Chapter 115

Cordelia’s normally calm eyes flashed with rare confusion.

Why was Little Fang here?

As she was lost in thought, she heard Fanny exclaim in surprise, “Mr. Wallace?”

Mr. Wallace?

Cordelia blinked, belatedly realizing that Little Fang was the Calvert they were referring to.

But how could this be? Wasn’t he just as poor as Everard?

Even though neither Everard nor Little Fang had ever mentioned it, it was clear that Little Fang wasat Everard’s beck and call, and worked daily at the Midnight Scent.

If someone like Little Fang was a person of status, then who on earth was Everard?

Dressed in a suit that cost a small fortune, running the aloof Midnight Scent, spending his daysengrossed in ancient poetry and philosophy, what was the true identity of this man who seemed soaverse to business?

Sanderson was even more baffled than Cordelia.

He had just walked over when he caught Everard’s remark, “I’m Lia’s boyfriend,” and realized hehad mistaken someone else for her beau.

So the man in black, even more outrageous than Calvert, was Lia’s actual boyfriend. Thankfully, hehad kept his mouth shut, avoiding a massive blunder. But how did they know Calvert? And theyseemed to be on quite friendly terms.

As everyone was bewildered, Fanny furrowed her brows. Mr. Wallace clearly had a specialconnection with Cordelia, as if he had known her for a while. Was it because she was beautiful thathe had taken an interest in her?

Her gaze flickered, and she hurriedly said, “Mr. Wallace, so you’ve known each other all along. Justnow we were jokingly saying Ms. Delaney, as lovely as she is, should get to know you. And thenMs. Delan mentioned she already had a boyfriend.”

She paused, then added with a laugh, “I was quite puzzled, really. Could her boyfriend possibly bemore outstanding than you?”

Any man would bristle at such words.

And sure enough, Calvert’s expression soured.

Fanny added fuel to the fire, “They are a well–matched combo, and our dear Sallie here appreciatesthe talented, not the superficial.”

With these words, she proudly indicated to Everard, “Mr. Wallace, this gentleman is Ms. Delaney’sboyfriend.”

Calvert’s face indeed fell. He was almost in tears. What nonsense was Fanny spouting?

How dare he covet Cordelia? She was, after all, his boss‘ girlfriend..

He cautiously glanced at Everard’s expression and saw a chilling gaze directed his way. Calvertshivered.

He quickly tried to speak, “Boss…” But he stopped short, remembering that he couldn’t revealEverard’s identity or Greenmeadow would be in an uproar, His speech faltered, and he grewanxious. What was he to do?

As he was wrestling with how to address Everard, Everard suddenly spoke up in a low voice, “Mr.Wallace.”

Calvert said, “Please don’t call me like that.”

He couldn’t stand the way his boss was addressing him.

The surrounding crowd, consisting of various ladies and mistresses, had now been joined by theirmenfolk, drawn over by Calvert’s arrival.

Hanley and Edwin stood at the edge of the gathering, silently observing the storm’s epicenter.

Edwin asked in a hushed tone, “Who is this man? Why haven’t I seen him before?”

The notable businessmen of Greenmeadow were few, and this man’s face was too unfamiliar.

Hanley’s brow furrowed in thought, “He’s the owner of a place called Midnight Scent, just outsideour school.”

Edwin was taken aback, “What? How did he get in here?”

Hanley, thinking he understood the situation after seeing Cordelia and Yates together, explainedsoftly, “Probably an invitation from Yates.”

His explanation ended with clenched fists.

Aside from his good looks, what was so special about Everard? It was absurd that Cordelia spentso much on a suit to make him look presentable.

Now, though, he tried to get close to Calvert, but Calvert sure wasn’t happy about it. No one was socurt when they just met.

Fanny couldn’t help but laugh, “That’s not appropriate: Lorna, Cordelia’s boyfriend seems to lackmanners.”

Lorna was still in a daze, glancing back and forth between Everard and Calvert. Why did she feellike the man in Sanderson’s photo was Calvert? What was going on?

Lorna remained silent, but Cordelia’s brows knitted.

She never cared about others‘ opinions and wouldn’t get upset over a few remarks. Yet for somereason, these taunts aimed at Everard felt particularly unpleasant.

She spoke languidly, “Judging others so carelessly, I think it’s you who lacks manners.”

Seeing Fanny criticized, Sallie quickly retorted, “Indeed, he lacks manners. Do you think Mr.Wallace is someone anyone can just casually meet?”

After speaking, bolstered by the way Calvert had looked at her differently upon their meeting andeven suggesting they might get in touch later, she turned to Calvert, “Mr. Wallace, I’m right, aren’tI?”

Calvert hurriedly began to say, “You’re right.”

Sallie and Fanny, smug upon hearing him, froze the next moment.

Calvert blurted out in frustration, “Right my foot.” After his outburst, he looked at Everard, “He’s myfriend.”

The words hung in the air, and the entire banquet hall fell silent.

Fanny and Sallie stared in disbelief, “What did you just say?”

Calvert was in a bind, cornered by these two. He had planned to say hello and leave, knowingEverard would be there, but now they had made Everard call him ‘bro, and he was in utter panic.

He stated firmly, “I need to speak with Everard. Please leave us be.”

Fanny and Sallie were petrified, never in their wildest dreams had they expected such apredicament. Both swallowed hard, their throats dry with apprehension.

OST I Fanny realized she had made a colossal blunder, crossing Calvert, and she wanted to makeamends, “So, Mr. Wallace, about that date you mentioned with Sallie for tomorrow, you…”

Calvert straightened his back, his voice icy, “Oh, I’m rather tied up now.”

The implication couldn’t have been clearer.

Sallie’s face flushed a deep crimson.

Copter Tears rimmed her eyes. Just as many who had envied her moments ago, now sneered at hermisfortune, “It’s like a slap in the face,” someone whispered, “She was just lording it over everyone because Mr.Wallace had taken a shine to her, but who knew he was so chummy with Ms. Delaney.”

In the crowd, Hackett stood next to Sallie’s father, Wills Brown.

When Calvert had mentioned the date with Sallie, Hackett had hinted at a potential partnershipbetween the two families. Wills was over the moon, but now… As Wills attempted to speak, Hackettinterrupted, “It seems Mrs. Brown isn’t feeling quite well. Perhaps, Mr. Brown, you should escortyour wife and daughter home?”

It was a blatant dismissal. Wills, not daring to offend the Griffins, left with Sallie and Fanny.

The rest of the guests, though curious, didn’t dare linger and quickly dispersed.

Cordelia sighed in relief as the commotion around her subsided.

But just then, Sanderson approached, his gaze fixed on Everard, his tone grave, “Who are you,really?”