that jazz. Even the names in the pics were smudged, leaving only the surnames.


    This hot topic was causing a stir in many social groups Cordelia was part of. Some folks were even


    hunting for unedited, uncensored original pics.


    Cordelia wanted to ring up Jamie to offer somefort. But she knew Jamie must have been feeling


    pretty crummy right now, so she chose to y dumb.


    How could Ronan be so heartless? Just to satisfy his own carnal desires, he struck at others without


    batting an eye. And what was the other thing he identally spilled today?


    The more Cordelia thought about it, the colder she felt. She hadn''t had any exchanges with Ronan in


    the past few days.


    Everyone at work was feeling like they''d been let out of jail.


    On Halloween, Edwin''s car pulled up to Cordelia''s apartment, with Brooklyn in the passenger seat.


    Edwin and Brooklyn helped Shelley into the car.


    Edwin didn''t have deep feelings for Brooklyn, but when he heard it was about Cordelia, he still came.


    Brooklyn was feeling a bit sour.


    As they were nearing Roseville, Shelley patted Cordelia''s hand. ¡°De, when you get to your


    grandma¡¯s, keep it low-key. You know how Samantha is.¡±


    ¡°I got it.¡±This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention that you work at Lumos Enterprises, just say you''re at an average Joepany."


    Shelley was still thinking about what else they should be careful about while patting Cordelia''s hand.


    "I know."


    Thinking about Samantha sent a chill down Cordelia''s spine.


    Years back, the first day after Halloween, Cordelia and her mom went to visit her grandma. Back then,


    Samantha, in her pretty floral dress, asked Cordelia how she did on her English test. Everyone in


    Millstone had the same test, and English was Samantha''s best subject.


    "I didn''t do well on the essay, lost five points, and scored a total of 95," Cordelia answered.


    Samantha''s face turned pale as a ghost, and she ripped up her own test paper and started bawling.


    She scored 90.


    Ronald and Sienna thought Cordelia had upset their precious daughter, looking a bit unhappy. That


    year, it took a gift from Shelley to smooth things over with Samantha.


    Cordelia thought then, ¡°Samantha''s temper is terrible. She''s too possessive, too selfish.¡±


    Looking back and remembering her temper, she and Ronan were like two peas in a pod.


    Ronan''s actions made Cordelia feel suffocated.


    "Oh, also, De, we need toe back tomorrow, and their house probably can''t fit us all. I''ll share a


    bed with your grandma, you..." Shelley nced at Brooklyn and Edwin in the front.


    Brooklyn couldn''t wait to not return tonight.


    "It''s fine, we''ll find a hotel for tonight. De and I will share a room, Edwin will get his own, okay?"


    Brooklyn was sitting in the passenger seat and nced at Edwin beside her.


    Shelley knew this wasn''t ideal, but she hadn''t been back to Roseville for years. She wasn''t sure if


    Ronald''s family was still living in the oldmunity, or if they were still weing. If not, she nned


    to stay at a hotel, which was the worst-case scenario.


    "I can cover your expenses," she told Brooklyn and Edwin.


    "No need. Let''s just treat this like a little trip," Brooklyn responded with excitement.


    "Exactly, I don''t have anything going on these days, so I''ll follow Cordelia''s n," Edwin joined in.


    "De will treat you to a meal when we get to Roseville," Shelley said.


    "Of course," Brooklyn responded seriously, as if she could already see the dining scene.


    Two and a half hourster, they arrived at the oldmunity in Roseville. Brooklyn and Edwin drove off


    to find a hotel, leaving Shelley and Cordelia.


    "De, I think you might have to stay at a hotel tonight," Shelley said, noticing Ronald''s family still lived


    in the old house. The three tiny rooms and small living room definitely couldn''t fit them all.


    They knocked on Ronald''s door.


    The door was opened by Samantha.


    "Auntie Shelley, Cordelia? How are you, Auntie Shelley?" Samantha was surprised.


    From her tone, Cordelia couldn''t tell whether she was happy or sad, just indifferent. Samantha gave


    Cordelia a once-over as she walked in.


    After not seeing each other for years, Cordelia had grown even more beautiful!

 Chapter 154

    Chapter 154


    During the Halloween, the buspany didn''t take a break, so Ronald went to work while Sienna


    stayed at home. Just like Samantha, Sienna kept a poker face upon seeing Cordelia and her mom.


    Cordelia was pretty pissed about that, considering her mom had been bedridden for six years.


    Her grandma had a soft spot for her daughter. Upon seeing Shelley, she burst into tears.


    Sienna threw a nce at her grandma. The message in her eyes was clear to Cordelia, talk what you


    need to, but keep your mouth shut if it''s unnecessary.


    Her grandma was dependent on Ronald and Sienna. She was too scared of Sienna to do anything but


    whimpered quietly.


    Shelley noticed that her mom''s bedding was filthy. Choking back tears, Shelley said, "Mom, I''ll wash


    your bedding for you.¡±


    Knowing her mom''s mobility was limited, Cordelia carried all the bedding to the bathroom, ready to put


    it in the washing machine. Just then, Sienna gave her a weird look. ¡°You''re going to use the washing


    machine?¡±


    ¡°Is that wrong?¡±


    ¡°There are traces of urine and feces on her bedding¡­¡± After saying this, Sienna took out a basin from


    the side. ¡°This is the basin she uses.¡±


    To keep her grandma from being upset any longer, Cordelia had no choice but to wash the bedding by


    hand. She spent the entire morning washing. Ronald refused to turn on the heating, so the house was


    freezing cold. Her hands were red and swollen, nearly frostbitten.


    At noon, Sienna cooked three dishes to entertain Cordelia and Shelley.


    ¡°De, have you started working?¡± Sienna asked Cordelia coldly.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°What do you do?¡± Samantha chimed in.


    ¡°I''m just an ordinary ountant in apany,¡± Cordelia recalled her mom''s words and replied lightly.


    Sienna gave a satisfied smile.


    ¡°Our Samantha is working in thergest paper factory in the county.¡±


    ¡°That''s great, promising,¡± Cordelia replied.


    Samantha perceived the insincerity in Cordelia''s words and said, ¡°In a few days, I will be working for


    Lumos Enterprises. Lumos Enterprises is the biggest corporation in Millstone.¡±


    Cordelia paused mid-bite. She was going to Millstone Corporation? She never paid much attention to


    job postings.


    Seeing Cordelia''s stunned expression, Samantha felt even more triumphant. ¡°Surprised, aren''t you? I


    heard that ountants don''t earn much. Us salespeople, on the other hand, are different. We''re paid


    based on our performance, with lots ofmissions,¡± Samantha continued.


    ¡°Yeah, salespeople do make good money,¡± Cordelia replied.


    ¡°Oh, by the way, do you have a boyfriend?¡± Samantha asked Cordelia again.


    People often said that marriage was a woman''s second reincarnation. Cordelia''s life wasn''t going well.


    If she married a rich man, she would have surpassed her. She''d better find a man whose family


    conditions were simr to hers, preferably a freeloader.


    ¡°Yeah, I''m married.¡± Cordelia finished her meal. Sienna''s cooking was hard to swallow, so she only ate


    a few bites.


    Hearing this, Samantha thought, ¡°Cordelia is married?¡±


    ¡°What does your husband do?¡± Samantha asked anxiously.


    ¡°He''s just an ordinary guy, running a small business, making ends meet,¡± Shelley answered sinctly


    to avoid shocking Sienna.


    Samantha looked at Cordelia with puzzled eyes, then at her clothes. Samantha didn¡¯t know much


    about fashion, but she thought Cordelia¡¯s clothes were all of a simple style, not looking like they were


    expensive. This thoughtforted Samantha.


    Moreover, if Cordelia¡¯s husband was rich, he would definitelye and unt their wealth with


    Cordelia. Since he didn¡¯te, he must havecked confidence.


    ¡°Can I stay tonight to apany my mom?¡± Shelley asked Sienna.


    ¡°Of course, but our house is a bit cramped. It might be a bit tight for the three of you,¡± Sienna said, her


    eyes filled with a touch of sarcasm.


    If Shelley''s family was rich, her attitude would certainly be different. Sadly, after six years of illness and


    poverty, the living condition was simply pathetic.


    Hearing Sienna''s words, Cordelia felt upset, but she couldn''t vent her feelings.


    Her grandma''s bed was not big. It would be crowded even for two people, not to mention three.


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    Sienna didn''t suggest that Cordelia and Samantha share a room, and Samantha didn''t express any


    intention to do so.


    ¡°No need, Cordelia can stay in a hotel. She has friends out there,¡± Shelley said.


    ¡°Friends? What kind of friends?¡± Samantha asked curiously. She wondered, Cordelia just said she was


    married. Was that friend her husband?


    ¡°Just a colleague from my work,¡± Cordelia answered casually.


    Sienna thought to herself, ¡°I must follow her tonight and see who it is!¡±


    Perhaps that person was her husband!


    At six in the evening, Ronald came back. His attitude towards Shelley was warm, but just that.


    At seven, Cordelia¡¯s friend Brooklyn sent her the location of the hotel, and she nned to go there.


    Brooklyn had booked an economic hotel quite close to Cordelia¡¯s grandma¡¯s house.


    After Cordelia left, Samantha followed her.

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    Chapter 155


    Once she left Ronald¡¯s house, Cordelia finally breathed a sigh of relief. The atmosphere at her uncle¡¯s


    ce was suffocating.


    As Cordelia slowly walked, she thought about her recent arguments with Ronan, and about Jamie.


    Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    When she passed a 24-hour convenience store, she nced inside and saw someone buying


    cigarettes. It reminded her of Jamie.


    Cordelia waited outside. The man turned around, lighting up a cigarette. Sure enough, it was Jamie. He


    saw Cordelia as well.


    The encounter was a bit awkward. Cordelia felt some guilt towards Jamie, considering he got screwed


    over by Manda because of her.


    ¡°Mr. Colby, what are you doing here?¡± Cordelia asked him.


    ¡°I...I¡¯m here on a business trip,¡± Jamie awkwardly responded.


    Cordelia had a hunch he was hiding out here on purpose.


    Among the many remote suburbs of Millstone, Roseville had the least poption and was the least


    developed economically. She guessed that there would be less gossip here.


    "Mr. Colby, I''m sorry," Cordelia apologized, head low.


    They walked and talked slowly.


    "Why do you always say that? It''s not your fault."


    "Do you know who did this?" Cordelia asked again.


    "I messed things up. It''s probably Manda''s doing. She didn''t have any evidence to threaten me, and


    proving things were tough. I told her that. But this time, I don''t know what got into her. After all this


    happened, she didn''t say anything. It probably fits her agenda." Jamie felt disappointed. "But we


    didn''t..."


    "Didn''t what?"


    Jamie''s voice softened. "I was reminded of you, how you were so determined...how you pricked


    yourself with a needle. The video was maliciously edited."


    Cordelia thought, ¡°He didn''t suspect Adrian, and probably wouldn''t suspect Ronan either.¡±


    Cordelia hated herself. Even at a time like this, she was still thinking about Ronan, wanting to clear his


    name.


    "Oh, why are you in Roseville?" Jamie asked Cordelia.


    "Oh, after my mom woke up, she wanted to visit my grandma. My grandma lives here in Roseville. Her


    ce is small and couldn''t amodate us, so I''m staying in a motel," Cordelia exined.


    Jamie stared at her seriously. "Is it safe for a girl to stay alone in a motel?"


    "Oh, Brooklyn came with me. She''s waiting for me."


    Jamie noticed Cordelia''s red and swollen hand. Instinctively, he held her hand and asked with a


    furrowed brow, "What happened to your hand?"


    "It''s nothing, just from washing clothes for my grandma." Cordelia quickly pulled her hand back.


    Jamie finally nodded in relief. ¡°I¡¯ll walk you there.¡±


    Cordelia nodded in agreement.


    They walked slowly.


    ¡°How¡¯s your test review? Only thest subject left, so don''t ck off. Make sure to review the notes I


    gave you," Jamie advised Cordelia seriously. "Once you pass the test, you''ll be more valuable."


    Cordelia felt encouraged. ¡°I¡¯ve been busytely, and haven¡¯t had much time to review.¡±


    ¡°Strive hard to ace the exam. Lumos Enterprises¡¯ Audit Department is a good ce, a promising


    future."


    Jamie kept praising Lumos Enterprises, which touched Cordelia. She clenched her fist. "Hmm."


    Samantha was watching from afar. The guy who turned his head earlier, didn''t he resemble the man


    from the "office scandal" photo?


    Unfortunately, the streetlight wasn''t bright enough, and she couldn''t see clearly. If it was him, then


    fantastic!


    This would definitely deal a big blow to Cordelia.


    Samantha was excited.


    Suddenly, people started setting off fireworks. Cordelia saw the fireworks and startedughing. "So


    beautiful," she said sincerely.


    "Do you like it?" Jamie asked her.


    "Yes, I love it," Cordelia replied to Jamie.


    "Next year, I''ll be 30. What about you, Cordelia?" Jamie asked, tilting his head to look at Cordelia.


    "Me? I''m 24."


    "I''ll give you a gift for your birthday this year," Jamie said.


    Jamie was not forgetful. He knew that if he gave Cordelia a gift, and if Ronan found out, it could cause


    trouble. But he really wanted to give Cordelia a gift this year. Besides, there was nothing going on


    between them, and they were just teacher-student, friends, so why should he avoid it?


    "No need." Cordelia was startled and quickly waved her hands.


    "Just wait."


    Jamie was happy. Despite what happened, people would soon forget about what happened online.


    Today, in a ce far away from Millstone, he bumped into Cordelia. It was a pleasant surprise.


    Cordelia and Jamie stood there watching the fireworks. The atmosphere between them was romantic.


    Samantha thought, ¡°Was this man apologizing to Cordelia for what he did?¡±


    Only after the fireworks ended did Jamie walk Cordelia to the motel. He specifically went to the front


    desk to check on Cordelia''s registration, and only after seeing that Cordelia was sharing a room with


    Brooklyn, did he leave.


    He stayed at a nearby hotel alone.


    Samantha, seeing Jamie and Cordelia entering the motel, went home as well. She knew Cordelia''s


    secret now!


    Cordelia went to Brooklyn''s room.


    "The people at Ronald''s house are too much. They couldn''t even amodate you," Brooklyn


    "Did I interrupt you two?" Cordelia asked as she applied hand cream.


    "He''s in the other room ying games, nothing exciting," Brooklyn said, a bit annoyed.


    "By the way, do you know about ourpany hiring salespeople?"


    "Aren''t they always hiring for those nasty sales positions?" Brooklyn asked, sprawled on the bed with a


    face mask on.


    "Do they provide amodation?"


    "Nope. Housing''s really tight in thepany. They only give it to the top graduates. Why do you ask?"


    Brooklyn probed.


    "Ronald''s daughter. She said she''s going to our sales department but didn''t mention where she''s going


    to live."


    Brooklyn gently peeled off her face mask. "Just remember, don''t give away your spot in the dorm so


    easily. I won''t ept any other roommates except for you, let alone Ronald''s daughter, whose


    character is seriously questionable."


    "You haven''t even met her! How do you know her character''s bad?" Cordelia couldn''t help butugh.


    "Just use your brain, if she''s really that decent, why would she have you staying in a motel all by


    yourself?"


    Cordelia thought for a moment. True that. If it wasn''t for her respect for her grandma, she definitely


    wouldn''t be willing to help. She just felt that Samantha was having a tough time all by herself in


    Millstone.

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    Chapter 156


    The next day, after tidying up her grandma''s bedding, Cordelia hitched a ride back to Millstone with


    Edwin.


    With the Halloween celebrations over, she dove straight into work. Mna told her that the annual


    summary meeting was just around the corner, and Mr. Evans would be handing out awards to the


    entire Audit Department.


    Cordelia clenched her fists, quietly whispering his name. Thoughts of him always left her in a whirlwind


    of conflicting emotions.


    It had been a while since shest saw him, only asionally exchanging messages with Barney on


    Messenger, keeping up appearances.


    As the year-end approached, the Audit Department was swamped. Cordelia was running around like a


    headless chicken all day, often pulling overtime at night.


    A few dayster, at 10 p.m., Cordelia was still crunching numbers while eating her takeout. Wyatt


    passed by her office and saw her hard at work through the ss door. He snapped a photo and sent it


    to Ronan.


    The caption read. [Mr. Evans, looks like you won''t be having kids in the next five years.]


    Ronan stared at the photo of Cordelia. The side profile of her face was breathtaking. Her delicate


    features, wless skin, and her focused working demeanor were irresistibly attractive, radiating a


    sophisticated sexiness.


    Just seeing this photo of Cordelia, Ronan felt turned on.


    He saved the picture.


    But thinking of how Cordelia had once cried and argued with him in his office over another man made


    him furious. Even worse, that guy was his sworn enemy.


    "What are you looking at, Ronan?" That night, Deanna dropped by Ronan''s ce. She had just


    finished filming a night scene and came over to check if Cordelia had spilled the beans about their past.


    "Nothing much, just looking at a photo of my wife."


    Ronan''s intense gaze earlier had Deanna thinking that Cordelia had sent him a risqu¨¦ photo.


    "Cordelia''s mom is recovering, and she doesn''t evene home. That''s too much." Deanna seemed


    to be taking Ronan''s side. "Can her mom speak now?"


    "Guess so." Ronan sprawledzily on the sofa, leaning to one side. He picked up the TV remote and


    switched on the television.


    "Ronan, you still watch TV? Have you seen the show I''m in? My Dear Dr. Rond is about to air."


    Deanna remembered Ronan wasn''t fond of TV.


    "I''ve been watching moviestely." After saying that, Ronan switched back to the movie he was


    watching earlier.


    "What''s the movie called?"


    "Rip-off Hero," Ronan answered, shooting Deanna a nce.


    Deanna turned pale as a ghost. What was Ronan implying? Did he know about their past?


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    Deanna had a sinking feeling that she wouldn''t be able to keep this secret for much longer.


    She had known Cordelia was away, and thought she could use tonight to rekindle old mes with


    Ronan, take some pictures of them in bed together, and show Cordelia.


    But now...


    "Ronan, I''ll head off now. It''ste, you should get some rest." After saying that, Deanna left with a


    heavy heart.


    She was pondering, ¡°Should shee clean with Ronan, and how could she do so without tarnishing


    his perception of her?¡±


    Emily from the HR Department sent a message to Ronan on Messenger. [Mr. Evans, we''re presenting


    awards to the Audit Department the day after tomorrow. Do you need to prepare anything? We''ve got


    the prizes ready.]


    Every time he thought of the Audit Department, or rather, Cordelia, Ronan felt at a loss. But he still


    replied with a short message. [No need.]


    [Well, you should get ready. Tomorrow is the annual summary and Audit Department recognition


    ceremony. You should go over your speech again.]

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    Chapter 157


    The next day, Cordelia put on some light makeup and dressed appropriately.


    At one in the afternoon, thepany-wide meeting officially kicked off. Ronan began his speech.


    Cordelia sat in the massive hall, which could amodate ten thousand people, but she didn''t stand


    out.


    On the stage, however, Ronan was the center of attention, and all eyes were on him. Watching Ronan,


    full of confidence, Cordelia felt a bit dazed. Was this man once her husband?


    Ronan then gave a special shout-out to the Audit Department, saying they had made significant


    contributions in the process of restructuring the Finance Department.


    Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    Cordelia thought to herself, ¡°If she were still in the Finance Department, she probably would have been


    restructured too. Ronan had moved her to the Audit Department due to some issues. He really had an


    eye for talent.¡±


    All along, he had been quite nice to Cordelia.


    Cordelia felt that the disagreement with him had been going on for a while now. Thepany hadn''t


    suffered any substantial losses, nor had it gone under, so, Cordelia thought, if she had the chance, she


    should resolve this disagreement as soon as possible.


    Then came the time for the awards. There were over twenty people in the Audit Department, and they


    all stood on the stage.


    Cordelia was wearing a ck suit dress, paired with a white blouse. As a neer, she stood at the


    end of the line.


    Ronan started giving out the awards from the other end, one trophy per person. Additionally, each


    person in the Audit Department got a bonus of a thousand dors.


    Finally, it was Cordelia''s turn. Ronan looked into Cordelia''s eyes as he took the trophy from the


    hostess.


    "Your cor''s not done up properly?" Ronan muttered to Cordelia. Then, he adjusted her cor for her.


    Cordelia looked up and saw Ronan''s eyes. His voice, it had been a while.


    Seeing the way she was looking at him, Ronan was a bit annoyed. "Stop being mad ande home!"


    Ronan said, and then he stepped down from the stage.


    Emerson sat next to Ronan. After Ronan stepped down, he said to Ronan, "I can see it. She''s indeed


    different from the others."


    Ronan didn''t say anything. His eyes were fixed on Cordelia, who was walking down the stage.


    Down below, Samantha was dumbfounded. She had been working in the sales department of Lumos


    Enterprises for over a week now. But for the past week, no one had discussed anythingpany-


    rted with her, and since sales often required traveling, she wasn''t often in the office, so it wasn''t until


    today that she found out that Cordelia was actually in the Audit Department of Lumos Enterprises.


    Seeing Cordelia receiving an award made Samantha feel very ufortable. It was as if she hadn''t


    met the standard, but Cordelia was already outstanding.


    What she didn''t know was that Cordelia''s husband was Ronan. Because no one had told her.


    The reason was this.


    On Samantha''s first day at work, she had cleaned her desk. Originally, the desk was piled high with


    items that others didn''t need, but Samantha had thrown all of these things into the trash, which had


    upset her colleagues. Moreover, Samantha didn''t understand teamwork and often tried to snatch


    business for herself, which gave her a bad reputation in the office. Everyone kept their distance, never


    sharing any office gossip with her. Lately, there hadn''t been any interaction or scandalous rumors


    between Cordelia and Ronan.


    Therefore, it wasn''t until today that Samantha discovered Cordelia also worked at Lumos Enterprises.


    Samantha thought to herself, ¡°This is a perfect opportunity to embarrass Cordelia.¡± As long as


    everyone knew her husband was the man involved in the office indecent photo incident, Cordelia''s


    good mood after winning the award wouldn''tst.


    After thepany event, Samantha went up to the top floor, where it was eerily quiet. She found


    Cordelia.


    "Cordelia?" Cordelia was tidying up her work badge, getting ready to go home. Seeing Samantha, her


    heart fluttered.


    She kept thinking about the scene where Samantha had furiously torn up her test paper.


    "Cordelia, so you really do work in the Audit Department?" Samantha said. "You told me before that


    you worked in a smallpany."


    Cordeliaughed awkwardly.


    "Let''s go, we''ll go home together," Samantha said. "Where are you headed?"


    "I''m going to my mom''s house. Where do you live?"


    "I rented a ce." Adrian wouldn''t allow Samantha to say that he had helped her find the job.


    Samantha actually lived at Adrian''s house, but Cordelia didn''t know that.


    "How much is the rent?"


    "The rent...is one hundred twenty dors a month. I share the ce with someone else. Let''s take the


    bus together. I don''t have your contact, let me add you on Facebook. It''ll be easier to contact each


    other in the future."


    Cordelia felt like she couldn''t refuse, so she epted the friend request.


    The two got into the elevator. It was already past ten in the evening, there was no one else in the


    elevator.


    "Cordelia, is the work in the Audit Department tiring?" Even though Samantha harbored deep


    resentment towards Cordelia, she had to pretend to be friendly with Cordelia in order to embarrass her.


    "It''s okay."


    The elevator reached another floor, and the doors opened. Ronan and Emerson walked in.

 Chapter 158

    Chapter 158


    Emerson looked at Ronan, but Ronan stayed silent. Ronan''s face was full of dissatisfaction, his gaze


    falling on Cordelia. He was upset because Cordelia hadn''t been home for a long time.


    All for some guy, she was totally smitten.


    She hadn''t exined anything to him, and theirmunication on Messenger had been cut off for a


    while.


    The two of them stood in front of Samantha and Cordelia. Samantha thought to herself, ¡°It would be fun


    to embarrass Cordelia in front of Mr. Evans.¡±


    "Cordelia, don''t be mad at your husband. He didn''t mean it," Samantha pretended to whisper, but made


    sure Ronan and Emerson could hear.


    Cordelia thought, ¡°So Samantha knows about her and Ronan. The office gossip is really something.¡±


    But why bring this up in front of Ronan? Was she socially awkward, or was she trying to y the good


    guy?


    She gave Samantha a puzzled look, then nced at Ronan. At this point, Emerson turned his head to


    look at Ronan, too.


    "You should make up with him. This can''t go on forever, and you have to go back home," Samantha


    said again.


    Cordelia gave an awkwardugh and mumbled a response. Hearing Samantha''s words, Ronan


    thought her way of persuading was quite good. So this was the Samantha that Adrian mentioned,


    Cordelia''s cousin. Although her words were a bit inappropriate, she was smart and knew how to butter


    him up.


    "It''s not his fault he did that." Samantha added.


    Cordelia looked at the elevator panel and thought, ¡°When will this elevator reach the first floor?¡± She


    was extremely embarrassed by her cousin.


    "I get it. Just stop." Cordelia lowered her head.


    Samantha thought, ¡°She''s blushing, so my tactic worked. Next time, I should find a more embarrassing


    situation to make her ufortable, and make her unable to stay at Lumos Enterprises.¡±


    The elevator reached the first floor. Emerson and Ronan exited first.


    "Someone''s speaking up for you. That person seems to be Cordelia''s rtive. I bet Cordelia will be


    back home soon," Emerson said.


    "Stop talking nonsense!" Ronan scolded Emerson. But deep down, he was relieved.


    Arriving at the lobby, Cordelia, and Samantha parted ways. Cordelia boarded the bus home.


    The next day, Samantha went out to deal with business and came home early in the afternoon. Her job


    was in sales, so she was usually out and about and didn''t need to clock in at the office.


    Adrian didn''t often stay at this house.


    Kendra was thrilled to see Adrian''s luxurious four-bedroom house, and with the scandal at Jamie


    Colby''spany, her preference naturally tilted towards Adrian. But Adrian''s cousin Samantha had


    Living alone in this four-bedroom house, Samantha was quitefortable. She was a bit in awe of


    Adrian, as he imed to have bought the house with his own money. To afford such a house in


    Millstone, he must have been worth at least a few million dors.Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    At four in the afternoon, the doorbell rang. Samantha was quite surprised to see who was at the door.


    It was Cordelia''s "husband". Unexpected gains were always pleasant.


    Jamie thought the house was lent to Adrian by Cordelia, to avoid fighting with her mother over a house,


    so he was kicked out, and Ronan wasn''t mentioned.


    So, Jamie didn''t suspect Adrian and didn''t know that he was now helping Ronan.


    "You are...?" Jamie asked.


    "I''m Adrian''s cousin, Samantha. What''s up?"


    Samantha was thinking about how to lure Jamie to thepany and introduce him to all her


    colleagues. The notorious "office scandal" husband.


    "I''m Jamie. I''m here to get the car keys from Adrian. I need to drive tonight to entertain clients." Jamie


    originally had several cars, but they were all at his father¡¯s house. After the scandal, he stopped going


    there.


    Now, the only car he had was the one in Adrian''s possession.


    Adrian was the driver, so of course, he had the keys. But Adrian wasn''t home today. He had been out


    all night, rushed home in the morning, threw the keys down, and left.


    "I remember he gave me the keys this morning, might have left them at the office. Will youe with


    me to get them?" Samantha suggested.


    "Sure." Jamie didn''t think twice.


    Samantha hailed a cab, and they both headed to Lumos Enterprises.


    They got out of the car, and Samantha said, "Wait here for a moment, I''ll go get them."


    Jamie noticed Samantha also worked at Lumos Enterprises. If he had known earlier, he wouldn''t have


    He checked his watch. It was almost five. He was getting antsy, hoping Samantha would hurry up.


    Before leaving the house, Samantha had sneakily brought the keys with her. Now, she was sending


    Cordelia a message on Messenger: [Cordelia, I''m free today, thinking of visiting Auntie, is that okay?


    But I don''t know where she lives.]


    Cordelia had wrapped up for the day, and though she found it odd that Samantha wanted to swing by


    her ce, she couldn''t exactly give her the boot. So, she shot back a text. [Sure thing. Just knocked


    off,ing down in a sec. Let''s meet in the lobby.]


    "Gotcha."


    As everyone started to clock out, coworkers trickled out of the office, hopped into the elevator, and


    made their way to the lobby. Cordelia was among them, scanning the crowd for Samantha.

 Chapter 159

    Chapter 159


    Samantha was pleased to see the hall packed with people. Cordelia saw Samantha and said, "Let''s


    go."


    "Hold on, I need to give someone a key," Samantha said, pulling out a key from her bag.


    Jamie, in the hall, felt very awkward seeing so many people. He kept his back to everyone, looking at


    the bulletin board. Luckily, no one noticed him.


    "Cordelia, isn''t that your husband?" Samantha suddenly raised her voice.


    "Who?" Cordelia hadn''t seen Jamie yet.


    Instinctively, she thought Ronan had arrived. Her face tensed up, and she started looking around. The


    colleagues around her, hearing "Cordelia, husband," also instinctively thought it was Mr. Evans. They


    all stopped to look.


    After all, Mr. Evans and Cordelia used to be the focal points of thepany''s gossip. They all thought


    some new drama was brewing.


    "It''s him. Jamie, I saw you two that night," Samantha said.


    A crowd had already formed around Cordelia, all eager to see the show. They were snickering, amused


    at Samantha''s big blunder. However, no one told Samantha the truth. They were all waiting to see if


    she would screw up even more.


    But Samantha was smug, thinking everyone wasughing at Cordelia for having such a scandalous


    husband.


    Ronan and Emerson just came back from outside. They stood outside the crowd, hearing everything


    and seeing Jamie standing there.


    "What night?" Cordelia''s eyes were wide open. She was thinking, what was this all about? What was


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    the point of making up a lie everyone knew?


    "It was Halloween. You two were chatting, watching the fireworks, and went back to the hotel together.


    Isn''t he your husband?"


    Jamie saw how embarrassed Cordelia was and wanted to exin.


    Under the public gaze, Cordelia felt incredibly awkward. She stomped her foot and left. She walked


    through the crowd, not seeing Ronan.


    She already knew that Samantha''s excuse for visiting her mother was a lie, and the real n was to


    humiliate her. She didn''t know Samantha got her husband wrong, she just thought Samantha was


    trying to expose that night''s event and embarrass her in front of her colleagues.


    Samantha was so sneaky. She didn¡¯t deserve to be her cousin!


    "What are you looking at? Show''s over!" Ronan growled at the people around him.


    His gaze was as cold as ice. So, what exactly happened that night? What did they do at the hotel?


    Ronan still didn''t know where Cordelia went on Halloween, and Cordelia never told him. Turned out,


    she spent Halloween watching fireworks with Jamie. How romantic!


    "I remember where I saw Cordelia before." After Ronan had pressed the elevator for ''up,'' Emerson


    followed.


    The two had just eaten out and were preparing to work overtime to finalize next year''s budget.


    "Where did you find her?" Ronan''s answer was absent-minded.


    "Remember when your cornea was burnt? Not long after you were admitted to the hospital, I saw that


    youngdy. That was her. At that time, she was waiting for you near the cafe. When you showed up,


    she silently held your hand, then she turned and left. I finally remembered seeing her when I visited


    you, but she didn''t see me. Back then, she was carrying a big backpack, like an innocent student. Now


    she''s be more and more beautiful." Emerson finally remembered where he had seen Cordelia and


    felt a sense of relief.


    "Really?" After entering the CEO''s office, Ronan lit a cigarette and tossed the lighter on the table.


    There was only a hint of warmth in his heart.


    Long ago, although he wasn''t sure, he had thought, ¡°With the smell of sandalwood soap on her and the


    feeling when he touched her hand, it must have been her.¡±


    But it didn''t change anything. It couldn''t erase the fact that she went out with Jamie on Halloween.


    She didn''t care about him. Even for her, it was nothing, just her ¡°instinct,¡± just like thest time she


    saved him. It was all her "instinct."


    So, as soon as she went to college, she got Logan as her boyfriend; now she had a flirtatious


    rtionship with Jamie. From beginning to end, her world didn''t have Ronan in it.


    Even in the eyes of all employees of Lumos Enterprises, he was cuckolded, and this shame, he would


    have to wear for a long time...


    He had known for a long time that she felt sympathy for Jamie; it was only a matter of time before


    something happened. Now, the problem had really urred!


    "I''ll deal with it tomorrow. I need to go out for a while." Ronan extinguished the cigarette in the ashtray.


    "Ronan¡­" Emerson called out to him from behind, but Ronan had already left the office.

 Chapter 160

    Chapter 160


    Cordelia was on the bus, feeling super ticked off. She and Jamie had been used by Samantha once


    again.


    When she got home, her mom wasn''t there, but the lights were on. Cordelia called out for her mom


    several times, but there was no response.


    Pushing open the door to her room, she found Ronan sitting on her chair. Cordelia thought, ¡°He


    probably knows what happened today.¡±


    But she didn''t see his car downstairs. Did he hide it somewhere?


    His driving speed was certainly faster than her taking the bus. Looked like he came to give Cordelia a


    surprise attack tonight.


    She was so scared that she wanted to close the door and run, but Ronan caught her and threw her


    onto the bed. He was on top of Cordelia.


    "What did you guys do?" he coldly asked Cordelia.


    "Where''s my mom?"


    "I''m asking you what you guys did that night!" he shouted, his hands tightly gripping Cordelia''s chin.


    "I''m asking you where my mom is?" Cordelia raised her voice.


    She was really worried about her mom, almost like fire about to spew from her eyes. Considering


    Ronan''s ruthlessness, she started worrying, would he hurt her mom?


    "What did you two go to the hotel for?"


    "That''s none of your business!" Cordelia turned her head away in anger, ignoring Ronan.


    Maybe his possessiveness was acting up again. Ronan undressed Cordelia and began to enter her.


    Cordelia fought back fiercely, scratching his back, biting his neck, biting his lips. Afterwards, they were


    both exhausted, and Ronan was shirtless, standing in front of the mirror in Cordelia''s room, looking at


    his back and neck.


    "Kitten, you really know how to scratch!" he gritted his teeth.


    Cordelia was aching all over and couldn''t move. Shey on the bed, gasping for air and squinting her


    eyes to rest. "Where''s my mom?" Cordelia asked again.


    "Is that the only sentence you know how to say?" Ronan said in annoyance.


    Cordelia closed her eyes disdainfully, not saying a word.


    Ronan was buckling his belt. He turned to Cordelia, gripping her chin again, his tone softer than before,


    "Did you sleep with him?"


    Cordelia kept her eyes shut. He was always worried about this, afraid that his woman was taken by


    someone else. She tried to turn her head away, but Ronan forced it back.


    "Did you sleep with him?" he asked again. Actually, he already tested her, and he thought they


    probably didn''t.


    "You tell me, if a man and a woman go to a hotel room together, do you think we slept together or just


    had a chat?" Cordelia opened her eyes, ring at him. "Where''s my mom?"


    It was already past 10 p.m., and her mom still hadn''te back. Normally at this time, her mom should


    be sleeping. Cordelia started to worry.


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    "You''re such a liar! Don''t you know your nose will grow longer if you lie?" Ronan let go of Cordelia''s


    chin.


    "Where is my mom!" Cordelia sat up angrily on the bed.


    The nket slipped to her chest, revealing her delicate skin. But she didn''t care.


    Then, the sound of the door lock was heard. Cordelia heard her mom talking, and she knew her mom


    was back.


    "Mom, where were you?" Cordelia called out loudly from her room.


    "Ronan booked a restaurant for us. The driver drove us there for dinner, and he even bought me


    clothes I didn''t really need..." Her mom sounded happy, yet a bit uneasy.


    So Ronan''s car wasn''t there because the driver had taken it. Cordelia red at Ronan, her heart finally


    at ease. "You''re so cunning!"


    "You''d better pray my wounds heal by tomorrow, or else, you''re in trouble," Ronan said and then left.


    Cordelia heard him talking with her mom in the living room, but she couldn''t make out what they were


    saying. Then, she fell asleep.


    When she woke up the next day, she found herself lying in Ronan''s arms. Cordelia immediately turned


    around, as if touching a gue. But she was stopped by him, and he held her even tighter.


    Their bodies were close, his body heat instantly ignited Cordelia.


    This time, she wouldn¡¯t forgive Ronan anymore. Cordelia increasingly felt that Ronan was an enigma,


    and she couldn''t see his bottom line.


    Maybe in his mind, he thought that because he was rich, he could do whatever he wanted. It was easy


    for him to make Jamie and Manda do such a thing.


    Also, he misunderstood what Cordelia said in the officest time. What was that anyway?


    Because of Jamie, they had a disputest time. Cordelia went to save him, indeed out of instinct. But


    this time, Cordelia decided, she wouldn¡¯t do it again.

 Chapter 161

    Chapter 161


    "Haven''t you mentioned me to your cousin?" Ronan leaned against the headboard, asking Cordelia.


    "We''re bound to part ways, not much to talk about," Cordelia said with her eyes closed.


    She decided to retract all her feelings for him and keep her distance until their agreement ended.


    "So, you''re a bit smug because she mistook Jamie for your husband?"


    Cordelia didn''t respond. She got up, dressed, and went to prepare breakfast.


    Ronan noticed a hickey on her neck, which she covered up with a turtleneck sweater. He also got


    dressed and got ready for breakfast.


    The breakfast at Cordelia''s house wasn''t as rich as at Ronan''s. Judy bought a breakfast of cornbread,


    pasta, and eggs.


    When Ronan was around, Judy would cautiously say, "Mr. Evans, hope you don''t mind."


    "No worries," Ronan responded.


    Cordelia didn''t eat any eggs that morning. Because if she did, he would eat the yolk for her, which


    would make her develop new feelings for him. So, she''d rather not eat it.


    "De, aren''t you eating the egg? I know you don''t eat the yolk. Give it to me." Shelley peeled an egg


    for Cordelia. "Give me the yolkter."


    "Sure." Cordelia felt warm inside. She used to throw away the yolk, but now her mother would eat it.


    Just as Cordelia was about to give the yolk to her mother, Ronan snatched it away. He didn''t say a


    word and just quietly ate it.


    At moments like these, Cordelia found it hard not to be moved. She wanted to control her emotions, but


    he was fanning the mes.


    Shelley chuckled, "You marry Ronan, and I can rest easy."


    Cordelia didn''t respond. She rode with Ronan to thepany. She wanted to say something, but in the


    end, she didn''t.


    "Got something on your mind?" Ronan noticed her hesitations and asked her.


    "Nothing." Cordelia turned her head away.


    When she got in the car, she noticed a bite mark on his mouth. She had bitten his lip the previous day,


    and now she worried that others in the office would gossip about them.


    "Brooklyn said, you love sleeping." Ronan suddenlyughed.


    Cordelia was taken aback, Brooklyn? So he chatted with her motherst night and knew about


    Halloween? No wonder he was so nice today! Last night he nearly scared Cordelia to death.


    "Yes, I do love sleeping!" Cordelia replied.


    "Don''t sleep too much, though. Sleeping with one person is enough," Ronan teased.


    Cordelia thought, ¡°How can he rte everything to sex?¡± She loved sleeping, but that didn''t mean she


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    loved sleeping with men.


    After getting out of the car, Cordelia walked straight ahead, and then Ronan got out. They each headed


    towards thepany.


    Just as Samantha wasing from the other side, she thought, ¡°Why is Cordelia getting out of


    Ronan''s car?


    She''s married now, so why is she still involved with Ronan? Is it because of Jamie''s behavior, she


    wants to find someone to get back at him? Also, they walked separately, and it seemed like they didn''t


    want others to know about their rtionship.


    As soon as Cordelia entered the lobby, Samantha hooked her arm. The incident yesterday had already


    made Cordelia feel extremely embarrassed.


    "Cordelia, why are you with Mr. Evans?" Samantha asked her.


    "He..." Cordelia thought, ¡°How does she see everything and want to know everything?¡± She decided to


    tease Samantha a bit as payback for yesterday, "He''s my sugar daddy."


    "Sugar daddy?" Samantha was so shocked her jaw dropped, and she was extremely jealous.


    Nowadays, being kept by a rich person wasn''t shameful, especially if the man was someone like


    Ronan, handsome and rich. Many middle-aged men also support young, beautiful girls.


    Samantha also wanted to find a sugar daddy, but she couldn''t.


    "Does he give you money?" Samantha asked again.


    "Yeah. Otherwise why would I let him keep me? I value his money, and he values my body." Cordelia


    crossed her arms, thinking about how Samantha embarrassed her yesterday and made her furious.


    "How much?"


    "He said it''s half a million dors. He also gives me some pocket money from time to time." Cordelia


    said.


    On second thought, her rtionship with Ronan was pretty much like sugaring, just with an extra


    marriage license. This certificate was useless. It was only for Barney to see, and they would still


    divorce when the time came.


    "That much?" Samantha was dumbfounded. It seemed that not only was Cordelia''s job better than


    hers, but she was also richer.


    After returning to the office, Samantha asked her colleague, "Did you know Mr. Evans is keeping


    Cordelia?"


    People in the office loved drama. They all knew about the embarrassing incident yesterday, and they


    were waiting for a bigger one to happen.


    They naturally wouldn''t tell Samantha the truth. Someone like Samantha deserved a good lesson.


    After careful consideration, Samantha decided to talk to Ronan herself. As a low-level salesperson, she


    had never been to Ronan''s office and needed a lot of mental preparation.

 Chapter 162

    Chapter 162


    When Ronan entered the office, Emerson was already waiting for him. With the year''s end around the


    corner, Emerson just got started, and he''d got a lot on his te.


    "Ronan, what''s up with your mouth? Did Cordelia bite you? Did you two have a big fightst night?"


    Emerson teased Ronan.


    Ronan was aware of the mark on his mouth since he woke up this morning.


    "Not just the mouth, right? Got some on your body too?" Emerson continued to tease him. "Cordelia is


    really something. But with what happened yesterday, you should be the one pissed off, right? How


    "How do you know she doesn''t have any?" Ronan shot back.


    Emerson scratched his head. "I didn''t see, nor did I hear. But I heard your quarrel."


    "Got anything to say? Spit it out." Ronan switched back to business.


    He walked to his desk, put down his stuff, took out a cigarette, and lit it. Emerson opened the file and


    reported the work situation to him.


    After Ronan proposed a few changes, Emerson went back to his office. There was a knock on the door


    again.


    "Come in," said Ronan.


    In came Samantha.


    Ronan met her yesterday and knew she was Cordelia''s cousin. But he didn''t know her name. "You''re


    Cordelia''s cousin, right?"


    "Yes, Mr. Evans." Samantha puffed up her chest, looking resolute. She was hopeful, thinking, ¡°If Ronan


    breaks up with Cordelia and starts a rtionship with her, maybe, just maybe, they could develop


    feelings for each other.¡±


    Ronan, he was really handsome. The kind of handsome that made a woman lose her mind!


    "Can I help you with something?"


    "I saw youing out with Cordelia. As her rtive, I''m concerned about her future, and I suggest you


    break up with her. I don''t want my sister to be in this predicament. She''s married! You shouldn''t put her


    in this situation, being the target of everyone''s criticism."


    "What are you trying to say?" Ronan asked with a frown.


    "You shouldn''t be having that kind of rtionship with her! How will the people in thepany see her?


    Her husband? They were about to clear up their misunderstanding and watch the fireworks together.


    But with you doing this, how can she face her husband?" Samantha said solemnly.


    Ronan frowned slightly. "Where do you live?"


    Samantha thought, why was Ronan suddenly interested in where she lived? Did he have an interest in


    her too?


    "I live at my cousin''s ce." Samantha wasn''t sure if Ronan knew Adrian.


    "Adrian?"


    "Yes."


    "Tell him he needs to deal with the cable TV. The mobilepany called me. Here''s the Property


    Deed. Give it to him," Ronan said, pulling out a Property Deed from the drawer. Then, he extinguished


    his cigarette in the ashtray. "For the details, ask your cousin. I''m busy."


    After being dismissed by Ronan, Samantha felt a bit embarrassed. From Ronan''s words, she felt that


    he wasn''t very pleased with her.


    Samantha was a bit confused about Ronan''s words. What did Adrian''s house have to do with him?


    What was it that Ronan said to ask Adrian about?


    Holding the Property Deed, Samantha didn''t dare to look at it for a moment.


    Once she got in the elevator, she opened the Property Deed. Clearly written on it were the


    homeowners, Ronan and Cordelia.


    Samantha''s mind was in a whirl. What did this mean? Could a mistress appear on the Property Deed?


    Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    It seemed that Cordelia got quite a lot from Ronan.

 Chapter 163

    Chapter 163


    Cordelia clocked off from work, and it was already past eight in the evening. She deliberately dodged


    the peak hour, not wanting to head home with Ronan.


    Once home, she found that Ronan hadn''t returned yet.


    "De, you off work? Hungry?" Shelley asked Cordelia.


    "I''m starved. Craving some Mexican burritos." Cordelia had a hankering for the taste of burritos.


    "Alright, I''ll ask Judy to whip some up for you," Shelley said with a grin.


    Judy prepared the burritos for Cordelia, who sat at the dining table munching away while watching TV.


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    The space in Cordelia''s home was quite small, with the dining table situated in the living room.


    The doorbell rang, and Judy answered it.


    In walked Ronan.


    Cordelia had a dab of sauce at the corner of her mouth. She pretended not to notice and continued


    watching TV.


    "Mr. Evans, why are you just getting here?" Judy asked Ronan, a bit in awe of him, probably because


    she had never seen such a high-ss individual.


    "I was afraid if I came too early, a certain someone wouldn''t dare toe home." Ronan replied. His


    gaze remained fixed on Cordelia as he spoke.


    Judy said, "Well, I''ll leave you two to chat then," and retreated into the house.


    Cordelia kept her head down, devouring her burrito, her demeanor seemingly unaffected by the


    presence of Ronan.


    She was engrossed in a TV drama where the main characters were about to divorce. The female lead


    couldn''t stand the man and was making a fuss about wanting a divorce. Cordelia thought, ¡°How boring.


    If it were her, she would just give the guy the cold shoulder until he felt like she didn''t even exist, that


    would lead to a natural divorce.¡±


    "Just having that?" Ronan asked, sitting behind Cordelia on the couch.


    "Mhm," Cordelia replied nonchntly.


    Ronan nced at Cordelia''s TV before asking her, "Any ns for Christmas? The holiday''s just around


    the corner."


    "My mom just woke up, and I want to be with her. As for Barney, I''ll figure something out," Cordelia


    replied, her eyes still glued to the TV.


    Ronan cocked his head to look at her. "Since when did you be so considerate?"


    "Aren''t I always?" Cordelia took a bite from her burrito, wiping her mouth with a napkin.


    "So, you''re saying a simple message to Grandpa on Messenger would suffice?"


    "That was the n."


    "As my mistress, is this how you treat me? Neglecting your duties?" Ronan was a bit peeved at


    Cordelia''s nonchnt response.


    Cordelia paused with her utensils in mid-air. Did Samantha tell him? Samantha, always meddling


    where she was not needed!


    "I can fulfill my duties, but can I take leave during the Christmas period? I can visit Grandpa after


    Christmas Eve," Cordelia replied calmly, she used to take leave often.


    "Stay with me for ten days, and I''ll give you fifty grand. Haven''t given you money in a while," Ronan


    said, lighting up a cigarette.


    He had actually forgotten that his initial rtionship with Cordelia was based on money. He had


    mistaken it for love.


    Cordelia stopped eating, "What about my mom?"


    "Invite her to the vi. We''ll celebrate together," Ronan suggested.


    Cordelia pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "Alright."


    "And..." Ronan started.


    "And what?"


    "Don''t get upset with me over that man anymore. I am old. I can''t handle it," Ronan said and got up to


    leave.


    He had no intention of spending the night here, not even a hint of it.


    Once the door shut, Cordelia''s home returned to its peaceful state. She had intended to treat him


    indifferently until they divorced. But hisment about her husband being old and unable to handle the


    stress pulled her back into the abyss.


    Cordelia''s heart pounded heavily in her chest.

 Chapter 164

    Chapter 164


    In the days leading up to Christmas, Cordelia was swamped with work, regrly pulling overtime.


    During those days, Ronan wasn''t really dropping by to see Cordelia at night. He was busy, too,


    handling all thepany''s affairs, which left him with almost no time for Cordelia.


    They were both preupied with their own stuff. However, during the day, Ronan''s driver would stop


    by Cordelia''s ce to pick up Shelley and Cordelia''s Christmas stuff, before bringing them all over to


    Ronan''s ce.


    Shelley was a bit on edge. "Do you think it''s normal for us to spend Christmas at Ronan''s?" Shelley


    asked Judy.


    "What''s there to fuss about? He''s your son-inw, and from what I can tell, Ronan''s been pretty decent


    to Cordelia," Judy replied.


    Only then did Shelley let out a relieved chuckle.


    Cordelia had no idea that Ronan was already in the know about the corneal transnt.


    On the afternoon of Christmas Eve, thepany closed early.


    Brooklyn texted Cordelia. [Merry Christmas, Cordelia.]


    Cordelia texted back. [Merry Christmas! Hope you get to spend it with Edwin.]


    Brooklyn replied. [Heard thepany''s handing out bonuses this afternoon. Can''t wait to see how


    much I''ve got.]


    Cordelia wasn''t too sure about the bonus thing. She was busy packing up her stuff to leave.


    Ronan texted Cordelia. [Head to the vi first.]This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Cordelia didn¡¯t want him to pick her up. She felt something was off between them recently, and it was a


    bit awkward.


    Cordelia arrived at the vi. Shelley and Judy were already there.


    Ronan had also bought a cat, a pure ck one that looked like a fancy breed, with sharp eyes.


    Cordelia loved it.


    ¡°Why did he suddenly buy a cat?¡± Cordelia asked, sitting on the couch, and stroking the cat''s fur.


    "Mr. Evans says there aren''t enough people at home," Janice replied. "Ever since you went to stay with


    your mom, the house has felt kind of empty."


    Cordelia asked. "Does the cat have a name?"


    Janice hesitated.


    "Well?" Cordelia pressed.


    "He said to call her De," Janice finally answered, looking down.


    Cordelia pouted. "Why not call her Ronan?"


    Barneyughed out loud. "De, you haven''t beening to see me now that your mom''s better,


    huh?"


    "No, not at all. I was just worried my mom wouldn''t adjust well, so I stayed with her. Plus, it''s been


    really busy around Christmas, I''ve been swamped. And I know you''re healthy as a horse. You''ll live to


    be a hundred." Cordelia said, her face flushed withughter. She was really happy this Christmas.


    Barneyughed again.


    Cordelia''s phone buzzed. She checked it and saw that she had received a bonus of $3,500. It was a


    reward for all her hard work, and she was over the moon.


    Someone knocked on the door. After Janice opened it, the driver brought in loads of fireworks.


    "Ronan ordered these fireworks earlier. They were to be delivered." The driver reported to Barney in a


    friendly manner.


    "Why so many?" Barney asked.


    "Ronan likes them. Let him be. It''s not easy getting through the year," Shelley said.


    What was weird was that Cordelia had never known Ronan to be so fond of fireworks.


    Around 5 in the afternoon, it was getting dark, and snow began to fall. He was still not home.


    Cordelia wanted to set off fireworks in the yard, so she dragged Janice out with her. They set up the


    fireworks in the center of the yard, but Cordelia didn''t dare to light them. She tried a few times, but the


    sparse snowkes kept putting out the me.


    Just as Cordelia was about to give up, the door swung open, and Ronan walked in. He was wearing a


    mid-length woolen coat, covered in snowkes. He walked in, leaving footprints in the snow.


    Cordelia felt a warm familiarity, and she even had the urge to run over and hold an umbre for him.


    While he was away, Cordelia had been worrying, worrying about the road conditions, worrying about


    him getting into a car ident.


    Cordelia felt as if she was being overly sentimental. She had already decided to withdraw her feelings


    until their marriage was over.


    "Setting off fireworks?" he asked Cordelia.


    "Yes, but Mrs. Evans tried to light them a few times and couldn''t," Janice excitedly chimed in.


    Ronan, lighter in hand, walked over to the fireworks.


    With a "hiss," the fireworks started to spark, and Cordelia quickly covered her ears and ran off to a


    distant spot. The fireworks shot up into the sky, forming a dazzling pattern before exploding.


    Cordeliaughed heartily.


    "Do you like it?" he asked, standing next to Cordelia.


    "Yeah, I love it," Cordelia sincerely replied.


    "How does itpare to the fireworks on Halloween?" he asked again.


    Cordelia''s joyful mood instantly deted. So he was still bringing up those unpleasant memories,


    waiting for her reaction.


    Seeing Cordelia''s fading smile, Ronan returned to the living room.

 Chapter 165

    Chapter 165


    Cordelia was setting off fireworks in the yard for the whole evening, never once stepping foot inside the


    living room.


    "Why isn''t sheing in?" Ronan, having shed his coat forfy clothes, asked.


    "Mrs. Evans likes it out there. Let her have her fun," replied Janice.


    Ronan eyed her crouching figure in the yard. He had a hunch that it wasn''t so much about her liking the


    outdoors, but rather fearing his mockery if she came in.


    Well, if she hadn''t done anything wrong, what was there to be afraid of?


    At dinner, Cordelia and Ronan weren¡¯t exactly joined at the hip. They sat at opposite ends of the long


    dining table. Sure, it signified they were the hosts, but it was also the furthest they could possibly be


    from each other.


    "First year. Cheers." Ronan''s gaze swept past Cordelia to the rest of the guests.


    Cordelia was clueless about what he meant by "first year," but she still downed arge ss of red


    wine, her cheeks flushing.


    "De,e here." After dinner, her mom summoned Cordelia to her room.


    Her mom''s room was on the first floor. After dinner, Judy headed home for the New Year, leaving


    behind only a few maids from the Evans family. Barney also retired to his room for a rest.


    "What''s up?" Cordelia asked as she closed the door behind her.


    Her mom took out a vintage dress from her suitcase.


    "De, I bought you this dress. Try it on. Isn''t it pretty?" Her mom beamed at Cordelia.


    "I''ll be 24 before I know it," Cordelia muttered to herself as she changed.


    "Right, Ronan is 32 this year, isn''t he?" Her mom asked. "I remember he was 25 then."


    Cordelia paused, "Sounds about right."


    "You don''t know how old he is?" Her mom asked.


    Cordelia collected herself. "Who remembers ages these days? I can''t even remember my own half the


    time, how am I supposed to remember his?"


    "You silly girl. Ronan''s not getting any younger. Aren''t you nning to..."


    Cordelia knew where this was heading and cut her off, "Mom, I''m studying for the CPA exam. We''ve


    agreed to discuss this after my exam."


    "I still think..."


    "Mom, what do you think of this dress on me?" Cordelia quickly changed the subject.


    "Beautiful, everything looks good on you, De."


    Exiting her mom''s room, Cordelia saw no sign of Ronan in the living room. He must''ve gone upstairs.


    Cordelia squatted there, ying with the cat. The TV was on, the fireworks outside were loud, and the


    sparks soared into the sky. Cordelia was alone in the living room, but she didn''t feel lonely.


    "You''re here? I''ll get the door," Ronan said, descending from the staircase while on the phone. He


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    grabbed the remote to open the iron gate.


    "Who''s here?" Cordelia looked up and asked him.


    Before Ronan could answer, a jovial voice rang out, "Ronan, Happy New Year! And to Barney too!"


    Hearing Deanna''s voice put Cordelia in a strange mood. It seemed Deanna just noticed Cordelia in the


    corner, and she plopped down on the couch next to Ronan.


    Ronan casually picked up the remote and started channel surfing.


    "Ronan, my new show is airing, prime time for the New Year. Switch to the Millstone lifestyle channel,"


    Deanna said with a smile.


    Ronan caught sight from the corner of his eyes that Cordelia was still ying with the cat, seemingly


    uninterested in their conversation.


    "Oh really?" Ronan started looking for the lifestyle channel.


    He found himself leaning unconsciously towards Deanna.


    "That''s the one." Deanna pointed at the screen. "The one that was shot at Millstone Hospital. We ran


    into Cordelia there."


    Ronan didn''t respond. Every time he thought about it, he pictured Cordelia and Jamie holding hands at


    the hospital.


    "Ronan, there''s something I need to tell you." Deanna leaned in and whispered in his ear.


    "What is it?"


    Deanna gave a small frown in Cordelia''s direction, signaling that it wasn''t appropriate to talk about it in


    front of her.


    "Cordelia, why don''t you go upstairs for a moment?" Ronan suggested to Cordelia.


    Hearing her name, Cordelia looked up in confusion, noticing the way Deanna and Ronan were looking


    at her, like she was an outsider.


    "Sure." After replying, Cordelia turned to go upstairs, not giving the scene downstairs another nce.


    They were a couple having a conversation, and her presence might have been a disturbance. She


    really had no sense of timing and found herself ying the third wheel downstairs. Was she really an


    outsider?


    Ronan''s eyes followed her. The vintage dress, her slender waist, and full hips from behind, and the


    sway of her walk all made Ronan''s heart flutter.


    As Cordelia disappeared around the bend of the staircase, Ronan finally took his eyes off her.


    "Ronan, there''s something I lied to you about..." Deanna confessed.


    Being an actress, Deanna was adept at crying on cue.


    "What is it?" Ronan asked.

 Chapter 166

    Chapter 166


    Deanna was crying her eyes out. It seemed like she was struggling to get her words out.


    "I told you before, your corneas came from my dad. But then my mom told me that wasn''t the case.


    Even the date of my dad''s death wasn''t that day, it was a dayter. After my dad passed, my mom was


    worried sick. She was a lonely woman with no way out. By some stroke of luck, I had a distant uncle


    who was the head of a hospital. My mom, for some reason, switched the donor of your cornea to my


    dad, because she thought you had a big future. Ronan, my mom has been lying to you and to me all


    these years. I thought I was your life-saver. I''m sorry, Ronan. I feel so ashamed, and I''ve given my


    mom a piece of my mind."


    This was the conclusion Deanna and Le came to after discussing it. They figured that once Shelley


    woke up, the cat would be out of the bag. Ronan would find out sooner orter, so it was better toe


    clean now and pin all the me on Le. At least in Ronan''s eyes, Deanna was innocent


    "Is that so?" Ronan seemed to be hearing this for the first time. "Then whose corneas do I have?"


    Ronan seemed to be in the dark about all of this. Shelley and her daughter hadn''t told him anything.


    "I''m not sure, Ronan. me me if you want. I got your property deed back for you. I thought we are


    your life-saver. I can''t bear to live in your house anymore." Deanna couldn''t hold back her tears.


    "It''s fine. You can keep living here. It''s Christmas, go home and be with your mom." Ronan started to


    urge her.


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    "Ronan, you really don''t me me?" Deanna asked.


    "I don''t me you."


    "Then I''ll go. Ronan, aren''t you going to walk me out?" Deanna seemed reluctant to leave.


    "I need to stay and keep my wifepany."


    Deanna bit her lip and left.


    Ronan went upstairs. The door to another room also quietly closed.


    Shelley was supposed to be sleeping, but she got up and saw Ronan in a heated conversation with a


    woman. She knew eavesdropping was wrong, but for the sake of her daughter, she listened for a while


    and ended up finding out about this.


    So for the past six years, this woman and her mom had been taking credit for Castiel''s deed. And


    Ronan, he handled it well.


    Cordelia was packing her things. It was Christmas, and her clothes were still a mess.


    "This is for you." Ronan handed her something.


    "What?" Cordelia reached out her hand.


    It was a check for fifty thousand dors. Ronan hadn''t given her money in a long time. It was a


    reminder that she was selling herself and had no right to be jealous of others.


    "Thank you." Cordelia looked up at Ronan.


    Only she knew how forced her smile was. Fifty thousand dors, for ten days of herpany. What a


    high cost.


    Cordelia seemed to fear the check would fly away, so she looked around for a ce to put it away. In


    the end, she tucked it into her Cost Management in Finance textbook.


    There was nothing left between them but money.


    Cordelia walked past Ronan, who suddenly grabbed her chin. He thought of the scene downstairs


    where she was ying with the cat. He was inexplicably angry.


    "Fifty thousand dors, for ten days. Serve me wholeheartedly, and smile!" Ronanmanded.


    He had noticed Cordelia''s forced smile. It was no longer as carefree as before.


    "Have I not been smiling? When did I stop? I smiled when watching the fireworks, during dinner, and


    when Deanna came over." Mentioning Deanna, Cordelia felt a chill in her heart.


    "Serve me wholeheartedly in bed!" Ronan whispered in Cordelia''s ear.


    "Okay," Cordelia replied.


    Tomorrow was a holiday, so Cordelia stayed up with Ronan tonight. When she woke up the next day,


    she had a splitting headache and was a bit disoriented, even forgetting that it was the first day of the


    new year.


    "Cordelia, there''s a package for you downstairs," Ronan called from downstairs.


    Cordelia responded with a hum, not knowing when he got up.


    Before going out, she nced at the trash bin in the bedroom. It was filled with tissues and condoms.


    She worried Janice would see it when she came to clean, so she decided to take it down herself and


    throw it in the outside bin.


    Cordelia put on the clothes her mom bought for her yesterday, and with the trash bag in her hand, she


    went downstairs. But when she got to the living room, she saw a crowd of people. Cordelia instinctively


    hid the trash bag behind her.

 Chapter 167

    Chapter 167


    Seated in the living room were executives from Lumos Enterprises. It was a tradition for them to visit


    Ronan after Christmas every year.


    Cordelia was clueless about this during her first visit to the Evans family, and Ronan didn''t bother to tell


    her either.


    Her hair was ubed, her face unwashed, and with anguid coquettishness, she opened her mouth


    to say, "Hi Ms. Emily, Mr. Emerson, Wyatt."


    The room was full of executives. When everyone''s eyes turned to her, Cordelia awkwardly said, "I''ll just


    grab a package at the door."


    She beat a hasty retreat as if avoiding a gue. As she approached the living room door, she quickly


    turned the garbage bag around in front of her.


    So embarrassing, they must have seen it, given that the trash bag was transparent.


    Cordelia, not having the time to put on her down jacket, bolted to the front door where the courier was


    waiting. She first tossed the trash bag into the big bin next to her.


    "Ms. Haselwood?" the courier asked Cordelia.


    "Yes."


    "Please check and sign."


    In front of Cordelia was a big package. The delivery note read: dried flower products.


    She was sure that Ronan would never send her such a thing. He was not a romantic guy and never


    gave her such presents.


    "Who sent this?" Cordelia asked.


    "I don''t know, it was sent anonymously. But the sender''s address is Roseville."


    The courier took out a huge teddy bear made of dried roses. It was really cute.


    "No damage, miss."


    Cordelia signed. Suddenly, she remembered what Jamie had told her on Christmas. He said he would


    send her a gift.


    She was startled. Was he really making such a joke with her? With all the executives in the living room


    and Ronan being a jealous guy, wasn''t she asking for trouble?


    Cordelia looked at the delivery note. The sender''s address was indeed Roseville and it was


    anonymous. She decided to pretend she didn''t know it was from Jamie and pretended it was from


    Ronan.


    "Ms. Haselwood, where should I put this?" the courier asked.


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "Well, just put it in the living room, thanks."


    Cordelia nervously followed the courier into the living room. The courier put the flowers next to the TV.


    "Thanks, honey. I love it." Cordelia grinned.


    Ronan red at the bouquet, his eyes seemingly spitting fire. He definitely didn''t send the flowers. The


    only one who would give a woman such a thing must be a man, and he had a hunch about who that


    man was.


    Since the executives were present, despite the coldness in his eyes, he had to keep a smile, "d you


    like it." He would settle ounts after the executives left.


    "Thank you." Cordelia told Ronan. She nodded at the executives, indicating that she had just dealt with


    the delivery and was going upstairs to wash her hands.


    After all, she couldn''t chime in on the conversation of them.


    "How are you going to thank me?" Ronan asked her.


    Cordelia was slightly taken aback, "I also have a surprise prepared for you. Just wait for it."


    With that, Cordelia went upstairs.


    "Ronan, judging by your trash bag, I don''t see you guys having kids even in ten years." Wyatt spread


    his hands, "Seems like Cordelia is all about her career."


    Emerson also chuckled, "Ronan, we all saw it. You''re quite a stud."


    The vulgar joke by the group of men made Ms. Emily feel extremely embarrassed.


    "I see Cordelia in a red dress. It suits her. She''s 24 this year, right?" Ms. Emily asked Ronan.


    "Yes, she''s twenty-four this year." Ronan answered.


    His mind was still on "who sent her that bear".


    "I see." Ms. Emily smiled knowingly.


    The executives didn''t have lunch at Ronan''s. At noon, they all left.


    Ronan went upstairs. Cordelia was lying in bed, busy with her phone.


    "Are you texting?" Ronan asked with a frown.


    "No, I''m ordering something for you online, just a token of gratitude."


    No matter what happened today, Cordelia would say, the flowers were from Ronan. She didn''t think of


    anyone else, and nor would she hope for anyone else.


    "Cordelia, don''t y smart with me." Ronan pressed Cordelia down, staring at her intently.


    "What did I do wrong? Isn''t the bouquet from you? I can''t think of anyone else." Cordelia went pale,


    feeling a bit guilty.


    "If you like him, go be with him. I won''t stop you." Ronan hoarsely muttered this sentence.


    "What do you mean by that? You know Barney¡¯s condition doesn''t allow this."


    "So when grandpa''s condition is better, you''ll really be with him, right?" Ronan grabbed Cordelia''s chin.


    Cordelia didn''t mean that. Upon hearing this, she felt choked up and thought: What kind of person was


    he? He was so intimate with Deannast night. He could flirt around, but she couldn''t have male


    friends?


    She was moved by his appearance in the snowst night. Now he showed his true colors again,


    vengeful and petty. So she wouldn''t exin, and nor would she appease him.


    "Cordelia, dinner''s ready." Shelley called Cordelia from downstairs.


    "My mom''s calling me." With that, Cordelia pushed Ronan away and went downstairs.

 Chapter 168

    Chapter 168


    Cordelia hurried downstairs to see her mom chilling on the couch. Janice was preparing dinner, which


    would be served soon.


    Earlier, Shelley had sneakily asked Janice who that chick they sawst night was. Janice said it was


    some famous actress, Deanna. But now, Shelley was looking for Cordelia. Deanna was old news.


    "Mom, what''s up?" Cordelia asked Shelley, with one hand resting on Shelley''s shoulder, and the two of


    them looked very close.


    "Jamie, your brother¡¯s boss, just texted me to wish me well. Such a sweet kid," Shelley replied to


    Jamie''s message while speaking.


    Shelley''s smartphone was a new gift from Cordelia, and she was still getting the hang of it. Typing was


    a struggle.


    In Cordelia''s mind, she thought, "Why is everyone mentioning Jamie today?"


    Just as she was about to change the topic, her mom asked, "Jamie''s a good catch, isn''t he? How old is


    he again? Got a girlfriend?"


    "He just turned 30. Pretty sure he''s single. Mom, can we not talk about him?" Cordelia tried to steer the


    conversation elsewhere.


    "Why not?" Ronan descended from the stairs, his voice oozing charm.


    Cordelia''s face went a weird shade of red. So unlucky just after Christmas, perhaps it was going to be


    a tough year.


    "I asked De how old Jamie is because I wanted to introduce him to a girlfriend. He came to see me


    and even sent me messages; he''s a really nice person," Shelley said with a smile, holding her phone.


    "Well, really? Maybe we should ask him if he''s got someone in mind?" Ronan quipped, enjoying


    Cordelia''s difort.


    "Yeah, De, do you know what kind of girl Jamie''s into?" Shelley turned to Cordelia.


    "Mom, why are you so eager to get him a girlfriend? He''s not even as that eager as you. Let''s eat."


    Cordelia suggested, taking a seat at the table.


    Cordelia casually nced at the food on the table and said to Janice, "Merry Christmas, Janice. You''ve


    worked hard all year."


    "Not at all. Cordelia, I overheard some chatter in the living room saying you turned 24 this year. You''ve


    gotta be more careful when doing things in the future." Janice cautioned Cordelia as she set the table.


    "Watch your back."


    "She almost forgot her own age yesterday, not only can''t remember her own age, but can''t even recall


    Ronan''s age. Is she really suitable to be someone else''s wife?" Shelley looked at Cordelia and said.


    Normally, it was just banter. But Ronan wasn''tughing. He remembered clearly. She mentioned earlier


    that the guy had just turned 30. She just didn''t know his exact age.


    During the meal, Ronan''s expression remained very aloof, but he was generally not very talkative


    either.


    After dinner, Cordelia lingered downstairs and was reluctant to go upstairs. She was now somewhat


    afraid of him.


    "De, spend some time with Ronan while you can. You''ve been with me for a while and he might be


    feeling left out. Go on," Shelley nudged De. "Barney''s already taking his nap, I should get some rest


    too."


    Cordelia knew her mom was still a bit weak, so she couldn''t stay downstairs for too long. Back in their


    room, she found that Ronan had drawn the curtains and switched on the bedsidemp.


    He must have woken up early and was now reading, probably nning to go to sleep early.


    Cordelia hadn''t finished organizing her clothes yesterday, and was intending to continue. With spring


    approaching, she needed to find her spring clothes.


    "Do you know anything other than the name of the person you are sleeping with is Ronan?" His voice


    floated over from behind Cordelia.


    Cordelia paused in her packing. "How could I not know?"


    She knew Ronan was referring to the age thing. That was because Jamie had just told her about it on


    Christmas.


    Ronan had never mentioned his age. And besides, she didn''t care about his age.


    "What else do you know? That I give you money to spend?"


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    Cordelia continued to pack, pulling out all the clothes and neatly folding them on the bed. "I know


    everything about you." Cordelia blurted out, her voice ringing with defiance.


    "Well, really? Like what?" Ronan put his book down and stared at Cordelia.


    "I just bought you underwear, so there." Cordelia''s face flushed, like she was pumping herself up.


    She wanted to say: Ronan was someone very close to her. Ever since she spotted him in the snow


    yesterday, she felt a strange closeness to him. Plus, he got a cat and named it De.


    "Well? You know my size?" Ronan smirked. "And do you know who sent those flowers?"


    "I don''t know. I only know they''re from you." Cordelia shot back at Ronan.


    "That guy must be heartbroken, huh? To meet someone as clueless as you."


    Cordelia clenched her teeth, falling silent.

 Chapter 169

    Chapter 169


    On the day after Christmas, once lunch was over, Adrian and Kendra showed up. Adrian behaved


    humbly and respectfully, while Kendra kept eyeing Ronan''s luxurious mansion.


    "Mom, I''m here to see you. Actually, I got back yesterday but the house was all locked up. I figured you


    might be with De. This is my girlfriend, Kendra," Adrian introduced Kendra to Shelley.


    Adrian scanned the whole mansion but didn''t spot Ronan. Cordelia wasn''t downstairs either.


    Shelley didn''t take a shine to Kendra. She thought the girl was a bit too shy for her taste. She wasn''t


    into girls of that sort. Moreover, Kendra''s gaze wandered around, clearly distracted.


    But Shelley wasn''t one to give people a hard time, especially considering her own son didn''t turn out


    great. She''d been bedridden for six years, and she had no right to criticize others.


    "Alright." Having said that, Shelley handed Kendra a gift.


    Shelley''s money was all from Cordelia.


    Kendra felt the gift, didn''t seem like much money. She looked down on Shelley a bit. Others would give


    gifts of gold and silver, but she only handed over a bit of giftcard.


    "Where''s Ronan?" Adrian looked around, and didn''t see Ronan. So he asked Shelley.


    "He''s probably in his study upstairs."


    Without another word, Adrian headed upstairs. Shelley just lifted her hand to stop him, but Adrian didn''t


    pay her any mind. Shelley sighed, ming herself for not raising her son properly. He had no manners.


    Kendra, seeing Shelley in this state, looked down on her even more.


    Adrian knocked on the door to Ronan''s study.


    The HR Department had sent Ronan the list of appointments and dismissals for the year, and he was


    checking it out on hisputer.


    "Adrian?" Ronan seemed a bit surprised. He wasn¡¯t a fan of Adrian, but Adrian was useful to him in


    some ways.


    "Ronan." As Adrian said that, he closed the door to the study gently behind him.


    Cordelia had been reading in her bedroom. Hearing noises downstairs and in the study, she figured


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    there must be visitors, so she came out to check.


    As she passed by the study, she overheard their conversation.


    "That big house you gave me is really nice, but the property fees are a bit steep," Adrian said.


    "Hmm, don''t worry about the property fees. Someone else will handle them," Ronan replied, his hand


    on his chin, flipping pages on theputer with the other.


    "That''s a relief." Adrian let out a sigh. This was the main reason for his visit today. A thousand bucks a


    month for property fees, how could he afford that?


    "Well, I didn''t mention it before, but are you satisfied with how Jamie''s thing turned out?"


    Cordelia''s ears perked up. They were definitely talking about Jamie and Manda''s situation.


    "Give me a heads up about these things in the future." Ronan said coldly.


    "Will do," Adrian said cautiously, "I was the one who drugged him, but Jamie has always suspected it


    was Manda from his office. Manda has always had a thing for him, and with Jamie drugged, it fulfilled


    her wishes. I''m still in Jamie''s good graces. Everything went without a hitch."


    So it wasn''t Ronan who arranged this, and he didn''t know about it ahead of time.


    Ronan didn''t respond.


    Adrian almost bumped into Cordelia as he left the study. She was standing there deep in thought when


    Ronan also came out.


    "You eavesdropping out here?" he asked Cordelia. His blunt question left her at a loss for words. After


    fighting with him about this for so long, now finding out it wasn''t his doing, Cordelia felt a bit guilty.


    "De,e here," Ronan called to the other side.


    "Hmm?" Hearing someone call her, Cordelia instinctively responded.


    "I wasn''t calling you." With that, Ronan walked towards the ck cat.


    Cordelia was left speechless. By the time she got downstairs, Adrian and Kendra had already left.

 Chapter 170

    Chapter 170


    Lumos Enterprises began operating after Christmas.


    Finally, work had begun. For Cordelia, staying at home was even more exhausting than working, with


    Ronan wearing her out every day.


    On her first day at work, she received a massive gift package. It contained a high-end watch that every


    ountant needed, which could remind her about VAT issues, and a calctor that was way more


    advanced than the typical ones since it could do function calctions. There was also a handwriting


    board designed specifically for finance work.


    Cordelia couldn''t keep her hands off them. All these items were purchased separately, and it was quite


    a task to collect them all. Plus, they were all the highest specs avable domestically. It must have


    taken quite a while to collect these items, and they were probably pretty expensive too.


    This time, she was sure that these were gifts from Jamie, because only Jamie would know her that


    well.


    Jamie also sent her a message: a[Do you like your gift?]


    [I love it. Thank you.It''s too expensive. I have to pay you back.]


    With that, Cordelia transferred $500 to Jamie. But Jamie didn''t ept the payment.


    As for the gifts, Cordelia really didn''t want to give them back. Why did he send flowers before if he was


    going to give her such thoughtful gifts? She didn''t ask Jamie about the flowers when she received


    them, and Jamie didn''t ask her either. Now, Cordelia wondered whether the flowers were really from


    Jamie.


    [Mr. Colby, did you send me flowers on Christmas?] she asked Jamie.


    [Do I look like the type to shoot myself in the foot?]


    Cordelia frowned slightly. It didn''t seem like something Jamie would do. Jamie wouldn''t cause trouble


    for her, but who could have sent them then?


    Mna wasn''t a gossip, but she also couldn''t keep her hands off Cordelia''s gifts,menting on how


    generous the gift-giver was.


    "No way, I need to report this and have Wyatt get all of us one of these. It''s so unfair that you get to use


    these advanced tools while we can only watch in envy." Mna said, "It''s making me feel so jealous."


    Cordelia didn''t want to make a big deal out of this, afraid that it would cause issues with Ronan, but


    Mna was insistent.


    Understanding the mindset of a finance professional, Cordelia didn''t say anything.


    Mna quickly filed the report. The next day, Wyatt personally visited Cordelia''s office to check out


    these tools.


    Even though the budget was only a few tens of thousands of dors, any new facilities in the Finance


    Department had to be reported to Ronan.


    "Are these items necessary?" Ronan asked Wyatt after reading the report.


    "We saw Cordelia using these tools so smoothly and efficiently, of course we''re envious."


    Ronan frowned slightly, "Cordelia?"


    "Isn''t she your wife?"


    "Who gave these to her?"


    Wyatt shrugged, "That''s her privacy."


    Without naming it, Ronan knew who sent it. The only person who knew that much about auditing was


    that man.


    Just when one issue had settled, another one arose.


    Just a few days ago, Cordelia had started to warm up to him a bit, and now Jamie was giving her gifts.


    "The Audit Department gets a grant of one thousand dors per person to purchase their own


    equipment. Excess won''t be reimbursed, and shortages won''t bepensated. As for those who


    already have equipment," Ronan''s gaze momentarily dimmed, "no money will be given."


    "Alright." With that, Wyatt left.


    Soon, the funds for the Finance Department arrived at the Audit Department. Everyone in the Audit


    Department was overjoyed, except for Cordelia.


    Unlike the way she treated the money Ronan gave her, this was the money she deserved for her work,


    Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    but Ronan sent it for everyone but her.


    This issue was rted to Jamie, so she couldn''t go to Ronan, or else she would be asking for


    embarrassment.


    Even in bed, Cordelia didn''t mention a word, which waspletely different from her previous attitude


    towards Ronan.


    Ronan had been quite unhappy recently. He didn''t say anything, but he was quite fierce in bed.


    After the holiday, Shelley was going to move back home.


    "Mom." Cordelia called out unwillingly when Shelley mentioned it at dinner.


    "Be good. You''re already so grown up. Plus, you''re married now, you should spend more time with your


    husband, instead of following around me all the time. Judy should being back soon. We''ll be fine."


    Cordelia lowered her head and sipped her soup like a child.


    "What? You don''t want to be with me?" Ronan asked coldly.


    "No." Cordelia continued sipping her soup.

 Chapter 171

    Chapter 171


    Although Ronan was a beast in the sheets, he never made Cordelia feel embarrassed in public, despite


    never reimbursing her for expenses.


    Cordelia thought, "Maybe mom was right, it was rare someone stuck with you for life. Since our time


    together was limited, we should cherish every moment."


    She wanted to make amends with Ronan. After all, the incident that happened wasn''t his doing. A few


    dayster, Cordelia received a beautifully wrapped package from overseas. She knew it was Ronan''s


    underwear that had finally arrived.


    Considering she''d be at work when the delivery arrived, she had used her office address instead.


    During lunch, Cordelia put the underwear in a small bag, nning to drop it off at Ronan''s office after


    lunch.


    "What did you buy?" Brooklyn saw the exquisite little bag that Cordelia was carrying and asked her.


    "Something for him."


    "Who? Mr. Evans? What is it, exactly?"


    "Underwear."


    "Wow, you''re really dedicated, huh? Why not just send it to your home? Why let the whole office


    know?" Brooklyn teased.


    "You don''t get it." Cordelia exined, worried that if she sent it home, the delivery might disturb Barney;


    if she left it in the locker, she''d likely forget to grab it.


    "You should hurry and give it to him, he''ll surely appreciate it."


    Cordelia''s hand paused while eating. Would he really appreciate it? "Should we leave it in his office


    while he''s out for lunch?" Cordelia asked Brooklyn.


    "What''s the deal with you two? Aren''t you married? Why do it when he''s not around?"


    "I don''t want to see him."


    "But you have to sleep with him."


    "We don''t talk when we''re in bed." Cordelia thought of their limited conversations these days, and their


    interactions were mostly physical. It was as if he was venting his anger and she was trying to soothe


    her resentment towards him. Their encounters were more intense than usual.


    Cordelia delivered Ronan''s underwear alone. She figured he''d be out for lunch by now, so she


    cautiously opened the door to his office.


    "What are you doing?" He looked at the sudden appearance by the door, frowning.


    "You''re here?"


    "What were you nning on doing while I was out?" Ronan questioned, seeing her sneaky behavior.


    "What''s that you''re holding?"


    Cordelia quickly walked in, cing the package on his desk. "Your stuff is here, I brought it to you."


    Apparently, Ronan had forgotten about Cordelia''s promise to buy him underwear.


    As Cordelia turned to leave, she suddenly noticed Emerson also in the office. She thought, "Oh no,


    how embarrassing."


    Ronan had already taken out the underwear.


    "3XL? Won''t fit, go exchange it." Ronan called after her.


    When Cordelia turned her head, she saw Emerson chuckling quietly, and he didn''t seem to have any


    intention of leaving.


    "But you¡­?" Her eyes fell unintentionally to his lower half.


    Although his desk obstructed her view, she couldn''t see anything.


    "What?" Ronan asked indifferently.


    "But you¡­" Cordelia struggled to find the words. He was so tall and, well¡­


    "You should know my size. Why did you buy it too small?" Ronan used her.


    Emerson''s head dropped lower, rubbing his temples, clearly embarrassed.


    For the first time, Cordelia felt ack of fluency in her speech."One pair of underwear costs over two


    hundred, two pairs over five hundred. Plus, they were shipped from overseas. The shipping wasn''t


    cheap."


    "Then you''ll have to buy them again." Ronan replied, putting the underwear away in his drawer, then


    casually added, "I''m not always that big."


    Cordelia blushed. Was he making an innuendo? Moreover, she felt disappointed. The underwear had


    been shipped from far away and they didn''t even fit.


    She would have to reorder. Just as she was about to pay, she got a call from Samantha that interrupted


    her payment page.


    As she stepped out, Emerson said to Ronan, "I can''t stand your talk, I''m leaving. And why did she have


    to bring the underwear to the office, who are you trying to embarrass?"


    "You specifically."


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    And then, Emerson left.

 Chapter 172

    Chapter 172


    Roseville. Cordelia''s grandmother''s house.


    "What''s up with Mr. Sullivan? He finally agreed to a blind date with you and you turned him down. You


    don''t fancy your dad''s colleagues at the bus station because they''re not rich, nor the salesmen at work


    because they do not have high status. You''ve met so many people. Why can''t you find one that fits


    your standard?" Sienna said to Samantha.


    "He''s in his forties, fat, divorced, and has children. Just looking at him makes me want to puke."


    Samantha was in a bad mood.


    She now knew that Cordelia''s husband was actually Ronan, and Cordelia was not Ronan''s mistress.


    She was super jealous.


    It was only when she saw those papersst time that she realized the house wasn''t Adrian''s, but


    Ronan and Cordelia''s. She had to squeeze the truth out of Adrian, only to find out they were actually


    married.


    They were actually married!


    The gap between Samantha and Cordelia had be entirely apparent, with Samantha falling short in


    every step.


    Thinking about all the misunderstandings she had created in the office, it wasn''t Cordelia who was the


    joke, but herself. During her time in Millstone, she had be the butt of everyone''s jokes.


    Around Christmas, she went on more than a dozen blind dates hoping for something good to happen,


    but all she got were fat men or creepy ones. There were a few she actually liked, but every time she


    thought of how handsome and refined Ronan was, those guys seemed like nothing.


    Currently, Samantha had taken a long leave of absence but had not resigned. She was still going to


    Millstone and Lumos Enterprises. If she wasn''tfortable, neither should Cordelia.


    The bouquet given to Cordelia was from Samantha. She won a 588 dor flower coupon at Christmas.


    The bouquet was so big that she couldn''t fit it in her house. As a single woman, flowers were useless.


    She just delivered it to Cordelia without leaving a name, causing a misunderstanding between Cordelia


    and Ronan.


    "Sienna, Sienna, my head hurts. It''s been hurting for so long; it feels like there''s a needle in my brain."


    A weak voice came from grandma''s room.


    "Jesus, why aren''t you dead yet." Sienna cursed, "You''re hurting, huh? Your days are numbered."


    Sienna was also pissed. Last time Cordelia had washed the old woman''s bedding, making it look like


    she treated the elderly poorly. Now hearing Cordelia married a rich man, Sienna was even more


    infuriated.


    "Sienna, Sienna." Grandma called again from her room.


    "You are so annoying! Do you know how much it costs to treat you? You''re just lying there taking up


    space." Sienna shouted back.


    Suddenly, Samantha had an idea.


    "Mom, we may not have money, but we have a rich person in our family." Samantha hinted at Sienna,


    "My aunt is such a good daughter, she came to see her mom as soon as she got better. I don''t believe


    she can just ignore her mom''s illness. Wouldn''t Cordelia pay?"


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Right, we can also get a good reputation for taking good care of that old woman. Take her to the


    hospital, and keep the taxi receipt for your aunt to reimburse." Sienna told Samantha.


    In the end, they got grandma in the car.


    Sienna started calling Shelley.


    "Shelley, mom''s sick." Sienna sounded heartbroken, her tears falling fast, "She has a severe


    headache. I''m taking her to the hospital now. She''s almost ny, and I''m worried she doesn''t have


    much time left. I don''t know if she''ll wake up this time. You shoulde see her."


    Shelley was stunned, "I''m on my way."


    Shelley was wondering whether to tell Cordelia. She thought it was working hours, and she couldn''t


    always take time off just because of her and Ronan''s rtionship. She decided to go see her mom first.


    She got Judy to hail a taxi to the hospital where her mom was.


    Samantha knew Shelley probably wouldn''t tell Cordelia, so she called Cordelia herself.


    "Cordelia, grandma''s sick. It could be serious; she''s been having headaches. Can youe see her?


    We''re at the hospital doing tests now. I''ve been off work since Christmas, taking care of grandma. I


    think she doesn''t have much time left." Samantha started crying after finishing her sentence.


    Samantha wanted to make Cordelia feel guilty and, ideally, make Ronane over to see how


    impoverished Cordelia''s family was. She wanted him to realize that he couldn''t save so many people


    on his own and to discourage him from trying.


    After all, for rich people like them, marriage and divorce were child''s y, they can y with anyone,


    might as well find someone rich.


    That was what Samantha was thinking.


    Cordelia informed Mna, then immediately went downstairs to hail a taxi to Roseville, forgetting her


    n to buy underwear for Ronan.


    Cordelia and Shelley arrived at Roseville Hospital at the same time. Sienna and Samantha were crying


    at the corridor entrance.


    "The test results came back, mom has a brain tumor, a very serious one. That''s why she''s been having


    incontinence. The tumor has been pressing on her nerves for a long time, and if we don''t treat it now,


    mom might be paralyzed. But we don''t have money. Samantha got a job at Lumos Enterprises,


    but the ie is meager. Your uncle works at a buspany, and he doesn''t have money either. We


    all love mom, but we just don''t have the money." Sienna cried out.


    "How much do we need?" Shelley asked.


    "The doctor said she needs surgery right away, so we need thirty thousand dors now." Sienna


    thought.


    Samantha was watching Cordelia, thinking: The youngdy of a wealthy family would surely be able to


    afford this. Once she paid, how was she going to exin it to Ronan? Too bad Ronan wasn''t here to


    see what was going on here.

 Chapter 173

    Chapter 173


    Thirty grand, Shelley was stumped for a moment. Being bedridden for six years, she literally had


    nothing. She didn''t want to cause trouble for Cordelia. She knew that ordinary girls like Cordelia had a


    low status in the upper-ss world. As soon as she used that money, she would be beholden to


    someone else.


    "Mom, don''t worry, I got this." Cordelia patted Shelley''s shoulder and pulled out Cost Management in


    Finance from her backpack.


    She always carried this book with her, and the check was also in there.


    "I''ve got some money here, given to me by him. Don''t worry. Granny''s illness can be cured. I''ll go cash


    the check at the bank." After saying that, Cordelia showed the check to her mom.


    "He" was obviously referring to Ronan.


    Shelley felt something was off, but she couldn''t put her finger on it.


    After paying the operation fee, the doctors began the surgery on grandma. The operation for this kind


    of brain tumor took a long time, so they had to wait outside.


    "Look at the rich wife here, casually throwing around thirty grand," Samantha sneered.


    Cordelia ignored her and continued to pretend to sleep leaning on the wall. This made Samantha even


    more pissed.


    Shelley couldn''t help but wonder: did Cordelia tell Ronan abouting to the hospital? Howe


    Ronan didn''t show up when she came to the hospital?


    "Cordelia, what are you doing here?" Jamie and a group of people were passing by.


    Seeing Cordelia, Samantha immediately put on a smile, thinking to herself: isn''t this a perfect love


    triangle? It would be a surprise if Ronan didn''t punish Cordelia.


    Cordelia looked up and saw Jamie. "You''re here?" she asked in surprise.


    "Well, I took on the auditing work for Roseville Hospitalst Christmas, and I came here to collect some


    data today. What are you doing in the hospital?" Jamie asked.


    Cordelia knew that as long as she was with Jamie, Samantha would definitely stir up trouble. She


    pulled Jamie aside and exined what had happened. Seeing that there were only women around, and


    no men, Jamie knew Cordelia might be under great stress.


    "I haven''t finished my work here. I''m not going back to Millstone. The brain tumor operation takes a


    long time, maybe more than ten hours. I''ll book a room for you, so you and your mom can go rest. Also,


    do you have enough money?" Jamie was very concerned, his eyes filled with concern as he spoke.


    "Yeah."


    "Given by him?"


    Cordelia nodded, "Mm-hmm. Five hundred grand."


    "If it''s not enough after paying all these, I can help."


    "Mm."


    Having someone to help in difficult times made Cordelia very touched.


    Jamie booked a hotel room across the street and told Cordelia the room number. Cordelia wanted to


    refuse, but Jamie interrupted her, "Don''t be so uptight. Doesn''t it feel a bit forced?"


    Cordelia also felt it was forced, so she had to ept it. Her phone rang. It was Ronan. Cordelia had


    just cashed the check and he had already received the notification.


    "Why aren''t you home?" He asked. It was already past eight in the evening.


    "My grandma is not well, she''s having surgery, and I''m at Roseville now. I''ve already asked Mna for


    leave. I won''t be home tonight. I''ll see how things go tomorrow. Is that okay?" Cordelia exined the


    situation in detail.


    "Do you need me toe over?"


    "It¡¯s alright. We''ll see after the surgery."


    "Do you have enough money?" He asked again.


    "You gave me five hundred grand on Christmas, remember? That should be enough."


    Ronan hung up the phone.


    At ten o''clock, Sienna and Samantha both went home.


    Originally, Cordelia nned to let Judy take her mother to the hotel, and she would stay here to wait.


    But Shelley said, "De, I have something to tell you. Come keep mepany for a while."


    The hotel Jamie booked for Cordelia wasn''t big, but it was veryfortable.


    After stepping in, Shelley grabbed Cordelia''s hand and said, "De, tell me the truth, why did he give


    you the check?"


    Shelley had felt something was wrong all along. Checks were usually for shopping payments. In a


    normal husband and wife rtionship, it was notmon for a husband to give his wife a check. Was


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    there some kind of deal between them?

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    Chapter 174


    Cordelia didn''t expect her mom to catch on to this.


    "What''s wrong with him giving me a check?" Cordelia asked.


    "Don''t you find it strange? Since when do husbands give their wives checks? And it''s a round number


    too, fifty grand, like he''s shopping. De, are you hiding something from me?" Shelleyid a hand on


    Cordelia''s shoulder.


    Shelley had always thought that a man of Ronan''s status wouldn''t go for a girl like Cordelia. Cordelia


    was pretty, but her family...


    "It''s nothing, mom." Cordelia''s face turned pale.


    "I''ve watched you grow up, what happened? Is it because of my illness?" Shelley was heartbroken for


    Cordelia.


    Her illness, her son didn''t care about it, and only this daughter was willing to give up everything, even


    sell herself. Shelley had a hunch.


    "No mom, it¡¯s not what you think." Cordelia firmly denied.


    But Shelley had figured it out. Yes, that was it.


    "How long is he keeping you?" Shelley asked Cordelia, feeling angry and heartbroken, "Tell me. If it''s a


    sugar daddy deal, then why did he marry you?"


    "Mom, stop asking." Cordelia turned around, facing the window.


    "Tell me. I was sick before and couldn''t take care of you. Now that I''m better, I can''t just let it go. I won''t


    allow my daughter to treat herself like this. How much did he give you?" Shelley started to cry. She


    thought Cordelia was living a happy life, but it turned out like this.


    Cordelia stubbornly kept her mouth shut.


    "Tell me. He already knows his cornea is from your father. When I woke up, I did not know his


    rtionship with you, and I thought he was here because of your father."


    Cordelia lowered her head, unconsciously touching the cup next to her.


    No wonder he wanted to give her mom the house that day, and also gave Adrian a house. He even put


    all his properties under Cordelia''s name. Turned out he knew everything. His generosity was not


    without reason.


    It seemed that mom told him before Christmas, which meant, by Christmas, he already knew that


    Deanna''s dad wasn''t his benefactor, but he was still so warm to Deanna, not holding it against her for


    lying to him for six years.


    It was clear that being the one that he held dearly had nothing to do with who his benefactor was.


    "How long is he keeping you?" Mom asked again.


    "Till Barney passes away." Cordelia said softly.


    "So the marriage was for his grandfather to see, no wonder," Shelley muttered to herself, "How much


    did he give you?"


    "He said he''d give five million in total when we divorce." Cordelia''s mood hit rock bottom.


    "De, listen to me, we won''t take this money, however much you have spent of his, give it back to him.


    You''re already married, and his grandfather is still sick, so let''s not divorce for now. Love is very


    precious, and I don''t want you to be sacrificing your feelings while taking his money. Understand? This


    way, he''ll only look down on you more. I don''t want my daughter to be looked down on by anyone."


    Shelley said seriously, "We''ll talk about the restter."


    Cordelia nodded solemnly.


    "How much do you still owe him?" Shelley asked Cordelia.


    Cordelia calcted carefully, realizing she still owed 930000 dora, including her mom''s hospital bills,


    her clothing expenses, and the gifts she bought him. Cordelia had tried to save as much as possible.


    "You pay him back with what you have now, and pay the rest gradually."


    Cordelia nodded in understanding. Little did they know, Jamie overheard their conversation from


    outside. He was just here to see how Cordelia and her mom were doing. He knew about their arranged


    marriage before, but only learned about the details today. Jamie felt like he should do something for


    Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    Cordelia.


    Her grandmother''s surgery was very sessful, Cordelia stayed at the hospital for three days, only


    returning home after her grandmother''s condition stabilized. Shelley and Judy had been at the hospital


    taking care of her grandmother.


    On her first day back in Millstone, Cordelia transferred all her money into a bank card. That night, she


    left the card on Ronan''s bedside table.


    Ronan had finished his shower and was toweling off his hair, wrapped only in a robe. "What''s this?" He


    saw the bank card.

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    "Here''s the money I owe you." Cordelia said.


    Ronan nonchntly put the card aside, "What''s up? You wanna call off the deal?"


    "Nope, Barney''s sick, I''m not calling it off. My mom knows we were married by agreement and she


    asked me to give this back. She said feelings are precious, not something money can measure, and I


    don''t need the rest of the cash," Cordelia was sitting on the edge of the bed, hugging her knees, and


    smiled as she said, "Even thoughpared to you, I''m dirt poor, but I have feelings too, right?"


    As she smiled, tears began to well up in her eyes.


    "All that effort wasted? From a virgin to... no regrets?" Ronan asked her.


    "My mom was right. When ites to divorce, I gotta keep my dignity. At least..."


    "At least what?" Ronan lit up a cigarette and asked.


    "At least I did the right thing, getting to know you," Cordelia said with a smile.


    Ronan''s smoking hand paused, "If you''re not with me, you won¡¯t get to know me?"


    "Of course not that kind of knowing. To me, you''re a high and mighty CEO, and we would never cross


    paths, but knowing you, I''ve never regretted it. Even before, I felt really happy."


    "Before? Before what?" Ronan took a drag on his cigarette and leaned against the bedpost, too. He


    was shirtless, looking sideways at Cordelia, the two of them talking by the bed.


    "Before the thing with Jamie happened, I thought you were a good guy. Even thought that if we had to


    divorce, it would be cruel. I didn''t want to let you go." Cordelia said it sincerely.


    The way she looked as she cried with a smile on her face made people feel sorry for her.


    "You know now, right? Didn''t you eavesdrop on everything?" he asked.


    "But I still can''t see through you."


    "Then keep working on it." he looked at her, his tone carrying a hint of jest, but within the jest, there


    was also some sincerity.


    "Everyone says they hope to grow old together with their partner when they get married. Especially in


    our case," Cordelia said, epting the fickleness of life, "And you don''t like me."


    "True, I don''t."


    Cordelia thought: If you didn¡¯t like me, that was fine. But why hurt me by saying it?


    "You like Deanna, right, I know."


    "Not her," Ronan said, his cigarette was almost done, "I had a cornea transnt before. Did you know?


    Before the transnt, there was a girl, she would wait for me every time I went to get water. To this day


    I still can''t forget the sandalwood scent on her."


    Ronan stared at Cordelia.


    Cordelia thought: Wasn''t that me? Was I the one that I loved?


    Cordelia turned her head, staring into his eyes, trying to see if he was lying. Her heart was pounding.


    The more she looked at him, the more enthralled she became. The perfect face, deep gazes, and


    attractive Adam''s apple.


    Cordelia even had the thought of kissing him. But she only leaned in a little, not brave enough to take


    the next step.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    Just as she was about to turn her face away, Ronan grabbed her by the neck. "Scared?" he asked


    Cordelia, "I''m your husband. What''s there to be scared of?"


    Cordelia lightly licked her lips, blushing. Her breath started to quicken. In the end, it was her who


    initiated the kiss to Ronan.


    That night, Cordelia and Ronan''s rtionship took a deep dive, their feelings delved into every detail.


    The misunderstanding caused by Jamie was basically cleared up.


    The next day, when Cordelia was having breakfast, she intentionally took an egg, just to see if Ronan


    would help her eat the yolk. Sure enough, Ronan quietly took the yolk away.


    At noon, Cordelia and Brooklyn went to eat. As soon as they reached the lobby, they saw Samantha


    justing in from outside thepany. Cordelia was taken aback and instinctively turned around.


    She thought that grandma''s illness might be better, so Samantha came back from Roseville and started


    working. Samantha might spill the beans about Cordelia running into Jamie at the hospital in front of


    Ronan, causing trouble for Cordelia.


    However, as soon as Cordelia turned around, she bumped her head on something. She held her head


    in pain. Looking up, she saw Ronan, rubbing his chin.


    "What''s wrong?" Ronan asked her.


    "Samantha''s back. I''m afraid she might sow discord in front of you," Cordelia said.


    "Sow discord?" Ronan asked her.


    Samantha saw Ronan and Cordelia, nced at them, and then walked past, as if she didn''t give a


    damn about them.


    Samantha just came back from Roseville. When she went to see Adrian, Adrian and Kendra were


    being lovey-dovey in the living room, and Samantha saw the whole thing.


    Kendra was furious at the time, she told Samantha to get out of the house, and the two had a sh.


    Kendra threw all of Samantha''s belongings out, making her theughingstock of the entire


    neighborhood.


    Throughout the entire process, Adrian didn''t say a word.


    Under these circumstances, how could Samantha have the mood to stir trouble for Cordelia?


    "I''m gonna go eat now," with that, Cordelia left with Brooklyn.


    However, before Cordelia could finish, Jamie came looking for Ronan. In the afternoon, in Ronan''s


    office, he put a check for 1 million in front of Ronan.

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    Chapter 176


    "What?" Ronan looked at the cheque in his hand. His recent financial luck had been off the charts,


    people kept throwing money at him. First, it was Cordelia, now Jamie. The irony.


    Ronan''s eyes were ice-cold, his face adorned with a chilly smile.


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "The other day, I overheard a conversation between Cordelia and her mother. She still owes you some


    money. Ie to pay it off for her." Jamie said.


    "You?" Ronan looked down at the cheque on the table, then tore it into pieces, "Who do you think you


    are?"


    "Ronan!" Jamie stood up angrily.


    "This is between my wife and me. It''s none of your business." Ronan said, "I''m busy. You can leave


    now."


    Jamie stormed out.


    Just as Jamie left, Kendra walked in. It was her first time in Ronan''s office.


    "Mr. Evans, it was you who provided the house for Adrian to live in, wasn''t it? Now Samantha..." before


    Kendra could finish, Ronan picked up the phone and called the Sales Department.


    "Fire Samantha." Ronan told the sales manager.


    Then, he lit up a cigarette, calmly turned to Kendra, and said, "Is that better?"


    Kendra''s expression changed instantly, "Mr. Evans, you certainly know how to read a woman. You


    know exactly what''s going on in my head. I''m very satisfied. It would be best if you could inform Adrian


    to send Samantha back to Roseville."


    "Alright, I''ll call him right now."


    Ronan called Adrian in front of Kendra, telling him not to allow Samantha to live in that house anymore.


    How could Adrian possibly disobey Ronan''s orders? He agreed immediately.


    Kendra thought to herself: Ronan sure knew how to handle women. Plus, the fact that Ronan listened


    to her made Kendra feel ted, as if she was truly influential. She even made a special trip to the


    Sales Department to see Samantha packing up her things with a pale face. She couldn''t help but


    Ronan had wanted to fire Samantha from the beginning. Now that Kendra had shown up, it gave him


    the perfect excuse. It was like killing someone with a borrowed knife.


    Samantha''s resentment was entirely directed at Kendra.


    Ronan then called Cordelia and asked her toe over. Cordelia thought to herself: What did I do


    wrong recently? Why was he calling me over?


    "Aren''t you going to apologize?" were his first words when she entered his office. He sat leisurely in his


    office, watching the bewildered Cordelia.


    "Apologize? For what?" Cordelia asked in confusion.


    "Why is Jamie in Roseville when your grandmother is sick? Why wouldn''t you let me go and let him go


    instead?"


    Cordelia thought: How did he know everything? It made her feel so passive.


    "I was afraid you''d get angry." Cordelia said, lowering her head, "He might have been working at


    Roseville Hospital, happened to be there and we chatted for a bit. My mother was present, what could


    possibly happen?"


    "What do you want to happen?"


    "Of course, I don''t want anything to happen with him. I just want..." Cordelia tried to soothe Ronan, "I


    just want something to happen between you and me."


    Ronan was silent for a moment, then teased her, "You really have no shame."


    "As if you''re any better." Cordelia muttered.


    "I want you to report everything about him to me." Ronan ordered Cordelia.


    "Everything?" Cordelia raised her eyebrows in surprise, "I''m already swamped with work in the Audit


    Department."


    "Or I could transfer you out of the Audit Department?" Ronan said calmly.


    There was a knock on the door.


    With a e in" from Ronan, Cordelia felt a gust of wind behind her. Then Emerson walked in.


    "Maybe I should leave first?" he asked tentatively.


    "No need, have a seat."


    Emerson sat on the couch next to them, looking a little worried.


    Cordelia was still unwillingly lowering her head. With a third party present, it was harder to say what


    she wanted to. She knew that if Ronan wanted to transfer her out of the Audit Department, it would be


    as easy as when he brought her in.


    "Don''t want to be transferred?" Ronan continued questioning Cordelia.


    "Mm." Cordelia nodded.


    "Then do as I say. Report everything."


    "But what if he contacts me and I''m busy at the time and forget to report it to you?"


    "Well?" Ronan seemed to be considering how to handle this situation. Turning to Emerson, he asked,


    "What should we do like that?"


    "That''s simple, just keep a diary." Emerson blurted out.


    Cordelia thought: Emerson was really not helping.

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    Chapter 177


    "Mr. Emerson''s suggestion is quite good. What do you think, Cordelia?"


    It seemed that Ronan still gave Cordelia a chance to choose. What a swell husband and president he


    was.


    In order not to be transferred out of the Audit Department, Cordelia had to bite the bullet and agree.


    "But I''m not good at writing," she emphasized. "I don''t read novels."


    "Well, just jot it down as daily life. Alright," Ronan said, "Hand it in daily."


    Cordelia walked away with her head down, thinking: Was Samantha tattling again? Why did Jamie


    keep stirring up trouble for her?


    "Are you schooling your wife again? You really know how to pass the buck, I bet Cordelia will hate me


    for this." Emerson grumbled, "Don''t you realize you''re too cunning?"


    "No, I''m not. Let''s get down to business."


    Cordelia returned to her office and got to work. She found that keeping a diary was actually a good


    thing. Her work was chaotic every day, but writing it down made her day more organized. It was helpful


    for her work, and many things in life could be recorded. When looking back, she could also know which


    event happened on which day.


    One day, when Cordelia went to visit Shelley, Shelley told her something: Ronald was injured in a


    collision with a truck while he was driving a bus to make way for an ambnce. His leg was broken,


    and he couldn''t work after being discharged from the hospital, only getting a few hundred bucks in


    welfare every month.


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    Shelley also told Cordelia, "De, your uncle''s family is also in a tight spot. Samantha might be a pain,


    but she is still your cousin, and you should help her out. She might not treat us well, but we can''t fight


    fire with fire. It''s not about being a pushover, it''s about decency."


    Cordelia just nodded.


    Samantha seemed to have disappeared from Millstone after she left Lumos Enterprises. Cordelia also


    recorded this in her diary.


    One day, Cordelia went to hand in her diary and put it on Ronan''s desk. He hadn''t started reading yet


    when it was time to clock out. Cordelia saw him get up and change his clothes, and then they went


    home together.


    The next morning, they went to work together, but when Cordelia arrived at the office, her diary was


    already on her desk. Judging by the time, Ronan probably didn''t have time to read her diary.


    Cordelia tried to test him a few times and found that he always did this.


    Cordelia was sure. He didn''t even read it, he was just going through the motions. In the future, she


    became bolder when writing her diary. Once, she even wrote her true thoughts at the end. Ronan was


    a jerk, and he acted like a tyrant every night.


    She even drew a solid star at the end of each entry, sometimes she didn''t, but that was rare.


    At the end of the month, Cordelia had a problem she was too embarrassed to tell anyone ¡ª she was


    skint.


    She also recorded this in her diary. After all, even though she handed it to Ronan every day, he didn''t


    read it, so it was like writing to herself.


    Even though Cordelia was broke, she felt a lot better. She also realized that their marriage might end


    abruptly one day, but she was very happy during this time. Her mother was a very smart woman.


    Having dreams but being broke was a bitter pill to swallow.


    Lumos Enterprises paid sries on the 8th of each month, and there were still ten days left. She didn''t


    even dare to go out for lunch now, so she made lunch at home in the morning. The food was not rich;


    she cooked whatever she had at home and took it to the office.


    "Aren''t you cooking for me anymore?" Ronan asked.


    "Yeah, after you had that fancy private kitchen dishst time, I''d better not cook anymore," Cordelia


    said, "Mainly because the Audit Department is so busy right now, going out for lunch would waste a lot


    of time."


    Ronan didn''t say anything, but he noticed that Cordelia''s food was not as plentiful as before.


    Cordelia originally nned to grit her teeth and get through this period, but unexpectedly, the person


    who delivered shirts to Ronan came again.


    When it rained, it poured.

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    Chapter 178


    Two shirts for five grand. It was a hefty sum for Cordelia nowadays.


    Random folks couldn¡¯t just waltz into the Audit Department. The people Cordelia was dealing with at


    the reception were the staff from "The Suit Gallery."


    Cordelia asked if she could pay next month. They chuckled and said, "Ms. Haselwood, we gotta settle


    the bills every month."


    "But I forgot my phone," Cordelia said.


    "No worries, I''ll wait downstairs. You can pay when you get it."


    Caught between a rock and a hard ce, she didn''t know what to do. Cordelia felt awkward about


    borrowing money from Brooklyn. She knew Brooklyn was barely making ends meet, especially with her


    mother topping up her ie each month. Plus, she could picture how Brooklyn would react. "You,


    borrowing money? You own half the building and you''re short on cash?"


    Asking others for money would embarrass Ronan. The wife of the boss borrowing money?


    Just as Cordelia was cringing with embarrassment, Emerson walked in from the hall. "What''s up?" He


    asked, noticing her awkwardness.


    "Oh, someone came to deliver suits and I forgot my phone. Can''t pay," Cordelia exined.


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    "I got it. How much?" Emerson already had his phone out.


    "Five grand."


    Emerson transferred the money.


    When Cordelia turned to leave, she heard the receptionists whispering downstairs. They were probably


    gossiping about her. She was used to it. Being in the public eye was her norm.


    Cordelia was wondering how to pay back Emerson. Even now, she had to maintain her image and not


    let others know about her predicament. Looked like she had to resort to that guy.


    After work, Emerson went to Ronan''s office. "Time to pay up. Your wife borrowed my money," Emerson


    told Ronan.


    "What money?"


    "The money for your custom shirts. Five grand. A man''s gotta pay his wife''s debts. I''m a bit strapped for


    cashtely. I need it back, double," Emerson outstretched his hand.


    Ronan thought for a moment. "Ask her for it."


    "You call yourself a husband?"


    Emerson was just teasing Ronan. Five grand was nothing to him and he wouldn''t dream of asking


    Cordelia for it. But for Cordelia, owing the CFO money was a big deal. After thinking it over, she had no


    option but to ask Ronan for money.


    [Can I borrow some money?] Cordelia messaged Ronan.


    [How much?]


    [Five grand.]


    Without another word, Ronan transferred five grand to Cordelia. She immediately sent it to Emerson.


    Cordelia thought, now that she''d paid Emerson back, she just had to hold out until payday.


    However, after work, Ronan asked Cordelia, "Did you buy the pieces of underwear you said you were


    going to get me?"


    Cordelia was mortified. Herst attempt to pay was interrupted by Samantha''s call. Then she went to


    her grandma''s house and forgot about it.


    "Not...not yet." Cordelia felt incredibly embarrassed.


    "Are you pulling my leg?" Ronan asked, distractedly as he drove.


    "Absolutely not." Cordelia thought for a moment. He was a smart guy, he must have understood her


    financial situation. After all, she had given all her money back to him. So, she came out with it, "I''m a


    little strapped for cash right now. Give me a few days."


    "A few days?" Ronan persisted.


    Cordelia thought, ¡°Being in debt is such a pain!¡±


    "Can you wait till I get my paycheck?" she asked Ronan cautiously.

 Chapter 179

    Chapter 179


    Ronan handed a credit card to Cordelia. "This is a supplementary card for my credit card. You can use


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    it."


    "Do I need to pay it back?" Cordelia asked, batting her eyshes thoughtfully at Ronan.


    "You''re turning down five million, so feel free to spend this money."


    Cordelia thought to herself, ¡°Well, I''m about to get paid, and once I do, I''ll have money. So this credit


    card can be a backup.¡±


    "What''s the password? I''ll jot it down." Cordelia prepared to take out her phone to record the password.


    "000215."


    "Does this password have any special meaning? So I can remember it." Cordelia asked him.


    Ronan was silent for a moment, then said, "It''s my birthday."


    "Oh, your birthday, I totally forgot." Cordelia pretended to be very surprised. In fact, she didn''t forget,


    she just never knew. She was afraid Ronan would mock her again for not knowing his age, so she had


    to find an excuse.


    "You don''t have to pretend. There''s a difference between not knowing and forgetting."


    His birthday was some day after payday, so, Cordelia still had time to prepare. But what should she get


    him for his birthday? She couldn''t buy him underwear as a birthday gift because she had already


    promised that before.


    February 14th was a Friday, and tomorrow was Saturday, Ronan''s birthday. Cordelia asked Brooklyn to


    apany her to the mall. They didn''t go to Lumos Enterprises this time because it was too expensive


    for her now.


    They were browsing in the men''s department.


    "What should I get him?" Cordelia frowned.


    It was easy to go from being frugal to being extravagant, but it was hard to go from being extravagant


    to being frugal. She felt a financial squeeze.


    "Get him a belt. You can use it to keep him in check."


    Cordelia thought, ¡°Not a bad idea, and belts aren''t expensive. But now she only dared to browse in


    some local brand stores. She didn''t dare to visit foreign luxury brand stores anymore.¡±


    "Wee." They had just entered a store when they heard a polite voice from the staff.


    Cordelia found the voice familiar. When the staff member looked up, Cordelia realized it was


    Samantha. Cordelia instinctively wanted to leave, but then she remembered what her mom said,


    Samantha''s family was not well-off.


    Samantha, after leaving Lumos Enterprises and Adrian¡¯s home, did not return to Roseville but stayed in


    Millstone. She wanted to return after making it big, fearing the gap with Cordelia would only grow if she


    returned to Roseville. This job was just a temporary stepping stone, allowing her to afford rent and


    other expenses. She was looking for a better job.


    "Oh, Mrs. Evans, what can I get for you? This is a men''s leather goods store, are you shopping for Mr.


    Evans?" Samantha''s tone was full of sarcasm. Even though she left because of Kendrast time,


    Cordelia was also to me! She hated Cordelia even more now.


    Cordelia reluctantly nodded because she knew that the staff got amission if they sold goods. She


    wanted to give Samantha a chance to earn amission, to supplement her livelihood. After all, they


    were cousins.


    "How could someone like Ronan like the goods in our store? Shouldn''t he like the more luxurious stuff?


    Or is it you, who doesn''t want Ronan to have nice things?" Samantha thought, ¡°Cordelia must be one


    way in front of Ronan and another behind his back, buying cheap goods for Ronan, and keeping the


    money in her own pocket. Would a person who could pay three hundred thousand hospital bills at


    once, care about a few bucks for a belt?¡±

 Chapter 180

    Chapter 180


    Cordelia totally ignored Samantha and quickly picked out two belts with Brooklyn, one ck and the


    other brown. Both felt pretty good, not exactly designer brands, but the quality was definitely up there.


    She hoped Ronan would dig it.


    The total came to 1790, and Samantha issued the receipt.


    As Cordelia was about to pay and bounce, another woman sauntered in. "Well, isn''t this a


    coincidence," Cordelia thought. Deanna, all elegance and poise, walked up to Cordelia, carrying a bag.


    After hanging around Ronan for so long, Cordelia had picked up a thing or two about brands, and she


    knew the one Deanna was carrying was Patek Philippe.


    "What are you buying, Ms. Haselwood?" Deanna asked, looking like she was ready for some juicy


    gossip.


    "A belt for Ronan."


    "What brand?" Deanna nced at the store name. "Never heard of it, you think Ronan''s gonna like


    something so cheap? Good luck with that."


    Without acknowledging Deanna, Cordelia just walked out with Brooklyn.


    "Talk about bad luck, running into those two," Cordelia grumbled.


    "What if Deanna tries to stir things up in front of Mr. Evans? Don''t you wannae up with a game


    n?"


    "Deal with problems as theye. I don''t wanna think too much this time." Cordelia was already


    feeling irked.


    She thought, ¡°What''s mine, no one can snatch away, and what''s not mine, no matter what, will never


    be mine.¡±


    Deanna was bound to stir the pot at Ronan''s birthday. She had to find a way to keep Deanna in check.


    After Cordelia left, Samantha gave Deanna a few more looks. This woman seemed to be the famous


    Deanna, and seemed to have some beef with Cordelia, probably a rival. Samantha was intrigued and


    was thinking about sucking up to her because being an assistant to a celebrity certainly paid more than


    being a saleswoman.


    "Miss, would you like to pick a belt?" Samantha tried to seize the opportunity, being extra attentive to


    Deanna.


    Deanna clearly wasn''t impressed with the store''s merchandise.


    "I know someone of your status, Ms. Deanna, might not fancy our belts¡¯ quality standard, but maybe


    you could buy some for your driver or security guard, a little emotional investment." Samantha


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    whispered to Deanna, "Thedy just now picked this brown and this ck one."


    Deanna didn''t really care, but hearing that, she was struck with an idea. Ronan''s birthday wasing


    up. No doubt Cordelia was shopping for Ronan, so why not...


    "I''ll take two of the same. Wrap them up for me."


    "Of course, Ms. Deanna." Samantha was extremely respectful. She even kneeled down to dust off


    Deanna''s dress. "There''s some dust on your dress, Ms. Deanna. It doesn''t suit your noble status. Let


    me take care of it. Here''s my card."


    Samantha handed Deanna the belts and her card respectfully.


    "Also, Ms. Deanna, I''ve watched all your TV shows. Your character in ''My Dear Dr. Rond'' was


    absolutely stunning and so smart, I''m a huge fan. My mom adores you too. You''re so beautiful and


    clever. Could you please give me an autograph?" Samantha gushed.


    ttery could get you everywhere. After signing for Samantha, Deanna left, cheerfully saying, "You''ve


    got potential."


    Samantha thought to herself, ¡°I bet Deanna''s also buying Ronan the same gifts. Wonder how


    Cordelia''s gonna handle this...¡±

 Chapter 181

    Chapter 181


    When Cordelia got back home, she found Ronan lounging on the sofa. She quickly stuffed the gift bag


    into her canvas tote. Even though it wasn''t anything fancy, it was a gesture from her.


    Ronan got the sentiment. He knew tomorrow was the big reveal, so he wasn''t in a rush tonight. Just as


    Cordelia was about to head upstairs, Ronan stopped her with a "Hold on." "What''s up?" Cordelia


    asked, her eyes wide on him.


    "I have a gift for you."


    "A gift for me?" Cordelia was puzzled. "Isn''t your birthday tomorrow? Why would you give me a gift?"


    "Don''t you know what today is?" Ronan furrowed his brows slightly.


    "Isn''t today the day before your birthday?"


    "Didn''t you and Logan ever celebrate this day?"


    Cordelia racked her brain and then remembered that today was Valentine''s Day. She thought they were


    just contractually married, partners rather than lovers. Describing them as "lovers" felt weird and stirred


    up some fantasies in Cordelia''s mind.


    Logan was a practical guy. On Valentine''s Day, he wouldn''t be all talk or gift flowers, but he would


    reserve a spot for her, buy her breakfast, etc. Thisck of ceremony made Valentine''s Day forgettable,


    so Cordelia forgot about it.


    "What kind of gift?" Cordelia couldn''t contain her excitement. Her eyes were filled with innocence and


    joy, smiling like a crescent moon.


    "I''ve found you a tutor for financial cost management!"


    "Who?" Cordelia was taken aback. Was this a "Valentine''s Day" gift?


    "Emerson."


    Cordelia''s expression darkened. "Has he passed the CPA exam?"


    Ronan''s gaze was filled with sarcasm. "You don''t trust the person I picked?"


    Afraid he would get mad, Cordelia agreed, ¡°Alright.¡±


    ¡°Starting today, after work, you¡¯ll go to my office, and he¡¯ll tutor you for an hour. Pass this exam, and


    you¡¯ll be an auditor. The audit Department is short on staff," Ronan said nonchntly.


    Cordelia was speechless. So this was his gift to her? Was it a gift to her or to himself? The Audit


    Department was short-handed, and he found her an auditor!


    Back upstairs, Cordelia took out her journal. Today was Friday, and Ronan allowed her to submit her


    journal every Monday. She opened it and wrote down, Ronan, you bastard! She also recorded what


    happened at the mall today. She decided, that no matter how Deanna behaved, she''d stand her


    ground.


    The next day, on Ronan''s birthday, Deanna indeed showed up. She put her gift on the table first.


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    "Ronan, happy birthday, wish you all the best, and may you have many more."


    Her gift was a Patek Philippe watch worth hundreds of thousands. Ronan just nced at it and said,


    "Thanks."


    "Oh, I remembered thest time I was here, I saw Janice working hard. I wanted to buy her something,


    but she seemed to have everything. I really didn''t know what to get, so I ended up buying something for


    her husband. These two belts, are for him." Deanna took out two belts.


    They were the same belts as Cordelia''s. So, could Cordelia still present her gift? Cordelia realized that


    Samantha must have deliberately advised Deanna to buy the same belts to embarrass her. Cordelia


    got a taste of what it meant to be bitten by the snake one had nursed. She meant to help Samantha but


    got set up instead.


    Seeing Cordelia sitting there motionless, Deanna looked triumphant. "What did you get your husband


    for his birthday, Mrs. Evans?"


    "You got a gift?" Ronan asked Cordelia.


    "I..."

 Chapter 182

    Chapter 182


    In the middle of a stalemate, Adrian and Kendra showed up. Nowadays, Adrian always showed up on


    important asions, and Kendra came because she had a thing for Ronan but was too chicken to


    admit it. She just wanted to watch him from afar.


    Adrian brought a bunch of truffles for Ronan, which were super pricey, and said it was for his grandpa.


    He knew Ronan would not let him down. These truffles were just a small investment.


    Everyone was seated around the dining table.


    "My present?" Clearly, if Cordelia were to bring out the two belts she bought, it would be super


    awkward.


    Cordelia leaned on Ronan''s shoulder and gave him a passionate peck on the cheek. "This is my


    present." The rest of the words, Cordelia didn''t say, after all, it was their private matter.


    "You''re just trying to fob me off, aren''t you?" Ronan squinted at Cordelia. Cordelia had already bought a


    present for Ronan yesterday, so why didn''t she bring it out today? Ronan had some guesses.


    "Isn''t a kiss a birthday present? Only I can kiss you, no one else can, isn''t this unique?" Cordelia said


    with a bit of a huff.


    This "unique kiss" made Deanna super mad. Cordelia was making fun of her for buying two identical


    belts, but Cordelia didn''t spend a dime for her gift, and yet it was unique.


    "See, Mr. Evans, how much my sister loves you." Adrian also added fuel to the fire at the right time.


    Ronan turned his head to look at Cordelia. "Is it love?"


    Cordelia was a bit vague. "My brother said it, so of course, it''s love."


    Ronan stroked the back of Cordelia''s head, gently, then his hand slowly slid to the back of her neck,


    giving it a light squeeze.


    To others, this was a caress. But the strength he used, Cordelia already felt, was heavy, and a bit


    oppressive. It made breathing a bit difficult. She didn''t know, she just said the words "love him," so why


    did he have to punish her this way?


    Ronan turned his head back, and blurted out, "She really loves me!"


    She really loved him so much!


    Deanna saw the two confessing their feelings to each other and thought to herself, her n failed


    again. She had to think of a way to make Cordelia and Ronan break uppletely.


    After lunch, Deanna left.


    Perhaps because he was in a good mood today, Ronan had a few drinks. Cordelia didn''t feel anything


    when he was downstairs, but when they returned to the bedroom, Cordelia found his boozy breath


    alluring. He wasn''t drunk, but it made Cordelia a bit tipsy, and she kept following Ronan.


    Ronan turned back and saw Cordelia following him. "What, you''re following me?" He was already a bit


    tipsy.


    Cordelia looked at him, and thought he was very attractive now. He was unbuttoning his shirt, already


    on the second one. His charm was irresistible, and Cordelia''s heart was beating faster.


    Ronan was also looking at Cordelia. Cordelia suddenly pushed Ronan against the wall, then kissed him


    deeply. Her hands were roaming on his body.


    "What happened downstairs was just a show. Now it''s real." Ronan teased Cordelia with a smile.


    Cordelia didn''t care and continued to kiss him.


    "I''m just unlucky and ran into a nympho." Ronanughed again.


    "I am that nympho." Cordelia''s hands were still wandering over him.


    Ronanughed happily today. Cordelia remembered the present she wanted to give him and took out


    the present from the cab. "Deanna gave the same thing to Janice''s husband. How can I still give


    you this?" Cordelia seemed a bit upset.


    "Make some unique mark of yours. I would like that." He looked up at Cordelia.


    "What unique mark?"


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "Like RC." Ronan had already taken off his clothes and was ready for a nap.


    Cordelia frowned. "But the belt is so hard, how can I mark it?"


    "Hmm, that''s a problem," Ronan said casually.


    Cordelia fell into thought.


    "How about starting apany, specifically for RC branded products?"


    Cordelia looked at Ronan. She didn''t know whether he had this n long ago, or just thought of it. If he


    just thought of it, Cordelia thought he was a business genius.


    "Sounds good." Cordelia got on the bed, moved close to Ronan, and unconsciously snuggled onto his


    arm. "We specialize in men''s underwear, belts, shirts, and all high-end products. The brand uses RC,


    and we need a specialpany. Who''s going to invest?"


    "Me."


    "Who gets the profits?"


    "You."


    "Whose name is written as the legal representative?"


    "Both of us!"


    Cordelia beamed at Ronan. "Really, hubby?"


    "Really."


    Cordelia thought this was much better than him giving her money, she could be in charge of


    management and ounting, and he was the major shareholder. She was working for him, so it wasn''t


    considered taking money for nothing.


    Ronan gently pinched Cordelia''s face.

 Chapter 183

    Chapter 183


    Deanna stormed back home, peeved to the core. Cordelia and Ronan seemed to be getting along like


    a house on fire.


    As she was tidying up, she realized that her assistant had once again forgotten to put herpact


    powder in her makeup bag. Enraged, Deanna gave her assistant a piece of her mind over the phone


    and ended the call with, "Don''t bother showing up for work tomorrow!"


    When Le inquired, Deanna snapped back, "Don''t even get me started. They''re as thick as thieves."


    "Well, keep an eye on Cordelia. Maybe you can spot a chink in her armor."


    "First things first, I need a new assistant. I''ve got an early call time for a new gig tomorrow. Where on


    earth am I gonna find one?" Deanna fumed.


    Just as Deanna was feeling out of her depth, a light bulb went off in her head. That sales assistant. She


    was meticulous and a fan of Deanna''s.


    Deanna quickly dug out her business card and gave her a call. Samantha happily agreed to drop by


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Deanna''s ce.


    "I''ve gone through more than a dozen assistants in thest year. Not one of them made the cut. How


    about a month-long trial period, room and board included, for 10 grand?" Deanna crossed her arms,


    eyeing Samantha.


    "Sounds good," Samantha agreed, taken aback at how quickly her wish came true. The pay was a


    major step up, plus she got room and board. The icing on the cake was that Deanna was Cordelia''s


    rival. So, taking down Cordelia would be a walk in the park with Deanna''s fame backing her up.


    Samantha wouldn''t even have to lift a finger. The thought of it had Samantha tightening her grip.


    She was in Millstone, on the brink of turning over a new leaf.


    "Oh, by the way, Ms. Deanna, I have a cousin that I''ve been at odds with since we were kids. I saw you


    guys together the other day. Can you exclude me if there''s any event involving her?" Samantha put on


    a pitiful face.


    Deanna frowned, "Your cousin? What''s her name?"


    "Cordelia. She bought a belt from mest time. I''d rather not serve her." Samantha put on an aggrieved


    face. "Even though she''s my cousin, she actually isn''t."


    Deanna thought to herself, "What are the odds? She''s Cordelia''s cousin?"


    "What did you just say? What do you mean by she isn''t?" Deanna asked Samantha, eager for more


    details.


    "Well, Cordelia isn''t really my cousin. She''s a child my uncle brought home from outside, apparently


    from a prostitute. My uncle said she was my aunt''s child, but none of us ever saw my aunt pregnant. I


    overheard this from my parents. And remember Ms. Deanna, this secret stays between us," Samantha


    said, while secretly thinking that this secret was her weapon against Cordelia. If she shared it with


    Deanna, she could let Deanna stir the pot, making things much easier.


    The only thing Samantha could do was to spill the beans to Lumos Enterprises on the day she


    resigned. The front desk was buzzing with this gossip on the day Cordelia made the payment in the


    lobby. However, Cordelia assumed it was just petty gossip.


    "You''re not pulling my leg, are you?" Deanna''s eyes lit up instantly.


    "Uh-huh. If you don''t believe me, you can ask my aunt."


    Armed with this secret about Cordelia, Deanna was more than thrilled. Cordelia''s father had once


    donated his cornea to Ronan, but now, the identity of Cordelia''s real father was a mystery. How could


    she have the audacity to im to be Ronan''s savior?


    Whether or not Ronan was in on this, Deanna was determined to make him realize that his wife''s


    biological mother was nothing more than a prostitute, far beneath his level and his family''s!

 Chapter 184

    Chapter 184


    Spring had sprung and the days were getting longer. Even at five in the afternoon, the sky was still


    bright.


    Thanks to Ronan''s arrangement, Cordelia got an extra hour of "after-school tutoring."


    After work, Cordelia went to Ronan''s office for tutoring as instructed. This time, Cordelia nned to


    watch closely whether Ronan really read her diary. She intentionally put a strand of hair in today''s diary


    entry. If he read it, the hair would fall or change position, and Cordelia would find out.


    After handing in her diary, Cordelia started her ss. Ronan''s assessment was not wrong, Emerson


    was a great teacher who exinedplex concepts in simple terms. However, the course on


    financial cost management was a piece of cake for Cordelia. As a result, she often drifted away,


    straightening up every time to see what Ronan was really up to.


    Ronan was always busy with his own stuff or had a secretarye over for his signature. Cordelia''s


    diary was always sitting steadily on his desk. Until she straightened up for the 5th time to peep at


    Ronan, Emerson followed her gaze. "He''s minding his own business, nothing fishy. Why are you


    always staring at him?"


    Busted, Cordelia felt totally embarrassed.


    Ronan cast a nce over. "If you''re not focused, I''ll add more hours." Cordelia could only reluctantly


    shift her attention back to the textbook.


    Ronan took a call, and his response was, "Grant? Where? Radiant Star Hotel? Okay." He stood up,


    ready to leave.


    The name Grant rang a bell for Cordelia, but she couldn¡¯t put a finger on it. Because of his earlier


    warning about "adding hours for not focusing," Cordelia was now glued to the book, not daring to look


    at him.


    "Aren''t you going to hold me back?" he asked.


    Emerson stopped the lecture.


    Once confirmed Ronan was talking to her, Cordelia lifted her eyes. "Where''re you going?" she asked


    cautiously, curious yet afraid to ask, her eyes unusually bright.


    "I have to attend a social event. I mighte homete tonight."


    "Oh, doe back early." Cordelia''s eyshes fluttered slightly. This was his first time going out for


    social activities in a while.


    "Okay, you go home first, I''ll have the driver take you." Ronan was looking at his phone, ready to make


    a call.


    "There''s still half an hour left for the ss," Cordelia said.


    "We''ll skip it for now."


    Emerson smirked, thinking, ¡°Ronan is such a tightwad, and afraid that tutoring Cordelia alone would


    lead to trouble.¡±


    "Your husband is very responsible. You need to get used to it," Emerson said to Cordelia.


    "Mind your own business!" Ronan was clearly not pleased with Emerson.


    "Oh." Cordelia was packing her bag, taking another look at the diary on the desk, no change.


    Just as she was about to leave, her mom called. "De, are you free tonight? If so,e home, I made


    soup for you, and invite Ronan too?" Shelley told Cordelia.


    "Mom, he''s got some social activities to attend and mighte homete. I''lle alone." Cordelia


    told her mom with a smile.


    Cordelia was so happy simply because tonight she didn¡¯t have to stay alone in the empty house. She


    had had that experience, and it felt like falling into a bottomless abyss.


    Ronan nced at the cheerful Cordelia. "Going back to your mom''s makes you so happy?"


    Cordelia could only lower her head. "Take care of yourself, and don''t drink too much."


    Cordelia recalled his birthday when he drank a lot. The sexy aura that came off him made her feel all


    Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    warm and fuzzy, it was hard to resist.


    "No drinking when driving."


    "Ah? Oh." Cordelia appeared disappointed.


    "What''s with that face? Do you want your husband to get drunk and pass out to make you happy?"


    Ronan asked her, frowning.


    "No, not at all."


    Cordelia just hoped he could have a little, smell of alcohol on him. She liked the scent of liquor on him.

 Chapter 185

    Chapter 185


    In the well-known Radiant Star Hotel in Millstone, Grant booked a single room where only he and


    Ronan were present.


    "Grant, how''s your love life going?" Ronan asked in a teasing tone.


    "Mr. Evans, don''t make fun of me. My wife had an affair, and it was so embarrassing. But what could


    she do? She''s a woman with no money and no power. She''s just asking for trouble, and no one''s


    stopping her. She even wants me to get back with her every day," Grant replied.


    Ronan chuckled, "You handled it quite smartly."


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    "We''re the same, you and I. How would you deal with this kind of thing? Since that woman left, I''ve


    been living quitefortably. Seeing her struggling makes me even happier. I heard her lover found


    another rich woman and dumped her," said Grant. "I heard your wife is a good woman. This wouldn''t


    happen to you, right? I heard that your wife and Thomas'' son..."


    Ronan raised an eyebrow. "He''s asking for trouble. I won''t stop him."


    "I know your resolve. Anyway, I wanted to tell you something today. Sha passed away. Did you


    know? She got sick in prison, and I''m worried someone might want to harm you," Grant told him


    seriously.


    "It''s been so many years. I don''t think it''ll cause any trouble. I still have her recordings."


    Grant nodded. "That''s good. Back in the day, your dad''s Signature Estates was so powerful, it was


    about to be the biggest in Millstone. Thomas and the others were so jealous that they seduced


    Sha..."


    "Let''s not talk about it, let the past be the past," Ronan cut him off.


    "All in all, be careful. Your wife can be with anyone else, just not with Thomas'' son, isn''t that asking for


    trouble?" Grant expressed his dissatisfaction.


    "Who else could she be with but me?"


    "That''s true, as long as you can control her," said Grant. "Also, you set up the Audit Department, which


    has caused a stir in Millstone. Are you taking other jobs?"


    "Why, do you need an audit?" Ronan asked, twirling his teacup.


    "Well, Mr. Evans, you''re thoughtful. You knew Jordan was a problem and set up the Audit Department.


    If it weren''t for Jordan''s great contributions in the early days of your business, who knows how he might


    have failed under you." Grant seemed to be ashamed of Jordan. "By the way, I have an investment


    "No problem, I''ll tell Wyatt."


    "The son of the Colby family has been trying to get this job." Grant moved closer to Ronan. "You should


    make him back off."


    Ronanughed. "Should I thank you for that?"


    The two of them chatted a bit more about the business scene in Millstone. By the time Ronan was


    ready to go home, it was already eleven at night.


    Cordelia had gone to her mother''s house for the night. Ronan suddenly felt the need to be with


    someone close, to share some heartfelt words.


    He drove to the neighborhood where Shelley lived.


    At Shelley''s ce.


    Cordelia sat on the sofa, holding a ring in her hand, dazed for a long time. The ring was an emerald


    one, clearly with some history. Just now, Shelley told her that she wasn;t not her biology daughter, but


    a girl found by Castiel.


    Hearing this news from her mother, Cordelia was stunned for a while, finding it hard to believe, feeling


    like she was dreaming. The woman in front of her was not her biological mother, and Castiel was not


    her biological father either. How was Cordelia supposed to ept this? The home she thought was the


    happiest, warmest, had no blood rtion to her at all.


    Tears streamed down Cordelia''s face non-stop.


    "De, are you okay?" Shelley asked Cordelia in concern. "Today, I was going to call your grandmother,


    but I dialed your aunt by mistake and asked her to pass the message to your grandmother. Your uncle


    was there, and he said, ''Did Samantha really be the assistant to the big star Deanna?'' I


    immediately realized that Samantha must be stiring the pot. I know who Deanna is, but I don''t know


    how they met. I know Deanna likes Ronan, and Samantha has always been jealous of you. I''ve been


    thinking about it, and I''m sure they''ll use this to get at you. You need to think carefully about how to


    deal with it."


    Seeing Cordelia just sitting there in silence, Shelley tightly held her hand. Cordelia''s hand was so cold


    it hurt.


    "For all these years, I''ve forgotten about this. You''ve always been my most obedient and sensible


    daughter. If it weren''t for Samantha''s thing today, I would never have told you this secret. This ring was


    the only thing you had back then. Now that your father is gone, this will remain a mystery. But I''m still


    your mother. Don''t let Samantha''s words mess with your head."


    Cordelia sat there, tears streaming down her face. She put the ring in the deepest pocket of her canvas


    bag. As for the emerald ring, Cordelia didn''t have much of an appreciation for it.

 Chapter 186

    Chapter 186


    Cordelia''s head shook like a gong being hit repeatedly, and finally, she broke down and fell into


    Shelley''s arms.


    "De, don''t cry. Nothing''s changed between us, okay?" Shelleyforted her.


    Cordelia recalled her childhood. Her brother always loved to pick on her. During those times, Shelley


    would always buy her candy and chase Adrian off with a broom. When Cordelia was in elementary


    school, Shelley always hand-washed her clothes for her. When Adrian was in high school, he would


    casually toss his clothes into the washing machine. He resented her for that. Cordelia always had good


    grades and was praised by everyone, while when Adrian did well, Shelley would mistake it for cheating.


    Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    Their failures contrasted sharply with Cordelia''s sessful life. It was Cordelia who had taken away


    Adrian''s parents. Suddenly, she felt guilty towards her brother.


    "Mom, I''m going to bed," Cordelia told Shelley, then went back to her own room.


    She didn''t turn on the light in her room, but insteady in bed and let the tears flow. She used to think


    that as long as her mom was there, there was a home for her. Even if they were poor, they had to cure


    her mom''s illness. Now, she didn''t regret anything she''d done for her mother, but she wasn''t Cordelia''s


    biological mother. How nice it would be if she were her own mother! Why was life so unfair?


    Cordelia heard a knock at the door. Shelley went to answer it.


    "Ronan, you''re here?" Shelley asked.


    "Yes, where is she?"


    "De''s gone to bed."


    "So early?"


    Shelley didn''t answer, just sighed.


    Cordelia''s bedroom door wasn''t locked, Ronan pushed it open. The living room light allowed Cordelia


    to see his tall figure. As he removed his coat, his hand found the light switch.


    "Don''t turn on the light," Cordelia croaked out.


    Ronan paused slightly, then closed her bedroom door and turned off the living room light. Cordelia


    heard him undressing, washing up, and going to bed. By the time he held Cordelia at the waist, she


    was almost asleep.


    "Miss me?" his lipsnded on Cordelia''s forehead, and he asked her in a deep, ambiguous voice.


    "No," Cordelia''s voice was hoarse.


    "If you didn''t miss me, why''s your voice hoarse?"


    "That''s why I don''t want to talk."


    Ronan was about toy on Cordelia, but she hummed and refused, saying, "No, not tonight."


    Cordelia felt like she was a gust of wind in this world, not knowing where she came from, suffering


    terribly. She held onto Ronan tightly, her tears flowing again. Although Ronan didn''t understand what


    happened, he knew she loved to cry. It was probably a girl thing, he thought.


    The next morning when he woke up, Cordelia was still asleep, and her eyes were swollen. His heart


    ached inexplicably.


    Cordelia got up to eat, and Shelley, holding an ice pack, helped rub her eyes.


    "Your eyes are so swollen. Let me help you rub them. Don''t cry anymore, okay?" Shelley said to


    Cordelia.


    She knew Cordelia had found out about the matter and must have been very upset.


    "Grant''s investmentpany needs your department to audit it. Do you want to participate in this


    project?" Ronan asked Cordelia.


    Cordelia nodded. The name Grant seemed familiar, but she couldn''t remember who it was. She


    needed to keep herself busy so she wouldn''t dwell on things.


    "Apply with Mna when you get to the office," Ronan said.


    "What if the application isn''t sessful?"


    Cordelia knew her status as an assistant might pose some difficulties, after all, important projects like


    auditing usually required licensed auditors.


    "I''m still here, aren''t I?"


    Cordelia felt a warmth in her heart, nodded, and replied softly, "Mm."


    When she was about to leave for work, Cordelia said to Shelley, "Mom, I''m leaving."


    This ordinary "I''m leaving," used to be said with a sense of happiness because she knew this home


    was her forever support. But this time, it felt different.


    She got to the office, and even though it wasn''t quite work time yet, Cordelia started writing in her diary.


    Today, unlike usual, she didn''t draw a solid star after finishing her diary entry, which was very rare.


    She also didn''t write about how terrible Ronan was. She wrote in detail what her mother had said


    yesterday. After all, Ronan wouldn''t read her diary.


    After Mna came to work, she was called to the office by Wyatt. Cordelia knew it was probably about


    Grant''spany.

 Chapter 187

    Chapter 187


    Mna came back to the office.


    Cordelia said, "Mna, I want to sign up for the project with Grant''spany."


    Mna was startled at first, thenughed. "Totally forgot that you know Mr. Evans. You''re ahead of the


    game, knowing before I even mentioned it. I wouldn''t have thought to involve you if you hadn''t brought


    it up. Since you''re interested, we need to make sure the project runs smoothly. Get the rted


    documents from Proxima Ventures tomorrow."


    Cordelia nodded inprehension. She finished her work for the day and spent the afternoon


    reviewing notes in Ronan''s office.


    Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    After handing in her notes, Ronan carried on with his own tasks without looking at them. But today,


    Cordelia seemed distracted, her mind preupied with her mother''s words.


    It wasn''t until Emerson rapped on the table. "Mrs. Evans, we''re in the middle of a lesson here. Just


    because it''s free doesn''t mean you can disrespect it. You''re not paying, but someone else footed the


    bill for you." Emerson was always blunt, and there was a slight tease in his words.


    "Ah..." Cordelia sneakily nced at Ronan, finding him watching her. She suddenly realized she was


    like a misbehaving student being reported to the ss teacher. Now, the ss teacher was ring at


    her sternly.


    Reluctantly, Cordelia focused on her books.


    On the way home, Ronan asked her, "What''s up?"


    "Nothing."


    "Aren¡¯t you afraid your nose will grow from telling lies?"


    Cordelia felt that Ronan always used this metaphor like he was coaxing a child. "Let it grow then, I''m


    not scared, as long as you''re not!" Cordelia said nonchntly.


    Ronan nced at her. "You''re not afraid of getting punished?"


    Cordelia muttered, "Who''s getting punished? You are."


    "What are you talking about?" Ronan furrowed his eyebrows, asking her.


    "Nothing."


    "Spill the beans, maybe I can help," Ronan said.


    Cordelia pondered for a moment, then told Ronan what Shelley told herst night. "I''m not the daughter


    of your lifesaver, you can do as you please now!" Cordelia said fearlessly to Ronan.


    "Really?" Ronanughed. "I can really do as I please?" Knowing she wasn''t Castiel''s real daughter, he


    felt less pressured.


    "Yep." Cordelia thought, why was he so rxed? He could propose divorce whenever he wanted.


    Ronan looked at Cordelia. "Don''tin when I do as I please tonight."


    Cordelia thought, why does he always bring that up? He''s always serious and cautious at work, giving


    off a stern vibe that keeps people at bay. Why does he be a different person around her?


    "Oh, Mna told me to get the Proxima Ventures documents tomorrow." Cordelia changed the subject.


    "I''ll send you the location and Grant''s contact infoter."


    "Why do I need Grant''s? Can''t I have someone from their Finance Department?" Cordelia asked,


    puzzled.


    "It''s fine." He didn''t want her to ask too much, so Cordelia didn''t inquire further. "What time are we


    leaving tomorrow?"


    "Mna said I can work after getting the documents. We can sleep in tomorrow." Cordelia suddenly


    Ronan looked at Cordelia thoughtfully. "So, what are you hinting at?"


    Cordelia thought, what was she hinting at? What could she hint at? In front of Ronan, her IQ seemed


    not so high, her hints were practically tant. She didn''t have the guts to y mind games with Ronan.


    However, that night, Ronan made Cordelia understand what he meant by "Cordelia''s hint." Cordelia


    nearly fainted on the bed. She fell into a drowsy sleep, while Ronan went downstairs to make a call.

 Chapter 188

    Chapter 188


    Cordelia didn''t wake up until 8 o''clock the next morning. When she went downstairs for breakfast,


    Janice was all smiles serving her food. From Janice''s smile, she could tell what had happened. She


    had probably been pampered by Mr. Evans all night.


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    Last night, she had temporarily forgotten about her background, but when he left, Cordelia felt lost


    again. Even on the way to Proxima Ventures, she felt spiritless, as if the world had abandoned her. It


    wasn''t until she met Grant that this feeling disappeared.


    Grant handed his business card to Cordelia with a smile. Cordelia finally remembered where she had


    heard Grant''s name before. Thest time she had dinner with Thomas, Ronan had mentioned Grant,


    mentioning that Grant''s wife had cheated on him.


    "Mr. Evans told me yesterday that you would being in person today. I''ve prepared all the


    documents for you. If I left it to my subordinates, they''d be too slow. They couldn''t even get these


    documents together in one go." Grant kindly told Cordelia.


    "Thank you, Mr. Grant." Cordelia looked at the pile of documents in front of her.


    She suddenly understood what Ronan meant by "you don''t understand." If he had just given her the


    contact information of his subordinates, they wouldn''t have known who she was and would naturally


    drag their feet¡ªgoing straight to Grant saved time and improved work efficiency. It seemed that even


    though she had always insisted on being independent, she had epted his help to some degree.


    Even her chance to go to the Audit Department was because of his help!


    Thinking about her previous self-pity, Cordelia felt at least he was good to her. Life didn''t seem so bitter


    anymore.


    This was the first time Grant had met Cordelia. She was a breath of fresh air in the world of the


    wealthy, her eyes full of starlight and hope. After Cordelia left his office, Grant sent a message to


    Ronan. [Mr. Evans, you have excellent taste. Her beauty is unique and extraordinary.]


    Ronan simply replied. [ttered.]


    When Cordelia walked into the lobby of Proxima Ventures, she was surprised to see Jamieing


    towards her. Upon seeing Cordelia, Jamie immediately smiled. "Cordelia."


    "Mr. Colby?" Cordelia was surprised to see Jamie here.


    "What are you carrying?" Jamie asked, seeing the stack of documents in Cordelia''s hands.


    "Oh, our Audit Department is auditing Proxima Ventures'' finances. The ountant asked me to pick up


    the documents," Cordelia replied. "What brings you to Proxima Ventures?"


    "Oh, no reason," Jamie''s face twisted a bit in embarrassment. He had been working on this project for


    a long time and was about to close the deal when the finance director asked him toe in for a chat.


    He thought he was here to sign contracts, but Lumos Enterprises got there first. So, there was no need


    to go upstairs.


    If it had been someone else who got there first, he might have had someints, but not with


    Cordelia.


    "Do you need help carrying those documents back to the office?" Jamie asked Cordelia.


    When Cordelia heard Jamie offer to drive her back to the office, she immediately shook her head. "No


    need, cabs are easy to get here."


    "Okay." Jamie seemed a bit disappointed. Since there was no need to go upstairs, he left thepany.


    Back at the Audit Department, Mna praised Cordelia, "You''re amazing, Cordelia. Most people need a


    long time to get this stuff done, but you did it all at once."


    Cordelia didn''t respond, but thinking of Ronan''s "thoughtfulness," she felt a warmth in her heart.


    His experience was indeed rich, and the path he had traveled was even richer than her own.

 Chapter 189

    Chapter 189


    After organizing the materials, Cordelia went to Ronan''s office to hand in her diary, and incidentally told


    him that all the materials had been organized.


    "Grant told me already, get back to work," he said.


    Cordelia looked at the diary with a hint of worry. It was something she had written after her return from


    Proxima Ventures. At the end of the diary, she drew a big pentagram and wrote, "Ronan, you annoying


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    jerk!" She wrote it three times, hoping that Ronan, as usual, wouldn''t read this part.


    In the afternoon, Cordelia went to Ronan''s office for tutoring. The diary was still in its original ce.


    Halfway through the ss, someone knocked on the door. Emerson went to open it, and a disheveled


    kid walked in, his nose running and his eyes fixed on Cordelia.


    "Who are you looking for?" Cordelia asked the boy.


    The boy grabbed Cordelia''s hand. "My mom''s really sick. She''s not going to make it, and she wants to


    see you."


    "Mom?" Cordelia was confused at first, but then she remembered something her mom had once said.


    Sure enough, Samantha and Deanna were waiting for her. She wasn''t going to fall for their tricks!


    Ronan was watching the whole situation. Cordelia had told him about this before, so he wasn''t


    surprised.


    Emerson was confused. Cordelia took two hundred bucks from her bag. "Tell me, who told you to say


    these things to me? I''ll give you this money, okay?" She squatted down and smiled at the boy.


    The boy was only seven or eight years old, but he knew that money was important. His eyes were


    glued to the money in Cordelia''s hand, a sparkle in his eyes. Cordelia knew it wasn''t right to tempt kids


    with money, but she had nothing else on her.


    "Ady told me to say it! She told me to say that your mom was a dancer and that I''m your younger


    brother," the boy said quickly, snatching the money from Cordelia''s hand.


    "Where''s your mom?" Cordelia asked him.


    "She''s already passed away," the boy said before turning around and running off.


    In theory, Cordelia saw through the boy''s tricks, which meant she also saw through Samantha and


    Deanna''s plots. But Cordelia couldn''t feel happy about it because she, like the boy, was also alone in


    the world. If her mom hadn''t prepared her in advance, Cordelia might have dismissed the boy''s words


    or been doubtful, but she definitely wouldn''t have stayed so calm.


    After ss, Cordelia couldn''t continue. She said her head hurt and wanted to end ss early.


    "Should we...?" Emerson asked Ronan.


    "You can go home," Ronan signaled to Emerson.


    Emerson left the office.


    Cordelia sat on the sofa alone, tears slowly rolling down her cheeks. Ronan handed her some tissues.


    "Do you think I''m useless?" Cordelia asked, wiping her tears, and mocking her own overreaction.


    "Um, I''ve always thought so," he said.


    "You love mocking me!" Cordeliained.


    "Did you meet anyone at Proxima Ventures this morning?" he asked, lighting a cigarette. The smoke


    rings he blew out fascinated Cordelia.


    Cordelia was still wondering who her biological parents were and didn''t catch on right away.


    "Meet who?" Cordelia thought for a moment, then remembered Jamie.


    Did Ronan know that Jamie had gone to Proxima Ventures this morning? Cordelia felt deceived. He


    knew Jamie was going. Maybe he arranged for him to go, and then asked her to get the documents?


    What did it mean that Jamie saw Cordelia take the file and couldn''t get mad about it?


    He let Jamie know that Cordelia and Jamie worked at differentpanies and that, eventually, they


    would choose different paths in the face of interests. Of course, what Ronan expected was not just


    different paths in terms of interests. Everything about Jamie and Cordelia had to go in different


    directions.


    Ronan was really heartless! He was too much!


    But right now, Cordelia didn''t want to talk. She was immersed in the sadness of being an orphan and


    didn''t want to mention anything. Ronan was rubbing salt in her wounds. It was that simple.


    "Can you not argue with me right now?" Cordelia said with tears in her eyes, and a mist over her face,


    looking up at Ronan. "I''m not thinking about him right now, and I dare not think about him in front of


    you!"


    "You dare to think behind my back?" Ronan sharply retorted.


    "When you''re not around, of course, I think about you," Cordelia said, looking pitiful but speaking


    sweetly.


    Ronan softened. "Don''t y the victim with me!"


    "I''m not, I''m telling the truth," Cordelia said.


    "I''ll take you out to dinner tonight," Ronan said. "Do you like French food?"


    Cordelia nodded, her mood was quite down.


    This was the second time Ronan had asked Cordelia to dinner. Suddenly, Cordelia felt like they were a


    "couple."


    After making a phone call, Ronan drove Cordelia to the most famous French restaurant in Millstone.


    Ronan ordered everything on the menu, leaving Cordelia to just eat. The ce was high up, the view


    great.


    "Do youe here often?" Cordelia asked. The waiters all called him "Mr. Evans," so it seemed like


    they knew him.


    "I used toe here often," Ronan said while looking at the menu.


    "What do you mean ''used to''?"


    "Do you really need to know? It''s best not to be too concerned about a man''s past. It can''t stand


    scrutiny," Ronan said.


    Cordelia thought to herself, ¡°Who cares about you?¡±


    "Howe your mom suddenly decided to spill the beans about your past?" Ronan asked curiously.


    After Cordelia had shared this piece of news with him, the little boy, or rather Samantha, came charging


    in.


    "My mom was on a call with my aunt and identally overheard my uncle mentioning Samantha


    working as Deanna''s assistant now. She figured Samantha might try to mess with me using that


    information, so she gave me a heads up to avoid being caught off guard," Cordelia exined while


    munching on her food.


    "Your mom''s a real piece of work," Ronanmented.


    From the incident where she demanded Cordelia to pay back the loan, Ronan realized that maybe she


    hadn''t intentionally employed the carrot-and-stick approach, but it indeed had the same effect. At least


    it melted Ronan''s heart, and he started reevaluating Cordelia.


    "How is my mom a piece of work? Her achievements are not even one-tenth of yours," Cordelia


    retorted, somewhat displeased.


    Ronan gave a slight smile, his expression unreadable. "You''re still too naive to understand all this."


    "Who says I''m naive?" Cordelia shot back.

 Chapter 190

    Chapter 190


    The boy walked out of the gates of Lumos Enterprises, with a car waiting for him in the corner.


    Deanna had specifically hailed a cab instead of driving her own private car. Samantha and Deanna


    were sitting side by side in the back seat. "So, how''d it go?" Deanna asked the little boy, filled with


    anticipation and nerves.


    "I said everything you told me to," the boy replied.


    "And how did they react?" Samantha was even more eager to know what Ronan''s reaction would be


    upon learning that his wife was the daughter of a dy of the night.''


    "The woman was crying the whole time, and the man looked pretty pissed." The boy replied after some


    thought.


    Deanna and Samantha were over the moon.


    ¡°Are you still going to give me the money you promised?" the boy asked Deanna.


    Deanna pulled out twenty bucks from her pocket and handed it to the boy.


    "Since their marriage was just a show for Barney, let''s go find Barney now," Deanna said, ncing at


    her watch.


    Even though she had Cordelia and Ronan¡¯s schedules, she didn''t know what they did after work. They


    always left an hourte every day. Now it was five forty, and they would probably have to wait a while


    longer before leaving.


    Deanna immediately directed the driver to head to Pearl Palms. Barney was the only one at home


    having dinner. Samantha didn''t get out of the car. She waited in the car, worried that Cordelia would


    find out she was now in cahoots with Deanna.


    "Barney, where are Ronan and Cordelia?" Deanna asked.


    "Oh, Ronan just called to say that he and Cordelia went out for a meal." Barney replied nonchntly.


    "Just hang out at home and wait for them."


    Deanna then took a seat on the couch and started chatting with Barney.


    "Barney, I just went to Lumos Enterprises, but Ronan wasn''t there, so I left. I overheard some people at


    Lumos Enterprises talking, and they were saying..." Deanna deliberately paused, seeming to find it


    hard to go on.


    "Eh, what''s up? Just spit it out. I''m no stranger," Barney said kindly.


    After Barney finished his meal, he sat down on the couch. He also sent a message to Ronan, [When


    are youing back? Deanna''s here.]


    Ronan replied, [Soon.]


    [How soon?]


    [Twenty minutes.]


    "Today at thepany, I heard the reception staff discussing that Cordelia is not her parents'' biological


    daughter, she''s like a foundling. You know about Ronan''s cornea transnt, right? At first, I thought it


    was my dad''s cornea that was given to Ronan, butter found out it wasn''t, it was Cordelia''s dad.


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    Ronan''s with Cordelia, maybe because of this gratitude, but now, this rtionship doesn''t exist


    anymore. I heard Cordelia''s mom was ady of the night, Barney, you''re from a distinguished family.


    Don''t let this affect your reputation." Deanna said carefully, watching Barney''s face.


    "Ronan had a cornea transnt?" Barney asked Deanna. "When did this happen?"


    Deanna was taken aback. "Barney, you didn''t know?"


    "No."


    Deanna felt a bit nervous, worrying that the news she just told Barney was too shocking, especially


    since Barney didn''t even know about Ronan''s previous loss of sight.


    Barney was silent for a long time, trying to calm down, then said to Deanna, "What did you just say


    about Cordelia..."


    "I heard Cordelia''s mom has a bit of a sketchy past. I''m worried this could threaten the reputation of the


    Evans family."


    Just then, the sound of a car parking came from outside. Barney''s face suddenly turned pale and he


    clutched his chest. "Janice, bring me my heart medication quickly."


    Barney''s heart condition had always been bad.


    Seeing this, Janice immediately brought Barney his heart medication. Deanna felt guilty, why would


    Barney suddenly have a heart attack at this time? Was it because of Cordelia''s origin, or her


    She wanted to leave, but Ronan and Cordelia had already entered the house.


    "Barney, what''s wrong?" Ronan and Cordelia asked simultaneously.


    Barneyy on the couch, pointing at Deanna. "She just said Cordelia''s biological mother is ady of the


    night. I was so angry..."


    "I..." Deanna suddenly felt unable to defend herself. She had always thought Barney was a kind old


    man, so why was he suddenly using her?


    "What?" Ronan''s stern gaze was fixed on Deanna.


    "I didn''t!"


    Ronan told Cordelia to support Barney and asked Janice to call the doctor. Then he pped Deanna


    across the face.


    The p was loud. Cordelia, who was supporting Barney, was startled by the sound and trembled. She


    never thought Ronan would hit someone, especially a woman!

 Chapter 191

    Chapter 191


    "Ronan, you..." Deanna covered her face, addressing Ronan.


    Deanna knew Ronan was very close to his grandfather, but she never thought he wouldy a hand on


    her.


    "Get lost! And clear out the Sunnydale Meadows house. Send the keys to my office."


    Deanna couldn''t keep her cool, so she left. Angrily, she returned to the car.


    "How did it go?" Samantha asked hopefully.


    "p!" Deanna delivered a loud p to Samantha''s face. She, a star, had been pped by Ronan. So


    why wouldn''t the assistant who gave her bad advice get the same treatment?


    Samantha''s face ached. She covered it with her hand, biting her lower lip as tears of humiliation rolled


    into her mouth.


    "Your advice sucks!" Deanna told Samantha. "Are you Cordelia''s mole and here to sabotage my ns


    on purpose?¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Samantha¡¯s voice was low but firm.


    ¡°All your bonuses this month are cancelled unless youe up with a good idea to force Cordelia and


    Ronan to divorce right away!"


    Samantha''s heart hardened. She thought to herself, not only will Cordelia be ruined, but so will you,


    Deanna!


    ...


    Cordelia helped Barney back to his room. Ronan checked on his grandfather and then returned to the


    living room.


    Ronan knew Barney''s act of ying sick, but he was genuinely worried about his health. He lit up a


    cigarette.


    Meanwhile, in Barney''s room.


    "De, how was my acting?" Barney asked Cordelia.


    "Barney, you..." Cordelia''s heart almost jumped out earlier, fearing something would happen to Barney.


    "I used to be part of the drama club when I was young. I purposely angered Ronan just now to break


    him and Deanna up, so she wouldn''t keep meddling with you two. She already considers herself the


    Cordelia didn''t know what to say.


    "But, De," Barney suddenly became serious. "Ronan never told me about his corneal transnt,


    probably because he was worried about his grandmother and me. He always keeps things to himself,


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    not letting us know. You need to understand him more and take good care of him."


    "Okay. I know," Cordelia replied. She noticed Barney''s health was deteriorating despite his constant


    smiling. After all, he had lung cancer.


    "Also," Barney took out a small notebook from the bedside drawer. "This is Ronan''s parents'' contact


    information. Call them and ask them toe back. Even if Ronan doesn''t want them back, they should


    "Ronan won''t let theme back?" Cordelia asked, thinking, he sure liked to be in control. He was


    even controlling his own parents.


    Noticing Barney''s awareness of his health condition, Cordelia felt a wave of sadness.


    Cordelia looked down at the notebook. It was Olen and Amanda''s overseas phone numbers. "Does


    Ronan know about this?" Cordelia asked Barney.


    "Ronan doesn''t want to know." Barney waved his hand. "That''s all in the past. Even though Ronan


    doesn''t want them back, I''m getting old and might not be able to wait much longer."


    "Then... can I call them now?" Cordelia asked. Tears were already welling up in her eyes.


    "Go ahead and call. Ronan won''t call them. Even if I call them, they won''te back. They feel a bit


    ashamed facing me," Barney said.


    Cordelia dialed Olen''s number, feeling a bit nervous.


    Soon, the call was picked up on the other end. "Hello," a man''s voice came over the phone.


    "Hello..." Cordelia was at a loss for words. "I''m Ronan''s wife, my name is Cordelia. I guess I''m also


    your daughter-inw."

 Chapter 192

    Chapter 192


    "Ronan got hitched?" A sweet voice from the other end of the phone asked.


    "Yeah, he did. I forgot to mention it to you. Grandpa and Ronan both miss you guys a lot, and they''d


    love for you toe to stay for a bit. What do you say?" Cordelia responded, her tone dripping with


    courtesy.


    The voice on the other side fell silent for a while before asking, "Did something happen to my dad?"


    Cordelia mumbled to herself, ¡°Are all the Evans family this sharp?¡±


    Olen, clearly aware of Ronan''s reluctance for him to return, went straight to the point.


    Knowing she couldn''t hide it anymore, Cordelia said, "Yeah, Barney''s sick..."


    "I''ll be there as soon as I can," He said, then hung up.


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    The "beep beep," sound from her phone told Cordelia that he''d hung up. "Barney, did I do okay?"


    Cordelia asked Barney.


    Barney just smiled and didn''t respond.


    Cordelia was confused, wondering what she had said to cause Barney''s reaction.


    "Thanks, De. Also, Ronan didn''t tell me he had corneal transnt surgery, so you need to find a way


    to punish him," Barney said to Cordelia with a smile.


    "Okay." Cordelia nodded. "Barney, why don''t you me me at all?"


    "Is this about your birth?"


    Cordelia nodded.


    "You''re fair, have good conduct, and are kind. That''s enough for me. I''ve met your mom, Shelley, she''s


    a woman with clear moral values. And I heard your dad donated his eye to Ronan. How can I thank you


    enough?" Barney''s eyes welled up with tears.


    "Barney..." Cordelia squeezed Barney''s hand tightly.


    "Go on, punish Ronan." Barney pushed Cordelia gently, then prepared to rest.


    Cordelia went to the living room and saw Ronan smoking. He seemed to know all about Barney''s


    illness.


    "Barney told me to punish you," Cordelia said.


    "Punish for what?" Ronan asked, his eyes hazy from the smoke.


    "Punish you..." Cordelia didn''t know how to punish her husband. "Punish you by... you can''t touch me


    tonight!"


    Cordelia felt smug thinking about the punishment.


    "Cordelia!" Ronan said, raising his voice.


    "You won''t listen? Then get out!" Cordelia said, then went upstairs.


    Soon after, Ronan also entered the bedroom.


    She kept her distance from him, after all, she had just punished him by saying he couldn¡¯t touch her


    tonight, and he had hit someone tonight, so Cordelia was a bit scared of him. She was afraid that he


    might lose his temper with her like he did with that person.


    Cordelia felt a bit fearful.


    Ronan leaned against the head of the bed, smoking without saying a word.


    "Why did you hit Deanna today?" Cordelia couldn''t help but ask.


    "Why not let her and Samantha fight it out?" Ronan squinted at Cordelia.


    "What do you mean?" Cordelia didn''t understand.


    But soon, Cordelia figured it out. Her identity must have been revealed by Samantha to Deanna.


    Although Samantha didn''t know Cordelia''s true identity, she must have heard from her uncle and aunt


    that Cordelia wasn''t their biological child.


    Now Deanna was trying to sow discord. Ronan hit Deanna, and although Deanna hated Ronan, she


    would definitely vent her anger on Samantha.


    Looking at it this way, Ronan was really sly!


    "Do you feel bad for hitting Deanna?" Cordelia asked sarcastically.


    "Is that so? I haven''t thought about it."


    "Will you hit me in the future?" Cordelia asked Ronan cautiously.


    "No, I won''t," Ronan said.


    "I really don''t trust you. I''ve seen you hit a woman!" Cordelia said, then pulled the nket over her


    head, ignoring him.

 Chapter 193

    Chapter 193


    When Cordelia was trying to sleep, the sound of Ronan tossing and turning in bed kept her awake.


    After all, this was the punishment Barney had given him.


    At first, Ronan was a bit hesitant, but eventually, he just rolled over andnded on Cordelia. "Don''t you


    miss me at all?" he asked harshly. In the dark, his voice was deep and raspy.


    "I see you every day, what more do you want?" Cordelia shot back.


    "Don''t you know what I miss about you?" With that, Ronan nted a kiss on Cordelia''s lips.


    Cordelia felt like he was a starving wolf, ready to tear her apart.


    At the office.


    After finishing her diary, Cordelia drew a star at the end of it.


    She also wrote. [Ronan, the promise breaker, doesn''t even listen to Barney!]


    "Where is Cordelia? That cunning woman..." a raucous noise came from outside the door.


    Just as Cordelia closed her diary, Manda burst in.


    Manda''s hatred for Cordelia ran deep.


    Not just anyone could enter the Audit Department, so the security guard followed, trying to calm Manda


    down.


    "You sly fox, you got the Proxima Ventures project, and why are you showing off? He¡¯s so restless


    these days. What''s so great about getting the project through Ronan?" Manda yelled at Cordelia.


    Cordelia just wanted to know, ¡°I just got a file, so why did that piss off Manda?¡±


    "What are you doing in Lumos Enterprises'' Audit Department? If he''s not capable, what does that have


    to do with Cordelia?" Mna''s voice wasn''t loud, but it was sharp.


    Cordelia felt that something was off about Manda this time.


    "Was I talking to you? I was talking to that cunning woman! Are you that cunning woman?" Manda


    shouted, eyes ring.


    Just then, another person came up from the elevator, Jamie. Knowing Manda was looking for trouble


    with Cordelia, he grabbed Manda and tried to leave.


    "What are you doing?" Manda was looking for someone to vent on, "You refused me for her, even after


    you were drugged. You kept mumbling her name; you kept your body pure for her. And the Proxima


    Ventures project, it was almost sessful, but she took it away, and you didn''t say a word! How much


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    do you miss her?"


    Cordelia heard Manda''s words about "keeping his body pure," and nced at Jamie, and Jamie


    nced back. Then, Cordelia dropped her gaze, blushing from ear to ear.


    A p echoed in the room, and Cordelia looked up in surprise. Jamie had pped Manda.


    Coincidentally, yesterday Ronan pped Deanna because of Cordelia. Today Jamie pped Manda


    for Cordelia.


    "You hit me? You hit me for her? For a married woman?" Manda waspletely crazed, grabbing


    Jamie''s cor.


    "Let''s go." Jamie dragged Manda away.


    After a while, Jamie sent Cordelia a message. [I''m sorry.]


    Cordelia didn''t reply. Her mood wasplicated. She didn''t write down what happened in her diary,


    and continued to have lessons in Ronan''s office in the afternoon.


    Emerson wasn''t there. Ronan was ying indoor golf, he looked really cool swinging the golf club. He


    got the ball in the hole in one shot.


    Cordelia usually saw him reading, so she didn''t know he was good at golf.


    Ronan was always very calm. His calmness made Cordelia uneasy. "Where is Mr. Emerson?" Cordelia


    was very nervous. She put her diary on Ronan''s desk as she asked.


    Ronan didn''t ask her why Jamie had visited the Audit Department. Cordelia knew that her colleagues in


    the Audit Department were good at keeping secrets, so hadn''t Ronan heard?


    Or was he tired of it?


    "I''ve got something to do downstairs. Study by yourself today." With that, Ronan left.


    Cordelia was alone in his office, she didn''t feel like reading anymore. Suddenly, the phone rang,


    Cordelia answered. It was a delivery.

 Chapter 194

    Chapter 194


    The delivery guy had dropped off Cordelia''s package at the front desk, giving her a heads-up to pick it


    up.


    Cordelia''s shopping app pinged with a notification - Ronan''s underwear had been delivered. With a


    spring in her step, she headed downstairs.


    "Got a package for me?" Cordelia asked the receptionist, all smiles.


    The receptionist nced to one side and gestured to Cordelia. Following her gaze, Cordelia saw


    Ronan sitting on the couch, chatting with someone. He spotted Cordelia and his brow furrowed slightly.


    Cordelia stuck out her tongue, feeling like a schoolgirl who''d just bumped into the headmaster while out


    shopping with friends.


    As she was leaving, Ronan waved her over. There was a stranger sitting across him.


    "What did you buy?" Ronan eyed Cordelia.


    In front of the stranger, Cordelia felt too shy to tell the truth and said, "Not sure, I gotta open it and see."


    "Alright, off you go."


    Cordelia happily went back upstairs.


    "So that''s Mrs. Evans?" the stranger asked Ronan.


    Ronan chuckled, "That''s her."


    "Mrs. Evans seems very happy, and very beautiful. So, Mr. Evans, about thend deal, we have an


    agreement. I''ll send the contract over," the stranger said.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "Sounds good."


    Ronan went back to his office and found Cordelia standing at his desk.


    "It''s here, wanna try it on?" Cordelia had opened the package and was holding a pair of underwear. Her


    eyes were full of anticipation.


    Ronan nced at the underwear in her hand and lit a cigarette nonchntly. "Is it study time or show-


    and-tell?"


    Cordelia''s smile faded instantly. She slumped back into her seat and started reading.


    Ronan returned to his desk and called up Emerson for a lecture. Cordelia thought to herself, ¡°This


    guy''s possessiveness is off the charts, not even letting other teachers teach when he''s not around.


    So just how much did he resent Jamie who was always flirting with her? But he didn''t say anything.


    Suddenly, she remembered that she hadn''t put away the underwear. How embarrassing if Emerson


    saw it! Just as she was about to get up, Ronan frowned and said, "What are you doing?"


    "I..."


    "Sit down, ss time!"


    Cordelia had no choice but to suppress her annoyance and sit down. If Emerson saw it, it''d be his


    embarrassment, not hers.


    When Emerson entered the office, he asked, "What''s up with Cordelia?" He spotted the underwear on


    the table.


    Knowing about Cordelia buying underwear for Ronan, Emerson said, "I see. I really shouldn''t be here!"


    He was probably implying that Ronan was changing underwear in the room. Cordelia was about to


    exin, but then thought, ¡°Never mind, exining would be pointless.¡±


    The ss ended earlier than usual. After ss, Cordelia got into Ronan''s car.


    "RC is buyingnd, wanna hear about it?" he asked Cordelia.


    "Huh? What?" Cordelia was puzzled.


    "The thing we talked aboutst time."


    Cordelia couldn''t remember. "Last time? What did we talk aboutst time?"


    Was it Deanna''s watch, or the shirt?


    Ronan said through gritted teeth. "About starting a business! Never mind, you don''t need to worry! I''m


    just asking for trouble!"


    Hearing his harsh words, Cordelia felt a pang of guilt and suddenly remembered their conversation. "I


    thought you were just making small talk."


    "When do I ever make small talk?" Ronan snapped.


    Cordelia didn''t say anything and felt guilty towards Ronan.


    Just as she was feeling down, she received a message from Brooklyn. The picture was of Edwin


    holding a baby, absolutely adorable.


    [How about that?] Brooklyn asked Cordelia.


    [The baby is really cute. I really want to kiss him. Will youe with me to see him this Saturday?]


    Cordelia replied.


    The baby was Brooklyn''s sister''s, already four months old and able to roll over. Brooklyn''s sister had


    helped a lot with the Manda fake bag incident, and Cordelia should thank her. Plus, she really liked


    Brooklyn''s nephew.


    [I mean the adult!] Brooklyn said.


    [Oh?] Cordelia finally noticed Edwin.


    [He¡¯s really handsome and stylish, a good match for you.] Cordelia replied.


    [I''m d to hear you say that. How about Saturday afternoon?] Brooklyn asked Cordelia again.


    [Sounds good, I''ll go straight to my mom''s after seeing the baby.]


    Then, she turned to Ronan and asked for leave, "I want to go see Brooklyn''s nephew on Saturday


    afternoon and then go to my mom''s. I won''t be back that night. Is that okay, honey?"


    Cordelia was afraid that Ronan wouldn''t agree because he didn''t like her staying out overnight. To her


    surprise, Ronan generously said, "Go ahead."

 Chapter 195

    Chapter 195


    Cordelia heaved a sigh. If she was going to visit the baby, she had to bring something. After much


    thought, Cordelia decided to bite the bullet and get an expensive baby bracelet.


    On Saturday noon, Cordelia went to the mall alone, spent six hundred bucks, and bought a baby


    bracelet for Brooklyn''s nephew. After all, it was her first time meeting the kid. She couldn¡¯t be stingy.


    Cordelia quickly did the math in her head and realized her paycheck for the month was running thin.


    Just as she was sulking about the money, she received a text that someone had deposited six


    thousand into her ount.


    The payer was not Ronan. It definitely wasn''t him.


    Cordelia was cautious about a potential trap, like something from Deanna, and didn¡¯t ask about it. But


    she was totally puzzled. Who the hell was it?


    She and Brooklyn decided to take a cab to Sunnydale Meadows, where Edwin''s ce was. When


    entering themunity, Cordelia saw a family moving out. Thendlord was mumbling, "This guy just


    paid six thousand in rent. I heard this ce was previously rented by the big star Deanna."


    Cordelia frowned slightly. Six thousand, Deanna.


    Suddenly she remembered that Ronan had kicked Deanna out of Sunnydale Meadows that day. Could


    it be that Ronan rented out the ce and gave Cordelia the rent?


    After some thought, Cordelia texted Ronan, [Is the rent from Sunnydale Meadows from you?]


    [Yep, just some pocket change.]


    Cordelia thought to herself, her concept of "pocket change" must have been quite different from


    Ronan''s.


    Relieved that the six thousand wasn¡¯t some shady plot, Cordelia felt at ease.


    Brooklyn''s nephew was really cute, all soft and cuddly in her arms. The babyughed, and it tickled


    Cordelia''s heart. Plus, the baby smelled so good.


    Cordelia handed the baby bracelet to Brooklyn''s sister, who said that it was too expensive.


    "Just take it. She''s Ronan''s wife, after all," Brooklyn told her sister.


    Cordelia smiled, but thought to herself, ¡°I''m not the rich person you think I am.¡±


    Cordelia took a picture of the baby and posted a photo of her holding the baby on Facebook.


    [So cute.] was all she wrote in the caption.


    By five in the afternoon, Cordelia and Brooklyn went their separate ways, and she headed to her


    mom''s ce.


    Shelley served Cordelia the chicken soup she had prepared especially for her. Seeing Shelley again,


    Cordelia felt a mix of emotions and regret.


    "Mom," Cordelia said.


    "My sweet child," Shelley said, stroking Cordelia''s hair. "Don''t hold a grudge against me."


    "Mom, I hold no grudge against you. Why would I?" As she spoke, tears welled up in Cordelia''s eyes.


    She was just resentful of her biological mother. Why didn''t she want her?


    Shelley was so kind, but she wasn''t her biological mother.


    "How have things been with Ronan recently?" Shelley asked Cordelia, who was enjoying her chicken


    soup.


    "Pretty good. I felt a lot lighter after I gave him the money, but he''s nning to open a factory soon.


    Also, he rented out the house at Sunnydale Meadows, the one Deanna used to live in. He gave me the


    rent." Cordelia said, telling Shelley all about it while sipping her soup.


    Shelley sighed and stroked Cordelia''s head, "My silly girl."


    "Mom, how am I silly? I''m very smart. I passed all my courses," Cordelia argued seriously.


    Shelley chuckled, "Someone who asks how they¡¯re silly probably isn''t that clever."


    With that, both Shelley and Judy burst intoughter.


    But Shelley knew exactly what was going on. Ronan was just trying to blur the lines of their finances,


    making a potential divorce more difficult. If a divorce were to happen, he wouldn''t let Cordelia walk


    away empty-handed.


    Cordelia didn''t understand Ronan''s intentions, but Shelley saw them clearly. Shelley also noticed that


    Ronan treated De well and hoped that De would stay with him. But Shelley was fearful of the rich,


    as they always had a lot on their minds.


    "Mom, can you pour me another bowl?" Cordelia handed her empty bowl to her mom after finishing her


    soup.


    As Cordelia watched Shelley walk into the kitchen, she couldn''t help but tear up. As long as her mom


    was there, she had a home.


    "Oh, by the way, Mom, Ronan''s parents areing to Millstone. I called them a few days ago."


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    Cordelia said.


    "Where were they originally?" Shelley furrowed her brows, finding it odd that she had never heard


    Cordelia mention Ronan''s parents before.


    "I think they were in Canada."


    "Why has Ronan never mentioned them?" Shelley asked.


    Cordelia replied, "I''m not sure about the details, but it seems like Ronan doesn''t like his parents."


    Shelley sighed, "Every family has its own problems."


    After finishing her soup, Cordelia went to lie down on the bed. She picked up her phone and saw that


    her Facebook post had over eighty notifications forments.


    Most of her colleagues simply liked the photo, with very few leavingments. After all, she was


    Ronan''s wife, and no one dared toment casually.


    A few of her ssmatesmented, [Cordelia, is this your baby?]


    Cordelia replied to each one, [No, it''s Brooklyn''s sister''s baby.]


    Emersonmented, [Cordelia, when will you have a baby for him?]


    Cordelia replied nonchntly, [Why are you in such a hurry when he isn''t?]


    Most of thementers were colleagues, pretty much anyone in thepany who was friends with


    Emerson could see.


    Brooklyn also left ament for Cordelia, [Don''t just admire other people''s kids. Have one of your


    own.]


    Then, just before Cordelia was about to go to bed, she checked her phone and saw that Ronan had


    actually left ament.


    He was able to see both Emerson''s and Brooklyn''sments. He wrote, [So, when are you having a


    kid for me?]


    Now, all their colleagues in thepany saw it.


    Emerson replied, [Whoa, he''s really in a rush.]


    Cordelia hurriedly messaged Ronan, [You''re not serious, are you?]


    Ronan didn''t reply.


    Deanna also saw Cordelia''s Facebook post. She gritted her teeth, Cordelia and Ronan were even


    talking about having children! And Ronan was even pushing for it. He was urging Cordelia to have his


    child, but he had just hit her the other day.


    She ordered Samantha, to find a way to make Cordelia and Ronan divorce immediately!


    Samantha felt a huge pressure. Of course, she didn''t want Cordelia to live a good life either. If Cordelia


    could beg on the streets, now that would make her day.

 Chapter 196

    Chapter 196


    Adrianmented on Cordelia''s social media post. [Cordelia, since Mr. Evans has made his intentions


    clear, you should have a kid with him.]


    His remark disgusted Cordelia, so she ignored him.


    Adrian sat on the couch, disappointed to see that Cordelia didn''t respond to hisment.


    Fresh from the shower, Kendra walked over. "What are you doing?" Kendra asked Adrian.


    "I''m checking out Cordelia''s Facebook. Mr. Evans is pressuring her to have a kid. Once she does, she''ll


    have a solid ce in the Evans family. That''ll raise my status as her rtive too." Adrian lounged on


    the couch, feet kicked up, full of anticipation.


    He showed Kendra Cordelia''s Facebook.


    "Cordelia''splicated. She doesn''t want to have Mr. Evans'' kid, but maybe she''s ying hard to get.


    She''s not willing to, but there are plenty of women who''d jump at the chance to bear Mr. Evans'' kid."


    Kendra mused, thinking about Ronan''s luxurious mansion and his untouchable lifestyle.


    "Have his kid? Who? You? Don''t forget, you''re carrying my child. I won''t have him calling some other


    man ''dad.''" Adrian gave Kendra''s belly a nudge with his foot, then kicked her butt. "Jamie''s not


    interested in you, and Ronan''s even less interested. I''m the only one who appreciates you in this world.


    You don''t have parents, no family background, and your only house is still a bare shell after six or


    seven years. You don''t have money, but you''re always dreaming."


    Kendra, provoked by Adrian''s blunt words, threw herb at him in anger. A few scratches appeared


    on Adrian''s face.


    Adrian was right, Kendra''s dreams were too big for her tough reality. Jamie wasn''t interested in her,


    and after the thing with Manda, she lost interest in Jamie too; Ronan didn''t even give her a second


    nce. She was carrying Adrian''s child out of desperation because there were no better men around.


    "I''m pregnant, and you have nothing, what am I supposed to do?" Kendra retorted angrily, "I''m going to


    abort this child. You''re just a driver, and even your house is rented. You don''t have a stable ie.


    You want the child to suffer with you?"


    "How dare you!" Adrian bolted up from the couch, "You dare try!"


    "I''m going to abort this child! Otherwise, the child will beughed at in the future." Kendra dered.


    Adrian thought for a moment, then suggested, "What about getting engaged?"


    "How could I possibly get engaged to you? Your family is so poor." Kendra got mad just thinking about


    the measly amount of money Shelley had given as a gift. No doubt the Haselwood family wouldn''t even


    be able to afford a wedding.


    She had no parents and no one to fight for her rights. Thinking about this made Kendra feel unbearably


    sad, and she broke down crying.


    Adrian tried tofort her. ¡°Don¡¯t cry, baby, I¡¯m here.¡±


    ¡°What use is you being here!¡± Kendra snapped.


    ¡°I might not have much, but I do have a wealthy brother-inw. I could try asking him to give me this


    house under the guise of engagement, then we could sell it. That could get us a few million at least. We


    could buy a smaller ce, and the leftover money would be enough for us to live on. Maybe we


    wouldn¡¯t even need to sell the house, and he might even give us more.¡± Adrian started daydreaming.


    ¡°When are we getting engaged?¡± Kendra asked, excited at the thought of meeting Ronan.


    Adrian¡¯s suggestion seemed like a good idea. In her eyes, Ronan was a real man.


    ¡°We can¡¯t drag this out; we need to sort it out as soon as possible. How about getting engaged in two


    weeks? I need to talk to mom first. You should demand a hefty wedding gift.¡± Adrian said, ¡°She owes


    me so much over the years, and I want to see how she¡¯ll deal with this. I guess she had to ask for help


    to her beloved daughter.¡±


    Kendra wiped her tears, although she felt bad about appearing greedy in Ronan¡¯s eyes. But then again,


    she would never end up with Ronan in this life. He was like a painting on a wall, unreachable. In reality,


    money was what mattered. With that thought, she felt relieved.


    ¡°Call your mom now.¡± Kendra urged Adrian.


    ¡°It¡¯s already midnight, and mom¡¯s probably asleep. We''ll talk in the morning."


    The next day, while Cordelia was having breakfast, Shelley''s phone rang. To be honest, Shelley was


    troubled the moment she answered Adrian''s call.


    "Mom, I''ve decided to get engaged. But the girl''s asking for a wedding gift worth fifty grand. The house


    isn''t mine, so she needs some sort of security."


    Shelley needed a moment to process, "That much?"


    "She''s pregnant with my child. I don''t have a choice."


    "What?" Shelley was rmed.


    She was initially thinking of lowering the gift amount, but the girl was already pregnant...


    "Mom, who''s on the phone?" Cordelia asked Shelley.


    "Your brother," Shelley replied, somewhat flustered.


    "My brother?" Cordelia''s eyes widened, "What does my brother want from you?" Adrian wouldn''t


    usually call Shelley unless he needed something.


    "Nothing much, he was just asking if we had any money left at home. You should head back to the


    Evans'' once you''re done with breakfast."


    Shelley knew Adrian called her just to get her to pass the message to Cordelia. He knew Shelley had


    no money. But Shelley didn''t want to cause trouble for Cordelia.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 197

    Chapter 197


    Cordelia returned to the Evans'' household with a puzzled look. As usual, Ronan was in his natural


    habitat, on their couch, engrossed in a book. He was not the social butterfly type.


    "You''re back?" he asked.


    "Yep."


    "I got someone to drop off some leaflets. Have a look." He said to Cordelia.


    Leaflets? Cordelia was confused, not knowing what he was referring to. She picked them up and


    realized they were flyers for baby and prenatal checkups and even the baby''s first month photoshoot...


    She gasped. This guy was really on top of things.


    "Which hospital do you n to go to?¡± He asked, as if Cordelia had already agreed to have a baby.


    "What... what do you mean?" she asked.


    Ronan shifted his gaze from his book to Cordelia, "You want a kid, don''t you?"


    "When did I say that?" Cordelia got agitated, and her voice raised. "I don''t want kids. I haven''t even


    passed my financial management certification exam, how could I possibly have a kid? I still have my


    career to worry about."


    "Oh? Did I get it wrong?" Ronan asked.


    "You''re way off!" Cordelia quickly retorted. She then went to the bedroom to change.


    Cordelia had a hunch that Ronan was somewhat pressuring her into having a child with him. He


    brought these flyers home just to test the waters with her.


    At night, after Ronan climbed into bed, he nuzzled against Cordelia''s face. His hormonal scent always


    made Cordelia nervous.


    Cordelia wondered if she should tell him about his parents'' impending return. He didn''t exactly have a


    loving rtionship with them. If they suddenly showed up without his knowledge, it might lead to some


    awkward situations.


    "Don''t get too close to him, or else I might do something you''ll regret," Ronan warned.


    "Who?" she asked.


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "Who do you think?" Ronan counter-questioned.


    Cordelia instantly realized he was talking about Jamie. She recalled when Manda said, "Keep your


    body pure," she had exchanged a nce with Jamie. But how did he know? Was he omnipresent?


    Suddenly, Ronan pulled Cordelia into his arms andid her t on the bed.


    "What are you doing?" Cordelia asked in surprise.


    She didn''t see him put on a condom. She was scared.


    "Sex. Of course." he answered.


    Cordelia was taken aback, "No. We''re in a contract marriage, and we already set a divorce date. If


    we''re going to have a baby, we need to renegotiate the price!"


    "Contract marriage?" Ronanughed, "That''s in the past!"


    "But I don''t want to have your baby!"


    "I already told you, it''s not up to you." With that, Ronan was about to get down to business.


    "Well, it''s not up to you either!" Cordelia retorted.


    "Not up to me?" Ronan scoffed, "Not up to me, huh?"


    "That''s not what I meant, let me... let me pass my CPA exam first, okay?" Cordelia pleaded. She knew


    she was at a disadvantage in bed. No matter how forcefully she spoke, she could potentially provoke


    Ronan. And if she did, there would be no room for negotiations.


    "No!" Ronan was adamant.


    In this urgent situation, Cordelia had no choice but to reveal. "Your parents areing back soon, did


    you know?"


    As expected, Ronan stopped. "When?"


    "In the next few days."


    Ronan rolled off Cordelia andy on the other side of the bed.


    The next morning, Cordelia got up earlier than Ronan. She had no idea when he had fallen asleep.


    When Cordelia was eating breakfast downstairs, Ronan just finished rolling up his sleeves and


    descended the stairs.


    "Don''t get too cocky. We still have a long road ahead," he red at Cordelia.


    Cordelia immediately wiped the smug look off her face, "Who''s being cocky?"


    However, Cordelia could tell from his tone that he might be catching a cold. He probably didn''t cover


    himself properlyst night while contemting and got sick.


    Cordelia could only eat her breakfast in silence, hoping he could keep his temper in check.

 Chapter 198

    Chapter 198


    Once she arrived at the Audit Department, Cordelia looked around, checking for cameras, but saw


    none. She even asked Mna if there were any cameras.


    "Are you kidding me? Installing cameras would be a total invasion of privacy. Why would Mr. Evans


    ever do that?" Mna replied, "Wyatt reports everything to Mr. Evans."


    "So he''s like the town crier?" Cordelia was surprised.


    "Didn''t you notice how Wyatt was trying to calm things down when Manda came looking for trouble?"


    Mna asked Cordelia.


    "I wasn''t paying attention."


    "Then what were you preupied with?" Mna asked casually, already getting back to her work.


    Cordelia thought to herself: she was probably thinking about Jamie.


    Having been in the Audit Department for a while, she got the vibe that everyone knew everything, but


    they were all discreet and didn''t pry into other people''s business.


    "Mna, in your opinion, what kind of person is Ronan?" Although people from the Audit Department


    didn''t like prying into other people''s privacy, Cordelia''s question wasn''t about snooping. It was just a


    simple inquiry.


    "Do you think I would ever badmouth Mr. Evans right in front of you?" Mnaughed, "But he really is


    an excellent businessman. He is decisive, wise, steady, and very strategic. If he had a kid, they would


    definitely be amazing."


    Thest sentence was directed at Cordelia, which made her blush. Cordelia felt that the entire


    She documented the day''s happenings for future reference. At least she knew that others saw Ronan


    as a good guy.


    Around noon, before she had lunch, Cordelia received a message from Barney: [Cordelia, Ronan''s


    parents have arrived home. You might want to let Ronan know.]


    Cordelia wasn''t sure if she should tell Ronan about this. She also wasn''t sure how he might react.


    After some thought, she decided to tell Ronan in person.


    [Let''s have lunch together, honey.] Cordelia texted him.


    Probably Ronan knew something was up when Cordelia texted him like this. Soon after, the phone on


    Cordelia''s desk rang.


    "Come to my office."


    "Okay."


    Cordelia went downstairs.


    The assistant had already prepared a hearty meal for Ronan. He sat on the couch and motioned for


    Cordelia toe over.


    "Have they arrived?" Ronan asked Cordelia.


    Cordelia felt cornered, how did he know everything? She nodded, "Yes, how did you know?"


    "I guessed. Have you eaten yet?" he asked.


    "Not yet."


    "Come eat with me."


    Cordelia quietly went over and sat next to him. She felt that Ronan was a bit angry and didn''t speak.


    The two of them were silent for a long time; the atmosphere was a bit awkward.


    Among the dishes he ordered, there was a corn sweet soup that was very tasty. Cordelia kept drinking


    this soup, but he didn''t. "This soup is really good." Cordelia said, hoping to break the awkward silence.


    "Is it that good?" he asked.


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    "You''ll know if you try it yourself." Cordelia pointed at the sweet soup and replied.


    Instead of getting the soup, Ronan slowly leaned towards Cordelia, gently lifted Cordelia''s chin, and


    started kissing her. He kissed her for a very long time. When he let go of Cordelia, he said earnestly,


    "This sweet soup is really good."


    Cordelia was stunned by his actions.


    "Is it not good?" Seeing Cordelia''s stunned expression, he asked Cordelia again.


    "It''s good." Cordelia finally responded as if she just snapped back to reality. She waspletely thrown


    off by Ronan''s kiss. His flirting skills were just too powerful. She even forgot why she came to his office


    in the first ce.

 Chapter 199

    Chapter 199


    After the afternoon tutoring session ended, Emerson was ready to leave, while Cordelia was tidying up.


    "You''re wearing sses now?" Emerson asked Ronan.


    Cordelia turned to look at Ronan, seeing him wearing a pair of silver-rimmed sses. His usual stern


    and calm demeanor was somewhat diminished, making him seem more gentle and graceful.


    "Yes."


    "You like to use this to attract girls, don''t you?" Emerson said before leaving.


    Cordelia picked up her bag and asked him, "Why are you wearing sses?"


    "How do I look?" His gazes were sharp and charming, looking at Cordelia through the lenses.


    "Very..."


    "Very what?" He pressed, not letting Cordelia off the hook.


    "Very attractive."


    "Attractive to you?" He asked again.


    Cordelia nodded, "Yes, very attractive."


    "He always wanted me to look like this." Ronan added.


    "He?" Cordelia was puzzled, then realized, "Your father?"


