Chapter
Kermit had always bristled when he came to check on the case progress with Officer Skyler. The guy had a way of talking that was like a slap on his face, condescending and irksome.
Heâd been itching to see Sanderson squirm under that same unpleasant treatment.
But as Sanderson stood there, unflappable as ever, Kermit couldnât help but jump the gun and ask, âOfficer, did you call us here because the moneyâs been recovered? How much did you get back?â
Skyler, interrupted, didnât bother hiding his annoyance, and snapped, âAnd who might you be? The Delaney case got reassigned, didnât it? Whyâre you sticking your nose in other peopleâs business?â
Kermit went red, caught off guard.
Rachel whispered to the trio, âSee what I mean? The guyâs all swagger, no tact. But hands tied, we canât afford to tick him off.â
Sanderson and Lorna exchanged a look, thinking, âThis Skyler was a piece of work, alright.â
After his sharp words, Skyler sidestepped Kermit and approached the others.
Sanderson stepped forward, putting himself between Cordelia and Lorna. If Skyler was going to blow a fuse, he wasnât going to let it be at them.
As the officer neared them, Sanderson was about to offer a greeting when Skyler, with a sycophantic tone, smiled and said, âLia, Mrs. Delaney, Mr. Delaney, Iâm so sorry to drag you down here.â
He patted his chest, nearly letting slip âboss Cordeliaâ that would have been out of place.
All three stared at Skyler, dumbfounded.
Kermit and Rachel couldnât believe their eyes. This was the same man whoâd been too lofty to even converse with them moments ago. What with the sudden turnaround? And what was that he called Cordelia? âLiaâ? They all turned to look at Cordelia, and Sanderson couldnât help but ask, âLia, you two know each other?â
Cordelia nodded, unfazed, âOh, weâve met once.â
Met once, and he was this chummy?
Cordeliaâs brow furrowed slightly. Why did Skyler call her Lia? That was too close.
Amidst the stunned silence and Cordeliaâs confusion, Skyler continued, âHereâs the deal. Weâve nabbed Calvert, and the moneyâs been recovered. We brought you in to transfer it back into your bank account. Just need a signature to close the case.â
Skyler handed Sanderson a document, and when Sanderson saw what was on it, he was floored.
Kermit, growing impatient and unable see the details, nudged Rachel to ask, âHow much was recovered? Half of it?â
Skyler shook his head, âNot even close.â
Not half? âA third, then?â
Skyler said, âImpossible.â
Rachel let out a sigh of relief, thinking if a third hadnât been recovered, then they were in the clear for a sizable windfall.
Her face lit up with a smile, âWell, at least a fifth, right?â
Skyler sighed, âYou really donât get it, do you?â
Rachel laughed even harder, âNo, I get it. Your job is tough. Itâs just that, you know, itâs the first time for
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Sanderson and Lorna here, they might be struggling to come to terms with it.â
Turning to Lorna, she said. âItâs just bad luck, and donât take it too hard. If need to, let it out. I wonât judge.â
Kermit chimed in, âRight, even a few million is win. Donât be sad.â
Lorna, ever the composed one, had never been one to fuss over money. After all, if they could consider it spending thirty million to sever ties with Laurinda, they were ahead.
She was contorting Sanderson instead, âWhatever we get back is a bonus. Sign the paperwork, and letâs not too hard on the police.â
But Sanderson was staring at her in disbelief, âNo, itâs all there. The whole fifty million.â
What?â Lorna was astounded.
Everyoneâs eyes snapped to Skyler, who stood straighter, âDidnât I tell you? You seem to have the wrong Idea about us.
serve the people. You were scammed out of fifty million, of course, weâre going to recover it all.â
The room fell silent for a moment, then Kermit was the first to exclaim, âHowâs that possible?â
Rachel pointed at Skyler, shouting. âYou said you couldnât get much back.â
Skyler shrugged nonchalantly. âI never said that. I told you, every case is different. How much we recover is down to luck. Calvert didnât move the assets, so you just got lucky.â
Kermit and Rachel were green with envy. They couldnât say a word, only shoot Sanderson a look, when Skyler cut in, âThis is a police station, no shouting. If you two arenât here to close a case, please wait outside.â
Then, turning back with a smile, Skyler said, âMr. Delaney, Mrs. Delaney, Lia, shall we go to the lounge to sign the documents? Want something to drink?â
As the group left, Rachel turned to Kermit,
What now?
Kermit was seething with rage, his eyes a swirl of vicious thoughts, âI know Sanderson. After what we did, got no love left. Heâs not going to return our money with the contract in hand. Weâll just have to wait and see.â
Half an hour later, the fifty million was transferred. After signing off, they walked out of the station, almost floating on air.
Lorna looked ahead dreamily, âSo, we didnât lose money, and we actually made twenty million more?â
Sanderson couldnât shake the feeling that things were going a little too smoothly. It almost felt eerie how their luck had turned. But as the initial shock wore off, his eyes gleamed with excitement as he turned to Cordelia, âLia, youâre like a lucky charm. Ever since came back, itâs been one piece of good news after another. Our little family is on the up and up. Come on, tonight Iâm treating you both to a delicious dinner out.â
Lorna was equally spirited, âLetâs go put down a deposit on that dress, no more secondâguessing.â
Cordelia observed the two of them, pausing before she tentatively began, âIs it okay if Iâ¦â
Before she could finish her thought with âStay home?â, her parents exchanged a quick glance and simultaneously exclaimed, âNo way.â
Cordelia really wanted to stay home and hit the books, but seeing the excitement on her parentsâ faces, she
swallowed her words.
She thought, âI can spare a few hours from studying to spend with them.â
The next day, Cordelia arrived at Midnight Scent as usual. As she sat down for breakfast, her gaze landed on Everard.
The man had perfect features and a somewhat frosty appearance. His sharp features carried no of softness, and his strong jawline underscored his resilience. He was definitely easy on the eyes.
No wonder he was on the minds of the female students.
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Chapter 107
With that thought, Cordelia suddenly asked, âIf I ran out of money, would you still date me?â
Chapter 103
Chapter 108