105
The girl speaking wasnât part of Hayleyâs Julianaâs clique and had an innocent charm about her. Her words carried no malice, almost laced with a plea for negotiation. Yet, an irksome feeling welled up in Cordelia, and almost instinctively, she blurted out, âNo way.â
As soon the words left her lips, she paused, surprised at her own reaction.
Cordella had always been indifferent by nature, with little care for material things, Growing up in the orphanage, she barely batted an eyelid when her playthings were snatched away by other kids. The only time she truly felt vexed was when someone took away her books, preventing her from studying.
And now, that same irritation surged within her if her beloved books were being stolen.
The thought of introducing Everard to her, and him calling the classmate âgirlâ the way he called her only intensified her displeasure.
âWhy not?â asked the student, genuinely curious.
âBecause without him, Iâd feel like dying.â
Silence fell over the classroom once again, and after a pause, the student sighed, âGuess you really are smitten with him, huh? But Cordelia, youâre broke right now, will he stick around?â
Cordelia didnât fret over such matters, âIâm not broke.â she replied.
Thinking it over, she realized she hadnât given Everard any cash recently. He hadnât asked for it either. Was he too shy to ask? Well, sheâd make a point to slip him some money tomorrow. Just to make sure nobody else would get him.
As she thought , she couldnât help but add internally. âIf someone took him away, Iâd have no one to date.â
Merry looked over at Cordelia with concern and whispered, âLia, you really out of cash?â
Cordelia replied nonchalantly, âIâm good.â Then she bowed her head and returned to her book.
erry wanted to say more, but thinking of her financial straits, she just sighed and closed her mouth.
Meanwhile, in the âFlame Unionâ group chat.
Flame No. 1 had already started sending messages, âGuys, Iâve got some spare change. Can anyone help get it to Lia for the time being?â
The Flames pooled their resources, scraping together ten grand to send to Merry to pass on Cordelia.
But when class ended and Merry broached the subject, Cordelia declined firmly, âI really do have money.â
After some thought, Merry reported back to the group. âLia says sheâs fine, everyone. No need to send money. She just got her scholarship, didnât she? Sheâs not so broke that she canât afford a meal.â
After sending this message, a new private chat popped up.
Yates sent this message, âDonât mention her financial troubles in the group. Itâs a matter of pride. Just keep an eye on her, and let me know if sheâs really in a bind
Merry stared the message, shocked. Was Yates showing concern for Lia? That was as rare as a blue moon.
In Midnight Scent.
Calvert was always monitoring the schoolâs online forum.
When the latest post hit, he was stunned, âBoss, wasnât it Kermitâs family that got conned? How did it turn into the Sandersonâs family?â
Everard glanced at the post and then at Calvert, âGo check it out.â
12:49
The notarization by Sanderson was known to a few lawyers, and the police records had been altered, changing the victim from Kermit to Sanderson for easier contact should there be any updates.
, Calvert quickly uncovered the truth and sighed, âLiaâs dad is too kindâhearted, filling in millions out of his own pocket for them? If it werenât for us, that money wouldâve been gone for good.â
Hearing this, Everard coolly said, â
you waiting for?â
Calvert was speechless.
Everard continued, âInform them. We caught the crook. The moneyâs being returned.â
âOkay
During the break, Cordelia and Merry headed to the restroom. Inside the stall, they could hear and Juliana gossiping outside.
Hayley said, âJullana, I heard it was Cordeliaâs dad who built up the Delaney fortune, but with his brains getting conned, how could he ever have established their empire Mustâve been your dad doing the heavy lifting, right?â Juliana replied vaguely, âWeâre all family, so whatâs this about credit?â
Hayley persisted, âYeah, you are all family. And look how exposed they are now after the split. Conned fifty million, what a disgrace. And they still run the company? Your dad should be chairman.â
She replied lightly. âThatâs up to Granddad to decide.â
âYou know, Stewardâs biased. But good is Cordeliaâs smart? She looks so clueless. Maybe her high IQ is some kind of karmic compensation for her parentsâ losses. Have you heard about the Wilson familyâs nut case? Mental illness runs in families you know.â
This was crossing a line. Not content with insulting Lia, they were dragging her parents and grandparents into
Merry felt a surge of anger and quickly finished up, bursting out of the stall.
Hayley looked slightly embarrassed at Merryâs sudden appearance, her expression turning awkward.
Then Cordelia emerged from her stall as well.
Any normal person would have been mortified, and Juliana nudged Hayley, whispering. âLet it go.â
But Hayley just snorted, âItâs true, isnât it? Why shouldnât I speak my mind?â
Merry clenched her fists, tempted to lash out.
But Cordelia simply washed her hands and walked straight to the door. Merry thought Cordelia didnât want to make a scene, considering other people were also in the restroom.
Merry could only glare at Hayley and spat out, âHayley, do yourself a favor and watch your mouth.â
Having said her piece, she trailed after Cordelia, only to find her lingering at the entrance. Instead of leaving though, Cordelia was turning to the girls who were walking in, asking, âCould you please use the restroom downstairs?â
When the schoolâs top student spoke, the respect was palpable. The girls quickly agreed, flustered, âSure.â
Merry was taken aback.
The bathroom now belonged to them
Juliana couldnât help herself, âYouâre laying it on a bit thick, donât you think?â
Hayley waved off the concern with a smirk, âWhatâs there to be afraid of? She is exactly like that, canât you see?
I canât stand her. Anyway, bathroom break â
They both headed into one of the stalls.
12
Chapter 105
The restroom had six stalls in total. While they were taking care of business, the occupants of the other stalls trickled out one by one, washed their hands, and left.
When Hayley came out, she realized the was eerily empty. She washed her hands and called out, âWhat time is it? Donât we have class ? Hurry up, Juliana.â
Juliana emerged from the stall at a leisurely pace, âWhatâs the rush? itâs still early, right? You can hear thereâs still noise outside.â
She washed her , chatting away, and followed Hayley to the restroom door. The next thing they knew, someone pushed them back inside with firm hand.
Stumbling a bit, Juliana looked up to see Cordelia and Merry striding in.
As soon as they were inside, Cordelia turned with a decisive âclick,â locked the restroom door behind them.