    "Of course," Ronan said, walking over from the desk, grabbing Cordelia''s hand, "Let''s go."


    Cordelia agreed and followed him.


    Once in the car, Cordelia turned to ask him, "Did he want you to be a schr?"


    "Yes," he responded, driving and answering at the same time.


    Cordelia felt that Ronan''s mood was not very good today, as if he was troubled by something from the


    past, and seemed down.


    "What kind of schr?"


    "Like my grandfather," Ronan sneered, "What''s the use of being a schr? In the end, it was me..."


    This was the first time Ronan had ever stopped mid-sentence. He was not usually like this.


    "A schr?" Cordelia nodded thoughtfully. "No wonder you love reading so much and don''t like


    socializing. If you really became a college professor, I wonder how many girls would be infatuated with


    you." Cordelia fell into deep thought.


    "Would you be infatuated with me?" He asked.


    "Maybe," Cordelia smiled, "But if you resent his expectations so much, why would you wear sses to


    appease him?" Cordelia asked.


    "To avoid conflict, and to avoid him getting angry," Ronan turned and said with a frown, "Why are you


    asking so many questions? Shouldn''t you be the one to worry?"


    "What do I have to worry about?" Cordelia asked nonchntly.


    "You''re going to meet my parents."


    "I''m so beautiful." Cordelia said proudly.


    Ronan didn''t say anything, because Cordelia was indeed beautiful, and he couldn''t dispute it.


    "By the way, my mom asked mest time, now that your parents are back, should shee to visit?"


    Cordelia thought that in front of Ronan''s parents, Shelley might not amount to much.


    "Whatever," he seemed a bit irritable, holding his hand to his mouth and coughing slightly.


    "Are you okay?" Cordelia asked him.


    "I''m fine, probably caught a coldst night."


    Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    As soon as they got home, Cordelia saw a distinguished-looking middle-aged couple sitting on the sofa


    in the living room. They were both tall, and it was clear that they must have been a handsome man and


    a beautiful woman in their youth. However, Olen''s hair had turned gray, not from old age, but seemingly


    from sudden anxiety.


    Cordelia was startled, her hand held by Ronan. She nced at him out of the corner of her eye, and


    Ronan was locked in a stare with them.


    "Ronan, how have you been these years?" Amanda asked Ronan, with a hint of unease and


    appeasement in her tone.


    Ronan was still staring at Olen, not greeting them, only saying, "You''re here? Get Janice to prepare a


    room for you."


    After that, he went upstairs.


    Cordelia stayed downstairs. "Don''t be upset. He''s just not used to it," She sat downstairs talking to his


    parents. She asked Janice to call Barney down, otherwise, she would feel very awkward alone.


    It was clear that Olen and Amanda had already chatted with Barney, so when Barney came out,


    Cordelia didn''t notice anything unusual.


    "You''re De?" Amanda held Cordelia''s hand, "Barney often mentions you, he likes you a lot, and so


    does Ronan. So we like you even more."


    Cordelia didn''t expect her first meeting with her inws to go so smoothly. They didn''t criticize her at all,


    because they seemed to want to improve their rtionship with Ronan through Cordelia.


    At dinner, Ronan didn''te downstairs. Cordelia had Janice save him some food. At the dinner table,


    Cordelia learned that Olen had been teaching at a university abroad for the past few years, while


    Amanda hadn''t been doing anything, just apanying Olen.


    Olen kept his head down, not saying a word.


    Cordelia thought to herself: Did a grown man really need someone to apany him?


    "De, do you have anything to do after dinner?" Amanda asked Cordelia.


    "No."


    "If you''re not busy, let¡¯s go to the grocery store to buy some turkey."


    "Why do you need to buy turkey?" Cordelia was puzzled.


    "I thought that if we have time tomorrow, I''d make some roast turkey for Ronan. He likes it." At this


    point, Amanda became a bit sad, and her eyes seemed to fill with tears.


    "He likes roast turkey?" Both Cordelia and Janice were surprised.


    "Didn''t he tell you?"


    "No." Cordelia put down her utensils. Ronan had never mentioned it.


    And even at Christmas dinner, Cordelia didn''t think he had a particr fondness for roast turkey.

 Chapter 200

    Chapter 200


    When Amanda heard this, she didn''t say anything, just quietly continued eating. Yet, Cordelia could tell


    that she was hurting inside.


    After dinner, Cordelia had Janice take some food to Ronan, then she and Amanda went to the grocery


    store.


    "Ronan used to eat roast turkey every Christmas, but he doesn''t anymore, probably because he


    doesn''t want to see us," said Amanda.


    "Don''t be sad. I''m still here," Cordelia said, tightly holding Amanda''s arm.


    "Sweetie. If I had a daughter like you, that would be so nice," Amanda said, patting Cordelia''s head.


    Even though Olen and Amanda were back, Ronan wasn''t happy. But Cordelia was thrilled. They were


    both very kind to her, calling her De.


    As they left the grocery store, it started to drizzle. Thankfully, Cordelia had brought an umbre. This


    time, she and Amanda took a taxi.


    When they got to the front door, she saw Ronan standing there. He was pacing back and forth at the


    entrance, hands in his pockets, dressed lightly. He never liked using umbres. Cordelia hurriedly got


    out of the car, held the umbre over Ronan''s head and said in a rush, "Why aren''t you using an


    umbre? You''re already sick."


    "Let''s go.¡± Ronan said, taking Cordelia''s hand.


    Amanda followed behind them silently, feeling awkward and upset.


    When they got to the living room door, Cordelia heard noises from inside. "Who''s in there?" she asked


    Ronan.


    "No one important," Ronan replied, holding Cordelia''s hand tightly.


    Entering the living room, Cordelia saw Jamie and Thomas sitting on the sofa, with Olen sitting on the


    other side.


    Thomas immediately stood up and said, "Mr. Evans."


    Ronan gave a cold response.


    "Mr. Colby, we''ve just arrived and didn''t get a chance to tell you. Jamie is nning to transfer


    PrimeNumbers ounting to Brenda, probably by the end of the year. He''s nning to move to


    Canada," Thomas said.


    "Hmm? You came to tell me this? I thought you were going to talk about Signature Estates," Ronan


    said, his gaze fixed on Jamie.


    Thomas''s face darkened, "Well, I came to talk about Signature Estates, and I thought I''d mention Jamie


    while I''m at it."


    Jamie, however, was looking straight at Cordelia, with a smile in his eyes. "You''re back?"


    Before Cordelia could answer, she was pulled upstairs by Ronan. As they went up, Cordelia heard


    Ronan mutter, "Sly fox."


    Cordelia guessed he was referring to Thomas.


    Cordelia suddenly remembered the documents Ronan had once shown her. Back then, Thomas, along


    with other small real estatepanies, ganged up to suppress Signature Estates, using a murder case


    to cause Signature Estates¡¯ property prices to plummet, making Olen go bankrupt overnight, turn gray-


    haired, and suffer from severe mental illness.


    Were they going to reconcile today?


    Those who were once heartless towards Olen were now paying such respect to Ronan. Thus, Ronan''s


    status must be much higher than Olen''s.


    Cordelia suddenly understood Ronan''s words. He didn¡¯t make a schr, but throughout these years,


    he dealt with many troubles for Olen, and developed the business so well. Even though his eyes were


    damaged, he never backed down. He truly was, as Mna said, a top businessman.


    Olen, on the other hand, was like a scaredy-cat, fleeing abroad when he encountered difficulties.


    Ronan didn''t have a good impression of Olen. And Olen was afraid to see Ronan.


    Thinking about the hardships Ronan had endured, Cordelia''s eyes became a bit moist.


    As soon as she closed the bedroom door, Cordelia pinned Ronan against it and started kissing him.


    She didn''t say anything, just kissed Ronan for a long, long time, even instinctively kissing his ear.


    "Honey, I''m sorry." Cordelia wrapped her arms around Ronan''s neck.


    "Sorry for what?" Ronan asked Cordelia. There was a touch of gratification in his voice.


    "I wasn''t there for you during your hardest times." Cordelia said sincerely in the dark.


    "Don''t you know that you were already there for me?" Ronan said.


    Cordelia thought for a moment, "Are you referring to when I helped you fetch water when you were


    blind?" Cordelia asked tentatively, thinking Ronan didn''t know. But after observing him a few times, it


    seemed like Ronan knew everything. He was like a god in the sky, watching over Cordelia on the


    ground.


    "Yes," Ronan said, holding Cordelia tightly.


    Cordelia chuckled, "So why do you like eating roast turkey? You''ve never told me."


    "Can you make it?"


    "I''m good at roasting turkey."


    "Then make it for me for a lifetime. I don¡¯t need any half-hearted promises," Ronan said.


    Cordelia thought for a long time, then nodded seriously. Was he saying: no more divorces?


    "So I''ll start making roast turkey for you tomorrow, for a lifetime, okay?" Cordelia asked him.


    Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    "No lying."


    "Okay. If I lie, my nose will grow long," Cordelia said.


    She learned the saying that lying would make your nose grow from Ronan.

 Chapter 201

    Chapter 201


    At night, Ronan was on top of Cordelia , teasing her.


    "You''ve got a cold." Cordelia instinctively pushed him away.


    He didn''t have any serious symptoms, just a raspy voice.


    "I''m worried you''ll wear yourself out." Cordelia said.


    "I don''t feel that tired, actually."


    They were talking when suddenly a man''s noise came from downstairs. Ronan stopped in his tracks,


    frowned, and said, "I''ll go check it out." With that, he went downstairs.


    Cordelia finally let out a sigh of relief, crawled into bed, and tried to fall asleep before Ronan came


    back. Not long after, the reprimanding sound from downstairs made Cordelia''s body shiver. It seemed


    like it was Ronan scolding his father.


    Cordelia had never seen such a father-son rtionship, the father being scolded by the son but not


    saying a word.


    "You just left like that back then, now who are you trying to scare bying back?"


    "I don''t want to hear your voice again!"


    Even Barney heard. Ronan had a few words with his grandfather downstairs.


    ¡­¡­


    Cordelia got scared straight. By the time Ronan came back, he was leaning against the headboard,


    irritably lighting a cigarette.


    Cordelia cautiously pulled at him.


    "Honey, you should sleep first." He stroked Cordelia''s head.


    "Your dad¡­¡­what''s wrong with him?" Cordelia asked Ronan with wide eyes.


    "He has a serious mental illness, triggered by seeing people from the past." Ronan took a deep puff of


    his cigarette, "Today, he saw the father and son from the Colby family ."


    "So has he been abroad getting treatment?" Cordelia asked again.


    "Yes, he''s pretty much recovered. On normal days, he''s just like anybody else. He''s been teaching


    abroad."


    Cordelia thought for a while, then fell asleep, but she didn''t sleep well all night. When she woke up the


    next day, Cordelia saw that Ronan was still asleep. She had no idea what time he had gone to bed the


    night before.


    Cordelia touched his forehead, which was hot.


    "You have a fever." Cordelia nudged Ronan.


    Maybe it was the rainst night, he had already caught a bit of a cold. The heating in the house had


    stopped, the cold wind howled all night, and he hadn''t worn much when he went downstairs.


    Cordelia quickly got up and went downstairs to get him some medicine.


    Janice called her from the kitchen.


    "De, Ronan might have a cold, I made him some chicken soup, I''m afraid if I give it to him, he won''t


    drink it. Could you give it to him instead?" Amanda whispered.


    Cordelia was taken aback, then said Sure.


    People always said that parents were the greatest, that no matter how their children treated them, they


    would give selflessly.


    Looking at Amanda''s hopeful gazes, Cordelia''s heart softened.


    Amanda should have noticed that Ronan caught a coldst night. So she made him some chicken


    soup.


    As soon as Cordelia finished speaking, Shelley called Cordelia.


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    "Mom." Cordelia walked out of the kitchen and into the living room, asking, "What''s up?"


    "De, is it a good time to call you right now?" Shelley asked with a hint of awkwardness.


    "Sure, what''s on your mind?"


    "If you''re free tonight, could youe home? I need to talk to you about something."


    Cordelia replied, "Sure, I''m usually free after work."


    After hanging up the phone, Cordelia returned to the kitchen. "I just touched his forehead, it''s a bit hot."


    Cordelia told Amanda.


    "It''s okay, I''ve added some fever reducer. He caught a coldst night, and with this chilly weather, he


    even went downstairs." Amanda said this with a hint of pity in her voice, "The spring weather is still


    quite cold."


    When Amanda said this, her voice was choked up, which almost made Cordelia cry as well. "Alright, I''ll


    take it to him." With that, Cordelia carried a bowl of steaming soup upstairs.

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    Chapter 202


    Ronan was awake and on the phone and seemed to be saying he wasn''t going to work today.


    "Babe, your mom just made you some chicken soup. It''s supposed to make you feel better." Cordelia


    ced the soup on the bedside table and checked Ronan''s fever. His forehead was still a bit warm.


    "I ain''t drinking that!" Ronan snapped.


    "Howe? Making this stuff ain''t easy, you know. It takes over an hour. Your mom went through all


    this trouble, just drink it. That''s your mom we''re talking about." Cordelia tried to reason with him, then


    added, "I told you to take an umbre when it rains, but nooo, Mr. Know-It-All over here knows better."


    "I get it!" Ronan was getting pretty ticked off. Every time Cordelia mentioned the umbre thing, he was


    reminded of her dad. He thought she was trying to lecture him or something. He was getting all worked


    up, so he just picked up a book and started reading.


    "If I''m such a nag, I''ll just leave then." Cordelia turned to leave, but Ronan grabbed her hand.


    She turned back, "Drink it now."


    Ronan gave her a look, then picked up the soup and drank it.


    "Good boy." Cordelia patted his forehead.


    "I drank it all, don''t I get a reward?" He looked up at Cordelia.


    "A reward?" Cordelia thought for a moment, then she sat on Ronan''s bed and kissed him. The taste of


    the soup, savoury and tasty, she shared it with him.


    After the kiss, Cordelia snuggled up to him, "I have to go to work soon. The Audit Department just got


    the Proxima Ventures project. I need to do well."


    Cordelia''s gazes were bright and intense, as if there was an unbreakable bond between her and


    Ronan.


    "Have the driver take you." Ronan stroked her soft hair.


    "Okay." Cordelia answered with a smile.


    After Cordelia left, Janice looked at her in surprise, "Cordelia, did you drink that soup?"


    "No, why?" Cordelia asked in confusion.


    "Then what''s that on your mouth..."


    "Well." Cordelia quickly wiped off the residue on her lips.


    Janice chuckled, "Did Mr. Evans not want to drink it so you fed it to him?"


    "Stop joking around." Cordelia blushed, finding Janice''s idea amusing.


    On the way to work, Cordelia remembered Jamie''s n to go abroad and she felt a bit worried.


    Bored in the car, she texted Jamie: [What''s Manda gonna do when you''re gone?]


    "I wanted to arrange a job for her, but my father didn''t agree. He wants her to find her own way." Jamie


    replied.


    "What are you going to do abroad?" Cordelia asked.


    "I''m going to study. I might open an office there."


    Cordelia thought to herself: Thomas was quite the hard-ass. He probably hated Manda for hurting his


    son, leaving her to fend for herself. With Brenda around, did Manda even stand a chance?


    Brenda already had a grudge against Manda. Jamie probably felt guilty towards Brenda as well.


    Thomas might be looking for a backup n, worried that Jamie would be overshadowed by Ronan in


    Millstone, unable to hold his head high. Once abroad, he''ll finally be free.


    They were all seasoned yers.


    After mulling over these things, Cordelia looked down and saw a message from Jamie that had been


    retracted.


    "What did you send?" Cordelia asked.


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "Well, nothing. Sent it to the wrong person." Jamie replied.


    Cordelia didn''t think much of it.


    When she got to the office and was about to get out of the car, Cordelia told the driver she would be


    going home in the afternoon and he didn''t need to wait for her.


    "Do I need to let Mr. Evans know?" the driver asked Cordelia.


    "Yeah, just tell him when you get back." Cordelia said, then headed into work.


    The financials for Proxima Ventures were a mess, and this was Cordelia''s first time dealing with all


    these numbers on her own, so it was a bit stressful. It was not until six-thirty that she finally dragged


    herself out of the office and headed back to Shelley''s ce, exhausted.

 Chapter 203

    Chapter 203


    Today, Judy whipped up a roast turkey for Cordelia. Suddenly, Cordelia remembered that Ronan was a


    sucker for roast turkey. She nned to make him one, but time just wasn''t on her side.


    "Mom, what''s up?" Cordelia asked her mother.


    "Ronan didn''te with you?" Shelley asked.


    "Hmm, he''s nursing a cold today and couldn''t make it to work."


    "Then you should head back, cook him some ginger sugar water. A good sleep will do the trick. It''s


    good he didn''te. I want to discuss something with you. Your brother called a couple of times,


    saying he wants to get engaged. His girlfriend, Kendra, is asking for half a million in betrothal gifts. It''s


    been bugging me." Shelley shared, looking rather troubled.


    "Half a million?" Suddenly, the roast turkey in Cordelia''s hand didn''t seem so appetizing.


    "Yes, apparently Kendra is pregnant. I never liked her. I always thought she was a bit of a gold-digger,


    but now that she''s pregnant, what can we do?" Shelley was equally distressed. Even the most capable


    individuals would feel at a loss when faced with such family drama.


    Cordelia was puzzled. If it were in the past when she had money, the problem would be easier to solve.


    But now, all her money was returned to Ronan. If she borrowed money from him again because of her


    brother, he might feel she was burdening him. Also, Cordelia was too embarrassed to ask.


    "Can you get my brother and Kendra to negotiate, see if they can lower the amount?" Cordelia asked


    Shelley.


    "The problem is that Kendra said if we shortchange her even by a penny, she''ll abort the baby. After all,


    this child is a Haselwood." Shelley banged the table, unable to find a solution.


    Cordelia was confused; she was still young and had never experienced such a thing. "Mom, I got it, I''ll


    go home first." Cordelia said, sounding a little down.


    "Alright. Don''t let Ronan know. If he knows, he might think we are intentionally borrowing money from


    him, and it might affect your marital rtionship. Who would''ve thought Kendra would use the baby to


    threaten us, this..." Shelley expressed helplessly.


    "I understand."


    "Also, I was talking to your grandma today. Your Aunt said your Uncle''s calf is starting to atrophy, and


    he needs surgery." Then, Shelley broke down crying, "Our family..."


    "But we''re not obliged to pay for Uncle''s surgery." Cordelia was getting a headache hearing this.


    "Yes, hopefully Samantha can earn more. Your Aunt doesn''t work either."


    When her mom was sick, there wasn''t so much drama around the house.


    ...


    What Cordelia didn''t know was that she was being followed by a man as she left the Shelley''s.


    Someone covered her mouth from behind and the next thing she knew, she was in an abandoned


    warehouse.


    Her hands and feet were tied and she was sitting in a corner. Cordelia''s first thought was: she got


    kidnapped.


    She saw Samantha standing in front of her, holding a stack of papers. Standing next to her, were two


    handsome guys.


    "Samantha?" Cordelia was taken aback.


    "Cordelia, bet you didn''t see thising." Samantha said. "I invited you here today because I need a


    favor."


    "Is this your ''invitation''?" Cordelia red at Samantha coldly.


    In reality, Cordelia could easily solve this problem. She just needed to tell the two guys next to


    Samantha that she was Ronan''s wife and she was willing to pay them a good sum of money as long as


    they dealt with Samantha. But then, her mother just told her that her uncle needed surgery and that


    also required money.


    Thinking about it, Cordelia''s heart softened.


    "You''re already in this situation and you''re still speaking to me with that tone?" Samantha red at


    Cordelia. She really wanted to ruin Cordelia''s beautiful face, always outshining her since they were


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    young and now even more so.


    "What do you want? Out with it."


    "What''s with the attitude?" Samantha was itching to p Cordelia but she was afraid Ronan would find


    out, so she held back.


    "This is a divorce agreement, I''ve already drafted it for you. All you need to do is sign it and I''ll let you


    leave unharmed." Samantha handed the stack of papers to Cordelia.


    This divorce agreement was painstakingly prepared by Deanna over three nights for Cordelia. And


    Cordelia wouldn''t be getting any advantage from it.

 Chapter 204

    Chapter 204


    "But if I sign and he doesn''t, we won''t be able to divorce," Cordelia said, staring at Samantha.


    "Don''t worry. We still have plenty of tricks up our sleeve," Samantha grinned, "You gonna sign it?"


    "I will." Cordelia wanted nothing more than to get back home as soon as possible. Besides, she figured


    that even if she signed, Ronan definitely wouldn''t.


    But if he did sign, how would she handle her own feelings? That would just mean their love story had


    run its course.


    Cordelia quickly scribbled her name on the divorce papers and bolted from the warehouse. She figured


    as long as there was life, there was hope. And she didn''t want Samantha to dictate her timeline,


    because the longer it took, the worse for Samantha.


    She felt a pang of sympathy for Samantha. She knew Samantha would definitely use this divorce


    agreement for something, so she wanted to go back first to gain the upper hand and convince Ronan


    not to call the police.


    But when she arrived at the Evans family home, Deanna was sitting in her living room. In her hands,


    the divorce papers Cordelia had signed.


    "Ronan, your wife wants to divorce you. These papers were found by Samantha when she visited her


    aunt tonight. Cordelia signed them herself. Maybe she thought it would be too hard to tell you in


    person, so she wrote it down. But I don''t know when she was nning to tell you," Deanna lied through


    her teeth.


    Lately, she had been keeping an eye on Ronan''s house. She knew Jamie visited the Evans familyst


    night. She wanted Ronan to know that, Jamie came to the Evans family, Cordelia was swayed, and


    wanted a divorce.


    Turned out Deanna was using the signed divorce papers to get to Ronan, to ruin their rtionship.


    Maybe in a fit of rage, Ronan would sign without hearing Cordelia out. Then, Cordelia would be left


    defenseless.


    And tonight, Samantha wasn''t visiting her mom.


    However, when she thought of her uncle''s condition, her heart softened. Perhaps they knew that


    Cordelia would give in, so they were sure she wouldn''t spill the beans about the kidnapping.


    Cordelia''s kindness was being exploited.


    If she told Ronan that Samantha had kidnapped her, Ronan would be furious and call the cops.


    Samantha could be sentenced to years in prison for kidnapping. Her uncle only had her as a daughter,


    relying on her for care.


    "Did you write this?" Ronan asked, holding the paper. His face was full of cold indifference.


    "Yes." Cordelia was scrambling for a response.


    Now that Deanna had taken the initiative, Cordelia was in a very passive state. Words that were initially


    easy to say were now difficult for her to express.


    "Why?"


    "My brother... my brother is getting engaged. Kendra demanded half a million from him. I know Kendra


    is actually trying to mess with you. I''m so sorry. I''ve been a burden to you. I thought if I divorced you,


    my brother might drop the idea." Cordelia said, "So I wrote the divorce papers."


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    Deanna frowned. She hadn''t expected this turn of events. How did Samantha handle things? She didn''t


    even know Adrian needed money?


    "So you want to divorce me because you don''t want to be a burden?" Ronan''s expression lightened.


    "Yes. My family has brought you too much trouble." Cordelia said.


    Her mother had always warned her not to let Ronan know about her brother''s engagement. She hadn''t


    expected to be forced by Samantha to tell him. And it seemed better than directly asking Ronan for the


    money.


    Cordelia was just too good. She was even willing to propose a divorce, just so she wouldn''t cause


    trouble for Ronan. It''d be strange if Ronan wasn''t moved. Though she didn''t want this to happen and


    didn''t want to deceive Ronan, it had already happened.


    "Is half a million a big deal to you?" he asked, seated on the couch, one leg crossed over the other.


    "To me, yes," Cordelia said, clenching her hands.


    "Which is more important, half a million or me?" he asked, staring at Cordelia.


    "Of course it is..." Cordelia lifted her head, pointing at Ronan, "You."


    A smile seemed to bloom on Ronan''s face. He stroked his chin, "If I''m more important, why would you


    abandon me for half a million?"


    "That''s not something I should have." Cordelia said.


    Deanna''s face had turned pale. She hadn''t expected this.


    "In that case, you should probably talk to Adrian." Deanna thought. This was definitely ast-minute


    excuse from Cordelia. She would never spill the beans about Samantha forcing her hand. And Cordelia


    had always been on bad terms with Adrian. He would never help her out.

 Chapter 205

    Chapter 205


    Ronan nced at Cordelia, then picked up his phone. Throughout the call, he never took his eyes off


    Cordelia.


    In her mind, Cordelia figured Ronan was ready to cough up the dough this time. Hell, he might even


    pay more to shut Deanna up, but that would only make Adrian greedier.


    Ronan had put the call on speaker.


    "Ronan," said Adrian. Just at the sound of his voice, Cordelia could picture her brother''s slimy grin.


    "You''re getting engaged?"


    "Yes. Did Cordelia tell you?" Adrian asked.


    "Yes, what do they want?"


    "They want a wedding gift of 500,000, and also¡­"


    "I''ll give you 800,000. What else?" Ronan cut in.


    "They also want the house to be in both our names. Ronan, I know it''s asking a lot from you, I feel kind


    of embarrassed."


    "I''ll handle the paperwork tomorrow." With that, Ronan hung up.


    It seemed Adrian''s demand for a 500,000 wedding gift was legit. Cordelia hadn''t lied. Deanna''s love for


    stirring the pot was also real. Ronan nned to knock her down a peg, hoping to cause a rift between


    her and Samantha.


    Cordelia had thought he might not sign, but she hadn''t expected him to pay Adrian''s dowry as well. His


    generosity was astonishing, adding an extra 300,000 right off the bat.


    He probably just wanted to show Deanna his character, not giving two cents about who Adrian was


    marrying. Cordelia felt like he was trying to provoke her a bit.


    "That so? Well, I guess I''ll be taking my leave then," After saying that, Deanna slinked away.


    Ronan tore up the divorce agreement. His eyes remained fixed on Cordelia.


    "Do you take marriage as a joke?" he asked.


    "No, it''s not what you think."


    Finally, Cordelia had a chance to speak. She needed to ensure Ronan wouldn''t call the cops before


    she could spill about Samantha''s threats.


    "You''re not mad anymore?" Cordelia sat on the couch, running her hands over Ronan''s chest.


    "What''s up?" Ronan knew Cordelia had something to say.


    Cordelia proceeded to tell Ronan the detailed ount of what had happened. She hadn''t mentioned


    Samantha''s threat earlier because she was afraid Ronan might act impulsively and call the police.


    "Samantha is all my uncle has left. She hasn''t done anything to me, so don''t call the police," Cordelia


    pleaded.


    "Fine, no police." Ronan gently stroked Cordelia''s hair, a smile ying on his lips, but his gaze turned


    somber. He wouldn''t call the cops. He''d let Deanna and Samantha tear each other apart. At least one


    of them needed to get hurt for him to be satisfied.


    "Where''s my roast turkey?" Ronan asked, "Didn''t you say you were making it for mest night?"


    "You didn''t eat it? I thought you finished it." Cordelia asked in surprise.


    "If you''re not making it, I''m not eating it," he replied.


    "Can I do it tomorrow? Tomorrow''s Saturday, I can stay home and make you roast turkey all day."


    Ronan didn''t respond, but his anger had finally subsided.


    Unbeknownst to Cordelia, Amanda had made roast turkey today, but Ronan hadn''t touched it. Amanda


    returned to her room alone, feeling very sad.


    Olen was also upset with Ronan, but he had no right to be. He could only console his wife.


    ¡­


    Once Deanna got in the car, Samantha asked, "Did Ronan sign?"


    p! Deanna pped Samantha, "You didn''t know about Adrian''s engagement?"


    "Adrian''s getting engaged? I genuinely didn''t know." Samantha looked utterly lost.


    "Is there anything else you can say other than ¡®you don¡¯t know¡¯? Cordelia probably didn''t know how to


    ask Ronan for money, but we''ve just done her a huge favor! Can you do this job or not? If not, just get


    lost!" Deanna snapped at Samantha.


    Samantha had never been berated like this, embarrassment written all over her face. It seemed unless


    she could outmaneuver Cordelia, there was no chance of aeback.


    This time, they were fully prepared. The news of Ronald''s leg atrophy was a card Samantha had


    yed in advance, telling her mother to specially inform Cordelia''s mother. They knew she would


    persuade Cordelia to give way to Samantha, as Cordelia always listened to her.


    They took out the signed divorce agreement in advance, hoping to show Ronan that his wife wanted to


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    divorce him. As long as Ronan was angry, he wouldn''t give Cordelia a chance to speak.


    They hadn''t expected Adrian''s engagement toe into y.


    Cordelia had managed to wash her hands of the whole mess.

 Chapter 206

    Chapter 206


    Ronan handed over eight hundred grand and a house to Adrian. Adrian was over the moon and quickly


    set a date for their engagement. However, Cordelia was fretting. She knew that too much happiness


    usually spelled disaster.


    During the day of the engagement, Cordelia, while organising Ronan''s clothes, looked at him and


    asked, "You don''t have any schemes against my brother, do you?"


    Ronan nced at her, "He''s not your real brother. Why are you so concerned?" He tapped her on the


    head.


    "If he''s not my real brother, why did you give him money?" Cordelia queried.


    Ronan''s hands, which were in the process of tidying up his clothes, came to a halt. "Things have gone


    this far, I can''t not give it to him."


    Cordelia was still uneasy, "You don''t have any ns for him, do you?"


    Ronan looked at Cordelia, "Do I need to?"


    Yet Cordelia''s heart was filled with unease.


    The engagement ceremony was held in a fancy four-star hotel.


    Shelley had already arrived; she was nervous too. Partly because she didn''t like the bride-to-be, and


    partly because the money came from Ronan. She was fuming. But since Ronan had already given the


    money to Adrian, she couldn''t do anything about it.


    Kendra dolled herself up very attractively that day, and wore a dress that showed off her midriff. She


    was only three months pregnant, and it didn''t show yet. The only thing on disy was her belly, which


    she thought was sexy. Especially since Ronan wasing. Compared to Ronan, Adrian was nothing.


    Adrian also invited Jamie, since he was his supervisor.


    Jamie had noticed some changes in Adrian, but he didn''t know that Adrian was the cause of his recent


    illness.


    Jamie nced at Cordelia across the dinner table. Cordelia and Shelley both seemed troubled. Ronan


    nced at Jamie, then took Cordelia''s hand. Cordelia knew he was doing this for Jamie to see, and felt


    a bit awkward.


    Adrian was ecstatic that day. He stood up and raised his ss, "Today is the day Kendra and I get


    engaged. Kendra''s parents have passed away, so everyone here is from my side. My supervisor and


    my family. Thank you, everyone foring to our engagement party."


    With that, he downed his drink. Cordelia also raised her ss in acknowledgement.


    As Kendra went around toasting everyone, she mainly wanted to toast Ronan. She first approached


    Shelley. "Shelley, I''d like to propose a toast to you. I''m pregnant now, so I can only use water instead of


    wine. Hope you understand." Kendra''s voice was gentle, irresistible to most men.


    And today, in front of a key person, she was showing off her charm like a peacock unting its feathers.


    "We''re all family now. As long as you and Adrian are happy, that''s all that matters," Shelley said gently.


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    Even if she didn''t like her, she was the mother of her grandkid.


    "Thank you, mom." Kendra replied, though she could tell that Shelley didn''t like her.


    Kendra poured another ss of water and walked over to Ronan.


    "Mr. Evans," Kendra lifted her eyes, her gaze alluring, "Thanks to you, Adrian and I can get engaged.


    I''m drinking water, what about you?"


    "I''m drivingter." he said.


    "See, in this room, only us two are drinking water." Kendra swayed her hips, the temptation in her voice


    clear, "This toast is for you."


    Then, she leaned into Ronan''s ear and said, "Thank you for giving Adrian the money."


    As she leaned in, Ronan instinctively pulled away. Her behaviour caused both Cordelia and Shelley to


    furrow their brows further.


    Cordelia thought to herself, wasn''t she already engaged to her brother? Why was she still so flirty with


    Ronan?


    Shelley was even more displeased with her future daughter-inw.


    As Kendra was about to get up, she pretended to identally knock over her ss, spilling water all


    over Ronan''s pants. "Oh no, I''m so sorry, Mr. Evans, I didn''t mean to." she feigned panic.


    As she was about to wipe it off with a tissue, Ronan turned towards Cordelia, "You do it."


    Cordelia, already annoyed with Kendra''s calcted moves, immediately picked up a tissue and started


    wiping the water off Ronan''s pants. She seemed a bit angry, feeling that Ronan was ying into


    Kendra''s hands.


    Jamie sat across from Ronan and Cordelia. From his angle, he couldn''t see Cordelia, but he could see


    Ronan with his legs spread. It was a suggestive pose.


    Jamie looked down.


    "Okay, Kendra, mind your manners. After all, Ronan is De''s husband. Let her do it." Shelley couldn''t


    bear it any longer and said to Kendra.


    Kendra, because of Shelley''sment, harbored resentment towards her.


    Kendra even forgot to toast Jamie. Ever since his scandal broke out, in Kendra''s eyes, he was worth


    less than dirt.

 Chapter 207

    Chapter 207


    Ronan whispered into Cordelia''s ear, "Could you swing by the mall across the street and grab me some


    pants?"


    Cordelia nodded, "Sure thing."


    His pants were indeed wet, making him feel a bit awkward.


    "What type do you need?" Cordelia asked.


    "Just something wearable. Pay with the card." Ronan replied.


    Cordelia nodded again, stood up, apologized to everyone, and then left the room. Jamie''s gaze


    followed her out. Ronan watched all this without showing any emotion.


    "Adrian, if you ever run into trouble, you can count on me," Ronan said to Adrian.


    "Ronan, we''re gonna be family. I''m gonna down this one, even though I''m engaged, the wedding''s still


    a ways off. The engagement already cost an arm and a leg, and the wedding won''t be cheap either."


    Adrian started to brazenly ask for money, and he seemed a bit drunk, "Also, I''m thinking about starting


    my ownpany. Could you maybe invest a bit?"


    The room fell silent, Jamie tried to reel Adrian in, but Adrian insisted on asking Ronan for money.


    Cordelia walked into the room with a shopping bag. "Got ''em," she gently patted Ronan''s shoulder from


    behind.


    "Quiet! I''m discussing something with Ronan." Adrian told Cordelia.


    "Adrian!" Although Cordelia didn''t hear what Adrian just said, she could guess what he was saying.


    "Quiet, Cordelia, you just need to focus on making money." Adrian probably had one too many, he even


    started to call Cordelia a "money machine".


    "Adrian!" Cordelia''s face turned bright red. She felt her dignity was being trampled on.


    Adrian pointed at Cordelia, "Don''t raise your voice at me! Samantha told me you''re not Mom''s


    biological child, what right do you have to yell at me? And don''t scare the baby in your sister-inw''s


    belly."


    "How much do you want?" Ronan asked, smiling, but his gazes were as cold as ice.


    However, Adrian only saw his smile. Adrian stretched out his hand, "This much."


    Cordelia thought to herself, Adrian had lost his marbles. He was asking for five million!


    "You''re out of your mind!" Cordelia scolded Adrian sternly.


    Adrian pushed Cordelia away, almost knocking her down, "Move." Adrian was clearly drunk; he even


    forgot how he got to where he was today. His attitude towards Cordelia became very rough.


    "Alright, I''ll give it to you when you get married," Ronan said.


    "Ronan, you''re a real pal! It''s a deal." Adrian, drunk as a skunk, gave Ronan a hearty pat on the


    shoulder.


    Ronan lightly brushed off his shoulder.


    After Adrian pushed Cordelia away, Ronan kept his eyes on him. Adrian started to shiver immediately.


    Ronan didn''t say a word, but Adrian already felt a chill, barely holding onto his ss.


    "Cordelia, talk to Mr. Evans if you got something to say." After saying this, Adrian retreated to his seat.


    Once he sat down, he realized he was covered in cold sweat.


    Cordelia didn''t see the look in Ronan''s eyes just now because she was standing behind him. Ronan


    turned his head and saw the shopping bag in Cordelia''s hand.


    "Go change in the bathroom."


    Ronan stood up and said to Cordelia, "Come with me."


    Cordelia worried that if she didn''t go, he would deliberately flirt with her and make Jamie feel


    ufortable. So she followed him.


    There was a bathroom in the private room, Cordelia helped Ronan take off his shoes and pants,


    saying, "Don''t be mean to my brother."


    "Why?" Ronan pretended to be clueless and asked Cordelia.


    "Just don''t."


    Cordelia couldn''t express her inner unease; she just felt very anxious. She had a feeling that the better


    Ronan treated Adrian, the bigger the problem became, and the more serious the hidden issues


    became. Because she could already sense Ronan''s anger, but he had been holding it in, deliberately


    creating problems for Adrian.


    "Is it wrong to be kind to my family? How should I defend myself?" He chuckled sarcastically, augh


    that was hard toprehend.


    At this moment, she was still squatting in front of Ronan, helping him adjust his underwear. "The nicer


    you are to him, I''m afraid he will..." Before Cordelia could finish, Ronan suddenly pushed her head


    down.


    Cordelia''s words got stuck in her throat. She could only hear the noise Adrian was making outside, and


    Kendra''s hypocritical voice, "What''s taking your sister and Mr. Evans so long?"


    When Cordelia stood up from the ground, her face red with anger, she muttered "bastard" and then


    stormed out. Then Ronan finished dressing himself and came out.


    Jamie saw the two of theme out one after the other, and seeing Cordelia''s red face, he knew what


    had happened. Jamie felt even more hopeless.


    Shelley was already feeling awkward; hearing Adrian''s angry words, she felt she hadn''t taught this child


    well. Adrian hadpletely embarrassed her.


    "Does Jamie have a girlfriend?"


    "Not yet."


    "What type of girl does he like?" Shelley asked gently.


    "Emm..."


    Kendra nced at Jamie and joked, "Mom, you might not know this, but Jamie likes girls like Cordelia,


    especially Cordelia. Too bad she already has a boyfriend."


    After Kendra finished, she nced at Ronan. He was staring at his coffee cup, mindlessly fiddling with


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    it.


    "Huh?" Shelley instantly felt that asking this question was a total bummer, as it just paved the way for


    Kendra to stir things up.


    Kendra just loved to create a ruckus.


    "No worries. I''m going abroad by the end of the year." Jamie said, with a hint of regret in his voice.


    "Going abroad? That''s great." Shelley could only gloss over it like this.

 Chapter 208

    Chapter 208


    On the way home, Cordelia received a message from Shelley: "Tell Ronan not to pamper Adrian so


    much."


    "Mum, I''ve already talked to him about it," Cordelia replied. She was also concerned that Ronan''s


    pampering of Adrian might have negative effects. But Adrian was currently on cloud nine, and being a


    greedy guts, he wouldn''t heed anyone''s advice.


    "That''s good then," Shelley replied.


    Cordelia''s gut told her that Ronan''s intentions towards Adrian weren''t as simple as they seemed.


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    While Cordelia was upied with her phone, Brenda sent her a message on Messenger: [Cordelia,


    fancy catching up when you''re free?]


    "Now?" Cordelia replied.


    "I''m at Bean & Brew, going through some financial reports. You can drop by if you''re up for it," Brenda


    replied.


    Cordelia checked her phone''s navigation and found that Bean & Brew was just around the corner.


    "Hon, Brenda is nearby, and she wants to catch up. Is that okay?" Cordelia asked Ronan.


    Ronan had an inkling about what Brenda wanted to discuss with Cordelia. "Go ahead," he answered.


    "Thanks, love." Cordelia pecked Ronan on the cheek.


    Once the car stopped at Bean & Brew, Cordelia hopped out.


    Ronan spotted Brenda from the car window.


    "What brings you here? And looking so morous?" Brenda asked upon seeing Cordelia.


    "My brother''s engagement party was today, and it was nearby." Cordelia replied.


    "Your brother''s engaged? Did Jamie attend?" Brenda asked while sipping her coffee.


    Cordelia nodded.


    "So, him and Ronan..." Brenda prodded.


    "Nothing special happened. After all, an engagement is a big deal," Cordelia answered.


    "Your brother is engaged to Kendra, right? I heard about it at work." Brenda continued.


    "Yes," Cordelia confirmed.


    "Originally, Kendra knew Thomas. She had a thing for Jamie, but after the whole Jamie-Manda fiasco,


    she gave up on him. To be honest, you broke Jamie''s heart. When you went to Proxima Ventures on


    behalf of Ronan, Jamie realized that your views and values were worlds apart from him. He was


    devastated and decided to go abroad," Brenda took a sip of her coffee. "From now on, I''ll be managing


    PrimeNumbers ounting, he''ll just get a cut."


    "Is that so?" Cordelia thought. So Jamie''s decision to go abroad was triggered by her trip to Proxima


    Ventures. Manda also gave Cordelia grief over this.


    It was Ronan''s idea for Cordelia to retrieve the materials.


    Ronan, always the strategic thinker, might have anticipated this all along. He had a knack for reading


    people¡¯s minds. And Jamie was left dispirited because of it.


    Cordelia marvelled once again at Ronan''s foresight.


    "Does Jamie often talk to you?" Cordelia inquired.


    "Yes, I''m like his big sister. So, how about it, Cordelia? Fancy joining me at PrimeNumbers ounting?


    I''ll cut you in." Brenda proposed excitedly.


    This was why Brenda wanted to see Cordelia. She was very satisfied with Cordelia''s work.


    "That doesn''t sound right, Mna is pretty awesome too. She¡¯s currently guiding me." Cordelia


    responded.


    "Just say it straight. It''s your husband''spany, and you want to give it your all." Brenda said, clearly


    disappointed. "I knew I''d get this response from you. I wish we could be colleagues, but there''s always


    something in the way."


    Cordelia said with a smile, "What''s your n regarding Manda?"


    Brenda looked up, her eyes gleaming with revenge. "I can''t just fire her. I''ll give her a separate office,


    no tasks, and let the others ostracize her. Just wait and see." Brenda was hell-bent on payback.


    "Just make sure you don''t go overboard," Cordelia cautioned. "If she''s so into Jamie, why didn''t she


    follow him abroad?"


    "On what grounds?" Brenda retorted.


    Cordelia thought, that was true. She was not Jamie''s girlfriend, she couldn''t live with him, and Jamie


    didn''t promise her a job either.

 Chapter 209

    Chapter 209


    Cordelia got home to find Amanda roasting a turkey.


    Janice whispered to Cordelia, "Ronan''s mom has been making turkey for ages, but Ronan just won''t


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    bite. If he won''t eat, she''ll just keep cooking."


    Cordelia thought to herself, "Ronan, you were really breaking Amanda''s heart."


    Cordelia decided to pitch in and help with the turkey roasting. She intentionally roasted the turkey till it


    was a bit burnt. It was quite obvious.


    Ronan came down from upstairs and saw Cordelia roasting the turkey. "Do you know how to roast a


    turkey too?" He asked.


    "Yeah, I didn''t have the timest time. Thought I''d give it a shot this time, wouldn''t want to let you


    down." Cordelia replied.


    Ronan didn''t say anything and sat down on the couch to read. Once the turkey was ready, Cordelia


    served it up, got some cutlery, and sat next to Ronan. "Give it a try." Cordelia cut a piece of turkey to


    feed Ronan.


    Ronan took a nce and said, "I''m not eating that one."


    "Not eating this one?" Cordelia was confused.


    Cordelia switched to the slightly charred turkey she roasted. Ronan took it and ate. Finally, Ronan ate


    the turkey, but he only ate the one Cordelia made.


    Amanda was watching from the side. Seeing Ronan only eat the turkey Cordelia made, she quietly


    walked to the kitchen, wiping her tears.


    "Why won''t you eat it?" Cordelia asked Ronan. She felt sympathy for Amanda. It was not cool to treat


    one¡¯s own mom like this.


    "I''ve been eating, haven''t I?" He responded.


    "But you didn''t eat the one your mom made." Cordelia was a bit pissed.


    Cordelia only fed Ronan the turkey she made. She cut a piece, and he ate a piece. In the end, all that


    was left on the te was the turkey Amanda made.


    Cordelia thought: "If Amanda saw this, she would be heartbroken." So she ate all the remaining turkey


    herself.


    When she brought the te back to the kitchen, Cordelia cheerfully said to Amanda, "Your turkey was


    delicious. Ronan and I finished all of it."


    "Good girl, Ronan is lucky to have you." Amanda gently stroked Cordelia''s head.


    Cordelia wanted to make Amanda happy. If she spilled the beans, it would be too heartless. She


    smiled. She thought Amanda made a good point.


    Before leaving for home, Olen had already started contacting a university in Millstone. He was now at


    school and not at home.


    "Ronan, you''re hurting your mom''s feelings. After all, they''re your parents." Cordelia told Ronan after


    going upstairs. ¡°Can''t you consider your parents for a change? They''ve been through a lot, which is a


    normal reaction for anyone. They''re back with you, and the family is together again. Can''t you forgive


    them?" Cordelia advised him like a loving mother.


    "We''ll discuss itter." Ronan said and picked up his book.


    When Cordelia called his name, it seemed to stir something in him. As Cordelia walked past Ronan, he


    suddenly grabbed her hand, pushed her onto the bed, and began kissing her.

 Chapter 210

    Chapter 210


    At breakfast the next morning, Ronan unusually served Amanda some food. Although his attitude was


    very resolute, and it was also for Cordelia to see. Amanda was very happy, and she even nced at


    Cordelia intentionally.


    Cordelia was pretty stoked too. On their way to work, she chuckled and said to Ronan, "You''re quite the


    obedient one, aren''t you?"


    "Show some respect, will ya?" Ronan retorted.


    Cordelia didn''t express it, but she was over the moon inside. After all, Ronan had taken her advice.


    Once they got to the office, Cordelia received a Messenger message from Shelley: [Cordelia, has your


    brother been in touch with youtely?]


    [Not really, he doesn''t contact me often.]


    [I''ve been feeling uneasytely, like something''s gonna happen.]


    Hearing her mom say this, Cordelia also started to feel a bit nervous but thought rationally, how bad


    could things get? Everything was improving.


    [Mom, don''t stress too much. What could possibly go wrong?] Cordelia reassured her.


    [As long as you and Ronan are together, that''s what makes me happiest. As for your brother and


    Kendra, that''s out of my hands. By the way, when can I go visit Ronan''s parents? They''re here and I


    haven''t met them yet.]


    Cordelia pondered for a moment, [I''ll ask Ronan.]


    She sent a message to Ronan: [Ronan, my mom wants to visit us and meet your parents, when''s a


    good time?]


    [Anytime.]


    Cordelia replied to Shelley: [Mom, Ronan said any time is good, depends on your schedule.]


    [How about this Saturday afternoon? Is that okay?]


    [Sure.]


    A few days passed casually, and aside from Olen stirring asionally in his sleep, there were no


    surprises.


    Soon it was Saturday. Shelley came that day.


    Olen and Amanda took this meeting very seriously, since they were quite happy with Cordelia. Right up


    until Shelley''s arrival, Olen was asking Amanda if his suit was appropriate.


    "Looks great," Amanda replied. She felt that Ronan''s attitude towards them had been changing, and


    life seemed to be getting better and better. She was relieved.


    And Ronan''s grandfather had once said that Shelley was a woman with the right values.


    When Shelley arrived, Amanda was the first toe out of the room. Ronan and his grandfather were


    sitting on the couch, while Cordelia and Janice were arranging some fruits.


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Olen came out and saw Shelley sitting on the couch. Shelley was chatting with Amanda. Suddenly


    Olen''s lips quivered, and he looked as if he was cursed. "Sha, Sha..." he suddenly started acting


    weird, running around the house frantically, babbling, "Sha''s here, Sha''s here."


    Shelley was uneasy; her arrival had triggered Olen''s episode. Cordelia had once told her that Olen had


    serious mental health issues, and he had been getting treatment in Canada. After leaving his previous


    environment, his condition had improved a lot. He was teaching at a university, just like any other


    person.


    Cordelia was also feeling uneasy, and she gently squeezed Ronan''s hand. Ronan, frowning,


    approached Olen. "Sha''s long gone. It''s not her."


    "It is her. She took everything from me, pushed me from heaven into hell. It''s her!" Olen cowered in the


    corner, trembling.


    Amanda gently patted Shelley''s hand, "I''m sorry. He''s had some major trauma in the past. Normally,


    he''s a really nice person."


    Amanda got up and went over to Olen.


    "She''s not Sha. Ronan already said it that Sha''s already gone." Amanda crouched in front of


    Olen, speaking to him gently.


    Ronan couldn''t stand to see Olen like this; it was the same state he was in when he fled abroad.


    "Really? She''s really not?" Olen asked Amanda.


    "She''s De''s mom, our inw."


    Just as Olen started to calm down a bit, there was a frantic knock at the door.


    "Mr. Evans, open up, open up." a woman''s voice urgently called from outside.

 Chapter 211

    Chapter 211


    After Janice opened the door, Kendra barrelled in like a wild animal being chased. As soon as she


    stepped inside, she blurted out, "Mr. Evans, someone''s trying to snatch our house away. What should


    we do?"


    Shelley and Cordelia were puzzled; the house Kendra was referring to must be the one Ronan had


    given them.


    When Olen saw Kendra, his recently steadied mood went haywire again. His lips were trembling


    slightly. This woman was Sha''s daughter. He had seen her with his own eyes that year. After Sha


    killed her own husband, her daughter appeared and took her mother away. It was just a fleeting nce,


    but he recognized her.


    In Olen''s mind, the horrific scene of that year reyed incessantly. Martin was drenched in blood, his


    guts strewn about, his body chopped into countless pieces scattered around themunity. Everyone


    was terrified. At that time, Signature Estates had just been sold out almost overnight. Olen used the


    money to buynd and start his business in full swing. While Sha, holding a knife sttered with


    fresh blood, wasughing like a demon.


    Now Olen could only remember Sha covered in blood, and he could no longer remember her face.


    She killed her own husband and ruined Olen''s future. Because of this murder, the high-end Signature


    Estates became a haunted house. The housing prices plummeted, and overnight, all clients were


    asking Olen for refunds.


    The nightmare of the past haunted him and kept him awake at night. Every time he thought about it, he


    felt his nerves tense. He sat on the sofa, trembling.


    "Why are youing to me if your house got confiscated?" Ronan asked Kendra, sitting on the sofa


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    with squinted eyes.


    "Please, Mr. Evans, the house is yours, help us figure something out." Kendra was desperate, grabbing


    Ronan''s hand.


    Ronan shrugged off Kendra''s hand as if disgusted, pretending to know nothing, "How can I help you if


    you don''t exin what happened?"


    Kendra knelt at Ronan''s feet, unable to hold back her tears anymore, "Mr. Evans, Mr. Evans, ever since


    Adrian got money, he''s been gambling and lost all the money. Now the house is gone too, and they''re


    "Ah¡­" Shelley covered her chest upon hearing the news. She had been feeling uneasy recently,


    always feeling that something was about to happen.


    "Really? He''s outrageous." Ronan said indifferently, "He''s not considering your pregnant state."


    "Mr. Evans, please, help him." Kendra broke down crying. She originally thought that with this house


    and eight hundred thousand, Adrian could have a decent future no matter what, but...


    "Mom, mom, please beg Mr. Evans." Kendra was surprised to see Shelley there too.


    Hearing Kendra call Shelley mom, Olen''s eyes turned red. Still saying she was not Sha? Kendra just


    said she¡¯s Sha''s daughter.


    Olen was already mentally disturbed, his eyes rimmed red.


    "Mr. Evans, please help Adrian." Shelley said.


    Cordelia kept her eyes fixed on Ronan. Even though this seemed unrted to him, Cordelia had a


    feeling something was off. Because there was a sense of schadenfreude in Ronan''s eyes. She felt like


    she didn''t know Ronan anymore.


    Olen was once again not in his right mind, shouting at Shelley, "You are Sha. Don''t harm me."


    Shelley was fully upied with Adrian''s problem and couldn¡¯t be bothered.


    Cordelia had mentioned Olen''s illness to Shelley before. She reasoned that if Olen had mental health


    issues and he mistook Shelley for Sha, it didn''t matter much. After all, Shelley was also a widow,


    perhaps around the same age as Sha. So she didn''t respond to Olen''s words.


    "She''s not Sha!" Ronan shouted at Olen.


    "Mr. Evans." Kendra pleaded with Ronan.


    "I can''t help you with this." With one sentence, Ronan refused Kendra.


    Kendra staggered away. Her child hadn''t been born yet, and she had already lost everything.


    Shelley worried that her presence would cause other problems because Olen kept mistaking her for


    Sha, and she worried so much about Adrian that she left as well.


    She had never advocated for Ronan to give Adrian a lot of money. Moreover, Adrian gambled of his


    own ord, it had nothing to do with Ronan, so she didn''t expect Ronan''s help.


    "You can stay at my ce for a while since your house has been taken away, okay?" She suggested to


    Kendra after leaving the Evans family.


    "No way." Kendra retorted. She had lived in Shelley''s house before. How could she possibly live in that


    cramped ce?

 Chapter 212

    Chapter 212


    After Shelley and Kendra left, Amanda managed to calm down Olen and get him back to his room.


    Ronan and Cordelia also returned to their bedroom.


    Lighting up a cigarette, Ronan lounged on the sofa. His casual charm and fascinating gaze was


    seemingly fixed on Cordelia.


    "Did you push Adrian to this point?" Cordelia coldly asked, standing there.


    Ronan simply flicked ash off his cigarette, not directly responding, "Don''t pin this on me Did I force him


    to gamble?"


    "But you gave him the money to!" Cordelia retorted.


    "Cordelia, watch your words. If I''m so loaded, why don''t I gamble? Did I foresee Adrian going all in?"


    Ronan said.


    Cordelia didn''t have aeback to that.


    Indeed, Adrian never gambled before, and Ronan couldn''t have known he''d start.


    The $800,000 Ronan gave him was for his wedding gift.


    Ronan had good intentions; it was Adrian who let him down.


    Cordelia ming Ronan was totally unjustified.


    Yet, her gut told her otherwise. Ronan was a sharp guy, and he could''ve seen Adrian''s gambling


    he went on a spending spree, and the fastest way to blow money was gambling.


    Ronan knew Adrian''s mindset well, and with the previous engagement incident, he never really liked


    Adrian.


    Cordelia felt a chill around her, even though she was right next to Ronan.


    "Can''t you do something about the house being taken away?" Her tone softened.


    "The house is in his name now. What can I do?" Ronan shrugged, feigning helplessness.


    Despite Adrian not being Cordelia''s real brother and his actions being distasteful, they grew up


    together.


    Cordelia couldn''t bear it.


    She couldn''t me Ronan''s indifference. After all, he didn''t cause any of this.


    It was all Adrian''s doing.


    "Let''s go to bed." Cordelia sounded helpless.


    She was worried about Shelley and wanted to check on her.


    Just then, Shelley sent a message: [De, don''t bother Ronan about this. He''s done enough for Adrian.


    Adrian and Kendra can stay onest night in that house, then they can find their own ce tomorrow.


    It''s good for them, Adrian can finally stand on his own feet. No more pipe dreams.]


    [Okay.] Cordelia replied.


    While Cordelia was making the bed, amotion came from downstairs.


    "Sha, she''s Sha." Olen''s loud voice echoed.


    Ronan put down his book and hurried downstairs.


    Then his voice came from downstairs, "I told you, she''s not Sha. She''s Shelley. Don''t disturb


    Barney''s sleep, or you can go back to Canada."


    When Ronan came back upstairs, Cordelia saw his brow furrowed.


    "Did Barney get woken up?" She asked Ronan.


    "Probably, but he didn''t say anything." Ronan said.


    "Don''t be mad, okay?" Cordelia gently stroked his chest.


    Ronan took a deep breath and then pressed down on Cordelia.


    His stubble rubbed against Cordelia''s delicate skin.


    "Ouch." Cordelia moaned.


    "That hurts? We''ve done this so many times, and it still hurts? Huh?" His voice was full of innuendo.


    His lips were brushing against Cordelia''s cheek, which turned her ears red.


    "My face hurts." Cordelia said.


    "I didn''t finish on your face this time." He teased Cordelia again.


    Cordelia yfully pped his back.


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    She seemed a bit distracted, her mind keeping going back to Adrian''s situation.


    After all, Adrian''s problem hadn''t been resolved yet.


    She figured it might be because Adrian pissed off Ronan on their engagement day, so Ronan chose


    not to intervene, even retaliated.


    Maybe Ronan felt Adrian deserved hiseuppance.


    Even though Cordelia was close to Ronan, she felt some distance between them.


    Marriage was a matter of two families. And now, because of this, a wedge had been driven between


    them.


    The next day at work, Shelley texted Cordelia: [De, Kendra and Adrian decided to move to her


    house. I had no idea she had a house. It''s been 7-8 years and it''s still unfinished. They want us to pay


    for the renovation. Don''t tell Ronan about this. I don''t want him to spend any more money. It''ll be


    embarrassing. My head''s about to explode. I''ll go check out the house this afternoon.]


    Cordelia: [Alright, you go around 5 and I''ll head there after work.]


    Shelly: [Okay, after checking the house, I''ll treat you to dinner.]


    Cordelia: [I want spaghetti Bolognese with lots of meat sauce.]


    Shelly: [Alright. Dinner''s on me.]

 Chapter 213

    Chapter 213


    Cordelia had been busy all day.


    It wasn''t until almost five that she remembered she needed to check out the house.


    She had Shelley send her the address.


    Then, Cordelia frowned slightly at the address: Sunridge Estates.


    She recalled that this was the neighborhood where Olen used to live.


    This neighborhood used to be famous, even appearing in various newspapers and media. But since


    the tragedy happened, the homeowners who had paid their house fees had requested refunds, and


    now almost no one lived there.


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    Turns out, Kendra''s house was here.


    Cordelia suddenly had a bad feeling.


    But she couldn''t put her finger on what was wrong.


    She wanted to tell Ronan, but remembering what Shelley had said before, she kept quiet.


    She wanted to text him that she was going to check out a house this afternoon and might stay at


    Shelley''s house, so Ronan should go home first.


    However, she had just typed half the message when Ronan''s call came in.


    "Olen''s missing. You go home by yourself this afternoon." Ronan told Cordelia.


    His voice was very serious.


    "Huh? Don''t worry. Olen''s usually fine. There shouldn''t be any problems." Cordeliaforted Ronan.


    "You take a car home. I''m leaving now." Ronan said.


    "Okay." Cordelia totally understood.


    She packed up her things, hailed a car from downstairs, and headed to Sunridge Estates.


    ...


    Sunridge Estates.


    The house Kendra mentioned hadn''t been lived in at all. The door wasn''t even locked. Kendra gave her


    the address and let her check it out by herself.


    When Shelley entered, she felt it was very gloomy and scary.


    She didn''t know what had happened here before, nor did she hear anything.


    The house was big, but she felt it was not good, so she wanted to persuade Adrian not to live here.


    She was about to leave when she suddenly saw Olen appear.


    "Olen, what are you doing here?" Shelley asked.


    At this point, Shelley''s heart started to pound.


    She had a very bad feeling.


    "You ruined my family years ago. You deserve to die. You were instigated by Thomas and others. First


    you said the neighborhood was bad, then you killed Martin and dumped his body in the neighborhood.


    What were you thinking?" Olen''s eyes were filled with malice, staring at Shelley.


    He took a step towards Shelley, forcing her to the window.


    Shelley trembled when she heard that Sha was such a person.


    "Olen, listen to me, I''m not Sha. I''m Shelley. Cordelia''s mom." Faced with Olen''s ferocity and


    scattered gaze, Shelley began to feel scared.


    "Not Sha?" Olen suddenly seemed a bit confused.


    But this confusion quickly turned into certainty.


    "If you''re not Sha, why are you here in this house? If you''re not Sha, why does Kendra call you


    mom?" Olen''s gaze became fierce again, "Today, I''ll make you wish you were dead."


    Shelley suddenly realized, Kendra was Sha''s daughter?


    Why didn''t Kendra ever mention it? Did Adrian know?


    "But I''m really not Sha." Shelley said.


    "You''re not Sha?" Olen stared at Shelley and asked.


    "My husband has been dead for seven years." Shelly answered.


    "You still won''t admit you''re Sha?" Olen had be very vicious.


    At this moment, his mind was full of past images, which was bloody and cruel. He couldn''t face them


    since they scared him.


    Over the years, he woke up from nightmares every night.


    Waking up to see bloody images, it drove him crazy!


    Sha, she was really too cruel!

 Chapter 214

    Chapter 214


    "How much did they pay you? Why are you setting me up like this?" Olen had backed Shelley up


    against a window.


    "We''re family. Calm down." Shelley said.


    "Family?" Olen was taken aback, "Did Ronan marry your daughter?"


    "Yes, he married my daughter." Shelley answered.


    "No way. Are you satisfied only when the Evans family is ruined?" Ronan retorted.


    Olen was getting closer and closer to Shelley.


    Shelley was forced to lean against the window, its ss already broken from long neglect.


    Suddenly, Shelley realized what was going on.


    "My daughter isn''t Kendra. It''s Cordelia." Shelley said.


    "Cordelia?" Olen was confused again, "Who''s that? Who''s Cordelia? Tell me!"


    He roared at Shelley in anger.


    Shelley was so frightened that she leaned back slightly.


    Olen grabbed her cor, "It''s you,! You''re Sha!"


    Olen was fuming!


    Earlier that afternoon, he was on his way back from a university lecture when he ran into Kendra.


    Kendra told him, "Shelley is going to our old house this afternoon. The one where she killed Martin.


    She probably wants to see what has happened to the Signature Estates that you built, and how it''s now


    deserted with weeds everywhere. She''s not really Shelley. Her real name is Sha."


    Then Kendraughed mockingly.


    Kendra always had a bone to pick with Shelley. Not only was she stingy, but she also didn''t care about


    Adrian''s affairs and med Kendra for egging Adrian to ask Ronan for money.


    The best choice for a woman was to marry a man who owned a car and a house, and whose parents


    were both dead.


    Now, Adrian''s father was dead, left with Shelley alone.


    As for Shelley''s fate, it all depended on this afternoon.


    "What are you doing here?" Ronan''s voice suddenly came from behind, "Let her go!"


    Olen turned around, "I won''t let go! She caused me to lose everything, and plunged the whole


    neighborhood into a nightmare. I will never let her off."


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    With that, Olen gave a push and Shelley lost her bnce, falling out of the window.


    Ronan frowned and walked to the window to look down.


    All he could see was Shelley''s plummeting figure.


    They were on the 18th floor; there was virtually no chance of survival.


    "What have you done?" Ronan gritted his teeth and yelled at Olen.


    "Did I kill someone? Is Sha dead?" Olen was suddenly scared, "What should I do?"


    "Get out of here! I''ll handle this!" Ronan suppressed his anger and growled at Olen.


    Like before, Olen was ready to flee when things went south.


    "Leave here! Don''t let anyone see you." Ronan yelled.


    Cordelia had just arrived by taxi.


    As she got off, she heard a loud noise next to her.


    She turned her head and saw Shelley lying on the ground with her mouth full of blood.


    Her mind went nk. There was a buzzing in her ears and she was frozen on the spot.


    Then, she lifted her head and looked towards the 18th floor.


    Shelley had told her before. Kendra''s home was on the 18th floor.


    There weren''t many people living in this building, so she immediately saw a figure standing there.


    Even though she couldn''t see clearly, she knew in her heart it was Ronan.


    It was Ronan, of all people.


    He stood there. Cordelia felt like she didn''t recognize him anymore. She wanted to throw up but


    couldn''t.


    The distance between Cordelia and Ronan right then felt like the distance from Heaven to Hell.


    Ronan was in Heaven, and he had pushed her mother into Hell.


    Why would he do this? Why?


    Cordelia''s chest was heaving violently, she wanted to call out mom but the words were stuck in her


    throat.


    Then she passed out.

 Chapter 215

    Chapter 215


    When Cordelia woke up, Ronan was right by her side.


    She was lying in bed, and her pillow waspletely soaked.


    After waking up, she started to recall the events before she passed out.


    She wasn''t sure how many days she had been out cold.


    It all felt like a dream to her.


    "I need to call Shelley." Her hand groped for her phone, but couldn''t find it.


    She wanted to make sure Shelley was at home.


    Shelley must be at home and she would call her for dinner.


    But she couldn''t find her phone.


    "Can I borrow your phone to call Shelley?" Cordelia asked Ronan, "I want to know what she is doing at


    home."


    "Cordelia." Ronan said softly, "Don''t do this."


    "I just want to call Shelley, did I do something wrong? Is it too much to call her?" Cordeliaughed while


    saying this, but tears streamed down her face.


    She looked truly pitiful.


    "You should get some rest." Ronan said.


    "Shelley is fine at home, right?" She asked, tears pooling in her eyes as she stared intensely at Ronan.


    Shelley had passed away, and Cordelia was acting like she had lost her mind.


    She had only caught a glimpse of what happened that day. Even though it left a deep impression, she


    was convinced it was just a dream. It had to be a dream.


    Shelley was safe and sound. How could she possibly have fallen from such a high ce?


    Moreover, how could both Castiel and Shelley fall from a high ce? If Castiel was like that, Shelley


    definitely wouldn''t be.


    Besides, Shelley was supposed to remodel a room for Adrian. She couldn''t possibly just fall down. It


    was impossible.


    "Is Shelley at home?" Cordelia suddenly gripped Ronan''s arm tightly and asked loudly.


    "Yes, she''s fine. You lie down and rest, I''ll handle the rest." Ronan said.


    Cordelia felt it getting harder to breathe.


    "Where were you that day?" Cordelia''s thoughts were a bit jumbled, as she asked him.


    "Which day?" Ronan asked.


    "The day I took a taxi to Sunridge Estates, were you there too? I think I saw you." Cordelia was hoping


    it was all a dream, all a lie.


    "I was at thepany." Ronan answered.


    Cordelia let out a sigh of relief, "I knew it was a dream. Tell Shelley to call me."


    "Alright, you rest first." Ronan said.


    Cordelia ced Ronan''s hand on her chest, then she fell asleep.


    She didn''t know that she had been asleep for three days.


    During these three days, Cordelia was speaking nonsensically, constantly dreaming. In her dreams,


    Shelley bought her new clothes. She was ying with Adrian, and got a hundred percent on her test.


    Shelley rewarded her.


    It was raining in her dream, she was cooking for Castiel at home. Shelley was patching her backpack


    when Castiel came home. He didn''t have an umbre or a raincoat. After he came in, Cordelia scolded


    him, "Howe you don''t have an umbre or a raincoat again, I''m gonna get mad."


    Cordelia said all these things, but she was just talking nonsense.


    Her mouth kept calling out Mom. It was heartbreaking.


    Cordelia fell asleep again for a while, but she couldn''t sleep well. She felt hungry.


    "I''m hungry." She told Ronan.


    "I''ll have Janice prepare something for you." After Ronan said this, he went downstairs.


    Cordelia got up to look for her phone, but she couldn''t find it.


    Howe there wasn''t a single phone in the room?


    "What are you looking for?" Ronan came in, frowning at her.


    "I''m looking for my phone." Cordelia''s voice sounded weak. Her face was still wet with tears, and she


    looked like she had lost all spirit.


    "Weren''t you going to eat and rest?" Ronan asked her, "Eat first, then look for your phone."


    "Um, okay." Cordelia responded absentmindedly, "What did Janice prepare for me?"


    "I don''t know, we''ll find out soon." Ronan sat down beside Cordelia, speaking calmly.


    Janice brought up the food. It was seafood cream pasta and Italian toasted bread.


    "Janice, do you know how to make bolognese? If you do, how about I invite Shelley to have some next


    time?" Cordelia asked Janice expectantly.


    "Huh?" Janice looked surprised. She nced at Cordelia, "You better eat something,. You haven''t


    eaten for days."


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    Ronan gave Janice a reproachful look. His eyes seemed to say, mind her own business!


    Janice originally wanted to make bolognese for Cordelia, but Ronan didn''t allow it.


    Janice felt like she had made a big mistake. She quickly said, "I''ll go downstairs first."


    "Have I been sleeping for several days?" Cordelia asked Ronan.


    Cordelia''s rationality gradually recovered, if she really had been sleeping for several days, then what


    happened that day wasn''t a dream.


    It really happened.


    "Not that long." Ronan said.


    "Give me the phone. I want to call Shelley." Cordelia reached out for the phone.


    If nothing was wrong, Ronan wouldn''t take away her phone.


    "Eat first." Ronan insisted.


    "Where are Amanda and Olen?" Cordelia asked him again.


    "I asked them to go back to Canada first." Ronan said.


    Cordelia had a bad feeling, "Why did they go back to Canada? What happened?"


    "They would only make things worse if they stayed here!" Ronan said.


    "I need to make a call!" Cordelia''s voice rose.


    "No!" Ronan frowned, "The phone is not here."


    "I need to make a call!" Cordelia suddenly got up from the bed, "Did Shelley fall from the building? Why


    were you upstairs when Shelley fell? What were you doing there? Shelley had no reason tomit


    suicide. How did she fall? You must have seen it. Tell me!"


    Cordelia''s voice was hoarse and raspy.

 Chapter 216

    Chapter 216


    Cordelia stood there.


    "Cordelia, it was an ident. The cops have looked into it, it was just an ident." Ronan held her


    tight. He was worried she might faint.


    "This wasn''t an ident. I''m sure of it. Why didn''t the police talk to me?" Cordelia''s tear-blurred eyes


    were full of resentment as she looked at Ronan, "Shelley said she would treat me to spaghetti


    Bolognese after we check the house. There''s no way she would have an ident!"


    "You''d fainted." Ronan said.


    "Where''s Shelley? I want to see her." Cordelia made a dash for the door.


    She was caught and carried back to bed by Ronan.


    "Try to calm down a bit." He said, watching her now lying quietly on the bed.


    "Where''s she?" Cordelia asked him.


    "Serenity Meadows Cemetery." Ronan said.


    At this, Cordelia totally broke down. She started to cry and wail, "Mom, mom..."


    Then she started to hit Ronan hard, "What happened to Shelley that day? Tell me!"


    "It was just an ident!" Ronan said firmly.


    But Cordelia didn''t believe him.


    She knew Ronan was a schemer. If he didn''t want to reveal something, she''d never find out.


    "I''m not going to work for a few days. I''ll stay home with you." He said.


    Cordelia turned her back to him, ignoring him and pretending to sleep.


    Ronan had restricted her freedom. She couldn''t do anything, let alone find out the truth.


    She knew she couldn''t defy him right now.


    Cordelia''s world had shrunk to her bedroom.


    Barney came to see her, saying how sorry he was about Shelley''s passing.


    "You have to pull yourself together, De. At least you have Ronan." Barney patted Cordelia''s hand.


    Cordelia couldn''t say anything to Barney.


    But one thing was clear to her. Ronan had something to do with Shelley''s death, and she couldn''t fully


    trust him.


    He didn''t just happen to be at that house.


    Three dayster, Cordelia''s mood started to stabilize and she started eating again.


    "I want to visit Shelley." She told Ronan one day.


    She looked so haggard, it broke his heart.


    "I''ll go with you." Ronan said.


    "Okay. Can I have my phone now?" She asked him.


    Ronan handed over her phone.


    There were lots of new messages on WhatsApp, all from the past few days.


    All the messages were new, but Cordelia hadn¡¯t seen any of them.


    Jamie, Brooklyn, and Brenda...


    Many people were telling Cordelia not to take it too hard.


    Samantha had also sent a message. Because she was at the top of Cordelia''s friends list, she must


    have messaged Cordelia. But the content of the conversation had been deleted by Ronan.


    He must have read all the messages on her phone.


    He knew that Shelley had nned to treat Cordelia to spaghetti Bolognese before she died, so he


    purposely told Janice not to make it.


    She quickly got ready and hopped in the car with Ronan to go to Serenity Meadows Cemetery.


    Having not seen the sun in several days, Cordelia instinctively shielded her eyes when the sunlight hit


    her face.


    The weather was hot, but it felt cold in Serenity Meadows Cemetery.


    Cordelia kneeled in front of Shelley''s grave, gently touching her tombstone.


    Ronan just stood quietly to the side.


    "You said you''d have spaghetti Bolognese with me after we check the house. Why did you suddenly


    leave? I waited six years for you to wake up. I thought you''d watch me give birth, grow old, and we


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    could still have chats when I''m sixty. How happy that would be. But why did you leave so early?"


    Cordelia''s tears started to flow as she spoke.


    She didn''t say anything more because Ronan was there.


    She really wanted to ask Shelley about what happened that day? Why was Ronan there too?


    Cordelia remembered Ronan had called her, saying he was going to see Olen. Signature Estates was


    originally Olen''s property, and it was because of this project that Olen had aged so much overnight.


    Cordelia knew there was something she didn''t know about.


    So now, she kept her distance from Ronan.


    On the way home, Cordelia told Ronan she wanted to stay at Shelley''s ce for a few days.


    "I''ll go with you." Ronan said.


    "No need. I want some quiet time alone." Cordelia said.


    "No way!" Ronan refused without hesitation.


    He didn''t give Cordelia any room for negotiation.


    Cordelia turned away without saying a word.


    He was probably worried that she would find out more about what had happened.


    Ronan instructed the driver to go to Shelley''s neighborhood.


    When Cordelia tried to open the door to Shelley''s house, she found it was locked.


    "Who''s there?" Kendra''s voice came over.


    When she opened the door and saw it was Cordelia, she was just about to make a snide remark but


    then she saw Ronan standing behind her. Kendra''s attitude changed immediately.


    "Come in" She said, "Cordelia, are you moving back? Adrian and I are staying in Shelley''s room, and


    you can have your old room. Adrian''s at work. I never expected Shelley to have such a mishap."


    Kendra knew the truth that Olen must have pushed Shelley. Her previous efforts to stir up trouble had


    worked, sessfully leading Olen to mistake Shelley for Sha.


    Kendra feigned a few tears.


    "You and Adrian should go stay at a hotel for the next couple of days. I''ll cover the fees." Ronan told


    Kendra, and his tone was icy.


    "You''re staying here too?" Kendra asked, her gaze at Ronan filled with suspicion.


    "Yes." Ronan said.


    "Alright then." Kendra was disappointed. If she could live under the same roof as Ronan, she got to see


    his daily life and how awesome would that be.


    Now, she had to imagine Adrian as Ronan every night just to fall asleep, to forget Adrian''s creepiness.


    Kendra went back to her room to pack, "I''ll let Mr. Evans know once I''ve found a hotel then."


    "No need. I''ll just send the money straight to Adrian." Ronan said.


    Ronan saw right through Kendra''s attempt to get his contact.


    Kendra''s face flushed with embarrassment as she left.

 Chapter 217

    Chapter 217


    By chance, Cordelia''s eyesnded on Shelley''s memorial picture hanging in the living room.


    Her eyes started to well up.


    But she didn¡¯t let herself wallow in sadness for too long.


    She knew Shelley''s death had something to do with Ronan, and she didn''t want him to see her so


    devastated.


    By evening, Ronan asked her, "What do you feel like eating?"


    "Anything." Cordelia was sitting by the window.


    Once Ronan went into the kitchen, she started texting Jamie, asking about Kendra''s parents. She


    specifically told Jamie to reply in text, not voice messages.


    Jamie replied: [Finally, you texted back. You scared the hell out of me.]


    Cordelia: [I''m fine.]


    Jamie: [Kendra has known Thomas for a long time, but Thomas never said who she really is. She''s


    always been mysterious. My dad intentionally kept her low-profile. These years, Thomas didn''t pay


    much attention to her. Kendra was out of town for a few years. She came back to Millstone broke, tried


    to ckmail some money out of Thomas, but he didn''t give her any.]


    Cordelia: [Is the house in Sunridge Estates hers?]


    Jamie: [Don''t know.]


    Cordelia guessed that Kendra might be Sha''s daughter. Thest time Olen kept calling Shelley


    ¡°Sha¡±, might have to do with Kendra calling Shelley ¡°mom¡±.


    Ronan went to find Olen the day he disappeared. They might have been in that house. Shelley


    definitely didn¡¯t just fall to her death; someone must have killed her. It was either Ronan or Olen!


    Olen wanted revenge on Sha. After all, Sha was the one who turned him into this.


    Sadly, Cordelia had fainted at that time and didn¡¯t get to see what happened.


    That neighborhood had been abandoned years ago, with no surveince and very few residents.


    Plus, with Ronan¡¯s power and influence, it was easy for him to pull some strings at the police station.


    So, going to the police station would be fruitless.


    "Dinner''s ready. Come eat." Ronan told Cordelia.


    "Mhm." Cordelia deleted all her chat history with Jamie.


    "Make do with it." He said.


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    This was the first time Cordelia had eaten something Ronan made.


    She totally lost her appetite.


    "Don''t like it?" He asked.


    "It''s okay. Did you kill Shelley, or was it Olen?" Cordelia asked casually, stirring the food on her te.


    Then, she lifted her head, locking eyes with Ronan.


    Ronan suddenly grabbed Cordelia''s chin, his teeth clenched, "Cordelia, what are you thinking?"


    "So it was Olen who killed her, and you covered for him! Just like before, you took the fall for


    everything." Cordelia stared back at him, "Olen mistook Shelley for Sha, and Kendra called Shelley


    mom, which confirmed Olen¡¯s spection. Am I right?"


    Cordelia''s eyes were cold and clear.


    She never had this look before.


    "Cordelia, do you think you''re very smart?" Ronan retorted.


    Cordelia turned her head and broke free from Ronan''s grip, "Why bother? You''re powerful and


    influential. Even if you admit it, I can''t do anything to you!"


    "Olen wasn''t in the house at the time. I am the murderer, because Shelley always reminded Olen of


    Sha. It exacerbated his condition!" Ronan put down his knife and fork, staring at Cordelia.


    Ronan admitted it, and Cordelia was taken aback.


    She just felt an inexplicable sadness in her heart.


    But she was helpless against him.


    Before this, she had even considered having his child.


    All those sweet memories and times she was heartbroken for him, all came rushing back.


    "What did Shelley do to you? She always warned me not to trouble you, or ask for money from you.


    She also didn''t let Adrian ask for money from you. Was it because she got in the way of your affairs?"


    Cordelia yelled at Ronan in anger.


    Ronan didn''t respond, just kept eating his food.


    "Ronan, Shelley is my mother. The mother I waited six years toe back to her senses. I''m not like


    you, who are cold to your parents. Of course, your coldness is just superficial, who wouldn¡¯t care for


    their parents!" Cordelia suddenlyughed bitterly. Just now Ronan said he killed her own mother for


    Olen. That was clear evidence. Just like before, he verbally despised Olen''s weakness, but still took all


    the responsibility.


    She should feel lucky. She married such a responsible man!


    "I tried hard to improve your rtionship with Olen and Amanda, but what did you do to my family?"


    Cordelia''s eyes turned red. She mmed her knife and fork on the table, then stormed into the


    bedroom.


    After she locked the bedroom door, she couldn¡¯t hear anything from outside.


    In a short while, the door was kicked open by Ronan with a loud "bang".


    Cordelia didn''t open her eyes. She regretted it now.


    How she wished she never knew Ronan, or never had anything to do with him!


    No matter how warm his embrace was, Cordelia didn''t want any more entanglements.

 Chapter 218

    Chapter 218


    Ronan was on Cordelia.


    Just as he was about to lose his temper, Cordelia grabbed a fruit knife from the bedside table.


    The de was pressed against Ronan''s throat.


    He stared at Cordelia with aplex look.


    "Don''t touch me!" Cordelia said, tears rolling down her face.


    Whether Shelley was killed by Ronan or not, it was all rted to him.


    And he had the audacity to ask her to bear his child.


    What a pipe dream.


    They should be each other''s enemies.


    Ronan moved the knife away with one finger, "Do you think I''m having a good time?"


    "You killed someone, of course you should feel bad! But it doesn''t make up for my loss. Shelley."


    Cordelia recalled when Shelley just woke up, she called her "mom" whileying on herp, just for a


    response. But now, the room was cold and lifeless.


    Shelley was gone, and suddenly the world seemed emptier.


    Shelley would never answer her again.


    Tears poured down Cordelia''s face. She cried herself to sleep.


    Ronan held her all night as she cried.


    The next day, she woke up with swollen eyes, noticing Ronan still in bed.


    "Stop staring at me. I''m fine. Nothing''s gonna happen." Cordelia said to Ronan.


    Ronan gave her a once-over, wondering if she was telling the truth.


    "You stay here, I''ll be back soon after a quick trip to the office." He said.


    After Ronan left, Cordelia cleaned and tidied up all the things that Shelley had used, neatly folding


    Shelley''s clothes and storing them in the closet.


    Samantha''s message came at noon:


    [Cordelia, got a minute? I¡¯d like to talk to you.]


    Cordelia thought, there was nothing to stir up between her and Ronan now. Maybe Samantha just


    wanted to check on her.


    Cordelia: [Sure, I''m home.]


    When Samantha arrived, she first stood in front of Shelley''s portrait in silence.


    "Cordelia, Shelley''s departure was so sudden. We didn''t see iting. I messaged you but you never


    replied." Samantha said.


    Ronan had already deleted that message from Cordelia.


    Cordelia continued mopping the floor like a robot.


    "Do you find Shelley''s death odd?" Samantha asked.


    Cordelia paused with her mopping.


    She knew it was strange. Even though Ronan admitted to it, he might have just said it out of anger.


    After all, Cordelia had no proof.


    "Do you want to see this?" Samantha took out her phone and opened her photo album.


    "What is it?" Cordelia saw many people in the photo, and the environment looked chaotic.


    "This is Adrian gambling in Macao, do you see him?" Samantha said, then pointed to the side, "Do you


    see the person next to him?"


    "What''s the matter?" Cordelia was always on guard against Samantha.


    "Let me show you a video." With that, she opened a video.


    In the video, Ronan was throwing a tantrum at a project manager, even throwing things at his face.


    "The same person?" Cordelia was confused.


    "Yes. Deanna once sent you this video, but you didn''t watch it. This project manager is extremely loyal


    to Ronan. He''s a big shot in the gambling world. Adrian''s house was lost to him. I guess, that house


    has returned to Ronan''s hands." Samantha exined, "So, actually, Ronan was the one ying


    Adrian."


    Both Samantha and Deanna knew that Shelley''s death was no ident. Cordelia and Ronan were at


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    odds, so they revealed Adrian''s affair to make Cordelia break.


    "You just found out? I knew it a long time ago." Cordelia gave a faint smile, "Adrian was greedy, and


    both Shelley and I were against it. Your news is old."


    "Really?" Samantha scrutinized Cordelia''s expression.


    She obviously just found out. She just didn''t want to show it in front of Samantha.


    "Of course it''s true." Cordelia answered confidently, "So it''s better if you mind your own business."


    "Cordelia." Samantha said angrily, "You are really ungrateful."


    With that, Samantha left.

 Chapter 219

    Chapter 219


    After Samantha left, Cordelia suddenly felt weak all over.


    The mop in her hand dropped to the floor, and she copsed.


    Turns out, Adrian''s mess really was Ronan''s doing.


    If he hadn''t messed with Adrian, then Adrian wouldn''t have had to look for a new ce to live. Shelley


    wouldn''t have had to go house hunting, and she wouldn''t have lost her life for nothing.


    Even though Adrian had iting, Ronan was definitely out to get him.


    From the get-go, Cordelia felt something was off. She was uneasy because there were signs.


    Adrian was the son of Ronan¡¯s lifesaver.


    Why would he treat Adrian like this now, when he had given him the house and money in the first


    ce?


    Sure, he might have given Adrian the money reluctantly because Deanna was there, but what about


    the house?


    Maybe he didn''t want to pay for Adrian anymore.


    Or, because Adrian was a bit disrespectful to him on their engagement day, but was that necessary?


    Cordelia started crying.


    She knew that going to the police now would be pointless. After all, Ronan had a solid background. He


    would never let Cordelia find out anything. It would be like throwing an egg against a rock.


    The power difference between them was just too big.


    The only thing Cordelia could do was to make herself as strong as him.


    But that was too difficult.


    She didn''t have his cunning or scheming mind.


    Cordelia washed her face in the bathroom and sat on the sofa in the living room. She needed to have a


    serious talk with Ronan.


    The sound of the door lock rang out. Ronan was back.


    As soon as he walked in, Ronan saw her sitting on the couch.


    "Didn''t feel like going out?" He asked.


    "Let''s get a divorce." She said.


    She didn''t want to live with him any longer.


    Who knows, one day he might just get an idea and kill her.


    And he didn''t even need to get his hands dirty. It wouldn''t be traced back to him at all.


    He had dealt with Shelley''s case in just two or three days.


    "Oh? Thinking about divorce now? Barney''s still alive and kicking." Ronan smirked, like he had


    expected Cordelia''s words.


    "It''s not that I don''t want to be with you. I can''t. Whenever I see you, I think of how Shelley died. I can''t


    be indifferent. Also, I''m afraid of you." Cordelia said, hugging her own knees.


    "What''s there to be afraid of?" He lit a cigarette.


    "Why don''t you ask around, see how many people are afraid of you?" Cordelia retorted.


    "nning to change jobs after the divorce? Going to PrimeNumbers ounting?" He asked.


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    He knew that Brenda had approached her a while ago to invite her to PrimeNumbers ounting.


    "I haven''t thought about work." Cordelia said.


    "I can agree to anything but divorce." He said.


    "Fine, send me abroad! I want to go to school. And after that, I don''t want to see you anymore." She


    looked up at him, her gaze cold.


    Ronan lit a cigarette, squinting at her, "Which country?"


    "The best ce to study ounting is North America. I want to go there." Cordelia said.


    Ronan smirked, "You want to go to the United States, don''t you?"


    Cordelia didn''t respond. She didn''t care about the location, as long as she could get away from him.


    "Let''s go to Canada. Olen and Amanda are there, and we could..." Ronan said.


    "I''m not going!" Just the mention of Canada made Cordelia think of Olen. She guessed that it was


    probably Olen who mistook Shelley for Sha and pushed her down the stairs, but Ronan turned a


    blind eye to it, insisting that Shelley''s death was just an ident. She couldn''t ept Olen.


    "How about Cuba?" Ronan asked.


    "No, I want to go to the United States. If you won''t let me go, then we''re getting a divorce! Agree or


    disagree?" Cordelia suddenly raised her voice, covering her ears. She kept thinking back to the


    gruesome scene of Shelley''s death with blood everywhere.


    And being around Ronan every day, she was worried she wouldn''t be able to control her emotions.


    "Since you''ve decided on it, I''ll take care of the paperwork." Ronan said and left.


    Cordelia didn''t know where he went, and she didn''t care.


    Divorce and going abroad, those were the two strategies Cordelia had thought of beforehand.


    Divorce was the best choice. If she couldn''t get a divorce, then she would go abroad to study and strive


    to be stronger as soon as possible.


    Only by bing stronger, she wouldn''t be the weak one anymore. She could have a say in things.


    She wouldn''t need to tread on eggshells around Ronan for every little thing.

 Chapter 220

    Chapter 220


    That night, Ronan didn''te back.


    Brooklyn asked Cordelia to grab a bite with her.


    Neither of them had the appetite, which was a stark contrast from their usual selves.


    Brooklyn held Cordelia''s hand tight, "Cordelia, don''t be like this. We''re all torn up about Shelley''s


    passing. We all know it wasn''t an ident but the cops ruled it as one. What can we do?"


    "You think it wasn''t an ident too?" Cordelia asked.


    "Yeah, we all do. I heard Ronan had Shelley''s body cremated way too soon. Also, why did you sleep


    for so long?" Brooklyn asked Cordelia.


    Cordelia frowned slightly. If she wasn''t mistaken, she had been out cold for four days and three nights.


    In those four days, he had settled everything.


    Cordelia suspected that Ronan had spiked her food or drink with sleeping pills.


    If he had nothing to hide, why the rush? Why drug her so that she would be absent when the police


    came for questioning?


    "Also, today Ronan had your office desk cleared out. Where are you going?" Brooklyn asked Cordelia.


    "Probably US. I told him I was leaving the country. He might not want me to go as Jamie is going there


    at the end of the year. But I''m adamant about leaving. After what happened to Shelley, he has no


    choice but to agree." Cordelia''s gaze became sharp.


    Brooklyn wanted to say something but hesitated.


    "What is it?" Cordelia asked her.


    "You leaving the country means you probably won''t being back for a while. What about you and


    Ronan?¡± Brooklyn asked.


    "I was nning on divorcing him anyway. Ronan is loaded. Money can do anything. It can silence cops,


    and he can easily find other women. We''ll live our separate lives. That¡¯s the end of story." Cordelia was


    cold and dismissive.


    "But you guys looked like you were getting along so well before." Brooklyn said.


    Cordelia gave a coldugh, "Did we?"


    He was suspicious of her and Logan at first, then Jamie. He had always been a paranoid one.


    The only good times she had with Ronan came recently, but they were about to end.


    She had to grow up fast to stop living in his shadow, depending on his money, and putting up with his


    moods.


    "When you leave, Edwin and I will see you off. With all the rumors going around thepany, it might


    be best for you to stay away." Brooklyn said.


    Cordelia nodded.


    She stayed at Shelley''s house for ten days. Before she left, she put a photo of Shelley in her wallet.


    From then on, she was an orphan.


    Even though Shelley was bedridden and couldn''t speak before, Cordelia had hope that one day she


    would wake up.


    But now, because of Ronan, all hope was gone.


    Cordelia lowered her head.


    Two dayster, Cordelia received herst paycheck from thepany. It was for a month and a half,


    around 30 grand, and a severance pay of 50 grand in total.


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    Ronan personally delivered her passport.


    "I''ve transferred 20 million into your ount." Ronan told her.


    "Thank you, Mr. Evans." Cordelia said calmly.


    Now that Ronan had transferred arge amount of money to her, she didn''t feel any difort.


    Perhaps it was because of Olen that Shelley died.


    Cordelia epted it without burden.


    "Mr. Evans?" Ronan frowned at her.


    In the past, she called him Mr. Evans. Then hubby, Ronan, and now back to the beginning.


    Calling him that before was out of respect; now it was to distance herself.


    "Not Mr. Evans?" She retorted.


    "I''m still your husband. And¡­" Ronan stepped forward, grabbing Cordelia''s chin, "behave yourself


    overseas. If you betray me, you know the consequences."


    Cordelia found it amusing. Didn''t he know why she was leaving the country?


    Did he still expect her to be loyal to him?


    "What if I betray you? Would you kill me? I know murder is not foreign to Mr. Evans. You can do


    whatever you want in this country, be with whoever you want. It''s none of my business. After all, ours


    was a marriage of convenience. Am I more generous?" Cordelia held his gaze.


    Ronan clenched his teeth, "Don''t care, huh? Just wait and see."


    "No need to wait. As soon as I leave, many women will flock to Mr. Evans. You''re filthy rich." Cordelia


    taunted him.


    In a fit of anger, Ronan threw Cordelia onto the bed and started to unbuckle his belt.


    "What else can you do besides forcing me?" Cordelia scoffed without resistance.


    After all, this wasn''t the first time Ronan had forced himself on her.


    Afterwards, she went downstairs to buy a morning-after pill and took it right in front of Ronan.


    Ronan justughed coldly.

 Chapter 221

    Chapter 221


    Cordelia was leaving for study abroad. Brooklyn and Edwin came to see her off.


    Ever since she took the contraceptive pill that day, she hadn''t seen Ronan again.


    And she no longer missed him.


    She kept Shelley in a corner of her heart, showing only polite smiles to her friends.


    This was her first time going abroad.


    Ronan had arranged a school for her, but she wasn''t nning to go. In secret, she had applied for a


    finance major at another school, nning to get a master''s degree and take a preparatory course for a


    year first.


    Getting a master''s degree would take at least three to four years.


    By then, she would be 28 years old.


    For rich men like Ronan, they usually preferred younger women.


    She was giving him enough time and space to find a new partner.


    By then, he might want to erase her from his life.


    "Cordelia, don''t forget to keep in touch." Brooklyn said to Cordelia with concern.


    "Sure, don''t worry." Cordelia replied.


    A long time after Cordelia entered customs, Edwin was still standing there.


    "Let''s go. What are you looking at?" Brooklyn asked Edwin.


    "Alright." Edwin came back to his senses.


    In the distance at the airport, Ronan''s car was parked far away. He watched her enter the airport and


    she never looked back.


    She seemed very happy.


    Sitting on the ne, Cordelia couldn''t help but think about everything that had happened over the past


    year. If it weren''t for that ident, maybe she would still be a little short of money now. But at least


    Shelley wouldn''t be dead.


    People could never predict the future, so how could she know that Shelley would die so suddenly?


    After arriving in Canada, Cordelia was busy finding a school and a house.


    She thought, maybe being busy would help her forget the sadness.


    She got a local cell phone number and rarely used her old number.


    Until one day, more than a monthter. She received a message from Jamie: [Cordelia, where are you


    in the states?]


    Cordelia found a one-bedroom house near the school. She was munching on bread, studying


    returned home in October.


    Cordelia thought was Jamie in the states now?


    She sent Jamie her location.


    Jamie: [I''lle find you tomorrow.]


    Being in a foreign country felt different from being at home.


    Among a group of foreigners, suddenly having someone from her own countrye to find her,


    Cordelia was very happy. She didn''t have to worry as much as she did at home. After all, no one here


    knew her, and she had little contact with Ronan.


    Cordelia: [Okay.]


    The next day, Jamie came. He was wearing a T-shirt and looked just like a college student.


    "You''re here? Can I treat you to dinner? Food here is not good at all though." Cordeliained.


    Jamie smiled, "Really? Follow me."


    Cordelia followed Jamie.


    He had his own car abroad.


    He took Cordelia to a seemingly ordinary restaurant. They didn''t even order, and shortly after, the


    waiter brought up several exquisite dishes.


    "Try it." He said.


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    Cordelia took a bite and found it very tasty. Sheughed and asked Jamie, "How did youe abroad


    so early?"


    "I''ve already handed over to Brenda, there''s nothing to do back home, so I came out. I n to study


    abroad for a year and open aw firm. What do you think? How about we team up?" He asked


    Cordelia.


    Cordelia thought for a moment, "But I need to get my master''s degree first. I haven''t passed the


    "It''s okay, you can work in thew firm while studying, it''s not mandatory." Jamie said, "Have you and


    him divorced?"


    Cordelia shook her head, "Not yet. I didn''t want to go to the university he rmended, so I chose


    another one. We''ve lost contact. Divorce is just a matter of time. Rich people neverck women."


    "I asked Thomas about Kendra''s background. She is indeed Sha''s daughter, but after the incident,


    she was sent to the countryside by my father. Olen may have met her, but Ronan doesn''t know her. I''m


    sorry, Thomas also has responsibility for what happened to Shelley. Shelley has been wronged. Adrian


    and Kendra are now living in Shelley''s house. Adrian is very depressed, and Kendra miscarried." Jamie


    added.


    "How did she miscarry?" Cordelia asked in surprise.


    It had been a tough year for both Cordelia and Adrian.


    "I don''t know. Adrian said she told him herself. No one knows exactly how it happened." Jamie said.


    Cordelia lowered her head, slowly eating the food in her bowl.


    She was thinking, could it have been a trap set by Ronan?


    It was something he could totally do.


    "Let''s not talk about that anymore. When does yourw firm open? I can invest." Cordelia asked Jamie.


    "Probably this year. You don''t need a lot of money to invest, and you can contributebor shares."


    Jamie said.


    Cordelia nodded, "Which university are you studying at?"


    "UC Davis." Jamie answered.


    "What?" Cordelia was stunned.


    They were at the same school?

 Chapter 222

    Chapter 222


    Jamie''s time in California was all about casual studying, nothing as strenuous as Cordelia''s routine.


    She was forever buried in textbooks, with stress evident on her face.


    Jamie would asionally try to hang out with Cordelia, but she was always preupied. She would


    spend endless hours in the library, often staying up all night.


    Time abroad seemed to fly.


    Ronan once messaged Cordelia asking why she didn''t choose Yale University. She never replied.


    After moving to America, Cordelia became tanned and thin, sporting a trendy short haircut.


    Four months had passed, and it was October. Cordelia was returning home for exams. She wanted to


    sneak back home, unnoticed, and return the same way. Before she left, Jamie gifted her a red bracelet


    with a golden rabbit charm.


    Cordelia chuckled. "Shouldn''t you have gotten me a charm of Athena? What''s with the rabbit?"


    The rabbit was quiterge and gold, evidently not cheap.


    "Do you get it? The rabbit is a symbol of prosperity. If you don''t pass your exams, how can you attract


    wealth? How can mypany make money?" Jamie exined.


    "You''re so tacky." Cordeliaughed.


    "Where will you stay when you get home?" Jamie, who seemed genuinely concerned about Cordelia,


    asked her. "With him?"


    "Of course not, I''ll stay in a hotel. My mom''s house is probably upied by my brother, and I really


    don''t want to go back there." Cordelia didn''t want to see her brother, let alone Kendra.


    She had a hunch that Kendra had yed a significant role in their mother''s death, but unless Kendra


    confessed, no one would ever know.


    "Alright, message me as soon as you get home and when you''re about toe back."


    Cordelia nodded in agreement. Before boarding her flight, she messaged Brooklyn. [Heading back


    home for exams. Don''t forget to treat me to some good food. I miss fish stew. Also, don''t let Ronan


    know I''m back."


    "Did you think you could hide it from him? He''s been getting really close with Deanna these past few


    months."


    Cordelia wasn''t surprised. Deanna would be overjoyed if she never returned from abroad. They were


    old mes, after all. If Deanna was with him, she''d be relieved.


    "I didn''t even attend the school he arranged for me. How can he possibly know? Does he have radar


    eyes?"


    "Anyway, I have a feeling you can''t hide it from him. But sure, I''ll treat you to fish stew."


    "It better be a fancy restaurant. I''m not going to let your money go to waste."


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Alright, alright, your highness."


    Seeing Cordelia start to haggle and demand food and drinks, Brooklyn felt relieved. She wasn''t as


    heartbroken as before.


    Cordelia found a hotel near the exam center, where she spent the day studying and doing calctions.


    When Brooklyn invited her to dinner, she stealthily left the hotel and headed straight for the Luxe


    Cuisine, a restaurant that sounded upscale just by its name.


    Brooklyn and Edwin were already waiting for her.


    "You''ve changed a lot, more fashionable and sophisticated." Brooklynmented. "How''s life abroad?"


    "Don''t even start, it''s exhausting. I''ve been studying day and night." Cordelia greeted Brooklyn and


    Edwin.


    Brooklyn ordered a variety of dishes for Cordelia, many of which she couldn''t identify just by the name.


    For instance, there was a dish named "Double Yolk," two things fried to a golden brown and served


    together. It was delicious and fragrant, and Cordelia ate several pieces. But when she set down her


    chopsticks to talk to Brooklyn, she suddenly felt a churn in her stomach and a strong urge to vomit.


    "What is this dish?" Cordelia asked Brooklyn, her face pale with difort.


    "Double Yolk, fried taro, and egg yolk. You couldn''t even tell what it was, could you? The egg yolk..."


    Brooklyn suddenly remembered that Cordelia was allergic to egg yolk. "Cordelia, are you okay? It''s all


    my fault."


    "No, it''s not your fault." After saying this, Cordelia went to the restroom. Leaning over the sink, she


    began to vomit. By the end, it felt like she was throwing up bile. She felt so embarrassed.


    After throwing up, Cordelia wiped her mouth with a napkin. Suddenly, a familiar figure appeared in the


    mirror. He was staring at Cordelia.


    "Mrs. Evans?" The man said, sounding rather delighted. Seeing the changes in Cordelia, he was


    somewhat surprised.

 Chapter 223

    Chapter 223


    Cordelia paused, napkin halfway to her mouth. "Mr. Grant?"


    "Hello. Heard you''ve been studying abroad, how was it? You''re back?" Grant appraised Cordelia from


    head to toe.


    Cordelia thought desperately, ¡°Damn, just got back and already ran into someone who knows Ronan,


    now what?¡± She could only hope that Grant would leave soon to attend his social engagements, get


    drunk, and forget he ever saw her.


    Ronan rarely came out at night, so she wasn''t worried about bumping into him.


    "Yeah, it was good. I''m back for exams. A friend wanted to grab dinner.¡± Cordelia finished speaking,


    and then a wave of nausea washed over her, and she began to vomit again.


    Grant felt awkward lingering, so he said, "Well, Mrs. Evans, I have othermitments. I''ll be off."


    Cordelia nodded.


    When Grant got back to their private room, he sat next to Ronan. "Did Mrs. Evans return? I just saw


    her," he asked Ronan.


    Ronan was silent for a moment. "Yes, she''s back, having dinner with her friend."


    "Mr. Evans, you move fast. Couldn''t get her pregnant while in the country, but you managed to do it


    abroad? How often are you flying to the States?"


    "How do you know she''s pregnant?" Ronan''s smile didn''t reach his eyes, which were icy cold.


    "It''s obvious, she''s showing signs of morning sickness. She was throwing up. But it doesn''t look like


    she''s showing yet."


    "Right," Ronan said, keeping his face expressionless.


    She was back!


    She was back, and she was carrying another man''s child.


    She left four months ago. If the baby was his, she would be showing by now. Besides, she had taken a


    contraceptive pill in front of him. The chances of him being the father were next to none.


    Jamie was also in the States. If Grant hadn''t bumped into her tonight, she probably would have


    continued ying dead.


    ...


    Cordelia went back to her seat and said to Brooklyn, "I''m done eating. Let''s go."


    "Are you feeling better?" Brooklyn asked. "Which restroom did you go to? I couldn''t catch up with you."


    "Oh, it''s the one on the left. Let''s go, I want to get some sleep and study. I have an exam tomorrow."


    "Alright."


    After Edwin dropped Cordelia back at her hotel, he took Brooklyn home.


    When Brooklyn''s phone rang, she nearly dropped it in her haste. "What''s the matter? Answer it." Edwin


    watched as Brooklyn shivered beside him. "You see a ghost or something?"


    "It''s like the Grim Reaper is calling me. He says die at midnight, and I won''t live till dawn," Brooklyn


    said.


    She took a deep breath to calm herself, and answered the phone, trying to soundposed, "Mr.


    Evans, you wanted to see me?"


    "Cordelia''s back?" Ronan''s voice sent chills down Brooklyn''s spine.


    To Brooklyn, Ronan''s voice was like a torture device.


    "Yes, Mr. Evans, she just had dinner with us, how... how did you know?"


    "Where is she staying?" he asked.


    "She''s staying at a hotel near her exam center, the Lakeside Hotel, room number 3342."


    "Alright."


    "And, Mr. Evans, please don''t tell her I told you," Brooklyn added.


    Ronan hung up without a word.


    Brooklyn was uneasy.


    It wasn''t long before Ronan appeared in front of room 3342. He knocked.


    Cordelia, who was studying from a finance textbook, was stunned when she opened the door to find


    Ronan.


    Ronan pushed the door open, then closed it behind him. "Whose is it?" he asked tersely, his face a


    mask of anger.


    "What?"


    Then his gaze fell upon a pregnancy test on the table. He picked it up, and the two unmistakable lines


    seemed to sear his eyes, and he clenched his jaw. "Whose is it?" he repeated, waving the pregnancy


    test.


    He was now even more certain that the child wasn''t his. If it was, she wouldn''t have waited this long to


    take a pregnancy test!


    "Mr. Evans, if men could get pregnant, I reckon you''d be carrying your fourth or fifth child by now. Don''t


    chastise others when you yourself aren''t in the clear," Cordelia retorted.


    When she had suggested a divorce before, he had refused and let her leave. This meant he had


    epted they would lead separate lives. She had nned to live separately for three or four years,


    and then get a divorce.


    Ronan took two steps forward, grabbed Cordelia''s wrists, and pinned her against the wall.


    "Who is it?" he demanded through gritted teeth.


    Cordelia didn''t answer; she just turned her head away.


    Ronan''s gaze fell on Cordelia''s wrist, where arge rabbit bracelet caught his attention. It could only


    mean that it was from the man she was seeing or was a gift from him. "Do you take my words as wind


    passing by?" he asked through clenched teeth.


    "Why did you give me sleeping pills after my mother died? Mr. Evans, you''ve done no good, so stop


    demanding it from others!" Cordelia shot back. "Let''s divorce!"


    A whileter, Cordelia turned to look at him, her gaze cold.


    "You bring back another man''s child, and you want to talk about divorce?" Ronan was livid, "I''ll grant


    you your wish!"


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    He shoved Cordelia onto the bed and began to unbuckle his belt.


    Cordelia knew what he was about to do. It wasn''t the first time. She knew she couldn''t change


    anything, so she calmly took a condom from the bedside table.


    Ronan saw it, his face turned green, but he didn''t stop unbuckling his belt.

 Chapter 224

    Chapter 224


    Tonight, Ronan turned into a raging panther, ravishing Cordelia.


    He traced his hand over Cordelia''s smooth and t belly, but there were no signs of any swelling. So, it


    was certain. The child wasn''t his. If it was, she should have been showing by now.


    Midnight, Cordelia was drenched in sweat and exhausted.


    "Mr. Evans, don''t forget about the divorce," Cordelia said with her eyes closed, lying in bed. Despite


    being covered in sweat, her mind was unusually clear.


    He was already dressing. "Tomorrow night, I''ll give you the divorce papers," Ronan said. And with that,


    he stood up and left.


    The room was restored to silence once more. Cordelia remained in bed, panting heavily.


    This unexpected opportunity to get a divorce was a surprise. Ronan wasn''t part of her n when she


    came back. But the appearance of Grant had disrupted Cordelia''s ns.


    She guessed that Grant would tell Ronan about what happened tonight, and he might have even


    thought that she was pregnant.


    Cordelia was afraid of Ronan''s confrontation, so she packed her bags, nning to change hotels. She


    didn''t want to see Ronan, afraid that it would stir up old feelings. While dragging her suitcase down the


    hotel corridor, she passed a maid cleaning. She caught a glimpse of a pregnancy test in the trash bin.


    She thought that she could escape for a while, but not forever. Ronan would always find her. She


    couldn''t stay with the man who killed her mother. It suffocated her and gave her nightmares.


    She grabbed someone else''s pregnancy test, just to be safe. She had to let Ronan think she was


    pregnant.


    Ronan, the renowned man from Millstone, wouldn''t want a woman carrying another man''s child. So,


    divorce was inevitable.


    She''d done it. Ronan must have lost all hope in her by now.


    Her exam was at three in the afternoon. She slept in the hotel all morning. In the afternoon, she


    entered the exam room with full confidence. She knew she would pass the financial cost management


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    exam.


    Back at the hotel, she received a call from Ronan. She usually never picked up his calls, but this time,


    she did.


    "Come home and get the divorce papers. Also, say yourst goodbye to Barney. He misses you," he


    said.


    "Alright," Cordelia replied.


    Cordelia dolled herself up to look calm andposed. She hailed a cab and headed to Pearl Palms.


    Barney had been waiting at the door since he heard Cordelia wasing. The sight of Barney shocked


    Cordelia. His hair was all gone, and he looked much older.


    "Barney... what happened to you?" Cordelia asked, holding Barney''s hand.


    Barney''s hand felt like it was withering away.


    "Life and death are natural, just like the sun rising," Barney told Cordelia. "Now that you''re back, I can


    rest easy."


    "Barney, I''m sorry," Cordelia said.


    "Don''t say that Cordelia," Barney said. "I''m halfway in the grave. I can''t let my condition hold you back.


    That would be selfish. How did your final exam go?"


    "Good. I think I passed," Cordelia said, forcing a smile.


    "Good, our family has another ountant." Barney patted Cordelia''s hand. They continued their


    conversation from the doorway to the living room.


    Ronan was sitting in the living room, reading a book. When he saw Cordelia, he looked up and said,


    "You''re back?"


    "Yes," Cordelia replied.


    They seemed to have an unspoken understanding. Cordelia pretended it was the first time she''d seen


    Ronan since she returned, and Ronan did the same. But the icy rtionship between them was nothing


    like a loving couple.

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    Chapter 225


    Cordelia spent quite a while exchanging pleasantries with Barney.


    He didn¡¯t want Cordelia to leave, but he didn¡¯t voice his desire.


    Around eight-thirty, Barney decided to retire to his room, his hand sping Cordelia¡¯s all the while. The


    older you got, the more childlike you became. Barney was an intellectual, and Cordelia had never seen


    him so childlike, but now she did. His reluctance to let her go was just like a small boy.


    Cordelia felt an incredible pang of guilt.


    As she left Barney¡¯s room, she saw Ronan still sitting on the couch.,¡°Come here,¡± he said to Cordelia.


    Then, he headed upstairs without waiting for her.


    Cordelia guessed he might have been getting the divorce papers, so she followed him upstairs. To her


    surprise, when they reached the bedroom, Ronan was sitting on the couch, lighting up a cigarette.


    ¡°Barney has at most three months left. Think about it, whether you want to stay with him or not,¡± he


    said, looking up at Cordelia.


    Ronan was the man who had killed her mother, but Barney was innocent. Cordelia remained silent.


    ¡°Here are the divorce papers. I¡¯ve already signed them. Take a look,¡± Ronan said, handing a stack of


    papers to Cordelia.


    ¡°That¡¯s not a divorce certificate?¡± Cordelia questioned, her eyes shing with anger.


    ¡°Barney¡¯sst three months. I don¡¯t want any idents. You¡¯ve been pretending for so long. You don¡¯t


    want to ruin everything at thest minute.¡± Ronan replied.


    Cordelia was at a loss, but divorce was indeed a matter between two people. If he didn''t want to, she


    had no way out.


    Moreover, Ronan had used a word - pretending. All her past affection was just an act.


    She carefully read the conditions on the paper. It asked her to stay with Barney for hisst three


    months, and in return, she would receive a hundred million dors. Additionally, two apartments in


    Millstone would be given to her.


    That was a lot of money. A hundred million dors was probably what Cordelia could have earned if


    she had been working from ancient times until now. Moreover, she was currently studying and not


    making any money. She was living only on the twenty million dors Ronan had given her.


    But she didn¡¯t want the money. ¡°I cheated first. I don¡¯t deserve that much money,¡± she said, putting


    down the papers.


    ¡°You know you cheated?¡± Ronan stared at Cordelia with a cold, killer gaze.


    ¡°So, since you know I cheated, why would you give me so much money? I should be leaving with


    nothing,¡± Cordelia retorted.


    Speaking those words, her chest began to heave with emotion. Ronan was only giving her so much


    money because he had killed her mother. It was his guilt,pensation for Cordelia!


    ¡°Just to apany Barney!¡± Ronan gritted out the words through clenched teeth.


    Cordelia turned her head away, ignoring him. ¡°I¡¯m taking prep sses.¡±


    ¡°You can take online courses. I¡¯ll talk to the professors. I also know the professors at UC Davis.¡±


    Cordelia stared at him in surprise for a long time. So, he knew she was at UC Davis! He really did know


    everything.


    After Cordelia had gone to UC Davis, the reason he hadn''t contacted her was probably because he


    was afraid she would change ces again. He was probably also afraid that if he called too often,


    Cordelia would find it annoying. Indeed, when one''s skill improved, so did the difficulty. In front of him,


    Cordelia was nothing more than a ghost.


    At that moment, Cordelia¡¯s phone rang. It was Jamie. She immediately turned around to answer the


    call, her tone and attitudepletely changing.


    ¡°I¡¯ve finished the exam, it went well, I should pass if there are no surprises.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°But I have something to do now and can¡¯t leave for the time being. Could you cancel my flight for me?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure yet, I don¡¯t know how long it will take¡­¡±


    As Cordelia was talking to Jamie on the phone, Ronan knew.


    He knew that Jamie had also gone to UC Davis. He knew that Jamie and Cordelia must have met. He


    knew that the bracelet on Cordelia¡¯s wrist was a gift from Jamie. He even knew that the baby in


    Cordelia¡¯s belly was Jamie¡¯s.


    Cordelia¡¯s tone was soft and tender. When she finished the call and turned back to Ronan, her tone


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    changed.


    ¡°I agree,¡± she said. ¡°But before I agree, I must set three conditions. If you agree, I''ll stay. If not, I can''t.¡±


    ¡°Go on.¡±


    ¡°First, there¡¯s a time difference between us. I sleep during the day and study at night. Given the time


    difference, I must sleep separately from you. Second, I¡¯m pregnant, you can¡¯t touch me. If anything like


    yesterday happens again, I¡¯ll jump off a building. Third, you must give me the divorce certificate when


    the timees. I¡¯ll only return to the US after I get it. I believe your verbal promise is binding,¡± Cordelia


    said.


    ¡°Agreed. I¡¯ll have someone bring your things from the hotel tomorrow.¡±


    Cordelia turned around and went to the adjacent room to sleep. It was the room Ronan had once let


    her sleep in alone, a room she was somewhat afraid of. But today, after experiencing her mother''s fall


    and the lonely and difficult days in the US, she suddenly felt unafraid. People probably grew like this,


    apanied by thorns all around.


    As shey in bed and covered herself with the nket, she kept having nightmares. This nightmare


    was one she often had when her mother had just passed away, and now it was haunting her again. In


    her dream, she saw her mother looking bloody and broken, falling from the building, while Ronan was


    Cordelia woke up in a panic. Awake, she heard noises from Ronan¡¯s room thatsted for quite a while.

 Chapter 226

    Chapter 226


    Cordelia wished she could ignore the noise and continue sleeping, but it was too loud, and she


    couldn''t. She got up, slipped into her robe, and went next door.


    Ronan''s bedroom door was open, and his phone was ringing over and over, but he wasn''t there. He


    was probably taking a shower in the bathroom. Cordelia rapped on the bathroom door. ¡°Your phone¡¯s


    ringing.¡±


    There was no response, so he probably didn''t hear her. Cordelia knocked louder. "Ronan, your phone''s


    ringing."


    He pulled open the bathroom door, appearing in front of Cordelia. At a nce, Cordelia saw the


    intimate parts of his body. She tried to keep her gaze on his face. They were practically divorced now,


    and he belonged to another woman. Cordelia shouldn''t be looking.


    "What''s up?" He asked, standing nonchntly with the door wide open.


    "Your phone''s been ringing over and over. It''s keeping me awake."


    "Answer it if it rings again." He said and shut the door.


    Cordelia stood outside, a little annoyed and confused.


    The phone rang again. Cordelia went over to check it, and it was Deanna. She didn''t want to answer at


    first, but seeing that Deanna had called over a dozen times, she figured something might have been


    urgent.


    "Hello?" Cordelia answered the phone.


    "Where''s Ronan?" Deanna sounded surprised to hear Cordelia''s voice. Her tone also carried a hint of


    hostility.


    "Oh, he''s in the shower."


    "In the shower?"


    "Yes, what''s up?"


    "Tomorrow night, my current film is wrapping up, and I''ve invited Ronan to the wrap party. Could you


    tell him about itter and see if he cane? He should. I''ve already mentioned it to him. I just wanted


    to confirm." Deanna''s voice had a hint of resistance towards Cordelia, deliberately showing her


    rtionship with Ronan in front of Cordelia.


    "Oh, no need to ask, I''ll ept on his behalf," Cordelia said.


    "Great." Deanna sounded thrilled. She knew that after the incident with Adrian and Cordelia''s mother,


    even if Ronan was interested, Cordelia might not have been.


    Indeed, Cordelia was already starting to push Ronan towards someone else.


    Deanna wanted him, Cordelia wanted to push him away, and it seemed that everyone was blessing


    Deanna and Ronan''s rtionship, even Cordelia, his ex-wife.


    Just as Cordelia put his phone back on the table, Ronan came out wrapped in a towel. "Who was it?"


    He asked.


    "Deanna invited you to her film wrap party tomorrow night." Cordelia looked at Ronan, her face


    expressionless.


    Ronan picked up the phone to call Deanna back.


    "You don''t need to call her back. I''ve already epted for you," Cordelia said, looking at Ronan. They


    stared at each other for ten seconds, the air filled with tension.


    "Don''t forget to bring my stuff back tomorrow, I have ss," Cordelia said, before heading back to her


    room to sleep.


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    The next day, she got up aste as possible to have breakfast with Barney, Ronan had already gone to


    work.


    "Barney, I told Ronan yesterday that I''ll be staying home with you for a while. But I''ll have to take online


    sses due to the time difference, so I will be spending less time with you during the day." Cordelia


    always spoke to Barney with kindness.


    "That''s okay, as long as you¡¯re at home, I''m happy," Barney said, smiling at Cordelia.


    In the afternoon, Ronan''s driver brought back Cordelia''s suitcase.


    Cordelia set up herptop, logged into her school''s website, took a short nap, and prepared to pull an


    all-nighter for ss. She started sleeping after dinner and woke up at eleven. It was still early in the


    States, and she had one more ss to attend, so she quickly grabbed a cup to get some water


    downstairs.


    Just as she reached the living room, there was a knock on the door. As Cordelia was getting water from


    the dispenser, she saw who it was.


    Ronan and Deanna came in. Ronan was dressed in a steel-grey shirt, and Deanna in a silvery white


    mermaid gown.


    Cordelia saw them and turned back to get her water.


    "Ronan, thank you for attending my wrap party tonight," Deanna said. looking at Cordelia''s back.


    As Cordelia turned to go upstairs with her water, her peripheral vision caught Deanna kissing Ronan''s


    cheek.


    Ronan nced at Cordelia, who went upstairs without showing any emotion. He immediately put his


    arm around Deanna''s waist. "Call me for these kinds of events in the future."


    "Sure." Deanna was absolutely thrilled. It seemed that Ronan and Cordelia''s rtionship had already


    broken down. The only reason they hadn''t divorced yet was out of consideration for Barney.

 Chapter 227

    Chapter 227


    Cordelia retreated to her room, immersing herself in online sses. As for whether Deanna visited


    Ronan''s room that night and what they might have done, she had no clue. Nor did she particrly care,


    though her mind did asionally wander.


    Days passed uneventfully, and before she knew it, a month and a half had flown by. She''d sleep during


    the day while Ronan was at work.


    Their schedules were always staggered, often going days without seeing each other. She did, however,


    see Barney daily. Every afternoon, after she woke up, she''d head downstairs for a meal and chat with


    Barney about her studies.


    "De, I know you went abroad to study because you were mourning your mother. If you ever


    encounter any difficulties overseas, remember that you can alwayse home. I will be waiting,"


    Barney said, patting Cordelia''s hand.


    "Mm," Cordelia responded, touched.


    She thought to herself, ¡°How did a schr as good as Barney end up with a grandson like Ronan? He


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    was ruthless, violent, and extremely cunning.


    On Saturday, Cordelia had a rare day off. Janice had specially maderge pies and invited Cordelia to


    join them. Ronan was present too, but he kept his distance from Cordelia, and the two rarely spoke.


    Cordelia devoured four or five pies in a row. They were filled with carrot and beef, and were delicious.


    She praised Janice''s culinary skills while mentioning how long it had been since she''d had pies.


    Janice regarded Cordelia with surprise, asking, "Ma''am, when did you develop such a hearty appetite?"


    Cordelia, holding a pie, looked bemused. "They''re tasty! Why wouldn''t I eat more?"


    "But you''ve eaten so much, aren''t you...?" Janice''s gaze slid towards Ronan. "Ma''am, you''re not


    pregnant, are you? Shouldn''t you go to the hospital for a check-up?"


    "How could that be possible?" Cordelia retorted instinctively, her face changing color slightly.


    Ronan''s face had turned dark. In his eyes, Cordelia saying, "how could that be possible" was merely an


    evasion, a way to keep Barney and Janice from knowing she was carrying a bastard child.


    But for Cordelia, it was truly just "instinct."


    Ronan left without finishing his meal, leaving Cordelia alone to finish her pie.


    One night, Cordelia went downstairs for a ss of water and noticed Ronan''s bedroom door was open,


    seemingly unupied. She guessed he must have been out. He had started staying outte.


    In the following days, she didn''t see Ronan at all. Like this, another half a month slipped by.


    One evening, Cordelia was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open. She thought of taking a quick


    nap on her bed before continuing her studies. She was puzzled by her sudden bouts of drowsiness.


    Herptop was left on. Ronan entered her room, his eyes drawn to the Messenger chat on her screen.


    It was a conversation between her and Jamie.


    Cordelia. [Studying now, starting to get the hang of it.]


    [You''ve always been a hard worker, I''m sure you''ll get into grad school next year. Oh, and did you


    divorce him yet? When are you nning toe back?]


    [Oh, and our firm is about to go public, I''ve thought of so many names, can you help me choose? One


    of them is First Enterprises. I think it sounds good, it signifies that our firm is ''first-rate.'' What do you


    think?]


    [If you don''t respond, I''ll take it as a yes. Are you in ss, or did you go back to sleep?]


    Jamie sent an ellipsis [...], and the conversation ended there.


    They were nning to start a firm together! Indeed, both were studying ounting, so they had a lot in


    First Enterprises...


    Ronan clenched his teeth tightly.

 Chapter 228

    Chapter 228


    Ronan didn''t bother to engage anymore, instead, he gave Cordelia a few stern ps on the face.


    Cordelia was in a deep sleep, mumbling, "What''s going on?"


    She opened her eyes to see Ronan standing by her bed. "How did you get in?"


    "Barney''s in the hospital! Come with me." Ronan stated with a grim expression.


    Cordelia had been up all night, her mind was foggy, but hearing this news, she quickly got out of bed,


    changed her clothes, skipped brushing her teeth and washing her face.


    Barney had once said that cancer was incurable, and he wanted to preserve hisst dignity, so he had


    always refused to go to the hospital. Now that he had been admitted, it seemed that things were not


    looking good.


    "How''s Barney?" In the car, she couldn''t help but cry.


    "Weren''t you waiting for this day?" Ronan has been grim these days, never cracking a smile.


    "No! I hope nothing happens to Barney. I''m not like you." Cordelia retorted.


    Even though she didn''t like Ronan, she had a good impression of Barney.


    Ronan turned his head to look out the window.


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Barney was in the best room of the best hospital. When Cordelia arrived at the hospital, she saw


    Deanna standing in the corridor. As soon as Ronan arrived, she instinctively clung to Ronan''s arm.


    Cordelia pretended not to see.


    "What''s the point of letting her stay at home? Janice couldn''t wake her up," Deanna said to Cordelia.


    Perhaps Ronan had told Deanna about Cordelia''s purpose in the Evans family.


    Cordelia felt even more guilty. Janice had tried to wake her up, but she didn¡¯t hear it.


    "Doctor, I want to see Barney." Cordelia grabbed the hand of a doctor who wasing out of the ward.


    "Okay, you can get in," The doctor said.


    "Okay." After saying that, Cordelia quickly entered Barney''s ward.


    Seeing the frail old man on the bed, Cordelia couldn''t help but cry out, "Barney, Barney."


    After a long time, Barney opened his eyes. "De." He was very weak.


    "Barney." Cordelia grabbed Barney''s dry hand.


    Barneyughed. "De, I know. You and Ronan are just putting on a show for me. I..."


    Barney coughed again.


    "No more talking." Cordelia stroked Barney''s chest, helping him to breathe easier.


    "I know everything. At first, you and Ronan came back and didn''t interact in the living room. It was like


    you were forced together. It wasn''t like this when I was newly married with your grandmother. We were


    inseparable, wishing we could spend 24 hours together. I liked you very much and tried to bring you


    and Ronan together. Even going so far as to change the allocation of the inheritance to try and make


    you two a real married couple. It seemed like you two were getting better, but then, your mother''s


    incident happened. I know that it was my son and grandson who let you down. You love your mother so


    much, you definitely won''t forgive Ronan. I beg you, can you forgive Ronan?" Barney held Cordelia''s


    hand tighter.


    Cordelia was already sobbing uncontrobly. She had thought that she and Ronan were just putting on


    a show, but they hadn''t performed well, and Barney had seen through them. Barney had just been


    ying along with them.


    "It''s okay, it''s okay..." Barney managed to say before he fell unconscious.


    Cordelia looked at Barney for a while before leaving. In the corridor, she continued to cry. After all, she


    had been with Barney for a year, and he had been very good to her during this year. Even though she


    wasn''t really his granddaughter-inw, he had always treated her as if she was.


    Cordelia continued to cry in the corridor, not paying attention to Deanna and Ronan nearby.


    Barney passed away three dayster, on a cold day with no sunshine. Having recently lost her mother


    and Barney, Cordelia felt that there was nothing left for her in life.


    Throughout the process, Deanna had also been there.


    Without Barney, the house became even colder and emptier, leaving only Ronan, Janice, and a few


    part-time maids.


    Unable to bear the loneliness and destion, and knowing that staying here would only bring back


    painful memories, Cordelia decided to leave Millstone as soon as possible. She was also afraid that


    Ronan wouldn''t divorce her if she stayed too long.


    She knocked on Ronan''s door. Ronan was sitting on the couch smoking, the smoke shrouding his face.


    "Here for the divorce papers?" He asked, his voice low and somber as he squinted at Cordelia.


    "We agreed to get married for this reason, Mr. Evans. Don''t go back on your word," Cordelia replied,


    holding her head high.


    "Of course." With that, Ronan handed her the divorce papers from the side.


    Cordelia opened them and took a long sigh of relief. She sighed in relief, and Ronan had seen it all.


    "The one billion I promised you will soon be in your ount," Ronan added.


    "I don''t want it! This is enough. I''m leaving tomorrow." With that, Cordelia turned and walked away.

 Chapter 229

    Chapter 229


    The following day, Ronan was off to work. Cordelia packed her belongings and left. She had booked


    her flight the previous night. Before the ne even took off, she received a text message from the


    bank. Ronan had transferred a small fortune into her ount in several installments.


    In addition, Ronan''s assistant had sent her a message, providing her with the location of two luxurious


    suites in Millstone, along with photos of the property deeds and transfer documents.


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    This ount, who had not spoken to Cordelia for a long time was called "Mr. Evens" in Cordelia¡¯s


    phone. Cordelia was initially confused. Why would Mr. Evens send her information about properties?


    He then exined, [I am Mr. Evans'' assistant. This is my personal ount. If you need anything, you


    can contact me on this number.]


    Cordelia gave a bitterugh. How long had Ronan been deceiving her? From the very beginning, he


    had not trusted her and had been nning against her.


    Cordelia turned off her phone as the ne took off.


    Jamie was waiting for her at the airport. Once in the car, he asked Cordelia, "Tired from all the


    traveling?"


    "Living like a vampire is indeed tiring." Cordelia nced out the window, her heart heavy with sadness.


    "It''s all over now."


    "Did you... divorce him?" Jamie asked.


    "I did," Cordelia replied, feeling a sudden urge to throw up, but she held it back. However, the feeling of


    nausea intensified.


    "Did you eat something bad?" Jamie asked Cordelia.


    "I don''t think so," Cordelia replied. She thought hard about what she had eaten on the ne but


    couldn''t figure out what might have caused her sickness.


    "Let''s go to the hospital and have it checked out," Jamie suggested. "I have a private physician who


    can examine you."


    Cordelia nodded.


    ...


    At Jamie''s residence, the doctor examined Cordelia and the preliminary diagnosis was, Cordelia was


    pregnant. Cordelia was stunned, and Jamie even more surprised. "Doctor, are you sure?" Cordelia


    asked, her eyes wide with surprise.


    She knew exactly who the father was - there had only been one man in her life. She guessed it must


    have happened on the night before her exams, even though she had made sure that Ronan used a


    condom. Could it have slipped off because they took too long?


    The doctor shrugged. "If you''re not sure, you can go to the hospital for a check-up. Also, you need to


    get prenatal care."


    After the doctor left, Cordelia was in shock. She was divorced, and now pregnant.


    Of course, Ronan wouldn''t think the child was his because that night, he thought Cordelia was already


    pregnant. However, she still had to pursue her master''s degree. She couldn''t let a child hold her back.


    If she was pregnant, she wouldn''t be able to continue her studies.


    Cordelia raised her hand and began to hit her own stomach.


    "What are you doing, Cordelia?" Jamie stopped her.


    Cordelia was frustrated. "I want to abort the baby."


    "Cordelia, abortion isn''t taken lightly in America. Plus, it''s harmful to your health," Jamie said anxiously.


    After a moment of hesitation, Jamie said, "Have the baby. I''ll raise it as my own. We won''t ever let the


    child know the truth, okay?"


    Cordelia was hesitant. She missed Shelley, and every time she thought of her, she would remember


    the scene of Ronan standing upstairs.


    Many times, in her dreams, Ronan would fuck Cordelia until she couldn''t breathe.


    She didn''t want to have his child.


    Abortion wasn''t allowed in America, which meant she had to let the child grow inside her. For a


    moment, Cordelia didn''t know what to do.


    That was when Jamie received a call from Thomas. He wanted Jamie to return home and take over the


    family business.


    "Dad, I''m doing well in America, why do you want me toe back home?" Jamie had adapted to the


    American way of life. Most importantly, Cordelia was in America.


    Originally, he had nned to live freely with Cordelia in America. But now, Cordelia was pregnant, and


    he had to return home.


    ...


    In Millstone, Ronan met with Thomas and made a request. He wanted Thomas to order Jamie to return


    home.


    "But, Mr. Evans..." Thomas clearly disagreed. If Jamie returned home, he would inevitably live in


    Ronan''s shadow for the rest of his life. Jamie had finally established himself abroad and was about to


    open his own firm. Why would they ruin his progress now?


    "Do you disagree?" Ronan stared at Thomas.


    Thomas had always felt guilty towards the Evans family. Years ago, he had told Sha about her


    husband''s infidelity and how her husband had bought many expensive things for his mistress - things


    that Sha herself couldn''t afford. Over time, Sha naturally grew resentful. During that period,


    Thomas would often show Sha violent movies where betrayed wives would kill and dismember their


    husbands. Over time, Sha began to identify with these characters and developed a pathological


    obsession with killing her husband.


    The day after her husband didn''te home and a sex tape of him with his mistress was mailed to


    their house, Sha snapped. She wanted to rip out her husband''s treacherous heart for everyone in


    the neighborhood to see. The tape, however, wasn''t sent by the mistress, but by Thomas.


    Now that Thomas was old and the incident with Shelley had urred, he felt even more guilty. In front


    of Ronan, he could not hold his head high.


    "If you don''t concur, then the Colby family''s business, PrimeNumbers ounting..."


    "I agree!" Thomas blurted out.


    He was aware that Ronan''s wife had also ventured off to California.


    Although Ronan had held something over Thomas before, he never really did anything to harm the


    Colby family. The two families had always maintained their boundaries. But ever since Ronan married


    Cordelia, she and Jamie had be quite close, and the Colby family''s business was always


    teetering on the brink of copse.


    He knew, with Ronan''s current resources and cunningness, sending the Colby family into bankruptcy


    was just a matter of time.


    Out of desperation, Thomas dialed Jamie!

 Chapter 230

    Chapter 230


    Jamie hung up the phone, looking around his house. He had nned to settle down in the U.S., but a


    single call from Thomas crushed his dreams. The same man who sent him abroad was now asking him


    to return.


    "What happened?" Cordelia asked Jamie.


    "My father wants me to return home to take over the family business. My career here has just started. It


    seems our dream of starting a firm together won''te true."


    Cordelia was taken aback. "When does your father want you back?"


    "As soon as possible."


    Cordelia was now in a dilemma. If she stayed in the U.S., she would inevitably give birth to Ronan¡¯s


    child. Giving birth would mean she couldn''t continue her studies. She considered returning home to


    terminate the pregnancy and thening back to resume her education.


    "Let''s go back together. I''ll have the abortion." Cordelia suggested.


    "Cordelia, abortion can be harmful. Are you sure you don''t want to reconsider?" Jamie tried to


    persuade her.


    Every time Cordelia thought of Ronan, she remembered the moment her mother fell from the building.


    She recalled Ronan''s smile, his revenge on her brother, and felt a chill in her heart. Moreover, he was


    now with Deanna. Their paths seemed permanently diverged.


    "No more considerations. I''ll have it done."


    Thus, Cordelia stayed in the U.S. for another ten days, attending sses. Jamie, during this time,


    settled his affairs. Then, they both returned home. Jamie arranged for Cordelia to stay in a hotel.


    On the second day back, Cordelia went to the gynecology hospital. She had already informed her


    ssmate, Victoria, about her decision.


    "How many months along are you?" Victoria asked, touching Cordelia''s belly. "You''re quite active,


    probably the first among our ssmates."


    "Don''t remind me. I wanted to study in the U.S., but now I can''t continue because of the pregnancy. I''ve


    alreadypleted half of my preparatory course. And I''m divorced," Cordeliamented. Perhaps she


    was too young now and didn¡¯t have a strong attachment to having children, especially since she had


    divorced from Ronan, she did not want to give birth anymore. What''s the meaning of a single woman


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    dragging a child along?


    "Divorced?" Victoria was surprised. "You were with a wealthy man, and you separated so easily? How


    much did he give you?"


    Cordelia urged, "Hurry up. I want to get it done."


    Victoria handed her a form. "First, you need an ultrasound to ensure it''s not an ectopic pregnancy."


    About half an hourter, Cordelia handed the ultrasound report to Victoria. Victoria eximed,


    "Cordelia, you''ve hit the jackpot! You''re carrying twins! Why would you want to abort them? It''s risky,


    and you might be infertile. I won''t be part of such a sin."


    Cordelia was stunned. Did this mean her dream of studying in the U.S. was over? She thought about


    how she was carrying Ronan''s twins, and he didn''t even know. Wasn''t that cruel enough for him?

 Chapter 231

    Chapter 231


    Lumos Enterprises.


    After Barney¡¯s funeral, it took Ronan a while to regain hisposure. But he thought to himself, he had


    been good to Barney, never letting him suffer in the slightest. Although in Barney''s lifetime, he had


    once knelt down for the sake of Olen, but that was all in the past.


    The assistant entered Ronan''s office. "Mr. Evans, Jamie is back from the States, with a massive


    suitcase in tow. It looks like he''s not nning on going back to America. It''s just..." the assistant


    hesitated.


    "Just what?"


    "Just that... Your ex-wife came back with him. Seems like they visited the gynecologist today, probably


    for a prenatal check-up," the assistant added.


    Ronan smirked coldly. So, they came back together? Just like a perfect couple, they were clearly trying


    to rub their happiness in his face.


    Originally, he didn¡¯t want to interfere too much with Cordelia''s life. He knew she was upset, so he


    intentionally let her go to America to ease her mood. He didn''t mind when she didn¡¯t attend the school


    he had arranged for her. He also didn''t contact her, fearing it would make her change schools again.


    After all, her beloved mother ended up in a tragic death, and he tolerated her because of that. But he


    didn''t expect Jamie to also go to California. He assumed America was so big, that they wouldn''t run


    into each other. Yet, they even managed to have a baby!


    He was being cuckolded!


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    For the first time in his life, Ronan was furious. He wished he could tear Cordelia to pieces. He had


    nned to bring Jamie back from America and leave Cordelia alone there, but to his surprise, she had


    returned as well.


    "Should we continue to keep tabs on them?" the assistant asked Ronan.


    "No need," Ronan said, tossing his lighter onto the table.


    Once Shelley died, Cordelia was no longer under his control. She could sleep with whoever she


    wanted, and have a child with whoever she wanted.


    ...


    The moment Jamie returned, he immediately started arranging the new firm. He often consulted with


    Cordelia.


    Cordelia rented a one-bedroom apartment, which was inevitably lonely. Moreover, being pregnant, she


    needed someone to take care of her. Jamie was worried about Cordelia''s situation. She was partnering


    with Jamie to open a firm, and she didn''t look for another job. Moreover, most employers were reluctant


    to hire pregnant women.


    "How did it go? Have you had the surgery?" One time, Jamie visited Cordelia''s ce and asked her


    anxiously.


    "Don¡¯t even mention it, twins." Cordelia always felt regretful about being pregnant with these two


    babies.


    "Twins?" Jamie was also surprised. "Cordelia, have you ever thought of finding a father for these


    children?" His stared at Cordelia earnestly.


    This was something Cordelia had never considered. The pregnancy waspletely idental. "I..."


    Cordelia hesitated. She hadn¡¯t liked anyone else other than Ronan, so when Jamie suddenly brought


    up this topic, she found it quite abrupt.


    "Since you''re still undecided, let''s talk about something else. We''re opening the firm soon, right? I''ve


    already chosen a location, and it''s right above PrimeNumbers ounting. The entire floor is ours. I''ve


    already sent someone to handle the paperwork, and we already have the connections. If we merge


    with PrimeNumbers ounting in the future, we''ll have even more clients. You cane up with a


    name for the firm." Jamie suggested to Cordelia.


    Cordelia thought for a long time but couldn''te up with a name.


    "Did you see the one I sent youst time?" Jamie asked again.


    "Last time?" Cordelia was puzzled. Whichst time? Thest time Jamie talked to her, she went to


    sleep without seeing it. Then Barney''s incident happened. Cordelia was very busy during those days


    and always felt tired, so she didn''t pay attention to this matter.


    "Never mind, I''ll name it," Jamie said.


    "Okay." Lately, Cordelia always felt tired. In the past, she could stay up all night without feeling


    anything. She was going to sleep, so Jamie left first.


    In the end, Jamie named his firm First Enterprises.


    ...


    Thomas went to report to Ronan that Jamie was back in the country. He didn''t know that Cordelia was


    also back. "Mr. Evans, my son is back in the country. He has opened his own firm now. I heard he''s


    partnering with someone. I''m getting old, and I don¡¯t have many years left. I n to let him take over


    the Colby family''s assets in the future," Thomas said.


    On the matter of Jamie, Thomas was manipted by Ronan like a puppet, and was caught between a


    rock and a hard ce.


    "Really? What''s the name? Who is he partnering with?" Ronan asked.


    "The name is First Enterprises. As for his partner, I''m not quite sure, probably just one of his


    ssmates or something," Thomas replied.


    Ha, First Enterprises! What a name!

 Chapter 232

    Chapter 232


    "Maybe he should change its name," Ronan suggested.


    "What for?" Thomas was taken aback, not understanding why Ronan was even meddling with the


    naming business.


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    "I. Don''t. Like. It," Ronan articted, each word punctuated for emphasis.


    Thomas chuckled awkwardly, thinking to himself, ¡°It¡¯s not your firm, man. So bossy and intimidating.¡±


    "Well, Jamie might be my son, but he doesn''t always listen to me." Thomas pointed out.


    "Try to get him to change it," Ronan said before he left.


    When Cordelia was four months pregnant, she started working at First Enterprises. She was carrying


    twins and was visibly pregnant.


    In the end, Jamie did not change his name, even though Thomas had pped him, he didn''t change it.


    He was very fond of the name First Enterprises.


    As one of the partners, Cordelia had her own spacious office. It was much biggerpared to her


    office when she was at Lumos Enterprises¡¯ Audit Department. After all, back then, she was only an


    assistant.


    She couldn''t stand the boring days at home, and given her strong ambition, she startedworking for


    business as soon as she started working.


    At lunchtime, Brenda brought her a business deal, the audit of Elite Designers.


    PrimeNumbers ounting and First Enterprises were twopanies under the same legal entity. As


    the year-end approached, PrimeNumbers ounting had so many cases that they couldn''t handle


    them all. Elite Designers was a big client, so Brenda handed the business to First Enterprises. Jamie


    would give her a portion of themission. This kind of work, where she didn¡¯t do much but still got a


    Cordeliaing to work at First Enterprises was a joy for Brenda.


    "I always wanted to be your colleague and wanted you to work at PrimeNumbers ounting. See how


    it turned out? You ended up working here, right? And you ended up with Jamie, didn''t you?" Brenda


    said, winking at Cordelia.


    Cordelia wanted to argue but felt it was pointless, so she didn''t say much. However, she was very


    interested in the Elite Designers project. It was a big project that would keep her busy for a while.


    Brenda said the CFO of Elite Designers was her old ssmate, and she had already discussed it with


    him. Cordelia could contact him directly.


    One day, Cordelia called the CFO. "Mr. Everett, hello, I''m Brenda''s colleague, Cordelia. She introduced


    me to yourpany''s project. When would be a good time for me to pick up the documents?" Cordelia


    was now a partner, not only providing technical support but also responsible forworking. The money


    was more, but so was the responsibility.


    "Well..." the man on the other end said, "Ms. Haselwood, if you had called yesterday, I would have


    personally delivered the materials to you. But today, our boss has given the project to the president of


    Lumos Enterprises. I can''t go against him.¡±


    "Oh?" Cordelia furrowed her brow.


    "I promised Brenda, and I should not go back on my word, but what can I do when the boss steps in?


    I''m sorry, Ms. Haselwood, there''s nothing I can do. I''ll see if there''s another opportunity next time."


    After the call, Cordelia pondered for a long time. This was the first case for First Enterprises. If they


    gave it up to Lumos Enterprises, all potential clients would follow suit and choose not to cooperate with


    First Enterprises. In the long run, First Enterprises would definitely go bankrupt.


    Cordelia was no longer on a fixed sry but on amission basis.


    Moreover, when did Ronan start snatching deals himself? If he waspeting, was there any room for


    Cordelia to survive? Was he trying to drive the Haselwood family to ruin?


    Jamie passed by Cordelia''s office and saw her brooding. He came in to ask her what the matter was.


    Cordelia recounted everything.


    "This?" Jamie didn''t seem to mind. "There are so manypanies in Millstone. It¡¯s not like there''s only


    one. From now on, I''ll take care of the business, and you focus on the execution of the projects, okay?"


    "Okay," Cordelia agreed, although she still felt uneasy. As long as Ronan made a move, she wouldn''t


    be able to get away unscathed.


    Sure enough, things did not go as well as Jamie had predicted. In the following days, every time Jamie


    contacted a business, everything seemed to be going smoothly at first, but in the end, the deal would


    inevitably fall into Ronan''s hands. Lumos Enterprises was arge and well-knownpany with a


    reputable Audit Department in Millstone, naturally attracting more clients.


    By the end of the year, First Enterprises had not secured a single deal. Cordelia didn¡¯t earn a penny in


    probably targeting her.


    Now that Cordelia was pushed to the edge, even if Ronan wasn''ting at her, she wanted to go after


    him. He killed her mother, and what right did he have to deny Cordelia a way to survive?

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    After thinking it over, Cordelia decided to give Ronan a call. She still had his old number.


    Seeing the name Cordelia pop up on his screen made a flood of memories rush back to Ronan. Finally,


    she hade to him.


    "Mr. Evans, are you free?" Cordelia''s voice came through the phone, devoid of any emotion.


    "You''re back in town?" Ronan teased her. "And I didn''t even know?"


    "I¡¯ve been back for a while, started a firm with a partner. Got to make a living, right? But all the cases I


    wanted have been snapped up by you. I''m practically about to starve. Could you leave some for me,


    Mr. Evans?" Cordelia replied.


    She knew that Ronan was fully aware of her situation, otherwise, he wouldn''t be so specifically


    targeting her.


    "What''s the name of your firm?" Ronan asked.


    "First Enterprises. It''s just a small firm, nothing to write home about." Cordelia only understood part of


    the implications behind the name First Enterprises. Jamie thought she knew, but she hadn¡¯t even read


    the messages from Jamie.


    Ronan gritted his teeth, "I have time."


    "How about I treat you to dinner and a c night of karaoke?" Cordelia asked, her teeth clenched but with


    a smile on her face.


    "Dinner and karaoke? Is that how you conduct business?" Ronan retorted.


    "What, are you not willing?" Cordelia joked, "I''m inviting you while five months pregnant. Can''t you give


    me a little face? I''m about to go hungry."


    "Where?" he asked.


    "The Golden KTV. I''ll treat you, when are you free?" Cordelia asked.


    "After work."


    "Then I''ll book the room." Cordelia ended the call.


    Since bing pregnant, Cordelia felt like her stomach was squeezed so tight that she couldn''t eat


    much. She had some soup for dinner and then hopped in a cab to the Golden KTV.


    On the way, she received a call from Deanna.


    As soon as Cordelia returned, Deanna got anxious. "Can we talk?" Deanna asked.


    "I''m not really free right now," Cordelia replied.


    "Not free, Cordelia you''re pregnant now, I guess it''s Jamie''s, isn''t it? So why are you still involved with


    Ronan? You''re divorced from him, so why are you still clinging to him? Do you want to mend your


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    rtionship? You''re pregnant. Who would want to reconcile with you?" Deanna''s tone towards Cordelia


    was bing increasingly hostile.


    "How do you know about us?" Cordelia asked.


    "When you called him, I was right next to him, sleeping." Deanna said acidly, emphasizing the word


    "sleeping."


    "Then I must congratte you, Ms. Deanna, on finally sleeping with Mr. Evans. Since I''m already


    divorced from him, what are you worried about? I''m just going to talk to him about work, and then I''ll be


    back." Cordelia ended the call. Her face instantly fell. She really disliked Deanna.


    By the time she arrived at the KTV, Ronan was already there. He was smoking a cigarette, watching


    Cordelia through the hazy smoke with a distant look in his eyes. Then, he stubbed out his cigarette in


    the ashtray.


    A slow, mncholic song was ying in the room.


    After a long time, Ronan studied Cordelia closely again. This time she looked paler than thest time


    he saw her at the hotel, and she looked like her old self again.


    His eyes couldn''t help but wander to her pregnant belly, which was big but not bloated, exuding a


    maternal beauty.


    Ronan felt a hard oning up.


    "You''re here?" he asked Cordelia in a hoarse voice.


    "Yep, didn''t you order some hostesses? I''ll get them." With that, Cordelia picked up the room phone


    and ordered some snacks from the manager.


    Soon, the manager brought in a tray of snacks for Cordelia, with a line of colorfully dressed, scantily


    d women following him.


    "Madam, you choose." The manager, seeing that Cordelia was pregnant, addressed her with more


    care.


    "Mr. Evans should choose. They''re here to apany him, not me," Cordelia said, her smile genuine.


    Ronan nced over the women and chose two. The two hostesses sat on either side of Ronan and


    began to sing.


    Cordelia sat to one side, munching on snacks. She particrly loved the pickled plums, as they were


    sour and tasty. After finishing one pack, she asked the manager to bring several more.


    To entertain a client, you must first make themfortable and then discuss business. After karaoke, it


    would be hard for them to refuse.


    Ronan didn''t sing, his face grave. He watched Cordelia continually eating pickled plums.


    After about an hour, the two hostesses left, leaving Ronan and Cordelia alone.


    "Come here." He told Cordelia. His sudden words pulled Cordelia out of her snack-filled reverie.

 Chapter 234

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    Cordelia toyed with a piece of pickled plum, her gaze settling on Ronan.


    "Don¡¯t you want your cases?" he asked again.


    Cordelia moved over to sit beside Ronan.


    "Is that all?"


    "What else do you want, Mr. Evans? Lumos Enterprises is a giant in its field; this bit of business is but a


    drop in the ocean for you. Moreover, auditing isn''t Lumos Enterprises'' main gig, but it''s our bread and


    butter. Mr. Evans, cut us some ck, please. I''m pregnant, and yet I still have to sing for my supper. It''s


    not easy for us, is it? The holidays are around the corner, and without money, my baby and I will be left


    out in the cold." Cordelia cajoled Ronan with a mix of sincerity and ttery.


    "You guys? Who?" Ronan picked up on her choice of words.


    Who could it be? It was just her and Jamie.


    "Oh, just me and the baby." Cordelia knew he didn''t like Jamie, so she didn''t mention him.


    Ronan''s gaze dropped to Cordelia''s belly, which seemedrger than most expecting mothers, plump


    and round. His hand reached out to stroke her belly.


    Cordelia tried to pull away. "Well, it''s not the first time for you." He watched her intently.


    "We''re divorced, Ronan. Strangers."


    "If we''re strangers, then why did youe to me?" Ronan retorted.


    Cordelia was left speechless.


    "Why is your belly so big?" Ronan switched the topic when he noticed how Cordelia was at a loss for


    words. He even entertained the idea that maybe she was further along than she imed.


    However, Cordelia just chuckled. "Mr. Evans, I''m just lucky. I''m having twins."


    "Twins?" Ronan frowned.


    "That''s right. Others have to go through it twice, but I only have to do it once. I''m done for life," Cordelia


    replied.


    Ronan snorted. She was lucky alright, that man sure had some skills.


    "Stay with me tonight." Ronan leaned in closer, his hand sliding up her thigh.


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    Cordelia flinched slightly. "Mr. Evans, you have some interesting tastes."


    "I just like pregnant women!" he whispered huskily into Cordelia''s ear. As he leaned in closer to


    Cordelia again, the soft scent of her perfume filled his senses, as if he was standing in a garden of


    flowers.


    "My hands are sticky. Could you hand me a wet wipe, Mr. Evans?" Cordelia asked, her gazending on


    a packet of wet wipes nearby. She had been holding a pickled plum earlier, and her hands were sticky


    from it.


    "Sticky? From what?" He looked at Cordelia with a yful glint in his eyes.


    "Pickled plum," Cordelia whispered into Ronan''s ear. "We don''t have that kind of rtionship anymore.


    Not after you pushed my mom down the stairs. It''s not possible."


    Ronan handed her a wet wipe without a word.


    Cordelia carefully wiped each finger. At a nce, she noticed that Ronan had beautiful hands. They


    were slender, with healthy, pale nails. His eyes were also captivating, unlike anyone else¡¯s, with their


    dark pupils. They were incredibly expressive.


    For a fleeting moment, Cordelia wondered if her future children would inherit his good looks. She hadn''t


    taken a good look at Ronan before, but now, with hopes and spections about her babies¡¯


    appearance, and knowing he was the father, Cordelia wanted to see if she could find any clues in his


    features.


    He had thick earlobes. Cordelia thought to herself how wonderful it would be if her children also had


    thick earlobes.


    "Will you stay with me tonight? If you do, all the contracts are yours. If this is how you want to close


    deals, who am I to stop you?" He pulled Cordelia closer, shifting her body towards him, but due to


    Cordelia''s swollen belly, her upper body was left hanging in the air, her chest appearing smaller in


    "Sure, I''ll stay. But not tonight, Mr. Evans. Pregnancy has left me perpetually tired. I''ve been out so long


    today, I''m exhausted. How about tomorrow? I''ll pick a nice ce," Cordelia suggested amicably. After


    all, Ronan was her golden goose. Just a flick of his wrist, and she would be rolling in dough.


    "Pick a ce?" Ronan''s intention was clear. His ce was the most suitable.


    "But it''s more exciting to do it outdoors, don''t you think?" Cordelia retorted.


    "Fine, contact me when you''ve picked a ce. Once you''ve slept with me, you''ll never have to worry


    about money ever again." With that, Ronan got up and left.


    He knew Cordelia wouldn''t let him drive her home tonight. She didn''t want him to know where she


    lived. But could she ever really escape him?

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    Chapter 235


    Cordelia watched as Ronan swaggered off, muttering jerk under her breath. He''d always been a crafty


    one, taking what he wanted without a second thought.


    Cordelia was exhausted. She sat in the karaoke bar for a while, listening to soothing music, before


    hailing a cab home.


    As she sat in the taxi, Cordelia couldn''t help but rey the memory of her mother''s fatal fall from a


    building. The sight of Ronan always stirred up a fury within her.


    Cordelia booked a luxury suite in a five-star hotel she found online, but she vowed to never get


    involved with Ronan again. If Ronan wanted to sleep with her, she might as well have yed him for a


    fool. As for the business deal, she figured it was entirely up to Ronan. If he wanted to give it to her, she


    would get it; if not, even sleeping with him wouldn¡¯t help.


    She sent a message to Ronan. [Tomorrow at 6 PM, Hilton Hotel, Room 4059.]


    His response was simple. [Okay.]


    On Cordelia''s phone, Ronan was still saved under the name "June." Whenever she saw "June," her


    mind would wander back to their sweet past moments. But she knew she shouldn''t get lost in the past.


    So, she changed Ronan''s contact name to ¡°Mr. Evans, Lumos Enterprises," a strictly professional title


    that implied a work rtionship.


    Ronan, on the other hand, felt a pang of sadness. She used to have sex with him because he liked it,


    and now she was doing it for the deal. How ironic!


    Cordelia sent another message to Deanna. [Tomorrow at 6 PM, Hilton Hotel, Room 4059. Ronan is


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    waiting for you. Don''t me me if you miss out.]


    She suspected that this trick would probably cost her the deal with Ronan. She had prepared herself


    for the worst, but at least she still had the twenty million he had given her.


    But the thought of her twins'' future education, buying a house made Cordelia feel anxious.


    Deanna was surprised when she received Cordelia''s message, thinking, ¡°Could it be a trapid by


    Cordelia?¡± She and Cordelia were never friends.


    She even sent a message to Ronan. [Ronan, what are you doing tomorrow at 6 PM?]


    Ronan, fresh out of the shower, drying his hair, immediately knew what Deanna was asking about. He


    also knew that Cordelia had told Deanna about the arrangement. He replied. [At the office!]


    Cordelia, that was a clever move!


    Ronan was certain that she wouldn''t show up the next day. During their time at the karaoke bar, Ronan


    had noticed the coldness in Cordelia''s eyes. Despite her constantughter and flirtatious smiles, her


    gaze was hostile and icy. It was the look of someone who wanted nothing more than to tear Ronan limb


    from limb!


    So, the next day, Ronan didn''t go. Instead, he called Cordelia and asked her toe to his office the


    day after tomorrow to collect the project materials. All thepanies had already delivered their


    materials to Lumos Enterprises.


    "Really?" Cordelia was in disbelief, as she was packing up her office.


    "Yes," Ronan confirmed.


    Could it be that Ronan, pleased with Deanna, decided to let bygones be bygones and give Cordelia the


    deal?


    However, getting business was the most important thing. Cordelia needed to be busy again, especially


    with the babies on the way and the need for baby form money.


    After hanging up on Ronan, Cordelia got ready to leave the office. Jamie was out on a business trip


    and wasn''t around. Cordelia, being pregnant, rarely took the stairs, even for just two floors. She always


    used the elevator. But this time, she had to take the stairs.


    The stairwell was dark and ominous. Cordelia held onto the handrail with caution, coughing


    asionally to activate the sensor light. She was afraid of idents. Being pregnant with twins at her


    stage meant that any ident could be dangerous for both her and the babies.


    But as Cordelia was descending the first flight of stairs, someone suddenly pushed her from behind.


    Cordelia let out a scream as she tumbled down the stairs. She was terrified, her head spinning from the


    fall, but she tried her best to protect her belly.


    She feared for her babies.


    As shey there, she couldn''t help but wonder who pushed her?

 Chapter 236

    Chapter 236


    Cordelia tumbled down the staircase. Her stomach and head were throbbing in a painful chorus. She


    tried to get up, but her body wouldn''t cooperate.


    Downstairs, Brenda had just finished her overtime shift when she heard a thud from the upper level.


    Curious, she went to investigate, only to find Cordelia sprawled at the bottom of the stairs, blood


    trickling from a cut on her forehead.


    Without wasting any time, Brenda dialed 911 and apanied Cordelia to the hospital. After a


    thorough examination, the doctor reassured them that it was only a severe shock, not a miscarriage.


    He patched up Cordelia''s forehead and advised her to stay in the hospital for a few days for


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    observation.


    Cordelia, weakened and pale, had a hunch about the person behind her fall. Brenda had previously


    told her about Manda, a woman who was always lurking around the office, refusing to leave even


    though she had been transferred to an dead-end position.


    "You gave me quite a scare. I''m just d I was workingte so that I could find you." Brenda was still


    visibly shaken.


    ¡°When did Manda leave the office yesterday?¡± Cordelia asked Brenda.


    Her question surprised Brenda. ¡°You think someone pushed you? Do you suspect Manda? But she left


    early that day.¡±


    Cordelia managed a weak smile. ¡°Never mind. I''m not using anyone.¡±


    She didn''t share her suspicions with Brenda, who already had a grudge against Manda. If Manda was


    indeed responsible for the intentional harm, Brenda would definitely not let her off the hook. Cordelia


    feared the situation could escte and be uncontroble.


    ¡°I¡¯ll check the security footage. If it was her, she won¡¯t get away with it,¡± Brenda stated.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother. There are no cameras in the stairwell. She must have nned it that way.¡± A cold shiver


    ran down Cordelia''s spine as she recalled the push from behind. Being pregnant didn''t seem to deter


    her assant. Would Deanna and Samantha have already made a move if they knew she was carrying


    Ronan''s babies?


    Their tactics would be far more dangerous, possibly even rendering her infertile. The thought sent chills


    down Cordelia¡¯s spine.


    She was lucky Brenda was working overtime this time, but what about next time? It seemed that the


    fact she was carrying Ronan''s babies had to remain a secret. You never could be too careful.


    ¡°Oh, by the way, are you free tomorrow?¡± Cordelia asked Brenda.


    ¡°If you need me, I''ll make time. What is it?¡±


    ¡°Ronan wants me to pick up some files from his office tomorrow. I can''t go in this condition. Could you


    do it for me? I think there will be a lot.¡± Cordelia was certain about this. Ronan had recently snagged


    more than a dozen contracts from First Enterprises, enough for their small firm to stay busy for an


    entire year.


    Brenda was taken aback. ¡°Ronan? For you?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Please hurry, I don¡¯t want anything to go wrong.¡±


    Cordelia fell asleep, her body too exhausted to stay awake. She missed her mother, who would have


    brought her chicken soup and listened to her worries. But her mother was gone forever.


    The next day, Brenda stood in Ronan''s office. Ronan nced behind her. "You''re alone? Where is


    she?"


    "Cordelia? She''s in the hospital," Brenda informed him. She eyed therge stack of files on Ronan''s


    desk, her eyes filled with envy.


    "Sick?" Ronan frowned. "What happened?"


    "She was pushed down the stairs when the elevator was out of service. I suspect it was Manda, you


    know, the one who''s always had a thing for Jamie. Probably because Cordelia is pregnant with Jamie¡¯s


    babies. She''s a bit unstable." Brenda pointed to her head.


    Ronan¡¯s expression darkened. Brenda suddenly realized that she probably shouldn''t have mentioned


    that Cordelia was pregnant with Jamie¡¯s babies. After all, Cordelia had quickly gotten pregnant by


    another man after their divorce, which could be a blow to Ronan¡¯s pride.


    ¡°Oh, Mr. Evans, I¡¯m sorry. I shouldn¡¯t have said that.¡± Brenda quickly added.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. Is she seriously hurt?¡± he asked.


    ¡°The doctor said she had a shock, and she needs to stay in the hospital for a few days. That''s why she


    asked me to pick up the files," Brenda exined.


    Ronan pondered for a moment. ¡°What hospital is she in?¡±


    ¡°Mercy Hospital, it''s near our office. Mr. Evans... are you going to visit her? She really is in the hospital.¡±


    Brenda was incredulous, wondering if Ronan doubted whether Cordelia was really injured or just using


    it as an excuse to avoid picking up the files.


    Considering that Cordelia had been the one to betray their marriage, Brenda couldn''t help but feel


    sympathy for Ronan.

 Chapter 237

    Chapter 237


    Ronan''s car arrived at the hospital. When he entered Cordelia''s room, she was still asleep. In her


    advanced stage of pregnancy, she could only sleep on her side, her hand cradling her belly. Tears were


    streaming down her face, her lips silently mouthing the word "Mom."


    She must have been missing her mother again.


    Ronan wiped away the tears from her cheeks. Just a light touch was enough to wake her up. She


    shrank back as if avoiding a gue.


    "Why are you here? Have you given the files to Brenda?" Cordelia asked Ronan. Her eyebrows tightly


    furrowed.


    "I did. Is the project all you care about?" Ronan asked casually, pulling up a chair to sit down.


    "All the people I could care about in this world are gone." Cordelia said mournfully. In other words,


    Ronan was not on her list of people to care about. Whether he lived or died didn''t matter to her.


    Being pregnant, Cordelia had to sleep on her side, but she didn''t want to be rude to Ronan, who had


    conversation with him.


    "Cordelia, how are you?" A worried voice came from the door.


    Cordelia opened her eyes to see Jamie standing at her bedside.


    "How are you?" Jamie instinctively grabbed one of Cordelia''s hands. "Why didn''t you tell me that


    something so big happened?"


    He had been out of town on a business trip and had rushed to the hospital straight from the airport.


    Jamie looked petrified.


    "I''m fine," Cordelia said with a smile.


    "What would I do if something happened to you? And the babies? You shouldn''t work anymore. I''ll take


    care of you," Jamie said, looking fretful.


    "You don''t need to. The project I got will keep our firm busy for a year. I''ll be careful in the future,"


    Cordelia said,ughing. Shepletely ignored Ronan''s expression.


    Ronan sat silently, his face ashen. At least from Cordelia and Jamie''s conversation, Ronan had learned


    a few things. Firstly, the children were indeed Jamie''s. Secondly, Cordelia had gone to great lengths to


    get the project from him. They were all for Jamie.


    And she had used a very harsh term, "us." She and Jamie were an "us."


    "Cordelia, don''t live alone in a rented ce anymore. Move in with me, my parents and the housemaid


    will take care of you. You''re so far along in your pregnancy, and I''m really worried about you living


    alone." Jamie said.


    If it had been before, Cordelia would have definitely refused, but after what happened with Manda,


    Cordelia realized she had to be more cautious. Manda would definitely n another attack until she


    managed to harm Cordelia''s babies. Living alone was indeed unsafe. Moreover, she was carrying


    twins, which was riskier than a normal pregnancy. She really needed someone to take care of her.


    Cordelia thought for a moment, then said, "Okay." She did it on purpose, in front of Ronan.


    "I gave you two houses for you to live in, not to look at." Ronan said, looking rather annoyed at


    Cordelia.


    "I don''t n on epting your billion dors or the two houses. I haven''t touched the money, and I


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    haven''t seen the houses, I don''t even know where they are," Cordelia said, looking at Ronan with a


    cold expression, her attitude contrasting greatly with the one she had towards Jamie.


    Ronan turned around and left, returning home. Ever since Barney left, his home had be quiet and


    empty. Before Barney came to Birchwood, his home had always been like this, and he had always lived


    alone. But having experienced such liveliness and then a sudden return to solitude was a big change.


    He called out De, and the ck cat jumped onto hisp. This "De" was so obedient, not like


    Cordelia.


    A few dayster, when Cordelia''s health improved, Jamie helped her terminate her lease and she


    moved into Jamie''s house. Jamie''s house was also a vi, not asrge as Pearl Palms, but it was


    cozier with more people. There were three maids in the house, as well as Jamie''s parents. Jamie had


    arranged for Cordelia to stay in thergest, sunniest room on the first floor.


    On Cordelia''s first day, the maids prepared delicious chicken soup for her. Compared to the cold


    solitude of living alone, this was much warmer.


    The person most nervous about her arrival was Jamie''s father, Thomas.

 Chapter 238

    Chapter 238


    Jamie was earnestly assuring Thomas and Ava that the children Cordelia was carrying were his, their


    own grandchildren. But the question of the babies¡¯ paternity was hotly debated in their circles. Some


    whispered they were the child of Cordelia''s ex-husband, while others imed they were Jamie''s.


    Even if the children were Jamie''s, Cordelia was, after all, Ronan''s ex-wife. Ronan had warned Thomas


    more than once about Jamie''s rtionship with Cordelia.


    "Did you let Ronan know that you invited Cordelia to our home?" Thomas had asked Jamie with


    concern when he first brought up the subject.


    "He knows. I told him to his face. He didn''t object," Jamie had responded.


    Still, Thomas found himself with pins and needles, feeling restless and uneasy. Ava, on the other hand,


    didn''t carry her husband''s worries. She was a woman of faith, believing in fate and karma. Moreover,


    she wasn''t much privy to her husband''s business dealings, let alone the grudges between him and


    Ronan. When Jamie had brought his pregnant wife home, expecting twins no less, Ava was overjoyed.


    Thus, Ava had greeted Cordelia with warmth and genuine hospitality.


    Living under the same roof and seeing each other daily, Thomas merely smiled awkwardly at Cordelia


    whenever their paths crossed, quickly making himself scarce afterwards.


    Ava was much more weing. Ava, being of the same age as Shelley, Cordelia''s mother, who had


    recently passed, became a source of emotional support for Cordelia. Their rtionship was fairly good.


    Jamie was still working on the orders he had received from Ronan. Cordelia''s way of securing these


    orders had initially upset Jamie, but he understood that she had the best interests of their business at


    heart.


    Cordelia didn''t work a regr job. Her work was done from home, and when she needed a break, she


    would take a stroll in the garden.


    One day, after lunch, both Cordelia and Ava decided to take a walk to aid digestion. As they were about


    to step out, a Maybach pulled up to Jamie''s mansion.


    Cordelia''s face darkened at the sight. It was Ronan''s car. Thankfully, it wasn''t Ronan who stepped out,


    but his chauffeur. The chauffeur carried arge bag of snacks towards Cordelia.


    "What is this about?" Cordelia asked with suspicion, not knowing what Ronan was up to.


    "Ah, Mr. Evans noticed that Ms. Haselwood enjoyed sour candies, so he collected a variety of tangy


    snacks for you. Where should I put them?" the chauffeur asked.


    The situation was extremely awkward for Cordelia, and Ava''s face had turned quite sour. After all, it


    wasn''t appropriate for a daughter-inw to be in close contact with her ex-husband.


    "Oh, we have plenty of snacks at home," Ava said dismissively. "You may take them back."


    "If I do, I''ll lose this month''s sry. So, where should I put them?" the driver asked again.


    "Give them to our housekeeper," Ava said curtly, clearly unhappy, before getting into the car with


    Cordelia.


    Cordelia thought to herself, Ronan was quite skilled at stirring the pot. This was only the first time, but


    there would surely be more toe.


    ...


    The Colby family''s chauffeur was Adrian. Jamie had repeatedly instructed him to ensure Cordelia''s


    safety.


    When Cordelia saw Adrian again, it was a stark reminder of how things had changed. Adrian was


    somewhat reserved, especially in front of Ava, and didn''t say much, leaving Cordelia in the dark about


    Adrian''s current circumstances.


    As Cordelia and Ava sat in the backseat, Ava held Cordelia''s hand and shared stories of Jamie''s


    childhood.


    Cordelia kept ncing at Adrian, who was also looking at her through the rearview mirror, somewhat


    distracted by their silent exchange.


    Winter had arrived in Millstone, and the trees were bare. asionally, fireworks would light up the sky,


    although it was hard to see in the bright daylight.


    Cordelia thought to herself, ¡°Time flies. In just a few weeks, it would be New Year''s again.¡±


    Last year, Ronan had been angry with her over a fireworks incident. This year, they were divorced.


    After a leisurely drive around the city, Adrian asked Ava, "Ma''am, why don''t you and Cordelia find a


    warm ce to walk and digest your meal? I''ll wait for you."


    "How about we go to the mall?" Ava suggested to Cordelia.


    "Sure, I don''t mind," Cordelia replied, her bellyrge and round. Ava helped her navigate.


    As they chatted andughed their way to the second floor of the mall, Cordelia spotted a logo. RC.


    A question formed in her mind, ¡°Could this be the brand she and Ronan had started?¡± Had he started


    the factory? Had it hit the market already?


    "Hey, this brand seems new. Shall we check it out?" Ava suggested.


    Since Cordelia was curious, too, they walked in. A sales associate greeted them warmly. It was a men''s


    brand, with truly exceptional fabric, smooth andfortable to the touch. Ava, being a wealthy woman,


    had seen many kinds of fabric, but even she acknowledged that this brand''s material was of the


    highest quality.


    "With the new year approaching, I want to buy some shirts for Thomas. They''re meant to be worn close


    to the skin, sofort is paramount," Ava said, running her fingers over the luxurious fabric.


    "Mmm," Cordelia replied, scanning the store for any sign of its manufacturer. She still wasn''t sure if the


    clothes were produced in Ronan''s factory.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

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    Chapter 239


    Ava caught Cordelia''sgged response as she kept staring at the tag on the shirt. Ava felt a touch of


    irritation, especially after Ronan''s recent actions as a driver.


    "Aren''t you going to buy some for Jamie?" Ava asked. "It''s holiday season, you know."


    "Huh?" Cordelia snapped back to reality.


    "You''re not going to buy your man some shirts? You''re living together." Ava reminded her.


    Hearing the term, "your man," Cordelia''s mind went straight to Ronan. But Ava was right. Jamie was


    taking care of her, housing her, and she hadn''t really thanked him for it. Since Ava had mentioned it,


    she thought, why not buy him a couple?


    "What size does Jamie wear?" Cordelia asked instinctively.


    "You''re carrying his children, and you don''t know his size?" Ava seemed surprised, but, as a forgiving


    person, she wouldn''t scold Cordelia. Still, she felt a little sorry for her child. "He''s a sizerge."


    "Oh." Cordelia, noticing Ava''s tone, quickly picked out two gray shirts for Jamie.


    By the time the two of them got home, it was nearly evening. Cordelia was tired and retreated to her


    room to rest.


    She received a message on Facebook from Adrian. [You should''ve stuck with Jamie from the start and


    saved us all the trouble. Ronan''s too ruthless, raised me up so high just to drop me so hard. I don''t


    know how I''m going to get through this year. It''s smarter to choose a man who loves you, than one you


    love."


    Cordelia didn''t respond. But for the first time, she thought her brother made some sense.


    Since their mom passed away, Adrian hadn''t really changed. And with his recent actions, she didn''t


    want to interfere. So, she never asked how Kendra lost her baby.


    Jamie came home. He lived upstairs, iming that it would be more convenient since Cordelia was


    pregnant.


    Cordelia called Jamie into her room. "I went shopping with Ava today and bought you two shirts. Try


    them on," she said.


    "For me?" Jamie''s eyes lit up.


    Cordelia suddenly remembered Adrian''s words. It''s smarter to choose a man who loves you, than one


    you love.


    "Yes, I thought of you when I saw them. And since it''s Christmas, and you''ve been a great help, you


    should try them on."


    Jamie took off his jacket in front of Cordelia, who turned away politely.


    "They fit perfectly. You have good taste, Cordelia," Jamie said, grinning like a child.


    "Good. It''ste. I''m going to rest now."


    As Jamie went upstairs, he felt anxious. Ronan had called him earlier, asking to talk. He was worried


    about what would happen, as Ronan was the biological father of the children.


    The next day, Jamie wore one of the new shirts Cordelia bought him to Velvet Cafe. Ronan had asked


    to meet him there.


    Ronan had just finished some tax-rted work with Emerson and asked Jamie to meet them.


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    "Mr. Evans, you wanted to see me?" Jamie asked, taking a seat opposite Ronan.


    It was mid-afternoon, and the cafe was nearly empty.


    "Yes," Ronan said, eyeing Jamie''s shirt. From the moment Jamie entered, Ronan had been staring at


    his shirt. His gaze was unsettling.


    "What''s up?" Jamie asked.


    "Take care of Cordelia. She''s staying at your ce," Ronan instructed.


    "No need to worry, Mr. Evans. She''s my girl and is carrying my children. I got this," Jamie retorted.


    "Did Cordelia buy you that shirt?" Ronan asked after a long pause.


    "Yes, it''s a gift. Do you like it, Mr. Evans?" Jamie asked with a hint of smugness.


    "She loves giving shirts as gifts. Let''s go." he signaled to Emerson.


    The two got up and left, leaving Jamie sitting there, realizing that Cordelia must have often bought


    shirts for Ronan in the past.


    In the car, Emerson kept stealing nces at Ronan, worried he might have been upset. Jamie''s words,


    "my girl, my children," had been sharp. Emerson could guess how upset Ronan must have been. After


    all, Cordelia had given away something that used to be unique to them.


    Emerson saw Ronan, eyes closed, expressionless. Soon, Ronan opened his eyes and started making


    calls.

 Chapter 240

    Chapter 240


    Ronan''s call was to the manager of RC. The factory had been up and running for a while now. He


    originally wanted to surprise Cordelia, but s, she had gone abroad, none the wiser.


    She had turned her attention elsewhere, opening up First Enterprises, disying an astonishing level


    of adaptability.


    "Ronan, this could easily alienate Cordelia, you know?" Emerson raised his concern after overhearing


    Ronan''s phone conversation.


    "She brought it upon herself." Ronan retorted, his gaze drifting towards the window. "No one forced her


    to give gifts to others."


    "But she...after all, she''s pregnant with twins. If something were to happen..." Emerson was evidently


    worried. "If she''s being ostracized, she definitely won''t have a good time at the Colby''s."


    "If she''s notfortable there, then she should move out."


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    Emerson thought to himself that making Cordelia move out would be Ronan''s real intention.


    Within a few days, RC adjusted their sales strategy, focusing on the brand''s story. On every clothing


    of the wife''s name is C. The story came from a promise made by the husband upon hearing his wife


    wished to no longer buy clothes from outside. He promised they would start a factory together, focusing


    on men''s fashion and essories, catering to wives who loved their husbands.


    This story yed across advertisements for almost half a month. It was heart-tugging, and RC''s sales


    skyrocketed.


    But Cordelia didn¡¯t buy any clothes, so she didn¡¯t know about it. However, Thomas loved the clothes.


    His wife, Ava, decided to buy him another piece. That''s how she came across the brand''s story. She


    even found the story quite romantic, asking the shop assistant, "What''s the name of your CEO?"


    "Ronan," the assistant replied.


    Ava remained silent for a long time. Ronan''s ex-wife was Cordelia. The first letter of Cordelia''s name


    was C, wasn¡¯t it?


    This fact was stuck in Ava''s mind. Even though it was a thing of the past, Ava found herself disliking


    Cordelia. After all, everyone on the streets now knew about her past rtionship with Ronan. How was


    Jamie supposed to cope?


    Even though Ava didn''t tell Jamie about it, Jamie still found out. RC''s advertisements had been


    everywhere recently. One day, while he was working on hisputer, an RC promo popped up in the


    bottom right corner of his screen.


    Jamie knew.


    Cordelia, busy with work every day, also knew. She was so angry that she felt a stomachache. She


    didn''t understand why Ronan was doing this to her.


    Jamie silently took off the shirt Cordelia had given him. The atmosphere in Jamie''s house suddenly


    turned icy. Despite this, Jamie still treated Cordelia kindly on the surface.


    Sometimes when he wanted to serve Cordelia food, Ava would say, "Eat your food, Jamie. Do you


    even know what Cordelia likes?"


    Cordelia could sense Ava''s change. Every time this happened, she would feel the destion of being


    at someone else''s mercy. She missed her mother more and more, and her hatred for Ronan grew.


    New Year''s Day was soon approaching.


    On this day, Jamie specifically asked Cordelia toe downstairs. He had set off many fireworks in the


    yard.


    Cordelia, covering her ears, couldn''t help but remember the fireworks she and Jamie had watched


    together in Rosevillest year.


    "Cordelia, do you want to watch fireworks with me every year?" Jamie asked Cordelia.


    Cordelia covered her ears, pretending not to hear anything, simply grinning at Jamie. Seeing Cordelia''s


    reaction, Jamie felt a little awkward. It seemed that Cordelia was not willing. But he thought there was


    plenty of time.


    She and Ronan''s brand, that was a thing of the past, right?


    Seeing the two of them so close made Thomas feel like his heart was being wed at. He had never


    wanted Cordelia to live in their house. He was polite to Cordelia on the surface, but he didn''t like her


    deep down. He wasn''t sure if the children were Jamie''s, and Jamie had such a promising future. How


    could he be with a divorced woman?


    Cordelia was better left untouched. He thought that Ronan was doing this to force the Colby family to


    drive Cordelia away.


    He was always cunning and proud, and even at such times, he aimed to make the Colby family beg


    him, which was why he used that advertisement.


    With trembling hands, Thomas called Ronan.


    "Mr. Evans, I have a favor to ask you. Cordelia doesn''t want to stay at our house anymore. I was


    wondering..."


    "Hmm, why doesn''t she want to stay?" Ronan replied in a calm and collected manner.


    "I''m not sure, maybe she doesn''t feelfortable living here."


    "In that case, shall I take her away?" Ronan suggested.


    "Uh, sure, sure," Thomas responded enthusiastically.


    "When?" Ronan asked.


    "In the afternoon. Preferably before my sones home," Thomas replied.


    "Alright."


    In the afternoon, Cordelia finished her day''s work in her bedroom and was about to go for a stroll in the


    park when she saw Ronan entering the Colby''s house.


    The two encountered each other in the foyer. She was taken aback, surprised, and even a little


    panicked, unsure why he had suddenlye to the Colby''s.


    Ronan also looked at Cordelia. Her belly had gotten bigger, and there was a hint of fatigue on her face,


    making her look morenguidly sexy.


    The moment Cordelia saw Ronan, she found it hard to breathe, as if instinctively, her whole body


    pressed against the wall. Ronan ignored her and walked straight into the living room.


    Thomas had alreadye out of his room. "Mr. Evans, what a rare visitor, your presence truly graces


    our humble home." He greeted Ronan. He also sneaked a nce at Cordelia.


    "Cordelia, don''t leave just yet," Thomas beckoned her back with a wave of his hand.


    Then, he ingratiatingly exined to Ronan, "She likes to take a walk in the park after a hard day''s


    work."


    "Is that so?" Ronan was lounging on the couch.


    From Cordelia''s vantage point, she could only see his strikingly handsome silhouette. Even his


    silhouette seemed nonchnt and free-spirited, emanating an enduring aura that was impossible to


    ignore. Yet it was this man who had cunningly persuaded Cordelia to move out from the very


    beginning, starting with the sweet gesture of gifting her snacks to revealing the brand story of his


    It seemed like the better Cordelia''s life was, the more he suffered.

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    Chapter 241


    Thomas asked the housemaid to brew a cup of coffee. "Mr. Evans, care for a cup of joe?" Thomas


    addressed him, "The thing is, Cordelia isn''t happy living with us, and we''re at our wit''s end. We don''t


    know what to do."


    "I''ll take her in." Ronan responded.


    Just as Cordelia had suspected, her recent cold treatment from the Colby family was Ronan''s doing.


    He was ying the good guy, ready to take Cordelia in. It was as if she was a student who had caused


    trouble at school, and Ronan, her guardian, and the teacher were asking him to take her home.


    But Cordelia''s parents were no more.


    Ronan was setting a trap for her. At this moment, Cordelia couldn''t say a word, she could only stare at


    Ronan, her eyes filled with defiance. She didn''t want to create a scene in front of Thomas. That would


    be far too embarrassing.


    "Alright then, I''ll go pack her things," Thomas said without asking for Cordelia''s opinion and walked into


    her room.


    Cordelia thought to herself, ¡°I''m indeed unwee in the Colby family. Thomas didn''t even bother to


    consult me before packing up my stuff.¡±


    "It¡¯s okay. I''ll do it myself," Cordelia said, quickly gathering her belongings. Ronan stepped in, helping


    Cordelia to pack.


    About five minutester, Cordelia and her belongings were in Ronan''s car.


    Ronan started the car. "I''m not going back to Pearl Palms," Cordelia said, a hint of anger in her voice.


    She had experienced the loneliness of Pearl Palms. Although it had been some time since Barney and


    her mother had left, the New Year was approaching. She would be reminded of thest New Year when


    her mom and Barney were still around. Now being pregnant, her emotions were on a roller coaster, and


    memories easily triggered her.


    "No, we won''t," he replied.


    Cordelia breathed a sigh of relief. As long as she didn''t have to go back to Pearl Palms, she was


    content. She didn''t want to live with him.


    "Then where?" she asked.


    "You''ll know when we get there," Ronan replied indifferently.


    "I have a few demands."


    "Go on."


    "Don''t let Deanna and Samantha know where I''m living. I know you''re close to Deanna. I''ll return your


    one billion, so consider it a plea from me," Cordelia said, recalling the time when Manda pushed her


    down the stairs. She was lucky her babies was unharmed, but she didn''t want to risk it again.


    Ronan furrowed his brows.


    "Is it okay?" Cordelia asked, noticing that he hadn''t responded.


    "Okay."


    Cordelia finally let out a sigh of relief.


    Ronan drove towards Garden Estates, one of Millstone''s luxuriousmunities.


    Cordelia remembered seeing ''Garden Estates'' in a message from Ronan''s assistant. It was one of the


    properties Ronan had given her in the divorce settlement.


    "Eighteenth floor?" Cordelia checked her phone, confirming the location of the apartment.


    "Yes," Ronan replied while carrying Cordelia''s suitcase.


    Cordelia struggled to climb the steps from the ground floor to the first floor due to herrge belly. Ronan


    extended his hand to help her, but Cordelia pretended not to notice and used her hands to support


    herself as she climbed. Ronan didn''t say anything, but his brows furrowed.


    The elevator was empty except for the two of them. Neither spoke.


    Cordelia eyed the elevator, its opulence hinting at the grandeur of the building. He certainly had an ace


    up his sleeve.


    When the elevator reached the eighteenth floor, Ronan opened the door to apartment 1802. Cordelia


    was taken aback by the size and luxury of the t. Janice emerged from the kitchen, having been


    cleaning.


    "Janice?" Cordelia was pleased to see a familiar face. "What are you doing here?"


    "Mr. Evans sent me to take care of you," Janice exined. Seeing Cordelia''s pregnant belly, she


    added, "I told youst time you were pregnant, didn''t I? And look, it''s twins." Despite the rumors that


    Cordelia''s babies was Jamie''s, Janice firmly believed the babies belonged to Mr. Evans. So, taking


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    care of Cordelia wasn''t a burden for her.


    Cordelia gave a small smile.


    Her bedroom was thergest, sunlit room. The Colby family''s vi didn''t have as much natural light.


    Living here felt morefortable. There was another sunlit bedroom, neatly made up, looking as if it


    was upied.


    "Janice, is this your room?" Cordelia asked, pointing to the room.


    "That''s my room!" Ronan interjected abruptly.

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    Chapter 242


    Ronan carried Cordelia''s suitcases to her room before he took a seat on the soft and plush couch.


    "Ma''am, my room is over there," Janice pointed out to a room shaded in twilight.


    "Do you have a problem with my room?" Ronan asked Cordelia, his gaze fixed on her.


    Cordelia was momentarily speechless. Although the house was in her name, she hadn''t paid a dime for


    it. "No objections," she finally managed to say.


    "Janice will be responsible for cooking. Try to stay upstairs as much as you can," Ronan instructed. "If


    you need anything and feel ufortable asking me, ask Janice."


    "The children aren''t yours. You don''t have to go through all this trouble!" Cordelia burst out.


    Cordelia remained standing by the entrance, where she could see Ronan''s profile. She noticed a vein


    throb on his temple.


    "Ma''am, why pick a quarrel with Mr. Evans? It does you no good to irritate him,¡± Janice tried to mediate.


    "Also, we''re divorced now. You don''t have to call me ''ma''am'' anymore," Cordelia said to Janice.


    "Well..." Janice was in a tight spot.


    "Just call her Cordelia!" Ronan threw out coldly before he got up from the couch and went to his room


    to change.


    Cordelia also retreated to her room. After she had roughly tidied up, she pulled out her diary. The diary


    she used to hand in daily was now hers to keep. She felt liberated, writing freely.


    She jotted down the rollercoaster of events that had urred recently. She could lie to Ronan, but she


    couldn''t deceive herself in the future. Her diary was a truthful record of her life. She locked her diary in


    the drawer of her desk after writing.


    Next door, in Ronan''s room, he was scanning a pile of photocopied pages. They were entries from


    Cordelia''s old diary.


    Ronan had figured that if Cordelia knew he was reading her diary, she wouldn''t write honestly. So, he


    had his assistant photocopy her diary daily, paying careful attention to her small traps, like a hair or a


    bookmark that marked her ce. Her diary was full of harsh words for him, scoundrel, bastard, and


    more. Unfortunately, he wouldn''t have her diary to read anymore.


    ...


    Cordelia couldn''t sleep well that night, waking up frequently and feeling drowsy during the day. Her


    biological clock was in chaos. After writing in her diary, she crawled into bed and turned off the lights. In


    her drowsy state, she thought she heard noises. Voices from the living room. Ronan''s voice.


    "Did you get rid of her child?"


    "Did she have any resentment towards you for getting rid of her child? If not, what are you afraid of?"


    Cordelia''s heart leapt into her throat. She feared that Ronan was nning to abort her babies.


    She broke out into a cold sweat. He had every reason to terminate her pregnancy, knowing the children


    weren''t his. It was unthinkable that Ronan would raise another man''s children. So, this was why he had


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    brought her here!


    Should she tell him the truth?


    Just when Cordelia was at a loss, her phone rang several times. It was Jamie.


    "Cordelia, where are you? Tell me," Jamie said.


    Cordelia quickly sent him the location of the house.


    "Are youing over?" Cordelia asked Jamie.


    "Yes, I''m worried about you. I''ming to check on you."


    Cordelia sent him a simple reply. [Okay.]


    Cordelia knew that if she were alone in the house, Ronan would have free reign. But if there were more


    people, it would be different. She hoped Jamie would arrive soon.


    When Cordelia opened the door, Ronan had just hung up his phone call. She decided to wait outside


    for Jamie, knowing that Ronan might not let him in.


    "Awake?" Ronan asked her when he saw here out.


    "Yeah, I''ve been having trouble sleepingtely," Cordelia replied, her body still feeling cold from the


    sweat that had dried on her skin, her hair damp. She sat down next to Ronan on the couch.


    Noticing her damp hair, Ronan asked, "Why are you sweating so much?"


    "Oh, it''s nothing. Probably had a nightmare," Cordelia lied. She reckoned that it would take Jamie


    about half an hour to reach her.


    That half-hour was torturous for her. She was afraid that something might happen. No one could


    escape Ronan''s ruthlessness.

 Chapter 243

    Chapter 243


    The Colby family.


    When Thomas saw Jamie grabbing his car keys to leave, he had the housekeeper stop him.


    "At this ungodly hour, where are you off to? Don''t you have any sense at all? She''s another man''s


    woman," Thomas raged.


    "They''re divorced now. Their marriage wasn''t exactly a fairy tale, to begin with," Jamie responded,


    hastening to put on his coat. He had a gut feeling that something was wrong with Cordelia, otherwise,


    she wouldn''t have sent a single text saying "Okay" in the middle of the night. "Why did you make her


    move out? Why can''t you tolerate her presence?"


    "Jamie, is this how you talk to your old man? She''s another man''s woman, and the kid she''s carrying


    may not be yours. What''s your rush? If the children aren''t Ronan''s, why would he take Cordelia back?


    She was all too happy when she was packing up. It''s a spat between a husband and wife. Why are you


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    acting like a jester in the middle of it? Don''t you feel embarrassed?" Thomas was utterly disappointed


    in Jamie.


    Jamie was left speechless by the counterargument.


    Being a young man in his prime, he was naturally stronger than the housekeeper. He quickly got in his


    car and headed straight for Cordelia''s ce. Half an hourter, Jamie arrived at Cordelia''s doorstep


    and rang the doorbell.


    Upon hearing the doorbell, Cordelia sprang from the couch to answer it. Seeing Jamie at the door, her


    heart finally settled.


    Ronan initially wondered who the first visitor to their new home could be. But when he saw Jamie, it all


    made sense. No need to ask, it was Cordelia who told him where they lived.


    Cordelia had been sitting there not for idle chatter with him but waiting for Jamie. She was afraid that if


    the person at the door was him, he would turn Jamie away. Such foresight!


    "You''re here?" Cordelia asked, relieved.


    "Yes, are you okay?" Jamie looked over Cordelia, relieved to see her unharmed. He followed Cordelia


    inside.


    Ronan, sitting in the living room, kept an eye on the entrance.


    "Oh, Jamie and I need to talk," Cordelia said to Ronan, then pulled Jamie into her room.


    She was terrified, and only now could her heart settle. "I was so scared, really scared," Cordelia


    confessed, patting her chest.


    "What happened?" Jamie asked.


    Cordelia quietly told Jamie what had happened earlier, her fear that Ronan would harm her babies.


    "Do you think I should tell him the children are his?" Cordelia asked Jamie.


    Jamie thought for a moment, then said, "I think it might not be about you, probably about Kendra."


    "Kendra?" Cordelia was surprised. "What does Kendra have to do with this?"


    "I overheard my dad on the phone the other day. It seems like Kendra''s child was aborted by someone


    Ronan hired. Maybe it''s about his father''s business," Jamie whispered to Cordelia.


    Cordelia immediately sat down on her bed, her gaze lost. She didn''t like Kendra, that was true, and she


    despised her brother before. But learning about his act of aborting someone else''s child, she felt it was


    too cruel. As a soon-to-be mother, Cordelia couldn''t bear to hear such things; she was terrified of him.


    She didn''t want to tell Jamie about the babies anymore, so she changed the subject to work matters.


    Jamie said it was the end of the year, and they were busy with a lot of things. Cordelia was pregnant,


    and he was in the process of hiring a new ountant. "What are the requirements for the new


    ountants?" Cordelia asked Jamie.


    "At least a master''s degree, with a CPA certificate," Jamie said, sitting by Cordelia''s writing desk.


    "Looks like with my qualifications, I wouldn''t even be considered," Cordelia joked, but she felt a tinge of


    bitterness. There were plenty of people with her qualifications. Although she was capable, she didn''t


    have much work experience and only held a bachelor''s degree.


    "Can youpare? There are many highly educated talents who still have to work for the rich kids."


    Jamieforted Cordelia.


    Cordelia chuckled again. She looked at the time on her phone and was shocked to see that it was


    already one in the morning. She had been chatting with Jamie for two hours. "Oh, it''s sote. I''ve kept


    you too long," Cordelia said, guilt-ridden.


    "Don''t worry, it''s your first day in your new home. It''s only right for me to check on you," Jamie casually


    spun a pen that Cordelia had left on the writing desk.


    Cordelia was using this pen to write in her diary earlier.


    "That''s it, it''ste. I won''t keep you any longer," Cordelia said. "You''ve dispelled my doubts."


    "I hope you don''t have any more," Jamie said.


    Cordelia lowered her head. She was indeed more worried because of Ronan''s character. He was too


    ruthless.


    "Oh, and remember, don''t tell my brother about this," Cordelia cautioned Jamie.


    Jamie looked deep into Cordelia''s eyes. "Why shouldn''t I tell your brother? Are you afraid he''ll seek


    revenge on Ronan? Afraid to bring trouble to Ronan?"


    Cordelia took a step back. It was an instinctual reaction, she hadn''t thought any deeper. "I didn''t think


    much about it, and you shouldn''t either," Cordelia hastily said.


    Jamie fell silent for a moment. "Cordelia, don''t you know that instinctual reactions are the most genuine


    emotions?"


    Cordelia was stunned. Her lips trembled, but she couldn''t utter a single word.


    "I should go now." With that, Jamie opened the door to Cordelia''s room and left.

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    Chapter 244


    Jamie exited Cordelia''s bedroom, finding Ronan still perched where he''d left him, puffing on a cigar.


