Chapter 105

The girl speaking wasn’t part of Hayley’s or Juliana’s clique and had an innocent charm about her.Her words carried no malice, almost laced with a plea for negotiation. Yet, an irksome feeling welledup in Cordelia, and almost instinctively, she blurted out, “No way.”

As soon as 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 theorphanage, she barely batted an eyelid when her playthings were snatched away by other kids. Theonly time she truly felt vexed was when someone took away her books, preventing her fromstudying.

And now, that same irritation surged within her as if her beloved books were being stolen.

The thought of introducing Everard to her, and him calling the classmate “girl” the way he called heronly intensified her displeasure.

“Why not?” asked the student, genuinely curious.

“Because without him, I’d feel like dying.”

Silence fell over the classroom once again, and after a pause, the student sighed, “Guess you reallyare smitten with him, huh? But Cordelia, you’re broke right now, will he stick around?”

Cordelia didn’t fret over such matters, “I’m not broke.” she replied.

Thinking it over, she realized she hadn’t given Everard any cash recently. He hadn’t asked for iteither. Was he too shy to ask? Well, she’d make a point to slip him some money tomorrow. Just tomake sure nobody else would get him.

As she thought this, she couldn’t help but add internally. “If someone took him away, I’d have noone to date.”

Merry looked over at Cordelia with concern and whispered, “Lia, you really out of cash?”

Cordelia replied nonchalantly, “I’m good.” 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 “Flame Union” group chat.

Flame No. 1 had already started sending messages, “Guys, I’ve got some spare change. Cananyone help get it to Lia for the time being?”

The Flames pooled their resources, scraping together ten grand to send to Merry to pass onCordelia.

But when class ended and Merry broached the subject, Cordelia declined firmly, “I really do havemoney.”

After some thought, Merry reported back to the group. “Lia says she’s fine, everyone. No need tosend money. She just got her scholarship, didn’t she? She’s not so broke that she can’t afford ameal.”

After sending this message, a new private chat popped up.

Yates sent this message, “Don’t mention her financial troubles in the group. It’s a matter of pride.Just keep an eye on her, and let me know if she’s really in a bind.”

Merry stared at the message, shocked. Was Yates showing concern for Lia? That was as rare as ablue moon.

In Midnight Scent.

Calvert was always monitoring the school’s online forum.

When the latest post hit, he was stunned, “Boss, wasn’t it Kermit’s family that got conned? How didit turn into the Sanderson’s family?”

Everard glanced at the post and then at Calvert, “Go check it out.”

12:49 The notarization by Sanderson was known to a few lawyers, and the police records had beenaltered, changing the victim from Kermit to Sanderson for easier contact should there be anyupdates.

So, Calvert quickly uncovered the truth and sighed, “Lia’s dad is too kind–hearted, filling in millionsout of his own pocket for them? If it weren’t for us, that money would’ve been gone for good.”

Hearing this, Everard coolly said, “What are you waiting for?”

Calvert was speechless.

Everard continued, “Inform them. We caught the crook. The money’s being returned.”

“Okay.”

During the break, Cordelia and Merry headed to the restroom. Inside the stall, they could hearHayley and Juliana gossiping outside.

Hayley said, “Jullana, I heard it was Cordelia’s dad who built up the Delaney fortune, but with hisbrains getting conned, how could he ever have established their empire? Must’ve been your dad doing the heavy lifting, right?” Juliana replied vaguely, “We’re all family, so what’s this aboutcredit?”

Hayley persisted, “Yeah, you are all family. And look how exposed they are now after the split.Conned out of fifty million, what a disgrace. And they still run the company? Your dad should bechairman.”

She replied lightly. “That’s up to Granddad to decide.”

“You know, Steward’s biased. But what good is Cordelia’s book smart? She looks so clueless.Maybe her high IQ is some kind of karmic compensation for her parents‘ losses. Have you heardabout the Wilson family’s nut case? Mental illness runs in families, you know.”

This was crossing a line. Not content with insulting Lia, they were dragging her parents andgrandparents into 1. it.

Merry felt a surge of anger and quickly finished up, bursting out of the stall.

Hayley looked slightly embarrassed at Merry’s sudden appearance, her expression turningawkward.

Then Cordelia emerged from her stall as well.

Any normal person would have been mortified, and Juliana nudged Hayley, whispering. “Let it go.”

But Hayley just snorted, “It’s true, isn’t it? Why shouldn’t I speak my mind?”

Merry clenched her fists, tempted to lash out.

But Cordelia simply washed her hands and walked straight to the door. Merry thought Cordeliadidn’t want to make a scene, considering other people were also in the restroom.

Merry could only glare at Hayley and spat out, “Hayley, do yourself a favor and watch your mouth.”

Having said her piece, she trailed after Cordelia, only to find her lingering at the entrance. Instead ofleaving though, Cordelia was turning to the girls who were walking in, asking, “Could you pleaseuse the restroom downstairs?”

When the school’s top student spoke, the respect was palpable. The girls quickly agreed, flustered,“Sure.”

Merry was taken aback.

The bathroom now belonged to them Juliana couldn’t help herself, “You’re laying it on a bit thick, don’t you think?”

Hayley waved off the concern with a smirk, “What’s there to be afraid of? She is exactly like that,can’t you see?

I can’t stand her. Anyway, bathroom break “

They both headed into one of the stalls.

12 The restroom had six stalls in total. While they were taking care of business, the occupants of theother four stalls trickled out one by one, washed their hands, and left.

When Hayley came out, she realized the place was eerily empty. She washed her hands and calledout, “What time is it? Don’t we have a class soon? Hurry up, Juliana.”

Juliana emerged from the stall at a leisurely pace, “What’s the rush? it’s still early, right? You canhear there’s still noise outside.”

She washed her hands, chatting away, and followed Hayley to the restroom door. The next thingthey knew, someone pushed them back inside with a firm hand.

Stumbling a bit, Juliana looked up to see Cordelia and Merry striding in.

As soon as they were inside, Cordelia turned and with a decisive “click,” locked the restroom doorbehind them.