Although Sanderson had severed ties with his mother, Laurinda, he bore no ill will towards his father Steward, who had always taken special care of him since he was a child. So Sanderson held Stewardâs words in high .
Nodding in agreement, he supported Steward as they made their way toward the Griffin estate.
Cordelia followed with Lorna, her figure ethereal in a shoulderâbaring purple chiffon gown, her feet adorned with high red leather pumps.
Trailing after her were Juliana and Rachel. Rachelâs voice dripped with sarcasm, âWhy dress so fancy? Itâs Hackettâs birthday bash, not an unmarried Party.â
Juliana was about to echo the sentiment when Cordelia, who was ahead, came to a sudden halt and turned around languidly. Cordeliaâs cold eyes brought back the memory of being cornered and bullied in school restroom.
The mocking words Juliana had intended to say got stuck in her throat, and she dared not utter them.
Seeing Julianaâs silence, Rachel shifted the topic and whispered conspiratorially, âWhen you see Calvert later, make sure to say hello and maybe snag his contact info. Itâs alright for a young lady to make the first move.â
Juliana blinked in surprise, âMom, Iâm engaged
Rachel whispered back, âOf course, I know. But lately, the Fosters have been acting wishyâwashy. They were all gungâho about setting the engagement date, and then when I met with them the other day, they didnât mention a word about it.â
Julianaâs mood darkened. After their familyâs financial setback became public knowledge, Rachel had hoped an engagement to the Fosters would give them some wedding gifts to tide them over, but the Fosters had found an excuse to decline.
Juliana also noticed that at school, Hanley often seemed distracted, constantly looking at Cordelia. And his attitude toward her had grown colder.
Resigned Juliana responded, âAlright.â
âThatâs my girl,â Rachel said, patting her hand, âTrust me, Calvertâs only in his twenties, a real looker, and leagues better than Hanley.â
Julianaâs resolve strengthened upon hearing this.
Their conversation was hushed, but Cordelia, with her keen hearing, caught it. She paid it no mind, and it was none of her business. This was Cordeliaâs first time at such a gathering. Even before entering, the lively sounds of the party inside the Griffin mansion reached her ears.
She followed Lorna into the estate.
The Griffin family, being the cream of Greenmeadow society, had a grand and opulent mansion. The hall was bustling with the townâs influential figures and industry elites, all mingling and toasting.
Upon the Delaney familyâs arrival, the butler hastened to greet them.
âMy apologies,â he said, âMr. Hackett is currently upstairs with some distinguished guests and sends his apologies for not being able to welcome you personally.â
Cordelia Mr. Watkinsâ girlfriendâs family and no way the Griffin family would dare neglect them.
Steward was slightly flustered but quickly replied, âNo worries, Mr. Hackett is too kind.â
The butler saw to their needs with great zeal. Steward was escorted to an upstairs VIP lounge, while the others mingled downstairs
Sanderson greeted his business associates, while Cordelia and Lorna, feeling rather bored, excused
Chapter 110
themselves to a nearby couch
Cordelia had no interest in such events. Sheâd rather spend the timeâsolving math problems than listen to idle
chitâchat.
She and Lorna had barely settled on the couch when Cordelia took out her phone and started working on a set of advanced math problems sheâd downloaded earlier.
Lorna glancing at Cordeliaâs preoccupation, sighed inwardly, âHow to get Cordelia to take a break from studying?â
As Lorna pondered this, a wellâdressed woman with an arrogantâlooking young lady in tow approached, âLorna, time no see.â
Cordelia, deeply engrossed in her studies, was hard to distract. But hearing someone address Lorna, she subconsciously paid attention. She noticed Lornaâs smile fade slightly, her tone cool, âFanny, it has been a long time.â Clearly, Lorna didnât care for this person.
Fanny, draped in a custom and dripping with expensive jewelry, made quite the ostentatious display. She sat with her daughter and began, âI thought weâd see more of each other after you married Sanderson. But he seems to go everywhere alone, never with you by his side.â
Lorna nodded, âYes, I prefer to stay in.â
Fannyâs gaze turned scornful as she continued, âWell, that figures. You were never really one of us, Marrying Sanderson was a stroke of luck for you.â
Then, her eyes landed on Cordelia with malice, âOh, this must be your longâlost daughter, the one you found in the orphanage after eighteen years, right?â
Lorna frowned at the unkindness.
Fanny had been her college roommate, both art majors, with Lorna consistently outperforming Fanny.
Fanny had always been envious, always comparing herself to Lorna, from grades to husbands. Since losing Cordelia, Lorna had become reclusive, and their hadnât crossed in ages.
Now Fanny was starting up again, this time comparing daughters.
Just as she finished belittling Cordelia, Fanny gestured to her own daughter sitting beside her, aloof and selfâassured, âThis is my daughter, Sallie Brown. Youâve not met her, have you, Lorna?â
Sallie cast a fleeting glance at Lorna and Cordelia, her gaze lingering momentarily on Cordeliaâs face before she huffed with an air of superiority and looked away.
Far from reprimanding her for her lack of manners, Fanny beamed with pride, âSheâs a bit of a highbrow, and sheâs an exceptional student. Last year, she got into Ontoky University. Thereâs no school that can hold a candle to it except Top Crest Academy and Superiority College.â
Lornaâs lips twitched into a halfâsmile, âImpressive.â
Fanny turned to Cordelia, âLorna, no offense, but your daughter canât be glued to her smartphone all day. Even though weâre not exactly short on cash, education is still paramount. Sallie, come on, share some wisdom with Lorna, will you?â
Sallie cast a cool glance at Cordelia and spoke with an I to
knowledge within that truly adorns a person.â
âItâs not about looks, and itâs the wealth of
Fanny chuckled, âExactly, thatâs spirit. You know, Hackett has heard good things about her and especially gave her time off to come back. Heâs planning introduce her to Mr. Calvert.â
Sallie didnât respond.
Fanny turned her attention back to Cordelia, âLorna if I remember correctly, your daughter is a year younger than Sallie, a senior in high school, right? Got any plans for college?â
Chapter 110
Standing tall, Lorna placed her hands in front of her and calmly replied, âWell, Lia is admitted to Superiority College in advance.â