    "Leaving so soon?" Ronan asked, a smirk curling his lips. "Not sticking around for more chit-chat?" The


    way he said ''chit-chat,'' so pointed, it struck a nerve in Jamie. Was Ronan suggesting something more?


    "Indeed, farewell, Mr. Evans." And with that, Jamie was out the door.


    Cordelia remained in her room, feeling a chill creep up her spine that made her head spin. She was


    about to lock herself in for a good night''s sleep when she saw Ronan, standing outside her door, about


    to push it open.


    Memories of how he''d forced Kendra to abort rushed to her mind, sending a shiver down her spine.


    She was constantly afraid for her own unborn children.


    In the past, she''d only known a fraction of who Ronan really was, just the tip of the iceberg.


    "Do...do you need something?" Cordelia asked, her voice trembling. Tonight''s events had left her pale


    as a ghost.


    "What''s wrong?" he asked.


    "Me? Nothing, just feeling a bit cold."


    "Cold?" Ronan took her hand, icy to the touch. Her hair was damp from her earlier venture into the


    living room.


    "Lie down!" hemanded, a hint of concern lining his forehead.


    Cordelia, with her twins, didn''t have the option of defiance, so she obediently slipped under the covers,


    trembling all over.


    Ronan piled on more nkets and ced warm towels on her forehead. Then, he made a call,


    standing by the window, his free hand in his pocket.


    "She''s probably caught a chill. I need you toe over."


    "I''ll text you the new address."


    "Bring some of your remedies."


    Cordelia drifted off to sleep in her daze. In her dreams, she was encased in ice, gradually warming up


    by a bonfire.


    She was roused by the murmur of hushed conversation. Her mouth was dry and bitter, and she felt


    miserable all over.


    "Is she okay?" It was Ronan''s voice.


    "A normal person would be fine, but since she''s pregnant, we can''t give hermon cold medicine.


    Fortunately, I brought plenty of herbal remedies. Brew her some." The other voice was gentle, probably


    a man in his sixties.


    "Dr. Krueger, this is Cordelia." Ronan introduced the old man as he noticed Cordelia stirring.


    "Dr. Krueger, nice to meet you." Cordelia''s voice was hoarse.


    "Mr. Evans, you go start the tea," Dr. Krueger directed.


    Cordelia kept her wary eyes on Ronan. She was terrified of him brewing her medicine. If anything


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    happened to her pregnancy, not only would she be at risk of infertility, but potentially face life-


    threatening health issues. Given how far along she was, she was determined to protect her babies at


    all costs. She had already given up on her graduate studies abroad for them.


    "Rest well, you''ll feel better after a good sweat." Dr. Krueger advised, scribbling out a couple more


    prescriptions for her. He handed them to Cordelia, bid Ronan goodbye in the kitchen, and left.


    About half an hourter, Ronan walked in with a bowl of brewed medicine. Cordelia''s heart pounded in


    her chest as Ronan handed the bowl to her. She swallowed hard, her gaze fixed on the bowl.


    "What are you afraid of?" he asked.

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    Ronan had been holding the brewed medicine, and Cordelia was staring at the cup as if in a trance.


    "What would I have done to resort to such desperate measures?" he asked Cordelia.


    Caught off guard by Ronan''s prating question, Cordelia suddenly felt her face flush. If he hadn''t


    resorted to desperate measures but indeed had personally made the herbal tea for her, she should be


    grateful.


    "Thank you." Cordelia finally let out a sigh of relief and started drinking the medicine.


    Ronan watched her until she finished thest sip. "Sleep now." He took the cup from her and turned off


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    the light for her.


    Cordelia heard him go to the kitchen before returning to the room next door. Only then did she fall


    asleep. Perhaps the medicine Dr. Krueger prescribed to her contained a sleep aid because she fell


    asleep quickly.


    When she woke up, she felt much lighter.


    Cordelia immediately felt her stomach, which seemed normal. Then, she sent the two prescriptions Dr.


    Krueger had given her to Victoria, asking her to check if there was anything unusual about them.


    Victoria didn''t respond immediately, possibly busy with work or consulting a coworker. She was


    studying obstetrics and gynecology, so she might not have understood this herbal medicine.


    Cordelia took her phone to the dining table.


    Ronan hadn''t gone to work. He was sitting at the table, probably having just woken up. As soon as


    Cordelia sat down, he put his hand on her forehead. His hand was warm, and Cordelia felt a tingling


    sensation all over her body when he touched her. "No fever," he mumbled to himself.


    "Hmm."


    "Did you sweatst night after taking the medicine?" he asked casually while eating a dumpling.


    "Uh-huh, it''s almost all better now." Although Cordelia felt better, she felt weak and shaky. Her hand


    trembled as she picked up a sausage. The sausages were so small. At this moment, Ronan picked up


    a sausage for her and ced it on the small te in front of her.


    Cordelia was a bit startled. A warm feeling surged from her heart, but then she thought of her mother,


    Adrian''s plight, and Kendra''s dead child, all thanks to this man.


    "Where''s Janice?" Cordelia asked Ronan while eating her sausage.


    "She went out to get your medicine."


    Cordelia continued eating her sausage and sipping her cereal. Her phone buzzed a few times. Cordelia


    didn''t react at first, lost in her thoughts.


    Ronan only nced at it, and the content on Cordelia''s phone screen entered his sight. The sender


    was Victoria. [Cordelia, I asked an experienced herbal medicine practitioner at our hospital. He said


    these are all herbal medicines for treating colds and flu, and whoever prescribed them was very careful


    they do not harm pregnant women. You should be safe.]


    Cordelia suddenly remembered that it might have been a message from Victoria. By the time she


    looked at her phone, she found that Ronan had already seen it. He might not have been able to read


    the entire content from the phone''s screen, but being as smart as he was, he certainly guessed it. She


    looked awkward and extremely embarrassed.


    "If you continue to be so paranoid, be careful I might really abort your babies!" Ronan growled.


    Cordelia shuddered at his words. It seemed like he could read her thoughts like an open book. Living


    with him, she felt constantly on edge. Cordelia thought many times to tell him the truth to avoid the


    constant worry, but thinking of her mother''s death, she couldn''t reconcile with it.


    Janice returned, breaking the tense atmosphere between them. "Cordelia, I''ll go prepare your


    medicine," Janice said cheerfully before heading into the kitchen.


    Cordelia felt cooped up at home all day. Ronan was also often home, keeping her constantly on edge,


    which wasn''t good for the twins in her womb.


    Cordelia wanted to go out, but she was afraid of a repeat incident like when Manda pushed her. If she


    fell and hurt herself, it could be catastrophic. After all, she was carrying twins and was much heavier


    than usual.


    "Can you get me a car and a driver?" After some thought, Cordelia made a request to Ronan.


    "nning to go out?" Ronan asked her.


    "Not just today, but in the future. I can''t stay cooped up here twenty-four hours a day, can I? I have


    work to do too." Cordelia responded.


    Ronan looked her up and down, his gazending on her belly. Then he drawled, "Are you very worried


    about these two babies?"

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    Ronan''s gaze bore into Cordelia after he finished speaking.


    "Of course I''m worried. They are my children." she finally said after a pause.


    "Aren''t you supposed to be scared of me? Why are you even asking me for help if you are?" Ronan


    shot back at Cordelia.


    "Well, if I''m carrying Jamie''s children, why did you bring me here to live with you?" Cordelia retorted.


    "Maybe I''m a bit twisted. I don''t like the idea of someone who once belonged to me bing someone


    else''s," he replied nonchntly. "Besides, I''ve always found him... irritating."


    He seemed not only unbothered by his own self-proimed twistedness, but also proud, as if saying,


    "I''m rich, and I can do whatever I want. What are you going to do about it?"


    "If you don''t provide me with a driver and a car, and something happens to me under your care, the


    entire town of Millstone will condemn you," Cordelia said, appearing quite righteous.


    Ronan simplyughed off herment. "Do you think I''m scared?"


    "I know you''re scared of nothing."


    Probably not wanting to argue with Cordelia any further, Ronan said, "I''ll get you a BMW. Your driver


    will report in the afternoon. Janice will apany you when you go out. Now, I have to go to work."


    "Alright. Thank you," Cordelia politely responded.


    Ronan, who was about to leave, suddenly turned around and gently lifted Cordelia''s chin. His eyes


    were icy. "Don''t mention it." His tone was thick with sarcasm.


    After he left, the tension in the room eased up.


    Cordelia breathed a sigh of relief and began to check her phone.


    Jamie had created a group chat titled "First Enterprises Project Group" which consisted of Jamie,


    Cordelia, and ten other members. These ten individuals were all postgraduates and certified CPAs,


    making Cordelia, a mere undergraduate, feel a bit embarrassed assigning them tasks.


    As a startup, First Enterprises was full of energy. Every day, members shared updates on new projects,


    their progress, andpleted tasks in the group chat.


    [Oh, I''ve been with thepany for over a month now and have alreadypleted three projects


    independently. How many has Cordeliapleted? Also, I haven''t met her yet,] Marian, one of the


    group members, said.


    Cordelia had not been to the office since the incident with Manda and had not yet met Marian. Marian


    soon retracted herment, but Cordelia had seen it and felt a bit uneasy.


    In a private message, Jamie sent Cordelia a list of potential projects.


    [Cordelia, I''vepiled this list. If you have time, try to secure one or two of these projects and


    [Sure,] Cordelia replied.


    [Remember to take care of yourself and only take on what you can handle.]


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    [Okay.]


    Cordelia knew why Jamie was assigning her this task. Some of the postgraduate employees were


    skeptical of her leadership abilities as an undergraduate. She had just passed her CPA exams that


    year, which meant that in mostpanies, she would be an intern. Moreover, Cordelia hadn''t invested


    any capital in the firm. Her capabilities were not enough tomand respect. Cordelia vowed to


    secure several high-profile projects to boost her credibility.


    She spent the afternoon in her room making phone calls to twopanies, GreenPeace Enterprises


    and PrimeBuild Contractors.


    After reviewing their profiles, Cordelia concluded that GreenPeace Enterprises was rtively small and


    likely easier to work with. As for PrimeBuild Contractors, thepany''s leadership structure was not


    very clear, and it was a medium-sized enterprise, which might have posed some challenges.


    At three in the afternoon, the driver that Ronan arranged for Cordelia arrived. Her name was Tristi. It


    was rare to see a woman driver for executives, and Cordelia was surprised at Ronan''s arrangement.


    "Mrs. Evans, I''ll be your driver from now on. Here are my phone number and Messenger ount. If


    you need anything, just let me know. Your car is a sapphire blue BMW 7 series. I''ve taken a picture for


    you to see," Tristi said.


    Indeed, Tristi was a woman driver and very meticulous. Cordelia had no issuesmunicating with


    her.


    "Tomorrow, I need to go to GreenPeace Enterprises and PrimeBuild Contractors. I''ll send you the


    locations tonight," Cordelia said.


    After checking in, Tristi left.


    Cordelia continued reviewing her past projects until six when she heard the front door open and the


    sound of Ronan and Janice talking.


    "Did she take her medication?" Ronan asked Janice.


    "Yes, she did. Shall we have dinner?"


    As Cordelia was intently listening to their conversation, her room door was opened. Ronan, holding the


    doorknob of Cordelia''s room, said, "Come out for dinner."

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    Chapter 247


    Cordelia blinked, then stepped out.


    Janice had prepared a feast today - a hearty pot roast, beef meatballs and a few deliciously saut¨¦ed


    greens.


    ¡°Oh, this is amazing. I haven''t had such a feast in a long time,¡± Cordelia said delightedly to Janice.


    ¡°Really? They don''t feed you well at their house?¡± Ronan asked in a mocking tone.


    Cordelia was left speechless by his retort, and simply continued eating. After a while, Cordelia spoke


    up, ¡°I¡¯m nning to visit GreenPeace Enterprises and PrimeBuild Contractors tomorrow. I¡¯ve informed


    Tristi. Just thought I should let you know.¡± After all, the car and the driver were his, so it was only right


    that she should keep him informed of her ns.


    ¡°Hmm,¡± Ronan replied nonchntly. ¡°Let Janice apany you.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Cordelia agreed.


    After dinner, Cordelia retired to her room to write in her diary and then went to bed.


    Just as she settled in, she received a message from Brenda. [Cordelia, did you know that Manda got


    arrested for corporate espionage?]


    [What? I thought she was an administrator?] Cordelia sat up in shock.


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    [Exactly, I¡¯m just as baffled. I don¡¯t know how she got herself involved in corporate espionage. She


    might have crossed the wrong person.] Brenda replied.


    Cordeliaid back down, a vague thought crossing her mind. Could it be Ronan? But Manda hadn¡¯t


    crossed paths with Ronantely!


    Whenever something shocking and inexplicable happened, Cordelia¡¯s mind would always turn to


    Ronan. After all, he was a force to be reckoned with, and crossing him could be deadly.


    By the time she woke up, it was already nine in the morning and Ronan had already left.


    Janice had left breakfast for Cordelia. Perhaps it was Shelley''s sudden absence, but Cordelia found


    herself feeling quite fond of middle-aged women. Cordelia and Janice¡¯s rtionship had grown


    remarkably close.


    After breakfast, Tristi sent Cordelia a message saying that she was waiting downstairs.


    Janice helped Cordelia to the car.


    Getting out of the house was good for a change of scenery and to clear the mind, rather than staying


    cooped up at home all the time. Tristi, being a thoughtful driver, chose a very scenic route for Cordelia.


    For instance, to get to GreenPeace Enterprises, she took Cordelia along the canal route, where the


    winter sun sparkled on the surface of the water. Cordelia felt her spirits lift.


    ¡°Feeling better?¡± Janice asked, gauging Cordelia¡¯s expression.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Cordelia said with a smile, her face reminiscent of a child who had just received a candy.


    Because she was in a good mood, Cordelia''s meeting with GreenPeace Enterprises went well. Plus,


    since GreenPeace Enterprises was a smallpany, the leaders immediately agreed to give Cordelia


    the project. Cordelia was overjoyed.


    After grabbing a quick lunch with Janice, Cordelia headed to PrimeBuild Contractors. Whenever she


    went to discuss a project, she would usually ask Janice to wait for her in the lobby while she went up.


    The CFO of PrimeBuild Contractors, a man in his forties named Hunter, frowned when he saw


    Cordelia, a young woman with a visible baby bump. ¡°You¡¯re the partner at First Enterprises, Ms.


    Haselwood? You¡¯re very young. How many years of experience do you have?¡± Hunter¡¯s disdain was


    evident.


    Cordelia understood that he was skeptical of her youth andck of experience. ¡°Two years,¡± Cordelia


    replied. Including her internship, she had only been working for two years.


    ¡°Two years?¡± Hunter looked even more disdainful. ¡°You became a partner in two years? PrimeBuild


    Contractors is arge corporation. How can we entrust our finances to a newbie like you? Do you


    realize that financial matters need to be handled with utmost caution?¡±


    ¡°I realize that. In my previous projects¡­¡± Cordelia began, intending to talk about her wless record in


    past projects.


    But Hunter didn¡¯t give her the chance to speak. ¡°What¡¯s your educational background?¡± Hunter


    interrupted.


    Cordelia swallowed, ¡°Bachelor¡¯s degree.¡±


    ¡°Bachelor¡¯s degree? From your looks, you¡¯re about to give birth, right? You spent your study years


    dating, and you''re ready to have a babies after graduation. How can I trust you? Ms. Haselwood, you


    should go back.¡± Saying this, Hunter walked away.


    Cordelia sat there for a long time, calming her emotions. Being a partner not only meant doing her own


    work, but also finding projects. Finding projects was exhausting, but if she couldn''t handle these small


    setbacks, her colleagues would think she was incapable. Everyone was criticizing her education and


    saying she got her position due to her rtionship with Jamie.


    Working at Lumos Enterprises now seemed to be truly her mostfortable time. But one couldn''t stay


    in theirfort zone forever.

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    Chapter 248


    Exiting PrimeBuild Contractors, Cordelia''s mood took a nosedive.


    It was barely three in the afternoon when they pulled up near her home.


    "Let''s grab a drink," Cordelia suggested, spotting a Starbucks near the entrance of their residential


    area. She turned to herpanion, Janice.


    The two of them got out of the car.


    After ordering Cordelia a steaming hot milk, Janice ushered her to a seat by the window. "Sit tight,


    Cordelia. I''m heading over to the farmer''s market to pick up some groceries. Don''t wander off, alright?"


    With that, Janice was off.


    Stirring her milk, Cordelia couldn''t hide the fatigue in her eyes. Being questioned by Hunter had


    knocked her off bnce. Resting her forehead in her hand, she looked forlorn and somewhat stubborn.


    She knew it wasn''t just Hunter who doubted her. The voices questioning her in thepany chat still


    rang in her ears. Those words probably echoed the thoughts of her colleagues.


    Ronan finished work and drove to Starbucks.


    "Isn''t that your wife in the caf¨¦?" Emerson, sitting next to Ronan, asked.


    "Yes, it is," Ronan confirmed.


    "What''s happened?" Emerson noticed Cordelia''s hand on her forehead and the listless stirring of her


    drink. She seemed exceptionally downcast.


    "No idea. Let''s go," Ronan instructed the driver. The car drove straight into the residential area.


    Cordelia finished her milk, trying to pull herself together. She recalled how her application to Lumos


    Enterprises Audit Department had been rejected by HR but approaching Wyatt directly had yielded a


    different oue.


    Brooklyn''s words resonated with her. "It''s easier to deal with the devil you know than the devil you


    don''t."


    Cordelia found the number of the PrimeBuild Contractors'' Chairman, Will, online and dialed it straight


    away. He imed to be very busy and told Cordelia to bring her matters to Hunter. Cordelia didn''t


    mention her unsessful encounter with Hunter.


    Hearing the phone line disconnect, Cordelia felt even more disheartened. To Will, she was just another


    salesperson from a small firm, a nuisance as most bosses would view it.


    Before Cordelia could finish her milk, Janice returned.


    "Let''s go," Cordelia said.


    "But you haven''t finished your milk, Cordelia," Janice observed. There was still more than half left in the


    cup.


    "Forget it. I''m not in the mood."


    Upon arriving home, Cordelia was surprised to see Emerson there. She didn¡¯t know when Ronan had


    gotten off work.


    Janice went into the kitchen to cook.


    "Mr. Emerson, what brings you here?" Cordelia had a high regard for Emerson due to their past


    teacher-student rtionship.


    "When are you due?" Emerson asked, looking at Cordelia''s belly.


    "May. But the doctor said twins oftene early." Cordelia chatted with Emerson while sitting on the


    couch, holding a cushion in herp.


    Ronan went to the kitchen. Cordelia thought he was checking out what was for dinner and didn¡¯t think


    much of it.


    "What happened today?" Ronan asked Janice.


    Janice was chopping vegetables as she replied, "In the morning, Cordelia went to the environmental


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    ce and came back in high spirits. But after visiting anotherpany in the afternoon, she seemed


    upset."


    "PrimeBuild Contractors?" Ronan inquired.


    Janice paused in her chopping. "Yes, I think that''s the one."


    Ronan returned to his bedroom and made a few phone calls. When he reemerged, he had changed


    into his lounge wear.


    Everyone gathered at the table.


    "Ronan, I had no idea you had a ce here. You really have a few cards up your sleeve," Emerson


    remarked, looking around the house. "This ce is ideal to keep a mistress."


    "You don¡¯t know the half of it," Ronan retorted.


    Cordelia kept eating, not paying much attention to their banter. Then, she asked Emerson, "Mr.


    Emerson, what''s your educational background?"


    "Me? A PhD. Is that too low to be your teacher?"


    "A PhD? That''s impressive!" Cordelia nearly dropped her chopsticks in surprise.


    It seemed that nowadays, a bachelor''s degree was hardly worth a dime. They were a dime a dozen.

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    Chapter 249


    After dinner, Janice did the dishes while Ronan and Emerson chatted in the living room. Cordelia,


    however, retreated to her room.


    The failure to secure the PrimeBuild Contractors project, along with the constant criticism about her


    next year, she was determined to earn her Master''s degree, no matter what.


    She decided to write in her diary; there was plenty to record from her day. As she was thinking of what


    to jot down, her pen ttered to the floor. Trying to bend down to pick it up, Cordelia found herself


    unable to. She attempted to stand, but her legs trembled, and she broke into a sweat.


    "Janice, Janice..." she called out from her room.


    Janice was in the kitchen doing the dishes, and with the running faucet and the distance between the


    rooms, she couldn''t hear Cordelia.


    Feeling like a cat on a hot tin roof, Cordelia was about to lose her patience when Ronan walked into


    her room. "My pen...I can''t pick it up," Cordelia said, her gaze fixated on the fallen pen.


    Once so agile, she found it embarrassing to ask for help for such a minor thing.


    Ronan noticed the pen and picked it up for her. "What are you doing?" he asked.


    "Writing in my diary," she replied.


    ncing at her diary, the word "Masters" caught Ronan''s eye. Without a word, he left the room.


    Just as Cordelia was closing her diary, she got a call. It was from Will, whom she had called earlier in


    the day. The CEO of PrimeBuild Contractors was calling her personally? She answered the phone


    immediately. "Hello, Mr. Will. This is Cordelia from First Enterprises," she said politely.


    "Oh, Cordelia. I was in a meeting when you called this afternoon. You wanted to audit ourpany,


    right? We''re swamped during the year-end rush. Why don''t youe over tomorrow, and we can


    discuss it in detail?"


    "Sure, how does 10 am sound?"


    "Fine, meet me directly in the conference room. Hunter will also join us to discuss financial matters."


    Once the call ended, the previous gloom disappeared from Cordelia¡¯s face. However, thinking about


    Hunter''s attitude towards her earlier, she couldn''t help but feel anxious. She was afraid he would speak


    ill of her in front of Will, pointing out herck of professionalism due to her young age.


    Cordelia sent a message to Tristi. [Can you apany me to PrimeBuild Contractors tomorrow


    morning?]


    [I''m sorry, Mrs. Evans, my kid is sick. I''m at the hospital with him. Why don''t you ask Mr. Evans if he


    can arrange another car for you?]


    Cordelia was disappointed. Since Ronan was still discussing business with Emerson in the living room


    and Cordelia was tired, it would have to wait until tomorrow.


    The next morning, she sent a message to Ronan as soon as she woke up. [Have you left?]


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    [No.]


    [Can you wait for me?"


    She quickly put on her clothes and headed to the living room.


    Ronan, fresh from his morning routine, was seated at the breakfast table. "What''s up?" he asked as he


    rolled up his sleeves.


    "I need a driver today. Tristi''s kid is sick, and she can''t make it. Can you arrange one for me?" she


    asked as she sat down for breakfast.


    "Where to?" Ronan asked nonchntly.


    "PrimeBuild Contractors. Their CEO called me yesterday and asked me toe over," Cordelia


    couldn''t hide the excitement in her voice.


    "Okay," Ronan replied indifferently before starting his breakfast.


    Cordelia was anxious. It was already half-past eight. Even if he found a driver, they would still have to


    navigate through the morning rush hour traffic.


    Halfway through breakfast, she couldn''t hold back anymore. "Have you found a driver?"


    "I did."


    "Who?"


    "Me."


    Cordelia was taken aback.

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    Chapter 250


    "Do you have the day off?" Cordelia continued to probe Ronan.


    "I do. I sorted it out with Emerson yesterday."


    Cordelia figured that Ronan hadn''t intentionally stayed home. After all, when Emerson had dropped by


    the day before, she hadn''t even returned home yet. It''s not like Ronan could predict the future. "Fair


    enough," was all Cordelia could muster in response.


    "You mind?" he asked again.


    "It''s not that I mind. It just feels a bit wasteful to have you, a big-shot CEO, ying chauffeur for me,"


    Cordelia responded sincerely.


    "It''s no big deal," Ronan replied nonchntly.


    Cordelia simply hummed in response. She was heavily pregnant and could only fitfortably in the


    back seat. Initially, she had been reluctant to buckle her seat belt, but Ronan had insisted.


    As he was helping her with the seat belt, Ronan''s hand identally brushed against her bulging belly.


    It was firm, like an inted balloon. Ronan''s hand instinctively froze for a moment, his fingertips gently


    tracing a circle on her stomach.


    Cordelia felt a twinge of guilt at his hesitation. After all, this was his child. Despite living under the same


    roof, he had never touched her belly before.


    Ronan then moved to the driver''s seat and started the car. Cordelia stared out of the window, and on


    several asions, she felt the urge to tell Ronan that the child was his. But the memory of her mother''s


    tragic fall and his ruthlessness kept her silent. Cordelia knew that her silence was cruel, but she just


    couldn''t bring herself to be calm andposed.


    Upon arriving at PrimeBuild Contractors, Ronan and Cordelia headed to the conference room together.


    Hunter was initially disdainful of Cordelia''s presence but his attitude changed when he saw Ronan


    trailing behind her. Suddenly, it all made sense why Will had called Cordelia separately. Perhaps


    Ronan had informed Will about the situation the previous night.


    It wasn''t Cordelia''s influence that Will valued, it was the person behind her. After all, who wouldn''t want


    the opportunity to coborate with Lumos Enterprises. Ronan, a renowned figure in Millstone, was


    someone everyone knew.


    "I''m just the driver here," he dered before settling down at the back of the conference room, casually


    picking up a newspaper to read. His attire was casual and rxed, not at all indicative of a business


    meeting.


    At this moment, Will and Hunter could only pretend not to recognize Ronan.


    "Ms. Haselwood?" Will greeted Cordelia courteously.


    PrimeBuild Contractors was not so famous as to work with Lumos. They were familiar with Ronan, but


    were unaware that Cordelia was his ex-wife. The fact that Ronan was acting as Cordelia''s driver was


    intriguing to them.


    And with Cordelia''s visible pregnancy, who could the father be?


    "Right." Cordelia settled down next to them.


    Hunter had already prepared the financial documents and proceeded to discuss them in detail with


    Cordelia. Cordelia listened attentively, responding confidently and professionally, leaving no room for


    underestimation. Initially, Will was skeptical about entrusting the project to a young woman like


    Cordelia, but after receiving a call from Lumos Enterprises'' CFO, Emerson, his worries were alleviated.


    Observing Cordelia''s professional demeanor now, Will felt reassured.


    "I assure you, Mr. Hunter and Mr. Will, that the financial report will bepleted before the end of the


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    year," Cordelia promised.


    There were numerous documents and receipts scattered across the table. Cordelia couldn''t carry them


    all. Hunter had initially offered to help, but Ronan beat him to it with a simple, "I got it." He then


    gathered up the pile of paperwork and headed downstairs.


    Cordelia followed suit, and as they reached the elevator, she turned around to bid the executives


    goodbye with a warm smile.


    "Look at the mess you''ve made!" Will scolded Hunter angrily.


    Hunter simply lowered his head, his face turning dark.

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    Chapter 251


    Once inside the car, Cordelia heaved a sigh of relief. Having secured two contracts, she could look


    forward to a busy period ahead.


    "Aren''t you going to celebrate with karaoke this time?" Ronan asked out of the blue.


    Cordelia knew he was mocking her. She turned her head even further towards the window. "Depends


    on thepany!"


    "So, are you implying that I''m only good for karaoke and sleepovers?" he probed further.


    Ronan was seated in the front, with Cordelia in the back. His gaze kept darting to her through the rear-


    view mirror. At the mention of "sleepovers," a flush crept up Cordelia''s cheeks. "So, I guess I stood you


    up then?" she retorted.


    "And you found someone else to fill in?" he shot back.


    "You seem pretty pleased with the oue. After all, I still got the contracts." Cordelia''s voice dripped


    with disdain for Ronan.


    "True. I can''t beat you. You''ve already brought the bastard home before the divorce papers are even


    signed." Ronan''s voice wasced with bitterness.


    "If it''s a bastard, why did you help me secure the contracts? Don''t think I didn''t notice your power y


    back there." Cordelia bit back, suppressing the anger bubbling within her.


    "Well, I don''t need the whole world knowing I''ve been cuckolded!" Ronan''s voice was a low, gravelly


    growl.


    Cordelia turned her face toward the window, her chest rising and falling with suppressed emotion.


    Ronan''s words were harsh, and she was struggling to hold back her tears.


    Upon reaching their apartmentplex, Cordelia got out of the car and headed straight upstairs


    without a word. Ronan followed,den with documents.


    Back in her own room, Cordelia sat at her desk, sulking. Ronan came in carrying the documents. As


    soon as he entered, she turned her head away. Without uttering a word, Ronan ced the documents


    on the desk and left.


    That evening, Ronan didn''te home. Only she and Janice were left for dinner. "God knows where


    he''s off gallivanting now!" Cordelia said, her voiceced with annoyance.


    "Probably at Pearl Palms, looking after De." Janice offered.


    "Who?" Cordelia frowned.


    Janice realized she had been too casual with her words. "The ck cat, De. Mr. Evans calls her that,


    and I''ve gotten used to it. He''s probably out buying cat food for her. It''s not like he''s short on ces to


    stay."


    Cordelia thought to herself, ¡°At least now, after a quarrel, she wasn''t the one being sent packing.¡±


    After dinner, Jamie sent Cordelia a message on Messenger. [How have you been, Cordelia?]


    [Good. I''ve secured two contracts, one with GreenPeace Enterprises and the other with PrimeBuild


    Contractors. For me, securing business is the toughest part. But the paperwork is a piece of cake.]


    Jamie sent a thumbs-up emoji. [Don''t overwork yourself. Take a break for a few days.]


    [Alright. I have an appointment with the doctor for a prenatal checkup tomorrow. My ssmate Victoria


    is doing it, so I don''t have to wait in line. It''ll be a walk in the park.]


    [What time?] Jamie asked.


    [Ten o''clock. Brooklyn ising with me,]" Cordelia replied.


    Ever sinceing back from abroad, Cordelia had her prenatal checkups at Victoria''s clinic, with


    Brooklyn as herpanion each time.


    Soon after, Brooklyn messaged Cordelia. [Didn''t Victoria say the prenatal checkup is tomorrow? I''ll go


    with you.]


    [Great, at ten.] Cordelia shared her current address with Brooklyn. Afterwards, she told Janice that she


    had a prenatal checkup the next day and Brooklyn would apany her. She asked Janice to take the


    day off.


    Back in her room, Cordelia messaged Tristi. [I have a prenatal checkup at ten tomorrow, can youe


    with me?]


    [Sure] Tristi replied.


    The next day, Brooklyn clocked in at Lumos Enterprises and prepared to skip work. Just as she was


    leaving the office building, she ran into Ronan.


    "What are you up to?" Ronan asked, his eyebrows furrowed.


    "Ah, Cordelia has a prenatal checkup today, I''m going with her." Brooklyn knew mentioning Cordelia


    usually worked.


    As expected, Ronan scowled but didn''t say a word. He walked past her, his face expressionless.


    Cordelia was pregnant, but not once had he apanied her for a prenatal checkup. Not for any other


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    reason, but because the child was not his.

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    Chapter 252


    Brooklyn hailed a cab to Cordelia''s neighborhood, noticing Jamie''s car parked downstairs.


    "Did Cordelia invite you over?" Brooklyn asked Jamie.


    "No, she mentioned she had a prenatal check-up today, and I thought I''de early," Jamie replied.


    Brooklyn, deep in thought, headed up to Cordelia''s apartment.


    The paternity of the child was still unknown to Brooklyn, as Cordelia had chosen to keep it a secret.


    She knew that if Brooklyn found out, it would only be a matter of time before Ronan did. But aside from


    Ronan, no one knew about the events that transpired the night before the exam. Thus, Brooklyn and


    Janice, like everyone else, believed that the child was Ronan''s.


    "Cordelia, Jamie''s downstairs waiting to apany you to your prenatal check-up," Brooklyn told


    Cordelia once upstairs.


    "He''s here?" Cordelia was in the middle of putting on her coat.


    Just earlier, Tristi had messaged her, saying that she had arrived, but Jamie''s earnest offer was difficult


    to reject. Did she have to go with Jamie?


    Once downstairs, Cordelia approached Jamie''s car.


    "Cordelia, you mentioned yesterday about your prenatal check-up. I thought I could drive you there,


    and we could discuss the project on the way. Hop in."


    Cordelia decided to call Tristi and let her know she had other ns and that Tristi could have the day to


    herself.


    "No problem, Mrs. Evans. I''ll leave you to it then," Tristi replied over the phone.


    "Thanks, Tristi," Cordelia responded before ending the call and getting into Jamie''s car.


    Once on the road, Tristi sent Ronan a message. [Mr. Evans, Mrs. Evans left with a friend of hers. She


    told me to enjoy the day.]


    Ronan replied with a simple. [Understood.]


    He knew exactly who Cordelia''s friend was¡ªJamie.


    ¡­


    In Jamie''s car.


    Cordelia filled him in on the project''s progress, mentioning the problems she encountered while


    preparing the ounts. Jamie provided solutions for each one of them. "Cordelia, you''re quite far along


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    in your pregnancy. Take it easy," Jamie expressed his concern.


    Thest time Marian posted thatment in the group, Jamie immediately had her delete it and even


    gave her a stern talking to. But trying to stop rumors was like trying to stop the wind. Cordelia needed a


    solid project to anchor herself, especially as her pregnancy progressed and her presence in the


    industry declined.


    At the maternity clinic.


    Jamie waited in the car as Brooklyn and Cordelia entered the clinic.


    Cordelia had an ultrasound scheduled for her check-up that day.


    "How did it go? Is the baby healthy?" Cordelia asked Victoria.


    "Cordelia, I''ve got a secret for you," Victoria said, unable to hide her excitement.


    "What is it?"


    "Doctors aren''t supposed to disclose this, but I have to tell you¡ªyou''re having twins, a boy, and a girl,"


    Victoria held up two fingers. "Isn''t that exciting? You have to throw a party now."


    Cordelia was taken aback. Twins? That was quite a surprise. "Sure, I''ll throw a party during the


    holidays," Cordelia agreed.


    On the drive back, Brooklyn excitedly discussed the twins with Cordelia. "Cordelia, did you save the


    Earth in your past life? You''re having twins!" Brooklyn casually remarked.


    Cordelia didn''t seem too concerned. Her main worry was this, how was she going to raise two children,


    especially if she nned on studying abroad?


    Jamie, who was seated up front, overheard their conversation. He thought to himself, ¡°That man really


    is something else.¡± A hint of jealousy crept into his heart.


    After dropping off Cordelia, Jamie drove Brooklyn to her workce. He was somewhat distracted


    throughout the journey, almost rear-ending another vehicle.

 Chapter 253

    Chapter 253


    Cordelia was expecting twins, but kept it quiet upon returning home. When Janice asked about the


    baby, her response was simple, "Healthy."


    From there, Cordelia threw herself into her work, particrly in bookkeeping.


    By the year''s end, she hadpleted the ount records for GreenPeace Enterprises and PrimeBuild


    Contractors. Hunter was genuinely impressed with her work, even praising her. "I didn¡¯t anticipate such


    meticulous work. I underestimated you."


    With a satisfied smile, Cordelia responded, "I aim to please."


    "I''ll be needing your services in the future." Hunter was genuinely pleased.


    "Sure, I''m always ready. Here, let''s connect on Facebook Messenger."


    Hunter was taken aback by Cordelia''s friendly demeanor, her flexibility, and, most importantly, her


    strong professional capabilities.


    Cordelia had previously updated Jamie on the project''s progress, and Jamie publicly gave her credit in


    the group chat. [Cordelia has managed toplete her tasks efficiently and beautifully even while


    expecting twins. It''s trulymendable. I urge everyone to take a leaf out of her book.]


    Her colleagues began to shower her with apuse emojis, and one expressed, [Indeed, one couldn''t


    expect anything less from our VP.]


    Except for Marian, almost everyone chimed in with praises.


    Jamie privately messaged Cordelia. [Thepany is having a year-end party at Gourmet Junction. As


    the VP, you shoulde. It''d be good for you to meet everyone in person. I''ll pick you up."


    Cordelia replied. [Sure.]


    After sessfully handling these two projects, Cordelia could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Of course,


    this was all meant to show her colleagues that she, a mere bachelor''s degree holder, was more than


    capable. Her next goal was to pursue her master''s degree abroad.


    The best time to apply for school was between September and January. Cordelia had already taken the


    GRE in thetter half of the year, and she had all her undergraduate documents ready. She even had


    her personal statement written by a professional she''d met during her preparatory course abroad


    named Taylor. With all these preparationsplete, she applied online for a January intake and waited


    for her offer letter. Once that arrived, she was ready to head to the United States.


    Finally, Cordelia''s year wasing to a close.


    The year-end party for First Enterprises was approaching. Over breakfast, Cordelia told Ronan, "Our


    firm is having a year-end party today, and Jamie will be picking me up."


    ¡°Janice will go with you," Ronan said without any expression.


    "Cool," Cordelia agreed readily.


    As Ronan was leaving, he noticed Jamie''s car parked downstairs. Jamie noticed him, too.


    The two men shared a silent nce before Ronan drove off in his car.


    Cordelia and Janice got into Jamie''s car. "Cordelia, what do you want to win in the lottery?" Jamie


    asked.


    After some thought, Cordelia replied, "I don''t really need anything, so anything''s fine."


    Gourmet Junction was a bit far, and they arrived around ten. First Enterprises had reserved an entire


    floor. The hall was decorated with streamers, and the wine and food gave the ce a festive air.


    Jamie introduced Cordelia and praised her for securing many contracts for thepany and single-


    handedlypleting two of them. Her colleagues finally met Cordelia, who looked very young. Despite


    being pregnant, she was younger than most of them.


    Janice stayed by Cordelia''s side.


    During the lottery, Cordelia didn''t have much luck and ended up with a fifth-ce prize. She didn''t win


    any of the grand prizes like a vacation or a projector. It was just a constion prize.


    "Janice, it''s a fifth-ce prize. Probably two movie tickets. How about we watch a movie after the


    party?" Cordelia joked.


    Janice was also enjoying the party and responded, "Just enjoy the event."


    Jamie personally presented the fifth-ce prize, and to Cordelia''s surprise, it was a pair of boy and girl


    dolls.


    Cordelia was overjoyed. The dolls were made of porcin and painted beautifully. The boy was


    handsome and cute, and the girl was pretty and adorable. Jamie personally handed them to Cordelia.


    Because of the noise in the hall, Jamie had to lean in to say, "Twins, do you like them?"


    "I do. Thank you," Cordelia responded with a smile.


    "You''re wee. I hope your twins are as healthy and beautiful as these dolls."


    Cordelia couldn''t stop admiring the dolls.


    Neither Cordelia nor Jamie realized that one of their colleagues had snapped a picture of the two.


    Cordelia was smiling, holding the dolls, while Jamie whispered something into her ear.


    After lunch, Cordelia excused herself to the restroom, with Janice apanying her. While in the


    restroom, she heard whispers from the next stall, ¡°Whose kids is she carrying?¡±


    "I don''t know. Isn''t it better not knowing? That way, two men are vying for her attention. Didn''t you see


    Mr. Colby''s face when he gave her the dolls? She''s a simple bachelor''s degree holder, even younger


    than me, and yet she''s the VP. If not for her rtionship with Mr. Colby, how could she have achieved


    this? Rumor has it that her ex-husband helped her secure the contracts. That''s why Hunter from


    PrimeBuild Contractors is interested in her. In this day and age, a woman can only seed if she relies


    on her family or a man. In her case, she relies on two men."


    Cordelia''s cheeks burned as she heard those words. She reckoned that was probably what most of her


    colleagues thought of her. It only strengthened her resolve to pursue her graduate studies abroad. She


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    initially thought that a firm of this caliber would have less gossip, but it seemed to be no less than what


    you''d find in the finance department at Lumos Enterprises.


    Two colleagues emerged from the restroom; spotting Janice waiting by the door, they scurried off with


    their tails between their legs. Cordelia guessed that one of them must have been Marian.

 Chapter 254

    Chapter 254


    At three o''clock in the afternoon, Jamie had dropped Cordelia and Janice off at their home. Cordelia


    was sitting on the couch, contemting where to ce the two dolls she was holding.


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    Janice came over. Seeing Cordelia''s fondness for the dolls, she assumed they were just toys.


    "You really like these little dolls, huh?" Janice asked Cordelia.


    "Yes, they have meaning," Cordelia replied mystically.


    Their home seemed particrly empty after they returned from thepany''s annual party. This time


    house. But this year, her mother was gone. She couldn''t help but feel mncholic.


    Janice noticed Cordelia''s sudden shift in mood. She knew Cordelia was reminiscing about the past.


    "C''mon Cordelia, we have to keep moving forward, right?" Janice sat next to her on the couch.


    "I often miss my childhood, spent with my mom. I''ve never given up hope that she would wake up. I''ve


    never felt the way I do now like there''s only one direction left for me," Cordelia said sincerely.


    Janice patted Cordelia''s shoulder, and Cordelia rested her head on it. She would never be able to lean


    on her mother''s shoulder again. Cordelia, lost in her sorrow, soon fell asleep on Janice''s shoulder.


    However, her body kept trembling. Even though she was expecting a child, she still felt like a child


    herself, needing an adult beside her.


    Ronan returned home from work. He noticed Cordelia''s trembling from behind. Janice turned and


    hushed Ronan, pointing at the sleeping Cordelia.


    He quietly came over after changing his shoes, picked up Cordelia and carried her to bed. He frowned


    slightly. She was heavier than he expected.


    After Ronanid her on the bed, Cordelia woke up for a moment. Seeing Ronan, she turned her body


    away from him. She had never disliked him so much!


    Soon, Cordelia fell back asleep. Ronan stood there for a bit, clenching his teeth in anger. However, he


    didn''t argue with her. He left the room.


    Back in the living room, Ronan noticed the two dolls. "What are these?" he asked.


    "Oh, Cordelia won these at thepany raffle today. She wasn''t too lucky, but she loves them," Janice


    exined.


    Ronan picked up the dolls and threw them in the trash can. Both figures shattered on impact.


    Facing Ronan''s anger, Janice kept quiet and went to the kitchen.


    By the time Cordelia woke up, it was already past five o''clock. Janice was about to call her for dinner.


    Ronan was already sitting at the dining table. Unexpectedly, the first thing Cordelia did after waking up


    was search for her dolls on the couch. She couldn''t find them anywhere.


    "Janice, have you seen my dolls?" Cordelia asked, puzzled. "They represent the health of my children.


    I can''t just lose them."


    "Uh..." Janice was pouring soup and looked at Ronan nervously.


    "I threw them away," Ronan said.


    "Where did you throw them?" Cordelia asked, slightly panicked.


    Janice quietly pointed at the kitchen trash can.


    Cordelia walked over and saw the doll pieces in the trash. Her heart broke, and she was filled with


    sorrow. It¡¯s like the children inside her had been ripped apart.


    "How could you do this? You either rip apart or smash everything that other people love. Are you


    mentally disturbed?" Cordelia cursed Ronan, looking at the dirty fragments in the trash.


    Ronan knew she was referring to Jamie''s book, The CPA Sess Blueprint. Again, she brought it up!


    The dolls no doubt represented her and Jamie''s love story. Ronan couldn''t stand them!


    "Cordelia, stop," Janice said, observing Cordelia''s tears and Ronan''s increasingly angry face. ¡°It¡¯s an


    ident.¡±


    "Aan ident? Was it an ident when he threw them straight into the trash can?" Cordelia retorted.


    "So everything he gives you is a treasure, right?" Ronan asked angrily.


    Cordelia was infuriated. She shouted back at him, "Yes!"


    In response, Ronan mmed his chopsticks on the table and stormed off to his room. Cordelia picked


    up the doll fragments from the trash, trying to put them back together, but some parts were missing.


    She felt despondent, thinking to herself, ¡°This omen isn''t good at all!¡±

 Chapter 255

    Chapter 255


    For the following days, Cordelia rarely saw Ronan. He would leave early when she was still in bed, and


    he would return when she was already in her room. Their schedules were always out of sync.


    Cordelia figured if she wasn''t pregnant, Ronan would''ve given her a hard time after their heated


    argument. Thankfully, she was carrying their child, and Ronan was controlling his temper and desires.


    Some days before Christmas, Cordelia received a message from Brooklyn. [Hey Cordelia, how about


    we, Edwin, Victoria, and Ie over on New Year''s Eve? Ever since you got pregnant, we haven''t


    hung out."


    Cordelia thought she would have to ask Ronan. What if they came over, and Ronan rudely turned them


    away? She was toozy to type to Ronan, so she just sent him a screenshot of Brooklyn''s message,


    followed by a question mark.


    Ronan didn''t reply.


    Cordelia drew a deep breath. It appeared she would have to wait for him to return. After these couple of


    days, Cordelia figured she was too confrontational, and it was hard for her to ask him for a favor after


    their fight.


    In the evening, Cordelia was sitting in the living room watching TV. At ten, Ronan came home. "Still


    up?" he asked Cordelia. His tone didn''t sound surprised, as if he expected Cordelia to be waiting for


    him.


    "I am. I wanted to discuss something with you." Cordelia''s voice was gentle.


    "What is it?" Ronan asked, sitting next to her after changing into his loungewear.


    "I sent you a message the other day." Cordelia pulled up their chat. "I just wanted to know if they could


    Ronan had read the message, he knew its content, but he just didn''t reply. His eyes were fixed on his


    contact name, Lumos Enterprises, Mr. Evans.


    It used to be John Doe, but now it was, ¡°Lumos Enterprisesy, Mr. Evans." He had ast name now, but


    it was the same as her clients'', a generic, receable feeling. Lately, Ronan had been holding back his


    temper, if it wasn''t for Cordelia''s pregnancy, he would''ve given her a piece of his mind.


    "It''s your house, so do as you wish." With that, he returned to his room.


    Cordelia was pleased with his response, so she immediately replied to Brooklyn. [Cool,e over on


    New Year''s Eve. Let''s hang out.]


    [Did Mr. Evans agree?] Brooklyn asked.


    [He doesn''t mind.] Cordelia replied.


    As New Year''s Eve approached, Janice was so busy with preparations that Ronan even hired a few


    cleaningdies to help out. Cordelia, however, was at leisure, only checking her emails and waiting for


    an offer from UC Davis.


    Finally, New Year''s Eve arrived, but Ronan still went to work. From morning, Cordelia could hear


    fireworks outside.


    The view from the eighteenth floor was spectacr; she could see the fireworks from the entire


    neighborhood. She rememberedst year, which was not a pleasant one because of Deanna and


    Samantha. Cordelia hoped this year would be smooth, she would safely deliver their child, and receive


    the offer from UC Davis.


    Her phone buzzed, a message from the bank, Cordelia received a project bonus of three hundred and


    forty-eight thousand this year. Cordelia was extremely pleased. It felt more rewarding to earn her own


    money rather than receiving it from others. She sent Jamie a message. [Thanks, boss.]


    [No need for formalities. You deserve it. Besides, you worked on two projects independently and


    brought in so many clients for the firm, so I should be the one thanking you."


    "Understandable, since the firm just started. But still, thank you, boss."


    Jamie replied with a cheerful emoji.


    Cordelia thought, technically, a portion of this money belonged to Ronan. He was the one who


    collected the project data and gave it to Cordelia. But for a big shot like him, this amount of money


    probably didn''t matter.


    At two in the afternoon, Ronan came back, followed by Emerson.


    "Mr. Emerson, you''re here?" Cordelia greeted Emerson with a smile.


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    "My parents are abroad, thought I''de over for dinner. Is that okay?" Emerson asked Cordelia.


    "Of course, you''re wee. I''ve also invited three more friends for tonight."


    "Perfect, we can y cards then." Emerson nced at Ronan.


    "Who are the four people?" Cordelia asked Emerson while ncing at Ronan.


    "Your three friends and me."


    "But what about..." Cordelia pointed at Ronan sneakily as he turned around.


    "Him?" Emerson said with a meaningful look, "He doesn''t y."


    Ronan turned around and gave Emerson a look as if using him of lying.


    "He doesn''t y. We won''t let him join us tonight," Emerson said. "Cordelia, Happy New Year." After


    that, Emerson handed Cordelia a gift. It was a beautiful brooch.


    "Thank you, Mr. Emerson, I love it." Cordelia examined the brooch. It was heavy, certainly a valuable


    piece.


    Soon, Edwin, Brooklyn, and Victoria arrived.


    "See, good thing I brought the cards. It''s perfect," Brooklyn said, taking out a beautifully crafted set


    from his bag.


    Victoria''s gift to Cordelia was a piece of clothing, but the packaging didn''t indicate who it was for.


    "Is this for me?" Cordelia asked as she took out the clothing to inspect.


    "Of course not. These are for my niece and nephew. The moment your twins are born, they simply


    must be wearing the clothes gifted by their Aunt Victoria," Victoria said with a hint of yful arrogance.


    Just in time, Janice appeared from the kitchen with a bowl of fruit in her hands, having overheard the


    conversation.

 Chapter 256

    Chapter 256


    "Cordelia''s expecting twins?" Janice eximed in surprise and delight.


    "Yes. That''s what the ultrasound showed, but we''ll have to see the ''real deal'' to be certain," Victoria


    exined with a shrug, as if to say she took no responsibility should they turn out to be both boys or


    both girls.


    "Why didn''t Cordelia share the news with us?" Janiceined, ncing at Ronan.


    He sat quietly, his brows knitted in deep thought, evidently clueless about the news. Realization


    dawned on Ronan, exining why Jamie had gifted Cordelia with those two porcin dolls. They


    weren''t representative of Jamie and Cordelia but of Cordelia''s soon-to-be children!


    In other words, Jamie knew about the twins long before him, the unsuspecting Mr. Evans of Lumos


    Enterprises. If not for Victoria''s visit today, he wouldn¡¯t have known until the kids were born.


    But then again, he wasn''t the father. The gender of the children had nothing to do with him, and there


    was no need for her to inform him.


    On this New Year''s Eve, Ronan''s expression was particrly grim. After dinner, Janice went to wash


    the dishes. Emerson invited everyone to y poker, while Ronan settled on the couch with a book.


    "Reading on New Year''s Eve, bro?" Emerson nced at Ronan. "If you keep stuffing your head with


    knowledge, what''s left for us mortals?"


    "Just y your game!" Ronan snapped back impatiently.


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    Observing the two, Emerson turned back to the others. "See the difference? Mr. Evans is in a league of


    his own."


    Cordelia sat between Brooklyn and Victoria, watching them y. She thought to herself, Ronan might


    have a grand vision, but his tolerance was as narrow as a needle''s eye, especially towards her.


    When their eyes met, Cordelia quickly looked away.


    "Brooklyn, why do you always help Edwin win?" Cordeliained as she watched Edwin rake in the


    chips, and Victoria losing hand after hand.


    When Victoria finally gave up, Cordelia took her ce.


    As they chatted, Brooklyn brought up the sessful year Lumos Enterprises had and casually


    mentioned the substantial bonuses their employees received. Cordelia was taken aback, realizing the


    scale of big corporationspared to her small firm.


    "Ever thought abouting back?" Brooklyn asked.


    But Cordelia was quick to dismiss the idea. "I''ve moved on. A smart person does not dwell on past


    actions." Immediately, she regretted her words. Was she implying something about her past with


    Ronan?


    Brooklyn subtly kicked her under the table, muttering, "Are you out of your mind?"


    Discussing ''not looking back'' after divorcing Mr. Evans was a recipe for awkwardness. In an attempt to


    change the subject, Brooklyn mentioned the new yoga ss at Lumos Enterprises. Cordelia dismissed


    it as any other yoga ss until Brooklyn exined that it was prenatal yoga, specifically designed to


    make childbirth easier.


    ¡°That''s different, remember I told you about Kittyst time? She specializes in prenatal yoga; it''s really


    good for you and the baby. It makes childbirth much easier, even if you''re carrying twins, you can still


    have a natural birth. Kitty is the only one in all of Millstone who can do this, not just any yoga ss can


    offer you that.¡± said Brooklyn.


    ¡°That impressive?¡± Cordelia was surprised. She hadn''t really thought about the birthing process yet, but


    everyone says that children born naturally are smarter, and, she wouldn''t have to get a scar on her


    belly.


    ¡°Cordelia, from a doctor''s professional perspective, you should consider this.¡± Victoria, sitting on the


    couch, advised, ¡°Besides, it¡¯s so convenient for you. Private sses like these outside charge five to


    six hundred per session.¡± Victoria and Cordelia were not colleagues before, so shecked an


    understanding of Cordelia''s past entanglements with Ronan.


    "That expensive?" Cordelia slightly furrowed her brows.


    No matter what Victoria and Brooklyn said, there was no way Cordelia was going back. Once, her


    dream had been to be an independent certified public ountant, and now that dream hade


    true.


    Lumos Enterprises'' Audit Department didn''t allow outsiders, so of course, she wouldn''t go.


    She didn''t put much thought into that matter.


    "Yeah, after leaving Lumos Enterprises, you must be regretting it now, huh?" Brooklyn told Cordelia,


    casually ncing at Ronan.


    Ronan was sitting on the couch reading a book, his face expressionless.

 Chapter 257

    Chapter 257


    Cordelia snapped out of her reverie and focused on the card game at hand. Despite her efforts, though,


    it was Edwin who won the round.


    "Seriously, not a single win? Hey Ronan, wanna give it a shot?" Emerson asked, looking over at Ronan


    lounging on the sofa.


    Cordelia furrowed her brows, casting a nce at Ronan.


    Would he? Wasn''t Ronan always buried in books? Could a schr y cards?


    Without a word, Ronan took Emerson''s ce at the table. Cordelia noticed that Ronan yed steadily,


    and as the game neared its end, his attacks became more aggressive. Unable to keep pace, Cordelia


    felt the pressure, Brooklyn was constantlyining, and Edwin kept saying, "I''m doomed. Can''t


    even catch a break."


    In the end, unsurprisingly, Ronan won. Reluctantly, Cordelia transferred a thousand bucks to him. She


    had assumed Ronan wouldn''t be able to y, but he turned out to be a pro. After losing several rounds


    and transferring several thousand bucks to Ronan, Cordelia felt disheartened and decided to stop. She


    sat down on the sofa and turned on the TV, and everyone else stopped ying as well.


    After some chitchat, everyone started to leave. Soon, Janice also came out, saying she needed to


    head home. "Janice, you''re leaving too?" Cordelia asked in surprise. If Janice left, it would just be her


    and Ronan at home.


    "Yeah, I¡¯ll spend some time with my family. I¡¯ll be back in a few days. Take care, Cordelia," Janice


    reminded Cordelia.


    After everyone left, theughter and chatter were reced by an eerie silence that filled Cordelia with


    unease. As she was about to retreat to her room, her face was gently turned towards Ronan, who was


    suddenly kissing her.


    Cordelia instantly realized what was happening! Was it because of her saying, a smart person does not


    dwell on past actions?


    He was so vengeful, biting her like that. She tried to break free, but her condition didn''t allow it. Her


    head tilted, and her hands were cradling her belly, while he kissed her.


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    But Cordelia wouldn¡¯t give in easily. She missed her mother terribly this past year, and the more she


    missed her, the more she hated him.


    One of Ronan''s hands moved around her to support her belly. He kissed Cordelia fiercely, biting her


    tongue. Cordelia winced in pain, her brows knitted together, and she let out a little whimper.


    ¡°I don¡¯t just y cards, I y hardball!¡± Ronan growled at Cordelia.


    Cordelia turned to face him, her chest heaving with anger. "You think you can just have your way with


    me? I swear, I''ll jump off the balcony," Cordelia warned.


    "If you jump, I''ll throw your son and daughter off as well," Ronan said through gritted teeth.


    For the past year, Cordelia had despised Ronan. Because of what happened between her and Jamie,


    Ronan despised her too. And he had just found out that Cordelia was carrying twins for Jamie.


    That man, how lucky he was! Ronan was filled with hatred.


    Hearing Ronan''s threat, Cordelia felt her legs go weak, and her face turned as white as a sheet.


    Knowing how ruthless Ronan could be, she believed he was capable of carrying out his threat. He


    might have even ensured she disappeared without a trace. Fear turned Cordelia''s mind nk.


    Ronan took advantage of her trembling and scooped her up into his arms. Once he lifted her, he


    realized she had gained weight, making it harder for him to carry her.


    Inside Cordelia''s room, Ronanid her on the bed. Cordelia curled up, watching as Ronan started to


    undress, unbuckling his belt.


    "What are you doing?" Cordelia asked.


    "All these times we''ve done it, and you still don''t get it?" Ronan sneered at her.


    "I swear¡­¡±


    "Stop with the empty threats, or I might just do what I said," Ronan said indifferently.


    Cordelia red at him, her eyes filled with hatred.

 Chapter 258

    Chapter 258


    Ronan flicked off the light, switched on the dim bedsidemp, and began undressing Cordelia.


    Cordelia remained silent, her body trembling until she waspletely bare.


    Cordelia used to have a perfectly sculpted body, with curves in all the right ces. Now, her figure was


    different, yet mysteriously alluring. Ronan swallowed hard, then turned off the light. It had been a while


    since he had sex with Cordelia, and he was experiencing a certain restlessness, like that of a


    honeymooner.


    Cordelia remained silent throughout. Afterwards, she was drenched in sweat, having been on edge the


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    entire time. She was worried about startling the baby, and concerned about his satisfaction. In short,


    she was on pins and needles.


    Cordelia fell into a deep sleep, while Ronan gently touched her belly from behind.


    The next day, Ronan was woken by the ringing of Cordelia''s cell phone. She was still sleeping. He took


    her phone and saw it was Jamie calling. He turned Cordelia''s phone to silent, letting the ringing


    continue until it stopped. Then, he saw that Jamie had messaged Cordelia on Facebook. [Are you up?


    I''m near your ce, can I swing by?]


    After a moment of thought, Ronan replied, [Sure.]


    Then, Ronan leaned against the headboard, perusing Cordelia''s phone. She and Jamie had quite a lot


    of contact. But he couldn''t find anything suspicious, just messages from when they''d initially met in


    California, arranged to have dinner. Jamie tried to hang out with Cordelia, but she was always holed up


    in the library, not answering his messages, so there wasn''t muchmunication.


    Just then, an email arrived on Cordelia''s phone. Ronan opened it and saw it was an offer from UC


    Davis. Ronan nced at Cordelia and sarcastically thought, ¡°What a diligent student, carrying twins


    and sleeping next to him, yet her heart was already across the ocean.¡± He hadn''t realized her studious


    disposition.


    Cordelia had applied for admission next January, a year from now. Ronan wasn''t sure what her n


    was, whether she intended to move with Jamie and the kids or leave the kids at home and go alone.


    He deleted her offer email and cleared it from the trash, leaving no trace.


    Not long after, the doorbell rang. Ronan, bare-chested, went to open the door. When he saw Jamie


    standing at the door, he ignored him, walked back to Cordelia''s bedroom, and closed the door.


    Jamie had expected Cordelia to open the door for him, not Ronan. He stood at the entrance of


    Cordelia''s bedroom, his brain empty. Ronan went into Cordelia''s bedroom. Were they sleeping together


    again?


    They were sleeping together again¡­


    Ronan gave Cordelia''s butt a little push, but she didn''t wake up. He then started gently pinching


    Cordelia''s ear. "Someone''s here for you."


    Still half-asleep, Cordelia mumbled, "Who''s looking for me?"


    "Jamie."


    Cordelia''s eyes snapped open instantly, and she awkwardly sat up in bed. She was stillpletely


    naked, her clothes strewn all over the floor.


    She struggled to reached for them, but she was definitely not going to ask Ronan for help.


    Ronan picked up her clothes andid them on the bed, then he tilted up Cordelia''s chin. "When you


    see him, know what to say and what not to say, got it?"


    Cordelia swatted his hand away. "I don''t get it."

 Chapter 259

    Chapter 259


    Cordelia was at a loss, unsure of what Ronan was trying to convey. She really didn¡¯t know what to say,


    and what not to.


    Ronan left for the living room.


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    Cordelia called Jamie into her bedroom. His eyes fell on the bed. There used to be only one pillow on


    Cordelia''s bed, but now there were two. The other side of the bed was indented in the shape of a


    person, indicating who had been sleeping there.


    So, they had shared the bed again.


    ¡°Happy New Year, Boss,¡± Cordelia said, running her fingers through her long hair, intending to tie it up.


    Her hair had grown longer.


    Jamie gave a stiff smile. ¡°Happy New Year, Cordelia. I went to church with my mom this year. She got


    you a pendant and blessed it, hoping it will keep you and the baby safe.¡±


    He then took out a beautiful pendant, wrapped in gold and hanging on a gold chain.


    ¡°A blessing?¡± Cordelia was surprised. She didn¡¯t know much about jewels and couldn¡¯t tell its quality,


    but it looked pretty. She hadn¡¯t visited many churches before and had no idea that they offered such


    exquisite items.


    ¡°Yes, my mom specifically had it blessed. She¡¯s a devout Christian. Want me to help you put it on?¡±


    Jamie asked.


    Ever since Cordelia got pregnant, she had be superstitious. Any mention of keeping the baby safe


    intrigued her. ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°You mustn¡¯t take it off once you wear it. Otherwise, it loses its charm,¡± Jamie warned.


    ¡°What?¡± Cordelia was surprised, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say so earlier?¡±


    ¡°If I had, you wouldn¡¯t have agreed to wear it.¡±


    Had Jamie mentioned it earlier, Cordelia would have given it a second thought. After all, she was living


    with Ronan now, and wearing such an ostentatious pendant would stir his curiosity.


    ¡°Oh, I came to discuss something important.¡± Jamie changed the subject. ¡°The representative from


    PrimeBuild Contractors, Hunter, has agreed to sign a three-year contract with us. For these three


    years, he specifically wants you to handle their ount. Cordelia, it seems your work is impressive.¡±


    Cordelia was taken aback.


    ¡°Not interested?¡± Jamie asked her.


    Cordelia thought for a while, then told Jamie about her application for post-graduate studies at UC


    Davis. ¡°If he insists that I handle the ount and I leave for my studies, it might breach the contract


    and cause unnecessary trouble for the firm.¡± Cordelia expressed her concern.


    ¡°You n on pursuing post-graduate studies? No one doubts your qualifications, Cordelia. Your abilities


    speak for themselves,¡± Jamie reassured her.


    Jamie assumed that with a baby on the way, Cordelia might have given up on further studies. But


    clearly, her education was something she was not willing topromise on. ¡°It¡¯s not about them. It''s


    about mecking confidence,¡± Cordelia admitted.


    ¡°Have you received the offer letter yet?¡±


    Cordelia furrowed her brows. ¡°Not yet.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It usually takes one to four months for them to respond. It could happen anytime.¡±


    Cordelia felt relieved and nodded.


    ¡°Cordelia, I respect you, you know that?¡± Jamie looked at Cordelia¡¯s youthful face. ¡°You never gave up


    on your dreams.¡±


    Cordelia only smiled.


    ¡°How about this, I¡¯ll exin your situation to Hunter and let him decide?¡± Jamie suggested.


    Cordelia nodded. ¡°Alright.¡±


    Jamie and Cordelia chatted for a while longer.


    ¡°Today being New Year''s Day, don¡¯t you want to go out? I can go with you.¡±


    Cordelia was initially delighted, but her smile faded quickly. ¡°Janice has gone home, and if I go out


    alone, he probably won''t allow it.¡±


    ¡°Then, should I leave?¡± Jamie asked as he stood at the door of Cordelia''s bedroom. ¡°Don''t miss me too


    much.¡±


    Cordelia wondered, was Jamie saying this intentionally for Ronan to hear? As she stepped out of her


    bedroom, she noticed Ronan, who was watching TV in the living room, his temples throbbing.


    Cordelia saw Jamie to the door and then retreated back to her bedroom. She was afraid of Ronan,


    afraid of interacting with him. So, she stayed in her room studying, chatting with her ssmates on


    Messenger, and binge-watching TV series.

 Chapter 260

    Chapter 260


    Around half-past five in the afternoon, Ronan rapped on Cordelia''s bedroom door. "Dinner time," he


    said.


    Cordelia had been engrossed in writing in her diary on her desk. Afterst night with Ronan, she felt a


    mix of regret and guilt. The regret stemmed from the fact that she had let thingse to this point


    despite having had the chance to avoid it all by staying abroad. The guilt was because she couldn''t


    help thinking about herte mother. After all, Ronan was the man responsible for her death.


    Cordelia was stuck in this emotional turmoil, biting her lip in silence. Ronan''s sudden knock on the door


    had made her shiver.


    "What are you afraid of?" Ronan asked her.


    "Nothing. It''s just that it was so quiet, and you startled me when you spoke," she said, getting up and


    heading to the dining table. She had deliberately put on a fluffy pajama set, hiding the pendant Jamie


    had given her beneath the cor.


    Ronan''s culinary skills were average, but he had managed to cook a fish and some veggies.


    They ate in silence. Cordelia thought to herself that despite Ronan believing the baby wasn''t his, he still


    took care of her. She owed him some gratitude, at least.


    Moreover, she had guessed that Manda''s imprisonment might have had something to do with her


    pushing Cordelia down the stairs. Although she didn''t agree with Ronan''s methods, he had done it for


    her, hadn''t he?


    And as Marian had pointed out, although he hadn''t said a word about it, he had indeed helped her win


    the contract from PrimeBuild Contractors, helping her establish her reputation in thepany.


    She had harbored resentment against him all this while, but he had never defended himself. He had


    always been responsible, hadn''t he?


    Cordelia felt that her hatred for him was slowly fading with time. There had been affection between


    them before.


    She picked up a piece of fish and put it in his bowl. Then, she continued to eat as if nothing had


    happened.


    "For me?" he asked Cordelia.


    "Mmm."


    "What does it mean?"


    "Whatever you want it to mean. Happy New Year." Cordelia finally said, a bted New Year wish she


    had owed him.


    "Is it aboutst night?" he asked her again.


    "Do guys always have to link everything to sex? No!" Cordelia said, a little angry. Then, she went back


    to eating her dinner, not saying another word to him.


    Although she didn''t look at Ronan, she could tell that he was in a good mood that day. After dinner, it


    was Ronan who washed the dishes.


    Cordelia sat on the couch for a while before deciding to take a bath. Since she had been heavily


    pregnant, she had stopped taking showers under the shower head, afraid of slipping. She would fill the


    bathtub with water and take a bath instead, a safer option. The warm water soaked Cordelia''s skin, her


    face and body covered in ayer of steam.


    She had been living in a rented apartment without a bathtub before, and when she lived at Jamie''s


    house, she felt a bit awkward using the bathtub in the private bathroom of her room, feeling as if


    someone would walk in at any moment. In this house, Cordelia felt an unprecedented sense of security,


    andbined with thefort of soaking in the tub, she almost fell asleep.


    She was wondering why her postgraduate offer hadn''te yet. What would she do once the baby


    was born? If she had to go abroad alone with two children, it would obviously be very inconvenient.


    She was in two minds about whether to tell Ronan that the babies were his.


    Cordelia had soaked in the tub for over an hour. She first lifted one leg out of the tub, and as she tried


    to lift the other, she slipped and fell on the floor. Fortunately, she had managed to grab the edge of the


    tub with both hands. If she had let go even a bit, she would have fallen.


    Cordelia was at the edge, physically strained. "Ronan, Ronan, help me... help me," she called out from


    the bathroom. But with the house''s excellent soundproofing, could he hear her?


    "Ronan..."


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    "Ronan... Honey..." In desperation, Cordelia called out ''honey,'' hoping that a soft word might prompt


    him to help her.

 Chapter 261

    Chapter 261


    Ronan swung the door open. The moment he found Cordelia crumpled on the floor, he hurriedly picked


    her up, half-lifting, half-holding her. Lifting Cordelia off the floor was no easy task. She probably


    weighed around 150 pounds, give or take.


    Cordelia was visibly shaken, her body slick with a cold sweat. Ronan rinsed her off with the


    showerhead, noticing her back was colored with bruises from the fall. He then grabbed a towel,


    wrapping Cordelia in itsforting warmth.


    "You..." Ronan began, his words trailing off as his gazended on the pendant hanging around


    Cordelia''s neck.


    This pendant, hadn''t been therest night, but now it was. Given its quality, it was probably worth


    around a million dors. Jamie sure didn''t hold back.


    Jamie had only visited today. No wonder she was wearing such a thick robe during dinner.


    A wave of anger washed over Ronan, clouding his mind. This two-timing woman, epting a gift from


    one man in the morning, then calling him "honey" in the evening. ying both sides for her own gain!


    He knew her calling him "honey" was just to butter him up, to get him to help her. "I stopped being your


    husband a long time ago!" Ronan spat out, seething with resentment.


    Cordelia, who had been drying her hair, looked up at his tone. ncing down at her pendant, she


    thought, "Why did I have to fall at this moment?"


    Ronan waited silently as Cordelia finished drying her hair. "Done?" he asked, his voice cold as ice.


    "Mhm."


    "Go back to your room once you''re done."


    Cordelia hurriedly wrapped herself in the towel and retreated to her bedroom, assuming he was going


    to clean up the bathroom. She was drying her hair with one hand and scrolling through her phone with


    the other. Her work group was sending out e-gift cards; it had been a lively day. Cordelia had only sent


    a few and hadn''t snagged a single one. Jamie was the same, only sending and not receiving.


    She put down her phone, focusing on her hair.


    Ronan knocked and entered. "Your clothes," he said, cing her underwear and pajamas on the bed.


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    These were the clothes Cordelia had nned to change into after her bath.


    Just then, Cordelia''s phone went off. She hadn''t had time to lock it. The open chat from her work group


    showed a photo of her and Jamie, an image that now burned in Ronan''s sight. Jamie stood in front of


    Cordelia, whispering something in her ear while she listened, a smile on her face.


    Jamie held two dolls as gifts for Cordelia. It was as if Cordelia was carrying Jamie''s child.


    Cordelia stole a nce and saw the photo too. She sat there, noticing that Ronan''s legs had gone still.


    She knew she was in trouble. She slowly lifted her gaze, meeting Ronan''s stormy expression. Cordelia


    shivered involuntarily.


    "Think you can do whatever you want now that we''re divorced?" Ronan exploded, gripping Cordelia''s


    chin tightly. "Flirting and seducing others under my nose, Cordelia, do you think you''re being clever?"


    "I wasn¡¯t!" Cordelia protested.


    Ronan let go of her, yanking the ne off her neck and throwing it across the room.


    Cordelia knew he had never been one to keep his temper. It took her a moment to realize what had


    happened since she didn''t feel any pain. She touched her neck, finding nothing there. Thinking about


    what the pendant symbolized, Cordelia panicked. She stood up in anger, not caring about the towel


    that slid off her body.


    "Ronan, is this how you feel about my children?" Cordelia asked frantically.


    A mother''s instinct kicked in; anyone who opposed her children was her enemy.


    "Your children have nothing to do with me, right?" he retorted.


    Cordelia moved to retrieve the pendant from the living room, but before she could, Ronan pushed her


    back onto the bed. She was far along in her pregnancy, and the push made it feel like a knot was being


    pulled in her belly. She clutched her stomach, moving further back on the bed.


    "If you darey a hand on me, we''ll both go down," Cordelia threatened.


    He was unpredictable. One moment, Cordelia was about to tell him about the pregnancy, and the next,


    she decided against it.


    Ronan turned off the light, climbed into bed, and held Cordelia captive in his arms.


    "Get off me. I find you disgusting!" Cordelia spat, her limbs iling against Ronan.


    "You think I don''t find you disgusting?!" Ronan growled back at Cordelia. ¡°Not just disgusting, but also


    cheap!¡±

 Chapter 262

    Chapter 262


    The words dirty and cheap hit Cordelia like a sucker punch, leaving her weak-kneed. She was a


    woman of virtue and grace; how did she end up like that, in his eyes?


    "If I''m so dirty and cheap, go find your Deanna. She''s clean." Cordelia''s voice wavered as tears fell


    onto her pillow. She remembered the scene at Pearl Palms, the kiss Deanna nted on Ronan''s face,


    and his absence that night. She med herself for deciding to divorce him, and deciding to sever all


    ties with him. Yet, now, she realized he was the one she cared about.


    She was indeed incredibly cheap.


    Ronan continued to nuzzle and kiss Cordelia''s neck, and his grip on her wrists turned them blue. "I''ll


    leave tomorrow," Ronan stated.


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    "I''d rather you leave now! Go to her bed," Cordelia growled in a voice hoarse with anger. Perhaps she


    realized her feelings for him and hated herself for it. She wished to forget her past, so sheshed out at


    Ronan.


    "I''ll go after I''m done fucking you!" Ronan didn''t stop his actions, his voice icy with rage.


    Afterwards, he leaned back against the headboard, pulling out his phone to make a call. Cordelia cried


    beside him, not paying attention to his conversation.


    "Cordelia is leaving First Enterprises. I''ll cover any breach of contract penalties."


    "Where is she going? Is that your concern? Remember how you begged me once. Be careful, you


    might find yourself doing that again." With that, Ronan ended the call.


    Cordelia turned towards him upon hearing he called Jamie. "What gives you the right to interfere with


    my work?"


    Ronan looked at Cordelia, his gaze filled with mockery and calcted calm. He had regained his


    Cordelia''s face, his thumb tracing her smooth skin. "Cordelia, you won''t escape me in this lifetime."


    Cordelia stared at him, finally muttering, "You''re a psycho."


    "You just got this?" He asked nonchntly.


    It seemed like he had won a round by forcing her out of First Enterprises.


    "When you first proposed to me, I thought you were rational and wise, but I never expected you to be


    this... beastly!"


    Ronan leaned closer to Cordelia, whispering in her ear in a sultry tone, "That''s just my public face."


    Exhausted, Cordelia fell asleep, unaware that Ronan had used her phone to call Jamie.


    The next morning, she woke up at half-past nine, finding herself alone in the bed. She felt sore all over


    and stayed in bed a little longer before getting up.


    Ronan was seated on the couch, reading a book. He had his sses on again, presenting the image of


    a well-dressed psychopath.


    "You didn''t go see Deanna?" Cordelia asked him.


    He nced at his watch. "At three in the afternoon."


    He had left some breakfast for her, even making an omelet. He was treating her like a child.


    She sat at the dining table and began to eat. Ronan''s phone rang, and he answered it. "Yes, consider it


    maternity leave. She''ll join in January after the baby." And with that, he hung up.


    Cordelia felt a chill run down her spine. Was he talking about her? He had already told Jamie she was


    leaving First Enterprises. "Who were you talking to?" Cordelia asked warily.


    "The HR Director of Lumos Enterprises," Ronan replied.


    "Whose matter were you discussing?"


    "Yours."

 Chapter 263

    Chapter 263


    Cordelia was at a loss for words. Who was he to dictate her life that way? She was supposed to study


    abroad the following January, not go to work at Lumos Enterprises. Cordelia''s hand, holding her fork


    tightly, was shaking. "I''m not going!" she dered.


    Ronan just sat there, silent, as if saying, "This isn''t up to you."


    Cordelia was so angry that her stomach hurt. She couldn''t eat anymore. Out of the corner of her eye,


    she saw her pendant lying on the floor next to the coffee table. She walked over and bent down to pick


    it up. The pendant was broken in half.


    The angrier Cordelia got, the more she couldn''t bend down, her face flushed red with frustration. But


    she didn''t want to argue with him; she knew she wouldn''t win. It was pointless.


    Ronan just watched her. Then he got up silently, picked up the broken pendant, and put it on the dining


    table.


    Cordelia returned to her meal, in silence.


    A knock at the door. Ronan went to answer it and found Jamie on the doorstep. After opening the door,


    Ronan didn''t say a word and went back to his seat on the couch.


    "Cordelia?" Jamie called out to her.


    "Hm?" Cordelia recovered from her anger. "Let''s go to my room and talk."


    "You''ll talk here!" Ronan spoke coldly.


    Jamie was afraid that if he didn''t do as Ronan said, it would cause trouble for Cordelia, so he sat down


    opposite her. His eyes fell on the broken pendant on the table.


    He had bought that pendant from a store for a million dors, afraid that Cordelia wouldn''t ept it if


    she knew the cost, so he lied and said it was from a church. Last time, she returned the rabbit bracelet


    to him after her exams.


    "How did it break?" Jamie asked.


    Cordelia felt a bit embarrassed. "I almost slipped in the showerst night, and it got like this."


    "Are you okay?" Jamie asked anxiously, grabbing Cordelia''s hand.


    Cordelia felt awkward, stealing a nce at Ronan, who was reading a book, but he surely saw what


    they were doing. She realized that Ronan was no longer holding back. He had been restraining himself


    for reasons like their divorce, the murder of Cordelia''s mother, and her pregnancy. But ever since they


    slept together again, he seemed to have no inhibitions. He had be the Ronan who made Jamie


    kneel before him.


    "Your wrist is bruised too?" Jamie asked.


    "That''s also from the fall in the shower," Cordelia covered up again.


    "Are the babies okay?"


    "It should be okay. It''s quite big now."


    Jamie had a lot he wanted to say to Cordelia, but it wasn''t appropriate with Ronan there.


    Cordelia thought he was there to discuss her resignation from First Enterprises, but he didn''t mention it


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    at all. However, there was a cloud of worry in Jamie''s eyes, which puzzled Cordelia. "Cordelia, did you


    get the email?" he asked.


    At first, Cordelia didn''t understand what Jamie was referring to, but then it hit her. He was asking about


    her graduate school offer. She shook her head in disappointment.


    "Don''t worry. It''s still early."


    "I hope so," Cordelia replied.


    "Cordelia, there are many things that we can''t control. Don''t stress about this." Jamie said, looking


    sorry for Cordelia.


    Cordelia just nodded.


    After finishing her meal, Jamie collected her dishes and washed them. His attitude was quite humble


    that day. He stayed for a while before leaving.


    "You seem to be very skilled at ying both sides," Ronan put down his book and said to Cordelia


    slowly.


    Cordelia didn''t want to deal with him; she just wanted to go back to her room. Her stomach hurt from


    the anger caused by Ronan. She wanted to watch some TV shows on her phone to ease her mood.


    Just as she picked up her phone, she saw a message in the First Enterprises project group. First


    Enterprises had been acquired, and the new major shareholder was named Kent. Marian had added


    Kent to the group, and Kent had sent a message to all the group members. [As thepany''srgest


    shareholder, I announce some personnel adjustments. Since we are a high-endw firm, where clients


    value education, those employees with an education level below a master''s degree don''t need toe


    to work. Thepany will provide severance packages."


    Cordelia was stunned. Although he didn''t mention any names, Kent practically spelled out Cordelia''s


    name. Most importantly, she hadn''t invested in thew firm. Initially, Jamie had suggested that she


    contributebor as her investment.


    Now she understood why Jamie looked so uneasy; he must have known all along. She knew that


    someone would be trying to alienate her, but she also knew that herck of education was indeed her


    shoring.


    Cordelia was in a daze, while messages from Jamie kepting in on Messenger. She was holding


    her phone unconsciously, and her eyes were fixated on the floor in front of her.


    "Cordelia," Ronan called her from outside her room. He called her several times, but she didn''t


    respond.

 Chapter 264

    Chapter 264


    Ronan nced at Cordelia, who seemed to be in a daze. Her cell phone nearly slipped from her grasp.


    Entering her room, he asked, "What''s for lunch?"


    Ronan furrowed his brows, took her phone, and probably read the messages from the group chat and


    the ones sent by Jamie. "What''s happened to your guts? All you do is cry!" After saying this, Ronan


    walked out of the room.


    He strolled around the living room, making a phone call. Cordelia could recognize a few familiar words.


    Will, GreenPeace Enterprises, and many names of the projects that Cordelia got from himst time.


    Cordelia heard them all but couldn''t make sense of anything. She was too overwhelmed to listen to his


    words.


    When Ronan walked into her room again, Cordelia swiftly wiped her tears away.


    "Why are you avenging me? I thought you didn''t want me to work with him?" Cordelia''s voice was filled


    with a pitiful undertone.


    "That''s my business. No one else can interfere!"


    Cordelia didn¡¯t quite understand what he meant. Her mind was clouded, and she didn¡¯t want to think


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    about it.


    "What''s for lunch?" he asked her again.


    "I just had breakfast. I don¡¯t feel like eating." Cordelia shook her head.


    Last year had been hard on Cordelia. She lost her mother, and Barney. Now, she was getting a feeling


    that this year''s fortune wasn''t going to be any better.


    "Let''s go out for lunch," Ronan suggested, taking her hand.


    "I don¡¯t want to. I¡¯m tired." Cordelia slumped onto the bed, lying on her side. Her handsy t beneath


    her temples as she stared nkly at the scenery outside the window.


    "Tired already? You know your nose will grow if you lie." Ronan¡¯s tone was softer now. For some


    reason, the mention of her nose growing made Cordelia''s tears flow even more fiercely. It felt as if their


    rtionship had returned to those rosy times when both her mother and Barney were still alive.


    "What''s wrong?" Ronan sat by her bedside, stroking her hair as he watched her tears streaming down.


    "They won¡¯t get a single project this year."


    It seemed like he was trying tofort her, like offering her a sweet treat.


    "Did you do it?" she asked.


    "Yes. I just notified the whole of Millstone."


    Cordelia nced at him, thinking, ¡°He¡¯s really powerful, notifying the whole of Millstone in such a short


    time.¡±


    "Did you have something to do with Manda¡¯s issue too? How did she end up being a corporate spy?"


    she asked Ronan again.


    "It''splicated."


    "Is itplicated, or you don¡¯t want to talk about it?" Cordelia asked him.


    "Do you want to join me for lunch?"


    Cordelia was feeling down, cooped up in her room all day with no one else around. She thought, why


    not, let¡¯s go out. She sat in the back seat of the car, watching the once bustling Millstone now sparse


    with vehicles.


    "Why is Millstone so empty all of a sudden?" Even though it was holiday season, the bare winter trees


    coupled with the scant vehicle and pedestrian traffic didn''t give off any festive vibes.


    "People have gone home for the holidays," Ronan said. "How about some Italian for lunch?"


    Cordelia shook her head. "I¡¯m not hungry, I¡¯ll just watch you eat."


    "Are you sure you won''t get hungry?" he teased Cordelia.


    "I¡¯m not in a good mood. I¡¯m really down," Cordelia responded.


    Ronan simply looked at her, not saying anything else. Last year, they were a family. This year, it was


    just the two of them, having been through months of resentment.


    Now, this resentment was gradually fading away.

 Chapter 265

    Chapter 265


    Ronan''s car pulled up in front of an upscale Western-style restaurant. Cordelia, with her hand on her


    hip, followed behind Ronan.


    "You''re sure you''re not eating?" Ronan began to order.


    "Um, could I just have a lemon water, please?" Cordelia politely asked the waiter.


    Ronan ordered a portion of foie gras, a serving of caviar, a medium-rare steak, a te of sushi, a


    vegetable sd, and a small dessert. Since it was the holiday season, Ronan ate leisurely, without a


    worry in the world. "Are you sure you don¡¯t want some?" Ronan asked her again.


    "Yes. Not hungry," Cordelia replied absentmindedly, while flipping through her chat history with Jamie


    on her phone. She hadn''t had a chance to read it yet.


    [Cordelia, Kent is Marian''s father, a wealthy man who knows my father. I suspect they''ve nned all


    this together. I know it¡¯s hard for you to stay at First Enterprises. If you stay, things will only get worse.


    I''ve talked to Brenda, you can go to PrimeNumbers ounting. I still have a 20% stake there. I''ll


    probably leave First Enterprises sooner orter. Our partnership has failed in just a few months.]


    Cordelia didn''t respond.


    Brenda also sent Cordelia a message. [Cordelia,e work with me. What does Kent think he is? Just


    because he has some money, he thinks he''s all that? Marian''s always wanted to make a name for


    herself in thepany, but you, with your undergraduate degree, are doing better than her. She''s


    jealous of you. It''s embarrassing for her to tell people that her boss is a year younger and an


    undergraduate. So she came up with this rotten n."


    Cordelia replied, [I know, Brenda. I''m pregnant now and I just want to take care of myself. I don''t want


    to think about thepany anymore.]


    [Reach out if you need anything.]


    Cordelia. [Okay.]


    Cordelia didn''t want to return to First Enterprises, nor did she want to go to PrimeNumbers ounting.


    Both ces held bad memories for her. Brenda''s words were afort to her. She just wanted to study


    abroad now. But the offer from UC Davis hadn''t arrived yet. Though not a lot of time had passed,


    Cordelia was anxious. She sent Jamie a message. [I''m giving you my email ount and password.


    Can you find someone to check it for me? What if the mail gets lost?]


    Jamie replied with a single word. [Okay.]


    Cordelia knew Jamie wouldn''t reply so soon, but she was so anxious that her hand was continuously


    stroking her phone.


    "Do you want a piece of cake?" Ronan asked Cordelia.


    "Pregnant women shouldn''t eat sweets," Cordelia said offhandedly.


    "Why?" Ronan didn''t understand.


    "Eating sweets can make the baby too big, which can cause stress for pregnant women. We need to


    strictly control our blood sugar. If the baby grows toorge, it could lead toplications during birth,"


    Cordelia exined, seemingly distracted.


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    "Really?" he asked.


    "Yes."


    "Do you feel nauseous seeing all this food?" Ronan asked Cordelia.


    Cordelia shook her head.


    "Have you been throwing up a lot since you got pregnant?" Ronan asked again. He suddenly seemed


    interested in her pregnancy.


    "I don''t think I''ve thrown up at all. The baby''s very well-behaved," Cordelia said, lowering her gaze to


    her stomach, and gently stroked it.


    Ronan frowned slightly.


    After drinking two sses of lemon water, Cordelia needed to use the restroom. Ronan called a


    waitress to apany her. She didn''t want Ronan to look at her phone, so she took it with her.


    On her way back from the restroom, she received a message from Jamie. [Cordelia, UC Davis sent you


    an offer on New Year''s Eve at 9 p.m. US time, but it was deleted. I''ve restored it for you. Check it out.]


    Cordelia''s heart skipped a beat. When she saw the offer, she was almost jumping with joy. But how did


    the email get deleted from her inbox?


    That day, Ronan was sleeping next to her, and she was asleep. Suddenly, a surge of anger rushed


    through Cordelia''s body and head, making her feel dizzy. She sat down on the couch by the restroom.


    Ronan breaking her pendant, being fired by Kent, and now finding out that her mail was deleted by


    Ronan, Cordelia was extremely upset.


    He was really something!


    Cordelia''s face turned red with anger, and she started to feel a cramping sensation in her stomach.


    "Miss, are you alright?" the waitress asked, noticing Cordelia''s face turning pale, and quickly ran to


    fetch Ronan.

 Chapter 266

    Chapter 266


    Cordelia realized she couldn''t let him know she was aware he''d been secretly deleting her emails. If he


    found out she knew, he might have continued doing it. She decided to y dumb, pretending she


    hadn''t received the job offer. As soon as the time came, she''d make her escape.


    "Stomachache?" Ronan asked, approaching Cordelia.


    Her eyes, which were initially filled with resentment, suddenly softened. "I''m not feeling so well today.


    Could you take me to the hospital? Victoria''s Hospital."


    Seeing her pale face and the way she clutched her stomach, Ronan helped her into the car, heading


    straight for the hospital. On the way, Cordelia video called Victoria, asking if she was at the hospital


    today because her stomach was hurting.


    "I''m on call today, are you bleeding?"


    "No, just a stomachache," Cordelia replied, her forehead damp with sweat. She wanted to lie down but


    couldn''t. She tried to find afortable position in the car, but it was impossible.


    "Just hang in there," Ronan said, noticing her pained expression through the rearview mirror.


    About twenty minutester, they arrived at the hospital. After examining Cordelia, Victoria called Ronan


    into her office, telling them Cordelia was having a threatened miscarriage. "Have you been upset


    recently?" Victoria asked Cordelia. ¡°Emotional stress can easily lead to a miscarriage. Fortunately,


    you¡¯re not bleeding. It¡¯s not serious, but you need to be careful.¡±


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    Ronan stood by Cordelia¡¯s side.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to be,¡± Cordelia said, her voice tinged with mncholy. She wanted to be fine, but Ronan


    wasn¡¯t making things easy. Their constant arguments and sex were taking a toll on her. Plus, she had


    just found out that Ronan had deleted her job offer, blocking her way to further her studies.


    "Also, isn''t it true that you can''t have sex during pregnancy?" Cordelia asked, ncing at Ronan out of


    the corner of her eye. She wanted Ronan to know how much he''d hurt her.


    "Normal pregnant women shouldn''t during the first three months and thest three months. The fetus


    isn''t stable during the first three months, and the uterus is under great pressure in thest three. But


    Cordelia, you''re carrying twins. Your uterus is already under a lot of stress," Victoria said, sounding a


    bit annoyed. She looked at Ronan and said, "Mr. Evans, can''t you control yourself? These are your


    babies too."


    Cordelia clenched her clothes tightly. To stop Victoria from saying more, Cordelia said, "It might also be


    because I''ve been upset these past few days."


    "Mr. Evans, you shouldn''t upset Cordelia while she''s pregnant. You need to keep her in high spirits.


    And Cordelia, remember the prenatal yoga ss Brooklyn mentioned? You should give it a try. Isn''t that


    right, Mr. Evans?" Victoria asked, looking at Ronan.


    Even someone as fearless as Ronan had to respect Victoria. "Yes," he replied.


    Victoria prescribed some medication for Cordelia, who then headed home. On the way back, Ronan


    remained silent.


    "Only I know who the father of the baby is. Neither Victoria nor Brooklyn know anything about it. They


    only guessed," Cordelia said.


    "Why deny what''s already known?" Ronan asked, looking at Cordelia through the rearview mirror.


    "I just didn''t want you to overthink," Cordelia replied, ying with her fingers.


    "I didn''t."


    As they neared their home, Ronan said, "I''ll move back to Pearl Palms. I''ll have Kitty teach you


    prenatal yoga."


    "Thank you, Mr. Evans," Cordelia said, looking out the window, her voice distant.


    Afraid Ronan would see her relief, she slowly let out a breath she''d been holding. But Ronan noticed.


    "So, you can''t stand seeing me?" he asked.


    "No, it''s just¡­"


    "Nevermind." Ronan''s anger finally subsided. He knew Cordelia''s threatened miscarriage was directly


    rted to him, so he decided to move back to Pearl Palms.

 Chapter 267

    Chapter 267


    Upon returning home, Cordelia retreated to her bedroom, drafting a letter to UC Davis. She had


    received their offer, and would be attending on time. Additionally, she requested that her physical offer


    letter be mailed to Taylor.


    The door creaked open and in strode Ronan. Cordelia startled, quickly shutting herptop.


    "Take your medicine," Ronan instructed.


    Cordelia, still apprehensive, thought to herself, that living with Ronan day in and day out was


    exhausting. It was only a matter of time before he scared her sick.


    "You''re...leaving tomorrow, right?" she asked him tentatively.


    "You''re eager, aren''t you?" He left the water and medicine on her desk, speaking nonchntly.


    "Of course not, I just wanted to know," Cordelia replied.


    At some point, a barrier had formed between Cordelia and Ronan, and their conversations had be


    awkward and distant.


    That night, Ronan cooked dinner, after which Cordelia went to bed. But as she closed the door, Ronan


    came in. Their eyes met, but Cordelia didn''t say anything.


    "Can we not do it tonight?" she pleaded, looking up at him.


    "Fine."


    Due to her pregnancy, Cordelia was ufortable and tossed and turned in bed.


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    "Stop moving!" Ronan held her close,manding her.


    Cordelia thought to herself, it must be the kids in her womb causing all this difort. It was his


    insistence on sleeping here and now he wasn''t letting her move. She was careful, fearing any


    movement would stir his desires. As a result, he didn''t sleep well.


    The next day, when Ronan was ready to move out, Cordelia felt a strange surge of excitement.


    As Ronan was dressing, he nced at Cordelia, who quicklyposed herself, reigning in her


    expressions.


    Around ten, Janice arrived. Janice lived in the suburbs of Millstone. She brought a lot of local produce


    for Cordelia. After putting down the groceries, she started cooking for Cordelia.


    Ronan told Janice that he was leaving. Cordelia didn''t utter a word of courtesy; she was busy eating.


    She was afraid that her polite words would make Ronan stay, and he would take them seriously.


    As Ronan got into his car, he immediately called his assistant asking them to check on two things and


    to have Kittye to Garden Estates in the afternoon to give Cordelia a private lesson.


    Cordelia finally rxed, the tension easing away.


    "Janice, how was your trip home for the holidays? Isn''t your son about to take his tests? How''s his


    revision going?" Cordelia asked, feeling more at ease.


    "His studies are going well, and whatever college he gets in, I''ll be pleased. I''d be overjoyed," Janice


    said, genuinely content when she talked about her son.


    Cordelia thought about how parents always wanted the best for their children. But she wasn''t Ronan''s


    child, so when her offer came, he deleted it. Thinking about this made her feel a chill in her heart. If it


    was her mother, she would undoubtedly be overjoyed.


    In the afternoon, Tristi brought Kitty over. Beforeing, Kitty had added Cordelia on Messenger.


    Kitty was in her forties, affable and graceful, with a delicate figure. Knowing it was Cordelia''s first time


    training, she had brought her yoga clothes and a mat.


    "Thank you, Kitty. You''re so thoughtful," Cordelia said. "How did you know my size?"


    Kitty smiled, "I''m not a fortune teller, Mr. Evans gave me your size and I bought it for you."


    Cordelia was slightly taken aback, her heart unconsciously fluttering.


    "Speaking of which, our yoga ss at Lumos Enterprises hasn''t been long established. Since I joined,


    I''ve never seen Mr. Evans smile. Only yesterday, when he mentioned you, did he crack the smallest


    smile," Kitty said, showing with her fingers just how minuscule it was.


    Cordelia thought to herself, ¡°He doesn''t even know the baby is his. What''s there to smile about?¡±


    Kitty started coaching Cordelia. Cordelia was young and although she was not ustomed to it at first,


    she learned quickly. Before leaving, Kitty and Cordelia agreed that she woulde every day at two in


    the afternoon for an hour-long session.


    Ever since Ronan moved out, Cordelia suddenly found her mindset had changed, she was no longer


    tense, and her days were leisurely.


    She suddenly found that living alone was surprisingly liberating.

 Chapter 268

    Chapter 268


    On the seventh day of the New Year, Jamie arrived.


    Janice had stepped out to pick up some groceries. Since the grocery store was just down the street,


    Janice would be back shortly, leaving Cordelia alone at home for a bit.


    Jamie brought arge bouquet of roses.


    Both PrimeNumbers ounting and First Enterprises were to resume work on the eighth day of the


    month. Worried that Cordelia might feel burdened without a job, Jamie decided toe over.


    "Where''s he?" Jamie looked around, not seeing Ronan.


    "He''s moved back to Pearl Palms," Cordelia replied.


    "He won''t being around anymore?"


    "Right."


    Jamie nced at Cordelia''s belly. "Did you tell him about the babies?"


    "No," Cordelia replied, not mentioning her own wavering thoughts.


    "Cordelia, Brenda told me you declined her invitation. I know you''re upset, given that I didn''t discuss it


    with you first. But Kent''s takeover was aggressive, and I had no choice..." Jamie said remorsefully. "I


    wanted to protect you, and ensure your peace and safety, but I failed."


    "It''s okay. I''vee to terms with it," Cordelia replied cheerily.


    "Cordelia, would you give me a chance?" With that, Jamie knelt down. "I know you considered aborting


    this baby initially, which implies you didn''t want it. You decided to keep it due to it being twins. I don''t


    mind stepping in. I''ll treat them as my own. Give me a chance, and marry me, okay? If you want to


    study abroad, go ahead. If you don''t want to take care of the children, I won''t make you. If you don''t


    want to live with my parents, we''ll move out, okay?"


    Cordelia had thought Jamie''s visit was tofort her, but he was here to propose. "I..." Cordelia didn''t


    know how to respond without hurting Jamie''s feelings.


    The sound of a key in the door interrupted them; Janice was back. She was initially puzzled to see


    Jamie kneeling with a bouquet, but she quickly realized he was proposing. Naturally, she felt unjust for


    Ronan. How could this man swoop in as soon as Ronan moved out?


    "Oh, Cordelia, he''s kneeling before you? What¡¯s the asion?" Janice teased.


    Her words provided Cordelia with the perfect escape. "You are back? What did you get?" Cordelia


    replied with a grin.


    "Some veggies. And some good-quality beef." Janice said, heading into the kitchen with her groceries.


    Jamie''s proposal was abruptly cooled down, leaving him feeling awkward.


    "Cordelia, take care. If anything happens, call me. Remember," Jamie said, before leaving.


    "Sure," Cordelia replied.


    Once Jamie was gone, the room returned to its previous tranquility. Janice walked out of the kitchen.


    "He was here to propose? He sure knows how to pick his timing. As soon as Mr. Evans is gone, he


    shows up. Why didn''t he dare when Mr. Evans was here? And remember, a man''s promises before


    marriage mean nothing. You have to see how he behaves after marriage."


    "How did your Mr. Evans behave after marriage?" Cordelia retorted with a smile.


    "I won''tment on others, but you know how much Mr. Evans cherishes you, right?" Seeing Cordelia


    being proposed to had stirred Janice''s emotions, making her more talkative. "Mr. Evans has done so


    much for you, but he doesn''t talk about it. You''re not aware."


    "He cherishes me? And that''s why he spends nights away from home? Cherishes me by putting me


    through a threatened miscarriage?" Cordelia was also getting angry.


    "You see, when he''s not home, you''re still bothered by that, aren''t you? He wasn''t out messing around.


    He was just too preupied with Barney''s critical illness during that period. Since it''s just us here


    today, I''ll speak my mind. I''m guessing the child is most likely Mr. Evans'', although I''m not sure why he


    believes it''s not. But regardless of who the father is, he''s been good to you, hasn''t he? Seeing you


    pregnant and growingrger each day must''ve been hard for him. But have you ever seen an ex-


    husband who treats his ex-wife as well as he does?"


    Janice''s words left Cordelia speechless. Many times, she had doubted herself. A year had passed


    since her mother''s death, and the pain had gradually faded. But Ronan had remained by her side all


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    this while.


    Cordelia retreated to her room. Tears welled up in her eyes. He had just left, and yet she was already


    hearing praises about him. It made her heart flutter, unable to let him go.


    Janice quickly sent Ronan a message via Messenger. [Mr. Evans, Jamie just proposed to Cordelia.


    Luckily, I got home in time to interrupt him.]


    After a while, Ronan replied, [Noted.]

 Chapter 269

    Chapter 269


    Cordelia was lounging on her bed when a message from Brooklyn popped up on her iPhone. [Cordelia,


    I just touched down in Millstone. How about treating me to dinner?]


    Cordelia had quite a free schedule for the next few days, so she replied, [Sure thing. You pick the


    ce.]


    [I can''tpete with your worldly travels with Mr. Evans, why don''t you choose?] Brooklyn suggested.


    Cordelia remembered a quaint little bistro that Ronan had once taken her to, which served pretty


    decent food. She sent the location to Brooklyn.


    [Here?] Brooklyn asked. [Did Mr. Evans take you?]


    [Are you saying if he didn''t take me there, you won''t go? Yes, he took me there.] Cordelia rolled her


    eyes.


    [Anywhere Mr. Evans goes is bound to be a bit pricey. I''ll have to fleece you properly. How about


    tomorrow morning? I need to drop something off for my sister first.]


    "Sounds good."


    As Cordelia was about to head out, Janice decided to tag along. But just as they were leaving, Janice


    rushed out from the bathroom eximing, "Cordelia, the faucet''s broken. It''s leaking non-stop and I


    don''t know how to fix it. I don''t even know the number for maintenance."


    Tristi had already messaged Cordelia, waiting for her downstairs.


    ncing at her watch; it was already eleven. "Forget it, just plug up the leak with something for now.


    We''ll call maintenance when we''re in the car," Cordelia suggested.


    "Alright." Janice quickly went back to the bathroom, returning shortly after.


    Once they were in the car, Janice was busy texting away, messaging Ronan. [Mr. Evans, the faucet''s


    leaking in the bathroom, I don''t know the maintenance number. Could you let me know so I can call


    them?]


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    No reply came from Ronan.


    "I messaged Mr. Evans about the maintenance number, but he hasn''t replied," Janice informed


    Cordelia.


    "He''s probably busy," Cordelia suggested, although she was just as clueless about what could be


    upying him.


    "What do we do now? If it keeps leaking, the floor''s going to be slick. I''m worried you might slip," Janice


    fretted.


    Cordelia felt a warmth spread in her heart hearing Janice''s concern. She had intended to tell Janice to


    stop involving Ronan in everything but swallowed back those words.


    "No worries, I''ll just avoid that bathroom," Cordelia assured her.


    As they reached the bistro, they bumped into Brooklyn. After handing Cordelia over to Brooklyn, Janice


    took off with Tristi. She asked Cordelia to call her when she was done, as she nned to spend the


    rest of the day shopping with Tristi.


    Unfortunately, as they entered the bistro, they were told that all the private rooms were taken and they


    would have to dine in the courtyard. But it was fully enclosed and heated, so it wasn''t chilly. Cordelia


    knew the ce would be busy during the holiday season, so she didn''t mind.


    The waiter led them to a cozy spot under a window, where Cordelia nestledfortably into a plush


    sofa. Through the window, she could see a private room with two upants, Ronan and Deanna.


    Outside conversations filtered through the ss clearly, but whatever was being said inside the private


    room was inaudible to Cordelia and Brooklyn.


    "Well, isn''t this a coincidence, bumping into your ex-wife. She''s showing quite a bit," Deanna remarked,


    eyeing Cordelia''s baby bump. Therger Cordelia''s bump got, the happier Deanna felt. After all, the


    baby wasn''t Ronan''s. Seeing Cordelia pregnant with Jamie''s child would undoubtedly irk Ronan.


    "Yes," Ronan replied nonchntly, ncing out the window. He had spotted Cordelia the moment she


    entered the courtyard.


    "You two aren''t living together anymore?" Deanna asked, an alert glint in her eyes.


    "No. I''m staying at Pearl Palms," Ronan replied, casually twirling his teacup in his hand.


    "Everything''s in the past now, right, Ronan?" Deanna probed further.


    "Yes."


    Hearing Ronan''s response, Deanna finally rxed. After all, Ronan was divorced from Cordelia, they


    were living separately, and Cordelia was carrying Jamie''s child. There was no more room for Cordelia


    in Ronan''s life. With the thorn removed from her side, Deanna could finally breathe easy.


    "How''s Samantha? How''s she doing?" Ronan suddenly asked.


    Deanna was taken aback, "Why do you care?"

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    Chapter 270


    "Cordelia, I''ve got something to tell you - Edwin''s in love."


    Before the main course even arrived, Brooklyn shared her misgivings with Cordelia. "I knew he had


    feelings for someone else, but I just didn''t want to believe it. Yet, my intuition was there."


    "Did you catch them in the act?" Cordelia blurted out instinctively.


    "Cordelia, I''m heartbroken!" protested Brooklyn, "Can''t you take this seriously? If I caught them red-


    handed, I would have jumped off a building by now."


    "Oh." Cordelia finally showed some seriousness. "So nothing actually happened? Everyone has their


    own ''one that got away'', right? I still have mine. If it weren''t for Logan''s ident, we would have been


    married by now. Maybe even have a couple of kids. Life is full of twists and turns."


    Ronan overheard their conversation. However, Deanna didn''t. Her attention was solely focused on the


    "Samantha" that Ronan was talking about.


    Ronan gave Deanna a small smile that didn''t quite reach his eyes. "Yeah, tell me more about her,"


    Ronan encouraged.


    "Don¡¯t even get me started on Samantha. She''s restless. I''ve been casting for a period drama recently


    and needed a maid. I had no choice but to let Samantha, fill in. But guess what? She kept stealing my


    limelight and even tried to get cozy with the producer. Now, a few producers have been calling her,


    offering her roles. With her looks, she¡¯s only fit for ying the viin. I have no idea where she gets her


    confidence!" Deanna grumbled.


    "So, you two are at odds now?" Ronan asked her.


    He wore a smile that seemed distant to Deanna, leaving her puzzled. "Yes."


    ...


    Outside.


    Brooklyn kept her head down. "I just found out today. My mom asked me to deliver some food to my


    sister, and I happened to see Edwin''s phone at the outdoor restaurant. I was curious, so I picked it up.


    There was no password. I discovered a contact named ''Cutie Pie.''"


    "And?" asked Cordelia, looking puzzled.


    Brooklyn''s face turned red, unable to finish her sentence. "Get me a bottle of wine!"


    Seeing Brooklyn''s poor mood, Cordelia ordered a bottle of red for her.


    "Vodka!" Brooklyn dered, "The strongest you''ve got."


    "Have you lost your mind?"


    "Just do it."


    Reluctantly, Cordelia obliged. Brooklyn poured herself shot after shot, changing the subject. "Cordelia,


    I''ve told everyone in thepany that you''re going to work at Lumos Enterprises!"


    "I''m definitely not going. You can''t manipte me with public opinion." Cordelia responded. Ronan had


    called Ms. Emily, asking her to start working in January. But that was when Cordelia was nning to


    study abroad in the States. There was no way she was going. She was determined to rise from the


    ashes. Since everyone was talking about her education, she decided to tackle the problem head-on.


    "You''re going whether you like it or not!" Brooklyn eximed, downing her shot. The vodka burned as it


    went down.


    "I absolutely refuse! I''m going to study abroad." Cordelia finally revealed her ns. "To tell you the


    truth, I''ve received an offer from UC Davis. I''ve emailed them to send the paper offer to my advisor. I''m


    starting in January. So, I definitely can''t work at Lumos Enterprises."


    "What about your child? What are you going to do?" Brooklyn lifted her head, looking at Cordelia with


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    vacant eyes. "How can you be so cold-hearted? Leaving without a second thought, without considering


    our feelings. If you leave, I''ll be alone. Mr. Evans never smiles. And Edwin... he''ll be devastated, do you


    understand?"


    Cordelia was taken aback, her brows furrowed as she asked Brooklyn, "Who are you talking about?"

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    Chapter 271


    Brooklyn couldn''t finish her sentence before tears flooded down her face, as she slumped onto the


    table. Cordelia sat there, stupefied, guilt gnawing at her from inside. She didn''t try tofort Brooklyn.


    Brooklyn wailed for a while, her hand pounding on the table, "The ounts for Cutie Pie¡¯s Messenger


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    and cell number both belong to you. The first time he came to the dorm, I noticed the way he looked at


    you. When you went abroad, he was reluctant to see you go. He knew you were married, pregnant,


    and he just silently admired you. He used me as a tool; every time he saw me, it was to see you. He


    went back to Roseville with you...¡±


    Cordelia kept her head low, aimlessly fiddling with her fork.


    Perhaps Edwin had named her Cutie Pie because they met at Evergreen Primary School, where


    Cordelia helped him fill up his car with gas. They had added each other on Messenger then, and so, he


    started calling her Cutie Pie. At that time, he didn''t know Cordelia was married.


    "You know it''s impossible between us." Cordelia said, guilt oozing from her words.


    "But nheless, his affection was for you. It can''t be for anyone else. He might like someone else in


    the future, but that someone won''t be me. I will always be a stand-in." Brooklyn said, "You should stay."


    "Your words make it even harder for me to stay." Cordelia''s eyes were nk as she stared at the dish


    in front of her. It was one of the few times in her life when she found food unappetizing.


    Afterwards, Cordelia and Brooklyn fell into silence. They sat there, immersed in their quiet thoughts.


    Earlier, Deanna had heard the crying from outside their private dining room. She told Ronan, "What a


    nutcase, crying andughing like that."


    "Isn''t she allowed to cry when she''s upset?" Ronan''s tone carried a hint of reprimand towards Deanna.


    "Were you eavesdropping just now?" Deanna asked Ronan, her voiceced with caution.


    "No. But unrequited love, resentment, and separation from a loved one, aren''t all these worth shedding


    tears over?" Ronan''s words seemed not to be directed at Deanna. And Deanna, with her level of


    understanding, couldn''t quite grasp his meaning.


    Cordelia called Tristi to tell her they had finished eating and toe back. "Let me take you back to the


    dorm?" Cordelia gently patted Brooklyn''s face.


    Brooklyn had already passed out from the alcohol.


    Tristi and Janice managed to get Brooklyn into the car with Janice taking the passenger seat. "It''s a


    good thing she''s with you. If she was with a guy, who knows what could have happened?" Janice


    "Perhaps it''s because of unrequited love." Cordelia nced at the unconscious Brooklyn and said


    quietly. She suddenly felt that she had grown a lot through Brooklyn''s experience.


    Kitty had said that Mr. Evans rarely smiled in thepany. Brooklyn also mentioned that Mr. Evans


    didn''t smile anymore. It seemed that after her departure, his smiles indeed became scarce. He used to


    smile before, albeit not much. Cordelia pondered, the scales in her heart slowly tipped towards Ronan.


    After dropping Brooklyn off at the dorm, their car headed back to Garden Estates. Cordelia was


    chatting with Janice in the car and didn''t notice a cab that had been following them. When she got


    home, Cordelia felt exhausted. After she got back to her room, she heard some noises. She pricked up


    her ears, a little scared. She wondered that someone didn''t break in, did they?


    "Janice, Janice." Cordelia called from her room, being careful about her belly.


    "What are you calling for?" A familiar voice responded, and then, someone pushed open the door to


    Cordelia''s room.


    He stood at the entrance of Cordelia''s bedroom, wearing a ck shirt, looking broad-shouldered and


    slim-waisted. His eyebrows were sharp and eyes were bright. He was exceptionally handsome. His


    sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, holding a wrench in his hand as if he was busy with something.


    His appearance, for some reason, was unexpectedly sexy.


    "Is that you?" Cordelia didn''t even notice. Her voice had softened, and there was a spark in her eyes.

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    Chapter 272


    "It''s me." Ronan replied.


    "What are you doing here? I thought you''d returned to Pearl Palms?" Cordelia queried.


    "The faucet in the bathroom broke, I didn''t have the property management''s number and I''ve never


    lived here before." He exined.


    Cordelia slowly nodded, "Oh, are you leaving tonight?"


    She had spent a decent amount of time chatting with Brooklyn and then dropped her home; now it was


    already past four in the morning.


    "Do you want me to leave?" He asked.


    "You can make your own decisions; it''s not my business. If you''re staying, I''ll have Janice cook. If


    you''re leaving, then¡­" Cordelia seemed to realize the expression on her face and quickly masked it.


    "If I leave then what?" Ronan asked.


    "Then we won''t make your dinner." Cordelia retorted.


    "I''ll stay then." He said.


    "Then I''ll have Janice make your food." With that, Cordelia started to leave the room to head to the


    kitchen. But, Ronan stretched out his arm and blocked her path. Cordelia turned her head to look at


    him in surprise.


    "I''ve already told her." Ronan said.


    "Oh. Okay." Cordelia nodded, returning to sit on the bed.


    Ronan then went to the bathroom to fix the faucet.


    Cordelia''s bedroom door remained open. She could hear the nking sound of metal, the running of


    water from the faucet, and the sound of him washing his hands. Suddenly, she found these sounds,


    filled with a strong sense of everyday life, to be veryforting.


    "Aren''t you having lunch?" He said, stepping out of the bathroom and looking over at Cordelia who was


    still in the bedroom. He was still wearing that stern, handsome ck shirt that was hard to look directly


    at.


    "I ate too much at lunch. I''m not hungry." Cordelia replied.


    "Even if you''re not hungry, you should drink your milk. Come out." Ronan insisted.


    With nothing else to do in the bedroom, Cordelia agreed and went to sit at the dining table. "Go make


    her milk and prepare a garden sd." Ronan instructed Janice.


    "Alright." Janice said.


    As Janice was preparing dinner in the kitchen, Cordelia sat idly at the dining table. "What did you eat


    for lunch? Why aren''t you hungry?" Ronan asked casually as he ate his meal.


    "Oh, Brooklyn wanted me to treat her to lunch, so we went to that boutique restaurant you took me to


    "What did you two talk about?" Ronan asked.


    "I can''t remember, just casual chatter between old friends. She starts work the day after tomorrow."


    Cordelia exined.


    Janice brought over the milk for Cordelia.


    "The sd is being prepared. It''ll be ready soon." She said before returning to the kitchen.


    Cordelia held the cup of milk with both hands, taking a sip. Her lips were coated in milk.


    "Um." Cordelia felt awkward and was looking for a topic to break the ice, "Are you also starting work on


    the tenth?"


    "Your mouth." Ronan looked up at Cordelia.


    "What?" Cordelia was caught off guard by Ronan''s statement.


    "Milk." Ronan said.


    "Huh?" Cordelia was even more confused by Ronan''s words.


    Seeing Cordelia''s baffled expression, Ronan reached over, brushed his hand along her shoulder and


    leaned in to kiss her. Cordelia''s mind went nk before she realized - she had milk on her lips.


    Janice, carrying the garden sd, was about to enter the dining room when she saw their intimate


    moment and quickly retreated back into the kitchen. It wasn''t until they finally pulled apart that she


    reentered the room.


    Cordelia''s face was flushed, "Is there more?"


    "Nope." Ronan continued eating.


    Cordelia started eating her sd, thinking to herself. The sorrow of her mother''s passing was slowly


    fading away, but his warmth was right in front of her. Cordelia feared that as time went on, she wouldn''t


    be able to resist and would surrender. This wasn''t the first time she had had feelings for him.


    After dinner, Ronan sat on the couch reading a book while Cordelia went back to her room to rest.


    She was lying in bed watching a TV series when suddenly her calf started to cramp severely. This was


    amon urrence since she got pregnant. Victoria had told her to massage it frequently. But this


    time, the cramp was so severe that she could barely tolerate it and with her erged belly, she couldn''t


    reach her calf.


    "Janice, Janice." Cordelia called from her room.


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    She had rarely experienced this before her pregnancy, but ever since she got pregnant, and especially


    sincest Monday, it had been happening frequently.

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    Chapter 273


    "What''s going on?" Ronan asked as he walked in.


    "I''ve got a charley horse in my calf." Cordelia grimaced, the pain nearly bringing tears to her eyes.


    Ronan sat next to her and gently lifted her legs onto hisp. But now, the cramp had subsided. Cordelia


    started to question if it was all in her head. "It doesn''t hurt anymore." She quickly removed her legs


    from hisp.


    "Have you been taking your prenatal vitamins on time?" He asked Cordelia.


    "Uh-huh. I always take them on time." She assured him.


    "You''re lucky you haven''t been dealing with morning sickness." Ronan suddenlymented.


    Cordelia didn''t think much of it at first, but then she remembered that Ronan first suspected her


    pregnancy when she started vomiting.


    "Did I ever mention that?" Cordelia asked.


    "Don''t you remember?" Ronan questioned.


    "I did vomit a few times in the early stages of my pregnancy, but then it stopped." Cordelia exined.


    "Really?" After that, Ronan climbed into bed and started reading a book.


    "Are you sleeping here tonight?" Cordelia nced at him.


    "Where else?" Ronan asked.


    "Could you please listen to what Victoria said?" Cordelia asked.


    "What do you take me for?" Ronan retorted.


    Cordelia didn''t respond, but she thought to herself, of course, he¡¯s like a pervert to her.


    The room was quiet that night so Cordelia quickly drifted into sleep. Around eleven, Ronan turned off


    the lights to sleep. ording to his usual temper, Cordelia should have been dead thousand times over


    today because of what he learned. She had a childhood sweetheart about to get married. She had


    another admirer, Edwin. She was secretly nning to study abroad; even though he deleted her


    emails, it did nothing to change her determination.


    Edwin had a crush on Cordelia, and Ronan knew it. He remembered Edwin pleading for her when he


    donated to Evergreen Elementary School.


    As for the study abroad ns, Ronan had already made arrangements with the HR Department to


    have Cordelia transferred to Lumos Enterprises.


    The reason why he didn''t lose his temper today was not only because he was afraid she would have a


    miscarriage, but also because he learned two things.


    He asked his assistant to check the CCTV footage of the Lakeside Hotel and Luxe Cuisine. He found


    that Cordelia had taken a pregnancy test from a janitor''s trash can and that she had a dish at Luxe


    Cuisine. The dish contained deep-fried egg yolks, which Cordelia ate and then vomited. The egg yolks


    were deep-fried, making it difficult to recognize.


    He suspected that Grant saw Cordelia vomiting and she was afraid he would tell Ronan about her


    return, so she decided to leave the Lakeside Hotel overnight. But then she thought she could only run


    for a while, not forever. In order topletely cut ties with Ronan, she deliberately found a pregnancy


    test.


    This could prove that Cordelia wasn¡¯t pregnant that night. If she was pregnant, she could buy a


    pregnancy test herself, instead of picking up someone else''s. Therefore, she got pregnant after that


    night. Of course, it was not ruled out that she slept with Jamie afterwards and got pregnant.


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    Thinking of this, Ronan felt a twinge of jealousy.


    But now, Ronan was 55% sure that the twins were his, unlike before when he was 100% sure that the


    twins were Jamie''s.


    Why did Cordelia lie that she was pregnant with Jamie''s child that day? And she wasn''t pregnant at the


    time. He also remembered that night, she struggled so hard that the condom slipped off. So, Ronan


    was not angry today.


    When would he find out that the twins were his? That depended on when she told him. He was giving


    her a chance.

 Chapter 274

    Chapter 274


    Deanna''s palm pped hard across Samantha''s face.


    Deanna had been seething with resentmenttely. Samantha was her assistant, yet her eyes were


    always on the bigger stage, yearning to be in the spotlight. It frustrated Deanna that Samantha, with


    herck of formal training and connections, had such lofty ambitions.


    The p was satisfying.


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    "What is this?" Deanna pointed to a hole in a designer gown. Samantha had borrowed it for her, only to


    return it damaged.


    Deanna used this as an excuse to vent her anger at Samantha''s constant auditioning. Samantha felt


    humiliated, but she had to bear it.


    "Where are your loyalties? Are you my assistant or not? If you don''t want to be, just say so." Deanna


    snapped.


    Unfortunately for Samantha, she was once again in Deanna''s line of fire.


    "I want to be." Samantha replied, her voice barely above a whisper. She was a very patient person,


    willing to endure anything for her goals. If she could appease Deanna, maybe she would have more


    opportunities in the future. But if she couldn''t, Deanna could easily make Samantha jobless by


    tomorrow. So, she had to swallow her pride and continue working for Deanna.


    Meanwhile, Samantha had caught the attention of the producers of The High Society, a popr TV


    show. Despite Deanna being a far bigger star than Samantha, she hadn''t received any invitation to


    audition for the show. Samantha, on the other hand, had no such demands. As long as she couldnd


    a role in The High Society, she would have a name in the acting industry.


    Samantha longed for that overnight sess. Working as an assistant could only get her so far, but


    acting offered the chance of instant fame. Right now, every actor in the country was eyeing this show.


    Not only was it a big-budget project, but the producer was the renowned na.


    na, born into a prestigious family and blessed with natural beauty and grace, had risen to stardom at


    the tender age of twenty-three. However, at the peak of her career, she vanished from the limelight,


    starting Keegan Entertainment, one of the top film and TV productionpanies in the country.


    Although it produced only one or two shows a year, each one was a smash hit. This was another


    source of Deanna''s envy and anger.


    "Even if you do bag a role in The High Society, you''ll just be a second-rate maid." Deanna said


    venomously, "And if you go, don''t bothering back as my assistant!"


    Samantha remained silent. Recently, her mother Sienna had been inquiring about her life in Millstone.


    If things were going well, she and Ronald, Samantha''s stepfather, nned to move there, since their


    hometown Colwood was bing increasingly deste due to the mass exodus of workers.


    Ever since Samantha hadnded a minor role in a show, Sienna had been bragging about her


    daughter''s potential stardom to anyone who would listen. They all said, "Oh, your daughter''s going to


    be a big star. Are you going to move to Millstone?" This had be a nagging worry for Sienna, which


    was now weighing heavily on Samantha. Samantha was desperate tond a role in The High Society. If


    she seeded, she would quit working for Deanna. But for now, she had to keep ying along.


    "Cordelia is carrying Ronan''s baby!" Samantha blurted out suddenly.


    Deanna frowned. Why did Samantha always bring up the things she least wanted to hear? She


    pped Samantha again. "Do you have to stir the pot?" Deanna asked.


    "No. Yesterday, I saw Cordelia driving Brooklyn back to her dorm in a BMW 7 Series. Cordelia''s belly


    was noticeably round. I had a hunch, so I had a cab follow her. She went to Garden Estates, and I saw


    Ronan''s car there. Why would he be looking after her if it wasn''t his baby?" Samantha stated, "And the


    BMW - I doubt it''s Cordelia''s. It must be Ronan''s. Would he be so generous if the baby was Jamie''s?


    Cordelia once told me she wanted to find her soulmate. It''s not like her to be pregnant with another


    man''s baby before her divorce is finalized."


    Samantha''s argument made sense, and Deanna''s eyes began to ze over.

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    Deanna''s attention was quick to shift, no longer clutching Samantha''s hair as tightly as before. Only by


    shifting Deanna''s focus onto Cordelia was Samantha able to devote her time and energy to her career.


    "What do I do?" Deanna became suddenly anxious, thinking that Cordelia had no chance with Ronan


    anymore. Suddenly, her eyes shifted again, "If it''s his, why doesn''t he say something?"


    "It''s simple. He''s afraid you''ll try to harm Cordelia''s baby! Ronan is protective of Cordelia." Samantha


    was a master at stirring the pot.


    Deanna grew more anxious, realizing that the baby meant an inevitable connection to Cordelia, with an


    inheritance to consider in the future. Ronan was presently living with Cordelia even when they were


    already divorced.


    "Enough talk, what''s the action n? It''s already been months, what can I do?" Deanna asked.


    Poisoning or pushing Cordelia was out of the question, the consequences would be devastating and


    criminal.


    "Hurry up and get Cordelia and Jamie to tie the knot!" Samantha suggested, "I''ll have my cousin talk to


    Jamie''s mom!"


    "Will it work?" Deanna asked.


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    "I''ll do my best!" Samantha said.


    Before Cordelia got pregnant, Samantha''s previous ideas had been met with resistance from Deanna.


    This time, she learned her lesson. By involving more people, even if the n failed, she wouldn''t be to


    me. It could be Adrian''s fault, or it could be Jamie''s mom''s. Samantha''s goal was to keep Deanna''s


    attention on Cordelia so she could focus on her auditions in The High Society.


    "I''m counting on you. Don''t mess this up. If you do, I''ll make sure every director and producer in


    Millstone knows, and you''ll have no roles to y. Then we''ll see who''s really powerful, you or me."


    Deanna threatened, pointing at Samantha''s forehead.


    Deanna had agreed to let Samantha audition. She realized that even if Samantha did well, her roles


    would be minor.


    "Okay." Samantha agreed.


    Samantha found Adrian, who had been devastated by Ronan. He had broken up with Kendra, lost his


    child, and was left with nothing. His previous brashness was reced by fear. He wouldn''t dare go


    against Ronan since he was already scared of him. But getting Cordelia and Jamie together was


    Adrian''s original intention. He was willing to give it a try.


    Jamie was easier to manipte than Ronan. And, Adrian knew that Jamie had recently been rejected


    by Cordelia. Now was a good opportunity.


    That evening, Adrian visited Jamie¡¯s ce. As a driver, he knew that Thomas wasn''t home.


    "Adrian, he''s not home today. Maybe you coulde back tomorrow?" Ava suggested.


    "Oh, I''m not here to see Mr. Thomas, I''m here for you. About my sister''s issue." Adrian replied.


    "Cordelia? Why bring her up again?" Ava was reluctant. The previous incident with the shirt had left a


    sour taste in her mouth. After several conversations with Thomas reassuring her that the baby wasn''t


    Jamie''s, she had been swayed.


    But these past few days, Jamie had been locking himself in his room without speaking. She was


    worried about her son. Despite her dislike for her future daughter-inw, she still cared for her son.


    "My sister''s child is Jamie''s, you know that, right? Cordelia told me herself. But Ronan forced her to go


    back to him. Cordelia is unhappy, but Ronan thinks the child is his. She told me the other day she


    misses Jamie. Mr. Thomas doesn''t believe the child is Jamie¡¯s because of his past with Ronan. But


    ma''am, you need to know. Cordelia is pregnant with twins." Adrian said.


    Ava furrowed her brows, wondering who to believe. "Alright, I understand. You can go. I''ll ask Jamie


    and decide what to do next." Ava responded.


    From Adrian''s perspective, he wanted Ava to bring Cordelia back. Ava thought, since Adrian was


    Cordelia''s brother, he wouldn''t purposely put his sister in harm''s way.

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    Chapter 276


    Ava made her way to Jamie''s room. Recently, Jamie had returned home and isted himself in his


    room, his mood notably somber.


    "What''s been going on, son?" Ava asked Jamie.


    "Oh, nothing, just work stuff." Jamie replied nonchntly.


    Lately, Jamie had been having a rough go of things. His proposal to Cordelia had been rejected and his


    work life was no better. His business partner, Kent, had impulsively be the majority shareholder of


    First Enterprises. However, Kentcked the skills to manage thepany and was easily


    outmaneuvered by theirpetitor, Ronan. Naturally, Jamie was in a bad mood. His values didn''t align


    with Kent''s, and he was considering leaving First Enterprises.


    "You''re also upset about Cordelia, aren''t you?" Ava asked.


    Jamie paused, "Yes."


    His first proposal had failed, and he was unsure of how to approach the topic again. He was stuck in an


    awkward stalemate.


    "Son, let me ask you, is Cordelia''s child yours?" Ava asked.


    Jamie knew that if he said the child was not his, his mother would certainly prevent Cordelia from


    entering their home in the future. So, Jamie said, "Yes!"


    Ava nodded, deep in thought. "Are you certain? After all, the person who would know best is Cordelia."


    Ava said seriously. She had to find out who the father of the child was.


    Jamie was reminded of the day when he went to Cordelia''s house and saw the silhouette leaving her


    bed. Despite his heartache, he said, "I''m certain. The child was conceived when we were both in


    California. Although she''s now living at Ronan''s house, she has not had sex with him. Ronan is


    involved in the death of Cordelia''s mother. She would rather hate him."


    "Really?" Ava asked. Adrian had mentioned that Cordelia was not happy living at Garden Estates.


    "Really. I proposed to Cordelia, and she rejected me." Jamie said.


    "So, you''re upset because of that?" Ava asked again, "But if she loves you, why did she reject your


    proposal?"


    Jamie thought for a moment, "I wouldn''t say she rejected me. Her aunt came home right after I


    proposed."


    "So, should I propose on your behalf?" Ava suggested. Ava felt much better. She believed that


    following the incident with Cordelia''s mother, Cordelia would not go back to Ronan.


    Ava asked Jamie for Cordelia''s address at Garden Estates, nning to visit the next day. Jamie


    mentioned that most businesses reopen on the 8th, so Ronan would likely be at work.


    The next morning, Ava stood at Cordelia''s front door. However, when she knocked, it was Ronan who


    answered.


    "You are?" Ronan didn''t recognize Ava. When he picked up Cordeliast time, Ava was not there.


    "Mr. Evans? Are you home? I''m Jamie''s mother." Ava saw Ronan as her son''s biggest enemy, her tone


    naturally hostile.


    "Um. Pleasee in." Ronan invited Ava inside.


    Cordelia was sitting on the couch reading a book about child-rearing. Hearing someone arrive, she


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    turned around.


    "Ava, what brings you here?" Cordelia saw Ava and quickly put her book face down on the table,


    standing up to greet her.


    "You''re showing quite a bit!" Ava walked over to Cordelia, "My dear grandchild."


    Ava gently touched Cordelia''s belly. Cordelia looked a bit embarrassed.


    "I''ll go to my room. You two chat." Ronan saw Ava and, although he wasn''t pleased, he knew when to


    leave women to their conversation.


    "Oh, Mr. Evans, no need, some things need to be said in your presence." Ava''s attitude towards Ronan


    was not as fawning and sniveling as Thomas''s. After all, she was unaware of the things her husband


    had done in the past.


    Ronan sat on a single chair nearby.


    Janice came out to pour water for Ava. "No need! I won''t take a dime from the Evans family!" Ava


    raised her hand and said.


    Janice nced at Ronan, who motioned for her to leave.


    "Ava, thank you for the pendant you got for mest time. It''s beautiful, I really like it." Cordelia kicked off


    the polite conversation.


    "Pendant?" Ava frowned slightly. She had no memory of such a pendant.


    "Yes, the one that protects children." Cordelia said.


    "Oh, you mean that. I forgot, I did ask for one. To bless my grandchild''s safety." Ava said vaguely.


    Seeing her confused expression, Ronan knew that the pendant was not from Ava. It was just an


    excuse for Jamie to give Cordelia a gift, using the pretense of blessing the child''s safety so Cordelia


    wouldn''t take it off. It seemed that Jamie wasn''t as simple as he appeared. He was quite crafty!

 Chapter 277

    Chapter 277


    "Cordelia." Ava said, leaning casually against the doorframe, "I''m here to bring you home. After all, the


    bun in your oven is Jamie¡¯s, and some folks can''t im the harvest when they didn''t sow the seed.


    What''s the deal with keeping you cooped up here? That''s not right."


    Ava''s message was loud and clear, and intended for Ronan. However, Ronan chose not to take the


    bait. He simply ran a hand through his hair, showing no sign of being affected by Ava''s words.


    "Ava." Cordelia began, her mind a whirl of confusion. Words failed her.


    "Jamie told me everything, darling." Ava interrupted, patting Cordelia''s hand, "He said the baby was


    conceived during his first visit to California. It''s definitely his. I may have had my reservations about you


    before, but I hope you can forgive me. Come home with me, will you?"


    "Did Jamie really tell you that?" Cordelia asked, a slight frown appearing on her forehead.


    "Absolutely. He tried to proposest time but things didn''t work out. This time, I''m here on his behalf.


    I''ve put my dignity aside for him, Cordelia. Please, say yes." Ava said.


    The baby was a miracle¡ªa pair of twins, a boy and a girl. It was a blessing usually reserved for the


    most virtuous of couples. Ava might have had her misgivings about Cordelia in the past, thinking she


    was a loose woman. But the babies were a gift to the family, and Jamie clearly adored Cordelia.


    "I." Cordelia began, her eyes downcast as she fiddled with her fingers, "Can I take a few days to think it


    over?"


    She knew Ronan would never let her go, but it felt wrong to outright reject Ava in the moment. So, she


    opted for a stalling tactic.


    "A few days?" Ava inquired.


    Cordelia held up three fingers, "Three days?"


    "Alright, I''lle back in three days. Some people need to wake up to reality. Remember how her


    mother died? Who would willingly stay with their enemy? This is confinement, don''t you understand?"


    With a pointed nce at Ronan, Ava turned on her heel and left.


    The mention of her mother pricked at Cordelia''s heart. After seeing Ava out, Cordelia returned to the


    couch, her face devoid of emotion.


    "When did Jamie firste to California?" Ronan asked, lounging in an armchair and flipping through a


    book, his tone casual.


    The two of them had been sitting in the living room all morning, reading in a peaceful silence. Earlier,


    Janice had been bustling around the kitchen, the soft tter of pots and pans drifting into the living


    room. The only sounds were the turning of pages and the asional sigh. Outside, it was a beautiful


    sunny day. To Cordelia, this was a picture of tranquil contentment.


    "I can''t remember. It wasn''t long after I moved to the U.S." Cordelia replied.


    "Before your exams?" Ronan asked, not looking up from his book.


    "Yes." Cordelia answered.


    Now, every mention of her mother made her anxious. She was living with the man who had caused her


    mother''s death and carrying his child.


    Ronan was now 95% certain: the twins were his.


    ording to Jamie, Cordelia had be pregnant before her exams. But Ronan knew for a fact that


    she hadn''t been pregnant before that. After her exams, she had stayed with the Evans family and


    hadn''t had a chance to be with Jamie. During their lunch, Janice had told him Cordelia was pregnant.


    Ronan now realized that Cordelia''s attitude wasn''t to cover up an illegitimate pregnancy. It was genuine


    surprise. She didn''t know she was pregnant.


    Therefore, the only exnation was that she had be pregnant the day before her exams. The


    twins were his!


    The remaining 5% of his hope was for Cordelia to confirm it herself.


    Ronan nced at Cordelia. She sat there, absently ying with her fingers with a look of conflict


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    showing on her face.


    "What''s wrong?" He asked, his voice gentle. His face softened, but Cordelia remained oblivious.

 Chapter 278

    Chapter 278


    The following day, when Cordelia got up, Ronan was already off to work. She remembered she had


    yoga sses every afternoon at Lumos Enterprises. She wasn''t sure if Kitty had changed her


    schedule.


    [Kitty, Lumos Enterprises is open for business. We might need to adjust our ss timetables. What do


    you think?] Cordelia sent a message to Kitty.


    Kitty''s response took quite some time: [I teach at Lumos Enterprises after their work hours, so our


    usual time will not be affected. However, today is their first day of operations and it''s going to be hectic.


    Can youe to Lumos Enterprises? No need to bring your yoga mat, just your workout gear. Later,


    you can message Tristi to pick you up.]


    Cordelia was hesitant about going to Lumos Enterprises, considering she had resigned a while ago. If


    she went, people would definitely gossip.


    [Let''s skip today then. We can continue tomorrow.] Cordelia replied.


    [But, Mr. Evans wants you toe.] Kitty responded.


    Cordelia thought it seemed that Kitty had consulted with Ronan before getting back to her. After much


    deliberation, she sent Ronan a message: [Why do you want me toe?]


    Ronan didn''t reply, instead, he called directly, "Will and Hunter are here. They came for you. Can you


    pleasee over?"


    Cordelia recalled how Hunter had told Jamie he was going to sign a three-year contract because of her.


    Now that First Enterprises had lost all their contracts to Ronan, they had followed suit. Cordelia knew


    they were just trying to suck up to Ronan and it had nothing to do with her. But since she was the


    official excuse, she felt obliged to go.


    She had breakfast and lunch together, and by eleven, she was being driven to Lumos Enterprises by


    Tristi. Janice didn''t apany her. Since Tristi was there for the ride, and Ronan would be at Lumos


    Enterprises, Janice stayed home to prepare dinner.


    Before entering the grand lobby of Lumos Enterprises, Cordelia had to mentally prepare herself. As


    soon as she stepped in, she noticed several receptionists staring at her, respect mixed with curiosity in


    their eyes.


    Cordelia knocked on the door of Ronan''s office.


    "They''re all upstairs negotiating contracts with Wyatt. You should go check on them." Ronan said.


    "Okay." Cordelia replied, a little slow on the uptake, then turned to leave.


    Just as she turned around, Ronan grabbed her wrist, "Let me walk you to the elevator."


    Cordelia was startled, wondering whether she had turned too slowly or he had moved too quickly.


    "Why are you so quick?" she asked Ronan, looking up at him.


    A hint of a smile yed at the corners of his mouth, "Am I? I thought I was going slow."


    Cordelia was a slow walker, and she could feel Ronan staring at her. It took her forever to lift a foot and


    then put it down. He supported her as they walked, and Cordelia felt a great deal of pressure. She was


    afraid she was holding him up.


    "You don''t have to escort me. I don''t want to keep you from your work. I can take the elevator by


    myself." Cordelia said, her voice tinged with guilt.


    He smiled again, "It''s no big deal."


    His smiles left Cordelia feeling puzzled, not understanding what he found amusing.


    On the way to the elevator, they ran into several coworkers, all of whom greeted them respectfully, "Mr.


    Evans, Mrs. Evans."


    Ronan, used to the deference, didn''t respond. He apanied Cordelia all the way to Wyatt''s office,


    then left on the elevator, not wanting to meddle with the Audit Department''s affairs.


    Wyatt looked at Cordelia''s swollen belly, "You know, we have a saying, ''absence makes the heart grow


    fonder.'' I had thought that you two would take five years to have a baby."


    After he finished, Wyatt spread his hands out. To those who spent their days in the office, time seemed


    to have no meaning. A few days without seeing Cordelia, and her belly had grown so much.


    "Actually, Ms. Haselwood, the reason we initially wanted to sign a contract with First Enterprises was


    solely because of you. Since you''ve resigned from First Enterprises, it''s only natural that we follow


    you." Will said.


    Cordelia knew these people were just trying to use her to gain favor with Ronan. Moreover, she wasn''t


    sure if she would be working at Lumos Enterprises in the future. So, she said, "I''m about to give birth


    and won''t be able to guarantee my avability. But I can introduce you to a more reliable ountant,


    Mna. She trained me, and she''s far morepetent than I am."


    With Cordelia''s endorsement, Will and Hunter naturally agreed to sign a contract with Lumos


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    Enterprises'' Audit Department.


    However, Wyatt and Mna were grateful to Cordelia. They were seasoned professionals and


    understood what Ronan was trying to do. If Ronan wanted them to feel indebted to Cordelia, they


    would.


    This was Ronan paving the way for Cordelia to join Lumos Enterprises'' Audit Department once more.


    Everyone understood and kept their silence.


    Everyone also knew that Ronan was setting Cordelia up. If she didn''t return to work, it would lead to


    widespread disappointment.


    All Cordelia could say was that Ronan was a man of considerable calction and cunning.

 Chapter 279

    Chapter 279


    In the afternoon, afterpleting her yoga ss, Cordelia sent a message to Tristi, letting her know


    she was on her way home.


    As she was passing through the lobby, Cordelia decided to use the restroom. The first floor was


    generally less upied, and its restroom was seldom used, thus smaller than those on other floors.


    Just as Cordelia was about to leave the restroom, she heard a couple of voices outside.


    "Did you hear? Cordelia is back in the office."


    "Yeah, I heard. She''s showing off her baby bump."


    "Do you think everyone knows about her mother''s death? It wasn¡¯t an ident. She''s practically living


    with Mr. Evans, having his kids, even two at once. How can she ignore her own family like this?"


    "You''d do the same if you had a shot at a life like this, wouldn''t you? Who wouldn''t want to secure their


    position with a few kids?"


    "But who are the kids really from? Isn''t there a rumor that they''re Jamie''s?"


    "That''s nonsense. If they were Jamie''s kids, would Mr. Evans parade her around the office? Besides,


    HR has already settled her in. She''s on paid maternity leave."


    "People can really get on your nerves."


    The voices faded, and Cordelia could no longer hear them.


    Normally, Cordelia wouldn''t pay any attention to such gossip. But the mention of her mother''s death hit


    her hard, reopening old wounds and making her heart bleed.


    She started to question herself. Was she being too heartless in ignoring her mother''s death and letting


    her heart wander free?


    As Cordelia left the restroom, Tristi was just about to call her. Seeing Cordelia waving at her from


    across the lobby, Tristi hung up the call.


    On the way home, Cordelia couldn''t help but think about her mother. Since her mother''s death, she had


    grown up and matured more than ever. She was no longer the child she used to be.


    Once they got back home, Cordelia excused herself, saying she was tired. She retreated to her room


    and locked the door. When Ronan arrived home, she heard him but didn''t acknowledge his presence.


    He knocked on her door, but she told him she was tired and needed to rest, asking him to sleep in his


    own room for the next few days.


    Ronan, for once, was calm and didn''t force her door open.


    The next day, Ronan left and Cordelia still hadn''t gotten up.


    This went on for several days. Ronan noticed the change in Cordelia, knowing that she was struggling


    with internal conflicts. He let her have her space.


    Three days passed, and Ava hadn''t shown up.


    She wanted Cordelia, but what she really wanted were her own grandchildren. Ronan called Thomas,


    warning him to keep his wife in check and not to jump to conclusions.


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    Thomas, who was afraid of Ronan, naturallyplied. Moreover, he pushed all the me onto Adrian,


    iming that everything his wife had done was instigated by Adrian.


    "Adrian?" Ronan had suspected someone was stirring the pot, otherwise, Ava wouldn''t have changed


    her mind so abruptly.


    "Yes, Mr. Evans. All of this has nothing to do with my wife. She was deceived by Adrian''s lies." Thomas


    pushed all the me onto Adrian.


    Thomas was indeed loyal to his wife.


    Ronan then called Adrian. To be honest, Adrian was a bit hesitant to answer Ronan''s call at first. But


    he was familiar with Ronan''s tactics, and in the end, he picked up.


    "Do you know where Kendra is?" This was the first thing Ronan asked Adrian.


    "I don''t know! Ronan, don''t try to sweet-talk me. I won''t fall for it!" Adrian retorted.


    "Don''t believe me? How about I send you some photos?" Ronan''s tone was both confident and


    intimidating.


    Ronan was certainly more dangerous than Jamie. Soon afterwards, he sent Adrian a few photos. In


    them, Kendra was hanging around the neck of a man who looked like he was in his forties and seemed


    quite wealthy.


    "Her baby isn¡¯t yours. I settled it for you. Shouldn''t you be grateful?" Ronan said.


    "Ronan, you''re so sure about whose child it is when ites to others. Why can''t you be certain about


    Cordelia''s children?" Adrian''s tone was sarcastic, but mostly he was angry. If Kendra''s child really


    wasn''t his, he was furious that he had been deceived by Kendra for so long. Thankfully, he hadn''t given


    Kendra the money Ronan had given him, otherwise, he would be drowning in debt now.


    "Why would I need to think about it? The kids are mine." Ronan responded nonchntly, as if Adrian''s


    question was ridiculous.


    "What do you want?" Adrian asked.


    "Do my bidding!" Ronan''s response was short and to the point.


    "What do you want me to do?" Adrian asked.


    "Who sent Ava to us?" Ronan questioned.


    "Samantha. Are you satisfied now? I took Samantha to Millstone, and it was like inviting a wolf into the


    sheep''s pen." Adrian said.


    Ronan hung up, pondering over the situation. If Samantha was involved, then Deanna probably was


    too.


    When Shelley had the ident, he didn''t think Olen would push her off a building. Olen had mistaken


    Shelley for someone else, but how did he know exactly where Shelley would be at Sunridge Estates?


    And that day, Olen had suffered a severe mental shock.


    Ronan was willing to bet that someone had provoked Olen, and that person was likely Kendra. Kendra


    probably realized her mistake and fled to another city, where Ronan''s people were still keeping an eye


    on her. As for Kendra''s child, it was indeed Ronan who had arranged for it to be taken care of.


    Ronan didn''t know if the child was Adrian''s and he didn''t care. But a woman like her didn''t deserve to


    have a child!

 Chapter 280

    Chapter 280


    Though Ronan had aplete knowledge of Kendra''s movements, he couldn''t bring her before


    Cordelia for confrontation. Regardless of whether Shelley was killed by Olen or Ronan, it was a


    member of the Evans family whomitted the murder. He didn¡¯t want Cordelia to resent him, much


    less Olen. Therefore, Ronan insisted it was an ident.


    On her way home, Cordelia, having nothing better to do, browsed through Facebook. She found a post


    from several days ago by Deanna. It was a picture of a table filled with delicate dishes, and a caption


    that read: ¡®Dining with my dream guy.¡¯


    Deanna had even tagged the location, a fine dining restaurant, with the date coinciding with the day


    Cordelia had lunch with Brooklyn. During those days, Ronan had been staying at Pearl Palms, with


    Cordelia unaware of his whereabouts. But she was sure as the sun rose in the east, Deanna''s dream


    guy was Ronan.


    Cordelia''s eyes flickered with confusion. Had he heard what she had said, especially about her n to


    go abroad in January? Did he make here to the office today just to keep her from leaving?


    Cordelia slightly furrowed her brows. Ronan, how could he be so unsettling, always one step ahead?


    ¡­¡­


    A few dayster, Cordelia had a prenatal appointment. As the pregnancy progressed, the appointments


    became more frequent, with blood sugar tests almost every week.


    She didn''t tell Ronan about this appointment. In fact, she never did. She told Janice in the morning,


    then texted Tristi via Messenger.


    However, Tristi informed Ronan, "Mr. Evans, Mrs. Evans asked me to apany her to the prenatal


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    check-up today. I''m on my way to Garden Estates."


    Ronan responded with a voice message, "Just drop her off ande back."


    "Understood." Tristi said.


    After arriving at the hospital, Tristi said she would wait downstairs and let Cordelia and Janice go


    upstairs.


    Victoria was on duty that day. Cordelia usually timed her appointments to coincide with Victoria''s shifts.


    Victoria nced at Cordelia''s health indicators, "Your blood sugar control is good. How about his


    control?"


    "What?" Cordelia was confused.


    "I mean your husband, Mr. Evans. Is he still forcing himself on you?" Victoria, as a doctor, didn''t feel


    awkward asking this question.


    "Oh, he has been very restrainedtely." Even Cordelia was puzzled by his sudden tranquility, as if he


    was inplete peace of mind.


    Someone pushed the door open. Cordelia instinctively thought it was Janice, who had gone downstairs


    to pay for the ultrasound. They were having an ultrasound today to check on the babies. However,


    when she turned around, she saw Ronan. She didn¡¯t know if he had heard what Victoria said.


    "Why are you here?" Cordelia asked calmly.


    "Why wouldn''t I be here for your prenatal check-up?" Ronan questioned.


    "I''m going for the ultrasound now. Gentlemen are not allowed, so you can wait here." With that,


    Cordelia left.


    The ultrasound results came out quickly. About ten minutester, Cordelia returned to Victoria''s office


    with the report. Just then, someone knocked on the door looking for Victoria to get a medical record.


    Victoria asked Cordelia to wait for a bit and she would be right back.


    In Victoria''s office, only Cordelia and Ronan were left. Just going for the ultrasound test had caused


    delicate beads of sweat to form on Cordelia''s forehead.


    Ronan saw this and felt a pang of sympathy. "Aren''t you going to wipe your sweat?" He asked. Then he


    took a tissue and began to wipe Cordelia''s sweat.


    Cordelia took the opportunity to grab Ronan''s wrist, "Did you find out about my n to go abroad?"


    Cordelia asked abruptly. Her small hand couldn''t grip his wrist. If he hadn''t been cooperative, how


    could she have had the opportunity to challenge him? She had challenged him many times before.


    Ronan wasn''t surprised by Cordelia''s reaction. He knew that once Deanna posted on Facebook,


    Cordelia would find out about it. "Is it a secret? Is Jamie the only one allowed to know?" He asked her,


    not stopping his action of wiping her sweat.


    "I must go! Don''t try to stop me." Cordelia said righteously.


    Under the sunlight, her forehead was covered in sweat. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, like the first


    rays of the morning sun.


    "Give birth to the child and I''ll take care of them. I won''t stop you from doing anything else." Ronan


    knew that if he tried to stop her, she might do something drastic.


    "Why would you take care of them?" Cordelia asked, her eyes filled with confusion. She was


    wondering, had he found any clues when Ava proposed on behalf of Jamie? His eyes were sharp as a


    hawk, always noticing things that others couldn''t.


    "You won''t find anyone more suitable than me who can provide for you. If the child is with me, you''ll


    So, he wanted to take care of the child not because he knew the child was his, but to make Cordelia


    <pe back. A ripple of emotion stirred in Cordelia''s heart again.

 Chapter 281

    Chapter 281


    Victoria breezed through the door.


    She caught sight of Cordelia clutching Ronan''s wrist, which took her by surprise a bit.


    "What''s going on, you two?" Victoria inquired.


    "Wiping sweat." Ronan retorted casually, his gaze immediately reverted back to Cordelia''s face.


    "Are you going to keep your word?" Cordelia squinted at Ronan. The question clearly referred to her


    n of going abroad.


    "When have I ever not kept my word?" Ronan responded, his tone challenging.


    Cordelia let go of Ronan''s wrist.


    "If you want to get all lovey-dovey, do it back at home. This is a hospital." Victoria chimed in. She then


    settled into a chair, picking up Cordelia''s ultrasound report.


    Cordelia breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Ronan''s promise. She turned to Ronan, "Did I sweat?"


    "A lot!" Ronan replied, either poking fun at Cordelia''s anxiety or expressing genuine concern. He picked


    up a napkin from Victoria''s table and dabbed Cordelia''s forehead. He had never done that before.


    "The baby looks fine, no umbilical cord around the neck, and it looks like a natural birth should be easy.


    Stay active." Victoria advised, scribbling down notes on Cordelia''s medical record, "The baby is so well-


    behaved, why did you want to abort it in the first ce?"


    Cordelia''s gaze instinctively shot towards Ronan.


    Ronan returned her nce.


    On their way back to Garden Estates, Cordelia asked Ronan, "Why did youe?"


    "Tristi told me about your check-up, so I just dropped by. No particr reason." Ronan said.


    Cordelia sat in the back seat, her head turned towards the window. Ever since her pregnancy, she


    seemed less vivacious than before. It could be the changes she had been through or the toll pregnancy


    was taking on her.


    Today, Ronan got a glimpse of Cordelia''s struggles. "Why did you want to abort the baby? Can''t you


    stand them?" Ronan asked, his gaze meeting Cordelia''s reflection in the rearview mirror.


    Cordelia found a hint of despair in Ronan''s words. It was a rarity in this powerful CEO. His tone


    sessfully stirred Cordelia''s heart, like being pricked by a needle.


    "The baby was entirely unexpected. I wanted to focus on my career. My academic journey was also


    halted by the twins, which is overwhelming." Cordelia''s voice was soft, "If it wasn''t twins, I might have


    gone through with the abortion."


    "So, should they be grateful that they are twins?" Ronan asked again.


    Cordelia remained silent.


    "Have you thought about the baby''s names?" Ronan asked.


    Cordelia was taken aback, "Should we be thinking about names now? Can''t we just think about it


    Moreover, she was uncertain about the future, especially about whatst name the babies should have.


    Most likely, it should be her surname. But since Ronan had expressed his intention to raise the twins,


    Cordelia''s heart wavered. Should she tell Ronan the babies were his? If she didn''t, what if he


    mistreated them in the future?


    In his eyes, the twins were Jamie''s, his rival''s children. Maybe he would raise the boy as a ve and


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    the girl as a prostitute. Ronan was capable of such things. Thinking about this, Cordelia grew anxious


    again. The secret was bing harder and harder to keep.


    "Don''t you have something to tell me?" Ronan asked Cordelia.


    "No!" Cordelia replied.


    "Alright, then I''ll wait." Ronan smiled. It was a smile that seemed to say he was in control of everything.


    His expression made Cordelia''s heart flutter. It felt like back in school, when the teacher knew who


    made a mistake but didn''t reveal it, waiting for the guilty student toe forward. This created


    immense psychological pressure on the student.


    Cordelia didn''t understand how things had turned out this way. What mistake had she made? Was it


    wrong for her to hate him for causing her mother''s death?


    Cordelia felt that Ronan was setting her up again.

 Chapter 282

    Chapter 282


    Returning home, Cordelia was exhausted and retreated to her room for some rest. Her phone buzzed


    with a new message on Messenger: [Cordelia, it''s Edwin''s birthday on the 25th. I''ve invited you to


    Cordelia remembered what Brooklyn had told her, and felt awkward. [Maybe I shouldn''te. I''m


    heavily pregnant.]


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    Brooklyn: [If you don''te, he won''t celebrate. I found out from my sister that today is his birthday.


    He''s never been big on celebrating. But when I told him this year, Cordelia and I will celebrate with him,


    he agreed. We''re nning to go to the countryside. It''ll be good for a pregnant woman like you.]


    Cordelia: [Are you chasing him, or are you using me to chase him?]


    Brooklyn was silent for a while. [I know that he onlyes out when you''re around.] Brooklyn replied


    after a pause.


    Cordelia: [Then I''ll invite Ronan, not sure if he''lle.]


    Brooklyn: [That would be great. The four of us can have a nice outing. It''s a Saturday.]


    Cordelia thought Brooklyn''s method of pursuing a man was wrong. Brooklyn seemed to demean


    herself in front of Edwin. She used to be such a vivacious and cheerful girl.


    Cordelia felt conflicted. She didn''t want to go, but she wanted to help Brooklyn.


    At dinner, Cordelia emerged from her room. She saw Ronan standing at her doorway, about to knock.


    "Dinner?" Cordelia asked Ronan. Her doe-like eyes looked up at him.


    "Yes." After saying this, Ronan took Cordelia''s hand and led her to the dinner table. Cordelia always felt


    her defenses crumbling whenever Ronan disyed such casual kindness.


    Today, Janice had made tortellini.


    "Is there something special today?" Cordelia asked Ronan.


    "Do we need a special asion to eat?" Ronan questioned.


    Cordelia believed that only for very joyous asions would he eat Tortellini. Even Janice didn''t know


    about his liking for them.


    "Do you have ns this Saturday?" Cordelia asked while eating.


    "Do you? Tell me about it." Ronan''s voice was calm. It was one of the rare moments when he wasn''t


    quick-tempered since Cordelia got pregnant.


    "It''s Edwin''s birthday. Brooklyn invited me. They''re nning to go to the countryside. I can''t go alone,


    so I was wondering if you coulde with me. Is it okay?" Cordelia asked him.


    Without even thinking, Ronan responded, "Sure."


    Cordelia was surprised. She thought the high-profile Mr. Evans of Lumos Enterprises wouldn''t attend


    Edwin''s birthday. "What should we give Edwin as a gift?" Cordelia asked.


    "We?" Ronan questioned.


    "Yeah, it''s obvious that we have to give him a gift together." Cordelia said.


    "Correct me if I''m wrong, but didn''t we get divorced?" Ronan retorted.


    Cordelia was speechless and continued eating quietly.


    "I''ll take care of it." He added.


    "What are you nning to gift him?" Cordelia was curious about what Ronan had in mind.


    "You''ll know when the timees." Ronan said.


    Cordelia did not ask further.


    Saturday was a sunny day. Despite the lingering chill of early spring, the temperature suddenly rose. It


    was warm, even a bit hot.


    Brooklyn said there was no need to buy a cake for Edwin as she had already bought one. She asked


    Cordelia to bring some snacks for their pic in the countryside, along with a pic nket and


    foldable chairs. They discussed about the exact time and ce, and what else they needed to bring.


    Cordelia rarely went out, not to mention to the countryside. Looking at the green leaves outside the car


    window, Cordelia felt refreshed and her mood lifted. Think about it, this was the first time she and


    Ronan went out together.


    After about an hour, the car stopped at the spot Brooklyn had chosen. It was a vast green field,


    surrounded by mountains in the distance, with a river not far away. The scenery was beautiful.


    "Mr. Evans, Cordelia, you''re here? I''m just having a birthday, and it''s so kind of Mr. Evans toe.


    How can I thank you?" Edwin said to Ronan.


    "She wanted me toe. Who am I to object?" Ronan jerked his head towards Cordelia.


    "Yes. Mr. Evans has always been very good to Cordelia." Edwin also smiled.


    Cordelia and Brooklyn exchanged nces. They thought that only they knew about Edwin''s crush on


    Cordelia. They didn''t know that Ronan also knew. The only one who didn''t know anything was Edwin.


    He had always been quiet and didn''t show any signs.


    Cordelia always thought that it was all Brooklyn''s spection.

 Chapter 283

    Chapter 283


    Brooklyn was lighting the candles on the cake for Edwin on a tablecloth, all twenty-nine of them.


    "Approaching the big three-oh, make a wish." Brooklyn told Edwin.


    "What kind of wish?" Ronan asked Edwin after he made his wish.


    "If I tell you, it won''te true. So I''m not telling." Edwin, a good-natured guy, chuckled.


    Cordelia was observing Ronan, wondering if he forgot to buy Edwin a gift. She hadn''t seen him bring


    anything today.


    "How''s your gamingpany doingtely?" Ronan asked Edwin.


    "We''ve developed a few new games and recently partnered with Pulse Technologies, the biggest


    gamingpany in Millstone. They sponsored the production of The High Society, so we''re hoping for


    a big hit, and expect to make a fortune next year." Edwin exined.


    "I''ll invest ten million in yourpany. We can sign the contract at your office on Monday." Ronan said


    nonchntly.


    Edwin was stunned but quickly recovered, "Really?"


    "Your birthday present." Ronan said.


    "That''s a hefty gift. Thanks, Mr. Evans." Edwin said.


    Cordelia thought to herself that when Ronan gave gifts, he really went all out. It seemed that Edwin and


    Ronan had a pretty good rtionship.


    "How are you so sure that investing in The High Society will pay off?" Brooklyn asked Edwin, "What if


    the show flops?"


    "You don''t get it, do you? Keegan Entertainment only produces one big-budget show a year, and they


    work on the script for years. How could it possibly flop? And na wouldn''t risk her reputation.


    Although as chairman, she''s often abroad, her legend remains in the industry." Edwin said.


    Cordelia wasn''t interested in gossip and didn''t know who na was or much about Edwin''s gaming


    ulterior motives towards her. But she didn''t mind showing off her affection for Ronan in front of Edwin,


    hoping to nip any potential feelings he might have in the bud. So, Cordelia would asionally touch


    Ronan''s hand or lean against him, behaving very affectionately. Ronan was also very cooperative.


    After they finished eating, Edwin and Brooklyn went fishing by the river. Cordelia and Ronan sat behind


    them.


    The grass was warm, and Cordelia fell asleep leaning on Ronan''s legs,forted by the sunlight.


    Edwin was always turning to talk to Brooklyn.


    "You made quite a statement with that gift." Cordelia said, her eyes closed.


    "Did I? If you want to make an impression, I''ll help you." Ronan replied nonchntly.


    Although his words were casual, Cordelia detected an underlying meaning. It felt like Ronan was


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    hinting at something. She opened her eyes to look at Ronan above her. Ronan was also staring at her.


    Cordelia thought she saw Edwin ncing their way out of the corner of her eye. She hooked her arm


    around Ronan''s neck. She pulled Ronan''s hand down and kissed him.


    Since Cordelia had been abroad, they hadn''t really kissed except in bed. Their disy of affection


    today was rare since their marriage.


    Cordelia enjoyed Ronan''s kiss. Even though her gaze was initially fixed on Edwin, she slowly closed


    her eyes and immersed herself in the kiss.


    Ronan''s hand slipped under her clothes. Cordelia wanted to resist, but couldn''t. She had to let him


    have his way. She just felt that it was inappropriate for Edwin and Brooklyn, who were some distance


    away, to see.


    After Ronan finished kissing her, Cordelia opened her eyes, her face flushed. Out of the corner of her


    eye, she saw Edwin kissing Brooklyn.

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    Chapter 284


    Cordelia wasn''t sure if they had kissed before. Maybe it was their influence, or maybe...


    She couldn''t figure out why she had acted as she did. But what kind of impact would it have on


    Brooklyn when she found out that Edwin''s kiss was actually influenced by Cordelia?


    If it wasn''t their first kiss, it might not matter. But if it was, wouldn''t that be disastrous for Cordelia and


    Brooklyn''s friendship? Cordelia prayed that day would nevere.


    When Edwin and Brooklyn returned to the pic ce, Edwin seemed a bit awkward, while Brooklyn''s


    eyes sparkled with excitement.


    By two in the afternoon, the pic was over, and they each headed home. On the way, Cordelia sent


    Brooklyn a message on Messenger: [Edwin sure knows how to kiss.]


    Brooklyn responded with a flurry of emojis, pink hearts bubbling out of each one: [Don''t remind me. It


    was my first time.]


    Cordelia leaned back in her car seat, feeling anxious. She had a feeling that her friendship with


    Brooklyn would face a major challenge in the future. She used to like Edwin a lot, but now, she felt a bit


    resentful towards him.


    Basking in the warm sun, Cordelia grew sleepy and dozed off. When she got home at four, she


    retreated to her room for some rest. But that night, she left her door unlocked.


    These days, Ronan sometimes slept in his own room next door, and other times he slept in Cordelia''s


    bed. He never touched Cordelia though.


    Tonight, however, Cordelia left her door ajar for the first time. When Ronan got into bed, Cordelia was


    reading a book, but her mind wasn''t on it.


    Seeing that Ronan showed no intention of making a move, she whispered, "Don''t you want to?"


    "Want what?" He turned over, facing her.


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    "Me!" Cordelia said.


    Ronan looked at Cordelia''s flushed face. He knew this was Cordelia''s reward for him. Because he had


    helped her today, presented Edwin with a generous gift, and yed along with their show of affection.


    She was rewarding him, even allowing him to touch her, because their performance had been spot-on.


    This was Cordelia''s payment to Ronan.


    Ronan was displeased. His displeasure mirrored Cordelia''s when she had taken money from him.


    There had been many upsetting incidents recently, but the fact that "the child was his" was enough to


    overshadow all the unhappiness. So, even though he was upset, he didn''t argue with Cordelia.


    Ronan stroked Cordelia''s body, but he wasn''t in a hurry. He gazed into Cordelia''s eyes. "You''re still so


    sensitive." He whispered in Cordelia''s ear, tickling her.


    Under his intense gaze, Cordelia felt a burning sensation on her face and body, and her breathing grew


    heavier. He always had this effect on her.


    But he wasn''t eager to take the next step, leaving Cordelia feeling empty. Then, Ronan suddenly


    withdrew his hand from Cordelia''s body. He left her hanging in the heat of the moment. He was an


    experienced yer.


    Cordelia felt like a woman who was about to "sell herself". The buyer had agreed on a price and she


    was very satisfied, but then the buyer suddenly backed out for some unknown reason, leaving Cordelia


    feeling disappointed. At the same time, she wanted to ask, what was wrong with her? Did he not want


    to upset her pregnancy?


    She hadn''t given him the "reward" sessfully as she promised, which annoyed Cordelia. Cordelia''s


    mind was in a whirl, and she fell asleep feeling awkward.

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    Chapter 285


    The next day, Ronan was already out of bed when Cordelia awoke. He called her around eleven in the


    morning. "Still in bed?" He asked.


    "No, I''m up. What''s up?" Cordelia asked.


    "I left some merger paperwork in my room, along with a sh drive. Can you grab them for me?" Ronan


    requested.


    "Can''t someone else do it?" Cordelia, heavily pregnant and feeling lethargic, wasn''t particrly keen on


    moving.


    "No, Janice wouldn''t know where to look." Ronan said.


    Cordelia messaged Tristi and then went to retrieve the documents from Ronan''s room. She arrived at


    Lumos Enterprises and asked Tristi, "Could you take this up to him?"


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    Remembering a previous conversation she had overheard in the restroom, Cordelia wasn''t exactly


    eager to go up herself. Plus, she had no intentions of working at Lumos Enterprises in the future, so


    there was no need for her to make her presence known just yet.


    "Oh, ma''am, Mr. Evans specifically asked for you to deliver it personally. I''d apany you, but I have


    to fetch something from elsewhere." Tristi said.


    Left with no choice, Cordelia took the documents and went up herself.


    Ronan was in the middle of a meeting. The boardroom was filled with executives. Cordelia knocked on


    the boardroom door. A stern "Come in" ushered her into the room.


    The gaze of the room''s upants fell on her. Cordelia felt a pang of difort, made worse by her


    prominent belly.


    Ronan sat at the head of the table. Cordelia handed him the documents, "The paperwork you forgot."


    Noticing the look on Cordelia''s face, Ronan gave her a light p on the backside, "Still sulking overst


    night?"


    "No, not at all." Cordelia hastened to say.


    "Tristi''s left. Go wait in my office. We''ll have lunch together." Ronan said.


    Cordelia frowned slightly, wondering what was Ronan ying at. She suspected Ronan had purposely


    asked her toe to make a point to everyone., to show them that the baby was definitely his!


    Otherwise, he would''ve discarded Cordelia by now. Instead, their rtionship seemed to be going


    strong. This was his way of clearing his name.


    Moreover, he emphasized the phrasest night in front of everyone. This sent the executives''


    imaginations running wild.


    After leaving the office, Cordelia thought to herself that, with Tristi gone, she had no way of going back


    to Garden Estates alone. Even taking a taxi didn''t seem safe to her.


    His office door was unlocked, so Cordelia went in.


    Around noon, Ronan returned to the office after the meeting. Soon, lunch was brought in. Cordelia,


    who was starving, ate hungrily.


    "After lunch, go to the Audit Department and practice yoga with Kitty. We''ll go home togetherter."


    Ronan told Cordelia.


    "Okay. You didn''t really need to call me here, though." Cordelia responded, implying that since she had


    no ns to work at Lumos Enterprises, so there was no need for him to keep her involved.


    "Is that so? Let''s eat." Ronan said.


    She had made up her mind to study abroad, a fact Ronan was well aware of.


    Cordelia began to eat, her hair obscuring her eyes.


    "Cordelia, there are some things that need to be said. Don''t you feel ufortable keeping it all


    inside?" Ronan suddenly leaned back on the couch, looking deep in thought.


    "What needs to be said? I don''t know." Cordelia''s eyes showed a hint of panic. Could he already know


    that the baby was his? Impossible. He had no way of finding out. Most paternity tests were conducted


    without the fathers'' knowledge.


    Cordelia''s panicked look gave her away. Ronan was even more certain: the baby was his. Now he was


    97% sure. The remaining 3% was due to her stubborn silence.


    "I won''t pressure you. You can wait here or take a nap. I need to work." After saying this, Ronan had


    the leftovers cleared away and Cordeliay down on his couch.


    Ronan brought her a nket andid it over her. Cordeliay with her back to him, eyes wide open.


    Her phone beeped, and she picked it up. It was a message from Taylor: [Cordelia, your offer letter has


    arrived. We''ll meet again in January. A bright future awaits you, Cordelia. Your life is about to take off.]


    Seeing the message, Cordelia smiled. She wouldn¡¯t worry about her undergraduate degree, and she


    wouldn¡¯t have to feel inferior in the workce. She was excited to start. She even made a fist and


    cheered herself on.


    ¡°I¡¯ve received my offer letter. I definitely n on studying abroad. I don''t want to carry this


    undergraduate degree for the rest of my life." Cordelia''s words were clear to Ronan, even though her


    back was turned. She reiterated her resolve.


    "You only need to say it once. Repeating it doesn''t make it any more convincing." Ronan''s voice was


    indifferent.


    Feeling embarrassed, Cordelia realized that repeating it didn''t make any difference to him. It only made


    her feel more secure.


    Around 1:45 pm, Cordelia got up and said, "Kitty asked me toe for yoga. I''ll be heading up."


    Cordelia now was radiant, a stark contrast to how she appeared earlier.


    "I''lle find youter." Ronan said.


    "Okay." With that, Cordelia closed the door to Ronan''s office. She changed into her yoga outfit.


    Being heavily pregnant, she was only wearing a sports bra and yoga pants, her belly bare.


    Under Kitty''s guidance, Cordelia practiced diligently. Sweat beads formed on her forehead and dripped


    onto the yoga mat.

 Chapter 286

    Chapter 286


    In Ronan''s office, Emerson showed up.


    "Let''s swing by the Audit Department." Emerson spoke with a hint of irritation.


    "Really? You, the mighty PhD, have something you can''t handle?" Ronan replied, smirking at


    Emerson''s annoyance.


    "Seriously, what''s Wyatt ying at? Ignoring his own team''s issues and prioritizing others? Does he not


    understand priorities?" Emerson was pointing towards the upper floor, cursing Wyatt.


    Ronan chuckled, "Why so hot under the cor? Cool down. The Audit Department is short-staffed, I''m


    working on it."


    "Hiring people won''t solve the immediate problem. What about our Finance Department''s issues?"


    Emerson was fuming, "Come on, let''s go upstairs. He only listens to you."


    Emerson wanted Ronan to go upstairs and sort things out.


    "You''re pulling me into this petty squabble?" Ronan was reluctant to go. He was busy reviewing and


    signing the documents his secretary had brought in.


    "Of course, who else but you, the boss? You''re the firefighter here." Emerson teased Ronan.


    "Firefighter?" Ronan looked up at Emerson, "I wonder who''s going to put out my fires."


    "Cut the crap. Where''s Cordelia?" Emerson''s eyes scanned the room, no sign of Cordelia. He asked


    Ronan.


    Emerson saw Cordelia delivering some files to Ronan in the conference room earlier. He knew Ronan


    was trying to keep Cordelia visible.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    Ronan mentioned putting out fires, so naturally, Emerson associated it with Cordelia.


    "Didn''t shee in today? Where is she? Did she leave?" Emerson noticed the neatly folded nket


    on the sofa, a clear sign that Cordelia had been there.


    "She didn''t leave. She''s upstairs, doing yoga." Ronan said.


    "And you''re still here? I know that to get to Wyatt''s office, you have to pass the yoga room. And the


    yoga room has ss doors." Emerson said.


    "No, you can handle it yourself." Ronan leaned back, his eyes still on the documents.


    "If I could handle it, would I bother you? Come on, let''s put that old man Wyatt in his ce." With that,


    Emerson gave Ronan''s office chair a spin, "I know you want to see Cordelia. If you don''t go now, I


    won''t provide any more excuses for you."


    "I can always see what I want to see?" Ronan said, but he got up and left anyway.


    When they got to the top floor, they had to pass the yoga room. Ronan''s pace slowed unconsciously.


    Her belly was quite noticeable. She was wearing a sports bra and yoga pants, highlighting her


    attractive figure.


    "Your wife is quite the temptress, eh?" Emerson remarked, "Even sexier when she¡¯s pregnant."


    "Cut it out!" Ronan snapped at Emerson.


    Mention of putting out fires, and this woman stoked a fire in his groin. Who was she trying to tempt,


    dressed like that?


    Beyond the ss door, Cordelia was on her knees on a mat, doing a nk pose. This pose required


    her to extend her right leg and left hand at the same time, while maintaining bnce. Most people


    wouldn''t have a problem with this, but Cordelia was six months pregnant, it required a lot of strength.


    The sun was shining from behind her, Ronan could clearly see the beads of sweat on her forehead,


    dripping onto the yoga mat.


    "If you can''t handle it, you don''t have to do it." Kitty, her instructor, said.


    "I can!" Cordelia gritted her teeth.


    Afterpleting the pose, she was supposed to reach back and grab her foot. It was a difficult move


    for most people.


    "Yoga is not about fighting against yourself. Do as much as you can." Kitty reminded Cordelia. Slowly,


    Cordelia turned around, her hand reaching for her foot, and she grabbed it.


    "That''s great. Your baby must be proud to have such a strong and determined mother." Kitty said, "Let''s


    continue."


    Kitty didn''t notice Ronan and Emerson outside. They moved on towards Wyatt''s office.


    "Your wife is quite determined." Emerson remarked, "She''s exhausted but doesn''t give up."


    "Is that so?" Ronan''s face had turned dark.


    Wasn''t she determined indeed? Everyone thought her mother wouldn''t make it, but she worked


    multiple jobs and borrowed money to keep her mother alive, and alive she was. Her mother would still


    be alive if not for Olen. She was determined to study abroad and break away from her undergraduate


    degree, even when he deleted her offer, it didn''t stop her. He wanted to bring her into Lumos


    Enterprises, but now, it seemed so difficult!


    She was stubborn, indeed!

 Chapter 287

    Chapter 287


    Wyatt''s office.


    Emerson and Wyatt were engaged in a heated argument. Emerson was speaking rapidly in a high


    volume, as though he intended for Wyatt not to understand. Wyatt, on the other hand, was also


    speaking heatedly. Seeing Emerson arguing with him stubbornly only made him angrier. For a moment,


    Wyatt''s office was filled with the cacophony of English and German. Ronan was just standing there,


    watching the spectacle.


    Cordelia had just finished her yoga session and changed into her normal clothes. Hearing the ruckus


    from Wyatt''s office, she looked in that direction.


    The door to Wyatt''s office was not closed, and as she was buttoning her shirt, she saw Ronan with his


    back to her, lighting up a cigarette and looking at her. His gaze was filled with mischief, curiosity and


    intense interest in Cordelia. Their eyes met, and it was a moment of intense connection. Cordelia, who


    was determined to study abroad, was almost drawn back by that look.


    Just as Cordelia was enjoying the drama, there was a sudden loud bang, and Emerson stormed out of


    Wyatt''s office. "Madman!" Emerson cursed.


    This curse waspletely unbing of a doctoral student.


    Ronan was still doing damage control for Wyatt.


    As Emerson passed Cordelia, he didn''t say anything at first, but then he turned back. "Cordelia, could


    you help out the Audit Department temporarily? Can you audit the work of the Finance Department for


    me? You''ve worked in both departments and you''re the most suitable person. I''ve seen your innovative


    ounting methods. They''re very creative." Emerson said, staring at Cordelia.


    "Me?" Cordelia pointed at herself in surprise.


    "Yes. You." Emerson said.


    "I probably can''t. I''m about to give birth, and in January I''ll be going abroad to do my master''s."


    Cordelia really couldn''t help with this.


    Ronan exited Wyatt''s office. "What happened?" He easked the two who were still talking.


    "I wanted your wife to help me audit the work of the Finance Department, but she refused." Emerson''s


    anger had subsided. His anger was never aimed at Cordelia, and considering that Cordelia was


    pregnant and belonged to Ronan, he had to be gentle.


    Ronan looked at Cordelia for a few moments before saying to Emerson, "Find another way."


    "Where am I supposed to find someone?" Emerson spread his hands, "Why did you bring up all these


    projects?"


    "Well, you got to think of way to finish them." Ronan said, and walked away.


    "I know you''re worried about Cordelia, and you don''t want her to overwork." Emerson said.


    "She''s six months pregnant, don''t you know?" Ronan asked Emerson angrily.


    Upon hearing Ronan''s heartfelt words, Cordelia felt a warmth in her heart. At every moment, he was


    pulling her back from the edge of hatred.


    "Come to my office if you''re tired." Ronan turned to Cordelia and said.


    "Okay." Cordelia replied.


    Ten minutester, Cordelia was sitting on the couch in his office.


    "The child is yours!" These words were stuck in Cordelia''s throat, but she just couldn''t say them.


    "Do you have something to say?" Ronan sat in his chair, noticing Cordelia''s abnormality, he looked up


    and asked her.


    "Oh, nothing." Cordelia swallowed her words.


    "Let''s go home. It''s time to get off work." He said to Cordelia after a while.


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    "Okay." Cordelia replied.


    Once they were in the car, Cordelia noticed that the sky was dark, as if it was going to rain. Luckily,


    they were already on the way home.


    "Did Mr. Emerson have a conflict with Wyatt today?" Cordelia asked.


    "Yes, the Audit Department is very busy this year and doesn''t have time to audit the Finance


    Department, so Emerson got upset." Ronan replied.


    Cordelia nodded thoughtfully, "Is the Audit Department really that busy?"


    "Yes. It''s getting busier and busier, and it''s hard to recruit people." Ronan said.


    "You." Cordelia pondered for a moment, "You''re not putting on a show for me, are you?"


    "A show?" Ronan didn''t understand at first, but after a moment, he seemed tough coldly, "Cordelia,


    do you really think you''re that important?"


    "I..." Cordelia blushed with embarrassment. She thought that Ronan was just putting on a show to tell


    her that Lumos Enterprises was so busy that two important departments were fighting, and they were in


    desperate need of people, so she should stay at Lumos Enterprises and not go abroad.


    "Do you even realize how stupid this method is?" Ronan asked her.


    Cordelia regretted her words. Even if he wanted to keep her, there were countless other ways, and he


    didn''t have to damage the reputation of two of his most important generals. Stealing so many projects


    from Jamie was indeed for her, but deliberately making Emerson and Wyatt argue was definitely not


    Ronan''s style. If it was really him, wouldn''t he be finding trouble for himself just to make her happy?


    Ronan was too clever to do such a thing.


    Cordelia was indeed overthinking.

 Chapter 288

    Chapter 288


    Furthermore, Ronan just mentioned to Emerson that Cordelia was already six months along. It was


    clear he was concerned for Cordelia and didn''t want her working so hard at this stage in her pregnancy.


    Cordelia recalled a message she received a few days ago from Brenda. She had mentioned that


    PrimeNumbers ounting was facing a downturn due to the impact of First Enterprises. First


    Enterprises, now renamed Elite ounting Firm by Kent, was failing to secure contracts and was


    struggling to pay its employees.


    [Brenda, do you think Marian ismitting career suicide? If you were there, she''d at least have a


    meal ticket. She doesn''t have a clue and has upset you.] Brenda had written to Cordelia in a message.


    But the person Marian truly upset was Ronan. He was the one who taught Marian a lesson on behalf of


    Cordelia. Thinking about it, Cordelia couldn''t help but feel a pang of sympathy.


    Ronan''s cell phone rang.


    "Tonight? Where? Night Rave? Sounds good." Ronan ended the call.


    Hearing Night Rave, Cordelia frowned slightly and gazed out the window. Thunder rumbled in the


    distance. It was going to rain soon.


    Ronan saw her expression through the rearview mirror. "I''m heading to the nightclub tonight. I''ll drop


    you home first." Ronan said.


    "Whatever." Cordelia replied, leaning back and closed her eyes to rest. Perhaps influenced by what


    Ronan said earlier about her not being that important, Cordelia didn''t say anything more.


    Ronan didn''t get out of the car. With the impending rain, he drove directly into the garage, and asked


    Janice to escort Cordelia upstairs. He then left.


    Janice had already prepared dinner, including a dish of beef stew with potatoes, fish, and several


    tes of green vegetables.


    "Where did Mr. Evans go?" Janice asked Cordelia.


    "He went to the nightclub." Cordelia casually replied while eating.


    "A nightclub?" Janice frowned, "What''s he doing there?"


    "I don''t know." Cordelia said.


    In the eyes of Janice, a respectable housewife, that a nightclub was not a good ce. "Why didn''t you


    stop him?" Janice asked.


    "I didn''t think to." Cordelia replied, and her mind was elsewhere during dinner.


    "What''s wrong?" Janice assumed that Cordelia was unwell. After all, she was pregnant and needed


    constant care and attention.


    "Nothing." Cordelia said.


    "Do you want me to ask where he went?" Janice asked.


    Cordelia looked up, slightly flustered, "Janice, I didn''t mean that. I really didn''t."


    "It''s okay if you did. It''s natural, considering you''re carrying his child." Janice understood the nuances of


    young hearts.


    Cordelia sighed.


    ¡­¡­


    At Night Rave, in the Spring Rain private room.


    Grant was the host, and the room was filled with influential individuals from Millstone. All of them were


    business people, and it was a great opportunity towork and share insights.


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    Thomas was also there. Technically, his business status didn''t warrant him being there. But Ronan had


    asked for him to be invited. So, Grant extended the invitation.


    Ronan took a seat next to Grant, pped his shoulder, and said, "Sorry I''mte." Then, he scanned the


    center of the room where a scantily d woman was standing.


    "Everyone, look at this woman. She''s my ex-wife, Crystal. Herst name is White, but her actions are


    far from pure. Not long ago, she was caught in bed with a fitness coach and ran off with him. The


    young man thought she was rich, but ironically, she''s as empty as herst name suggests. She''s got no


    money and a long list of past lovers. The young man found a new sugar mama and dumped her. And


    now, she''s in cahoots with another guy from Millstone, trying to swindle me. This kind of woman is


    more venomous than a scorpion. Today, I have stripped her of her fake facade for all of you to see her


    true colors. Don''t fall for her tricks. If I see her having dealings with anyone here, it means you''re my


    enemy. If anyone sees her getting involved with someone, feel free to inform me. I''ll make sure she


    can''t survive in Millstone. If anything happens to her in the future and whether she ends up begging or


    selling her body, she''ll have nobody to me but herself." Grant said.


    All the men in the room either chuckled or shook their heads.

 Chapter 289

    Chapter 289


    Ronan nced at Crystal, who stood in the middle of the hall, looking as vulnerable as a skinned


    rabbit. Her eyes, filled with allure, seemed especially pitiful in this state.


    "Grant, don''t you dare nder me." She retorted, her voice filled with a defensive edge, "While you''re


    out every night, hooking up with every woman that catches your fancy, I''m left alone at home. Why is it


    okay for you to live such a life, but not me? I swear, one of these days, I''m going to end you!" The


    spark of defiance in her eyes was enough to make any man think twice about crossing her.


    It wasmon knowledge among the high society that marriages among the wealthy often involved a


    certain level of freedom. But why was it that in the Grant household, only the man was allowed his


    dalliances, while the woman was expected to remain untainted?


    To Grant, Crystal''s argument wasughable. "It''s simple." He retorted, stretching out his hand and


    rubbing his fingers together in the universal sign for money, "I''m the one bringing in the dough. If you


    were the one with the money, then you could have your fun too. As of today, I''ve made your


    indiscretions known to everyone. If you dare to step out of line again, don''t you think for a second that


    you''ll get a dime from me! You want to reconcile? Forget it! You think you can use a child to extort


    money from me? Who do you think you are?"


    Crystal had had an affair with another man and was now pregnant. She hoped to reconcile with Grant


    and im that the child was his, given that he was substantially wealthy. When Grant discovered her


    deception, he made sure her reputation was left in ruins in their hometown of Millstone. Grant might


    have been wealthy, but he was no fool.


    Ronan shared a look with Thomas, who returned the nce.


    After Crystal had been thoroughly humiliated and the crowd dispersed, Ronan was left alone. "So, how


    was my move?" He asked.


    "It''s a blessing in disguise." Ronan said, his tone cryptic.


    "You intellectuals and your fancy words are hard to understand." Grant grumbled, "But, Mr. Evans, I did


    hear that while Mrs. Evans was in the States, you stayed here. Is there something you''re not telling us


    about the kids Mrs. Evans is carrying? I mean, raising another man''s children is a pretty big cuckolding.


    If she''s causing you trouble, just hand her over to me. I''ll make sure she''s begging for death."


    Ronan simply smiled, his confidence unwavering, "The kids are mine."


    "If you say so, Mr. Evans." Grant conceded, "But if she steps out of line, I won''t hesitate to step in."


    "She''s my woman, and I''ll decide what to do with her." Ronan stated, his voice firm.


    Grant''s pride took a hit at that, but he didn''t let it show, "Fine. I''ll treat you a meal sometime."


    "Sounds good. Just make sure it''s at noon." Ronan said.


    "Got it. I know you have someone to entertain in the evening." Grant said, a smirk ying on his lips.


    "I should be going." Ronan announced, making his way towards the door.


    "Hold on." Grant called out, grabbing Ronan''s sleeve, "If you''re not entertaining anyone tonight, why did


    youe out?"


    Ronan merely chuckled, not giving a direct answer, and hurriedly left the private room.


    Grant pondered for a moment. Thest time at Luxe Cuisine, Cordelia was out with friends. This time,


    he was in a hurry to get back, probably worried about leaving his woman alone for too long.


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    Grant scoffed. What was it with women? He gave them an inch, and they took a mile!

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    Chapter 290


    It was pouring rain today with thunder rumbling in the distance. Yet, the soundproofing in the private


    room of the club was quite good, so none of the patrons inside noticed.


    Ronan approached the door.


    "Mr. Evans, it''s raining. Here''s an umbre." A waiter stood there offering an umbre.


    "No need." Ronan declined and headed to the front of the club, getting into his car.


    Looking at time, it was already eleven at night. She was probably asleep by now. Ever since she got


    pregnant, she had been sleeping early and waking upte.


    But he hoped she hadn''t fallen asleep. He hoped she was waiting for him, keeping the door open.


    His car headed towards Garden Estates.


    ......


    The thunderous sound and the pouring rain outside made Cordelia restless. Her baby was kicking


    fiercely, and the twins were tumbling around inside her. She was worried about Ronan. She knew he


    hadn''t taken an umbre today and was worried he might have gotten drenched in the rain. Despite her


    anxiety, she wanted to appear indifferent and didn''t call him. Moreover, he had gone to a club, a ce


    she didn''t really care about.


    She paced around the room, identally knocking her hand against the corner of the desk, an


    immediate bruise forming on the back of her hand.


    Feeling restless, she started writing in her diary about hisck of an umbre, her worry for him, and


    her conflicting feelings of wanting to care but not showing it. After finishing her writing, he still hadn''t


    returned.


    When she heard the sound of the door unlocking, Cordelia hurriedly got into bed. She didn''t want him


    to know she was worried. She closed her eyes, lying on her side towards the door, quietly listening to


    the noises outside.


    He opened the door, changed his shoes at the entrance, and entered the room without turning on the


    light. She was already asleep, not waiting up for him as he had hoped. Ronan went to wash up in the


    bathroom outside.


    Half an hourter, Ronan got into bed, turned on the light, and fell asleep holding Cordelia.


    Cordelia knew all of this. She didn''t sleep well that night.


    The next day when he was getting dressed, she knew. He lightly flicked Cordelia''s face, then went to


    the kitchen to eat.


    "Mr. Evans, what time did you get homest night?" Janice asked Ronan at the breakfast table.


    "Almost midnight. What time did Cordelia go to bed?" Ronan asked.


    "It was raining heavilyst night, so she went back to her room early. Even though she was in her room,


    I don''t think she slept well, torturing herself like that. She''s worried about you but doesn''t voice it out,


    poor girl." Janice exined.


    "Really?" Ronan asked. He didn''t believe it.


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    "Yes, I got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and heard her pacing in her room. If not for


    you, then for whom?" Janice tried her best to bridge the gap between the two. In reality, she hadn''t


    gotten up at allst night. This was a fabrication to make Ronan happy.


    "Oh, by the way, what were you doing at the clubst night?" Janice asked.


    "Are you asking me?" Ronan questioned.


    "Of course not, Cordelia wanted to know." Janice exined for Cordelia.


    "If she wants to know, she can ask me herself when she wakes up." Ronan said.


    Janice fell silent.


    Ronan continued eating. As he was about to leave after eating, Cordelia emerged from the bedroom.


    She hadn''t slept wellst night and looked drained. "Are you leaving?" Cordelia asked him.


    "Yes." Ronan answered. His sentence seemedplete. It¡¯s like he¡¯s waiting for Cordelia to ask him


    something else.


    "Cordelia, weren''t you wondering what Mr. Evans was up tost night? He''s right here. Ask him


    yourself." Janice added fuel to the fire.


    "I..." Cordelia frowned slightly, hesitating to ask. She didn''t want Ronan to know how much she cared


    about him.


    "Grant wanted to meet me about somethingst night." Ronan answered for Cordelia, "Anything else


    you want to know?"


    Cordelia was at a loss for words.


    "Alright, I''m leaving." Ronan said, grabbing his car keys, and was ready to head out the door.


    "What happened to your hand?" Ronan noticed a bruise on Cordelia''s hand.


    "It''s nothing. I just bumped itst night." Cordelia replied.


    "Were you restlessst night?" Ronan asked her.


    Cordelia nodded.


    "Because of me?" Ronan asked again.


    Cordelia remained silent.


    Throughout the morning, Cordelia was caught off guard three times, unable to voice her feelings.


    However, Ronan seemed to have read her thoughts perfectly. Cordelia should have never moved in.


    Once she did, he saw right through her.


    Ronan chuckled, ruffling Cordelia''s hair before heading out the door.

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    Chapter 291


    Lumos Enterprises.


    Ronan''s Office.


    Wyatt knocked on Ronan''s office door.


    "If you don''t hire someone for the Audit Department soon, I''ll be up to my neck in trouble. Arguments


    like the one with Emerson will keep happening. With all these files piling up, what are we going to do?"


    Wyatt wasn''t usually an impatient man, but the Audit Department was overwhelmed with work this year.


    "I''ll make a call to HR Department, and if there are suitable candidates, you can interview them


    directly." Ronan said as he picked up the internal line phone on his desk.


    The Audit Department had been recruiting for a while, but they wanted the cream of the crop. The HR


    Department didn''t want to settle for less, thus many applicants didn''t even make it past the first round.


    "Okay, I''ve talked with the HR Department." Ronan hung up the call and said to Wyatt.


    "We are already overwhelmed at the moment. Mna suggested a solution that might work; she wants


    Cordelia to help her. Cordelia has done the ounts for PrimeBuild Contractors before and is very


    familiar with them. Plus, she''s not a newbie. I just thought you might not agree." Wyatt said.


    "Tell Mna to contact her directly, if she agrees, I have no objections." Ronan said after a moment of


    contemtion.


    Wyatt gave a thumbs up and left the office to ry Ronan''s decision to Mna.


    Mna immediately sent a message to Cordelia via Messenger: [Cordelia, could you give me a hand?


    I''m swamped with work, even 24-hour shifts aren''t enough. We have an overwhelming amount of files.


    You can handle the PrimeBuild Contractors project, and you know it well. What do you say?]


    Cordelia was on her couch, reading a pregnancy book. [What does he think?] Cordelia responded.


    [Who''s he? It¡¯s my idea. I discussed it with Wyatt and he agreed.]


    Cordelia thought to herself: Mna was a very responsible ountant, and she wouldn''t ask for help


    unless she absolutely needed it. Plus, thest time Cordelia visited Lumos Enterprises, she saw first-


    hand how chaotic the Audit Department was. In contrast, Cordelia had a lot of free time.


    Since she had already informed Ronan about her ns to go abroad, and he had agreed, she didn''t


    see why she shouldn''t help out at Lumos Enterprises.


    [Okay.] Cordelia responded.


    Mna excitedly replied, [I was hoping you could start immediately, but considering your condition, why


    don''t you start tomorrow?]


    [Okay.]


    When Ronan came home in the afternoon, Cordelia told him about it.


    "You agreed?" Ronan asked.


    "Yeah. Mna rarely asks for help. It would seem cold-hearted of me to refuse. Besides, the Audit


    Department really needs help, especially after the incident with Emerson." Cordelia replied. "I should


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    go for your sake as well, right?"


    "Shall I take you to work tomorrow?" Ronan asked, looking her up and down.


    "Well, no need, I''ve been feeling tired recently. I''ll go in the afternoon, and take some work home with


    me. I''ll have Tristi drive me." Cordelia said seriously.


    "The Audit Department is a lot of work." Ronan warned her.


    "I''m not afraid."


    Ronan didn''t say anything else, but he thought that Cordelia was a very determined person. Once she


    set her mind to something, she would see it through.


    Later that night, as Cordelia wasing out of the bathroom, she passed by Ronan.


    "Did you put iodine on your hand?"


    "There''s no need, it''ll be fine in a few days. Plus, it''s bedtime. I don''t want to get the sheets dirty."


    "Be careful."


    "I will."


    As Cordelia climbed into bed, she turned to face him.


    At eleven, Ronan turned off the light and instinctively pulled Cordelia into his arms. The moment his


    hand touched her stomach, Cordelia felt the warmth emanating from his palm.

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    Chapter 292


    The following morning, Ronan got up early and left. Janice had packed a lunch for Cordelia to take with


    her in the afternoon.


    "Why not make it for both of us in the future, just one more serving," Cordelia suggested to Janice.


    "Sure," Janice agreed, pleased to see Cordelia in a better mood.


    Since Cordelia was heading to Lumos Enterprises, a ce where Ronan held considerable sway,


    Janice didn''t apany her.


    "Cordelia, I''m d you''re here. Look at all these files on my desk, they''re driving me crazy. We need to


    get through them quickly. When you get tired, just take a break," Mna eximed.


    "Alright," Cordelia responded calmly, picking up the first file. She was experienced in this sort of work,


    handling it with ease. Thanks to Cordelia, Mna''s workload was progressing much quicker than


    anticipated.


    At three in the afternoon, Cordelia decided to take a break. She hadn''t moved from her desk all day


    and was feeling a bit ufortable. She didn''t stray far, heading to the yoga studio to stretch her


    muscles.


    Just as she was about to change into her yoga outfit, Kitty spoke up, "Cordelia, I got you a new set.


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    Have a look."


    With that, Kitty presented a loose-fitting yoga outfit. Though it was stylish and chic, it was also very


    conservative, covering her from head to toe. Moreover, it was so loose that it would undoubtedly hinder


    her movements, making her look clumsy.


    Cordelia was certain that someone as professional as Kitty would definitely not buy such yoga attire,


    and asking her to change into yoga clothing all of a sudden would seem quite abrupt, wouldn''t it?


    "Did he ask you to buy this?" Cordelia recalled that yesterday, Ronan had probably gone to Wyatt''s


    office and seen her practicing yoga.


    Kitty looked somewhat awkward, "Well, you know men. They don''t like their women to be seen by


    others. Try to understand Mr. Evans'' feelings."


    Though Cordelia didn''t say anything, she was displeased. Ronan''s possessiveness was manifesting


    again, and she didn''t appreciate his interference.


    "I won''t be practicing today," Cordelia dered, her mood spoiled. She returned to the Audit


    Department to continue her work.


    Ronan''s overbearing nature had sparked her rebellious streak. As she realized her cup was empty,


    Cordelia decided to order some soda. The minimum order was for two cups, so she ordered two.


    She had always loved soda but after learning that it wasn''t healthy for her unborn child, she had


    controlled her cravings. But now, she wanted to let go.


    Just like she had intentionally fallen asleep in the conference room to upset him, she was now going to


    drink soda in front of him. Most importantly, she was going to use this to test him, to see if he knew he¡¯s


    the father of the kids.


    The delivery couldn''t be made to her floor, so she was called downstairs to collect it.


    "Mrs. Evans, you''re pregnant. You shouldn''t be drinking soda," the receptionist warned her.


    "It''s fine," Cordelia replied defiantly.


    Back in the Audit Department, she handed one of the cups to Mna.


    "I''m too old for this stuff, not like you young girls. Cordelia, you shouldn''t be drinking this either. The


    baby''s health is important," Mna advised.


    "I''ll just have a little bit," Cordelia pinched her fingers, indicating that it was indeed "just a little bit."


    "Be careful, Mr. Evans might not be happy and may give you a hard time," Mna whispered to


    Cordelia.


    Cordelia was unperturbed. She wanted to test him, to see if he would indeed give her a hard time.


    She had only a couple of sips, just enough to satiate her craving.


    With a cup and a half of soda left, she decided to take it to the car and let him see.

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    Chapter 293


    After work, Ronan came upstairs to see Cordelia. He frowned slightly at the sight of the soda on her


    desk.


    "Another soda?" He asked.


    "I felt like having one," Cordelia answered, alternating between her work and talking to Ronan.


    Just as she was about to take the soda, Ronan swiped it away. "Why do you have to chime in on


    everything? From what I wear to what I drink, is there anything you don''t meddle in?" Cordelia abruptly


    looked up and challenged him.


    "So you''re doing this to spite me?" Ronan questioned.


    "I''m not spiting you. I just like soda."


    Suddenly, the stern expression on Ronan''s face softened. "Go ahead, drink it."


    His unexpected response left Cordelia puzzled. Was he not interfering anymore? With him backing off,


    the rebellious thrill of drinking it was gone. She was like a child. When Ronan tried to control her, she


    rebelled. When he stopped, she found her rebellion pointless.


    So what was he really up to?


    Cordelia didn''t manage to elicit the response she wanted from her testing. Instead, she felt quite


    uneasy.


    "I''ll wait for you here," Ronan said, settling down on a couch next to her in the office. He casually


    picked up a copy of the Audit Department''s monthly report and began to read.


    "We''re having some problems with the audit. I''ll take it home and think it over," Mna really knew how


    to read the room and decided to take the materials back home to work on.


    With Mna gone, only Cordelia and Ronan were left in the office. Feeling uneasy, Cordelia wondered


    what Ronan was up to. Her mind was no longer on her work.


    "Why aren''t you drinking?" Ronan''s gaze shifted from the report to Cordelia.


    "I''m working. I don''t have time."


    Ronan chuckled knowingly. He guessed that Cordelia was drinking soda out of spite and to gauge his


    reaction, to see if he knew about the baby.


    If the baby wasn''t his, he wouldn''t interfere. From this, Ronan was certain the baby was his. Why else


    would she try to provoke him?


    She was ying games, and he would wait for her to admit it. Trying to outwit him? She was out of his


    league. He would wait for the day when Cordelia would tell him herself.


    Cordelia finished her work and started packing up.


    "You didn''t finish your soda. Why not?" Ronan pointed at the two cups of soda and asked.


    "It''s not cold now. I don''t want it anymore." After saying this, Cordelia threw the soda into the trash can.


    This time, Cordelia''s attempt to probe backfired, and Ronan countered her, leaving her feeling


    discouraged.


    Using soda o to test him was juvenile. He might just want to control her to satisfy his desire for


    dominance. Whether or not the baby was his might not matter at all.


    While she was on her way downstairs, Cordelia received a call from an unknown number. She thought


    that it was a spam call, but when she answered, it turned out to be Sienna.


    "De, your grandma and I have moved to Millstone. She''s been asking to see you. When can you


    The sound of Sienna''s voice instantly annoyed Cordelia, but she was unaware of her grandmother''s


    move to Millstone.


    "How about after lunch this Saturday?" Cordelia would never eat Sienna''s cooking again.


    "Make it soon. Your grandma isn''t doing well. Every day counts," Sienna added. "I''ll have Samantha


    send you the address. I don''t have your contact."


    Cordelia paused, feeling a pang of sadness at the thought of another family member leaving.


    "How about this afternoon?" Cordelia suddenly realized that Sienna wouldn''t have called unless it was


    necessary.


    "Right. Don''t forget," Sienna confirmed.


    Her phone beeped. It was a message from Samantha with the address.


    [Are youing to our ce this afternoon?] Samantha messaged Cordelia.


    [Yes. I want to see Grandma.] Cordelia didn''t want Samantha to know she was visiting, but it seemed


    like she couldn''t hide it.


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    Samantha didn''t say anything more. Cordelia had the feeling that she was brewing some sort of


    scheme.


    She thought: I must be very careful when I go to Sienna''s house.


    She wanted Ronan to apany her.


    "Can youe with me to visit my grandma?" Cordelia asked Ronan.


    "Where does your grandma live?" Ronan asked.

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    "I haven''t been in touch with them for a while. Today Sienna, that''s Samantha''s mom, also my aunt,


    called me. She asked me to check on my grandmother, who''s not doing so well. They''ve all moved to


    Millstone now. Not quite sure how they suddenly got the money. I''m a bit worried."


    "Worried about what?" Ronan didn''t take it too seriously.


    They had already entered the garage. Ronan opened the car door, and they both got in.


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    "I guess I''m worried about Samantha, afraid I might fall into another one of her schemes. But my


    grandmother is getting on in years, and every meeting with her could be thest. I don''t have many


    family members left in this world." Cordelia suddenly felt a lump in her throat. She thought of Barney¡¯s


    and her mother''s death.


    "Don''t I count as your family?" A momentter, Ronan asked her.


    Cordelia suddenly looked up at him, took a nce, and then lowered her head again. "I meant blood-


    rted family."


    "So am I your family in your eyes?" Ronan asked again.


    Cordelia nodded solemnly, "I guess so."


    "What kind of family am I to you?" Ronan was giving Cordelia a way out, hoping she would admit he


    was the biological father of their child.


    But Cordelia, for some reason, remained silent. Her lips opened and closed several times, but in the


    end, they stayed shut. She was afraid that if she admitted it, she would lose control, and Ronan would


    stop her from going abroad.


    "What kind of blood ties do you have with them?" Ronan suddenly said.


    Prompted by Ronan''s words, Cordelia suddenly remembered something Shelley had once said ¨C that


    she may not be Shelley''s biological daughter.


    Cordelia¡¯s head was buried even lower; she was feeling extremely downcast, just fiddling with her


    fingers. She felt like a piece of driftwood in the world, not knowing where she came from, or where she


    was going.


    "Why bring this up?" Cordelia''s voice was filled with resentment and detion, "Juste with me."


    She raised her doe-like eyes, misty and pleading, looking at Ronan.


    "Now?" Ronan got back to the point, not mentioning her origins anymore.


    "Mhm."


    The car left the basement and sped onto the road.


    The location Samantha gave was quite a distance from Lumos Enterprises. When they arrived at her


    grandmother''s house, Samantha was there too, looking particrly upset.


    Cordelia went to her grandmother''s room, and Ronan waited for her in the living room.


    Samantha and Sienna both entertained Ronan, their "honoured guest", in the living room.


    Today, Ronan''s sudden visit made Sienna feel uneasy. She had never met someone like Ronan before


    - so aloof and regal, with an air that silenced everyone and kept people at bay.


    "Mr. Evans, would you like some coffee?" Sienna offered. She was both intrigued and intimidated by


    Ronan, wishing he could be her own son-inw.


    "Just leave it." Ronan sat on the sofa, casually flipping through a film magazine lying on the coffee


    table. He was concise and to the point.


    As for the coffee, he did not take a sip.


    This was Cordelia''s ex-husband, and although they were divorced, ording to Samantha, they still


    lived together, presumably with intentions to reconcile.


    Meanwhile, Samantha didn''t even have a boyfriend. The few men she had met in Roseville were far


    from being on par with Ronan.


    Samantha had been losing to Cordelia since they were kids, and Sienna was extremely upset about


    this.


    Ronald had found a job as a security guard at arge mall in Millstone, and he had not finished his shift


    yet.


    Ronan didn''t even nce at Samantha, which hurt Samantha deeply. She was already feeling down,


    and today on the set of The High Society, she had received a p from Deanna.


    Deanna, used to bullying people with her status, would p Samantha at the slightest provocation.


    Samantha was already fed up with her.

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    Chapter 295


    A few days ago, Samantha officially became part of The High Society production team. It was a decent


    gig, where she yed the role of the fifth wife to a Duke. Although it was a viinous character, it had


    some sympathetic traits. She reckoned that once the show was aired, it might win her a modest


    fanbase. After signing the contract, she received an advance payment of three hundred thousand,


    which she used to rent a house for her family in Millstone, alleviating some of the pressure previously


    put on her by Sienna.


    As for her annoying grandmother, she couldn''t let her monopolize a house in Roseville. The house was


    listed online but hadn''t been rented out yet. Therefore, she had no choice but to bring her grandmother


    here.


    Today, Deanna stormed into the set,ining that Samantha left without finalizing her next project


    with her agent.


    Samantha officially broke ties with Deanna.


    Once a nobody, Samantha was now infamous among the crew members, thanks to the p she had


    received. Samantha remained silent, covering her face, looking pitiful. She was crying all the while.


    It was a well-known fact in the industry that Deanna was a diva, so when she hit her former assistant,


    everyone voiced their sympathy for Samantha, saying that Deanna had pushed her luck too far and


    would eventually meet her downfall. With a nce at the crew members, Deanna walked away.


    Deanna harbored a grudge against The High Society production team. They didn''t even ask her, a top-


    tier actress, if she wanted to participate. Instead, they actually approached one of her assistants.


    Although Samantha had a tough day and wasn''t in a good mood, the silver lining was that she had


    be more acquainted with the people on the set, broadening herwork. Inparison toN?velDrama.Org owns this.


    Cordelia, she might still be considered the underdog in life, but things were looking up. She believed


    that one day, she would be more sessful than Cordelia.


    Seeing Cordelia''s prominent baby bump and the fact that Ronan was apanying her, Samantha


    was filled with jealousy and anger.


    Looking at the untouched cup of tea in front of Ronan, Samantha''s inferiorityplex seemed to be


    choking her. Was he repulsed by her house, or did he suspect her mother had poisoned the tea?


    Samantha''s anger was at its peak.


    ¡­


    Ronan nced around the house. It was spacious and he was bored. He had finished flipping through


    his magazine while Cordelia was still chatting with her grandmother.


    ¡°Is it rented or bought?¡±


    ¡°Ah, rented, eight thousand a month,¡± Samantha replied.


    ¡°Not bad.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s ok.¡± Samantha thought Ronan was starting a conversation with her, but he quickly fell silent.


    Samantha felt awkward.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go get some water for grandma and Cordelia.¡± Samantha stood up and went to her grandmother''s


    room.


    Cordelia was chatting with her grandmother, who was a bit confused due to her age.


    Cordelia felt that when she visited her grandmother again this time, she had aged significantly. Her


    grandmother was already quite elderly, and now, there was a sense of being engulfed in the aura of old


    age, as if she was surrounded by the passage of time.


    ¡°Where¡¯s your mom? Why didn¡¯t shee?¡± Her grandmother asked, patting Cordelia¡¯s hand.


    ¡°My mom?¡± Cordelia paused, thinking that her uncle and aunt probably hadn''t told her grandmother to


    prevent her from worrying.


    ¡°We haven¡¯t told her,¡± Samantha whispered into Cordelia¡¯s ear, ¡°Don¡¯t let it slip.¡±


    Cordelia thought: As I suspected.


    She felt a warm feeling inside. Little did she know that the reason they hadn¡¯t told her grandmother was


    because, in the eyes of her uncle and aunt, Shelley had long been dead. Her death wasn''t important to


    them, and her grandmother''s feelings were even less so. They wouldn¡¯t bother telling her.


    ¡°She''s at home. She sent me to check on you," Cordelia replied.


    ¡°Where¡¯s the ring?¡± Grandma, whose mind wasn''t very sharp, suddenly asked.


    Cordelia was puzzled. ¡°What ring?¡±


    ¡°Your ring.¡±


    Cordelia thought hard, but couldn''t remember any ring.

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    Samantha had initially entered her grandmother''s room to defuse the awkward tension left by Ronan.


    She ced a ss of water on the table and nned to leave immediately. But curiosity piqued her


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    interest. What kind of ring was it?


    "It''s the ring for you," Grandma fretted, her agitation evident.


    Cordelia and Ronan had only registered their marriage without a ceremony, so she didn''t have a ring,


    and she had never bought one herself. At this moment, she wasn''t sure what kind of "ring" her


    grandmother was referring to.


    Suddenly, she remembered the ring Shelley had given her as proof of her lineage. That ring was


    always kept in Cordelia''s purse, untouched. She wasn''t even sure if it was still there.


    "I''ll find it," she said, rummaging through her canvas bag.


    To her surprise, she found it. "This one?" Cordelia handed the ring to her grandmother.


    Grandma''s eyesight wasn''t the best, so she held it up to examine it.


    At the sight of this ring, Samantha''s heart tightened. Being an actress, she was familiar with props and


    knew that this was an emerald ring. It seemed that Cordelia''s family was quite wealthy.


    Samantha wondered how she could get the ring for herself.


    Just then, the door creaked open.


    Samantha knew that Ronald was back. She quickly sent a message to Sienna on WhatsApp: [Mom,


    start a fight with Dad ASAP. Get Cordelia out of here.]


    Sienna was surprised by the message, but she owed Samantha for their move from Roseville to here.


    Starting a fight with Ronald didn''t require any pretext. Her anger towards Ronald bubbled up instantly.


    "Coming home thiste? Where have you been? You hardly earn anything, but you sure spend a lot."


    Sienna spat out harshly.


    Ronald had changed since his leg became paralyzed. He was quiet before, but now he was somewhat


    deranged. He had just finished a day''s work and couldn''t stand his wife''s nagging. "Have I done


    something to upset you? You''re the one who''s always causing trouble!" Ronald retorted.


    As expected, they started arguing.


    Ronan sat in a chair, observing the ugly spectacle of a middle-aged couple fighting, without uttering a


    word.


    "What''s going on with my parents? I''ll go check." Samantha seemed to mutter something to herself.


    "Uncle Ronald''s back. I''ll go greet him," Cordelia said, worried that the argument would escte out of


    control.


    Samantha, appearing to give way to Cordelia, opened the door for her, following her out.


    Once Cordelia left, Samantha quickly returned to her grandmother and sternly said, "Give it to me."


    She pocketed Cordelia''s ring.


    "Eh...," Grandma tried to speak, but Samantha had already closed the door.


    Outside, Ronald and Sienna continued their heated argument. Even though Ronald saw Ronan sitting


    he felt inferior and his anger intensified.


    "Say that again!" Ronald threatened, picking up a broom and advancing towards Sienna.


    "Ah. I''m going to be killed. My husband is going to hit me, because he can''t make money outside. He


    wants to kill his own wife!" Sienna shrieked.


    "Who the hell wants to kill you? I don¡¯t want to dirty my hands!" Ronald yelled, hopping on his foot.


    "Cordelia, I''m really sorry for the scene. You should go with Mr. Evans. You''re pregnant, and I don''t


    want to scare the baby. I''m really sorry for airing our dirtyundry," Samantha apologized, pushing


    Cordelia forward.


    Cordelia reached out to pat Ronald''s hand, "Uncle, calm down. A peaceful family leads to prosperity."


    "De, you''re leaving?" Ronald''s anger subsided slightly at the sight of Cordelia.


    "Yeah we are living. Please, don¡¯t fight with Sienna," After Cordelia finished speaking, she waved her


    hand towards Ronan.


    Ronan rose from the couch and left. He was tired of the atmosphere in this house.


    They both went downstairs.

 Chapter 297

    Chapter 297


    After Cordelia got in the car, Ronan leaned against it, lighting up a cigar, attempting to soothe his


    difort. Something about the Smiths bothered him immensely.


    Ronan, born and raised in affluence, was now confronted by the Smiths'' petty bitterness and


    discourtesy that was far from genteel. Their calcting nature was evident in every nce and gesture.


    His brows were constantly furrowed.


    "What''s up?" Cordelia asked him.


    "Nothing," he said before starting the car.


    Cordelia felt both inferior and guilty, "Is it the atmosphere at my aunt and uncle''s ce that is bothering


    you?"


    "Don''t think too much," he said, "you''re not rted to them by blood."


    Ronan was trying to convince himself that Cordelia wasn''t from that family.


    "But they are my family, in practical terms, including Adrian. Blood isn''t always thicker than water. My


    biological parents abandoned me, so they clearly didn''t want me. Maybe they didn''t even have a better


    situation at my foster parents'' home, with even worse conditions, and more dysfunctional family


    dynamics. But this is my family. If it makes you ufortable, then there''s not much that can be done."


    Cordelia said, staring out of the car window.


    Ronan didn''t respond.


    Suddenly, Cordelia remembered that she had forgotten to ask her grandmother for the ring back.


    But thinking about it, if Ronan was so displeased with her family''s atmosphere, it was best not to make


    him go back. Plus, this ring, Cordelia had never cared much for it. She never thought of using it to find


    her lost kin.


    Since they abandoned her, their connection was severed.


    By the time they got home, it was already dark. From the underground garage, there were several


    flights of stairs to climb.


    Cordelia was holding her back, and Ronan extended his hand. She instinctively ced her hand in his.


    In the elevator, Cordelia tried to pull her hand away, but he just held it even tighter.


    Cordelia thought: Indeed, familiarity breeds affection. Ronan was slowly regaining his feelings for her,


    perhaps even stronger than before.


    Before, she was just a naive young girl. Now, she was carrying his child. And he was the father.


    That night, Cordelia was reflecting on her origins, feeling sad.


    "What''s wrong?" Ronan noticed Cordelia''s low spirits, it seemed like she was stealthily wiping away


    tears.


    "Nothing," Cordelia remembered that his grandfather had also passed away.


    With her back to Ronan, she asked him, "Why didn''t I see you cry when Barney passed away?"


    "Why do you ask?"


    "How can you be so heartless? You were his grandson after all, but I..." Cordelia remembered the ring


    that could prove her identity was left at her grandmother''s house, and she felt even more disinterested.


    She thought she might collect the ring the next time she went to visit her grandmother, but if she


    couldn''t, then so be it. She didn''t expect to use the ring to find her family.


    Ronan''s hand moved across Cordelia''s back, turning her towards him. His kissnded on her face, and


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    his voice, extremely intimate and maic, said, "From now on, it''s just you and me."


    His voice stirred something within Cordelia, and her long hair cascaded onto the pillow. "Who said I''m


    going to depend on you?" Cordelia said.


    Ronan''s hand stroked Cordelia''s protruding belly, and he continued to whisper in her ear, "You."


    "No." Cordelia didn''t want to hear these fatalistic words.


    "Who else?" Ronan asked Cordelia, "Well, right, two other people."


    Cordelia was startled, she pushed Ronan''s chest away, "Who?"


    "Your inws."


    Cordelia almost had a heart attack. She thought he was referring to the two babies in her belly. Scared


    once again by Ronan, Cordelia felt she could not keep the secret any longer. It was time to tell him.

 Chapter 298

    Chapter 298


    The following day.


    When Cordelia woke up, Ronan was already gone.


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    Suddenly, she remembered that her maternity clothes were tossed in the washing machinest night.


    Considering that she had both a son and a daughter, she wouldn''t need maternity clothes again and


    hadn''t bothered to buy many. She had to get changed after breakfast to go to the office, so she just


    casually picked up one of Ronan''s shirts from the hook and put it on. The buttons on the belly area


    wouldn''t button up, but she didn''t bother. She also put on a pair of leggings and headed to the dining


    room for breakfast.


    It was a grey shirt, a color that would have looked good on her if she wasn''t pregnant. Tucked into her


    waistband, it hung loose and casual.


    Janice was packing her lunch.


    "Did you make one for him too?" Cordelia asked Janice.


    "Well, I was going to make Mr. Evans'' lunch, but he said he had a meeting during that time," Janice


    replied.


    Cordelia paused with her spoon halfway to her mouth, "A meeting? With whom?"


    "You should ask him yourself. It''s not my ce to ask these questions," Janice said, "What''s going on


    with you two? You should make up."


    Cordelia remained silent. She wanted to make up, but herte mother still weighed heavy on her heart.


    She felt as if her mother was watching her from heaven.


    They were still talking when they heard the sound of keys unlocking the door.


    "Huh?" Janice remarked, "Mr. Evans is back?"


    Cordelia thought: What a coincidence that he came back this morning when she happened to be


    wearing his shirt. She sat at the dining table, feigningposure as she ate her meal, the knife and


    fork clinking with each bite.


    "I forgot some documents," Ronan said, taking off his shoes at the entryway. Then, he noticed Cordelia,


    sitting coolly at the dining table, wearing his shirt.


    She didn''t even look up when she saw him.


    She had a delicate corbone ne hanging around her neck, with two buttons on her shirt left


    unfastened, giving her a very sexy look. Beneath the table were her long legs.


    "Wearing my shirt?" Ronan fetched some documents from the bedroom and sat at the dining table,


    asking her with keen interest.


    "My clothes aren¡¯t dry yet. I''d changeter anyway, and our shirt was just within reach," Cordelia replied


    with forced nonchnce. She didn''t care if he got the wrong impression. She did have feelings for him


    and wanted to make up.


    "True, this shirt is technically yours too," he said, tapping his fingers on the solid wooden table, "RC is


    our brand after all, half yours, half mine."


    "Is it? I didn''t pay attention to the brand." As Cordelia elegantly savored her bagel, she engaged in


    conversation with Ronan.


    Ronan observed Cordelia''s facade. Having lived with her for over a year, he could tell when she was


    genuinely angry and when she was just pretending.


    "Do you want toe with me after breakfast?" Ronan asked.


    "I think I''ll go with Tristi. She always chooses the most scenic routes," Cordelia replied.


    "Really? Not thinking of saving me some gas money?"


    It was past ten, the sun was shining brightly outside, and Ronan was trying to tease Cordelia.


    Cordelia looked up at him, "You care about gas money?"


    "If I can save some, why not?" Ronan noticed a smudge of butter on Cordelia''s lips and handed her a


    napkin.


    "Thank you."


    "You''re wee." Ronan''s tone was teasing, as if he was flirting with a respectable woman.


    And Cordelia was anything but respectable at that moment. Wearing Ronan''s shirt, she was the prey in


    his vicinity, yet feigning innocence; Ronan, aware of Cordelia''s state of mind, intentionally provoked


    her.


    They were both pushing past Shelley''s death, one trying to get closer, the other attempting to ept.


    They were acting recklessly.

 Chapter 299

    Chapter 299


    Cordelia had just finished her meal and was heading to her bedroom to change clothes. The door was


    slightly ajar, leaving a thin slit of visibility.


    As Ronan stepped inside, she was in the midst of changing into her undergarments. But seeing


    Ronan''s gaze, she didn''t shy away. After all, she had made up her mind to tell him that the child was


    his; there was no point in hiding anymore.


    She, along with her two babies, belonged to him.


    "Fancy joining me?" Ronan asked her.


    "Hmm. Isn''t it to save you on gas money? I work in the Audit Department. How much are you going to


    pay me?" Cordelia questioned him.


    "How much do you want?"


    Cordelia pondered, "I work my butt off. You can''t shortchange me. I used to earn twenty thousand a


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    month, so now, you have to at least give me twenty-five thousand, right? I can still work for a month


    and a half, and that¡¯s forty thousand."


    "Deal." Ronan chuckled, perhaps at her "small ambitions".


    As Cordelia tried to pull up her pants, she was so exhausted that she was panting heavily.


    Ronan came over and helped her; Cordelia instinctively leaned on his shoulder. His helping her felt


    somewhat instinctive.


    After helping Cordelia into the car, Ronan headed to the driver''s seat. "I have a lunch meeting, so I


    didn''t have Janice prepare my food. Sorry for wasting your generous offer," said Ronan.


    "No problem," Cordelia turned her head towards the window, "Who are you meeting?"


    "Grant. He invited me to lunch. That night you couldn''t sleep, it was because of his handling of his ex-


    wife."


    Today, Ronan''s lips were constantly curled up, with a subtle smile on his face. He even specifically


    mentioned that night you couldn''t sleep.


    "How did he handle his ex-wife?" Cordelia asked, her face slightly flushed from the explicit reminder of


    her sleepless night. She felt so weak, having just been back for a short time, and already missing him


    to the point of insomnia. She had already put Shelley''s hatred behind her.


    "Stripped her naked. Made her lose her dignity in front of everyone in Millstone."


    Cordelia furrowed her brows, "Stripped her? You saw that?¡±


    "Yeah. But you''re prettier."


    Cordelia was embarrassed and blurted out, "Screw off."


    "How could Grant be so nasty? You must be his aplice, right?" Cordelia asked him.


    "Isn''t a woman cheating nasty?"


    "If she''s guilty, let thew judge her. Not Grant."


    "If you ever do the same, I''ll treat you the same way."


    "How could you!" The thought of standing naked in front of a group of men sent chills down Cordelia''s


    spine.


    "Then why don''t you try it."


    "We''re already divorced." Cordelia retorted.


    "That reminds me. If you want to remarry, just say it, why beat around the bush?"


    "I..." Cordelia was left speechless by Ronan''s rebuttal. She frowned, thinking: he must have known


    about the babies already, otherwise, she would have been dead a long time ago. He wouldn''t tolerate


    Cordelia to this day.


    Cordelia closed her eyes to rest, no longer speaking.


    Upon reaching the office, Ronan directly took her to the top floor. Then, instead of returning to his


    office, he went out to meet Grant.


    Grant''s car was already waiting for Ronan at the door, so Ronan didn''t drive, and directly got into


    Grant''s car.


    "I saw you helping Mrs. Evans upstairs earlier. You two seemed pretty close," Grant started the car,


    "But Mr. Evans, you should keep your guard up, what if you end up raising someone else''s child?"


    "I won''t let things get to that point."


    "Even if it doesn''t, doesn''t it bother you that she slept with another man?" Grant continued.


    "She didn''t." Ronan said with certainty.


    "Hopefully not. Crystal, that slut, is so shameless. She can''tpare to a tender and delicatedy like


    Mrs. Evans."


    Ronan just smiled. Was she really a delicate flower? He could even see that if one day, he really did


    that to her, she would bite him to death.


    "Where to?" Ronan asked him.


    "I''ve booked a table at Bistro Belle. A high-end restaurant."

 Chapter 300

    Chapter 300


    Today, Samantha headed to the set of The High Society.


    Yesterday, she had snatched a ring from her grandmother that belonged to Cordelia, warning the old


    woman to keep mum about it or face the consequences. The old woman was helpless, penniless, and


    on herst leg. She had no choice but toply.


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    The ring fit Samantha''s finger perfectly.


    This ring, despite its unassuming appearance and vintage charm, had a remarkable effect when worn.


    It seemed to make the person who wore it radiate with a magical glow.


    Samantha had seen many TV dramas and novels featuring the swapping of real and fake heiresses


    and stories of wealthy families abandoning their children. Although she was reluctant to admit it,


    Cordelia was indeed exceptionally elegant, tall, and appeared quite aristocratic. She muste from a


    noble family.


    Now the ring was on Samantha''s finger, making Samantha the one with the noble birth.


    Samantha gave a triumphant grin. She even told Sienna to y along. It would be hard for Sienna to


    admit she had adopted her daughter, but poverty had made her desperate. If there was a chance to


    gain wealth, she was willing to take it.


    As for Ronald, he was a silent type, not worth her concern.


    Today, Samantha wore the ring to the filming set and kept it on during the shoot. She didn¡¯t know where


    Cordelia¡¯s birth mother was, but the more people saw the ring, the higher the chance of finding


    Cordelia¡¯s wealthy mother.


    Thinking back to the way Cordelia and Ronan visiting her house together yesterday, Samantha felt a


    surge of anger.


    It seemed that the conflict between Cordelia and Ronan was gradually being resolved.


    This was something Samantha would never tolerate. She couldn¡¯t stand Cordelia having a better life


    than her. She would rather have Cordelia and Deanna at each other''s throats, so she could focus on


    her role in The High Society, andwork with renowned directors and producers. If Cordelia''s birth


    mother recognized her, her life would be set.


    Yesterday, she posted a status on Facebook: "Cousin and her hubby visited our humble abode. They


    say you should never air your dirtyundry in public, s..."


    While she seemed toment about her own family woes, she was actually hinting to Deanna: Cordelia


    and Ronan were now an item.


    Cordelia had forgotten her mom¡¯s hatred.


    As expected, soon after she finished shooting this morning, Deanna called. "Cordelia and Ronan


    visited you?" Every time Deanna spoke to Samantha, her tone was just like that of questioning a


    servant.


    "Yeah, they might be together, but clearly, Cordelia isn''t willing to let go of what happened with my aunt.


    Maybe Ronan is sticking around because Cordelia is pregnant, but she¡¯s been quite unhappy. Their


    rtionship seems irreparable," Samantha informed her.


    "Cordelia is unhappy?"


    "Yes, she''s been cold towards Ronan. My parents fought in front of them, which was embarrassing.


    They soon left." Samantha added, feigning a sigh.


    Deanna hung up before Samantha could finish.


    Samantha''s intention was clear. She wanted Deanna to know there were cracks in Cordelia and


    Ronan''s rtionship, and Cordelia wasn''t happy being with him. As long as Deanna targeted someone,


    that was all Samantha cared about.


    After the call, Deanna pondered how to sow discord between Cordelia and Ronan.


    At noon, she made a reservation at Bistro Belle. A producer had arranged a meeting for her with


    several directors and investors.

 Chapter 301

    Chapter 301


    Grant''s car pulled up to Bistro Belle. Just as he and Ronan got out, a woman, brandishing a knife,


    came charging towards Grant, her voice hoarse from screaming, "Grant, you son of a bitch, you


    humiliated me at Millstone, now I''m gonna end you, you bastard!"


    Crystal, looking like a woman with nothing to lose, ran straight towards Grant.


    Grant''s face paled in fear. This time, it was only him and Ronan, not even the driver was with them.


    Moreover, his car was parked across the street, so it was hard for passers-by to notice the


    confrontation happening on their side of the road.


    "Crystal, you slut, what''s gotten into you? You crazy bitch," Grant yelled at Crystal while hiding behind


    Ronan. "Mr. Evans, call the police, call the police now!"


    Ronan, being a tall man, managed to shield Grantpletely. He had known that a day like this would


    Crystal was already at the end of her rope, and adding insult to injury would lead to dire consequences.


    But before he had a chance to talk to Grant, this happened.


    Just as Ronan dialed 911, Crystal lunged at Grant with the knife. Grant dodged, and the knife ended up


    in Ronan instead. Immediately, blood seeped from Ronan''s wound.


    Crystal was kicked off by Ronan, still holding the murder weapon in her hand.


    The confrontation was so intense that it drew the attention of passers-by, who quickly intervened.


    Grant hastily dialed the emergency number.


    Deanna saw all of this from the second floor of the restaurant. She was worried about Ronan''s injury,


    but she also realized that this was a golden opportunity. She needed to ry this news to Cordelia


    immediately.


    She felt that since Cordelia couldn''t get past her mother''s ident and was always resenting Ronan, if


    Ronan died, she might be relieved. And Ronan, knowing she was relieved, would give up on her; or


    Cordelia might be devastated but not say it, keeping her emotions bottled up. Either way, Deanna


    wanted to see it happen.


    She hoped this incident would be the final straw for Cordelia. She didn''t care if Cordelia got hurt, as


    long as she, Deanna, had nothing to do with it.


    As Deanna hurried down the stairs, she found a waitress and gave her Cordelia''s phone number. "Tell


    her that Ronan''s been stabbed. He might be in critical condition," Deanna told the waitress as she


    rushed downstairs.


    By now, a crowd had gathered across the street, and an ambnce had arrived. The waitress promptly


    informed Cordelia of the situation.


    "Hello, this Bistro Belle. Mr. Evans was attacked outside our restaurant. It looks serious," the waitress


    said, ncing out the window. She couldn''t see clearly, but there were many people gathered.


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    Cordelia was busy working on the other end of the line. Hearing this, she was stunned for a moment,


    then asked, "Attacked?"


    "Yes, it seems a woman stabbed Mr. Evans."


    Cordelia froze, feeling weak all over. Her mind was in a whirl, and she couldn''t utter a word. She didn''t


    hear anything around her, either.


    Stabbed?


    "Do you mean someone had a knife..." Cordelia couldn''t believe it. Who would dare to do that to him?


    "That''s what I mean."


    Cordelia suddenly went silent.


    "Hello? Are you there? Hello, are you there?"


    Cordelia wanted to speak, but no words came out.


    The waitress on the other end of the line had no choice but to hang up.

 Chapter 302

    Chapter 302


    Cordelia''s phone hung up, the beep echoing in her ear for two seconds before it rang again. It was


    Grant''s voice call invitation.


    Cordelia remembered that Ronan had nned to meet with Grant today, and she hastily epted


    Grant''s voice call.


    "Cordelia? Mrs. Evans? It''s about Mr. Evans, your husband. He¡¯s at the entrance of Bistro Belle. My ex-


    wife... she stabbed him. She meant to stab me, but Mr. Evans, he took the hit for me. I¡¯m taking him to


    the hospital now. I¡¯ll send you the location as soon as I get there," Grant hurriedly said. "I''ll take care of


    him for now."


    "Is it seri..." Cordelia wanted to ask how serious it was, but she was too shocked to speak. She sat


    there, shell-shocked, feeling as if she had been hollowed out.


    Stabbed. She knew what it meant. A de entering the body, the oue was always the same. She


    knew it. Cordelia sat still in her chair, dumbstruck.


    "Cordelia? You okay?" Mna, her colleague, asked.


    Cordelia didn¡¯t respond.


    "Cordelia, Cordelia? Are you feeling unwell?"


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    Still no response from Cordelia. She felt a sharp pang in her stomach. Her phone vibrated. It was the


    hospital''s location sent by Grant.


    "I... I need to..." Cordelia stuttered, as if she had been drinking.


    She stood up from her chair, but then tumbled back, sliding down to the floor. Thankfully, the chair


    behind her prevented a serious fall.


    "Cordelia, what¡¯s wrong?" Mna rushed over to help Cordelia up.


    She took Cordelia''s phone and saw the hospital location sent by Grant. "You need to go here? Who¡¯s in


    the hospital? Let''s go. I''ll go with you."


    Mna helped the staggering Cordelia into the elevator.


    Cordelia''s hands were shaking as she looked for Tristi''s contact and handed her phone to Mna.


    Once in the elevator, Cordelia broke down, sobbing uncontrobly. If she knew this day woulde,


    why did she fight with him? He still didn¡¯t know the babies were his.


    She felt the pain of losing him was no less than the pain of losing her mother. Losing one was enough,


    why did she have to lose him too?


    Her crying attracted attention, and many people heard her.


    Once off the elevator, she could barely walk, her nose running and tears streaming down her face.


    "Come on, Cordelia. Is it Mr. Evans?" Mna asked, seeing how distraught Cordelia was.


    Cordelia nodded.


    Mna became more anxious. "Let''s hurry. Your crying is rming the entire office. It¡¯s not good for


    morale. Let''s go."


    Cordelia struggled to keep up. They needed to leave, but she couldn¡¯t move fast enough.


    Tristi was waiting downstairs. When Cordelia got in the car, she asked, "What happened to Mr. Evans?"


    "I don¡¯t know. We¡¯ll find out once we get to the hospital. Let''s go." Mna said.


    Tristi didn¡¯t say anything else and quickly started the car.


    Tristi was known for her slow and steady driving. Unfortunately, there was a traffic jam due to an


    ident. Cordelia was anxious and looked outside. On the roadside, there was arge maternity store


    called Happy Kids.


    Seeing the store, Cordelia¡¯s thoughts began to wander. Even though she was pregnant, she had never


    been to a maternity store, let alone with him.


    Cordelia had never thought Tristi¡¯s driving was slow until now. As she watched the immovable traffic,


    she felt the fear of losing a loved one. Her father, mother, Barney, she had watched them all leave one


    by one. The pain didn¡¯t lessen, it only grew.


    She sent a message to Grant through Messenger with trembling hands: [Mr. Grant, please, tell Ronan


    that the twins are his, and he is the father of my babies.]


    She was afraid if she didn¡¯t say it now, she might never get the chance.

 Chapter 303

    Chapter 303


    Hospital.


    Grant handled the hospital admission for Ronan and arranged for the best doctor to treat him.


    Ronan''s injury wasn''t severe; he had only suffered a cut on his arm. It was a superficial wound. The


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    doctor had treated and bandaged it, and it was all taken care of.


    But Grant felt terribly guilty. After all, Ronan had taken the blow for him, so he arranged a private room


    for Ronan to rest.


    "I''m sorry, Mr. Evans, it''s all my fault." Grant said, his face drained of color.


    "Would you have been able to handle it?" Ronan asked him.


    "No way, I am nowhere near as strong as you, Mr. Evans." Grant replied, with a hint of ttery in his


    voice.


    "Yes, Ronan, you should get some rest." Deanna added.


    Deanna had been present throughout the incident, her concern for Ronan''s injuries apparent and her


    anxiety palpable. Now, she made sure Ronan wasfortable in the hospital bed, tucking the nkets


    around him.


    "Rest now." She said.


    Her thoughts, however, were elsewhere. She was thinking about the fact that Grant hadn''t mentioned


    the extent of Ronan''s injuries to Cordelia, implying that they were severe. This yed right into


    Deanna''s ns.


    If Cordelia showed indifference towards Ronan, then once shepletely gave up on Ronan, he would


    be even colder towards her.


    If Cordelia was deeply worried about Ronan, this would inevitably affect her unborn babies. If


    something were to happen to the babies now, before they could get back together, their future would be


    doomed.


    Deanna was quite pleased with herself.


    "Mr. Evans, someone sent me a message. Would you like me to read it to you?" After being busy for a


    while, Grant finally picked up his phone to check it.


    "Whose message?" Ronan asked, adjusting the bandages on his arm. "Do you really need to read it to


    me?"


    "Of course, it''s from Cordelia."


    Ronan paused, and so did Deanna, her ears perking up at the mention of Cordelia''s name.


    "No need to read it, just send me a screenshot." Ronan said casually as he continued adjusting his


    bandages.


    "Okay, I''ll send you the screenshot and also copy her exact words for you." Grant said, and began to


    work on his phone.


    Deanna was anxious, not knowing what Cordelia had said to Grant.


    "I''ve sent it, Mr. Evans." Grant said after a while.


    Ronan picked up his phone to read the message. Although he had guessed that the two babies were


    his, seeing her words: "He''s the father of my two babies." caused a ripple of emotion in his heart.


    He was going to be a father.


    Ronan didn''t say anything after reading the message. His expression was calm, but his mind was a


    whirlpool of thoughts.


    "Just as you predicted, Mr. Evans." Grant said.


    Deanna had no idea what they were talking about.


    "I know her better than she thinks." Ronan said with confidence.


    "Yes, she can''t escape from you." Grant''s tone was somewhat obsequious. After all, Ronan had been


    injured because of him. He not only paid for Ronan''s medical expenses, but also took on the


    responsibility of taking care of him.


    "But what about you? Crystal might serve a few years for intentionally injuring someone, but when she


    gets out, she''ll be even more resentful towards you. Plus, if she''s really pregnant, she might get parole.


    Have you thought about your future?" Ronan looked at Grant.


    Grant was already sweating profusely. The satisfaction he had enjoyed by manipting Crystal was


    gone. In its ce was a chilling fear that ran down his spine.

 Chapter 304

    Chapter 304


    Outside the hospital room, Cordelia couldn''t bring herself to step inside, afraid of the sight that was


    waiting for her.


    "Just go in. Don''t wait any longer," Mna urged, her concern for Cordelia apparent.


    Cordelia''splexion turned even paler.


    Mna knocked on the door, and Grant said, "Come in."


    Hearing Grant''s voice nearly knocked Cordelia off her feet. It wasn''t him. It couldn''t be him...


    Her legs gave way.


    "Let''s go in." Mna supported Cordelia, guiding her into the room.


    The moment the door swung open, Cordelia saw Ronan sitting on the hospital bed, his back leaned


    against the headboard, and his arm wrapped in a bandage. He wasn''tatose, and he certainly


    wasn''t dead.


    Cordelia instantly rxed, sinking onto Ronan''s bed. Her eyes were wide in shock.


    She saw Deanna, but at that moment, Cordelia was too relieved to pay any attention to her.


    "Your injuries are minor," Cordelia murmured, her words were barely audible, but they seemed


    heartfelt. It was this statement that made her feel like a weight had been lifted off her chest.


    "What, you wish I''d gotten hurt worse?" Ronan retorted.


    Deanna thought to herself, ¡°Cordelia really had no tact. Her words had clearly irked Ronan. It was


    indeed a good decision to notify her.¡±


    Cordelia tried to move Ronan''s nket to check his injuries, but Grant intervened. "Mrs. Evans, Mr.


    Evans just hurt his arm. The bitch responsible is already in custody. Don''t worry."


    Cordelia nced at Ronan''s bandaged arm, unable to determine the severity of the wound. "Is it


    deep?" She asked him.


    "Deep."


    "Does it hurt?" She asked, worry creeping into her voice.


    "Hurts."


    Ronan looked at Cordelia as he spoke, with a teasing glint in his eyes. Then, he leaned in to whisper in


    Cordelia''s ear, "I learned from the best!"


    Only then did Cordelia realize the sexual implication of the words "deep" and "hurts." It was a stark


    contrast to the tension she had felt earlier.


    "Are you going hometer? Or staying here for the night?" Cordelia asked.


    "Going home."


    Cordelia nodded slowly. "Tristi can give us a lift hometer."


    "Weren''t you just telling Mr. Grant that you had something to tell me?" Ronan suddenly asked.


    "He..." Cordelia moved closer to Ronan. "He didn''t tell you?"


    "No. What is it?"


    "I''ll tell you when we get home." Cordelia figured it was best to keep things quiet with Deanna around.


    She noticed Ronan''s right arm was all wrapped up, making it difficult to bend. She asked him, "How will


    you eat?"


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    "You''ll feed me, of course."


    Deanna was fuming at the sight of their mutual affection, and she was still clueless about what Cordelia


    had wanted to tell Ronan earlier. "Oh, I was discussing a new drama with some producers just now. I


    rushed over here as soon as I heard about Ronan''s injury. Since he''s okay now, I''ll take my leave," she


    announced.


    With that, she turned on her heel and walked out. What on earth was Samantha thinking when she


    gave her this advice? She now suspected that Samantha could be a spy sent by Cordelia.


    Grant also left.


    Mna said, "Cordelia, since Mr. Evans is fine, I''ll be going. Aren''t you guys going hometer?"


    "We''ll drop you off at the office first," Ronan offered.


    "Sure, I''ll wait for you guys downstairs," Mna said, before leaving the room.


    Ronan didn''t press Cordelia about what she wanted to say earlier. He had the doctor check his arm


    again before preparing to leave.


    "Mr. Evans, you''ll need to change this bandage every two days, ande back for a check-up in a few


    days. I''ll prescribe you some extra bandages," the doctor advised.


    Ronan turned to look at Cordelia. "Can you do it?"


    Ronan was implying that he was entrusting her with the task of changing his bandages. Did he forget


    she was pregnant?


    But considering he was injured, Cordelia decided to agree, "I can."

 Chapter 305

    Chapter 305


    Tristi was at the wheel, and Mna rode shotgun with Cordelia and Ronan in the backseat.


    "I''m not sure if I should say this, and it''s a bit blunt," Mna observed, peering at Cordelia and Ronan


    through the rearview mirror. "Between the temporarily disabled Ronan and pregnant Cordelia, you two


    seem to be in a pretty helpless state."


    "We have a nanny at home," Ronan countered.


    Cordelia had something on her mind. Grant already knew about the babies'' paternity. Ronan was


    bound to find out sooner orter. Better to tell him sooner and hope for a sympathetic response.


    As they approached a bottleneck in the road, Cordelia suddenly suggested, "Why don''t we go shopping


    for the kids?"


    Such a simple statement made Ronan''s heart flutter. He swallowed hard before asking, "What do we


    need to buy?"


    "I don''t know, we''re expecting a boy and a girl. Let''s get them some clothes. They''ll be here soon."


    Cordelia rubbed her belly. "Once I get more pregnant, we might not have the time."


    "Together?" Ronan turned his head to look at her belly.


    "Yes."


    "Drop Mna off at the office. You don¡¯t have to wait for us," Ronan told Tristi.


    Once out of the car, he and Cordelia walked into the Happy Kids maternity and baby store. The store


    wasrge and luxurious, spread over two floors.


    Cordelia linked her arm through Ronan''s uninjured one, and they perused the store. She was


    astonished by the amount of stuff they needed, bottles, nursing pads, baby shampoo, body wash, and


    diapers. But her actual goal today was not to shop for the babies but to tell Ronan he was their father.


    She picked up a little boy''s outfit and held it against her belly, then asked Ronan, "Do you think this


    outfit is cute?"


    "If you like it, then it''s good."


    Choosing baby clothes was beyond Ronan''s expertise.


    "You''re the father. Shouldn''t you at least have an opinion?" Cordelia teased.


    "You''re the mother; can¡¯t you decide?"


    "I can''t. That''s why I''m asking you to help out," Cordelia replied, asking a sales associate, "Do you


    have a matching outfit for a girl?"


    "Sorry, ma''am, this outfit is only for boys," the associate replied.


    "Oh, that''s too bad," Cordelia responded, a bit regretfully. She also had somehow a sinking feeling. She


    kind of wanted a daughter. "We''re expecting twins, one of each. We''d like matching outfits."


    "Well, let me help you find something," the associate offered.


    While Cordelia was busy with the associate, Ronan took a call and didn''t follow. After hanging up, he


    called the driver to pick them up. Once he''d paid for their purchases, he carried the bags in his left


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    hand and got into the car.


    "Pulse Technologies has contracted us for their project. And they''ve specifically requested you to take it


    on." Ronan informed Cordelia in the car.


    "Isn''t that too much work? Why didn''t you decline? Mr. Emerson will be furious. I just epted Lumos


    Enterprises Finance Department''s auditing job." Cordelia replied, frowning slightly.


    She was starting to suspect that these people were trying to exploit her before she went on maternity


    leave.


    "We have investments in thatpany. It''s crucial that we understand their financial situation. I trust


    you," Ronan assured her.


    "Do you see me as your confidante?" Cordelia asked, a bit miffed.


    "Aren''t you?" Ronan countered.


    Cordelia nodded thoughtfully, thinking, ¡°Typical Ronan, always thinking ahead.¡±


    "I guess they chose us because of your reputation," Cordelia suggested.


    "My reputation?" Ronan responded with an ambivalent smile. "I hope so."


    The call he''d taken earlier was from the general manager of Pulse Technologies, who had said Edwin


    had influenced their final decision to go with Lumos Enterprises Audit Department. He''d even


    emphasized the "excellent auditor, Cordelia."

 Chapter 306

    Chapter 306


    In the evening, Janice prepared dinner.


    Ronan had mentioned that he wanted Cordelia to serve him, so Cordelia sat beside him.


    "Why can''t Janice serve you?" Cordelia muttered under her breath.


    Janice went to the kitchen to dish out the food.


    "Cordelia!" Ronan said sternly. "What''s my rtionship with her?"


    Intimidated by his stern tone, Cordelia reluctantly picked up his fork and spoon, asking him what he


    wanted to eat.


    Cordelia figured that he could manage to eat perfectly with his left hand, but he chose not to, and


    waited for her to feed him.


    "Just look at your dad, enjoying every minute of it," Cordelia seemed to be teasing the children, but


    they didn''t understand, nor did they hear. In reality, she was teasing Ronan.


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    Upon hearing the term, "your dad," Ronan''s heart softened a bit.


    After feeding Ronan until he was full, Cordelia didn''t have much appetite left for her own dinner. She


    "I''ll make sure you''re full tonight!" he said to Cordelia.


    Cordelia''s cheeks turned red instantly. "It''ste. Victoria won''t allow it."


    "I said I''d prepare ate-night snack for you. What are you thinking about?" Ronan asked, his face


    flushed.


    "I¡­" Caught off guard by Ronan''s prank, Cordelia was visibly irritated. "I don''t want to think about it


    anyway."


    "From now on, you only need to serve dinner. You can''t get up early in the morning," Ronan added.


    Cordelia pouted. "Alright, boss."


    In bed, Ronan, as usual, leaned against the headboard reading a book, while Cordelia was on the


    other side, admiring the clothes of their two children. The thought of having a daughter in the future


    made Cordelia''s mind wander. If her daughter resembled her dad, she would be extraordinarily


    beautiful. Of course, if she resembled Cordelia, that would be great too.


    Cordelia had a preference for girls, not so much for boys.


    The sound of a video call on Ronan''s phone interrupted her thoughts. It was Wyatt.


    Ronan figured he wanted to show him something via a video call. He fetched his iPad from the living


    room and answered the call.


    "I''ve drafted a rough n for the second half of the year. Take a look." Wyatt was still working overtime,


    standing in front of a small ckboard in his office. The ckboard was filled with his notes.


    "We''ve recently added Pulse Technologies, a big project. Pulse Technologies has also invested in


    Keegan Entertainment, so it''s aplexwork." Wyatt continued, "We have at least fifty projects this


    year. I''ve allocated some, and let''s discuss."


    "Cordelia, can you get my sses for me?" Ronan called out to Cordelia, who was still sorting out the


    clothes.


    "Huh? Are you shortsighted?"


    "They''re blue light sses, on the coffee table in the living room."


    Reluctantly, Cordelia went to the living room to get his sses.


    "Help me put them on." Ronan requested as soon as she brought the sses. He was holding the iPad


    with one hand, and his other hand was bandaged, making it impossible for him to put on his sses.


    So, Cordelia knelt beside him and helped him put on his sses.


    Once Cordeliay down, Wyatt and Ronan exchanged a phrase in German. They likely didn''t want


    Cordelia to understand, hence the choice ofnguage. Then, they resumed their conversation in


    English.


    Cordelia nned to ask him what they had said in German after they finished talking, but their video


    call continued for a while. She slowly drifted off to sleep.


    By the time Ronan went to bed, it was quarter past midnight, and Cordelia was sound asleep next to


    him.


    Earlier, Wyatt had said in German, "You''re really something. Cordelia''s heavily pregnant, and you''re still


    sharing a bed. Aren''t you afraid of a mishap?"


    "She won''t let me, so there''s no chance."

 Chapter 307

    Chapter 307


    Even though Ronan had ate night, when Cordelia had woken up, he was already gone.


    After having her breakfast, Cordelia headed to the office. She spent the entire morning engrossed in


    work, sorting out files for Pulse Technologies. She even added the head of Pulse Technologies on


    Messenger for any work-rted discussions.


    Right now, she was busy managing the ounts for The High Society series, a project sponsored by


    Pulse Technologies. Cordelia needed to meet her for a meeting.


    ¡°Ms. Haselwood, could you possiblye down to my ce? I am tied up on the set and can''t leave.


    Ourpany has booked a floor in the hotel where The High Society series team is staying. I handle


    the ounts there daily.¡±


    Cordelia thought to herself, ¡°This cannot be dyed. I must go.¡±


    ¡°Cordelia, if you''re going, I''ll go with you. Pulse Technologies is a major project, and I would also like to


    meet their head,¡± Mna offered.


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    So, Cordelia and Mna hitched a ride with Tristi to the Azure View Hotel, right across from The High


    Society set.


    Just as they were entering the hallway, Cordelia heard someone speaking outside a room. ¡°Ms.


    Samantha, I''m afraid your appearance doesn''t fit our series'' needs. We have to recast.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Although the voice came from inside the room and Cordelia couldn''t see the person, she


    immediately recognized Samantha''s voice.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing personal. Your image just doesn''t match the character,¡± the other party replied.


    Cordelia frowned slightly, thinking to herself, ¡°I¡¯ve just arrived and have already ran into Samantha''s


    awkward situation. Samantha is quite stubborn. I wonder how she''ll hold this against me.¡±


    The CFO of Pulse Technologies was staying in the room next to Samantha''s. Once inside, the three


    women started discussing ounts. Cordelia didn''t dwell on Samantha''s issues anymore.


    However, as Cordelia and Mna were leaving, they saw Samantha dragging her suitcase out.


    Samantha red at Cordelia, as being seen in such an embarrassing situation by Cordelia was a blow


    to her pride.


    ¡°Watch your back!¡± Samantha spat out before leaving.


    ¡°Did you upset her?¡± Mna asked.


    ¡°Absolutely not.¡± Cordelia was equally puzzled about Samantha''s behavior.


    They returned to the office and plunged back into work.


    Days passed in this manner.


    Finally, her days of nursing Ronan ended as he removed his bandages and regained his mobility.


    Cordelia was overjoyed, and her face was beaming like a sunflower.


    Ronan looked at her with a disapproving gaze. ¡°Are you happy because I have recovered, or because


    you''re finally relieved of your duties?¡±


    ¡°Of course, it''s because you''ve recovered,¡± Cordelia answered with a grin.


    Their rtionship was blossoming. They both knew the children were theirs.


    One day, Cordelia received a call from Sienna. ¡°Cordelia, your grandmother has passed away.¡±


    Cordelia knew her grandmother was old, and this day was inevitable. Although she wasn''t shocked,


    she was deeply affected. Her grandmother was her mother''s closest kin. Moreover, the constant loss of


    family members over the past year made Cordelia question life''s meaning.


    ¡°How did my grandmother pass away?¡± Cordelia asked Sienna.


    ¡°Your grandmother...,¡± Sienna hesitated, ¡°She died in a fire.¡±


    ¡°In a fire?¡± Cordelia was more perplexed.


    How could that be? There were no open mes in her grandmother''s room, and her grandmother


    wasn''t one to y with fire. Although Cordelia wasn''t emotionally close to her grandmother, she was


    her mother''s family.


    ¡°Cordelia, will you attend your grandmother''s funeral?¡± Sienna asked.


    ¡°I will."

 Chapter 308

    Chapter 308


    "You''re not going!"


    Cordelia was taken aback. She hadn''t expected Ronan to be so vehemently against her decision.


    "Why not? She was my grandmother. Plus, I suspect it was arson."


    "Oh, we don¡¯t need Sherlock Holmes here." Ronan''s tone was much cooler now that he had voiced his


    opposition.


    "You drugged me with sleeping pills when my mom died so that I wouldn''t attend the funeral. Now


    you''re doing the same for my grandmother''s? I''ve decided to let the past go. Don''t stir it up again."


    Cordelia was furious.


    Ronan lounged on the couch, raising an eyebrow at Cordelia. "Your top priority right now should be to


    deliver my babies safely." Ronan''s gaze was focused on Cordelia''s belly.


    "I am not a baby-making machine!" Cordelia retorted angrily.


    "You''re not going. Try me if you insist on going," Ronan dered.


    "What are you going to do? Drug me again? If you dare, I''ll abort your twins right now. Try me. Ronan,


    I''ve told you, I''ve decided to let the past go. Stop making me suspicious of you." Cordelia was


    scorching mad.


    Ronan stared intently at Cordelia. "So telling me the babies are mine was just a threat?"


    Cordelia turned her head away haughtily, ignoring him. She knew that once she told him the babies


    were his, she would lose her freedom.


    "Give Sienna some money. They''ll understand if you don''t attend due to your pregnancy." Ronan


    issued his final ultimatum. "If you dare to do something reckless, don''t me me for being ruthless."


    "You..." Cordelia knew there was no reasoning with him.


    She understood that if he said she couldn''t go, she wouldn''t be able to. More importantly, her physical


    condition made it impossible to pull off any dramatic stunts. As for his reasons, Cordelia could


    somewhat understand. Funerals were crowded events, and given her condition, traveling all the way to


    Roseville would be unsuitable. Moreover, the presence of Samantha, a woman known for her jealousy


    and cunningness, was a potential threat. With this in mind, Cordelia was somewhat calmed, but she


    still couldn''t ept Ronan''s autocratic, my-way-or-the-highway approach.


    So, for the entire day, she ignored Ronan. When he called her, she acted as if she hadn''t heard.


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    Ronan knew she was throwing a tantrum and, considering her pregnancy, he decided not to argue with


    her.


    Cordelia added Sienna on Messenger and sent her $50,000, exining that her advanced pregnancy


    would make it difficult to travel.


    [Cordelia, your grandmother passed away, and you''re noting?]


    [Yeah, I''m in theter stages of pregnancy. I''m afraid something might happen.]


    [Well, just say your grandmother never had a selfish granddaughter like you.]


    Sienna''s message made Cordelia feel hot with embarrassment.


    [How did the fire start?] Cordelia asked.


    [What do you mean? Are you suspecting us of deliberately setting the fire to kill your grandmother? If


    we wanted to kill her, wouldn''t it be easier to do it in Roseville? Why would we bother travelling all this


    way? And if we were to kill her, why would we choose to burn her? We nearly got burnt ourselves!]


    Sienna''s reply left Cordelia even more confused. Samantha''s family had only recently moved to


    Millstone. How did a fire start so soon?


    Cordelia felt that she needed to investigate. Samantha''s recent firing from The High Society and the


    fire incident seemed too coincidental to be idents.

 Chapter 309

    Chapter 309


    At night.


    Cordelia was cross with Ronan, and the recent passing of her grandmother had her tossing and turning


    in bed, unable to sleep.


    ¡°Stop moving,¡± Ronan mumbled, running his hand over her belly. He had his eyes closed, desperately


    trying to suppress his desires.


    But Cordelia couldn''t sleep, and it was impossible for her to stay in one position. Her restless fidgeting


    in bed only served to stoke Ronan''s arousal.


    ¡°I said stop moving!¡± Ronan''s voice was low and filled with a stern rebuke for Cordelia.


    ¡°Why don''t you go sleep in your own bed?¡± Cordelia retorted.


    Ronan couldn''t take it anymore. He reached over and grabbed Cordelia¡¯s boobs. ¡°If you¡¯re teasing me,


    then let¡¯s do it.¡±


    His grip was painful, making her feel like she was about to explode. Cordelia struggled, but he was


    persistent.


    Exhausted after the orgasm, Cordelia finally fell into a restless sleep.


    Ronan¡¯s actions made Cordelia so annoyed that she wouldn¡¯t look at him when she woke up. It¡¯s not


    like she had been purposely teasing him.


    The next morning, Cordelia got up for breakfast.


    ¡°Has he gone? Did he take his packed lunch?¡± Cordelia asked Janice.


    ¡°He took it. No social obligations today,¡± Janice replied with a smile.


    Janice had prepared a hearty breakfast for Cordelia, who had filled up three lunch boxes.


    After a busy morning, Cordelia messaged Brooklyn on Facebook Messenger. [What¡¯s for lunch?]


    [Ordered takeout.]


    [Shall we eat together in the conference room on the first floor? I¡¯d like to have a chat with you.]


    Cordelia suggested, wanting to talk to her best friend about her grandmother¡¯s passing.


    She felt guilty for not attending her grandmother''s funeral. Although she was pregnant, the feeling of


    being an ungrateful grand-daughter still lingered.


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Before long, Cordelia and Brooklyn made their way to the first-floor conference room.


    Brooklyn had only ordered a bowl of pho, which seemed paltrypared to Cordelia¡¯svish spread. ¡°I


    knew I shouldn¡¯t have subjected myself to this humiliation,¡± Brooklyn grumbled as she opened her


    takeout.


    ¡°I can¡¯t finish it all. You can have some,¡± Cordelia offered.


    ¡°No thanks, I don¡¯t want to be a charity case. Besides, I can¡¯t eat your pregnancy meal.¡±


    Cordelia chuckled, ¡°What¡¯s the big deal? Ronan eats it every day, and always has the same meals as


    me.¡±


    ¡°Can I reallypare to him?¡± Brooklyn grumbled, clearly annoyed at Cordelia''s constant mention of


    Ronan.


    Brooklyn then brought up a personal topic. ¡°Cordelia, your belly is so big now. Can you two still¡­ you


    know¡­ at night?¡±


    ¡°Brooklyn, we¡¯re eating,¡± Cordelia protested.


    ¡°But it doesn''t stop you from answering, right? You have babies in your womb, can he still¡­ you


    know¡­ Does it hurt?¡± Brooklyn asked bluntly.


    Cordelia, with a mouthful of food, gave Brooklyn a look. ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask Edwin to demonstrate?¡±


    ¡°Ugh.¡± Brooklyn¡¯s face fell at the mention of Edwin. He was a sore spot for her.


    Cordelia thought the topic would be dropped, but Brooklyn pressed on, ¡°Can Mr. Evans resist?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Cordelia admitted. She thought about Ronan at home, the way he looked at her, and his moves in


    bed; everything was filled with an implicit tease.


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°So, what does he do? Did you buy him a blow-up doll or something?¡±


    Cordelia didn¡¯t really want to discuss this topic while eating. ¡°Well, there are other ces he can¡­ you


    know. If he doesn''t do it at least two or three times a day, he feels like he wasted the day.¡±


    Brooklyn looked puzzled. ¡°Where else can he¡­?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t ask. You¡¯ll understand when you¡¯re older. Even kids know this stuff. Howe you don''t?¡±


    Cordelia blushed as she continued eating.


    ¡°But did you know before he did it?¡± Brooklyn teased Cordelia.


    ¡°Pfft,¡± Cordelia scoffed. ¡°Get serious.¡±

 Chapter 310

    Chapter 310


    Cordelia remembered the reason she had arranged to meet Brooklyn today; it was about serious


    matters, not the sudden topic about Ronan.


    "My grandma passed away. Did you know?" Cordelia got back to the main topic, her appetite dwindling.


    "Really? I didn''t know. When? Don''t be too upset. At least you''re back with Mr. Evans now, otherwise,


    this year for you¡­¡± Brooklyn thought about the fact that Cordelia had lost three family members in


    session this year. It would have been too much for anyone.


    Cordelia was sad too. "I wanted to attend my grandma''s funeral, but he wouldn''t let me. I understand


    why, but I''m just sad. There are fewer and fewer people in this world that I can bid farewell to."


    Cordelia''s eyes reddened.


    Brooklyn patted her back. "When is your grandma''s funeral?"


    "Today."


    "That exins it."


    "Also, my aunt said that my grandma died in a fire. I always feel like something fishy is going on. And,


    didn''t Samantha join the shooting of The High Society? The other day, I went to reconcile ounts with


    Pulse Technologies'' finance director and found out Samantha was fired from the crew. She had been


    shooting for a while, and then was suddenly reced. I feel there''s more to this."


    Brooklyn''s spaghetti was almost finished. She propped her head with her hand, staring at Cordelia.


    "Who do you think it was?"


    Cordelia didn''t want to say, but a name came to mind¡­ Deanna.


    "Since you''re worried, should I go check it out for you?" Brooklyn offered.


    "No need, you won''t find anything. Plus, Samantha knows you, and she would definitely be on guard."


    Cordelia said while eating.


    Thinking of her grandma''s funeral today and her sitting here calmly eating a sandwich, Cordelia lost her


    appetite. She put down her spoon.


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    Brooklyn''s eyes lit up. "What about Edwin? Last time he drove you to Roseville, but we never went in,


    Samantha doesn''t know him."


    "Forget it. He just started working with Pulse Technologies, so he''s very busy. Don''t bother him,"


    Cordelia said.


    "I''ll give him a call." Brooklyn said, dialing before Cordelia could dissuade her.


    "He agreed. He''lle pick me up in a bit! What should I say when I get there?" Brooklyn asked


    Cordelia after the call.


    Ever since their first kiss in the suburbs, Brooklyn and Edwin hadn''t kissed again. In fact, Edwin had


    been avoiding Brooklyn. He felt that he had kissed her too impulsivelyst time and didn''t want to give


    her the wrong idea.


    Brooklyn knew that as long as it was about Cordelia, Edwin would always agree, no matter how busy


    he was. She was certain of this. And she, she just wanted to see Edwin, even if he came for Cordelia,


    she could bear it.


    Even though she felt increasingly humiliated, whoever fell in love first in a rtionship, was always the


    most vulnerable, right?


    Brooklyn made Cordelia feel quite awkward, Cordelia didn''t want Edwin toe for her, but that


    possibility existed. Cordelia was afraid that if this continued, it would make Brooklyn more and more


    ufortable, but she, she didn''t have any other solution.


    "I''ll transfer ten thousand dors to you guys. It''s my grandma''s funeral. I can''t let you guys foot the bill.


    Are you taking the afternoon off?" Cordelia asked Brooklyn.


    "I finished my manuscript, and I¡¯m taking the afternoon off, so it shouldn''t be a problem," Brooklyn


    replied.


    Edwin''s car arrived, pulling up in front of Lumos Enterprises. Cordelia went straight upstairs and did not


    see Edwin.


    Brooklyn got into Edwin''s car.


    "Just you?" Edwin asked Brooklyn.


    "Oh, yes, she asked me to go on her behalf."

 Chapter 311

    Chapter 311


    "Where''s Cordelia? Isn''t it her grandma''s funeral?" Edwin asked Brooklyn.


    "Cordelia couldn''t make it, Mr. Evans wouldn''t let her go, but she suspects her grandmother''s death


    was no ident, and she wants us to check it out," Brooklyn filled Edwin in.


    Edwin nodded repeatedly. "Then how about this, I''ll go upstairs, you can wait down here, and I''ll see


    what I can find out," Edwin suggested.


    "Sounds good. Cordelia sure is lucky to have a friend like you. Her husband sticks his nose in


    everything and micromanages her every move. As her friends, we have to help share the burden,"


    Brooklyn said with a knowing look.


    Edwin looked downcast. "I know, right? Mr. Evans is just looking out for her. If it were me, considering


    her condition, I wouldn''t let her go either."


    Brooklyn didn''t respond, but she was thinking, ¡°When Edwin gave that example, shouldn''t he have said


    if it were him and her was the one in Cordelia¡¯s condition, he wouldn''t let Brooklyn go? Why did he still


    say Cordelia?¡±


    It showed that in his heart, every time he thought of Cordelia''s husband, he was picturing himself. Even


    though Edwin never showed it, it was hard to hide feelings for someone. His feelings always managed


    to slip through the cracks. Brooklyn felt her heart sink.


    She had always known that Edwin had a secret crush on Cordelia, but today, her heart froze over.


    "Cordelia sent me a thousand dors, so I''ll transfer it to you. You can decide on how to handle it,"


    Brooklyn said, transferring the money to Edwin.


    They arrived at Roseville, Ronald''s neighborhood.


    Edwin parked the car downstairs, and Brooklyn stayed in the car while Edwin went up alone. Only


    Ronald was in the living room.


    "Who are you...?" Ronald asked Edwin.


    "Oh, I''m the son of a friend of your grandmother''s. I heard about her passing, and I wanted to pay my


    respects," Edwin said. "This is just a small token."


    After saying this, Edwin handed over an envelope of cash to Ronald.


    Ronald felt the thickness of the envelope, and his impression of Edwin improved. He didn''t question


    Edwin''s background any further. A scammer wouldn''t be handing out that amount of cash.


    "The funeral was held this morning. You can put a flower here." Ronald suggested.


    After saying this, Ronald handed a flower over to Edwin.


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    While Edwin was paying his respects, Ronald went to the kitchen.


    A professional team handled Cordelia''s grandmother''s funeral. After everyone had eaten, the house


    was in a mess, and Ronald went to clean up.


    "Samantha, should we report this to the police? This whole thing was orchestrated by that celebrity,


    Deanna. Should she get away with causing our family such loss?" A voice came from one of the


    bedrooms.


    Ronald''s house was small and not soundproofed, so it was easy to overhear conversations.


    "Why would we call the police? If they investigate, wouldn''t everything be exposed? The fact that I


    noticed the fire and woke everyone up, but let it continue to burn in grandmother''s room until the smoke


    suffocated her before putting it out?" Samantha retorted, "Do you want your daughter to live in shame?"


    Hearing this, Edwin''s blood boiled. He couldn''t believe there were such ruthless people in the world


    that allowed their own grandmother to burn to death! How cold-hearted could one be?


    "But, Deanna was the one behind all this. She ruined your career, then pretended to send us a


    package, which we forgot to open, and it caused the fire. She tried to kill our whole family, but her n


    didn''t work. At least the old burden is gone though."


    "And, no one else in the world will ever know about this!" Samantha added proudly.


    "But should we let Deanna get off scot-free?" Sienna asked again.


    "Of course not. There will be time for payback. This time, she helped us get rid of the old burden, which


    is a favor of sorts," Samantha said. "As for the future, I''m not done with her yet. I''ve already exposed


    her tax evasion, her affair with the director, and her impersonation of a cornea donor to win someone¡¯s


    trust. All these usations are enough to ruin her. Tonight, Deanna can wait for her downfall; if she


    won''t let me live, she can''t expect to live either."


    "Good girl!"


    The information about Deanna having her father impersonate a cornea donor was something


    Samantha pieced together while working as Deanna''s assistant, from overhearing conversations


    between Le and Deanna. She knew that as long as she was the first to leak the information, she


    would have the upper hand. Besides, it was well known that Deanna was a diva and had already lost


    public favor.


    Edwin felt a chill run down his spine being in the house with these two people. He said his goodbyes to


    Ronald and left.


    Once downstairs, he was shaking all over. He lit a cigarette with trembling hands.


    Brooklyn saw his pale face and asked anxiously, "What happened?"


    "It''s horrifying. I''ll tell you on the way." Edwin quickly turned the steering wheel and drove off.

 Chapter 312

    Chapter 312


    Edwin was still in a state of shock even as they hit the freeway. "What happened? What did you hear?"


    "Cordelia was right..." Edwin then recounted everything he''d heard at Ronald''s ce to Brooklyn.


    Brooklyn turned pale as well. She felt the same as Edwin. Samantha was a terrifying woman.


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    "We can''t tell Cordelia about this!" Edwin said. "She''s pregnant, and she can''t handle such news. If she


    found out that her grandmother was killed on purpose by Samantha, Cordelia would definitely get


    upset."


    "But isn''t finding out the truth why Cordelia sent us there?" Brooklyn asked.


    "Yes, but we can''t tell her." Edwin seemed very anxious. "Since she had suspicions before, she''ll


    definitely be wary of Samantha. We should just let it be."


    Brooklyn thought for a moment and agreed. ¡°So, we''re going to keep this a secret between us?"


    Brooklyn asked Edwin.


    "Yes."


    "So we have a secret together?"


    "Sure do." Edwin smiled at Brooklyn.


    Brooklyn smiled back.


    "But you need to remind Cordelia to be careful around her cousin. She''s too sly." Edwin felt a chill run


    down his spine just thinking about Samantha.


    When Edwin and Brooklyn returned to the office, it was 4 p.m. Brooklyn went straight to her dorm room.


    She sent a message to Cordelia. [Cordelia, Edwin, and I are back. We didn''t find out much, but you


    need to be careful around Samantha. Be very careful!]


    Cordelia read the message and replied. [If you didn''t find out anything, why should I be careful?]


    Brooklyn thought. Oh no, Cordelia''s suspicion was aroused.


    [Just be careful, that''s all.]


    Even if Brooklyn didn''t say anything, Cordelia knew she had to be cautious around Samantha. But now


    that Brooklyn had mentioned it, Cordelia was sure they had discovered something during their trip to


    Roseville.


    After work, Cordelia got a ride home with Ronan.


    During dinner, Cordelia''s phone buzzed. She picked it up and saw it was an entertainment news alert.


    [A-list star facing a bacsh for diva behavior. Where will she go from here?]


    Cordelia usually didn''t care much for celebrity gossip, but she had a gut feeling this was rted to her,


    so she opened the message. It was filled with negative news about Deanna, all from an "insider."


    Cordelia suspected that this insider was Samantha, who used to be Deanna''s assistant.


    "What are you looking at?" Ronan was eating, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, showing his


    muscr forearms. It was incredibly sexy.


    "Your dream girl has fallen from grace," Cordelia said, sliding her phone over to him.


    Ronan read the news and pushed the phone back to Cordelia without a word. As Cordelia picked up


    her phone again, she saw a new message. [''Elegant Home'' has suspended its business cooperation


    with Deanna.]


    The character of an artist was a big deal. At times like these, businesses were often cold and ruthless.


    "Your dream girl just lost an endorsement," Cordelia said.


    "First, change my contact name in your messenger," Ronan said calmly.


    "To what?"


    "Husband."


    "We''ve been divorced for a while," Cordelia reminded him. "Whether we remarry or not is still up in the


    air."


    "No remarriage? That''s fine," Ronan said calmly. "Just wait and see."


    Those words sent chills down Cordelia''s spine. She knew that he was capable of anything.

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    Chapter 313


    In bed.


    Ronan''s body was pressed against Cordelia. His warmth was seeping through her back, making her


    feel snug andfortable.


    "Can''t tell who I''m fond of?" Ronan murmured from behind her, his breath tickling the nape of her neck.


    The word "fond" sent a shiver down Cordelia''s spine. This was the first time he had used the word


    "fond."


    "How would I know?" Cordelia retortedfortably wrapped in his arms. "Last time we were at the


    diner, you told me ''Men''s business, best not to ask.¡¯"


    "Do you mind?" he asked.


    Cordelia closed her eyes. "No, I don''t."


    "That''s good," Ronan calmly responded. "How about tonight?"


    "No!"


    "I''ll be gentle."


    "Still no! You always say that, but you¡­" Cordelia trailed off, and suddenly felt terrified.


    Before she could finish speaking, her words were stifled by Ronan''s kiss. He kissed and caressed her,


    making her feel as if she was on fire. If she didn''t give in, she was sure she would explode.


    He was such a jerk!


    The next morning, Cordelia woke up feeling exhausted and overslept. Ronan had left early.


    After some thought, Cordelia changed his name on her Messenger to, Living Dildo. It was apt since he


    was always so frisky.


    She got a ride to work with Tristi. On the way, her phone kept buzzing, As she was getting into the


    elevator, she saw Deanna just stepping out of it.


    Deanna barely nced at Cordelia before striding off with a smug look on her face. Did Deanna


    discuss with Ronan how to handle the current predicament? Cordelia wondered angrily but said


    nothing.


    After working in the Audit Department for the morning, she sent a message to Brooklyn on Messenger.


    [Going to the conference room for lunch?]


    Brooklyn, who was always nervous, thought Cordelia wanted to pump her for information. [Sure.]


    Brooklyn had steeled herself not to reveal the true cause of Cordelia¡¯s grandmother¡¯s death. Cordelia


    had her own theory. Since Brooklyn had warned her to be wary of Samantha yesterday, they must have


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    heard about Samantha¡¯s n to expose Deanna. Therefore, Edwin and Brooklyn must have overheard


    something about why Samantha wanted to expose Brooklyn. And the reason they didn¡¯t tell Cordelia


    was because they were afraid of what she would find out.


    Why were they afraid of what Cordelia would find out? Cordelia resolved to get to the bottom of it at


    lunch today!


    When Cordelia arrived at the conference room, Brooklyn was already there.


    "I''mte. I''m not in the mood," Cordelia said, looking like she had no appetite.


    "What''s wrong?" Brooklyn asked Cordelia.


    "I found out about my grandmother, and I''m upset."


    "How did you find out?" Brooklyn asked in surprise.


    Cordelia thought, ¡°From Brooklyn''s question, she must know something, and she just didn''t tell


    Cordelia.¡±


    "Edwin told me, I asked him and he couldn''t resist, so he told me," Cordelia said, her tone gloomy.


    Brooklyn looked shocked. "He told you?"


    Cordelia nodded.


    "Cordelia, don''t be upset. I know your grandmother''s death was tragic. Samantha watched her die and


    didn''t help, and Deanna sent Samantha a package that was easily mmable. These two are colder


    than I ever imagined." Brooklyn gripped Cordelia''s arm. "Cordelia, stay strong!"


    Cordelia was stunned. She knew her grandmother''s death was more than it seemed, but she didn''t


    expect it to be this terrible.


    Samantha and Deanna were simply murderous.


    Cordelia''s hand shook. Just now, Deanna had left Ronan''s office with a triumphant smile on her face.


    So, how exactly had Ronan helped her?

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    Chapter 314


    "I get it." Cordelia''s teeth were chattering.


    "Ginger...Cordelia, you have no idea, are you trying to trick me?" Brooklyn was terrified; what if


    something happened to Cordelia''s babies? How could she ever take responsibility?


    Cordelia''s face was growing paler. She''d always known Samantha was envious and maniptive, but


    she hadn''t imagined she could be this malicious.


    Cordelia remained silent.


    Brooklyn watched her quietly.


    Only after they had finished their meal and Cordelia attempted to stand did she realize her stomach


    hurt again, causing her to stumble slightly.


    "Let me help you to the office." Brooklyn supported Cordelia. "Cordelia, you gotta be okay. Edwin


    always told me not to tell you..." Brooklyn said guiltily.


    "Help me get to his floor."


    "Whose?" Brooklyn quickly thought. "Mr. Evans?"


    "Yes."


    Without asking further, Brooklyn took Cordelia to Ronan''s floor. She left Cordelia at the door to Ronan''s


    office, knocking before quickly leaving, afraid that Ronan might take his anger out on her.


    "Come in," Ronan said.


    As Cordelia entered, Ronan''s assistant had just heated up his meal.


    "Why are you here at this hour?" Ronan asked, looking up at her.


    Upon closer inspection, he noticed Cordelia''s paleplexion, beads of sweat the size of beans on


    her forehead, and the way she clutched her stomach.


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    She pointed a shaky finger at Ronan, her voice choked with tears. "You... if you dare to help her make


    aeback, I...I won''t let you off."


    Ronan didn''t understand what she was talking about, but seeing Cordelia in this state, he quickly


    moved to her side.


    "Here to make usations? What''s happened?" After assisting Cordelia onto the couch, he took her


    hand and asked.


    "You... you can''t..." Cordelia''s gaze began to lose focus.


    "Don''t talk. I''ll take you to the hospital."


    "No... no need. I know my body. I just need to rest." Cordelia halfid on the couch, half-leaned into his


    embrace. "Promise me. Don''t let here back."


    Ronan guessed she might¡¯ve been referring to Deanna, who had just visited that morning. "As you


    wish." Ronan finally conceded.


    In his lifetime, who had he ever given in to?


    Cordelia sighed with relief. "You go eat. I''ll rest for a bit."


    Seeing Cordelia''s face covered in sweat, Ronan was worried. He fetched a warm towel from the


    bathroom, cing it on Cordelia''s forehead. His hand pressed against it.


    "Why did you suddenly get so upset?" Ronan asked gently.


    That morning, Deanna hade to him, tearfully exining that Samantha was retaliating against her


    by spreading rumors, causing all her brand partners to withdraw their deals. She had asked Ronan for


    help. And he had indeed thought of a way for Deanna, which had made her leave happily.


    Ronan had thought, ¡°If he was to let Samantha and Deanna destroy each other, he couldn''t let one


    be too dominant. If Samantha crushed Deanna in one fell swoop, Samantha would stop


    retaliating...¡±


    And if that happened, there would be no drama. The memory of Deanna trying to poison his


    grandfather was still fresh in Ronan''s mind.


    Cordelia, sobbing, recounted to Ronan the circumstances of her grandmother''s death, including


    Samantha''s disregard for her life, letting her burn to death and the parcel Deanna had sent to


    Samantha.


    "Give me your phone. I want to call the police." Cordelia clutched tightly at the wrist of the hand Ronan


    was using to hold the towel against her forehead, her tears making a pitiful sight.

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    Chapter 315


    "I got this." Ronan rose from the couch and dialed the police.


    Cordelia''s anxiety eased slightly, but her heart still ached for her grandmother. She couldn''t believe


    Samantha could act so heartlessly. It was good that Ronan was calling the police. Given his status,


    they would definitely take the case seriously.


    Cordelia closed her eyes, and tears were trickling onto the couch. All three members of her family had


    met tragic ends. She couldn¡¯t help but feel guilty, thinking she was a jinx.


    "Did Brooklyn tell you all this?" Ronan asked Cordelia after ending his call.


    Cordelia nodded, eyes still closed.


    Ronan mped his mouth shut, not uttering a word.


    There was a knock on the door. It was Emerson.


    Cordelia, feeling unwell, merely acknowledged Emerson''s arrival.


    "What did you do to upset Cordelia? The whole office is buzzing about it. They are calling her a jealous


    wife. I know Cordelia, and she is not like that. You must''ve done something." Emerson''s eyes fell on


    Cordelia, who was wiping her tear-streaked face.


    "Who''s spreading these rumors? An assistant?" Ronan frowned slightly.


    "Is it true or not? The whole office is saying that Cordelia is ready to give you a piece of her mind. Look


    at what you''ve done to her." Emerson moved closer to Cordelia, noticing her pale face.


    "That''s nonsense. Are you guys in the Finance Department jobless?" Ronan picked up a stack of


    reports from the table and tossed them at Emerson. "Go and revise these. Also¡­"


    "What?"


    "Never mind."


    Ronan was considering asking Emerson to summon the PR Director, but Cordelia was still in the room,


    so he dropped the idea.


    Emerson detected the cold reception, and seeing Cordelia in distress, he understood that she wanted


    to be alone with Ronan. So he left. Women, always wanted to be pampered by their men. Everyone


    knew that since Deanna left, Cordelia began quarreling with Ronan. Jealousy was amon


    urrence. Ronan probably wouldn''t take it too seriously.


    Cordelia spent the afternoon in Ronan''s office, drifting in and out of sleep.


    In the evening, Ronan¡¯s chauffeur drove them home. While Cordelia was showering, Ronan received a


    call from the PR Director. "Mr. Evans, about the n we discussed earlier, are we still going for it?" Mr.


    Robert asked Ronan.


    Ronan, hands in pockets, was pacing on the balcony. "Proceed as nned."


    "But Cordelia¡­I mean Mrs. Evans. Rumors are that she had a fight with you today. And she''s


    pregnant. I think this situation¡­"


    "Just do it!" Ronan issued his finalmand.


    Just then, Cordelia emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a towel. Ronan''s gaze fixed on her


    unabashedly. Her hair was damp, and she was wiping it dry.


    "Alright, Mr. Evans."


    After hanging up, Ronan squinted at Cordelia, then sat on the bed, pulling her onto hisp. His lips


    traced her cheek.


    "That tickles." Cordelia, still drying her hair, moved her head to the side.


    His deep, lingering breaths not only tickled her face but also sent shivers down her spine.


    "Where does it tickle? Here?" His hand roamed on Cordelia.


    Cordelia¡¯s face flushed immediately. "I''m pregnant. We can''t."


    "Why can''t we?" He asked.


    "You managed when it was supposedly impossible before, didn¡¯t you? This time, I¡¯m just not in the


    mood!¡± Cordelia turned her face away, her mind drifting back to her grandmother.


    She wasn''t as close to her grandmother as she was to her mother, but regardless, her grandmother''s


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    death was unjust. She couldn''t let Deanna and Samantha get away with it. With that, Cordeliay down


    on the bed and fell asleep.

 Chapter 316

    Chapter 316


    The following day, at Ronan''s office.


    "Did you tell Cordelia about her grandmother?" Ronan asked Brooklyn.


    As soon as Brooklyn arrived at Ronan''s office, she looked as wilted as a frozen flower. She was


    frightened every time she saw Ronan.


    Edwin''s birthday was a private matter, and she wanted to celebrate it with him, so she agreed to let


    Ronan go. But this didn''t mean she wasn''t scared of him in the office. She was terrified.


    "Yes."


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    "In the future, don¡¯t talk to her about these things. Who''s responsible if something goes wrong?"


    Ronan''s tone was indifferent butced with reproach and a warning for Brooklyn. It made her feel


    uneasy as if she hadmitted a grave misdeed.


    Ronan''s attitude towards Brooklyn was already quite mild.


    "Okay," Brooklyn said.


    "Also, the PR Department has something to do tomorrow. Don''t tell her about it, and don''t let her see


    the script you wrote for the media," Ronan said seriously.


    "What''s going on?" Brooklyn was clueless.


    "Your supervisor will tell you. Go."


    After Ronan finished speaking, Brooklyn left, still in the dark.


    Soon, Mr. Robert from the PR Department sent Ronan a list of event procedures, which Ronan found


    satisfactory.


    In the afternoon, Brooklyn finally found out what was going on. Deanna was going to attend a donation


    ceremony at Rainbow Elementary. She donated five million dors to build a new elementary school for


    Evergreen Primary School. The money came from Lumos Enterprises.


    As a member of the PR Department, Brooklyn had to go along for publicity, and she also had to provide


    her written script to the rted media.


    Deanna was nning to make aeback, and doing some charitable acts would help her gain


    poprity.


    Samantha was just a neer in the entertainment industry, while Deanna had been through the


    wringer for many years. Moreover, Deanna hadn''t done anything illegal or disorderly. The tax bureau


    had checked, and she hadn''t evaded taxes. If handled properly, she could quickly make aeback


    and even be more popr, because no one could criticize a star with a charitable heart.


    Brooklyn was angry when she saw all this. She knew Evergreen Primary School was the ce where


    Cordelia had once donatedputers. Now, Ronan was using it to whitewash Deanna.


    Perhaps due to theck of time, Ronan could not find a more suitable ce, so he chose this one. But


    why was he doing this? During Cordelia''s pregnancy, why was he helping Deanna?


    Deanna was the murderer who killed Cordelia''s grandmother.


    At that moment, Brooklyn wanted to tell Cordelia, but thinking of Ronan''s warning, she decided against


    it.


    In this age of advanced information, since Deanna''s donation was made for the media to see, it was


    bound to make the news. Could it be kept from Cordelia?


    ¡­


    The next day, Ronan didn''t go to work. When Cordelia woke up and saw Ronan still asleep, she was


    quite surprised. Shey there watching Ronan. She had to admit, even when sleeping, Ronan was very


    handsome and pleasing to the eye.


    "Are you awake?" Ronan opened his eyes and spoke to Cordelia.


    "Did you wake up early?" Cordelia saw him speaking and didn''t think he had just woken up. "Why didn''t


    you go to work today? It''s not Saturday, is it?"


    "I wanted to spend the day with you," he said, pinching Cordelia''s face. "I asked Emerson and Mna


    to find the Pulse Technologies documents for you. You''ll work on them at home today."


    Hey there, watching Cordelia sitting next to him.


    Cordelia smiled. "Sounds good."


    Ronan got up.


    "Did you change the memo you gave me?" He asked Cordelia while buttoning up his shirt.


    "Change... No, I didn''t," Cordelia thought that if he knew what she had changed his memo to, he would


    be furious.


    "What did you change it to? Let me see," Ronan stretched out his hand, asking for her phone.


    Cordelia, feeling guilty, quickly took her phone, changed the memo from Living Dildo to Husband, and


    then handed the phone to him.


    He had seen her change it. "You haven''t changed it for me?" He asked.


    "Changed what?"


    "What did you change it to? Living Dildo?"


    Cordelia looked up at him in surprise, as if to say, "How did you know?"


    Ronan had just made a casual remark, but he didn''t expect that the memo Cordelia had given him was


    indeed Living Dildo. He got up, smirked, and said, "At least I''m a dildo, what about you? A masturbation


    cup?"


    "Screw you." Cordelia instinctively snapped back. She said and left.


    Her phone was still in Ronan''s hand.

 Chapter 317

    Chapter 317


    Ronan swiped through the posts on Deanna''s Facebook ount using Cordelia¡¯s phone, then quickly


    blocked Deanna¡¯s ount. That meant, from that day forward, no matter what Deanna would post,


    Cordelia wouldn¡¯t see it. Not only would she be unaware of it today, but she might also never know in


    the future.


    Ronan silenced Cordelia¡¯s phone and tucked it under her pillow.


    After dinner, they both sat at therge table in the lounge. Cordelia was doing the books, the table


    littered with documents.


    Ronan sat nearby, reading the newspaper, and frequently checking his phone.


    "What are you up to?" Cordelia would asionally look up from her work to ask.


    "Just some work stuff," he would reply.


    Cordelia didn''t press further.


    Soon, Ronan''s phone rang again. It was a call from the police station. The call caught him off guard. He


    didn''t want Cordelia to overhear anything that might¡¯ve upset her, so he moved to the balcony to


    answer.


    "Mr. Evans, we''ve conducted a preliminary investigation. Brenna''s death has nothing to do with


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    Deanna. Furthermore, Samantha¡¯s failure to save her didn''t vite anyws. She may have thought


    and acted as such, but she didn''t start the fire. All she did was let it grow, and for that, we can''t take


    any action against her. Our apologies, Mr. Evans," said the voice on the other end.


    Brenna was Cordelia''s grandmother.


    "It wasn''t her?" This revtion surprised Ronan. "Then who was it?"


    "Mr. Evans, that''s our job to figure out."


    After hanging up, Ronan returned to his seat.


    If it wasn''t Deanna, then who was it?


    Nevertheless, Ronan didn''t regret his smear campaign against Deanna. He wanted to make Deanna


    the target, for Samantha to hit hard. If Deanna fell, he would pick her back up, only to strike again. In


    the end, Samantha would be exhausted, and Deanna would be riddled with scars. He would be the one


    to benefit from their sh.


    He had never forgotten his grudge against the wrongdoing of his grandfather.


    ...


    Evergreen Primary School.


    Deanna, looking exceptionally modest and makeup-free, signed a donation agreement with Ricardo of


    Evergreen Primary School. She donned a red scarf and took pictures with the students.


    Her team, along with the staff from Lumos Enterprises, enthusiastically clicked away, capturing the


    moment.


    Although many of Deanna''s endorsements had been withdrawn, she was particrly cheerful that day,


    as this was Ronan''s idea. She needed to do charity quietly, let the media specte, then subtly rise


    again, epting roles and endorsements, until everything returned to normal, as if Samantha''s expos¨¦


    never happened.


    Ronan was truly a genius. Too bad he didn''t participate in film and television production. This level of


    intellect, this vision, he was a titan.


    Even though Cordelia was pregnant, Ronan still gave Deanna advice, showing that she held a ce in


    his heart. She even posted on Facebook, using the team''s pictures and a quote from Lumos


    Enterprises PR Department, written by Brooklyn. [There will be many obstacles on the road ahead, but


    children, we will always be together.]


    Deanna wanted to use this quote to tell her Facebook followers and Samantha that she was doing well


    and that she was back. Of course, if Cordelia saw it and it stung, all the better.


    But her main aim was not to upset Cordelia, but to make hereback.


    However, Cordelia didn''t see it. She was home, peacefully doing the books, rarely checking her phone.


    These days, Ronan brought the books home for her to work on. And as Cordelia''s belly grewrger, he


    didn''t want her going to the office anymore.


    With themute out of the way, Cordelia could focus more on her work at home. She remained


    blissfully unaware of Deanna''s antics.

 Chapter 318

    Chapter 318


    It was around four in the afternoon. A knock echoed through Cordelia''s home, announcing Adrian''s


    arrival. He held arge gift box in his hand, his eyes wandering around the room as soon as he


    entered. He muttered to himself, "Damn, the wealthy!"


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    Cordelia knew trouble was brewing as soon as she saw Adrian. At this hour, her housekeeper, Janice,


    would usually be out shopping for groceries. However, Cordelia asked her to stay and keep an eye on


    things at home.


    "This is for you." Adrian tossed the gift box onto the couch, pacing around the room.


    Cordelia gave Janice a look, and Janice promptly grabbed the vacuum cleaner, trailing Adrian


    wherever he went.


    "What''s this?" Cordelia pulled out a variety of baby clothes, shoes, and essories from the box.


    Everything was made of pure cotton with excellent quality, soft andforting. Cordelia couldn''t help


    but admire them.


    "Are these from you?" Cordelia asked Adrian, pressing a small piece of clothing against her face.


    "Me? I don''t have that kind of money. Ava sent it. She said, after all, you''re carrying her grandchildren."


    Adrian sat down on the couch, continuing to scan thevish surroundings.


    Adrian had been courted by Ronan before, but he had remained nomittal. Initially, he had aligned


    with Jamie, then switched to Ronan. But after being burned once by Ronan, he became wary. He


    feared falling into a bigger trap. So this time, he didn''t side with anyone readily.


    Cordelia pondered, "Actually, my babies aren''t Jamie''s. They''re Ronan''s."


    "His?" Adrian raised an eyebrow, his expression scornful. "Truly a rich man''s game, a pregnant woman


    at home, and a social butterfly outside."


    "What do you mean?"


    "What do I mean?" Adrian crossed his legs, about to light a cigarette, but was stopped by Janice.


    "Deanna recently hit rock bottom, and was about to give up when Ronan bailed her out, you know?


    Deanna has been donating goods to Evergreen Primary School to clean up her image. Everyone saw


    Ronan''s capital and gave her resources. Would he help her like this if they weren''t involved?"


    "Adrian, please refrain from such talk in front of Cordelia. She''s pregnant." Janice was quite displeased


    with Adrian''s insinuations. During Barney''sst birthday, Adrian had stirred up unnecessary drama.


    "What? He does it, but nobody''s allowed to talk about it?"


    Cordelia frowned deeply; she waspletely in the dark. She had been busy with ounting recently


    and hadn''t had time to catch up with the news. Ronan had kept her home.


    "Did I say too much?" Seeing Cordelia''s bewildered expression, Adrian raised his hands in surrender. "I


    didn''t say anything. I know nothing. I''m leaving." With that, Adrian left.


    Cordelia retreated to her room and opened Deanna''s Facebook page.


    Deanna was a rather high-profile person. She wouldn''t have kept such an event secret. But her


    Facebook was empty. In the settings, Cordelia saw that she had clicked the "Do not see her Facebook"


    option, but she was very sure she hadn''t blocked Deanna.


    It must have been Ronan''s doing. This made Cordelia even more furious.


    She called Brooklyn, who was in PR. She should know about this, but she hadn''t said a word to


    Cordelia beforehand.


    "What''s the meaning of donating to Evergreen Primary School? When did this happen?" Cordelia''s first


    words when the call connected.


    "Cordelia, you..."


    "I know everything! Adrian told me. What''s going on?" Cordelia was furious, not so much about the


    possible affair between Ronan and Deanna, but about Ronan knowing that Deanna was the one who


    plotted to kill her grandmother, yet he was still helping her.


    "Cordelia, don''t be angry, Mr. Evans didn''t tell you because he didn''t want to upset you. He was worried


    about your pregnancy." Brooklyn was equally anxious. "He didn''t mean any harm."


    "Had he meant no harm, he wouldn''t have done it, right?"


    This left Brooklyn speechless. She, too, thought that Ronan, knowing it would lead to


    misunderstandings, wouldn''t have gone ahead with it.


    "Cordelia, I don¡¯t know what to say anymore," Brooklyn said.


    After hanging up the phone, Cordelia sat on the bed crying until Ronan came home.

 Chapter 319

    Chapter 319


    "Who sent this?" Cordelia heard Ronan''s voice from the living room.


    "It''s from Adrian, and Mr. Evans..." Cordelia couldn''t hear the rest of what was said. Perhaps Janice


    was informing Ronan about what Adrian had told her.


    Soon enough, Ronan sauntered into the room. He hung his suit jacket on the wall. Coming over to


    Cordelia, he casually tilted her chin upwards. "Are you upset?"


    Cordelia''s head turned to the side. "I''m about to."


    Hearing that, Ronan couldn''t help but tease her, "About to what? Squeeze out a baby?¡±


    Cordelia''s re was full of disdain. "Do you find that amusing?"


    "Did Adrian tell you everything?"


    "Yes, and I checked with Brooklyn. It¡¯s really the case. Good for you, the best ex-boyfriend in the


    world," Cordelia retorted. "Why did you make me change your contact name then?"


    "The police told me, the incident with your grandma, it wasn''t Deanna''s doing."


    "Of course, you would find an excuse to help her. Samantha herself said it was Deanna! And it is a fact


    that Deanna pped Samantha on set!" Cordelia was furious, thinking that Deanna''s charms had


    blinded Ronan.


    "It wasn''t her."


    With a swift motion, Cordelia grabbed a pillow and threw it at him, her eyes welling up with tears.


    Ronan sidestepped, and the pillow hit the wall instead. "Someone''s got a temper!" Ronan nced at


    the pillow.


    "I don''t have any right to ask you to seek revenge for me. You can help her, but why did you hide it from


    me?" Cordelia furrowed her brows. "Couldn''t you have told me? Misunderstandings cause even more


    anger! You kept me from work, didn''t let Brooklyn tell me, and blocked Deanna''s Facebook on my


    ount? I''m not a puppet, I can think for myself."


    Cordelia''s stomach heaved. Ever since she found out she was pregnant, her health had been shaky.


    She even experienced a scare once. Ronan had a big part to y in this.


    "I¡¯ll give Officer Lane a call." With that, Ronan took out his phone.


    "No need! You can easily fool me with a staged act or a nned lie. If you want to help her, then go


    ahead. She''s almost ready for hereback anyway." Cordelia finished speaking andid back down


    on the bed.


    "Cordelia!" Ronan hung up the phone, grinding his teeth in frustration. He held back his anger.


    Cordelia grabbed a pillow, covering her face, ignoring Ronan. She just felt hurt.


    "Do you not know who I have feelings for?" Ronan asked her, gripping her shoulders. Ronan was truly


    angry. If she weren''t pregnant, he would have given her a piece of his mind.


    "I know, it''s Deanna! Your old me."


    "Try talking nonsense again!" Ronan''s face was clearly angry. The issue of his past was something


    they had discussed a long time ago. Cordelia was just spouting nonsense.


    Cordelia stopped talking then, but her tears wouldn''t stop flowing.


    Ronan moved to the side to make a call. "Hello, Thomas? Tell your wife to listen." Ronan spoke with an


    air of authority.


    "The babies are mine, and they have nothing to do with Jamie. Cordelia and Jamie haven¡¯t been


    together.


    "If you have questions, ask your good-for-nothing son.


    "The clothes you sent today, I threw them out. Don''te to our ce again," Ronan stated without


    any courtesy.


    Upon hearing this, Cordelia sat upright on the bed, and her mouth was only able to utter a single word.


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    "You..." The rest of her words were stuck in her throat.


    She was fuming.

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    Chapter 320


    The next day, after Ronan had left for work, Cordelia began to dig through Deanna''s news articles. She


    wasn''t one to follow entertainment news, so without a reminder from the office, she would have been


    She saw a picture of Deanna standing among a group of children, her face beaming with joy.


    Cordelia recognized the elementary school. It was the same ce where she had once donated


    cleanse her image. A sanctuary that Ronan had chosen for her.


    Cordelia felt a pang in her heart. She tried to focus on her work but couldn''t. Her phone battery was


    dead, and she had no interest in charging it. She had no desire to deal with Deanna or see her putting


    on a show.


    ¡­¡­


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    In Ronan''s office.


    The police had delivered the final case report.


    The investigation concluded that the delivery man had identally included a piece of white


    phosphorus in Samantha''s parcel. When the parcel arrived at Samantha''s, the phosphorusbusted


    before the parcel could be opened. It happened during the night, and Samantha first noticed the fire in


    her room. She woke up her parents, but by the time she reached Brenna''s room, Brenna had already


    perished in the fire.


    The police had taken the delivery man into custody. He imed it was an ident; the phosphorus


    was for personal use, and there was no one behind him. Apart from thepany''s penalty, he would


    also face criminal charges, albeit minor ones.


    [Mr. Evans, this is the full report. Samantha had no intent to kill. As for her negligence towards the fire,


    she vehemently denies it, and we can''t record any confession or charge her without evidence.] Officer


    Lane said on Messenger.


    Ronan scrutinized the report, feeling that something was amiss. Deanna, with her level of intellect,


    wasn''t likely to have devised such a n. She probably didn''t even know when phosphorus would


    person was indeed cunning.


    The door knocked.


    "Come in," Ronan said.


    Mna walked in. "Mr. Evans, could you please contact Cordelia regarding the Pulse Technologies


    case? I''ve tried to reach her through Messenger and calls today, but she isn''t answering. I''m worried


    something happened," Mna said, looking anxious. It was one of the rare times she had stepped into


    Ronan''s office.


    "Hold on," Ronan said, dialing Janice''s number.


    "Is Cordelia home? What''s she doing? Why isn''t she answering her phone?"


    "Oh, Mr. Evans, she''s sorting out the children''s clothes. Her phone probably died. She''s been watching


    the news all morning."


    "Got it," Ronan said, sensing that Cordelia was upset.


    "She''s fine. Just that her phone''s dead."


    "That''s a relief. When you get home, could you ask her how the PrimeBuild Contractors project is


    going? They''ve been pressuring us."


    "I understand," Ronan guessed that Mna was trying to contact Cordelia about work and hadn''t


    received a reply.


    Given that Cordelia had been resentful toward himtely, Ronan decided to take the case report home


    that afternoon.


    Cordelia had been lost in thought the entire day.


    When Ronan returned in the afternoon, Janice was still in the kitchen cooking. He entered their


    bedroom, cing a stack of papers in front of Cordelia.


    "What''s this?" Cordelia asked.


    "The case report."


    Cordelia frowned slightly. The news she had read that day said that Deanna had just signed a contract


    for a y, intending to polish her acting skills on stage. How had the case closed so soon?

 Chapter 321

    Chapter 321


    Cordelia picked up the papers, scanning them thoroughly. After she was done, she let out a cynical


    gaining poprity,ying low, and appealing to the public through charity.


    Cordelia sat on the bed, folding the children''s clothes, and not uttering a single word.


    "What''s wrong?" Ronan asked.


    "Nothing. It''s fine." Cordelia thought to herself that Ronan had connections everywhere, even in the


    police department. The case of her mother''s death was closed fast, just like this case. No one was held


    ountable.


    How influential he was. Cordelia was no match for him. If he wanted to support Deanna, she had no


    say in the matter. After all, they had known each other longer.


    "I''m heavily pregnant now, and I''m finding it hard to keep up with work. From tomorrow, I probably won''t


    be able to help with thepany anymore. The ounts for PrimeBuild Contractors are done. Could


    you take them to the office for me?" She asked, standing up and going to the living room to fetch the


    ounts for Ronan.


    She was clearly upset, and Ronan could tell. "I''m supporting her so that she and Samantha will destroy


    each other. She''s just a target." Ronan tried to exin.


    "I didn''t ask you to avenge me, did I? I''m just frustrated. It just doesn''t sit right with me," Cordelia


    retorted, her eyes looking fearlessly at him. "You don''t need to exin anything to me."


    "Cordelia!" Ronan clenched his teeth in frustration.


    "Hmm? What is it?" She replied.


    Ronan was left speechless, and his anger was dissipating.


    During dinner, Cordelia served him food as usual, but she was unusually quiet. Ronan wanted to make


    out with her that night, but Cordelia was as unresponsive as a log.


    "The babies are yours. If something happens, I will be the one in pain, but I don''t know if you would feel


    any pain at all," she said indifferently.


    Hearing her words, Ronan lost all desire.


    Cordelia saw he had stopped trying, so she continued to sleep.


    The next day, when Ronan went to work, he specifically asked Janice to keep a close eye on Cordelia.


    "Don''t worry, Mr. Evans. I''ll make sure nothing happens while I''m here."


    Cordelia didn''t have any issues after waking up. She had been doing yoga at the office, but now she


    had to do it at home.


    In the morning, she was feeling quite down and told Janice she wanted to go down to the coffee shop


    to have a ss of milk, so Janice apanied her.


    Cordelia preferred the window seats at Starbucks, where she could watch the hustle and bustle of the


    streets. She received a message on Messenger. [Cordelia, are you free? If so, I''d like toe by with


    Brenda. Is that okay?]


    It was from Jamie. Jamie probably brought Brenda along to avoid any misunderstandings with Ronan.


    [I''m at the Starbucks downstairs. Come on over,] Cordelia replied.


    About half an hourter, Jamie and Brenda showed up at Starbucks.


    "Cordelia, you''re huge! Is this typical for women expecting twins? It''s quite shocking," Brenda


    eximed.


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    Cordelia simply smiled. "How did you two find the time to visit me?"


    "We just wanted to see you. Do we need to schedule it?" Brenda replied.


    If it were just Jamie, Janice would have stayed a little longer. But since Brenda was there as well,


    Janice left to run some errands.


    Jamie hade to see Cordelia because Ava had spoken to him the night before. She told him that


    Cordelia''s babies were Ronan''s and asked him to stop ying the role of the expectant father. She


    also asked Jamie to limit his contact with Cordelia. Jamie was worried that Cordelia might have


    overthought the situation, so he decided to visit her. To avoid any misunderstandings with Ronan, he


    brought Brenda along.


    Brenda also knew now that Cordelia''s babies were Ronan''s.


    "Why do you look so unhappy, Cordelia? You''re about to have babies!" Brenda and Jamie each


    ordered atte.


    "Don''t even mention it. My grandmother passed away recently, and it''s been quite draining. I feel like I


    can''t keep up," Cordelia said, holding her head in her hands.


    "I heard about your grandmother from Adrian," Jamie said. "I''m really sorry for your loss, Cordelia. But


    she was already quite old."


    Cordelia sighed. "You have no idea."

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    Chapter 322


    "What''s wrong? Spill it. Keeping it all bottled up inside will only wear you down. I can tell something has


    been bothering youtely." Brenda was indeed the epitome of a caring big sister.


    Cordelia found herself spilling everything. From the moment she found out about her grandma''s tragic


    death in a fire, to when she asked Brooklyn and Edwin to visit her grandma, to Edwin rying what he


    had heard to Cordelia. She even mentioned Ronan''s "support" for Deanna, and the "closing statement"


    of the case that Ronan had shown her.


    All her doubts and suspicions, especially about Ronan possibly tampering with the closing statement to


    ensure Deanna got off scot-free, wereid bare in front of Brenda.


    Jamie quietly listened.


    "Mr. Evans really should have known better. Knowing what kind of person Deanna is and still helping


    her like that. It''s infuriating," Brenda said, crossing her arms in annoyance. "Why should Deanna get


    away with everything?"


    "I can''t me him," Cordelia replied. Her hands sped around a mug of hot chocte. Reminded of


    his words about using Deanna as a target, she figured that was probably his true intention. But seeing


    Deanna triumphant, Cordelia couldn''t help but feel a surge of resentment.


    "Cordelia, whenever you''re feeling down, just give me a call, and we¡¯ll chat," Jamie suddenly said,


    impulsively reaching out to grasp her hand. "Don''t bear all this by yourself." Jamie had heard countless


    stories about pregnant women miscarrying due to the stress of losing a loved one.


    "Alright," Cordelia agreed, absentmindedly running a hand through her hair.


    "Exactly, Cordelia. Remember, we''re all here for you," Brenda said sincerely.


    Touched, Cordelia could only nod and repeat her agreement.


    "Where are you working now?" Cordelia asked Jamie.


    "Me? Are you worried about me? Even at my worst, I wouldn''t lose my job. I''ve teamed up with Brenda


    now. The former First Enterprises is in shambles under Marian''s management. I couldn''t care less


    about it. She''s already moved out of that building, who knows what it''s like now."


    "Same old, same old, huh? Nothing¡¯s changed." Cordelia chuckled.


    "Right. Take care, Cordelia. I''m genuinely worried about you," Jamie said, squeezing her hand again.


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    Instinctively, Cordelia pulled her hand away. "I''ll take care of myself. Don''t worry."


    After Jamie and Brenda left, Cordelia stayed alone in the coffee shop for a while before heading home


    with Janice. After finishing her afternoon yoga and a nap, she woke up to find Ronan hade home.


    "Did Jamie visit?" Ronan asked, loosening his tie.


    Cordelia blinked in surprise. "Janice told you? Brenda was here too."


    "And what did you talk about?"


    "Just chit-chat, mostly about work."


    Ronan didn''t respond. Later, in bed, he whispered in Cordelia''s ear, "Try to avoid him in the future. It


    makes me upset."


    His breath tickled her ear. Cordelia shook her head slightly. "It''s not like I invited him."


    He bit her earlobe gently. "If you did invite him, I''d be even more upset."


    "So you want me all to yourself?" She asked.


    "Preferably," Ronan said, leaning over to kiss Cordelia, his hand gently stroking her belly.


    "And you? Are you only mine?"


    "Always have been."


    Cordelia knew he was just saying it. She was well aware of his possessive tendencies, selfishness, and


    ruthlessness. It was best not to provoke him.


    Cordelia didn''t say anything more. She had been feeling uneasytely.

 Chapter 323

    Chapter 323


    One day, Brenda ran into Deanna at arge mall that was rarely frequented. Deanna was deliberately


    low-key, and her attire was rather down-to-earth. However, due to her celebrity status, Brenda


    recognized her instantly.


    Brenda was ticked off. "Well, look at the movie star here," Brenda said.


    Deanna didn''t recognize Brenda and assumed she was just an ordinary fan. At this point in time,


    Deanna found it quite reassuring to still have fans.


    "Would you like an autograph?" Deanna asked, pulling a pen from her bag as she spoke.


    "Not really. Just thought you should know that you pretended to send a package and caused


    Samantha''s house to burn down, resulting in her grandmother''s death. You and Samantha are really


    two peas in a pod... not a single good one among you." Brenda, dressed in a professional skirt suit and


    carrying a Hermes bag, looked incrediblypetent. But when she started swearing, she showed no


    mercy.


    "What?" Deanna waspletely confused, not understanding what this ¡°fan¡± was talking about.


    But she did know Samantha, and the two were archenemies. To say that she and Samantha were like


    two peas in a pod was a provocation.


    "You''re spreading false rumors! I''ll sue you for defamation!" Deanna retorted.


    Brenda was unafraid. "Go ahead, I''m just worried the court doesn''t know about this yet. You''re just


    exposing your own dirty deeds. You''re really smart."


    With that, Brenda flicked her hair and left.


    Deanna stood there, still confused, wondering what that woman was talking about?


    She dialed her agent, asking him to check on what Samantha was currently doing. Not long after, the


    agent called back. "Ms. Deanna, Samantha is currently on a period drama set, auditioning for an


    insignificant role. I know the casting director," the agent informed her.


    "Don''t let her get the part. I want her to be forever unable to work in this industry!" Deanna


    "That won''t be a problem. She''s only a minor character, and we can easily get her removed."


    "And also, someone told me that I sent a package to Samantha''s house, causing a fire that killed her


    grandmother. It''s ridiculous. I have no quarrel with her grandmother. Why would I kill her?" Deanna''s


    tone was rather frivolous, as she had just begun to rise to stardom and was already acting like a diva.


    "Alright."


    Soon, the agent informed Samantha about this, adding that the case had already been closed by the


    police.


    Deanna thought carefully, ¡°Samantha''s grandmother, wasn''t she Cordelia''s grandmother?¡±


    Samantha had a n. She was going to give Cordelia a hard time, hoping to upset her so much that


    her twins might not survive.


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    One day, Deanna was lying in wait at the entrance of Garden Estates. Around eleven o''clock, she saw


    Cordelia and Janiceing out.


    Janice found a seat in the caf¨¦ for Cordelia, then left. Taking advantage of the situation, Deanna


    entered the caf¨¦. It was a workday, so there weren''t many people in the caf¨¦.


    Once inside, Deanna took off her sunsses. "It''s been a while, Ms. Haselwood." Deanna always


    referred to Cordelia as "Ms. Haselwood."


    The presense of Deanna put Cordelia in a bad mood.


    "What do you want?" Cordelia asked.


    "Oh, I heard that Ms. Haselwood has been upset about my situation recently. Indeed, I did arrange for


    the package to be sent to Samantha. She was just my assistant, but now she''s trying to punch above


    her weight. I couldn''t tolerate it, so I sent the package. I didn''t intend to kill your grandmother. I wanted


    to kill Samantha. Unfortunately, she''s still alive and well. However, this issue has been taken care of by


    Ronan. He also helped me make aeback! After all, I''m Ronan''s ex-girlfriend, and we have a


    history. You understand, don''t you, Ms. Haselwood?" Deanna, with her fiery red lips, spouted off at


    Cordelia.

 Chapter 324

    Chapter 324


    Even though Deanna was not the culprit, she insisted on throwing baseless usations at Cordelia.


    Deanna had nothing to lose; the case was closed, and the police wouldn''t charge her based solely on


    her usations. But for Cordelia, who was carrying twins in a delicate condition, these usations


    could have serious consequences.


    Cordelia was shaking, but she forced herself to stay calm. "Enough talk, Deanna. Leave. I already


    knew," Cordelia feignedposure.


    With a huff, Deanna sashayed out, swinging her slender waist.


    Cordelia felt herself falling apart. She had abdominal pain, a headache, and the urge to cry. She didn¡¯t


    know whose version of the truth was correct, Deanna''s or Ronan''s, but this time, she chose to believe


    Deanna, who had confessed it herself.


    Cordelia clutched her belly, leaning on the coffee table.


    "Cordelia, what''s wrong?" Janice had returned.


    "I''m fine," Cordelia insisted, as beads of sweat trickled onto the coffee table.


    Janice swiftly called Tristi, urging her toe.


    "It¡¯s alright. I don''t need to go to the hospital," Cordelia protested.


    "No, we can''t take risks this time."


    In no time, Tristi arrived, and Janice helped Cordelia into the car. Janice also called Ronan while they


    were en route.


    "Mr. Evans, Cordelia isn''t feeling well. She had sudden abdominal pain at the coffee shop. I think you


    should head to Victoria''s clinic."


    By the time Cordelia arrived at the clinic, she was as pale as a sheet.


    "Cordelia, what''s wrong?" Victoria steadied Cordelia. She ordered some blood tests and a sonogram


    for Cordelia.


    Checking the results, Victoria became worried, and just then, Ronan arrived.


    "What''s going on? You seem distressed, and one of the babies isn''t developing well. Cordelia, you


    need to stay calm," Victoria advised. "This isn''t looking good."


    "Which baby is it?" Cordelia asked.


    "The girl."


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    Cordelia murmured, "The girl?" She was particrly attached to her unborn daughter.


    "I''ll prescribe you some medication to stabilize your pregnancy. You need to take care of yourself and


    stay positive," Victoria advised, turning to Ronan. "Mr. Evans, what''s going on? Last time, both babies


    were fine. Cordelia''s stress is rted to you, isn''t it?"


    "It''s my fault," Ronan admitted, putting his arm around Cordelia.


    After helping Cordelia into the car, Janice and Ronan returned to Cordelia''s home. "What happened?"


    Ronan asked, stroking Cordelia''s forehead. Rejecting his touch, Cordelia turned her face to the


    window, ignoring him.


    Back at home, Cordelia went to rest, while Ronan sat by her bedside, stroking her hair. Janice went to


    prepare Cordelia''s medication.


    "What exactly happened, Cordelia?" Ronan asked.


    "I''m tired. I need to rest. Please leave, Mr. Evans," Cordelia replied coldly.


    Ronan looked at her, but her eyes were already closed. He got up, called his assistant, and requested


    to retrieve the CCTV footage from Starbucks.


    "It''s not necessary. She came to me and confessed that it was indeed her who sent the package to


    Samantha, causing the fire."


    "You believe her?" Ronan asked.


    "I chose to believe her. With your support, she''s slowly getting back on her feet. You''re very capable,


    Mr. Evans," Cordelia said, pulling the nket over her head and starting to sob. "If you want to help


    her, go ahead. The bond you two share is your business. Just keep me out of it! I''ve never had any


    illusions about you, Mr. Evans. I''m just disappointed about my grandmother."


    Seeing her sobbing under the nket, Ronan left the room. As he walked into the living room, Janice


    was bringing water.


    "You were supposed to watch her. Why did you leave?" Ronan asked, his tone dark.


    "Mr. Evans¡­" Janice felt wrongly used. She had always let Cordelia wait at Starbucks while she


    went grocery shopping. It was tiring work, and it gave Cordelia a break.


    "Fine, I need to step out," Ronan said and left.


    Janice brought the water and medicine to Cordelia''s room. "Cordelia, it''s time for your medicine,"


    Janice said.


    Cordelia sat up. Victoria had said the girl was at risk. She loved her unborn daughter and didn''t want to


    lose her, so she would take her medication diligently.


    "I''ll take it." Cordelia said.


    "Where is he?" After taking her medicine, Cordelia listened for any sounds in the living room. It was


    quiet.


    "Mr. Evans? He stepped out. You should rest and take care of the babies. If anything happens to your


    pregnancy, it will be my responsibility," Janiceforted Cordelia.

 Chapter 325

    Chapter 325


    "Where?" Downstairs, in Ronan''s car.


    He was on the phone with Deanna. His deep and stern voice gave Deanna a start.


    "Me? I''m about to go for an advertisement shoot."


    "Forget about the ad. I''ve canceled it for you. From now on, Lumos Enterprises won''t cooperate with


    youreback. I''ll have the PR Department retract all the articles."


    "Ronan?" Deanna thought. Cordelia must have been sweet-talking him and spinning him stories.


    Had she lost her children? Why else would Ronan be so angry? Deanna never imagined that Cordelia


    held such weight in Ronan''s heart.


    "What have you been saying to her?" Ronan interrogated Deanna.


    "I... but I was just stating the facts."


    "Facts? Did you deliver them? Do you even have the brains for that?" Ronan questioned rudely.


    "I..." Being mocked by Ronan and referred to as dumb, made Deanna feel somewhat humiliated.


    "Remember when we used to..."


    "Let the past be the past. If you dare do it again, your fate will be much worse than being betrayed by


    Samantha." With that, Ronan ended the call.


    Deanna tried to call him back, but his line was busy.


    He was on the phone with Mr. Robert from the PR Department, instructing him to retract all articles


    within five minutes. He ordered to notify all coborating media outlets to remove all materials rted


    to Deanna, leaving her vulnerable to attacks.From N?velDrama.Org.


    Originally, he wanted to use Deanna as a target for Samantha to continue attacking, but now... never


    mind.


    ...


    After taking her medication, Cordelia felt much calmer. She quietly sat in the living room reading.


    Soon, Brooklyn''s Messenger arrived. [Cordelia, what have you been whispering in Mr. Evans'' ear? He''s


    canceled Deanna''seback n, retracted all articles, pulled all media content, and even canceled


    all future events. Given this pace, Deanna''s downfall is imminent.]


    Cordelia thought, ¡°Was he doing all this for her?¡± A warm feeling surged in her heart. Her resentment


    towards Ronan seemed to dissipate considerably.


    In the evening, Janice said, "Mr. Evans, my son is about to take his exams, and the school is holding a


    rally that requires parents to attend. My husband is too busy, and my son insists that I go. So, Mr.


    Evans, I would like to take three days off. Is that okay?"


    "Sure," Ronan replied.


    "But who will take care of Cordelia? She needs constant care right now." Janice nced at Cordelia.


    "I''m fine on my own..." Cordelia hadn''t finished her sentence when Ronan interrupted, "I will."


    "Great, if Mr. Evans is here, I can rest assured," Janice said.


    "Aren''t you going to work?" Cordelia asked him.


    "I can take a day off."


    Cordelia couldn''t help recalling the time he took care of her during the holidays when their rtionship


    was rocky. Now, Cordelia still held a grudge against him because of her grandmother''s incident.


    Janice left early the next day, but not before preparing breakfast for both Cordelia and Ronan.


    When Cordelia woke up, she saw Ronan vacuuming the floor, creating quite a racket. His phone rang,


    and he turned off the vacuum to answer it.


    "Her? Send her out of town, and find her a small advertisement role, just not in Millstone," Ronan said.


    Cordelia was finishing her porridge, not quite catching what he was saying, but she figured it must have


    been about Deanna, given the mention of acting.


    After Cordelia finished her meal, Ronan finished cleaning. "Do you want to go out for a bit?" he asked


    Cordelia.


    "Sure." Cordelia''s eyes lit up.


    Tristi, her driver, was usually only called when she had things to do. If she didn''t have any errands, she


    rarely called on Tristi. For her, doing something like going out for a walk, was simply a waste of time,


    hence she never made such requests to Tristi.


    Cordelia got into Ronan''s car.

 Chapter 326

    Chapter 326


    Ronan was taking the usual route that Tristi took, walking along the canal, where the water shimmered


    silver under the sunlight.


    Spring was in the air, the red flowers and green grass vibrant with life under Cordelia''s gaze. The


    streets were starting to get busy again.


    "Are you familiar with this route, too?" Cordelia asked Ronan.


    "Always have been," he replied.


    Cordelia nodded, taking a moment to process his response.


    During winter, he had taken her out, exining that most people in Millstone had gone home for


    Christmas. Now, they were back, and the streets were bustling. This seemed like the first time Cordelia


    had really noticed the beauty of spring.


    "Do you want to go to the park?" He asked.


    "Why not," she answered.


    Although the public park was free to enter, Cordelia rarely visited. During her school days, she would


    hang out with Logan on campus. After starting work, she didn''t have the time. Then, she got pregnant.


    Most young people didn''t frequent the park either, too busy hustling to earn a living.


    "Should we head to Millstone Park?" He suggested, ncing at her through the rear-view mirror.


    "Is it far?" She queried.


    "Not really."


    "Anything special about it?"


    "It''s the biggest park in Millstone, and it''s very peaceful. There''s even a small zoo."


    "A zoo?" Cordelia''s interest was piqued. "What animals are there?"


    "Crocodiles, lions, elephants, tigers, and many more."


    "Let''s go then," she decided.


    She hadn''t visited a zoo since her childhood. During her school days, the idea of going to a zoo never


    really urred to her and Logan.


    "Should we look at the animals first and then go for a boat ride?" He suggested.


    "Sounds perfect!" she eximed, her excitement almost making her p her hands.


    Ronan couldn''t help but crack a smile seeing her childlike joy. He had never met someone so easily


    pleased. A simple trip to the zoo was enough to make her day. It seemed like this was the first time


    they had ever nned an outing together.


    The spring scenery was overwhelming for Cordelia, leaving her eyes darting all over in an attempt to


    take it all in. Once they arrived at the zoo, Ronan parked the car and led her inside, hand in hand. As


    they strolled through the park, Cordelia was intoxicated by the floral scent. She was so happy that her


    smile almost reached her ears.


    Ronan found it amusing. A little surprise was enough to send her over the moon. Perhaps, after the


    passing of her mother and grandmother, this was the happiest day she had had.


    "I''m going to post this on Facebook," she said, snapping pictures along the way. Each picture was a


    work of art in itself, not needing any filters or edits.


    Cordelia continued to walk and take pictures until they arrived at the pier. They bought tickets and


    boarded the electric boat, which didn''t require any manual effort, just a steady hand on the steering


    wheel.


    Cordelia sat next to Ronan as he expertly maneuvered the boat. "How do you know so much about this


    park?" Cordelia asked, turning towards him. "Have you been here before with all the work you''ve got?"


    The sunlight reflected off her face, making her look youthful and radiant.


    "Yeah."


    "With whom?" She probed further.


    "Uh, can''t remember," he replied.


    Cordelia rolled her eyes. How could he forget who he came with? He probably just didn''t want to tell


    her. She suspected that he might have visited the park with Deanna before. She was aware of their


    past romantic rtionship, so she didn''t mind.


    Cordelia stopped talking to Ronan and started taking pictures of the glistening water instead. It was


    beautiful.


    After a forty-minute boat ride, they headed to the zoo. The zoo, although small due to the limited space


    in the park, was crowded.


    As they walked around, Cordelia spotted a crocodile. She was about to approach it when it suddenly


    lifted its head. Startled, she quickly stepped back, bumping into Ronan. He teased her for being a


    scaredy-cat.


    "I''m not scared. It''s just that it lifted its head all of a sudden, and it took me by surprise." Cordelia said


    defensively.


    "Excuses!" Ronanughed.


    Next, they went to the snake exhibit. As they entered, Cordelia saw transparent stic boxes lined up


    on either side, each containing arge snake. The sight of the yellow, multicolored, and ck snakes


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    gave her goosebumps.


    "Let''s get out of here," she said, tugging at Ronan''s hand and hurriedly moving towards the exit. "Why


    would you bring me to a ce like this?"


    "I thought you were brave. After all, you weren''t scared to travel alone to the States," he said.


    Cordelia could tell that Ronan was using this opportunity to tease her.

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    Chapter 327


    "Loads of kids, some barely teenagers, go off to the States all on their own, and they''re just fine. I''m in


    my twenties. What''s wrong with me going to the States? Plus, I wasn''t alone when I was there."


    Cordelia squinted her eyes as she spoke.


    "Who else was there?" Ronan asked her.


    He knew she was referring to Jamie.


    He had always been bothered by the time she and Jamie had spent together in the States.


    "Plenty of friends." Cordelia blinked. "I''m pretty popr, no matter where I go."


    "Would you go there again?" he asked her.


    Cordelia thought to herself, ¡°She had already told him about her ns to return to the States in


    January. Why was he asking again?¡±


    "It depends," Cordelia answered vaguely.


    "Even after you have kids?"


    "There''s plenty of time to spend with kids, but only a few years to take advantage of educational


    opportunities." Cordelia didn''t have any kids yet and felt her career was most important. She was


    concerned about her qualifications. To make a ce for herself in Millstone, she had to have real skills.


    She hadn''t yet experienced the deep maternal bond with a child.


    "Can''t I make you stay here?" Ronan asked her.


    "No, some dreams can''t be contained," Cordelia said with a meaningful look.


    "You''d be set if you just took care of me, right?" Ronan said in a nomittal tone.


    Cordelia scoffed. "Being an auditor has been my dream since I was a kid. I don''t want to be looked


    down on for relying on connections. I want to be a specialist in my field."


    Cordelia''s words expressed her admiration for professional auditors.


    "So, you''re still nning to go to the States even after having a kid?" He asked her again.


    "Yes."


    They left the zoo. Cordelia was a bit tired. It was spring, and the weather was warm. Sweat dotted


    Cordelia''s forehead.


    Cordelia tugged on Ronan''s sleeve. "Let''s sit down for a bit."


    She plopped down onto a bench, gasping for breath. Ronan followed her, and she instinctively rested


    her head on his shoulder, exhausted.


    "Once you have the kid, there''s a big reward. A mansion and a hundred million," Ronan said.


    Cordelia didn''t react, and only replied with an "Oh."


    What she needed now wasn''t money, but the sense of aplishment that came from education.


    "If that''s the case, I''ll always be looked down upon by my peers and maybe even by my husband in the


    future. What happened with Marian will happen again ! I don''t want my life to turn out that way,"


    Cordelia said rationally.


    Ronan gave a coldugh. "So, when you first found out about the pregnancy, you were nning to


    terminate it."


    "Let''s go home. I''m tired," Cordelia said after a moment of silence.


    Victoria outed herst time, and Cordelia had no choice but to ept it.


    Ronan stood up, took her hand, and they started to walk home.


    On their way, Cordelia received a message from Sienna. [Cordelia, Samantha has been having a hard


    time finding a roletely. She finally got a small part in a new production, but in one of the scenes, she


    was supposed to get a bucket of water thrown in her face. For some reason, she instinctively dodged it.


    Luckily, she did, because when the water hit the ground, it started to smoke. It was like there was


    sulfuric acid in it. Samantha was terrified. I know Deanna used to be close with Mr. Evans, could you


    maybe talk to him? Ask him to tell Deanna to stop messing with Samantha. It''s too much, it''s now


    be terrifying. We''re sorry about what happened before.]


    Cordelia was shocked when she read the message. Using sulfuric acid to disfigure someone was truly


    malicious.


    Ronan once said, Deanna wasn''t responsible for thest incident.


    "Samantha almost got sshed with sulfuric acid on set," Cordelia said. "My aunt asked me to talk to


    you, to tell Deanna to stop messing with Samantha. She''s really sorry about the usation."


    While driving, Ronan furrowed his brow. "Who did your cousin offend?"


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    "My aunt suspects Deanna."


    "Deanna is out of town now; she''s not even in the same production. How could she have tampered with


    the props? You need insiders and resources for that. Do you think Deanna has that kind of power?"


    Ronan counter-questioned.


    "So she doesn''t have the power, but you have the power to defend her!" Cordelia snapped, ignoring


    Ronan, turning her head to look out the window.


    Although she knew Ronan was making sense, his constant defense of Deanna irritated her.


    She decided to distract herself by scrolling through Facebook.

 Chapter 328

    Chapter 328


    "Cordelia, I''m not kidding!" Ronan said seriously.


    "Neither am I."


    Cordelia selected several beautiful pictures ofkes, alligators, and flowers, and posted them on


    Facebook. Her caption read. [The blooms have faded. Spring''s beauty is fleeting.]


    Brooklyn liked her post andmented, [Cordelia, are you on a trip? It''s good for you to take walks in


    the countryside while you''re pregnant.]


    Emersonmented, [The scenery is indeed beautiful, but it''s only the start of spring. Why the


    mncholy? It''s making me feel gloomy. Change your caption.]


    Cordelia replied, [There''s no mncholy here. It''s just that when I think of spring, I remember this


    phrase.]


    Emerson. [Did your husband take the day off to join you at the park?]


    Cordelia. [Yes, he did.]


    In no time, Cordelia''s Facebook post received several likes from her coworkers.


    Cordelia knew it wasn''t about her, but about Ronan.


    "What should we eat tonight?" Cordelia asked Ronan, "I feel like eating soup. Is that okay?"


    "Sounds good."


    Cordelia and Ronan went to the supermarket to buy eggs and meat. Usually, Janice would do the


    shopping and wouldn''t let Cordelia tag along, fearing mishaps.


    But Ronan wasn''t afraid


    because Cordelia was his responsibility.


    Ever since Cordelia became pregnant, she realized how wonderful these days were. He took her


    everywhere, discussing the quality of pork, and what kind of eggs to buy, and Cordelia¡¯s face was


    always glowing.


    Once home, the sound of Ronan chopping vegetables in the kitchen filled the air, making Cordelia feel


    warm.


    During dinner, Cordelia sipped her soup and said quietly, "Wouldn''t it be nice if you could stay at home


    with me every day?"


    "What did you say?" Ronan asked, spooning soup into a bowl.


    "Nothing at all."


    "How about I stay home three days a week to be with you?" Ronan asked Cordelia.


    "Why did you pretend not to hear me if you heard me?" Cordelia muttered.


    "I just wanted to hear you say it again."


    Cordelia''s heart was on edge, and every time Ronan touched it, it hurt.


    In truth, Cordelia also used to work, and they saw each other every day at the samepany.


    But Cordelia had never been anywhere else with him. After today, she realized how wonderful days


    could be when it was just the two of them.


    When Ronan was by her side, Cordelia felt like a woman in love.


    "Don''t you have to work?" Cordelia asked.


    "I can manage it. Someone will report to me."


    "That''s good," Cordelia said. "Which days will you be home?"


    "It depends on the circumstances. I''ll try to arrange for a day each week, and I''ll let you know."


    Cordelia''s eyes brightened. ¡°Will you take me out then?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t realize you were still so yful.¡±


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    ¡°Not really. When I was a child, my parents were busy working, so I didn¡¯t get to go out and y much.


    Then, when I grew up, my father passed away, and my mother became paralyzed. I didn''t have the


    time, money, or the mood to go out. After I started working and married you, I still didn''t have the time,"


    Cordelia exined with a hint of displeasure in her voice.


    "Didn''t Logan ever take you out?" Ronan asked, looking into Cordelia''s downcast eyes.


    "Rarely. There was this one time when we took a bus ride around Millstone City from eight in the


    morning to five in the afternoon. It left a deep impression and didn''t cost much, but it was a lot of fun,"


    Cordelia said, her face breaking into a smile at the memory of their innocent and silly adventure.


    Unfortunately, the man who had taken her out on that adventure was no longer around, and her face


    fell again.


    "Were you happy when you were with him?" He asked.


    Cordelia fell silent. "Why bring that up? It''s not possible anymore."


    Cordelia had mentioned more than once that if Logan were still alive, they might have had a child, and


    she would have been content with a simple life.


    Unfortunately, fate had other ns. Logan was gone, and she had ended up marrying Ronan.

 Chapter 329

    Chapter 329


    "Your soup is quite delicious!" Cordelia grinned,plimenting Ronan, and deftly changing the subject.


    After breakfast, she made a point of joining Ronan in the kitchen to help him do the dishes.


    She probably felt she had upset him by bringing up her ex-boyfriend earlier, so she was making an


    effort to be extra affectionate.


    Ronan had his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He was bent over the sink, washing the dishes under


    the running tap.


    Cordelia meticulously dried the dishes he had washed.


    They worked in perfect harmony.


    "Can you roll up my sleeve for me?" Ronan asked Cordelia.


    "Huh?" Cordelia, who was in the middle of drying a dish, looked up to see his sleeves hade


    undone. His hands were covered in soap suds, and he held them up helplessly, unable to roll up his


    sleeves.


    "Sure."


    Cordelia wiped her hands and rolled up his sleeves for him.


    They continued working until all the dishes were clean.


    Ronan wanted to tidy up the kitchen a bit, so he suggested that Cordelia retire to the bedroom first.


    Feeling tired, Cordelia rubbed her lower back and sprawled out on the bed.


    She picked up her phone and saw ament from Deanna on her Facebook post. [Millstone Park,


    huh? We went there together six years ago. I miss the cute animals and the boats there.]


    A cloud of sadness passed over Cordelia''s face. Deanna''sment instantly dampened her mood.


    Cordelia was even tempted to delete the entire post.


    "What''s the matter? Don''t I deserve to be on your Facebook?" Ronan entered the room, with his phone


    in hand.


    Cordelia blinked at him. "Are you implying that today''s post should have been about you?"


    "What else would I mean?"


    "But wouldn''t that reveal your identity? I can''t just post your pictures without your permission," Cordelia


    argued defiantly. "You''re a top-tier leader, after all."


    "So you''re saying you shouldn''t have posted my picture?"


    Cordelia muttered under her breath, "There is plenty to say about that."


    In her mind, Ronan had plenty of issues. He was possessive, had a bad temper, and was just overall


    difficult. She could talk about his ws all day.


    "What are you mumbling about?" He asked.


    "Nothing."


    "Shall we take a bus tomorrow?" He proposed, leaning against the headboard.


    Cordelia, lying on her side with her back to him, turned over at his words. "Really? Have you ever been


    on a bus before?"


    "I used to take them all the time when I was abroad."


    "Where did you graduate from?" Cordelia suddenly thought to ask.


    "Yale."


    "Wow, an Ivy League grad, huh?" Although Cordelia said this in a teasing tone, she felt even more


    inferior.


    He was an overseas student, while she was just a local undergrad. The gap between them was


    enormous.


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    "I''m far from being a schr," he said, his face expressionless as he looked at Cordelia.


    "That''s because you have high standards. You don''t mind appearing on my Facebook, do you?" she


    asked, curiosity piqued.


    "Not at all."


    "If you''re okay with it, then let''s do it tomorrow." Cordelia instinctively clung to his arm as she proposed


    this.


    "Okay."


    The next day, after having Ronan''s homemade doughnuts for breakfast, they set off. Starting from the


    Garden Estates, they took the 982 bus to the end of the line, switched buses, and then switched again,


    taking in the scenery along the way before heading home.


    While waiting for the bus, Cordelia asked Ronan, "Do you have a bus pass?"


    Ronan turned to look at Cordelia. "Can''t we just use cash?"


    Cordelia gave it some thought. "We could, but it''s not as convenient."


    "As long as it''s possible."


    Once they got on the bus, Ronan promptly fed a ten-dor bill into the fare box.


    The 982 bus fare from the first to thest stop was only three dors.


    Ronan told the driver, "It''s for both of us."


    "Alright, make sure to hold onto your wife," the driver advised Ronan.


    It wasn''t rush hour, so the bus wasn''t crowded. Cordelia and Ronan sat in the front row.


    Cordelia chose the seat by the window. Looking at the scenery outside, she was in high spirits.


    Since yesterday, Ronan had noticed that Cordelia would smile whenever she looked out at the scenery.


    Her hand rested in Ronan''s, and their fingers intertwined.

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    Chapter 330


    Around 11 o''clock, Ronan and Cordelia disembarked from the bus and took a stroll.


    The long bus ride had left them drained.


    Feeling parched, Ronan popped into a convenience store and grabbed a soda.


    He was sporting a jacket, with his hands tucked into his pockets, nonchntly flipping the jacket back


    to reveal his grey shirt.


    He stood by the roadside, tilting his head back to drink the soda, and his Adam''s apple was bobbing.


    He looked utterly attractive.


    Cordelia watched him from the side, then, she captured this moment with a quick snap of her camera.


    She even intentionally blurred the surroundings, leaving only the image of him drinking soda. Under the


    sunlight, he looked sexy and desirable.


    Cordelia''s heart fluttered.


    She posted the photo on Facebook. As Ronan had said the night before, he didn''t mind appearing on


    her Facebook.


    In fact, he seemed slightly miffed that he didn''t appear on her Facebook.


    Moreover, the provocative intent behind Deanna''s Facebook post yesterday was so evident that


    Cordelia naturally wanted to respond in kind.


    The photo of Ronan was incredibly handsome and appealing, the bobbing of his Adam''s apple would


    surely lure many women.


    Cordelia had even crafted a caption. [He''s back. The boy with the soda!]


    He was indeed brimming with a youthful charm.


    After resting for a while, Cordelia and Ronan caught another bus.


    During the ride, Cordelia checked her phone and noticed that this was the most liked andmented


    post she''d ever had.


    In just a few minutes, she received over three hundred likes and nearly a hundredments.


    Most werepliments about "Mr. Evans'' good looks." After all, ttering the boss never hurts.


    Brooklyn asked, [Did Mr. Evans go out with you?]


    Cordelia replied, [Yeah.]


    Cordelia nudged Ronan, who was sitting next to her. "Your employees areplimenting your good


    looks."


    "Who?" He asked, expressionless.


    "I''ll screenshot it for you."


    Cordelia sent several screenshots to Ronan.


    There were so manyments, they couldn''t fit into one screenshot.


    Ronan nced at his phone. "I''ll call the HR Department. These people should have their wages


    docked."


    "You''re such a killjoy!" Cordelia turned her head towards the window, ignoring him.


    Cordelia waited for a long time, but Deanna''sments never came.


    Presumably, Deanna was fuming at the sight of Cordelia''s Facebook post.


    Even by five in the afternoon, Deanna had notmented.


    Just before they got off the bus, Cordelia, hoping for some recognition, said to Ronan, "Deanna didn''t


    Ronan had seen Deanna''sment on Cordelia''s previous Facebook post.


    He figured that was Cordelia''s aim ¨C to infuriate Deanna.


    "So, I''m just a tool for you to provoke her?" Ronan was slightly displeased.


    "Of course not!" Cordelia objected. "You saidst night that you didn''t mind being on my Facebook."


    Ronan red at her. "Cordelia, would it kill you to say something nice?"


    "It wouldn''t kill me, but it would be embarrassing." Cordelia grabbed Ronan''s hand, and they strolled


    back home.


    By the time they reached their front steps, Cordelia was utterly exhausted. She stood there, unable to


    take another step.


    Ronan continued to walk ahead, ignoring her.


    "Wait up," she pleaded from behind.


    Ronan didn''t listen because he''d already pressed the elevator button.


    "The reason I let you appear on my Facebook is to announce to everyone that you''re mine. Don''t you


    understand that? Is that nice enough?" Cordelia was somewhat frustrated.


    After a while, Ronan finally turned his head. "Aren''t youing?"


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    "But I can''t move."


    Ronan, resigned, walked over to Cordelia, and picked her up.


    Lifting Cordelia now required a great deal of effort.

 Chapter 331

    Chapter 331


    With a huff and a puff, Ronan managed to carry Cordelia only a few steps before having to put her


    down.


    "What do you weigh now? Two hundred pounds?" Ronan frowned, eyeing Cordelia up and down.


    "No way! Quit your nonsense." Cordelia poked Ronan in annoyance.


    The pair boarded the elevator and headed upstairs.


    As soon as they entered the room, Ronan had Cordelia pressed against the door, showering her in


    kisses.


    The kisses left Cordelia breathless and flustered.


    "You start dinner. I need to rest." Cordelia''s forehead was lightly beaded with sweat.


    She was exhausted.


    Back in the room, Cordeliay on the bed, scrolling through her phone while resting. She noticed


    Ronan liked thetest post on her Facebook timeline.


    His like was a deration to everyone that the picture wasn''t taken stealthily but with his consent.


    All colleagues who liked ormented on the post would likely receive a notification.


    Cordelia shot him a message on Messenger. [Are you free? Not cooking?]


    Ronan didn''t reply. He was probably busy.


    By the time he entered the bedroom to call Cordelia for dinner, she had dozed off.


    Ronan nudged her, waking her. She held his hand and smiled.


    "I think it''s quite nice without Janice here," Cordelia casually mentioned during dinner.


    "You''re happy when I''m busy?"


    "Well, doesn''t the husband have to help out when his wife is having his babies?" Cordelia retorted


    nonchntly.


    "What did you name the kids?" Ronan didn''t respond to Cordelia''sment, asking his question


    instead.


    "Uh, I haven''t thought about it. You''re the cultured one, you think of something." Cordelia sounded


    indiffere


    Ronan paused. ¡°How about Callum Evans for the boy and Edith Evans for the girl?¡±


    ¡°Which does Edith represent?¡±


    ¡°Edith represents tranquility.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, it''s a beautiful name, with a beautiful meaning.¡± Cordelia''s face lit up like a blooming flower.


    ¡°Why are you only interested in the girl''s name? Don''t you like the boy?¡± Ronan asked Cordelia, his


    brow slightly furrowed.


    ¡°I prefer girls a bit more. I don''t have that much of an attachment to boys. So, I am more fond of the


    little girl''s name. I can imagine her round eyes, when I braid her hair in the future. She will definitely be


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    beautiful,¡± Cordelia spoke dreamily, forgetting to eat.


    ¡°Why would she definitely be beautiful?¡±


    "Just like you. If she looks like you, she''ll be beautiful," Cordelia said.


    ¡°You don¡¯t care about the boy at all.¡± Ronan seemed somewhat disdainful of Cordelia''s tant


    preference. "I''ve already set up the trust fund."


    "What trust fund?" Cordelia asked.


    But then she remembered studying about trusts in her textbooks. She thought she would never have to


    deal with them in her lifetime as they seemed too distant from her life. Yet, here Ronan was, having


    already set them up.


    ¡°Don''t get it?¡± Ronan asked her.


    ¡°I get it a bit.¡± Cordelia sounded slightly insecure. ¡°I just didn''t think my children would need one.¡±


    ¡°Indeed, if you had a child with Logan, you wouldn¡¯t need these.¡±


    ¡°It''s been so long, why do you keep bringing it up? Is it fun?¡± Cordelia mumbled, looking down.


    ¡°It''s not fun. Eat up.¡±


    Cordelia didn''t say anything more.


    Today, Cordelia was really tired. After dinner, she went to take a bath. Soaking in the tub felt wonderful.


    As she was meditating with her eyes closed, Ronan walked in.


    He began to undress and joined her in the tub.


    Cordelia had been soaking for a while. Her face was a charming shade of peach.


    Ronan began to kiss Cordelia, and she reciprocated eagerly.


    She almost slipped to the bottom of the tub, but Ronan caught her under her arms.


    With a panickedugh, Cordelia looked at him, and her expression waspletely na?ve.

 Chapter 332

    Chapter 332


    After a night of passionate entanglement, there was a palpable sense of unity between the two.


    It was a little past ten the next morning when Janice returned home.


    "I see you''re back, Janice. I''ll be heading out to the office this afternoon," Ronan told her.


    "Hmm."


    Cordelia shot Ronan a lingering nce. A glint of affection was shining in her eyes.


    "Can''t bear to see me go, huh?" Ronan walked over to Cordelia, lightly pinching her cheek.


    "You''ll be back by afternoon. Why would I be worried about you leaving?" Yet, truth be told, after three


    days of inseparable sweetness andpanionship, Cordelia found it hard to part ways with Ronan. It


    felt as if autumn hade too soon.


    "It seems my absence has given you two room to grow closer, so what am I doing here?" Janice joked,


    seemingly mocking her own redundancy.


    "Janice!" Cordelia scolded yfully.


    "Just a few days at home, and Cordelia has already be more beautiful," Janice observed, her


    gaze settling on Cordelia''s dazzling eyes. "It seems I really have been interrupting your love story."


    "Janice, you¡¯re such a teaser!"


    Janice, being a bit older,cked the whimsicality of youth. Moreover, she seemed to be in quite a good


    mood since her return.


    "How did your son''s meeting go?" Cordelia asked, diverting the conversation.


    While Janice was speaking, Cordelia couldn''t help but steal nces at Ronan, who remained


    expressionless throughout the conversation.


    "Quite well. His teachers believe that with hard work, he could get into his preferred college. He''s


    aiming for Birchwood College''s finance department. I just hope he puts in the effort," Janice shared.


    "Birchwood College? Grandpa Barney''s college?" Cordelia was surprised.


    "Yes. He has always loved Birchwood. But he¡¯s a bit of a fun-lover, and is always bouncing around with


    a basketball. He''s a talld now, over six feet. His father and I can''t bear his obsession with basketball."


    "Boys will be boys," Cordelia said,ughing.


    "I''m off then!" Ronan announced, before leaving abruptly.


    The room returned to its usual calm, with Janice chattering away. Cordelia seemed to be in a daze, still


    immersed in the mncholy of Ronan''s departure. She had never felt this way before, not with Ronan,


    and definitely not with Logan. Perhaps her rtionship with Ronan was much deeper than she had


    ever experienced.


    ......


    Lumos Enterprises.


    Ronan had taken three days off, and his desk was piled with paperwork. He was carefully reviewing


    each one and signing them off.


    Emerson walked in.


    "Oh, look who''s back. Could it be the CEO, Ronan?" Emerson joked, casually taking a seat on the


    couch.


    "Yes."


    "Did you enjoy your time with Cordelia?"


    "Much more enjoyable than spending time with you," Ronan retorted. His eyes were still buried in the


    paperwork.


    "Mna from the Audit Department has some work for Cordelia. She asked me to pass on the


    message."


    Ronan finally looked up. "Why can''t she contact Cordelia directly? Why go through you? And..." Ronan


    interlocked his fingers on the table. "I remember someone saying they were quite busy in the Finance


    Department, yet here you are, seeming quite free."


    "You''re misunderstanding me. Mna asked me toe. She was afraid you wouldn''t approve of her


    calling Cordelia for a meeting, and she was not courageous enough toe to your office. I was just


    delivering some documents to the Audit Department, so I thought I''de by," Emerson exined.


    "She needs Cordelia for a meeting?"


    "Yes."


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    Ronan picked up the phone and dialed Mna.


    "Can shee early tomorrow so as not to dy?"


    Having hung up with Mna, Ronan then dialed Cordelia.


    "Ronan?" Cordelia was idling at home when she received Ronan¡¯s call. Her face lit up with joy.


    "Mna needs you toe down to the office tomorrow. She has some work for you."


    "Alright. Should Ie with you or with Tristi?"


    "Get up early ande with me."


    "Okay."


    After hanging up, Emerson teased, "You know, you could have asked Mna to call Cordelia directly.


    You didn''t have to call her yourself. I can see right through you. You''re in love, aren''t you?"


    "So what if I am?" Ronan nonchntly lit a cigarette.


    "You and Cordelia, were you two in love before? Is this a second round, or is this a new beginning? I''ve


    never seen you this dedicated."


    "There''s plenty of work waiting for you in the Finance Department."


    "Not willing to share, huh? You really are sly." With that, Emerson got up and left.

 Chapter 333

    Chapter 333


    Cordelia had felt each day drag on like a year.


    The same applied to Ronan, who found himself incessantly checking his watch at work.


    They both had never before experienced the drag of time quite like this.


    Finally, at half-past six in the afternoon, Ronan finished his work and headed home.


    Cordelia was the one to open the door for him.


    ¡°You¡¯re home?¡± Sparkles danced in Cordelia''s eyes.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Ronan lightly ruffled Cordelia''s hair, kicked off his shoes at the entrance, and went inside for


    dinner.


    In the past, Janice never felt like a third wheel. But this time, she wished she could find a corner to


    hide. She suspected that if she weren''t around, these two would have already been all over each other.


    Janice had previously worked as an editor for a magazine. But when the magazine industry took a hit,


    and her husband had to move to the oil fields of Millstone for work, she decided to move with him. She


    had intended to find a new job in Millstone, but with the decline of print media and her son starting


    school, she chose to be a stay-at-home mom for a few years. Once her son entered high school, she


    decided to get back into the workforce. Her cooking skills, coupled with her neat and tidy habits, her


    dislike for gossip, and her intellectual demeanor, made her a perfect fit for the Evans family, where she


    had been working for several years now.


    She had a good understanding of romantic feelings between men and women.


    ¡°Have some fish.¡± Ronan ced a piece of fish onto Cordelia''s te.


    ¡°Thanks. You must be tired from work. You should eat too.¡± Cordelia returned the favor by cing some


    fish onto Ronan''s te.


    They seemed oblivious to their surroundings.


    Janice sat there, feeling her face turning red.


    Ronan and Cordelia retreated to their bedroom early.


    As soon as they entered, Ronan pinned Cordelia against the door and kissed her.


    Neither of them had ever experienced


    Not being able to see her even for a moment was unbearable


    Cordelia looked around their home, reminiscing about how Ronan had selected, touched, and used


    every piece of furniture. She felt a sense of familiarity even with the house itself.


    ¡°Did you miss me? Hmm?¡± Ronan whispered into Cordelia''s ear.


    ¡°Yeah, a lot. Does that make me pathetic?¡±


    Ronan pulled Cordelia over to the bed and kissed her again.


    In bed, Ronan gently caressed Cordelia''s stomach.


    ¡°Babies, time to bond with daddy.¡± Cordelia, lying on her side, spoke to her belly.


    This made Ronan''s heart warm.


    The next morning, when Cordelia woke up, Ronan was already gone.


    Cordelia frowned slightly. Didn¡¯t they agree to go to the office together? Why did he leave early?


    Just as she was wondering, Ronan walked out of the bathroom, still in his pajamas.


    ¡°You should sleep in. We¡¯ll go to the office togetherter.¡±


    Cordelia saw him again, and her face broke into a wide grin. ¡°I can¡¯t sleep anymore.¡±


    Knowing she wouldn¡¯t have to suffer a day filled with longing made Cordelia very happy.


    Ronan went back into the bathroom.


    Cordelia picked up his pillow, hugged it to her chest, and inhaled his masculine scent.


    Perhaps this was what being in love was supposed to feel like.


    Unfortunately, Ronan saw her greedily clutching at the pillow.


    ¡°What¡¯s this? You have the real deal but still get sentimental over a pillow?¡± Ronan teased Cordelia as


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    he swapped his pajamas for a suit.


    ¡°You¡¯re such a bore busy trying to decipher my thoughts,¡± Cordelia muttered.


    After that, Cordelia got up to freshen up and get dressed.


    By the time they left, it was nearly nine o¡¯clock.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it a bitte?¡± Cordelia, sitting in the backseat, was a bit worried.


    ¡°Are you always this anxious?¡± Ronan nced at Cordelia''s worried face in the rearview mirror.


    ¡°Maybe.¡±


    Cordelia thought, ¡°He''s the boss, even if he''ste, he just strolls into the office without a care. Who''s


    going to say anything?¡±


    When they arrived at the Audit Department, Mna asked Cordelia, ¡°Cordelia, did you handle the


    ounts for PrimeBuild Contractorsst year?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I did. Why?¡±


    ¡°They want aparison of two years'' ounts. Hunter from PrimeBuild Contractors said you did their


    ounts when you were at First Enterprises. He thought you would know, but I have a hunch that


    something¡¯s not right.¡±


    Mna felt something was off, and Cordelia felt the same.

 Chapter 334

    Chapter 334


    PrimeBuild Contractors needed to bnce their books, and they knew that Cordelia handledst year¡¯s


    ounts.


    Those ounts were from her previous job, and if Cordelia released them, she would be viting


    professional ethics, and possibly even leaking corporate secrets. It couldnd her in hot water.


    Still, Cordelia found it hard to believe that Will and Hunter, who had practically groveled when they


    handed over the ounts to Lumos Enterprises, would use this to threaten her.


    Cordelia dialed up Ronan.


    "Mr. Evans," she began.


    "It''s only been a few minutes, and you miss me already?" he teased.


    "No, is it true that PrimeBuild Contractors always wanted to coborate with Lumos Enterprises?"


    Cordelia asked.


    She remembered from her visit to PrimeBuild Contractors the previous year how fawning Will had been


    over Ronan. They were both in construction, but PrimeBuild mostly handled subcontracting work. They


    had been keen to score projects for Lumos Enterprises but had always been left hanging.


    "Yes, they weren''t qualified enough, so I rejected them."


    "Got it." With that, Cordelia hung up.


    Now she understood why PrimeBuild Contractors were acting this way. They were likely hoping to use


    this information as leverage to secure a coboration with Lumos Enterprises. It was child''s y, really.


    "Mna, tell them we don''t havest year''s financial data. If they want aparison, let them pull up


    their own statements. I can''t release the ounts I prepared for themst year at a differentpany.


    It''s against professional principles," Cordelia said.


    "See, I knew there was something fishy going on. We need to get to the bottom of this. I''ll call them


    now." With that, Mna dialed up Hunter. If they wanted topare, they would need to provide their


    own ounts.


    Hunter sounded apologetic. "Oh, oh, oh, I forgot Cordelia is now working at Lumos Enterprises."


    Hunter then called Will, who berated him. "You''re the one who came up with this rotten idea! You


    couldn''te up with a legit n, so you tried to exploit someone else! I hope Ronan doesn''t see


    through our scheme. Otherwise, dream about coborating with Lumos Enterprises! I''m docking you a


    month''s pay!"


    Hunter could only swallow his frustration. He could only hope that Cordelia wouldn''t see through their


    scheme. If she did, she would definitely tell Ronan.


    "I''ll call Mr. Evanster and exin this mess! You''re more trouble than you''re worth!" Will grumbled at


    Hunter.


    Hunter was left to swallow his bitter pill in silence.


    ......


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Meanwhile, Cordelia heaved a sigh of relief.


    Mna had pulled Cordelia in because of the PrimeBuild Contractors issue. Once it was resolved,


    Cordelia was free, and Mna didn''t assign her any further tasks.


    It was alreadyte in the month, and she didn''t dare to assign more.


    Cordelia nned to head home with Ronan that afternoon, so she settled down on a couch and started


    scrolling through her phone.


    After making a call, Mna asked Cordelia, "What time are you leaving this afternoon?"


    "I''m not sure. Why?"


    "I was hoping to hitch a ride with you to the set of ''The High Society.'' I remember it''s on your way


    home. I didn''t drive today. I took a cab," Mna exined.


    "No problem, I''ll go with you. I''m done with my tasks anyway," Cordelia said, thinking, ¡°I''ll have Tristi


    drop me off at home first. I won''t go home with Ronan today.¡±


    Just then, a message from Ronan popped up. [Come down.]


    "Mna, he''s looking for me. I''ll be back," Cordelia told Mna.


    "Him? Who?"


    "Ronan."


    Mna chuckled, "Cordelia, you always refer to Mr. Evans as ''him.'' It always takes me a moment to


    realize who you''re talking about. Okay, just let me know when you''re leaving."


    Cordelia nodded in acknowledgment.

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    Chapter 335


    After visiting Ronan''s office, Ronan asked Cordelia, "What was the call about?"


    "PrimeBuild Contractors wants us to provide aparison withst year''s figures. I prepared those


    figures while I was at First Enterprises, and I can''t just hand them over. If I did, it would be a vition of


    professional ethics. I fear they might use this to pressure you to achieve their goals. They''ve been


    wanting to coborate with Lumos Enterprises but haven''t found the opportunity. I refused to show


    them the figures and told them to get it themselves," Cordelia exined.


    Ronan, who was busy signing documents, paused to listen to Cordelia and thenmented, "Well


    done."


    He genuinely admired Cordelia.


    When Jordan was around, he had always obstructed Cordelia from entering the Audit Department,


    probably fearing she might expose his wrongdoings. Thankfully, Ronan had already taken care of


    Jordan.


    A woman who kept her ounts impably, Wyatt had praised Cordelia numerous times in front of


    him. With a Master''s degree backing her, how formidable would she be?


    "Do you want to leave with me this afternoon?" Ronan proposed.


    Cordelia thought for a moment. "Ms. Mna is going with Tristi to the ''High Society'' set. I might just tag


    along, so I probably won''t go with you."


    "What if I miss you?" Ronan asked her.


    Cordelia chuckled. "We see each other every day. You''re just sweet-talking."


    "You think I''m sweet-talking you? Why don''t you give it a shot?"


    Cordelia turned her head away. "No!"


    Ronan didn''t press further and resumed his work.


    Cordelia''s phone buzzed with a message from Mna on Messenger. [Cordelia, ready to leave?]


    [Sure, I''ll message Tristi.]


    As she messaged Tristi, she informed Ronan, "Ms. Mna is ready to leave, and so am I."


    "Be careful, tell Janice to meet you downstairs in advance."


    "Okay." Cordelia quickly typed on her phone while responding to Ronan.


    Cordelia and Mna got into Tristi''s car, chatting casually in the backseat.


    "Cordelia, did you get any stretch marks after you got pregnant?" Mna asked casually.


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    "Stretch marks? I don''t know." Cordelia frowned. "I haven''t paid attention."


    Mna rolled her eyes at her. "Most women start using olive oil from the moment they get pregnant.


    You''re almost due, and you don''t even know what stretch marks are? Doesn''t Mr. Evans care?"


    Cordelia chuckled. "Perhaps he doesn''t know either."


    "Do you mind if I check?" Mna asked.


    "Not at all. It''s all women in here anyway." Cordeliaughed.


    Mna leaned over to inspect Cordelia''s tummy.


    "Huh, Cordelia, you must be lucky because you''re young. Not a single stretch mark. You''ll still look like


    a youngdy even after the babies are born." Mna chuckled.


    "Really?" Cordelia asked.


    "Why would I lie to you?"


    Cordelia beamed.


    They chatted while Mna used her phone to arrange a meeting with the people from Pulse


    Technologies at the same hotel asst time, Azure View Hotel. The people were bringing Mna the


    materials.


    Coincidentally, Cordelia received a news alert on her phone. [Former popr actress blinds her


    assistant in a feud.]


    Cordelia opened the link, and sure enough, it was about Deanna injuring Samantha''s eyes. The story


    was that Samantha had gone to the location where Deanna was filming amercial and had insulted


    her. Deanna had reacted by flinging a handful of lime, which had burnt Samantha''s eyes.


    Cordelia was puzzled and thought to herself, ¡°How did things get so bad between these two?¡±


    What on earth happened?


    Just then, a message from Sienna popped up. [Cordelia, did you talk to Mr. Evans about calming


    Deanna down? She''s gone and injured Samantha''s eyes today!]


    Cordelia hadn''t figured out how to reply to Sienna yet, but she and Mna had arrived at their


    destination.

 Chapter 336

    Chapter 336


    "Cordelia, I''m here. You don''t need to get out, just head on home," Mna said.


    "Oh no, I need to swing by the office, so I''ll tag along," Cordelia replied, nning on seeing Ronan


    about this Samantha issue.


    "Alright then. Wait a minute for me while I grab my things," Mna said before hopping out of the car.


    Cordelia sat bored in the car, idly ncing out the window.


    The car was parked in front of a hotel, with vehiclesing and going.


    A white Alfa Romeo pulled up, and a woman stepped out, sauntering towards the hotel entrance.


    The moment she exited the car, her presence captivated Cordelia.


    She was the kind of woman that would catch anyone''s attention.


    Her striking features, her unique aura, and her self-assured gaze, coupled with her graceful stride,


    made her stand out. Her green velvet dress turned her into the center of attention.


    "This woman has such an incredible aura," Cordelia couldn''t help but admire.


    "She''s an actress, of course, her aura is strong," Tristi chimed in.


    "An actress? Who is she?" Cordelia asked, puzzled.


    "You don¡¯t know na? Oh, right, you wouldn''t. She was a big deal back in our day. I remember


    skipping school in fifth grade to watch her movies. Even till this day, I remember them vividly, ''Emerald


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    Waters,'' ''Sails in the Wind,'' and my first onscreen kiss was in ''Pink Memories.'' Us girls would gossip


    about who she might be dating. Those were the days... I should get her autograph," Tristi reminisced,


    speaking more than she ever had in front of Cordelia.


    "Go for it," Cordelia encouraged, remembering that Edwin had mentioned na living abroad, and her


    return to the country was indeed a rare asion, "It''s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."


    Encouraged by Cordelia, Tristi quickly grabbed a pen and paper, and rushed after na for her


    autograph.


    When Mna returned to the car, Tristi was still not back.


    "Where''s Tristi?" Mna asked Cordelia.


    Cordelia replied with augh, "She saw her old idol and ran off to get an autograph."


    "Tristi''s in her thirties and is still starstruck?" Mna quipped.


    "It''s nostalgia," Cordelia replied, keeping an eye on the situation outside.


    Tristi was chatting away with na, who maintained a polite yet distant demeanor.


    After signing Tristi''s paper, na nced toward the car and noticed Cordelia. She seemed taken


    aback, furrowed her eyebrows slightly, then turned and entered the hotel.


    Cordelia wondered, what had she been looking at? The car? Something in the distance?


    Little did she know, na''s gaze had been fixed on her.


    Soon after, Tristi jogged back, beaming.


    "Did you get it?" Cordelia asked Tristi.


    "Yeah, I didn¡¯t expect a superstar like her not to put on any airs." Tristi started the car, reminiscing


    about her old fondness for na. She still had na''s posters and stickers in her old songbooks at


    home. "Back then, all the girls in ss wanted to be her. I''ll show you my old songbooks sometime."


    "Sounds good," Cordelia replied with a smile.


    She suddenly remembered that she hadn''t yet replied to Sienna''s message.


    In truth, she didn''t want to help Samantha at all. After all, Samantha hadn''t lifted a finger to help when


    her grandmother died and had even added fuel to the fire.


    But ignoring a message was impolite.


    In the end, Cordelia replied to Sienna. [I''ll talk to her.]

 Chapter 337

    Chapter 337


    Reluctantly, when Cordelia returned to Ronan''s office, she found an unexpected visitor waiting there.


    Le.


    She was sobbing and venting her frustration to Ronan. "Ronan, you are just letting Deanna get bullied?


    Who does Samantha think she is? A mere assistant is spreading rumors about Deanna, and using


    her of sending packages to their house. And now, Samantha has gone to Vernon to harass Deanna."


    "I can''t control everything. Besides, Deanna hasn¡¯t been harmed, has she?¡± Ronan sat behind his


    desk, puffing on a cigarette.


    Seeing Cordelia re-enter, he stubbed out his cigarette.


    "Won¡¯t Deanna fight back against Samantha?" Le continued, her gaze shifting to the neer.


    This was the first time she saw Cordelia, pregnant and radiant.


    Le thought to herself, ¡°Deanna had lost to this woman.¡±


    Seeing Cordelia and her belly swollen with child, Le could not help but seethe with resentment.


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    She made up her mind. She would stir up trouble between Cordelia and Ronan, causing a


    misunderstanding that would never be resolved.


    "What brings you back?" Ronan asked Cordelia.


    "Oh, nothing," Cordelia had wanted to discuss Samantha with Ronan, but with Le there, she had to


    hold off.


    "Ronan, do you remember six years ago when Deanna was pregnant with your child? You were


    struggling with your business at the time, and to avoid holding you back, she made an excuse about


    going to America for further studies. In reality, she had the child aborted alone. She didn¡¯t want to


    burden you with a child while you were so focused on your business. I know because I visited her in the


    States, she was pale, and she said to me, ''Mom, Ronan can¡¯t afford to have a child now, it will distract


    him from his business.'' I didn¡¯t say anything at the time, but I cried all night. When your business took a


    turn for the better, she came back from abroad, only telling you she went to find investors for you and


    never mentioned the child. Today, an assistant is tormenting her, can¡¯t you help her out? How can you


    be so heartless?" As Le finished, she broke down in tears again.


    Cordelia''s breath quickened, and she found it hard to breathe.


    She looked at Ronan, shocked by his past.


    She never imagined he had gotten another woman pregnant.


    Cordelia knew it was all in the past before she even knew Ronan.


    She couldn''t me him.


    But it still hurt, and a sense of suffocation filled her.


    Of course, Le might have been lying, but in her current state, Cordelia had lost her ability to


    distinguish fact from fiction.


    Jealousy filled her heart.


    "I... I need to get some air." Cordelia tried to rise from the sofa.


    But she couldn''t get up.


    "Don''t make things up, when did I ever..." Ronan clenched his teeth and tried to help Cordelia up.


    "Ronan, I know, at a time like this, you won¡¯t admit to anything. But my daughter has suffered so much


    for you, can¡¯t you help her now?" Le, a veteran actress, knew exactly what to say to hurt Cordelia the


    most. She kept pressing Ronan, not giving him a chance to exin.


    Cordelia managed to stand up and tried to leave.


    Ronan tried to stop her.


    But Le, seizing the opportunity, grabbed Ronan''s clothes, not letting him move an inch.


    Cordelia broke free from Ronan''s grip and left. Ronan, worried that holding on too tightly would harm


    her, let her go. But Le, without such concerns, held on with all her might, keeping Ronan in ce.


    "Let Tristi take you home," Ronan told Cordelia.


    Cordelia closed the door to Ronan''s office.


    "Let go!" Ronan growled at Le.

 Chapter 338

    Chapter 338


    Ronan made his way swiftly to the door.


    Le, in a state of desperation, found herself sitting in front of his office door, pressing her body against


    it, tightly wrapping her arms around Ronan¡¯s legs, refusing to let him pass.


    "Move!" Ronan bellowed.


    Le wailed, "Ronan, please, you promised to let Deanna return to the spotlight! Have you forgotten


    your words? Did that woman whisper sweet nothings into your ear?"


    "Let go!" Ronan attempted to free himself, but Le held on fiercely.


    "Ronan, you can''t treat Deanna like this, you were once sweethearts!" Le sobbed.


    Her cries reverberated through the entire floor.


    Ronan reached for his phone to call Cordelia.


    Just then, a call came from an unknown number. The ringtone echoed incessantly.


    He had no choice but to answer.


    "Mr. Evans, this is Will from PrimeBuild Contractors. Hunter requested an ountparison, but we


    forgot to submit our books to your Audit Department. It¡¯s our fault. We overlooked the fact that Ginger,


    the ountant who used to handle it, is no longer with First Enterprises. We apologize, Mr. Evans."


    Will sounded genuinely remorseful and rather obsequious.


    "Understood!" Ronan swiftly hung up, attempting to call Cordelia again.


    But Cordelia''s line was busy.


    Cordelia was on the phone with Tristi, asking her for a ride home.


    Feeling frustrated, Cordelia thought her return trip was a waste of time.


    "Tristi, where are you? Can you give me a ride home?" Cordelia asked from the entrance of Lumos


    Enterprises.


    "You''re going home now? I just got home to grab your songbook. I thought you were going home with


    Mr. Evans today. Wait for me, I''lle down," Tristi said.


    "No need, you can stay home," Cordelia replied.


    "Well, don''t go anywhere alone. If something happens, I can''t bear the responsibility," Tristi said with a


    hint of anxiety.


    "I won''t." Cordelia hung up.


    Ronan called Tristi, who ryed her conversation with Cordelia to him.


    After finally freeing himself from Le''s grip, Ronan managed to step outside.


    He got into his car and sent Cordelia a message on Messenger. [Don''t listen to her nonsense! There''s


    nothing going on.]


    [Where are you? Can you call?]


    Cordelia needed a breather and took a cab to Millstone Park, known for its serene and beautiful


    scenery.


    She thought she''d sit in the park for a while before going home.


    Le''s words had upset her, and she was feeling winded. She sat on a park bench, trying to calm


    herself. Her stomach ached.


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    She thought it might have been temporary, so she would let it pass. If it persisted, she would go to the


    hospital to see Victoria.


    Sienna called Cordelia.


    Cordelia guessed it must have been about Samantha again.


    "Aunt Sienna," Cordelia answered the call.


    "Cordelia, have you spoken to Mr. Evans?" Sienna asked anxiously.


    "I haven''t seen him yet, I''m in the park getting some fresh air."


    "Cordelia, I apologize for what Samantha did to you in the past, but Samantha... she really lost an eye.


    It''s now covered in gauze, and it hurts to see her like this." Sienna started to cry.


    Cordelia softened.


    "I''m at Millstone Park right now, I''ll talk to him when I get home tonight," Cordelia said.


    No matter what Sienna and Samantha were like, Cordelia¡¯s uncle was a good person. Over the years,


    he had always been considerate of Sienna''s feelings, which was pitiful.


    "Don''t forget."


    Cordelia gave a nomittal hum before ending the call.


    Looking out at the calm waters, Cordelia couldn''t help but reminisce about the day they went boating


    together.


    It was a warm spring day, and they were alone.


    Her phone was resting on the bench, untouched.


    A woman''s silhouette approached from the distance, her eyes covered with gauze.


    Cordelia thought to herself, ¡°Samantha? Why is she here?¡±


    Did Samantha overhear Cordelia¡¯s conversation with Sienna? Or did Sienna tell Samantha Cordelia


    was at Millstone Park via Messenger?


    Seeing Samantha made Cordelia nervous. If Samantha were to attack her, she wouldn''t stand a


    chance.


    Quickly, she sent a message to Tristi. [I''m at Millstone Park, can youe?]


    Then, she sent her location.


    Samantha was already there.


    With a look of anger on her face, she removed a ring from her finger and tossed it into Cordelia''sp.


    "Take it back!" Samantha snapped.


    Upon closer inspection, Cordelia realized it was her emerald ring.


    She had assumed it was lost when her grandmother passed away.

 Chapter 339

    Chapter 339


    "What''s the deal with this?" Cordelia fumbled with the odd, warm ring.


    "When Grandma passed away, I found it by her bedside. Originally, I just picked it up to y around


    with it, but then... my nightmares started." Samantha''s eye was heavily bandaged, making her look


    "What do you mean?" Cordelia was puzzled.


    "How should I know what''s going on? At first, I thought it was all Deanna ying tricks on me. But


    when I went to Vernon yesterday, and she purposely injured my eye, I realized it wasn''t her at all!


    Cordelia, you''ve really done it now! This ring of yours has drawn your enemies'' attention to me. They


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    sent phosphorus to our house, and it self-ignited, burning Grandma to death. You are the real


    murderer, who killed Grandma! Cordelia, don''t y innocent!" Samantha cursed Cordelia bitterly.


    Cordelia felt a worsening pain in her stomach.


    "How do you know this ring is mine?" Cordelia asked.


    "Who else has been to see Grandma? If it''s not yours, then whose is it? Yesterday, I went to Vernon to


    confront Deanna and ended up with an injured eye. When I was in the bathroom, I heard someone on


    the phone. Their voice was low, but I still heard them say, ''As you instructed, it was the one with the


    ring. The attempt to burn her failedst time, and instead, it burned her grandmother. However, she


    thinks Deanna orchestrated all these events.'' Cordelia, not only have you harmed me, but you also


    killed your own grandmother. You deserve to die!"


    "You made that up!" Cordelia looked at the ring. "It''s just a ring."


    Cordelia wanted to test the truthfulness of Samantha''s words.


    "Cordelia, if it wasn''t for your pregnancy, I''d have thrown you into theke and fed you to the fishes! I


    don''t know who you''ve offended! Anyway, remember this, you killed Grandmother. Also, Deanna told


    me that six years ago, she indeed was pregnant with Ronan''s child, but she had it aborted. If Ronan


    knew, I wonder how guilty he would feel." After saying this, Samantha left arrogantly.


    As Samantha turned around, Cordelia''s face changed instantly.


    She had just held her emotions in check in front of Samantha, not revealing her inner vulnerability.


    But Samantha''sst words had deeply shaken Cordelia.


    Today, two people had said that Deanna had once carried Ronan''s child.


    Looking at the ring in her hand and recalling Samantha''s words - she had killed her grandmother...


    Even though Cordelia did not make Samantha wear the ring, the ring was hers, and she was the main


    culprit.


    Unexpectedly, instead of attracting her biological parents, this ring had brought her enemies.


    Cordelia lifted her hand and threw the ring into theke!


    Suddenly, her stomach pain became unbearable.


    ...


    Turning around, Samantha had a triumphant look.


    The story about Deanna and Ronan was something she added herself.


    Originally, wearing Cordelia''s ring had brought her so much trouble. Her eye was injured by lime, and


    she didn¡¯t know when it would heal. She was frustrated enough, thinking it was Deanna¡¯s doing. But


    now, it turned out it wasn¡¯t. The person was targeting Cordelia.


    Her hatred for Cordelia was much greater than it was for Deanna.


    She not only wanted Cordelia to feel guilty for killing her grandmother, but she also deliberately wanted


    to drive a wedge between Cordelia and Ronan.


    Samantha knew Ronan wouldn''t admit it, but such things were impossible to prove!


    Samantha didn''t know that this idental agreement between her and Le almost sent Cordelia to


    hell.

 Chapter 340

    Chapter 340


    Cordelia was in unbearable difort.


    She dialed up Tristi.


    "Where are you?" Cordelia asked, her forehead beading with sweat.


    "Mrs. Evans, I¡¯m stuck in traffic. Can you walk to the park entrance? They don¡¯t allow vehicles inside,"


    Tristi suggested.


    "But I..." Cordelia struggled to get up, and her stomach pain made it impossible.


    "What¡¯s wrong?" Tristi heard the strain in Cordelia¡¯s voice and quickly asked, "I¡¯ll call Mr. Evans. Hang


    on."


    After ending the call with Cordelia, Tristi dialed up Ronan.


    "Mr. Evans, Mrs. Evans is at Central Park, and she''s in a bad way. She can barely speak."


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    Ronan swallowed hard. "I know. I¡¯m on my way."


    He figured that Cordelia had probably wanted to clear her head.


    Ronan could only think of one ce where she might¡¯ve gone to, Central Park.


    He was almost there.


    ...


    Cordelia¡¯s face was a ghostly white. She tried to curl up in an attempt to ease the pain.


    A janitor, noticing her distress, asked, "Ma''am, do you need help?"


    "Could you... could you help me out of the park? My family... they''re waiting for me outside."


    "You''re about to give birth, aren''t you?" The janitor noticed Cordelia¡¯s pants were wet. Her water had


    broken.


    "How could this be?" Cordelia panicked. She was still a month away from her due date.


    She thought she had been handling her emotions well recently. Nothing should have triggered early


    Even though Le had revealed Ronan''s past affair with Deanna, it wasn¡¯t enough to send her into


    prematurebor.


    It must have been Samantha. Her words must have been the final straw for Cordelia.


    Cordelia squeezed her palm. ¡°Samantha!"


    Despite her pain, Cordelia managed to make it to the entrance of the park.


    Just as Ronan''s car pulled up.


    "Sir, your wife is about to give birth. You need to get her to a hospital immediately."


    Ronan frowned. She was supposed to have more time before the babies came. This was premature


    He quickly helped the pale-faced Cordelia into the car.


    They sped off toward Mount Sinai Hospital.


    On the way, he called Janice, asking her to meet them at the hospital.


    Cordelia was in the back seat, curled up in pain.


    Ronan wanted to exin but couldn¡¯t find the words.


    All he could do was drive as fast as possible.


    At Mount Sinai Hospital, Cordelia was quickly wheeled into the delivery room.


    Ronan followed, fearing for Cordelia¡¯s safety.


    Cordelia had been doing yoga regrly, and they had hoped for a natural birth. But at that moment,


    one baby''s head was already crowning.


    Cordelia was in excruciating pain, feeling as if she had been to hell and back. She would have


    preferred to stay there than to endure this...


    Finally, the first baby, a boy, was born.


    "Time of birth, 3:38 p.m.," the nurse announced.


    She showed the baby to Cordelia, but Cordelia''s gaze was unfocused. She didn¡¯t even register the


    baby¡¯s gender or appearance.


    Ronan paid no mind either.


    The midwife detected that the other baby¡¯s heartbeat was weak, and she reported it to the doctor.


    If Cordelia tried to deliver the second baby naturally, there was a risk of major hemorrhage.


    Moreover, Cordelia was exhausted to the point of fainting and was drenched in sweat.


    Even if she wanted to deliver naturally, she couldn¡¯t.


    "We need to perform a C-section for the second baby," the doctor ordered, preparing her gloves.


    "We¡¯ve dyed too much, the baby could suffocate."


    "Doctor, the other baby''s heartbeat has stopped," the nurse regretfully informed her.


    The doctor took a moment to process the information.


    She nced at Ronan.


    "Mr. Evans," the doctor said apologetically.


    "I want to know if Cordelia is okay!" Ronan demanded, his face a mask of frustration and worry.


    The doctor checked Cordelia¡¯s eyelids. "She''s in shock, but it''s temporary. We need to operate now to


    remove the stillborn. Mr. Evans, please step outside."


    The newborn boy had been ced in an incubator.


    A haggard Ronan stepped out of the delivery room and slumped down on a bench in the hallway.

 Chapter 341

    Chapter 341


    Janice hastily arrived, holding arge package filled with essentials for the new mother and children.


    "How''s it going, Mr. Evans?" She asked Ronan.


    "It''s done." He leaned back against the wall after delivering the news.


    "Are both babies okay?" Janice asked with a hint of excitement.


    "Just one."


    "What do you mean one? Where''s the other one?" Janice asked anxiously.


    "Don¡¯t ask."


    Janice didn¡¯t dare to say anything more.


    It was nightfall by the time Cordelia was moved into a single patient room.


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    She was exhausted and was barely able to keep her eyes open,


    but she knew that Ronan was by her side.


    "Where are the babies?" she asked Ronan weakly.


    "They were premature and needed to stay in the incubator for ten days. Janice is watching over them."


    "Are they okay? Is the baby girl okay?" Cordelia asked. Victoria had previously mentioned that the girl


    was not doing well, and Samantha¡¯s taunts had gotten to Cordelia, making her worry about her baby


    girl.


    Ronan hesitated for a moment before replying, "She''s fine."


    Cordelia gave a weak nod.


    "Do you want to eat something? I can ask Janice to prepare it for you." Ronan took her hand.


    Cordelia, feeling too weak to even move, didn¡¯t feel like eating anything. Even opening her eyes


    seemed to require too much energy. Indeed, giving birth took a toll on one''s body.


    "Are you staying here tonight?" She asked Ronan.


    "Yes."


    Cordelia noticed that Ronan didn''t seem as happy as a new father should be, so she asked, "Aren''t you


    happy?"


    "No."


    After uttering those words, Cordelia''s eyes grew heavy, and she drifted back to sleep.


    She had no milk, possibly due to the premature birth or her own health condition. With no babies by her


    side, even if she had milk, it would already be gone.


    Meanwhile, Janice had been feeding the babies form.


    Cordelia woke up in the middle of the night in pain because the anesthesia had worn off. Her stomach


    was aching terribly.


    Ronan was already awake by her side.


    She curled up in Ronan¡¯s arms, trembling.


    ¡°Why does it hurt so much? I thought I had a natural birth?¡± Cordelia remembered that when she


    arrived at the hospital, the first baby¡¯s head was almost out.


    But she could feel a surgical incision on her stomach.


    She didn¡¯t remember much after that.


    ¡°The second baby was delivered by a C-section. That¡¯s why you¡¯re in pain,¡± Ronan exined gently,


    stroking Cordelia¡¯s back. ¡°Try to bear it.¡±


    Cordelia¡¯s face turned pale from the pain.


    She didn¡¯t have the joy of a new mother, instead, she felt somewhat depressed. The physical pain,


    coupled with Samantha¡¯s words earlier, still echoed in her ears¡­


    She clung to Ronan, sobbing softly to alleviate her physical difort.


    By the time dawn broke, Cordelia fell asleep in Ronan''s arms, though it was a light sleep. She often


    woke up due to the pain and couldn''t get a good night''s rest.


    Ronan held her all night, not moving an inch.


    Cordelia was in and out of sleep. She fully woke up around nine in the morning.


    "Have you not slept?" She asked Ronan.


    "No. I ordered a postnatal meal for you, they''ll deliver it soon."


    "Okay," Cordelia replied.


    Neither of them brought up his past with Deanna.


    Cordelia chose not to ask because even though she didn''t believe Ronan¡¯s past affair with Deanna was


    true, she was afraid that asking would not yield the answers she wanted, so she preferred to remain


    silent.


    Ronan didn''t bring it up because Cordelia had just given birth, and it wasn''t the right time to discuss


    such matters.


    It seemed as though they both felt, in their hearts, that Cordelia giving birth was a watershed moment,


    separating all the unpleasantness of the past from the present.

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    Chapter 342


    Tristi came to visit Cordelia the next day, persistently apologizing, ming herself for not staying at


    home.


    Cordeliaforted Tristi with augh. "You can''t foresee the future, how would you know that would


    happen? I couldn''t either."


    "This is my old songbook, I brought it yesterday and kept it in the car," Tristi said.


    Tristi had actuallye the previous day, but Cordelia was too weak and slept the whole time. She


    hadn''t nned to give Cordelia the songbook; after all, Cordelia had just given birth, and Tristi didn''t


    think she''d be in the mood for it. She had brought her skincare products and homemade chicken soup,


    but Ronan suggested that the songbook could help distract Cordelia from her current condition.


    Gossip was always a good topic of conversation.


    Looking at others'' gossip didn''t hurt any feelings.


    "Is this na?" Cordelia looked at the yellowing stickers in Tristi''s songbook. Even though they were


    old, it was still evident that na was indeed a beauty in her time.


    Seeing Cordelia engrossed in gossip rather than wallowing in her own sorrow, Ronan felt a temporary


    relief.


    "She was a beauty back then. One of the most beautiful," Tristi reminisced about na with a tone of


    admiration. ¡°She¡¯s a Capricorn. Her father was a schr whoter moved the family abroad. They were


    old money, rich from generations back. Growing up in such a family meant that naturally, her demeanor


    was exceptional."


    Cordelia chuckled, surprised that Tristi knew about old money. If this happened in today¡¯s age, Tristi


    would be considered a superfan.


    "Back then, na had a partner named August, they were a handsome and beautiful pair." Tristi''s eyes


    shone when speaking of her idols.


    Cordelia studied the old beauty closely.


    "She has a small mole behind her ear," Cordelia pointed out, looking at a side profile picture of na.


    "Yes, she does," Tristi confirmed.


    After a while, Cordelia became tired, and Tristi left.


    Ever since giving birth, Cordelia had been physically weak. Doctors came daily to check on her. But


    she was young and was slowly recovering.


    During these days, Ronan had been to thepany three times, each time rushing in and out.


    Everyone at thepany knew that Cordelia had given birth, and Mr. Evans was a father now.


    But each time Mr. Evans came to thepany, he didn''t have a smile on his face.


    Emerson asked about the babies'' condition, and Ronan told him the truth.


    "Have you told Cordelia yet?" Emerson asked, his brows furrowed.


    "No."


    "Why not?"


    "Her health hasn''t fully recovered, I''m afraid it might worsen the situation. And," Ronan flicked the ash


    off his cigarette, "she was very fond of the baby girl."


    "Aren''t you afraid that when you tell herter, she might be angrier? Unable to handle it? A child is a


    mother''s most precious gift, so she might me you."


    "We''ll cross that bridge when wee to it."


    Cordelia had often described to Ronan how she nned to dress up their daughter, braid her hair, put


    her in flower dresses, go shopping together, and meet her boyfriends...


    Ronan wanted to tell her several times but always stopped himself.


    One day, Victoria came to visit Cordelia.


    Victoria didn''t seem as happy as Cordelia had imagined.


    Cordelia had a bad feeling and kept insisting on seeing the baby.


    The baby had been in the incubator for nine days, tomorrow was the day she was supposed to see her.


    "Cordelia, calm down!" Ronan growled.


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    "I am calm, tell me, what''s wrong with the baby?" Cordelia looked at Ronan pitifully.


    Victoria was a doctor, and she didn''t believe in keeping secrets.


    She helped Cordelia sit on the bed.


    "Cordelia, listen to me. You were very stressed before, and it affected the baby girl''s development. She


    was lethargic in the womb, and her brother took all the nutrients, creating a vicious cycle. Plus, he was


    born first, and she...she suffocated in the womb." Victoria carefully chose her words. "She didn''t make


    it."


    Cordelia''s eyes zed over. She touched her belly. "But I... I have a scar from the C-section, don¡¯t I?¡±


    Rather than convincing Victoria, it seemed she was trying to convince herself.


    Victoria nced at Ronan, who was standing by the window.


    ¡°Your health was bad before, Mr. Evans didn¡¯t tell you out of kindness.¡±


    Cordelia didn¡¯t say a word, and tears were streaming down her face.


    Her mind went nk.

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    Chapter 343


    Cordelia had always dreamed of having a baby girl, but the dream didn''te true.


    "Cordelia, don''t cry, darling. It''s not good for your eyes. Look at the bright side; you''ve got a son now.


    Your and Mr. Evans'' son." Victoriaforted Cordelia, patting her shoulder gently.


    "Yeah." Cordelia sat on the bed. Her arms were wrapped tightly around her knees, trying to nod in


    agreement with Victoria''s words.


    But the tears still fell, unstoppable.


    Even though Victoria was a seasoned nurse and was used to life and death, it still hurt to see her old


    school friend, Cordelia, in such agony.


    She had to continue her rounds, thus leaving Ronan to take care of a distraught Cordelia.


    Cordelia bore no resentment towards Ronan; after all, he was the father of the baby. This was a hard


    situation for him, too, and he was more afraid of Cordelia''s despair.


    "Don''t cry, love. We can always try for another baby," Ronan tried to console Cordelia.


    He moved to embrace her, his arms wrapping around her in aforting hold.


    What truly broke Cordelia''s heart was the reason Victoria had given her. The baby boy had taken all the


    nutrients, leaving the girl unable to survive. Cordelia hadn''t even met her son yet, but she was already


    resentful, even though it wasn''t his fault that his sister didn''t survive.


    People always said that siblings should love each other, but this seemed like a case of survival of the


    fittest.


    Even though it wasn''t the little boy''s fault, Cordelia found herself ming him for her daughter''s death.


    Having a little boy was not enough to fill the void left by her daughter''s death. Plus, since Cordelia


    hadn''t met the little boy yet, she didn''t feel emotionally attached to him, which made her reluctant to


    meet him.


    She feared that seeing him would only remind her of her daughter''s death.


    But the day came when baby Callum was finally released from the incubator.


    That day, Janice brought the little boy to Cordelia.


    The once wrinkly and scrawny infant had transformed into a chubby and adorable baby.


    Ronan was smitten with his son.


    Cordelia only spared him a single nce. This child didn¡¯t need her to nurse him, making him feel like


    he wasn¡¯t hers.


    ¡°Cordelia, this is your son. Don¡¯t you like him?¡± Janice asked Cordelia.


    ¡°I like him just fine," Cordelia replied, fearing that speaking her true feelings wouldbel her as


    heartless.


    Unfortunately, Cordelia¡¯s heart wasn''t truly with this child.


    It was hard to grow fond of someone you initially disliked.


    Jamie and Brenda came to visit Cordelia.


    Seeing Jamie, Ronan stood aside, watching coolly.


    Anyone with a smidgen of sensitivity would avoid mentioning the deceased twin. They only praised the


    baby boy''s good looks.


    "He''s a handsome little fellow, isn''t he? Have you named him yet?" Brenda asked Cordelia, trying to


    ease the awkwardness.


    "Callum?" Cordelia nced at Ronan for confirmation.


    "That''s right, Callum," Ronan added.


    "Such a strong name. Mr. Evans'' doing, I presume?" Brenda subtlyplimented Ronan.


    "Yes, it was him. I originally..." Cordelia started, wanting to say she preferred the name "Seraphina," but


    thinking of her deceased child, her heart felt a cold stab. She stopped mid-sentence, not wanting to


    continue.


    After going through so many losses, Cordelia was no longer the fresh-faced girl straight from college.


    Jamie noticed Cordelia''s sudden crestfallen expression and asked, "What''s wrong, Cordelia?"


    "Oh, nothing." Cordelia forced a smile, but the sadness was evident.


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    "You have to get better, Cordelia." Jamie felt her pain and tried to encourage her.


    "Mhm," Cordelia replied.


    Before Jamie and Brenda left, they left a generous gift for Cordelia.


    The people from Lumos Enterprises didn''te. Emerson had wanted to visit the newborn and his


    mother, but Ronan advised, "Don''t join the spectacle."


    The atmosphere was more like a funeral than a birth celebration.


    Surprisingly, Emerson didn''t tease Ronan this time. Instead, he sent a generous gift.


    Other executives followed Emerson''s lead, sending gifts to congratte Ronan.


    The birth of a child in the family of thepany''s top executive was a big deal!

 Chapter 344

    Chapter 344


    Though Lumos Enterprises was off-limits to everyone, Edwin and Brooklyn were exceptions. Brooklyn


    was a good friend of Cordelia, who had just given birth.


    As Cordelia was about to be discharged, Edwin and Brooklyn visited her in the hospital.


    Seeing Cordelia''s nket not properly covering her, Edwin carefully tucked her in, saying, "You just


    had a baby, make sure you stay warm."


    Cordelia chuckled. "Edwin, you''re quite attentive. Brooklyn, you''re lucky."


    "Am I?" Brooklyn''s smile was a bit stiff.


    Edwin was not attentive to Brooklyn,


    he didn''t even know when her birthday was.


    After Edwin and Brooklyn left, another unexpected visitor came.


    It took Cordelia a while to recognize her. It was her former colleague, Marian, who had once deeply


    hurt her.


    When Cordelia was working at First Enterprises, she only saw Marian once during thepany''s


    annual g. She mainly heard her talking in the restroom, which left a bad taste in Cordelia''s mouth.


    Back then, everyone used to dress up. Compared to the make-up-free beauty before her now, it was


    like night and day.


    "Cordelia, don''t you recognize me?" Marian looked at Cordelia somewhat familiarly.


    "Marian?"


    Cordelia couldn''t believe that Marian hade to see her.


    Marian nced at Ronan, who was sitting on a nearby couch.


    Marian''s visit was as clear as a mirror to Ronan.


    "Cordelia, long time no see. You''ve given birth, your baby is so adorable." Marian''s tone was much less


    arrogant than before.


    Cordelia just gave a bitter smile.


    "I brought you a gift set to celebrate being a new mom. There''s a lot of stuff in it. Clothes for the


    newborn, skincare for you, back supports, and all sorts of things you can think of and can''t think of,"


    Marian said.


    Cordelia looked at Marian suspiciously. She felt that she had to be careful about epting anything


    from Marian.


    Seeing Cordelia''s expression, Marian looked a bit wronged.


    "I''ll just tell you straight, I had my dad change thepany name to Tang, and we haven''t had a single


    order since..." She nced at the nonchnt Ronan again.


    Cordelia also gave him a few nces.


    "Yes. I was just out of grad school and didn''t know how the world worked. I was stubborn and did a lot


    of things that I shouldn''t have. But that''s in the past now. Cordelia, can you forgive me?" Marian


    grabbed Cordelia''s hand.


    Cordelia nced at Ronan.


    Ronan was absentmindedly flipping through a magazine.


    Why Marian came to see Cordelia, only Cordelia knew. It must have been because Ronan had blocked


    all of her projects, giving her a hard hit. Now, she was smarter and came to see Cordelia, which was


    actually her way of pleading with Ronan.


    "Okay," Cordelia said.


    "Shall we high-five?" Marian suggested like a child. "And I''m not like Samantha, I won''t scheme against


    you. You can use this newborn gift set with ease. Now that I''ve taken this step and I''ve let go of the


    past, let''s not hold grudges against each other, okay?"


    Cordelia analyzed Marian''s sincere expression. "Okay. Let''s high-five."


    After high-fiving three times, Cordelia said, "But it won''t be much useing to me, Jamie is one of the


    top ountants at Millstone, you should connect with him more. It''s always cooler under a big tree."


    "It''s easier said than done. We haven''t talked in a long time because of you." Marian added, "I was so


    reckless back then, I didn''t know any better. Can you y mediator and help mend things?"


    "My words don''t carry much weight, I''m afraid I won''t be able to persuade him. But I''ll give it a try."


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Cordelia said this for Ronan to hear, so she nced at him.


    She was afraid Ronan wouldn''t let her contact Jamie.


    "Deal. Now, you rest and take care of yourself during this postpartum period, I''ll leave now." After


    saying this, Marian left.


    In the room, only Cordelia was left with Ronan, and their baby in the crib.


    "You understand what I mean, right?" Cordelia asked Ronan.


    After Cordelia asked, Ronan replied, "Hmm, what do you mean?"


    "Are you ying dumb on purpose?" Cordelia was exasperated.


    Ronan lowered his head. "God arranges people''s fate, not you."


    He left Cordelia speechless.


    Cordelia noticed how attractive Marian was. She also seemed like a passionate person. Cordelia


    thought about setting her up with Jamie so that Ronan would stop misunderstanding her rtionship


    with Jamie. If Jamie had a lover, he wouldn''t think of Cordelia anymore.


    But after what Ronan said, Cordelia suddenly felt like an old-fashioned matchmaker, especially the


    shameless kind.


    She pulled the nket over her head, no longer wanting to deal with Ronan.

 Chapter 345

    Chapter 345


    Wary of Ronan''s jealousy and given Cordelia''sid-back nature, she refrained from sending a direct


    message to Jamie on Facebook. She feared that Jamie would bombard her with questions and that


    Ronan would get suspicious and jealous. That wouldn''t be fun at all.


    Besides, after losing a child, Cordelia was in physical pain and didn''t have much energy to care for


    others.


    Since Cordelia already told Marian what to do, she figured Marian would not be passive. The girl was


    ambitious enough to patch things up with Cordelia for her career, so she would surely take the initiative


    to find Jamie.


    Moreover, when Cordelia suggested this to Marian, Ronan said nothing. As clever as Marian was, she


    knew that coborating with Jamie was the only way forward. Ronan wouldn''t interfere in the future.


    Marian had suffered before under Ronan¡¯s strict management, with no orders at all. She was scared.


    For safety, the huge gift package Marian sent to Cordelia was ultimately unused. After Janice checked


    it, Cordelia tossed it into the storage at Pearl Palms, and nned to sell it when the garbage collectors


    came.


    Cordelia was cautious of another incident urring, like the spontaneousbustion of white


    phosphorus. Now that she had a child, she needed to be careful.


    Moving back to Pearl Palms was Ronan''s decision. Cordelia''s pregnancy was unexpected, and now


    they were moving to a different home. She left behind many of her belongings, especially her diary.


    "Can you bring my stuff from Garden Estates?" Cordelia asked Ronan.


    "We can buy new stuff," Ronan replied.


    Cordelia didn''t argue.


    "Will you go back to Garden Estates?" Cordelia asked.


    "No."


    "Are you not renting out the house?"


    "Do I look like I need money?"


    With the assurance that no one else would be living in the house, Cordelia felt more settled.


    She started writing in a new diary.


    Ronan knew why she was asking these questions¡ªshe was afraid someone would read her diary.


    So, one day, when he went out of Pearl Palms iming to go to work, he actually went to Garden


    Estates. He picked the lock on Cordelia''s desk and opened her diary.


    He got to know all of Cordelia''s thoughts, including the time she spent in America. She was busy with


    her studies and had little time for Jamie, let alone for any romantic involvement.


    Their son was indeed conceived the night before an exam, it all lined up.


    As for the solid five-pointed stars drawn in the diary, Ronan also knew what they meant. Any day she


    and Jamie were intimate, she would fill in a star. Looking back, they were frequently intimate.


    Ronan hired two additional housekeepers, one to care for the baby, a nanny named Paloma, and


    another to help Janice with the cooking. The big t was too big of a space for just a few people.


    Every day, the nanny, Paloma, would take Callum for a walk around the block, while Cordelia rested in


    an upstairs bedroom, recuperating. She would look after the baby, but very infrequently.


    She felt weak andcked energy. Since she returned home, she only held the baby twice.


    About a month after returning home, she picked up her books and started studying again, not only


    finance but also English.


    Her books were on her nightstand, and Ronan saw them.


    He didn''t say anything.


    He was just waiting for the day she would suggest going back to America.


    Cordelia gave birth to his son, which made Ronan happy. They had lost a daughter, but he didn''t feel


    as strongly as Cordelia did. Cordelia had bonded with their daughter for nine months and was very fond


    of her. Ronan had never met the child and couldn''tprehend such feelings.


    All his unhappiness stemmed from Cordelia''s unhappiness, but it wasn''t as intense.


    One night, after Ronan had gone to bed, their son started crying downstairs.


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Cordelia tossed and turned several times before finally nudging Ronan. "Your son is crying. Go check


    on him."


    "My son? Isn''t he yours, too?" Ronan frowned at her.


    Deep down, he didn''t want her to go downstairs. Her body hadn''t fully recovered yet.


    What bothered him was that she didn''t act like a mother. She didn''t seem to care about the baby. It felt


    like she was thinking, "I gave birth to this child, but I will leave sooner orter."


    Ronan''s words made Cordelia feel a bit guilty.


    "Of course, he''s mine, but I¡­"


    "Is it necessary for me to go to the nanny''s room?" Ronan continued to argue.


    "Fine, I''ll go," Cordelia said, getting out of bed.

 Chapter 346

    Chapter 346


    Ronan couldn''t help but feel a pang of sympathy at the sight of Cordelia''s shaky, feeble legs, but he


    knew she had to take the first steps into motherhood. If not, she would drift further and further away


    from her baby. Without the child as a tether, she could leave the country at any time.


    Cordelia entered Paloma''s room. Paloma was a highly trained maternity nurse with top-notch


    professionalism; she was the kind who didn''t cut corners.


    Callum was sharing a bed with Paloma.


    "Is the baby crying?" Cordelia asked.


    "Yes, ma''am. He just woke up and started crying," Paloma replied.


    Cordelia sat by the bed, pped her hands, and said to Callum, "Come, Mommy will hold you."


    Unexpectedly, little Callum cried harder, reaching out for Paloma''s embrace instead.


    A smile froze on Cordelia''s face, and her hands were still hanging in mid-air.


    Could this be the intuitive bond between mother and child? She had initially disliked this baby, and the


    baby seemed to know it.


    She was now trying to change her mindset. After all, this child was her flesh and blood. She couldn''t


    vent her anger on him because of another child she had never met. During the holiday season, her


    mood had been terrible, and the child''s development was not good,rgely due to her.


    These days, she was trying to move out of her depressive state,


    yet Callum kept pushing her away.


    The seeds she had sown had now borne fruit.


    Seeing Cordelia sitting there in a daze, Paloma tried tofort her, "Ma''am, don''t overthink it. The


    baby will always be closer to his mother. He''s just woken up and is looking for the closest embrace. He


    can''t recognize people yet."


    Cordelia only hummed in response, feeling lost.


    She stayed in Paloma''s room for a while longer, waiting until the baby fell asleep before leaving.


    When Cordelia got to the living room, the doorbell rang.


    Who could be visiting at this hour? She wondered.


    Picking up the inte, she saw a figure on the other end, along with a familiar voice. "Cordelia, it''s


    Mom."


    Cordelia''s body started to shudder, and her hands were trembling.


    It was Amanda at the door.


    Cordelia had thought that the dark cloud of her mother''s death had long passed, and the scars in her


    heart were healing until Amanda appeared. Cordelia''s most instinctive reaction betrayed her inner


    feelings.


    Deep down, she had always been resentful that her mother''s murderer had never been caught. The


    grudge was buried deep in her heart, never dissipating.


    Cordelia remotely opened the gate and the front door.


    Soon, Amanda and Olen appeared before Cordelia.


    Cordelia''s legs were shaking uncontrobly.


    "Mom..." Cordelia called out to Amanda, but the word "Dad" seemed stuck in her throat, refusing to


    Olen kept his head down, not daring to meet Cordelia''s gaze.


    Cordelia clenched her teeth tightly.


    Ronan had never mentioned the circumstances of her mother''s death, but she had already guessed


    the gist of it. Olen had mistaken Cordelia¡¯s mother for Sha and had pushed her downstairs. It was


    unlikely that Ronan was the culprit, as he held no grudge against Cordelia¡¯s mother. Besides,


    Cordelia¡¯s father had donated his corneas to Ronan, and Ronan had tried to repay Cordelia¡¯s mother,


    who had eventually refused his offer. Therefore, the most probable suspect was her father-inw, Olen.


    Seeing Olen''s guilty demeanor, Cordelia was even more certain of her suspicions.


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    "Mom, what brings you here?" Cordelia managed to ask, despite her trembling body.


    "You had a baby and didn''t tell us?" Amanda lovingly brushed Cordelia''s hair behind her ear.


    "Did... did Ronan tell you?" Cordelia''s palm tightened into a fist.


    "Oh, no." Amanda shook her head. "It wasn''t him. We heard it from Emerson''s parents. They''re abroad


    and mentioned it casually. He even asked us why we didn''te back to visit. We''re..."


    Amanda''s voice broke, and she began to cry softly. "We''re grandparents now. Cordelia, this is a


    maternity gift from us. The password is six zeros. We didn''t save much while we were abroad. Besides,


    as a mother-inw, I should be taking care of you now that you have a baby."


    Amanda took Cordelia''s hand into hers.

 Chapter 347

    Chapter 347


    Amanda was considerate and honest, the kind that anyone would be thankful to have as a mother-in-


    Cordelia wished she could feel grateful, but every time she looked at Olen, she was reminded of her


    own mother. If Shelly were still alive, Cordelia wouldn''t feel so alone, and things wouldn''t have gotten to


    this point.


    "What are you two doing here?" A stern voice echoed from upstairs, it was Ronan.


    Cordelia turned back to see Ronan''s lips tightly shut.


    He was furious.


    "Ronan, your father and I found out you had a child. We just had toe and see," Amanda pleaded,


    looking at Ronan with pitiful eyes. "Where is the baby?"


    "The baby is asleep. You two should rest in your rooms." Ronan then turned towards Cordelia. "You


    should go upstairs."


    Cordelia didn''t utter a word.


    Once upstairs, she could hear the faint whispersing from downstairs.


    When Ronan finally joined her in bed, Cordelia snuggled into his arms, seeking thefort she so


    desperately needed. However, she couldn''t ignore the fact that Olen was the culprit behind Shelly''s


    ordeal, and Ronan had covered it up for him.


    The thought made her ufortable. Just as she was about to pull away from Ronan, he tightened his


    grip on her.


    "I didn''t invite them!" Ronan growled at Cordelia.


    "I know! What did I say?" Cordelia shot back, looking straight into his eyes.


    Ronan had an assertive gaze, as if there was nothing in the world he couldn''t handle. And indeed, he


    was capable of handling a lot of things, but he couldn''t resolve the conflict in Cordelia''s heart.


    That night, Cordelia wanted to distance herself from Ronan, but he held on to her, not letting go.


    She wanted to ask Olen and Amanda when they were nning to leave since their presence made her


    ufortable. However, Amanda was a good mother-inw who had done nothing wrong. They had


    just arrived, and inquiring about their departure would be too harsh on Ronan.


    So, Cordelia kept her thoughts to herself.


    The next morning, before she could even fully wake up, Amanda was at the door.


    "Cordelia, I made you some soup. Try it," Amanda said, catering to Cordelia''s every need.


    "Thank you, Mom," Cordelia responded, picking up the bowl to take a sip.


    Ever since Olen''s arrival, Cordelia had spent her days upstairs, away from her child.


    Amanda''s constant attention made her anxious, it was suffocating. She felt guilty for treating Olen the


    way she did.


    A week passed, and there was no sign of Olen and Amanda leaving. They seemed to have settled in


    for a long stay.


    One day, Amanda tripped on the stairs while bringing Cordelia soup, scalding her wrist, and breaking


    open a wound on her forehead. However, she kept reassuring Cordelia that it was alright, and that it


    was just a minor ident.


    Cordelia knew Amanda was trying to make amends. The greater the sin Olen hadmitted, the more


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    she tried topensate. It was as if she had willingly epted the burden of a scapegoat.


    Cordelia''s uneasiness grew, so did her torment.


    It wasn''t Amanda who was at fault, it was Olen.


    Even though Cordelia felt emotionally ckmailed by Amanda, she didn''t resist, did she?


    Moreover, the couple was careful to follow the rules of the house, and never touched the baby without


    Cordelia''s permission. Even if Cordelia felt ufortable, she couldn''t find any reason to vent her


    frustrations.


    They were Ronan''s parents, and Ronan couldn''t find any valid reason to be angry at them.


    Feeling trapped and frustrated, Cordelia wished for someone to visit.


    Thankfully, Brenda came one day, bringing with her Cordelia''s favorite food and games. She even


    invited her for a day out shopping.


    Cordelia was more than happy to ept.

 Chapter 348

    Chapter 348


    At Lumos za.


    "I feel like thest time I went shopping was a century ago," Cordelia mentioned to Brenda.


    Brenda, linking arms with Cordelia, retorted, "Well, you can''t say that, this mall is owned by your


    husband. It''s you who doesn''t shop. If you wanted to, you could shop. Who would stop you?"


    Cordelia squinted her eyes, feeling overwhelmed by the recent happenings that others might not have


    understood. Brenda was single, so she couldn''t empathize with Cordelia. So, Cordelia didn''t delve into


    details about her mother-inw''s issues, but was rather focused on which clothes were attractive.


    Brenda, while examining a piece of clothing,ined about Marian, "She has no shame. Herw


    firm is bankrupt, and now she wants to partner with us. She even approached Jamie yesterday, and


    Jamie, like a fence-sitter, didn''t utter a word, neither epting nor refusing. This made Marian even


    bolder, iming, ''If Jamie doesn¡¯t respond, it means he agrees. So, I will start working from tomorrow.''


    How shameless!"


    Cordelia felt a bit guilty, wondering if Brenda''s rant was directed at her, after all, she was the one who


    had introduced Brenda to this path.


    "Where is Jamie? Did he really not nod or shake his head?" Cordelia asked casually.


    "Since Jamie returned to PrimeNumbers ounting as a major shareholder, he hasn''t said a word


    about Marian. But yesterday afternoon, he had a new office cleaned up for her. Isn''t that a clear


    approval? Marian is like a pesky stray dog, stubborn and relentless, and even worse than Manda. At


    least Marian is a rich second generation and not as lowly as Manda," Brenda grumbled. "Her ambition


    exceeds Manda''s."


    "As long as Jamie agrees, just turn a blind eye. Isn''t it good that she is ambitious?" Cordelia tried to


    pacify Brenda, considering she was the one who had stirred things up.


    "So, you''re saying I have no other choice?" Brenda asked helplessly. "Back when I was at


    PrimeNumbers ounting, I had peace. Then came Manda, and now Marian. These women seem


    determined to be the death of me."


    Cordelia knew that both women had only crossed paths with Brenda because of her, and it was she


    who had disrupted Brenda''s peace.


    "This dress is pretty. Would it look good on me?" Brenda held up a summer dress. It was said that


    women tend to spend money when they were upset.


    "I''ll buy this dress for you," Cordelia offered before Brenda could respond, and she went off to swipe


    her card.


    "I feel like I came today just to fleece you. I''m so sorry."


    Cordeliaughed. "You can only fleece me if I have wool to spare."


    In truth, Cordelia felt guilty towards Brenda, hence the gesture.


    At home, Cordelia shared the day''s events with Ronan. Ronan remained nomittal, probably


    because he felt Jamie''s PrimeNumbers ounting had little to do with him.


    "From now on, you''re not allowed to poach anyone else''s deals!" Cordelia yfully scolded him.


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    "Do you think I enjoy poaching? I''m poaching deals because my wife is involved? The Audit


    Department and Finance Department are alwaysining about the workload, do you think I enjoy


    this?" Ronan retorted while unbuttoning his shirt.


    However, Brenda''s visit did lift Cordelia''s spirits.


    Perhaps she needed to get out more often.


    Ever since Olen and Amanda arrived, Cordelia had been on edge.


    Ronan was considering sending them back to Canada, but seeing Amanda''s daily devotion to him, he


    couldn''t bear to send them away. After all, they were his parents.

 Chapter 349

    Chapter 349


    After Brenda left, Cordelia spent a few days moping around the house, feeling suffocated by Amanda''s


    round-the-clock attention.


    Suddenly, Janice requested a leave of absence. ¡°Janice, why are you asking for time off all of a


    sudden? I''ve just had a baby, and I need all the help I can get," Cordelia asked.


    Over the years, Janice had been working for the Evans family, and through their daily interactions at


    Garden Estates, she and Cordelia had grown close. Naturally, Cordelia was reluctant to see her go.


    Janice''s presence meant there was someone to talk to at home. With Janice leaving, Cordelia


    suddenly felt insecure.


    ¡°Cordelia, my son has his exams this week. I want to go and be there for him, is that okay?¡±


    Cordelia suddenly understood and said, "Well, if that''s the reason, sure."


    ¡°So, I''ll head back home tomorrow, spend a couple of days with my son after his exams, and return


    here in about five days. Is that okay?" Janice asked.


    ¡°Sure.¡± Cordelia thought. It was a mother-son bonding moment, and besides, the exams were


    important. She couldn''t stand in the way.


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    Janice left with a thoughtful expression. The truth was that Janice had a reason for leaving. Amanda


    was constantly in the kitchen, tirelessly preparing all sorts of delicious meals for Cordelia. Sometimes,


    Amanda would even criticize Janice''s meals for being too spicy, disrupting the meal ns that Janice


    had carefullyid out. But Amanda was Mr. Evans'' mother, so Janice couldn''t really argue with her.


    Janice was aware of the incidents involving Shelley and knew that Cordelia harbored resentment


    towards Olen. Amanda, on the other hand, seemed to be trying to atone for Olen''s sins by taking care


    of Cordelia, and her efforts had be a bit overbearing. Cordelia was feeling oppressed.


    Janice knew all this, but also understood that every family had its own troubles. So, she didn''t tell


    Cordelia the real reason for her departure, stating only that she wanted to be there for her son''s exams.


    In truth, her eldest son didn''t really need her there for his exams. Since Amanda was so eager to make


    her presence felt, Janice decided to step aside and let her have the stage.


    After Janice left, Cordelia felt even more suffocated at home.


    Just then, Ronan announced that they were going to a reunion in Birchwood.


    ¡°I''ming too?" Cordelia was surprised.


    ¡°Yes. You''re the mother of my child. It''s only right that youe.¡±


    ¡°But I''m just a housewife now. I don''t really take care of my appearance. I look shabby.¡± Cordelia


    tugged at her clothes.


    ¡°That¡¯s just your opinion.¡± Ronan surveyed her from head to toe. Even though she had given birth, her


    features had be even more attractive, and her body had not changed much. Seeing her like this


    made his desire to possess her grow stronger.


    Cordelia thought, ¡°A trip to Birchwood might be good. It''s too boring at home. Maybe Ronan knew she


    was bored and organized the reunion on purpose.


    ¡°Can you get up early tomorrow?" Ronan asked Cordelia.


    ¡°That depends on you, doesn''t it?" Cordelia muttered.


    These days, Ronan had been keeping her upte every night.


    ¡°I¡¯m not fucking you tonight, so you can sleep early."


    Cordelia nodded.


    The couple set off at ten o''clock the next morning. As they traveled the familiar road to Birchwood,


    Cordelia couldn''t help but remember the days when she and Ronan had agreed to get married, and


    they had returned to Birchwood together. Time flew.


    Cordelia turned to Ronan and asked, ¡°Are we staying at Barney''s house tonight?¡±


    ¡°We''re staying at a hotel. The reunion is at a hotel, so we''ll stay there tonight.¡±


    ¡°Hmm. When were these people your ssmates?" Cordelia asked.


    ¡°In high school."


    ¡°Which high school did you go to?" Cordelia was determined to find out.


    ¡°A private high school. One that prepares students to study abroad."


    Cordelia slowly nodded, then asked, ¡°Who organized the reunion?¡±


    ¡°Are you done yet? Why do you have so many questions?" Ronan looked at her.


    Cordelia stopped asking questions and looked out the window. The road was lined with green trees,


    their leaves a vibrant green. There were few people around, and the scenery was beautiful. Cordelia


    wished she could turn back time two years to when Barney was still alive.

 Chapter 350

    Chapter 350


    Upon reaching the Mariposa Hotel, it was noon. Ronan ushered Cordelia into the private room 401.


    The room was already bustling when they arrived. Seeing Ronan, the crowd pulled him into their midst.


    "Look who finally decided to show up, our old ss president, the organizer of this reunion."


    Cordelia was surprised. She had never known Ronan to have been a ss president or that he was the


    one behind the organization of this reunion. It was evident that he was trying to distract her from her


    worries. She nced at Ronan with aplex mix of admiration, gratitude, and affection. She felt


    guilty for not being able to reciprocate his efforts, given that she came from an ordinary family. How did


    she, an ordinary woman, end up with a husband as good as Ronan?


    Ronan was pushed to the center of the group, drawing many eyes to both him and Cordelia,


    particrly from the women in the room. Cordelia felt ufortable under the scrutiny. She couldn''t


    shake off the feeling that some of those stares were rather unkind.


    "Ronan, you''ve got a son now, yet you didn''t bring him along to the reunion?" Someone teased.


    "What''s there to see in a child? Besides, this reunion isn''t about him. He''s too young to understand any


    of this," Ronan defended.


    After a moment''s thought, the crowd turned their attention to Cordelia. She was taken aback when a


    piping hot meatball was served to her, burning her mouth. She turned her gaze to Ronan, who¡¯s putting


    a meatball on her te.


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    "Ah, you must be trying to distract Mrs. Evans. Many women get postpartum depression, but with Mr.


    Evans treating you so well, I bet you won''t," a voice nearbymented.


    Indeed, no one saw past the surface. No one cared about her internal struggles.


    "Must have saved the gxy in a past life to have married Mr. Evans. I should ask God to let me save


    the gxy in my next life, too," a woman said, her toneced with envy.


    Cordelia forced augh. "Indeed, I saved the gxy in a past life. Otherwise, I wouldn''t be married to


    such a wonderful man."


    After eating, some people chatted on the couches, some sang songs, and Ronan was standing with a


    group of men with a drink in his hand. Cordelia knew no one, and feigned sleep on a couch to hide her


    difort.


    "Look at her, isn''t she just a pretty face with no substance?" A soft female voice reached Cordelia''s


    ears.


    Cordelia wanted to see who it was but kept her eyes firmly shut. "Any woman who marries into a


    wealthy family must have some tricks up her sleeve. I heard she''s just an ordinary girl with a bachelor''s


    degree."


    Cordelia thought, ¡°Do these people not fear being overheard when gossiping? Or did they want her to


    hear, to belittle her?


    "I heard she and Ronan are divorced. The child was probably a strategy to avoid the split. A kid binds a


    couple tighter, after all. She''s cunning, trying to climb the socialdder with a child."


    "Of course, she is cunning. How else could she have snatched our ss president? The school¡¯s


    beauty queen, Petra couldn''t even win over Ronan. Did you know she got a PhD? Our ss president


    seems to prefer bimbos."


    "Why isn''t Petra here today?"


    "Why should she? Ronan is married. She wouldn''te to humiliate herself, would she?"


    Cordelia heard a few soft snickers. "Or maybe Ronan had an ulterior motive for marrying her?"


    The voices faded away into the distance.


    Cordelia had received the message they intended to convey. She thought, ¡°Of course, Ronan had a


    motive when he married me initially. It was for his grandfather. But feelings developed over time.¡±


    Cordelia hadn''t expected her "bachelor''s degree" to have made her the talk of the town. More


    specifically, her degree and her rge breasts¡± would be considered faults.

 Chapter 351

    Chapter 351


    Cordelia didn¡¯t stir, and eventually drifted off to sleep until Ronan gently nudged her.


    "Still sleeping? I''ve booked us a room. If you''re tired, go ahead and rest. I''ll have dinner sent up to you,"


    Ronan said, holding Cordelia''s hand.


    "A room?"


    "That''s right, a room."


    "You see, the innocentmb here doesn¡¯t even know what ''booking a room'' means," one of Ronan¡¯s


    male ssmates teased from the sidelines.


    Without so much as a nce in his direction, Ronan told Cordelia, "They don''t understand the concept


    of booking a room. Let''s show them."


    "I''ll go wait for you in the room then," Cordelia released Ronan''s hand and rose from the couch.


    "Hey, Ronan, what''s your wife waiting for you in the room for? Didn''t she just have a baby not too long


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    ago? Isn''t that exciting?" The remark echoed behind Cordelia.


    "Quite exciting indeed. You should give it a try," Ronan retorted.


    Cordelia thought to herself, ¡°When high school boys get together, they always tell dirty jokes, and the


    girls are here to relive their youth.¡±


    Back in the room, Cordelia sank into the soft bed and was enveloped by the warmforter. It felt so


    good. She didn''t know how long she had slept but was awakened by a shortness of breath and a


    sudden kiss.


    "Did you sleep well?" He asked Cordelia.


    "What time is it?"


    "A little past eight. Want to take a stroll around Birchwood College?" Ronan suggested.


    "Sounds good." Barney used to teach at Birchwood College. She had once discussed the differences


    between Millstone College and Birchwood College with him, and naturally, she was curious about the


    ce where Barney had worked.


    Birchwood College was not far from the hotel. They arrived at around half-past eight. Ronan pointed


    out each building to Cordelia, exining which ones were the ssrooms,b buildings, dining halls,


    and where the sports field was located.


    "Birchwood College campus isrger than Millstone''s, and the scenery is beautiful," Cordelia recalled


    Janice mentioning that her son was nning to attend the university. She thought to herself, he


    certainly has good taste.


    "It is beautiful," Ronan agreed while they strolled through the campus, a gentle breeze making Cordelia


    feel at ease.


    "Why didn''t you consider Birchwood College when you were applying for colleges?" Cordelia asked


    Ronan suddenly.


    "Me?" Ronan looked around the campus. "I respect Birchwood College. But I didn''t think it was the right


    fit for me."


    "Oh," Cordelia responded, thinking to herself, ¡°If he didn''t think highly of Birchwood, he probably didn''t


    think highly of Millstone College either.¡±


    "Those are quite the high standards you have," Cordeliamented. "Shall we head back?" Cordelia


    hooked her pinky finger around Ronan''s.


    As they walked towards the campus exit, they passed the student amodation. Cordelia heard the


    sound ofughter and chattering from the buildings, reminding her of her own dorm days when


    Logan would wait for her downstairs, delivering breakfast in the morning andte-night snacks in the


    evening.


    "Who are you thinking about now?" Ronan teased.


    Cordelia thought to herself, ¡°Is he a mind reader? He always seems to know what I''m thinking.¡±


    "Why do you alwayspare yourself to someone who''s passed away?" Cordelia retorted.


    Reflecting on Ronan''s kindness towards her, she wished her past could be wiped clean. Unfortunately,


    apart from her ordinary background and education, she couldn''t even im to have a clean te in her


    past.


    "A dead man is the reason Ipare," Ronan huffed.


    As they walked by a disy window illuminated by a streetlight, Cordelia spotted a few words.


    [Outstanding Young Teachers of our University.] Among the listed names was "Petra," which caught


    Cordelia''s attention. The apanying picture showed a beautiful woman with long, gentle hair.


    "You sure have a lot of romanticmitments," Cordelia thought about thedies mentioning "Petra"


    earlier in the day, wondering if it was the same person.

 Chapter 352

    Chapter 352


    "What''s up?" Ronan picked up on Cordelia''s worry.


    Cordelia pointed towards the shop window. The name ''Petra'' caught Ronan''s eye.


    "She''s teaching at Birchwood College?" Ronan mumbled to himself, taken aback. That was his former


    admirer.


    A surge of jealousy swept over Cordelia. She grabbed Ronan''s hand. "Let''s go. We''re nevering


    back to Birchwood College."


    Back at the hotel, Ronan teased Cordelia in bed, who kept a stiff expression, much to his amusement.


    "Your ttery needs work, but your jealousy is top-notch." Ronan joked, making Cordelia frown.


    "Exactly, I''m bad at sweet talk and good at being jealous." Cordelia retorted.


    Ronan slipped his hand behind her head, pulling her up from the bed. "Show me, then!"


    "Get lost!" Cordelia, a bit flustered, ran out of words before she could say what she wanted.


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    .....


    The following day, they checked out of the hotel at eleven. Cordelia maintained a stiff expression all the


    way, but it was more yful than angry. Her head slightly tilted upwards.


    Ronan drove, grinning all the way.


    Back at Pearl Palms, they found Janice packing. Cordelia saw a familiar face, and her spirits lifted.


    "You''re back, Janice? How did your son''s exams go?" Cordelia chatted with Janice in her room.


    "He did well and started working right after his exams," Janice spoke cheerfully while folding clothes.


    "Now that he''s in college, I''m hoping for a daughter-inw soon. Waiting till graduation is toote."


    Cordelia burst intoughter. "Why the rush? Leave it to fate."


    "You don''t understand, but my son is handsome, with his beautiful brown eyes. In high school, he


    would receive love letters every day. After his final exams, we had a pile at home." Janice''s tone was


    more worried than proud. "Having a boy like him, how could I not worry?"


    "Janice, I think it''s more of bragging than worrying. I wish my son would be like that," Cordelia replied


    before heading upstairs.


    She felt better after the small outing. Seeing Olen still stirred some difort within her, but it was


    much better than the post-pregnancy phase.


    The summer days were long. One evening at seven, after dinner, Janice was clearing some junk in the


    yard, ready to sell it.


    The doorbell rang. It was Jamie and Marian. Cordelia was surprised to see them while Ronan sat


    nonchntly on the couch. He had always disliked Jamie, and now that Cordelia had given birth, his


    disdain had only deepened.


    Marian''s visit, under the guise of thanking Cordelia, was mainly to express her gratitude to Ronan.


    "Cordelia, thanks to your advice, I went to Jamie''s office. I just wanted to thank you for showing me the


    way. I have some work now. You have no idea how anxious I was without any projects. I was losing my


    hair," Marian said.


    "That''s good." Cordelia nced at Jamie, who had his head bowed down, making her feel awkward.


    Cordelia felt like a matchmaker. She brought together two people she considered perfect for each


    other, just to solve her own problem.

 Chapter 353

    Chapter 353


    Marian was a sharp-witted heiress, shrewd and resilient. She knew what she wanted and the path she


    had to tread.


    She understood the reason why Cordelia sent her to Jamie¡¯s firm, PrimeNumbers ounting. Cordelia


    probably realized that after having a child, she had no future with Jamie. She must have feared that


    Ronan would suspect something amiss between her and Jamie, hence her introducing Marian to the


    firm. Over time, Cordelia believed that Jamie would fall for Marian, and her troubles would naturally


    dissolve. Moreover, Marian working at Jamie¡¯s firm would also suit Ronan¡¯s agenda.


    So here Marian was, bringing Jamie to meet Cordelia. To be precise, she came to make her stance


    clear to Ronan.


    Jamie, on the other hand, was here out of spite. Cordelia wanted to introduce him to her new girlfriend?


    Fine, he''d y along. He was here, and he was curious as to what she could have possibly done next.


    "How''s PrimeNumbers ounting?" Cordelia asked Marian, her question also directed at Jamie.


    "It''s great. PrimeNumbers ounting is the best firm, after all. Our coboration will surely thrive,"


    replied Marian, shooting a nce at Jamie. She came off as a dutiful wife.


    "Sounds good," Cordelia responded.


    "Cordelia, I want to thank you. I got this pearl ne, especially for you. I''m sorry for the past. Now


    you''ve had a child, you look even more charming." Marian pulled out an exquisite pearl ne and


    draped it around Cordelia''s neck. Cordelia''s radiance was undeniable. Her already smooth skin further


    entuated the luster of the pearls.


    "Cordelia, it looks lovely on you. Don''t take it off," Marian suggested.


    "Alright," agreed Cordelia.


    "I''ll take my leave now," Marian announced to Ronan.


    "Sure."


    After Marian and Jamie left, Cordelia removed the ne. She always had to be wary. What if


    another phosphorusbustion incident urred? What would she do? Marian was too shrewd to be


    trusted.


    "Why did you take it off? It looked good on you," Ronan asked with a teasing nce.


    "I''m always wary of her. I can''t trust her," Cordelia replied, cing the ne back into its box.


    "Did you wise up?" Ronan asked, his questionced with hidden meaning.


    Cordelia caught on to his insinuation. "Of course, I''ve grown wiser."


    "Let''s see about that." Ronan moved from the couch and sat beside Cordelia.


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Cordelia was seated on a single-seater, and with Ronan''s arrival, it was a tight squeeze. Reluctantly,


    she shifted and ended up half-leaning on Ronan. Ronan gently stroked Cordelia''s hair, his other hand


    creeping under her clothes.


    "Not very fair, is it?" He teased, his gaze mocking.


    "Get lost," Cordelia growled.


    "How do you n on dealing with the ne?" Ronan asked, smirking.


    "That''s a secret. I don''t feel safe keeping it at home," Cordelia replied.


    She had an idea. She nned on sending the ne to Samantha.


    Last Christmas, she received a bouquet of roses with a teddy bear and suspected it was Samantha''s


    doing, in an attempt to stir up trouble between her and Ronan. Samantha kidnapped Cordelia and


    forced her to sign the divorce papers. She stood by as her grandmother died. She caused Cordelia''s


    premature delivery, indirectly leading to the stillbirth of Edith. If Cordelia hadn''t delivered prematurely,


    Edith might¡¯ve still been alive.


    And these were just the major offenses; there were countless minor ones.


    If Marian had tampered with the ne, it would have harmed Samantha. If not, Cordelia wouldn''t


    have lost much by giving it to her.


    Cordelia hadn''t told Ronan about Samantha causing the stillbirth of her baby. Initially, her health didn''t


    permit it, butter, after giving it some thought, she refrained from telling him to avoid dealing with


    Samantha the way he dealt with Manda.


    Cordelia didn''t want that. Firstly, Samantha was her rtive, and they had quite a close rtionship.


    She wanted to preserve whatever dignity Samantha had left. Secondly, Cordelia wanted to deal with


    Samantha herself.

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    Chapter 354


    Marian emerged from the living room of the Ronan'' household, heading towards the yard. Just then,


    Janice appeared from the storeroom, struggling with a heavy cardboard box.


    Marian froze at the sight. She recognized it. It was the package she had bought for Cordelia.


    Janice seemed to have difficulty carrying it, indicating that there was still something inside. Moreover,


    the box was still sealed, suggesting that its contents had not been used.


    Marian gritted her teeth in frustration. She had gone through so much trouble to pick out the perfect gift


    for Cordelia, only for her kindness to be thrown back in her face. She had assured Cordelia that she


    had no ulterior motives, unlike Samantha, but Cordelia had refused to believe her.


    "Mr. Colby, wait a moment. I''ve forgotten my lipstick," Marian said. With that, she returned to the living


    room.


    The housekeeper opened the door for Marian. Upon entering, she immediately spotted Cordelia and


    Ronan entwined on the couch, lost in a moment of intimacy.


    Ronan had one arm wrapped around Cordelia''s waist, a knowing smile ying on his lips as he


    whispered something to her. Cordelia was disgustingly ying the role of the doting girlfriend. The


    ne that had once adorned Cordelia''s neck was nowhere to be seen.


    "Oh, Mr. and Mrs. Evans," Marian began. "I can''t find my lipstick. I think I might have left it on the


    couch." She then started searching in the crevices of the couch. All the while, Ronan watched her


    intently.


    Unable to find it, she said, "I''m sorry for the interruption, Mr. and Mrs. Evans. I should have been more


    careful. Goodbye."


    With that, she exited the residence, seething with anger. She had only been trying to win the favor of


    Ronan and Cordelia. What was so wrong about that? Why did Cordelia have to be so disrespectful?


    "Is our little angel awake?" Olen''s voice echoed from the doorway of his room.


    Cordelia''s face fell instantly. She had nned to visit the child once he woke up, but...


    "I''m tired. I''ll head upstairs," she said, turning to ascend to the second floor. She suspected that Olen


    and Amanda were nting roots here and building a rtionship with the child that would be difficult to


    sever once established.


    Ronan was about to follow her upstairs when the doorbell rang. It was Edwin. He looked utterly


    despondent, as if he had found a ce to vent his troubles upon seeing Ronan. "Mr. Evans," he began,


    his eyes welling up with tears.


    "You are a grown man. What are you doing looking so pitiful?" Ronan asked, retaking his seat on the


    couch.


    "Mr. Evans, you don''t understand..." Edwin began, his head hanging low. "It was a done deal that Pulse


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    Technologies would sponsor The High Society. But now, The High Society has abruptly terminated its


    coboration with Pulse Technologies. My new game, which was supposed to be featured in The High


    Society, is now in jeopardy. Your investment..."


    "The folks at Pulse Technologies are probably even more anxious than you. Just wait and see," Ronan


    replied, unfazed by the news. A $10 million investment was pocket change to him.


    "I was so sure this game would be a hit, but now I''m not even sure if we can break even," Edwin


    confessed, clutching his head in despair. "I''m sorry, Mr. Evans. I''ve dragged you into this mess."


    "It''s no big deal," Ronan replied, puzzled by the sudden turn of events after years of sessful


    business ventures. How could he have lost money without any warning signs?

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    While Ronan was chatting with Edwin downstairs, Cordelia was upstairs, engaged in conversation with


    Brooklyn via Messenger.


    [Cordelia, Edwin''s game business is going under, and it''s all my fault. I was the one who invited you


    and Mr. Evans to that birthday party. Mr. Evans invested in him, and now he might lose out, too. I feel


    so guilty.]


    [What on earth are you talking about?]


    Brooklyn was not known for being emotionally stable. Sheunched into a tirade. [The High Society


    has pulled its partnership with Pulse Technologies. The hit product we were banking on is not going to


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    happen. And do you know what else, Cordelia? I just found out that the interns who just started this


    year at our department are making almost as much as I am. They''re earning two grand more than we


    did when we interned. It''s so frustrating. It''s like this all over thepany. It makes me want to go back


    to grad school. Edwin''s not doing well, and neither am I!]


    Reading Brooklyn''s message, Cordelia was silent for a long time.


    Brooklyn''s message had struck a nerve. Cordelia had always wanted to finish her unfinished degree,


    but she hadn''t told Ronan. She feared his disapproval and the fact that she would lose her chance to


    bring it up again. If Cordelia was in Brooklyn''s shoes, a newbie with no background, she would


    inevitably face the same situation.


    Her academic qualifications were always a thorn in her side. She already had her offer letter;


    everything was ready except for her.


    "What are you thinking about?" Ronan hade upstairs and noticed Cordelia lost in thought.


    "Oh, Brooklyn just told me that The High Society is pulling out of their partnership with Pulse


    Technologies. She''s pretty anxious." Cordelia didn''t mention Brooklyn''sments about their sries.


    "News travels fast. Edwin just told me the same thing."


    "Are you going to lose money?" Cordelia asked him nervously.


    Ronanughed. "It''s hardly a significant amount."


    Cordelia thought. "The ¡®insignificant amount¡¯ Ronan is referring to would probably take her a lifetime to


    earn.¡±


    "Aren''t you worried?" Cordelia asked.


    "I''ve got you on my mind, and no room for anything else," he said nonchntly.


    Cordelia blushed, thinking, ¡°He''s probably just teasing me, judging by his casual tone.¡±


    "How''s the baby doing?" Cordelia had wanted to check on their child earlier, but Olen had beat her to it.


    She felt frustrated.


    "You can go check on him. No one''s stopping you."


    "I..." Just as Cordelia was about to bicker with Ronan, her phone buzzed. It was a new message on


    Messenger from Marian.


    And Ronan''s phone rang. It was a call. He excused himself to answer it.


    [Cordelia, my father''s filmpany is hosting a cocktail party. You seem bored at home. Come join us.]


    Cordelia was wary of Marian; they weren''t exactly friends. But considering that Edwin''spany and


    The High Society had failed to coborate, she wondered if she could find some opportunities through


    Marian. She only knew that Kent was wealthy, not that he owned a filmpany. So, Cordelia replied


    with a couple of words. [Sure. When?]


    [Tomorrow night, dress up! It''s at Cityscape za. Not far from your ce.]


    [Okay. I have a friend. Can shee too?]


    Cordelia was referring to Brooklyn. She thought, ¡°Since Brooklyn is so worried about Edwin, I''ll leave


    this potential business opportunity to her to explore. Besides, I''ve always been cautious around Marian


    and feared that I might get hurt. So, having Brooklyn with me would be reassuring.¡±


    After replying to the message, Cordelia kept ncing at Ronan on the phone. His conversation was


    cryptic, filled with "mm-hmm," "alright,¡± and "I''ve seen it." Cordelia couldn''t discern what he was talking


    about. After the call ended, Cordelia asked him, "Who was that?"


    "HR," Ronan replied, looking at Cordelia. "Are you thinking of going back to the Audit Department?"


    "It''s still early for me. Even if I go on maternity leave, I''d have to rest for three months," said Cordelia. In


    truth, she just wanted to secretly check out Lumos Enterprises'' hiring requirements to see if she met


    their standards. But it was clear that she wouldn''t get any information from Ronan. She decided to


    search online another day.


    "I''m going out tomorrow night," Cordelia informed Ronan.


    "For what?"


    "Edwin''spany has taken a big hit, and Brooklyn wants to talk about it." She didn''t tell Ronan the


    truth, fearing he wouldn''t let her go.


    Knowing that Cordelia was feeling cooped up at home, Ronan agreed.

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    After dinner, while Ronan was downstairs entertaining the kid, Cordelia returned to their room alone.


    She booted up herptop and started searching for job openings at Lumos Enterprises. And sure


    enough, she found some.


    Lumos Enterprises was arge corporation. Its official website and various job posting tforms were


    brimming with recruitment announcements. This year, the Audit Department was hiring ten


    ountants. The requirements included a postgraduate degree or higher, at least ten years of work


    experience, a CPA license, and experience inrge-scale project auditing.


    Cordelia''s heart sank. When she first applied to the Audit Department for Wyatt, she was new and full


    of hope. At the time, she didn''t have her CPA license and was only hoping for an assistant''s position.


    Now, with the Olen couple at home, Cordelia was feeling pretty ufortable. She wanted to seize


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    this opportunity to move to the States.


    Throughout the evening, Cordelia was noticeably distracted. So much so that when Ronan returned to


    the room and saw her sitting there, seemingly lost in thought, he couldn''t help but ask, "What''s got you


    so deep in your head? Who''s on your mind?"


    "You, of course," Cordelia replied casually.


    "Me?" Ronan''s lips curled in amusement. Clearly, he didn''t believe her.


    "Who else could I possibly be thinking about?"


    Ronan sat down beside Cordelia, nting a kiss on her cheek. "Are you thinking about me or a certain


    part of me?"


    Ronan always had a way with words that could make Cordelia blush. He never seemed to hold back. If


    anything, he seemed to enjoy her reactions.


    "That part!" Cordelia''s hand reached for Ronan. "I want to squeeze it until it''s pulp!"


    Ronan whispered in her ear, "If it''s pulp, it won''t work anymore. I mean, it won''t make us childless, but it


    would be a pity for you!"


    Cordelia swiftly stepped on his foot. "Get lost!"


    The next afternoon, Cordelia was standing in front of the full-length mirror, examining her reflection.


    She was dressed in a ck, strapless dress that could be worn as a cocktail dress or just a regr


    outfit without standing out. She had even applied a lightyer of makeup.


    Ronan was lounging on the couch behind her, one leg crossed over the other, scrutinizing her with a


    thoughtful expression. "Is this okay?" She asked Ronan.


    "Do you need to dress up like this to go out with Brooklyn?" There was a hint of displeasure in Ronan''s


    eyes.


    "I''m not dressing up for her."


    "Then who are you dressing up for?" Ronan pressed.


    "I''m not dressing up for anyone. I just want to look nice and change my mood. I''m leaving." With that,


    Cordelia grabbed her bag and headed out.


    Perhaps Cordelia had been feeling cooped up at home since she wasn''t working and needed some


    fresh air.


    On her way out, she bumped into Amanda, who was holding Callum, and Olen, who wasing out of


    the back room. Cordelia greeted her mother-inw and then she was out the door.


    Seeing Ronaning down the stairs, Amanda asked, "Ronan, is Cordelia going out?"


    "Yes," Ronan confirmed.


    Amanda nodded and said nothing more.


    Cordelia first went to the post office to send Samantha the pearl ne. She remembered Sienna


    mentioning that they were still living in the house that had caught fire. The insurancepany had


    After mailing the package, she picked up Brooklyn from her dorm at Lumos Enterprises. They caught a


    cab and sped towards Cityscape za.


    "Cordelia, I heard from Edwin that Mr. Evans'' parents are staying with you guys. Are you okay? A lot of


    women get postpartum depression in these situations. Plus, there''s the matter with your mom. When


    are they leaving?" Brooklyn asked, venting her frustration over Ronan''s actions.


    "I don''t know. My mother-inw is very diligent. I just can¡¯t speak harshly to her. And Ronan, as their


    son, can''t say anything either. They just had a grandchild, so it wouldn''t be right to not let them see him


    and ask them to leave," Cordelia replied. "We''re going to a filmpany''s dinner party today. See if


    you can get Edwin''s game embedded in their movies. I think it''s a long shot, but we''ll see."


    Brooklyn nodded solemnly.

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    Chapter 357


    Cityscape za.


    Marian warmly weed Cordelia and Brooklyn. As expected, Cordelia wasn''t wearing her pearl


    ne today. Marian didn''t ask about it. They chatted as they walked.


    ¡°See that guy over there? That''s the CEO of Allure Artists, and next to him is his wife. She''s a real


    powerhouse, a real estate tycoon, and a Cambridge PhD fellow. And over there is the head of


    TrueNorth Enterprises. She''s even more impressive, a Harvard whiz, doesn''t rely on any man, and is


    work, but all his money goes straight to her. She''s a doctor of economics, and there''s no fooling her


    when ites to money. Impressive, right?¡± Marian pointedly said to Cordelia.


    Cordelia was beginning to understand why Marian had invited her today. Marian had one way of


    mocking Cordelia, which was belittling her bachelor''s degree, as always.


    Cordelia merely smiled as if unaffected.


    ¡°By the way, you know about Grant, right? His wife cheated on him and even tried to kill him, but she


    got off easy because she was pregnant.¡±


    Cordelia knew about this, and she nodded.


    ¡°His wife barely finished high school. She was a real small-timer,¡± Marian said disdainfully.


    ¡°Looks like we''re out of our depth here. We really shouldn''t be at a gathering like this. We¡¯re nothing


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Marian feigned ignorance. ¡°You two? What does this have to do with you?¡± She


    acted as if she''d said nothing offensive.


    Cordelia squeezed Brooklyn''s hand, indicating that there was no need to respond to such words.


    Marian''s family owned a productionpany, and she was a natural-born actress. She adopted an ¡°I''m


    just stating facts¡± expression. Then, she pretended to have a sudden realization. ¡°Oh, I see, you''re


    talking about yourselves. Well, Cordelia is Mr. Evans''dy, and she''s quite formidable.¡±


    The hidden message was clear. A man of Mr. Evans'' stature was backed by a mediocre woman with a


    bachelor''s degree, just waiting to be looked down upon.


    Brooklyn wanted to explore potential coborations for TV series and games to help Edwin, but seeing


    Marian''s petty behavior, she lost all interest.


    As they left the gathering, Cordelia seemed deep in thought. ¡°Brooklyn, I''ve been thinking about getting


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    a master''s degree in the States. I''ve always wanted to, but I''m afraid Ronan won''t agree,¡± Cordelia


    said.


    Having experienced the disadvantages of achieving only a lower education level, Brooklyn could rte


    to Cordelia. ¡°I think you should go for it if you have the chance. We''re only in our twenties, we have a


    long road ahead, and there''s no guarantee that Mr. Evans will always be there.¡± Brooklyn seemed a bit


    discouraged. ¡°You initially went abroad to further your studies, but it got dyed because of the child.¡±


    ¡°I have nothing holding me back now, but I''m scared Ronan won''t let me go. I don''t even have the


    courage to ask.¡±


    ¡°I can''t help you make this decision. You''ll have to think about it.¡± The two strolled along the street.


    ¡°Although Marian had ill intentions, she does have a point.¡±


    Cordelia was well aware.


    At that moment, a luxury van pulled up beside them. A man stepped out and approached Cordelia and


    Brooklyn. Neither of them recognized the man, and his gangster-like demeanor startled them.

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    Chapter 358


    "What are you doing?" Cordelia blocked Brooklyn''s path.


    "Ms. Haselwood? My boss would like to have a word with you in the car."


    Cordelia looked puzzled. "Your boss? Who?"


    It couldn''t be Jamie. Jamie wasn''t one to pull such a mysterious stunt.


    "Back off, or I''m calling the cops!" Brooklyn warned.


    To her surprise, the man politely addressed Brooklyn, "We mean no harm to Cordelia, just a chat,


    twenty minutes, half an hour tops. You don''t have to apany us, but if we don''t release her by then,


    you can call the cops."


    Cordelia and Brooklyn exchanged a nce. Curiosity piqued, Cordelia said to Brooklyn, "Wait for me


    across the street. If I''m not back in half an hour, call the cops!"


    "Alright," Brooklyn stated solemnly, then went over to the BBQ stand across the street. With plenty of


    people around, she felt safe. Her gaze never left the luxury vehicle on the other side.


    In the car.


    "Ms. Haselwood, Samantha''s grandmother was attacked. She was removed from The High Society''s


    cast, and nearly had her face ruined by acid. You''re aware of these events, right?" A deep male voice


    came from the passenger seat.


    Cordelia couldn''t make out his face, only that he was wearing a ck suit. His voice was chilling. The


    atmosphere inside the car was oppressive, heavy, and sinister, certainly no joking matter. Cordelia''s


    heart started to pound. Samantha had mentioned these incidents were because of a ring.


    Turned out Samantha was telling the truth.


    "I''m aware." Cordelia''s face turned grim.


    "Good. We''ve now identified you as the original owner of the ring. These misfortunes might befall you


    next. Just a heads up, Pulse Technologies, your husband''s investment, got cut off by The High Society.


    This is just a small punishment to show you that we indeed have the power. As for what unfortunate


    events may ur in the future, we don''t know. It could be your son or your husband. Your husband is


    powerful, but he can''t fight us from the shadows. Ms. Haselwood, divorce Ronan."


    The incidents he mentioned had indeed urred, and the prospect of future disasters made Cordelia


    break out in a cold sweat, but she didn''t show her fear.


    "If it''s me you''re after, going after Ronan and my son is useless. I couldn''t care less about them! I''ve


    already divorced Ronan. He killed my mother. Who would stay with their mother''s murderer? As for the


    son, do you really think I wanted him? I came back for my exams, Ronan raped me, and I got pregnant.


    I wanted to abort but found out it was twins. Abortion would harm my body, so I gave birth. Who knew


    the boy would take all the nutrients, causing the girl to die. I originally loved my daughter the most, but


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    my son took everything from her. I despise my son. He and his father are the same. I''m the odd one


    out."


    The man in the ck suit listened quietly. He saw Cordelia''s eyes well up with tears in the rearview


    mirror. She must¡¯ve been telling the truth! "In that case, leave Ronan immediately!" Hemanded.


    Cordelia understood their objective. They didn''t want to antagonize Ronan, given his formidable power.


    She was their only enemy. But why was Cordelia their enemy? She was utterly perplexed. All because


    of a ring? That was absurd!


    Cordelia pondered.


    "Ms. Haselwood, I''ll count down to three. Three, two..." The man started to count.


    "No need to count, leaving him is what I want. I''ve always wanted to study in America, but he wouldn''t


    let me. If he continues to refuse, I''ll run away."


    "Ms. Haselwood is quite sensible. Of course, if you decide not to leave, we have other ways. We could


    cause a massive stampede in Lumos za, forcing Ronan to apologize and causing the stock to


    plummet. We could expose Lumos Enterprises'' shoddy construction, which had led to a massive refund


    from the owners, stock crash, and even bankruptcy..."


    Cordelia felt a chill run down her spine. Indeed,pared to what happened to Pulse Technologies,


    these were serious incidents. From the incident where they sent Samantha white phosphorus, she


    knew they were capable of pulling these off.


    "Aren''t you afraid of the police?"


    The man chuckled arrogantly. "The police won''t find anything."


    Cordelia shuddered. True, the police hadn''t found anything regarding her grandmother''s death. "I


    understand. I''ll leave soon."


    "Ms. Haselwood, we hope you won''t y any tricks. We have full knowledge of your movements," the


    man in the ck suit stated.


    "I understand." With that, Cordelia got out of the car.

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    Chapter 359


    The luxury business car of the mysterious man kicked up a cloud of dust as it sped away. It was clear


    they were using fake tes. Cordelia had a sinking feeling that she''d just bumped into some powerful


    underworld organization. A shiver ran down her spine.


    "Cordelia, are you okay?" Brooklyn jogged over. "Who were they? Why were they looking for you?"


    She also gave Cordelia''s outfit a quick once-over. It was intact, so hopefully, nothing untoward had


    happened. "Oh, no biggie, just something about Samantha." Cordelia hugged herself, shivering. "I just


    want to get home quickly."


    "Okay, got it." With that, Brooklyn gged down a cab.


    On the way home, Cordelia''s mind was a whirlwind. Initially, the decision to go abroad or not was solely


    hers to make. Now, she had no other choice but to leave.


    Those people were capable of anything, dark and powerful, like rats in a gutter, always catching you off


    guard. They might even have been responsible for the death of Cordelia''s grandmother. For Ronan to


    engage with such individuals would be a total waste of time and would only lower his standards.


    Cordelia didn''t want that for him. However, she couldn''t tell Ronan anything.


    "Brooklyn, you must not tell Ronan about what happened tonight. Otherwise, any bloodshed that


    befalls our family in the future will be on your hands." Cordelia intentionally exaggerated the


    consequences to ensure Brooklyn took the matter seriously. Sure enough, Brooklyn took it very


    seriously, nodding her head emphatically.


    By the time Cordelia got home, it was already nine o''clock.


    "You''re just getting home?" Ronan scrutinized her from his perch on the bedroom sofa, seemingly


    displeased.


    "Yes."


    "What were you up to?"


    "Met some people in the film industry. Their wives are quite impressive, PhDs and all that, keeping their


    husbands on a tight leash. I was thinking I might want to do the same to you," Cordelia replied.


    "You don''t need to."


    "Not now, but what about the future?"


    "We''ll cross that bridge when wee to it," Ronan said.


    After a moment of silence, Cordelia said, "I want to go to the States for further studies. I''ve already


    received an offer."


    Ronan squinted his eyes, then said seriously, "So all this was just leading up to that? No!"


    Cordelia had anticipated some resistance, but Ronan''s absolute refusal caught her off guard. "If you


    want to work, I can arrange that," Ronan softened his tone slightly.


    "The kid is young, and doesn''t really need me..."


    "If you leave, he''ll never need you!" Ronan told Cordelia. "I''ll arrange for my parents to go back to


    Canada. You don''t need to use this as an excuse!"


    Ronan hoped Cordelia was just probing and using this as an excuse to get his parents back to Canada.


    He hoped she was not that determined to abandon her husband and child and go to another country,


    Cordelia furrowed her brows. "You''re misunderstanding this. It''s not because of them. I told you long


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ago about my intention to pursue further studies. I think now is the perfect time."


    "Don''t bring this up again," Ronan issued a final ultimatum to Cordelia. "Also, either stay or, if you


    leave, don''te back. I mean what I say."


    With that, Ronan stood up to go to the bathroom. Cordelia paused for a moment, then said, "Fine!"


    "What?" Ronan''s steps halted.


    "I... will nevere back!" Cordelia''s words echoed around the room, and her heart was sinking to the


    pit of her stomach.


    Ronan''s words, once uttered, were like water spilled, irrevocable. He turned around to look at Cordelia.


    "Did my words conveniently give you a reason to never return?" Ronan asked her.

 Chapter 360

    Chapter 360


    "Of course not. You know how much I''ve suffered because of myck of education. It''s always been a


    hurdle I can''t get over. It unsettles me," Cordelia exined anxiously to Ronan.


    Slowly, Ronan approached her, gently grasping her chin. "So, education is more important than your


    husband, and more important than your child?"


    "Education is the confidence of a lifetime." Cordelia stared resolutely into Ronan''s eyes. She''d rather


    have Ronan hate her now than let him have his way. She had to get to the bottom of things. She was


    afraid Ronan would get dragged into it.


    Ronan squinted. "I¡¯ve said it before, either stay or if you leave, don¡¯t ever try to see me again! Anything


    else, I don¡¯t care."


    After saying this, Ronan headed into the bathroom. He climbed into bed after taking a shower. Cordelia


    was already in bed, curled up under the covers. Tears welled up in her eyes as she tugged at Ronan''s


    arm. Never in her life had she felt so wronged. After suffering outside, she couldn''t say a word when


    she came home, yet she was misunderstood by him.


    Ronan ignored her. He didn''t even acknowledge her.


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    Cordelia was tormented. She had nned to go to the U.S. to pursue her master''s while pregnant. She


    woulde back once a month to see Ronan and their child. But ording to the man in ck, and


    her conversation with Ronan, she couldn''te back.


    Ronan had said that if she left, he wouldn¡¯t see her for the rest of his life. She didn¡¯t know who was


    after her, or why they wanted to harm her. Even as a temporary measure, she had to leave. She


    couldn''t fight with those people. She¡¯d have to wait until the day she grew up and became more


    powerful.


    Ronan turned off the lights and went to sleep. In the darkness, only Cordelia was left awake. Her tears


    were soaking the pillow. She wanted to crawl into Ronan¡¯s nket, to sleep next to him. But his


    aloofness tonight made Cordelia hesitate.


    She had so much to say but couldn¡¯t voice any of it.


    His reaction this time was entirely different from before. When she had wanted to go abroadst time,


    he had been extremely upset, forcing himself on Cordelia. But this time, he was terrifyingly calm, as if


    he had given up on Cordelia.


    After their heart-to-heart, and having a child together, she could just up and leave. There was no other


    exnation besides "he¡¯s not in her heart, neither is their child, nor is their home."


    What could Cordelia say? She turned away from him, not facing him. She thought, ¡°She still had to go


    to the U.S., she couldn''t let anyone think she was scared. Maybe if she went to another country, they''d


    think she was out of line and retaliate even more.¡±


    It was early July, still a while before the school year started in January. She would rent a ce first,


    then continue her finance studies. If all went well, she''d get her PhD.


    Cordelia stayed awake until dawn, finally drifting off to sleep.


    When she woke up, Ronan was gone again. Once again, Cordelia grabbed his pillow, crying until her


    voice was hoarse. She had thought he was a brute all along, never imagining he could be so resolute.


    Cordelia booked her flight online. It was off-season, there weren¡¯t many people and tickets were easy


    to get.


    She quickly wiped her tears.


    Amanda came in with a bowl of apple crumble.


    "Amanda, I''ve been recovering well these past few days, thanks to you," Cordelia forced a smile and


    said.


    "That''s what a mother-inw should do. I already feel guilty for not taking care of you earlier." Amanda


    sat on Cordelia''s bed. "Why are your eyes red, De?"


    "I''m thinking about studying abroad. It might be a long time before I cane back, and I can''t bear to


    leave."


    "Abroad? The kid is so young, and you want to go abroad?" Amanda was equally surprised.


    "Yes, I''ve not been working recently and wanted to get a degree. My visa hasn''t expired, and I''ve


    already received the offer. I might..." Cordelia choked up.


    "Might what?"


    "I might leave today," Cordelia said.

 Chapter 361

    Chapter 361


    "Today?" Amanda questioned with a hint of surprise in her voice. "Does Ronan know about this?"


    "He does, Mom. I told himst night," Cordelia confirmed.


    "He agreed?" Amanda couldn''t imagine that Ronan would allow Cordelia to leave the country,


    especially with their child still being so young.


    "He''s always known about my ns to pursue a master''s degree," Cordelia exined.


    "Cordelia, if you''re unhappy with your father and me living here, then we can leave. You don''t need to


    fight with Ronan over this. Your father feels regret over what happened to him due to the Colby family''s


    torment. But he wasn''t in his right mind back then," Amanda said tearfully.


    Deep down, Cordelia had always believed that Olen was responsible for her mother''s death. Amanda''s


    words only confirmed her suspicions. Amanda''s genuine disy of remorse made it impossible for


    Cordelia to stay angry with her. "Mom, it''s not like that. Don''t worry," Cordelia reassured her.


    Amanda was hesitant, but she had noticed that Cordelia and Ronan seemed to be getting along fine


    recently.


    "Let''s go check on the baby," Cordelia suggested, hoping to distract her mother from calling Ronan.


    "Sure."


    They went to Paloma''s room together. Cordelia held Callum, who was growing more adorable by the


    day. She felt a pang of regret for her initial feelings of resentment towards him.


    "Callum, Mommy''s going to study abroad. But I''lle back to see you every month, okay?" Cordelia


    said, more for Amanda''s sake than for Callum''s.


    Olen had been avoiding Cordelia ever since he returned and was currently holed up in his room.


    The more Cordelia held Callum, the harder it was to let him go. Eventually, tears welled up in her eyes.


    "Mom, can you drive me to the airportter?" Cordelia asked.


    "Of course."


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    Janice arrived. "Cordelia, why the sudden decision to study abroad? You didn''t mention anything


    before."


    "Well, school starts in January anyway. I discussed it with Ronanst night. Callum is still young and


    won''t understand. Better to leave and return sooner," Cordelia replied with a forced smile.


    Janice sighed and went upstairs to help Cordelia pack.


    Cordelia didn''t ask Tristi to drive her. She hailed a taxi and headed to the airport. Before going through


    customs, she turned to Amanda and said, "Amanda, please take care of Callum. And Ronan too." She


    didn''t know how Ronan would interpret her sudden departure.


    ¡°I know.¡± Amanda still felt a bit guilty. She thought the reason that Cordelia left so suddenly was


    because of her and Olen.


    "Thank you. I have to go now," Cordelia said, turning away. As she walked away, she couldn''t help but


    shed tears. Her original n was to take the trouble away with her, identify who her enemy was, and


    then decide her next steps.


    She knew in her heart that Ronan would always allow her toe home. His words fromst night


    were just empty threats. As she settled into her seat on the ne, her phone buzzed. It was a message


    from Samantha. [Cordelia, don''t get toofortable. Now that the ring is yours, your enemies will be


    after you. They''ve targeted the wrong person before, and they''ll be even more relentless with you. Be


    careful.]


    Samantha''s words were a warning, but they seemed more like an act of kicking someone when they


    were down.


    With the ne''s announcement ringing in her ears, Cordelia''s feelings of guilt for leaving so abruptly


    shifted to a sense of righteous determination to keep her family safe. With that thought, she felt


    somewhatforted.


    She closed her eyes.

 Chapter 362

    Chapter 362


    In a corner of the airport, a man in a dark suit watched Cordelia intently. He saw her pass through


    customs and saw the flight status on the big screen dere her flight had taken off, but Cordelia never


    came out again. He was certain she had flown away.


    He dialed a number on his phone, reaching out to a mysterious contact. "Boss, Cordelia''s left the


    country! Do we make our move over there?"


    "No need. The cruelest thing in the world isn''t death, but life. I want her to live and feel the pain of


    resentment and separation!" The person at the other end of the line dered.


    The subordinate didn''t quite understand, but he asked, "So, how do we proceed?"


    "Keep a close watch! And find someone for Ronan."


    The man in the dark suit furrowed his brows slightly. "Find someone? Who?"


    "Someone who fits Ronan''s taste, like Cordelia."


    "Got it!"


    After ending the call, the man in the dark suit lingered in the airport for a while longer, ensuring Cordelia


    wouldn''t reappear. Then, he left.


    ...


    When Amanda left the airport, she called Ronan. At the same time, Ronan was in his office chatting


    with Emerson.


    "How''s Cordelia doingtely?"


    "She''s been keen on studying abroad in the U.S., but I won''t let her." Ronan was in a sour mood,


    having just argued with Cordelia the night before.


    "Well, it isn''t a bad thing that she want to pursue further education. With the intensepetition these


    days, her ambition should be encouraged. Why not let her go?" Emerson suggested.


    "Are you here to plead her case?"


    "Not exactly, but during the holidays, when I visited your home, Cordelia asked me about my education.


    I could tell there was a fire inside her, a fire that wouldn''t be extinguished. So, if she wants to go, let


    her. If you keep holding her back, she''ll rebel,¡± Emerson advised.


    Ronan knew this, but he couldn''t let go. He was afraid that once she had a taste of freedom, she''d


    never want toe back. Plus, he figured Marian had likely stirred up Cordelia''s insecurities about her


    education again, prompting her sudden desire to go abroad.


    As Emerson was about to leave, Ronan''s phone rang.


    "When?"


    Hearing Ronan''s tone, Emerson paused, hand on the door handle. He turned to look at him. Ronan


    had already hung up the phone and stood up. "What''s up?" Emerson asked, serious.


    "Cordelia''s gone."


    "Gone? Where to?"


    "Abroad! I need to go home." With that, Ronan left.


    Once in the car, Ronan thought, ¡°She must''ve figured that if she asked him and he disagreed, he''d be


    on high alert, and going abroad would be even more difficult. So, she decided to leave at a moment''s


    notice.¡±


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    Ronan was livid. She probably thought his threat of never seeing her again, not even letting her see


    their child, was all talk. Well, they''d see about that!


    The car raced towards Pearl Palms.


    "Ronan, Cordelia left today. She said she was going to study abroad. She mentioned it to youst


    night, and you agreed, right?" Amanda asked.


    "When did she leave?"


    "About two hours ago. Her flight has probably taken off by now," Amanda replied.


    Ronan remained silent, his face a mask of stoicism. He went upstairs. Most of her things were gone.


    She had left behind a notebook she had just started, intending to use it as a diary. She had only written


    her name and hadn''t started any entries yet.


    He had never seen such an unfeeling woman. She left without a second thought, no longing for her


    husband or son. They were divorced now, and she was a free woman. She was heartless and selfish.


    Ronan pulled out his phone, wanting to call her, but he knew it was in vain. She was already in the air.


    Ronan sank into the couch, lighting up a cigarette. He could easily go to the U.S. and drag her back,


    but it wasn''t necessary.


    "Janice..." he called from upstairs several times.


    Janice hurried up the stairs. "What is it, Mr. Evans?"


    "Burn everything that Cordelia left behind. And from now on, her name is never to be mentioned in this


    house," Ronan stated coldly.


    Janice was taken aback. She wanted to ask what had happened, and why he was so angry. Didn''t


    Cordelia say she was going abroad, and that she had discussed it with Mr. Evans?


    "Do I need to repeat myself?" Ronan asked, seeing Janice frozen in ce.


    "Oh, no, I''ll do it right away." Janice turned and went to Cordelia''s closet, gathering all of Cordelia''s


    clothes. She found several outfits Ronan had bought for Cordelia and hesitated for a long moment.


    "Mr. Evans, are these clothes to be discarded as well?" Janice asked Ronan.


    Without even looking up, Ronan replied, "If it''s hers, I don''t want it."


    Janice thought it was a shame to burn such fine clothes, but Ronan''smand was not to be


    disobeyed. She took the clothes to the backyard and set them ame.

 Chapter 363

    Chapter 363


    At the airport, Taylor was waiting for Cordelia. They had nned this meeting in advance. Taylor had a


    paper offer to hand over to Cordelia. Spotting Cordelia getting off the ne, Taylor waved. "Cordelia."


    Cordelia looked up and returned her greeting.


    "What''s your n for this visit, Cordelia?" Taylor, who had been living and working in the States for a


    few years now, asked as she started her car.


    "I might be here for a while, considering my master''s degree programsts three years."


    As Cordelia was talking, she sent a message to "hubby" via Messenger. [Arrived safely.]


    She was careful not to say too much, fearing that the men in ck suits would be monitoring her


    phone. If they found out her rtionship with Ronan hadn''t actually ended, it could put Ronan and their


    son in danger.


    Ronan didn''t respond.


    "My lease is up, and I found a nice ce. How about we share it? What do you think?" Taylor asked


    Cordelia.


    "Sure."


    "So, should we go see the ce now?"


    "Okay."


    Even though they were going to see the apartment, Cordelia''s mind wasn''t really on it. She kept


    checking her phone, curious about Ronan''s reaction to her sudden departure overseas. But he still


    hadn''t replied. Cordelia started to feel uneasy.


    The new apartment was close to UC Davis. Taylor worked in media and also offered part-time


    application writing services to international students. The location was convenient for both of them.


    "I think it''s a good ce. If you agree, we can split the rent and utilities. What do you think?" Taylor


    asked Cordelia, leaning against the door.


    "Sounds good," Cordelia replied vaguely.


    "You''re thinking about your son or your husband, aren''t you?" Taylor teased.


    "Neither. If I was, why would I havee to study overseas?" Cordelia retorted.


    After quickly unpacking her stuff, the sun had already set. Cordelia ate a burger and had a video call


    with Brooklyn. Back home, it was morning, and Brooklyn was enjoying her breakfast.


    "Cordelia, where are you?" Brooklyn asked.


    "I''m in the US now, trying to finish the degree I started before having my baby."


    "That''s rather sudden," Brooklyn expressed surprise. "Did Marian''s words the other day upset you? If


    so, should I feel guilty? I''m surrounded by colleagues with postgraduate degrees, and I''m feeling left


    out."


    "It''s not sudden at all. I''ve always wanted toe to the US, you know that. I talked with Ronan about


    it and came over. Oh, and could you tell Ronan I arrived safely and found a ce to stay? He didn''t


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    respond to my message," Cordelia said.


    "Mr. Evans didn''t reply to your message?" Brooklyn asked. "Did he not see it? Why doesn''t he stick


    your chat at the top?"


    "Never mind, enjoy your breakfast. I''m going to start my sses tomorrow," Cordelia said and ended


    the call.


    The jetg was hitting her hard on her first day in the States. Unable to sleep, she watched as the sky


    started to brighten outside, silently counting sheep. "One, two, three..." Despite reaching over five


    hundred, she still couldn''t fall asleep. She kept checking her phone to see if Ronan had replied to her


    message, even bringing it with her to the bathroom, but he never did.


    Cordelia thought, that his words, ¡°If you leave the country, I''ll never see you again,¡± were just to scare


    her off from going abroad. If she really did leave, he wouldn''t actually refuse to let here back. After


    all, Cordelia was the mother of their son, Callum.

 Chapter 364

    Chapter 364


    After clocking out from her own department, Brooklyn headed to Ronan''s office. Ronan, who had just


    arrived, was in his office, reviewing and signing papers. Upon seeing Brooklyn, Ronan said in a


    nonchnt tone, "What''s up?"


    "Oh, Mr. Evans, I video-chatted with Cordelia this morning. She said she''s now in the States, and


    everything went smoothly," Brooklyn reported.


    "Got it." Ronan continued to hold his pen, signing papers as if nothing else mattered.


    Brooklyn hesitated, licking her lips. "Cordelia mentioned that she sent you a message on Messenger,


    but you didn''t reply. I assumed you might have missed it. Have you not marked Cordelia''s messages as


    a priority, Mr. Evans?"


    Ronan lifted his gaze to look at Brooklyn. With just one look, Brooklyn wished she could crawl into a


    hole. Ronan''s message was clear. Was this any of her business?


    "Goodbye, Mr. Evans!" Brooklyn swiftly said, closed the door to Ronan''s office, and left.


    ...


    Samantha received the pearl ne in the mail today. The sender was anonymous; she had no idea


    who it was. The ne, filled with full, gleaming pearls, was clearly valuable, much like the pearls


    from Tahiti. Samantha feared it was from Deanna, worried about another phosphorus fire incident.


    Moreover, a ne was worn around the neck; if it contained other substances, it would be far from


    amusing.


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Ever since Samantha stepped into the world of showbiz, she was familiar with the cunning tricks yed


    by women in ancient court dramas. For example, the queen gave a concubine an infertility ne to


    prevent her from bing pregnant. Samantha knew these plots like the back of her hand. So,


    Samantha took the ne to a professional appraisal institution. The appraisal confirmed that there


    were no harmful substances in the ne, meaning that Samantha could wear the ne safely.


    She was just in need of a statement piece for an uing audition; this saved her a fair amount of


    money. The pearl ne certainly added to her appeal. She wore it to the set, ready to audition for a


    new role.


    The set for "Say Your Name."


    The film, produced by Kent''s productionpany, was a suspense movie. Samantha was auditioning


    for the secondary antagonist role. However, the casting director told her she wasn''t impressive and that


    she had no substantial possessions, no formal training, and no noteworthy work.


    Samantha was quite dejected. Just as she was about to leave, Marian entered the set. She was off that


    day and hade to the set to hang out.


    The ne around Samantha''s neck caught her eye. Marian quickly went to the casting director,


    picking up the resume of the girl who had just left.


    Samantha. Deanna''s former assistant. Indeed, she was Cordelia''s cousin, and the ne around her


    neck was undoubtedly the one Marian had given to Cordelia.


    In order to shift the risks, Cordelia had casually passed on the ne to her nemesis-cousin!


    The ne was a sincere gift Marian had bought for Cordelia, an expensive one at that, just to get


    on Cordelia¡¯s good terms. First, Cordelia discarded her care package, then she gave away the


    ne purchased for her.


    "Director, call her back. I know her. You could give her a chance to y the main antagonist or the


    secondary one," Marian suggested.


    If Samantha was Cordelia''s enemy, then the enemy of her enemy was her friend. She was determined


    to elevate Samantha¡¯s career.

 Chapter 365

    Chapter 365


    It was quarter past five in the afternoon, and Ronan''s car was on the move.


    "You''re going out of your way to drop me off? What''s up?" Emerson asked Ronan.


    "I''m thinking of throwing a celebration party for my son''s christening. Will youe?¡±


    Emerson replied, "Your son is my nephew. I wouldn''t miss it for the world."


    Ronan chuckled. "The celebration is mainly to let everyone know I have a son. We didn''t do anything


    when he was a month old."


    "But Cordelia..."


    Emerson was cut off by Ronan. "The party will be at Starlight Hotel. What do you think?"


    Emerson had a feeling that the celebration wasn''t just about the baby, but Ronan''s calm and confident


    tone indicated that he had figured out his n. Emerson knew he wouldn''t be able to dissuade him.


    "When is it?"


    "This Saturday."


    "Okay. I''ll be there."


    Just as their car entered a side road, a sudden brake was applied, bringing the vehicle to a halt.


    "I''m sorry, Mr. Evans! The car in front just stopped abruptly." The driver apologized to Ronan.


    The side road was narrow, and there was no other route. The driver impatiently honked the horn,


    hoping the car in front would move. Then, a young woman got out of the car in front. She made an


    apologetic gesture towards the car behind her and then ran over to talk to the driver.


    The driver rolled down the window. "What''s the problem? Blocking the road like this is uneptable."


    He exploded.


    "I''m sorry. My car broke down. I''ll have to call someone to fix it. Could you please take another route? I


    know it''s not ideal, but I''m in a bit of a bind right now." The woman''s voice was soft and filled with


    regret.


    "Mr. Evans, what do you think?" The driver asked.


    "Just reverse and take a detour from the supermarket nearby," Ronan instructed.


    "Alright," The driver replied.


    "Thank you," The woman said sweetly to Ronan in the back seat. Her bright smile and sparkling eyes


    were captivating.


    The woman then hurried back to her own car. The driver managed to maneuver the car onto a curb and


    into the supermarket''s parking lot, soon hitting the road again.


    "Don''t you think that girl looks familiar?" Emerson asked Ronan.


    "Who does she resemble?" Ronan asked, leaning back against the seat with his eyes closed.


    Emerson wanted to say "Cordelia," but remembering how Ronan had cut him off earlier, he simply said,


    "Oh, nevermind." He figured that the mention of Cordelia must have hit a nerve. Ronan didn''t want to


    discuss her anymore.


    However, the girl did bear a striking resemnce to Cordelia. Although she wasn''t as delicate as


    Cordelia, her youthful charm was unmistakable. Seeing her, one couldn''t help but think of Cordelia.


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    Emerson thought that Ronan must have noticed it too, but in reality, Ronan hadn''t noticed at all.


    He was too familiar with Cordelia, and so familiar that he knew every detail about her, so any slight


    difference made him dismiss the resemnce.


    "By the way, who''sing to the celebration? Let me know,¡± Emerson asked.


    "You make the list of thepany attendees, and I''ll handle the rest,¡± Ronan replied.


    "Sure." Emerson nodded. "What about Brooklyn?"


    "If you think she should be invited, then invite her," Ronan said.


    Emerson thought, ¡°Ronan didn''t say to invite Brooklyn, but his implication was clear. It seemed that this


    celebration was more about Cordelia than their son.¡±


    He nned to inform Cordelia, who was far away in the States, about everything that was happening in


    Millstone, through Brooklyn.

 Chapter 366

    Chapter 366


    Saturday, at Starlight Hotel.


    Early in the morning, the Assistant Manager of the hotel reminded all the staff that today, the only son


    of the Evans family was to celebrate his christening here. The Evans family had booked the entire


    hotel, and he urged everyone to be on their toes and ensure they were properly attended to.


    From the moment the hotel opened, the floors were cleaned to a mirror shine, even more immacte


    than usual.


    Around eleven o''clock, guests began to trickle in. Ronan''s parents didn''te, considering Olen was


    too conspicuous. Some things were better left unsaid, so Amanda stayed home with him.


    It was Janice who brought Callum.


    Today''s attendees were almost all the bigwigs of Millstone. Jamie also came, invited by Ronan.


    Brooklyn, amidst a crowd of suited and booted big shots, felt somewhat out of ce. Still, she found


    "Cordelia has left, and Mr. Evans is hosting this christening. I don''t know what he''s thinking," Brooklyn


    remarked, with a hint of dissatisfaction in her voice.


    "Just sit back and watch," Edwin suggested.


    So Brooklyn sat in a corner, watching others clink sses and make merry, but she was not in the


    mood.


    "Oh, by the way, the game you mentioned earlier about coborating with Pulse Technologies. Has The


    High Society removed it from the n? I went to Marian''s party with Cordelia the other day and wanted


    to find you some partnership channels. But they all pissed me off. I didn''t like them, so your partnership


    fell through. Try not to work with them in the future to avoid trouble. What goes aroundes around.


    If you do bad things, karma will find you sooner orter," Brooklyn said apologetically. She had been


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    holding a ss of juice and had kept her head down.


    Edwin couldn''t help butugh when he heard Brooklyn say karma. He knew she was a carefree


    person, but he didn''t realize she was so naive.


    "You wanted to find me a partner? You don''t understand anything," Edwin asked incredulously.


    "I saw you were upset and wanted to do my part." Brooklyn''s voice gradually faded.


    Edwin felt a sudden warmth in his heart. Someone was paying attention to his feelings and was trying


    hard to protect those feelings. He was grateful. He was also grateful to Brooklyn for doing all these


    things for him. "You don¡¯t have to do this," Edwin, holding Brooklyn''s hand, dered.


    Brooklyn''s eyes widened in surprise. Edwin''s sudden warmth, like a pie falling from the sky, caught her


    off guard and filled her with joy. "Okay," Brooklyn replied with a smile.


    ......


    Ronan, in his stylish gray suit, raised his ss to the guests, looking nothing like a man whose wife had


    just left him.


    Janice sat with Callum at Mr. Evans'' table.


    ¡°I must say, Callum looks just like Mr. Evans. With a full forehead and a well-rounded jaw, he¡¯s clearly


    destined for wealth and sess. Mr. Evans, have you nned out his future career yet?¡± someone


    obsequiously asked Ronan.


    "His future is for him to n, not me," Ronan replied.


    "And where is Mrs. Evans?" Another person asked.


    Ronan''s hand paused. "Cordelia?" Then heughed. "We are divorced. We live our own lives. I can''t


    think of any reason for her to be here."


    While everyone was baffled, no one dared to question any further due to Ronan''s status. Only


    Brooklyn, with a tight grip on her phone, was filled with anger. Edwin, sitting next to her, also lowered


    his head and muttered, "How could he say such a thing!"


    Brooklyn kept her phone in her hand, ready to send a message to Cordelia on Messenger. However,


    she couldn''t figure out what to write after several drafts, and ended up deleting all her words. If she


    sent a message, it could upset Cordelia for no reason.


    But even if Brooklyn didn''t send anything to Cordelia, Cordelia still found out everything. So many


    people were present that day, and quite a few of them posted about it on Facebook.


    Cordelia used to work at Lumos Enterprises, and she had the contacts of many colleagues on


    Facebook. So, Cordelia, who was studying under a deskmp, was bombarded with videos of "The


    Christening of the Evans family''s son."


    This grand andvish event had nothing to do with Cordelia. She was not even aware of it. After a long


    thought, Cordelia finally sent a message to Ronan. [I saw Callum''s christening on Facebook. It was a


    good party.]


    But, Ronan didn''t reply.


    This left Cordelia, who had been reading, unable to concentrate. Now, Cordelia was very conflicted.


    She wanted Ronan to reply but also hoped he wouldn''t.


    She didn''t want him to reply because she was afraid those people were monitoring her phone. If Ronan


    replied, they would know that her rtionship with Ronan was not as bitter as she had said, and they


    still had connections. This could lead to a repeat of the game imntation incident, causing Ronan to


    lose money.


    She hoped for a reply because she wanted to know Ronan''s attitude. In a rtionship, if only one


    person took the initiative and the other did not respond, the rtionship would notst. Besides, Ronan


    didn''t know about the man in the ck suit and wasn''t acting with Cordelia. He didn''t hide his feelings.


    He was very angry!


    Cordelia was very unsettled. In the past few days, she had been extremely careful. Except for


    necessary tasks, she rarely went out, and she didn''t shop online for fear of another unexpected attack.


    But after a few days, nothing happened.


    Cordelia did not let her guard down and remained on high alert every day. Several days passed, and


    Ronan still didn''t reply. Cordelia was pondering on drafting an email to him, discussing her idea of


    visiting home once a month. However, just as she was about to put pen to paper, a ping from


    Samantha''s Facebook Messenger distracted her.

 Chapter 367

    Chapter 367


    The christening of the only son of the famous Evans family in Millstone had not only gone viral on


    Facebook but had also made it to the entertainment news.


    Samantha sent a video of the christening to Cordelia with a message. [Cordelia, your son''s christening,


    and you''re not here?]


    At first, Cordelia thought, ¡°Why would Samantha be so kind as to send me a video?¡± She had seen


    most of the videos on Facebook, and they were all simr in content. She initially thought this video


    would be no different, but upon opening it, Cordelia was hit hard.


    "We''re divorced and leading separate lives. I can''t think of any reason for her to be here."


    Ronan''s words kept echoing in Cordelia''s ears. She knew then that Samantha wasn''t being kind and


    was just trying to hurt her and enjoy the drama.


    Cordelia was devastated. Everyone on Facebook tactfully hid this, but Samantha had sent it directly to


    Cordelia. It appeared Ronan despised her. She wasn''t supposed to be at the christening, nor was she


    needed in his future life.


    Cordelia was about to email Ronan but ultimately closed her email tab.


    The sound of Cordelia smashing her mouse made Taylor burst into her room. "What''s up, Cordelia?"


    Taylor asked, putting a hand on Cordelia''s shoulder.


    "Don''t even ask," Cordelia replied.


    Taylor picked up Cordelia''s phone and nced at it.


    "Is this your ex? Men are all the same, afraid of women outshining them. If you do, they can''t show off


    in front of you. Isn''t your ex''s behavior all the more reason for you to excel?" Taylor consoled Cordelia.


    "I want to do well. But¡­" Cordelia wanted to say that it wasn''t Ronan''s fault, that she had reasons for


    going abroad.


    Cordelia wanted to tell Taylor about the man in ck suit and the ring, but she was afraid that


    eavesdroppers would put Taylor in danger, so she remained silent.


    "You''re still defending him at a time like this!" Taylor said with frustration. "If you don''t study hard,


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    Cordelia, you''ll be the first one I''ll look down on."


    Cordelia agreed. "Yes, I want to finish my postgraduate studies as soon as possible and have my


    spring admission changed to this fall. Do you think it''s possible?"


    "You can give it a try."


    With that thought, Cordelia opened her email and sent a request to the postgraduate office.


    ¡­


    At Adrian''s Auto Works.


    Adrian stood at the garage door. Looking at the video on his phone, he muttered, "Damn, Ronan is


    such a jerk! I need to make him suffer!"


    Adrian was no longer a driver for the Colby family. Jamie had invested in his auto repair shop. He felt


    that Jamie was more reliable and easier to get along with.


    Ronan was like a slippery fish, difficult to catch or more like a cunning fox, full of tricks. Adrian couldn''t


    handle him. The fact that Jamie helped Adrian open the shop made Adrian realize Jamie was a better


    person.


    A girl who came to pick up her car checked the repair work. Her car was a regr Toyota.


    Hearing Adrian''s words, she gently asked Adrian, "Hey, can you touch up the paint here for me?"


    "Touch up the paint for her," Adrian said to his apprentice.


    "Alright," The apprentice replied,ing out with his tools.


    While waiting, the girl moved next to Adrian. "What are you watching?" She leaned over to see Adrian


    watching the christening video of the Evans boy.


    "Oh, you''re interested in this? This is how the super-rich live, miles away from our lives," she said.


    Adrian nced at her and snorted. "That kid, my sister gave birth to him. I am Ronan''s brother-inw.


    He didn''t even invite me to the christening. I will make him pay!"


    The girl just smiled softly.


    "What? Don''t believe me?" Adrian was not happy with her indifferent attitude.

 Chapter 368

    Chapter 368


    Adrian turned to look at the girl, who was surprisingly pretty. This was the girl that Emerson and Ronan


    had bumped into on the street a few days ago, the one Emerson thought resembled Cordelia.


    Adrian, however, didn''t see any resemnce between the girl and Cordelia. He had grown up with


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Cordelia despite their animosity, so he knew her all too well. Hence, he didn''t have the same feelings


    as Emerson. He simply thought the girl was innocent-looking and quite attractive. He felt like showing


    off a bit in front of her.


    "You don''t believe me?" Adrian asked, strutting like a peacock.


    "I really don''t."


    "Well, now you''ve riled me up. I''ll take you to Ronan''s one of these days and show you. I can''t believe


    he''s been deceiving me, his own inw," Adrian dered.


    "You''re not serious, are you? You better not be lying!"


    "I''m not. What''s your Messenger ID? Tell me. I''ll add you and take you to his ce thising


    Saturday," Adrian said, thumping his chest.


    "Alright." The girl took out her phone and told Adrian her Messenger number.


    Adrian thought to himself, ¡°This girl is na?ve and easy to trick. I got her Messenger ID just like that.¡±


    "What''s your name, girl?" Adrian asked.


    "Tabitha."


    "Tabitha?" Adrian was not very cultured and couldn''t help butugh upon hearing her name.


    Tabitha felt offended by Adrian''sughter, but she needed to use him, so she bit her tongue.


    "Oh, I don¡¯t know how to spell it. Why don''t you show me?" Adrian teased Tabitha.


    Tabitha took Adrian¡¯s phone and changed her contact name.


    "See you this Saturday, no excuses," Adrian said.


    "Sure."


    The following Saturday, at ten in the morning, Adrian picked up Tabitha from her dormitory at the


    private hospital where she worked. They headed to Ronan''s house.


    To assert his status in front of Tabitha, Adrian purposely announced himself as "Ronan''s inw" over


    the inte.


    The servant informed Ronan, who was in the living room, of their arrival. Ronan wasn''t surprised. He


    had expected Adrian to cause a scene since he wasn''t invited to Callum¡¯s celebration. If not today, he''d


    cause a ruckus another day.


    "Let him in," Ronan instructed.


    Upon hearing Ronan''s inw, Olen, who was also in the living room, became distressed. "Shelley''s...


    Shelley''s..." He mumbled, seemingly having a seizure.


    Ronan looked on, disgusted. "Take him to the bedroom," Ronan ordered.


    Without a word, Amanda helped Olen to the bedroom.


    Adrian and a woman walked into Ronan''s house. Ronan eyed the woman. He recognized her.


    "Where''s the kid?" Adrian demanded as soon as he entered. "I''m the kid''s uncle, you know that, right


    Ronan? You didn''t invite me to the christenting. What are you up to, Ronan?"


    "With ady present, don''t disgrace yourself, Adrian," Ronan retorted.


    "Where''s my sister? She bore you a child, where is she?" Adrian continued.


    "Don''t be like this!" Tabitha timely tugged at Adrian''s arm.


    Ronan asked, "Haven''t seen you in a few days, and you''ve got a new girl?"


    Adrian timely grabbed Tabitha''s hand and gently patted it. "She''s just my girlfriend who didn''t believe


    me when I told her I''m your kid''s uncle. I brought her here to prove it. Do you believe me now?"


    Adrian turned to Tabitha.


    "What are you saying!" Tabitha stamped her foot. Her petnt stomp, however, did resemble Cordelia


    somewhat.

 Chapter 369

    Chapter 369


    Upon hearing this, Ronan sneered, wondering to himself, ¡°Who did she learn that from?¡±


    "Ronan, are you or are you not going to let the kid acknowledge me as his uncle?" Adrian was starting


    to throw his weight around.


    "So what if he doesn''t?" Ronan replied indifferently, showing that he had no interest in engaging with


    Adrian.


    "Fine, whatever. Just wait and see." With that, Adrian turned and stomped off.


    Tabitha had been trailing behind Adrian. At the doorstep, she nced back at Ronan. Just as Ronan


    raised his eyebrows, he caught her gaze.


    The next day, upon finishing work, Ronan ran into Tabitha again at the entrance of the office building.


    Ronan lightly furrowed his brows. "What is it?" He asked Tabitha.


    ¡°Oh, Mr. Evans,¡± Tabitha stammered upon seeing Ronan, nervously wringing her hands in front of her.


    ¡°Actually, what Adrian said yesterday was a lie. I¡¯m not his girlfriend, and I had no intention of


    confirming his status as your child¡¯s uncle. I was just there to pick up my car¡ªyou know, my car broke


    down the other day. I saw him watching a video by the car dealership, and when I went over to take a


    look, he imed that the child was his nephew. He insisted on taking me along to prove it. Mr. Evans,


    I¡¯m really not his girlfriend."


    "Hmm," he replied. "There''s no need to exin to me." With that, he walked away.


    Tabitha stood there, watching Ronan''s retreating figure.


    Just then, Samantha happened to pass by. She had just received a call to audition for a role in a


    renowned show, The Grand Hotel. Given the urgency, a car was sent to pick her up, an unprecedented


    privilege in her acting career. As she passed by Lumos Enterprises, she happened to witness the


    encounter between Ronan and Tabitha.


    Samantha smugly snapped a photo and sent it to Cordelia, adding a caption. [Looks like Mr. Evans has


    a type¡ªwomen who are a bit naive, a bit stubborn, and, of course, young, and beautiful.]


    When Cordelia woke up at 7 a.m., she found this message on her Messenger. She didn¡¯t entirely trust


    Samantha¡¯s words. After all, it was merely a photo of Ronan talking to a young woman. Even if Ronan


    were desperate, he wouldn¡¯t be so audacious as to date another woman right after celebrating his


    child¡¯s christening. Moreover, this was at the entrance of his office building. Of all ces, why would he


    choose to have a ndestine rendezvous here?


    Cordelia had been overseas for quite some time now, and was always on edge, yet those men in ck


    hadn''t made a move. She even began to question whether they were still around. She needed to


    uncover the truth, but that required them to make a move. If they didn¡¯t act, how could she investigate?


    Cordelia was in a state of agitation, torn between wanting to return to Millstone and fearing the


    potentially irreversible consequences. She had a husband and a son to protect; she couldn''t afford to


    take risks.


    A clear example was when Ronan lost ten million at Edwin''spany. It was easy to be taken


    advantage of when you were exposed.


    She was caught in the awkward situation of waiting for the other shoe to drop. She dreaded its fall, yet


    yearned for it, and in this struggle, time was the only thing passing.


    Men''s fickle hearts were amon phenomenon, and she intended to warn Ronan. What infuriated


    her was that Ronan moved on so quickly! She sent Ronan a message on Messenger. [Ronan, if you


    want to find a new wife, that''s your business. But if you cause any harm to my son, I swear I''ll make


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    you pay!]


    When Ronan received the message, he was on his way to work. After reading it, he left his phone in


    the car. The message clearly conveyed that she was getting desperate.


    However, there was one thing Ronan didn''t understand. He had only met Tabitha three times, and he


    didn¡¯t even leave his car the first time. How did Cordelia find out?


    Did Janice tell her? He decided to ask Janice about it when he got home that night.

 Chapter 370

    Chapter 370


    In the evening, in Ronan''s bedroom.


    "Did you tell Cordelia about Tabithaing home?" Ronan lounged on the sofa, one leg draped over


    the other, addressing Janice.


    "Tabitha?" Janice frowned, looking puzzled. "Who''s Tabitha?"


    "You didn''t tell her?" Ronan asked again.


    "Her? Who''s her?" Janice was even more confused. "Mr. Evans, could you please give me some


    context? You''re leaving me in the dark here."


    Ronan stared at Janice for a moment, making sure she was clueless before he told her to leave. As


    Janice made for the bedroom door, Ronan suddenly asked, "By the way, how did your son do in his


    exams?"


    "Oh." Janice''s face lit up. "He got epted into Birchwood College''s finance department. He''s still


    working at the oil field now."


    Seeing Janice''s sudden change in expression, Ronan knew that her previous confusion wasn''t an act.


    "Off you go."


    ...


    Meanwhile, far away in the U.S., Cordelia received her eptance letter for the fall semester. This


    meant that Cordelia would be starting school in a few days. She threw herself into preparing for the


    new semester and cramming finance terms, temporarily forgetting about Ronan.


    A few dayster, Cordelia started school. At the start of the semester, Cordelia was quite busy. Despite


    having prepared herself for the difficulty of the courses and having learned a fair amount, she found


    herself struggling to understand the lectures. Sometimes, she struggled to understand the financial


    jargon, and other times, even if she understood the meaning, she couldn''t find the relevant information


    in her textbooks. Suddenly, Cordelia felt like the most ignorant person in the world.


    It was no surprise that the more one learned, the more one realized their ignorance. Had Cordelia not


    ventured out of herfort zone in Millstone, she might have remainedcent and satisfied with


    her small world, like a frog in a deep well. Now, even though she was anxious, Cordelia was also


    excited because she recognized her shorings.


    As for the men in ck suits who were after her, they remained quiet, and Cordelia gradually lost her


    initial fear.


    Studying finance was challenging, but every time Cordelia absorbed new knowledge, she felt fulfilled,


    like a sponge soaked in water. Compared to the romantic dramas in Millstone and Ronan''s rumors,


    these no longer upied Cordelia''s thoughts as much.


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    Cordelia frequented the library, aware of herck of knowledge, and even brought books to the dining


    hall. She became a diligent schr.


    One day, as Cordelia was walking from the lecture hall to her dormitory with books in hand, she saw a


    woman searching for something on thewn.


    "Whatcha looking for?" Cordelia approached and asked.


    The woman raised her head with a worried look on her face. "My purse."


    Cordelia took a closer look at the woman. Her hair was soft and delicate, and her eyes were kind. She


    was quite pretty. Cordelia thought, ¡°I feel like I''ve seen her somewhere before.¡±


    "I feel like I know you somewhere." Cordelia said.


    "Oh, I''m a visiting schr from Birchwood College. My name is Petra. Nice to meet you." Petra


    extended her hand to shake Cordelia''s.

 Chapter 371

    Chapter 371


    Cordelia thought to herself, Why did this woman look so familiar? It suddenly came to her that she had


    seen a photo of Petra in the dormitory window when she and Ronan had visited Birchwood College.


    Because the photo they had seen was small and it was night time, Cordelia didn''t recognize her


    immediately.


    It was Petra.


    "I''m Cordelia," she said, extending her hand for a handshake.


    Cordelia wondered if Petra knew who she was. After all, at the previous college reunion, her name and


    face had be known among their ssmates. Someone might have told Petra.


    Now standing in front of Petra, Cordelia was unsure how much Petra actually knew about her. This


    made her feel a tad nervous.


    Moreover, one was a woman who had once pursued Ronan, and the other was Ronan''s ex-wife. The


    dynamic between the two women wasplex. In Cordelia''s heart, she felt a mix of sympathy, envy,


    and a sense ofparison towards Petra.


    Petra had a knack for pulling Cordelia away from her schrly persona and reminding her of the


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    mundane realities of life.


    "Did you lose your wallet?" Cordelia asked.


    "Yep," Petra replied, a lot less chatty than Cordelia, as she continued her search. "There isn''t much


    money in it, but there''s a picture of someone very important to me, someone I love dearly."


    Cordelia wondered, ¡°Could she be talking about Ronan?¡±


    From high school to the time she was doing her Ph.D., was Ronan not the one she loved?


    Petra couldn''t find her wallet. "I can''t find it," Petra said with disappointment etched on her face. She


    nced at her wristwatch. It was already past eleven. "It''s not every day you bump into a fellow


    countryman. Why don''t we grab lunch together, Cordelia?"


    "Sure," Cordelia agreed, suspecting that Petra must have already known who she was. Otherwise, why


    would she suddenly invite a stranger to lunch?


    They ate at a restaurant. Their conversation was shifting from academics to personal life. Cordelia


    always felt that Petra wasying the groundwork to discuss the college reunion.


    "Cordelia, I actually knew about you before. I never expected to bump into you here at school. I saw


    you and felt familiar. You''re Ronan''s ex-wife, right? After the reunion, someone showed me your photo.


    I know who you are," Petra said. "I didn''t want any misunderstandings. I''m not the person our


    ssmates make me out to be. I didn''t avoid the reunion because he got married."


    "Why didn¡¯t you attend then?"


    As expected, after a long preamble, Petra brought up the reunion.


    Petra paused, "Let''s not talk about it. Let''s eat. I wasn''t in a good ce back home, that''s why I applied


    to be a visiting schr. I didn''t expect to run into you."


    Cordelia hated it when people didn''t finish their thoughts, leaving her in suspense.


    Petra mentioned the incident but did not provide any exnation. Her evasivenguage seemed to be


    hinting at something, like "My absence at the reunion has something to do with Ronan."


    After that, she mmed up and started slurping her noodles, as if trying to swallow all the memories of


    a sorrowful past. It made Cordelia feel awkward and guilty. Petra had studied so hard for Ronan, only


    to have him snatched away by Cordelia.


    It seemed as if Petra was the top student, and was studying diligently every day, while Cordelia was


    just a student who cheated during the exam, copying Petra''s answers, and somehow scoring better


    than her.


    Now, Petra was showing theposure of a top student, and was not holding grudges, which made


    Cordelia feel even more guilty!


    At first sight, Cordelia didn''t have a good impression of Petra. In fact, she found her quite off-putting.


    After their meal, the two women returned to their respective homes.

 Chapter 372

    Chapter 372


    Millstone.


    On set at the Regency Hotel.


    Samantha unexpectedlynded the role of the antagonist, Emily.


    Emily was a seductive beauty who toyed with men as if they were mere ythings. She was cunning,


    ruthless, and a constant thorn in the side of the protagonist. Yet, given her humble beginnings,


    everything she did had a justifiable reason, which made her character both attractive and dangerous. If


    performed well, Samantha could win over fans; if not, she would face a storm of criticism.


    Samantha saw the potential in the character. This was the best role she had ever had, and she was


    determined to do it justice.


    Moreover, she felt a strong connection with the production team. They had sent a car to pick her up,


    and she was given the best role. Although the sudden stroke of luck seemed unbelievable to


    Samantha, who was to say that it wasn''t her time to shine after years of hard work?


    In addition to this movie, she also had a part in another film called "Your Secret."


    As Deanna was sidelined, and hereback elusive, now was Samantha''s time to shine.


    However, one day after her scenes were finished, the producer told her that someone was looking for


    her.


    She went to the prop room at the back of the set. Inside was a man in a ck suit. The atmosphere


    was both eerie and sinister.


    "Who are you...?" Samantha asked apprehensively.


    "You don''t need to know who I am, but I have a task for you."


    "Why me?" Samantha asked, puzzled.


    What she really wanted to ask was, "How much are you going to pay me?"


    She was juggling two films and had received a payment of $1.5 million. She wanted to buy a house in


    Millstone as soon as possible, but she was still short of 30% for the down payment.


    "Why you?" The man chuckled coldly. "How do you think you got this role? Even though Emily is not a


    likable character, there are still tons of people who want to y her. Do you think you got it by luck?


    Having no education, no connections, and no fans?"


    Samantha''s heart sank. She had thought it was her time to rise to stardom. No wonder they had sent a


    car to pick her up for the audition. It seemed that the price of her good luck had been predetermined


    behind the scenes. She had just failed to realize it and had walked right into the trap.


    It appeared that she had been targeted long before. Now that she had signed the contract and filming


    had begun, she had no choice but to follow through. Otherwise, she would have to pay a hefty penalty


    for breach of contract.


    "What do you want me to do?"


    "Create a picture of Ronan and Tabitha sleeping together. Whether it''s real or fake, it needs to look


    convincing. You have to send it to the media."


    Samantha frowned. "Who''s Tabitha?"


    The man just chuckled. "Remember when you auditioned and took a picture of Ronan with a woman?


    That''s her."


    Samantha gasped. She had been in this man''s ns all along. He even knew about the picture she


    had taken.


    "Why can''t you do the Photoshopping yourself?" Samanthaughed nervously.


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    The man didn''t say a word but gave her a look that seemed to say, "Figure it out yourself."


    Samantha quickly realized why they needed her to do it, and she broke into a cold sweat.


    They were cunning and ruthless. By using Samantha as their pawn, all of Ronan''s revenge would be


    directed at her. Ronan was not a pushover, and Samantha would be in great danger. Moreover, she


    had a longstanding feud with Cordelia, so it was not surprising that they had approached her.


    "I''m risking a lot going up against Ronan!" Samantha argued, ying herst card. She knew that she


    couldn''t escape her involvement in this scheme. The only thing she could do was to negotiate for more


    in return.


    "We promise to make you a top-tier actress within three years. Plus, we''ll give you a house in


    Millstone!"


    Samantha''s eyes softened at the offer. "Deal! Besides, will Tabitha mind if I do this? What if she seeks


    revenge on me?" Samantha had to cover her bases.


    "That''s not your concern. Just do what you''re supposed to do!"


    Samantha had no choice but to keep silent. As she was about to leave, she couldn''t help but wonder if


    this man had also been behind her losing the role in "The High Society" and the near acid attack.


    She knew he wouldn''t answer though, so she didn''t ask and left.


    She couldn''t help but gloat over Cordelia''s misfortune. However, one question nagged at her, ¡°Who


    exactly had Cordelia or her family offended to warrant such revenge?¡±

 Chapter 373

    Chapter 373


    Ten dayster.


    A scandalous photo of Ronan and Tabitha entangled in the sheets of a king-size bed made the


    headlines.


    News of Cordelia''s departure abroad had begun to circte, and Ronan, once again the golden


    bachelor of Millstone, was on everyone''s radar and the object of their desires.


    As a ssic, tall, wealthy, and handsome man, a new love interest was nothing out of the ordinary.


    The photo was a fabrication made by Samantha. She hired a couple of people from a local bar and had


    them bare it all in a bed. She made them perform a number of eyebrow-raising poses like kissing and


    caressing. Then Ronan and Tabitha''s faces were masterfully photoshopped onto the bodies. The end


    result was perfect.


    At Ronan''s office.


    He was enjoying a smoke while looking at the photo, his pulse quickening.


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    "Ronan, have you seen this?" Emerson walked into the office, phone in hand.


    "What''s the rush?" Ronan squinted at Emerson, asking him.


    "I can''t not rush, Ronan. We all know what kind of person you are. It''s clear this photo is a fake, right?"


    Emerson was on pins and needles.


    Cordelia had just left, and Ronan was in the prime of his life. It wouldn''t be aplete shock if


    something between Ronan and Tabitha had happened, but how on earth did someone get a photo?


    "Oh, and what kind of person am I in your eyes?" Ronan, looking amused, asked Emerson.


    "You''re a gentleman with high standards and sophisticated tastes. You wouldn''t look twice at anyone


    less, right?" Emerson asked for confirmation.


    Ronan simply smiled, not offering a response.


    Just then, there was a knock at the door. "Come in," said Ronan.


    The door creaked open, and in walked a shy, timid girl.


    Her head was bowed low, there were tears in her eyes, and her hands were nervously fidgeting in front


    of her. She had been crying and was still whimpering.


    Emerson looked closely at the girl from the news, Tabitha. He recognized her as the girl they had


    encountered whose car had broken down a few days before Callum''s christening party.


    Ronan watched her closely.


    "Mr. Evans, I came to apologize for any inconvenience I''ve caused." Tabitha''s eyes were downcast.


    "It doesn''t matter," Ronan said, leaning back in his chair. "You''ve been ndered. How much do you


    want?"


    Tabitha closed her mouth and shook her head.


    "Do you want a man?" Ronan asked her bluntly.


    Tabitha hurriedly looked up at Ronan.


    Tabitha was the woman the man in the ck suit had brought for Ronan. He told Tabitha that Ronan¡¯s


    ex-wife was delicate and shy and that she had to learn from her. The best oue would be if Ronan


    fell in love with her.


    If Ronan loved her, she would be the rightful Mrs. Evans, a role that every woman in town would


    kill for. Even if she couldn''t make him love her, she needed to keep things shady with Ronan.


    Now, she didn''t know if Ronan loved her, but she knew she fell for him. A tall, rich, single man - who


    wouldn''t love him?


    Moreover, after interacting with Ronan a few times, Tabitha found him to be very charismatic,


    masculine, and gentlemanly. She waspletely smitten with him.


    "No, no, Mr. Evans. I don''t deserve you! I came today to apologize. I''m a nobody. No one knows me. It


    doesn''t matter. But it''s different for you," Tabitha said. "I apologize again."


    "You don''t want money or a man, so why are you in my office?" Ronan asked, hitting the nail on the


    head.


    Emerson had been silently observing this woman, and he didn''t like her one bit. Emerson was a sharp


    guy. He knew that the day they met her and today¡¯s scandalous headline was all part of a bigger n.


    Perhaps she was the one who released the photo. Making a scandal involving her and Ronan, then


    making Ronan sumb under the pressure of public opinion, seemed like her n.


    This girl was ying a high-stakes game.

 Chapter 374

    Chapter 374


    Tabitha was left at a loss for words by Ronan''s question. Her primary reason foring here was to


    create opportunities to spend time with Ronan.


    What was an unspoken reality, now put into words by Ronan, left her feeling awkward.


    "No, Mr. Evans, as long as you''re not affected. I''ll take my leave." With that, Tabitha wiped her eyes


    with the back of her hand. Her gesture was simple, naive, and, in its own way, adorable.


    As Tabitha turned to leave, she hoped that Ronan would call her back, but he didn''t. He simply let her


    go.


    Emerson and Ronan were left in the office.


    "There''s something fishy about this. This woman is not as modest as she seems. Do you want me to


    dig up some information?" Emerson asked Ronan.


    Ronan, nonchntly puffing on his cigar, let the smoke dissipate before his eyes. "No need."


    "No need? This woman has a well-structured game n. First, she pretends to bump into you, and


    then she arranges for thosepromising photos to be released. Now, when people in Millstone think


    of her, they think of you, and vice versa. You two are tied together. Plus, this woman''s actions all seem


    to be mimicking Cordelia! She''s an imitation of the type of woman you like!" Emerson said, obviously


    irritated. He despised women who wore pretenses and mimicked others.


    Ronan''s hand got a little burn from the cigar ash. "Which type of woman do I like?" With a slight


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    withdrawal of his hand from the burn, Ronan flicked the ash into an ashtray, asking in a seemingly


    indifferent tone.


    "The Cordelia type, seemingly delicate but with a strong will, with her own thoughts. She was so


    strong-willed that she wouldn''t even heed your words, naturally beautiful without makeup, and with a


    good temperament. This woman seems to have only learned some superficial traits, but she''s miles


    away in terms of temperament," Emerson said, his hand clenched.


    "Speaking with such fervor, do you like her?" Ronan asked Emerson.


    "Come on, that¡¯s your woman, how can I go after her? But seriously, don¡¯t you think we should do some


    digging?¡± Emerson asked again. ¡°She¡¯s obviously scheming, there must be a n.¡±


    ¡°No need,¡± Ronan replied calmly.


    He had some inkling, it could¡¯ve been Samantha¡¯s work, or maybe they were working together.


    They probably wanted money, but more likely, they wanted him. Or, even more likely, they wanted to


    upset a certain woman across the Antic. If Cordelia would truly get upset, Ronan wouldn''t stop it. In


    fact, he would even fuel the fire. He wanted Cordelia, who was living across the Antic, to see his


    intimate photos with another woman, get upset, fly back home, and fall into his arms.


    "Let the press blow this out of proportion," Ronan told Emerson.


    Emerson was speechless. "Can you exin your reasoning?" Emerson asked Ronan.


    "I haven''t thought much about it. Also, make sure Deanna knows about this. She''ll handle it for me,"


    Ronan replied.


    Deanna''s attention would shift from dealing with Cordelia to dealing with Tabitha, a perfect instance of


    killing two birds with one stone.


    "Okay." With that, Emerson left.


    Even if Emerson hadn''t ensured that Deanna found out, she would eventually find out anyway. After all,


    it was a small world, especially with today''s advanced technology.


    Deanna finished her shooting task with Vernon and returned to Millstone.


    After thest time Samantha exposed her, she had fallen to the bottom of the celebrity pyramid, hoping


    to slowly make aeback. But with Ronan''s support withdrawn, she was now no different than a


    regr person.


    When she saw the news, she was instantly livid. She had feelings for Ronan, and currently, the only


    one who could help her regain her status was Ronan. She had to win his favor.

 Chapter 375

    Chapter 375


    Deanna dialed up Ronan.


    "Ronan, is this really true?" Deanna''s voice wavered on the verge of tears over the phone.


    She had been involved with Ronan for years, but never even got close to him physically. She only stole


    a quick peck on his cheek when Cordelia was out of the country. Now, with Cordelia gone again, what


    should have been a golden opportunity turned into a nightmare as Tabitha beat her to the punch.


    Deanna wanted to know, why was it Tabitha!


    "No, it''s not. It''s a photoshopped picture," Ronan replied nonchntly.


    Without a word, Deanna hung up the phone. She quickly dug up information on this so-called "Tabitha."


    She was a 26 year old girl, a vocational school graduate, a nurse in a private hospital, and came from


    an average family. Everything about her was average.


    A victorious smirk crossed Deanna''s face. Did Tabitha really think she stood a chance with Ronan?


    Later, at the private hospital where Tabitha worked.


    Deanna was dressed in expensive, luxurious attire, and stood in front of Tabitha.


    Tabitha recognized Deanna; after all, she was once a big star. She just didn''t expect her toe


    looking for her.


    With a resounding p, Deanna''s hand met Tabitha''s face. Tabitha''s tray ttered to the floor, drawing


    the attention of the hospital''s patients and staff. Everyone gathered around to watch the spectacle.


    Deanna held her head high. "Home-wrecker!" She shouted. "You think you can seduce him? Look at


    yourself, chasing after Mr. Evans with that pancake face of yours. You''re not even worth the dirt on his


    shoes!"


    Despite her fury, Tabitha had to maintain herposure. After all, she was at her workce. Moreover,


    Deanna''s words were too crude to bear.


    "Nothing to see here, back to work!" The head nurse finally intervened, dispersing the crowd.


    Of course, the incident never made it to the news. Even if it did, those people in ke suits would


    ensure it was quickly forgotten.


    Meanwhile, news of Ronan''s escapade with Tabitha made its way across the Antic to Cordelia''s


    ears. She was studying at the library when she stumbled upon the scandalous news story. Images of


    two blurred bodies flooded her vision. Her heart was pounding at the sight.


    Cordelia knew, the more pixted the image, the more they had to hide. And their faces were still


    visible.


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    It was the same girl Samantha had told her about. They''d moved fast!


    In the short month that Cordelia had been away, this had happened.


    Cordelia was devastated. She wept quietly at her desk, trying to stifle her sobs in the silent library. She


    felt so helpless.


    That was just who Ronan was!


    What could she do? Even if she went back, there was nothing she could do!

 Chapter 376

    Chapter 376


    Cordelia¡¯s shoulders were gently nudged as she sobbed. With puffy, red-rimmed eyes, she looked up to


    see who it was.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Why are you crying here?¡± Petra handed Cordelia a tissue.


    Cordelia grabbed her phone. ¡°Nothing, just homesick.¡±


    Cordelia didn¡¯t want to reveal her feelings for Ronan in front of Petra, one of Ronan¡¯s admirers.


    Usually, people would ask, ¡°Who do you have at home? Parents or a spouse?¡± But Petra didn¡¯t. She


    only lowered her head and kindly offered, ¡°Let me take you home.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Cordelia put her phone in her bag, and the two women headed home.


    Once home, Cordelia felt somewhat unwell and took to her bed.


    Petra felt her forehead. ¡°You¡¯re a bit feverish. I¡¯ll make you some hot lemon and honey tea.¡±


    Saying this, Petra headed to the kitchen. By the time she came back with the hot lemon and honey tea,


    Cordelia had fallen asleep with tears still streaming down her face.


    Petra tucked her in, brushing away the hair that stuck to her face with sweat and tears.


    Cordelia was truly beautiful, with delicate skin, almost invisible pores, and a clean, smooth face. If she


    were to open her eyes, they¡¯d resemble two clear springs. She was usually soft-spoken, a sweetheart,


    but she had her principles and her determination. Petra had seen it when she¡¯d watched Cordelia study


    in the library. Cordelia would mumble to herself when she didn¡¯t understand something, underline it,


    and then look up rted material until she understood. She was a real student, unlike those who were


    just pretending.


    ¡°Ronan has good taste,¡± Petra thought.


    Cordelia¡¯s phone buzzed several times, and Petra saw that it was a message from ¡°Brenda¡± on


    Messenger. [Forget about Ronan! Cordelia, don¡¯t take it to heart. He¡¯s not worth it!]


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    Petra had seen the news about Ronan, and she had a feeling that this was why Cordelia had been


    crying.


    After sitting by Cordelia¡¯s bed for a while, Petra left when Taylor came back.


    Cordelia woke up in the afternoon, feeling groggy. ¡°Where¡¯s Petra?¡± She asked Taylor.


    ¡°The woman who was taking care of you? She left. Are youing down with something?¡± Taylor


    asked Cordelia.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Cordelia said vaguely.


    She was afraid that if she talked about Ronan, Taylor would mock her, saying things like, ¡°All guys are


    the same.¡±


    She unlocked her phone to find several messages from Brenda, talking about Ronan and also about


    Marian and Jamie.


    [Cordelia, Marian has been at the firm, and it¡¯s driving me nuts. She¡¯s always up to something, and as


    an investor, I have to put up with it. I¡¯m too old to change jobs easily, so I guess I¡¯ll just have to deal


    with it.]


    Every time Brenda mentioned this, Cordelia felt guilty. She sent Brenda a giftcard with a note. [Cheer


    up.]


    Tristi also sent her a message. [Cordelia, na has been in the country recently. I ran into her again


    when I was out, and we took a selfie. Here, take a look.]


    Attached to the message was a photo of Tristi and na. Tristi was quite pretty, but next to na, she


    paled inparison. na had a star-like aura around her. Her glowing skin and elegant demeanor


    made the difference between her and an ordinary person obvious.


    Cordelia couldn¡¯t see the mole near na¡¯s ear this time. She thought it might¡¯ve been due to the angle


    of the photo or perhaps na had it removed.


    Cordelia sent Tristi a message. [Nice! You took another photo with your idol. Introduce me to her when


    Ie back, okay?]


    Tristi readily replied with a single word. [Sure!]

 Chapter 377

    Chapter 377


    While there was no emotion in the Messenger messages Cordelia sent to Brenda and Tristi, she was


    certainly in a foul mood.


    She didn''t want Ronan to know she had cried and gotten sick over him. After all, he seemed to care so


    little about her and was already rolling in the hay with someone else barely a month after her departure.


    If she cried over him, wouldn''t that make her appear too emotionally invested, or too hung up on him?


    Thankfully, she was overseas, and Ronan remained blissfully ignorant of her thoughts and feelings.


    If Ronan''s "gift" to Cordelia after a month of separation was sleeping with someone else, wasn¡¯t it only


    right for Cordelia to reciprocate with a gift of her own?


    Cordelia was distracted by thoughts of Ronan during ss the next day and found it hard to keep up


    with the already challenging material.


    The task set by the professor was to write an essay on the Capital Asset Pricing Model, a topic filled


    withplex terminology.


    She snapped a picture of the chalkboard filled with these terms and their exnations. She made a


    coge for a Facebook post with notes from her previous readings and a caption stating her


    determination to pull an all-nighter toplete the essay.


    Cordelia wasn''t one to frequently post on Facebook.


    The academic nature of this post was palpable, showcasing her diligence and dedication towards her


    studies. The post garnered a plethora of likes.


    These likes were not out of courtesy for Ronan, but genuine admiration. After all, in this day and age,


    those who buried their heads in academia were few and far between. Cordelia''s dedication, especially


    as a woman and a mother returning to academia, was truly inspiring.


    Emerson liked her post and left ament, filled with thumbs-up emojis and a sincere word of


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    admiration.


    Deanna, ever sarcastic and mocking,mented. [Oh, ying the female schr, are we? Careful,


    schrs make for old maids!]


    The subtext of Deanna''sment was clear ¨C Cordelia would have a hard time remarrying, let alone


    getting back with Ronan.


    Brooklynmented. [What on earth is all this? It''s all Greek to me. I can''t understand a single word.]


    Edwin also left ament. [Impressive! I feel so dumb.]


    From his office, Ronan observed the flood ofments with a cold gaze. Clearly, Cordelia''s Facebook


    post had garnered quite the attention and won over many. He didn''t know if she had seen the news


    about him and Tabitha.


    If she did know and remained so aloof, it meant she truly didn''t care about him and was only concerned


    with her studies. Even if she had heard about the scandal, she probably wouldn''t care. After all, a


    woman so engrossed in her schrly pursuits wouldn''t have time for gossip, much less sordid affairs.


    She was the epitome of a virtuous woman, keeping her ears closed to worldly matters, and her mind


    focused on her books. No scandal of Ronan¡¯s could shake her.


    The difference between her and Ronan was ringly clear.


    She didn¡¯t care about him, not in the slightest! How infuriating!


    Jamie also left ament on Cordelia¡¯s Facebook post, earnestly outlining the potential arguments for


    her essay and rmending numerous books.


    [Cordelia, once you¡¯ve gone through these books, you should have no problem with your essay,] Jamie


    <pmented.

 Chapter 378

    Chapter 378


    Cordelia was astounded when she saw Jamie¡¯sment, thinking to herself, ¡°Jamie¡¯s reputation as


    Millstone¡¯s top CPA is no fluke.¡±


    She was about to reply to hisment when she saw Marian¡¯s feedback.


    Marian had specifically responded directly to Jamie with herment, [Impressive, Mr. Colby.]


    Jamie responded humbly with a ¡°smiley¡± emoji.


    [Since you¡¯re so good, Mr. Colby, you must teach me,] Marian said.


    [Sure,] Jamie replied.


    Cordelia watched their lively chat with dwindling interest, not responding to either of them.


    Although Cordelia had won the contention, the emotional damage she had suffered was significant,


    often leaving her drained.


    She was constantly worried about Callum. Even though Callum was young and oblivious, she was still


    concerned that he would be affected by what had happened.


    Three days after posting on Facebook, she ran into Petra while having lunch at the school cafeteria.


    ¡°Feeling better?¡± Petra casually brushed Cordelia¡¯s forehead, making her feel strangelyforted.


    ¡°Much better,¡± Cordelia replied, sitting opposite Petra.


    ¡°Why did you suddenly get sick?¡± Petra asked. ¡°You need to take care of yourself when you¡¯re living


    alone.¡±


    Petra¡¯s words made Cordelia feel warm inside, and she simply nodded in agreement.


    ¡°Excuse me, Petra?¡± A foreign male student stood beside their table.


    ¡°Yes?¡± Petra replied, looking at him in surprise.


    ¡°Is this your purse?¡± He handed a wallet to Petra.


    Petra saw her lost wallet returned and was overjoyed. Her face was showingyers of gratitude as she


    kept thanking him.


    When Petra tried to reward him with some money, he politely declined and left.


    Seeing Petra¡¯s excitement, Cordeliamented, ¡°You must be happy, huh?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely!¡± Petra¡¯s face was flushed with joy. ¡°Losing my ID was one thing, but the photos inside are


    precious. I may never get them back.¡±


    Petra said this, and didn¡¯t have any intention of showing Cordelia the photos.


    Cordelia understood that it was inappropriate.


    Indeed, it was quite inappropriate.


    Cordelia remained silent, wondering, ¡°How handsome or attractive must the person in the photo be to


    make Petra react like this?¡±


    Cordelia thought about someone cherishing Ronan so much, and didn¡¯t know whether she should feel


    proud or jealous.


    After lunch, Cordelia and Petra had a pleasant chat as they walked.


    ¡°Why did you decide to be a teacher after getting a Ph.D.?¡± Cordelia asked, puzzled.


    Cordelia felt that Petra might¡¯ve been intellectual, soft, yet resilient, unlike Deanna''s arrogance and


    superficiality. Petra had depth, and Cordelia kind of liked her.


    "Is there anything wrong with being a teacher? It''s about educating people. What about you? Why are


    you pursuing a master''s degree?"


    This question left Cordelia stumped.


    "Maybe I don''t want to be humted in front of others. My bachelor''s degree is not impressive, and I


    don''t want to fall behind. I want to feel confident," Cordelia finally answered after some thought.


    "Everyone has their own choices. Maybe this is your choice now, but it might change in the future.


    People change, Cordelia. I''ll probably only stay in the U.S. for another month, and our time together will


    Cordelia''s shoulder and gave her a smile.


    Seeing Petra''s harmless smile, Cordelia felt a momentary daze. She found Petra surprisingly kind.


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    "Shall we add each other on Messenger?" Cordelia suggested.


    "Sure." Petra took out her phone, and they added each other on Messenger.


    But as Cordelia pulled out her phone, she saw a dozen messages from Adrian on Messenger, all voice


    messages, as if something had happened. "Excuse me, could you wait a moment?" Cordelia said,


    beginning to carefully check the messages.

 Chapter 379

    Chapter 379


    These messages had all arrived in the wee hours of the morning.


    Usually, Cordelia''s phone was on silent mode at night, as she didn¡¯t want to be disturbed during her


    sleep. In the morning, she hastily got ready for ss, without checking her phone. After ss, she


    rushed straight to grab lunch.


    [Cordelia, you need to see what kind of man Ronan truly is. He''s running me out of town! Does he even


    care about our family anymore? Cordelia, you did right by divorcing him.]


    [Cordelia, Tabitha was the girl I fancied, and that bastard Ronan bedded her. How could I stand for


    this? I confronted him, damn, what a jerk.]


    Adrian sounded extremely angry.


    Since Cordelia had missed the best time to respond, it didn''t make much sense to reply now.


    Cordelia added Petra on Messenger. Petra appeared to have something to say to Cordelia, but in the


    end, she didn¡¯t, and they parted ways.


    Unbeknownst to Cordelia, a dramatic scene had yed out in the Lumos Enterprises CEO¡¯s office


    yesterday.


    Adrian had also seen the news and was furious that Ronan had slept with Tabitha, the girl he was into.


    Adrian felt humiliated. He had convinced himself that Ronan was intentionally antagonizing him, and, in


    a fit of anger, stormed into Ronan''s office.


    "Ronan, what''s your deal? I was just starting to fancy her, and you fucked her. You''ve got a wife and kid


    already. Are you deliberately trying to cross me?" Adrian hollered in Ronan''s office.


    "She¡¯s my ex-wife!"


    Diverted by Ronan''s three-word response, Adrian got even angrier. "Are you intentionally messing with


    my family? You married Cordelia, then dumped her, and left her child behind. Then you gave me


    money before taking it all back. I¡¯m starting to suspect you had something to do with my mom''s death!


    Did you kill my mom?"


    In Adrian''s eyes, Cordelia had absolutely no reason to leave this wealthy family. The only possibility


    was that Ronan and Cordelia divorced to facilitate his phndering.


    Ronan ignored Adrian and called security.


    As security escorted Adrian out, he ranted the same things he had said to Cordelia. Sadly, Cordelia


    didn¡¯t respond.


    Now, Cordelia was increasingly worried about her child. She desperately wanted to see him. After


    much thought, she sent a message to Janice. [Janice, is Callum doing alright? Could you send me a


    few photos of him?]


    When Janice received this message, she was rather uneasy. She knew Cordelia was missing her child;


    she understood a mother''s heart. But she was more afraid that Mr. Evans would be angry. If he found


    out, he could take a more drastic stance, and Cordelia might never see her child again in this lifetime.


    Janice decided to inform Ronan about this.


    "Mr. Evans, Cordelia sent me a message. She wants to know about Callum¡¯s well-being." After saying


    this, Janice handed her phone to Ronan, letting him read the message.


    Ronan nced at the phone and snorted. He saw through Cordelia''s thoughts. She probably thought


    that Ronan was messing around and that he had unceremoniously stopped caring about her


    Who was heartless and uncaring between Cordelia and Ronan? Cordelia must¡¯ve been confused.


    "She can see the child¡¯s photos, but she has to exchange something for it." Ronan stated slowly,


    handing Janice¡¯s phone back to her.


    ¡°Exchange? What does she need to exchange?¡± Janice wanted to secure a chance for Cordelia to see


    her child.


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    Although she felt that Cordelia¡¯s sudden move to the USA was impulsive and irrational, Cordelia was a


    mother. She had the right to see her child.


    What Ronan was doing was undoubtedly too domineering!

 Chapter 380

    Chapter 380


    It seemed as if Ronan had a gift of foresight, for he had reced Callum¡¯s babysitter, Paloma, with a


    seasoned caregiver, Jessica.


    Jessica was a stranger to Cordelia and didn¡¯t have Messenger, so there was no chance for Cordelia to


    make contact with her. She trusted Janice more.


    "Let her send a picture of me in exchange for pictures!" Ronan sat on the living room couch, slowly


    lifting his nce.


    Janice was puzzled. "Your picture in exchange for the baby''s?"


    "Yes. She has one picture of me, which can be swapped for ten of the baby. It''s a fair deal."


    With that, Ronan got up from the couch and headed upstairs. He paused, turned back to Janice, and


    added, "Pictures downloaded from online magazines or posted on Facebook don''t count. I know all the


    ones she''s posted on Facebook. If she dares to download any from online magazines, she''ll never see


    the baby again!"


    Janice was stunned. She knew when Mr. Evans spoke, he meant business. She had to figure out how


    to break the news to Cordelia without hurting her feelings.


    Finally, Janice texted Cordelia. [Cordelia, Mr. Evans caught me taking pictures of the baby earlier.


    Seems like he wants to see where he stands in your heart. He''s asking you to send a picture of him in


    exchange for a picture of the baby. One picture of him can be exchanged for ten of the baby¡¯s. Can''t


    you see he''s obviously seeking your attention? Remember, pictures downloaded from websites or


    magazines, and those posted on Facebook, don''t count. See how much he cares about his ce in


    your heart.]N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    Cordelia couldn''t help but give a bitter smile upon receiving the message. She didn''t see any plea for


    attention in Ronan''s request. Rather, she thought he was being difficult. His demand felt more like a


    reprimand!


    He probably knew that Cordelia had never taken a picture of him except for one she posted on


    Facebook to provoke Deanna.


    To confirm, or perhaps out of wishful thinking, Cordelia started flipping through her photo album, hoping


    to find a picture of him. Unfortunately, all her search yielded was disappointment.


    Ronan must''ve known she wouldn''t find a picture to meet hismand. That was probably why he


    offered such a tempting deal - one picture of his to be exchanged for ten of the baby''s.


    Even if it could be swapped for a hundred, Cordelia had no pictures of him. Plus, he made it clear that


    downloaded or magazine pictures didn''t count.


    After much thought, Cordelia came up with a tricky solution - Petra.


    Cordelia was sure the picture in Petra''s wallet was of Ronan. It was possibly a handsome snapshot


    from high school, a time when the inte wasn''t popr and pictures were one-of-a-kind.


    Having prepared herself mentally, she finally texted Petra. [Where are you? Let''s meet.]


    ["Sure, I''m at the library.]


    Cordelia was home studying, considering the library''s silence enviornment and the fact that she


    needed a long talk with Petra, she suggested, [Could we chat at my ce? I''ll treat you to lunch


    afterward.]


    [Sure.]


    About twenty minutester, Petra arrived at Cordelia''s.


    Cordelia poured her some water, then said, "We haven''t talked about Ronan sincest time. I thought


    we could talk about him today."


    Cordelia ced the water in front of Petra.


    Petra smiled. "I always thought he was a touchy subject between us, so I never brought it up. I didn''t


    expect you to mention him today."


    "What was he like in high school? Was he worth chasing to the point of getting a Ph.D.?" Cordelia was


    leading up to the picture question, but she was genuinely interested in knowing about Ronan''s past.

 Chapter 381

    Chapter 381


    Petra couldn''t help but chuckle, as if saying, "Why dig up old teenage memories?"


    "In high school, he was mature beyond his years. So steady, as if he would never make a mistake. His


    eyes held this proud look that never deigned to nce at girls. Plus, he was handsome, and came from


    a good family. He was too perfect to be true. What teenage girl wouldn''t be drawn to such a guy? I was


    no exception," Petra said,ughing.


    "Him? Perfect?" Cordelia raised an eyebrow.


    "Isn''t he?"


    With a cold huff, Cordelia retorted, "He''s got a nasty temper, is chauvinist, stubborn as a mule, and is a


    nightmare in bed, drives you crazy in ways you wouldn''t believe."


    Realizing she had let too much slip, Cordelia didn''t continue.


    Petra just gave a soft smile. "Guess, in my eyes, he''s still that unreachable idol. For you, he''s be


    a real, flesh and blood man. Why do you want to divorce him again?"


    "We''ve been divorced. Never remarried!" Cordelia stated.


    Petra gave Cordelia''s hand a reassuring pat.


    Cordelia fell silent, suspecting that her request for a photo would likely be turned down, considering it


    was a private matter. She pressed her lips together. "You probably don''t know. When I decided to go


    abroad, he didn''t agree. He said he would never let me back into the house, nor let me see my kid. I


    just want a picture of him..."


    Upon saying this, Cordelia suddenly felt a deep sense of sorrow, and she couldn''t hold back her tears.


    "I just want a picture of my kid, but he said I need to give him a picture of him in exchange. His one


    picture for ten pictures of my kid. But I couldn''t find a single picture of him in all the photo albums. I


    miss my kids so much, I..."


    Cordelia couldn''t bring herself to continue. She felt like the most wretched mother in history.


    "You want his picture from me?" Petra asked gently. "I think I lost my walletst time. I said it had a


    picture of the person I loved the most. You probably think it was him, right?"


    "Wasn''t it?" Cordelia looked up in surprise.


    "No." Petra shook her head, pulling out a photo to show Cordelia.


    The photo that Cordelia had been curious about finally revealed itself, and it wasn''t Ronan. It was a


    young man Cordelia didn''t recognize. He was dressed in a suit and tie, handsome and refined, with an


    intellectual elegance and a certain masculine charm.


    Cordelia was confused. "It''s not? You don''t have a picture of Ronan either?"


    Petra shook her head. "I don''t know why I was so obsessed back then. For several years, he was all I


    thought about. I studied hard, just trying to catch up with him. But then, I met my husband. His family


    was well-off, but he chose to teach in the mountains. His noble qualities moved me. We got married


    after only three months of knowing each other. As I''ve said before, people change. Feelings change,


    obsessions change. I became a teacher because of my husband''s influence. He once said, ''To teach is


    to nurture, to have disciples all over the world,'' that''s his life''s wish."


    Petra didn''t look at Cordelia but towards the window with a content smile on her lips.


    Cordelia knew that when love brought a smile, it was the right kind of love. She felt a slight sense of


    relief, but a wave of despair also swept over her.


    Relief because Petra was no longer a love rival, for her heart no longer held a ce for Ronan. Despair


    because she hadn''t found a single photo. It seemed seeing her kid¡¯s pictures was a lost cause.


    "I used to have a boyfriend who went teaching in the mountains, too. Did you know?" Cordelia asked


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    Petra.


    With the once sensitive topic no longer an issue, and given Petra''s gentle demeanor, considerate


    personality, and open-mindedness, Cordelia couldn''t help but share more of her private life.


    "Really? Why did you break up?" Petra''s attention returned to Cordelia.


    "He died trying to save a child from drowning," Cordelia replied.

 Chapter 382

    Chapter 382


    Looking back on memories of Logan, Cordelia felt no pain anymore. Perhaps her affection had moved


    on to Ronan. Mentioning her past lover brought no feeling to her anymore.


    "Is that so? Volunteers often face all sorts of situations," Petra said, her head bowed in thought.


    "Alright, I won''t bother you anymore. I can''t help with your predicament. Maybe you can find another


    way."


    Cordelia gave a bitter smile. What other way could there be? Ronan knew she didn''t have any photos


    of him, and he was determined to make things difficult for her. She was helpless.


    She had thought that taking care of a child from afar wouldn''t be a difficult task, but now, the mere act


    of viewing a photo of her child had be a great challenge.


    Cordelia was anxious. She sent Janice a message on Messenger. [Janice, I can''t find any photos of


    him anywhere. I want to see my child so badly. What should I do? Can we video chat so I can see


    him?]


    [Cordelia, I mainly handle the kitchen. Jessica is the one who looks after the child all day. If I video chat


    with you, Jessica will find out and tell Mr. Evans, not to mention Mr. Evans'' parents. It''s not realistic.


    Cordelia, Mr. Evans wants you toe back, don''t you get it? Why are you so stubborn?]


    Cordelia didn''t want things to be this way, but she had her reasons.


    She thought to herself, ¡°If Ronan truly forbids me from seeing my child, I will go home for a bit. I could


    then tell him about the threats I have received. After all, discussing such matters over the phone was


    too risky.¡±


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Janice was also worried. She understood a mother''s heart and thought of taking a photo of Ronan for


    Cordelia. But she was wise enough to know that with Ronan''s cunning ways, doing certain things could


    be pointless, and even result in a harsh bacsh.


    After Ronan returned home, he sat on the living room couch.


    "Mr. Evans," Janice said to him. "Cordelia doesn''t have any photos of you. Can you find another way to


    let her see the child? She is the mother, after all."


    "Hmm, she doesn''t have a single one?" Ronan asked Janice calmly.


    "If it involved the child, she would have given it to you if she had one."


    A slight smirk appeared on Ronan''s lips. Cordelia was truly heartless; she did not even have a single


    photo of her man.


    "Well, if that''s the case, I can''t do anything," Ronan said, heading for the stairs.


    "Mr. Evans," Janice called out to him just as he reached the foot of the stairs.


    "What is it?" Ronan turned around.


    "Please, give Cordelia another chance. She''s a mother; I understand her pain." Janice was torn


    between her anger at Cordelia''s coldness and her sympathy for her not being able to see her own


    child.


    Ronan slightly squinted his eyes. "Alright, since she doesn''t have any photos of me, she should at least


    have some of herself. She can exchange her own photos for the child''s. However, this time, it''s ten of


    her photos for one photo of the child."


    "That can be done!" Janice was overjoyed.


    "Don''t celebrate too soon." Ronan shattered Janice¡¯s enthusiasm. "They have to be nude photos. With


    her face visible."


    With that, Ronan went upstairs. Janice stared at Ronan''s retreating figure, stunned. Mr. Evans certainly


    knew how to torment people.


    She had no idea how to tell Cordelia. But in the end, she sent Cordelia a message on Messenger.


    [Cordelia, I''ve told him about the photo situation. I''ve also found a way around it.]


    [What way?] Cordelia asked anxiously.


    [He said you can provide your own photos. But it''s ten of your photos for one photo of the child. And


    also...]


    [They have to be nude photos. With your face visible.]


    Cordelia was bbergasted. Ronan¡¯s methods of torment were indeed endless. He was forcing


    Cordelia to take nude photos of herself to send them to him. That was great humiliation.


    Sending them through the phone was risky. What if the men in ck suits saw them? Cordelia had


    decided that she could never do such a thing.


    She wanted to go home and make things clear with Ronan. She wasn''t attending school out of


    stubbornness.


    But just when Cordelia was about to buy toys for the child and prepare to return to Millstone, there was


    a knock on the door.


    It was work hours, and Taylor wasn''t home. Upon opening the door, Cordelia was filled with dread. It


    was the man in the ck suit that she hadn''t seen in a while.


    "Long time no see, Ms. Haselwood," he said. "Aren''t you going to invite me in?"


    "Come in," Cordelia said, feeling a chill down her spine.


    She had thought that he had stopped paying attention to her, but it seemed he was not only still on


    guard but also aware of her whereabouts. It was clear that her every move was being watched. It was


    terrifying.


    Once in the living room, the man in the ck suit immediately noticed the child''s toys on the sofa.


    "Ms. Haselwood, did you buy toys for your child? That''s inconsistent with what you''ve promised


    before." The man stared at Cordelia with his cold, menacing eyes. "You said you don''t like this child."


    "I bought them for someone else''s child. I''m not going home. Why would I buy these?" Cordelia''s face


    turned pale.


    "You better be telling the truth! If you go home, you know what will happen. The same thing that


    happened to Sha will happen to Ronan, it won''t be surprising. You can tell him, but he can''t guard


    against it," he told Cordelia.


    ¡°I understand!¡± Cordelia said, her face ashen.


    Just when Cordelia was preparing to go home and exin everything to Ronan, the man in the ck


    suit had sessfully persuaded her to stay put.

 Chapter 383

    Chapter 383


    In Millstone.


    After dinner, Ronan sat on the couch, engrossed in a book.


    Janice, on her way back to her room from the kitchen, was stopped by a question from Ronan.


    "Did you tell her?" Ronan asked Janice.


    Janice thought for a moment, then remembered what Ronan was referring to.


    "Yeah, I told her. Exined everything, about the nude photos with her face exposed. It''s actually quite


    normal for a couple to take such photos, but, she''s overseas now, and she may get it wrong..." Janice


    advised patiently.


    "Okay, you can go."


    Janice returned to her room.


    Ronan picked up his book again but found it hard to concentrate. He went upstairs. Just as he was


    getting ready for bed, a notification sounded from his phone. It was a friend request on Messenger,


    from Taylor, Cordelia''s roommate.


    Ronan epted it.


    The first message from Taylor read. [Mr. Evans, I took those photos of Cordelia. They''re on my phone.


    From now on, I''ll handle the photo sharing.]


    Following that, Ronan''s Messenger buzzed twenty times, each buzz signaling the arrival of a new,


    explicit photo of Cordelia.


    In the photos, she waspletely bare, her figure drawing one''s gaze. The curtains were drawn,


    perhaps due to shyness. Her eyes were closed as she looked to the side. This shy state gave the


    photos an artistic beauty.


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Ronan zoomed in on the photos, his pulse quickening. This was going to keep him up all night. But


    This was his own doing, asking for such photos!


    Ronan closed his eyes as images of Cordelia, sometimes yful, sometimes angry, flooded his mind.


    He clenched his jaw, regretting his words. He said, "Either stay or leave forever."


    He hadn''t expected her to actually leave and not return.


    He needed to find a way to appease the situation. Ronan decided to give Cordelia some time, to see if


    she''d reach out. If she didn''t...


    If she didn''t, he''d go to the States.


    Just as he entered his bedroom, another message from Taylor arrived. [Cordelia asks that you keep


    these photos safe. She doesn''t want a scandal. Also, she asks that you keep your promise.]


    Shortly after, two photos arrived on Taylor''s phone, both of Callum.


    This was the first time Cordelia received a message from Ronan since she left for the States; both were


    sent to Taylor''s phone.


    ...


    In the States.


    At Cordelia''s home.


    "Cordelia, he sent photos of the baby," Taylor excitedly told Cordelia, rushing into her room.


    "Send them to me. Thanks for doing this. And remember, don''t share my photos with anyone," Cordelia


    instructed.


    "Don''t worry. I deleted them after taking them. You know I wouldn''t do something so unscrupulous,"


    Taylor reassured her, while forwarding the photos. "I''ve sent you the baby''s photos."


    Cordelia asked Taylor to take the photos with her phone for convenience, but she was actually afraid


    that the man in ck might have tapped her phone. She didn''t want him to know about this ¡°intimate¡±


    contact with Ronan, fearing potential retaliation against him and herself.


    Her thoughts were, ¡°If there''s any revenge to be had, let ite at me.¡±


    Cordelia''s phone buzzed twice. She picked it up. The moment she saw the photos of Callum, she was


    ovee with a mix of joy and sorrow. The next second, tears slid down her cheeks, and the salty


    taste filled her mouth.


    Her initial dislike for the child was temporary. After all, he was her flesh and blood. Seeing him stirred


    up her emotions, and she found herself saying, "He''s grown."


    Now plump and fair, he bore a resemnce to both Cordelia and Ronan.


    Having just finished with the photos, Cordelia felt exhausted. It wasn''t just physical exhaustion, but


    mental as well.


    She felt like a woman forced into a brothel, unable to break through her own mental barriers. With the


    arrival of the man in ck, she had to break those barriers, to take explicit photos.


    If it was only a situation between her and Ronan, such a thing wouldn''t have mattered. But with the


    addition of Tabitha and the ensuing misunderstandings between the two of them, Cordelia felt as


    though she was being forced into prostitution.

 Chapter 384

    Chapter 384


    Cordelia''s phone was home to two precious pictures of their child. She resisted the urge to ask Janice


    for more, wary of the additional torment Ronan might devise. Perhaps this time, it would be something


    even more humiliating than posing for explicit photos.


    Instead, Cordelia focused on her studies. Soon, it was Christmas, and school was out for the holidays.


    But even with the break, Cordelia was home every day, and her nose was buried in books. She seldom


    went out, and she never returned home.


    Ronan began to ponder if she was unwilling to return, or simply unable.


    Could it be that she stayed away just because he had told her, "Once you leave, don''te back?" But


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Callum was here. Did she just abandon her maternal instincts?


    Besides, when had she ever listened to him?


    He mulled it over. In the past, if Ronan didn''t reply to her Facebook messages, she would have


    definitely asked Janice what was going on. But this time, she hadn''t asked even once. Cold-blooded,


    indeed.


    Ronan summoned Brooklyn.


    "Tell me, Brooklyn, what exactly happened the night before Cordelia left for abroad?" Ronan sat in his


    office chair, flicking his cigarette lighter onto his desk with a smirk.


    Brooklyn was taken aback. Why was Ronan asking about this now, after Cordelia had been abroad for


    so long?


    "Nothing really happened," Brooklyn replied nervously. "Marian just belittled Cordelia, saying we were


    undereducated."


    "What else?" Ronan pressed, his gaze fixed on Brooklyn. "Speak up, and I''ll raise your sry to the


    same level as the deputy director. Plus, I''ll promote you to project team leader."


    Sure enough, Brooklyn''s eyes lit up. "Really?" Brooklyn asked incredulously.


    "You should know, it''s not only about education but also connections. Not everyone is as stubborn as


    Cordelia."


    Brooklyn had also noticed that Cordelia had been abroad for so long without returning. And Mr. Evans


    had been seen with that woman, Tabitha, and then there was what Ronan had said at Callum''s


    christening banquet. Brooklyn had felt a pang of worry for Cordelia.


    On top of that, Cordelia had told Brooklyn after getting out of that van that the situation was very


    serious and that Brooklyn should not tell Ronan.


    But just because Cordelia couldn''t solve it, didn''t mean Mr. Evans couldn''t.


    So, she told Ronan everything about the mysterious man in ck.


    "A van?" Ronan asked, piqued by the new information. "What kind of van?"


    "I''ll send it to you," Brooklyn said, looking down to send the picture.


    "What did she say after that?" Ronan pressed.


    "She didn''t say much after that, just that she was going abroad. I didn''t expect her to leave the very


    next day. It was all so sudden."


    "Alright, you can go." Ronan dismissed Brooklyn.


    He forwarded the picture of the van to his assistant and asked her to find out who owned it.


    Tabitha hadn''t just appeared out of nowhere. The first time, her car broke down on the road, the second


    time, she went to Pearl Palms with Adrian, continually calling him ¡°brother.¡± Ronan had suspected that


    she was trying to provoke some kind of reaction. And the third time, she had exined that she and


    Adrian weren¡¯t a couple. Then, they had made the front page of the entertainment news.


    All of this couldn¡¯t be a coincidence. There was a conspiracy at y.


    But what was the conspiracy?


    He asked his assistant to check Tabitha¡¯s recent call records. Then there was the matter of Samantha.


    Recently, her luck had taken a turn for the better, a stark contrast to her previous misfortunes.


    There had to be a connection between all these events.

 Chapter 385

    Chapter 385


    Once there was a target for inspection, the investigation was swift. Five dayster, the assistant


    handed Ronan a list of the most frequently dialed numbers in Tabitha¡¯s phone records. He also gave


    Ronan the information of the owner of a car with a disguised license te.


    Both the disguised car and the phone number pointed to the same person. This person, apparently a


    henchman, was likely working for the real mastermind behind it all¡ªna.


    ¡°na?¡± Ronan was taken aback by this newly excavated character.


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Yes. na has also given Samantha a new antagonist role in The Grand Hotel. Given Samantha¡¯s


    experience, this is highly unusual,¡± the assistant added.


    ¡°It seems I need to meet this person,¡± Ronan said. ¡°Is she in the country?¡±


    ¡°Yes. She has been staying at the Azure View Hotel in The High Society. But be careful, Mr. Evans, the


    Keegan family has deep roots,¡± the assistant cautioned.


    ¡°How will I know if I don¡¯t try?¡± Ronan retorted.


    He was actually relieved to have discovered na. At least, Cordelia¡¯s sudden departure to America


    wasn¡¯t without reason. She had a home and a child in her eyes but was forced to leave urgently due to


    the pressure from these troublemakers, causing Ronan to misunderstand her for so long.


    Perhaps she was trying to divert danger away from Ronan and their son Callum. After all, thest time


    Edwin¡¯s ten million dor investment was basically a wash, and she was scared.


    And The High Society was one of the shows na was producing. Everything was falling into ce.


    The next day, Ronan appeared outside na¡¯s presidential suite at the Azure View Hotel.


    na had just finished her makeup. When she opened the door, she saw Ronan. This was the first


    time Ronan had seen the famed na in person.


    ¡°Mr. Evans, what brings you here? Pleasee in.¡± With a poker face, na poured Ronan a cup of


    Earl Grey tea. ¡°I¡¯m not sure what kind of tea you prefer, Mr. Evans. I happen to enjoy this one, so I


    suppose you¡¯ll have to adapt.¡±


    Ronan picked up the cup and sipped the tea. He knew this woman was not to be underestimated.


    ¡°I figured you mighte looking for me one day, but I never imagined it would be so soon. Your


    rtionship with Cordelia doesn¡¯t seem to be as ¡®bitter and deep-seated¡¯ as she ims,¡± na said,


    almost jokingly.


    ¡°She said that?¡± Ronan asked.


    ¡°Yes, would you like to hear the recording?¡± na asked, reaching for a recorder.


    ¡°No need. To prevent you from retaliating against me, she¡¯s really gone to great lengths. I didn¡¯t know


    before, but I do now. If you dare touch my people again, let¡¯s see what happens. I¡¯ve taken out a high-


    value insurance policy. If there¡¯s any financial loss or personal injury, I¡¯ve already made a report with


    the police and the insurancepany. They¡¯lle straight to you. What do you think?¡± Ronan leaned


    in close to na. ¡°Or, I could go to the press. Document everything you¡¯ve done. How¡¯s that sound?¡±


    A fleeting grimace of embarrassment shed across na¡¯s face before disappearing. She sat back on


    the couch with her tea, staring into the cup as if lost in thought.


    Indeed, if her actions remained unknown, she could operate easily from the shadows. But once


    exposed, she would be restrained. And the one restraining her was none other than the famous Ronan.


    ¡°Why bother?¡± na said atst. ¡°Cordelia is just the daughter of a lowly assistant of mine, Allison, who


    came from the countryside. She flirted with August, a famous action star before. Allison ended up


    getting August drunk, and they ended up having a one-night stand. She gave birth to Cordelia out of


    wedlock, which was a huge scandal at the time. To avoid disgrace, she sent Cordelia away. But this


    bitch stole my emerald rings, giving one to Cordelia and keeping one for herself. She intended to


    reim her daughter once she had made her fortune.


    ¡°August was the man I loved. I was infatuated with him. But he was seduced by my assistant and even


    fathered a child with her. Was I wrong to seek revenge? At first, I thought Samantha was wearing the


    ring, and I sought revenge on her. Onlyter did I realize that I had targeted the wrong person. Cordelia


    was the real offspring!"

 Chapter 386

    Chapter 386


    "p, p, p."


    Ronan apuded thrice. "Impressive story. But don''t cross my line! Otherwise, I''ll act upon my words.


    Don''t mess with me, and especially not with her! If you do, you will get to know the consequences."


    With that, Ronan rose from his seat and left.


    na tightly clenched the corner of her throw pillow, wondering how her people could have been so


    inept to let Ronan discover their n so quickly and utterly crush it!


    na stood in front of her couch for a moment before making a call to her subordinate. "Get Allison


    over here!"


    "Okay."


    Allison was na''s former assistant.


    After returning to his office, Ronan began packing his things. Emerson walked in. "What''s the rush,


    bro? Going on a business trip?"


    "I¡¯m going abroad!"


    "Which country?"


    "What do you think?" Ronan challenged Emerson without even raising his head.


    Emerson was shocked. "The U.S.? Really? Has hell frozen over? Can''t bear the loneliness anymore?"


    Ronan cast Emerson a reproachful look. "What you think is what you see," Ronan retorted.


    "So, is that not what you''re thinking?"


    Ronan remained silent.


    Emerson pulled out his phone. "Need me to book your flight?"


    "No need, I have an assistant for that," Ronan replied while dialing his driver to wait for him downstairs


    to go to the airport.


    "Can''t sit still for a minute!" Emerson eximed, watching Ronan''s retreating figure.


    Ronan descended the building and headed straight for the airport.


    ...


    In the U.S., in a luxurious restaurant, Petra was having dinner with Cordelia.


    "Cordelia, my research schr assignment is over. I''m leaving tomorrow. I wanted to treat you to a


    meal before I leave. And, if possible, visit me at Birchwood College in the future," Petra said.


    "Sure. I''ll see you off at the airport tomorrow." Cordelia had grown quite fond of Petra, a drastic change


    from her initial dislike.


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    Besides, Birchwood College was where Barney used to work. Cordelia had visited the ce before and


    found it truly beautiful. Petra, just like a not-so-shyndscape painting from Birchwood, was


    refreshing to the heart upon closer observation.


    "Here''s to our meeting and parting," Petra raised her ss.


    "Cheers," Cordelia responded.


    "Do you have any ns after graduation?" Petra asked.


    Cordelia was unsure. She had pursued further studies because her current educational qualifications


    made her feel belittled.


    "I just want a degree that can give me some confidence."


    "You can teach at Birchwood College. It''s a noble profession. Besides, you''re a finance major, so you


    could also take up part-time independent directorships and such. They pay well," Petra suggested.


    Cordelia considered Petra''s suggestion thoughtfully. It was a new career path for her to ponder. The


    women shared a lot of drinks and words, some spoken, some left unsaid.


    After having a few too many drinks, Cordelia wanted to get home early. Luckily, she bumped into Taylor


    on her way out. Both of them ascended to their respective apartments.


    As Cordelia opened her door, she had a start. A tall man was standing by her writing desk, flipping


    through her books. He donned a ck woolen coat. At first, she thought it was the man in the ck suit


    she had seen before, but upon closer observation, she realized it was¡ªRonan.


    "What are you doing here?" Cordelia stered herself onto the door in surprise. Her ears pricked, and


    her eyes were cautiously darting around. She had an inkling the man in the ck suit was watching


    her.


    Ronan turned around to look at her. It had been a while. She had lost weight, her hair had grown


    longer, and herplexion had be even rosier.


    "Is this what you''ve be after leaving me?" Ronan observed the room''s furnishings.


    It wasn''t exactly shabby, but it paled inparison to any of his residences.

 Chapter 387

    Chapter 387


    Cordelia cast a look around her bedroom, then she said, "Since ancient times, schrs have always


    had to endure hardship. Pursuit of knowledge is tough, and life is tough. If one is surrounded by luxury,


    they may forget their original purpose. Barney''s home was filled with substantial, yet humble decor; he


    was a man of great wisdom. Taylor chose this ce because of its proximity to his office. None of us


    find anything inappropriate about it."


    Her words made Ronan regard her with new respect.


    Ronan slowly strode towards her. Gradually, Cordelia''s heart pounded like a drum. She had already


    been drinking, and now, with the heat of the moment, her face quickly became flushed.


    "What are you afraid of?" He asked.


    "Afraid? What do I have to be afraid of?" Cordelia feigned nonchnce.


    She then walked to the window and drew the curtains. She was afraid of those men in ck suits


    watching her all the time; it wasn''t good for Ronan, and even worse for her child.


    "Why¡¯re you drawing the curtains? So impatient." Ronan''s tone was rich with teasing. He knew why she


    was drawing the curtains; someone was watching her.


    Cordelia''s room was small, and as she returned from drawing the curtains, she passed by Ronan, who


    sniffed the air. "Have you been drinking?" He asked.


    "Yes." Cordelia sat down on the bed, exhausted.


    "Who were you drinking with?"


    "A friend, you..." Cordelia was about to say, "Someone you don''t know," but then she remembered that


    he did know Petra.


    But she didn''t want Ronan to know that Petra was also in America.


    "A man or a woman?" Ronan asked, his attention half on Cordelia and half on exploring her room.


    "A woman. Why are you in America?" Cordelia asked Ronan.


    "I missed you." He finally finished examining the furnishing in Cordelia''s room. There was no trace of


    any other man, and her books were all marked up, showing that she was indeed a diligent student who


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    focused on her studies to the exclusion of all else.


    Cordelia''s face flushed slightly.


    "Why didn''t youe home for Christmas?" He asked, taking a seat next to her on the bed.


    "I''ve been busy with my studies."


    "You have time to go out drinking with friends but no time toe home to see your son?" Ronan


    sounded displeased.


    Feeling guilty, Cordelia moved a little further onto the bed.


    "The person trying to hurt you was na. I''ve already taken care of that problem. Now you cane


    and go as you please without worrying."


    Cordelia instantly sobered up. As if she''d been jolted, she asked Ronan, "How... how did you know?"


    Ronan looked at her and smiled faintly, "It seems to be true. I thought you were really heartless, ready


    to abandon your husband and son."


    "I''m asking, how did you know it was her who wanted to harm me? I have no quarrel with her. Why


    would she want to harm me?" Cordelia was confused, thinking back to when she saw na at the


    Azure View Hotel. Given na''s unique aura and stunning looks, Cordelia found it hard to believe that


    such a beautiful woman could be so malicious.


    "I had someone investigate. I''ve warned her."


    Cordelia''s heart was racing, and she was struggling to keep up.


    At this moment, she felt a bit regretful, thinking how foolish she had been to heed the words of the man


    in the ck suit and rush off to America. Even though she''d always wanted to study in America and


    Ronan had always opposed it, she didn''t expect to end up in a situation where she couldn''t even go


    home. Moreover, Cordelia realized that she had underestimated Ronan''s power.


    "Did you go abroad because of me?" Ronan stared intensely into Cordelia''s eyes.


    Cordelia hesitated, looking away and lowering her voice. "Don''t tter yourself. I''ve always wanted to


    study in America, but you were the one who wouldn''t let me. And you''re also the one who wouldn''t let


    me return home!"


    "I''m allowing you toe home now. I can''t argue with you anymore." Ronan said.


    "I want to see my child! I want to video call him!" Cordelia demanded, lifting her head.


    Just then, there was a knock on Cordelia''s bedroom door.

 Chapter 388

    Chapter 388


    Both Ronan and Cordelia turned their eyes toward the door.


    Cordelia rose, and upon opening it, Taylor stood there. She grabbed Cordelia''s hand, who then swiftly


    closed the door behind them.


    "Here!" Taylor handed over a box to Cordelia.


    "What is it?" Cordelia asked, lowering her gaze to see what she was holding.


    It was a box of condoms.


    Cordelia blushed. "What are you implying?"


    "If he was asking for nude photos when he couldn''t see you, who knows what he could do now that he


    can? Better safe than sorry. He''s a creep; don''t let yourself end up pregnant," Taylor sternly warned


    Cordelia.


    "That won''t happen. He may not even stay here," Cordelia tried to reassure herself.


    "Who are you kidding?" Taylor responded sharply. "Just keep it."


    With that, Taylor retreated back to her room.


    Cordelia looked at the box of condoms, feeling somewhat embarrassed. She remembered Ronan¡¯s


    flirtations with Tabitha, their rumored trysts. Though the rumors may have been false, there was no


    smoke without fire.


    She slipped the condoms into her pocket and returned to her room. As soon as she walked in, Ronan


    asked her, "What''s in your pocket?"


    Caught off guard by Taylor''s interruption, she hadpletely forgotten what she and Ronan had been


    talking about before she stepped out.


    "Huh?" Cordelia looked down at her pocket, now bulging slightly.


    "Nothing. We hadn¡¯t finished our conversation. Why is na out to get me?" Cordelia asked,


    absentmindedly tidying her bed as she spoke.


    "Some old drama. I don''t really care," Ronan dismissed the topic.


    The room fell into silence, and the quiet air slowly fermented into a tense and ambiguous atmosphere.


    Cordelia felt her cheeks flush under its influence.


    "Where are you staying tonight?" Cordelia asked, her voice quivering slightly.


    "Why are you nervous?" Ronan observed, watching her slight tremble.


    "I''m not!" Cordelia retorted.


    In response to Cordelia''s denial, Ronan simply chuckled, neither confirming nor denying it. "Of course,


    I¡¯ll stay in your bed tonight."


    "That''s not possible. I only have a single duvet on my bed. It''s not big enough for both of us," Cordelia


    said, her voice faint.


    She felt humiliated, as if she was being treated like a disposable maid, summoned on his whim.


    "I don''t mind," he said, staring at Cordelia impassively.


    "Well, I do!" Cordelia shot back.


    By the time Cordelia had returned to her room, night had fully descended. The room was pitch ck


    and made even darker by the drawn curtains. Despite the darkness, Ronan could tell that Cordelia was


    fuming.


    Suddenly, Cordelia remembered the conversation they were having before she left. They were


    discussing their child. How could she forget that?


    "If you want to sleep in my bed, that''s fine. But I''m video calling our child! Now!" Cordelia said, looking


    at him with a challenging gaze.


    "Let''s sleep first."


    "No!" Cordelia insisted.


    "Do you not trust me? I''m here, aren''t I? I won¡¯t stop you from seeing our child," Ronan reasoned.


    Cordelia thought, ¡°Well, at least I could trust him on that.¡±


    "You go freshen up," Cordelia said. "There are new toothbrushes in the bathroom. Here are your


    towels."


    Saying so, Cordelia fetched a face towel and a bath towel from her wardrobe and handed them to


    Ronan.


    Thankfully, the apartment had two bathrooms. Though Cordelia''s room was small, it had everything she


    needed. While Ronan was in the bathroom, Cordelia sat at her desk and finished the assignment her


    professor had given her.


    Before she finished, Ronan emerged from the bathroom, draped in a bath towel. The muscles of his


    abdomen were casually exposed, catching her eye.Original from N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 389

    Chapter 389


    When Ronan stepped out, Cordelia slipped into the bathroom to freshen up.


    This home had never seen a man before. The steam from Ronan''s shower was still lingering, mingling


    with the scent of his shampoo and body wash. The unmistakable aroma of masculinity hit Cordelia''s


    senses. The towel Ronan had used was hung on the rack, still damp.


    Cordelia hadn''t intended to shower tonight, but she did anyway. As she stood under the shower head,


    thinking about Ronan wrapped in his towel, a shiver ran down her spine. Her hormones seemed to be


    in overdrive, but luckily, the warm water wasforting.


    After her shower, Cordelia got into her pajamas and stepped out of the bathroom.


    Ronan was already in bed, hands folded behind his head, and eyes closed in repose. At the sound of


    her movements, his eyes fluttered open. Seeing her with damp hair, he asked, "Don''t you usually blow-


    dry your hair?"


    "Ah, it''s too bothersome," Cordelia replied, her face looking flushed from the hot shower. She quickly


    dried her hair with a towel and draped it over her shoulders. She wasn''t in a rush to get to bed. Instead,


    she let down the mosquito over the bed, shielding itpletely from view.


    Ronan hadn''t noticed the before.


    "What''s this for?" He asked, gazing at her delicate wrists.


    "It''s winter, but there might still be mosquitoes. Plus, sleeping under a gives me a sense of security.


    I used to have one over my bed in the dorm,¡± Cordelia exined.


    Ronan seemed intrigued. ¡°Howe I didn¡¯t know about this when we lived together?¡±


    ¡°That was your home. And such a luxurious one at that. Hanging a mosquito would seem out of


    ce. This ce isn¡¯t as fancy, but at least it¡¯s mine,¡± she said.


    With that, she climbed into bed.


    The bed was smaller than any in Ronan¡¯s homes, and there was just one nket. This brought


    Cordelia and Ronan closer than ever before.


    Cordelia, in her pajamas, identally brushed her foot against Ronan¡¯s leg. She recoiled as if she¡¯d


    touched a hot stove.


    ¡°Stop acting so innocent,¡± he scoffed.


    Indeed. Cordelia realized there was no need for pretense. Maybe their time apart had made them


    strangers. However, his body was like a zing fireball, making her feel warm and flustered. So, she


    quickly pulled her foot away.


    Despite her lingering doubts and insecurities, she still craved his touch.


    Cordelia leaned against the headboard, reading a book.


    "So now you''re the one who reads?" Ronanmented from his side of the bed, his eyes still closed.


    "I have a testing up," she replied. "Just crammingst minute. When can I see the baby?"


    "Tomorrow at ten in the morning? He''ll be awake then."


    "Don''t forget," Cordelia reminded him.


    "I know."


    The two of them, enclosed in this small space, seemed so intimately close.


    "It''s so cold," Cordelia said, shivering slightly.


    They were sharing a nket, but the middle was gaping open, letting the cold air in.


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Just as Cordelia was about to pull the nket over her, Ronan swiftly moved closer to her. Suddenly,


    Cordelia wasn''t cold anymore. Her breath hitched.


    "No!" She protested. "We can''t! Not without protection."


    She vividly remembered the news of him and Tabitha. Just the thought of his name mixed up with


    another woman¡¯s made her feel bitter.


    ¡°No protection? Who are you trying to fool?¡± Ronan nced at the bedside table. Following his gaze,


    Cordelia noticed the box of condoms Taylor had given her.


    ¡°Were you snooping through my stuff?¡± Cordelia questioned.


    ¡°It¡¯s right there in the open. Do I need to snoop?¡±


    Their eyes met, and sparks began flying.


    Cordelia was just beginning to understand the meaning of irresistible attraction.


    Ronan¡¯s phone began to ring, interrupting their intense moment. It was a call from Janice.


    ¡°Ignore it!¡± Ronan said dismissively.


    ¡°Answer it!¡± Cordelia insisted, worried it might¡¯ve been something about the baby.


    "Fine!"

 Chapter 390

    Chapter 390


    Ronan was draped over Cordelia, his phone sandwiched between their flushed faces as he had a voice


    call with Janice.


    "What''s up?" Ronan asked Janice, his tone indifferent.


    Janice''s voice was so close, Cordelia could hear every word.


    "Mr. Evans, do you have a moment?" Janice queried.


    "Go on."


    Cordelia was suspicious, wondering if Callum had caught a cold or if something else hade up.


    "Adrian came over earlier, causing quite a ruckus. He ims Tabitha''s pregnant, and he''s saying it''s


    your responsibility. He''s still here, and we can''t seem to get him to leave," Janice informed, her voice


    tense.


    "Then let him stay!" Ronan retorted, abruptly ending the call.


    Cordelia turned her head to the side, remaining silent.


    "Do you actually believe that crap?" Ronan grumbled, tossing his phone onto Cordelia''s pillow.


    "Get off!" Cordelia tried to push Ronan off her, but her attempts were futile.


    She aimed to p him, yet, her fist ended up in his grip. She continued to fight, each strike falling into


    his hand. The room echoed with the muffled sounds of her fists meeting his flesh.


    Cordelia was seething. Of course, she didn''t fully believe the rumors. Her fury stemmed from imagining


    him back home, interacting with other women in ways she couldn''t see.


    Jealousy filled her heart. To him, Cordelia was just one of many women, and whether they shared a


    bed mattered little. His liaisons with other women were merely to satisfy his physical cravings while


    seeking out Cordelia was for enjoyment.


    "Cordelia, are you okay?" A knock sounded at the door, apanied by Taylor''s concerned voice.


    Taylor knew Ronan was no saint, and feared for Cordelia''s wellbeing; he had been listening for any


    signs of trouble from her room.


    "I''m¡­" Before Cordelia could say she was fine, Ronan silenced her, swallowing any words she might


    have said. Cordelia''s hands wed at his back, her legs kicking, but he held her firmly in his arms.


    "If you''re okay, I''ll take my leave?" Taylor''s worried voice came again.


    "Uh-huh." Cordelia managed to pull away from Ronan''s lips, gasping for breath before responding.


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    Once Taylor had left, the room fell into silence once again.


    Ronan pinned Cordelia¡¯s hands next to her pillow, and her legs were pinned under his. "You''re a feisty


    one, but I bet that makes things more fun," he whispered, his lips tracing her face, sometimes brushing


    against her, sometimes pulling back. His hot breath,ced with pheromones, washed over her face.


    Cordelia''s heart pounded and fluttered, torn between anticipation and conflict.


    She detested his dirty, unfaithful ways, but she craved his touch. His muscled torso was etched into her


    mind. Cordelia''s mind was filled with images of their entangled bodies.


    "Get off!" Cordelia spat, her voice hoarse.


    However, handling Cordelia was as easy for Ronan as handling a tiny bird. He entered her. Despite


    Cordelia''s vigorous resistance, it only seemed to excite Ronan further.


    By the time the clock struck midnight, Ronan finally pulled away from Cordelia, sprawling on his side of


    the bed.


    "That was intense," hemented.


    Cordelia ignored him, and her energy hadpletely drained.


    She fell asleep.


    The next morning, Cordelia was the first to wake. Her body had adapted to an early sleep and rise


    schedule, while Ronan was still dealing with jetg. Furthermore, he had taken an overnight flight and


    hadn''t slept for two nights. So when Cordelia finished her morning routine and left, Ronan was still


    asleep.


    After two sses, around 10 am, Cordelia remembered she had to video call Callum. At that moment,


    Petra sent her a message. [Cordelia, I''ve packed my things. Should Ie over now?]


    Cordelia then remembered she had promised to take Petra to the airport. She thought, ¡°Ronan hadn''t


    mentioned when he''d be leaving, so the video call with Callum would have to wait.¡±


    At around 11 am, Cordelia and Petra took a cab to the airport.


    "Hmm, Cordelia, what happened to your neck?" Petra asked.


    "What?" Cordelia, in a rush that morning, hadn''t paid much attention, and there was no full-length


    mirror in the house, just the one in the bathroom.


    "Did a cat bite you?" Petra teased.


    "Oh," Cordelia understood immediately,ughing. "More like a leopard."


    Petra seemed to not fullyprehend but justughed in response.


    At the airport, Petra told Cordelia, "Don''t forget what I said, Cordelia. I hope we''ll meet again."


    Cordelia knew she would probably return to Millstone in the future, but she still thanked Petra for her


    invitation, promising to visit if she had the chance.

 Chapter 391

    Chapter 391


    Cordelia returned to her apartment, it was three in the afternoon. At this time, Taylor would have been


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    at work already.


    She entered her bedroom, shed her coat, quickly pulled her hair into a bun, donned a fluffy white


    sweater, and sat down at her desk to read.


    The entire motion was fluid and uninterrupted.


    "Didn''t you notice there''s another person in the room?" Ronan''snguid voice resonated from behind


    her.


    How could Cordelia not have noticed? The moment she stepped through the door, she saw Ronan. He


    was awake, but hadn''t gotten out of bed,ying there bare-skinned against the headboard.


    He didn''t seem to mind the cold.


    "I saw you," Cordelia replied, reaching for a pair of silver-rimmed sses by her side.


    Her desk was positioned behind the bed, so Ronan could see her put on sses, but not her face while


    wearing them.


    He was intrigued. She had once said he looked like a ''scruffy schr'' with sses on. So, did she


    transform into a virtuous maiden with hers?


    "Are you short-sighted?" He tilted his head, trying to get a better look at Cordelia with her sses on,


    but only managed to catch sight of her obedient and upright back.


    "I''ve been slightly short-sighted for a while, about fifty degrees. It''s not a big deal, I don''t really need


    sses. But now that I''m back to studying and sometimes I can''t see clearly, so I got sses," Cordelia


    answered.


    "Why didn''t youe back for lunch? Weren''t you supposed to video call our son?" He asked.


    Cordelia clenched her fist slightly. "Something came up. I got held up. Aren''t you supposed to be


    leaving?"


    "Do you want me to leave?" Ronan asked her.


    "Umm¡­" Cordelia tightened her grip on her fist. "It''splicated, hard to exin."


    "What was so important that you even missed seeing your son?" Ronan lit a cigarette behind her,


    questioning her.


    Cordelia didn''t want to tell him that she had be friends with a woman from his past. To be precise,


    she didn''t want to mention the name "Petra" in front of him at all.


    "I was discussing assignments with my tutor, and I lost track of time." Cordelia didn''t turn around and


    continued to read her book intently.


    "What a diligent student," Ronanmented sarcastically.


    "Oh, when are you nning to leave?" Cordelia recalled the important question.


    Ronan nced at the pillow beside him. "I''ve got five condoms left. I''ll leave once they''re all used up."


    Cordelia''s hand tightened into fists. If it was like before, he could finish five in two days.


    On a normal day, Cordelia could study for an entire afternoon after returning home at noon. But not


    today, with Ronan around, she couldn''t concentrate on her studies.


    Finance was a subject that required 120% effort to grasp. At present, Cordelia could only summon 70%


    of that and already felt overwhelmed.


    "I haven''t eaten," Ronan suddenly stated.


    It seemed that Cordelia wouldn''t have a peaceful afternoon and would be unable to focus on her


    books.


    Cordelia started twirling her pen. "I''ll see what''s in the fridge. But don''t get your hopes up. Taylor and I


    usually eat out, so we don''t have a lot of food at home."


    "Go ahead," Ronan instructed.


    Reluctantly, Cordelia stood up from her chair.


    As she turned around, Ronan caught a glimpse of Cordelia with sses. The round-bottom, t-top


    sses with a hint of pink against the white made her look not dull, but rather charming and attractive.


    Along with her white sweater, she radiated an alluring, austere beauty. Her physique and gaze were


    reminiscent of a young woman without a child.


    "I think we only have instant soup in the fridge. Are you okay with that?" She asked while adjusting her


    sses.


    "I''ll eat anything you make," Ronan replied, his eyes roving over Cordelia.


    It seemed like every time he saw her, she had something new to offer, a stark contrast to the likes of


    Deanna.


    Cordelia headed to the kitchen.

 Chapter 392

    Chapter 392


    Truth be told, Cordelia''s cooking skills were quitemendable. But even the best cook couldn¡¯t whip


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    up a meal without proper ingredients, and her fridge was embarrassingly bare. Only a packet of instant


    soupy forgotten in a corner, apanied by a couple of eggs and some spinach.


    She washed the spinach and set the eggs to boil, soon after, she added the noodles and finally the


    spinach. The sunny-side-up eggs she made were perfectly round.


    When Cordelia entered the room, bncing the bowl and fork, Ronan had just pulled on his jeans and


    was fastening his belt, but his torso was still bare.


    Every time Cordelia saw his bronzed skin, her heart pounded relentlessly, and she found it hard to


    meet his gaze.


    "All we have is this bowl of soup, so just make do," she said, setting down the meal on her desk.


    Their apartment did have a living room, but both Cordelia and Taylor preferred their own spaces and


    retreated to their respective bedrooms immediately upon returning home, leaving the living room mostly


    unused.


    Ronan took a seat at one end of the desk, while Cordelia upied the center, returning to her studies.


    Cordelia''s gaze often strayed to Ronan, who was busy eating. In return, he kept ncing at the books


    she was engrossed in.


    Ronan noticed that many of the books were borrowed from the library, and their titles matched the ones


    Jamie had mentioned on Facebook. Cordelia was an obedient student and was reading everything


    Jamie rmended.


    "Do you still keep a diary?" Ronan asked, pausing between bites of his noodles.


    "Uhm..." Cordelia responded, resting her pen against her chin. "Life in America isn''t exactly full of


    thrilling adventures."


    "What about the days spent with me?" He asked.


    ¡°I was forced to keep a diary then.¡±


    ¡°About what? Our sex life?¡±


    Cordelia red at him, and her cheeks were slowly turning a shade of pink. "Don''t be ridiculous!"


    Ronan chuckled at her feigned anger, returning his attention to his meal.


    Cordelia nced at her watch and calcted that it was midnight back home, meaning she would have


    to wait till the evening to video call her child.


    Noticing Ronan''s bare torso, she asked, "Aren''t you cold?"


    "No, not really."


    If he wasn''t cold, Cordelia chose not to press the issue. After all, she knew how warm he was, every


    time she got close, she could feel the heat radiating off him.


    After Ronan finished his meal, Cordelia went to wash the dishes before returning to her room.


    "What are you up to this afternoon? Would you like to go out and explore the city?" Cordelia suggested.


    "Won¡¯t you kill me for wasting your precious study time? Shouldn''t a schr like you prioritize studying


    over everything else?" Ronan teased.


    "Killing is illegal," Cordelia retorted, removing her sses, and reaching for her coat. Ronan also


    started dressing up.


    Once downstairs, Cordelia instinctively reached for Ronan''s arm to head for the bus stop. Ronan had


    other ns. He headed straight for the parking lot and unlocked a luxurious Bugatti.


    "Is this yours?" Cordelia asked incredulously, standing next to the car.


    "It belongs to thepany, so technically, it''s mine. And by that logic, it''s yours too."


    Cordelia felt as if she was in a fog. She had assumed that she would be ying the tour guide and


    show Ronan around. It was only now that she remembered that Ronan was a Yale graduate, had lived


    in the U.S. for years, and Lumos Enterprises'' U.S. branch was already well-established.


    Cordelia felt a sudden sense of defeat. It seemed like no matter what she did, she couldn''t escape his


    shadow. She had studied and worked hard, thinking she had reached new heights, only to realize that


    she was merely in the palm of his hand.


    Cordelia leaned back in the car seat, feeling utterly dejected.


    "What''s wrong?" Ronan asked, turning to look at her.

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    Chapter 393


    Cordelia''s dejected demeanor did not escape Ronan''s notice.


    "Is there anything in this world that you cannot do?" Cordelia asked, her voice heavy with despair. It


    appeared that all her efforts to learn and improve were in vain.


    "You tter me," Ronan chuckled.


    As an aplished driver, Ronan navigated the streets of America with ease, making every alley and


    avenue his own. In contrast, Cordelia found everything unfamiliar, having never visited before.


    Suddenly, Cordelia felt insignificant in his presence, like a mere jester.


    During their outing, Ronan bought Cordelia a scarf from a quaint little thrift shop.


    The scarf was a rich brown color, knitted thickly, and adorned with a pattern of Winnie the Pooh. It was


    not costly, equivalent to less than fifty dors. Yet, Cordelia adored it, spending some time in front of


    the mirror, wrapping it around her neck and styling it in different ways.


    Ronan found it odd that she would fancy something so childish, given her age.


    After buying the scarf, darkness fell, so they headed home. Cordelia, consumed by joy, kept admiring


    the scarf around her neck. Ronan simply couldn''tprehend her tion.


    They had dinner and returned home around eight. Upon their return, Taylor opened the door, noticed


    Cordelia''s scarf, and teased, "Oh, a gift from your beau?"


    "What are you talking about?" Cordelia retorted.


    But she did feel a certain fondness for the term "beau." In contrast to the opulent gifts of a house and a


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    hefty amount of cash he had given her before, this scarf felt more like a token of affection between a


    couple that the former gifts couldn''t achieve.


    Cordelia checked the clock, and her excitement grew. She would soon see Callum.


    "Callum usually finishes breakfast around nine, then Jessica takes him out to y. Let¡¯s have some sex


    first." Ronan told Cordelia, as hey on the bed and she sat at the desk.


    "When you finished, it¡¯ll be toote." Cordeliained, frustrated at his one-track mind. She wanted


    to see her child, and all he could think of was sex.


    "I control the time and whether you get to video chat or not," he replied.


    Cordelia felt a surge of rebellion at this, butplied, nheless. With a smack of her pen, she joined


    him on the bed.


    "You''re obedient, but unwilling," Ronan teased, his hands tucked under Cordelia''s armpits as he leaned


    against the headboard.


    Cordelia was initially passive, but Ronan''s teasing soon had her flushed and dazed. Just as they


    reached the peak of their passion, Ronan''s phone rang.


    Lost in the moment, Ronan ignored it. Cordelia nced at the caller ID; it was Janice.


    "Pick it up!" Cordelia urged, fearing something had happened to their child.


    She hastily disentangled herself and answered the video call.


    "What?" Ronan snapped, panting, and leaning against the headboard as he spoke to Janice.


    "Mr. Evans, it''s terrible. Callum''s missing."


    "What?" Ronan jerked forward. "What happened?"


    Cordelia heard this and was stunned. Then, she started to furiously pound Ronan. "It''s all your fault.


    Bastard! I could have video chatted with him an hour ago!" She was frantic. "Call the police."


    Her first thought was that this was the work of the gang in ck, na''s crew.


    Cordelia had been worried that Ronan''s presence in America would provoke harsher measures from


    their adversaries. Ronan had assured her that na wouldn''t do anything, but now their child had been


    taken!

 Chapter 394

    Chapter 394


    Ronan had already caught up with the situation through a video call with Janice. At 9 o''clock this


    morning, Jessica took the kid out to enjoy the sun. While Jessica was chatting with other moms in the


    park, the child went missing.


    Ronan wasn''t as frantic as Cordelia. He calmly dialed the U.S. branch of hispany to book two


    ne tickets to Millstone, then called na.


    "You took my kid, huh? Do you want to end up behind bars?" He warned na in a gruff tone.


    "Mr. Evans, you''ve got it all twisted. It wasn''t me, it was the child''s grandmother, Allison, who took him. I


    heard about it and have already retrieved the child for you. Shouldn''t you be thanking me, Mr. Evans?


    While you were cozying up with Cordelia in the States, I was the one taking care of your child," na


    retorted.


    Cordelia thought to herself, ¡°I knew it.¡± She wasn''t one to worry over anything.


    Also, who was this grandmother na was referring to?


    "I''m heading home now. If you darey a finger on my child, you''d better watch your back!" Ronan


    warned na.


    "I''ll wait for Mr. Evans¡¯ return."


    Ronan headed to the airport donned in his suit, with Cordelia tagging along. On the way there, Cordelia


    seethed with resentment towards Ronan, ming him for what happened to their child. If anything


    happened to their child, she vowed not to let him off the hook!


    On the ne, Cordelia wept non-stop, ming Ronan in between sobs.


    "Enough, stop crying, will you? Why do you always cry when things get tough?" Ronan nced


    sideways at the sobbing Cordelia.


    Cordelia stopped crying and dozed off for a while. She was still mad at Ronan and ignored him


    throughout the journey.


    Upon arriving home, they found na sitting on their living room couch, cradling Callum, who was fast


    asleep. Janice had been standing by the entire time.


    Seeing the weary couple return, namented, "Both of you came back together? Allison, the


    child''s grandmother, just wanted to see him. She took him when she saw the nanny was gone. I have a


    score to settle with Allison, so of course, I couldn''t let her have her way. I got your child back for you.


    Here, take your child."


    Ronan signaled Janice with his eyes, and she took the child from na.


    "Who did you say? The child''s grandmother?" Cordelia caught on to that phrase.


    This was the first time Cordelia had seen na up close. She was beautiful, but her heart was as cold


    as a snake''s. She was far more ruthless than Deanna. Deanna was cruel, but she was stupid. na,


    on the other hand, was cunning and had the means to always pinpoint Cordelia''s weaknesses.


    "Didn''t Mr. Evans tell you? Your mom, Allison, was my assistant years ago. She seduced a popr


    young actor, August, and had his bastard child¡ªyou. Being pregnant out of wedlock was a disgrace, so


    she had no choice but to give you up. And she stole an emerald ring from me when she left. See, isn''t


    this it?" na held up a ring for Cordelia to take.


    Step by step, Cordelia approached na and took the ring from her hand. It was identical to her own.


    This ring couldn''t be Cordelia''s; hers had sunk to the bottom of theke in Millstone Park. There was no


    way they could have retrieved it.


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    "Mr. Evans, you should thank me this time. Allison stole your precious son. I don''t condone anything


    she does. Plus, you had warned me before. I am familiar with your status and the power Lumos


    Enterprises has, so I obviously listen to you," na said with a smile.


    Cordelia studied na closely as she spoke, then said, "You''re not na!"

 Chapter 395

    Chapter 395


    na''s expression didn''t flicker the slightest. She let out a heartyugh, "I''m not? Then who is? Ms.


    Haselwood, would you like me to pull out my family tree for you?"


    na looked up at Cordelia, assessing her carefully. This was the first time na had had the chance


    to scrutinize Cordelia this closely. She took in her youthful beauty that could incite envy, her striking


    height, and her refined demeanor...


    Ha, refined demeanor! What a joke.


    Cordelia was regretting her earlier words. She shouldn''t have been so impulsive, sharing her


    suspicions with na. Cordelia had said that she was not na because there was no mole on this


    woman''s ear, a defining feature of na.


    Having exposed this detail to na, Cordelia knew that she would certainly find a way to cover it up.


    Cordelia also thought, perhaps she had already removed the mole.


    "Also, Ms. Haselwood, I won''t be act against you and Mr. Evans anymore. He is too formidable,so why


    would I invite trouble? Here''s your mom Allison¡¯s phone number!" na stuffed a piece of paper into


    Cordelia''s pocket and left.


    After she had gone, Cordelia quickly took Callum from Janice''s arms.


    Cordelia had missed Callum, having not seen him in a while. She held her face close to the child,


    showering him with kisses.


    na''s words kept echoing in Cordelia''s mind. To be honest, Cordelia only recognized one woman as


    her mother, Shelley. When Shelley died, Cordelia''s mother died too. She had no feelings for her


    biological mother.


    But she was still curious. What kind of person was Allison?


    Of course, na''s words were not trustworthy, but the fact that she could produce a ring identical to


    Cordelia''s was enough to suggest, indeed, that Cordelia had some connections to her family, the


    Keegans and Allison''s family.


    "Cordelia, will you stay this time?" Janice was thrilled to see Cordelia back.


    "I may still need to finish my studies, but I need to ensure my child is safe first," Cordelia replied,


    holding Callum. Now, she didn''t need to look at his photos.


    He was also curiously touching her face as if he didn''t recognize Cordelia.


    "Go make something nice for Cordelia to eat," Ronan suggested to Janice.


    After Janice left for the kitchen, Ronan sat next to Cordelia and pulled out the piece of paper from her


    pocket. It read, [Allison''s number: xxxxxxx.]


    Cordelia only nced at the piece of paper once and remembered the entire number, but she


    pretended not to care.


    Ronan tore the paper to shreds. "If you need anything, discuss it with me!" Ronan told Cordelia.


    Cordelia just hummed in response. She was still doubtful about whether she would consult him. She


    had a feeling that na wouldn''t just let things be. This was just her intuition, with no concrete


    evidence to back it.


    "Can you ensure our child is safe?" Cordelia asked Ronan.


    "Why not? Are you still leaving?" Ronan asked, leaning forward on the back of the sofa.


    "I have to finish my studies. I can''t just give up halfway."


    Cordelia had a hunch. na didn''t want her to be with Ronan at all. na was a woman of a twisted


    heart and wouldn''t give up easily. Her promise to "not act against Ronan anymore" couldn''t be trusted.


    The incident where Callum went missing was a prime example.


    Moreover, Cordelia''s origins must have had something to do with the Keegan family. Otherwise, it


    wouldn''t have attracted the notorious na.


    The events of the day left Cordelia feeling lost and perplexed. She also understood why Ronan tore up


    the piece of paper. He believed na was stirring up trouble and wanted to drag Cordelia into an


    irreparable rtionship. So, he had to leave no trace of Allison''s phone number.


    But Cordelia remembered it already.


    Soon enough, Janice brought out the food, all of Cordelia''s favorites. "Why such a feast?" Cordelia was


    pleasantly surprised and suddenly found Janice very endearing.


    "Mr. Evans said you were eating poorly out there," Janice said. "You seldome back, so shouldn''t


    we pamper you a bit?"


    Cordeliaughed. "Who said I''ve been eating poorly?"


    "Is eating instant soup considered good food?" Ronan pulled up a chair and sat next to Cordelia.


    "I don''t just eat instant soup. That was..." Cordelia began, her mouth full of food.


    "For me to eat."


    "I didn''t say that," Cordelia retorted.


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    But she thought to herself, ¡°Perhaps the instant soup he ate was the worst meal Ronan had ever had.


    Even though Cordelia had used all her culinary skills, it was, after all, just instant soup, not something


    exquisite.¡±

 Chapter 396

    Chapter 396


    Olen and Amanda were just in their bedroom.


    Olen was tucked away in the corner and tried to avoid meeting Cordelia. Amanda was constantly trying


    to convince him that it was better to reconcile with Cordelia.


    "But what I''ve done to her family is not a grudge. It''s a sin!" At this moment, Olen was very clear-


    headed.


    "But you did that when you were not in your right mind. Cordelia will forgive you. Besides, hasn''t Ronan


    covered it up for you? You need to trust Ronan and not let him down," Amanda said while stroking


    Olen''s chest. "Shelley is gone now, stop overthinking this, okay?"


    Olen sorted out his messy thoughts for a while before he finally stepped out. Seeing Amanda and Olen


    eating. As for why she didn¡¯t greet Olen, everyone understood, and no one med her.


    The food that was once delicious suddenly tasted nd to Cordelia. After forcing down a few bites, she


    went upstairs. She wanted to change her clothes, but she couldn''t find anything. It was as if there was


    no trace of her ever living here.


    "Are you upset again?" Ronan went upstairs and asked Cordelia.


    "Where are my clothes?" She asked Ronan.


    "Burnt them."


    "Burnt?" Cordelia asked Ronan with a frown.


    But Cordelia didn''t explode. She had juste back and didn''t want to start a fight with Ronan right


    away. She could imagine his anger, as she had defiantly gone abroad against his wishes.


    "So, what should I wear?" Cordelia asked him.


    She was in a rush when she came back and didn''t pack many clothes, including the scarf he bought for


    her, which she loved. She didn''t bring it back and left it in the States.


    "You?" Ronan looked her up and down with bad intent. "You look best with nothing on. This time, leave


    me a few dozen nude photos."


    "Get lost!" Cordelia said.


    Ronan sat on the sofa, seemingly feeling aroused by Cordelia''s words.


    Cordelia didn''t share his good mood. She had just seen Olen, and na had mentioned "Allison," it all


    made Cordelia feel unsettled.


    "How long will you stay at home this time?" Ronan asked her.


    Ronan knew that with her stubborn character, preventing her frompleting her studies was like


    killing her, so he didn''t bring it up anymore.


    "Maybe just a few days, my coursework is really intense," Cordelia said while packing her luggage.


    "Don''t get too carried away with your studies and forget where your heart belongs," he said.


    Cordelia''s hand paused. "My life in the States is very simple. I just go back and forth between school


    and home. I focus all my attention on studying and barely have any contact with men."


    "Will youe back twice a month from now on?" He asked.


    "Yes, depending on the situation. If there are exams, I won''t be able toe back."


    "Aren''t you afraid I''ll cheat on you?"


    Cordelia considered for a moment. "We''re divorced. If you find someone more suitable, you can


    choose."


    Ronan couldn''t help but chuckle. Indeed, with her increased knowledge and experience, she seemed


    indifferent to rtionships.


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    "Do you know Brooklyn got promoted?"


    At this, Cordelia stopped and looked up. "Promoted to what?"


    "Project team leader."


    Cordelia thought for a moment. "Not a big promotion, and with her current level of education, she won¡¯t


    have many options in the future."


    "Do you want to have other options?"


    "Not sure, I just want to hold my future in my own hands and not drift with the tide."


    Ronan originally wanted to use all his power to keep Cordelia by his side. He wanted to tell her that she


    didn''t need to rely on her education; she could rely on him, and that wouldn¡¯t be a problem at all. But


    Cordelia didn''t fall for it and easily solved this problem.

 Chapter 397

    Chapter 397


    Cordelia had been thoroughly worn out by Ronan''s sexual antics during her time at home. If he wasn''t


    the CEO of Lumos Enterprises, she''d be convinced he was a sex maniac, with only one thing on his


    mind.


    In his words, "She onlyes home once every few months, so she has to make up for lost time."


    One night, he even whispered into her ear, "Give me another one."


    Without hesitation, Cordelia refused. "Are you fond of children?" she asked.


    "I like the ones you give birth to."


    "Well, I¡¯m sorry, but you¡¯ll have to find someone else for that."


    Upon hearing this, Ronan leaned against the headboard and lit a cigarette. "In that case, I suppose I''ll


    have to find another woman."


    "Whatever."


    Cordelia booked her flight for Friday, and on Thursday, she made a call to the number that belonged to


    "Allison¡± and was written on the small piece of paper.


    Unlike Ronan, who didn¡¯t seem to care, Cordelia was curious about her roots. She wanted to know


    where she came from. She wanted to see what her rumored birth mother, "Allison," looked like.


    She wasn''t sure if Allison was indeed her birth mother, but she was certain that through Allison, she


    could find her.


    Fortunately, Ronan was at the office that day, leaving Cordelia alone in their bedroom to call Allison.


    "Hello, is this Allison?" Cordelia asked cautiously, her heart racing.


    "Yes, this is Allison. You must be... De," came the gentle reply.


    Hearing the name "De," Cordelia''s heart softened, and a warm feeling was spreading within her.


    "Yes, I''d like to meet you."


    "Alright, I''m currently staying at room 4014 in the Golden Rose Hotel. Would you be free at 2 p.m.?"


    Cordelia confirmed with a hum.


    In the afternoon, Cordelia arrived at the Golden Rose Hotel. As she was about to knock on the door of


    room 4014, she heard voices inside.


    "If that''s the case, I''ll abort the child. I won''t inconvenience Mrs. Haselwood, or should I say, Mrs.


    Evans," a young and defiant voice spoke.


    Cordelia, hearing her name, paused outside the door to listen.


    "That would be best. But since Ronan loves children so much, you bettere up with a reason he


    can ept! I came to you for my daughter. I hope you can understand a mother''s perspective. We


    mothers, we''re all selfish," an older voice responded.


    "That''s none of your concern! The child was the result of a one-night stand between Mr. Evans and me.


    I made a mistake. I know he wants this child, but Mrs. Evans is back. I can''t be the other woman,


    disrupting a family. I will take care of this."


    "But with your congenital heart disease... getting an abortion could kill you," the older voice tried to


    warn.


    "That''s none of your concern! Goodbye!"


    Cordelia stood outside, listening. Everything she''d heard recently was dubious. But if she wasn''t


    mistaken, the voices belonged to Tabitha and Allison. Ronan had previously brushed off Janice''s


    mention of Tabitha while they were in the States, telling Cordelia not to believe it. But now, she was


    beginning to.


    And Tabitha had a heart condition...


    When the woman left the room, she nced at Cordelia but didn''t seem to recognize her before she


    walked away.


    Cordelia''s heart sank. Regardless of whether Tabitha was actually carrying Ronan''s child, the


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    conversation suggested that Tabitha was willing to risk her life to protect Cordelia''s status as Mrs.


    Evans. Anyone hearing that would be overwhelmed with guilt.

 Chapter 398

    Chapter 398


    Cordelia stood at the front door, a heavy burden weighing on her heart. She knocked lightly on the


    door.


    "Come in," a voice from inside beckoned.


    As Cordelia entered, she was greeted by a woman of striking beauty and elegance. Upon seeing


    Cordelia, the woman''s eyes instantly welled up with tears. "Are you... De?"


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    Caught off guard, Cordelia nodded slowly.


    "De, my dear, I''ve finally found you," the woman, now identified as Allison, said, reaching out to grip


    Cordelia''s arm. "All these years without you by my side, you must have suffered."


    Allison appeared to be overwhelmed with emotion at the sight of Cordelia. But Cordelia... didn''t share


    the same level of excitement. She felt detached, as if her heart was untouched by the reunion.


    "Cordelia, it was wrong of me to give you away all those years ago," she began, her voice trembling.


    "na was a force to be reckoned with back then. I feared for your safety, so I had no choice but to


    hand you over to a construction worker. But I never intended to abandon you. I gave you a ring. I had


    one just like it. na took it from me, because that ring was originally hers, but that''s okay. Even


    without it, I found you, thanks to na¡¯s vendetta against you, ironically. Sadly, Shelley has passed


    away," Allison''s voice was filled with sorrow. "Did she treat you well all these years?"


    "Shelley was more than good to me." Cordelia''s eyes welled up at the mention of Shelley.


    "Yes, I know, I know," Allison said, squeezing Cordelia''s shoulders. "Shelley''s death was untimely and


    tragic. I used some contacts to get the police reports after her death. Have a look, is this how it


    happened?"


    With that, Allison handed Cordelia a piece of paper. Cordelia was initially perplexed by the document.


    Until now, she had no idea how Ronan had managed to exin Shelley''s death to the police.


    The police report stated that Shelley had gone to look at a house for her son when she ran into Olen,


    who was also interested in the property. Due to a misunderstanding caused by Sha, Olen had


    always associated the house with her.


    Misled by Kendra, Olen was under the impression that Shelley was Sha. When Shelley was in


    Sha''s house, Olen was convinced that she was his enemy.


    Shelley''s thought process was as follows, Olen, being Cordelia''s future father-inw, was mentally


    unstable and was bound to cause Cordelia trouble. Since he perceived her as his enemy, she decided


    to provoke him into losing control. The window had no ss installed, so she nned to make him fall


    out of it.


    Shelley kept provoking Olen until he lost his mind. Unfortunately, her n backfired. Instead of Olen


    falling out the window, she did...


    Cordelia noticed the police station''s stamp and the detective''s signature at the end of the report. The


    confession couldn''t be fake.


    Ronan had framed Shelley to absolve Olen. He was so despicable!


    "Where did you get this?" Cordelia asked, her voice choked with tears. She wiped her tears away.


    "I have some friends at the police station. They made a copy for me."


    "Thank you. I need to go now." With that, Cordelia left.


    Cordelia spent a long time at a local coffee shop, crying. She wanted to know how Ronan could treat


    his family so cruelly! Ronan was tarnishing Shelley''s reputation, treating her unfairly just because she


    was dead!


    In the past, she had chosen to forgive Ronan time and time again, choosing to stay with him. But now,


    how could Cordelia possibly stay with him?


    As for Callum, she would consider him a gift to Ronan!

 Chapter 399

    Chapter 399


    When Cordelia was nursing her broken heart, Samantha arrived.


    Surprisingly, Samantha had gained quite a bit of poprity. As soon as she walked in, people were


    asking for her autograph. She took a seat across from Cordelia.


    "Long time no see, cuz," Samantha said.


    Cordelia ignored Samantha, her gaze firmly on the window. If murder was legal, Cordelia would have


    killed Samantha long ago.


    "Cordelia, I''m telling you for your own sake, you need to leave Ronan. Did you see what he did to


    Aunt? He made her fall down the stairs, insulted her in court, and God knows what he did to Adrian. He


    slept with Adrian''s girl, and got her pregnant. The poor woman didn''t want the baby, but he forced her


    to keep it. She has a congenital heart condition, you know. And what he''s done to you... well."


    Cordelia red at Samantha. She was suspicious of how Samantha knew about the court case and


    Tabitha''s heart condition. It was clear that only someone from na''s crew would know such things.


    Cordelia had a hunch that Tabitha, Allison, and Samantha were all working for na. They were all


    trying to convince Cordelia to leave.


    Samantha''s allegiance to na was easy to understand. na was a big shot in the film industry, and


    Samantha wanted to be a famous actress.


    Ronan said na wouldn''t be a problem anymore, but it seemed she was not only still a problem but


    was casting arger andrger. Cordelia realized that if this continued, not only would she be in


    trouble, but Ronan and Callum would be, too.


    "Tell your boss I''m leaving for America. I''ll nevere back," Cordelia said.


    "Huh, Cordelia, what are you talking about? I don''t quite understand," Samantha replied, not hiding the


    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    joy in her voice. She couldn''t stand to see Cordelia thriving in Millstone.


    Cordelia''s lips curled up in a mocking smile before she left.


    ...


    In the Presidential Suite at the Azure View Hotel.


    A man dressed in ck had just called na, informing her of the news Samantha had reported.


    Cordelia was leaving for America, and she would never return.


    ¡°We¡¯ll see if she keeps her promise. If shees back, things will be even worse for her,¡± na stated.


    The man hung up.


    na sat gracefully on the couch, with Allison and Tabitha standing in front of her. ¡°Did you do as I


    instructed?¡± na asked.


    ¡°Ms. na, we followed your instructions. We don¡¯t know she believes I¡¯m her mother, or that Tabitha is


    carrying Ronan¡¯s child, but the court record is real. Even if she checks with the police, she will find the


    record exists. If this is true, then my words are credible. She will believe Tabitha is pregnant with


    Ronan¡¯s child and that Tabitha has a congenital heart condition. She will think Tabitha will die if she


    aborts the baby. This misunderstanding will surely keep them apart,¡± Allison exined.


    na smiled. ¡°Good job! Love lost is one of life¡¯s greatest pains. Let her feel what it¡¯s like to lose her


    child and husband. After all, her mother once had everything.¡±


    ¡°Tabitha, you did well. Here¡¯s a check for a million,¡± na said, ncing at the check on the table.


    ¡°Thank you, Ms. na,¡± Tabitha replied.


    ¡°Your task to seduce Ronan ends here for now. Unless I tell you to, do not contact him privately. I


    wouldn¡¯t want you to ruin my ns,¡± na warned Tabitha.


    Tabitha bit her lip slightly. ¡°Okay.¡±


    She was somewhat reluctant. Who would willingly give up a man like Ronan?


    Tabitha and Cordelia were in simr situations, both forced to make choices due to family issues.


    Cordelia married Ronan because her mother was ill, while na used Tabitha because her brother


    David was suffering from kidney disease. Her nurse¡¯s sry was not enough.


    The difference was Cordelia married Ronan; Tabitha was manipted by na. From then on, their


    lives took different paths.


    As she finished speaking, Tabitha¡¯s phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number.

 Chapter 400

    Chapter 400


    ¡°Miss Tabitha? I got your number from my brother. He told me about your heart condition, and that


    having a child could be life-threatening. You don¡¯t have to risk your life for me, I¡¯m backing out! Go


    ahead and have his child.¡± It was Cordelia¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Are you Mrs. Evans? I don¡¯t want to be a home wrecker, that¡¯s not ethical.¡± Tabitha feigned reluctance.


    She knew, the more she tried to shrug it off, the more guilty Cordelia would feel.


    ¡°We¡¯ve been divorced for a while now.¡± And with that, Cordelia hung up.


    ¡°Who was that?¡± na asked Tabitha.


    ¡°Oh, that was Cordelia. She wants me to have Ronan¡¯s child,¡± Tabitha said. ¡°I used Adrian this time,


    and made him ry the news of my pregnancy to Cordelia. She would definitely believe this.¡±


    na burst intoughter, a triumphant sound that seemed to echo through the walls. ¡°She believed it;


    she finally believed it. She¡¯s heartbroken, crushed! I did it!¡±


    By the time Cordelia got home, it was already eight. She carried a pile of new clothes. In fact, she was


    still somewhat skeptical about Tabitha¡¯s pregnancy. But as the saying goes, where there¡¯s smoke,


    there¡¯s fire. And with Adrian behaving as if he wanted to kill Ronan, she was inclined to believe it.


    Cordelia felt exhausted. She didn¡¯t want to dwell on it anymore; she wanted to move on.


    When she got home, Olen and Amanda were sitting on the couch. Cordelia couldn¡¯t help but think of


    Ronan¡¯s confession at the police station whenever she saw Olen¡¯s calm demeanor.


    Right now, her mother had already been cremated, while Olen was sitting herefortably.


    When she entered the bedroom, Ronan was already there waiting for her. ¡°What took you so long?¡± He


    asked.


    ¡°You burned all my clothes, so I had to go and buy new ones,¡± Cordelia said casually.


    Ronan noticed something off about her tone and her expression. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Nothing, just feeling a bit upset about leaving our child behind,¡± she said.


    ¡°Only the child?¡±


    Cordelia thought for a moment. ¡°And you.¡±


    ¡°I bought you some things. Take them with you. Your rented apartment looks like a dump,¡± Ronan said,


    pointing to a bunch of stuff on the table ¨C an electric toothbrush, facial cleanser, clothes, even tampons.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Cordelia said.


    ¡°If there¡¯s anything, call me. We need tomunicate.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you if I think of anything else.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Ronan kept on nagging like an old man, while Cordelia just humored him.


    ¡°When you get to the States, rent a better ce. This one¡¯s too small for the amount of money I gave


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    you,¡± Ronan hinted that he wasn¡¯tfortable in Cordelia¡¯s rented apartment.


    ¡°Okay, I will.¡±


    Getting the answer he wanted, Ronan didn¡¯t say anything else. That night, he had rough sex with


    Cordelia, who bore it silently.


    Despite the sleepless night, Cordelia woke up early the next day, packed her bags, and said goodbye


    to Callum. Cordelia was devastated to leave him, but she didn¡¯t show any signs of it.


    No one knew what she was thinking.


    Ronan didn¡¯t go to the airport to see Cordelia off. He sent Tristi instead. He didn¡¯t want the tearful


    goodbye scene.


    Tristi had heard about na¡¯s plot against Cordelia. ¡°Mrs. Evans, I can¡¯t believe na is such a


    person. I¡¯ve lost all respect for her. I won¡¯t be her fan anymore!¡± Tristi said. ¡°When are youing back


    from the States?¡±


    ¡°Well, depending on the situation, maybe twice a month,¡± Cordelia said, staring out the window with a


    nk expression.


    Tristi thought it was normal for Cordelia not to be in a good mood, considering she was leaving the


    country, and didn¡¯t think much of it.


    After Cordelia went through customs and flew to the States without looking back, Tristi reported back to


    Ronan. ¡°Mr. Evans, Mrs. Evans has gone through customs,¡± she said.


    ¡°Did she say anything?¡± Ronan asked, sounding tired.


    ¡°Uh, nothing. She just went into customs without looking back.¡±


    Ronan was silent for a moment, then grunted in response.

 Chapter 401

    Chapter 401


    A week had passed since Cordelia¡¯s departure, and Ronan was still grappling with the aftermath.


    Emerson noticed his distress.


    ¡°What¡¯s up? Are you feeling down?¡±


    ¡°How could I not be? She¡¯s gone to study abroad again,¡± Ronan leaned back in his chair, his tone t.


    ¡°It''s good that she wants to study, definitely better than those women who only know how to spend


    money,¡± Emerson retorted. ¡°Some women are so clueless they¡¯d stab their own husbands. Be grateful


    for a knowledgeable woman. Grant is still trying to catch his breath.¡±


    Ronan responded with an indifferent snort, ignoring the remark about Grant.


    Emerson was scrolling through his phone as he spoke, then his brows furrowed. ¡°Wait, why has


    Cordelia blocked me on Facebook?¡±


    ¡°You must¡¯ve ticked her off,¡± Ronan joked.


    He opened Messenger to ask Cordelia why she¡¯d blocked Emerson, but before he could send the


    message, she had sent one. [I¡¯m gone. Don¡¯t look for me.]


    Ronan¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion, he quickly replied, [What do you mean?]


    Before he knew it, he was on Cordelia¡¯s blocked list as well. A feeling of dread washed over him.


    He tried calling Cordelia, but her line was disconnected. He then called their American branch, urging


    them to check on Cordelia¡¯s whereabouts.


    Ronan tried every way possible to contact Cordelia. He even messaged her roommate, Taylor. Taylor


    responded, [No idea. I woke up to a note from Cordelia saying she was gone. No clue where to.]


    Taylor even sent him a picture of the note. [Taylor, my dear roommate, I''m gone. Thank you for taking


    care of me. Cordelia.]


    Soon, the American branch called back, saying Cordelia had withdrawn from school, and her


    whereabouts were unknown.


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    That was when Ronan understood the gravity of the situation. He btedly remembered Cordelia''s


    silent resolve before she left. She must''ve made up her mind, meticulously nning her departure.


    Ronan remembered "Allison¡¯s" number from that note na left, but the line was dead when he tried


    calling.


    He visited the Azure View Hotel in search of na but was told she''d embarked on a global journey.


    Her current location was unknown, and her phone was switched off.


    Then, the police called him. "Mr. Evans, the Shelley case files you copied, you must destroy them once


    you''re finished. Did your assistant tell you? Just remembered it''s against our policy!"


    Suddenly, it clicked. Cordelia had seen it!


    All Ronan knew was that Cordelia had discovered the truth about her mother''s death. He was unaware


    that Tabitha''s pregnancy was another blow to Cordelia.


    Clenching his fist, he cursed Cordelia''s ruthlessness.


    He traveled to America, but Cordelia''s apartment was spotless as if she''d never lived there. He


    remembered her studying at her desk, her sses perched on her nose. He remembered...


    He asked Taylor, but she didn''t know anything. Taylor even med Ronan, "Cordelia was fine in


    America. The moment shees back from Millstone, she disappears. It''s your fault! You slept with


    Tabitha. You are a cheating bastard. Men, you''re all the same!"


    With that, Taylor mmed her door shut.


    Ronan clenched his teeth. He never took the issue with Tabitha seriously, assuming Cordelia wouldn''t


    believe it.


    Cordelia didn''t just disappear; she nned this, ensuring no one could find her, especially Ronan. She


    was purposely avoiding him!


    Before she left, Ronan pleaded with Cordelia, but she didn''t care. She left without a second nce.


    In this age of technology, finding someone wasn''t difficult, but if Cordelia didn''t want to see Ronan,


    then...


    He had to let her go.

 Chapter 402

    Chapter 402


    Time flew. Grass sprouted, and leaves fell.


    Callum had slowly evolved from being a babbling baby in swaddling clothes to walking on his own. He


    had transformed into a charming little boy who could call "Dad."


    Apart from Janice, Ronan had everyone else in the house dismissed. He found another woman to


    assist Janice, ensuring that nobody would mention Cordelia.


    Janice was primarily responsible for Callum.


    Edwin and Brooklyn got hitched in the second year after Cordelia''s disappearance. Without leaving any


    word, Cordelia''s departure had left Brooklyn disheartened and bitterly disappointed.


    Sure, maybe Cordelia had her difficulties, but as friends, Brooklyn believed if she didn''t confide in her,


    then she must not have considered her a true friend.


    Brooklyn resigned from Lumos Enterprises before her wedding. She probably felt that if Cordelia, with


    her capabilities, still pursued higher education, she would have to do the same. However, with the


    arrival of a bunch of new postgrads and overseas returnees in her department and her slow promotion,


    Brooklyn gradually lost the desire to continue working at Lumos Enterprises.


    Coincidentally, Edwin''s gamingpany was hiring a new media operator, which was right up


    Brooklyn''s alley. In a smallpany, academic credentials didn''t matter as much. Besides, she and


    Edwin were passionately in love. Her status in thepany was guaranteed. All of Edwin''s assets


    would likely be under her control, and she wouldn''t have to tiptoe around anyone. Brooklyn jumped


    ship from Lumos Enterprises and joined Edwin''s gamingpany even before their wedding.


    Ronan officiated their wedding.


    Edwin was just one of the countless entrepreneurs with little fame in Millstone, but Ronan was different.


    Many guests attended because of Ronan, such as Will and Hunter from PrimeBuild Contractors, who


    had always wanted to coborate with Lumos Enterprises but never found the chance. They took the


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    opportunity to attend Edwin''s wedding, offering hefty gifts and making their presence felt in front of


    Ronan.


    However, Ronan remained expressionless throughout, his mind seemingly elsewhere. Watching the


    newlyweds on stage, he thought about how he and Cordelia never had their wedding. Now that they


    were divorced, there was no need for a ceremony.


    A woman as heartless as her was indeed rare. Abandoning him was one thing, but her indifference


    toward their child was unforgivable. She valued her studies more than him or their child.


    He tried to erase Cordelia from his heart, but she seemed to grow in his heart like a cancer, consuming


    it bit by bit.


    Plus, his child bore a striking resemnce to her and was a constant reminder.


    When Edwin and Brooklyn counted their wedding gifts, they found an unexpected surplus of several


    hundred thousand dors. Edwin knew these extra guests weren''t there for him but for Ronan.


    Previously, Ronan''s investment of 10 million in Edwin''spany had not gone to waste. Edwin


    managed to strike a deal with Pulse Technologies to feature their game in an unpopr crime drama


    series. Surprisingly, the show''s ratings skyrocketed, bing a smash hit and yielding significant


    profits.


    Although he earned money, Edwin never forgot about Ronan''s generosity. He viewed Ronan as a


    trustworthy person, feeling a closer bond with him. He never voiced these thoughts, but he was grateful


    for Ronan''s kindness.


    Edwin knew Cordelia was Ronan''s one true love. Even though he once had feelings for Cordelia, they


    were merely fleeting. He would never encroach upon Ronan''s territory, not in this life or the next.


    Besides, Brooklyn was a lovely person, so, Edwin decided to marry Brooklyn.


    Not long after their wedding, they had their first child, a boy. The child was named Andi, a name given


    by Ronan, who was his godfather.


    Brooklyn and Edwin often visited Ronan''s house, asionally asking about Cordelia.


    Ronan only had one response. "Don''t mention her." He loathed her to the core.

 Chapter 403

    Chapter 403


    It was the third year since Cordelia left.


    Edwin forwarded a message to Ronan. [Birchwood was nning to develop its financial industry.]


    [Hey, Ronan, take a look at this. See if you can find a way to make some green. You''ve got the sharper


    eye; you always know what to do.]


    Ronan had already received this news. He was a Birchwood native and schooled there until he


    graduated high school. Many of his old ssmates had reached out to him about it. He had been


    nning to invest in Birchwood for a while. The city was not asrge as Millstone, but its future


    potential was limitless. Recently, he had been scouting forpanies to invest in.


    As soon as he considered the idea, numerous profiles of investment firms and financialpanies


    were sent to Lumos Enterprises. Ronan was in the midst of the evaluation process.


    Recently, he had a meeting with Emerson and Wyatt in a smaller conference room, discussing which


    "Ronan," Emerson started, "afterparing all aspects, I think we should take a closer look at


    Empower Operations and Shenda."


    "I agree!" Wyatt chimed in.


    "I''m of the same mind," Ronan said. "But we need to see for ourselves. Somepanies merely look


    good on paper."


    "Exactly. Birchwood is growing fast, and we need to get in on it. When are we headed to Birchwood?"


    Emerson asked Ronan.


    "Dad, Dad, are we going to Birchwood? To Great-grandpa''s house? I''ve never been there," a little boy


    ying with LEGO bricks in the corner piped up.


    The little boy had strikingly beautiful eyes that glittered and shone, and his hair was dark. He was as


    cute as a button.


    Ronan ruffled the boy''s hair. "Yes, we''ll go with Uncle Emerson soon."


    "Cool. But Uncle Emerson, you better not bully my dad," Callum warned Emerson.


    "Me? Bully your dad?" Emerson was bbergasted. "How could I?"


    "See, you''re being mean," Callum said, puffing out his chest.


    "Getting a taste of your own medicine, huh?" Ronan chuckled at Emerson.


    "Ronan, where can I go to clear my name? Did I do something to upset you? Why does your son


    always think I''m out to get you?" Emerson sighed helplessly.


    "Who knows?" Ronan shrugged, gathering his things to leave.


    "Ronan, can''t you set the record straight with your kid?" Wyatt threw his hands up in frustration.


    "I didn''t say anything. These are all his assumptions. Maybe he¡ª" Ronan nced at Emerson. "¡ª


    thinks you''re up to no good."


    With that, Ronan guided Callum back to his office.


    Callum often visited his father''s office. His prejudice against Emerson was rooted in a past incident


    where he had seen Emerson "bully" his father.


    It happenedst year when Emerson visited Ronan¡¯s home to discuss some business matters.


    After the discussion, Emerson scanned the house, noticing the absence of a certain person. "She


    hasn''te back yet?" Emerson carefully asked Ronan.


    "Who?" Ronan''s gaze suddenly turned icy, intimidating Emerson.


    "You know who I''m talking about," Emerson retorted, a bit defiant, raising his voice.


    "Jessica? She hasn''te back since Callum disappeared. She doesn''t dare to. I don''t n to pursue


    it." Ronan casually picked up a magazine from the table and started flipping through it.


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    "Ronan!" Emerson stood up, raising his voice even more. "Why do you pretend not to know the


    obvious?"

 Chapter 404

    Chapter 404


    "No one bullies my dad!" A cute yet fierce voice echoed.


    Emerson turned his head to find the source of the voice. It was little Callum!


    Callum approached Emerson and pushed him yfully, staring at him with what he believed was a


    "fierce" expression.


    "I didn''t bully your dad." Emerson found this amusing and annoying at the same time as he faced


    Callum.


    "Dad, did he not bully you?" Callum turned to his father and asked with concern.


    "No, my good boy." Ronan gave Emerson a triumphant look that said, "Look, someone cares about


    me."


    "Who do you think your dad is? The richest man in Millstone bullies others, not the other way around. If


    anyone dared to bully him, he''d take them down hard!" Emerson muttered and walked away.


    Callum blinked his eyes, pondering over these words. However, he wasn''t able to reach a conclusion.


    "Dad, is what he said true?" Callum asked Ronan.


    "Well, you''ll have to judge for yourself when you grow up."


    "What does he mean by ''richest man?''" Callum asked again.


    Ronan thought his son was too young to understand the concepts of wealth and money. He said,


    "When Cooper said your dad is the richest man, he meant your dad loves to read books and is very


    knowledgeable, therefore, he is ''rich'' in a different way."


    Callum seemed to understand and nodded his head.


    "Then I want to be the ''richest man'' too," Callum dered.


    "Then you''ll have to study hard," Ronan said, patting his son''s head.


    ......


    After deciding to invest in Birchwood, Ronan and Emerson prepared to visit the ce.


    This time, Ronan didn''t bring Callum along. It was their first visit, and having a child would be


    inconvenient.


    This ruined Janice''s ns. She had thought if Mr. Evans went to Birchwood, she would also get to go.


    After all, Callum would need someone to look after him. She had nned to use this opportunity to


    send some gifts to her son. She bought a pair of basketball shoes, a basketball kit, and some other


    misceneous items.


    "Mr. Evans, could you please do me a favor?" Janice asked the day before Ronan''s departure.


    "What is it?"


    "You mentioned before that you were going to Birchwood. I bought some stuff for my son, thinking I


    could deliver it to him myself. But now I can''t go. Could you take it for me? If you''re too busy, it''s


    alright." Janice knew that Ronan was not taking Callum this time because they nned to make a


    round trip in a day, which could be tiring for a child.


    "Sure, Birchwood isn''t big, I should have time. Put the stuff in the car. If not this time, there will be other


    times."


    "Okay, thank you so much," Janice said. "There''s no rush."


    Afterward, Janice put the items in the trunk.


    This time, a chauffeur was driving, while Ronan and Emerson sat in the back.


    They nned to make a round trip in a day, as there was a bidding event in theirpany the next


    day, which Ronan had to attend.


    "Are you nning to buy a house in Birchwood if the project goes through?" Emerson asked Ronan. "I


    know you only have your grandpa''s house in Birchwood. After graduation, you started your business in


    Millstone."


    "I haven''t thought that far. If we can''t make it back today, we''ll stay at my grandpa''s house."


    "You''re really good at savingpany money. You won''t even im a small amount for travel


    expenses!" Emersonmented.


    Ronan and Emerson had a busy day.


    Both Empower Operations and Shenda attached great importance to their coboration with Ronan.


    They put a lot of effort into their presentations.


    Especially when they knew that Mr. Evans from Lumos Enterprises was here for an inspection, they


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    dared not ck off. By the time the inspection was over, it was past seven in the evening.


    Ronan and Emerson went to the Golden Deer Hotel for dinner.


    Suddenly, Ronan remembered the shoes he promised to deliver for Janice''s son. He asked Janice for


    her son''s phone number to call him.


    Janice sent a message to Ronan on Messenger. [Harold, xxxxxxxx.]

 Chapter 405

    Chapter 405


    Ronan promptly dialed the number Janice had given him.


    Harold''s voice was quite pleasant, deeply resonant, and polite. "Is this Mr. Evans?"


    "Yes, it is."


    "I feel bad that you''re personally delivering this. Where are you? I cane get it."


    "Golden Deer Estate. I''ll give you my chauffeur¡¯s number, and you can contact him directly. He will be


    staying at a hotel tonight. You can find him there."


    "Alright, thank you, Mr. Evans." Harold hung up the call.


    Staring at the number on his screen, Ronan suddenly murmured, "Out with the old, in with the new."


    Emerson, who was in the middle of his steak, looked puzzled at this. "What''s with the sudden


    sentiment? You''re in your prime."


    "In my prime?" Ronan shot a nce at Emerson.


    "Oh, perhaps that''s not the right term, considering you don''t have a partner."


    "Could you watch your mouth?" Ronan frowned, displeased.


    Emerson just chuckled and said no more.


    "It looks like we can''t make it back to Millstone today. We will stay at Grandpa''s ce for the night,"


    Ronan suggested to Emerson.


    "Sounds fine to me."


    Once they finished dinner, they took a taxi to Ronan¡¯s grandfather''s old house.


    The next morning, the driver picked up Ronan and Emerson, ready to head back to Millstone.


    "Brother, I think Empower Operations is a good choice. Their investment philosophy aligns with ours.


    Their President, Peter, seems like a good guy and is not someone petty who nitpicks over small things.


    What do you think?" Emerson inquired.


    "You''re now a face reader?"


    Seeing Ronan''s nonchnt reaction, Emerson understood that Ronan had already made up his mind,


    so he didn''t press more.


    "Did the package get delivered to Harold?" Ronan asked the driver.


    "Yes, it did."


    "How does thed look?" Emerson quickly chimed in.


    Ronan shot Emerson a disbelieving look. "Should I be questioning your sexual preferences?"


    "Weren''t you the one talking about the younger generation outdoing the older generation yesterday? If


    thed turns out to be attractive, too, you might be in trouble. I am just looking out for you," Emerson


    pped Ronan on the shoulder and continued to question the driver, "How does Harold look? Be


    honest, but don''t hurt our old friend¡¯s wqpride."


    The driver was caught in a bind. He was asked to be honest, yet he couldn''t offend Mr. Evans.


    Ronan nced out of the window, understanding from the driver''s hesitation that Harold must¡¯ve been


    good-looking.


    Indeed, the younger generation was outdoing him. But what was there topare between him and a


    youngd in his prime?


    After attending a tender meeting at thepany, Ronan headed home in the afternoon.


    "Janice, I''ve delivered the package to your son," Ronan, while changing his clothes, spoke to Janice,


    who was in the living room.


    "Yes, he told me. Thank you, Mr. Evans. I told him to take you out for a meal."


    "Oh, I was quite busy yesterday. Perhaps some other time," Ronan replied.


    "Daddy, are you home?" Callum ran out of his room to hug Ronan.


    "Yes. Did you miss me?"


    "I missed you so much, Daddy!" Callum said, nting a kiss on Ronan''s cheek.


    It reminded Ronan of someone who would always shyly avoid the question whenever he asked if she


    missed him. His child was so much better inparison.


    The next day, Lumos Enterprises held a meeting, formally passing the resolution to partner with


    Empower Operations.


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    It seemed that trips to Birchwood and Empower Operations would be amon urrence in the


    future.

 Chapter 406

    Chapter 406


    Ennd, University of Edinburgh.


    Three years had passed.


    Cordelia had be one of the most dedicated students in the finance department, yet she managed


    to remain under the radar.


    She was the first one to arrive for sses and thest one to leave. After ss, she would grab a quick


    bite to eat, usually a sandwich or a pasty, before heading to the library.


    Cordelia was all about books and studies, believing that the effort you put into studying would directly


    reflect on your results. Her grades were, unsurprisingly, the best in the ss.


    There were many pictures of Callum on her phone, all taken when he was still a baby, including the two


    that Ronan had sent her, and some she had taken at home. Ever since then, she hadn''t seen her child


    again.


    Of course, when she was busy, she wouldn''t think about anything else.


    Studying was tough, but time flew, and there was a sense of aplishment that came with it.


    This sense of achievement added a touch of color to Cordelia''s monastic lifestyle.


    As the days went on, Cordelia''s hair grew longer, and her sses prescription increased to -2.50.


    Her face became increasingly delicate, and she would usually wear sses, presenting the image of a


    strong, intellectual woman, filled with pride and a sense of nobility derived from her extensive


    knowledge.


    Over these three years, Cordelia had cut off contact with everyone from her past, changed her phone,


    and switched to a new Facebook ount.


    Of course, she missed Callum. But she was let down by Ronan, and in order not to have na take


    revenge on him, Cordelia had to endure the pain of not seeing him.


    However, she didn''t delete one person from her Facebook ¨C Petra. And over the past three years, she


    oftenmunicated with Petra, sharing her struggles in life and studies. After all, they were both


    intellectuals and had a lot inmon.


    In her final year, apany called "Empower Operations" sent an invitation to Cordelia, asking her to


    serve as their independent financial advisor.


    Empower Operations stated that they were in desperate need of financial talents like Cordelia due to


    their recent business expansion.


    Cordelia had had contact with thispany before; once, when a business group from Birchwood


    attended a business conference, Empower Operations was included.


    At that conference, Cordelia was responsible for trantion, and her profound knowledge and insights


    during the discussions after the conference impressed Peter, the CEO of Empower Operations, and


    many otherpany executives, who then expressed interest in her and offered her a position.


    Cordelia was delighted, thinking that her hard work over the past three years had paid off. Before she


    even graduated, she had already received a job offer. If she were just an ordinary undergraduate, she


    would probably lead a quiet life, without such opportunities.


    Cordelia wrote back to them, stating that she would be graduating in a few months and had no specific


    career ns yet. She would consider their offer when she returned home.


    Soon, she received a reply. [We wee Ms. Haselwood anytime.]


    It was clear that Empower Operations valued "talent."


    Cordelia shared this news with Petra on Facebook.


    [If you have time, Petra, could you look into Empower Operations for me? There''s a good chance I


    won''t be going back to Millstone,] Cordelia wrote.


    Cordelia felt that since na was persistent, if she went back to Millstone, na would definitely find


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ways to make her leave, so she might as well not go back. Besides, three years had passed, and her


    life had changed tremendously. It was no longer just about Ronan.


    [Funny you should mention that our finance department is hiring professors right now. You''re a perfect


    fit. Are you interested? I can put your name forward if you like,] Petra responded.


    [That sounds great, thanks, Petra, I¡¯ll treat you to dinner,] Cordelia replied happily.


    It seemed that her life was inexplicably intertwined with Birchwood.


    After sending Petra her resume, the papers she had published during her studies, and other relevant


    materials, Cordelia began working on her thesis defense and prepared to graduate.

 Chapter 407

    Chapter 407


    After two tense months, Cordelia graduated.


    In July, Cordelia wasted no time and made her way to Birchwood University.


    As a recruited talent, Cordelia was treated like an associate professor, though her official title was still


    lecturer. She couldn¡¯t independently supervise graduate students yet and was assigned under Dr.


    Young as a co-supervisor. She was tasked with teaching undergraduate and finance department


    graduate students in ounting.


    The university provided Cordelia with an apartment, a neat and clean two-bedroom unit.


    One day, after cleaning her apartment, Cordelia made a trip to the supermarket to buy necessary


    household items.


    She had taken a taxi there, but during summer break, vehicles without a pass were not allowed to


    freely enter and exit the university campus. Left with no choice, Cordelia had to get off at the university


    entrance. She stood at the entrance, arms filled with bags of groceries.


    Cordelia was a refreshing sight on this summer day. She wore a white blouse and a coffee-colored


    maxi skirt. Her waist-length hair flowed down her back like a waterfall. She was not wearing any


    sses.


    As she was about to put her groceries down and ask the security guard to keep an eye on them while


    she made multiple trips to transport them to her apartment, her hair slid off her shoulders. Under the


    sun, this scene was as beautiful as a painting.


    A young man in the distance, mesmerized by the scene, wished he could capture this moment of


    beauty.


    Cordelia stood up and said to the security guard, ¡°I live in Unity Hall. It¡¯s too much for me to carry in


    one go. Could you please watch over my bags while I move them?¡±


    Before the security guard could respond, a voice from the side asked, ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    Cordelia turned her head and saw a vibrant, tall, and young man. He was on a mountain bike with a


    basketball in a bag hanging from the handlebars. He was wearing blue basketball shorts, and his


    shirt was draped over his shoulders. His tanned skin was sweaty. He was youthful, masculine, and full


    of vitality.


    The young man looked at Cordelia and said, ¡°I¡¯m a finance student. Need a hand?¡± He had just biked


    over and guessed that Cordelia was having trouble carrying all her groceries.


    ¡°Can you help?¡± Cordelia nced at his bike.


    ¡°Yep, let¡¯s go.¡± Saying this, the young man put the basketball in ated bag and hung it on his


    handlebars. Then, he took as many of Cordelia¡¯s bags as he could onto the back of his bike. Cordelia


    held onto two bags, and they began walking towards the campus.


    ¡°Which dorm are you headed to?¡± The young man asked Cordelia.


    ¡°Oh, Unity Hall.¡±


    The young man looked surprised. ¡°You have a rtive living in Unity Hall?¡±


    ¡°No, me.¡±


    ¡°You?¡± The young man looked at Cordelia again. ¡°Are you a new teaching assistant?¡±


    Cordeliaughed and nodded. ¡°Something like that. You¡¯re quite the tterer.¡±


    ¡°How did I tter you?¡± The young man asked, looking at Cordelia.


    Cordelia only smiled and didn¡¯t point out that his mistaking her for a teaching assistant was a


    his eyes, she was at most 25 years old. This was a greatpliment to any woman, as who wouldn¡¯t


    want to look forever young?


    ¡°You said you¡¯re in finance. Why didn¡¯t you go home for the summer break? Or did youe back


    early?¡± Cordelia asked.


    ¡°Yeah. I was just epted into grad school. I was out ying basketball. There¡¯s a tournament when


    the semester starts.¡±


    ¡°Are you a grad student? What¡¯s your research focus?¡±


    ¡°Investment.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± Cordelia thought, that if this young man was one of her students, given his enthusiasm, she


    would definitely teach him more. ¡°So, you''re Dr. Dustin''s student.¡±


    ¡°You know Dr. Dustin?¡± The young man looked surprised.


    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    ¡°Who doesn''t know the famous Dr. Dustin? He''s a legend in the investment world. It''s your good


    fortune to be under his wing.¡±


    When Cordelia first joined the university, Dr. Dustin was one of the people who rmended her. She


    had certainly heard of his reputation.


    ¡°Oh, I thought you wouldn''t know anyone since you''re new,¡± the young man said.


    ¡°Oh, by the way, what''s your name?¡±


    ¡°Harold.¡±


    ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll remember you.¡± Cordelia spoke to Harold like a teacher would to a student. How the student


    saw her, she had no idea.


    Harold¡¯s mountain bike arrived at Unity Hall.


    Unity Hall was a three-story building without an elevator. Cordelia, being young, was assigned to the


    third floor. In other words, she needed to carry her groceries up the stairs herself.


    Harold looked at Cordelia and said, ¡°You seem to have your hands full. I''ll help you carry these up.¡±


    Cordelia thanked him. She wanted to add, I will make sure to say good things about you to Dr. Dustin,


    but Cordelia didn''t say it in the end.


    Harold also helped Cordelia install her light bulbs and tidy up the flower pots on the balcony. Looking at


    her neat and clean apartment, Cordelia smiled with satisfaction. ¡°Thank you, Harold.¡±


    ¡°You''re wee. But I didn¡¯t do this out of pure kindness. I was hoping to impress a prettydy,¡± he


    said while looking at Cordelia.


    Cordelia thought to herself, ¡°This young man is handsome and charming, and his straightforward gaze


    is unforgettable. He has the most captivating eyes.¡±


    However, the idea of a student having a crush on his teacher was always a joke to Cordelia.


    Sheughed, ¡°Alright. Thanks for your help.¡±


    With his hands in his pockets and his shirt draped over his shoulder, Harold whistled as he left.

 Chapter 408

    Chapter 408


    Cordelia didn''t pay much heed to Harold''s words. With a decent amount of time left before the


    academic year started, she holed up in her quiet little house, reading and aiming to publish a few more


    articles in foreign journals. She even managed to squeeze in a meeting with Petra.


    Petra lived on campus, too, but not in Unity Hall; she resided in another faculty building ¡ª Evergreen


    Gardens.


    The two women met at the campus fast food joint, a setting thatcked any hint of ceremony.


    Upon seeing Cordelia again, Petra couldn''t help but be dazzled. Cordelia was wearing a sky-blue shirt


    and white capris. Despite their simplicity, the quality of the materials gave her an air of elegance.


    Somewhere along the line, Cordelia started prioritizing quality over quantity when it came to her


    wardrobe. She didn''t buy a lot, but every piece in her wardrobe was top-notch.


    "Cordelia, it''s been three long years since we parted ways in the States. I always knew we were


    destined to cross paths again," Petra said.


    Cordelia smiled. "I have to thank you. If not for you, I would not havended this teaching job at


    Birchwood."


    "That''s because you have the talent. All I did was put in a good word. What are your ns for the


    remaining days before school starts?"


    Inside the air-conditioned eatery, the August heat was kept at bay. The coolness was a pleasant relief.


    "I''m working on some papers. Also, I''m nning to visit Empower Operations. They''ve offered me a


    position as an independent director, which seems to be a good fit for me. I need to go and have a talk


    with them," Cordelia replied, exuding an air of confidence and poise.


    Petra studied Cordelia with admiration. "That sounds great. An independent director makes a good


    paycheck. I bet you''ll have admirers lined up at Birchwood. Just remember to manage your time.


    Teaching undergrads, guiding postgrads, and working part-time can be exhausting."


    "I''ll manage. Howe you''re living on campus?" Cordelia asked, intrigued. Married faculty members


    usually bought houses off-campus, given the small size of the campus residences.


    Petra''s face changed slightly. Cordelia knew instantly she had asked something inappropriate.


    "If you need anything, feel free to reach out," Petra assured Cordelia warmly.


    "Sure," Cordelia replied, feeling touched.


    Later, Cordelia contacted Empower Operations, intending to attend an interview in theing days.


    "Ms. Haselwood, now that you''re back, let''s have a chat. With your qualifications, an interview is hardly


    necessary. Our boss thinks highly of you. We''re looking to appoint you. Having a Ph.D. graduate from


    the University of Edinburgh on board will certainly elevate ourpany''s prestige," the HR director of


    Empower Operations said.


    "Sure."


    The following day, Cordelia visited Empower Operations. The investment firm was located downtown,


    quite a substantial establishment.


    Peter, the CEO, personally greeted Cordelia. He expressed his admiration for her knowledge and


    elegance, which he said left a deep impression on him during their encounter in Edinburgh. Cordelia


    was equally impressed by Empower Operations.


    Peter wanted to share some information about recent projects with Cordelia, but considering the


    confidentiality of the matters, he refrained.


    Cordelia carefully reviewed the appointment contract. The sry was one million a year, without the


    requirement of daily office hours. However, she was expected to oversee significant projects and would


    receive year-end bonuses.


    Upon seeing her responsibility of overseeing major projects, Cordelia felt a strong sense of duty and


    mission. For the first time, she realized how easily knowledge could be tranted into money. The


    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    promise she once made to her mother was finally being fulfilled.

 Chapter 409

    Chapter 409


    In September.


    The academic year at Birchwood College was in full swing, and the campus was buzzing with students.


    With the influx of youthful energy, Cordelia, a lecturer, felt an invigorating boost. Indeed, those who


    spent their time within the ivory towers of academia seemed to age slower.


    On Wednesday morning, Cordelia had a lecture to deliver to her finance postgraduates ¨C a deep dive


    into Financial ounting.


    She was wearing a denim dress that day, and the soft fabric hugged her figure perfectly, highlighting


    her curves and youthful glow. Her hair was pulled into a bun, and she had applied a lightyer of


    makeup as a sign of respect for her students.


    The finance postgraduates were a mixed bag,prising around twenty-odd students with varied


    research interests.


    As it was the first lecture of the year, Cordelia was a bit nervous. The heat of the day didn''t help either,


    making her forehead glisten with a thinyer of sweat.


    "Good morning, everyone. I''m Cordelia, your Financial ounting lecturer for this year."


    After her introduction, she wrote her name, Cordelia, on the ckboard. Her handwriting was elegant,


    a result of dedicated practice.


    She could hear whispers among the students. She guessed they were probably discussing how she


    was much younger than most finance lecturers, who were usually in their forties. She appeared to be in


    her early twenties. They were probably also wondering where she graduated from and if she was


    married.


    Cordelia smiled at the thought. She used to gossip in the same way when she was a student.


    Harold, one of her students, sat in thest row, observing Cordelia with interest. When Cordelia first


    walked in, Harold was taken aback. He hadn''t expected this young woman to be a lecturer and not an


    assistant to undergraduate students. She must have at least obtained her Ph.D. However, she looked


    no older than a college student.


    Cordelia delivered her lecture with rity, using rtable examples. Her students seemed to appreciate


    her style of teaching.


    By the time the ss ended, it was almost noon. Cordelia rushed to the cafeteria for a quick lunch.


    The cafeteria was packed with students. Cordelia, not one to cut in line, patiently waited her turn.


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    "Ms. Haselwood?" Harold walked past her, with a tray in one hand and his hand in his pocket.


    "Harold?" Cordelia was surprised to see him.


    "You don''t cook?" Harold looked at her, not with the respect a student normally had for a teacher, but


    with a teasing curiosity.


    "I have a ss at one." Cordelia checked her watch. It was already past twelve.


    Without saying a word, Harold took Cordelia''s tray and went to the front of the line. He returned shortly


    with two trays of food and found them a ce to sit.


    "Why didn''t you go to the staff cafeteria?" Harold asked her.


    Cordelia looked at the food on her tray. It had Hawaiian rice, roasted pork, and braised ribs marinated


    in garlic sauce.


    "How did you know I like these?" Cordelia asked him.


    A smug smile formed on Harold''s face. "Do you like it? I just picked the most expensive dishes. You


    wouldn''t dare to waste it even if you didn''t like it."


    Caught in her student''s clever trick, Cordelia felt a bit embarrassed. "How much is it? I''ll transfer it to


    you." Cordelia took out her phone.


    "It''s eight dors. Go ahead." Harold pulled out his phone and showed her his contact information.


    Cordelia added him on Messenger and transferred the money to him. It wasn''t unusual for a


    postgraduate supervisor to have their students on Messenger.


    "Why are you eating here in the student cafeteria?"


    "I have a ss in Block One this afternoon. It''s closest to the cafeteria." She checked her watch again.


    It was already half past twelve. She needed to eat quickly.


    "Where did you graduate from?" Harold asked.


    "You''ve just started the semester. Soon, your program supervisor will have a meeting to introduce all


    the teaching staff. You''ll find out then. I''m finished, I have to go." After saying this, Cordelia returned her


    tray and left the cafeteria in a hurry.

 Chapter 410

    Chapter 410


    The once-a-week Financial Theory ss for the postgraduate finance students was a lot to handle.


    As an associate professor, Cordelia juggled between mentoring her postgraduate students and working


    on her research papers. It was a busy life.


    One day, her female postgraduate student, Sally, informed her, "Ms. Haselwood, there''s a basketball


    game this afternoon on the campus court. It''s an interschool match involving all the universities in


    Birchwood. Would you like toe and watch?"


    "Oh, I have a meeting scheduled this afternoon. But you guys go ahead," Cordelia replied politely.


    "Well, Ms. Haselwood, I''ve saved a ticket for you. If you get back early, you can join us."


    "Sure."


    That afternoon, Empower Operations scheduled an investment meeting to discuss various investment


    policies and determine the direction and amount of investment in coboration with the invested


    Cordelia didn''t know with whom they were coborating with, as Empower Operations hadn''t provided


    her with the relevant documents yet.


    She slipped into a crisp white blouse and a modest skirt and headed to the conference room of


    Empower Operations.


    "Ms. Haselwood, our coborative investment partner this time is Lumos Enterprises. Both parties


    attach great importance to this deal. We didn''t inform you earlier due to confidentiality concerns. The


    documents are all on the table. You may want to look through them," said Peter, who was seated at the


    head of the conference table.


    Cordelia was seated just one person away from Peter. Her mind was buzzing, and she didn''t catch


    most of what he said. However, the words "Lumos Enterprises" stood out clearly.


    She had left due to her disappointment in Ronan and her hopes that Callum would not encounter any


    more hardships. But the world turned out to be so small that Lumos Enterprises was to invest with


    Empower Operations.


    She was curious about who from Lumos Enterprises was attending the meeting. However, she knew


    that asking such a question would seem inappropriate to Peter. So, she lowered her head and focused


    on the investment coboration documents.


    As she nervously leafed through the documents, the movement at the door caught her attention. Peter


    had risen from his seat in a hurry and was extending his hands in a handshake gesture.


    "Mr. Emerson, wee. Please have a seat," Peter said.


    "Peter, sorry to have kept you waiting," another voice responded.


    Cordelia''s seat was facing away from the door. She hadn''t seen who had entered, but the voice and the


    name Mr. Emerson told her that it was Emerson, the CFO. It was only expected that he would be here


    to discuss the investment matters.


    Emerson walked towards the end of the conference table, not yet having noticed Cordelia.


    "Oh, Mr. Emerson, let me introduce you to our team. This is ourpany''s deputy head..." Peter began


    to introduce the person next to him.


    Cordelia pretended to be engrossed in the documents, but her mind was racing.


    Emerson had noticed her by then, and he looked quite surprised.


    "This is our newly appointed independent director, Ms. Cordelia Haselwood..." Peter pointed to


    Cordelia''s seat.


    Cordelia felt incredibly awkward, but she maintained herposure, giving Emerson a simple nod in


    acknowledgment.


    Emerson, on the other hand, was taken aback and didn''t respond immediately to Peter''s continued


    conversation.


    The meeting then proceeded to discuss the investment. Representatives from each department


    presented their slides, and everyone deliberated on the potential investments in various sectors.


    Emerson listened quietly, asionally ncing at Cordelia.


    The meeting ran all afternoon, but they didn''t reach a final decision.


    "Everyone has worked so hard on thisprehensive research. I''ll report today''s progress to Mr.


    Evans. Perhaps next time, we''lle together," Emerson said, casting a nce at Cordelia when


    mentioning Mr. Evans.


    Cordelia kept her gaze fixed on the documents, but hearing Mr. Evans stirred up her emotions. She


    didn''t want him to know anything about her, but the world was too small.


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    After the meeting, Emerson said, "Goodbye, Peter," and left.


    Cordelia thought he might stop to chat with her, but he didn''t. Perhaps he didn''t want Peter to know


    about his prior acquaintance with Cordelia due to work rtions, or perhaps there were other reasons.


    Cordelia''s mind was in turmoil. She didn''t know what to do.

 Chapter 411

    Chapter 411


    When Cordelia left Empower Operations, it was already past four in the afternoon. On her cab ride


    back to campus, her mind was filled with past images, yet she couldn''t pinpoint exactly what she was


    thinking about, lost in her thoughts.


    Back at Unity Hall, Cordelia changed into morefortable clothes, a T-shirt and shorts. She was


    about to rx for a bit before heading out to grab dinner when her phone buzzed. [Ms. Haselwood, the


    basketball game is about to start. I saved you a courtside seat, hurry over.]


    Cordelia chuckled, back in her student days, getting a seat at the basketball game was a struggle.


    Now, as a lecturer, she even had reserved courtside seating. Indeed, life at university was much more


    vibrant than that of a typical white-cor worker.


    [Okay.] Cordelia replied.


    She headed to the basketball court, and Sally was already enthusiastically waving her down. "Ms.


    Haselwood, over here."


    Due to Sally''s loud greeting, many turned their attention to Cordelia; her long legs were quite eye-


    catching.


    Cordelia saw the seat Sally had saved for her. Indeed, it was a highly visible courtside seat.


    "I don''t really understand the rules of basketball," Cordelia said to Sally once she settled down.


    "We all don''t. We''re just here to check out the hot guys," Sally said. "Look, there he is. Harold, he''s so


    handsome when he ys."


    "Harold?" Cordelia scanned the court, looking for Harold.


    "Yes. Half of the girls here came just to see him. He''s handsome, and a good yer, the captain of the


    basketball team," Sally said excitedly.


    Cordeliaughed, thinking back to her own university days. She was probably just as naive.


    When Harold came into sight, his gaze seemed to catch hers. He took off his jersey, sweating heavily.


    He took a sip of water from his teammate and then gave a hand signal. His teammates high-fived each


    other, setting the crowd on fire.


    Cordelia couldn''t help but be reminded of her own university days when Logan was also on the


    basketball team. He wasn''t as good as Harold, just an average yer, but in Cordelia''s eyes back then,


    he was the brightest star.


    "Ms. Haselwood, isn''t Harold good?" Sally asked.


    Cordelia snapped out of her thoughts. She had been staring at the court, but not really paying attention


    to the game or how Harold was ying.


    "Yeah, he''s pretty good, and he looks very cool when he makes his moves," she said, knowing this was


    what Sally wanted to hear.


    "You have good taste, Ms. Haselwood," Sallymented, excitedly.


    Cordeliaughed again, thinking to herself, ¡°These kids.¡±


    After the game, Cordelia and Sally headed to the dining hall for dinner. Harold was done with the game


    and looked around for a certain figure, but she was gone.


    ¡­¡­


    Emerson returned to Millstone at eight in the evening. On his way back to Millstone, he called Ronan.


    "Guess who I ran into this time?" Emerson asked, sounding excited.


    "Who? Your ex?"


    "Can you be serious for once?"


    "I am being serious." But Ronan had a hunch that Emerson probably ran into Petra. Back in their Yale


    days, Petra had visited him at school. During their undergraduate years, Emerson was Ronan''s junior,


    and he did his graduate and doctoral studies at the University of Chicago.


    Petra was now a lecturer at Birchwood College, so running into her would be expected.


    "Whatever, I''ll tell you tomorrow at the office," Emerson said.


    "I was just about to go tuck the kids in."


    After hanging up, Emerson was still agitated. He was certain Ronan would never guess he ran into


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    Cordelia.


    The next day, Ronan had barely settled in his office when Emerson barged in.


    "Don''t you know how to knock?" Ronan asked him casually.


    "No time for that. I''ve been too excited since yesterday."


    "How is she?" Ronan asked nonchntly.


    Emerson felt like Ronan had taken the words right out of his mouth. "You knew who I was talking


    about?"

 Chapter 412

    Chapter 412


    "Understood. Speak." Ronan nodded as he usually did, signing the paperwork in front of him. "Also,


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    write up a report on yesterday''s meeting."


    "A report? That''s already done. I''ll send it to you soon." Emerson waved dismissively, as if reports were


    beneath him.


    "She''s now an independent director at Empower Operations." Emerson returned to their previous


    conversation.


    "She has a Ph.D., so it''s not surprising."


    "Don''t you care about her at all?" Emerson asked, his voice filled with surprise and a hint of indignation.


    "Just an old me, why should I care?"


    Although Ronan¡¯s face was calm, he remembered how Petra had chased after him. She almost gave


    her life away for him. She had shown a determination that was astonishing, as if her life would be


    meaningless without him.


    He still remembered Petra''s tear-streaked face at Yale, her unrequited love for him evident.


    "Ronan, sooner orter, I''ll make youe back to me!" Petra had dered.


    But after that, Petra disappeared from his life. He would''vepletely forgotten about her if it hadn''t


    been for the reunion.


    "But she''s still Callum''s mother!" Emerson reminded.


    Ronan''s pen halted in his hand. His fingers curled into a hollow shape. After a moment, he looked up at


    Emerson. "Her?"


    "Yeah, who else?"


    Ronan fell silent for a moment before resuming his signing. It didn''t surprise him how high she had


    climbed the corporatedder. She was ruthless enough to abandon her family in pursuit of her own


    ambitions. But he didn''t expect her to be an independent director at Empower Operations.


    It was a small world indeed.


    "At the meeting, I mentioned that you might attend the next one in person; it''s unlikely Cordelia won''t


    attend as she¡¯s now a part of thepany," Emerson added.


    "Mind your own business! I¡¯m not going."


    "Are you still holding a grudge against her? Haven''t you been single all these years? Tabitha tried to


    engineer chance encounters with you so many times, and you never showed any interest. And don''t


    even get me started on Deanna..."


    "Get out!" Ronan ordered sternly.


    Emerson, with a bellyful of words, was rendered mute.


    After Emerson left, Ronan found it hard to concentrate on his work.


    ...


    The weekend came around.


    Cordelia, needing to research for a paper, went to the library. While browsing, she stumbled upon a


    book written by Barney titled, "The Principles of Adjudication." Cordelia picked it up casually.


    Barney was Ronan''s grandfather.


    Seeing this book reminded Cordelia of this well-educated and refined old man. He had been a great


    help to her when she was studying for her CPA.


    Cordelia''s eyes began to moisten. She flipped open the book and found a photo of the author along


    with a brief bio.


    Barney, a Harvard graduate, was a renowned expert in civil andmercialw in the country,


    particrly in the areas of trustw and maritimew. The book only stated his birth date, not the date


    of his death.


    It had been several years since Barney passed away.


    Reading Barney''s bio, Cordelia couldn''t help but remember his voice andughter. If he were still alive,


    they would''ve had so much to talk about.


    Cordelia missed him dearly.


    With that thought, she decided to borrow all the books written by him.

 Chapter 413

    Chapter 413


    Once the books were cleared off, Cordelia noticed a young boy''s face peeking from behind the


    bookshelf - Harold. He was busily arranging books on the shelf.


    Tears still glistened on Cordelia¡¯s face. It was not ideal to show her vulnerability in front of a student.


    "What are you doing here?" Cordelia asked.


    "Earning some bucks! Have you been crying, Ms. Haselwood?" Harold inquired while continuing his


    task.


    "No," Cordelia dodged.


    "Ms. Haselwood, you''re five years older than me," Harold added.


    "Hmm?" Cordelia wiped her tears subtly, puzzled by the remark.


    "A graduate of the University of Edinburgh with a PhD in Finance."


    "Did your advisor hold a meeting?" Cordelia tried to keep her voice steady.


    "Very good!" Harold said again.


    "What?" Cordelia furrowed her brows, unable toprehend Harold''s words.


    Harold looked at Cordelia, "Ms. Haselwood, you don''t have a boyfriend, do you?"


    Cordelia was taken aback. Her personal life wasplicated, and neither a ''yes'' nor a ''no'' could


    urately describe it. Moreover, she had no intention to answer Harold''s invasive question.


    "If you don''t have a boyfriend, then I''ll pursue you. Even if you do, I''m not afraid," Harold boldly stated.


    Finally understanding Harold''s intentions, Cordelia wanted to retort with, "You''re crazy," but restrained


    herself due to their teacher-student rtionship. She picked up Barney''s works and turned to leave,


    leaving behind a statement. "I have a kid!"


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    After she left, Harold mumbled to himself, "Who are you kidding?"


    Cordelia didn''t take Harold''s confession seriously. In her eyes, he was just a student, a child, whimsical


    and fickle. She had heard of teacher-student rtionships but mostly involving male teachers and


    female students. The opposite dynamic was rare.


    Lately, she had been contemting how to avoid attending the Empower Operations meetings. If she


    continued to go, there was a high chance of running into Ronan. But it was her job, and she had to


    fulfill her obligations after epting the payment offered.


    She was in a dilemma.


    Finally, before the next meeting, she told Peter that she had a lot of sses and constantly taking


    leaves wasn''t right. She wanted to finish this week''s sses and also requested Peter to record the


    meeting for her. She would then write the report she was responsible for.


    Knowing Cordelia''s responsibilities as a university professor, Peter agreed to her proposal.


    Cordelia finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    ......


    Millstone, Ronan''s home.


    "Bro, aren''t youing to Birchwood this time?" Emerson asked Ronan. "It''s a golden opportunity."


    Ronan sat on the couch, reading a book. "What opportunity? No, I am not going."


    "Why the hatred? Can''t you just confront her? You both need closure." Emerson was frustrated. "She


    has been gone for three years."


    "So you know it''s been three years," Ronan replied, his tone reproachful.


    Emerson was at his wits'' end. "So if not this time, then when? Our coboration with Empower


    Operations is long-term."


    "You can meet her."


    "Why are you so dramatic, Ronan?"


    "Dramatic?" Ronan snorted coldly, "I''ve moved on."


    "Dad, where are you going?" Callum had just returned from outside, his forehead slick with sweat.


    Ronan patted Callum''s head. "Are you tired?"

 Chapter 414

    Chapter 414


    Olen and Amanda had returned to Canada.


    After Cordelia left, Ronan was in a sour mood. Amanda felt guilty, and was convinced that her and


    Olen''s presence was the reason for Cordelia''s departure. As such, she expressed her desire to return


    to Canada.


    Deep down, Amanda entertained the idea that Ronan would ask them to stay, given their fondness for


    Callum. The joy of spending quality time with a grandson was one of life''s greatest pleasures.


    At the time, Ronan was smoking. Without a second thought, he said, "Okay."


    Once spoken, words couldn¡¯t be taken back, just like water that had been poured. So, they returned to


    Canada with heavy hearts. Now, only two housekeepers, Janice and Anita, were left.


    Upon realizing that Ronan was adamant about not going, Emerson tried to sway Callum. "Hey, Callum,


    I want your dad to go to Birchwood." Emerson crouched down and persuaded Callum with a ttering


    tone.


    Callum gave Emerson a side-eye. "I''ll think about what you said."


    Against Callum, Emerson was utterly outmatched ¨C even a solid argument was of no use.


    Callum sat down next to his dad. "Dad, is Birchwood where Great-grandpa lived? You always said


    you''d take me there. I''ve never been there before!"


    Ronan didn''t respond.


    "Speaking of which, my son told me he''s smitten with a girl. He didn¡¯t have a crush throughout his four


    years at university, but suddenly fell for someone in grad school. I''d like to meet her," Janice added.


    Janice was unaware that Cordelia was at Birchwood. Seeing that Mr. Emerson and little Callum were


    both trying to convince Ronan to go, she decided to stoke the fire.


    The three of them remained silent, waiting for Ronan''s response.


    Callum nudged his father gently. "Dad, say yes."


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    After a moment of silence, Ronan responded, "Alright. We''ll go to Birchwood with your Uncle


    Emerson."


    Having said that, Ronan nced at Emerson.


    Emerson thought, ¡°Finally, he agreed.¡± But before he could even crack a smile, Ronan added, "Uncle


    Emerson is going for a meeting, so we''ll go to Great-grandpa''s house."


    "Great, Dad, you are the best!" Callum eximed, snuggling into Ronan¡¯s chest.


    Emerson''s joy was short-lived. But he knew that now that Callum had got what he wanted, he wouldn''t


    help him anymore.


    "Fine," Emerson thought. "We''ll all be in Birchwood. Might run into them."


    "No need for Janice to go. I¡¯m not going to work, so I can take care of Callum myself," Ronan added.


    By asking Janice not to go, Ronan was covering his bases, preventing Emerson from tricking him into


    going to Birchwood and then using Janice''s presence as an excuse to attend the meeting. Ronan


    needed to cut off Emerson''s escape route in advance.


    Knowing his n foiled, Emerson flopped onto the couch, muttering, "Why do you always have to be


    so absolute?"


    "I was hoping to see my son this time," Janice said disappointingly. "And he owes you a meal, both for


    the shoes and as a courtesy. He agreed to it when I spoke to him. You are the Chairman of Lumos


    Enterprises, but you made sure to deliver a pair of shoes to a kid like him. It¡¯s a big deal."


    Ronan just chuckled.


    Emerson thought, ¡°If Ronan goes to your son''s dinner, that''d be a bigger deal.¡±


    But he knew that Janice was sincerely grateful and wanted to invite Ronan for dinner as a gesture of


    thanks, she meant no harm.


    Ronan and Janice had a rtionship that was part professional, part friend. He knew what she was


    thinking.


    "Alright. Let him choose the ce. I''m not attending any meetings this time." After finishing, Ronan


    nced at Emerson.


    Emerson was utterly speechless.

 Chapter 415

    Chapter 415


    "Sure, I''ll tell him. You pick the ce, after all, he''s just a kid. He doesn''t know any better." Janice


    seemed excited about Ronan''s agreement.


    "Let''s choose a restaurant around Birchwood College," Ronan suggested after some thought.


    "You are just saving him some money," Janice said.


    "Not really, I just feel like having a meal at Birchwood College," Ronan mused.


    His desire to visit Birchwood College was not just because of his grandfather, but also because of that


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    person. Once upon a time, he and that certain someone strolled through the grounds of Birchwood


    College.


    "Sounds good." Janice agreed readily.


    "Seems like you won''t be able to meet your son''s sweetheart this time." Ronan looked up and said to


    Janice.


    "He didn''t invite me. I just wanted to see her. He''s been hiding it and doesn''t want me to go. If I can''t


    go, it won¡¯t be a big deal," Janice said magnanimously. "Mr. Evans, if you''re busy, my son can take


    Callum. My son is an artist. He can teach Callum."


    "Really?" Ronan lifted his head to ask Janice.


    Speaking of her son, Janice''s face was radiant with motherly pride. Her son Harold grew up in the oil


    fields. From a young age, Janice was working, and his father was a mid-level leader in the oil fields, so


    no one was around to supervise him. Harold was the leader of the children in the oil field''s housing


    without any guidance. He was quite intelligent and did well in school. He was the poster child for free-


    range parenting.


    Janice remembered that when Harold was young, he wanted to be a soldier because he thought the


    uniform was impressive. Unfortunately, he didn''t fulfill his dream. When he went to college, the dream


    was not realized either. Harold was persistent. Janice once had his fortune told, and the fortune teller


    said it was not time for him to be a soldier yet.


    "He can draw?" Callum asked excitedly. Drawing was something that all children loved, and Callum


    was no exception. At that moment, his eyes sparkled.


    "Yes. Callum, you can y with him." Janice gently patted Callum''s head.


    Ronan turned to Emerson. "When are we leaving?"


    "We''ll leave when we get the notice!" Emerson was displeased and left with a bad attitude.


    "Dad, Mr. Emerson is acting up again. Don''t let him get to you." Callumforted Ronan by patting his


    chest.


    Ronan smiled gently at Callum.


    They left the next day around nine to allow Callum to spend a few more days at his great-grandfather''s


    house.


    This was Callum''s first time going to Birchwood, and he was excited the entire way. When the car


    arrived at Barney''s neighborhood, Ronan instructed the chauffeur, "We''ll get off here. You can take


    Emerson to Empower Operations."


    As Ronan got out of the car, Emerson asked resentfully, "You''re really noting?"


    Without responding, Ronan took Callum''s hand and left.


    He rested at home for the afternoon, and around five, Harold sent him a message on Messenger. [Mr.


    Evans, my mom told me you wanted to have dinner at Birchwood College. I''ve reserved a private


    dining room at Zen Garden Restaurant. Come over at six.]


    Checking his watch, Ronan decided to walk there and enjoy the campus scenery on the way. He


    remembered that someone used to love the scenery there.


    "Callum, let''s get ready. We''re going out for dinner," Ronan told Callum.


    "Dad, is someone inviting us to dinner?"


    "Yes, it''s Janice''s son."


    "Really?" Callum, hearing that it was the big brother who could y basketball and draw, was naturally


    excited.


    "Yes," Ronan confirmed.

 Chapter 416

    Chapter 416


    After Cordelia had tactfully declined the meeting notice from Empower Operations, she spent her days


    at home engrossed in writing papers, preparing for sses, and teaching her students. Life was


    fulfilling and joyful. She was also in the process of applying for a national research grant. Once she


    secured the grant, her promotion to Associate Professor was as good as done. Additionally, her


    doctoral students would also benefit from the rising tide.


    However, the sight of Barney''s books over thest few days had dragged her emotions back to the


    past. She missed him.


    She had a longing to visit his old house. Even though she didn''t have the keys, just standing outside


    would suffice.


    After having dinner at the Birchwood College cafeteria, she decided to take a stroll to Barney''s house.


    Birchwood College was not too far from there anyway.


    She was dressed casually in a linen maxi dress, which perfectlyplemented her bohemian vibe and


    her towering height. Her hair was braided casually and rested on her chest, a testament to her


    impable taste.


    As Cordelia stood at Barney''s doorstep, she was reminded of the time she and Ronan had first visited


    this ce, cooked spaghetti bolognese for Barney, and discussed academia.


    She stood at the door for a long time. She wished that someone would suddenlye out of the house


    and ask her in surprise, "De, when did you get back?" But she knew it was not possible.


    Just as a disheartened Cordelia was about to leave, the door opened. At first, Cordelia was surprised


    and then scared. Had someone broken into Barney''s house?


    A well-dressed little boy stood before her, his big, round eyes cautiously watching her.


    Their eyes met. Both were stunned.


    "Who are you looking for?" The little boy asked her in a childlike voice.


    "I..." Cordelia thought, had someone else moved into Barney¡¯s house?


    "Callum, who are you talking to?" At that moment, a familiar voice reached Cordelia''s ears. It was a


    voice she knew well and had never faded from her memory.


    As the door fully opened, a gust of wind toyed with Cordelia''s hair and her dress. Her eyes squinted


    slightly.


    Ronan saw her. And she saw Ronan.


    Cordelia had never expected to run into Ronan so unexpectedly. Her heart skipped a beat, almost in


    disbelief.


    She noticed Ronan staring at her with aplex look. Then she realized that he had just called the boy


    "Callum."


    Callum?


    So, this was her son Callum. He had grown so much and was incredibly handsome. Unable to resist,


    she squatted down and held Callum''s arms but was at a loss for words.


    "Why don''t you greet thisdy?" Ronan said to Callum, a hint of mockery in his voice.


    His words were like a bucket of cold water that brought Cordelia back to reality. Her heart ached as if it


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    had been stabbed. She felt guilty toward Callum and disappointed with Ronan.


    Over the past few years, she had missed her son''s growth. She hadn''t cared for his life, his meals, or


    even what he looked like. She had only cared about her growth.


    "Hello, ma¡¯am." Callum smiled..


    Cordelia''s heart ached. She was, after all, his mother.


    Cordelia held Callum, unable to utter a word. She didn''t want to cry in front of him. If she did, all the


    years of separation would be in vain.


    "Someone is treating us to dinner. We should go. Are you here to see my dad?" Callum asked Cordelia


    in his soft, childlike voice.


    "Oh, no. I just got the wrong door. Goodbye." With that, Cordelia reluctantly turned around and walked


    away.

 Chapter 417

    Chapter 417


    Cordelia made a point of taking the stairs. She knew Ronan, with their kid in tow, would surely opt for


    the elevator. Even as she rounded the corner, she didn¡¯t nce back, fearing it would arouse Ronan¡¯s


    suspicion.


    She didn¡¯t want Ronan to be privy to her circumstances, but it was only a matter of time before he


    found out. Emerson would tell him about her job at Empower Operations, and thepany would have


    her records, too.


    But when Ronan asked Callum to greet her, she felt an odd sense of relief. After all, their past was just


    that ¨C a past.


    Afraid of bumping into them on her way down, she hailed a cab as soon as she stepped outside.


    ¡°Where to, miss?¡± The driver asked.


    ¡°Anywhere,¡± Cordelia replied absent-mindedly. She really didn¡¯t know where she wanted to go.


    ¡­¡­


    Ronan strolled along in the warm afterglow of the summer sun, hand in hand with his son, Callum.


    ¡°Dad, are we going to eat at the university where Grandpa used to work?¡± Callum asked Ronan.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Callum looked up at his father, sensing his less-than-cheerful mood.


    ¡°Dad, do you like thatdy?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Ronan looked down at Callum.


    ¡°Come on, Dad. We¡¯ve had plenty ofdies over like Deanna and Tabitha, but you¡¯ve never acted like


    this before. If you want to get married again, tell me. I should have a say too, right?¡± Callum patted his


    chest confidently, as if he could handle his father¡¯s affairs.


    ¡°Just focus on not spilling your food!¡± Ronan scolded.


    Callum¡¯s head drooped a bit in disappointment.


    Harold had reserved a private room on the second floor of the Eden Restaurant. He was already there,


    waiting for Callum and Ronan.


    ¡°Hello, hope we didn¡¯t keep you waiting.¡± Callum greeted Harold.


    ¡°Mr. Evans, good to see you.¡± Harold stood to shake hands with Ronan, maintaining an air of respectful


    equality.


    Harold looked incredibly energetic in his sportswear. His tall, athletic build was almost as tall as


    Ronan¡¯s. To anyone who didn¡¯t know better, he could easily pass for a basketball yer.


    ¡°Handsome young man we¡¯ve got here.¡± Ronan couldn¡¯t help butpliment.


    ¡°Mr. Evans, you tter me.¡± Harold grinned, revealing a set of perfect white teeth that added an enticing


    aura to his charm.


    Harold pulled out a chair for Ronan. ¡°Mr. Evans, please sit. What would you like to order?¡±


    Ronan ordered a few dishes, striking a bnce between respecting Harold''s feelings and not


    appearing overly frugal.


    During the wait for their food, Callum asked, ¡°Are you good at basketball?¡±


    Harold chuckled at Callum¡¯s innocent question. ¡°I¡¯m decent. If you want to learn, I can teach you.¡±


    ¡°Cool, thanks. I heard from Janice that you can also paint. You¡¯re so talented!¡± Callum looked up at


    Harold, admiration clear in his eyes.


    ¡°Thanks, kiddo.¡± Haroldughed heartily, ruffling Callum¡¯s hair.


    ¡°Your mom mentioned you¡¯ve got a crush. How¡¯s that going?¡± Ronan couldn¡¯t help but indulge in a bit of


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    gossip. Mostly, he was curious. For a young guy like Harold, what kind of girl would be his match? Just


    like back in the day, when people wondered what kind of woman would be worthy of Ronan himself.


    ¡°Don¡¯t listen to my mum. It¡¯s early days yet. My crush is not easy to win over,¡± Harold answered,


    absentmindedly stroking Callum¡¯s hair.


    ¡°With your looks and your prospects, you can¡¯t win her over?¡± Ronan could see it in Harold''s eyes, that


    determination to get what he wants. He knew well that Harold was stuck somewhere between a man


    and a boy, with the steadiness of a man and the vitality of a boy. He must have been irresistible to


    women. He was curious about the woman who had caught Harold''s eye.


    Harold justughed it off. ¡°Mr. Evans, you¡¯re teasing me. Let¡¯s eat.¡±


    As Harold was busy serving the dishes, he nced out the window. From his seat by the window, he


    had a clear view of Unity Hall. It was past seven, but the sky wasn¡¯t dark yet. The setting sun elongated


    Cordelia¡¯s shadow as she walked past. Her long hair was braided, and her long dress fluttered in the


    wind with her brisk pace, like a scene straight out of an oil painting.


    A smile crept up on Harold''s face.

 Chapter 418

    Chapter 418


    Seeing the look on Harold''s face, Ronan became curious. He''d heard from Janice that there used to be


    quite a few who had sent love letters to Harold, but none of them caught his fancy. He must''ve had high


    standards.


    "Spotted someone you fancy?" Ronan asked, his gaze sharp and knowing.


    "She just walked past downstairs."


    "Isn''t that fate?" Ronan teased.


    "Let''s hope so," Harold replied.


    "Is this girl someone you met in undergrad or grad school?" Ronan asked while helping Callum with his


    food. Perhaps seeing Cordelia today had suddenly made Ronan interested in other people''s love lives.


    "Um¡­ she just came to our school." Harold was still engrossed in the sight of her walking past


    downstairs, his head lowered.


    "A freshman? Or a grad student who just transferred?" Ronan persisted.


    "Mr. Evans, are you prying on behalf of my mom? I''ll let her know when there''s something to tell."


    "I''m just personally interested. Is that not allowed?"


    Harold chuckled. "Of course it is."


    With that smile, no women could resist Harold. Ronan couldn''t help but sigh. He was getting old.


    Indeed, out with the old, in with the new.


    As Ronan was deep in thought, his phone rang. It was Emerson. He knew what Emerson was about to


    say, but he answered anyway.


    "She didn''t go," Emerson said.


    "I know."


    "You know?" Emerson sounded confused.


    "I''ll exinter. I''m having dinner now," Ronan said, ending the call.


    As he cut into his steak, Ronan thought, Cordelia probably knew that Lumos Enterprises, the partner of


    Empower Operations, would have representatives present at the meeting. So, she deliberately avoided


    it, and him. Because of these thoughts, he was somewhat distracted during his conversation with


    Harold.


    When they finished eating, Ronan said to Harold, "Let me know when you''ve made your move!"


    "Sure. I''ll not only tell you, but I''ll also bring her to meet you."


    With Callum in tow, Ronan left.


    When he got back to Barney''s house, Emerson was already there waiting for him.


    "Ronan, what''s her deal? You didn''t go, and she didn''t either." Emerson was all frantic.


    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    "Watch Callum for me. I''m going to take a shower," Ronan said dismissively.


    Emerson was left alone, fretting.


    Callum sat on the sofa, watching his dad go into the bathroom, and asked Emerson, "Do you know the


    phone number of thedy we met today? My dad wants to marry her, and I want to y matchmaker."


    Emerson was confused. "Whichdy? And since when did your dad consider getting married again?"


    "The one we bumped into this afternoon at the front door. She came to Grandpa''s house."


    Emerson thought carefully. He had called Ronan earlier to tell him that Cordelia didn''t go to the


    meeting, and Ronan said he knew. Then Callum mentioned meeting ady at their grandfather''s


    house. Could it be that Cordelia hade here in the afternoon, and they had run into each other?


    Aside from her, Emerson couldn''t think of anyone else.


    At this moment, Emerson was even more excited than Ronan! "Quick, use your dad''s phone to call her.


    Do you know his passcode?"


    Callum whispered to Emerson, "I know it, but my dad doesn''t know that I know it. You have to keep it a


    secret."


    "Okay, hurry up."


    Callum nced at the bathroom, and then dialed the number Emerson had given him. Because of his


    job, Emerson knew Cordelia''s new number.

 Chapter 419

    Chapter 419


    Even though she had changed her phone and her number, Cordelia still recognized Ronan''s number.


    She instantly stood up, pacing restlessly around her room.


    Just a moment before, she had been sitting at her desk in her little apartment in Unity Hall, drafting a


    speech. The school term had barely started, and the freshman wee ceremony hadn''t even taken


    ce yet. She was supposed to give a speech there, as the representative of the young teachers.


    These past three years, she hadn''t suffered any harm from na in Ennd. It was as if they had


    vanished into thin air. Moreover, Callum seemed pretty well when she saw him not long ago. He didn''t


    seem to have gone through any hardships.


    But now, Ronan had suddenly called her...


    Eventually, Cordelia answered the call.


    "Hello, ma¡¯am, why''d you take so long to pick up?" A childlike voice came from the other end.


    Recognizing it as Callum''s voice, Cordelia felt a softness envelop her heart. "I was writing something."


    "So, are you aiming to be a billionaire?" Callum could barely contain his amusement.


    In Callum''s impression, besides his father, very few adults read books, let alone write.


    "A billionaire?" Cordelia was confused.


    "Yeah, my dad says that knowledge is wealth."


    Thinking of Ronan, Cordelia couldn''t help but chuckle with a mix of amusement and bitterness. "I do


    want to be a ''billionaire,'' but there''s a long, long way to go. I need to study hard, and you should too,


    Callum."


    "Okay, got it. You''re so modest. I called because my dad wants to marry you. You''d want that, right? My


    dad looks okay, and most importantly, he''s rich. He can buy you anything you want. Marrying him would


    be a good deal."


    Cordelia burst intoughter. "Do you always propose todies on your dad''s behalf?"


    "Of course not! My dad has been smitten by you since he saw you yesterday. He''s fallen for you. How


    about a date with my dad tomorrow night, seven o''clock, at Grandpa''smunity garden?"


    Cordelia knew that Ronan would never be "smitten." Most likely, Callum was exaggerating. Ronan


    probably didn''t even know about this call.


    "Well, it depends if I have time. If I do, I''lle." Cordelia was merely trying to appease Callum. "If I


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    have something to do, I''ll call you, okay?"


    "Okay, don''t forget. Bye." With that, Callum hung up.


    Sitting at her desk, Cordelia couldn''t help but smile. She never thought that Callum would grow up to


    be such a cheerful, energetic, and mischievous boy. She felt both relieved and heartbroken.


    She knew that Ronan had given up on her. Otherwise, he would have found her in thest three years,


    even if she had been hiding in the North Pole. She wondered where Tabitha''s second child was, and


    why Ronan wasn''t with them.


    And yesterday, when Ronan had asked Callum to call her "ma¡¯am,¡± he had a calm andposed


    gaze. Maybe he thought Cordelia was selfish and self-centered and was willing to abandon everything


    for her own development. He couldn''t see the pain and scars in her heart.


    Cordelia was sure that Ronan didn''t know about this call. She didn''t n on going to meet Callum.


    Not long after Callum ended his call, Ronan came out of the bathroom. He was wearing his pajamas.


    "Dad, I just called thatdy and asked her to go on a date with you," Callum told Ronan.


    Ronan took the phone and saw the call to an unfamiliar number that Callum had just made.


    "Your son seems to feel really close to her," Emerson teased Ronan. "Why don''t you go see for


    yourself?"


    Ronan sank down onto the couch. "If you want to go, then you go. I''m not going."

 Chapter 420

    Chapter 420


    Callum''s call had left Cordelia lost in thought for quite a while.


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    After polishing her presentation script and reviewing her lesson ns - tomorrow was going to be a


    hectic day, as the academic office had scheduled all her weekly sses on Wednesday - she finally


    went to bed well past eleven.


    The next day, Cordelia headed to Unity Hall for her sses. Along the way, she noticed that her fellow


    students were ncing at her more than usual.


    Cordelia was perplexed. Was there something wrong with her outfit, or was her makeup inappropriate?


    She bumped into Petra, who was also on her way to ss. "Off to teach, Petra?" She asked Petra.


    Petra grinned smugly. "Yes, indeed, Ms. Haselwood, the porcin doll."


    "What?" Cordelia was even more confused now.


    "Why don''t you go see for yourself?" Petra suggested before striding away.


    Cordelia hurried into her ssroom, still mystified. "Let''s start the ss," she announced to her


    students, who were all suppressing smiles as though they were anticipating some sort of spectacle.


    The only person she saw sitting in the third row was Harold, who was lounging in his seat, his arms


    folded across his chest, staring at Cordelia with a provocative gaze.


    Maybe if she could go back seven or eight years, she wouldn''t have given Logan, who faded in


    "Is...is my teaching inadequate?" Cordelia, still a novice teacher, was somewhat insecure. The students


    had all moved to the back of the room as soon as the ss began. Could she really represent the


    young teachers with this level of teaching?


    She looked at the students in bewilderment.


    Harold, nonchntly resting one leg over the other, nced around the room. "No worries, you''re doing


    fine. Carry on."


    Laughter broke out among the students.


    Cordelia frowned slightly. Harold''sment was not very student-like, even if it was meant to be


    supportive. She felt awkward and just muttered, "Let''s continue with the ss."


    After ss, Cordelia finally understood why the students had behaved so oddly towards her. As she


    was packing her books, her graduate student Sally waved her phone in front of her.


    "What is this?" Cordelia asked, puzzled. It seemed to be a picture on the phone.


    "The picture is called ¡®Porcin.¡¯ It was disyed in the cafeteria window since this morning," Sally


    whispered in Cordelia''s ear. "The artist never had a rtionship before."


    Cordelia was still confused, but since Sally mentioned "the window," Cordelia had to go check it out.


    The closest disy window to the ssroom was downstairs. Cordelia strode over to it.


    There, in the window, was a watercolor painting of a woman striding across campus, her skirt billowing


    behind her due to the wind. The woman''s braid hung in front of her chest. She seemed nonchnt, but


    it was clear that she was preupied.


    The painting was named "Porcin." It probably referred to the woman''s porcin-like skin.


    She finally understood why Petra had looked so entertained earlier. It was as if she was enjoying a love


    story. But nothing happened.


    Cordelia wondered who the artist was. From the perspective, it seemed like it was painted from a high


    ce, and it was a depiction of her from the night before.


    She suspected that Harold was the artist. Cordelia had always thought that students having a crush on


    their teacher was a prank, something not to be taken seriously. She didn''t think much of it.


    She didn''t know how Harold managed to get the painting into the disy window, and she didn''t know


    how to remove it. But the painting was beautiful, so it could stay in the window.

 Chapter 421

    Chapter 421


    In the afternoon, Cordelia made a trip to the library, and for once, she didn''t cross paths with Harold,


    which was a pleasant change.


    Aftering back from the library, she took a nap at home, worked on her dissertation for a bit, and


    then headed to the dining hall for dinner.


    As she was enjoying her burger, she couldn''t help but wonder, should she call Callum back and tell him


    she couldn''t make it tonight? But Callum was using Ronan''s mobile, so it would inevitably be Ronan


    answering the call. At the thought of this, Cordelia hesitated.


    After returning home from the dining hall, she continued working on her dissertation, and before she


    knew it, it was already past seven.


    As she was fiddling with her phone, considering whether she should call Callum back, she suddenly


    heard a male voice calling "Cordelia" from the ground floor.


    Living on the third floor, Cordelia could hear the voice clearly.


    When she looked down from her window, the first thing she saw was a heart-shaped arrangement of


    red candles, all lit up, with Harold standing in the middle, yelling at her.


    Cordelia frowned, she was new to the school and did not want to stir up any kind of scandal. Moreover,


    she believed that the more ostentatious the method of courtship was, the more it was for show. The


    more romantic it seemed, the emptier it really was, and she despised such behavior.


    The crowd below kept growing, and she worried about bing the talk of the school''s online forums


    tomorrow. She hurried downstairs and confronted Harold, whispering, "What is this? Are you hoping to


    embarrass me?"


    "Nothing like that," Harold stared at her with his charming eyes. "I was just worried about you living


    alone, but since you seem to be doing fine, I''ll stop making a scene." With that, he took the basketball


    in his hands and made a stylish move, extinguishing all the candles.


    Feeling relieved, Cordelia turned to go back to her apartment, but she was abruptly pulled back by


    Harold, his warm breath tickling her ear and his lips almost touching her cheek, making her blush.


    He said, "Date me."


    "Get lost!"


    Cordelia hadn''t been close to a man in years, let alone someone with strong masculine charm like


    Ronan. Perhaps due to a natural female reaction, her sudden physical contact with Harold made her


    tremble.


    "I''m your teacher!" Cordelia warned.


    "There''s no rule against teachers dating students!"


    "I''m going to report you to the administrative office tomorrow!"


    "Do it!"


    Harold kept his arms wrapped around Cordelia''s waist. She struggled to break free, panting heavily.


    She was furious - she had just arrived at the school, and Harold was already making her look bad.


    Just then, Harold''s phone rang. He originally didn''t want to answer it, but after seeing the caller ID, he


    picked up.


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    Cordelia took this opportunity to escape.


    "Hello, Mr. Evans," Harold answered, still somewhat excited.


    "Harold, are you free tomorrow?" The voice on the other end asked.


    "If you need me, I''m free regardless."


    "Can you babysit for me in the afternoon? I have a negotiation to attend, and it''s not convenient to bring


    a child."


    "Sure, what time?"


    "Two in the afternoon. I''ll send you the locationter."


    "Okay, I''ll be there."


    After hanging up, Harold looked up at Cordelia''s window onest time before leaving.


    Cordelia had said that her kids were all grown up, but she looked so young. It had been almost ten


    days since the term started, and not a single man hade to her apartment. Logically, a new home


    and a new job would warrant a visit from a boyfriend, at least out of courtesy.


    But there was none!

 Chapter 422

    Chapter 422


    Cordelia was fuming at home. She shot a message to Mr. Reese from the dean''s office. [Mr. Reese,


    there''s this finance major, Harold, who''s been harassing teachers and disturbing sses. Can you


    please look into this matter?]


    Mr. Reese replied, [Ms. Haselwood, we''ve already been informed about this issue. I''ll handle it first


    thing tomorrow morning!]


    Just as she put her phone down, Cordelia received another message, this time from Petra.


    [Cordelia, we''ve all heard about you and Harold. The whole school knows by now. You must have


    some charm to have stirred up this young man''s hormones so quickly. I''ve heard he''s quite popr with


    thedies. Who would have thought you''d be the one to reel him in?]


    [Enough about that. I''ve reported him!]


    [Really, Cordelia, why would you report something like this? Where''s your sense of fun?]


    Cordelia didn''t care about having fun; she had reported him, and Mr. Reese had promised to


    investigate. There was something else Cordelia needed to do, but she was so upset with Harold that


    she couldn''t remember what it was.


    ...


    Callum and Emerson returned from their meeting spot, disappointed.


    Ronan had previously said that he wouldn''t go on a date with Callum and Cordelia. So, Callum had


    asked Emerson to apany him instead.


    Unfortunately, Cordelia didn''t show up.


    "You''re back?" Ronan noticed their disheartened faces and asked.


    "She didn''te," Callum whined, resting his head on Ronan''s shoulder.


    "I figured as much."


    Ronan''s gaze was icy cold. He had predicted that she would note, but he had never expected her


    to stand up the Callum without even a phone call.


    Ronan clenched his jaw. He guessed that she neither cared about him nor wanted to see him. Her


    absence from the Empower Operations meeting was good proof of that.


    The next day, Ronan and Emerson were going to visit Empower Operations again to discuss several


    issues regarding their contract. They were going to be partners for a long time, working on multiple


    projects in Birchwood, so they needed to be careful about their contractual obligations.


    There was no need for a meeting this time, so Cordelia didn''t have toe up with an excuse to avoid


    it.


    Callum wouldn''t be able to attend the contract signing, so Ronan had called Harold earlier.


    ...


    The next morning, at the dean''s office.


    "Harold, what were you thinking? Ms. Haselwood just joined the school, and you''ve already caused a


    scandal! You''ve embarrassed our entire institution! She has lodged aint against you. Your


    otherwise promising future is now under threat. How are you going to find a job after this?" Mr. Reese


    pounded his desk and spoke in a stern tone to Harold.


    Harold remained silent, standing upright.


    "Since this incident hasn''t caused any severe consequences yet, I''ll let you off with a verbal warning


    this time. But there won''t be a next time. Now go." Mr. Reese knew Harold was a bright student, a


    basketball star, and an award-winning painter. He was a rare talent.


    Who could stop a young man from falling in love? Harold had been at the university for four years


    without a hint of scandal. But since Cordelia''s arrival, it was as if a storm had hit.


    "Say something!" Mr. Reese demanded.


    "There won''t be a next time," Harold said seriously.


    "If sheins again, I''ll have to record this as an official reprimand. And one more thing, remove


    that painting from the disy case immediately."


    "Why should I remove such a beautiful painting?" Harold argued.


    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    "Did the school authorize you to put it up?"


    Harold couldn¡¯t respond to that.


    "Remove it immediately, or you''ll face severe disciplinary action."


    As Harold left the dean''s office, he headed towards the cafeteria. Just as he was walking, he ran into


    Cordelia again.

 Chapter 423

    Chapter 423


    Cordelia spotted Harold in the corner of her eye, pretending not to notice him, her gaze shifting aside.


    Harold threw Cordelia a look that screamed, "Where do you think you''re going?" Had it not been for his


    afternoon visit to Mr. Evans, he would have insisted on joining her for lunch in the cafeteria.


    After lunch, Harold, following Mr. Reese''s request, took down the paintings and hung them by his


    bedside and in front of his study desk.


    "Ah, so you''re keeping the art to yourself now?" Harold¡¯s roommate, Joseph, teased him.


    "Yep. For my eyes only."


    After ncing once more at the painting of Cordelia, Harold changed into his casual attire and left. He


    was visiting Mr. Evans today, so naturally, he had to dress appropriately. He had never looked so


    serious in his life.


    Following the address given by Mr. Evans, he arrived at Mr. Evans'' grandfather''s house. Ronan and


    Emerson were chatting on the sofa, probably discussing work-rted matters, talking about


    investments and such.


    Callum was probably napping, as there was no sound of a child in the house.


    Upon Harold''s arrival, Ronan and Emerson ceased their conversation, perhaps due to the


    confidentiality of their topics, and began small talk. "Well, well, you''re a handsomed," Emerson


    Ronan shot Emerson a re.


    "How''s it going with your crush?" Ronan asked Harold.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    "No progress. She reported mest night. The dean just gave me a good scolding."


    "Hmm, she''s a fiery one. Last night?" Ronan seemed intrigued by these two words. Then, with a smirk,


    he asked Harold, "Did you fuck her?"


    "Let''s not talk about it!" Harold waved his hand dismissively, surprised by Mr. Evans'' blunt words.


    Moreover, Mr. Evans'' smirk and his dismissive attitude suggested that for the CEO, "fucking someone"


    was a rather mundane affair.


    "Is it such a big deal to date?" Ronanmented. ¡°I guess you must have done something to upset


    her.¡±


    Ronan didn¡¯t know that Harold¡¯s crush was a teacher, so he assumed that a student romance couldn¡¯t


    have been such a big deal. Therefore, he guessed that Harold might have forced himself on her- the


    previous night.


    "She''s just upset," Harold confirmed.


    "Well, that''s good," Ronan said.


    He enjoyed discussing romantic matters with younger people when he had nothing better to do. It


    made him feel less old.


    "Alright, we should get going. Callum is sleeping. Take care of him when he wakes up." After these


    words, Ronan and Emerson left.


    ...


    Cordelia was dressed neatly today, as she was going to Empower Operations. She had made an


    excuse not to attend thest meeting, but she watched the video of it and sent a fewments to


    Peter.


    Peter informed her that Lumos Enterprises had drafted an agreement and wanted to discuss it with


    him. If Cordelia was avable today, he wanted her toe to the office and review the agreement,


    use by use, with the head of legal. This coboration involved a significant sum, not a small


    amount.


    Cordelia had to go. She had noticed that Ronan was always sending Emerson to these meetings and


    never attending himself, probably because he didn''t want to see Cordelia. Since he wouldn''t go,


    Cordelia had to. After all, she would have to interact with Emerson sooner orter.


    At Empower Operations.


    Before Emerson''s arrival, Cordelia and the legal director had been discussing the details of the contract


    with Peter in a small meeting room. So engrossed in the conversation, Cordelia didn''t hear the


    footsteps from outside.


    Just as Cordelia was passionately discussing the contract, Peter stood up. "Mr. Evans, it''s an honor to


    finally meet you."


    Cordelia looked up, and there was Ronan.

 Chapter 424

    Chapter 424


    And there they were, eye to eye. In Cordelia''s gaze lingered a hint of mockery towards Ronan.


    Perhaps theirst encounter, which happened unexpectedly at her grandfather''s doorstep, didn''t give


    her enough time to study Ronan''s demeanor and his attire. Now, he still carried that polished charm


    about him. She found herself wondering if beneath his suave exterior, lurked a beast of a man.


    He wore a high-quality T-shirt, matched with a pair of trousers of the same color. His aura screamed


    "boss," but it wasn''t overly arrogant. There was a hint of schrly reserve about him. This unique blend


    of traits was probably unmatched in the business world. Moreover, he radiated an attractive, almost


    palpable desire.


    Ronan clearly didn''t expect Cordelia to be there.


    "Mr. Evans, you probably don''t know her yet. This is our independent board director, Ms. Cordelia


    Haselwood," Peter introduced to Ronan.


    A smirk appeared on Ronan''s lips. "Indeed, I don''t."


    Turning his head towards Emerson, he asked, "Howe you didn''t mention she''d be here?"


    Emerson thought to himself, ¡°Why am I being dragged into this?¡±


    "Yes, Ms. Haselwood recently graduated from the University of Edinburgh. She hasn''t been with us for


    long. I''ve attended meetings at the University of Edinburgh, where Ms. Haselwood was known for her


    hard work and was among the top students. She has participated in severalpany acquisition


    evaluations and has a lot of experience," Peter continued to introduce Cordelia.


    To Cordelia, his words probably sounded like mockery to Ronan.


    He imed didn''t know her. Well, it made sense. After all, they were on opposing sides today.


    Cordelia struggled to keep a polite smile on her face.


    "Is that so?" Ronan said lightly.


    As soon as he walked in, Peter had already automatically offered him the head seat at the conference


    table. At this point, Cordelia was sitting next to Ronan.


    Ronan smirked at Cordelia. "How old is Ms. Haselwood?"


    "Twenty-eight," Cordelia responded.


    "You don''t look it. You look like a college student," Ronan teased with a light smile.


    Cordelia was unsure of his intention, was he praising her youthful looks or implying that she was


    carefree and unburdened?


    "Despite her young age, Ms. Haselwood is very experienced, Mr. Evans. Don''t underestimate her,"


    Peter defended Cordelia. He was worried that Ronan would dismiss Cordelia due to her youth.


    "You''re quite young yourself, Mr. Evans," Cordelia retorted.


    "Am I?" Ronan chuckled, turning towards Emerson for validation.


    "Yes, indeed, young, a promising talent," Emersonplimented Ronan, ying along.


    "Well, Mr. Evans, in light of the contract we are signing today, I have a few personal opinions I would


    like to share..." Cordelia began, flipping through the contract. "This is Lumos Enterprises'' standard


    contract, but I have a few suggestions. I wonder if you would be willing to consider them. For the fifth


    use under the fourth section, I suggest we change it to..."


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    Ronan nced at the contract half a beatter, then lifted his gaze to Cordelia. "Agreed."


    Encouraged by Ronan''s affirmative response, Cordelia smiled. "For the eighth use under the


    seventh section, we would like to revise the default responsibilities. We propose to change it to..."


    "Agreed."


    Cordelia proposed several changes, and Ronan agreed to them all. His rash agreement made Cordelia


    a bit uneasy. She wondered, did Ronan have a scheme up his sleeve?


    "Mr. Evans, you don''t have to..." Cordelia began.


    "What?" Ronan looked up at Cordelia, and she saw her own reflection in his pupils.


    Cordelia lowered her head in regret for her words. She had meant to say not to agree blindly just


    because it was her proposal and to consider the terms carefully.


    "Look at your employee; she''s haggling me on your behalf, and when I agree, she tells me not to rush,"


    Ronan said to Peter with augh.


    But hisugh was inscrutable.


    "But Mr. Evans, you still agreed," Peter pointed out.


    Peter even thought, ¡°The reason Ronan agreed so quickly was probably because of Cordelia''s youth


    and beauty. Moreover, the terms Cordelia proposed were inconsequential to Lumos Enterprises.¡±


    Indeed, when men and women teamed up, work got done more efficiently.

 Chapter 425

    Chapter 425


    Ronan nonchntly handed the contract to Emerson. "Have legal look it over. Next time, you sign the


    contracts. We''re leaving." With that, he headed towards the exit.


    At the door, he suddenly turned back to ask Cordelia, "Are youing, Ms. Haselwood?"


    Cordelia, taken aback, replied, "Oh, no, I''ll stay. Thank you, Mr. Evans."


    Once Ronan had left, Cordelia finally found herself able to breathe, realizing she''d been sweating


    bullets.


    "Coming down with something, Ms. Haselwood?" Peter asked Cordelia.


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    "Oh, nothing like that," Cordelia answered, somewhat preupied.


    "You should be there next time we sign a contract. Keep an eye out for any potential traps," Peter


    suggested.


    "They won''t do that." Cordelia smiled, amused by Peter''s paranoia.


    "You''re right, Lumos Enterprises is a big shot. Mr. Evans wouldn''t risk his reputation for a small profit.


    So, are youing next time?" Peter asked again.


    "Sure," Cordelia remembered clearly, Ronan had said he wouldn''t being next time.


    ¡­¡­


    In Ronan''s car, he kept looking out the window.


    "She''s just doing her job for Empower Operations. You know she''s always careful and responsible."


    Emerson tried to reassure Ronan.


    "Say what?" Ronan seemed to not understand Emerson''s words, turning to ask him.


    "I''m talking about Cordelia, Cordelia! Got it now?" Emerson raised his voice.


    "Hmm, who said I miss her?" Ronan turned away, pulling out a cigarette.


    ¡­¡­


    At Barney''s house.


    As soon as Ronan left, Callum woke up. Seeing Harold, he cheerfully said, "You''re here? My dad said


    you''d look after me this afternoon."


    "Sure thing,e here, I''ll teach you how to draw," Harold said, lifting Callum by his armpits.


    Callumughed with glee. "Janice told me you can draw; teach me!" Callum said in his baby voice.


    "Okay."


    Callum and Harold headed to Barney¡¯s study.


    Ronan¡¯s grandfather, Barney, used to write inscriptions and paint, so brushes and paper were readily


    avable.


    Harold picked up a brush; the first stroke was of hair. But after a few strokes, he realized that if he


    painted Cordelia and Mr. Evans found out, his mother would know, too. He didn''t want his mother to


    know so soon. The sooner she knew, the sooner she''d object. After all, Cordelia was a teacher, and


    five years his senior!


    Objection was inevitable.


    He felt, at least, he should wait until he won her over. Considering Cordelia''s fiery temperament, that


    could take a while. So, he crumpled the painting and tossed it into the nearby trash bin. The discarded


    painting only had a few strokes of Cordelia''s hair.


    "Callum, I will paint a picture for you."


    "Okay."


    "Stay still, okay? But if you need to pee or drink water, you can."


    "Okay, I''ll just sit here and y with my toys."


    "Alright, I am going to start painting."


    During the painting process, Callum went to the bathroom twice, drank water twice, and spent the rest


    of the time ying with his toys. His focus impressed Harold.


    As soon as the painting was finished, Ronan and Emerson returned. Seeing Harold''s painting, Ronan


    asked, "You did this?"


    "Yes, Mr. Evans. Your son''s concentration is incredible. He''s very well-behaved," Harold said while


    packing his bag.


    Ronan felt proud hearing his son being praised, but he simply asked, "Is that so?"


    "Yes. Mr. Evans, I should get going. Are you guys leaving tomorrow? I have a freshman orientation


    tomorrow afternoon. If it ends early, I cane to see you off, mainly to give Callum a little gift."


    "No need. You do your thing," Ronan replied.


    Harold just smiled, he''d already made up his mind, and this was something he had to do.


    "Stay for dinner. I''m about to start cooking," Emerson said, putting on an apron.


    "No need. They''re in the honeymoon phase. Absence makes the heart grow fonder." Ronan sat on the


    couch, teasing Harold.


    Harold chuckled. "Mr. Evans is the expert here. He would know."

 Chapter 426

    Chapter 426


    Although Janice was the housekeeper of the Evans family, Harold knew nothing about their domestic


    affairs. Harold only came to know Mr. Evans'' name recently when Ronan brought him a pair of shoes.


    Janice didn''t like gossiping about the family, and youngds like Harold weren''t too interested either.


    After Harold left, Emerson headed to the kitchen to whip up some dinner, while Ronan settled on the


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    couch, reaching for a book.


    Callum mysteriously produced a discarded sketch to show Ronan. "Dad, look what he drew."


    "What is it?"


    "I don''t know, something he didn''t want anymore."


    Ronan took a nce. It looked like a woman''s hair. He guessed it must have been the object of


    Harold''s affection. Currently, the girl was all Harold could see.


    Ronan couldn''t help but chuckle. The matters of a young man''s heart were something he didn''t quite


    Ronan was curious about what that flirting feeling could be like. How did Harold flirt with others? Could


    Ronan also experience the feeling of a young man''s fluttering heart?


    ¡­


    The next day was a Wednesday, thest ss was Cordelia''s ounting lecture.


    Harold had been out all morning, ultimately purchasing two teddy bears from a toy shop, onerge, one


    small. Initially, he intended to give one just to Callum. However, seeing therge one, he suddenly


    thought of Cordelia. She was as innocent and precious, yet oblivious to her own worth.


    When he hurried back to school, Cordelia''s lecture was about to start. Harold ced therger teddy


    bear on the lectern, apanied by a note. Just as he finished, the bell rang.


    As Cordelia ascended the lectern, she noticed therge teddy bear. It was of good quality. Before she


    could ask who it belonged to, she noticed the note beneath the teddy bear. [Bought with my hard-


    earned money. Keep it!]


    Cordelia had a fair idea of who the gift-giver was. Without making a fuss, she began her lecture.


    After ss, she called Harold to the front. She had initially nned to stop Sally and Sean, her


    graduate students. Her national project had been approved, and she needed to delegate tasks. But


    Harold''s incident interrupted her ns. Looked like she would have to ask the two to stop by her office


    tomorrow morning.


    "Come here!" Cordelia instructed Harold.


    Harold walked to the lectern, slinging his backpack over his shoulder. The ssroom was now empty.


    "I can''t ept this. Take it back," Cordelia said firmly.


    "Who¡¯s ever heard of taking back a gift? If you don''t want it, throw it away," Harold retorted.


    Cordelia lifted the teddy bear, ready to toss it into the trash bin at the back.


    "The bear cost $60. That''s my blood, sweat, and tears. I worked day and night, earned money at the


    library, from ying basketball, just to buy this for you. If you want to waste it, go ahead!" With that,


    Harold stormed out.


    Left alone, Cordelia couldn''t bring herself to throw the bear away. She respected her student''s hard


    work.


    Noticing Cordelia hesitating, Haroldughed. "Since you''re reluctant, why not just keep it? I''m leaving


    now."


    With that, Harold left, backpack slung over his shoulder and basketball in hand.


    Cordelia was somewhat irritated. She hurriedly ate her lunch in the cafeteria and returned home. She


    casually tossed the teddy bear into her study.


    She had to deliver a speech at the afternoon''s freshman orientation. She had stayed upte the


    previous night to finish a paper and wanted to take a nap at noon to recharge. If she didn¡¯t nap, she


    wouldn''t be able to perform well in the afternoon. However, she overslept, not even her rm could


    wake her up.


    The orientation included all the teachers and students at the school. Beingte would mean being


    embarrassed in front of everyone. Cordelia didn''t want to be that kind of celebrity. Holding her speech,


    she hurried towards the school auditorium.


    Unity Hall was quite far from the auditorium, one being in the northeast corner and the other in the


    southwest. It would take at least fifteen minutes on foot.


    Just as Cordelia was hurrying, a bicycle pulled up next to her. "Ms. Haselwood." A voice sounded


    leisurely in Cordelia''s ear.


    Cordelia turned to find Harold riding a mountain bike, leisurely catching up from behind. It seemed he


    was quite pleased to see Cordelia almost beingte.


    "Need a lift?" He asked.


    "No need!" Cordelia didn''t slow down her pace, still rushing, sweat beading on her forehead.


    "No need?" Harold''s bicycle suddenly blocked Cordelia''s path.


    Cordelia was stopped, unable to move forward. She wanted to curse, but she was a teacher, and this


    prevented her.

 Chapter 427

    Chapter 427


    "I can get you there in three minutes if you ride with me, Cordelia. If you go alone, it might take you


    twenty," Harold suggested to Cordelia.


    Cordelia furrowed her brows, caught between annoyance and helplessness. "Let''s go," she finally


    conceded.


    Seated on Harold''s bicycle, Cordelia took in the verdant foliage of the college campus, the scent of


    academia, and the masculine allure of Harold. Suddenly, she was transported back to her days at


    Millstone College, riding behind Logan. Time had slipped away, and Logan was now gone.


    Sure enough, they arrived at the college auditorium in under three minutes. As they reached the


    entrance, Cordelia quickly hopped off the bicycle, just in time for her speech.


    As she ascended the stage, she noticed the students murmuring amongst themselves. At first, she


    didn''t understand what¡¯s happening. Then it hit her, they were talking about Harold. After all, he had


    once painted a piece for her.


    Cordelia nced toward Harold''s spot in the crowd. The noise from the students grew louder when


    they saw her looking. A slight wave ofmotion swept across the auditorium.


    A faint blush appeared on Cordelia''s cheeks.


    Word of Harold''s pursuit of Cordelia had spread due to the painting and Cordelia''sint to the


    Dean. The college leaders knew about it, and while Mr. Reese had scolded Harold, they enjoyed


    discussing the matter behind their backs. After all, in this case, the woman in question was a teacher


    five years older than the male student!


    At that moment, the college leaders turned a blind eye.


    Campus romances were unpredictable. Cordelia knew this all too well. Rumors could turn into reality


    due to peer pressure. She was aware that if this continued, people like Petra, who loved to gossip,


    would multiply. Everyone would be watching her and Harold, and she might eventually yield to their


    demands. If she didn''t date Harold, she would be letting down their ¡°well-intentioned¡± peers.


    However, Cordelia managed to calm herself and sessfully finished her presentation. she thought


    Harold might make a move after the meeting, but he left as soon as it ended.


    Earlier during the meeting, Harold had been messaging Mr. Evans. Mr. Evans said Emerson had


    returned to Millstone, while he and Callum were still in town.


    [Has Callum taken a liking to Birchwood?] Harold asked.


    [He''s a bit under the weather.] Mr. Evans replied.


    [I got him a small gift. I''ll give it to himter.]


    [Alright.]


    When Harold arrived at Ronan¡¯s grandfather''s house, he noticed that Callum wasn''t as lively as usual.


    "Callum, I''ve brought you a gift. Do you like it?" Harold handed Callum a small bear plushie. It was


    even more adorable in its mini size.


    Although Callum wasn''t feeling well, he thanked Harold.


    "Mr. Evans, why don''t you stay here in Birchwood? It''s a great city to live in, and Callum likes it here.


    My mom can take care of Callum. Plus, our college basketball tournament is starting in a few days.


    Callum cane and watch. I''ll get you guys tickets. Money can''t buy those," Harold persuaded


    Ronan.


    "Really?" Callum''s eyes lit up. He was quite interested in basketball.


    "We''ll see. What''s with you? You seem in high spirits today." Ronan noticed Harold''s good mood.


    Ronan had a pretty good idea of what was going on in the young boy''s head. Love was a powerful


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


    thing, and it was likely the reason behind Harold''s uplifted spirits.


    "It''s pretty good," Harold admitted, barely suppressing a grin.


    "Do tell," Ronan prompted, casually flipping through a book.


    "You''re interested in this?" Harold''s grin widened.


    "I''m more interested in who you''ve got your eye on."


    Harold didn''t respond, worried that if he told Ronan, Ronan might tell his mother. Even though his


    mother was fairly open-minded, she was still set in her ways. She would definitely oppose him dating


    his teacher, especially since Cordelia was five years his senior. He decided to wait.


    "Just someone on campus," Harold finally said.


    At that moment, Callum gave his father a pitiful look. "Dad, can we go watch the basketball game?


    Please?"


    "We''ll see," Ronan replied, ruffling Callum''s hair.

 Chapter 428

    Chapter 428


    Just now, Callum mentioned he wasn''t feeling well, hoping that thatdy woulde and take care of


    him. However, no matter what Callum said, his dad wouldn''t allow it.


    But Callum thought that thatdy was beautiful and warm. He wanted her to be his mom, giving his


    father another chance. His father wouldn''t budge, though. Staying in Birchwood was Callum''s


    insistence, and this time, his father wasn¡¯t so resistant.


    Harold didn¡¯t eat dinner at home. After he left, Callum kept asking for thatdy toe and apany


    him.


    ¡°You want a stranger to apany you. How is that appropriate?¡± Ronan scolded.


    ¡°Liar! Daddy, you¡¯re lying! Don¡¯t you know that liars have long noses? If she¡¯s a stranger, why did she


    doesn¡¯t, I won''t sleep!" Callum was crafty. He knew that that girl was definitely not a stranger.


    "You can call her yourself!" After saying this, Ronan threw his phone to Callum.


    "What''s her number?" Callum looked through his father''s contact list but couldn''t find the ¡°aunt¡¯s¡±


    number.


    Ronan seemed to be reading a book carelessly, but he recited this string of numbers fluently.


    "And you said you weren''t interested in her!" Callum muttered.


    As Callum dialed the number, Cordelia was in the study, sending a message on Messenger.


    Cordelia was sending a message on Messenger to Sally and Sean, asking them to wait for her in the


    graduate office of the finance department tomorrow morning. She was allocating research tasks.


    Before she could send the message, a call from Ronan came in.


    Cordelia guessed it was probably Callum.


    Some blood ties couldn¡¯t be blocked, like Callum''s affection for her.


    As soon as the call connected, it was indeed Callum. Just as the call connected, Callum started crying.


    It made Cordelia''s heart flutter. "What''s wrong, Callum? Don''t cry." Cordelia spoke to Callum gently.


    "I have a cold. I really want you toe and be with me. Can you stay with me tonight?"


    Hearing that Callum had a cold, Cordelia''s heart almost broke. She asked, "What about your dad, what


    did your dad say?"


    "Dad agreed."


    "Then I''lle over now."


    After hanging up the phone, Cordelia quickly sent the message to Sally and Sean on Messenger. She


    packed her change of clothes and toiletries and went to her grandfather''s house. On the way, she was


    nervous, fearing that na was watching her again.


    If what happened three years ago happened again, why did she leave for three years?


    It wasn''t far to walk from Birchwood College to her grandfather''s house, and Cordelia arrived quickly.


    Ronan opened the door.


    "It... it was Callum who called me. He said he had a cold, and asked me toe and spend time with


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    him," Cordelia exined in detail, fearing that Ronan would not believe her and use her of being


    "presumptuous."


    Now, she had returned with her studiespleted and wanted her son back. How could there be such


    a good deal?


    Ronan, not bothering to reply, let her in immediately.


    When Callum saw Cordelia, he was especially pleased. His small hand held Cordelia''s big hand, and


    they sat on the sofa.


    He was a child, but he had no mother, and his father never talked about his mother. There was always


    ack of women in the house, so Callum cherished Cordelia.


    "We had an appointmentst time. Why didn''t you show up?" Callum was still holding a grudge about


    Cordelia''s "failure to show up"st time.


    "Last time?" Cordelia frowned slightly. Only then did she remember that because Harold was lighting


    candles downstairs in her building, she had forgotten to call Callum back.


    "I forgot. Can you forgive me?" Cordelia said to Callum.


    "Then you can''t forget next time. Let''s make a promise."


    Seeing how serious Callum was, Cordelia couldn''t help but smile. He was a child, even naive than


    Harold.


    "Callum, you go and wash up. I have something to say to her." Ronan said.


    Hearing this, Cordelia felt a chill run down her spine.

 Chapter 429

    Chapter 429


    Cordelia knew that whatever Ronan was about to say wouldn''t be pleasant. She was so anxious that


    she bumped her head against the door as she entered his study. Cradling her throbbing forehead, she


    stepped into the room.


    Ronan nced at Cordelia, then at the door. "Still as clumsy as ever, aren''t you?" He asked.


    Cordelia remained silent.


    Getting to the point, Ronan said, "In this lifetime, you can only be a big sister to our child. Don''t think


    about anything else."


    Cordelia clenched her fists upon hearing this. She knew Ronan despised her and harbored no illusions


    of him forgiving her.


    "I agree. I only came because our son needed me, and he called me," she said.


    "No need for exnations," Ronan retorted, lighting a cigarette. The smoke swirled before his eyes.


    Cordelia hesitated, unsure whether to leave or stay.


    "Is there anything else?" Ronan asked.


    "Could you quit smoking?" She asked.


    Ronan''s hand twitched slightly, and his tone softened a bit. "Hmm, why?"


    "Callum is still young, he shouldn''t be exposed to secondhand smoke," Cordelia replied.


    Ronan scoffed. "I didn''t expect you to actually care about your son."


    She was left speechless by his mockingment. She hadn''t seen her child for three years, and now


    she was supposed to act like a caring mother.


    Just then, Callum emerged from the bathroom. Cordelia also freshened up before apanying


    Callum to his room. It was one of the few times she had shared a room with her son since his birth. She


    felt a sense of warmth and intimacy as a mother at that moment.


    "Callum, who usually sleeps with you at home?" Cordelia asked, turning off the lights.


    "Dad. But then I got my own room," Callum replied.


    "Have you started kindergarten yet?"


    "Not yet. Dad said there''s no rush. He''s got my whole life nned out."


    "And... what about your mom? Has your dad ever mentioned her?"


    Callum''s voice lowered when he mentioned his mom. "No."


    Her heart sank at his response. She had given birth to him, yet she had no involvement in his life. She


    was an outsider, unaware of any aspect of her son''s life.


    "Dad kind of likes you, you know?" Callum rolled over in bed to face Cordelia.


    "I didn''t know. How did you figure it out?"


    "Dad''s expression is different when he looks at you," Callum replied.


    Cordelia let out a bitterugh. Of course, it was different. She was his ex-wife, the woman he despised


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


    so much.


    "I need to pee."


    "Okay, I''ll turn on the light," Cordelia said. As she did, she noticed a small teddy bear plush toy on


    Callum''s bed.


    It was aforting sight. Not only did she own a simr teddy bear, but so did her son. Was it a sign of


    fate? She picked up the toy to inspect it. Even the tags were the same. Her heart fluttered with


    excitement.


    "Who gave you this toy?" She asked Callum.


    "Um, an older brother," Callum replied, rubbing his sleepy eyes. "He''s really handsome. You better not


    like him. You''re only allowed to like Dad."


    Cordelia chuckled at his innocent words. She simply told him, "Time to sleep."


    As she patted Callum to sleep, she wondered who this ''big brother'' in Birchwood was. She assumed he


    was a friend of Ronan''s due to his social status.


    Thanks to the panda plush toy that mirrored her son''s, Cordelia''s aversion towards Harold lessened a


    bit.

 Chapter 430

    Chapter 430


    The following day, Cordelia didn''t have any sses at Birchwood College. She didn''t want Ronan to


    know that she was teaching there. After all, they were just acquaintances now. The less he knew, the


    better it would be for him and Callum.


    Cordelia stepped out of her room to find that Ronan had already prepared breakfast. After tasting it,


    she realized that his cooking skills had improved significantly over the past three years. Back then, he


    could barely boil an egg.


    He had also prepared a bowl of scrambled eggs, more beautifully presented than any you could buy at


    a diner. The eggs were golden and smooth, topped with a few slices of mushrooms, and a handful of


    shrimp. It was garnished with a sprinkle of salt; the aroma wafting up from the bowl was


    mouthwatering.


    "You... you can make scrambled eggs?" She asked Ronan.


    Three years had passed, and Cordelia found it strange and somewhat awkward to talk to him.


    Ronan nced at her with a smirk. "Can''t you?"


    "I... never tried," Cordelia admitted, her head bowed in shame. After all, scrambled eggs were a kid''s


    dish. She didn''t eat it, and she never made it. "Even if I tried, I probably wouldn''t be able to make it as


    good as this. It looks simple but it''s actually quite tricky. I''m not very good at this."


    Cordelia had once stumbled upon a tutorial on how to make scrambled eggs on the inte. It looked


    simple but one wrong step could ruin the whole dish.


    "You''ve never been the sharpest tool in the shed," Ronan retorted.


    Cordelia was speechless and could only continue eating her breakfast. Her phone buzzed with a


    message from Sally on Messenger.


    [Ms. Haselwood, I''ve been working on a paper in my dorm and lost track of time. I''ll be at the office


    shortly.]


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


    If it weren''t for Sally''s message, Cordelia would havepletely forgotten about her responsibilities.


    She nced at her watch. It was almost nine.


    "Busy?" Ronan asked sarcastically. "If you''re that busy, you can leave now."


    "Oh, it''s not too serious," Cordelia responded awkwardly.


    Hisment was probably aimed at her dedication to her career and studies, at the expense of her


    child. She had left for three years, and even during breakfast, people were reaching out to her on


    Messenger.


    After they finished eating, it was Cordelia who washed the dishes. She then grabbed her bag and told


    Ronan, "I have a meeting to attend. I need to go."


    "With Empower Operations?" Ronan inquired.


    "No, it''s something else."


    He looked her up and down. "How much do you make in a year now?"


    Cordelia quickly calcted in her head. "All together, about two million dors, I guess."


    "Two million?" Ronan scoffed.


    He seemed to be mocking her for sacrificing her family for a mere two million dors. "Go ahead," he


    said dismissively.


    Cordelia stood there, hesitant to leave.


    "What? You''re still here?" Ronan looked up at her.


    "How''s Brooklyn doing?" She asked.


    Ronan let out a coldugh. "You have a good memory. You even remember your old friend, Brooklyn.


    Why don''t you ask her yourself?"


    After being dismissed by Ronan, Cordelia left in disappointment.


    She thought to herself that when she left home years ago, it wasn''t just for her own sake. With Amanda


    and Olen around, she was on the verge of depression. Moreover, Ronan had ruined everyone in the


    Haselwood family. Her father had given Ronan his cornea, and her mother died mysteriously and was


    left with a tarnished reputation. All because Ronan was rich.


    And then there was his ambiguous rtionship with Tabitha and a child that was possibly theirs.


    na pressure was omnipresent, from setting up a massive trap to monitoring every aspect of


    Cordelia''s life. Leaving was the most sensible choice Cordelia could have made.


    She never expected that, three yearster, she would find herself in contact with Ronan again. Cordelia


    didn''t know how na would deal with her this time.


    Lost in her thoughts, she arrived at her office at the college. Sally and Sean were already there.

 Chapter 431

    Chapter 431


    Professor Dustin was also in the finance department office, serving as a mentor in the investment field.


    That also meant he was Harold''s mentor.


    After greeting Professor Dustin, Cordelia spent half a day discussing the content of the project with


    Sally and Sean and assigning tasks.


    "Ms. Haselwood, in a few days, it''s the finals of the basketball game, and tickets are hard toe by."


    Sally winked yfully at Cordelia.


    Probably because Cordelia was around the same age as the students, and they looked simr, they


    didn¡¯t see her as a teacher.


    "Really?" Cordelia knew what Sally meant, implying something about her and Harold.


    "If you want to go, I can help you with tickets," Sally offered again.


    "I¡¯m not going, and you should be focusing on the project, shouldn''t you?" Cordelia tapped the table to


    draw Sally''s attention.


    Sally lowered her head, looking a bit sheepish.


    Once the two had left, Cordelia began to pack up her things to leave.


    "Cordelia, I heard my grad student Harold is pursuing you." Dustin said.


    Now in his sixties, Dustin reminded Cordelia of her grandfather, invoking a sense of familiarity.


    "Oh, it¡¯s nothing like that." Cordelia was a bit embarrassed.


    "Actually, I quite approve of him doing this, but I fear it might trouble you, so I apologize on his behalf,"


    Dustin said with a smile.


    Cordelia didn¡¯t know how to respond.


    "If he does anything inappropriate, let me know, and I''ll correct him," Dustin continued.


    Cordelia felt that Dustin seemed quite proud to have a student like Harold. Indeed, the more


    knowledgeable the person had, the more unique the thoughts they shared.


    Thinking of the teddy bear Harold had given her, identical to Callum''s, Cordelia felt less resentment


    toward him. After all, Harold thought she was single, and his pursuit was not obsessive or harmful. He


    was a well-performing student. Cordelia couldn''t bear to hinder his future because of her personal


    matters.


    "It''s fine, Dr. Dustin, thank you," Cordelia said.


    "So, you don¡¯t oppose my student pursuing you?" Dustin asked Cordelia again.


    "Dr. Dustin, you ¡­¡­" Cordelia blushed, and was speechless.


    Dustinughed heartily. "I didn¡¯t expect you to be troubled by age and a student-teacher rtionship.


    Be open."


    Cordelia was speechless. She felt that Dr. Dustin had certainly misunderstood her. She decided to tell


    Harold about her past, hoping he would back down.


    "Dr. Dustin, you wanted to see me?" A young man with a strong male presence entered as Cordelia


    and Dustin were talking.


    Upon entering, he nced at Cordelia.


    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    Cordelia quickly gathered her things and left.


    "We''ve been waiting for you all morning. Our project has been approved. Check which part you want to


    start on first," Dustin said to Harold.


    After Cordelia had left the office, Dustin told Harold, "I just asked Ms. Haselwood, and she doesn¡¯t


    really oppose you pursuing her. Seems like you need to step up your game."


    "Okay." Harold smiled shyly. When he smiled, he was charming.


    "Oh, right, you mentioned wanting to find a job rted to your major for the internship. I asked for you.


    The CEO of Empower Operations is my ssmate, and he agreed to let you join hispany, but


    because you''re a first-year grad student, you can only be an assistant, so get your foot in the door


    first." Dustin patted Harold on the shoulder.


    "Okay, thank you, Dr. Dustin."


    "Oh, and Cordelia is an independent director there, even more convenient for you," Dr. Dustin added


    with a grin.


    Harold, "Dr. Dustin, you sure are thinking ahead."


    Dr. Dustin didn''t reply. He justughed heartily.

 Chapter 432

    Chapter 432


    Cordelia stepped out of the office door, thinking to herself, ¡°Dustin sure has a lot of faith in Harold,


    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    allowing him first dibs on the project.¡± It was clear that he considered Harold as his star pupil. Dustin


    was an authority in investment, and with his endorsement, Harold was destined to make it big.


    Moreover, ording to Sally, there was a basketball gameing up, and Harold was a key yer. If


    she messed up his game because of this matter, she could very well be public enemy number


    one of Birchwood College''s basketball team.


    Cordelia decided to wait a while before telling Harold. After all, she was a divorcee with a child, not


    exactly the most eligible bachelorette.


    ...


    "Miss na, Cordelia left the University of Edinburgh for Birchwood College and became an


    independent director for Empower Operations. Coincidentally, Lumos Enterprises has also partnered


    with Empower Operations, and they reconnected. However, the grudges of the past few years probably


    aren''t that easy to let go of. Plus, there''s a young man at Birchwood College who''s been chasing after


    Cordelia. This young man is the son of the housekeeper from the Ronan family, and he''s quite


    impressive."


    Inside the hotel, a man in a ck suit reported to na.


    "Oh? Do Ronan and the young man know each other?"


    "They do. The young man is probably hesitant to bring up the matter in front of his family due to the


    age gap between him and Cordelia. He probably wants to win her over first."


    na chuckled, "Isn''t that a coincidence? I''m not sure if it''s meant to be! What about Samantha? Isn''t


    she filming a teen drama these days? Have her film at Birchwood College, show her Harold''s picture,


    and let her trigger Harold to confess his feelings. Make sure she doesn''t blurt out anything about


    Ronan. Only reveal this matter when Harold and Cordelia are getting closer, that would be fun. I bet


    Ronan hates her for not taking care of their child. He''d be furious knowing another young stud is


    pursuing her. Also, have Tabitha unt their child in front of Cordelia."


    "What should Tabitha say?" The man in the ck suit asked his boss.


    "She doesn''t have to say anything. Her mere presence is the biggest provocation to Cordelia. I don''t


    want Cordelia and her child to reunite. I want her to go crazy! Just like her mother!"


    "Alright, I''ll arrange it as soon as possible."


    With that, na burst intoughter.


    Back in the day, The High Society became an expected hit, and na''s filmpany became top-tier


    in the country. She was super sessful.


    These past few years, na''s star shone even brighter.


    After Samantha¡¯s incident, na realized she had been seeking revenge on the wrong person and


    started treating Samantha slightly better, perhaps with a hint ofpensation. Samantha also knew


    how to read the room.


    Samantha signed with na''s agency, and na started pushing resources her way. Now, she was a


    second-tier actress, not because thepany wasn''t promoting her, but because her height and looks


    were limiting, and she wasn''t exactly popr with the public. Pushing her further could cause a


    bacsh.


    She wasn''t your average the girl-next-door type; she was more of a stylish, sophisticated "femme


    fatale." Her acting in The Grand Hotel was the best of her career and won her numerous fans.


    Even though she was only a second-tier actress, Samantha now had a big house and a constant


    stream of endorsements, which was one hundred times better than her time in Roseville.


    The man in the ck suit told Samantha about the teen drama shooting in Birchwood and showed her


    Harold''s picture.


    "Well, isn''t he handsome," Samantha remarked.


    The man in the ck suit scoffed at Samantha. "Whether he''s handsome or not has nothing to do with


    you!"


    Samantha rolled her eyes. She was ying a teacher in the drama.


    "Of course. You can learn how to y a teacher from your cousin," the man in the ck suit suggested.


    "I haven''t seen my cousin in years. I kind of miss her. Who would''ve thought, she has resurfaced? Now,


    I can stand tall and proud in front of her. Where''s the script for the teen drama? Give it to me." She took


    the script from the man in the ck suit.

 Chapter 433

    Chapter 433


    Two dayster, at Birchwood College.


    Two big events were shaking up the campus today. First, the city-wide basketball tournament was


    gearing up for its final, the most intense match ¨C Birchwood College versus the Polytechnic University.


    Second, the popr TV series In Love With My Professor was being shot on location at Birchwood


    College. The campus was known for its picturesque beauty, making it a popr filming spot.


    However, the students weren''t as interested in the filming as they were in the basketball game. After


    all, the oue of the match was a matter of school pride, a showdown between the two peak teams.


    Ever since Harold mentioned the basketball game to Callum, the kid had been pestering to see it. Kids


    were always drawn to excitement.


    This interfered with Ronan''s initial n to return to Millstone. He''d left his vice president to take care of


    things there and instructed Emerson to consult with Wyatt in case of any issues.


    Ronan decided to stay put until the contract with Empower Operations was signed. He sent Harold a


    message via Facebook Messenger. [Any tickets left for the basketball game? Callum keeps asking to


    go.]


    Harold''s reply wasced with amusement. [Looks like the mighty CEO is going out of his way for the


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    kid, huh?]


    [Just wait till you have kids of your own.] Ronan shot back.


    Harold''s next message took Ronan by surprise. [Good thing you''reing. I''ve decided to confess my


    feelings to her during the game. My professor told me she''s not as indifferent towards me as I thought.]


    [All right.] was all Ronan replied.


    [Should I drop off the tickets at your ce? Do you prefer front or back seats?]


    Considering he was bringing a child, Ronan replied, [Back.] The back seats were less conspicuous.


    Just as Harold was about to deliver the tickets to Ronan, his team called him for a final practice match.


    Birchwood College and the Polytechnic University were quite evenly matched, and this practice game


    involved teammates imitating the opposing team''s weak points for targeted attack. As the captain,


    Harold obviously had to attend.


    He sent another message to Ronan, [Mr. Evans, I''ve been called for a final targeted practice game.


    The tickets are in my dorm. Could youe and pick them up?]


    Ronan really wasn''t that interested in the game; he was just indulging Callum.


    "Callum, Harold won''t be able to deliver the tickets. He wants us to pick them up from his dorm. Do you


    still want to go?" Ronan hoped Callum would say no.


    "Sure, let''s go, Dad!" Callum eagerly pushed Ronan.


    With a sigh, Ronan messaged Harold. [Alright.]


    Harold left the tickets on his desk, but then his eyesnded on the pictures of Cordelia he had hung


    above his writing desk and beside his bed. Fearing that Ronan, with his extensive resources, would


    quickly find out who she was, Harold stashed away all pictures of Cordelia. He also instructed his


    roommate Joseph to wait in their dorm for a person he deeply respected, who woulde to collect


    the basketball tickets.


    "And don''t mention Cordelia, not a word," Harold warned Joseph.


    "Not even when everyone on campus knows about it?"


    "It''s none of their business, just don''t mention it," Harold insisted.


    "Fine, I''ll just y my game and keep my mouth shut, okay?" Joseph shrugged, putting on his


    headphones and returning to his game.


    With that, Harold left for practice, feeling somewhat relieved. Unlike Harold¡¯s mother, Janice, Ronan


    could probably ept the fact that Harold was interested in a woman five years his senior. But Harold


    intended to gradually reveal this to Ronan, rather than shocking him with the news out of the blue.

 Chapter 434

    Chapter 434


    Ronan arrived at the dorm to pick up his tickets for the basketball game. The moment he stepped into


    the dormitory, the atmosphere shifted like a boss had just walked in. Joseph, who was previously


    engrossed in his video game, couldn''t help but rise from his seat, overpowered by Ronan''s presence.


    "Hello, you are looking for Harold?"


    "Yes, I''m here for the tickets."


    Joseph, eager to please, picked up the tickets from Harold''s desk and handed them to Ronan with an


    air of respect.


    "Here you go, from Harold."


    Ronan nced at the tickets. "Alright, thanks."


    Joseph, being his usual clumsy self, managed to knock a piece of paper off Harold''s desk in the


    process. The paper, now sporting a torn corner,nded right in front of Callum.


    "Dad, look at this," Callum handed the torn paper to his father.


    "What is it?"


    "The hair drawn on this piece looks just like the one in that old painting we have at home."


    Ronan patted Callum''s head. "Let''s go."


    As he turned to leave, an unsettling thought crossed his mind. Was the kid so deeply infatuated that he


    was drawing portraits of the same woman everywhere?


    Ronan led his son out of the room, leaving a visibly relieved Joseph behind, who wondered where


    Harold had managed to befriend such an influential figure.


    After grabbing a bite to eat, Ronan took his son to the basketball arena early. While Callum was


    excitedly running around, Ronan, having outgrown that age, was busy responding to messages from


    his associates at Millstone.


    .....


    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    Cordelia, on the other hand, was not as passionate about basketball.


    She was more focused on having a clear conversation with Harold after the game. On her way back


    from the cafeteria at noon, she ran into Petra, who handed her two tickets.


    "What are these?" Cordelia asked.


    "Don''t y dumb. These are tickets for Harold''s basketball game. One of my students gave me a few,


    but I''m past the age of watching games, you go."


    With that, Petra walked away. It seemed like everyone had already paired Cordelia with Harold,


    knowing he was ying and offering to give her tickets ordingly.


    Cordelia figured it would be a waste of the hard-toe-by tickets if she didn''t go. And Petra had given


    her two. So, she sent a message to Sally and Sean. [Are you guys going to the basketball game?]


    Cordelia, Sally, and Sean were part of a small group called "The Trust Trio" because of their shared


    interest in trustw. Cordelia often assigned tasks within the group.


    Sally replied. [Do you have tickets?]


    Sean said. [I''m busy this afternoon. Can''t make it.]


    Cordelia tagged Sally. [Well, the ticket shouldn''t go to waste, I''ll go. See you at the court this afternoon.]


    In the afternoon, Cordelia made a quick stop at the library before heading to the sports hall. On her


    way, she bumped into a familiar face.


    She wouldn''t have recognized her if she hadn''t looked closely - it was Sienna.


    Sienna looked different from her old self, radiating newfound wealth. "Cordelia?" Sienna, sporting a


    Hermes handbag and outfitted in expensive attire, looked genuinely surprised. "I never expected to see


    you here."


    "Aunt Sienna?" Cordelia echoed in surprise, "What are you doing here?"


    "Oh, you know Samantha is filming here, right? I''m her agent now."


    "She''s here?" The thought of na getting close to her again immediately made Cordelia uneasy.


    "Oh, Cordelia, you''ve finished your PhD, haven''t you?" Sienna looked past Cordelia and spotted


    Harold.

 Chapter 435

    Chapter 435


    Originally, Sienna just wanted to catch Harold. Before Harold went to the gym for a scrimmage, he


    grabbed a bite in the cafeteria so he wouldn''t run out of energy during the match. Unexpectedly, Sienna


    not only ran into Harold but also bumped into Cordelia.


    "Yes."


    "Finding a partner after a PhD is no easy task. It was tough back in the day, and now it''s even tougher.


    You need to hurry up," Sienna advised sincerely, assuming an elder''s tone.


    Harold found these words to be music to his ears. He imed that Cordelia didn''t have a partner yet,


    even though she had mentioned having a child.


    Cordelia was confused. Wasn''t Sienna supposed to sabotage her rtionship? She should have


    mentioned Cordelia''s previous marriage and child.


    Just then, Harold stood behind Cordelia.


    "Who''s this?" Sienna spotted Harold, pretending not to know him.


    "My..." Cordelia was about to say, "My student."


    But before she could finish her sentence, Harold cut in, "Boyfriend."


    Cordelia frowned slightly and nced at Harold but said nothing.


    Sienna immediately brightened. "I didn''t see thating. A match made in heaven, indeed. I thought


    you''d never find a partner, Cordelia. Well, that''s great. But young man, you better hold onto Cordelia


    tight, or else, she might slip away. Cordelia, good to see you. Samantha is filming, and I must go.¡±


    Sienna patted Cordelia¡¯s hand and left.


    ¡°What was that about...?¡± Cordelia smoothly freed herself from Harold¡¯s embrace, unsure whether to


    thank him or p him.


    ¡°Who was that?¡±


    ¡°My aunt. It¡¯s a long story.¡± With that, Cordelia walked away briskly. It seemed like she needed to rify


    her situation to Harold soon, or he might get carried away.


    She kept wondering why Sienna said those things. It certainly wasn¡¯t spontaneous.


    Cordelia and Harold made their way to the gym, one behind the other.


    Cordelia met Sally outside the gym. Sally had bought her a cup of smoothie, and they both entered just


    as the basketball game was about to start.


    As soon as she went in to find a seat, Callum spotted her. He and Ronan were sitting in the back row.


    ¡°Dad, it¡¯s her, look!¡± Callum pointed at Cordelia.


    Ronan had already seen her. He wondered, ¡°Why did shee to Birchwood College? To watch the


    basketball game?¡±


    But Cordelia was seated in the front row and didn¡¯t notice the people behind her.


    Harold, on the basketball court, nced in her direction and saw Cordelia. He didn¡¯t expect her to


    my feelings to Cordelia.¡±


    At that moment, he was practicing with great fervor, running around the court shirtless.


    Despite the intense basketball game, Cordelia wasn¡¯t affected. She was preupied with one thought,


    ¡°Did Samanthae to the school on na¡¯s behalf?¡±


    Despite the noise around her, she didn¡¯t pay attention.


    Another person in the gym whose mind was not on the game was Ronan. asionally, his gaze would


    rest on Cordelia. She was staring ahead, not as excited as the girl next to her. She seemed to have


    something on her mind.


    Ronan would asionally nce at the court and see Harold¡¯s eyes dart to the audience, whistling.


    Indeed, Harold had a certain charm on the basketball court.


    The heated basketball game officially ended at 7 o¡¯clock.


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


    Birchwood College won. The yers were all excitedly hugging each other.


    At that moment, Harold knelt on one knee in Cordelia¡¯s direction and put his hand on his chest as if


    making a promise.

 Chapter 436

    Chapter 436


    Everyone at Harbor High School knew Harold was courting Cordelia. His actions were as clear as day


    to his peers. The whole gymnasium was bubbling with excitement.


    Cheers and whistles were directed at Cordelia from all corners.


    Callum, puzzled, turned to his father, Ronan, and asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on, Dad?¡±


    With his gaze fixed on the spectacle unfolding before him, Ronan remained silent.


    Sally was eximing excitedly, ¡°Cordelia, say yes!¡±


    ¡°Say yes to what?¡± Cordelia was a beat behind, her mind preupied with thoughts of Samantha.


    ¡°Say yes to dating him!¡± Sally was on the edge of her seat, her eyes welling up with tears of


    excitement.


    Even if no one else exined what was happening, Ronan figured it out. So, the object of Harold¡¯s


    affection was¡ªCordelia!


    It was a small world, wasn¡¯t it?


    A barely noticeable smirk yed at the corners of Ronan¡¯s lips, a smirk as cold as a winter¡¯s day. He


    had guessed that Cordelia might have been teaching at Birchwood College.


    The whole school knew that Harold had a crush on Cordelia. Only her ex-husband had been clueless!


    ¡°Dad, what¡¯s he doing?¡± Callum inquired.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± was Ronan¡¯s curt response, which sent a chill down Callum¡¯s spine, making him drop the


    subject.


    Harold got up and walked over to Cordelia. He then gestured a greeting to Ronan behind him.


    Following Harold¡¯s gaze, Cordelia spotted Ronan and Callum in the crowd. She was utterly stunned!


    So this happened in front of her son, no less.


    ¡°Mr. Evans, may I invite you to dinner?¡± Harold, with a smirk, asked Ronan.


    Cordelia¡¯s mind went nk. She watched as Callum slowly approached her, convinced that Ronan


    would decline the invitation. He just had to.


    But to her surprise, after taking a moment to look at Cordelia, he said, ¡°Sure.¡±


    Cordelia¡¯s heart dropped.


    ¡°I need to talk to you,¡± Cordelia told Harold.


    ¡°What? Can¡¯t hear you. Say it over dinner,¡± Harold joked, his eyes twinkling with mischief.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to dinner,¡± Cordelia retorted.


    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go.¡± With that, Harold took Cordelia¡¯s hand.


    At this moment, Harold resembled a little puppy, a hormone-driven one at that. Cordelia attempted to


    pull away, but the students, who had caught on to the budding romance, were watching them closely.


    Cordelia sighed, her heart heavy. How did things end up like this?


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Harold said, leading Cordelia away as she struggled to break free.


    Sally chimed in, ¡°Ms. Haselwood, here¡¯s to a long and happy rtionship!¡±


    Cordelia thought to herself, Sally really knows how to hit where it hurts. Didn¡¯t she know how


    inappropriate that was?


    Harold led Cordelia to where Ronan was standing. Cordelia was puzzled. How did Harold know


    Ronan? What was their connection?


    ¡°Mr. Evans,¡± Harold greeted.


    ¡°So, this is your sweetheart?¡± Ronan, with a slight smile at the corner of his lips, stared at Cordelia as if


    he didn¡¯t know her.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Harold answered, seeming a tad embarrassed.


    ¡°Well, she¡¯s quite a catch.¡± Ronan continued to tease Cordelia, his gaze never leaving her face. Cold


    as ice, his eyes seemed to freeze anyone who dared to hold his gaze for too long. ¡°A real ageless


    beauty.¡±


    Each word from Ronan stung. He was implying that Cordelia, of an ¡°older age,¡± had managed to


    capture the heart of a young man. At the same time, he was insinuating that Cordelia was ¡°deceptive.¡±


    However, Harold was none the wiser. After all, he had no knowledge of the past events.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go for dinner,¡± Harold said excitedly. His mentor was right. He was just one step away from


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


    sess. And today, he had achieved it.

 Chapter 437

    Chapter 437


    On the way to the restaurant, Cordelia¡¯s heart was on edge, uncertain of what punishment Ronan


    would inflict on her.


    It¡¯d be good if the truth came out from Ronan, as she had no intention of having anything to do with


    Harold.


    Harold had been nothing but a nuisance to her.


    The only one who seemed upset was little Callum, who pouted all the way. He wanted Cordelia to be


    with their father, but seeing Harold holding her hand, he was upset.


    Suddenly, he broke free from Ronan¡¯s grip and broke apart Harold and Cordelia¡¯s hands. ¡°You can¡¯t


    hold hands!¡± Callum dered angrily.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Callum?¡± Harold let go of Cordelia and picked up Callum. ¡°I am taking you for dinner!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re stinky. You smell like sweat,¡± Callum retorted childishly. He intentionally embarrassed Harold,


    hoping to sabotage Harold and Cordelia¡¯s rtionship.


    Yet, Harold didn¡¯t seem embarrassed at all. ¡°I just finished a basketball game, of course, I would be


    sweaty. You¡¯ll be the same when you grow up, kiddo.¡±


    Harold even yfully tickled Callum¡¯s nose. His happiness was apparent.


    As the four of them continued their walk towards the restaurant, they noticed a crowd surrounding a


    small park, with people carrying cameras and directing.


    ¡°Oh, Cordelia?¡± It was Sienna again. She was initially watching the filming, but upon hearing voices


    from behind, she turned around and seemed to spot Cordelia.


    ¡°Auntie,¡± Harold had a good impression of Sienna. Since she was Cordelia¡¯s aunt, it was only natural


    for him to address her as such.


    ¡°Oh, this young man, what a sweet talker. Cordelia, you have good taste,¡± Sienna admitted, seemingly


    partial to Harold.


    Cordelia¡¯s face turned slightly sour. Ronan¡¯s expression, cold and incredulous, contrasted with his


    suddenughter.


    Perhaps due to the dim lighting, Sienna seemed not to notice Ronan and the child, her eyes fixated on


    Harold and Cordelia. Sienna was intentionally putting on a show for Ronan.


    ¡°Such a lovely couple. You¡¯ve studied for so many years, and now it¡¯s paid off. Also, Samantha is


    ying a teacher this time, but she¡¯s struggling to get into character. I¡¯ll ask her to consult you.


    Samantha...¡± Sienna called out to the crowd. ¡°Cordelia is here, your cousin.¡±


    ¡°Did someone say, cousin?¡± Samantha rushed over from the crowd excitedly.


    ¡°Cordelia,¡± Samantha took Cordelia¡¯s hands, ¡°I heard from my mom that you¡¯ve been teaching here.


    You¡¯ve spent several years in Edinburgh, and now we are all back home together again. I''m ying a


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    teacher in this drama, and I might need to consult you if I struggle."


    "Hi," Harold chimed in sweetly.


    Samantha''s eyes lit up upon seeing Harold. "This charming young man, so likable. Cordelia, you have


    good taste."


    Samantha seemed a bit envious of seeing Harold.


    Afterward, Samantha pulled Cordelia to the side, whispering into her ear, "Since everyone seems to


    approve of you and Harold, stop dreaming about being with Ronan or having your child call you mom.


    This is your life now. You know who''s behind me. If you dare to tell Ronan, you won''t be able to find


    your son tomorrow. Even if you tried to protect your son 24/7, you can''t forget about Ronan. After all,


    it''s too easy to pull off another Sha-style murder!"

 Chapter 438

    Chapter 438


    A sheen of unease painted Cordelia''s face.


    na was nothing short of venomous. Cordelia understood that over the years, na''spany had


    grown significantly powerful, in addition to her extensive influence overseas.


    "Oh, by the way, Cordelia, when''s your next lecture? I''d love to pop in," Samantha said, her tone


    dripping with insincerity.


    "Next week," Cordelia retorted before turning on her heel and leaving. Her hand clenched tightly.


    The four of them proceeded to dine at the restaurant, reserving the same private room as before.


    Ronan lit up a cigar, and Cordelia busied herself, selecting dishes from the menu, her head bowed.


    "Callum, what would you like to eat?" Cordelia asked gently, ruffling Callum''s hair.


    "Anything''s fine."


    "Callum''s such an easygoing kid."


    "I know what Callum likes to eat. Let me order," Harold interjected, leaning in close to Cordelia. "Kids


    absolutely love this dish. I bet Callum will, too.¡±


    Callum felt a twinge of resentment in his heart.


    Ronan nonchntly puffed on his cigar, his gaze fixed on the two figures huddled together ¨C a picture-


    perfect couple.


    Harold was quite proactive, continuously engaging Cordelia in conversation. Cordelia, always one to


    y hard to get, was skillfully elusive.


    ¡°Harold, you could¡¯ve mentioned that you¡¯re interested in a teacher. It would''ve saved me the trouble of


    worrying about you." Ronan flicked off the ash from his cigar.


    Harold chuckled lightly. "Well, I was afraid you''d tell my mom. Cordelia is five years older than me, so I


    thought my mom wouldn''t approve."


    Ronan let out anotherugh, though his eyes remained cold.


    "What''s her name? Cordelia? How do you spell it?"


    Ronan pretended not to recognize Cordelia, enjoying the unfolding drama. His acting skills were


    Cordelia kept her head down, fidgeting with her fingers. She had initially nned to discuss certain


    matters with Harold over this meal, but clearly, Samantha and Sienna had thwarted her ns.


    Moreover, she didn''t understand why Ronan wasn''t being honest either. Perhaps he believed that it


    was best to distance himself from his ex-wife as soon as possible.


    Cordelia felt a chill run through her heart.


    "Yes, Cordelia. She''s my finance professor," Harold nced at Cordelia''s face from beneath her cheek.


    She was absolutely stunning, radiating a warmth that made one''s heart flutter. "Thest time we dined


    here, I sketched a portrait of Cordelia as she walked downstairs. I titled it ''Porcin.'' Mr. Evans, did


    you happen to see it?"


    "I didn''t. But it seems like the whole school is aware of it," Ronan responded, his smile never wavering.


    It was a chilling smile. So the painting Harold had identally disyed in his dorm was indeed of


    Cordelia.


    "Mr. Evans, are you aware of the entire ordeal?" Harold returned the smile.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    The stark contrast between Harold''s innocent grin and Ronan''s mysterious smirk was palpable. One


    was a na?ve puppy, the other an unfathomable tiger.


    Callum, feeling upset, sought sce in his father''s arms.


    Cordelia felt a pang of sadness and called out softly, "Callum."


    "Ms. Haselwood, you''re overthinking," Ronan patted Callum''s head. "I can handle my own child. I''ve


    been doing it since he was little. But I must say, Ms. Haselwood, you are quite captivating. You''ve


    already hooked a fine youngd like Harold at the beginning of the semester."


    Ronan eyed Cordelia, his tone leisurely. His choice of the word ''hooked'' was undeniably piercing.


    Harold nced at Cordelia before asserting, "It wasn''t like that. I was the one who fell for her first." He


    was trying to defend Cordelia.


    "Ms. Haselwood, have you ever been in a rtionship?" Ronan probed further. It was as if he was a


    parent scrutinizing a potential partner for his child.


    "Yes," Cordelia murmured, her face flushed.


    "You have? If you don''t mind, could you share some details?" Ronan persisted, a faint smirk ying on


    his lips.

 Chapter 439

    Chapter 439


    Harold hade to see Ronan as family. In his mind. Ronan was worldly and was currently probing


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    about Cordelia''s past for him.


    "I had a rtionship once back in college," Cordelia replied.


    "Oh, is that so? And then? Why didn''t you stay together?"


    "He went to volunteer in a rural area. He passed away trying to save a child who fell into the water,"


    Cordelia said.


    "Oh, he was a good man. And after that, did you date anyone else?" Ronan was persistent, questioning


    like an interested job interviewer.


    "After that..." Cordelia paused. "No."


    Ronan''s hand shook slightly as he extinguished his cigarette. "It seems Ms. Haselwood still holds on to


    her college romance. How old are you, Harold?" Ronan turned to Harold.


    "Me?" Harold looked at Cordelia sheepishly, his eyes filled with love and guilt. "I''m twenty-three."


    "That''s thirteen years younger than me. I could be your uncle." Ronan joked at his own expense.


    "No way." Harold felt a bit guilty about his age, sensing Cordelia''s disapproval. He apologized with his


    eyes.


    If anyone else had asked, Harold would have retorted with, "None of your business." But it was Mr.


    Evans asking. Harold was always well-behaved in front of Ronan.


    Cordelia kept her gaze down, nervously fiddling with her fingers. Every word from Ronan sounded like


    concern to Harold. Yet, to her, every sentence was a veiled insult.


    "Where are you from, Ms. Haselwood?" Ronan asked again.


    "I''m from Millstone, went to college there."


    "I''m also from Millstone." Harold beamed; his teeth were white, radiating a warm and charming kind of


    attractiveness.


    "You both are from Millstone and met in Birchwood, isn''t that fate?" Ronan teased. But only he knew


    what he was really thinking.


    "I was from Birchwood, then moved to Millstone. Ms. Haselwood is from Millstone but came to


    Birchwood. Life''s twists and turns are unpredictable." Ronan squinted, his gaze fixed on Cordelia.


    "What brought you to Birchwood?"


    "Oh, the former CEO of Empower Operations visited Ennd and offered me a position. I hadn''t


    decided toe until a friend, who teaches at Birchwood College, convinced me." Cordelia replied


    dutifully.


    "I see," Ronan said, "I thought you moved for someone or something."


    "No," Cordelia said.


    "I was overthinking." Ronanughed self-deprecatingly.


    "Oh, speaking of Empower Operations, our mentor, Dr. Dustin, rmended me for a part-time job as


    an assistant there," Harold said excitedly.


    "Dustin?" Ronan said, "You know him?"


    "Yes, Mr. Evans, you do?"


    "Yes, he was a student of my grandfather''s."


    "You¡¯re going to be an assistant at Empower Operations? I¡¯m an independent director there." Cordelia


    looked at Harold, surprised.


    "I know, and so does Dr. Dustin." Harold turned to Cordelia.


    "Well, it seems that not only your ssmates know about your rtionship, but your professors also


    support it." Ronan sped his hands together slowly, his voice was calm and steady. "What a perfect


    match!"


    Cordelia knew he was a master at veiled insults.


    Harold, however, thought Ronan was sincere.


    "Let''s eat, I''m hungry," Callum whined. He had wanted thisdy to be with his dad, but unfortunately, he


    was toote.


    After dinner, Cordelia excused herself, iming she had a headache. Harold didn''t stop her, but he


    wanted a word with Ronan.


    "Mr. Evans, about me pursuing Cordelia, could you not tell my mom yet? Just tell her she''s a regr


    student." Harold pleaded.


    "Why?" In the shadow of the entrance of the restaurant, Ronan asked Harold slowly.


    "Cordelia isn''t old, but she''s so much older than me. Plus, she''s a teacher. I''m afraid my mom will


    use me of inappropriate behavior." Haroldpletely trusted Ronan and spoke from his heart.


    "You''re afraid your mom won''t agree?" Ronan asked understandingly.


    "Yes."


    "I won''t say anything. There wille a day when you''ll have to tell her yourself." Ronan patted


    Harold''s shoulder.


    "Okay." Ronan and Harold went their separate ways at the restaurant entrance.

 Chapter 440

    Chapter 440


    Ronan didn''t head home, instead, he leisurely strolled with Callum around the campus of Birchwood


    College.


    He sent a text via WhatsApp.


    "Dad, where are we going?" Callum seemed rather displeased and asked Ronan.


    "We''re going to visit Dr. Dustin."


    "Is he a friend of Granddad?"


    "He was a student of your granddad."


    "My granddad had students? Looks like Granddad and nicedy are both rich," Callum admired


    earnestly.


    "Nicedy?" Ronan raised an eyebrow.


    He didn¡¯t know how Cordelia did academically, but she sure knew how to reel in the younger men. So


    far, the only acknowledged romance in Cordelia¡¯s life was the one with Logan.


    As for Ronan? Did Cordelia sell herself to him to save her mother? Or did she submit to Ronan¡¯s


    authority?


    All their rtionship left them with was a son, and a lost daughter.


    Ronan didn''t have Dustin''s WhatsApp; he had heard about him from other people. He told Dustin he''d


    drop by his house that evening.


    Dustin was nervous. Ronan was not only the grandson of his respected teacher but also a notorious


    entrepreneur in Millstone. Over the years, Dustin and Ronan had heard of each other but never


    connected.


    Dustin lived in a small house in the suburbs. He hastily had his wife tidy up, put on a pot of coffee, and


    take a walk to give them some privacy.


    "Dr. Dustin, long time no see." Ronan arrived, taking in the surroundings. "So this is what a Birchwood


    College staff housing looks like."


    "Yes, it''s quite cozy," Dr. Dustin replied, following Ronan''s gaze. "Ronan, are you scouting for


    someone?"


    "No, just looking around."


    "Excuse the mess. We had settled down elsewhere, but when our son got epted to an out-of-state


    university, and I still had students to mentor, we moved back here for convenience. My wife doesn''t


    have to cook for me every day, and I can just grab meals at the university¡¯s cafeteria. When I first met


    you, you were about your son''s age. Time flies, doesn¡¯t it? And this is your son, right?"


    "Yes," Ronan replied, then turned to Callum and said, "Callum, say hi to Dr. Dustin."


    "Dad said you''re very rich, Dr. Dustin. I should learn from you." Callum was quite savvy, and his words


    brought a smile to Dustin''s face.


    Dustin didn''t quite understand what this meant, but heughed heartily. "Your dad is the richer one;


    very few people don¡¯t know him."


    "I heard you set up Harold with a girlfriend," Ronan steered the conversation back on track.


    "Yes, Cordelia, right? A PhD graduate from overseas, freshly appointed as a lecturer, working under Dr.


    Young to supervise postgraduates. My student Harold never had a scandal in his four years of college,


    despite the long line of girls chasing after him. It''s rare for him to take interest in someone so


    aplished, how could I not y matchmaker?" Dr. Dustin was rather proud talking about


    matchmaking Harold and Cordelia.


    "You need to stop your matchmaking. Cordelia is my wife."


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    Dustin fell silent. His face turned pale, then flushed. He awkwardly picked up his mug and took a sip of


    coffee.


    Callum looked at Ronan surprisingly, thinking, ¡°Is Dad finallying to his senses?¡±


    "But I''ve already set them up," Dustin said awkwardly.


    "That''s fine; just don''t do it again."


    "I''m sorry, Ronan, we had no idea about Cordelia''s family situation. We didn¡¯t know she and you..."


    Dustin¡¯s gaze fell on Callum.


    There were many things he didn¡¯t understand, like whose child was Ronan''s and how Cordelia became


    Ronan''s wife, but since Ronan had made it clear, it was inappropriate to continue the matchmaking.


    After all, he was a teacher, not a matchmaker. He was only trying to help.

 Chapter 441

    Chapter 441


    As Ronan stepped out of Dustin''s house, his phone buzzed with a new message from Cordelia. [How


    do you know Harold?]


    Ronan didn''t respond.


    Cordelia figured as much. He rarely checked his messages, if at all. His silence made Cordelia feel


    uneasy.


    Walking through the campus of Birchwood College with his son, Callum, Ronan relished the cool,


    refreshing atmosphere. It had been a while since he felt this kind of serenity. Thest time he


    experienced it was when he visited Birchwood College with a certain someone.


    "Dad, you said earlier that that nicedy is your wife. Does that mean you''ve fallen for her?" Callum


    asked Ronan.


    "Yes."


    "I knew it, Dad. You''re so calm and collected, but your heart knows what it wants. If you''ve fallen for


    her, you should act on it quickly. And you should let Haorld know, too," Callum said excitedly. "He''s so


    innocent. I''m really worried."


    "Worried about what?" Ronan asked Callum.


    "I''m worried he''ll get hurt."


    "Aren''t you worried about your dad?"


    "Dad, you can do anything," Callum said proudly.


    Ronan chuckled.


    The pair leisurely strolled back home.


    Callum yawned. "Tired?" Ronan asked him.


    "Mhm."


    Bending down, Ronan scooped Callum into his arms.


    Callum nestledfortably in his father''s arms and fell asleep.


    Under the dim lights of the faculty building, they didn''t notice the presence of a woman nearby.


    Petra.


    She had just dumped the trash, still wearing her pajamas and her hair in a disheveled mess. As she


    was heading back, she heard a familiar voice. One word from him was enough for her to recognize


    Ronan.


    Instantly, memories flooded Petra''s mind.


    Thest time she saw Ronan was at Yale University. Despite her heartfelt confessions, he remained


    indifferent. But the way he spoke to his son, the tenderness he disyed when he held him, was a side


    of Ronan Petra had never seen. Even in her most dazzling moments, he had never looked at her. Now,


    in her unkempt state, he would certainly not notice her.


    Since Cordelia moved here, Petra had anticipated Ronan''s arrival at Birchwood College. She just


    wanted to see his handsome face and cold demeanor again, a side of Ronan Petra could never touch.


    As expected, he came, not for her, but for Cordelia. Regardless of the storm within her, Petra had to


    maintain a calm exterior.


    The next day, Cordelia ran into Petra at the faculty cafeteria.


    "Hey, Petra," Cordelia greeted enthusiastically.


    "Cordelia, did Ronan visit the campusst night?" Petra asked, forcing nonchnce into her voice as if


    Ronan was just an old ssmate.


    Cordelia''s hand twitched. "Um, probably. He came to watch the basketball game."


    "Oh, but I saw him heading towards the Birch Gardenst night."


    Cordelia frowned. "Why would he go there? I wouldn''t know. We''re divorced; I don''t keep up with his


    life anymore."


    "Why don''t you organize a small gathering, so we can have a meal together, after all, we''re old friends,"


    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    Petra suggested casually.


    Only she knew the years of unrequited love hidden behind this ''casual'' suggestion.


    "Sure, why not, I''ll ask him," Cordelia agreed, thinking they were old friends after all. Besides, Petra


    was married.


    As Cordelia pondered over Ronan''s visit to the Birch Garden, she thought, her grandfather once taught


    at Birchwood College, so Ronan probably had some good friends here. Maybe Ronan visited the


    garden to catch up with old friends.

 Chapter 442

    Chapter 442


    This week, Cordelia hadn''t ventured outside much, opting to stay home to work on her thesis and


    research projects. Even when she needed to eat, she would only go to the staff cafeteria, avoiding the


    student dining hall, so she hadn''t seen Harold for several days.


    Samantha, on the other hand, had been away in another part of Birchwood shooting additional scenes


    for her project, only returning to Birchwood College on Wednesday.


    Since Wednesday was Cordelia''s lecture day, she was keen to see how Cordelia and Harold were


    getting along. She knew that her presence in Cordelia''s lecture would irk Cordelia, but that was exactly


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    what she wanted.


    On her way from her apartment in Unity Hall to the lecture hall, Cordelia bumped into a familiar face ¨C


    Tabitha, who was apanied by a child.


    Tabitha seemed surprised to see Cordelia. Her expression was filled with guilt.


    Cordelia nced at the little boy, who seemed to be a little over a year old, just learning to walk. He


    had been running around, but as soon as Tabitha spotted Cordelia, she scooped him up, blocking the


    child''s face from view.


    At that moment, Cordelia couldn''t help but specte. She had been skeptical about Tabitha''s


    pregnancy, suspecting Tabitha and Allison to be na''s minions, who had concocted a scheme to get


    Cordelia out of the country. Now, seeing Tabitha with a child of about one-year-old, Cordelia''s belief in


    this theory escted from 60 percent to 90 percent.


    And Tabitha''s evasive behavior only deepened her suspicions.


    Without saying a word, Cordelia wanted to approach them. Although she didn''t want any connection


    with Ronan, the situation was inevitably upsetting.


    Tabitha stepped forward, guilt written on her face. "Mrs. Evans, I didn''t mean to upset you. I''ve been off


    worktely and came here to visit a ssmate who works here."


    Cordelia remained silent, shooting Tabitha a single nce before striding away.


    She never got a clear look at Tabitha''s child.


    Cordelia then headed for her lecture hall. Samantha was waiting for her inside. It was a public lecture,


    and the university had already been informed of the film crew''s presence, so Cordelia had no grounds


    to turn Samantha away. She just needed to ignore Samantha.


    She was annoyed. After she finally found some peace at Birchwood College, na still wouldn''t let up,


    sending over these irritating individuals.


    She focused on her lecture. Cordelia''s sses were unusual. Apart from Harold, all the students tacitly


    chose to sit at the back of the room. Cordelia had grown ustomed to it.


    Today, Cordelia had chosen a case study of a certainpany, asking her students to work on the


    The students busied themselves with calctions while Cordelia moved around the room, providing


    guidance where necessary. However, she deliberately avoided two ces - Harold''s side and


    Samantha''s side.


    Eventually, Cordelia asked the students to submit their results.


    "Has everyone bnced the bnce sheet?" Cordelia scanned the room.


    "Bnced," came the scattered responses. Some students were still pondering.


    "All bnced?" Cordelia questioned. "Raise your hand if your bnce sheets are bnced."


    Everyone except Harold raised their hands.


    Cordelia no longer had a choice but to address Harold. "You didn''t bnce it?" Cordelia asked Harold.


    The students chuckled quietly.


    Samantha watched the scene unfold with interest. She didn''t understand bnce sheets or what it


    meant to bnce them, but she found Harold''s defiance rather appealing.


    "It couldn''t be bnced. It''s impossible to bnce it," Harold dered.


    "It seems that only Harold got this problem right. Thepany is heavily in debt; it''s impossible to


    bnce the books. The rest of you fell for it."


    "Harold clearly has the best home education."


    "He''s certainly been given a leg up."

 Chapter 443

    Chapter 443


    Cordelia was staring at her lesson ns, the words sounding eerily familiar. She was suddenly


    reminded of her time teaching under Ronan. Back then, they all used to talk about her the same way.


    She missed those times terribly.


    But when she lifted her gaze, she saw Samantha sitting at the back of the room.


    Samantha, and na, were the reason Cordelia had lost contact with her children. They had forced her


    to travel across the Antic for three years, returning only to be a stranger to her kid.


    Cordelia clenched her teeth.


    Harold watched Cordelia with a smug expression.


    Samantha was also watching Harold from behind, thinking, ¡°This boy is something special. A basketball


    yer who excels in studies as well, abination of brains and brawn. What girl wouldn''t fall for him?


    And he''s so handsome, so captivating.¡±


    Samantha leaned on the table, gazing at Harold with the eyes of a smitten fan. She was a second-tier


    actress, a fact that made her feel somewhat arrogant. She thought to herself, ¡°Why should Cordelia


    have all the good men?¡±


    Furthermore, Samantha was not getting any younger. She had dismissed all the suitors her mother had


    introduced to her in the past, and now that she was well-off, she found them even less appealing.


    At her age, she was ready for a man in her life. She found Harold''s bad boy charm and boy-next-door


    appearance incredibly appealing.


    ¡­


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    In the afternoon, Cordelia had to attend a meeting at Empower Operations.


    After lunch, she hailed a cab and left.


    Harold was waiting for the bus at the school entrance. As an intern, this was his first time going to


    Empower Operations.


    Samantha''s private car passed by. "Harold?" Samantha rolled down her window and greeted him.


    "Samantha." Harold¡¯s acknowledgment and smile were just right, making him irresistible in Samantha¡¯s


    eyes.


    Harold had always assumed Samantha was Cordelia''s cousin and treated her with a certain decorum.


    Moreover, Harold felt he was younger than Cordelia and wanted to win approval from her family.


    "Where you headed? I can give you a lift," Samantha offered. "I finished shooting for the day and have


    nothing nned. I was going to hit the mall."


    "Okay."


    "You can sit up front with me. My mom is in the back."


    Once inside the car, Harold politely greeted Sienna, "Hello."


    "This boy sure is sweet," Sienna remarked. "He and Cordelia would make a great pair. Where are we


    headed?"


    Sienna had always obeyed na''s orders, pushing for a rtionship between Harold and Cordelia,


    and hoping to get some benefits for Samantha in the process.


    "Oh, downtown to Empower Operations. You can just use the GPS. It''s easy to find," Harold replied.


    Samantha parked her car by the roadside, and keyed in "Empower Operations" into the GPS. The


    system indicated that it would be less than half an hour''s drive. Samantha wished the journey could be


    longer. Maybe even a couple of hours.


    Harold was also busy replying to messages on his phone.


    His roommate Joseph had texted him. [Harold, I saw you getting into Samantha''s car. Since you guys


    are so tight, can you get me her autograph? I could use some bragging rights; having a celebrity''s


    autograph is a big deal.]


    [Sure, hold on.]


    "Samantha, could you do me a favor? My roommate wants your autograph. Could you sign something


    for him?"


    "Of course." Samantha was clearly overjoyed.


    Due to her looks and her "strong, independent woman" roles, Samantha had fewer fanspared to


    other celebrities of her caliber. She rarely got asked for autographs on the street, which made her more


    of a critically acimed type of actress.


    Harold needing a favor was a request Samantha couldn''t resist. She hadn''t even started the car when


    she pulled out a photograph and signed it for Harold.


    "Do you want one?" Samantha asked Harold.


    Harold thought to himself, ¡°To say no would embarrass Samantha.¡±


    So he said, "If it''s not too much trouble, could I have one too?"


    "No trouble at all." Samantha pulled out another photograph.


    This one was a bit risqu¨¦, showing her in a revealing camisole, leaving little to the imagination.


    "Oh, it''s fine," Harold said politely.


    Samantha signed the picture and handed it to Harold.


    He casually put it in his backpack. "Thanks, Samantha."

 Chapter 444

    Chapter 444


    The car roared to life, and twenty minutester, they arrived at the Empower Operations Tower.


    Bidding Harold a reluctant farewell, Samantha turned to face her mother, Sienna.


    "Samantha, you have to acknowledge who''s responsible for everything that''s happened today. Don''t


    make a fool of yourself," Sienna advised.


    Taken aback, Samantha retorted, "What have I done to deserve such harsh words? Are you suggesting


    that I owe everything to others? That I''m useless?"


    "Don''t forget why na brought you here. She wanted you to help Cordelia and Harold get together,


    not to find a boyfriend for yourself. And this man you''ve chosen? He''s a spendthrift. Does he have a


    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    house? A car? Savings?" Sienna''s tone shifted abruptly from her earlier politeness to Harold, showing


    a more petty side. "Don''t ruin your future for a shortcut to happiness."


    "Enough, Mom!" Samantha eximed exasperatedly. "Go shopping or something!"


    With a huff, Sienna got out of the car and headed towards the shopping district.


    Samantha''s car remained parked opposite the Empower Operations building. Harold would have to


    leave work at some point, and she was willing to wait the entire afternoon if necessary.


    Upon arriving at Empower Operations, Harold met Peter, who was impressed by his handsome


    features and brisk demeanor. Peter assigned him to a variety of tasks to familiarize him with the office


    environment. "We''ll be signing a contract with Lumos Enterprises soon. You''ll be in charge of serving


    water," Peter instructed.


    "No problem," Harold agreed readily. His mood lifted at the mention of Lumos Enterprises. He was


    excited about the prospect of meeting Mr. Evans, who he learned had been in Birchwood for a


    business partnership with Empower Operations. Of course, running into Cordelia would make his day


    even better.


    As he entered the conference room to serve water, he noticed Cordelia engrossed in reviewing


    documents. Her sses were perched on her nose. Her studious appearance was enticing, and Harold


    felt a rush of excitement. She exuded an aura of tranquility that put him at ease, a feeling he had never


    experienced before.


    She hadn''t noticed him yet.


    "Thank you," Cordelia muttered absentmindedly as she flipped through the contract, intent on


    understanding every use before signing.


    "You''re wee, Ms. Haselwood."


    Startled, Cordelia turned to find Harold standing beside her. She furrowed her brows in confusion.


    "What are you doing here?" She asked.


    "You must have forgotten. I told you I was interning at Empower Operations."


    Cordelia turned away without a word. To say that Harold''s presence at Empower Operations had no


    impact on her would be dishonest.


    "Mr. Evans, you''re here!" Harold greeted the neer, Ronan, with enthusiasm.


    Harold was a starry-eyed young man, full of integrity, and he believed in the goodness of the world and


    the people around him.


    "Uh-huh," Ronan responded, ncing at Cordelia, who was sitting with her back to him.


    Always together, always affectionate.


    This was the impression Harold and Cordelia had left on him.

 Chapter 445

    Chapter 445


    A subtle frown creased Ronan''s forehead.


    Emerson was back from Millstone again, the original n was for Emerson to sign this contract, but


    Ronan had a change of heart. More specifically, he changed his mind when he found out that Harold


    was going to intern at Empower Operations.


    Emerson was now at home, looking after their kid.


    Cordelia had her back to Ronan, not yet seeing him, but she felt a little on edge.


    Ronan took a seat, and Cordelia gave him a customary nod.


    Harold conveniently left the room, and soon after, Peter entered. It was clear that Harold was a keen


    observer. He saw Ronan arrive and went to fetch Peter so that Ronan wouldn''t have to wait.


    Harold had gone to the HR Department. He was discussing his internship n with the HR


    Department.


    His internship was in the Business Department, where he would intern for two hours every Tuesday,


    Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoon. His monthly internship wage was two hundred dors.


    The HR Director then introduced him to the various departments within thepany.


    Over in the boardroom...


    "Mr. Evans, sorry to keep you waiting, is everything okay with the contract?" Peter asked with a smile.


    "No problem," Ronan answered.


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Lumos Enterprises and Empower Operations ceremoniously signed the contract, worth thirty-five billion


    dors, to develop real estate in Birchwood.


    Empower Operations then discussed the execution of the contract and many other issues with Lumos


    Enterprises.


    Originally, Emerson was going to bring a team, but Ronan declined.


    During the meeting, Cordelia noticed how effortlessly Ronan answered all of Empower Operations''


    questions. His mind was sharp, and he seemed godlike. He was a one-man army, exuding a maic


    charm that any woman would find irresistible.


    Cordelia found herself fascinated by this version of Ronan in the negotiation room, despite his


    character ws.


    She also asked a few questions and addressed some of Ronan''s queries. The exchange was very


    pleasant. Furthermore, the Business Department of Empower Operations prepared a PowerPoint


    presentation detailing the steps and potential issues regarding their future cooperation.


    Finally, Peter jokingly said, "Mr. Evans, it seems like you''ll be visiting Birchwood quite often."


    "Definitely," Ronan replied.


    After the meeting, Ronan rose from his seat ready to leave, and Cordelia also exited the boardroom.


    Harold just came out of the Business Department, ready to leave with his bag. "Mr. Evans, are you


    leaving?" He asked.


    "Yes. Want a lift?"


    "Sure, thank you, Mr. Evans." Even though Harold considered Ronan like family, he was still very polite


    to him.


    "You two lovebirds going together?" Ronan casually nced at Cordelia.


    "What?" Cordelia was startled by Ronan''s sudden question.


    She clenched her hand into a fist, and her heart was pounding. Why was he taunting her with such


    words?


    "Sure, we''ll go together," Harold said.


    At that moment, something that looked like a photograph fell out of Harold''s bag.


    "You dropped something," Cordelia, quick-eyed, noticed the photograph of Samantha. The sight of


    Samantha''s skin made Cordelia frown slightly.


    She didn''t know what Samantha was up to, but considering how quickly Samantha gave such a


    revealing photo to Harold, Cordelia knew she was up to no good. "You should keep your distance from


    her!" Cordelia said, her brow furrowed.


    Harold was packing up. The photo had been in the outermost part of the backpack, and it must have


    fallen out because the zipper wasn''t fully closed.


    Hearing Cordelia''s words, Harold chuckled. "Jealous?"

 Chapter 446

    Chapter 446


    "You''re overthinking!" Cordelia cast a nce at Ronan, then turned her head away.


    "Let''s go." Ronan shot her a brooding look.


    He strode ahead, with Harold and Cordelia trailing behind. Cordelia was slightly panting from trying to


    keep up.


    Cordelia noticed how tightly Ronan was clenching his fists. This time, Ronan was driving a humble-


    looking Phaeton, easily mistaken for an ordinary car.


    After pulling up, Cordelia got into the backseat first. As Harold was about to get in, a voice came from


    behind, "Harold."


    Harold stood on the steps of Empower Operations, conspicuous. He turned towards the voice and saw


    Samantha.


    "Samantha." he called out.


    "Come on, get in. My mom''s shopping in the mall over there, I''ve been waiting here." Samantha had


    just parked her car and had been engrossed in her phone.


    When Cordelia and Ronan had gotten into the car, she hadn''t even looked up. Plus, Ronan was driving


    Emerson''s car, which Samantha wasn''t familiar with.


    When she finally looked up, she saw Harold standing on the steps.


    "Are you getting in or not?" Ronan asked Harold, rolling down the passenger side window.


    "Aren''t you going to get in?" Cordelia asked quickly, eager to limit Harold''s interaction with Samantha.


    Moreover, if he didn''t get in, it would be just her and Ronan in the car. Awkward.


    "I can''t park here too long. Hurry up." Samantha seemed impatient.


    Harold knew that an angry girlfriend could be appeased, but an irked rtive was a different story. He


    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    might be cklisted in the family for life. Plus, Samantha had a public image. She''d even autographed


    something for him not so long ago. It seemed reasonable to join Samantha in her car.


    "I''ll find you at school," he told Cordelia.


    Ronan''s car sped away.


    "Who were you talking to just now?" Samantha asked Harold.


    "Oh, nobody. Just a coworker." Harold didn''t want Samantha to think he was disregarding her for


    Cordelia.


    In Ronan''s car.


    He nced at Cordelia through the rearview mirror. Cordelia was looking out the window the whole


    time.


    "Jealous?" Ronan asked Cordelia, echoing Harold''s earlier question.


    Pouting, Cordelia kept her face turned towards the window, ignoring him. After a while, Cordelia turned


    back. "Where''s Callum?" This question had been bothering her.


    "Home." Ronan''s answer was sinct.


    "I know he''s at home. Who''s with him?"


    "Emerson."


    Cordelia finally rxed.


    "How did you meet Harold?" She asked Ronan, frowning slightly.


    Ronan smirked. "I should ask you the same question. How do you manage to be a maneater?


    From thirty-six to early twenties."


    "I''ve never ''eaten'' you!" Cordelia retorted, her face turning slightly red.


    "You''ve ''eaten'' plenty in bed!" Ronan shot back swiftly.


    Flushing crimson, Cordelia was at a loss for words. She wasn''t sure what he meant by ''eating.''


    As the conversation veered towards risqu¨¦ territory, she looked out the window in silence. "You''re not


    that old." She finally said.


    Ronan chuckled. A cold "Thank you" slipped from his lips.


    "How did you really meet him?" She asked again after a moment.


    "Afraid of getting caught? Rx, I won''t expose you. And he kid doesn''t even know you''re his mom; he


    wouldn''t expose you."


    Hearing, "The kid doesn''t even know you''re his mom," Cordelia felt a pang of heartache. But she


    brought it upon herself, didn''t she?


    Cordelia thought for a moment, then changed the subject. "Petra wants to invite you for dinner."


    "What? So now you''re pimping her out?"


    "I..."


    He didn''t give her a chance to defend herself. His words were sharp and sarcastic. Cordelia felt like


    crying.

 Chapter 447

    Chapter 447


    Cordelia''s eyes were red-rimmed as she stared out the window. In spite of everything she had been


    through - her mother''s death, being threatened - she was now the one being ridiculed. What had she


    done to deserve this?


    Perhaps noticing Cordelia''s vulnerability, Ronan''s heart softened.


    "Did Petra refer you to Birchwood College?" Ronan remembered Cordelia mentioning that someone


    had rmended the college to her.


    "Yes."


    "Where are you heading for dinner?" He asked.


    "Um, I''m not sure yet. I''ll let Petra know once you agree." Cordelia reached for her phone, preparing to


    message Petra. Her actions reminded him of a middleman arranging a deal.


    "I haven''t decided yet if I''ll go. You can ask Petra where she wants to eat." Ronan''s tone was slightly


    softer.


    [I''m at Empower Operations today to sign a contract, and I ran into Ronan. He''s asking where you want


    to have dinner.] Cordelia messaged Petra.


    When Petra saw the message, she was in the middle of a lecture. Her phone was on silent mode and


    was ced on her desk to check the time, as it was generally considered disrespectful to use your


    phone during ss.


    But seeing the message, Petra''s mind went nk. Instantly, her lecture came to a halt, and she was


    unable to utter a word.


    He had never agreed to any of her requests before, but this time, he was asking where she wanted to


    have dinner.


    She knew it was all thanks to Cordelia, but Petra didn''t care. Her hand was trembling as she told her


    students, "You guys read on your own for a bit."


    [Can you ask him if the bistro across from the building works? And you have toe. You absolutely


    have toe.] Petra emphasized.


    Petra remembered how at Yale, Ronan had told her he would never see her alone again.


    But Petra was obsessed with Ronan. She didn''t care who he liked or who he was with. All she wanted


    in this lifetime was to see Ronan, to not let him be a distant figure unrted to her. He was her


    sce during her humbling high school days. As for Cordelia, Petra didn''t care whether or not she was


    still with Ronan, or if she was with Harold, but she knew that as long as Cordelia was at Birchwood


    College, Ronan woulde.


    Three years ago, when she had invited Cordelia to Birchwood College, she knew this day woulde.


    After all, over the years, Cordelia was the only one who had shared such emotional entanglements with


    Ronan, and they even had a child together. Petra was certain that Ronan woulde as long as


    Cordelia was there.


    Petra was a humble admirer. She didn''t ask for much, just to see Ronan and talk to him. That was


    enough.


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    She still remembered Ronan in high school, always dressed in ck. Petra came from a poor family


    andcked a sense of security. The arrival of Ronan was a ray of sunshine in her life.


    She had put all her effort into catching up to him, but she never could. The reality was always harsh,


    and the fairy tale of the prince falling in love with Cindere didn''t happen. Ronan didn''t be her


    savior. He was with someone else.


    Ronan was a man of piercing insight. He saw through everyone, even knowing what Petra was


    thinking, yet he never said anything, nor did he acknowledge Petra''s feelings.


    After sending the message, Petra resumed her lecture, her voice trembling.


    Seeing Petra''s message, Cordelia frowned slightly, thinking, ¡°Does Petra have social anxiety? Why


    does she insist on having me join them for a meal with an old ssmate?¡±


    "Is there something bothering you?" Noticing Cordelia''s furrowed brow in the rearview mirror, Ronan


    asked.


    "Petra is asking if the bistro across the building works for you, and also¡­" Cordelia hesitated.

 Chapter 448

    Chapter 448


    "What else?" Ronan asked Cordelia.


    "She wants me toe too."


    "Are youing?" Ronan asked directly.


    "Depends on the timing. I have sses, and I have papers to write. Besides, it''s a reunion for you old-


    school chums. What would I be doing there?"


    "So you''re noting? Have you told her?"


    Cordelia just stared at him. She thought to herself, ¡°Why are both of them insisting that she go?¡±


    "I''m not a matchmaker, so why do they both want me there?" Cordelia muttered.


    "Of course, you should be there if you''re ying matchmaker." Ronan teased her.


    "So, I..." Cordelia checked her schedule on her phone. "Tomorrow evening? Are you going back to


    Millstone?"


    "No. I just signed a contract; I need to check out the project."


    Cordelia nodded slowly. "So, 6:30? Should I tell her?"


    Ronan didn''t respond, so she took it as a yes.


    Petra, Ronan knew her well. She had been pining for him for years. It was a secret crush, but over


    time, it was obvious to anyone who looked. When he and Cordelia got married a few years ago, Petra


    became the butt of the joke. She couldn''t take the humiliation, so she married a bohemian man, who


    was attracted to Petra''s high education and position as a university professor. But he had a girl he


    loved, who went to the mountains to teach. He told Petra that he was going to teach, too, but in reality,


    he was going to meet his lover.


    Later on, the bohemian man died. Rumors were that he died of excessive indulgence during a


    ndestine meeting with his lover in a cave. The real cause of death was not revealed to protect his


    reputation. Petra became a widow, which was a more tolerable status than being theughing stock as


    a spinster with an unrequited love.


    Moreover, Petra had been telling people that she had moved on and that she no longer loved Ronan,


    but her dead husband.


    Ronan felt uneasy about meeting Petra. Her twisted thoughts scared him a bit. And now, Cordelia was


    ying the mediator. How ironic...


    After dropping Cordelia off at the university, he went back home.


    Cordelia sped up her steps, thinking that Samantha''s car might be following closely behind. Harold had


    mentioned ing to find her at the university." If he dide, she would be in trouble. So, she


    hurried back to her apartment in Unity Hall.


    Much as she wanted to know what the rtionship between Harold and Ronan was, Ronan hadn''t told


    her anything.


    When Ronan got home, Callum had just fallen asleep.


    "Why is he sleeping now? Will he sleep tonight?" Ronan asked Emerson, frowning.


    "He got tired of ying with the water gun. Besides, whether or not he sleeps tonight is your problem,


    not mine."


    Emerson was delighted to see Ronan''s speechless face. "Did you sign the contract?"


    Ronan sat down on the couch, finding afortable position. He tossed his briefcase to Emerson.


    "Yes, I''m preparing to inspect the project."


    "Wow, you''re doing the work of the business department, the finance department, and the legal


    department all by yourself. What do we need all those people for?" Emerson teased Ronan. "Signing


    contracts and inspecting projects are not your jobs. Why are you sticking around in Birchwood?


    Nostalgic for your hometown?"


    "Get lost."


    "You feeling nostalgic for your hometown is one thing, but you''re making me y nanny for you. Do


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    you know how hard it is for me to be both mother and father? I''m a Ph.D. graduate from the University


    of Chicago..."


    "If you want to work, work. If not, get lost."


    Emerson stood there, "I''m just being a masochist here."


    Ronan got up to go back to his bedroom.


    "I''ve sent you the photos of your son from today." Ronan heard the notification sound of Messenger as


    he was closing his bedroom door.

 Chapter 449

    Chapter 449


    Emerson was a ratherpetent babysitter.


    On the days Ronan was off to meetings, he would send Ronan pictures of every move the kid made.


    He even sent photos of the meals he cooked for the boy, just to prove that he wasn''t cking off.


    Today, Emerson took the kid to themunity park to y with other children. From the pictures, it


    looked like little Callum was having a st, dripping with sweat.


    Suddenly, Emerson barged into Ronan''s room. "By the way, when I was leaving, Janice asked me if


    you''ve met Harold''s sweetheart yet?"


    Ronan paused for a moment, not saying a word. "Close the door on your way out!"


    Ronan thought for a moment, then made a coge out of the pictures Emerson had just sent him and


    posted it on Facebook. The caption was simple, [My three-year-old boy.]


    Ronan rarely posted on Facebook, but when he did, it was purposeful. Ever since Cordelia left, he had


    been posting more regrly, primarily pictures of Callum. Furthermore, he had blocked Cordelia,


    preventing her from seeing his Facebook posts.


    He was curious to see how Cordelia would feel, standing on the outside looking in, yet unable to see


    anything.


    She thought she was so tough, didn''t she?


    ¡­


    The next evening, at a small restaurant.


    Before the dinner, Petra spent the whole afternoon getting ready. She wanted to look presentable but


    not overdone, and she was nervous. Finally, in a simple yet sophisticated outfit, she invited Cordelia


    along.


    Once Cordelia got into her car, she felt like she was ying matchmaker, a third wheel on a date. It felt


    odd.


    But as Petra pointed out, the person she liked most was her husband. Besides, they were all in their


    thirties. Wasn''t it silly to discuss who liked who? It was just a gathering of old school friends.


    The restaurant was a quaint wooden building adorned with redmps, exuding a certain charm.


    Looking out the window, Cordeliamented, "Petra, you''ve picked a wonderful spot for a date. The


    moon is high in the sky, and it''s a perfect evening."


    Just as Cordelia turned to give Petra a smile, she saw Ronan walk through the door. Her smile faded


    instantly, and she didn''t even notice Petra''s strange behavior. Petra¡¯s whole body seemed to be


    shaking.


    Ronan took a seat and ordered food.


    When Petra spoke to him, her voice was shaky. Ronan pretended not to notice, but Cordelia found it


    strange. They had all been ssmates, and even if there had been a crush, hadn''t that been long ago?


    Ronan made small talk, reminiscing about their school days.


    Cordelia was sipping on her water. She didn''t know any of the people they were talking about.


    The food arrived, and Cordelia realized she loved everything that Ronan had ordered. As the two of


    them chatted about the past, Cordelia, unable to contribute, just focused on her meal.


    After living in Ennd for three years and eating a lot of British food, it was rare for Cordelia to enjoy


    such delicate home-cooked meals after returning home.


    While Ronan and Petra were talking, their gaze asionally fell on Cordelia.


    Cordelia wanted to try the dish of meatballs. The te naturally made its way to her. She looked up


    and saw that it was Ronan who had passed them. She nodded in thanks.


    Just as Cordelia was starting to feel full, her phone rang. It was Sally. She answered the phone while


    making small talk with Sally.


    Sally was asking about a project, saying she had looked at many resources but couldn''t find any


    rted content. Realizing she would be on the phone for a while, Cordelia stepped outside the


    restaurant.


    The restaurant was small, and just outside, Cordelia saw that the earlier moonlight was now


    illuminating the ground.


    As Sally talked, Cordelia responded with nods, asionally advising Sally on which books to look into.


    Unknowingly, forty minutes had passed.


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    By then, the moon was at its fullest.

 Chapter 450

    Chapter 450


    Cordelia saw Ronan emerge and get into his car.


    His car was parked close to where Cordelia was standing. Standing outside the driver''s side door, she


    approached and asked Ronan, "How did your chat go?"


    She was still on her cell phone, covering the mouthpiece. She sounded a bit distracted.


    "How, did, the, chat, go?" Ronan repeated each word, one by one.


    Earlier, Cordelia had left halfway through their meeting, very much like a sharp-eyed matchmaker


    clearing the way for lovers. Now, she was asking him how the chat went.


    "Uh-huh." Cordelia nodded.


    "I''ve got a car, a house, money, and she is talented. A perfect match," Ronan said.


    "That''s not what I meant," Cordelia replied, her face crinkling into a scowl. "Why are you being so


    sarcastic? She''s interested in her husband, not you. She wanted to catch up with an old ssmate.


    Besides, you''re in your early thirties, isn''t it a bit nauseating to still be dating? Why would I even think


    along those lines?"


    Ronan stared at Cordelia,ughing out of sheer frustration. What a way to phrase "early thirties.¡± "So,


    only you, a twenty-something, is allowed to date? Old people aren''t allowed to be in love?" Ronan


    mocked himself as an "old person."


    Cordelia didn¡¯t have a response. He obviously was hinting at something. Lately, Harold had been


    pursuing her relentlessly. The whole campus was aware of it, and Ronan was using this to his


    advantage.


    But she didn''t want to date a younger man, she even thought the idea of being single her whole life


    was quite appealing.


    Cordelia lowered her gaze. In the moonlight, Cordelia¡¯s face was dazzling. Ronan thought of Harold''s


    painting titled "Porcin," and felt a surge of anger.


    At that moment, Ronan''s arm reached out from the car window, pulling Cordelia towards him. Then, he


    kissed her deeply.


    Cordelia felt as if her entire body was on fire, every single pore was opening, and her blood raced.


    Whenever he kissed her, it was always this overwhelming, iparable feeling, a feeling she had


    missed.


    After the kiss, Ronan looked at the stunned Cordelia. "Offended? Next time you want to introduce


    someone to me, ask for my opinion first!"


    "I wasn''t trying to set you up," Cordelia said innocently. They were all ssmates, besides, Petra had


    long stopped loving Ronan. Why was he making such a fuss?


    Seeing Cordelia¡¯s confused expression, Ronan lit up a cigarette, "Do you know how I met Harold?"


    Cordelia shook her head.


    "He''s Janice''s son." Ronan kept staring at Cordelia, watching her reaction. There was a trace of


    maniption, a hint of revenge, and a touch of drama in his actions.


    "Janice?" Cordelia finally remembered. Janice had once mentioned that her son was studying finance


    at Birchwood College. But Cordelia had long forgotten about this. And even if she had remembered,


    what were the odds of such a coincidence?


    Cordelia stood there, stunned.


    No wonder Ronan had no reaction to her and Harold''s rtionship. He knew that it would never pass


    Janice''s approval. Janice would never allow Ronan¡¯s ex-wife to be involved with her son. It seemed


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    Cordelia''s past didn''t need to be revealed by herself; Janice would make everything clear to Harold.


    Ronan was indeed devious. He knew exactly how things would unfold, yet he didn¡¯t stop it, instead, he


    was fanning the mes, talking about "destiny" and "a perfect couple." He had this in mind all along.


    He was so cunning!

 Chapter 451

    Chapter 451


    On the other end of the line, Sally said, "Ms. Haselwood, are you talking to someone? If you''re busy, I''ll


    hang up."


    A series of beeps followed, signaling the end of the call.


    Cordelia stood at the door for a moment until Petra emerged. "Let''s go," she said to Cordelia.


    With a nod, Cordelia climbed into Petra''s car.


    The journey was eerily silent.


    Petra was lost in thoughts about her conversation with Ronan. His masculine presence wasforting,


    like a strong hand to a widow. Once stagnant, his presence was like a stone breaking the surface of a


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    still pond, causing ripples of change. She knew that his heart belonged to Cordelia. The way he subtly


    served food to Cordelia at the dinner table gave it away. As long as Cordelia was at Birchwood College,


    even the slightest wind could bring Ronan running.


    Leaning against the car window, Cordelia thought that she needed to invite Janice over. That way, she


    could stop Harold from doing foolish things. Even though a campus romance was romantic, there was


    ack of practicality. She had long outgrown her longing for such a thing.


    "Thank you, Cordelia," Petra said as they approached the school.


    "Thank me? For what?" Cordelia asked.


    Petra just smiled cryptically.


    Back home, Cordelia received a message on her phone. It was from Harold. [It''s almost the Fourth of


    July. Fancy a hike?]


    In Harold''s eyes, Cordelia was already half-epting his advances. After all, she had joined him for


    dinner with Ronan. The ¡°half¡± refusal might¡¯ve been due to the student-teacher rtionship and the age


    gap; she didn''t want to lose face.


    [Harold, I mind our age difference. Let''s do this, invite your parents over, and talk to them first. If they


    agree, I¡¯ll go out with you on the Fourth of July.]


    [Are you serious?]


    [Yes.]


    This made Harold ecstatic, although Cordelia''s condition was a bit challenging. He was worried that his


    mother wouldn''t agree and Cordelia would stop seeing him. But he believed that despite caring about


    the age difference, his mother would be won over by Cordelia''s appearance and intellect.


    Afraid that a direct message to his mother might¡¯ve made her disagree, he decided to consult Ronan


    and sent him a message, [Mr. Evans, I asked Cordelia out, and she said she wanted to meet my


    parents first. How should I word the message to my mother?]


    Fresh out of the shower, Ronan replied to the message, [Just ask your mom toe over. Don''t


    mention anything about a girlfriend or Cordelia.]


    [Right, my mom might really like Cordelia once she meets her. We''ll cross the age-gate when we get


    there.]


    Ronan put down his phone, stroking his chin thoughtfully.


    Harold messaged Janice, [Mom, our school''s basketball team just won the championship under my


    leadership. Don''t you want toe and see me?]


    Janice had always been concerned about her son. Intrigued by his change of attitude and invitation to


    his school, she considered paying him a visit.


    Given Ronan and Callum''s absence, Janice had time to spare from the Evans family''s home, Pearl


    Palms. However, she still had to request leave from Ronan.


    [Mr. Evans, my son wants me to visit him at school. Could I take a few days off? And with Callum now


    at Birchwood, I could watch over him. This could free you up for work, right?]


    [Come over. Tomorrow.] Ronan''s response was quick.

 Chapter 452

    Chapter 452


    The next day, Janice hopped on a bus to Birchwood, making her first stop at Ronan¡¯s grandfather''s


    house.


    Seeing Janice, Callum was overjoyed. "Dad, can we all live in Birchwood from now on?" He asked


    Ronan, who was lounging on the couch.


    "We''ll see," Ronan replied, eyeing Janice''s attire. She looked every bit the intellectual, which she was.


    Her crow''s feet crinkled withughter.


    "Mr. Evans, did Harold invite me here just to meet his girlfriend? He''s never been this proactive before,"


    Janice said excitedly, trembling slightly.


    "Did he invite you for dinner? You''d better hurry. It''s gettingte," Ronan said, ncing at his


    wristwatch.


    He had always known this day woulde, that there would be a rough patch between Cordelia and


    Harold. Although he was not thrilled, he managed to keep his cool.


    "Mm-hm," Janice finally gathered herself and left.


    Harold had chosen a down-to-earth diner just outside the campus. Being a student, the diner was


    within his budget.


    "Cordelia, my mom used to be an editor at a newspaper, but she retired and started helping out at Mr.


    Evans'' house. That would be Ronan, whom you''ve met," Harold exined to Cordelia as they waited


    for his mom to arrive.


    Cordelia sipped her water, nodding asionally, while she wondered what to expect.


    When Janice arrived, she stared at Cordelia, unable to recognize her. Seeing Harold''s goofy grin, she


    knew something was not right.


    "Janice, it''s been a while," Cordelia said, standing up to greet her.


    Since Cordelia and Ronan had divorced, Janice had always referred to her by her name. But now, she


    greeted her, "Mrs. Evans, is that you?"


    Harold was stunned. Mrs. Evans?


    "Yes, Janice, it''s been a long time. You''ve been taking care of Callum for the past three years, and he''s


    grown so well. I owe you my thanks," Cordelia said.


    To Harold, this was a bolt out of the blue. Wait... Callum was Cordelia''s son?


    "Actually, it''s not just me. Ronan has also been very attentive. He was so good to you, why did you just


    leave without a word for three years? Do you know how heartbroken he was? When a loved one leaves


    without a trace, it''s like the heavens and the earth won''t answer your cries," Janice said.


    "Love?" Cordelia repeated, lowering her head.


    She wanted to ask about Tabitha''s child, but she knew Janice would tell Ronan, so she didn''t.


    "Don''t you see it?"


    Cordelia remained silent, head down.


    Janice was torn. Clearly, Harold was infatuated with Cordelia, but they could never be together.


    Therefore, the subject of "Harold''s girlfriend" was carefully avoided.


    "Let''s forget about the past," Cordelia said as the waiter served the food. "I''m doing well now, teaching


    at Birchwood College and working at Empower Operations. Oh, and I''m tutoring your son in finance.


    He''s also interning at Empower Operations, so I can mentor him. He''s really promising."


    She then patted Harold''s shoulder, much like an elder would.


    "Is that so? I thought there was some issue, but it seems you already know each other. Take care of


    Harold for me," Janice said, ncing at Harold. Seeing his pained expression, she felt a pang of


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    sympathy.


    "Harold, this is not only your teacher but also Mr. Evans'' wife. If you have any problems in the future,


    you can ask Mr. Evans or Mrs. Evans, okay?"


    Harold didn''t say a word. He felt deaf and mute. He had never expected fate to y such a cruel joke


    on him.

 Chapter 453

    Chapter 453


    "Mrs. Evans, why don''t you mend things with Mr. Evans? You two are head over heels for each other.


    Give yourselves a break. Besides, Mr. Evans'' parents have moved back to Canada, no one''s going to


    bother you anymore, okay?" Janice pleaded with Cordelia, actually addressing Harold as well.


    Cordelia just gave a bitter smile. "That''s all in the past. Let''s focus on the future."


    "Oh, Cordelia, where are you nning to spend the Fourth of July?" Janice asked.


    Harold''s hand tensed. He was nning to invite Cordelia for a mountain hike on the holiday.


    "I haven''t decided yet."


    "Why don''t you visit Millstone?" Janice held Cordelia''s hand. "You''re from Millstone, Brooklyn got


    married, and you didn''t even know."


    Cordelia nodded. "Alright."


    Janice smiled. She was exhausted tonight, trying to help her son and mend things between Cordelia


    and Ronan, without raising any suspicions. After all, her son was her world. They spent two hours over


    dinner, but the dishes on the table remained untouched.


    At nine o''clock, they finished talking.


    "Let''s go, back to campus," Cordelia nudged Harold.


    Harold was up and running.


    Janice called after him, "Harold," but he didn''t hear her.


    "Janice, it''s okay," Cordelia said, "You should head home."


    Janice reluctantly left, ncing back three times on her way back to Ronan¡¯s grandfather''s house.


    Ronan was sitting on the couch reading, while Emerson was putting the kids to bed in the bedroom.


    "So, you met your son''s sweetheart?" Ronan asked Janice in a leisurely manner.


    "Pfft, he doesn''t have a sweetheart. But I did meet Cordelia. She''s my son''s ounting professor.


    She''ll be mentoring him in the future. No wonder you''ve been hanging around Birchwood instead of


    going back, Mr. Evans. Cordelia is here," Janice said, forcing a smile.


    "Hmm, that''s not it. I''m genuinely busy with work."


    "Mr. Evans, why don''t you give it a shot with Cordelia? There are no more barriers, right? Cordelia has


    her Ph.D. and doesn''t have to worry about studying abroad anymore. She even promised to go back to


    Millstone for the Fourth of July."


    Ronan looked up. "What''s she going back to Millstone for?"


    "I told her Brooklyn got married. She probably feels guilty for not being there for her friend and wants to


    make up for her absence."


    "I see."


    With little effort from Ronan, things between Cordelia and Harold ended.


    Emerson came out of the bedroom. "Cordelia is Harold''s crush?" He asked, a bit surprised yet certain.


    Emerson was a clever man; he had heard the gist of Janice''s conversation with Ronan. He guessed


    that Harold had feelings for Cordelia, given how Ronan had been actingtely.


    After Janice retired for the night, Emerson went to Ronan''s room.


    "Still mad? Cordelia handled this beautifully. Why are you upset? Shouldn''t you be proud that your ex-


    wife caught the eye of a handsome young man? I''ve noticed you''ve been sulkingtely. Enough


    already."


    "Shouldn''t I be mad?"


    "You should. But now that Cordelia has dealt with this, what''s there to be mad about? She went to


    Janice herself, didn''t she? If Harold is any bit sensible, he won''t pursue Cordelia anymore. She''s going


    back to Millstone for the Fourth of July. You going?"


    Ronany on his bed, his eyes half-closed. "No."


    But if she''s going back to Millstone, should she know about the Facebook posts? After all, he posted


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    them just to tease her. If she doesn''t know about it, then what was the point?

 Chapter 454

    Chapter 454


    Once Harold returned to Birchwood College, he found himself running across the backfield.


    The whole scene yed out like some sort ofedy. Cordelia knew about it, Ronan knew about it,


    and pretty much everyone else was in on the joke, except him. He remembered the scene as if it was


    yesterday. Before college started, Cordelia stood at the school gate in a sundress, and her skin was so


    smooth it reflected the sunlight. The image took his breath away.


    Cordelia, Cordelia¡­


    He fell for Cordelia at first sight. He finally found someone he liked, but she was the one person he


    shouldn¡¯t have fallen for.


    It wasn¡¯t that Cordelia was off-limits because she was married and had a child. The kicker was her ex-


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


    husband was Ronan. Harold had a good rtionship with Mr. Evans, Cordelia''s ex-husband, but the


    man hadn''t said a word about his wife''s past. Harold assumed Mr. Evans was waiting for his mom to


    handle the situation.


    While he was lost in these thoughts, Harold''s phone buzzed. It was a message from Janice. [Listen,


    kiddo, Cordelia belongs to Mr. Evans. Don''t meddle in their business. I understand their situation, and


    it''s best if she handles it. Forget about Cordelia. There are plenty of other fish in the sea. Do you really


    think you canpete with Mr. Evans?]


    Harold continued to run as he tossed his phone aside.


    He lost count of how manyps he ran. His body was drenched in sweat. Exhausted, he sat down to


    rest. Someone handed him a bottle of water.


    When Harold looked up, he saw Samantha standing there. Samantha had just finished filming ate-


    night scene and had noticed Harold running earlier.


    "Samantha," Harold said, looking up at Samantha.


    "Did you lose count after fiftyps?" Samantha sat down next to him.


    "I lost count. I just felt like I had all this energy I couldn''t get rid of," Harold responded, panting and


    sipping water. "You knew, didn''t you?"


    "Knew what?"


    "That Cordelia''s ex-husband was Ronan. You''re her cousin, right?"


    "Well, yes, I knew. But that was a long time ago. Who would bring up her ex-husband when someone is


    pursuing Cordelia?" Samantha said, defending herself.


    Harold didn''t reply.


    Samantha thought to herself, ¡°This is good. I¡¯m not the one who spilled the beans; Harold found out


    himself.¡± Now, she was curious to see how na was going to handle this.


    "Do you still n on pursuing her?" Samantha asked him.


    "It''s over. I won''t pursue her anymore. It would make her ufortable, and it would put my mom in a


    difficult position. I thought her rejection was just her ying hard to get. But that wasn''t it," Harold said,


    staring into the distance. He then gave a bitterugh. "I never stood a chance, did I? She already has a


    child."


    Harold''s words made Samantha see him in a new light. He chose not to pursue Cordelia to spare her


    embarrassment and to avoid putting his mother in a tough spot.


    Samantha and Harold sat there in silence. As long as he stopped pursuing Cordelia, it would create an


    opportunity for Samantha. As for how Cordelia could part ways with Ronan, that was up to na to


    figure it out. After all, it wasn''t her responsibility. It was Harold''s mother who had to step in. Moreover,


    Cordelia was the one who had sought out Harold''s mother.


    "Right, she''s your teacher, and she has a child. Her past is tied to Ronan. Half her heart already


    belongs to him. Even if you did win her over, you''d only get half a heart. It''s a shame, really. You''re a


    good guy," Samantha said, pretending to sympathize with him.


    Harold sat there, holding his bottle of water, gazing into the distance.

 Chapter 455

    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.]

 Chapter 456

    Chapter 456


    Cordelia returned to Millstone and went to Brooklyn¡¯s home. Brooklyn had a sour expression when she


    went to pick up Cordelia at the station. "Never thought you''d show up again. Heartless people like you


    aren''tmon. Guess your education really is the most important to you," Brooklyn grumbled.


    Cordelia knew she had let Brooklyn down over the years, but she didn''t argue.


    "I came to Millstone. Aren''t you going to treat me to a meal?" Cordelia asked, not bothering with


    formalities with an old friend.


    "Treat you? My housekeeper cooks delicious meals. Why waste money eating out? Let''s go home,"


    Brooklyn retorted.


    Cordelia followed Brooklyn home. Edwin was still at work and hadn''t returned yet.


    Brooklyn nced at her watch. "He should be home soon."


    After Edwin got married, he moved out of the family home. Thanks to the money he made from his


    video games, he bought a duplex. Now, their family of three was incredibly happy, and Brooklyn was


    expecting another child.


    Brooklyn instructed her son, Andi, to call Cordelia "Aunt Cordelia"


    "He''s grown so much?" Cordelia eximed, a pang of sadness hitting her as she thought of Callum, a


    boy she barely knew.


    "Yes, Cordelia. I may not have been the best student or the best worker, but I am the happiest. Edwin


    gives me his paycheck every month, and I manage all our finances," Brooklyn proudly stated.


    "Alright, no one can beat your happiness. Remember, I''m your child''s godmother," Cordelia said with a


    smug smile.


    In front of Brooklyn, Cordelia felt like her old self again.


    "Who''s going to be the godmother?" A voice came from the door.


    "Cordelia?" Edwin looked surprised. "You want to be the godmother? Do you know who the godfather


    is?"


    "Who?" Cordelia asked.


    She thought, ¡°It couldn''t be him, could it?¡± She never thought he would have the leisure to be someone


    else''s godfather!


    Brooklyn coughed at Edwin, and they both remained silent.


    The meal prepared by Brooklyn''s housekeeper was indeed delicious, and Cordelia enjoyed it


    immensely.


    "Look at your son, Cordelia. He''s a real handful," Edwin said, looking at his phone.


    "What?"


    Edwin showed Cordelia the screen, flipping through pictures. It was indeed Callum.


    "Where did you see this?" Cordelia asked.


    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    "Mr. Evans'' Facebook. He''s constantly showing off pictures of Callum."


    "I haven''t checked Facebook yet," Cordelia confessed, trying to cover her embarrassment.


    She didn''t want Brooklyn and Edwin to know that she wasn''t friends with Ronan on Facebook. That


    would be too embarrassing.


    Brooklyn noticed Cordelia''s difort and quickly changed the subject. "Cordelia, have you been in


    touch with your brother, Adrian?"


    "No, I haven''t. I came back to visit my mom''s grave, and I''ll probably see Adrian. We can''t be


    strangers," Cordelia replied, unsure of what Adrian had be.


    "Speaking of Adrian, never mind," Brooklyn stopped herself and continued eating.


    Brooklyn''s unfinished sentence made Cordelia feel uneasy and guilty. She guessed Adrian must''ve


    done something to upset Brooklyn.


    Actually, what Brooklyn wanted to say was that she had car trouble and took it to a nearby garage. A


    minor issue that could''ve been fixed for a few hundred dors ended up costing five thousand when


    Adrian got involved. After the car was fixed, Brooklyn had no choice but to ept the loss.


    Out of embarrassment, Cordelia sent Adrian a message. [Adrian, let''s visit Mom''s grave soon.]


    Cordelia wanted to see Adrian more than she wanted to visit their mother''s grave. Despite Adrian''s


    failures, she still cared for him as they had grown up together.

 Chapter 457

    Chapter 457


    It took Adrian a while to reply to Cordelia''s message on Messenger.


    [Hey, who''s this? My little sis? Which country are you back from?]


    [Are you free tomorrow?]


    [Sure, sure. If my little sister asks, how could I say no? Where should we meet?]


    [I''m currently staying at Brooklyn''s ce. Let''s meet at the corner near her house.]


    [What about the fancy condo Ronan got you?]


    [The condo is his. After the divorce, I was left with nothing.] Cordelia didn''t dare tell Adrian the truth.


    She only said she was penniless, not mentioning the assets Ronan had split with her.


    [Are you useless? Did you bear a child for him for nothing?]


    Adrian didn''t hold much hope for Cordelia after learning she was left with nothing. Apparently, he


    wouldn''t get anything out of her either.


    After messaging Adrian, Cordelia started scrolling through her old Facebook ount on her old phone.


    She found nothing on Ronan''s Facebook page. She wanted to check on Callum but realized she had


    been blocked by him.


    Three years ago, she had ignored his advice and went to the States, then to the UK, and never


    returned. He had every reason to block her.


    Cordelia mustered some courage and sent him a message. [Can you unblock me?]


    He didn''t reply. Fair enough, he was the CEO of Lumos Enterprises. Why would he let just anyone view


    his Facebook?


    Cordelia bravely sent him a friend request on Messenger from her new phone. In the verification info,


    she only wrote one word. [Cordelia.]


    Still, he didn''t reply.


    She really wanted to see Callum.


    Cordeliaid back, hand under her head, thinking that as long as she didn''t contact him and only


    viewed his Facebook, without any chat history, na wouldn''t know. During her three years in the UK,


    she didn''t contact Ronan, and nothing bad happened.


    Cordelia knew Ronan had a wide-ranging influence, but she also knew that na, being the person


    she was, wouldn''t dirty her hands directly. She would have someone else do her dirty work, ensuring


    nothing could be traced back to her. She was capable of anything. The incident with Callum going


    missing still haunted Cordelia.


    The next morning, Ronan still hadn''t epted her friend request. Disappointed, Cordelia packed her


    bags, picked up the Bumblebee toy car Brooklyn had bought for Callum, and said her goodbyes. At the


    street corner, Adrian picked her up.


    "Wow, Cordelia, you''ve be more beautiful over the past three years. Everyone else is getting old,


    so why are you still looking like you did three years ago?" Adrian, driving a Volkswagen, asked her with


    his scruffy beard.


    Adrian seemed to age particrly fast.


    When the car pulled up behind a hospital, Adrian suddenly cursed. "What''s wrong?" Cordelia frowned.


    "Such an ambitious woman, just want to get her hands on everything she wanted! That woman! She''s


    trash!" Adrian cursed, his teeth grinding in anger.


    "Who?" Cordelia looked outside but didn''t see anyone.


    "Tabitha! She''s trash! Damn it, she never gave me the time of day. Then she got pregnant with Ronan''s


    kid, and she thinks she''s all that. After all, she''s the mistress of the town''s wealthiest man. Everyone in


    Millstone knows that. How can Ipete with him? I lost everything back then, and I''m even worse off


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    now." Adrian said mockingly.


    Hearing the words "pregnant with Ronan''s kid," Cordelia''s heart tightened, and her fists clenched.


    Everyone said the same thing. Even Tabitha was afraid that Cordelia would see her child. So, how


    could it be false?


    "I bet she''s waiting for Ronan to marry her. Shameless woman, how dare shepare herself to my


    sister?" Adrian said.


    Perhapsparing that woman to his sister made Adrian realize that his sister was indeed better. Or


    maybe it was the fact that he hadn''t seen his sister in three years that made him feel a bit of familial


    affection.


    "Is the child really Ronan''s?"


    "Is there any doubt? For a while, I tried to see her, but she wouldn''t see me. Then she finally came out,


    with a baby in her arms. Do you think I would be happy to be a stepfather? I''ve given up on her." Adrian


    said, self-derisively.

 Chapter 458

    Chapter 458


    Standing before their mother''s grave, Adrian was casually puffing on a cigarette, just as he usually


    would. He''d just finished ranting about Tabitha, and even though the matter was already in the past, his


    temper red the more he spoke of it.


    Whipping out his phone, he shot off a message to Tabitha on Facebook Messenger. [Shameless slut!]


    Still not venting enough, he sent another message to Ronan. [You''re a bloody jerk, Ronan! You ditched


    my sister, a lovely woman, for a trashy one. And you even got her pregnant! No wonder my sister


    dumped you. Just get lost!]


    Adrian was a notorious flip-flopper, and his thoughts swayed with his mood and whims. Perhaps he


    was simply annoyed that he could find no benefit from Ronan, so he decided to hurl insults instead.


    After all, it wasn''t like he had to pay taxes for badmouthing people. He could say whatever he wanted.


    What surprised Cordelia, however, was the sight of a bouquet of flowers, somewhat wilted but clearly


    only a few days old, by their mother, Shelley''s grave.


    "Do you know who left these flowers?" Cordelia asked Adrian.


    "Who knows? Probably one of her old friends or something."


    Cordelia pondered. Their mother had been bedridden for six years, many of their old neighbors had


    moved away, and even those who were still in touch with them would hardlye to visit, let alone


    Samantha and her mother, who were busy filming in Birchwood. Could it be their Uncle Ronald? But he


    was in Millstone now.


    And it certainly couldn''t be Ronan. He was in Birchwood as well.


    There were a lot of the things Cordelia wanted to tell her mother, but she said them in her heart. She


    didn''t want Adrian to overhear. There were many hardships she didn''t want to share with her mother;Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    she just wanted her to know she was doing well.


    Seeing Shelley''s grave reminded Cordelia of the old days. Shelley''sughter and her cooking meals for


    Cordelia... All these memories made Cordelia¡¯s eyes well up with tears.


    Even though it was said that it was better to resolve grudges than to hold onto them, Shelley was still


    Cordelia''s kin after all. Remembering that Olen was the one who killed her mother, and Ronan''s


    nderous words about her mother at the police station, Cordelia couldn''t help but smile scornfully.


    Right after visiting her mother''s grave, Cordelia headed straight back to Birchwood. Because of the


    uing holiday, she needed to return to Empower Operations for an inspection. By the afternoon of


    the 3rd, she was on a coach back to Birchwood.


    Upon receiving Adrian''s message, Ronan was puzzled. He replied to Adrian, [Whose child?]


    [Are you ying dumb? Tabitha''s child.]


    Ronan frowned deeply. Janice had mentioned something about this earlier, but he had thought she was


    just making things up. Over the years, Tabitha had asionally visited Ronan''s house.


    She didn''t talk much during her visits and always came up with the flimsiest excuses to appear


    vulnerable. Ronan found her annoying as he thought she was imitating Cordelia, whom he was mad at


    during that time.


    Of course, he still held a grudge against Cordelia now.


    How could he have gotten Tabitha pregnant? And where was this child? Or was the child just shown to


    Cordelia to provoke her?


    Ronan paced around his room, then sent another message to Adrian, [Did you meet Cordelia?]


    [Duh. We came to visit our mom''s grave.]


    Adrian must have mentioned the matter to Cordelia today, which meant...


    Tabitha! Now, Ronan had reached the peak of his disdain for her. From the very beginning, when she


    met him, she had been calcting and maniptive. He despised people who appeared weak but


    were full of schemes and plots.


    He paced around his room again, then sent a message to Deanna, [Can you deliver something to


    Tabitha for me? I can''t leave Birchwood. If my assistant goes, it''ll attract too much attention. I''ll have


    him deliver the items to you first.]


    Upon receiving the message, Deanna was livid! During the three years Cordelia was away, rumors


    about Ronan and Tabitha were rampant throughout Millstone. It seemed like Deanna hadn''t hit Tabitha


    hard enough thest time.


    That woman deserved to die!


    [Sure, Ronan,] Deanna replied.


    She was interested in seeing what Ronan was going to send Tabitha.


    Deanna¡¯s time in the limelight as an actress was over, and now she was a social media influencer.


    Back in the day, she couldn''t catch Ronan''s attention even when she was a big star. Now, she had to


    be even more humble if she wanted to approach Ronan. After all, it wasmon to see wealthy men


    paired with stars, but pairing with an influencer would certainly lessen their status.


    Upon hearing that Ronan asked her to deliver something to Tabitha, Deanna was ready to explode.


    After sending Deanna the message, Ronan went to take a shower. The doorbell rang, but he didn''t


    hear it.


    It was Cordelia. She had just returned to Birchwood not long ago. She wasn''t sure if Ronan had left for


    Millstone during the holiday, but she decided to try her luck anyway.

 Chapter 459

    Chapter 459


    A child''s voice answered the knock on the door.


    "Who''s there?" He asked.


    "It''s me, I brought you something," Cordelia replied, wondering why only Callum was at home.


    "Hold on."


    Concerned about Callum, Cordelia nervously waited outside the door.


    Callum scurried to the bathroom door and knocked. "Dad, big sister''s here. Are you done yet?"


    Ronan, in the midst of showering, froze. ¡°She''s here?¡±


    "Just a moment, I''ll be right there."


    "Dad, you gotta turn on the charm," Callum said.


    After exiting the bathroom, Ronan told Callum, "Go to bed."


    Callum made an OK sign with his hand. "I know you''re trying to woo her. You have to do it before


    Harold does. I believe in you! Go for it!"


    "Cheeky boy."


    In no time, Ronan was at the door, opening it for Cordelia.


    Standing before Cordelia was a dashing figure, d only in a towel around his waist, looking incredibly


    handsome and enticing.


    "Come in," Ronan said, towel-drying his hair.


    "Where''s Callum? He answered the door just now," Cordelia looked around for Callum. She was


    disappointed when she couldn''t find him.


    "He''s asleep. I was showering and didn''t hear the door."


    Cordelia ced the toy car she brought for Callum on the table, not daring to look directly at Ronan.


    "This is from Brooklyn for Callum. I just brought it over."


    "Why deliver it at night?" Ronan asked casually.


    And she chose toe when he was showering? Did she n to do something tonight?


    "Just got back, afraid I''ll forget tomorrow, so I brought it over for Callum," Cordelia replied.


    In fact, she was afraid of attracting attention during the day.


    "Don''t you have any questions for me?" He asked, lounging on the couch. His legs were spread,


    revealing a view that was not suitable for children.


    "What questions?" Cordelia really didn''t know what to ask Ronan.


    Ronan was thinking that Cordelia would question him about Tabitha.


    Ronan paused in drying his hair. "No questions, really? Did you manage to exin to him?"


    "Who?"


    "Your admirer."


    "Yes, I sought out Janice. Harold understands everything now."


    Suddenly, Ronan lifted his gaze to meet Cordelia''s. "Aren''t you regretful that your perfect match was


    ruined?"


    "I didn''t think of it that way! I never thought I''d have such a scandal upon my arrival," Cordelia replied


    sternly. Her serious demeanor was indeed more charismatic than it was three years ago.


    "A young, handsome basketball yer with great bedroom skills. Don''t you like that?" He asked,


    teasing Cordelia.


    Cordelia turned away. "I''m not as bored and sexually frustrated as you!"


    In fact, she was also implying the incident of him getting Tabitha pregnant.


    "I don''t have anyone to vent on," he said.


    As she spoke, her chest rose and fell. Ronan''s thoughts wavered momentarily, unable to resist. To


    cover up, he stood and suddenly lifted Cordelia''s chin. "You hate me, don''t you?" he asked, squinting at


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


    Cordelia.


    "There''s more than one reason for me to hate you!" Cordelia thought of the grave she had just visited.


    In fact, since her mother''s death, their rtionship had never been the same.


    Ronan guessed that she probably knew about Tabitha''s pregnancy and that Tabitha''s rumor was aimed


    at Cordelia, which was why Cordelia had been away for three years. He didn''t want to bring it up now.


    There would be someone to handle it for him.


    Ronan''s Messenger kept beeping, he guessed it could be his assistant or Deanna, but he ignored them


    all.

 Chapter 460

    Chapter 460


    "Why haven''t you epted my friend request on Facebook?" Cordelia asked, her voice shaky.


    "Why would you want to add me on Facebook if you hate me so much?"


    "I..." Cordelia stuttered. Ronan''s directness left her speechless.


    "Are you trying to see Callum?" Ronan guessed, recalling Cordelia¡¯s recent visit to Millstone, where she


    met Brooklyn, who might have mentioned Facebook and prompted Cordelia to add him.


    Finally, he was getting under her skin!


    "Will you ept my request or not?" Cordelia asked again, trying to keep her voice steady.


    Ronan released Cordelia, his tone lightening. "Give it up. I won''t."


    Cordelia was so frustrated. As she was about to leave, he called out to her, "Wait!"


    "What?"


    "Heard you''ve be Andi''s godmother? Do you know who the godfather is?" Ronan asked, his gaze


    fixed on her.


    "I didn''t ask. Probably you," she replied, avoiding his gaze.


    "Knowing it''s me, you still insist on being the child''s godmother. What''s your intention?" Ronan''s eyes


    bore into Cordelia.


    "I..." Again, Cordelia found herself at a loss for words.


    She wanted to say she wasn''t overstepping her boundaries, but she couldn''t say a word. Anyone would


    overthink this situation and wonder if Cordelia had returned from Ennd just to get back into Ronan¡¯s


    arms.


    "I''m leaving," she mumbled, her voice barely audible.


    Ronan didn''t stop her; he had other things to deal with.


    After Cordelia left, Ronan picked up his phone. His assistant had messaged him. [Mr. Evans, Deanna


    said she needed to pick up something. What could it be?]


    [Find out if Tabitha has a child. Buy some clothes and form for the baby. Make sure they''re all top


    quality and plenty.]


    [Okay,] the assistant replied.


    Ronan fiddled with his phone, sitting on the couch.


    Callum emerged from his bedroom.


    "Why aren''t you asleep?" Ronan asked.


    "Dad, you''re quite the flirt, aren''t you? When it was just Uncle Emerson and me at home, you''d get


    dressed after your bath. But now that she is here, you strut out in just a towel? She must be smitten,"


    Callum teased with a twinkle in his eyes.


    "She knocked. I didn''t have time to change," Ronan replied, ruffling his son''s hair.


    "Keep making excuses, Dad," Callum smirked, giving his dad''s abs a yful poke.


    ...


    Without being added to Ronan¡¯s Facebook, Cordelia left in defeat.


    The fact that Ronan hadn''t epted her friend request made her feel defeated.


    However, after a few days, Peter created a group and added all the relevant people from their


    coboration, including ten employees from Empower Operations and five from Lumos Enterprises.


    Ronan, Emerson, Mna, Wyatt, and the director of operations, Talia.


    On thest day of the National Day holiday, Peter posted in the group. [We''ve signed the agreement for


    thend in the southern suburbs. Let''s go take a look tomorrow and get the paperwork started after the


    holiday.]


    Several people responded with thumbs up emojis.


    Emerson replied, [I won''t be going; I''m back in Millstone, and there''s a lot of work to do here.]


    [The Audit Department has a big meeting tomorrow. Mna and I can''t make it either,] Wyatt added.


    In reality, the coboration with Empower Operations was just one part of Lumos Enterprises'' business


    and didn''t draw much attention within thepany. Often, other things would take precedence.


    Everyone assumed that with Ronan in Birchwood, he was more than capable of handling things alone.


    Ronan didn''t respond until Peter tagged him. [@Mr. Evans? Are you going to the site visit?]


    [Yes,] Ronan finally replied.


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


    [So it''s just you and Talia going tomorrow.]


    [Right.]


    Cordelia checked the weather forecast for the next day and noticed that it would rain. She always


    checked the weather to n her outfit for the next day.


    She chose a pair of thick denim jeans and a white shirt and packed a brown wool cardigan in her bag.


    While choosing her outfit, she remembered that Ronan never carried an umbre. Out of decency, she


    should remind him, she thought.


    She shared the weather forecast with the group and reminded everyone. [It''s going to rain tomorrow.


    Don''t forget to bring an umbre.]


    After sending the message, she felt like she was overstepping her boundaries, but it was toote to


    take it back now.

 Chapter 461

    Chapter 461


    The next morning at ten, the group headed out to the southern suburbs. Cordelia, who didn''t own a car,


    nor knew how to drive, took a taxi there.


    When she left, the skies were clear, but by the time she arrived, a soft, drizzling rain had begun to fall.


    Standing out in the wide, open fields of the suburbs, people had to squint their eyes against the


    wetness. And there, she saw Harold standing next to Peter, jotting down everything he said with an


    expression of intense concentration. When he saw Cordelia, he only nced at her for a second.


    What happened between her and Harold had fizzled out, much like the firecrackers she had lit at Pearl


    Palms years ago.


    Cordelia held up an umbre, with hands stuffed in her jeans pockets, followed the group¡¯s pace, and


    listened to Peter¡¯s exnation.


    There was a woman in her forties, presumably Talia, who didn¡¯t recognize Cordelia and whom Cordelia


    had never met before. Out of the entire group, she seemed out of ce, probably because she was the


    only representative from Lumos Enterprises.


    ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate the southern suburbs. It has a promising future. Once our residential area is built,


    all kinds of facilities will follow, and property prices will increase. Acquiring this piece ofnd was no


    easy feat¡­¡±


    As Cordelia stood under her umbre, listening to Peter¡¯s speech, a figure emerged in the distance. It


    was Ronan.


    Against the vastness of the sky and the open fields, he made his way towards them, step by step.


    Cordelia¡¯s thoughts went back to that snowy Christmas when he had trudged through the snow to see


    her. Something inside her fluttered. She had always thought that at her age, she was past the ¡°young


    love¡± stage, but seeing him made her heart flutter like a teenager''s.


    Time changed a lot, but some things never changed.


    ¡°Mr. Evans is here,¡± Talia announced. ¡°Shall we wait for him before we continue?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Cordelia looked down at her feet, absentmindedly squishing the mud beneath her. She seemed slightly


    bored.


    Once Ronan arrived, Cordelia took in his attire. He wore a waterproof brown jacket with droplets of rain


    simply rolling off it ¨C clearly a high-quality fabric.


    He was without an umbre.


    As Cordelia found herself unconsciously staring at his clothing, Ronan shot her a nce. Cordelia


    quickly looked away.


    ¡°Mr. Evans, you didn''t bring an umbre? I have an extra one here,¡± Talia offered.


    ¡°No need,¡± Ronan replied. ¡°Let¡¯s continue, this is a big piece ofnd."


    ¡°Indeed, we n on building thergest residential area in Birchwood,plete with shopping centers


    and hospitals. We haven¡¯t decided on a name for themunity yet. Perhaps Mr. Evans has a


    suggestion?¡± Peter asked.


    The twopany heads led the way while the rest of the group trailed behind them.


    ¡°A name?¡± Ronan pondered. ¡°How about Edith?¡± He turned to look at Peter, who paused to consider


    his suggestion.


    From the corner of his eye, Ronan could see Cordelia. She froze in her tracks, her hand clenched into


    a tight fist, and her face turned pale.


    Edith¡­


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    He was actually suggesting naming thismunity ¡°Edith.¡± If epted, Edith Hills would be thergest


    Edith was the name of their stillborn daughter. She was the daughter Cordelia had always longed for.


    Every time she thought about her, Cordelia felt a sharp pain in her heart.


    ¡°Mr. Evans, that¡¯s a good name. Did you think of it beforehand?¡± Peter asked with a chuckle.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a few years," Ronan replied.


    Ever since Ronan''s mention of ¡°Edith,¡± Cordelia had been slightly distracted, instinctively following


    along behind the group.


    Ronan¡¯s phone rang.


    ¡°Excuse me, I need to take this call,¡± he told Peter.


    ¡°Go ahead, Mr. Evans.¡±


    Ronan stepped aside to answer the call from his assistant.


    ¡°Mr. Evans, there¡¯s been a problem,¡± the assistant said urgently.

 Chapter 462

    Chapter 462


    "Go ahead," Ronan said.


    Just moments ago, Ronan hadn''t been holding an umbre. The light drizzle had been falling onto the


    tips of his hair, giving him a sort of poignant aura that made Cordelia feel a chill run down her spine.


    She had kept wanting to hold the umbre over his head.


    Ronan suddenly realized he couldn''t feel the rain on his head anymore. He thought the rain had


    stopped, so he looked up and found an umbre over his head.


    A wave of emotions surged within him, thinking it was Cordelia, but when he turned around, it was


    actually Harold.


    As Ronan turned, his gaze flicked towards Cordelia. She was following Peter, as obedient as a


    schoolgirl. So, he was overthinking.


    On the other end of the phone, he was given a thorough report of the situation.


    "Mr. Evans, you''ll catch a cold if you stay in the rain," Harold said after hanging up the phone.


    "Thanks," Ronan said before quickly rejoining the crowd.


    Shortly after, Harold followed him. He had noticed Cordelia''s constant nces towards Ronan, who


    was without an umbre. She probably felt ufortable seeing him soaked, wanting to hold the


    umbre for him, but too worried about appearances to do so. So, he had gone instead.


    Soon after, Ronan returned to the crowd and said to Peter, "Something''se up in Millstone, I need


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    to head back there. Let''s call it a day for the inspection."


    "Is it serious?" Peter asked with concern.


    "Oh, it''s nothing. I''ve already finished inspecting Edith Hills, let''s start the project. Talia will be in charge


    here," Ronan said before turning to leave, disappearing into the crowd without a backward nce.


    Cordelia watched his retreating figure, wondering, ¡°What happened in Millstone? What could have


    made Ronan rush back there so urgently?¡±


    Ronan returned to his grandfather''s house, called for Callum, and headed to Millstone.


    About two hours prior, an incident had urred in Millstone. Deanna was carrying the things Ronan''s


    assistant had bought, intending to deliver them to Tabitha.


    Deanna knew which hospital Tabitha was in as she had caused a scene there before. As for where


    Tabitha lived, she just had to ask around.


    Armed with baby clothes and nutritional supplies, Deanna was already angry enough. On the way


    there, her fists clenched tight. It wouldn''t take much more to send her temper into overdrive.


    Arriving at Tabitha''s house, she indeed found a toddler. Deanna had heard rumors that Tabitha might


    have had a child. But she had never believed it.


    Tabitha was surprised to see Deanna and asked her what was going on.


    Deanna threw the items on the ground. "Gifts from Ronan."


    Tabitha nced at the items ¡ª children''s clothes and various health supplements. "He sent me gifts?"


    Tabitha asked with surprise.


    "How did you end up in Ronan''s bed?" Deanna stood there, her chest heaving with every breath, her


    body rigid with anger.


    Tabitha protectively cradled her child. "Mr. Evans is very gentle."


    That statement was thest straw for Deanna. She picked up ab lying nearby and threw it at


    Tabitha. For years, Deanna had never been able to get close to Ronan, but this woman had given birth


    to his child.


    How could Deanna not be furious?


    Tabitha managed to dodge theb, but it hit the face of the child. Blood immediately flowed from the


    wound, and the child burst into tears.


    "Buddy, are you okay?" Tabitha said, frantic.


    Seeing Tabitha protect her child only fueled Deanna''s rage. She wanted to kill Tabitha.

 Chapter 463

    Chapter 463


    Why the hell? Why the hell was Tabitha, a mere nurse, carrying Ronan''s child?


    Tabitha didn''t bother with Deanna for the moment. She was a nurse, after all, and there was a first aid


    kit at home, filled with scissors, bandages, antiseptics, and all sorts of emergency medicines.


    Just as Tabitha was about to reach for the first aid kit, Deanna rushed towards her.


    "Don''t you dare bandage the kid!"


    "Get lost!" Tabitha was also agitated. Tabitha was usually soft-spoken, but she had a strong-willed


    personality. Once provoked, she wouldn''t hesitate to retaliate.


    Who in the world had ever dared to tell Deanna to "get lost?" She clenched the bandages in her hand,


    refusing to let Tabitha touch them.


    Their squabble made the child cry even louder.


    "Buddy, don''t cry. Mommy''s here," Tabithaforted the child.


    "You slut, you are a disgusting woman. You must''ve seduced Ronan into bed with you. I''ll kill you,"


    Deanna said, her eyes red with fury.


    For the past few years, she had been out of luck. Her acting career was going nowhere; she was barely


    making a living by selling beauty products, and she had been waiting for Ronan and Cordelia to divorce


    so she could move up in the world. But now, Tabitha had stolen her thunder by getting pregnant with


    Ronan''s child. She felt both ipetent and outsmarted.


    In her rage, Deanna grabbed the scissors from the first aid kit and lunged at Tabitha, stabbing her


    palm. But Tabitha, driven to desperation, snatched the scissors from Deanna and stabbed her in the


    chest.


    It wasn''t until Deanna copsed in a pool of blood that Tabitha realized what she had done. The blood


    seeped into the downstairs apartment, attracting the neighbors'' attention.


    Tabitha slumped onto the floor, muttering, "I killed her, I killed her."


    The child was also stained with blood, crying loudly.


    Deanna remained unconscious, but her heart was still beating. By the time Ronan received the phone


    call, she was still in critical condition.


    Meanwhile, Tabitha was taken into custody, with no one to look after the child. The rumors were that


    the child was Ronan''s, so the police asked him to return to Millstone.


    And all of this was just because Ronan had asked Deanna to deliver some clothes and supplements.


    Ronan drove calmly, with Callum already asleep in the back seat. He was perfectly calm. Whether


    Tabitha killed Deanna or Deanna killed Tabitha, he could ept either oue. Either way, it was


    killing two birds with one stone.


    Deanna had pretended to be his life-saving benefactor, kept him in the dark for years, and tried to kill


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


    his grandfather. Ronan had wanted to kill her then. Later, Le lied about Deanna being pregnant,


    causing Cordelia to give birth prematurely. There was no evidence of these crimes, but she certainly


    deserved to die!


    Tabitha was likely to spend the rest of her life in prison. In any case, he had gotten rid of two major


    problems. As for himself, he knew very well that he wouldn''t be affected at all. Everything was just a


    quarrel between two jealous women, a spontaneous act of murder, and it had nothing to do with him.


    But Tabitha, well, she was somewhat innocent.


    ......


    "Mr. Evans, what should we do? My daughter is in aa in the hospital, how much will that cost?"


    Le cried at Pearl Palms. "My daughter''s life is so hard."


    "Don''t you have several properties?" Ronan sat on the couch, one leg resting on the other, speaking


    calmly.


    Le had a short memory. She had already forgotten how she had lied about Deanna carrying Ronan''s


    child. Now, she was begging Ronan for help again.


    Le hesitated, "But I''m afraid that even if I sell the houses, it won''t be enough."


    "Well, there''s nothing I can do about that. You should sell the houses first, and if that''s not enough, then


    Le was lost for words.


    Ronan had already pointed out that Deanna had wronged him. The news of Deanna''s severe injury


    was a huge blow to Le. Now she had to sell her houses to save her daughter, so how could she


    maintain her "wealthy olddy" fa?ade?


    If Ronan still didn''t know the truth about the cornea transnt, he would have readily helped. But now,


    there was no reason for him to do so.


    Le left.

 Chapter 464

    Chapter 464


    Ronan made his way to the local jail, as he had requested a visit with Tabitha.


    Tabitha was garbed in a striped prison jumpsuit, her face void of makeup. She looked frail and pale.


    A girl in the bloom of her youth, she seemed strikingly out of ce in this grim environment.


    "Whose child is it?" Ronan asked.


    The police had asked the same question during their interrogation. Tabitha had imed the child was


    hers, the result of an illicit affair, but she adamantly refused to reveal the identity of the child''s father.


    Deanna had been instructed to deliver something to Ronan, and an argument had ensued. Things had


    escted, and Deanna ended up seriously injured.


    The police suspected that the child was Ronan''s, which was why they had called him back from


    Birchwood and even conducted a paternity test, but the results were negative.


    Ronan exined that he had offered to help because he knew how hard it was for Tabitha to raise a


    child on her own. Tabitha had once visited his house, so they were somewhat acquainted.


    "Yours," Tabitha replied, her tone t and unchanging.


    Ronan snorted coldly, "Are you still not going to tell the truth? You know Deanna is still unconscious,


    right?"


    The mention of Deanna caused a flicker of emotion on Tabitha''s face. Her lips quivered, but she said


    nothing.


    "She might die, and if she does, you''ll be charged with murder. You might never get out. Your kid might


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    end up in an orphanage, bullied and beaten. With a mother like you, he might end up a criminal too. If


    you talk, I might be able to help."


    Tabitha''s face betrayed a hint of emotion, and she realized something. If Deanna survived, she would


    surely make Buddy''s life miserable. "Will you take care of Buddy?" she asked.


    Ronanughed, "Think before you speak."


    "The only condition: you take care of Buddy. If you don''t, he''ll be exploited by bad people."


    "Bad people? Who are you referring to?"


    A stubborn glint shone in Tabitha''s eyes. She had already loathed herself formitting murder for


    money on na''s behalf. Now that she hadmitted murder, she felt like she was falling further


    down the path of wrongdoing.


    "No one in particr. Or you could find a nice family and send Buddy away for me."


    "We''ll see."


    "Who are you nning to approach?"


    "That''s none of your business."


    Tabitha seemed determined not to tell Ronan anything, but she also knew that she could likely spend


    the rest of her life in prison, losing control over Buddy. If Ronan was sincere, finding a good family for


    Buddy would be the next best option, far better than sending him to an orphanage.


    After some thought, Tabitha admitted, "The child is my brother David''s. His girlfriend got pregnant when


    he was diagnosed with kidney disease. She wanted to abort, but I gave her some money and asked


    her to keep the baby. This child is the only heir to our family."


    "Where did you get the money?"


    "Are you going to meddle in that too, Mr. Evans? I saved the money."


    Ronan stood up to leave.


    "Mr. Evans, will you keep your word?"


    "I''ll let you know when I find a decent family."


    "Can''t you just take care of him?"


    "What are you dreaming about?" Ronan had enough troubles as it was.


    With that, Ronan left. He had agreed to help find a family for Tabitha''s child because he believed her


    punishment was too severe for her crime. She hadn''t done anything terribly wrong. At least now he


    knew who the child''s father was. And it definitely wasn''t him.

 Chapter 465

    Chapter 465


    In the dead of the night, someone had disconnected Deanna''s oxygen tank.


    The following day, when Le arrived at the hospital room, she noticed no breath fogging up Deanna''s


    oxygen mask. A sense of dread washed over her. Touching Deanna''s body, she found it cold, and the


    nurse was nowhere to be found.


    The doctor had assured her that Deanna''s condition was stable for now. How could this happen? Could


    it be Ronan?


    Le slumped onto the floor, her eyes zed over. Then, she broke down in loud sobs. "My poor girl,


    why did you leave your mother all alone? Oh Deanna, what did Ronan do..."


    It was still early, and the nurses hadn''t started their rounds yet. Hearing the wails from Deanna''s room,


    they rushed in, along with some patients from the nearby rooms.


    The nurses quickly checked Deanna and began the necessary procedures. They apologized to Le,


    who remained unmoved, insisting on lodging aint against the hospital.


    Le''s cries grew louder. "Deanna, my Deanna, you only had eyes for Ronan, but he''s aplete jerk.


    He didn''t evene to visit you, and to avoid paying medical bills, he even unplugged your oxygen. I''m


    calling the police."


    Someone handed Le a cellphone and she dialed 911.


    After a detailed investigation, the police concluded that Deanna was murdered. Their suspicions were


    confirmed by the CCTV footage showing a man entering Deanna''s room the previous night.


    "What?" Le was so scared that she was trembling. She hadn''t actually expected Deanna to be


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    murdered. She was just trying to tarnish Ronan''s reputation for not paying up. But now, faced with the


    reality of murder, she was too scared to confront Ronan.


    The policeunched an investigation into Deanna''s case. Ronan had a solid alibi. The police turned


    their attention to other potential suspects.


    Ronan thought: If he knew Deanna would die so soon, he wouldn''t have promised Tabitha to find a new


    home for the child. Of course, his main motive was to find out who the child''s father was, so he could


    exin things to Cordelia.


    ...


    Meanwhile, na announced that she was about to start filming a new show, "The Queen." Unlike


    most romantic dramas, this show had a solid script that na had personally reviewed and added her


    touches to. The lead character, a woman who remained unmarried and built her empire, was far from


    the cliched romantic lead.


    Suddenly, every A-list actress was vying for the lead role. Samantha was no exception. However, na


    told her that if she wanted the role, she had to break up Cordelia and Ronan. Otherwise, she could


    forget about ying the ''Queen''.


    Samantha was in a dilemma. She had feelings for Harold and was reluctant to use him to sabotage


    Cordelia and Ronan''s rtionship. But what else could she do?


    "Damn it, all this drama and even if I break them up, there''s no guarantee I''ll get the role," Samantha


    cursed.


    At that moment, she was still at the Birchwood hotel. The show she was filming was about to wrap up.


    "Calm down, I''ll talk to your father," Sienna suggested.


    "My father?"


    "Yes. Let him talk to Cordelia about her sister. I don''t believe Cordelia is that heartless." Sienna was


    desperate for her daughter to get the lead role and was willing to do anything. So, she dialed Ronald''s


    number.

 Chapter 466

    Chapter 466


    Birchwood.


    A significant event had recently urred at the local school.


    Acimed actress na had donated a building to the school.


    Knowing that na came to Birchwood, Cordelia felt uneasy. She hadn''t expected na''s influence to


    spread so quickly.


    na''s father was a British nobleman, a tidbit Cordelia had discovered in her research. She had


    looked into na''s background, in books and online, but information about such a historic family was


    scarce and shrouded in mystery. Most of the online articles were unreliable hearsay.


    While she had been in Ennd, she''d heard rumors about her father, "August," retiring from the film


    industry. She had even tried to attend the event, but it was an exclusive affair, attended only by major


    media outlets.


    Throughout it all, Cordelia was trying to unravel one mystery: why was na constantly targeting her?


    Cordelia knew that na was to be avoided. Otherwise, she wouldn''t have abandoned her child for


    three years, even refusing to let the child call her mother despite being within her sight.


    On the day of the donation, na was waiting outside Cordelia''s home. When Cordelia saw her, a chill


    ran down her spine. Cordelia couldn¡¯t even keep where she worked and lived a secret from na.


    "Well, Ms. Haselwood, aren''t you going to invite me in?" na said.


    Cordelia opened the door.


    Once inside, na looked around like a typical guest. "Not bad, Ms. Haselwood. Quite cozy for a


    single person," shemented.


    "Please, sit," Cordelia said, not wanting to be too hospitable, yet her manners dictated otherwise.


    "Do you know that Deanna is dead, killed by Tabitha? Do you know who''s behind it all?" na asked.


    "I don''t know, nor do I care about the affairs of the Millstones." Cordelia said, her face as cold as ice.


    She knew Deanna had been killed by Tabitha, and she had a hunch it was rted to Ronan, but she


    couldn''t figure out what had happened behind the scenes.


    na sensed the curiosity hidden behind Cordelia''s purported indifference. And who was Cordelia


    curious about? Ronan, of course. It was clear that Cordelia was in love with him.


    Since Cordelia loved him, na was determined to separate them. She wanted Cordelia to taste the


    bitterness of lost love.


    "At first, Ronan had Deanna deliver some children''s clothes and food to Tabitha. He knew Deanna''s


    character and used it to his advantage. You could say the tragedy between Deanna and Tabitha was


    deliberately orchestrated by him. Deanna got wind of Ronan''s affair with Tabitha and naturally assumed


    Tabitha''s child was his. Deanna, being so impulsive, confronted Tabitha. An argument ensued, and in


    the heat of the moment, Tabitha stabbed Deanna to protect her child.


    ¡°After being taken to the hospital, Deanna wasn''t immediately in danger of dying. Her mother, Le,


    went to Ronan for help with the medical bills. Ronan told her to sell her house first and he would cover


    the rest if necessary. That night, Deanna¡¯s oxygen mask was removed. Le suspected that Ronan


    was behind it but was too afraid to confront him. If he could kill a person just to avoid paying medical


    bills, what wouldn''t he do?¡±


    "Did the police find out if it was Ronan who killed her?" Cordelia asked, her skin crawling. She didn''t


    believe Ronan would do something as tant as removing Deanna¡¯s oxygen mask. He was too


    cunning to leave such evidence. However, the idea that he would intentionally pit two women against


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    each other was very much in line with his character.


    ¡°Investigations are ongoing, but it¡¯s only a matter of time," na replied.

 Chapter 467

    Chapter 467


    Cordelia thought to herself, ¡°na really has her fingers on the pulse of things. It''s as if she''s been


    there.¡±


    ¡°Who is the father of Tabitha¡¯s child?¡± Cordelia asked again.


    ¡°Tabitha¡¯s child is her brother¡¯s. He had kidney disease and is now deceased. Jayson is the only heir in


    her family, so naturally Tabitha had to protect him.¡± na spoke candidly.


    Ronan already knew the truth about this matter. Given time, Cordelia would also know. There was no


    use in deceiving her. Moreover, if na lied about this, Cordelia would start to doubt her words and


    wouldn¡¯t believe what she had said before.


    To make Cordelia believe that Ronan was ruthless and always on the brink of criminality, na spoke


    the truth this time.


    Cordelia clenched her fists, suddenly feeling very frightened. What kind of man was her ex-husband,


    considering what happened with her mother, Deanna, and Tabitha?


    ¡°Ms. Haselwood, when beauty fades, love races away. Think about how he will treat you one day when


    you''re old and he has a new me. After all, even eighty-year-old men fancy twenty-something women.


    Think about your mother,¡± na said.


    Cordelia remained silent. She hadn¡¯t thought about these things.


    ¡°Ms. Haselwood, aren¡¯t you curious about how I know everything?¡±


    na was indeed scarier than Cordelia had imagined. ¡°But why are you targeting me?¡± Cordelia finally


    asked what she had been pondering.


    ¡°Your biological mother, Allison, was my¡­¡±


    ¡°Stop,¡± Cordelia waved her off, ¡°You think I¡¯d believe that? My mother, the way she is?¡± Allison had not


    called Cordelia once in the past three years, and offered no words of concern.


    ¡°Whether you believe it or not, it''s the truth. So,¡± na stood up, pinched Cordelia''s chin, and


    scrutinized her, ¡°you really do look just like her.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡± asked Cordelia.


    ¡°Allison, don¡¯t you see it?¡± na said, ¡°She stole my man back then, and now, it''s your turn. Watch


    your steps, or you might find your son Callum in a river one day. Look¡ª¡±


    She pulled out her phone and showed Cordelia photos of Callum. He was ying in the sand, having a


    water gun fight with his friends, eating... A shiver ran down Cordelia¡¯s spine.


    ¡°And, once you''re with Ronan, your secret affair won¡¯t remain a secret. Cordelia, you''ll be alone for the


    rest of your life.¡± na showed her more photos. Cordelia''s brows furrowed. She was horrified not by


    the threat of na showing these photos to Ronan, but by the means through which na had


    obtained them.


    ¡°Cordelia, did you think your three years in Ennd were simply stagnant? No, your life was colorful


    because of a man named Eason. The two of you¡­¡± na swiped through the photos. In the photos,


    Cordelia was lying on the treatment bed, Eason in a white coat sitting next to her, watching her fall


    asleep. Eason gave Cordelia a teddy bear, which she adored. He found books she couldn¡¯t get hold of,


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    and she was over the moon. Cordelia was crying in Eason¡¯s arms.


    These were mostly taken in Eason''s clinic, where outsiders had no ess. Yet, na had found out.


    ¡°Ms. Haselwood, you really are a charmingdy, attracting gentlemen left and right. You have quite a


    line-up. Well, I''ll be going now.¡± With that, na left. Her movements were graceful and elegant,


    belying her malicious intentions.


    Just as the room fell into a chilling silence, Cordelia¡¯s phone rang. Suddenly feeling reckless, Cordelia


    thought: Since na already knew everything she had done, why not just throw caution to the wind?


    She decided to openly acknowledge Callum, act as she wished, and stop tiptoeing around.


    She was all in.

 Chapter 468

    Chapter 468


    After catching her breath, Cordelia nced at her phone. It was a message from Petra: [Cordelia, got a


    moment? I need to talk to you about something.]


    [Sure, I''m home.]


    [I''ll be there in 15 minutes.]


    [Okay.]


    Cordelia tidied up her ce a bit before Petra arrived.


    "Cordelia, have you hadpany?" Petra asked, sniffing the air.


    "No, why?" Cordelia was a bit flustered, wondering if she''d given anything away.


    "There''s a smell of perfume. You don''t usually wear perfume."


    "Well, it was a sample I got at the mall. I just sprayed it around the room," Cordelia exined, thinking


    about na in her room, whom she hadn''t noticed any scent from.


    Luckily, Petra didn''t dwell on it. She said to Cordelia, "Could you ask Ronan if I could take care of that


    matter?"


    "What?" Cordelia was confused.


    "I mean the custody issue. I''m divorced and I don''t n on remarrying, but I do wish I had a child


    around. So, I want to adopt Jayson. Can you ask Ronan if it''s okay?"


    Petra asked eagerly.


    Cordelia thought: Jayson? Tabitha''s son? She hadn''t heard about this.


    "I didn''t know about it. He didn''t tell me," Cordelia admitted.


    "I heard it from our ssmates. He asked a childless couple from our ss if they wanted to adopt, but


    they declined because his mom is a criminal. This news is all over Millstone, don¡¯t you know?" Petra


    asked Cordelia.


    "Well, I¡¯ve heard a bit about it."


    "Can you ask him for me?" Petra asked Cordelia, full of excitement.


    "Sure."


    But Cordelia suddenly realized she didn''t have Ronan''s Messenger. This was awkward.


    With Petra watching her, she had no choice but to text Ronan: [Petra heard about Jayson from our


    ssmates. She told me she wants to adopt him. Can you ask him if it''s okay?]


    Surprisingly, Ronan replied instantly: [I''ll talk to her in person.]


    Looking at the instant response, Cordelia felt a bit uneasy. So, all those messages she had sent him


    before, he had seen them but didn''t bother to reply. But this time, the matter of the child was important,


    so he did.


    "What did he say?" Petra, hearing the notification, asked Cordelia.


    "He said he''ll talk to you in person."


    "Really? That''s great. Thank you, Cordelia." Petra''s face lit up, clearly excited about the uing


    conversation.


    "You''re wee," Cordelia replied.


    Petra left.


    ......


    For the next few days, Cordelia didn''t see Petra. She attended sses as usual, finished sses,


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    wrote papers, worked on projects ¨C following a routine without much variation.


    As for whether Petra managed to adopt the kid, and how her "talk" with Ronan went, she didn''t bother


    to ask.


    Once, her student Sally asked her, "Ms. Haselwood, do you have someone that you like? I heard you


    two that night. No wonder you''re not interested in Harold."


    "What did you hear?" Cordelia, startled, wondered if Sally had heard that kiss.


    "Well, not exactly heard, but I could feel the vibe," Sally said dreamily.


    "Stop talking nonsense," Cordelia tried to dismiss it.


    "Ms. Haselwood, you''re a grown woman. There is no need to get so flustered," Sally said nonchntly.


    That night, Ronan had been so pent up. There must have been some noise, right? That kind of guy,


    with his heady hormones, he could be reckless.

 Chapter 469

    Chapter 469


    Cordelia had attended several meetings at Empower Operations recently, but Ronan was


    conspicuously absent. It was usually Talia and Emerson who represented thepany.


    Every time Emerson saw Cordelia, he had the look of someone with a lot to say but hesitated to speak.


    One day, Cordelia received an invitation to the "Millstone International Financial Forum and Global


    Financiers Symposium" scheduled for the end of the month at the Millstone Pearl Hotel.


    Millstone again...


    Cordelia decided to take her two students along, believing it would broaden their horizons and


    contribute to their ongoing research.


    Upon hearing the news, Sally and Sean were overjoyed. "Ms. Haselwood, Millstone is a major city, and


    I''ve never been there before. Plus, they''re covering amodations." Sally blurted out excitedly. She


    had always been eager to visit Millstone.


    Sean was equally enthusiastic. As long as they weren''t holed up at the university, they were happy to


    get out and see the world.


    Cordelia, however, had other things on her mind. She saw Ronan again in mid-November, at a


    university ceremony. He had transformed into an "Honorary Professor" at Birchwood College and even


    delivered a speech to the entire faculty and student body.


    This was likely due to the Edith Hills project. The project had officially beenunched and the name


    "Edith" was set to be amon sight on billboards and advertisements. At the thought of this,


    Cordelia felt a flutter of anticipation. Their daughter''s life had not been in vain.


    He was appointed as an honorary professor for his contributions in fostering economic growth in


    Birchwood. And to top it all off, his grandfather was a renowned professor. Well, he was now outranking


    Cordelia.


    She barely recognized Ronan. He looked polished and schrly, a far cry from the "big shot" she


    remembered from Lumos Enterprises. It seemed he had a different script for different asions.


    The female students were discussing in hushed whispers, "Mr. Evans is so handsome."


    "Forget it, he already has a child."


    ¡­


    Cordelia thought to herself: Apparently, he hadn''t been arrested, his life was getting better and now he


    was at Birchwood College charming young women.


    After the ceremony, Cordelia tried to slip away, but Ronan emerged from the crowd and grabbed her


    arm. "Look after the kid for me," he told Cordelia.


    "Do you have ns?"


    "Yes, I have to sign some agreements with the local department with Peter."


    "Do I need toe?" Cordelia knew that Peter meant Empower Operations business. She asked


    innocently.


    "You?" Ronan scanned her from head to toe. "You''re not qualified."


    Thinking of na''s recent warning and Ronan''s ruthlessness, Cordelia couldn''t help but feel


    apprehensive. "Why are you asking me?"


    Ronan chuckled, "Who else could be more suitable than you?"


    "But you''ll have to drop her off at my ce. I''m busy. I have papers to write and research to conduct."


    "Alright." With that, Ronan turned to leave.


    "Wait," Cordelia suddenly called out, pulling on Ronan''s sleeve.


    "What is it?" Ronan didn''t pull away, allowing her to hold onto his sleeve.


    "Add my contact on Messenger." Cordelia spoke hurriedly.


    She felt that if she had Ronan on Messenger, she could quickly inform him if na took any action.


    With his sharp mind, he would surelye up with a solution. She didn''t want to attract na''s


    attention, but she couldn''t resist seeing her child.


    "You''ve been waiting for this moment for a long time, haven''t you?" Ronan smirked at Cordelia, as if he


    could see right through her.


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    "Not really, it''s just more convenient this way."


    "I''ll drop off the kid this afternoon. And you can send me a friend request, I''ll ept it." Ronan dropped


    this statement before walking away.


    Cordelia sent a friend request to Ronan, which he quickly epted. When she added a nickname for


    Ronan, she simply wrote "Ronan". Considering na seemed to know her every move, she might as


    well throw caution to the wind.

 Chapter 470

    Chapter 470


    It was Friday and Cordelia, having no sses, decided to spend her day researching and writing for her


    thesis at home.


    When the door knocked, Cordelia answered it.


    ¡°Callum?¡± Seeing Callum, Cordelia was both surprised and delighted.


    Callum snuggled against Cordelia as soon as he saw her. There was a certain affection in his eyes for


    her that was hard to miss. Equally, Cordelia couldn''t hide the fondness she felt for him. She crouched


    down, leaned her head against Callum''s forehead for a moment, tears welling up in her eyes, but


    Cordelia held them back.


    Three years had passed without seeing her son, and she hadn''t felt much then. But now that she had


    spent time with him, she was unable to let go. So, when Ronan asked her to take care of their son,


    even though she had her doubts, she agreed.


    ¡°Callum, where''s your dad?¡± she asked him. Cordelia was worried about the child being in a ce


    where neither of them could see him.


    ¡°Dad left me at the stairwell and went downstairs,¡± Callum replied.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Cordelia nced towards the stairs, but there was no sign of Ronan. Perhaps Ronan was


    afraid that if he was there, she''d say no, so he dropped the kid and left.


    As soon as they entered the room, Callum noticed the massive bookshelf in Cordelia¡¯s room.


    ¡°Callum, would you like something to eat? Or maybe read a book?¡± Cordelia wasn''t used to dealing


    with children and didn''t know what to do.


    ¡°Wow, you''re rich, Cordelia. So many books,¡± Callum marveled.


    Cordelia chuckled, ¡°Yes, indeed. Does your dad still read often?¡±


    Callum tilted his head and asked Cordelia, ¡°You know my dad loves to read?¡±


    Cordelia felt a tad embarrassed, ¡°I know a little.¡±


    "My dad still sits on the couch and reads often. I don''t know whether he loves to read in bed or


    not."Callum said, tilting his head again. ¡°I don¡¯t sleep in the same bed as him. Cordelia, do you know


    where my dad loves to read?¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± Cordelia hadn''t expected to be cornered by this little guy.


    ¡°Of course, I meant that your dad likes to read on the couch,¡± Cordelia replied.


    ¡°Oh, he does love to read,¡± Callum seemed a bit disappointed.


    ¡°Callum, feel free to pick any book you''d like. If you can''t reach, ask me for help. Also, do you want to


    eat something?¡± Cordelia thought all kids loved snacks. She was willing to make an effort to y the


    ¡°mom¡± role andpensate for the lost three years.


    ¡°Um. Cordelia, I want to eat egg tarts. Unfortunately, dad never made them for me. He doesn''t even


    allow our maid to make them, saying they''re high in calories and not good for children,¡± Callum said


    with a sad face. ¡°Do you know how to make them, Cordelia?¡±


    ¡°Egg tarts are easy to make. Your dad is too strict,¡± Cordelia said, heading to the fridge. But she


    realized she didn''t have eggs at home, let alone tart shells. Both of these were avable in the campus


    grocery store. She considered taking Callum there but most people there knew her. If they saw her with


    the "honorary professor¡¯s" child, there might be unwanted gossip.


    She messaged Sally: [Free this afternoon? Can you help me get some tart shells and eggs from the


    grocery store?]


    [Sure, Ms. Haselwood. Making egg tarts for someone?]


    [A little boy.]


    Cordelia picked up a book and started reading it to Callum. Listening to his breathing and watching his


    innocent face, she realized how much she adored this little boy. She couldn''t resist and gently stroked


    Callum''s hair, continuing to read.


    The doorbell rang again. Cordelia thought it was Sally, so she told Callum, ¡°I''ll get the door.¡±


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


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    But when she opened the door, it was an unexpected visitor - Ronald.


    ¡°Uncle?¡± Cordelia was taken aback.

 Chapter 471

    Chapter 471


    For Ronald''s family, the only one Cordelia had a bit of a good impression of was her Uncle Ronald.


    Now, Ronald was thin and walked with a slight limp.


    "You really live here? Samantha and her mom are filming at Birchwood College. I came to check it out.


    They said you''re teaching here, so I asked about your residence and came over," Ronald said.


    Cordelia ushered her uncle into the room.


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


    "Who''s this little fe?" Ronald didn''t recognize Callum.


    "Well, a colleague''s kid," Cordelia brushed it off.


    Ronald looked around her home as Cordelia went to pour him a ss of water. "Cordelia, howe


    you disappeared for years without a word? Are you having a fallout with Ronan?" Ronald asked.


    At the mention of "Ronan", Callum, who had been reading, suddenly froze. He was listening intently,


    but pretended to be flipping through the pages.


    Cordelia paused as she poured the water, "No, I was super busy abroad, barely had time to sleep."


    "Ah, so much has changed over the years. Your mom passed away, who would''ve thought Samantha


    would be a star, but she did. I visited your mom''s grave recently, you know? As you get older, you


    start missing the past. When I was back in Roseville cleaning the house, I found some old photos of me


    and your mom." Ronald wiped a tear from his eye and pulled out the photos from his bag.


    "Uh-huh, I know, I saw the flowers on my mom''s grave," Cordelia said, taking the photos from Ronald.


    As she looked through the photos of her uncle and mom from their younger days, Cordelia thought of


    Shelley and her eyes welled up with tears.


    "Your mom''s death was so tragic, pushed from a building. It breaks my heart to think about it, how


    unfair it all was. If it wasn''t for Ronan..." Ronald rubbed his head, voice choked with emotion, "Good


    thing you divorced him, he''s cold-blooded, a snake."


    "Don''t talk about my dad like that!" Callum stood up angrily, ring at Ronald, "You''re lying!"


    Ronald was taken aback. This was Ronan''s son? So was this little guy Cordelia''s son?


    "Is... is this your son?" Ronald asked.


    Cordelia frowned slightly. It seemed like this secret wouldn''t stay a secret for much longer.


    Callum stared at Cordelia in shock, "You... you''re my mom?"


    Ronald was stunned, he asked Cordelia, "He doesn''t know?"


    Callum was visibly excited but also overwhelmed.


    Just as Cordelia was about to respond, there was a knock on the door. It was Harold, with a bag in his


    hand. Cordelia guessed it might be eggs and tart shells. "Why are you here? Where''s Sally?" Cordelia


    asked, peeking out the door.


    "Well, she bought these. Someone asked her to a concert, so she asked me to deliver this," Harold


    said.


    Just then, Cordelia''s phone rang. It was Sally. "Hey, Ms. Haselwood, has Harold delivered the stuff? I


    got invited to a concert, so I asked Harold to do it. He delivered it, right?" Sally hurriedly said.


    "Yes, it''s here." Cordelia felt that Sally was always doing things like this, not very reliable. Cordelia


    reminded her, "Remember, nine o''clock the day after tomorrow. Don''t forget, or I''ll have to drag you out


    of bed."


    "I know, I won''t forget, Ms. Haselwood," Sally said and hung up.


    Seeing Ronald, Harold asked, "Who is this?"


    "Well, this is my Uncle, Ronald. This is my student, Harold," Cordelia replied.

 Chapter 472

    Chapter 472


    Ronald was initially tasked by Sienna to dissuade Cordelia from reconciling with Ronan, but ironically,


    his arrival had prompted the child, Callum, to acknowledge Cordelia as his mother. It seemed his


    meddling onlyplicated matters. He was reluctant to engage in such underhanded tactics, but


    Sienna had threatened to cut off his allowance and kick him out of their luxurious mansion if he


    refused. Money spoke volumes in their world, after all. However, Ronald also wanted to see Cordelia,


    so he came.


    "Well, since your student is here, I''ll make myself scarce," Ronald said, handing over some


    photographs he''d brought with him. "These are all yours." With that, he made his exit.


    Downstairs in the garden, Sienna was anxiously waiting for Ronald. As he sauntered over, she asked,


    "How did it go?"


    "Er, it was okay," Ronald replied, careful not to upset Sienna. He didn''t mention that Callum had called


    Cordelia ''mom'', instead, he said, "One of her students, Harold, came by to deliver some eggs."


    "Really?" Sienna''s face lit up with triumph. Harold was from Birchwood College and given enough time,


    Cordelia would surely give in. "Don''t tell Samantha about this. She''s taken a fancy to Harold."


    "Taken a fancy to Harold?" Ronald tried to recall Harold''s appearance. A handsome youngd, tall, with


    an impressive build, he was probably a few years younger than Samantha, considering he was still in


    school. "Samantha has good taste."


    Sienna shot Ronald a disdainful nce, "Get lost! Samantha is about to lose the lead role."


    "As long as she has enough to get by, what''s the big deal? Isn''t this better than our days in Roseville?"


    Sienna ignored Ronald. She wished she could rece him as well. Look at him, with no ambition at all.


    ...


    "Mom, mom, can you make me some egg tarts?" Callum was beside himself with joy, standing by the


    sofa and calling out to Cordelia.


    Upon hearing the child call her ''mom'', Cordelia had no choice but to agree, thinking to herself, she''d


    have to take things one step at a time.


    Callum also shouted it deliberately for Harold to hear. He could see that Harold had feelings for


    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    Cordelia. As expected, when Harold heard Callum call Cordelia ''mom'', he clenched his fists tightly.


    Even if he was conflicted, he knew that he loved Cordelia as well as Mr. Evans.


    "Callum, you know Cordelia is your mom now?" Harold squatted in front of Callum, holding his arm.


    "I just found out."


    "Now that you know, will you listen to your mom? She loves you very much," Harold gave Callum a little


    squeeze.


    Seeing the gentle expression on Harold''s face, Callum felt a pang of guilt for hurting him. He softly


    called out, "Harold..."


    "I''m leaving now." Harold ruffled Callum''s hair and exited the room.


    Cordelia stood there, dumbfounded.


    Callum stared at Cordelia. "You''re my mom? I''m so happy to have such a beautiful, and wealthy mom.


    Why did you divorce my dad? I swear, he hasn''t been with any woman in the past three years." Callum


    raised his right hand, making a solemn vow.


    Cordeliaughed, "What do you know, you''re just a kid."


    "Anyway, my dad is handsome and rich. Don''t let him slip away," Callum''s eyes twinkled mischievously.


    A momentter, the reality of having a mother seemed to dawn on him. He hugged Cordelia tightly,


    whispering "mom".


    Tears welled up in Cordelia''s eyes. It turned out that all this while, the one word that could heal her was


    ''mom''. It filled all the cracks in her heart.

 Chapter 473

    Chapter 473


    Cordelia stood up, leading Callum by the hand into the kitchen.


    "I am going to make some egg tarts now, Callum. Do you want to help?"


    "Sure."


    ......


    At the same time, Ronan was sitting on the couch in Petra''s house, leaning back slightly as he watched


    the ying child.


    Petra stole nces at him now and then. Actually, Petra had Ronan''s contact details but it was only


    after officially adopting Jayson that she began tomunicate more with Ronan.


    Whenever she sent Ronan a message, she would tremble like a leaf, her heart pounding as if a small


    rabbit was trapped inside. It was as if she had turned back into the eighteen-year-old girl, nervous,


    jittery. She lost her father at a young age, and Ronan, with his wise-beyond-years demeanor, filled the


    void in her young heart.


    She still remembered a time when Ronan was tutoring her and the sunlight hit his face just right.


    Yesterday, Ronan sent her a text, mentioning he was going to sign a contract with Empower Operations


    and would visit Jayson after. Petra, with shaking hands, replied with a single word: [Okay.]


    Petra was now a professor with abundant time, unlike Cordelia who still had to write research papers in


    pursuit of professional titles. Moreover, Petra was moreid-back, tidying up the house early in the


    morning until the floor was spotless.


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    She never dared to hope that Ronan would reenter her life, let alone visit her home. The reason she


    adopted Jayson was simply to maintain some connection with Ronan. All of this felt surreal, like a


    dream.


    Ronan came and sat in a chair, watching Jayson y nearby.


    "The kid''s kind of introverted, a bit thin." Ronan said, casting a nce at Jayson.


    Petra nearly spilled her water in surprise, "Yes, he is. I try to make his favorite meals. Will¡­ will you


    stay for dinner?"


    "No, I have to pick up my son." Ronan nced at his watch, and it was already five o''clock.


    "Where is your son?"


    "At Cordelia''s."


    "Well, I''ve already got you some lemonade. Aren''t you going to drink it?" Petra looked disappointedly at


    the lemode swirling in the cup.


    "Next time." Said Ronan as he got up and left.


    "Next time" gave Petra endless hope, and she began to daydream about the future.


    As Ronan walked down the street, he received messages from an unknown contact. There were some


    pictures, one of Cordelia lying in bed with a man sitting next to her, watching her adoringly; the other of


    the man gifting Cordelia a plush toy and her smiling brightly at him. Thest picture was of Cordelia


    crying in the man''s arms.


    The pictures weren''t clear, seemingly taken through a window.


    Ronan grimaced, his ex-wife certainly had a colorful past.


    He knocked on Cordelia''s door. Cordelia answered, wearing an apron, her hair in a bun, and oven mitts


    on her hands.


    "You''re here. I''m making egg tarts for Callum." With that, Cordelia returned to the kitchen where a fresh


    batch of egg tarts was probably ready.


    Ronan entered, closing the door behind him.


    "Daddy, Mommy made egg tarts for me, and it smells so good. Do you want to try some?" Callum was


    happily eating his egg tart on the couch.


    "Mommy?" Ronan raised an eyebrow and nced towards the kitchen where Cordelia was busily


    moving around behind the frosted ss door.


    "Yeah. She''s your ex-wife, right? A man told me today." Callum continued, "The egg tart is really tasty.


    You wouldn''t let me eat it, but Mommy made it for me."


    Ignoring Callum, Ronan headed into the kitchen. Cordelia was checking the oven, pouring filling into


    new tart crusts; she was very busy. The kitchen was filled with the warm and sweet aroma of baking


    egg tarts.

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    Chapter 474


    Cordelia noticed Ronan as he sauntered in; she gave him a sidelong nce, but remained silent.


    Her kitchen was small, barely enough for her to move around alone, let alone to amodate Ronan''s


    tall frame. She could feel the space getting cramped almost instantly.


    "Which man?" Ronan asked Cordelia.


    "Huh?"


    "Callum mentioned that a man told him about the past?"


    "Yeah. My uncle just came. He came to see Samantha filming."


    "Directed by you?"


    Cordelia''s hand, pouring the egg mixture, suddenly stopped. She was somewhat angry and a bit


    disdainful. "I don''t have your knack for managing things. You were the director of Deanna and Tabitha''s


    fiasco, weren''t you? You killed my mother, and now, you''ve added two more lives to your tally," Cordelia


    replied with a hint of indifference.


    Suddenly, Cordelia found herself seated on the kitchen counter, her feet hovering over the floor. She


    hadn''t even noticed how she had ended up there.


    "What are you doing?" Cordelia nced at her feet, the egg mixture sttered on the floor from the


    sudden lift.


    "Tabitha''s child isn''t mine." His frame leaned against the counter, his gaze locked onto Cordelia, who


    was suddenly elevated. His voice was low and desperate.


    Cordelia was struggling, worried that her tarts would burn, ruining her hard work, but her struggles only


    seemed to tighten his grip.


    One of Ronan''s hands held the back of Cordelia''s head, while the other was wrapped tightly around her


    waist. He leaned his forehead against hers, rendering her immobile. "You''ve been with me for so long


    and still don''t know me. You deserve to be controlled this tightly." Ronan''s deep voice echoed in


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Cordelia''s ear, tinged with a hint of resentment.


    Cordelia''s heart pounded. She despised him, yet couldn''t escape him. "You slept with Tabitha, didn''t


    you?" Her voice was calm, but it didn''t hide the jealousy in her tone.


    "You''ve wanted to ask that for a while now, haven''t you?" Ronan chuckled, "Yes, I did. She was good in


    bed. She was more provocative and assertive than you. And she knew how to be attentive to a man''s


    needs."


    Cordelia''s gaze fell. She suddenly felt there was nothing left to ask.


    "So why did you set her up?" Cordelia asked after a moment, her voice shaky.


    "She started to annoy me over time. She deserved to die."


    "And Deanna deserved to die too?"


    "She deserved it even more. After the cornea incident, she deserved to die." Ronan gritted his teeth.


    "There are police and courts to deal with criminals. Two lives, aren''t you scared? Aren''t you scared


    they''ll haunt you in your sleep?" Cordelia''s face was flushed as she argued.


    "Who''s the real murderer?" Ronan''s voice was low, "I did all this for you, didn''t I?"


    "I never asked you to kill!"


    "Who killed anyone?" Ronan retorted, his teeth clenched.


    Seeing Cordelia again, the surge of desire, the intense urge to possess her, made him tremble.


    She had also once said, being over thirty and still having desires wasughable. He, almost forty, not


    only had desires, but they were incredibly strong.


    Now, Cordelia had angered Ronan, sending him into a fit of restless frustration. Suddenly, Ronan


    kissed Cordelia passionately, breaking through her resistance. He longed for the days when they were


    intimate, when they would spend the entire night in each other''s arms. He yearned for it deeply.


    That kiss seemed tost an eternity.

 Chapter 475

    Chapter 475


    Cordelia had the urge to p him again, but the moment she moved her arm, he grasped her wrist.


    She felt as if he was overshadowing her entirely, leaving her helpless. Finally, he let go of her.


    Cordelia¡¯s cheeks were flushed. She could smell something burning in the air. Annoyed, she


    eximed, "The tarts are burnt!¡±


    ¡°Who cares about your egg tarts.¡± Ronan retorted, gritting his teeth. ¡°All you care about is food.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all I care about.¡± Cordelia coldly responded. ¡°Why should I care if the child is yours or not? It''s


    not my problem.¡±


    ¡°You left the country because of this, didn¡¯t you?¡± His voice was hoarse and low.


    ¡°There are many reasons for leaving the country. The one and only exnation is, it''s time to break


    up.¡±


    Ronan suddenly burst intoughter. ¡°Who decided it''s time to break up? You? Or did you leave


    because you have a secret? You¡¯re so beautiful, didn¡¯t you find someone abroad to have a fling with?¡±


    Of course, Ronan was referring to the pictures sent in the mysterious text messages. Cordelia had a


    rich romantic past. And she nevercked for suitors. Damn, it was enough to drive a man crazy with


    jealousy, to make him want to pin her down and vent his frustration.


    But the current Ronan was somewhat hesitant. He had been assertive before, and it had always


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    repelled Cordelia. So this time, seeing her again, he didn''t want to mess things up. He was being


    careful.


    Ronan''s fingers gently caressed Cordelia''s delicate skin. ¡°You bastard!¡± Cordelia eximed.


    Ronan studied Cordelia, who was bing more and more beautiful and attractive. Before, she was


    just a delicate daisy, but now she had be a captivating poppy.


    The moment he saw her at his grandfather¡¯s doorstep, he knew something was different about her. But


    he couldn''t pinpoint exactly what it was. Now, she had developed a sophisticated allure, with the charm


    of an intellectual, yet not too pretentious, just enough to make a man infatuated.


    He gently touched her skin. ¡°How about I change your nickname on Messenger to Poppy?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± Cordelia turned her head away. She knew the poppy was the original flower of opium, the


    source of evil, an omen of misfortune. She didn''t want to be associated with that.


    ¡°Your say doesn''t count.¡± Ronan gazed at Cordelia with desire in his eyes. Cordelia gritted her teeth. It


    was not her phone, so of course, she had no say.


    Ronan''s hands moved to unsp her bra from behind. Cordelia raised her hand to p him, but


    missed as he dodged.


    Callum had appeared at the kitchen door at some point. ¡°Mom, Dad, what are you doing? The egg tarts


    are burnt.¡± Callum said.


    Cordelia quickly jumped down from the counter, taking the burnt egg tarts out of the oven and throwing


    them into the trash.


    ¡°Callum, have you had dinner yet? I will make you some soup.¡± Cordelia''s tone became incredibly


    gentle as she talked to Callum. ¡°And how about some saut¨¦ed spinach? Children need to eat their


    greens, right?¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Callum nodded.


    Ronan clenched his teeth, staring at Cordelia before leading Callum out of the kitchen.


    Cordelia started cooking. Soon, she brought out a small te of saut¨¦ed spinach and a bowl of soup.


    ¡°We only have this much food at home. Just enough for Callum.¡± Cordelia ruffled Callum''s hair.


    Callum nced at Ronan. ¡°Couldn''t you just say you didn''t make dinner for me?¡± Ronan said.


    Cordelia ignored him.


    After Callum finished his meal, Ronan led him home. On the way, Callum said to Ronan, ¡°Dad, Mom


    asked a lot of questions about you today.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, what did she ask?¡±


    ¡°She asked if you still read books.¡± Callum blinked as he spoke. ¡°And she asked about which women


    oftene to see you, and stuff like that.¡±


    ¡°Did she really ask thest question? If you lie, your nose will grow.¡±


    ¡°Um,¡± Callum couldn''t help but pinch his own nose, ¡°She didn''t ask that. Oh, right, Mom said she''s


    going back to Millstone for a forum. Dad, let''s go home.¡±


    ¡°A forum? When?¡±


    ¡°She said it''s the day after tomorrow at nine from the school gate. Dad, why don''t you and Mom live


    together like other kids'' parents?¡± Callum asked again.


    ¡°Because¡­¡± Ronan was suddenly at a loss for words. ¡°How about we go home the day after tomorrow


    too?¡±


    Callum looked up at Ronan. ¡°Dad, are you trying to create a chance encounter with Mom? That would


    be great.¡±

 Chapter 476

    Chapter 476


    Two dayster, at the school gate.


    With a suitcase in her hand, Cordelia anxiously peered into the school grounds.


    "If Sally stands me up, I swear..." Cordelia nced at her wristwatch, muttering to Sean.


    "Don''t worry, I just called her before I came out. She hasn''t forgotten," Sean reassured her.


    "The conference starts at one in the afternoon, and we have to take a three-and-a-half-hour bus ride.


    We''ll probably get to the bus station around ten. It''s all my fault, I don''t know how to drive," Cordelia


    fretted, her feet tapping nervously on the ground as sweat trickled down her forehead.


    A car screeched to a halt in front of them.


    "What''s up?" A charismatic male voice echoed as the car window rolled down.


    Sean was also anxious, but upon seeing the person who arrived, his face immediately lit up with a big


    smile.


    "It''s Professor Evans. We''re waiting for someone," Sean replied respectfully.


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Upon hearing "Professor Evans", Cordelia turned around. Who else could it be but Ronan? However,


    the title "Professor Evans" sounded strangely formal.


    Ronan''s gaze brieflynded on Cordelia''s suitcase. "Where are you headed?"


    "Professor Evans, we''re going to Millstone for a financial forum. We''re taking a bus," Sean answered


    quickly.


    "Finally, she''s here." Cordelia looked towards the school, where Sally was jogging towards them,


    pulling arge suitcase.


    "Three of you heading to Millstone?" Ronan asked again, "Why not ride with me? I''m also heading


    there."


    Sally arrived, panting heavily.


    Cordelia checked her watch. It was already a quarter to ten. Even if they reached the bus station and


    got on the bus, it would be half-past ten. They still had to sort out their things at the hotel. They were


    definitely going to bete.


    "Alright, let''s go. Get in," Cordelia said, ncing at her watch.


    Ronan had just switched to a more spacious Bentley. It would definitely fit them all.


    Sally and Sean sat in the back, while Cordelia reluctantly sat in the front passenger seat.


    She definitely couldn''t sit in the back with two students, especially when Callum was also there.


    Seeing Cordelia get in, Callum''s face lit up with joy. "Mom, youe?"


    Cordelia was buckling her seatbelt, and his words made her pause. "Huh? Yeah."


    Sally and Sean exchanged surprised nces. They didn''t dare ask anything in the car. They both eyed


    Callum, confirming that the child was "Mr. Evans'' son", and Mr. Evans'' son was calling Cordelia "Mom."


    "Mom, where are you going? Let Dad drive you there," Callum said.


    Now, Sally and Sean were even more certain. Ronan''s child was calling Cordelia "Mom." So, what


    exactly was the rtionship between Ronan and Cordelia?


    "I''m going to the Pearl Hotel," Cordelia looked at Ronan, "Is that okay?"


    "Why wouldn''t it be?" he replied.


    His car was fast, but it felt remarkably smooth inside the Bentley. They didn''t feel the speed at all.


    Besides, this was a six to seven million dor Bentley, much morefortable than a bus ride.


    Sally and Sean were messaging each other in the backseat.


    [Did I hear that right? When did Ms. Haselwood have such a big son?] Sally asked Sean.


    [Your guess is as good as mine,] Sean replied.


    Cordelia was staring out the window, a question nagging at her mind. Why was the route from


    Birchwood to Millstone passing through Birchwood College when it didn''t used to?


    Last time she took a bus back to Millstone, the route was different from a private car.


    "Why are you passing through Birchwood College?" Cordelia broke the silence, noticing the awkward


    atmosphere in the car.


    "Your son insisted on seeing his grandpa''s school," Ronan said.


    The phrase "your son" once again stimted Sally and Sean''s nerves.


    "Well, I mainly wanted to see if I could bump into Mom, and look, I did," Callum added.

 Chapter 477

    Chapter 477


    Cordelia suddenly remembered, that day when Sally had called her, she had casually mentioned not to


    bete, probably overheard by that little rascal, Callum. Otherwise, could it be such a coincidence?


    Staring at Callum in the rearview mirror, Cordelia said, "You little smarty pants."


    Callum chuckled, "Thanks, mom."


    "Thanks for what?"


    "Thanks for calling me smart."


    Cordelia broke into a helpless giggle. She suddenly realized having a son was such a joy; it added so


    much spark to her life. She thought about her past and realized that she had been really cruel.


    "Indeed, Ms. Haselwood, your son is really smart, takes after you," Sally added, as she was quite fond


    of the little munchkin, too.


    "I''m not smart," Cordelia protested, "I''m quite the dork."


    "Then I must take after my dad," Callum replied, "Isn''t that right, dad?"


    "Don''t take after your mother. She''s indeed a dork," Ronan chimed in.


    Caught off guard by the father-son banter, Cordelia switched the topic, addressing the two students,


    "The forum will be attended by big shots from around the globe. It will be broadcasted live, so you guys


    can screen-record the key content to use in your research paperster."


    "Sure," but apparently, Sally and Sean''s minds were not there. After a few exchanges, Sally and Sean


    concluded one thing: Callum was indeed Cordelia''s son. Ms. Haselwood was so young. When did she


    have him?


    Passing a certain ce, Cordelia kept ncing back, puzzled, wasn''t there a gas station here before?


    "That gas station was torn down two years ago. How long has it been since youst visited Millstone?"


    Ronan''s deep voice echoed.


    Sally and Sean were all ears: in other words, Ms. Haselwood used to visit Millstone frequently.


    How did he know what Cordelia was looking at while he was driving? "Not so long, I just visited


    Brooklyn a while ago, but I took the bus," Cordelia replied.


    "Did you see her son?"


    "Yes, I did. You knew that, didn''t you?" Cordelia retorted.


    Afterward, Cordelia dozed off with her eyes half-closed. In her drowsy state, she could still hear the


    murmurings.


    "Professor Evans, so you and Ms. Haselwood have that kind of rtionship," Sally gestured with her


    fingers to symbolize a couple, "No wonder Ms. Haselwood declined Harold."


    Ronan scoffed, "She''d have to be bold enough to ept him."


    "Professor Evans, I heard your grandfather is Professor Barney of our university, right?"


    "Yes."


    "Your family has quite a connection with Birchwood College. Everyone''s at Birchwood College, I bet


    Ms. Haselwood came here for the same reason, right?" Sally said, trying to lighten the mood while


    Cordelia was asleep.


    Ronan nced at Cordelia, "Ask her about it."


    "She definitely did," Sally affirmed.


    The car entered the boundaries of Millstone and stopped at Pearl Hotel. It was just after noon.


    The three were ready to get off the car.


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    "Mom, will youe home after your meeting?" Callum asked, his eyes lingering on Cordelia.


    Ronan sat in the driver''s seat, silent.


    "Uh, I am with them. We''re on a tight schedule."


    "That''s okay, we can invite them over. It''ll be fun," Callum suggested.


    "We''d love to visit Ms. Haselwood''s house," Sean and Sally seized the opportunity to tease.


    "Alright, fine," Cordelia relented, worn down by the pestering.


    Ronan''s car drove off, and he received a call from Emerson on the way.


    "I''m attending a financial forum this afternoon, can''t pick up calls, if you need anything, contact my


    assistant," Emerson informed.


    "You''re also going to the forum?"


    "Also? You too? Since when did you be a finance expert?" Emerson mocked Ronard.


    "Cordelia is, and she just checked in."


    "What do you mean? You want me to live stream Cordelia for you? You don''t need me for that, the


    forum has its official live stream, you can watch that."


    "Send me the link."


    Emerson fell silent. Here he was, thinking Ronan was just joking.

 Chapter 478

    Chapter 478


    In no time, Ronan''s phone beeped with a link from Emerson. It read: "Live stream will start soon."


    After entering the hotel, Cordelia and her twopanions, Sally and Sean, grabbed some quick bites


    before making their way to the conference room.


    On the seat, there was the schedule for this forum. It included some of the world''s top financial talents,


    as well as talents from Wall Street investment banks. Finally, there was a mysterious guest who was


    scheduled to speak.


    "Ms. Haselwood, who could this mystery guest be?" Sally inquired, seated on Cordelia''s left, with Sean


    on her right.


    "There are a lot of famous people out there. I have no idea who the mystery guest could be."


    "Well, I guess that''s the most intriguing part of this symposium. Let''s wait and see," Sally suggested.


    Emerson was scanning the crowd for Cordelia, but the room was too vast and crowded for him to spot


    her.


    Throughout the symposium, Cordelia hung on to every word,pletely absorbed. When the surprise


    guest emerged. Cordelia was taken aback. She stared nkly at the stage¡ª it was Jamie Colby.


    The host seemed quite thrilled, "Ladies and gentlemen, our next speaker is one of Millstone''s most


    prominent ountants and now financial analyst, Jamie. He will be discussing sovereign wealth fund


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    investments."


    "Wow, Ms. Haselwood, this mystery guest is so handsome. Have you heard of Jamie before?" Sally''s


    fan-girl syndrome had kicked in.


    "Mhm," Cordelia replied vaguely. She observed Jamie, who was now sporting sses. Why did


    sses look so different on different people? On some, they added a schrly touch, while on others,


    they entuated a rakish charm?


    Jamie''s voice was soothing and his speech was eloquent, witty, and engaging. Cordelia snapped out of


    her daze and began to take notes diligently.


    The symposium ended around six, and everyone headed to the buffet.


    The dining area was massive. As Cordelia was reaching for some fruit, her tongs collided with another


    pair.


    "I''m sorry," she instinctively apologized.


    "Cordelia?" a delighted voice replied.


    Looking up, she found Jamie adjusting his sses, his excitement palpable.


    "Mr. Colby," she acknowledged, not as surprised since she had known he''d be there.


    "I didn''t expect to see you here. Where have you been all these years?" Jamie asked, readjusting his


    sses.


    Seeing Cordelia again was like a dream. Even though the symposium was filled with finance


    professionals, he hadn''t anticipated running into her, especially after losing all contact with her for


    years.


    "I''ve been studying for a PhD in finance in the UK and now I''m teaching at Birchwood College. I


    brought two of my students to attend this symposium," Cordelia exined.


    "Really? That''s great." Jamie was visibly moved, seemingly on the verge of tears. Cordelia was the girl


    who had stolen his heart at first sight.


    He took off his sses and wiped away a tear. Suddenly, he embraced Cordelia. "Long time no see."


    Cordelia didn''t pull away. She too said, "Long time no see."


    After all, Jamie had been very supportive in the past. He gave her a diary, they exchanged books, and


    even opened a firm together. Seeing him after three years brought back a flood of memories.


    It was a reunion of two good friends.


    "Did you change your phone number? What''s your Messenger ID?" Jamie asked, pulling out his phone.


    Cordelia shared her contact with Jamie.


    Suddenly, a few ps echoed in the room. "Isn''t it lovely when old lovers reunite? So envy-inducing


    and heartwarming. It''s like you just separated yesterday," a sarcastic voicemented.


    Cordelia nced over Jamie''s shoulder, and he turned around too.

 Chapter 479

    Chapter 479


    Marian stood five meters behind Jamie. Marian''s demeanor now waspletely different from when


    Cordelia was still in Millstone.


    People around nced at her, but they were all high-profile intellectuals at a conference. No one cared


    about such petty matters. They quickly turned their attention back toworking and making money.


    Marian was dressed in a light gray business suit, with a pair of gold-rimmed sses. She appeared


    capable and aloof, seeming rather unapproachable.


    "Hey, Marian. Cut it out!" Jamie said to her.


    Marianpletely ignored Jamie and walked up to Cordelia.


    "Long time no see, Ms. Haselwood."


    "Hello." Cordelia responded.


    "Ms. Haselwood, why are you hugging my man as soon as you meet?" Marian asked.


    "Your man?" Cordelia vaguely remembered that the two of them were not a couple.


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Jamie, standing behind Marian, shook his head.


    "Yes, Jamie. Ms. Haselwood, you''re divorced now, and we can''t interfere with that. But if you''re looking


    for a new man, it shouldn''t be mine. If you do, then you''re..." Marian looked Cordelia up and down.


    Cordelia was alone now, without Ronan''s protection. She had not returned to Millstone since she left


    the country, probably losing contact With him So, Marian felt free to belittle Cordelia, "You''d be a


    maniptive bitch."


    "Don''t worry." Cordelia retorted, "I was just giving a friendly hug. If you''re going to be bothered by that,


    then I''m afraid Mr. Colby''s path is going to get narrower and narrower, and you''re going to block your


    own way."


    With that, Cordelia turned and walked away.


    The forum ended, and journalists were interviewing key figures in the buffet restaurant. The live


    broadcast was focused on these interviews. However, Ronan still saw Cordelia and Jamie''s embrace in


    the background of the live broadcast. He sneered.


    Cordelia returned to her room, took a shower andy on the bed, fuming. She picked up her phone and


    saw a long message from Jamie on Messenger, exining his rtionship with Marian.


    Marian was a rich kid, and she probably understood from a young age what marriage meant for people


    like her. There was no love, only use. Her parents had used each other in the same way, and she had


    be ustomed to it. Seeing Jamie''s growing sess in finance and ounting over the years,


    and given their cooperative rtionship, Marian considered Jamie as her ideal partner. Her father,


    Kent, even approached Jamie''s parents, Thomas and Ava. They both thought highly of Marian, but


    Jamie didn''t agree.


    Jamie still had feelings for Cordelia, who had been out of touch for years. Without the consent of the


    person involved, parental approval was meaningless.


    Over the years, Marian introduced herself as "Jamie''s fianc¨¦e". Jamie never corrected her; after all, it


    would be quite embarrassing for a woman to be publicly corrected.


    After reading the message, Cordelia put her phone aside. Her mindset waspletely different now,


    Sean and Sally came to Cordelia''s room to discuss which parts of the forum could be applied to their


    research. They had heard about the conflict, but they weren''t clear on the details and didn''t ask.


    Just then, Cordelia''s phone rang. She answered it.

 Chapter 480

    Chapter 480


    Ronan returned to Lumos Enterprises, sending a photograph to his assistant to identify the man in the


    image. It was a photo of a man with Cordelia, sent to Ronan by an anonymous texter.


    In the evening, Ronan returned home and asked his son, Callum, "Do you still want your mom toe


    and stay with us?"


    "Of course, I do."


    "Well, then call her."


    Callum studied Ronan''s face for a while, "Dad, don''t tell me you''re too embarrassed to call her


    yourself?"


    "I am not embarrassed about anything. You call her. Use thendline."


    Callum reluctantly picked up the receiver. He remembered Cordelia''s number from thest time Ronan


    had dialed it for him.


    Upon connecting, a voice came from the other end, "Hello?"


    "Mom." Callum''s young voice echoed.


    Hearing this, Cordelia smiled, her heart warming, "Callum, what''s up?"


    "Mom, when will your meeting end?" Callum asked, tilting his little face up towards the receiver.


    "Tomorrow afternoon," Cordelia replied.


    "Professor, put it on speaker. We want to hear this little munchkin," two students cajoled.


    Unable to resist, Cordelia switched to speakerphone.


    "So, what are your ns after the meeting?"


    "I was thinking of going straight back to the university," Cordelia replied, her voice softening as she


    spoke to her son.


    "So, you''re going back on your word? Weren''t you supposed toe and stay with us?" Callum


    grumbled.


    "Uh." Cordelia was at a loss for words, knowing how important it was to keep promises to children.


    "Mom,e on over. I''ll get Janice to prepare rooms for all three of you, okay?"


    "Wow, all three of us? Thanks, Callum. We won''t be a bother, will we?" Sally asked, excitedly.


    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    "No, not at all. I''m so lonely, I''d love to have you two here. Hurry up, I''ll be waiting." With that, Callum


    promptly hung up, afraid Cordelia might make an excuse.


    "Ms. Haselwood, let''s go tomorrow. Look how eager Callum is. Don''t worry about Professor Evans, it''s


    obvious that he was the one who told him to call. Notice how he used thendline? Someone would


    have to know cell numbers to use andline, and he''s a little kid who can''t remember so much


    numBers. So, yeah, Professor Evans must''ve instructed him to do it." Sally reasoned out.


    "Alright," Cordelia agreed, conceding that Sally had a point.


    The next day, the trio took a cab to Ronan''s house.


    Ronan was not home. Upon seeing Cordelia, Callum was naturally overjoyed. Janice, on the other


    hand, couldn''t help but sneak a few extra nces at Cordelia. Their rtionship now was not as simple


    as before. They both tacitly avoided bringing up Harold. The students, unaware that Janice was


    Harold''s mother, admired the decor of "Professor Evans''" house.


    Janice arranged for the two students to stay on the first floor but didn''t arrange a room for Cordelia.


    "Where will I be staying?" Cordelia asked, surprised.


    "Mr. Evans said you''d be sharing a room with him," Janice said.


    Cordelia fell silent.


    Sally and Sean pretended not to hear, coughed a couple of times, and looked away.


    Cordelia pulled Janice aside, "Sharing a room after a divorce?"


    "Well, that''s just how Mr. Evans arranged it. He didn''t ask me to arrange another room. If you have a


    problem with it, you can wait for him to return," Janice replied.


    With no other choice, Cordelia anxiously waited for Ronan''s return.


    Two hourster, Ronan came back, his face somewhat grim.

 Chapter 481

    Chapter 481


    At dinner, due to the crowd, Cordelia didn''t bring up the matter of where she''d be staying.


    Once dinner was over and the girls had returned to their rooms, Cordelia pulled Ronan aside, "Find me


    another ce to stay. This isn''t appropriate."


    "Come with me." Ronan looked serious, there was obviously something on his mind.


    With a sense of unease, Cordelia followed him upstairs to his bedroom.


    He sat down on the couch and lit a cigarette. "Who''s that man?" He asked.


    "Who?"


    "How many are there?"


    Cordelia was bewildered, "What are you talking about? You''re not making any sense."


    It seemed as if Ronan suddenly recalled something, "Justst night you met up with Jamie, and now


    I''m bringing up another man. You must be quite confused."


    Cordelia had no idea how he knew about her meeting with Jamie, but it wasn''t surprising given Ronan''s


    resourcefulness.


    His sarcasticments were getting to her and she was getting mad, "Who are you talking about?"


    Ronan looked at Cordelia for a few seconds before uttering a name, "Eason."


    Cordelia''s hand tightened into a fist. She frowned and said, "You''ve been investigating me?"


    "Seems like there really is such a person." Ronan stared hard at Cordelia.


    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    "Yes, there is."


    "Who is he?"


    Cordelia felt a bit repulsed. Not only did he investigate her, but he also came to interrogate her.


    Moreover, after the divorce, he wanted to sleep together. Was his chauvinism going through the roof?


    "If you''ve been investigating me, didn''t you find out who he is?" Cordelia was furious.


    Ronan suddenly stood up, moving forward he grabbed Cordelia by the waist. She was forced to kneel


    on the couch, between his legs. Unsteady on the couch, Cordelia instinctively reached for Ronan''s


    shoulders.


    "I didn¡¯t find out, so tell me yourself." He stared at Cordelia.


    Cordelia turned her head, remaining silent.


    Clearly, Ronan was losing his patience. After three seconds of silence, Ronan suddenly picked her up


    and tossed her onto the bed.


    A flurry of kisses rained down on Cordelia''s face, neck, and body. He ripped through Cordelia''s clothes.


    The pain was unbearable.


    Ronan had some patience initially, but he had been repressing himself for three years. Plus, she had


    just returned and met Jamie. And in Ennd, she had another close male friend.


    Seeing Cordelia kneel on the couch, with her delicate skin, expressive eyes, and her breathing, all


    these were too much for him.


    Cordelia wanted to say something, but her words were sucked back into her throat by him. Her


    attempts at resistance were futile, her punchesnding in his palm, and the most she managed to utter


    were a few "bastard" from the corner of her lips.


    Ronan was like a tireless machine that night, venting on Cordelia. After a night of passion, in the


    morning, Cordelia fell into a deep sleep. When Ronan got up, he nced at her, not a single part of her


    body was left untouched.


    He went downstairs.


    Sally and Sean were already up. "Professor Evans, where''s Ms. Haselwood?" Sally asked with a pair of


    mischievous eyes.


    "Dad, where''s mom?" Callum was sitting at the dining table.


    "Ms. Haselwood was tired from her bus ride and meetings yesterday. Let her sleep a bit more. What


    are your ns for today?" Ronan asked Sally and Sean.


    "Hmm, ording to the schedule, we''re supposed to return to school today." Sally was more outgoing


    and did most of the talking with Ronan.


    Even though Sally spoke respectfully, she was thinking: Sean and I slept all night and woke up


    refreshed. Why can''t Ms. Haselwood? Did she do somethingst night? It was more likely she did


    somethingst night. However, she didn''t expect that Ronan had been like a stud all night.

 Chapter 482

    Chapter 482


    "I''ll send you guys back to the university. Ms. Haselwood will be staying here for a few more days. In a


    few days, I''ll go to Birchwood with her," said Ronan.


    Sally and Sean exchanged nces. "Sure, I''ll drop Ms. Haselwood a call before we leave," said Sally.


    Ronan knew why she wanted to call: to make sure Cordelia was fine and not in any danger.


    Throughout their stay, Cordelia had never discussed her rtionship with Ronan which had led to their


    suspicion. He kept quiet and agreed.


    Around 9 o''clock, Sally and Sean were ready to leave.


    Sally dialed Cordelia''s number.


    After what seemed like eternity, Cordelia picked up, feeling unwell and feverish, her voice hoarse,


    "Hello?" She sounded confused.


    "Ms. Haselwood, we were supposed to leave today. Professor Evans said he''ll have someone send us


    back to the university and that you should rest today. Take care," Sally said.


    Cordelia, feeling dizzy, hardly registered Sally''s words. She hummed in response and hung up, falling


    back asleep.


    Janice took Callum out for the day, leaving Ronan alone at home. He didn''t go to work but instead,


    stayed in his room, reading.


    Cordelia woke up around 2 in the afternoon. Ronan had already eaten lunch and Callum was taking a


    nap. Cordelia was disoriented. Ronan was leaning against the bed, reading, the heavy curtains drawn.


    "You awake?" Ronan asked, noticing her stir.


    "What time is it?" she asked, still groggy.


    "Two."


    "Two in the morning?"


    "No, the afternoon," Ronan said without looking up.


    Cordelia frowned, remembering the call from Sally in the morning. "They''ve left?"


    "Yes."


    Cordelia sat up abruptly, "What must they think of me?"


    Ronan ignored her, continuing with his reading.


    Cordelia tried to get up but her body ached too much. She thought, maybe it will get better after a


    while.


    Shey back down, drifting back to sleep. Once she woke up, the pain was still unbearable. She


    thought, maybe she should see a doctor tomorrow?


    Naturally, her thoughts drifted to Victoria. It had been three years since shest saw her. She wondered


    how Victoria was doing.


    The pain kept Cordelia in bed, even skipping dinner.


    With na''s threat, Cordelia had been having restless nights. Butst night, despite being exhausted,


    seemed to be the only deep sleep she''s had in three years, probably because he was with her.


    Ronan thought she was just beingzy and sulking, so he asked Janice to serve her dinner in bed.


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Callum came to y with her for a while. Cordelia adored Callum, constantly stroking his hair.


    After dinner, Ronan was lounging on the couch downstairs when his assistant called.


    "Mr. Evans, we found out that the person with Cordelia is named Eason. He''s a renowned psychologist


    and founder of a well-known clinic in Ennd. They maintained a close rtionship for a year, visiting


    each other frequently," the assistant reported.


    "So, Cordelia had mental illness?" Ronan asked.


    "Yes, she had severe depression in the first year," the assistant confirmed.


    Ronan fell silent.

 Chapter 483

    Chapter 483


    After a long silence, Ronan went upstairs. Cordelia was upstairs ying happily with the kid. When she


    saw him, she immediately put on a stern face.


    "Are you giving me an attitude?" Ronan asked her, and then, he turned to their son, Callum, "Callum,


    it''s bedtime."


    Callum, sensing his parents needed privacy, excused himself to his bedroom downstairs.


    Ronan approached Cordelia, suddenly pulling her into an embrace. Cordelia rested her head against


    Ronan''s chest, listening to his strong heartbeat. She wondered what had gotten into him tonight.


    "I''ll apany you to the hospital tomorrow, okay?" he suggested gently.


    "I don¡¯t need you toe." Cordelia instinctively refused. Even if she had to go, she didn''t want him,


    the root of her problems, to apany her.


    "Come on. You don¡¯t need to pretend to be tough." Ronan said.


    That night, he was on Cordelia, kissing her deeply. Cordelia resisted instinctively, afraid of his


    overwhelming desire. Her hands were clenched tightly.


    "I won¡¯t touch you." he promised.


    "Aren''t you always quite the liar?" Cordelia asked him.


    Ronan didn''t answer. Instead, he kissed her passionately once again.


    The next day, Cordelia''s pain did not subside. It was getting worse. Ronan took her to Victoria''s clinic.


    Victoria was an OB/GYN, and Cordelia wanted to see how she was doing after three years of no


    contact.


    As Cordelia was examined, Ronan waited outside.


    "Cordelia?" Victoria couldn''t believe her eyes, "Where have you been all these years?"


    Victoria examined Cordelia, still the same natural beauty, but there was a new depth and wisdom in her


    eyes.


    "I was in the UK, doing my PhD." Cordelia admitted sheepishly, feeling a bit awkward as she hadn''t


    contacted anyone in years.


    "I know. After your check-up, I have something to tell you." Victoria said, intriguing Cordelia. They


    hadn''t seen each other in years. What could Victoria have to say?


    As Victoria continued examining Cordelia, she muttered, "Who did this to you? The bastard, he''s torn


    you. Is it Ronan again?"


    Cordelia blushed, knowing exactly what Victoria meant by ''torn''. She nodded, confirming Victoria''s


    suspicion.


    "He''s nearing forty." Cordelia said.


    "Forty? Men like him are like that their entire lives." Victoria scoffed at the mention of ''forty''.


    Cordelia gave an awkwardugh.


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    As Victoria filled out the prescription, she mentioned, "A while back, someone came asking about your


    blood type and your child''s. They also wanted all your medical records. Does this have anything to do


    with your absence for the past three years?"


    Victoria held Cordelia''s hand in hers,forting her. "Cordelia, have you tried to investigate this? Or


    asked Mr. Evans to look into it? He''s quite capable."


    Cordelia nodded in agreement.


    Just then, her phone rang. It was Harold.


    "Hello, Harold."


    "Ms. Haselwood, Sean and Sally returned yesterday. Why haven''t you? Is everything alright?" Harold


    asked, concerned.


    "Well, nothing to worry about. I''m in Millstone, spending some time with my son. I''ll be back in a few


    days."


    "That''s good." Harold said before hanging up.


    "Who was that? His voice sounds pleasant." Victoria asked.


    "By the way, have you found anyone special these past few years?" Cordelia asked Victoria, "You¡¯re


    not getting any younger."


    Victoria startedining, "Don¡¯t remind me. Every time my mom asks, I wonder where I''m


    supposed to find the time. I work every day, barely have time to breathe. All I see are patients giving


    birth."


    Cordelia handed Victoria a piece of paper with her new number, "Let''s keep in touch."


    "Sure, call me when you''re ready for your second child."

 Chapter 484

    Chapter 484


    Cordelia stepped out of Victoria''s office and into the corridor.


    "What''s the diagnosis?" Ronan asked Cordelia.


    "See for yourself." Cordelia handed the medical record to Ronan with a cold expression. "You go fetch


    the medication."


    "Torn." Ronan read out the words, speaking in a way that was far from serious, "How tight was it, to be


    torn?"


    Cordelia rolled her eyes. After three years, such crudenguage still flowed smoothly from his lips,


    without any effort.


    Ronan fetched a tube of ointment from the pharmacy for Cordelia, which was to be applied twice daily


    to the affected area.


    "Do I need to apply this for you?" In the car, Ronan continued to tease Cordelia, "Otherwise, how will


    you see where the wound is?"


    "No need. I''m nning to head back to Birchwood this afternoon or tomorrow. I have to prepare for my


    sses, and I have research to do. I¡¯m busy."


    "So soon? Absence makes the heart grow fonder. We''ve been apart for three years, and after one night


    of marital bliss, this happens?" Ronan was in high spirits, his tone much gentler, even in the mood to


    tease Cordelia.


    Cordelia, on the other hand, was not in the mood to joke around. Although she had feelings for Ronan


    three years ago, it was only natural to fall in love with him after they got married. However, as she got


    to know him better, Cordelia started to doubt his methods and character. Falling for someone started


    with their appearance, then you were captivated by their talent, and finally you stayed for their


    character.


    In the first two aspects, Ronan was undoubtedly outstanding, almost bringing Cordelia to a state of


    emotional confusion and infatuation. But as for thest aspect, she had serious doubts about his


    character and personality. Even if he did it for her, she could not forgive him. Deanna and Tabitha,


    despite their grave sins, did not need him to judge them. Moreover, she still remembered the record


    regarding her mom¡¯s incident, which he didn''t do for Cordelia, but for his father.


    Therefore, Cordelia could be Callum''s mother, but not Ronan''s wife.


    Once home, Cordelia took the ointment and headed upstairs. The ointment read, "Apply twice daily to


    the affected area." Cordelia could feel where the wound was, even if she couldn''t see it.


    She went to the bathroom, and just as she was taking off her clothes to apply the ointment, Ronan


    walked in.


    Cordelia was taken aback.


    "How did you get in here?" She quickly pulled up her pants and asked Ronan.


    "It''s my house. Why can''t Ie in?"


    Cordelia left the bathroom with the ointment. Ronan''s gaze fell on Cordelia''s graceful figure, like a


    predator watching its prey.


    "When do you n to return to Birchwood?" Ronan asked her.


    Cordelia nced at her watch. It was already past four. If she left this afternoon, it would be dark by the


    time she got to campus.


    "By tomorrow morning at thetest. I''ve got a lot to do at school. I have a tenure-track position, I can''t


    just give it up," Cordelia said.


    "I didn''t ask you to give up your job. What are you thinking?"


    "I...¡± Cordelia was once again rendered speechless by him.


    Cordelia was a bit scared. She was afraid that he would keep her here, as his captive, just like when


    she was working at Lumos Enterprises. Whether she went to work or not was up to him. So she


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    emphasized the importance of her job. Besides, she no longer worked at Lumos Enterprises and there


    was no marriage contract anymore. If he wanted to control her, it wouldn''t be so easy.


    Ronan seemed to understand every cell in Cordelia''s body.


    After Ronan went downstairs, Cordelia finally applied the ointment herself. Upstairs, she heard Ronan


    on the phone downstairs, but couldn''t make out what he was saying.


    That night, Ronan didn''t do anything to Cordelia. Her physical condition didn''t allow it.


    Cordelia remembered Victoria''s words. Someone had been asking about her blood type at the hospital.


    She guessed it might be na. She also knew that she wouldn''t be able to find out anything with her


    own resources. The man sitting next to her, on the other hand, could.


    "Could you help me look into something?" Cordelia asked.


    Ronan casually flipped a page in his book, "What?"


    "Victoria told me today that someone had been asking about my medical records at the hospital. I don''t


    know who it was. Could you find out for me?" Cordelia asked.


    "Call me ''hubby.''¡± He continued reading his book. It seemed to him that as long as Cordelia called him


    ''hubby'', this wouldn''t be a big deal.


    Cordelia turned away, "Never mind. You probably couldn''t find out anyway." With that, Cordelia


    snuggled under the covers and went to sleep.

 Chapter 485

    Chapter 485


    As soon as Cordelia pulled back, the covers were thrown off by Ronan, his lips finding hers as his hand


    roamed over her body.


    With his closeness, Cordelia started to feel a bit suffocated, gasping for breath.


    "Reverse psychology?" he asked.


    "Not really. It''s genuinely difficult to investigate," Cordelia knew she couldn''t even touch na''s


    doorstep. She didn''t understand what na was up to and could only proceed cautiously.


    "What were you doing in that guy''s arms?" he asked, "You really know how to keep me on my toes."


    Cordelia didn''t have a long list of men she''d been with, so when Ronan said this, she knew who he was


    talking about.


    "Did you know I had depression?" Cordelia asked him, "After I moved to Ennd, I got depressed. I


    couldn''t see my kids, didn''t know who my real mom was, and felt like I was adrift. I had always wanted


    to get a PhD, it was my life-long pursuit, but the academic pressure was immense. Standing on a


    foreign street, no familiar faces, not knowing when I would return home, I felt like an abandoned child. I


    was often out of breath. That''s when he counseled me, and helped me analyze my problems. He was


    my only pir and friend."


    As Cordelia spoke, tears fell onto her knees. Before, she had thought life was full of endless


    possibilities. But after returning home and getting entangled with Ronan, she began to believe in fate.


    No matter how many people you met, in the end, there was only this one person in your destiny.


    Ronan remained silent.


    "If it was so hard, why did you leave in the first ce?" he asked, a mix of sympathy and anger in his


    voice. He was angry that he wasn''t there when Cordelia went through all this.


    "I had to leave, no matter how hard it was. I can''t rely on you for my whole life. I couldn''t get over what


    happened to my mom. And then there''s the thing with Tabitha. Everything just piled up." Cordelia cried


    and spoke. There was also na and her inws, all adding to her pressure.


    "And now added the deaths of Deanna and Tabitha?" he asked again.


    "Why are you asking when you already know? Every day I feel like I''m lying next to a cold, emotionless


    person. I feel like you could kill me at any moment and then tell the police I killed myself."


    "Stop crying. Just go to sleep." Ronan said, visibly irritated. He did all these things for her, but she


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    didn''t appreciate it. Instead, she put all the me on him. Could he not be angry?


    That night, Cordelia turned to sleep on the other side, but Ronan pulled her back by the waist, rubbing


    his head against the back of her neck, "Don''t you appreciate what I do for you?"


    Cordelia closed her eyes and didn''t respond.


    The next morning, Cordelia was awakened by a cold sensation down below. As she opened her eyes,


    she saw Ronan sitting at the foot of the bed, staring intently at her private part. Instinctively, Cordelia


    pulled back, feeling embarrassed and angry.


    The quilt covered only the top half of her body, leaving the lower half of her body exposed to him.


    "Still ying the ostrich game at your age?" His gaze lifted to meet hers.


    "What are you doing?" Cordelia asked him.


    "Applying the medicine."


    "I don''t need it." Cordelia said, her face flushed with anger, "I need you to help me investigate


    something."


    "What?" Ronan asked, pulling the covers up for her.


    "I need you to help me find out about my background. I can''t find anything on my own."


    Ronan chuckled, "How mysterious does your background have to be that you can''t find anything?"


    "Are you going to help or not?"


    "For free?" His gaze lingered on Cordelia, probably hoping she would understand that he wanted


    something in return.


    Cordelia''s lips trembled, "What do you want?"


    "What do I want?" Ronan repeated, "I thought it was pretty clear what I wanted. My desires and


    demands are clear."


    Cordelia bit her lip, turning her face away, "Next time you have to tell me the results."


    "That''s a steep price. The medicine is applied. Let it air." Saying this, Ronan went downstairs.

 Chapter 486

    Chapter 486


    Cordelia rose, washed up, and as she stood on the staircase, she noticed several people moving


    boxes out of the house. Ronan was seated on the couch, orchestrating the whole operation.


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


    "Load all these into the car," he instructed.


    "Mr. Evans, you sure are thoughtful. You''ve got all of Cordelia''s snacks prepared," Janicemented


    somewhat awkwardly, considering her son had once pursued Cordelia.


    As Ronan lifted his gaze, he caught sight of Cordelia on the staircase. "What good does it do if she


    doesn''t appreciate it?" Ronan said, casting a sideways nce at Cordelia.


    "It''s normal for her to change after being away for three years. Besides, she was so young back then.


    People grow. She was a young girl then, now she''s matured, and her career has changed. You need to


    understand," Janice tried to appease him.


    "Do I?" he questioned, looking at Cordelia. There was a sense of regret in Ronan''s heart, along with a


    bit of jealousy.


    He wasn''t there for Cordelia in her most depressing and mncholic moments. And that man took


    advantage of his absence. Just the thought of the man beside Cordelia made him extremely


    ufortable. However, as Janice pointed out, people grow. If it were the past, he would have


    punished Cordelia, but now, perhaps due to his age, he wouldn''t.


    Before Cordelia could respond, Callum came over,unching himself at Cordelia''s legs. "Mom, look


    how nice dad is to you. He got you two boxes of apples and a bunch of other snacks. I told you, my


    dad''s rich. It''s convenient having him around," Callum boasted.


    Seeing Callum, Cordelia couldn''t help but smile. She ruffled his hair and bent down to his level, "I have


    to go to work, Callum. Listen to your dad while I''m away, okay?"


    "I always listen to dad," Callum pledged solemnly.


    "No lying allowed," Cordelia warned.


    "Why would I lie? Dad always says that children who lie will end up with long Pinhio noses."


    Cordelia couldn''t help but recall the same words Ronan had once said to her. He had used the same


    phrase for both her and their son.


    "So I guess I should get going," Cordelia asked Ronan, preparing to leave.


    "The driver''s waiting for you outside. He''s been told to help you carry your stuff upstairs. You won''t


    have to do it."


    "Okay." Some warm feelings bubbled up in Cordelia''s throat, almost making her forget about the


    horrible things he had done in the past.


    Excluding his maniptive behavior and his cold-heartedness, he could be considered a good


    husband. Especially now, as he was behaving like a doting husband.


    "Mom, when will youe to visit me again?" Callum asked, reluctance apparent in his tone.


    Cordelia thought for a moment. Callum wasn''t going to preschool yet, so he was always home. But she


    didn''t trust anyone else to take him to Birchwood, in case na was watching. Ronan was quick to


    react and would ensure their son''s safety.


    She squatted down to Callum''s level, "If you miss mom, ask your dad to take you to Birchwood to see


    me. Remember, only dad can take you. No one else."


    "Why can''t anyone else do it? Just me?" Ronan asked, pouncing on Cordelia''s statement.


    "You''re his biological father. His safety is guaranteed with you."


    Ronan hoped to hear some tender words from Cordelia, but her tone remained icy, probably because


    she still hadn''t forgiven him. She wasn''t the naive young girl from years ago, who knew little about the


    world and whose sole focus was on treating her mother''s illness.

 Chapter 487

    Chapter 487


    Once in the car, Cordelia felt a sense of mncholy, as if her soul had been left behind, but thankfully,


    the university was not a lonely ce, and she had grown quite fond of her job.


    When the driver pulled up to the Unity Hall, he got out and personally carried Cordelia''s luggage up to


    her room. Harold and a few students, returning from a game of basketball, offered to lend a hand.


    "What''s all this?" Harold casually asked, picking up a box.


    "Well, it''s just some food that he packed for me from Millstone," Cordelia replied.


    She emphasized ''he'' in front of Harold, intending to make it clear that she and Harold were over, and


    he should stop pining for her.


    "Ronan is much better than me. I can''tpete," Harold admitted sincerely. How could hepete


    with Ronan? His mother worked as a maid at the Evans'', which put him at a disadvantage. Cordelia


    had borne Ronan''s child, and the gifts Ronan showered her with were things Harold couldn''t afford.


    Since Sean and Sally had returned to the university and spread the news through Sally¡¯s gossiping,


    everyone knew Cordelia was Ronan''s wife. ording to Sally, they had a big, happy family. Although


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    they didn¡¯t know Cordelia and Ronan were divorced, Harold shouldn¡¯t disrupt this ¡°happiness¡±, right?


    Back home, Cordelia washed a few apples and enjoyed them while rxing.


    A notification from Messenger popped up on her phone. It was from the dean¡¯s office:


    [A public ss for new professors was to be held next week, with current faculty members grading the


    performance.]


    The notice was sudden, but it was a good opportunity to showcase teachers'' abilities.


    Cordelia was one of the twenty-plus new professors who had joined the university this year.


    She flipped through her textbook, preparing her lecture, and then sent a message to her students on


    Messenger: [Next Wednesday, we''ll be discussing big data and decision analysis in an open ss.


    Please prepare in advance.]


    The chat group consisted of all first-year finance students. Upon receiving her message, they


    responded with a flurry of ''ok'' emojis.


    On Monday, Cordelia noticed a notice posted by the administration department: The university had


    purchased a plot ofnd off-campus and was nning to build housing. Any professors interested in


    purchasing a house were encouraged to sign up.


    Cordelia thought about it; she would eventually settle down in Birchwood. But for now, her ce in


    Unity Hall was sufficient. Besides, she was interested in buying a house in Edith Hills.


    Initially, "Edith Hills" was just a part of her work, but ever since Ronan had named the development


    "Edith," her feelings toward it had changed. She found herself inexplicably attached to the area.


    "Cordelia, I''ll be one of the professors grading your ss on Wednesday," Petra, who had seemingly


    appeared out of nowhere, informed her. "I''ve already received the evaluation form. It''ll all depend on


    your performance."


    "Really? Well, I''ll have to ask you to write a few nice things about me then," Cordelia responded,


    confident that Petra would do so.


    Petra was a very agreeable person, and Cordelia was confident in her teaching skills.


    "Are you thinking of buying a house?" Petra asked, ncing at the notice.


    The public announcement had been made earlier on the university''s official ount, so Petra was


    already aware of it.


    "Oh, no, my ce at the university is enough for me. Just checking this out."


    Cordelia noticed Petra''s attention was still on the notice and asked, "Are you thinking of buying a


    house?"


    "Yes. The houses are priced at a tenth of the market price, so everyone''s interested. But it requires full


    payment upfront, and I don''t have that much money. My family can''t help either," Petra confessed,


    somewhat embarrassed. "Cordelia, could you lend me some money?"


    "Me? All my money is tied up in a long-term savings ount," Cordelia exined. When she divorced


    Ronan, she had deposited all the money he gave her into the bank, leaving only a bit for living


    expenses. But seeing Petra in such a predicament, she suggested, "Have you asked Ronan?"


    "Borrowing money is..." Petra trailed off with a bitter smile. "Even as old friends, it''s difficult. Besides,


    his money didn''t just fall from the sky."


    "How about I ask him for you?" Cordelia suggested, feeling that Petra was trustworthy.

 Chapter 488

    Chapter 488


    Cordelia had initially intended for Petra to borrow the money herself. However, Petra had pushed the


    task back onto her.


    "Thank you, Cordelia," Petra replied cheerfully.


    Cordelia thought to herself: Petra probably reckons that if I''m the one asking, it''s guaranteed to work,


    right? It was the samest time when she wanted to adopt a child, insisting that Cordelia be the one to


    step forward.


    Cordelia wondered if Petra was socially anxious or just afraid of Ronan. And it was her own fault for


    meddling in this matter, as if she were best buddies with Ronan.


    Once she got to the office, Cordelia sent Ronan a message via Facebook Messenger: [The school is


    selling a property for a tenth of the market price. Petra wants to borrow money from you. She wanted


    me to check with you.]


    [Are you her guarantor?]


    Cordelia fell silent. Both he and Petra had each other on Messenger, yet they always had Cordelia


    shuttle messages between them, making her look like she had nothing better to do.


    [Bumped into her, and she asked me to check. So, will you lend it?]


    [We''ll see.]


    With this vague response from Ronan, Cordelia had no choice but to tell Petra via Messenger: [He said


    ''we''ll see.'' Maybe you should talk to him yourself. You might stand a better chance. I don''t have that


    much influence.]


    Petra stared at the message. She really wanted to buy the house, but she couldn''t bring herself to ask


    Ronan directly, even though she wanted to use this as an excuse to get in touch with him.


    If it were just her, she couldfortably live in her current apartment. But now, there was a child in the


    picture. The child was not hers, and inevitably, people would talk. She didn''t want to be the subject of


    their gossip. So, Petra wanted to move outside of the campus.


    The house she had bought with her ex-husband had been sold, and the money had been donated to


    her ex-husband''s school. At the time, she had decided she would never marry again and didn''t see the


    point of having so much money. Even though her ex-husband had treated her poorly, she still had her


    dignity.


    On Wednesday, Cordelia, dressed in a smart outfit, confidently stepped onto the podium, her face


    beaming with confidence. A touch of makeup made her look especially vibrant. After connecting her


    phone to theputer, she began her lecture.


    Harold couldn''t help but feel refreshed when he saw Cordelia today. He was smitten, but it was toote


    for him, wasn''t it?


    In the back row sat a line of teachers, among which Petra stood out as particrly friendly.


    Cordelia began her lecture, ying a case study from her phone on theputer, a video


    presentation. Because it was not a ready-made case from the inte but one that Cordelia had


    prepared herself, she had to y it from her phone.


    Suddenly, the video''s volume decreased, and a message popped up:


    Ronan: [Still hurting?]


    Everyone saw it.


    While "still hurting" could have many interpretations, like backache or leg pain, to these grad students,


    there was only one interpretation: sexual innuendo. After all, they were all adults and knew exactly


    what it meant.


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


    Moreover, Sally had already broadcasted the news that Ms. Haselwood had stayed in Millstone, and


    everyone knew she hadn''t gotten out of bed that day.


    The students wanted tough, but considering the teachers sitting in the back row, they held back.


    Petra also saw the message, but she didn''t think much of it. She was a conservative woman when it


    came to sex, and she didn''t have any fantasies about it, especially after not having pleasant sexual


    experiences with her ex-husband. When she noticed the teachers around her lowering their heads, she


    finally realized what they were thinking. So, they did it again.


    Cordelia, seeing the message, felt a moment of hesitation. She even wondered if Ronan was


    deliberately messing with her. It was a public lecture though, and she had to act as if nothing had


    happened and quickly moved on to the next topic.


    She was standing with her back to the projection screen. As she was about to unplug her phone,


    another message from him popped up on theputer: [I''m going to Birchwood tomorrow.]


    Cordelia ignored it.

 Chapter 489

    Chapter 489


    Although Cordelia was dismissive, Petra took the words to heart, wondering when Ronan might show


    up?


    As soon as ss was over, Cordelia left the ssroom.


    Despite two ill-timed messages during the lecture, Cordelia¡¯s ss was a resounding sess, easily


    earning the title of a quality course.


    Petra took the course rmendation form home. She kept recalling Ronan''s text: he wasing to


    Birchwood tomorrow.


    Petra wanted to see Ronan again. Unfortunately, even if he dide, there was no guarantee that he''d


    want to see her child. After all, he wasn¡¯t the father and had no connection to the child.


    Petra even resorted to flipping a coin in a childish attempt to predict his actions.


    Heads: he woulde, Tails: he wouldn¡¯t.


    When itnded on heads, she would get excited. But if it was tails, she would be incredibly


    anxious. In the end, there were more anxious moments than there were happy ones.


    The only reason he wasing to Petra¡¯s ce was because of Jayson. At that moment, Petra was


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    watching her child ying with blocks on the floor, and she hatched a n.


    The next morning, after a meeting at Empower Operations, Ronan came to Cordelia''s apartment in


    Unity Hall.


    Cordelia was at home, writing a paper and doing research, her sses perched on her nose. When


    she opened the door to find Ronan standing there, her first question was, "Where''s Callum?"


    "You only care about Callum?" Cordelia asked, throwing a metaphorical bucket of cold water over


    Ronan, who was clearly displeased.


    Cordelia lowered her gaze slightly, "Aren¡¯t you standing right here in front of me?"


    "He''s at the office, Emerson is looking after him for a few days."


    "How long is a few days?" Cordelia was relentless.


    "Couple of days, depending on the situation. Why? Worry about your own son?" It was clear that


    Ronan was getting impatient with Cordelia''s constant inquiries about Callum.


    Feeling slightly relieved, Cordelia wasn¡¯t as on edge as before. She thought: With so many people at


    the office, even if na tried anything, it wouldn''t be easy. Hopefully, Emerson would bepetent.


    Cordelia opened the door wider and let Ronan in.


    "Still hurting?" Ronan asked once he was inside.


    "Do you think I didn''t reply because I didn''t see your message?" Cordelia recalled the embarrassment


    from the ss, and her anger red up.


    "What''s the deal then? Too shy to admit it hurts?" Ronan said, pulling out a cigarette.


    It was snatched away before he could light it. "No smoking in my room," Cordelia dered.


    Ronan looked up at Cordelia, "Quite the bossy one, aren''t you?"


    Unperturbed, Cordelia had already put the cigarette away. Ronan gave a small chuckle.


    "What brings you here this time?"


    "I have a few meetings at Empower Operations. Did Peter not tell you, or do I need to report to you?"


    Ronan asked.


    "I don''t understand the high-level stuff." Cordelia moved around her room, returning the cigarette and


    then back to her desk, trying to recollect her disrupted thoughts.


    Cordelia hated interruptions when she was working on her paper.


    Ronan noticed that Cordelia''s room was filled with boxes. It seemed smaller than thest time he was


    there, making him feel somewhat ustrophobic. He frowned, seemingly thinking, "How can anyone


    live in such a tiny ce?"


    "Haven''t put the snacks in the fridge?" He asked Cordelia.


    Cordelia adjusted her sses and continued thinking, answering absentmindedly, "The fridge is small.


    Can''t fit."


    "Not nning to get a bigger fridge?"


    Cordelia adjusted her sses again, "The room is small. Won''t fit."


    "Not nning to get a bigger house?"


    It took a moment for Cordelia to process the conversation about the "bigger house," "What are you


    trying to say?"


    "Aren''t you going to buy a house?" Ronan asked, cleaning up the scattered snack boxes as he spoke


    to Cordelia.

 Chapter 490

    Chapter 490


    "Mmm. I don''t want to buy the college''s one. This apartment is enough for me. It''s more convenient to


    live on campus," Cordelia lowered her head, not mentioning her ns to buy a house in Edith Hills.


    She still had her daughter in her heart, which meant she was still thinking about her past rtionship


    with Ronan.


    "Are you sure you''re not buying?"


    "I''m sure."


    "Then where will I stay when I visit?"


    Cordelia turned her head, looking at him. "You''re overthinking." She never intended to let him stay.


    "Also, did you check what I asked you to?" Cordelia asked him. She guessed that even if Ronan was


    very resourceful, he couldn''t have found out so quickly. She asked purposely to prevent Ronan from


    bringing up the subject of living or sleeping together.


    "How could it be so quick?" Ronan countered.


    The reason he didn''t check was not that he couldn''t, but he didn''t want to. He didn''t want to know about


    her social connections. He had lost interest when he found out that her dad had given him his cornea


    and that she wasn''t his biological daughter. Actually, he didn''t need to know who she was. It was


    enough that she was herself.


    "You have to keep your word," Cordelia said.


    Ronan chuckled lightly, insincerely saying, "I will."


    "Where are you staying tonight?" Cordelia asked again, a bit worried.


    "I''ll go back to my grandpa''s."


    Only then Cordelia sighed in relief. His wolf-like nature, especially in bed, was quite intimidating. She


    was somewhat afraid of him.


    Ronan had almost finished tidying up the room. He pped his hands and went to the bathroom to


    wash them when his phone rang.


    It was Petra.


    He slightly furrowed his brows. "Hello," he said.


    "Jayson is sick. He has a fever of over 102 degrees. I just adopted him and don''t know what to do.


    What should I do?" Petra sounded helpless and frantic, showing signs of desperation.


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    "Sick? Why don''t you take him to the hospital?"


    Cordelia heard him say someone was "sick" and was very concerned. She was worried for the sick


    person.


    "But I don''t have a car, and I can''t drive. I''ll try," Petra sounded frantic, on the verge of tears.


    Ronan furrowed his brows again. "Wait, I''lle." He seemed a bit impatient, not wanting to deal with


    this, but had no choice.


    "You... are you in Birchwood? I just called to vent."


    "Wait for me, I''ll drive over," Ronan said and hung up.


    "Who''s sick?" Cordelia asked.


    "Jayson."


    Cordelia hadn''t seen the child that Petra had adopted. She had seen him at school before, but Tabitha


    hadn''t let her see him. It made sense that Petra would contact Ronan because of this.


    "Aren''t you going?" Ronan''s gaze fell on Cordelia''s worried face.


    "I have to go to the registrar''s office this afternoon to submit forms, so no. I won''t be of any help and


    might just cause trouble. Just let me know when the boy gets better," Cordelia declined.


    Ronan picked up his coat and left. The room was quiet again.


    After thinking for a while, Cordelia decided that since Ronan was going, the child should be fine. Even


    though she was repulsed by Tabitha, the child was innocent and quite pitiful.


    When Ronan arrived at Petra''s, she was like an ant on a hot pan.


    "Why is he so hot?" Ronan said after touching the boy''s forehead.


    "He probably caught a cold. He kept kicking off his nketst night," Petra said.


    "Grab the necessary documents ande with me to the hospital."


    "I''ve already prepared them," Petra patted her bag. She was used to this.

 Chapter 491

    Chapter 491


    Ronan swiftly carried the child down the stairs. If Petra had to done it alone, she wouldn''t have


    managed it. Watching Ronan effortlessly ce the child in his car, Petra''s imagination took flight. She


    was transported back to her youth when the mature and steady Ronan had been by her side. His mere


    physical presence was enough to give her a sense of security. And now, he was holding her child.


    Their paths were beginning to intersect again, more so than in the past.


    Ronan instructed Petra to sit in the back seat and take care of the child. He started the car and dialed


    the head of Birchwood Children''s Hospital to inform him of a sick child, who needed admission. The


    head of the hospital was more than amodating.


    Petra thought to herself, ¡°This man truly is capable of anything. He is organized and well-connected.¡±


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Any woman would admire such a man, and Petra was no exception. Though Petra was in her thirties,


    she felt giddy and flushed at that moment, and a grin tugged at her lips.


    "Cordelia didn''te?" Petra asked Ronan after he hung up the phone.


    "Oh, she''s at home working on her thesis."


    Petra nodded. "Cordelia is quite formidable. She''ll probably be a professor after publishing a few more


    papers. At this point, she can''t afford to be distracted. She also has her projects, so her future is


    limitless."


    For some reason, Ronan felt both proud and irritated at Petra''s words. He was proud that his woman


    was impressive but irritated because all these achievements were the result of her leaving for three


    years.


    "Do you need to borrow money?" Ronan asked Petra.


    It was a bit of a drive from Birchwood College to the hospital, and the child had fallen asleep due to a


    fever. Petra gently patted him while the two adults found a topic to chat about.


    Hearing Ronan''s question brought Petra back to reality, "Um, I didn''t know how to bring it up, which is


    why I asked Cordelia to do it. The house is a faculty benefit from the school. It¡¯s not expensive, but it


    requires a full payment. It¡¯s a bit difficult for me to handle alone."


    "How much do you need?"


    "Um," Petra did a rough calction in her head. "I still need about $350,000. It''s about $4,000 per


    square foot, I want 1200 square feet, which is about $500,000. I only have about $100,000 at the


    moment, so..."


    "What''s your ount number?" Ronan was straightforward and asked for Petra''s bank ount


    number.


    In fact, Petra''s card was in her bag, but she had a sudden thought.


    "My card is at home, I''ll have to go back and check. You''re still at the school, right? I''ll let you know


    when I find it," Petra said.


    Ronan didn''t think much of it and simply replied, "Okay."


    Upon arrival at the hospital, Ronan asked Petra to stay with the child while he went to handle the


    payment and medication. As the child was admitted into a private room, Ronan stayed to watch over


    him. He was worried that Petra couldn''t handle it alone.


    Soon, it was time for dinner. Ronan received a message from Cordelia. [How''s the child? What are you


    having for dinner?]


    [He''s on an IV drip now. You can bring something over.]


    "Ronan, what are we having for dinner?" Petra asked.


    "Oh, Cordelia''s bringing it."


    Petra was a bit slow to respond. "Oh." Strangely, the thought of Cordeliaing made Petra feel a bit


    uneasy. This was a new feeling for her. Even though she had been using Cordelia in the past, they had


    maintained a working rtionship. Petra hadn''t seen Cordelia as an enemy, nor had she ever done


    anything to wrong her. In Petra''s eyes, she was under Cordelia''s wings and not quite a match for her.

 Chapter 492

    Chapter 492


    Over on Cordelia''s end.


    Upon seeing Ronan''s message asking her to bring food, she found herself in a dilemma. If she refused


    this time, it would make her seem insensitive and heartless.


    Of course, she would have to bring food for both Ronan and Petra and also prepare some food for the


    little one. After some thought, she cooked several dishes at home, prepared some food for the kid, and


    even bought two fish from the cafeteria, packing everything neatly into lunch boxes.


    Having settled the food, Cordelia remembered she hadn''t asked Ronan where he was. [Where are


    you? Let me know the location.]


    As Cordelia was heading towards the school gate to hail a taxi, she decided to send the message to


    both Ronan and Petra at the same time, in case one of them didn''t respond and she wouldn''t be able to


    tell the driver the destination. Hence, she sent the message to both of them via Messenger.


    Ronan was the one who sent her the address.


    Petra didn''t respond. Petra thought, ¡°The child is now asleep, and it¡¯s just her and Ronan in the


    sickroom, which is great. If Cordeliaes, it will be the three of them, and inevitably, one of them


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


    would be the third wheel, which would be awkward.


    She sneaked a nce at Ronan''s eyebrows and eyes, which were very attractive. He was looking at


    his phone, texting. She wanted to keep looking at Ronan for a while longer.


    "The kid''s IV drip won''t be finished until midnight," Petra said.


    "It''s okay, I''ll be here," Ronan assured her.


    "I''ll be here." These three words greatly satisfied Petra.


    But soon, Cordelia arrived, bringing food for the two of them. Sweat was visible on her face, probably


    from running. Ronan''s eyes lit up when he saw Cordelia, and he never took his eyes off her since.


    "Petra, I sent you a message on Messenger, but you didn''t reply. Fortunately, I was clever enough to


    send it to both of you," Cordelia said as she put down the lunch boxes and went to check on the child''s


    condition.


    Petra originally wanted to use the excuse that she didn''t receive Cordelia''s message to prevent her


    froming, but she came anyway.


    This was the first time Cordelia met Jayson, the child. His features bore no resemnce to Ronan''s,


    and he was nothing like Callum. Callum was obviously a well-nourished child with a rosyplexion,


    but this child seemed malnourished. He wasn''t much younger than Callum, but he looked a size


    smaller.


    "Cold, so cold..." Jayson mumbled in his sleep.


    "Don''t be scared." Cordelia sat by Jayson¡¯s side, gently patting him, and instinctively touching his


    forehead.


    Petra sat by the side, eating her food, not paying any attention to Cordelia and the child.


    ¡°Why does this child keep saying he¡¯s cold?¡± A frown formed on Cordelia¡¯s face.


    Petra¡¯s face changed slightly. ¡°I don¡¯t share a bed with him. He sleeps alone. Last night, I got up to


    cover him with a nket twice, but he probably kicked it off again.¡±


    Cordelia looked at the child and felt sorry for him.


    While Cordelia wasforting the child, Ronan was silently observing her. ¡°You¡¯re starting to act like a


    mother,¡± he said.


    ¡°I¡¯ve always been a mother,¡± Cordelia ignored Ronan¡¯s taunt.


    Petra felt ufortable seeing the two of them talking as if she wasn¡¯t there.


    ¡°It¡¯s been years since I¡¯ve had a meal made by Ms. Haselwood,¡± Ronan started to tease Cordelia.


    Cordelia knew that as long as he was around, she would have to endure his verbal teasing. Moreover,


    he was calling her ¡°Ms. Haselwood.¡± The title ¡°Ms. Haselwood¡± had a sort of provocative and teasing


    sound to it.


    Ronanpletely disregarded Petra.

 Chapter 493

    Chapter 493


    ¡°Recently, I haven¡¯t been cooking much; let me know how it tastes,¡± Cordelia said, acting proper and


    appropriate in front of Petra.


    Ronan and Petra¡¯s meals were separate, and Petra felt like a third wheel, ufortably out of ce.


    ¡°Besides this fish, the rest is pretty average,¡± Ronanmented.


    Cordelia was lost for words. Other than the fish that she had bought, everything else was her own


    cooking. She suspected that Ronan knew this and was teasing her on purpose, trying to embarrass


    her. Ignoring him, Cordelia sat by the bed, watching the child.


    The fish was from the cafeteria, where Petra ate daily, so naturally, she knew. Sheughed and said,


    ¡°Stop teasing Cordelia, look, she¡¯s blushing.¡±


    It was almost December, and the darkness fell early. The curtains in the hospital room weren¡¯t drawn,


    and Cordelia¡¯s glowing face contrasted sharply against the ck night outside. Her long eyshes


    fluttered, and her eyes were filled with an innocent naivety, quite childlike, even though she was a


    mother herself now.


    Perhaps due to the teasing from Ronan and Petra, Cordelia felt a little upset. ¡°You two, it¡¯s so easy for


    you to bring others down.¡±


    Ronan and Petra exchanged nces. That single nce made Petra¡¯s heart flutter. She knew that


    Ronan¡¯s nce at her was more for Cordelia¡¯s sake, as she saw his attention return to Cordelia shortly


    after. So, whether it was Petra sitting here today or not, Ronan would¡¯ve shared that look. Petra


    suddenly felt a pang of jealousy towards Cordelia.


    ¡°How are you getting back? With us?¡± Ronan asked Cordelia.


    Cordelia thought for a moment. ¡°How much longer till IV is done?¡±N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°Three hours?¡± Ronan asked, turning to Petra for confirmation.


    Petra nodded.


    ¡°No, I have to get up early tomorrow. Besides, don¡¯t you have to carry the child upstairs when you get


    back? The faculty building doesn¡¯t have an elevator, so Petra won¡¯t be able to carry the child up alone.


    You two better eat up. I''ll wash the dishes once you''re done," Cordelia suggested.


    Just then, Cordelia''s phone buzzed with a text on Messenger. [Hey, Cordelia. I''m in Birchwood, are you


    free?]


    Cordelia stared at the message for a while, her heart trembling. She pretended not to care and didn''t


    respond.


    Once Ronan and Petra finished eating, Cordelia washed the dishes and prepared to leave.


    "Do you want me to walk you home?" Ronan asked.


    "Oh, it¡¯s okay. I can take a taxi. You should take Petra and the child home. I''m going to sleep when I get


    back," Cordelia said, turning to leave.


    "Don''t forget to text me when you get home," Ronan reminded Cordelia.


    "Okay."


    After leaving the hospital and getting into a taxi, Cordelia texted Eason back. The message she had


    received earlier had been from him.


    [When did you get to Birchwood? Where are you now? I''lle to you.] Cordelia asked.


    [I''m staying at Crown Hotel for a conference. Come over, I have something to show you.]


    [Okay, on my way.] Cordelia instructed the driver to change direction and head to the Crown Hotel.


    The hotel was quite far from Birchwood College, practically on opposite ends of the city. When Cordelia


    arrived at the hotel lobby, she texted Eason. [I''m here, are you in your room?]


    [I just checked, the hotel is quite a distance from your school. Don''t go back tonight, get a room


    downstairs, either next to 2036 or opposite it, and head straight to school from here tomorrow.]


    [Understood.]


    Cordelia did as Eason suggested and got a room from the front desk, right across from Eason''s room.

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    Chapter 494


    Cordelia had just left the front desk when the receptionist handed her a business card, which she


    absentmindedly tossed into her purse. She made her way to Eason''s room, where he greeted her at


    the door.


    Eason was tall and bespectacled, exuding an aura of schrly sophistication that inspired an


    inexplicable trust. His handsome features bore the stamp of intellect and depth.


    "You''re here?" Eason greeted her casually, d in a crisp white shirt.


    "Yeah."


    The two interacted as if they were old friends, with a sense of familiarity hanging in the air. An


    unspoken bond of trust and understanding resided between them that was hard for others to


    "I''ve found some stuff. Come, let''s take a look," Eason said, pressing the y button on the TV remote.


    The television screen flickered to life, disying a series of photos and videos.


    "These are all images of na and Seth. Seth has been bedridden for years, and na has returned


    to London. You should be safe for now. As for why na is targeting you, my guess is that it''s rted


    to your ancestry, but you''re definitely not Allison''s daughter. If you were, na wouldn''t be acting like


    this. The only exnation is that you''re the daughter of someone powerful and na''s nemesis,"


    Eason mused. "But your true lineage remains a mystery, even to someone of my caliber."


    Cordelia attentively watched the images on the screen. She had long known that uncovering her true


    origins would be a daunting task, and she certainly didn''t expect na to reveal them willingly.


    "As for the mole on na''s ear, the only exnation is that she had it removed. This is all the


    information and photos I''ve managed to collect," said Eason, flipping through the images one by one.


    After hours of poring over the photos and videos, Cordelia felt herself growing weary.


    "I think I''ll call it a night," Cordelia announced, rising to leave. "Goodnight, Eason."


    "Have you seen him?" Eason asked as Cordelia reached the door.


    Cordelia paused, knowing exactly who Eason was referring to. "Yes, I did."


    "Do you remember what I told you?" Eason asked, his voice steady.


    After a moment''s hesitation, Cordelia nodded.


    "So, do you have an answer for me? Or are you still undecided?"


    With her back to Eason, Cordelia cautiously nodded, then shook her head.


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    "Off you go, then," Eason dismissed her.


    Cordelia returned to her own room, feeling exhausted. She decided to take a shower, but her mind was


    elsewhere. Despite thete hour, she wasn''t sleepy. Memories from three years ago began to surface.


    Her depression, the constant pressure from na, her disappointment in Ronan, the relentless


    academic demands, and the profound loneliness that consumed her every night.


    Tears would often stream down her face until daybreak. Eventually, on the rmendation of a friend,


    she found herself at the UC mental health clinic.


    As she walked into the clinic, her face was etched with worry.


    The psychologist, Eason, was also the founder of UC.


    "He shares a simr name like him." Cordelia muttered, looking at the business card in her hand.


    "Who?" Eason asked gently.


    "My ex-husband. His German name is Ethan."


    "Oh, that''s quitemon," Eason replied with a smile.

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    In that session, Eason hypnotized Cordelia. He could tell that her situation was dire.


    Cordelia had no idea what she had revealed in her sleep, but when she opened her eyes, she noticed


    a different look in Eason''s eyes.


    From then on, she visited Eason''s clinic on a weekly basis. Perhaps it was because Eason was a


    psychologist, he was affable and empathetic, and made friends easily. Over time, he and Cordelia


    became great friends. Their rtionship was hinting at something more but not quite crossing into


    romance. Cordelia was definitely closer to Eason than she was to Jamie because, in a foreignnd,


    Eason was the only one she could open up to.


    Just now, Eason had asked Cordelia whether she wanted to continue her rtionship with Ronan.


    Three years ago, Eason had posed the same question to her. Back then, Cordelia could hardly tolerate


    Ronan''s actions.


    Back then, Cordelia had no answer, and she still didn''t now. Apart from her mother, Ronan had now


    taken two more lives. Cordelia had no affection for these people and even detested them, but she


    couldn''t deny Ronan''s ruthless nature.


    Cordelia mulled over many things without sleep. She saw a new message on her phone. It was from


    Brooklyn, saying, [I want to bring the kids over to see you tomorrow, is that OK?]


    The message was sent three hours ago, when Cordelia was video-chatting with Eason and hadn''t seen


    it. Cordelia replied, [Sure,e on over.]


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    Brooklyn didn''t respond.


    Cordelia drifted off to sleep, vaguely hearing a knock at the door. She instinctively got up to answer it,


    then returned to bed and fell back asleep.


    Eason entered and sat by her bed.


    "I''m heading to a meeting," he said.


    "Mmm," Cordelia murmured, turning over and continuing to sleep. She had only slept for three hours,


    and her mind felt foggy.


    Eason quietly sat by her side, noticing the tear stains on her white pillowcase. "Why have you been


    crying? What were you thinking about yesterday?" he asked Cordelia.


    Cordelia woke up at his words, but she kept her back to Eason.


    Eason gently bent down and ced a kiss on Cordelia''s forehead. "After the meeting, I''ll take you out


    for dinner."


    "I... can''t today. A ssmate ising over."


    Eason smiled gently. "When would you be free?"


    "I''ll send you a message when I can. Aren''t you staying for a few days?" Cordelia asked.


    "Yes."


    "Then wait for me," Cordelia said.


    Eason tucked the nket around Cordelia and left.


    A man like Eason, gentle and understanding, could easily win a woman''s heart. Moreover, he was


    wealthy, belonging to an aristocratic family in Ennd. Despite this, he treated Cordelia like a princess,


    with immense respect, a stark contrast to Ronan.


    ...


    On Ronan''s end.


    At midnight, after Jayson hadpleted his IV drip, Ronan drove him and Petra home. On the way,


    Jayson seemed to call Petra "mom" in his sleep and even called Ronan "dad."


    Ronan nced at him through the rearview mirror but didn''t respond.


    Fortunately, Jayson fell asleep. However, his calling Ronan "dad" stirred up a whirlwind of thoughts in


    Petra''s mind. She thought, ¡°How wonderful it would be if Ronan was really the child''s father.¡± She knew


    it was wishful thinking, as Ronan already had his own child.


    Petra handed Ronan a bank card in the study. "If you want to lend me money, you can transfer it to this


    card."


    Ronan took a picture of it. "I''ll message you once I''ve made the transfer."


    "Sure."


    After settling the child down, Ronan prepared to leave. Petra didn''t insist on him staying.

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    As he was leaving, Ronan happened to see the "Rmendation Form" on Petra''s desk, with


    Cordelia at the very top. Her photo was stunning. Her hair was neatly arranged, her eyes sparkled, and


    she had a gorgeous, gentle demeanor that was different from before.


    Ronan noticed Petra had given Cordelia an A+ rating. It seemed like a very high rating.


    A small smile tugged at the corners of Ronan''s mouth, simr to the pride a parent would feel seeing


    their child get a perfect score.


    "I''m heading out," Ronan told Petra.


    "Alright, it''ste. You should get some rest. Where are you headed tonight?"


    Ronan hesitated for a moment, but then said, "I''m going to my grandfather''s house."


    Petra didn''t say anything more, but she noticed Ronan''s pause. It seemed that anything rted to


    Cordelia was of great concern to him.


    Instead of going straight to his grandfather''s house, Ronan went to Cordelia''s, but no matter how long


    he knocked, there was no answer from inside Cordelia''s apartment.


    "Cordelia," he called out, raising his voice in case she was inside. Still, there was no response. Just as


    he was about to call her, a neighbor from across the hall came out.


    "Oh, Mr. Ronan, are you looking for Ms. Haselwood?" the neighbor asked with sleepy eyes, probably


    just awoken from sleep.


    "Yes."


    "Ms. Haselwood left in the afternoon to deliver food and hasn''t returned."


    "She hasn''t returned?" Ronan furrowed his brows.


    "Right," the neighbor confirmed after a moment of thought. "She hasn''t returned."


    "Thanks for the info," Ronan thanked and left, heading back to his grandfather''s house. He had fully


    intended to stay at her ce that night but was disappointed to find her not at home. Was she hiding


    because she guessed he woulde over?


    ......


    Samantha ended up not getting the lead role in The Queen. She didn''t even get a secondary or tertiary


    role, her presencepletely absent from the show.


    na was smart. She had promised Samantha the lead role if she could break up Ronan and Cordelia,


    but na knew Samantha wasn''t lead material. Samantha could y a viin, but not the lead. na


    knew Samantha couldn''t break up Ronan and Cordelia, and she wouldn''t risk her career for Samantha.


    This time, she was determined to make a blockbuster.


    na had learned about Harold''s situation and stopped paying attention to him once she realized he


    was of no use.


    The man in the ck suit promised Samantha that even though she lost this role, there would be


    others. He suggested Samantha take some time off.


    na had recently returned to the UK to handle some personal affairs.


    After wrapping up In Love with My Professor, Samantha didn''t immediately return to Millstone. Instead,


    she hung around Birchwood College while Sienna stayed at the hotel. Samantha stayed because she


    had set her sights on Harold. If she could snag a young stud while filming at Birchwood, wouldn''t that


    be great?


    One day, as Harold was heading to ss with his books, he bumped into Samantha on campus.


    "Samantha?" Harold, unaware of Samantha''s feud with Cordelia, was always polite to Samantha.


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    "Harold?" Samantha feigned surprise at running into him, her face lighting up.


    "What are you doing here?"


    "Are you headed to ss? Can I join you? I''ve finished filming and have nothing to do. I''m bored,"


    Samantha said.


    Harold nced at the time on his phone. They still had half an hour before ss started. "Sure, we


    have plenty of time. You''re wee to join me. This ss is arge one so the teacher won''t notice.


    Let me get you a cup of smoothie."


    As they passed a smoothie shop, Harold didn''t hesitate and bought Samantha a cup.

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    Chapter 497


    Samantha had never met a man as handsome and considerate as Harold. She was ted, sipping on


    her sweet smoothie.


    She had a hunch, that Harold''s kindness towards her was solely because Samantha was Cordelia''s


    cousin. Harold had repressed all his affection for Cordelia, giving up on pursuing her. Instead, he


    harbored this love deep within his heart, loving the one who loves.


    "I''m feeling down today. I''ve wrapped up my part at Birchwood College," Samantha shared. "There''s


    this show, The Queen. I''ve lost the lead role, and I don¡¯t want to y the supporting role. This show''s


    going to be a hit for sure." She spoke as if she had been offered the supporting role.


    "Life is full of ups and downs. It''s the turbulence that makes life interesting. Smooth sailing is boring,"


    Harold reflected, thinking about his unrequited love for Cordelia and the awkwardness that still lingered


    from finding out about Cordelia''s ex-husband, Ronan.


    True to his words, Samantha perked up. "You''re right." Her eyes crinkled as she smiled.


    Across from them, Brooklyn arrived with her child, Andi. Her gazended on Samantha, wondering


    what she was doing at Cordelia''s college. Cordelia had asked her toest night, so she had gotten


    up early, only to find Cordelia silent. Brooklyn had no choice but to wander around the campus with her


    child. Unexpectedly, she bumped into Samantha.


    Samantha was too engrossed in her conversation with Harold to notice Brooklyn. They passed by


    Brooklyn without a word.


    Last night, when Cordelia had replied to Brooklyn''s message, it was alreadyte. Brooklyn figured she


    had slept in and didn''t bother calling her in the morning, so she had just shown up. It was now past ten,


    and Cordelia still hadn''t reached out. Brooklyn decided to call her.


    "Cordelia, where are you?" She asked.


    Cordelia responded groggily, "You''re there already?"


    "Yeah, I''m at your campus. Hurry up ande. You gotta treat me to lunch." Brooklyn said.


    "Then you are at..." Cordelia mumbled as she was ruffling her hair, "There''s a big garden on the


    campus. Have you seen it? Can you wait for me there?"


    "How long will it take?"


    "Um, just give me a moment," Cordelia replied. "You guys can roam around the campus. I might take a


    while to get there."


    "Where are you going?"


    "I''ll tell youter."


    After hanging up the call, Brooklyn received a message from Edwin. [I¡¯ve heard Mr. Evans is in


    Birchwood too. When Cordelia treats you to lunch, invite him too. Maybe try to set them up again.]


    [Okay.]


    Standing in the campus garden, Brooklyn sent a message to Ronan. [Mr. Evans, Edwin told me you''re


    in Birchwood. I''m here too, I think Cordelia might invite me for lunch. If you''re free, you shoulde


    too.]


    Now that Brooklyn wasn''t working under Ronan, she wasn''t as intimidated and spoke more freely.


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    Ronan didn''t reply.


    After hanging up the phone, Cordelia rushed toward the campus. Once there, she saw Andi and


    Brooklyn. Perhaps because she had children herself, Cordelia felt a sense of familiarity when seeing a


    child of Callum''s age.


    "Hello, godmother." Andi''s smile was so wide, his eyes were almost invisible.


    "Oh, sweetie, your godmother is very happy." Cordelia almost forgot that she was Andi''s godmother.


    "By the way, Cordelia, Edwin said Mr. Evans is around Birchwood, too. We should invite him for lunch.


    He was my boss, after all," Brooklyn suggested.


    Cordelia''s face fell at this. "Why? Isn''t it enough just the two of us?"


    "Edwin suggested it. I''vee all the way to Birchwood, and it would be impolite not to. Edwin still


    depends on him for work," Brooklyn pleaded.


    "Alright then." Cordelia wasn''t thrilled about inviting Ronan. She felt ufortable around him. But for


    the sake of Brooklyn and Edwin''s future, Cordelia sent Ronan a message. [Brooklyn is here to visit. I''m


    treating her to lunch, do you want to join?]


    Cordelia hoped he was busy and wouldn''te. But to her surprise, he replied. [Address.]

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    Chapter 498


    [We haven''t decided yet,] Cordelia replied.


    [Where are you now?] He asked again.


    [I''m at school with Brooklyn.]


    [I''ll swing by and pick you guys up. We can figure out where to go on the way.]


    "Sounds good.]


    Ronan was no stranger to their school. His pickup truck was parked nearby, ready to whisk Cordelia,


    Brooklyn, and Andi away for the impromptu outing.


    The three of them squeezed into the backseat.


    "Hey, godfather!" Andi greeted Ronan enthusiastically.


    "Hey, sweetheart."


    "Now we have both your godfather and godmother around," Brooklyn said, turning to Cordelia. "What''s


    in your bag, Cordelia? It''s so hard."


    Brooklyn had inadvertently bumped into Cordelia''s bag. Remembering the leftovers fromst night''s


    dinner still inside, Cordelia tried to deflect the question. "Books, maybe? I always carry books in my


    bag."


    "Oh, okay." Brooklyn, not much of a bookworm, didn''t press the issue further.


    Soon, they arrived at the seafood grill Cordelia had chosen. It wasn''t ideal, but at this hour, all the


    upscale restaurants were fully booked. The grill was a new business offering a buy-one-get-one-free


    deal, so Cordelia had settled on it.


    Despite the grill''sck of sophistication, Ronan chose to bite his tongue for Cordelia''s sake. They


    settled at a table for four, with Ronan naturally taking the seat next to Cordelia.


    As the server brought out their meals, Brooklyn started gossiping about a mutual acquaintance.


    "Cordelia, did you know Samantha is now at Birchwood College? She''s dating a much younger guy.


    Can you believe it?"


    "Really?" Cordelia asked, suddenly remembering Harold, who she had driven to college once before.


    She showed Brooklyn a picture of Harold. "Is this him?"


    "Yes, that''s him. He''s quite handsome." Brooklyn confirmed, picking at her grilled fish.


    Cordelia''s mind started racing. She had to warn Harold about Samantha.


    "Do you have a picture of Harold?" Ronan asked suddenly.


    "Yes, I do. I have pictures of all my students," Cordelia answered defiantly.


    "What about mine?" He asked.


    Cordelia hesitated before answering, "I don''t have one of you. You''re not a student of mine."


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


    "Do you want me to give you one?" Ronan asked, leaning a bit closer.


    "No, thanks," Cordelia responded, taking a bite of her fish.


    "Are you two married?" Andi asked out of the blue.


    Cordelia nearly choked on her fish.


    "We used to be," Ronan said.


    "And what about in the future?" Andi asked.


    "We will be," Ronan answered.

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    Chapter 499


    During mealtime, Cordelia''s arm would graze against Ronan''s every now and then. Ronan would


    nce at her but didn¡¯t seem to mind. From time to time, he would look her way. Sometimes Cordelia


    would meet his gaze, sometimes she wouldn¡¯t, in a sort of "whatever, deal with it" manner. Ronan


    chose not to make a fuss.


    When the check came, the total was merely $56. Cordelia had a $10 coupon, meaning she only spent


    a little over $46.


    ¡°Hold on, let me find the coupon.¡± As she said this, Cordelia removed her purse and started rummaging


    through it.


    ¡°Cordelia, you''re such a penny-pincher, some best friend you are.¡± Clearly, Brooklyn was not impressed


    by the meal Cordelia had treated her to.


    ¡°You''re not staying here for long. I''ve covered your amodation and meals. This meal was just to


    whet your appetite, and there''s a bigger feast tomorrow. Plus, my ce only has one bed, a twin size,


    so it¡¯s a bit of a squeeze. I can book you a room at the college guesthouse, okay?¡± Cordelia reasoned.


    Her words were primarily for Ronan¡¯s benefit.


    Could Ronan not pick up on that? It seemed after all these years, she was somewhat resistant to


    sharing a bed with him. Ronan let out a small scoff, ¡°I remember we''ve shared a twin bed before, it


    wasn''t an issue.¡±


    It took Cordelia a while to recall that her bed was indeed a twin-sized bed. ¡°Don¡¯t tter yourself, I


    wasn''t talking about you,¡± Cordelia retorted.


    ¡°But I took it to heart.¡±


    Caught in a bind by Ronan, Cordelia had no choice but to pretend to be seriously looking for the


    coupon. Suddenly, a business card fell out of her purse.


    Ronan took one nce and saw the words. Crown Hotel. This was the only six-star hotel in Birchwood.


    Given Cordelia''s frugality, Ronan knew she would never stay at such a high-end hotel. Plus, why would


    she stay at a hotel while she was in school? The only exnation was that someone hade to


    Birchwood and was staying there. Probably that Eason fellow.


    Just now, she had hinted that they wouldn''t share a bed, yetst night, she had probably slept in


    another man¡¯s bed.


    This was favoritism. He had to meet Eason and see what kind of man he was.


    After dinner, Cordelia proposed a night out to show Brooklyn and her son the beautiful nighttime views


    of Birchwood. Brooklyn agreed enthusiastically.


    Ronan dropped Brooklyn and her son off at their hotel and then escorted Cordelia back home. He


    didn''t leave right away.


    Cordelia was yawning incessantly, looking almost like she was high.


    ¡°Didn''t sleep wellst night? What were you up to?¡± he asked Cordelia.


    ¡°Oh, I was working on a paper.¡± Cordelia lied off the cuff. She was indeed tired and wanted Ronan to


    leave. There was a big difference between going to bed at 1 or 2 in the morning and going to bed at 11,


    even if the duration of sleep was the same.


    ¡°Hmm, what''s the paper about?¡± Ronan lit a cigarette and started smoking inside the apartment.


    ¡°Can you smoke outside? I''m going to sleep, and you better not disturb me,¡± Cordelia said while waving


    away the smoke.


    ¡°Sure thing, go sleep.¡±


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Ronan sat on the couch outside, slowly puffing on his cigarette.


    Cordelia was indeed tired and soon fell asleep. She was lying on her side in bed, probably dreaming


    about Eason because of their recent encounter. Back in school, she often got confused over some


    academic issues, which resulted in her getting lower grades. She would go to Eason for help, and


    Eason would patiently exin the issues for her. His London ent was incredibly charming.

 Chapter 500

    Chapter 500


    Cordelia''s beauty and talent drew many suitors her way, but Cordelia was dedicated to her studies and


    found the attention bothersome. Eason remarked, "In my eyes, you''ve always been remarkable. Don¡¯t


    you think so? They''re not a nuisance. They''re just discerning. You shouldn''t feel so overwhelmed."


    Often, she would sit for hours, her thoughts consumed by Ronan and their child. And when she missed


    Callum, tears would fall, a quiet pitter-patter against her cheeks. Eason would then pull her into his


    embrace, whispering, "Don''t cry. Absence only makes the heart grow fonder."


    Each time she woke from this hypnotic state, she felt a bit more healed. At those moments, she would


    reach out and call, "Eason."


    He would take her hand and help her up.


    In her dreams, Cordelia would find herself back in the past, whispering, "Eason."


    Ronan heard her from outside and entered her room. "What is it?" he asked.


    "Eason."


    Ronan thought she was calling for him. "I''m here."


    Feeling that something was off, Cordelia slowly awakened from her dream, sweating profusely. Looking


    up to find Ronan standing by her bed, she felt momentarily disoriented. She couldn''t remember calling


    out for Eason. She was confused.


    "You haven''t left?" she asked Ronan.


    "No. If you n to take them out to see the city at night, I''ll drive you." Ronan''s voice was unexpectedly


    gentle, perhaps affected by being called his name in Cordelia''s dream. He had nned to leave, but


    now he had a change of heart.


    Cordelia thought about it. Having a young child around, it would indeed be more convenient to have a


    car. And most importantly, it was what Ronan wanted. Once Ronan made a decision, it was difficult for


    others to change it.


    Cordelia nodded in agreement. She got up to prepare for the day''s lessons.


    In the evening, Cordelia messaged Brooklyn about nning to go to the central za in Birchwood.


    She had heard there would be fireworks.


    [Sounds great, my son loves fireworks,] Brooklyn replied.


    Ronan drove, picking up Brooklyn and her son. Throughout the drive, Ronan was mostly quiet, as if lost


    in thought.


    Upon reaching their destination, Brooklyn asked, "Mr. Evans, aren''t you joining us? The fireworks in


    Birchwood are quite a sight."


    "I''ve seen them since I was a child. They don¡¯t interest me anymore," Ronan replied. He reached for


    his pack of cigarettes, but his attention was caught by the slow pace of Andi exiting the car. His


    cigarette remained untouched.


    "Oh, right. I forgot you are a Birchwood native," Brooklyn remarked. "Let''s go then."


    With that, the three of them left. Cordelia and Brooklyn each held Andi''s hand as they made their way


    to the fireworks. Andi was visibly excited.


    From his parking spot not far from the fireworks, Ronan kept his gaze fixed on Cordelia. He noticed her


    pull out her phone, and her fingers flying across the screen. Her quiet focus on her phone contrasted


    sharply with the excited crowd around her, who were all looking up at the fireworks.


    It was at this moment that Cordelia was texting Eason.


    [I''m leaving the day after tomorrow. Can you make time for me tomorrow afternoon or evening?] Eason


    wrote.


    Cordelia was unsure when Brooklyn would leave and felt conflicted. But after a moment of thought, she


    decided that if she took Brooklyn out for the entire day, Andi would likely be too tired to go out for


    dinner. So she replied to Eason, [How about tomorrow night?]


    [Rose Bistro.]


    [Okay.]Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.

 Chapter 501

    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.


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    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."

 Chapter 502

    Chapter 502


    After dinner, Eason intended to drop Cordelia off at her school, but she insisted that as the resident of


    Birchwood, it was her duty to escort Eason back to his hotel. iming she had overindulged, she


    wanted to walk off the meal.


    They ambled slowly toward the hotel.


    For some reason, Cordelia felt an inexplicable warmth towards Eason, as though he were an old friend.


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Eason said to her, "Cordelia, don''t take na''s words to heart. Life''s too short to live for anyone but


    yourself. If you''re going to let na''s words get you down, what''s the point of it all? I think that maybe


    you''re just disappointed in Ronan, and na''s just an excuse for you to get out. It''s like she''s thest


    straw that broke the camel''s back. And about your mom... try not to be too heartbroken."


    Cordelia looked down, then nodded. "Yeah, you always seem to see right through me."


    "Do I have a sixth sense or something?" Eason chuckled, patting her shoulder.


    "You do, you really do," Cordelia affirmed, looking up at him earnestly.


    Eason hugged her closely. "I''ve got to go now. Take care of yourself."


    Cordelia murmured an acknowledgment,fortable with the intimacy shared with Eason.


    "Take a cab, I''ll watch until you''re gone," Eason told her.


    After Cordelia left, Eason returned to the hotel. The lobby was bustling, but the front desk informed him


    that someone was waiting for him.


    ncing over, he saw a figure in a dark wool coat standing out among the crowd, exuding an air of


    sophisticated elegance. Eason approached.


    Earlier, Ronan had witnessed the heartfelt conversation and farewell hug between Eason and Cordelia


    at the hotel entrance. He had been smoking, squinting through the smoke.


    Ronan had suspected that Cordelia might have arranged to meet with Eason after seeing her


    messaging someone on her phone the night before. He had never encountered Eason or heard his


    tales, but something about this man set Ronan''s nerves on edge.


    "Mr. Evans, I''ve heard a lot about you," Eason extended his hand for a shake.


    "You know me?" Ronan reached out as well, not surprised that Eason knew his name.


    "Shall we talk in my room?" Eason suggested.


    Ronan followed without question, mirroring Eason''sck of surprise at his visit.


    Once inside room 2306, Ronan nced at the room opposite. The receptionist had mentioned that


    Cordelia had stayed there.


    Inside, Eason handed Ronan a business card with his contact information in the UK and his name


    Eason.


    Ronan chuckled at the realization. The man Cordelia had called out for in her dreams was not him but


    Eason himself. He had misread the situationpletely.


    "Mr. Evans, you seem to know everything. Yes, Cordelia did stay in that room across from mine. I came


    to discuss her lineage with her," Eason continued as he yed a video showing photos of the Keegan


    family.


    "Why are you showing me this?"


    "Don''t you know that for years, Cordelia has been threatened by na and didn''t dare to associate


    with you? na has a lot of influence, and Cordelia didn''t want to endanger you." Eason flipped


    through the video as he spoke, "I''ve been trying to unravel Cordelia''s past for her, but every time I get


    close to na, I hit a wall. It''s like there''s a giant web trapping everything, and I can''t make any


    progress."


    Ronan squinted at Eason. "You''ve been looking into this for her? Why?"

 Chapter 503

    Chapter 503


    ¡°I fancy Cordelia. Is that cool?¡± Eason fixed his gaze on Ronan. ¡°She¡¯s divorced. Sure, she was married


    before, but that¡¯s ancient history. Plus, she hasn¡¯t spoken to her ex in three years. That¡¯s pretty much a


    dead end, right, Mr. Evans? Anything wrong with that?¡±


    Ronan arched an eyebrow and let out a wry chuckle. ¡°Nothing wrong at all.¡±


    ¡°These past three years, we¡¯ve been like friends, and we¡¯ve been like more than friends. We¡¯ve


    supported each other and taken care of each other. I think it¡¯s time to take things to the next level,


    maybe even tie the knot. Nothing wrong with that, is there?¡± Eason went on.


    ¡°And with marriage on the cards, why on earth would you sleep in separate rooms?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I respect Cordelia. I¡¯m not into pressuring people. Her ex was all about that, and she totally hated


    it. I didn¡¯t want to make her ufortable, so I never made a move. She thought abouting to my


    room once, but I said no. I knew she had just returned from abroad and was going through a lot. I


    wouldn¡¯t take advantage of her. Right, Mr. Evans?¡±


    Eason¡¯s words wereden with insinuations, and Ronan was no fool to miss them. Besides, Cordelia


    had shared even her most intimate fears with him ¨C they must¡¯ve been incredibly close.


    ¡°You seem like quite the gentleman, Dr. Eason,¡± Ronan remarked sarcastically.


    ¡°I¡¯m no saint, but I¡¯m certainly not a creep. Oh, and did you know? Cordelia¡¯s scared of you.


    Sometimes, she can barely breathe.¡± Eason dropped another bomb.


    ¡°And how would you know that?¡± Ronan asked coolly.


    ¡°She tells me everything.¡±


    ¡°Of course, you¡¯re her shrink,¡± Ronan noted, with perfect timing.


    ¡°A man who can take three lives and not bat an eyelid is certainly someone to be afraid of. Isn¡¯t that


    right, Mr. Evans? It¡¯s like sleeping next to someone who¡¯s got a knife under the pillow. How can you


    sleep easily? Fear is a natural response. Moreover, you and Cordelia don¡¯t really have a deep


    connection. It was an idental beginning, a marriage before love, if you can even call it love. Maybe


    it¡¯s more like cohabitation,¡± Eason said. ¡°I''m done here, Mr. Evans. I¡¯m beat, and I¡¯ve got a flight back to


    Ennd tomorrow. Sorry to leave you, Mr. Evans.¡±


    With that, he¡¯d said all he had to say.


    Ronan stepped out of the Crown Hotel and lit up a cigarette. He knew he had met a formidable


    opponent. What about Cordelia''s connection to na? Howe Eason had been digging for three


    years and found nothing?


    Lost in thought, Ronan¡¯s phone rang. It was Petra.


    ¡°Hello?¡± he answered.


    ¡°Daddy,¡± came the voice on the other end.


    Ronan paused for a moment. ¡°I''m not your dad. Are you feeling better?¡±


    ¡°All better.¡±


    ¡°No more fever?¡±


    ¡°Gone. Daddy, can youe and see me?¡±


    Ronan thought it over. He was heading back to Millstone soon anyway. It wouldn¡¯t hurt to visit the kid.


    Another voice leaked through the phone. ¡°Who are you on the phone with?¡± Petra muttered in the


    background.


    ¡°With my daddy.¡±


    ¡°Which daddy?¡± Petra sounded puzzled.


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    ¡°The one who took me to the hospital.¡±


    ¡°There, there, Jayson, he¡¯s not your daddy, remember that.¡±


    ¡°But I want him to be my daddy.¡±


    Petra¡¯s voice came through again. ¡°Hey, Ronan, I was just preparing a lesson, and Jayson grabbed my


    phone. Sorry about that. Don''t mind his nonsense. You¡¯ve got your own things to do.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯m heading back to Millstone soon. I¡¯ll drop by for a visit.¡±


    ¡°Do you want to stay for dinner?¡± Petra asked him.


    ¡°Mommy, tell Daddy to stay for dinner. Please.¡± Jayson was pleading in the background.


    Petra seemed unable to say no to Jayson. ¡°Alright, alright, I''ll go get some groceries.¡±


    Then she seemed almost apologetic as she spoke to Ronan, ¡°This kid, I tell ya. For his sake, why don¡¯t


    you stay for dinner?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Petra hung up the phone.

 Chapter 504

    Chapter 504


    Back in the day, there were things Petra couldn¡¯t pull off, no matter how hard she tried, but now, with


    this little boy, she was managing them with ease.


    Thest time, she was desperate to get Jayson sick, so she stripped his bed of nkets in the dead of


    night, locked his door, and left him shivering without his pajamas. She let him cry, refusing to give him


    any warmth. She reasoned that the kid wasn¡¯t hers. He was the son of a criminal. She had no


    expectations of future gratitude, so she might as well make use of him now.


    This time, she imed the boy had identally dialed Ronan¡¯s number, but in truth, she''d nudged him


    to do it. Thanks to the kid, she was now getting more face-to-face time with Ronan¡ªgrowing closer.


    Ronan swung by Petra''s ce. The moment Jayson saw him, he clung to his legs, chanting, "Daddy,


    Daddy."


    "I''m not your daddy, got it?" Ronan was irked by the persistent use of "Daddy."


    Jayson nced at Petra. "Sweetie, Uncle Ronan isn''t your dad," Petra corrected gently.


    "I was just about to hit the market. Wannae along?" Petra offered.


    Jayson kept tugging at Ronan¡¯s hand. "Come with us, Uncle Ronan, please?"


    "I might not be around for dinner, but let''s get out for a bit. Kid needs some fresh air," Ronan


    suggested.


    Though slightly disappointed, Petra maintained her cheerful disposition. "Alright, let¡¯s head down to the


    The three of them made their way to the small garden below. To the unsuspecting eye, they looked like


    a family.


    Jayson, holding Ronan¡¯s hand, wanted to pick flowers for his mom, but it was winter, and the park was


    barren. Instead, he found a pretty leaf and ced it in Petra¡¯s hair.


    "You¡¯re making a fool of mommy with that leaf," Petra said with a motherly smile.


    "It looks nice on you, Mommy."


    Petra seemed skeptical of the child''s praise and looked to Ronan for confirmation. "Does it look good?"


    "It''s not bad."


    "Mr. Evans, what brings you here?" came a voice from nearby. Ronan looked up to see Harold chatting


    with Samantha, holding a basketball.


    Harold had run into Samantha on his way to the gym. She had poured her heart out to him and even


    shed tears over her dwindling acting opportunities.


    "Come here." Ronan motioned to Harold with a slight frown.


    Samantha thought, ¡°Ronan must be telling Harold to stay away from her. If I can''t be happy, neither will


    he.¡± She took out her phone, ready to snap a photo of Ronan and Petra to send to Cordelia.


    "Did Cordelia mention anything to you?" Ronan asked Harold.


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


    "About what?"


    "To keep your distance from Samantha?"


    "Not yet. I have her ss tomorrow, and she hasn¡¯t reached out privately," Harold replied.


    "Samantha''s up to no good. You''d do well to avoid her."


    "But why? Isn''t she Cordelia''s cousin?"


    Jayson returned, hugging Ronan''s leg and breaking his concentration. Ronan excused himself back to


    Petra.


    Harold went back to Samantha.


    "What did he say?" she prodded.


    "Oh, nothing much. Just stuff about my mom. Listen, cuz, I gotta bounce and hit the court."


    "Sure," Samantha replied, visibly deted.


    After Harold left, Samantha didn¡¯t move right away. She hid, watching Ronan and Petra, waiting for the


    perfect moment to capture a seemingly intimate photo to send to Cordelia.


    "I¡¯ve got to run," Ronan said, checking his watch.


    Petra, holding the child¡¯s hand, casually nced at Ronan¡¯s watch. "What time is it?"


    "After four."


    "I''ve got ns tonight. Gotta head over to Grandpa''s. Did you get the money I transferred?" Ronan


    asked Petra.


    "Yeah, I got it. Thanks, Ronan."


    From Samantha''s vantage point, the two appeared to be kissing. She quickly snapped several clear


    shots, and then another of them with the child. They looked like the perfect happy family.


    Samantha sent the photos from her Messenger to Cordelia''s old phone.

 Chapter 505

    Chapter 505


    Cordelia''s old cell phone was gathering dust now, reced by the sleek new smartphone that rarely left


    her hand.


    After Ronan returned to his grandfather''s house, he dropped a quick message to Janice. [You''d better


    have a word with your son. Tell him to keep his distance from Samantha.] He was wary of Samantha


    taking advantage of Harold.


    It didn''t take long for Janice to respond. ["Mr. Evans, don''t you worry.]


    That very night, Janice had a heart-to-heart with Harold over the phone, filling him in on how Samantha


    had once wronged Cordelia. Harold finally understood why Mr. Evans had cautioned him that day, but


    he wasn''t defiant. If Samantha''s character was questionable, it only made sense to stay clear of her.


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


    In the background of the video call, Harold heard a child''s cough.


    "Mom, is Callum sick?" he asked. "Mr. Evans isn''t around. Didn''t you apany him to see the


    doctor?"


    "No big deal, probably just caught a chill this morning. I''ve made him some ginger tea, and he had an


    apple. Tomorrow, I''ll whip up some juice. Callum will bounce back in no time," Janice reassured Harold.


    "Alright, then. You take care," Harold said before hanging up.


    The next day, after the ounting ss, Cordelia pulled Harold aside to speak about Samantha.


    "Look, Cordelia, I got it. I''ll keep my distance from her," Harold replied, a hint of impatience in his voice.


    Several people had already spoken to him about his frequent contact with Samantha. As a young man,


    it was natural for him to be a bit irked.


    "Someone''s already told you?" Cordelia asked while she packed up her books.


    "Yeah, Mr. Evans, and my mom too. Oh, and by the way, did you know your son might be sick?" Harold


    added. "I was video chatting with my mom yesterday and heard Callum coughing in the background.


    Didn''t sound good."


    He didn''t mention his mom''s remedies, not wanting to give Cordelia another opening to loop back to


    Samantha. He was tired of the constant warnings. It was not like there was anything going on between


    him and Samantha, despite what everyone seemed to imply.


    "Callum?" Cordelia''s brow furrowed with concern. She almost stumbled, unsure if Callum''s cough was


    natural or deliberate.


    Deliberate would mean na. She even feared the worst. What if na had poisoned Callum''s drink


    to harm him?


    Rushing out of the ssroom, Cordelia quickly checked her old phone to send Janice a message.


    Instead, she was bombarded with a dozen photos sent by Samantha, each showing Ronan cozying up


    with Petra. Some shots were quite intimate.


    Cordelia tried to ignore them, but the timing was awful. Here she was, worried sick about her own child,


    and there was Ronan, enjoying cozy moments with another woman and her child. Frustration swelled


    in her chest, begging for release.


    [Janice, how''s Callum?] she messaged.


    [Harold told you? It''s nothing serious. I''ve made him some juice, and he''s nearly better. Just a little


    cold, nothing for you to worry about.] Came the reply.


    Cordelia breathed a slight sigh of relief, though she was still concerned. She messaged Ronan. [Where


    are you? When are you going back to Millstone?]


    [In a few days.]


    [Callum''s sick. Please, go check on him. I''m worried.]


    [If you''re worried, go yourself.] Ronan had just had a run-in with Eason and was quite irked with


    Cordelia. Just the mention of Eason was enough to get under his skin. If it weren''t for Eason using


    him of being too forceful, Cordelia would have had a piece of his mind, but he was determined to shed


    thebel of being domineering, so he held back.


    Cordelia, seeing his message and recalling the images of Ronan being affectionate with someone


    else''s child, couldn''t help but let her anger color her words. [I have sses to teach!]


    Ronan didn''t reply. However, that evening, he showed up.


    Both were brimming with unspoken anger.

 Chapter 506

    Chapter 506


    Cordelia flung the door open to find him standing there. Her tone wasced with irritation. "When are


    you nning to go home and see Callum?"


    "Can you just drop it? Always talking about the kid! Don''t you care about adults anymore?" Ronan''s


    mind was still preupied with Eason, that formidable rival whose every word, though seemingly


    indifferent, carried significant weight.


    Ronan used to be the assertive type, but now his aggressive reputation wasmon knowledge to


    both Cordelia and Eason, leaving him in an awkward position. No matter how angry he was, he had to


    hold back, especially since Cordelia had been deeply hurtst time. He wasn''t eager to cause her more


    pain.


    Cordelia, hearing Ronan''s harsh words, ignored him and returned to her desk.


    "Are you going home or not?" she asked him. "If you go now, I''ll join you."


    "No!" Ronan dered with deliberate emphasis, making sure Cordelia could hear every word.


    Cordeliaughed scornfully. "You were all cozy with someone else, ying happy family. Now that your


    own child is sick, you suddenly don''t care. Ronan, are you even fit to be a father?"


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    At her words, Ronan knew she was hinting at the incident with Petra. Gossip was rife at the school; it


    was inevitable that the story had reached her ears.


    "Jealous?" he sneered.


    Cordelia was livid. "Get out! Just get out!"


    "Don''t you point fingers at me!" Ronan was truly enraged now. He had never lost his temper with


    Cordelia like he did today, or more precisely, he was angry because of Eason.


    "Out!" Cordelia, at her wit''s end, stamped her foot and yelled.


    Unity Hall was just a three-story building, not very tall, so the slightestmotion was easily heard. At


    that moment, the students milling about downstairs could hear the noise from Cordelia''s room. Looked


    like Ms. Haselwood was having a spat with someone.


    "What are you shouting for?" Ronan''s anger rose further. He stood up from the couch and gripped


    Cordelia''s wrists tightly. ¡°Do you want everyone to know you have a temper?¡±


    Cordelia red back at him. Her eyes were burning with fury, while Ronan''s grip prevented her from


    moving.


    Unable to contain himself, Ronan leaned in to kiss her. Cordelia tried to dodge, but the disparity in their


    strength made it futile. When Ronan''s tongue forced its way into her mouth, she bit down hard on it.


    Ronan, who had closed his eyes, now red at Cordelia with eyes wide open. Cordelia met his gaze


    with equal intensity.


    In the midst of their standoff, Ronan''s phone rang. Reluctantly, he answered. "Mr. Evans," it was Peter


    from Empower Operations. "The new site renderings are ready. When can youe and take a look?"


    "I''ll be there shortly," Ronan replied, his voice dark and brooding.


    Cordelia wrestled free from Ronan''s hold as she received a notification on Messenger. It was a


    message from Peter in the group chat. [All executives, if you''re free,e take a look at the


    renderings. Of course, I''ll send pictures to everyone, but I think the on-site review is more impactful. It''s


    quite remarkable.]


    Cordelia was curious about the rendering and had already decided to buy property in Edith Hills. She


    wanted to see it for herself.


    "Are youing or not?" Ronan asked, standing by the door.


    Without a word, Cordelia grabbed her purse and followed him out. They didn''t speak on the way.


    Ronan seemed agitated, honking the horn impatiently at every red light¡ªa rare disy for someone


    who was usually cool and collected.

 Chapter 507

    Chapter 507


    At Empower Operations, all the execs making the trip were from their own ranks. The headquarters of


    Lumos Enterprises was nestled in the heart of Millstone, and though they were keen on visiting, the


    vast distance posed a challenge.


    Peter was there, waiting, with a massive blueprint hanging on the wall beside him.


    Cordelia was stunned, and her gaze was fixed on the giant letters at the top. Edith Hills plot, Edith Hills


    phases one, two, and three, Edith Hospital, Edith Shopping Center¡­ Her daughter''s name was


    everywhere. It was then that the magnitude of what Ronan had aplished dawned on her, and her


    anger toward him began to subside.


    Clearly, Peter was thrilled, too. His hands trembled with excitement as he presented.


    "The biggest residential development in Birchwood, Edith Hill. I''ve already started leasing spaces in the


    shopping center, and with our reputation, coupled with Lumos Enterprises'' clout, I''m sure it''ll be a hit.


    Moreover, if any of you execs are interested in purchasing a home here, we can offer a discount¡ª


    anything from twenty-five to thirty percent off. It''s a one-time offer, and once it''s gone, it''s gone. Plus,


    these are prime properties in the first phase, so you get first dibs," Peter said, his voice brimming with


    enthusiasm. "We''re tentatively pricing these at fifty-six thousand per square meter, but with the


    discount, you do the math. Firste, first served."


    Cordelia had been tempted from the get-go, and was nning to buy a ce once they hit the market.


    She hadn''t expected Peter to offer them an inside deal so soon. She was itching to take the plunge but


    was strapped for cash.


    Ronan had given her one hundred and fifty million, which she had stashed away in the bank, convinced


    that it wasn''t really hers to spend. She calcted quickly. To buy a hundred square meters would cost


    her over four million, money she didn''t have on hand.


    After a moment''s thought, she realized there was only one person who could lend her that kind of cash


    ¡ªRonan. She stole a nce at him; he was still studying the blueprint intently.


    On the drive back, Cordelia found herself unable to broach the subject of borrowing money, and


    instead stared out the window in silence.


    Surprisingly, it was Ronan who broke the silence first. "Thinking of buying a house?"


    "How did you know?"


    Ronan chuckled, a knowing look in his eyes, as if amused by Cordelia''s predictability. "When you


    passed up on the faculty housing, I figured Edith Hills had caught your eye."


    Cordelia, her prowess deted, still needed the loan. She figured if Ronan could lend to Petra, he could


    lend to her as well, even if she needed a bit more. After all, with her nearly two-million annual ie,


    which he was aware of, she could definitely afford to pay him back.


    "Could you lend me some money? I''ll pay interest at the bank rate," she finally mustered the courage to


    ask.


    "No."


    Cordelia had nned to tell him that she would repay part of it with this year''s Empower Operations


    earnings, and the rest with her research grant the following year, but before she couldy out her ns,


    he had already refused.


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Feeling a sting in her pride, she asked Ronan to stop the car as they reached the school gates and


    hurried into Unity Hall. Ronan didn''t follow her into the school.


    As Cordelia made her way through the arcade toward Unity Hall, she spotted Petra basking in


    contentment.


    Now, whenever the two women crossed paths, each harbored their own thoughts. Cordelia felt a pang


    of imbnce, knowing Ronan treated Petra¡¯s child better than his own and had lent money to Petra but


    not to her. This contrast weighed on Cordelia. Petra''s disregard for Cordelia had begun that fateful


    night at the hospital, when Cordelia had brought dinner, and the subtle intricacies of their rtionship


    had been weaving ever since.

 Chapter 508

    Chapter 508


    "Where have you been, Cordelia?" Petra inquired, her gaze briefly lifting from her mug of steaming


    coffee.


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    "Oh, just had a meeting at Empower Operations," Cordelia replied, slipping off her coat.


    Petra just hummed in response and went about her business. Neither of them spoke again.


    When Cordelia got home, she asked Janice about her son''s well-being.


    "Ma''am, Callum''s been asking about you a lottely. He wants you toe home. Maybe you could


    swing by when you have a chance?" Janice suggested with a maternal concern in her voice.


    Cordelia hummed in acknowledgment, considering catching the early bus tomorrow morning. It was


    alreadyte, and thest bus to Millstone had stopped running for the night.


    Just then, her phone buzzed¡ªit was Ronan.


    "Hey," Cordelia answered.


    "Janice mentioned you''re heading back to Millstone. Join me?"


    "When?"


    "Right now."


    Cordelia nced at her watch¡ªit was already past four. It would be close to nine by the time she got to


    Millstone. Hitching a ride seemed like the best option and a good chance to check on Callum.


    "Alright."


    She hastily packed a small bag and headed to Ronan¡¯s grandpa''s house, where Ronan was already


    waiting for her downstairs.


    After getting in the car, the two of them sat in silence. Cordelia slowly drifted to sleep. When she woke,


    they were pulling up to Pearl Palms. Ronan was already unloading stuff from the car.


    At the doorstep, a little figure stood eagerly awaiting them. "Dad''s back! Where''s Mom? Didn''t Janice


    say you were bothing?"


    Cordelia didn''t bother with her luggage; instead, she bent down to wrap Callum in her arms. "Mom''s


    here, darling. I heard you weren''t feeling well. Are you better now?" She peppered kisses on Callum


    Evans'' cheek.


    "I''m all better now. Janice fixed me up. But I''m super happy to trick you intoing back," Callum


    admitted with a grin.


    Cordelia yfully flicked his forehead. "My baby."


    "Mommy!" Callum suddenly clung to her legs affectionately. "I missed you so much."


    Ronan cast a nce at the clingy disy between mother and son, said nothing, and retreated to the


    living room. He had barely asked Janice about the past few days when his phone rang¡ªit was


    Emerson.


    "Bro, what''s this about you looking for a bride? Your story''s the talk of the town on this dating site. Why


    didn''t I know about this sooner? I could''ve set you up with someone," Emerson teased with a hint of


    curiosity.


    "Which site?"


    "I''m sending you the link. Are you seriously looking for a stepmom for Callum? Did you even ask the kid


    what he thinks?" Emerson pushed a little further.


    "Cut the crap and send it," Ronan snapped, his patience wearing thin.


    Just then, Cordelia walked in, one hand holding her bag and the other around Callum,pletely


    ignoring Ronan as she headed straight for Callum''s room.


    Ronan''s gaze lingered on Cordelia before he irritably adjusted his tie.


    "The website''s saying you''re quite the catch now, a real diamond bachelor. Did you put that ad up? If


    not, I''ll get them to take it down right now," Emerson offered.


    Ronan nced at the closed door of Callum''s room, remembering how Cordelia had shut it with a cold


    ''snap.''


    "No need. Leave it," he said through gritted teeth.


    "You can''t be serious?"


    Ronan didn''t respond, simply ending the call.

 Chapter 509

    Chapter 509


    Marian was up to her old tricks again, this time ying Cupid¡ªor maybe saboteur¡ªon the sly. Without


    making a fuss, she had sneakily tossed Ronan''s profile into the sea of online dating. Since Cordelia


    flew back from her trip abroad only to hook up with Jamie again, Marian decided she needed to stir the


    pot. Clearly, Ronan was the juiciest worm on the hook, and she bet the divorced couple were now at


    each other''s throats over custody of their kid.


    After tucking in for the night, Cordelia went about her bedtime routine in Callum''s room.


    "Mom, this is the first time you''ve ever slept with me," Callum said, slipping into his pajamas and


    grinning from ear to ear.


    "Then how about I stay with you more often from now on?" Cordelia replied. Despite her resentment


    towards Ronan, her warmth towards Callum never wavered.


    "Okay!" Callum beamed.


    Cordelia patted Callum''s back until he drifted off to sleep. It was just past nine, and Cordelia found


    herself wide awake.


    Her phone buzzed with a message from Victoria. [Cordelia, isn''t one queen in the king''s court enough


    for your hubby? Or is he looking to fill the ranks? He just tore your pussy, and how is he on the hunt for


    a new conquest? Damn, how pervert can one man be?]


    Confused, Cordelia shot back a message. [What are you talking about?]


    [Don¡¯t tell me you haven''t heard the news?]


    Then, Victoria sent over the profile of Ronan, who was now live on the dating scene.


    Cordelia read it carefully. [Oh, the CEO of Lumos Enterprises, handsome as a Hollywood heartthrob,


    taller than a basketball yer, raking in more than a cool million a year, 36, no vices to speak of, and


    fresh off a divorce. Now hunting for a woman between 18 to 25, must be over 5''7", beautiful, gentle,


    and with a temperament as sweet as apple pie, to spend a lifetime with.]


    Cordelia couldn''t help but snort. She didn''t meet a single criterion. She was 5''6", her youth was a petal


    fallen from the bloom, and while her Ph.D. was impressive, it was conspicuously absent from his


    wishlist. It was clear that for the affluent, a wife''s beauty trumped her brains.


    The "raking in more than a cool million a year" line alone would have women lining up around the


    block, not to mention his dashing looks. He was the epitome of the domineering CEO straight out of a


    romance novel.


    Cordelia tossed her phone aside, uninterested. Looked like Brooklyn hit the nail on the head¡ªRonan


    was in the market for a new mommy for the little one. If Ronan was on the prowl for a bride, then


    Cordelia couldn''t let Callum end up with a wicked stepmother.


    She made up her mind. Tomorrow, she''d confront Ronan about sending Callum to Birchwood


    Preschool.


    The next morning, Cordelia ate her breakfast in silence. When Janice took Callum to the yroom,


    Cordelia seized the moment. "I want to take Callum to Birchwood Preschool. The food and security


    there are..."


    "No!" Ronan stirred his soup gently with his spoon.


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    When Ronan said "no," the matter was usually closed. Cordelia felt deted, unsure of how to proceed.


    "I don''t want my child in the hands of some stepmother," she finally said.


    "And where were you before?" Ronan snapped, looking at her with dissatisfaction. "When you chose


    divorce and abandoned your child, you should''ve seen this daying."


    "I had my reasons!"


    "Whose fault was that? Mine? Wasn''t I always there for you?" Ronan''s tone was sharp.


    Cordelia knew it wasn''t entirely his fault, especially not the part about her mother. But dredging up the


    past was pointless, so she kept silent.


    "I''ve been both father and mother to our child. Do you regret it now? What am I to you, someone who


    has to dance to your tune? If he sticks with you, sooner orter, he''ll end up with a stepfather," Ronan


    dered.


    Cordelia bit her lip, saying nothing. She did feel guilty; after three years of silence, she now wanted to


    sweep Callum away. It was unfair.


    "Can I at least take him to Birchwood for a few days?" she ventured again.


    "No!"


    Cordelia was at a loss. She had nned to leave that day, but Ronan''s refusal to let her take Callum


    meant she had to stay another day.


    That day, she spent her time ying outside with Callum. Time with her child was never enough.


    At night, she once again slept in Callum''s room.

 Chapter 510

    Chapter 510


    After Ronan returned to his bedroom, Janice went to report to him, "Mr. Evans, Ms. Cordelia has gone


    to the nursery to sleep again."


    Ronan raised an eyebrow slightly. "Let her be."


    Tomorrow, Cordelia had a lecture to attend, plus a meeting at Empower Operations in the afternoon.


    She needed to hit the hay early and beat the morning rush.


    The next day, in the living room.


    "I''ve got a meeting back at Empower Operations this afternoon. Are youing?" she asked Ronan,


    who was lounging on the couch with a book in his hands.


    "Heading out?" Ronan looked up at her, eyebrow quirked.


    "Yeah. If you''re going, I can hitch a ride with you." Cordelia figured Ronan probably wouldn''t be leaving,


    considering he was still in his pajamas.


    Ronan pulled out his phone and dialed a number. "Nope." While waiting for the call to connect, he


    looked up at Cordelia and said.


    Cordelia went back to Callum''s room to pack her stuff.


    The call was picked up on the other end.


    "Aren''t you supposed to be in Birchwood today?" Ronan spoke into the phone. "Peter asked you guys


    to go house hunting."


    "I already picked out the ones I liked from the brochures..."


    "Alright, swing byter to pick up Cordelia. She''s heading back to Birchwood."


    "Bro,e on, that''s not fair..."


    Ronan hung up. Soon after, his phone pinged several times. He kept his eyes on his book, not


    bothering to check. Even without looking, he knew who was messaging and what about. It would be


    Emerson.


    [When did I n on going to Birchwood?]


    [Are you the only one calling the shots about Birchwood, and we just have to follow orders?]


    [Am I being used by you again? Just say you want me to drop Cordelia off at Birchwood, why beat


    around the bush?]


    Ronan knew that, in the end, Emerson would show up as he was told. Sure enough, twenty minutes


    Just then, Cordelia emerged from her room, bag in hand.


    "Cordelia, you''re off? Perfect timing; I''m on my way to an Empower Operations meeting, too. Peter''s


    got us a bunch of houses to choose from. I''ve got to pick one out. Let''s roll." Emerson, holding his car


    keys, didn''t even sit down.


    "Give me a sec to say bye to the kiddo." After saying that, Cordelia headed to the nursery. She came


    back about ten minutester, her eyes a tad red.


    Emerson, seeing Cordelia''s pitiful look, couldn''t help but soften. He shot Ronan a displeased look,


    ming him for hisck ofpassion. Yet, Ronan remained impassive, utterly unaffected.


    Cordelia got in the car, her heart no longer set on returning to Birchwood. She wished she could stay


    home and spend more time with the child.


    "How much longer until you make professor at Birchwood College?" Emerson tried to lighten the mood,


    deliberately avoiding the topic of her child.


    "Well, it depends on the number of papers I publish. I''m leading a national project right now, so it


    should be pretty quick."


    "That''s my girl, bright as ever. You were my student after all, weren¡¯t you?"


    Cordelia cracked a smile, though she wasn''t too keen on dredging up the past. "Oh, by the way, how


    big a house are you nning to buy? What made you decide to get one in Birchwood?" she asked


    Emerson.


    "Lumos Enterprises is behind the construction. You can bet on top-notch quality. Plus, Mr. Evans is in


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


    talks with the city to bring in new schools, so these are going to be prime school district homes. I


    reckon the property values could shoot up to sixty or seventy grand. He''s offering us an eighty percent


    deal, so I''m thinking of snagging three units, each a thousand square feet, for investment, and one two-


    thousand square footer for myself." Emerson was beaming, feeling like he had finally caught a break.


    Cordelia looked at Emerson in disbelief. "You''re loaded, huh?"

 Chapter 511

    Chapter 511


    ¡°Why aren''t you biting? Don''t you have a discount here? Or maybe you''re thinking of grabbing one of


    those faculty condos your school is throwing up? But let''s be real, how can those match up to the


    homes we''ve got at Lumos Enterprises? We''re talking top-notch finishes here. Besides, I bet those


    condos of yours don''t evene with a proper deed, am I right? At the end of the day, they''re cheap


    for a reason,¡± Emerson spoke with conviction as if he had the blueprints of life all figured out.


    Cordelia chuckled lightly. ¡°Yeah, no deed, non-transferable¡ªthat''s why they''re a steal. But look at you,


    scooping up properties like they''re going out of style. You must be rolling in dough.¡±


    ¡°These past few years, I¡¯ve been shadowing Ronan and made a killing. Don''t underestimate your ex.


    Ronan¡¯s got a shark¡¯s instinct. Always gets the cream of the crop. I bet he''s going to make a killing with


    this Birchwood deal¡ªprobably rake in billions.¡± Emerson seemed almost envious as he spoke.


    It''s true that making money from scratch was tough, but money making more money? That was the


    easiest trick in the book. And Cordelia never underestimated Ronan. His depth, his business acumen¡ª


    they were always leagues above anyone else she knew. So high that she could barely see the summit.


    So that matrimonial ad boasting an ie over a billion¡ªit had Ronan written all over it, didn''t it?


    If he penned it himself, wasn''t that modesty a bit too...calcted? Perhaps he was just ying it safe,


    steering clear of trouble.


    Several times, Cordelia had toyed with the idea of asking Emerson for a loan. After all, opportunities


    like this didn''te every day. But when the words reached her lips, they always retreated, unspoken.


    Besides, with all the real estate he was gobbling up, his funds were likely stretched thin.


    Arriving at her apartment in Unity Hall, with a faculty meeting looming in the afternoon, Cordelia invited


    Emerson up for a quick sit-down before heading to Empower Operations together.


    Surveying her simple, austere living space, with its abundance of books, Emerson remarked, ¡°Never


    thought I¡¯d see the day you turned into an academic.¡±


    A fleeting thought crossed Cordelia''s mind. Olen had once hoped Ronan would take the schrly path,


    but it was she who ended up donning the mantle. Life¡¯s twists and turns were truly unpredictable.


    After tidying up, she left with Emerson. As they descended the stairs, they ran into Petra. Emerson was


    busy backing up the car, and Cordelia waited for him to maneuver it before getting in.


    Ever since thest encounter, seeing Petra always stirred a sense of difort in Cordelia.


    ¡°Haven''t seen you around these past few days,¡± Petramented.


    ¡°Yeah, I went home to check on my son. He''s been under the weather,¡± Cordelia replied, her mind


    drifting to Petra''s own child and Ronan¡¯s attentive care, which brought a pang of emotion.


    ¡°Heading out now?¡± Petra inquired further.


    ¡°Yes, off to a meeting at Empower Operations,¡± Cordelia responded before climbing into Emerson¡¯s


    vehicle.


    Petra never got a clear look at the driver. She stood by the rear of the car, and the tinted windows


    prevented her from seeing inside. It was only after the car drove away that Petra remained, still as a


    statue.


    She had assumed Ronan was the driver, especially after Cordelia mentioned going home to her son,


    but Ronan hadn''t given her a second nce and just sped off, leaving her in the dust. Petra thought


    the bond between her and Ronan had grown close, thanks to Jayson. Turned out, she''d been fooling


    herself all along.


    Back at her ce, after the nanny left, Petra found Jayson engrossed in his toys. Ovee with


    frustration, she spanked him, releasing pent-up emotions.


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°Useless,¡± she wept, pping away. She loathed her own weakness and resented Jayson for not being


    the bridge to Ronan she had hoped for.


    Petra''s heart was a tumult of widowhood, yearning for action yet frozen in inaction. All she could do


    was take her frustration out on Jayson.

 Chapter 512

    Chapter 512


    When Cordelia arrived at Empower Operations, she immediately got down to business with an internal


    meeting to discusspany decision-making. The vibe was positive, but as the team moved on to the


    more lighthearted task of choosing their homes, Cordelia could only look on with envy.


    "I''ll take the penthouse on the east side," dered the firm''s legal director.


    Peter shook his head. "Sorry, but that one''s taken."


    "By whom?" the legal eagle inquired. "That''s a sprawling space, over two thousand eight hundred


    square feet!"


    "Who else but Mr. Evans?" came the reply.


    Cordelia''s heart skipped a beat at the mention of Ronan. Was he buying a ce here, too?


    "The house is a freebie for Mr. Evans, right?" the legal director joked.


    "Of course," Peter said matter-of-factly, "Mr. Evans is the client. He''s practically building a home for


    himself ¨C why would he pay? And it''s not just that one. He''s got the two units next to it as well. The


    same goes for me if I wanted a house, no charge."


    The room fell silent. It was a tough act to follow when others had such perks.


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    "Cordelia, aren''t you buying?" Peter asked.


    She grimaced awkwardly, "Oh, no, I''m not."


    Emerson, who had been observing, gave Cordelia a knowing look.


    After the meeting, Emerson escorted Cordelia out and then checked into a hotel. He called Ronan,


    "Senior, you should''ve seen Cordelia''s face when she was looking at the houses. She looked so


    disappointed, why not just lend her some cash?"


    "No," Ronan retorted, still annoyed with Cordelia. She had called out another man''s name in her sleep


    and sneaked off on a date. She probably wasn''t aware that Ronan knew about Eason''s visit to


    Birchwood.


    ¡°She only remembers me when she needs money.¡± He was not an ATM.


    ...


    Back at her ce, Cordelia pushed aside her regrets. No money meant no new house, so she focused


    on preparing her lessons for the next day instead.


    After ss, she assigned her students a 5,000-word essay on the enforceability of trust contracts,


    which would be due next week.


    Having finished her lectures, Cordelia took a nap and then started on her research project. She was


    almost done, with her grad students Sally and Sean handling the minor details. Today, she had them


    submit their work while she wrapped up the final touches.


    Around five, Emerson called to invite her out for a meal before heading back to Millstone. As her former


    mentor, she felt it was alright to ept his invitation, plus she could use a break.


    With her project nearingpletion, Cordelia saved her work and prepared to leave without shutting


    down herputer.


    Just then, Harold arrived, looking to borrow a rare book from her collection. Given his job at the library,


    it wasn''t surprising he knew she had it.


    Emerson called again, and Cordelia told Harold, "You can stay and read it here. Just lock up when


    you''re done. I''ve got to run ¨C someone''s waiting for me."


    "Aren''t you afraid of thieves?" Harold joked.


    "My room''s got nothing but books. Steal them, and I''ll be grateful," sheughed, then left.


    Harold quietly photographed the book''s content, nning to use it for his paper.


    Petra soon dropped by, ostensibly to see Cordelia, but her real motive was to seek out Ronan.

 Chapter 513

    Chapter 513


    Petra couldn''t shake the need to confront Ronan about why he had mmed up when he saw her the


    day before. A real brainiac, Petra was known for her meticulous nature, which often bordered on


    pettiness when she zeroed in on an issue.


    Finding Ronan''s car absent below, she decided to pop upstairs for a quick peek, only to find Harold


    engrossed in a novel in Cordelia''s study.


    "Where''s Ms. Haselwood?" Petra inquired, her gaze wandering as she surveyed the living room, with


    its assortment of trinkets and the prominently disyed "Research Project" on theputer screen


    that captured her interest.


    "Oh, someone took Ms. Haselwood out to lunch. She''s not in. Were you looking for her for something?"


    Harold muttered, only half-attentive as he snapped pictures with his phone.


    "No, no big deal. Just wanted to see if she was around, maybe grab a bite to eat together," Petra


    replied, her mind already racing with schemes as she eyed Cordelia''s research topic.


    Cordelia''sputer sat on the coffee table in the living room, visible from Harold''s vantage point only


    through the reflection in a dressing mirror. While Harold was oblivious to Petra''s movements, she had a


    clear view of him. Swiftly, Petra forwarded the research project to her own email and then deleted it


    from Cordelia''sputer. She wiped her browsing history clean and returned everything to its original


    state.


    "Well, since Ms. Haselwood isn''t here, I guess I''ll head out," Petra announced before making her exit.


    Harold grunted a slow acknowledgment. He locked up after photographing over a hundred pages of


    notes, then left.


    At the bistro.


    "So Cordelia, what''s the real story with Ronan? You guys seemed solid, and then suddenly..." Emerson


    said, genuine regret tingeing his voice.


    "Let''s leave the past in the past. I don''t want to talk about it," Cordelia replied, her fingers tracing the


    rim of her teacup delicately. She feared Ronan''s ruthless streak and felt unsettled by na, who was


    like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.


    "Look, if Ronan still has feelings for you, why not just give him a chance? This whole mess isn''t good


    for the kid either, don''t you think?" Normally, Emerson was all jokes and grins, but today, with just


    Cordelia forpany, he sounded more sincere.


    "He''s interested?" Cordelia scoffed. "So interested that he''s rushing to remarry?"


    "That? Oh, that wasn''t his doing. You gave him the cold shoulder, and he got mad and refused to pull


    the ad. If you guys don''t patch things up, with his prospects, he won''t becking for options," Emerson


    pointed out.


    "Let''s just eat," Cordelia said, closing the topic.


    After lunch, Emerson dropped Cordelia off at Unity Hall and headed back to his hotel. However, once


    back, he dialed Ronan.


    "Ronan, Cordelia''s suggesting she should have first dibs if you''re seriously considering marriage. After


    all, she is the mother of your child. She''s worried you might end up with some young thing who won''t


    have the patience for a kid. She''s thinking maybe she should be at the top of your list. What do you


    say?"


    "Did she really say that?" Ronan asked, clearly skeptical.


    "Yeah, women will do anything for their kids. And since you won''t let her have the kid, she''s scared. So


    she''s asking for priority," Emerson exined.


    "You didn''t mention the marriage ad was someone else''s doing, did you?" Ronan pressed.


    "Come on, what kind of guy do you take me for? I wouldn''t spill the beans on that," Emerson protested,


    looking wronged.


    "Aren''t you always the bbermouth?" Ronan seemed to be in good spirits, even teasing Emerson.


    Emerson could only sigh. His trip to Birchwood was turning out to be quite unnecessary, all in the name


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    of ying matchmaker for Ronan and Cordelia.

 Chapter 514

    Chapter 514


    When Cordelia got home, she found that Harold was already gone. She plopped down on the couch,


    ready to dive back into her research project. But something was off¡ªthe file was nowhere to be found.


    She searched her entireputer, but it was like it had vanished into thin air.


    Sweat began to bead on her forehead as panic set in. She had poured over six months of hard work


    into this research, and now it seemed to have disappeared in the blink of an eye.


    Then it hit her¡ªHarold had been over earlier. She dialed his number, her voiceced with urgency.


    ¡°Harold, did you see my project file on myputer?¡±


    ¡°What project?¡±


    ¡°The one I''m working on for the national grant.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t touched yourputer,¡± Harold replied, his voice steady.


    ¡°Never mind.¡± Cordelia hung up, feeling even more bewildered.


    She began calling her colleagues, Sean and Sally, asking if they had any backups. They both


    responded that they only worked on portions of it and didn''t have the full file.


    Cordelia massaged her temples in frustration. She called Harold again, this time inquiring if anyone


    else had stopped by that afternoon.


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°Oh, Professor Petra dropped by, but she left when she saw you weren¡¯t home,¡± Harold disclosed, his


    tone casual.


    Inside, Harold was ying a risky game. By mentioning that Professor Petra had visited, he subtly


    shifted suspicion toward her. Whether she had taken the file or not, he couldn''t be sure, so he


    downyed the significance of her visit.


    Cordelia reached out to Professor Petra.


    ¡°A project? I have no idea what you''re talking about. I''m not even in finance. Why would I need your


    files?¡± Professor Petra sounded genuinely irritated. ¡°What kind of person do you think I am?¡±


    ¡°I...¡± Cordelia was at a loss for words, cut off by Petra¡¯s sharp tone.


    Left with no other choice, Cordelia knew she had to start from scratch, relying solely on her memory.


    But if someone had indeed stolen her work, redoing it would be pointless. The intellectual property


    would no longer be hers. In frustration, she pounded her fist on the desk.


    Meanwhile, with a sly grin, Professor Petra forwarded the mysteriously obtained project file from an


    obscure email ount to Dustin, a finance major.


    She had already made it clear to Cordelia that she had no use for the research, hinting that only


    someone in finance would benefit from such theft¡ªsomeone like Harold, who was not only a finance


    student but also Dustin''s pupil. By nting the seeds of doubt, she hoped to direct suspicion toward


    Harold, making it look like he stole Cordelia''s work to curry favor with his professor.


    Petra then began to spread the word, starting with a message in the student and faculty groups. [Has


    anyone seen Professor Haselwood''s research report? It''s missing.]


    The news spread like wildfire, and before long, the whole of Birchwood College was abuzz with rumors


    that Harold had pilfered Cordelia''s project.


    The plot took an unexpected turn when Dustin came across the email in his inbox. Recognizing


    Cordelia''s work on trust research, he knew he could use it, but Dustin had a strong moralpass and


    would never stoop to giarism. Without hesitation, he sent the project back to Cordelia through


    Messenger. "Ms. Haselwood, is this your research by any chance?"


    Overwhelmed with relief at the return of her work, Cordelia wept tears of joy.

 Chapter 515

    Chapter 515


    Cordelia was in the midst of expressing her gratitude to Dr. Dustin.


    "Thank you, Dr. Dustin," Cordelia said, her voice heavy with emotion. "I''ve poured my heart and soul


    into this research for the better part of a year."


    "Don''t worry, Cordelia. I haven''t read a word of your thesis. Judging by the title, it''s undoubtedly your


    work. Somehow, it ended up in my inbox," Dustin replied.


    Deep down, Cordelia had her suspicions. She figured it was probably Harold''s doing. Dustin was his


    mentor, after all. Harold must have swiped her research to share with Professor Dustin, hoping to


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    coborate and potentially rake in a significant grant or prize money.


    Cordelia had her reservations about Harold, but these were mere suspicions, and she hadn''t shared


    them with anyone. It seemed Dr. Dustin shared her suspicions. He had taken Harold aside for a talk.


    When Dustin looked at Harold, his gaze was loaded with meaning. "Harold, schrship must be


    founded on integrity, do you understand?" he said with gravitas.


    Harold quickly caught on to what Professor Dustin was hinting at. The rumors had been swirling around


    campus, iming he had stolen Cordelia''s research to curry favor with his mentor. Others whispered


    that Harold, having failed to win Cordelia''s affections, sought to embarrass her.


    "Do you really think so, Dr. Dustin?" Harold asked, standing tall with his hands sped behind his back,


    his face a mask of righteous indignation.


    "Let''s just say there better not be a ''next time,'' understand? If there is, I''ll have no choice but to request


    your dismissal from the program," Dustin warned.


    A shadow crossed Harold''s face as he pressed his lips together tightly, perhaps realizing Cordelia


    might think the same of him. He suspected Petra might be responsible, but he couldn''t fathom why.


    They had no past grievances, yet hecked concrete evidence of Petra''s involvement.


    Without using Petra outright, Harold bore the whispers and the pointed fingers alone. Eventually,


    the strain became too much, and he signed up for the university''s military service program.


    Once admired for his academic prowess, artistic talent, and basketball skills, Harold now carried an


    undeserved stigma. He felt misunderstood by his mentor, misjudged by the woman he cared for, and


    was as wee as a rat crossing the path of an angry mob.


    Harold, a man of principle, decided to leave school. He shared his decision with Janice, who


    vehemently opposed it, but Harold was resolute. He was going to enlist.


    ...


    At Pearl Palms.


    Janice had just finished preparing dinner. Ronan wasn''t home yet, and she sat on the sofa wiping away


    tears.


    Callum tried tofort her. "What''s wrong, Janice?" Callum nudged her.


    "Harold, he''s being stubborn. He''s giving up his studies."


    "He''s dropping out of school?" Callum didn''t quite understand.


    "No, not dropping out. He''s enlisting. What''s so great about joining the army? He''ll have to take a break


    from school."


    "What''s ¡®enlisting?¡¯"


    As Callum peppered her with questions, Ronan walked in.


    "Dad, Janice is crying. You have to talk to her," Callum said to Ronan.


    "What happened?" Ronan asked as he washed his hands, "We''ll talk over dinner."


    The three of them gathered at the dining table, and Janice exined that Harold had decided to enlist


    in the military. As to why, he wouldn¡¯t say, stubborn to the end.


    "His dad and I were hoping he''dnd a good job soon, and now this," Janicemented.


    Ronan had a hunch that this had something to do with Cordelia; otherwise, Harold wouldn''t have made


    such a drastic decision.

 Chapter 516

    Chapter 516


    "Hey, I''ll take you to Birchwood College tomorrow," Ronan said to Janice with a casual shrug. "I¡¯ve got


    a meeting there myself, so it works out." Lately, Ronan found any excuse to head over to Birchwood


    not just tolerable but downright wee.


    Janice frowned, and the lines of worry were etched into her face. "I''m just afraid he won''t talk to me


    even if I go."


    "Don''t sweat it. I''ve got your back," Ronan reassured her.


    If Harold mmed up, there was always Cordelia. Ronan had a hunch she was mixed up in this


    somehow.


    "Dad, are we going to Birchwood College again? Does that mean we''ll see Mom?" Callum asked,


    barely able to contain his excitement.


    "Looks like it, sport."


    Callum pped his hands in glee. "We have to see her. We just have to!"


    The next day, around noon, Ronan, Janice, and Callum arrived at the college. Harold had mentioned


    grabbing lunch, but Ronan wouldn''t hear of Harold footing the bill. Instead, Ronan treated them to a


    spread at the Grand Hotel.


    "What''s the deal?" Ronan was puzzled. Harold was a level-headed kid who always had his act


    together. Sure, he had a thing for Cordelia, but once he caught wind of her history with Ronan, he


    backed off like a gentleman. Ronan couldn''t hold a grudge against the boy, not when he showed such


    integrity.


    "It''s nothing. Drop it!" Harold snapped, his eyes glued to his te, pushing food around with his fork.


    Ronan had a feeling that even if he grilled Cordelia, she wouldn''t spill the beans, but it had to involve


    her, somehow.


    Stepping out into the corridor, he dialed Petra''s number, seeking insight.


    The moment Petra''s phone rang, and she saw it was Ronan, her world seemed to brighten. Her voice


    trembled with excitement as she answered.


    "You''re in Birchwood?" she inquired first.


    "Just got here."


    Petraid out the whole story. Harold had allegedly swiped Cordelia''s research and handed it over to


    his mentor, Dustin, who blew the whistle. Now Harold felt he couldn''t face his mentor or Cordelia and


    was considering joining the army. Petra omitted the fact that she''d visited Cordelia''s ce herself,


    presenting the tale as if she were a mere bystander.


    Ronan ended the call with his suspicions confirmed. It was about Cordelia, alright. But the whole thing


    just didn''t square with Harold''s character.


    After lunch, Ronan sent Janice and Callum off to his granddad¡¯s home and made his way to Cordelia''s


    ce.


    Cordelia was at home, tirelessly revising her project, double-checking every line, even though Dustin


    imed he hadn''t peeked at the contents. When the knock came, she opened the door, eyesses


    sliding down her nose, and her face showing signs of fatigue.


    "Why are you here?" she asked, genuinely surprised to see Ronan.


    "You''re starting to look like a real ascetic schr," Ronan quipped as he stepped inside.


    She poured him a ss of water, pondering his unexpected visit. Surely, he was here because of


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Harold. With Harold set on enlisting, and Janice probably in tears, Cordelia didn''t approve either. But


    Harold was as stubborn as theye.


    "Harold''s enlisting. Did you know?" Ronan asked, taking a seat.


    Cordelia set the ss before him. "I heard."


    "And you''re okay with this?"


    She frowned slightly, a sudden irritation ring within her. "It''s his decision to make. I can''t control him.


    He''s not a kid anymore. Whye to me? Shouldn''t you be talking him out of it?"


    "Janice is at home crying."


    "What''s that got to do with me?" Cordelia''s temper red. It was an inexplicable, sudden burst of anger


    that took even her by surprise.

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    Chapter 517


    Cordelia wasn''t known for having a short fuse.


    "That day, he was digging through files at my ce. Emerson had to leave, and he asked me out for a


    bite, and I stepped out. It was just Harold at home. When I got back, the files were gone from myptop


    and sent to Dr. Dustin''s inbox. Dustin is Harold''s mentor. How do you exin that?" Cordelia''s irritation


    rose, a wave of frustration clogging her chest. "You want him to stick around. Why don''t you talk to


    him? Why dump it on me?"


    She was on the verge of tears; the whole confrontation with Ronan left her breathless.


    "Did anyone elsee by?" Ronan pressed.


    Cordelia sat there, trying to focus on revising her project, but her hand trembled on the mouse. Even


    though her eyes were glued to the screen, she couldn''t take anything in. Tears plopped down her


    cheeks, but she didn''t want Ronan to see her cry. She snatched a tissue and dabbed her eyes


    carelessly.


    "Petra popped in, but she left right away," Cordelia stated nonchntly as she wiped her tears.


    "Petra?" Ronan frowned.


    Then, a long silence fell over Cordelia''s home. She tried to reel her emotions back in, but they kept


    drifting away, beyond her grasp.


    Ronan thought to himself, ¡°This has Petra written all over it, not Harold. He knew Harold''s character,


    and he wouldn''t pull such a boneheaded move. Probably, Petra was stirring the pot, trying to get his


    attention. Before, Ronan had turned a blind eye to what Petra did, like Jayson¡¯s sickness and the


    money lending. He knew Petra had ulterior motives, but he never took it to heart. Perhaps his lenience


    and patience with her and the money he lent her gave Petra the wrong idea, emboldening her to


    overstep.¡±


    He didn''t expose the truth to Cordelia. After all, they were colleagues. He feared it would make their


    work rtionship awkward if everything was out in the open. Plus, Harold had already decided to enlist.


    Best let it be.


    During this silence, Cordelia''s phone pinged with a message from Eason on Messenger. [Cordelia, I''m


    heading to Birchwood College the day after tomorrow for the school''s ceremony.]


    Another message popped up from Harold, a photo of him in his military uniform looking sharp. He had


    always been a looker on the basketball court, but in uniform, he was downright dashing, no doubt he''d


    turn quite a few heads.


    Harold''s message to Cordelia was lengthy. [Cordelia, meeting you has been a miracle in my life. You


    are intelligent, graceful, gorgeous, and gentle, with remarkable academic achievements. Knowing you,


    I wonder how exceptional ady would have to be to surpass you. Thank you for yourpany these


    past months. Also, I must tell you, that day at your ce, it was intentional. I just wanted to be closer to


    you, as close as possible. But I know about you and Mr. Evans. I didn''t mean toplicate things.]


    After reading it, Cordelia rested her elbow on the desk, her forehead in her palm, feeling even more


    upset. After all, this whole mess with Harold had started because of her. She felt guilty but was at a


    loss for a better solution. With her elbow shielding her face, Cordelia continued to cry, her sobs filled


    with difort.


    "Why do you cry whenever there''s trouble? You''re such a cheerful girl," Ronan said, finding her sudden


    vulnerability reminiscent of a little girl''s nature, a little girl he knew he could handle. So, his tone


    softened, tinged with a mix of amusement and exasperation.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

 Chapter 518

    Chapter 518


    Ronan spoke with a tone that seemed to rewind time, and it felt like their rtionship was catapulting


    back to the days when he was the untouchable CEO, and she, Cordelia, was nothing more than an


    employee under hismand.


    Cordelia¡¯s heart felt lighter, knowing that if trouble brewed, he would stand in front of it for her. With her


    other hand, she was fiddling with a pen, spinning it absentmindedly on the desk with such speed it took


    flight with a snap. Itnded near Ronan''s feet. Cordelia searched around before spotting it there.


    Ronan, too, stared at the pen, then nced at Cordelia as if to see whether she woulde over to


    pick it up.


    Cordelia shifted her posture, sitting up straight against the chair, stretching her arms out, and resting


    them on the desk in front of her. She made no move to retrieve the pen.


    Ronan leaned over, picked up the pen, and held it out to her. His armchair was within easy reach of


    Cordelia¡¯s writing desk.


    She reached out to take it, but just as she extended her hand, Ronan pulled the pen back as if by


    magic, caught her wrist, and yanked her towards him.


    Cordelia fell onto him and tried to break free, but Ronan justughed. ¡°Now that you¡¯re here, where do


    you think you¡¯re going?¡±


    She stopped struggling, her mood shifting from the gloom of a dreary, rainy day to a sudden burst of


    sunshine, simply because¡ªRonan was there.


    She avoided looking at him.


    ¡°So, tell me, what¡¯s making you cry?¡± he asked, looking down at her in his arms.


    A few days earlier, Cordelia was browsing through Quora when she came across a question: What


    would you do if your ex-husband wanted to sleep with you after the divorce? Many responded that it


    was just a physical need, and if no one else was around, why not? It wasn¡¯t as if it was the first time. It


    was all the same in the end.


    At the time, she had just returned from a night with him at Millstone, and after reading that question,


    she couldn''t help but rte to it, so she read through all the responses.


    Now, Cordelia felt her tears were silly. She felt as vulnerable as a well-behaved kitten, clinging tightly to


    Ronan¡¯s neck because she was perched so precariously that she might fall at any moment.


    ¡°Sopliant this time. Are you trying to secure some kind of first dibs?¡± he teased, looking down at


    her.


    ¡°First dibs on what?¡± Cordelia asked, bewildered.


    ¡°I knew Emerson was full of it. You and your stubborn pride, since when do you fuss over first dibs?


    Emerson imed that if I were to put out a personal ad, you would want first dibs. Is that right?¡± Ronan


    raised his head slightly, then dipped it again to search Cordelia¡¯s eyes.


    After a moment of silence, Cordelia thought to herself. That must¡¯ve been Emerson¡¯s way of trying to


    y matchmaker, lying to Ronan. Besides, Emerson had told her that personal ad was someone else¡¯s


    doing, and Ronan didn¡¯t even know about it. So, there was no question of first dibs. Maybe Ronan


    wasn¡¯t even thinking about marrying anew.


    Cordelia did want children, that was true, but she was also genuinely scared to be with Ronan. Who


    would want to be with a murderer? To have a bedfellow who might wield a knife at any moment¡ª


    wasn''t that terrifying?


    ¡°Oh, I was only talking about first dibs if you¡¯re not willing to have kids with me. Of course, if you¡¯d be


    willing to loan me some cash, that would be even better,¡± she replied.


    Ronan chuckled, ¡°Ah, the old seduction game never fails, does it? But shouldn¡¯t you save your wiles for


    the bedroom?¡± His thumb grazed the corner of Cordelia¡¯s lips.


    At the mention of ¡°bedroom,¡± Cordelia no longer wanted to continue that thread and changed the


    subject. ¡°When are you leaving?¡±


    ¡°When do you want me to leave?¡± he countered.


    ¡°The forecast said there might be heavy snow. They¡¯ve been predicting it for days,¡± Cordelia said,


    thinking to herself, ¡°I need to find a way to keep Callum here. Ronan can do whatever he pleases;


    Lumos Enterprises surely won¡¯t miss him.¡±


    Neither of them probably realized just how charged the atmosphere was between them. It was


    reminiscent of years ago, the dance of seduction between them and the banterced with innuendo.


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    The next logical step was an explosive mix of passion and conflict, but with one enticing and the other


    resisting, it turned into a teasing game of attraction.

 Chapter 519

    Chapter 519


    The silence between Ronan and Cordelia was thick, charged with an unspoken tension so palpable


    Cordelia thought she could hear his heart pounding in his chest.


    Unable to resist the maic pull between them, Ronan leaned in and nted a soft kiss on Cordelia''s


    forehead. "I heard the university''s about to appoint a new batch of honorary professors. I''m curious to


    see who''s made the cut this time, to see who''s deemed worthy to stand shoulder to shoulder with me,"


    he said, his gaze locked onto Cordelia''s eyes.


    Cordelia''s grip on his arm tightened as she stared back at him, a storm of thoughts whirling in her


    head. ¡°Does he know about Eason''s arrival?¡± she wondered.


    Afraid that a moment longer in his embrace would betray her inner turmoil, she stood up. Feeling


    somewhat moreposed, she said to Ronan, "I''m heading to the campus diner for a bite. Care to


    join?"


    "Sure," Ronan replied casually.


    Cordelia was flustered. She had meant her invitation as a polite gesture, and was expecting him to


    decline. Now, there was no taking it back.


    The two made their way to the faculty diner. Cordelia grabbed two trays and handed one to Ronan.


    "Just tell me what you want. I''ll get it with my card," she told him. Cash wasn''t epted here, only


    student or faculty cards.


    To her surprise, Ronan didn''t hold back. He ordered fish and chips, meatballs, a spicy chicken dish, a


    few vegetarian options, and a bowl of soup.


    "It''s a pity, really," he said with a yful smirk.


    "How so?" Cordelia asked with a hint of disdain, looking over the feast he had chosen.


    "I was hoping to fleece you a bit, Ms. Haselwood. Sadly, the university''s prices are so low, there''s only


    so much I can gain."


    "I''m not made of money, you know."


    "So, thinking of borrowing some? What happened to the funds I allocated to you? The one hundred


    and fifty million? Just the interest on that sum exceeds your monthly sry."


    Cordelia''s hand faltered slightly. "That''s your money, I didn''t want to spend it. I only kept the five million


    I was entitled to."


    "So, you''re saving up for me?" Ronan''s voice was cold.


    Cordelia was treating their past marriage as nothing more than a contractual agreement and only kept


    the five million she felt she deserved. She had never truly seen herself as Mrs. Evans, deserving of


    such a fortune.


    "I''d feel guilty," she murmured.


    The meal proceeded in silence until Petra showed up. Spotting Ronan and Cordelia, she made her way


    over. "It''s rare to see Mr. Evans here at the diner. A real treat," Petramented.


    "Have a seat," Ronan offered, masking any hint of difort. He was wary of Petra''s sharp intellect


    and feared she might harm Cordelia in some way.


    Cordelia also politely invited Petra to join them.


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    "I hope I''m not intruding on the lovely couple," Petra said with a feigned innocence.


    "There''s no intrusion in sharing a meal," Ronan retorted.


    The intimate air that had surrounded him at Cordelia''s home was gone, reced by an intimidating


    aura that made Petra shiver. "Is there no way to get Harold out of enlistment?" Petra prodded.


    "What way should there be? For what he''s done, he''s lucky to be alive," Ronan stated bluntly.


    Petra shivered again, knowing full well that it could have been her in Harold''s shoes. Since Harold''s


    fate was sealed, Petra took sce in believing they didn''t suspect her involvement and sighed in relief.


    Cordelia felt puzzled. Ronan hadn''t spoken like this at her home. Why the sudden change? She


    remained quiet, however.


    "Anyone else who tries such cowardly acts will pay dearly," Ronan dered, wiping his mouth with a


    napkin after finishing his meal. His refined manners at the table belied the severity of his words.


    Petra, who knew Ronan from their school days, could not utter another word.

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    Chapter 520


    Cordelia felt a knot tighten in her stomach, wondering if Ronan''s words were meant for Petra. Did he


    suspect Petra of stealing her research?


    After dinner, Ronan headed back to his grandfather''s house, where Callum was still staying.


    When Cordelia returned to Unity Hall, she was just about to unlock her door when her phone rang. It


    was Victoria, looking to have a chat. "Hey Cordelia, what''s up?" Victoria''s voice came through the


    speaker.


    Truth be told, Cordelia felt a wave of anxiety wash over her at Victoria''s question. She feared Victoria


    might¡¯ve been calling to tell her who had been prying into her blood type. But that wasn''t the case.


    Victoria''s tone was breezy and light.


    "I''m still at the university, buried in my thesis. Been here all day."


    "I''m on annual leave, and if I head back to my mom''s ce, she''ll be on my case about finding a


    boyfriend again. Mind if I crash with you? I''m quite fascinated by your ivory tower lifestyle," Victoria said


    with a chuckle.


    "Sure,e on over," Cordelia responded with augh. "My ce is tiny, just a one-bedroom with one


    bed, but we can share it. Brooklyn''s got her hands full with her little one, so I booked her a hotel room,


    but you, my friend, won''t need to spend the cash."


    Inwardly, Cordelia thought it was perfect timing for Victoria''s visit. Just when she was worried about


    Ronan possibly wanting to stay over, Victoria''s arrival would surely mean he couldn''t.


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    "Shall Ie tomorrow?"


    "Yeah, just text me when you get here, and I''ll pick you up from the station," Cordelia offered.


    After confirming the ns, Cordelia confided in Victoria about Harold enlisting in the military, and her


    inexplicable outburst at Ronan. She couldn''t figure out the mixed feelings she had for him.


    Victoria listened quietly. "Did Harold ever express... special feelings for you? And does Ronan know


    about it?" Victoria ventured.


    Cordelia paused, amazed at Victoria''s insight. With just one sentence, she had pinpointed the crux of


    Cordelia¡¯s rtionship with Harold.


    ¡°Yes, Harold pursued me. He confessed his feelings during a basketball game, and Ronan saw it,"


    Cordelia admitted.


    "There you have it. You resent Ronan for taking his rival''s side. You think he doesn''t love you."


    "That''s nonsense!" Cordelia replied, a hint of irritation in her voice.


    "You''re just not ready to admit you''ve got feelings for Ronan."


    Cordelia was about to hang up the phone.


    "So, are you still letting me visit? With that attitude, I''m not so sure," Victoria teased.


    "Come on, then. We''ll settle this when you get here," Cordelia said, trying to sound stern but failing to


    mask her amusement.


    "Alright, I am on my way."


    After the call, Cordelia realized her face was flushed with emotion. Despite the momentary re-up, the


    thought of her good friend Victoria''s visit lifted her spirits. She dove back into her work with renewed


    energy, pushing forward on her thesis.


    Meanwhile, Petra felt increasingly uneasy after pondering Ronan''s words. Her frustration boiled over,


    and sheshed out at Jayson with a couple of sharp smacks.


    Jayson was just a pawn in her game, a means to maintain a connection with Ronan. The boy had no


    real ce in her life, and as he cried out, Petra''s resentment grew. She saw him as a burden, a


    reminder of his mother''s violent past. The thought of getting ride of him crossed her mind; she feared


    he might turn out just like his troubled parent.


    Then, a message from the university popped up on her phone. [Reminder to all students and faculty:


    Tomorrow at 2 PM, we will hold an assembly in the main auditorium to bestow the title of Honorary


    Professor upon Eason, the distinguished psychologist.]


    Petra paid it little mind, but Cordelia, who received the same message, felt a spark of interest.

 Chapter 521

    Chapter 521


    The next day, Cordelia quickly met up with Victoria and hurried back to the school to attend the


    assembly. Victoria tagged along for the event as well.


    Being a teacher, Cordelia had a seat in the third row. By the time they arrived, most people were


    already there. Wary of the risk that someone might recognize Victoria as an outsider, they both kept a


    low profile.


    Arge banner at the front of the auditorium dered, "Wee Dr. Eason as our Honorary


    Professor."


    Dr. Eason sat on the stage with an air of humble nobility. His gaze lingered on Cordelia when he


    spotted her.


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    "Wow, Dr. Eason is quite the looker, huh?" Victoria whispered to Cordelia, a yful nudge in her tone.


    "He''s alright," Cordelia replied without taking her eyes off Dr. Eason.


    Dr. Eason was sharing his feelings about bing an honorary professor and delivering a lecture on


    hypnosis to the students.


    "Look at you, all eyes and ears. Got a crush, have we?" Victoria teased Cordelia with a chuckle.


    "Knock it off. I''ll tell you about itter."


    "Alright, we''ll have a cozy chat in your bed tonight," Victoria said with a mischievous grin.


    The assemblysted for two hours. When they stepped out of the venue, a nket of snow began to


    drop from the sky.


    "Look at the snow! Birchwood''s weather is just so much better than Millstone''s - we haven''t had snow


    yet this winter." Victoria said, catching snowkes at the entrance of the auditorium.


    "Indeed," Cordelia agreed, her voice tinged with emotion as she watched the snowkes dance in the


    air.


    Every time it snowed, it reminded Cordelia of Ronan. The way he had arrived that wintry day seemed


    etched in her memory. In Ennd, the cold winters felt lonelier without him. Sometimes, the longing for


    him was so intense it felt like her heart would break, but then she''d remember his actions and feel a


    chill instead.


    Lost in thought, Cordelia felt a pang of mncholy. It seemed there was always something about him


    that lingered in her memory. Perhaps it was her sentimentality, or she thought of Ronan again, but she


    found herself looking back towards the auditorium, scanning the crowd, half-expecting to see if he was


    there. She remembered him mentioning once that he wanted to see who would be on equal footing


    with him.


    Cordelia nced back but did not see Ronan.


    Dr. Eason was engaged in a lively conversation with the school''s leaders. He seemed to notice


    Cordelia''s gaze and nodded at her.


    "What are you looking for?" Suddenly, a voice came from behind Cordelia.


    She turned around to find Ronan, who had appeared unnoticed.


    "Mr. Evans? What brings you here?" Victoria was pleasantly surprised, sensing the joy of encountering


    a familiar face in a foreign town.


    Ronan might have forgotten his question or might¡¯ve been interrupted by Victoria, so Cordelia didn''t


    respond.


    The three of them walked outside the auditorium.


    "Where''s Callum?" Cordelia asked Ronan.


    "He didn''te with me; he and Janice are dropping off Harold. Let''s go see him off."


    Victoria was confused by their conversation, not knowing who they were talking about, but she followed


    them towards the school entrance. They arrived just as Harold, in full military garb, was saying


    goodbye to Janice.


    "This guy is drop-dead gorgeous. Is he the one who''s been courting you?" Victoria became instantly


    infatuated upon seeing Harold, but she whispered in Cordelia''s ear, cautious not to be overheard by


    Ronan.


    "Yeah, you like him? I could introduce him to you."


    Victoria pulled Cordelia aside. "Are you out of your mind? You''re passing up this handsome hunk for a


    middle-aged guy? That middle-aged guy..."

 Chapter 522

    Chapter 522


    Victoria cast a discreet nce at Ronan from afar, struggling to find any ws in him. Even in his


    middle years, he seemed to shimmer with a certain charm.


    "Sure, a man in his prime is something, but eventually, he''s just that ¨C middle-aged. Those young


    studs, though, they''ve got some serious moves in the bedroom," she mused, a sly grin spreading


    across her face as she remembered something. "Although Ronan''s not too shabby in that department


    either, he won''t be at his peak forever."


    "Are you scouting for a man or a bedroom athlete?" Cordelia retorted yfully.


    Victoria chuckled, "Why not both?"


    "I''ve got his picture. Want to cuddle with it at night?" Cordelia quipped, not entirely serious.


    Ronan overheard the exchange and simply shot Cordelia a knowing look, apanied by a smirk.


    Out in the vast white expanse of snow, Harold cut a dashing figure in his army green attire.


    Upon seeing Harold, Cordelia felt a pang of guilt but couldn''t find the words. Likely feeling the same,


    Harold beat a hasty retreat as soon as Cordelia approached, slinging his backpack over his shoulder


    and walking away.


    This departure would mean not seeing him for at least two years.


    Despite everyone''s efforts to keep Janice in the dark, schools were a hotbed for gossip. With a fresh


    wave of students arriving to see Harold off, Janice had caught wind of the situation. Her gaze darkened


    upon seeing Cordelia, lost for words.


    Janice, the intellectual, was also a believer in fate. The fortune-teller''s prediction that Harold would join


    the military had seemed far-fetched to her, given his academic prowess. But now, she believed. It was


    all because of Cordelia''s situation.


    "Mr. Evans, could you keep an eye on the kid? I''m worn out today. I''ll head home and cook up some


    dinner," Janice told Ronan, her voiceced with fatigue.


    Ronan, sensing her mood, nodded in agreement.


    Victoria noticed the family atmosphere and made her exit. "Oh, right, my intern just sent me a message


    on Messenger about the report. I need to check it out. Cordelia, where are your house keys? Hurry up.


    I need to get back to her."


    Cordelia furrowed her brow, fixing Victoria with a stare. Unfazed, Victoria grabbed the keys and headed


    to Cordelia''s ce.


    ...


    "Thwack!" A snowball hit Cordelia right in the cor, and Callum stood giggling mischievously in the


    distance.


    Cordelia couldn''t help butugh along, her smile bright and genuine. She scooped up a handful of


    snow and lobbed it back at Callum. The two of them frolicked in the snow, undeterred by the heavy fall.


    While many students were enjoying the snow outside, none paid much mind to Cordelia and Callum''s


    yful fight. Ronan watched the pair, lighting a cigarette and squinting through the smoke, observing


    them like an older brother might.


    Unbeknownst to Callum, Cordelia was getting pretty drenched, but since most of her snowballs missed


    their mark, Callum remained pristine.


    Ronan saw Cordelia''s cheerful demeanor, which seemedpletely for the sake of her child, and had


    nothing to do with him.


    After about an hour of y, it was time for Callum to head home. "Mom, will you walk me home?"


    Callum asked, noticing Cordelia''s wet hair and clothes, which looked rather messy. However, her face


    was flushed with happiness.


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    "But a friend¡¯s waiting for me at home," Cordelia replied, straightening up from her crouched position.


    "She is old enough to take care of herself. I am still little and can''t look after myself. Are you okay with


    that, mom?" Callumined, clearly unsatisfied.


    Cornered by her son''s logic, Cordelia had no choice but to agree to walk him home.

 Chapter 523

    Chapter 523


    Callum bounced along, his small hand firmly gripping his dad''s on the left and his mom''s on the right. A


    grin lit up his face like a Christmas tree; this was the first time he had held both his parents'' hands


    together, and the joy was palpable.


    Upon they reached Ronan¡¯s grandpa''s house, Janice could be heard bustling in the kitchen. The tter


    of pots and pans was her primary form ofmunication. She didn''t need words to express her


    disapproval of Cordelia, who felt the weight of unspoken reproach and a burning desire to leave as


    soon as decently possible.


    "Mom, you should take a shower; you''re all wet," Callum reminded Cordelia, concerncing his voice.


    Ronan lounged on the couch, engrossed in a book, seemingly oblivious to the world around him.


    In the kitchen, Janice continued her culinary endeavors in silence.


    The mention of a shower made Cordelia aware of the ufortable dampness clinging to her back.


    The snow from earlier had melted, trickling down to her waist in an icy stream.


    "But I don¡¯t have any clothes to change into," Cordelia mentioned, a hint of hesitation in her voice.


    "I think there are some," Callum said, darting off to his dad''s room in search of garments.


    "Mom, look, there''s a whole closet full of clothes, and they''re all yours," Callum eximed, flinging


    open the wardrobe doors.


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Cordelia was unsure when Ronan had prepared such an assortment. Whether they were indeed hers,


    she didn''t know, but they would fit.


    Her emotions churned, yet Callum''s eagerness made it impossible for Cordelia to refuse his suggestion


    to shower in his dad''s bedroom.


    "Mom, Dad''s reading in the living room, and Janice is cooking. It''d be awkward to shower elsewhere. I''ll


    close the door for you," Callum said thoughtfully, every bit the considerate son.


    Cordelia ruffled his hair affectionately. "Be good, sweetie."


    Once Callum left, Cordelia stepped into the bathroom. Her wet clothes hung outside as she picked a


    few pieces from the wardrobe to change into.


    After her shower, she slipped into her underwear, and undid the safety lock on the bathroom door.


    Before she could pull it open, it swung wide from the outside.


    Ronan stepped in.


    Cordelia clutched a towel to herself. Her gaze was flitting between fear and strange anticipation, much


    like a doe caught in the headlights.


    She was suddenly aware of how conflicted she felt, harboring this secret anticipation for Ronan even at


    such a time.


    She felt as if she had betrayed the memory of her mother''s passing, and had forgotten Ronan''s


    ruthless side. Perhaps it was just that his masculine presence was too intoxicating. Ever since she''d


    returned to Birchwood, and from the first moment she saw him at his grandpa''s house, she knew she


    had lost. She now realized that her struggles had been for show, a performance for her deceased


    mother''s watching spirit, to prove she hadn''t forgotten the hatred.


    A sense of betrayal washed over her. She had been duped by her own son.


    Ronan was pulling at his clothes. "What are you doing?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Ronan remained silent, and after he had shed his clothes, his body pressed against Cordelia''s. His


    heat enveloped her, sending her senses into a dizzying spin.


    Cordelia wanted to resist, but his hand covered her mouth, and he whispered roguishly, "No talking. We


    wouldn¡¯t want the kid to overhear adults doing... this sort of thing."


    With his hand still over her mouth, Cordelia watched him through furrowed brows as he lifted one of her


    legs and entered her. He seemed resolute, determined to have sex with Cordelia today.


    Throughout, Cordelia didn''t utter a word. Her eyes were locked with Ronan¡¯s. She felt a tingling


    surrender coursing through her with every movement of his.


    Afterward, Cordelia wrapped herself in a towel and fled to the bedside to dress, her heart pounding


    uncontrobly.

 Chapter 524

    Chapter 524


    Cordelia had lost. She had lost spectacrly, thoroughly trounced by Ronan''s charms, and she was


    ready to p herself for being so weak. Frantically, she tried to pull on her clothes, but her skin was


    sticky, and nothing would fit right.


    Her bra strap had somehow fastened itself, and out of the corner of her eye, she caught Ronan helping


    her.


    "I''ve got to go home tonight. Victoria¡¯s waiting for me, and besides, Janice isn''t too fond of me,"


    Cordelia said.


    "Mhm," he grunted in response.


    "Why don''t you find someone else?" she asked him.


    Ronan stood behind her, fidgeting with her clothes. She struggled into her sweater, and with a bit of a


    tug from him, it finally settled over her frame.


    Once she was all set, Cordelia fished her hair out from under her sweater and flung it back with a flick


    of her head.


    Ronan, standing behind her, paused for a moment, taken aback. "Who the hell knows why I fell for


    you? All drama and no appreciation!" Ronan gritted out.


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Cordelia bit her lip and stayed silent.


    "Got a hairdryer?" she asked, turning to him.


    "You never used to blow-dry your hair," he said softly, a hint of irritation in his voice.


    The thought of their everyday life together, her little habit of not air-drying her hair, the nights they had


    shared, and then the years they had missed ¨C it all made Ronan restless. When he had met her, he


    was just thirty, in his prime. Now he was thirty-six, approaching forty, and she was twenty-eight. He had


    asked himself time and again why he didn''t just find someone else. She had so many bad habits and


    showed him so little appreciation, yet whenever a beautiful woman approached him, he couldn''t help


    butpare her to Cordelia. None had her ambition, her determination to follow her dreams even if it


    meant leaving everything else behind. Slowly, Cordelia had be the standard by which he


    measured everyone else, an insurmountable peak.


    "I need to, you know, because it''s getting..." Cordelia tried to exin, wanting to say it was snowing


    heavily outside, and it was cold.


    "Don''t you dare leave!" he said hoarsely, his voice deep and raspy, as if the very thought of her leaving


    would devour her.


    "But Victoria is..."


    "Let her wait."


    "And Janice..."


    "Is there not a single reason for you to stay? All you''ve got are damn reasons to leave." Ronan''s voice


    rose in frustration, clearly annoyed with her excuses.


    "There''s a reason," she said softly.


    "What?" he demanded.


    "Callum!"


    "Stay here!" Ronan bit back a growl, his face darkening before he stormed out the door.


    Cordelia had a feeling she wasn''t going anywhere today. After a moment''s thought, she took out her


    phone and sent Victoria a message on Messenger. [I might not make it back tonight. I just took a


    shower, and my hair''s still wet. Plus, I kind of want to spend the night with Callum. You okay being


    alone in my room?]


    It wasn''t long before Victoria''s reply popped up. [Go ahead, choose him over your friend. I just got here,


    and you''re ditching me for his bed? Drop the act, and just admit you''re cozying up with Mr. Evans.


    You''re all over him when I''m around; I can only imagine how it is when I''m not.]


    [Stop making stuff up.]


    [Whatever. If you''re noting, I''ll enjoy myself. I''ll check out the campus cuties, the handsome dudes.


    I''ll eat whatever I want and binge-watch shows on yourputer into the wee hours! A vacation is a


    vacation, no matter where I am.]


    [Fine, but don''t lose my research papers and thesis, okay?] After a previous scare, Cordelia was much


    more cautious, and always backed up her work by emailing it to herself. She knew Victoria wouldn''t


    mess up, but a reminder never hurt.


    [Rx, I''m on it,] Victoria assured her.


    Cordelia lingered in the room for a while longer, and then her phone suddenly rang again.

 Chapter 525

    Chapter 525


    Cordelia''s Messenger app pinged with a notification. Someone had sent a friend request. The


    verification message simply read. [Brenda.]


    Cordelia was surprised. It had been ages since she''dst been in touch with Brenda. No sooner had


    she epted the request than Brenda let loose a barrage of texts. [Cordelia, what''s the big idea? You


    PhD now? You can''t even pop by for a visit? If it weren''t for Marian sneakily sending that dating ad to


    Mr. Evans, I wouldn''t have had a clue you were back! How could you?]


    Cordelia chuckled when she saw the messages. Since she was no longer going out, Cordelia didn''t


    bother drying her hair. She dabbed at her damp locks with a towel as she texted Brenda back. [Been


    swamped with teaching at Birchwood College. You know how it is - research, tenure reviews. I thought


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    about visiting, but I didn''t want to make a promise I couldn''t keep. How are you, anyway? Embracing


    the spinster life?]


    [Don''t even start. I''d happily be single, but Jordan''s moved into my ce.]


    [Who?] Cordelia nearly forgot who that was.


    Jordan, the former finance director, her old boss.


    [You forgot? Your ex-big-shot boss. Dude got jailed for three years, got out, and his wife took him to the


    cleaners - house, money, kids, the whole nine yards. He''s like a lost puppy. I ran into him one day, and


    the next thing I knew, he was at my ce. Before I knew it, we... you know. Now he¡¯s practically a


    househusband, cleaning and cooking. I say jump, and he asks how high. But why on earth should I


    settle for someone''s hand-me-downs?]


    Clearly, Brenda was seething, looking to vent, yet seemingly trapped.


    Trapped, much like Cordelia herself in a way. Cordelia didn''t know the specifics, and it wasn''t her ce


    to judge, especially since Jordan had once pursued Brenda. Besides, Brenda had remained single all


    these years.


    Brenda then spilled the whole saga with Jordan.


    She was a freshman when Jordan was a junior.


    By Brenda''s own ount, she was stunning in her youth, utterly captivating. Jordan, a simple country


    boy, didn''t stand out, and Brenda wouldn''t have given him a second nce, let alone noticed him.


    But once, while Brenda was fetching some hot water, she scalded her hand and nearly dropped the


    kettle. A in-looking student happened to be passing by. Without a word, he helped her with the kettle


    and carried it down to her dorm.


    "Did you burn your hand?" he asked Brenda. "Run it under some cold tap water. You might avoid a scar


    that way."


    He was so unremarkable that Brenda felt no spark of attraction and even found him a bit nosy. The


    next day, however, he brought her a tube of burn cream, which she epted without much thought.


    Throughout college, whatever Jordan did, Brenda barely noticed. After he graduated, he managed to


    snag a real catch - a rich hottie, and for her, he did all the things he used to do for Brenda. Eventually,


    Jordan and Brenda lost touch, and after Jordan''s stint in jail, his upscale wife left him, and he ended up


    with Brenda.


    Cordelia was engrossed in her phone, thumbing through Brenda''s lengthy saga, sometimesughing,


    sometimes deep in thought as she fired back messages on Messenger.


    "Aren''t you worried about getting a crick in your neck?" A cold voice suddenly cut through the room,


    startling Cordelia so much she almost dropped her phone.


    Ronan was clearly not thrilled to see Cordelia absorbed in her phone.

 Chapter 526

    Chapter 526


    "Wait, Brenda¡¯s spilling the scoop about her drama with Jordan. She added me to vent," Cordelia said,


    ncing back at her phone.


    [Is Mr. Evans with you?] Brenda texted.


    [Yeah.]


    [Hand him the phone. I need him to have a word with Jordan.] Brenda instructed.


    Cordelia pondered, ¡°This is kinda awkward. Sure, Jordan used to be under Ronan''s wing back in the


    day, but that''s history. Why should Ronan step in now? Plus, it was Ronan who got Jordan locked up.


    Jordan must absolutely loathe him by now.¡±


    Ronan caught her daydreaming and asked, ¡°Penny for your thoughts?¡±


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°Brenda messaged me,¡± she said, toweling off her hair and giving Ronan a y-by-y.


    There was a certain electric charge in the air, a tension that spoke of recent intimacy. In Cordelia¡¯s


    hesitant gaze, one might sense an intimacy of her own, a reluctance to voice certain thoughts.


    ¡°Who?¡± Ronan furrowed his brow, clearly not recalling Brenda immediately, and then he grunted in


    recognition, ¡°What¡¯s up with her?¡±


    ¡°Remember Jordan? Brenda says he¡¯s totally clinging to her now, not just in bed, but he¡¯s shacked up


    at her ce. She wants you to talk some sense into him.¡± Cordelia gestured with her phone, implying


    the decision was Ronan¡¯s to make.


    ¡°So kick him out and get a new ce. Simple,¡± Ronan concluded, settling into the couch and


    massaging his temples. ¡°Since when does sleeping over mean moving in? I mean, we''ve crashed


    together plenty, but have I ever overstayed my wee?¡±


    Cordelia just rolled her eyes at him. ¡°But isn''t that like handing over her ce to Jordan?¡± Cordelia¡¯s


    voice edged with concern.


    ¡°What¡¯s the rush?¡± Ronan looked up at her. ¡°If he¡¯s staying, he¡¯ll get bored eventually. It¡¯s up to Brenda


    to cut the cord. Jordan¡¯s the type who¡­¡±


    Ronan crossed one leg over the other, leaving the thought hanging as if the mere mention of Jordan


    was beneath him.


    Cordelia mulled over the situation, weighing its feasibility. She leaned in, ¡°What type is Jordan?¡±


    Ronan shot her a nce, ¡°You worked under him before, didn¡¯t you? You know what he¡¯s like. Why ask


    me? Brenda needs to wise up. I can¡¯t intervene here; the more I do, the more schemes Jordan will


    cook up. It¡¯s best to y dumb.¡±


    Cordelia considered Ronan¡¯s words; they seemed to hold water. ¡°But if he¡¯s that type, why did you ever


    work with him? Wasn¡¯t he there for you during the rough patches?¡± Cordelia was genuinely puzzled.


    Ronan suddenly became enigmatic.


    His gaze lingered on Cordelia. ¡°You really wanna know?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± Cordelia hugged a pillow to her chest, settlingfortably onto the bed, her eyshes


    fluttering with curiosity as she focused on Ronan.


    She realized that Ronan was like a novel with no end¡ªa riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.


    As she grew older, he only became more unfathomable.


    ¡°I needed to secure a piece ofnd back then. Jordan¡¯s father-inw was the gatekeeper. I handed


    Jordan a sweet gig; his father-inw got the message loud and clear.¡± Ronan¡¯s eyes bored into


    Cordelia, gauging her reaction.


    As expected, she was taken aback. Ronan¡¯s moves were always calcted, always purposeful. ¡°And


    after that?¡± she probed further.


    ¡°After that, Jordan¡¯s ambition outstripped his talent. Embezzlement. I took him down just as his father-


    inw kicked the bucket. By then, Emerson had finished his stint on Wall Street,¡± Ronan said with


    detached calm.


    ¡°So, were you setting up Emerson to take over from the get-go? Then what was with the job posting?¡±


    Cordelia¡¯s eyes widened in surprise.


    Ronan chuckled, ¡°You don¡¯t get it. Recruiting is all about the buzz¡ªit''s like a live ad.¡±

 Chapter 527

    Chapter 527


    Cordelia suddenly felt smallpared to Ronan, insignificant. What was the point of being on the


    board of directors if she was just going to be spun around by Ronan''s whims? Her education seemed


    worthless now. Shecked Ronan''s reckless bravery, his willingness to throw caution to the wind. In


    The topic of conversation shifted away from Brenda and Jordan.


    Ronan lit up a cigarette, squinting through the smoke as he spoke, "A woman like you, who can let go


    of everything, is a rare find in this world."


    He was likely fixating on Cordelia''s time spent in the UK, where she had studied for three years. It


    nagged at him.


    "I..." Cordelia found herself speechless. "We were talking about Jordan. Why bring me into this?"


    "Mom, you''re not leaving, right?" Callum had entered the room.


    "No, honey, I¡¯m not going anywhere. I''ll stay with you," Cordelia said with a gentle pinch to her son''s


    cheek.


    "You''re the best, Mom. Let''s go out to eat," Callum urged, pulling her toward the door. "Janice said


    she''s not feeling well and won''t be joining us for dinner."


    Cordelia wondered if Janice was upset because Harold had enlisted and was away, or if she simply


    didn''t want to see Cordelia, given that the whole mess had been stirred up by her.


    Cordelia had lost her appetite, and after dinner, Callum retreated to his room. When she tried to follow


    him, she found the door locked.


    "Callum, what''s this about? Why won''t you let me in?" she asked, knocking.


    "Nope! I''m a big boy now. I can''t sleep with you anymore. You should go sleep with Daddy and work on


    your rtionship," Callum''s childish voice responded from inside.


    Cordelia stood awkwardly in the hallway.


    "Come to bed," Ronan said nonchntly from the couch, his attention seemingly absorbed by a book.


    "We''ve been through this dance before. Why the act? Callum''s given you an out. Why not take it?"


    "I..." Cordelia normally prided herself on her wit, but around Ronan, she couldn''t seem to muster a


    rebuttal.


    Maybe it was the heavy snowfall that day, or perhaps it was the chill lingering after her shower, but


    Cordelia felt cold and decided to crawl into bed.


    Soon after, Ronan joined her, propped up against the headboard. "Turn off the light," she murmured


    sleepily, her resolve crumbling in the wake of her unguarded feelings for him. Without quite knowing


    why¡ªperhaps it was the cold, or maybe the conversation that afternoon with Victoria had sparked


    something¡ªshe snuggled into Ronan''s warmth.


    He watched her for a moment before snapping off the light. Then, as he had countless times before, he


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    pressed his body against hers, and his kisses fell densely upon her skin. He hadn''t had his fill that


    afternoon.


    Cordelia''s resistance faltered, then faded into eager reciprocation. She despised her own weakness,


    and even more, she despised Ronan for it.


    With clenched fists, she wanted to strike him, to push him away, but her hand was caught once more,


    and his embrace deepened.


    She thought bitterly. If she was going to be foolish, she might as well go all the way.


    "And this time?" he asked afterward, his voice heavy with insinuation.


    "What?"


    "Can I keep you?" His tone was yful, a challenge.


    "That depends on your skills," she retorted.


    "Shouldn''t it depend on yours?" He shot back.


    In the darkness, Cordelia could hear the intimate sounds of his voice and the subtle movements of his


    lips. It was all too suggestive, too intimate. She was caught in a web of her own making, and, for better


    or worse, she no longer wanted to escape.

 Chapter 528

    Chapter 528


    The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on Cordelia as she stirred awake.


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    The first thing she noticed was the heat emanating from the chest beneath her head. He was usually


    an early riser; she wondered why he was still in bed.


    "Why aren''t you up yet?" Cordelia asked, rolling over to face him. She nced at her phone on the


    nightstand. It was past ten.


    "There''s no rush to get up when you''re not clocking in at Birchwood," he replied after a moment, then


    added softly, "Cordelia."


    "Mm?"


    "Be with me, for real?"


    Hisst words made Cordelia''s eyes snap open. "Aren''t I already with you?"


    By now, Cordelia hade to terms with her ce in the world. She had realized that, no matter how


    much she learned, she could never outshine Ronan. It seemed best to stay by his side contentedly.


    The incident with Jordan, along with Ronan''s sharp insights and strategic thinking, had solidified this


    belief in her.


    "I mean beyond a marriage of convenience. Really be together. Talk to me, consult with me about


    things."


    Cordelia''s thoughts drifted to the past, to her shorings, and to na, which inevitably stirred up


    some internal conflict. But havinge this far, she decided to throw caution to the wind. She nodded


    solemnly and affirmed, "Yeah."


    Ronan seemed skeptical. "Really?" he asked.


    "Of course, it''s real," Cordelia assured him. "I''ve thought it over. With your smarts, I have no safer ce


    than by your side. You have a keen eye, and always find the best solutions."


    Ronan chuckled. "Not always. I''ve been mistaken before."


    "When have you ever been mistaken?" Cordelia inquired with genuine naivety, the covers slipping and


    revealing her fair shoulder.


    "You!" Ronan dered.


    A shadow of disappointment crossed Cordelia''s face as her tone lost its enthusiasm. "If you were


    mistaken, why ask me to stick around? Isn''t that contradictory?" she challenged.


    "Let''s call it a calcted risk," Ronan said with a hint of resignation.


    Cordelia closed her eyes, no longer wishing to engage in conversation. "Janice has some gripes with


    me. Could you talk to her?"


    "It''s nothing serious."


    With that, Ronan rolled on top of Cordelia, nting a heavy kiss that was paradoxically tender.


    Cordelia slowly closed her eyes. Over the years, no man had reached her heart or touched her body


    the way Ronan had. Their union may not have started honorably, but it didn''t mean there was no love in


    their marriage.


    "So why won''t you lend me the money?" Cordelia asked, her dissatisfaction returning.


    "I already have four or five properties in Birchwood. Why do you need another house?"


    Cordelia was speechless. She then recounted to Ronan the whole ordeal with na''s threats.


    To her surprise, Ronan didn''t seem concerned. "All this fuss over that?" Ronan asked.


    "Of course not. I also resent what you did to my mother, but my resentment isn''t enough to cut you off."


    Ronan''s face darkened briefly. "Let''s have breakfast."


    When they reached the dining room, only Callum was there, engrossed in his y.


    "Where''s Janice?" Ronan asked Callum.


    "Janice said she went back to Millstone," Callum replied, eyeing both his parents with curiosity.


    Cordelia''s expression turned awkward. "She still mes me, after all."


    "Time will heal," Ronan dismissed with nonchnce, and the family of three began their meal.


    "Mom, what are you gonna do after breakfast?" Callum inquired.


    "Well, there''s ady at my school who needs mypany. We¡¯ll have plenty of time togetherter,


    okay, Callum?¡± Cordelia pinched Callum¡¯s nose as she spoke.


    ¡°Don¡¯t pinch me; it''ll make my nose grow," Callum protested.


    "Ha! You''re just like your dad," Cordelia teased.


    "You remember that?" Ronan asked.


    Cordelia lowered her head to her te. "I remember. I remember it all."


    Ronan seemed touched by her words but said nothing more.

 Chapter 529

    Chapter 529


    After finishing up the dishes, Cordelia wiped her hands dry and turned to young Callum. "Remember to


    listen to your dad, okay? I have to go back to school to help Victoria with some work, and I have


    sses to teach. I''m really busy. You cane have lunch with me at the school with your dad, maybe


    around noon or in the afternoon."


    "Okay, bye, Mommy," Callum replied with a child''s simplicity.


    As Cordelia said goodbye to Callum and Ronan, she felt a refreshing rity in her heart. It had been


    four years since her mother, Shelley, had passed away, and the resentment, the sense of grievance,


    and the smoldering anger that had consumed her in the wake of her mother''s death had gradually


    subsided with time. The death of Deanna and Tabitha''s imprisonment had left a sour taste in her life,


    but Ronan had said it was all "for her."


    Deep down, Cordelia couldn''t fullye to terms with it all, but she desperately wanted to move on, to


    find excuses for him, because her feelings made her want to find those excuses for him.


    As Cordelia walked down the corridor of Unity Hall, an elderly man suddenly stopped her. He looked to


    be in histe sixties or seventies, his hair waspletely white, and he was sporting sses and a


    well-tailored tweed coat that screamed distinguished professor. However, Cordelia was certain she had


    never seen him before.


    She didn''t think much of it; after all, the school was filled with strangers. But there was something about


    the elderly man that she found endearing, probably a throwback to the fond memories of Barney. She


    felt an inexplicable warmth toward this old man.


    She didn''t notice the man''s gaze fixed on her as she walked past, a blend of curiosity, scrutiny, and


    admiration.


    "Miss Cordelia?" he called out from behind her.


    Turning her head, she smiled at the old man. Her recent reconciliation with Ronan and the favorable


    impression the gentleman made contributed to her pleasant demeanor. "Yes? Do you know me?"


    "Do you have a moment? I''d like to have a chat with you," said the man.


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    "Me?" Cordelia pointed to herself, still unsure of the man''s identity.


    "Yes."


    "Well..." she began, almost inviting him to her home, considering it was almost as weing as her


    office, but she hesitated, not yet knowing the stranger''s intentions. "Let''s go to the campus bistro. It''s


    usually quiet there, and we can find a private booth."


    "Sounds good."


    The Birchwood College bistro was renowned for its high standards, boasting rave reviews on various


    dining apps. Many young couples sought it out for dates, but securing a table was a challenge. For


    those within the college, however, it was a coveted perk.


    It wasn''t quite noon yet, so the bistro was rtively empty.


    Upon recognizing Cordelia as a faculty member, the waiter promptly served her a milkshake and the


    old gentleman a ss of warm milk, a little token of the staff''s regard for the faculty.


    Holding his ss of milk, the old man smiled. ¡°It seems you¡¯re quite popr around here, Ms.


    Haselwood."


    "Oh, it''s not that. It''s just one of the staff benefits," Cordelia replied with augh.


    She then ordered a fruit sd for herself and a pizza for the old man, not feeling particrly hungry


    after her recent meal.


    "I have a story I''d like to tell you," the old man said.


    "A story?" Cordelia was both puzzled and intrigued. She couldn''t fathom what story the old man could


    possibly have that would involve her.


    "Yes, just think of it as a story."


    "Alright then," Cordelia responded. Her curiosity was piqued as she stirred her milkshake with a spoon,


    waiting for the tale to unfold.

 Chapter 530

    Chapter 530


    The storm outside seemed to be brewing, with the snow falling more heavily by the minute, but inside


    the room was a haven of warmth and tranquility. The old man cast a few nces at Cordelia before he


    began his tale in earnest.


    Back in the swinging sixties, there was a prominent family, the head of which was a financier, with vast


    estates to his name¡ªa true pir of the localmunity. But as times changed, he moved overseas,


    got married, and had children. Despite being well-educated, he held on to his old-fashioned beliefs. He


    married ady who was his equal in social standing, a woman of grace and poise, the very picture of


    an affluent society wife, a role model for aspiring debutantes.


    Their marriage was a loving one, but after a year, tragedy struck. When thedy of the house gave


    birth, she suffered a fatalplication and passed away, leaving behind her newborn.


    The world knew that she had given birth to a daughter, but only the family knew the truth¡ªthey were


    twins. This secret was closely guarded by all.


    "Twins?" Cordelia couldn''t hide her surprise, perhaps because she herself had once carried twins. Her


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    curiosity was piqued.


    The old man seemed not to notice Cordelia''s interjection as he continued.


    The reason the public believed there was only one child was that the second-born twin, the younger


    daughter, had been stricken with polio at birth. After a series of treatments, her legs were left immobile,


    and she was confined to the attic. Her father, a man very much concerned with appearances, chose not


    to reveal the existence of the second twin. As time passed, the healthy daughter grew into a


    blossoming beauty, much sought after by the young men of the area. She caught the eye of a major


    film studio.


    "A film studio?" With a hint of astonishment, Cordelia interjected again¡ªna worked for a film studio.


    Could this be some sort of coincidence?


    Unperturbed by Cordelia''s reaction, the old man plowed on.


    Gradually, the memory of her sister lying in the attic faded from the healthy daughter¡¯s mind, for it was


    only the old housekeeper who attended to the invalid twin. The healthy daughter had always believed


    herself to be an only child, doted upon by her father, who never spoke of the forgotten child. We often


    it''s as if they never existed at all.


    Cordelia sighed, feeling a pang of sorrow for the daughter confined to the attic. "Is this the plot of a


    novel?" she couldn''t help but ask.


    The old man didn''t look at her but continued his story.


    On the day the healthy daughter finished her exams. It coincided with her eighteenth birthday, so her


    father arranged avish party. Friends and family congregated, filling the house with joy and


    celebration. The healthy daughter was radiant, like a blooming flower. For a moment, the existence of


    the other twin waspletely forgotten¡ªor ignored, as the unfortunate sibling could not be presented


    to the guests. When the housekeeper went to the attic to deliver a meal, the younger daughter asked,


    "What''s happening downstairs? Why is it so lively?" The housekeeper replied, "Today is your sister''s


    birthday," and then she hurried back to the festivities.


    Once alone, the forgotten twin''s tears began to fall. She clenched her fists tightly, her tears tracing


    paths down her cheeks. It was her birthday too, but she was now a stranger in her own home, where


    the only ''Miss'' was her sister.


    She remembered, yet she could not rise. For eighteen years, her onlypanions had been books¡ª


    biographies of great figures, mystery novels, and many tales of revenge¡­

 Chapter 531

    Chapter 531


    Back in the day, medical expertise hadn''t caught up with the needs of the times, and as a result, the


    younger daughter''s illness remained untreated. Now, eighteen yearster, she believed that her


    condition could be remedied, but her father still refused to seek treatment for her, choosing instead to


    bury his head in the sand. Maybe he feared that curing his long-hidden daughter would tarnish the


    family''s good name. So, he opted for blissful ignorance, turning a blind eye to her suffering. With each


    passing day, the younger daughter''s resentment towards her father and sister grew.


    Meanwhile, the healthy elder daughter was the very picture of joy, as free-spirited as a bird in the sky.


    She went to college. and was the object of many a suitor''s affections, yet she spared none a second


    nce. That was until the day a film studio spotted her potential, and she was swept up into the world


    of acting, rocketing to stardom with her very first roles. She appeared in a string of movies that were all


    shot domestically, adored by her fans, and reveling in her craft. She left college prematurely. Her heart


    was set on the silver screen, starring in hits like "Emerald Waters" and "Sails in the Wind"...


    The old man paused, seemingly lost in a reverie of the youngdy''s radiant beauty in her heyday.


    Cordelia furrowed her brow slightly. "Emerald Waters," "Sails in the Wind"¡ªthose titles sounded


    vaguely familiar to her. But where had she heard them? She couldn''t quite ce it.


    "Please, go on," Cordelia urged the elder man.


    He hadn''t touched his ss of milk; it sat untouched as he continued.


    The healthy sister eventually fell in love with a fellow actor during a film shoot. Their on-screen


    romance bled into reality, and before long, they couldn''t tell where the acting ended and their true


    feelings began. They crossed a point of no return, and in the midst of her rising career, the elder


    daughter couldn''t afford a pregnancy. Perhaps it was the depth of her love for the man that led her to


    retreat overseas, hoping to give birth to their child in the privacy of her family home¡ªthe child of the


    man she so deeply adored.


    The male actor hadmitments to finish on set and couldn''t apany her. Moreover, he was


    intimidated by her prestigious family background, uncertain if her parents would ept a man like him.


    The actress reassured him, promising to return home first to gauge her father''s sentiments.


    But when she got back, her home was in turmoil. Her fathery bedridden, a shadow of himself, and


    her once-ailing sister stood in the living room, healthy and vibrant, greeting her with a sly smile, "Hello."


    Cordelia felt a chill run down her spine. The sister''s sudden recovery seemed too strange, too


    convenient. And her father''s abrupt decline? It was all too sinister.


    The old man himself seemed uneasy as he recounted the tale; Cordelia noticed a tremor in his hand as


    if he, too, feared the younger daughter''s machinations.


    "Are you curious about how the younger daughter recovered?" he asked, his voice tinged with the


    drama of his story.


    Cordelia nodded, eager to hear more.


    The younger daughter had pleaded with the housekeeper who brought her meals to beg their father to


    let a doctor examine her, arguing that with her sister away, she could step in to care for and honor their


    father. The man, now advanced in years and alone since his wife''s passing, was swayed by the


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    thought of having a daughter by his side. He quietly summoned a physician who treated the girl with


    therapies and acupuncture.


    Perhaps it was the younger daughter''s sheer will to live that spurred her rapid recovery. She began to


    run daily, and the sight of her vitality brought somefort to their aging father. Yet, unbeknownst to


    him, his own final days were quietly drawing near.

 Chapter 532

    Chapter 532


    The younger daughter said there were too many housekeepers in the house. If they found out there


    was another daughter in the house, it would embarrass their father when the news spread, so she


    dismissed all the maids in the house. She only left Judy, who used to bring her food. Judy was


    responsible for cleaning the house, and the younger daughter cooked for her father herself. So, every


    meal for the father was made by the younger daughter. The father thought that the older daughter was


    sessful, and the younger daughter was very considerate, which reassured him.


    One morning, the father felt unwell after breakfast. He had severe pain and experience told him that he


    had been poisoned, maybe with mercury. He suddenly fainted. He was then paralyzed and couldn''t get


    up. Gradually, his speech also became unclear.


    ¡°Dad, you treated me like that for twenty years, and I just returned the favor. You and my sister enjoyed


    the prosperity of this world while I felt lonely in the attic, and now it''s your turn." The younger daughter


    said arrogantly. The old father realized, during these many years, the younger daughter''s mentality had


    twisted. But he still had a lot of money and family inheritance in Swiss banks. The younger daughter


    knew that keeping her father alive could make him reveal the whereabouts of the fortune. However, the


    father did not disclose it, waiting for the elder daughter''s return.


    "Dad, stop dreaming. For so many years, my sister is nothing but a flower in a greenhouse, what


    resistance could she have? I''m a weed growing in the cold wind. My ability to cope with difficulties is


    much stronger than hers. Even if shees back, she will also be a second you." The old father''s face


    suddenly turned pale. That was his biggest worry.


    Later, the older daughter came back. The house was huge but without any servant. Seeing this woman


    who looked exactly like herself, the older daughter suddenly felt afraid. The younger daughter stared at


    her sister''s stomach. Her sister''s hand was on her slightly protruding belly.


    With a smile like a venomous snake on her face, the younger daughter said to her sister, "Are you


    pregnant? Give birth to it. Let you taste the bitterness of parting. You, and the child''s father."


    "What do you want?" The older daughter desperately protected her stomach.


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    The younger daughter went over to stroke her sister''s stomach, smiled and said, "Nothing, I''m the aunt


    of the child, so naturally I want the child to be safe and healthy. Judy, take the youngdy to the attic,


    let her stay there and take good care of herself, and... don''t let here down again."


    Judy, who used to bring her food, sympathized with her plight. Now that she sees the younger sister


    bing powerful, even though she was horrified by her younger sister''s actions, she was under her


    Then the younger daughter startedughing. The hardships she had endured in the past were finally


    experienced by the elder daughter.


    The younger daughter was so happy that she almost cried. When she wasughing, her father was


    lying in bed next to her. "How about that? Dad? You didn''t expect that your quick decision years ago


    would lead to this oue, did you?" The younger daughter felt the pleasure of revenge. However, it


    was not enough yet...


    In the past twenty years, her sister had an easy life, became a famous actress, and she was nothing.


    Since now her sister had reced her in the attic, she had to rece her sister in doing what her sister


    was supposed to do. So, she took her sister''s name and identity...

 Chapter 533

    Chapter 533


    About five monthster, it was a sunny afternoon when the actor decided to pay a visit to his future


    father-inw. After an intense internal struggle, he wanted to meet the man who would be his


    family, the woman he loved, and the child growing inside her.


    He had no idea there were two daughters in the family. His celebrity girlfriend had kept it a secret, so


    he didn''t suspect a thing when heid eyes on a woman who was the spitting image of his lover but


    with a conspicuously t belly. His curiosity got the better of him, though, and he asked, "Where''s our


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    baby?"


    The younger sister, with tears shimmering in her eyes, whispered, "Since I came back from abroad, our


    father has been bedridden and unable to utter a word. With such a situation, I had to take care of him. I


    couldn''t bear the thought of being with child out of wedlock. I''m so sorry."


    The actor understood the predicament. He felt a pang of sympathy for his beloved. He announced that


    he had just finished filming and was nning to take a sabbatical for a year or so. He wanted to stay


    and help care for her father. The younger daughter agreed to his proposal.


    However, she never shared a bed with him.


    The truth was, when the actor first stepped through the door, he had caught the younger daughter''s


    eye. It was no surprise that the sisters shared the same taste in men. What the older sister had once


    cherished, the younger now coveted.


    Despite this, the younger sister kept her distance, iming that it would be morally wrong to engage in


    the pleasures of the flesh while their fathery ill. She also exined that she had just terminated a


    pregnancy and couldn''t share a bed. She feared that in doing so, the actor might not be able to restrain


    himself. Ever understanding, he respected her wishes. His character was trulymendable.


    But the real reason for her reluctance was much simpler. The younger sister was a virgin. She was


    afraid he would discover the truth and that the difference in bed would give her away. She was well


    aware that she needed to find a way to break the barrier of her virginity if she were to fully captivate the


    actor.


    One evening, as Jackson and the younger sister were sitting on the couch, buried in their books, he


    casually asked, "What happened to the mole on your ear? It''s gone."


    At that moment, Cordelia''s heart skipped a beat. The mole on the ear... na!


    It all came rushing back to Cordelia. She remembered Tristi mentioning a TV drama na had starred


    in when she was younger, "Emerald Waters," and a poster Tristi had shown her of a young na,


    distinctive with a mole on her ear. Later, it had disappeared, and Cordelia had assumed na had it


    removed.


    But now, the truth hit her like a cold wave. It wasn''t removed¡ªit was a different person altogether.


    Cordelia shivered, realizing the twisted path na''s life had taken, and the lengths to which she had


    gone, even recing her own sister. She was not na. Cordelia was certain of it now. But what did


    any of this have to do with her? Cordelia felt lost, even as the answer seemed ringly obvious. She


    struggled to believe it.


    What had be of the real daughter? And the child? What about the actor? Cordelia was desperate


    to know the truth.


    "na?" She ventured the word tentatively.


    The old man seemed to snap out of his reverie. "Yes, na. Or rather, she used to be called Pa.


    She stole her sister''s life, including her name, her celebrity status, and the love of an actor. Since she


    took the name na, let''s call her that, just as the world knows her today."

 Chapter 534

    Chapter 534


    Cordelia was riveted as the old man''s tale unfolded, his voice weaving the past into the present. The


    protagonist, na, was more than just a character in a story; she was flesh and blood, and her life''s


    drama was spilling out in raw, vivid detail. Cordelia''s heart pounded as she urged him on, "And then?


    What happened next? The actor, was his name August?"


    She vaguely recalled Tristi mentioning that na''s counterpart, a handsome and talented actor, was


    named August. "What next...?" the old man murmured, drifting into memories once more.


    na had confided in August that upon her return to Ennd, a fortune-teller had ominously pointed


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    out a mole behind her ear as a bad omen for her father, so she had it removed.


    August didn''t give the mole much thought but couldn''t shake the feeling that na had changed. She


    used to have a child-like charm paired with the grace of ady, abination that men found


    irresistible. But back in Ennd, she seemed to have be more calcting, her gaze distant. Even


    as na tried to seduce him, August felt a growing disillusionment, considering an escape from what


    felt like a whirlwind romance turned sour.


    na sensed August''s restlessness. Love, after all, was about mutual affection, not a transactional


    exchange of effort for affection. The tighter she held on, the more he seemed to slip through her fingers


    like grains of sand.


    While na and August yed out their downstairs drama, the real na was trapped upstairs, her


    days stretching long and torturous. Unlike her sister, who had grown up in the attic, oblivious to the


    world, na had tasted life''s splendors. Her imprisonment was especially cruel,pounded by the


    fact that she was pregnant and living a daily hell.


    The fake na reveled in her sister''s suffering, intent on multiplying her pain tenfold. She had no wish


    for her sister to terminate the pregnancy; she wanted the baby born and raised by her sister, only to be


    cruelly taken awayter. To na, this n was sheer brilliance.


    As August was poised to break things off, na received a call from China. A productionpany


    wanted her back for a film role. She agreed, but acting was not her forte.


    To avoid exposure, she made a shocking decision¡ªto retire at the peak of her career, leveraging her


    sister''s connections to build her own business empire.


    Back home, many sought her out, including a man named Thomas Colby.


    "Colby?" Cordelia''s heart skipped a beat. Such a rare surname.


    "Yes, Thomas Colby," the old man confirmed.


    Cordelia gasped, the pieces clicking into ce. Jamie''s father.


    "And then what?" she pressed, her voice barely a whisper.


    Outside the window, ominous clouds gathered, and two hours had slipped by unnoticed. A storm was


    brewing, mirroring the tumult in Cordelia''s heart. She felt the secrets of her own lineage inching closer


    to revtion.

 Chapter 535

    Chapter 535


    na was hellbent on constructing her ownmercial empire, as much as she was intent on


    relinquishing her maidenhood. In the UK, she watched as August''s interest in her waned day by day.


    She believed his growing disinterest was due to her refusal to sleep with him, misinterpreting his


    intentions.


    From the get-go, Thomas harbored a crush on the movie star na. She, in turn, was impressed by


    Thomas'' business acumen. Their mutual attraction led to an affair. Thomas aided na in establishing


    her film productionpany and also became her first lover. Having gained both prestige and


    pleasure, na coldly discarded Thomas and returned to the UK to seek out August, only to find that


    he had vanished from his home, leaving behind only Judy.


    Furious and humiliated, na ascended to the attic tosh out at her sister. In her eyes, it was all her


    sister''s fault that August had abandoned her.


    naid into her sister with punches and kicks, sparing only her sister''s unborn child. She wanted to


    wait until the child was born to make her sister''s life a living hell...


    na didn''t bother to look for August. To her, men were mere ythings, dispensable in her quest for


    solitude.


    She set about building her empire, adhering to the belief that money was the only reliable ally, the


    strongest support. Yet, no matter how much wealth she amassed, it could never match the fortune her


    ancestors had umted over ten generations. The secret to that wealth remained with her father,


    who had never disclosed it to her, which was the sole reason she spared his life.


    When October arrived, the real na gave birth to a daughter, a delicate and beautiful baby girl, who


    became the only sce for her confined sister. For a time, na seemed kinder and even improved


    her sister''s meals. But this was only temporary; her true aim was to drive her sister to madness.


    As her sister grew plumper and the baby more cherubic, she deluded herself into thinking na had


    developed a conscience and wanted to treat her better.


    But who could fathom the thoughts of a devil?


    One day, na climbed to the attic, scooped up the infant, and mockingly said, "Should I y the


    doting auntie? But, do you really think you deserve to be a mother in this ce? I think not. How about


    I find someone else to take care of the baby?"


    "No!!!" The real na screamed in anguish, fully aware of her sister''s venomous nature and ability to


    Pleased by her sister''s agony, na felt a twisted joy. She wanted her sister to suffer as she had


    suffered, only tenfold. na took the child away, and that very day, her sister lost her mind.


    Cordelia felt nauseated, overwhelmed by na''s demonic actions. There was no line na wouldn''t


    cross, no depravity beyond her reach. Cordelia even questioned what rtion they truly held, her body


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    trembling at the thought.


    Both sisters had been given an emerald ring at birth. Without a second thought, na removed her


    sister''s ring and ced it in the baby''s crib, leaving the child on the doorstep of a family in Birchwood.


    Castiel and Shelley of the Haselwood family, took the child in.


    na''s intentions were far from benevolent. She didn''t n to find the childter; she sought to


    continue her vengeance against anyone bearing her family name...


    Later, Castiel met an untimely death. Whether na had a hand in it remained a mystery, for she had


    found the child through the ring and probably didn''t know Castiel was the father. After abandoning the


    child, she devoted herself to her business pursuits.


    Even if she had been involved in Castiel¡¯s death, a person as cunning and ruthless as na would''ve


    covered her tracks, avoiding any legal entanglements.


    na had simply discarded the child, indifferent to who might find it. At that time, she was busy


    manipting hermercial interests. A mere infant held no allure for her; her actions were solely to


    spite her sister.


    Cordelia stood in shock. Indeed, na truly was a monster.

 Chapter 536

    Chapter 536


    The truth hit Cordelia like a freight train. Her mother was not called Allison and was, in fact, the real


    na all along.


    Decades had passed when the emerald ring resurfaced, this time on the finger of a woman named


    Samantha. By then, na had climbed her way to the top of the business world, so dealing with a


    fledgling celebrity was child''s y for her. But when she realized she had targeted the wrong person in


    her vendetta, she doubled down on her true niece, the real na¡¯s daughter. She made sure the girl


    couldn¡¯t return home for three years, separating her from her lover. Whatever pain na had endured,


    she was determined to inflict it tenfold on the girl.


    Cordelia''s eyes brimmed with tears as she sat silently in the diner, lost in her thoughts. "Who are you?"


    Cordelia finally asked the elderly man opposite her.


    "I''m a friend of your grandfather, Seth. I visit him often. He can¡¯t speak, but each visit, he slips me a


    note detailing all that has happened. I''ve always pretended not to know how he became paralyzed. I


    found you when I heard about na¡¯s revenge against you, Miss Savannah."


    "Savannah?" Cordelia echoed, surprised.


    "Yes, that¡¯s the name August and the imposter na had chosen for their child. na might have


    smiled, but inside, she was seething with jealousy. She had a good man who loved her sister, but not


    her. That only fueled her thirst for revenge."


    Cordelia sat in silence once more, grappling with the surreal twist that she was the protagonist of this


    unbelievable story.


    Resting her forehead against her hands, she took a moment before asking the old man, "Is she...


    alright?"


    "Who?"


    "na''s sister. My..." She swallowed thest two words.


    "Not good. She¡¯s in a bad state, half-destroyed by na''s torment and the loss of her child. If not for


    her hope of a reunion with her daughter, she might have given up long ago," the old man said,


    removing his sses to wipe away tears.


    A sob escaped Cordelia as she cried openly. This was a stark contrast to the time when Allison imed


    to be her mother, when her heart had felt nothing. But now, her heart ached with a raw, tearing pain.


    "Why are you looking for me?" Cordelia managed to ask through her tears.


    "Seth said that with his eldest daughter in such a state and his younger daughter being heartless, the


    only person he could trust was you. He wants to leave you his entire fortune, well over twenty billion, all


    stored in a Swiss bank. The password, he only wants you to know. So, you¡¯ll need toe to Ennd


    with me," the old man continued.


    Twenty billion was an unimaginable sum to Cordelia.


    Though the money had saved Seth''s life because na valued wealth above all else, Cordelia herself


    didn''t care for it. Her mind was a whirlwind of chaos. She felt sympathy for the real na and


    wondered about her father, August.


    "Hasn¡¯t anyone called the police? Over the years, na¡¯s crimes have been too numerous to count."


    she gripped her hands tightly.


    "na¡¯s very skilled at covering her tracks. Even when people know of her deeds, they can¡¯t find


    evidence. Besides, she''s bought the silence of all her household staff. I''m powerless with just Seth''s


    notes; they prove nothing."


    Cordelia was aware of na''s cunning. In recent years, she had done things that left no trace for


    anyone to follow.


    "Do I have to go?" she asked again.


    "Yes, you must."


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    "Give me some time to think."

 Chapter 537

    Chapter 537


    Cordelia had long been aware that na was no shrinking violet. She was ruthless, capable of


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    anything, and a master at deflecting me. Fear gnawed at Cordelia''s insides as she wondered what


    upheaval awaited once she left for Ennd. When it came to money, she was unattached. Her heart


    was free from its snares.


    "What is your name?" Cordelia lifted her gaze to inquire of the elderly gentleman.


    "Name''s Tony. Oh, right,st time, were you the one who asked for that scarf vinyl record? I''ve brought


    it for you." With those words, Tony reached into his carry-on bag and produced the record.


    Cordelia held the vinyl in her hands, the very item she had requested Eason to bring from Ennd.


    Today, however, it was Tony who delivered it.


    "You are Eason''s...?"


    "Dad. He''s my youngest boy," Tony said with a twinkle in his eye. "Eason thinks the world of you. He


    came over to Birchwood College to ept an honorary professorship, and I tagged along. He asked


    me to check in on you."


    Cordelia was speechless. It''s a small world, indeed. It was like running circles around the globe only to


    find that the people you encountered were the same ones you knew before.


    Cordelia was at a loss for words.


    "I''ve been married before," she confessed.


    "That doesn''t matter. What''s important is that he''s taken with you," Tony reassured her with another


    warm smile.


    "But the one I love is still¡ªmy ex-husband," Cordelia added hesitantly.


    "Ah, that''s..." Tony furrowed his brow slightly. "I''ll pass your thoughts on to Eason. Anyway, Ms.


    Haselwood, I should be on my way. When you''re ready to head back to Ennd, let me know. By the


    way, have you seen your doctor friend around the schooltely?"


    "You know her?"


    "Yes, I had someone investigate you at the hospital. Your doctor mentioned she was your primary care


    physician. I''d seen her photo, so I recognized her. Wepared your DNA with na''s, and you are


    indeed her biological daughter."


    Cordelia nodded slowly, a beat behind the revtion. na was not the person who had been


    investigating her at Victoria Hospital. It was him.


    "Where did you see her?" Cordelia inquired further.


    "Oh, I was on my way to find you upstairs when I spotted her at the bulletin board downstairs. She


    looked familiar from the side, so I guessed she might be here to see you," Tony borated.


    "Thank you. I''ll let you know my decision when I have one," Cordelia said.


    She wasn''t aware of what Victoria would be looking for on the bulletin board.


    "Alright, Ms. Haselwood. Eason and I are staying at the Crown Hotel. Once you''ve made up your mind,


    tell me your answer. He''s been quietly researching you for years, and so have I. We both conducted


    our inquiries without the other knowing what we were up to. Recently, he mentioned he''d fallen for a girl


    named Cordelia, and that''s when I realized you were the same Cordelia I''d been looking into. I told him


    everything, and he was quite shocked. He''s been cooped up in the hotel for days now. He''s here but


    hasn''t seen you, probably to avoid making you ufortable," Tony said, his face aglow with affection


    for his son.


    Tony nced outside at the quickening wind. "Ms. Haselwood, the wind''s picking up. I''d better head


    out."


    "Take care, watch your step," Cordelia said coolly.


    Outside the private dining room, another person was eavesdropping, ready to retreat to her table and


    continue dining with her son as if nothing had transpired. After all, the old man didn''t recognize her.


    She was Petra.

 Chapter 538

    Chapter 538


    At noon, Jayson wasn''t in the mood for lunch, so she took him out for some fastfood. They settled into


    a quiet corner of the diner, but Petra''s attention wandered when she saw Cordelia and an unfamiliar


    elderly man walk in. Petra was curious, so she let the kid y outside by himself while she sidled


    closer to eavesdrop.


    Cordelia had chosen a private booth in the back, where the entrance faced the rear window, making it a


    secluded spot. After the server brought their food, they were left undisturbed.


    Petra overheard a convoluted tale that unfolded before her, revealing Cordelia''s birth mother and even


    a mention of someone named Thomas. Petra wasn''t sure who Thomas was, but she guessed he


    must¡¯ve been an acquaintance of Cordelia''s from Millstone. She made a mental note of the name.


    After the old man left, Cordelia clutched a vinyl record with Scarf''stest album. Clearly, Eason was


    using it to convey his and Tony''s rtionship and to let Tony know his affections were for Cordelia. This


    meeting wasn''t just about Tony sharing Cordelia''s origins but also a chance for a would-be father-inw


    to meet his son''s beloved.


    Eason''s thoughts were always meticulous. This time, he was serious, seeking an answer from


    Cordelia, but Cordelia''s mind was far from Eason¡¯s. She held the record, lost in thoughts about her own


    past.


    na was her biological mother, but her mother had lost her sanity. The revtion hit Cordelia hard.


    She sat there, head in her hands, when her phone rang. It was Ronan.


    "Where are you?" he asked.


    Cordelia was jolted back to reality. ncing out the window, she noticed the evening had crept up on


    her, and she suddenly remembered her child had nned to join her for dinner.


    "I''m at the diner."


    "Have you eaten?" Ronan inquired.


    "No, I... I met someone here. They told me something that''s been troubling me for ages. I need to talk


    to you about it," Cordelia said, her fingers threading through her hair in agitation.


    "Tonight?"


    "Yeah," Cordelia replied.


    She knew it was going to be a long story, one she might spend the entire evening sharing with Ronan.


    "Callum and I wille join you for dinner. Should we meet you at the staff canteen?"


    "Sounds good."


    After hanging up, Cordelia noticed several unread messages from Victoria on Messenger. She had


    been so engrossed in her conversation with Tony that she hadn''t seen the notifications.


    [Cordelia, what are you up to? Ronan''s gone viral. The whole campus is buzzing! You''ve got to see the


    bulletin boards. Every single one is stered with it; it''s freaking spectacr.]


    Victoria had sent a photo followed by a message, [This is just one of them. It''s all over the bulletin


    boards.]


    Cordelia looked closely. It was a love letter Petra had written to Ronan years ago, filled with passionate


    promises of a life together.


    Cordelia wondered who would have posted it. Wasn''t that letter supposed to be with Ronan?


    Then Cordelia''s phone rang again¡ªit was Petra.


    "Cordelia, I can''t face this scandal. That letter is out there... I''m mortified. I loved Ronan so much; he


    was my whole world, to the point where I lost myself. Cordelia, maybe we''ll meet in another life," Petra


    said, then hung up.


    "Where are you? Where are you? Petra, don''t do anything stupid!" Cordelia''s grip tightened on the vinyl


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    record.


    She redialed frantically. Finally, the call connected, and a child''s voice came through, "My mom''s going


    to jump. She''s on top of Empower Tower."


    "Wait for me, I''ming. Hold onto your mom!" Cordelia rushed out, first dialing 911, then hailing a taxi


    as fast as she could.

 Chapter 539

    Chapter 539


    In the back of the taxi, Cordelia''s phone buzzed to life, revealing Ronan''s name on the screen. She


    pressed the phone to her ear, her voiceced with urgency. "Hey, Ronan, where are you?"


    He replied with a hint of nonchnce, "At school, looking for you. What''s up?"


    "I just left. Petra... she''s on a ledge at Empower Tower, threatening to jump. You need to get over here,


    fast!" Cordelia''s words tumbled out in a rush.


    "Jump? As in... off a building?" Ronan''s skeptical tone echoed through the speaker. "Is this for real?"


    "Who jokes about their own life, Ronan?" Cordelia frowned, her mind racing. He clearly didn''t know


    about the love letter scandal that had pushed Petra to this point. His casual demeanor grated on her


    nerves.


    "Empower Tower, you said?" Ronan didn''t push for details. He knew Cordelia had little faith in him at


    the moment.


    "Yeah."


    With the call ended, Cordelia urged the driver to step on it, her thoughts a whirlwind. Why would Petra


    choose Empower Tower of all ces? It was a stroke of terrible luck, and the scandal was linked to


    Ronan, which indirectly tied Cordelia to the mess. If Petra actually jumped, would Cordelia''s position at


    Empower Operations be jeopardized? How would Peter view her now?


    Cordelia had always had reservations about Petra, and now they were magnified. She knew Petra was


    sensitive, and the public shame might have been too much to bear. Everyone was talking about Petra''s


    crush on Ronan, which had been a secret until now. But despite Cordelia''s personal feelings, she


    remembered the kindness Petra had shown her: Petra had been the one to introduce her to Birchwood


    College and had always been good to her.


    Arriving at the base of Empower Tower, she spotted Peter clutching his briefcase with a look of sheer


    exasperation. He had been about to leave work when the news of a potential jumper had reached him.


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    If someone were to jump from his building, not only would Empower Tower be marked by tragedy, but it


    could also cast a shadow over his entire Edith Hills development. "Of all the ces to choose for such


    an act," he muttered under his breath, clearly annoyed by the disruption.


    Cordelia, too preupied with trying to reach Petra, barely noticed Peter''s irritation. "Yeah, she''s my


    colleague," she said distractedly, dialing Petra''s number once again.


    Peter grumbled, "Why here, of all ces? There''s a whole town to pick from, and she has to bring the


    chaos to my doorstep."


    Cordelia couldn''t help but think how insensitive Peter could be.


    Unbeknownst to Cordelia, Samantha was lingering nearby. She had been staying at a hotel; her acting


    opportunities dried up since na had returned to Ennd, seemingly abandoning her. To add insult to


    injury, Harold, the young heartthrob she''d set her sights on, had enlisted in the military¡ªa decision


    Samantha was convinced had something to do with Cordelia.


    Now that Harold was gone, Sienna felt relieved. She believed her daughter deserved far better than the


    unwanted attention. With Harold out of the picture, the tables had turned, and Samantha was the one


    fuming.


    Samantha sensed the opportunity to fan the mes of Peter''s frustration with Cordelia. "Cordelia, look


    at the mess you and Ronan have created. This woman is so aggrieved by your affairs that she''s


    contemting jumping, and she chose your workce to do it. Talk about making a statement,"


    Samantha said with a hint of glee, stirring the pot.


    Samantha wasn''t aware of the love letter incident flooding the school noticeboards. She knew Petra


    was a teacher but was oblivious to her rtionship with Cordelia. However, seeing Cordelia''s anxious


    demeanor, she jumped to conclusions, and, wanting to tarnish Cordelia''s reputation in front of Peter,


    she spun a tale of Petra choosing Empower Tower as her stage.


    Cordelia turned around, finally noticing Samantha. Her face darkened instantly. "Don''t spout


    nonsense!"


    But Peter seemed convinced. Why else would a university teacher, with the whole town to choose from,


    decide to end it all at Empower Operations? It had to be connected to Cordelia. Peter''s expression


    soured. If it weren''t for Cordelia''s rtionship with Ronan, he would seriously consider her future at


    Empower Operations.

 Chapter 540

    Chapter 540


    Samantha''s words, though stinging, served as a wake-up call for Cordelia. Birchwood was vast, so why


    on earth would Petra choose to throw herself off the rooftop of Empower Operations, of all ces? It


    was clear she didn''t want Cordelia to have a moment''s peace.


    But those thoughts were for another time...


    Cordelia tried calling Petra to no avail, and just then, Ronan showed up, sans child. "Where''s Callum?"


    asked Cordelia, panic edging her voice.


    But looking at Ronan''s face, not a trace of worry furrowed his brow; he seemed utterly nonchnt.


    Cordelia couldn''t help but wonder, ¡°Are all these business types so heartless? Peter was one thing, but


    Ronan, too?¡±


    "He''s with Victoria now. She''s watching him. I''ll head up," Ronan said, his gaze piercing Petra with a


    thinly veiled disdain.


    Yet Cordelia''s mind raced with other concerns. They were on the brink of a life-or-death situation, and if


    Petra did jump, what would be of Cordelia''s own standing?


    Upon reaching the rooftop, Ronan found Petra in tears, a child in tow. "I can''t bear to live with this


    shame!" Petra eximed at the sight of Ronan. She longed to throw herself into his arms ¨C a rare


    opportunity in her most vulnerable moment, yearning forfort. But noticing Ronan''s hands firmly


    pocketed, Petra recoiled.


    "What are those letters doing on the bulletin board?" Ronan inquired. Victoria had filled him in when he


    passed Callum to her; he knew the whole story.


    "I returned those love letters to you years ago, and I kept them boxed up and forgot all about them. The


    kid must''ve found them the other day. I meant to trash them - they''re history, after all. I thought I


    dumped them, but somehow, they ended up on the school''s bulletin board. Someone must have found


    them." Petra, face in her hands, started crying again.


    "Mom, stop crying. What will I do if you jump?" Jayson tugged at Petra''s sleeve, his voice trembling.


    Petra hesitated.


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    "There¡¯s hope in life. Come down," Ronan said, then turned to leave as if certain Petra wouldn''t jump.


    Petra touched Jayson''s face and followed Ronan down.


    Back on the ground, Petra''s face was streaked with tears.


    Peter, seeing Petra safe and sound, breathed a sigh of relief. A tragedy would''ve devalued his building,


    and then he might¡¯ve been the one contemting a leap. He grasped Ronan''s hand tightly, a gesture


    of gratitude, to which Ronan responded with an impassive expression.


    Petra, Jayson, and Cordelia got into Ronan''s car.


    "Dad... I mean, Uncle Ronan, can you stay with mom tonight? I''m afraid she''ll do something foolish,"


    Jayson asked Ronan, concerncing his words. "She''s unstable."


    Hearing this, Cordelia clenched her fist. She wanted Petra to live, but not if she lived as a rival for a


    man''s affection. Petra''s intentions were slowly bing clear, far more threatening than Deanna''s


    ever were.


    "I''ll stay with your mom. Uncle Ronan is a man, so it would be inappropriate," Cordelia interjected.


    Petra nced at Cordelia, then at Ronan, but remained silent. Petra had gambled her dignity, hoping


    against hope for aforting embrace from Ronan. Yet, she received nothing ¨C not even that final


    constion, which came from Cordelia instead.


    The Petra of now was no longer content with just seeing Ronan; her ambition had grown. Cordelia had


    be an obstacle. Petra''s feelings for Cordelia had shifted from utilitarian to spiteful. Human greed


    knows no bounds; once, she had merely wished to see Ronan, but now, she wanted him to be hers.

 Chapter 541

    Chapter 541


    After arriving at school, Cordelia suggested that Ronan and Callum go grab some lunch.


    "Be back early. Don''t waste your time," Ronan said to Cordelia with a cold expression.


    "Yeah, I got it," Cordelia replied, now realizing Petra¡¯s cunning nature. It seemed likely that Petra had


    spread the love letter herself, intending to stir up old gossip throughout the school about Cordelia and


    Ronan''s rumored past, forever linking the two in people''s minds. Even though Cordelia had only met


    Ronanter, there was no stopping some people from whispering that she had stolen him from his


    childhood sweetheart, and despite being meless, Cordelia was now saddled with such a reputation.


    If ever there was a conflict between Cordelia and Petra, it seemed natural that people might side with


    Petra.


    Despite Petra¡¯s protests, Cordelia followed her home, insisting on making sure she was safe. Upon


    reaching Petra¡¯s ce, Cordelia found it in disarray, with countless love letters strewn about, filling an


    entire box.


    ¡°Do you think I¡¯m ridiculous?¡± Petra asked, her eyes still red and swollen as she tidied up, her face


    etched with sorrow. ¡°How could I have been so infatuated with someone? I can¡¯t even exin it. I just


    liked him so, so much, and now you¡¯ve seen it, and it¡¯s embarrassing.¡±


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Cordelia said, catching just a glimpse of one of Petra¡¯s old letters to Ronan that read, ¡°You


    are my ray of light; with you, I¡¯vee to know the beauty of life.¡±


    ¡°He sent all these letters back. Besides, Iter fell for my husband, and all of this is in the past. Today,


    this kid dug them up,¡± Petra continued.


    Cordelia remained silent. Although she hadn¡¯t known Ronan back then, the thought of another woman


    calling him her ray of light made her incredibly ufortable.


    ¡°Have you eaten?¡± Cordelia asked Petra. ¡°Let me whip up something for you.¡± With that, Cordelia


    headed to the kitchen.


    As the pot of water went from calm to boiling, Cordelia didn¡¯t feel like she had saved Petra from the


    brink; instead, she felt trapped and extremely uneasy.


    Watching Petra finish her pasta, Cordelia¡¯s phone buzzed. It was Jamie. It had been a while since


    Jamie had been in touch with Cordelia, and thinking back to thest mystery guest on the forum and


    the big hug Jamie had given her, Cordelia felt a warmth in her heart.


    In this life, a romantic connection with Jamie wasn¡¯t in the cards, but friendship was still possible, right?


    [Hey Cordelia, I¡¯m probably getting hitched this Saturday!] Jamie texted.


    [To whom?] Cordelia inquired.


    [Marian, you know her. Fancying over for a toast?]


    After a moment¡¯s thought, Cordelia remembered Marian¡¯s hostility towards her. If she went, it would


    surely make everyone ufortable, and if things got messy, it would be less than ideal. [I¡¯m


    swamped with schoolwork and might not be able to make it, but I¡¯ll definitely send you a generous gift,]


    Cordelia replied.


    Jamie had anticipated that Cordelia wouldn¡¯te, given how Marian had treated her. If he were in her


    shoes, he wouldn¡¯te either.


    After putting away her phone, Cordelia sighed. Time waited for no one. Jamie was getting married. He


    probably wasn¡¯t head over heels for Marian, but from a business standpoint, their union made perfect


    sense.


    ¡°Something on your mind, Cordelia?¡± Petra asked, noticing Cordelia¡¯s sigh.


    ¡°A friend of mine is getting married,¡± Cordelia replied, her tone disinterested.


    ¡°What¡¯s their name? Do I know them?¡± Petra asked, her tone equally nonchnt.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t know him. Jamie Colby, a friend from my Millstone days,¡± Cordelia said.


    ¡°Mhm,¡± Petra murmured before returning to her meal, seemingly moving past the topic. But inside, she


    was calcting, ¡°Jamie? Jamie Colby? What was his rtion to Thomas?¡±

 Chapter 542

    Chapter 542


    Petra had a bombshell of information in her grasp. Thomas and na had once been an item. The


    potential fallout of this secreting to light was unpredictable, and somehow, she needed to pin the


    me on Cordelia.


    After sensing that Petra¡¯s mood had settled, Cordelia decided it was time to head home, where she


    found Victoria lounging in their apartment.


    "Look who''s back! Been a busy bee, huh? You crashing here tonight or what?" Victoria inquired, her


    attention half on hertest binge-worthy TV show and half on the stash of snacks sprawled around her.


    Cordelia suddenly remembered she had to discuss the na situation with Ronan. "Nope, not staying


    in tonight. Got something to hash out with Ronan," she replied with a serious tone.


    "Oh, cut the official act. Just say you''re hooked on cuddling up with him and call it a night," Victoria


    teased, eyes glued to the screen as she crunched on potato chips.


    "Stop talking nonsense. There''s a real issue to deal with, and I bet it''s you who''s itching to snuggle up


    with a man. Speaking of which, you''ve got your eye on Harold, right? Hang on, I''ll send you all the


    photos of him I''ve got on my phone." Cordelia promptly sent a barrage of Harold¡¯s pictures to Victoria.


    "Just so you know, he chased me once, but nothing happened. Hope you don''t mind."


    "Pfft, everyone has their first crush," Victoria shrugged off with a smirk.


    "And just a heads up, his mom is Ronan''s housekeeper. They''re sort of friends, but that won''t change a


    thing," Cordelia added as a precaution.


    "I''m marrying him, not his mom. Who she is doesn''t bother me one bit. Besides, I think my future hubby


    is quite the looker," Victoria mused, her cheeks flushing as she daydreamed over Harold¡¯s photos.


    "He''ll be back after two years. Lots can change," Cordelia pointed out.


    Victoria''s smile faltered. "See, that''s where you''re wrong. Since we haven''t started anything, there''s no


    risk. It''s when things begin that you start to worry."


    "But in two years, you''ll be hitting thirty..." Cordelia said reluctantly.


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    Victoria''s snacking paused. "Shush, don''t even mention it!"


    "Even if I don''t, you''re still turning thirty."


    "At thirty, I''ll still snag him. Plus, snagging a younger guy at thirty? The bedroom skills, oh,"


    Victoria quipped, her eyes twinkling with mischief.


    Cordelia got dressed and grabbed some fresh clothes, including underwear, preparing to leave. "I''m


    out."


    Just as she reached the door, her phone pinged with a message from the university''s messenger


    system. [Paricipants scheduled for a visit to the UK next month include: Professor Dustin, Professor


    Cordelia, and Professor Molly. Detailed itinerary to follow tomorrow.]


    Cordelia was the youngest of the three professors chosen, likely due to her previous studies in the UK,


    which made her a fitting choice for this trip.


    The thought of going to the UK as a visiting schr, away for at least a month, made her heart heavy.


    She wouldn''t see Callum during that time. The thought of not seeing him for three years hadn''t


    bothered her before, but now that they were in each other''s daily lives, the idea was as painful as


    cutting away a piece of herself.


    Blood is thicker than water, after all.


    Cordelia suddenly thought of the real na, her mother. Cordelia felt a pang of heartache because she


    and na shared a strong blood bond as well.


    As Cordelia reached Ronan¡¯s grandfather''s house, where Ronan and Callum lived, she found them in a


    peaceful scene: Callum was drawing, and Ronan was reading.


    "Hey, you''re here?" Ronan looked up at Cordelia.


    "Yeah."


    "Everything okay with Petra?"


    "She''s fine. I just feel like she''s pulled me into something, into a trap," Cordelia confessed, still


    confused about Petra''s intentions.


    "You mentioned having something to discuss?" Ronan closed his book, preferring to change the


    subject from Petra.


    "Oh," Cordelia nced at Callum and gave Ronan a meaningful look.


    Ronan chuckled. "It must be serious if you don''t want to talk in front of the kid. What is it?"


    "I can''t say here!" Cordelia insisted with gravity.


    As she remembered that they couldn''t discuss the delicate matter of her lineage in front of Callum,


    Cordelia also recalled when Peter, likely because of Ronan, hadn''t turned against her over Petra''s


    machinations. Indeed, Ronan had a significant influence.


    "If you can''t say, then how about a game of checkers with me?" Callum chimed in.


    Cordelia agreed, and they yed several rounds until Callum grew tired and went to bed.


    Once alone, Cordelia signaled Ronan with a nce, and they retired for the night, leaving the day''s


    <pplications for the morning light.

 Chapter 543

    Chapter 543


    ¡°What¡¯s the big secret you can¡¯t tell in front of the kid?¡± Ronan asked with a mischievous grin.


    ¡°There was this old man who came to see me at school today,¡± Cordelia began, biting her lip with a hint


    of anxiety. ¡°He told me something... something I think you need to hear.¡±


    Ronan perked up, all ears.


    They nestled against the headboard, the dim light of the bedsidemp casting soft shadows around the


    room. Cordelia poured out the tale, her voice gradually thickening with emotion. She recounted the


    disturbing story the old man had shared about how her own mother was locked away in an attic and


    how na gave her away. Tears streamed down Cordelia¡¯s face as the weight of her own past finally


    caught up with her.


    By the time she finished, her voice was hoarse. The night had dwindled away, and she was exhausted.


    She buried her face in her knees, not daring to look at Ronan, embarrassed by her own vulnerability.


    ¡°Is it Thomas again?¡± Ronan¡¯s insight took her by surprise.


    ¡°The old man... he wants me to go back to Ennd with him,¡± she finally admitted, avoiding the fact


    that Tony was actually Eason''s father.


    Ronan, however, wasn¡¯t shocked. He didn¡¯t share her agitation.


    Cordelia looked up, her eyes pleading.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to Ennd,¡± he said firmly.


    ¡°Why not?¡± she murmured, retreating under the covers, gazing up at him. If she had known he¡¯d be so


    controlling, she would have kept it to herself. His words were like a barrier she couldn¡¯t cross.


    ¡°It¡¯s a mess you don¡¯t need to be part of.¡±


    ¡°But I...¡±


    Ronan suddenly leaned in, sealing her words with a kiss that sent shivers down her spine. His hands


    roamed her body, his touch igniting sparks as he spoke, his voice a velvety caress. ¡°Do you think


    twenty billion is a lot? I have it,¡± he whispered against her lips, each word a seductive bloom of spring


    flowers.


    Cordelia was lost in the sensation, her voice powerless. Her protest got stuck in her throat as his lips


    and hands explored, coaxing her into silence.


    Breathless, she managed to say, ¡°You know it¡¯s not about the money. I just want to see my birth


    mother. She¡¯s insane, imprisoned... and she¡¯s my flesh and blood.¡±


    Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going!¡± Ronan¡¯s kiss deepened, his resolve unyielding.


    And so, Cordelia fell silent, sumbing to Ronan¡¯s enchantment, her defenses melting away under his


    spell. She wrapped her arms around his neck, returning his kiss with equal fervor, knowing he feared


    for her safety. After all, with na in Ennd, and the criminal suspicions surrounding her, Cordelia


    knew the chances of seeing her mother were slim.


    Most importantly, Ronan believed that Cordelia had no real bond to speak of because she had never


    met her mother. Blood ties, he felt, meant nothing without a rtionship to back them up.


    Though frustrated, Cordelia had no counterargument.


    The next morning, she awoke in Ronan¡¯s embrace. His arm was aforting weight around her. As


    she opened her eyes to find him still asleep, she felt like she was basking in the warmth of a cozy


    hearth, never wanting to leave.


    Cordelia admired his longshes, the lean line of his lips, the tautness of his face that betrayed not an


    ounce of excess¡ªhe looked nowhere near thirty-six. He could pass for twenty-eight or twenty-nine,


    easily.


    Feeling a bit wicked, she reached out to flick his eyshes. He didn¡¯t stir.

 Chapter 544

    Chapter 544


    Cordelia couldn''t help but feel a rush of triumphant glee as she noticed Ronan hadn''t stirred from his


    slumber. She continued to prod him gently.


    "Are you done ying your little game?" Ronan''s deep and clear voice suddenly broke the silence. His


    eyes were still closed.


    Cordelia bristled slightly, "If you''re awake, why pretend to be sleeping?"


    "How else would you have your fun?" His tone was nonchnt but confident.


    "But if you''re awake..." Cordelia suddenly realized that she rarely dared to tease him when he was


    awake.


    "Are you afraid to y?" he asked, abruptly opening his eyes, which were like those of a wolf that could


    instill terror. But at that moment, they overflowed with tenderness.


    Scorched by his gaze once again, Cordelia dipped her head, nestling it against his chest while her


    hand tracedzy circles on his abdomen.


    Her touch was gentle, eliciting a ticklish sensation in Ronan. He was struggling to bear it. "Let''s move


    this elsewhere," he murmured.


    "Where to?" Cordelia asked, lifting her doe-like eyes to meet Ronan''s.


    Her eyes were misty, brimming with moisture. At twenty-eight, she still possessed the innocence of a


    child. That expression stirred something within Ronan, sending ripples through his heart. He took her


    hand and guided it downward. "Here."


    Cordelia''s heart skipped, and her face flushed with heat. Her cheek rested against Ronan¡¯s chest, and


    her breathing grew heavier.


    Ronan flipped over, pinning Cordelia beneath him.


    After their lovemaking, Cordelia was thoroughly dazed, lying in a half-awake state on the bed.


    Ronan, d only in pants, made his way to the bathroom. Passing by the divan, he identally


    knocked her bag, from which a vinyl record tumbled out.


    Ronan picked it up to examine it. He was no aficionado of singers or bands, especially not some boy


    band from overseas. He flipped the record over, ncing at Cordelia¡¯s still-closed eyes, thinking, ¡°Huh,


    she''s into these youngds.¡±


    However, thebel on the back of the record caught his attention. The price was marked in pounds,


    and the store location was Baker Street ¡ª unmistakably London. It was not a domestic purchase. It


    must have been a gift from Eason.


    Despite his misgivings about her rtionship with Eason, Ronan refrained from confronting her. He had


    changed a lotpared to the past few years; he no longer erupted in anger or intimidated Cordelia as


    he once did.


    Ronan had be like a bird that startled at the slightest sound, carefully restraining any action that


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    might frighten Cordelia.


    They say that the one who changes in a rtionship does so not because they''ve truly changed but


    because they amodate you and are willing to adapt themselves to fit you better.


    Ronan was a man of great refinement, but that didn''t mean his heart was free of thorns. On the


    contrary, it festered more deeply since he couldn''t express his discontent.


    He emerged from the bathroom and found Cordelia still asleep. He sat beside her on the bed, his


    presence slowly rousing her.


    Cordelia''s eyes fluttered open to the sight of his bare torso, the air thick with masculine allure.


    Cordelia supported her face with one hand, so Ronan yfully pinched her other cheek.


    "Can you dy leaving for a few days?" she asked.


    "Addicted to me, are you?"


    "Not really. It''s just that I might join a delegation next month, and I won''t see Callum for a while. I don''t


    want him to leave so soon," Cordelia spoke softly.


    "Hmm, seems I was ttering myself. Where''s the delegation headed?"


    "Well..." Cordelia hesitated, knowing that if she mentioned a trip to the UK, Ronan would surely object


    and try to prevent her from going. He might¡¯ve been wealthy and carefree, but Cordelia had toply


    with the school''s arrangements. "The exact dates aren''t set. I just want to spend more time with


    Callum."


    "That''s rare, showing a bit of maternal conscience," Ronanmented.


    "What''s that supposed to mean?" Cordelia responded, noticing Ronan''s expression. It seemed he


    harbored some resentment from the years he had spent raising their child alone.

 Chapter 545

    Chapter 545


    Ronan stood up and sauntered over to the couch on the other side of the room, pulling out a cigarette


    and flicking a lighter to life.


    Cordelia''s brow furrowed slightly, waving away the smoke that drifted toward her. "How many times


    have I told you not to smoke in here, Ronan? You never listen."


    "Am I getting an earful now?" Ronan squinted at her, a yful smirk on his lips.


    Cordelia sat on the edge of the bed, slowly slipping into her jeans. "Suit yourself. But you know, lots of


    smokers end up with lung cancer. Plus, it yellows your teeth."


    Ronan set the cigarette down, looking almost indifferent, but Cordelia knew better. Kicking a smoking


    habit wasn''t easy. Most folks got as fidgety as a junkyard dog, craving that nicotine hit. But not Ronan.


    He acted as if he could quit without a second thought, as if the cigarette had no hold over him, but he


    was the one in control.


    They say the real bosses aren''t owned by their vices, and clearly, Ronan was one of them. But why


    couldn''t he control his other appetites?


    "So, you can quit smoking just like that, but you can''t shake your sex addiction?" Cordelia propped


    herself up on her elbows, and her curiosity piqued as she gazed at him from the bed.


    "Why quit something so delightful?"


    "But..." Cordelia squinted, a hint of mischief in her voice. "During the three years I was gone, you didn''t


    quit that, did you?"


    Ronan''s gaze sharpened, predatory, as he locked eyes with Cordelia. "What''s this? A bed check? I


    quit, okay? Satisfied?"


    Cordelia felt a shiver run through her. "I thought you couldn''t quit."


    "Turns out, I had to. Are we done with the interrogation?"


    Shey back down, pulling the duvet over her head, her heart pounding inexplicably. She knew he


    never lied; deception simply wasn''t his style.


    When Cordelia felt stifled under the covers and pulled them down, she shuddered to find Ronan sitting


    beside her.


    His hand caressed her face, his thumb tracing her features tenderly. "Can''t indulge you this time, can


    I?"


    "What do you mean?" Cordelia was caught off guard, struggling to recall what he was referring to.


    "Emerson called. Wants me back for a shareholders'' meeting."


    "When are you leaving?" Cordelia suddenly felt anxious.


    "Today."


    "Today?" She was disoriented, not expecting his departure to be so imminent.


    "Yeah. After you head to work, I''ll take the kid and go."


    Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Cordelia bit her lip, unsure if she''d see him again before her trip to the UK. She got out of bed and


    wrapped her arms around Ronan from behind, her cheek pressed against his warm back, filled with a


    sense of longing. She knew he''d been alone those years.


    Their rtionship wasn''t born from a whirlwind romance; she wondered why he''d forsake a lifetime of


    independence for a marriage of convenience.


    Ronan nced over his shoulder. "What''s wrong? Going to miss the kid?"


    "No, it¡¯s you."


    He chuckled lightly. "Well, I''m ttered. Now, go on. The kid is up, and you should head to campus.¡±


    Cordelia suddenly let go, feeling a sense of loss wash over her.


    After having breakfast, which Ronan cooked, she made her way back to school. On the way, she shot a


    message to Victoria on Messenger. [Hey, Queen Vic, you up yet? Want me to grab you something to


    eat from the cafeteria?]


    [Cordelia, it''s nearly noon. Do you think I''m still in bed? But yeah, haven''t had brunch. Thanks! I''ll have


    some sweet and sour ribs, Kung Pao chicken, and stir-fried pork with a side of rice. Oh, and grab me


    some snacks, will ya? Much appreciated.] Victoria¡¯s cheeky reply came through.


    When Cordelia entered their apartment, snacks in tow, she found Victoria cocooned in nkets on her


    bed, a box of tissues in hand, binge-watching her favorite series with tears streaming down her face.

 Chapter 546

    Chapter 546


    ¡°Enough already, you¡¯re practically thirty. Stop being such a child,¡± Cordelia chided as she tidied up the


    room.


    Victoria tossed a napkin onto the floor in a huff. ¡°What are you talking about? There¡¯s a world of


    difference between twenty-eight and thirty, okay? One¡¯s the prime of youth, and the other''s knocking on


    the door of the big three-oh. And for the record, that soap opera was surprisingly gripping. I never used


    to be into these melodramatic romances, but I guess I saw myself and Harold in it and got hooked.


    Watched it all night."


    Cordelia paused her cleaning. "Are you sure you''re not delusional?"


    Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Can''t be bothered with you."


    "So, what''s it gonna be? More sleep or some grub? My house, my rules ¨C total freedom," Cordelia


    offered.


    "Did you have an early morning session with Mr. Evans? You two sure did your ''homework'' bright and


    early. Seems likest night wasn''t enough," Victoria teased.


    Cordelia froze momentarily, then retorted a beat toote, "Nonsense."


    "I''m an OB-GYN, for heaven''s sake. You think I can''t tell when you''ve been up to something by the


    scent you''re wearing?" Victoria''s attention finally shifted fully from the TV to Cordelia.


    Cordelia sniffed herself but could only detect a faint, fresh fragrance.


    "Stop sniffing! You won''t pick up on it. That¡¯s a doctor¡¯s superpower!¡± Victoria gloated.


    ¡°Stop talking rubbish,¡± Cordelia said, slightly embarrassed.


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk seriously for a sec. Are you nning on heading back to Millstone this weekend?¡± Victoria


    asked.


    ¡°Millstone? Why?¡± Cordelia didn¡¯t seem opposed to the idea.


    ¡°Why do you think? I have to go butter up, Janice. If I¡¯d known she had such a handsome and


    responsible son, I would¡¯ve been on her good side ages ago,¡± Victoria confessed. It wasn¡¯t just Harold¡¯s


    looks that had caught her eye; hismitment and sense of responsibility, evident from how he had


    handled certain situations, had really impressed her. She had made up her mind to pursue him.


    ¡°Got your priorities mixed up, don¡¯t you think?¡± Cordelia teased.


    ¡°You¡¯re the one with mixed priorities. I¡¯m five years older than Harold. Plus, he¡¯s in the military right


    now. It¡¯s the perfect time to win over his folks. Didn¡¯t you ever wonder why he was so reluctant to


    introduce you to them? Age issues, maybe? Once I¡¯ve got his parents on my side, he¡¯ll have no


    excuses when he gets back. We¡¯ll tie the knot straight away,¡± Victoria exined as she folded the


    nkets.


    ¡°Are you serious?¡± Cordelia suddenly found Victoria¡¯s n quite logical. ¡°But what good will my going


    back do?¡±


    Victoria looked at her as if questioning her intelligence, ¡°How else am I supposed to visit your ce


    without an excuse? Should I say I¡¯m going to see Mr. Evans? They¡¯d be on high alert for a home


    wrecker! Besides, isn¡¯t your rtionship with Janice a bit strained? It¡¯s a perfect chance to mend


    bridges for both of us.¡±


    Cordelia still didn¡¯t quite grasp how sweet-talking Janice rted to her, but Victoria had that enigmatic


    look that said, ¡°You¡¯ll get it in time.¡± Nevertheless, it seemed like a visit back to Millstone was definitely


    on the cards for Saturday.


    ¡°I¡¯m off this afternoon. Back to delivering babies,¡± Victoria said with the enthusiasm of someone headed


    to a funeral.


    ¡°Sure. Let¡¯s grab some lunch first. My treat.¡±


    At noon, the two hailed a cab and headed out to a nearby diner.


    The more time Cordelia spent with Victoria, the more she realized how insightful and clever she was.


    Cordelia used to work at the same ce as Brooklyn, and she had been closer to Brooklyn back then.


    But now, she was discovering that Victoria was the real gem.

 Chapter 547

    Chapter 547


    On that same day, Petra visited Empower Operations in search of Peter, who didn¡¯t recognize Petra.


    ¡°Who might you be?¡± When Petra had stood atop the skyscraper that day, Peter had not seen her face.


    ¡°I¡¯m Petra, a colleague of Cordelia. I came specifically to apologize to you today. I didn¡¯t think it all


    through yesterday. I just knew Cordelia worked in this building, so I came up. I didn¡¯t mean to cause


    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    you any worry.¡±


    Thinking back on yesterday¡¯s events, Peter was still a bit shaken. If her actions had impacted the


    property values, he felt like he might as well have jumped off the roof himself. He was polite to Petra,


    probably figuring her to be a loose cannon. Even though she had backed off yesterday, who knew what


    tomorrow might bring?


    ¡°What was with you yesterday?¡± he asked Petra.


    ¡°Oh, nothing much, just a spat with someone. My past was dug up, and I wanted revenge. I was too


    impulsive. Later, we cleared the air, and the anger subsided. She advised me to avoid a next time, and


    I said I¡¯d try my best.¡± Petra said with a sorrowful tone.


    Despite Petra¡¯s gentle voice, Peter could sense an underlying message. She would try to avoid a next


    time, but a next time might stille. This left Peter feeling helpless.


    After Petra left, Peter pondered whether he should continue to have Cordelia work at Empower


    Operations. Cordelia had always done a good job, but he was scared. What if there was a second


    incident? Edith Hill was meant to be the biggestmunity. If any suicide-rted incident


    urred, it could spell disaster, just like the time Mr. Evans¡¯ father was driven mad after a simr case.


    However, Cordelia was Ronan¡¯s associate, and her staying or leaving would have to be discussed with


    him.


    Ronan had returned to Millstone today, and this matter wasn¡¯t something to discuss over the phone. It


    needed a more subtle approach.


    After Victoria returned to Millstone, Cordelia had a few uneventful days. On Saturday, Cordelia followed


    Victoria¡¯s "instruction," and went back to Millstone without informing Ronan in advance.


    When Janice opened the door for Cordelia, she was slightly surprised and a bit distant.


    "Hello, ma''am?" Janice asked.


    "Yeah."


    Ronan, descending the staircase, was surprised to see Cordelia as well. "Well, isn''t this a surprise?


    You''vee home on your own?" he said with an almost imperceptible smile. "To see your son?"


    "I just missed you and the kid. The more I thought about you, the stronger the urge to return. Where''s


    Callum?" Cordelia casually dropped her luggage on the couch.


    "Callum is upstairs in his room ying. Callum, your mom''s back!" Ronan called out. He then sat down


    on the couch and picked up a book to read.


    Cordelia took a seat beside him. She heard the thumping of little feet, and soon, a little bundle of joy


    tumbled into her arms.


    "Mummy, you''re back? Daddy said you wouldn''t being home for a while," Callum said, beaming up


    at Cordelia, making her heart melt.


    "I¡¯m here, aren¡¯t I? And look, I brought you some LEGOs. Go y," Cordelia stroked his hair and


    handed him the toy.


    Callum joyfully took the LEGOs and scampered off to his room.


    Cordelia had woken up early that morning, and it wasn''t even noon yet; she hadn''t had lunch.


    Her phone buzzed.


    [Sis, are you back in Millstone yet?]


    [Just got here.]


    [Great, I''ll be over soon.]


    It seemed Victoria was serious. Sure enough, it wasn''t long before Victoria arrived with arms full of


    groceries and goodies.


    When Ronan saw Victoria, he understood everything.

 Chapter 548

    Chapter 548


    Ronan was on the same page as Victoria. He figured Victoria must have her sights set on Harold and


    was trying to butter up his mom to seal the deal. If Victoria swung by and Cordelia wasn''t around, there


    wouldn''t be much of an excuse for the visit. You had to hand it to Victoria; she was sharp as a tack.


    Janice swung the door open for Victoria.


    Victoria''s eyes lit up like Christmas when she saw Janice. Clutching a basket of goodies, Victoria


    whisked her aside. "Janice, Cordelia realizes she messed up with the whole Harold situation. She''s too


    proud to say it herself, so I''m here to apologize on her behalf. This was all Petra''s doing, you know.


    She put Harold in a tight spot, and bless him, he didn''t make a fuss. Such a stand-up guy. I bet he''ll


    climb the ranks in no time if he joins the army."


    Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Janice nced over at Cordelia, lounging on the couch, and her annoyance started to ebb. Victoria''s


    words had a way of making sense. Deep down, Janice knew Cordelia was a good egg. She wasn''t the


    type to push Harold into enlisting.


    "Janice, you have to ept this," Victoria urged, piling on health supplements and a piece of clothing.


    "This is... a lot," Janice faltered, the gifts weighing heavily in her hands.


    "Look at this dress. You''re the only one in this house it would fit," Victoria pressed on. "Try it on, and if it


    doesn''t fit, I''ll exchange it for you."


    Finally, Janice nodded. "Alright."


    As Janice retreated to her room with the bounty, Victoria couldn''t help but feel smug.


    The dress was a calcted move by Victoria. She deliberately got a size too big. She could only


    secure another visit the Evans residence by getting the size wrong.


    Victoria plopped down next to Cordelia. "If only you lived in Millstone, I could pop over any old


    Saturday. But no, you''re always out in Birchwood, and I have to n around your schedule," Victoria


    grumbled.


    "Go on, you two catch up," Ronan said before retreating to the bedroom.


    "Look at the mess you''ve made, leaving me to clean up your mess," Victoria chided Cordelia.


    "What?" Cordelia asked, puzzled.


    "I mean, I''m the one who just apologized for you. I got a dress one size too big on purpose, so now I¡¯ve


    got an excuse toe back.¡±


    Cordelia thought for a moment and realized Victoria¡¯s ¡®kill two birds with one stone¡¯ approach had


    worked out perfectly. She¡¯d smoothed things over with Janice for Cordelia and had crafted a perfect


    excuse for future visits.


    Cordelia had never met anyone as shrewd as Victoria. She figured it was only a matter of time before


    Harold was wrapped around her finger, too.


    "Since I''m back in town today, how about we grab lunch with Brooklyn? It''s been ages since our trio


    hung out," Cordelia suggested.


    "Sure, but let''s wait until Janice tries on the dress. Once I get that sorted, I''ll have my perfect excuse to


    considering I''m here ying nice with Janice, he should be weing me," Victoria quipped, linking


    arms with Cordelia.


    "Why worry? Let''s do lunch. Eating at night just packs on the pounds," Cordeliaughed.


    "Deal," Victoria agreed.


    "I''ll let Ronan know." Cordelia called upstairs, "Ronan, Ronan!"


    No answer. He must not have heard her.


    "Be right back." Cordelia dashed up the stairs. "Shoot Brooklyn a message on Messenger."


    "Already on it," Victoria replied, phone in hand.


    Cordelia found Ronan lounging on the bedroom''s recliner, eyes closed, the epitome of rxation. "I''m


    thinking of having lunch with Brooklyn and Victoria," she began, then added, "Are youing?" She


    knew he wouldn''t. It was more of a courtesy ask.


    Ronan opened one eye. "Since when did you start putting on airs?"


    "When have I ever?" she replied.


    "I''ll pass. You just got back, and you''re already dining out. What is this ce, a pit stop?" he teased.


    "It''s not like that. I didn''t want to spring my return on Janice, and Victoria''s here too. Cooking would be


    such a hassle. I thought I''d take Callum out for lunch and give you some peace and quiet. Is that


    okay?" she exined.


    "Go ahead," he said, closing his eyes again and settling back. "Just don''t take Callum. He can''t handle


    spicy food."


    Cordelia''s n to hit a Spanish restaurant for lunch shed through her mind. Ronan knew her all too


    well.


    "Okay, I''ll leave Callum. I''m heading out, okay?"


    Ronan didn''t reply. She took that as her cue and descended the staircase, ready for a lunch reunion


    with old friends.

 Chapter 549

    Chapter 549


    Victoria was camped out at the door of Janice''s room, waiting for her to make an appearance. And sure


    enough, before long, Janice emerged, decked out in the outfit Victoria had picked out for her.


    Before Janice could even speak, Victoria chimed in, "Oh dear, it''s a tad too big. No worries, I''ll get you


    a recement." With that, Victoria stepped in to adjust Janice''s outfit. She gave Cordelia a knowing


    wink as she fussed over Janice''s clothes.


    Ronan knew exactly why Cordelia hade back so suddenly. It was clear as day that Cordelia was


    just being used as a pawn. Cordelia¡¯s ims of missing him and Callum were nothing but empty words.


    Victoria, Brooklyn, and Cordelia decided to meet up at a local diner, settling on chili bowls¡ªBrooklyn''s


    pregnancy cravings notwithstanding, she wasn''t about to settle for the nd variety. She wanted her fix


    of spice.


    Victoria ordered a bottle of wine to celebrate reconnecting with her future mother-inw. Both she and


    Cordelia indulged quite a bit. Cordelia hadn''t let loose like this in years. Her three years in the UK had


    been like a prison sentence, battling depression, and she was sure she''d developed some sort of


    paranoid delusion, always feeling like na was on her tail. But now, Cordelia was in the know about


    her own past and ready to face na head-on, should she stir up trouble again¡ªnot like before when


    na was a mystery.


    In the midst of their lively get-together, Cordelia''s phone rang. It was an international number. A bit


    tipsy, she answered to find Eason on the line.


    "Cordelia," he called out.


    "Mhm."


    "Been drinking?" his deep voice came through.


    "Mhm, back in Millstone. Caught up with some old friends, and feeling pretty good," Cordelia slurred,


    her head spinning.


    "Three years in the UK, you were always down. I wanted to hear this kind ofughter from you, but it


    never came. Knowing you''re drinking now makes me happy," Eason said.


    Cordelia just giggled dumbly, humming in response.


    "Never mind, I''ll call you another time. You''re not making much sense now. You''ve got friends with you,


    right?" he asked again.


    "Mhm, a couple from school days."


    "Hand the phone to one of your friends for me, will you?"


    Her hand, seemingly of its own ord, passed the phone to the only sober one left, Brooklyn.


    "Hi there, Cordelia''s had a bit too much. Would you mind getting her home safely?" Eason asked


    Brooklyn.


    "Sure thing, no problem," Brooklyn responded.


    "Thanks."


    After hanging up, Brooklyn teased Cordelia, "Girl, where do you keep finding these handsome devils? I


    had no idea you had it in you back in the day. Spill the beans."


    "Come on, share the scoop," Victoria nudged Cordelia''s shoulder, clearly intoxicated, "Where''d you reel


    him in?"


    "Just this guy I met while studying in the UK. I was in a really bad ce. Waking up every day felt like


    heading to a funeral, the pressure was insane, and na..." Cordelia suddenly mmed her hand on


    the table. "The jerk! She deserves what''sing to her; she hurt my mom. Eason was my therapist.


    Something about him felt so familiar, so incrediblyforting."


    "Alright, cut to the chase. What have you two done?" Victoria was blunt.


    "Hugged, kissed."


    "Nothing more?"


    "Nope, he never pushed for it. He''s a gentleman," Cordelia confessed, nearly sliding under the table.


    "You''re missing out, seriously. You''re such a knockout," Victoriamented, patting Cordelia on the back.


    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "In three years, you should''ve had at least ten flings. You''re divorced, so it wouldn''t even be cheating."


    "You''re telling me."


    "Butpared to Mr. Evans, wouldn''t you say your behavior was a bit... scandalous?" Victoria asked


    with a sly smile.


    Cordelia joined in theughter, "Well, he had Callum, didn¡¯t he? He had to set an example, right?"

 Chapter 550

    Chapter 550


    Victoria and Cordelia were both slumped over the table, fast asleep, leaving only Brooklyn diligently


    nibbling on her club sandwich. As she polished off thest bites, she dutifully settled the bill. Muttering


    to herself, she grumbled, ¡°A pair of lushes! How''s a pregnantdy like me supposed to get you two


    home?¡±


    She dialed up Ronan, asking him toe and collect Cordelia, and as for Victoria, well, she could just


    snooze there until Ronan showed up to handle it.


    Meanwhile, in the opulent Grand Millstone Hotel, a wedding was in full swing. The groom was dashing,


    the bride was grace personified, and just as they exchanged their wedding presents, a sudden ripple of


    unrest stirred through the crowd.


    Up on the stage, Jamie and Marian were oblivious to themotion, but down below, the guests were


    all too aware of the growing disturbance.


    The murmur reached Jamie''s mother, Ava¡¯s ears. The source was a rumor, maliciously spread by


    Petra, who had recruited a friend to disseminate the juicy bit of gossip as far and wide as possible.


    ¡°Did you hear? Back in the day, Thomas had a fling with na and even helped her start up a film


    productionpany. Too bad na turned out to be a heartbreaker, dumped Thomas, and only then


    did he find his current wife.¡±


    na had been making a name for herself in Millstone, recognized as a formidable businesswoman far


    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    removed from the typical homemaker.


    Ava knew that where there was smoke, there was usually fire. ncing at her husband, she noticed


    Thomas'' ashen face and trembling hands, which only served to confirm her suspicions.


    Thomas had never uttered a word about na in front of her, as if their paths had never crossed. Ava


    had always believed na to be a stranger to her life.


    As a devout Christian, Ava believed in the sanctity of "till death do us part," and Thomas had always


    been attentive and faithful. It was this very devotion that now made her feel utterly deceived.


    The bastard! Ava clenched her fists tightly.


    Thomas cast a sidelong nce at Ava, whose face was a mask of steely resolve, silent.


    Ava wanted to know where such rumors originated, and how Thomas and na, seemingly worlds


    apart, could have ever shared a bed.


    Jamie and Marian, now sensing the undercurrent of unrest, neverthelesspleted their wedding


    vows.


    No sooner had they been pronounced man and wife than Marian turned on Jamie, her frustration


    boiling over. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Can''t your family control their own guests?¡±


    ¡°How should I know?¡± Jamie shot back, his own patience wearing thin.


    Ava didn¡¯t linger at the wedding. She sent people to find out who was spreading the rumors and


    learned that Cordelia had unearthed the past between na and Thomas upon discovering her own


    parentage.


    Ava wasn¡¯t concerned with Cordelia¡¯s origins. She was more troubled by the fact that Jamie had invited


    Cordelia to stay with him years ago, and Cordelia rejected him when he showed interest. Later,


    Cordelia moved back in with the Evans family only to cause a scene now that he was married. What


    was her game?


    Ava also inquired about Cordelia¡¯s current whereabouts, a name she hadn¡¯t heard in years. Jamie


    avoided mentioning Cordelia at all costs, and rumor had it she''d left Millstone.


    Today, Ava found out that Cordelia was, indeed, back in Millstone, at the Evans residence.


    Ava got into her car and drove straight to Ronan¡¯s house. Thomas might¡¯ve feared Ronan Evans, but


    she certainly did not!

 Chapter 551

    Chapter 551


    Ronan gently nudged Cordelia, who was slumped over a booth in the bustling gastropub. The loud


    chatter and clinking of pint sses did nothing to stir her.


    "Let''s head home. What a state you''re in," Ronan chided, though his words were lost on the inebriated


    Cordelia. Without a second thought, he scooped her up into his arms.


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    Cordelia instinctively curled into Ronan''s embrace, showing signs ofing to as she mumbled to


    Victoria, who was equally disoriented. "Are youing home with me?"


    Victoria''s response was slurred and confused. "Am I mad? Why would I let my future mother-inw see


    me like this, aplete mess?"


    Then, she slumped back onto the table, sumbing to sleep once more.


    Ronan settled Cordelia into the back seat of his car. Her hair fell into her face, causing her difort.


    She tried to flick it away, but it stubbornly refused to cooperate, eliciting frustrated hums from her.


    Ronan gently tucked the stray lock behind her ear, and she finally settled down.


    "Drunken mess," he muttered under his breath as he headed for the driver''s seat. He dialed his driver


    to pick up Victoria from the gastropub and take her home.


    When his car pulled up to the gates of the half-timbered mansion, Ava''s car arrived simultaneously.


    Ronan, carrying Cordelia, bumped into Ava at the entrance.


    "Perfect timing, Mr. Evans. I want to know what¡¯s going on with this business about Thomas and na


    and if Cordelia has any proof. She wouldn''t marry my son when she had the chance, and now that


    we''re weing a new daughter-inw, why is she stirring up drama?" Ava red at Cordelia, who


    was oblivious in Ronan''s arms, her presence slightly deting Ava''s resolve.


    Ronan''s brow furrowed. He knew the scoop about na and Thomas. Cordelia had shared it with him,


    but how Ava came to know of it was unclear. ¡°Cordelia didn¡¯t say anything! If you want to know what


    happened, you should ask Thomas,¡± Ronan said curtly before carrying Cordelia into the house and


    shutting the door in Ava¡¯s face.


    Ava stomped her foot in frustration. If Thomas had told her anything, she wouldn¡¯t have bothered


    Once inside, Ronan told the housekeeper, Janice, to whip up a hangover cure. Victoria had spoken


    highly of Cordelia, so Janice was quick to oblige.


    With a steaming bowl in hand, Ronan propped Cordelia against him and helped her sip the remedy.


    Her cheeks flushed from the warmth, and after a moment, she cuddled into Ronan, finally settling into a


    deep slumber. She slept the entire afternoon away.


    When Cordelia awoke, she searched the room frantically.


    "What are you looking for?" Ronan''s deep, resonant voice asked.


    Caught off guard, Cordelia felt a twinge of embarrassment. She turned to find Ronan lounging on the


    couch, casually reading a book with one leg crossed over the other.


    For a moment, Cordelia felt as if time had stretched and they were still in the past, or perhaps not¡ª


    maybe they were caught in the flow of time, unchanged. In that instant, she felt an overwhelming


    closeness to Ronan.


    Propping her head on her hand, Cordelia''s eyelids fluttered slightly. "Hey," she called out softly.


    Ronan''s gaze shifted to her. "Who are you calling?"


    "Who else is in the room? Who else could I be calling?" Cordelia''s newly awakened courage made her


    bold.


    "What is it?" Ronan asked, suppressing any irritation.


    "How did I get back here?" she inquired.


    "You flew, of course," Ronan replied nonchntly.


    Cordelia pouted in response.


    "And Victoria?" she asked, still groggy.


    "I had the driver take her home."


    Cordelia nodded in understanding.


    "Did you spread the story about na and Thomas?" Ronan probed further.


    "What story? To whom? I only told you. What about it?" Cordelia was genuinely puzzled.


    Ronan''s frown deepened. There had to be a third person involved, but who?


    "Never mind," Ronan said, dismissing the subject.


    It was only then that Cordelia remembered. "Isn''t today Jamie''s wedding? Ipletely forgot..." After


    sending a generous gift online to Jamie, Cordeliay back down, closing her eyes to continue sobering


    up.

 Chapter 552

    Chapter 552


    Ronan was aware that Cordelia had just sent a gift to Jamie, but he didn''t bring it up.


    After three years, the topic of a romantic rival wasn''t as prickly as it once was. They had just gotten


    together, and he wasn''t keen on stirring the pot.


    Once the gift was sent, Cordelia noticed a chat bubble with her friend, Victoria, at the top of her


    Messenger app - odd, since she couldn''t recall talking to her while they were both at home.


    Curiously, she tapped to open it. Victoria''s messages popped up. [Hey BFF, you home yet? Sobered


    up?]


    Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    [I''m counting on you with Harold, you know.]


    [De, that guy you were all over - what''s he look like? Send a pic. Is he as hot as Mr. Evans? Bet he


    can''t hold a candle to Mr. Evans.]


    None of Victoria''s messages had the new message indicator.


    ¡°Did you check my Messenger?¡± Cordelia asked Ronan tentatively.


    ¡°Your phone kept buzzing, so I muted it,¡± Ronan said nonchntly, his eyes still on his book, seemingly


    unfazed by the incident.


    Cordelia was taken aback. She had thought Ronan was clueless about Eason¡¯s existence. She wanted


    to clear the air, yet words failed her. Finally, she muttered, ¡°Victoria can be such a pain, always sticking


    her nose where it doesn¡¯t belong.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, she can be,¡± Ronan agreed passively.


    Cordelia offered a forced chuckle before pretending to fall asleep.


    Ronan¡¯s phone rang. It was Peter. ¡°Mr. Evans, are you free on Monday? Swing by Birchwood if you


    can. We need to talk about the Edith Hills project, and there¡¯s something else I¡¯ve got to discuss with


    you,¡± Peter said.


    Peter had initially nned to bring up Cordelia¡¯s situation at the next meeting, but Petra was like a


    ticking time bomb, and he couldn¡¯t risk his entire fortune on Edith Hills. Sleep had eluded him for days,


    prompting the call to Ronan.


    ¡°Monday?¡± Ronan paused to consider. Mondays were typically reserved for staff meetings at Lumos


    Enterprises, and he rarely visited Birchwood then. But with Cordelia here, he replied, ¡°Alright.¡±


    After hanging up, Cordelia inquired, ¡°Who was that?¡±


    ¡°Do you need to know everything?"


    "Just making conversation..."


    "It¡¯s Peter."


    Cordelia puzzled for a moment before checking her own phone. It was quiet. Even the Empower


    Operations group chat was silent.


    "Why''d he ask you to a meeting and not me?"


    "Like I said before, you''re not high on the totem pole," Ronan said, brushing it off.


    With a pout, Cordelia turned her back to him.


    Callum came in, noticed Cordelia lying in bed, and climbed in as well.


    "Did he now?" She guessed as much.


    "Mommy, you''re not leaving again, right? Did youe back for me?" Callum asked, hope in his voice.


    "Yes, I did."


    "Can I sleep with you guys tonight then? I''ve never slept in your bed before," Callum requested.


    "Of course," Cordelia agreed warmly.


    That night, with their child nestled between them, Ronan surprisingly refrained from anyte-night


    antics with Cordelia.

 Chapter 553

    Chapter 553


    Cordelia had a nagging feeling that Ronan was out of sorts today, probably because her return wasn''t


    for him.


    "Petty," she muttered to herself after Callum had drifted off to sleep.


    "If you''re looking to pick a fight tonight, juste out with it," Ronan''s calm voice cut through the


    silence, unrippled as ever.


    What was he thinking? Did he believe Cordelia was up to something?


    Ignoring him, Cordelia turned over and tried to sleep.


    Meanwhile, Jamie was sprawled on his bed, drunk as a lord, when he received a gift from Cordelia.


    Deep down, he knew Marian wasn''t the one he yearned for; his heart had always belonged to Cordelia,


    but fate was cruel, keeping them apart.


    Fresh from her shower, d in her pajamas, Marian stepped out of the bathroom just in time to see


    Jamie''s phone light up with the notification of Cordelia''s gift notification.


    Her day had been a mess, thanks to Cordelia''s antics at her own wedding, and thiste-night


    transaction was thest straw. She suspected no good intentions. In a fit of rage, she hurled the phone


    at Jamie''s head, narrowly missing and grazing his forehead, leaving a red scratch.


    "What the hell?" Jamie sobered up instantly, sitting up to confront Marian.


    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "And what the hell do you think you''re doing? Tell me, what''s this bitch up to? She vanished for three


    years, then showed up out of the blue to stir trouble. Today she spilled the beans about your dad and


    that na woman at the wedding, causing my mom to have a fit. The wedding was a fiasco, and now


    she''s pulling these stunts at night. Jamie, I need answers! My father didn''t give me away to you so I


    could be miserable," Marian''s voice cracked, tears blurring her vision. "Why didn''t Cordelia just die


    abroad?"


    "How can you be so damn cruel? And for the record, did I beg you to marry me? Weren''t you the one


    whotched on to me?" Jamie shot back, equally angry.


    "Get out!" Marian yelled, pointing furiously at Jamie.


    Jamie ignored her and turned away to sleep.


    Marian''s wedding night ended in silence and frustration, untouched and still a virgin.


    At the same time, a row was brewing downstairs.


    Ava confronted Thomas, "What the hell happened back then? How could you sleep with na?" Ava''s


    temper was fiery, much like Marian''s¡ªno-nonsense and straight to the point.


    With a heavy sigh, Thomas resigned himself to sleep.


    "Go sleep in the spare room. Who said you could sleep here?" Ava said furiously.

 Chapter 554

    Chapter 554


    Back in the day, Thomas'' family was well-off, and he was a dashing young man, brimming with


    ambition. Like many a talented fellow, he couldn''t avoid the allure of a beautiful woman.


    During that time, he was smitten and would frequently visit the film set to see na, only to be turned


    away each time. The crew imed she had returned to Ennd and had even started dating the actor,


    August.


    Thomas thought they were pulling his leg, but then he heard na was back from Ennd, staying at


    a hotel. That evening, he decided to pay a visit to the hotel. As he knocked on the door, na


    happened to be stepping out.


    She nced at him, and after he introduced himself, she invited Thomas into her room. The air was


    perfumed with a delightful scent that captivated Thomas. Naturally, one thing led to another, and


    Thomas and na found themselves entwined between the sheets.


    Thomas never imagined that a celebrity''s bed would be so easy to fall into.


    Afterward, na coiled her arms around Thomas'' neck and whispered in his ear, "I don''t want to be on


    screen anymore. I''m thinking about setting up my own productionpany, behind the scenes.


    However, my dad won''t fund it. He doesn''t agree. I want to start it in Millstone. What do you think?"


    Thomas was still na?ve and eager to maintain appearances. He knew he had to pay, even more so


    since na wasn''t forcing the issue¡ªit was a transaction he had willingly entered into.


    Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    "How much do you need?" he asked.


    "About a million. Is that a problem for you? If it is, don''t worry about it."


    Not one to let a woman pay, especially not in front of na, and desperate to protect his dignity,


    Thomas bit the bullet and said, "It''s fine. There''s no way I''d let a woman foot the bill."


    "Consider it an investment, then. You''ll get your share of the profits."


    na was charming, both in bed and out, and Thomas was utterly bewitched. He rushed home and


    convinced his father to give him a million for a "new business venture." He handed every penny of that


    million to na. A million back then was like ten million today.


    While Thomas daydreamed about their future together, na suddenly went cold on him.


    A yearter, he received a check for two million, along with a note that read, "Let''s call it even," and


    that was that. na had cut him loose with a cold, calcted move.


    Rumor had it that Cordelia was the one spreading the story. Thomas decided it was time to confront


    Cordelia.


    Word was that Cordelia was now at the Evans residence, so on Sunday, Thomas made his way there.


    To his dismay, Cordelia wasn''t home¡ªonly Ronan was there.

 Chapter 555

    Chapter 555


    Ronan had a good idea about why Thomas was at his doorstep.


    ¡°Mr. Evans, is Mrs. Evans around?¡± Thomas asked Ronan, looking like a mouse that had just spotted a


    cat.


    ¡°She¡¯s out, took the kid to the mall.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s not here?¡± Thomas pondered, wondering if Ronan was aware of the situation, and whether


    bringing it up would inadvertently reveal his own past secrets.


    ¡°Are you here about the gossip surrounding you and na?¡± Ronan inquired, cutting to the chase


    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    before Thomas could respond.


    A hint of embarrassment crossed Thomas¡¯ face. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s right. Word on the street is Mrs. Evans


    spilled the beans, and I wanted to check with her about it.¡±


    Ronan snorted dismissively, ¡°Don¡¯t you know that the na you fancied and the na you¡¯ve been


    with isn¡¯t the same person?¡±


    Thomas was confused, ¡°What do you mean? What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°The na you fell for is the one from the TV shows, but the one you slept with is her twin sister.¡±


    ¡°What??¡± Thomas, a man in his forties, realized he¡¯d been duped not once, but twice by the same


    name ¨C na.


    It wasn¡¯t a pleasant feeling to be tricked, and Thomas felt his head spinning. ¡°What¡¯s the full story?


    How are there two nas?¡±


    ¡°na has been riding her sister¡¯s coattails, conning and deceiving. The TV dramas were all her


    sister¡¯s work. She opened a filmpany using her sister¡¯s connections. She¡¯s crafty, that one.¡±


    Lost in thought, Thomas forgot to ask how Cordelia hade to know this. It wasn¡¯t until he was back


    home, sitting on his couch, that the shock of the old scandal resurfaced, and he realized he had been a


    After Thomas left, a small smile curled on Ronan¡¯s lips. He had wanted Thomas to know he¡¯d been


    yed for a fool and to stoke the fires of his grudge against na. He relished the thought of his two


    enemies shing ¨C whoever fell didn¡¯t matter. It would be a spectacle he¡¯d enjoy, much like the feud


    between Deanna and Tabitha.


    Shortly after Thomas¡¯ departure, the police arrived to deliver the conclusion of Deanna¡¯s case. Ronan


    had tipped off the authorities earlier, asking to be informed once the case was resolved.


    Cordelia had just returned with Callum. They were shopping for clothes at the mall.


    ¡°Mr. Evans, we''ve cracked the Deanna case. It was done by a guy named Xavier. He unplugged


    Deanna¡¯s oxygen because he bought a pair of sneakers from her online store for over a thousand


    bucks, thought they weren¡¯t worth it, and got furious when he couldn¡¯t return them.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that motive a bit flimsy? Didn¡¯t you find anyone else?¡± Cordelia inquired.


    ¡°That¡¯s all we have.¡±


    Cordelia nced at Ronan. She had once suspected him, but it seemed she was mistaken.


    After the police left, Ronan didn¡¯t mention Thomas¡¯ visit to Cordelia.


    Cordelia settled on the sofa. ¡°I might need to leave today. I have ss tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Leave tomorrow then. I¡¯m heading to Birchwood anyway.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re divorced,¡± Cordelia countered.


    Ronan justughed; he never took Cordelia¡¯s words to heart.

 Chapter 556

    Chapter 556


    The next morning, the two set off at the crack of dawn, leaving Janice to watch Callum.


    Yawning incessantly, Cordelia seemed to drag herself with every step.


    "Didn''t even break a sweat, and you''re already pooped?" Ronan teased her yfully.


    "Aren''t you tired?" Cordelia shot back.


    "Getting old, so I need less sleep," Ronan quipped with a mock sigh.


    "Yeah right, pushing forty and losing steam in certain departments, huh?"


    "That''s right, definitely losing it. Used to be a daily drill, and now it''s an every-other-day thing," Ronan


    said with feigned seriousness, though his rxed demeanor betrayed him. "Last night, you put a stop


    to it, and now you''reining?"


    "Me,in?" Cordelia retorted, a mix of frustration and humor in her voice. "I was just making an


    offhandment about your sleep schedule, not the risqu¨¦ business you''re implying."


    Ronan just chuckled without another word.


    The day was shrouded in thick fog. For safety, Ronan drove at a snail''s pace, barely able to make out


    the figures in the haze. Cordelia, overwhelmed by fatigue, curled up and dozed in the passenger seat.


    At a red light, Ronan nced over at Cordelia, who was wrapped up in her coat, her face obscured.


    They seemed like travelers forgotten by the world in the midst of the fog.


    "This fog''s so dense I can hardly recognize you," Ronan jested.


    Cordelia knew a jibe was lurking behind his words, so she chose not to retort. Instead, she wrapped


    herself tighter and shrank down in her seat, staying silent, anticipating a bit more banter. "You


    recognized mest night, but not this morning,¡± Cordelia muttered under her breath.


    ¡°Right, without the clothes, sure. But all dressed up, who are you?¡± Green light. Ronan started the car


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    again.


    Cordelia just sighed and didn¡¯t bother responding for the rest of the drive to Birchwood.


    Once there, Ronan dropped Cordelia off at her school and then headed to Empower Operations for a


    meeting.


    Peter started by giving an update on the progress at Edith Hills, where they were about to break


    ground. Then, hesitantly, he addressed Ronan, "Mr. Evans, that incident with Petra threatening to jump


    off the building in my neighborhood really shook me up. You know, in our business, that''s the kind of


    thing we dread the most. I''ve heard through the grapevine that Petra had beef with Cordelia. Mr.


    Evans, I''m worried. If there''s a next time, we might not be so lucky."


    Peter tapped the table lightly, trying to emphasize the gravity of the situation.


    So Petra''s n had worked. Ronan knew all too well what Petra was up to.


    "What do you propose we do?" Ronan asked Peter.


    "I was hoping to get your take on it."


    "Let her go from Empower Operations."


    Peter''s eyes lit up. He hadn''t expected Ronan to be so in tune with the situation, so decisively aware of


    the stakes.


    "No need. I''ll handle it," Ronan stated.


    "Oh, then I won''t pry. But, about letting Ms. Haselwood go, maybe you could..." Peter trailed off, hinting


    he wanted Ronan to take the lead.


    "That''s your job," Ronan replied, unmoved.

 Chapter 557

    Chapter 557


    Cordelia was blindsided when she received the message on Facebook Messenger, utterly confused.


    She thought she''d been performing well at her job. Why on earth would she be fired?


    After giving it some thought, she figured it must¡¯ve been rted to Petra''s scandal¡ªguilty by


    association, perhaps.


    Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    While Cordelia was stewing in her thoughts, her phone rang. It was Emily from Lumos Enterprises.


    "Cordelia, Mrs. Evans?" The voice on the other end was gentle and refined¡ªit had been three years


    since theyst spoke.


    "Yes, this is she. Hello, Ms. Emily," Cordelia replied, recognizing the familiar voice from years past.


    "I''m the HR Director at Lumos Enterprises, Mrs. Evans. Do you remember me? We''d like to offer you a


    position at Lumos Enterprises as an independent director, focusing on liaising with Empower


    Operations. The annual sry would be two million. What do you think?"


    "May I have some time to think it over?" Cordelia didn''t outright reject the offer.


    "Of course, Mrs. Evans. I understand this is quite sudden. Take all the time you need."


    Cordelia mused that if the HR Director herself was reaching out, it must''ve been Ronan''s doing,


    especially since he was at Empower Operations for a meeting that day. It seemed he had a hand in her


    dismissal as well.


    [You had a part in firing me, didn''t you?] Cordelia texted Ronan on Messenger.


    [You''re overthinking it. Offering you a job was out of concern. Lumos Enterprises pays as well, if not


    better, than Empower Operations.]


    Cordelia had to admit that her getting fired was probably not Ronan''s fault. He offered her a job out of


    kindness.


    She lost her job, likely due to Petra''s "idental fall." It probably never crossed her mind that Ronan


    would secure a position for Cordelia at Lumos Enterprises.


    But her primary job was in Birchwood. How could she frequently travel to Millstone for meetings?


    After his meeting, Ronan asked Cordelia out to dinner, where she brought up the issue of distance.


    Ronan brushed it off. "We''ll sort it outter. Where are you staying tonight?"


    Cordelia was speechless. Cordelia cared about the practicalities of life, while he was all aboutfort


    and pleasure.


    "I''m going back to my ce," she said, looking down at her meal.


    "Small bed, but it''ll do."


    Cordelia looked up in surprise. "You want to stay at my ce?"


    "Why not?" Ronan countered.


    Without further discussion, they finished dinner and strolled around the campus before heading back to


    her apartment at Unity Hall.


    Living on campus was different. Even if Cordelia didn''t know the students, they knew her. By tomorrow,


    rumors of Cordelia''s escapade with Ronan would likely circte.


    No sooner had they entered her apartment than Ronan pinned her against the door and kissed her


    passionately. After the kiss, he murmured with a raspy voice, "The thrill of a reunion is quite something,


    isn''t it?"


    "So you''re saying being together every daycks excitement?" Cordelia retorted, slightly miffed.


    "Every day has its own charm!" With that, Ronan scooped her up and carried her to bed.


    Cordelia felt hungry but didn''t dare eat for fear of gaining weight. Besides, she was toofortable in


    bed to move.


    Ronan got up and perused her bookshelf, probably looking for something to read.


    "Is that a contradiction?" Ronan replied, scanning the titles. "Many schrs are known for their


    romantic escapades."


    Cordelia was aware of that. "But you''re not a schr."


    "Does that mean I can''t enjoy life?" Ronan shot back.


    Later that night, Ronan proved just how much he enjoyed life¡ªonce again.

 Chapter 558

    Chapter 558


    The next day, Ronan had to head back to Millstone because Callum was home alone, and Cordelia


    was worried sick.


    Wednesday rolled around, and it was Cordelia¡¯s turn to teach. Right in the middle of her lecture, Mr.


    Reese from the administration office beckoned her outside.


    ¡°Ms. Haselwood, here¡¯s the deal,¡± he said, pulling out a stack of papers. ¡°Millstone College sent over a


    transfer request, and they¡¯re waiting on your John Hancock. Sign these, I¡¯ll fax them over, and the


    school¡¯s handling the rest of the red tape.¡±


    Cordelia was floored. ¡°Transfer request? What transfer request?¡±


    Mr. Reese exined, all smiles and reassurance, ¡°Well, you¡¯re set to join the faculty at Millstone


    College as a full-fledged professor. Your promotion¡¯sing through any minute now. Once that¡¯s


    done, you¡¯re good to go.¡±


    ¡°But I never nned on transferring to Millstone,¡± Cordelia protested, baffled. She adored Birchwood


    College¡ªBarney¡¯s legacy. Why on earth would she move to Millstone?


    ¡°I really can¡¯t say,¡± Mr. Reese shrugged, ¡°but orders are orders. All I know is I¡¯ve been tasked with


    getting your paperwork in order. Ms. Haselwood, as of tomorrow, you can kiss Birchwood goodbye and


    report to Millstone.¡±


    ¡°What??¡± Was Birchwood really showing her the door? Had Ronan pulled some strings?


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°Ms. Haselwood, chop-chop! You¡¯re heading back home. That¡¯s good news, right?¡± Mr. Reese beamed


    as if he was the bearer of the best news ever.


    Though she felt like she¡¯d been yed, Cordelia signed the papers. She taught the rest of her ss


    with her mind elsewhere, but with the same dedication as always.


    After ss, Cordelia shot Ronan a message on Messenger. [How did I get transferred from Birchwood


    to Millstone so quickly? Aren¡¯t these things supposed to take, like, six months?]


    His reply was casual. [Oh, about that, I made a sizable donation to Millstone¡ªa new building.]


    Cordelia was speechless. ¡°Money talks,¡± she thought bitterly. A new building, and just like that, her


    credentials were good enough for an immediate transfer to Millstone.


    However, her research at Birchwood wasn¡¯t finished. She still had grad students to mentor.


    Mr. Reese messaged again, urging her to pack her bags for Millstone. Should she be thanking Ronan


    for arranging her life so neatly?


    [What about my stuff?] she texted him.


    [Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s being taken care of.]


    So, she was expected to just up and leave.


    It was a tough pill to swallow¡ªBirchwood was her first job post-PhD...


    ¡°Ms. Haselwood, you could¡¯ve given us a heads-up before jetting off. Who knows who we¡¯ll end up with


    now,¡± Sally said, clearly upset.


    ¡°It does,¡± Sally insisted. ¡°The other profs are old-timers. It¡¯s not the same.¡±


    Cordelia patted Sally¡¯s shoulder sympathetically. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, guys.¡±


    Cordelia didn''t have much to say to that.

 Chapter 559

    Chapter 559


    As the trio were deep in conversation, a knock at the door announced the arrival of Ronan''s driver.


    "Ma''am, per Mr. Evans'' instructions, I''m here to see what items you''d like to move. I''ll take care of it for


    you."


    It was then that Cordelia''s panic set in. She stood up, looking around at her belongings, deciding what


    she could part with. She handed off the unnecessary items to Sean and Sally. That night, her ce


    was in utter disarray.


    Before Cordelia knew it, she was off to Millstone, having enrolled at Millstone University. Everything felt


    like a whirlwind, a dream almost.


    Victoria showed up to see Cordelia, ostensibly to drop off some clothes for Janice. Ronan happened to


    be home that day.


    Cordelia''s return brought the greatest joy to Callum, who was jumping around the house, visibly ted.


    When Ronan saw Victoria, he excused himself upstairs, leaving space for Cordelia and Victoria to chat.


    Janice tried on the clothes, and they fit perfectly. She was incredibly pleased. Even now, Janice


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    believed that Cordelia was too embarrassed to apologize directly and had brought Victoria as a


    mediator. Unbeknownst to her, Victoria had her own motives; she wanted to be part of the family, and


    this situation with Cordelia provided an opportunity for them to bond without awkwardness.


    "Shoot Harold a message on Messenger, will you? Tell him I got his mom a dress," Victoria nudged


    Cordelia.


    "Why can''t you send it yourself?"


    "Don''t be silly. I don''t have his contact."


    Cordelia thought to herself. She rarely initiated contact with Harold on Messenger, but maybe this could


    be a way to mend fences.


    Cordelia rolled her eyes at Victoria and typed out. [Hey Harold, I''ve just transferred to Millstone


    College. Victoria picked up a dress for your mom, and she really likes it... and Victoria, too.]


    Harold was probably busy with training, as he didn''t respond until lunchtime with a brief message.


    [Who''s Victoria?]


    [Vic is an OB-GYN. She used to be my doc, too.] Cordelia replied, avoiding the mention of their college


    connection, wary of Harold being prejudiced against Victoria''s age.


    It wasn''t until lunchtime that Ronan descended from upstairs.


    Out of the blue, Victoria asked, "Have you two remarried yet?"


    Cordelia nced awkwardly at Ronan. "Not yet."


    "If we are remarrying, when do we n to do it?" Ronan looked at Cordelia.


    "Uh... I haven''t really thought about it." Cordelia hadn''t considered it amidst the recent chaos.


    "After lunch then?" Ronan queried.


    "Yeah, that sounds good," Cordelia responded.


    Ronan fetched their divorce certificate from upstairs andid it on the coffee table, waiting for Cordelia


    to finish her meal.


    Unexpectedly, Petra burst in, her expression urgent.


    Seeing Ronan and Cordelia''s home for the first time, Petra was filled with difort. In the affluent


    neighborhood of Millstone, the understated opulence was a reminder of what could have been hers if


    she had pushed a little harder.


    She pulled out the documents from her bag and handed them to Cordelia. Cordelia realized they were


    important documents she hadn''t thought of.


    The truth was that the station had indeed contacted Petra. Ronan had left the child in her care, so the


    station was informed and had called her about Tabitha.


    So, she came to Cordelia''s house to catch a glimpse and to coax Ronan to apany her to


    Birchwood Prison. She was always looking for excuses to be near Ronan.


    "Is that so?" Cordelia asked.


    "Why don''t you go with Petra?" Cordelia suggested to Ronan. "We have plenty of time to talk about


    remarriage."


    Petra nced sideways and saw the divorce certificate on the coffee table. So, they hadn''t remarried


    after all.

 Chapter 560

    Chapter 560


    Seeing the divorce papers gave Petra a flicker of encouragement in her heart.


    "Cordelia, let''s go as well," Victoria said, giving Cordelia a knowing look.


    Cordelia knew Petra was capable of some pretty underhanded tactics, so she simply nodded, "Alright."


    After handing Callum over to Janice, they all headed out.


    Cordelia rode shotgun, and when they arrived at Birchwood Prison, neither she nor Victoria got out;


    they just waited in the car.


    Petra nced at the clock; it was past three. She dragged her feet on purpose, trying to stall. Thest


    thing she wanted was for Cordelia and Ronan to get back on track. But deep down, Petra knew that


    love, like a river, finds its way. If Cordelia and Ronan were meant to be, she couldn¡¯t stop the inevitable.


    After visiting Tabitha, Petra decided to head back to Birchwood.


    At the bus station, she chatted up Cordelia with clich¨¦s like "We won''t be seeing each other much after


    this." Cordelia humored her with half-hearted replies.


    Once Petra was gone, Ronan dropped Victoria home. By the time he got back, it was half-past five.


    Cordelia was beat, but most importantly, she felt there was plenty of time. The reunion with Ronan


    could wait till tomorrow, at most. Ronan didn''t push it. The county clerk''s office was already closed


    anyway.


    "I''ve got school the next couple of days. Let''s pick up our marriage license on Friday, okay? I just got


    transferred to Millstone College, and it''s going to be crazy busy. We could celebrate with dinner after?"


    Cordelia suggested.


    "Sounds good," Ronan replied, his voice steady.


    ...


    Time rewound to two weeks earlier.


    Samantha got a message from na. It had been ages since nast reached out, leaving


    Samantha anxious about her dwindling career.


    [Samantha, get your passport ready. Hop over to the UK. We need to talk. Got a big opportunity for


    you. Come alone.]


    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Samantha was perplexed. She knew na yed her cards close to her chest. What could be so


    important across the pond?


    But Sienna was thrilled. "You''ve never been abroad. Take the chance," Sienna reassured Samantha,


    though she too was puzzled about Samantha going alone. Yet the promise of a "big opportunity" was


    enough. Sometimes, you''ve got to pay a price, right?


    Samantha flew to the UK and met na in a hotel lobby.


    "Look at me," na demanded, examining Samantha carefully.


    Samantha wondered if na was sizing her up to sell. She had never scrutinized her like this, even


    back in their acting days.


    Memories of an emerald ring shed in Samantha''s mind, but she was clueless. "No idea."


    "What?" Samantha''s eyes went wide. She always knew Cordelia came from money but never guessed


    she was na''s niece.


    Samantha nodded, swallowed by the enormity of the charade.

 Chapter 561

    Chapter 561


    na led Samantha into the mansion, her eyes widening with awe as she took in the opulent decor for


    the first time. A sense of longing stirred within her at the sight of such wealth.


    "This is your grandfather," na said, gesturing toward the figure of Seth, reclining in a grand four-


    poster bed.


    na had dressed Samantha in elegant clothes thatplemented her poise, and she didn¡¯t look out


    of ce in them.


    Seth¡¯s eyebrows knitted together slightly; he was unable to speak.


    "Father, haven''t you always wanted to meet your granddaughter? I''ve found her for you. We''ve even


    done a DNA test; take a look," na said, pulling out a document from her tote bag and handing it to


    Seth.


    Seth''s frown persisted. Once a titan in the financial world, he knew all too well that such documents


    could be forged.


    "Now that we¡¯ve found my sister¡¯s daughter, our family isplete. Dad, if you have anything to say,


    now''s the time," na urged.


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    Seth kept his gaze fixed on Samantha.


    "Grandpa!" Samantha''s eyes brimmed with tears, and she looked the picture of sorrow. Being an


    actress, she knew exactly how to y the part.


    "I''m so sorry, Grandpa. It''s all my fault for noting to see you sooner," Samantha said before


    kneeling at the bedside.


    Seth continued to stare at her until finally, his frail finger lifted, pointing upstairs.


    "I know, Dad. Now that we¡¯ve found her, they should meet," na said with feigned affection. If not for


    the fortune at stake, Seth would have been left for dead long ago.


    na then led Samantha to the attic, which was secured with a heavy iron door to prevent her sister


    from escaping. A woman delivered meals to the imprisoned sister, who now endured the same fate that


    na had once suffered.


    Samantha caught sight of a woman sitting on the bed, her hair disheveled, wearing a in white


    nightgown, staring nkly into the distance.


    This woman was breathtaking, ethereal in a way that made her starkly different from the worldly and


    shrewd na. Despite their identical appearances, their disparate auras could make one overlook their


    physical simrities.


    The attic was spacious, despite its location.


    The woman nced briefly at Samantha and na before turning away, lost in her own world.


    The sister¡¯s gaze drifted. "Savannah, Savannah, my little treasure..." It seemed she was struggling to


    recollect the past, a past too painful to revisit.


    "Mom, I''ve missed you so much," Samantha cried, throwing herself at the feet of the real na.


    ¡°Yes, Mom, it¡¯s me, look,¡± Samantha said, lifting an emerald ring for the real na to see.

 Chapter 562

    Chapter 562


    na cradled Samantha''s face in her hands, her voice a tender whisper. "My daughter, my baby girl?¡±


    "Yes, Mom, Aunt only found me recently."


    "Really?" The skepticism in na''s eyes was unmistakable. "Does she even have a heart to do that?"


    The other na, the imposter,ughed coldly, "You know I''m not that kind-hearted. After all, | was the one who cast you away.


    Why would | bring your child back? But you see, Dad''s fortune is stashed in a Swiss bank, and | need that password. | had to


    find the kid. I¡¯m getting older, and | don¡¯t hold the same bitterness towards children anymore.¡±N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    As the imposter na spoke of ¡°children,¡± her heart skipped a beat.


    The real na was at a loss for words, and after all these years, her thoughts were slow to gather.


    ¡°Alright, your own flesh and blood has acknowledged you. I''ve already had Allison tidy up a room. I''ll have your daughter keep


    youpany. You can also go downstairs to see Dad," the fake na added.


    "Dad, Dad..." It was as if madness had gripped the real na. She had lived in the same house as her father for thirty years, but


    she had never once seen him. Then, like a coiled spring released, the real na leaped from the bed, flung open the iron door,


    and dashed downstairs.


    All these years, she believed her father was dead, her daughter lost, and her beloved August gone. All hope had vanished like


    smoke in the wind. Although the imposter imed that Samantha was her lost daughter, na felt a disconnect; she didn''t seem


    familiar, at least not with the heart-wrenching bond she expected. She was more anxious to see her father.


    The fake na watched her sister''s retreating figure with a sinister smile. They all thought the imposter na had suddenly


    grown a conscience, but in truth, na only wanted to lull them intocency. If the old man saw the real na, perhaps he


    would divulge the password.


    na found her father lying in bed and shook him gently. "Dad, Dad..."


    So many years had passed. Her father had aged, grown plump, and sprouted a beard that no one had bothered to trim.


    Seth was in tears, too, caressing his eldest daughter''s face. She had been the apple of his eye since childhood, his pride. They


    had relied on each other for over two decades, and now, to be reunited under such circumstances was a cause for sorrow.


    The imposter na and Samantha had alsoe downstairs, witnessing the scene.


    "Dad, how did you end up like this?" The sorrow in real na''s voice was profound.


    Allison came with a message, announcing that Seth''s old friend Tony had arrived.


    The imposter na''s expression darkened. "Take her back upstairs!" shemanded Allison.


    ¡°Right away."


    "And what about me?¡± Samantha asked na.


    "You stay. Just sit.¡±


    Samantha took a seat in the grand room of this noble house. A cold sweat broke out on her brow, but she sat, nheless.


    Tony entered the living room.

 Chapter 563

    Chapter 563


    The moment Sethid eyes on the photograph of Cordelia, a tear traced its way down his cheek. After more than two decades,


    to suddenly see the progeny of his most beloved daughter, so beautiful and full of grace, was deeply moving.


    As for what this distant rtive of na''s was up to, Tony had a hunch. Could it be that na had orchestrated someone to


    impersonate Cordelia? After all, na was in the dark about Tony''s covert investigation into Cordelia''s matters. na was


    desperate to retrieve the Swiss bank ount password and seemed to be going all-in.


    Tony figured he had to make another trip to bring Cordelia back.


    Usually, Tony would visit Seth once every month or two, but this time, he returned after just a few days, knowing na would be


    out that day. Sure enough, Seth handed Tony a note. "My days are numbered. Bring her back quickly.¡±


    Without dy, Tony headed for Birchwood. Before leaving, he shot Cordelia a message on Messenger, and she informed him


    that she had transferred to Millstone College. So, Tony met with Cordelia at Millstone College.


    "Cordelia, | came in a hurry. This note is from your granddad. He insists you visit home," Tony said, handing her the note from


    Seth. "And there''s something else. | found a girl at Seth''s house. na didn''t tell me her name. She''s with na, and | suspect


    they n to use her to dupe Seth and steal the password. You need toe back."


    Cordelia clenched her jaw. Lately, she''d been haunted by dreams of her mother, alone and mad in the attic, calling for her, of her


    parents together. Who wouldn''t yearn to see their birth mother, especially knowing the hardships she''d endured?


    When she was with Callum, feeling his affectionate nuzzles, memories of her mother flooded back to her.


    Her thoughts were a tangle of dreams and longing ,but Ronan wouldn''t allow her to go to UK.


    She had been set to travel from Birchwood College to Ennd for an inspection, but with her transfer to Millstone College, her


    ns had evaporated. She even suspected Ronan purposefully arranged this to keep her from going.


    "Cordelia, even if you just go to Ennd to get the password, that money won''t fall into na''s hands. Seth doesn''t want her to


    have a penny of it," Tony urged as he saw her hesitation, banging his fist on the table for emphasis.


    Finally, Cordelia made up her mind. "Alright! I''ll apply for a visa this afternoon."


    "Good, | need to leave before na gets suspicious of my long stay here."


    "Okay."


    After Tony left, Cordelia sat in silence for a long while. How would she exin this to Ronan? It took her a long time to find the


    words, but she did one evening.


    ¡°Tony came to see me today. He said na found a girl to rece me, and is nning to coax the password from my granddad.


    They''re conspiring against my mom. | want to go to Ennd, if only to see my mom once," Cordelia told Ronan.


    "No!" Ronan''s voice was adamant.


    "Why not? She''s my mother."


    "My stance is clear. No."


    Cordelia thought, ¡°How could he be


    like this? Not understanding gall!


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