The Pioneers Group chat had been silent for days, so when someone finally piped up, the othersquickly bubbled to the surface of the conversation.
Mathster replied, [Never heard of âem.]
Bland replied, [Farly bird interrupts my sweet dreams, huh?]
Painter said, [Ever heard of mute?]
Bland replied, [Set this chat to priority alerts, man. What if the boss needs me and I miss it?]
The others mentally rolled their eyes at his brownânosing, but no one dared to say it out loud.Instead-
Painter said, [Same here, bro.]
Chef echoed, [And me]
Clothing Retailer said, [Me too]
Pianoman asked, [Whoâs this person, anyway? Never heard of them. Are they famous orsomething? @Painter]
Painter said, [This person had a real flair for painting 18 years ago. Young and talented. But then Iheard she married into some high society and stopped painting altogether. Not many people knowher because of that.]
Bland asked, [So why are you looking for her?]
Painter replied, [To paint, obviously.]
Bland said, [? But youâre a renowned artist yourself. Why do you need someone else to paint foryou?]
Painter said, [Let me school you, newbie. Watercolor themes fall into three categories, landscapes,figures, and still lifes. I specialize in figures, not landscapes.]
Painter said, [I got roped into this game design gig, doing character art. I need a landscape artist forthe scenery. Most of the famed landscape artists here have either aged out of the game or theirwork is too superficial for my taste.]
Painter said, [After much thought, only Lorn from 18 years ago caught my eye. Her landscapes hadthe touch. of a master, truly spirited. I really like her work!]
Mathster said, [Youâre a big shot in the art world, chairing the Superiority Country Fine ArtAssociation and heading the Superiority Art Academy. You must have the widest network. If youcanât find her, how can we?]
Painter said, [Damn, back then Lorn was just a pseudonym she used to storm the national artscene. I was just a rookie myself, couldnât dig up her real identity, and then she vanished. She mighthave changed her name, but talent like hers doesnât just disappear. Iâve cast a wide net in mycircles. You all have your connections. Hit me up if you hear anything. Thereâs a hefty reward in it.]
Mathster replied, [No problem.]
Pianoman said, [Got it.]
One by one they responded. Cordelia thought for a moment. She couldnât paint, but Lorna could.Maybe there was a lead there. So she chimed in.
LearnLover replied, [Got it.]
She put her phone down and, as usual, grabbed her book. It was physicsârelated, hard tounderstand, but she tackled them with zest, She had selfâstudied her way through college courses back at the orphanage. But it wasnât untilsheâd visited her grandparentsâ house that she realized how superficial her knowledge was.
Her grandparents were both university professors, and when she visited them with Lorna onweekends, sheâd bring back a pile of books to delve deeper into the subject.
Sanderson had offered them a place to stay, and her grandmother was supposed to arrive tonight,delayed by packing. Cordelia was eager for the new trove of books.
Half an hour later, a car pulled up in front of Midnight Scent.
Cordelia, carrying breakfast, descended the stairs and entered Midnight Scent.
Calvert, as always, took the breakfast and set the table effortlessly, prompting Everard to rise frombehind the counter and approach.
Cordelia glanced at Little Fang and then at Everard. These two didnât seem like former colleaguesat all. But Everard had a presence that naturally commanded respect.
As the three of them sat down, Cordelia couldnât help but glance at Calvert, asking with a hint ofcuriosity, âYouâve been hanging around for two months now. Donât you have things to do?â
Calvert was about to reply when Everardâs smooth voice intervened, âHeâs leaving soon.â
Calvert was confused. Since when was he leaving? With a forced smile, he added, âYeah, I actuallycame to Greenmeadow for business. Time to head back.â
His boss really knows how to kick him to the curb once heâs no longer needed.
After breakfast, Everard leaned back, resting his hands on the table, expecting the usualhandshake. But when it didnât come, he looked up, puzzled, to see Cordelia staringânot at him, butat his lips?
Cordelia wasnât sure what was going on with her. After the kiss yesterday, she shouldâve been madat him today, but she wasnât. And now, the idea of even touching his hand was making her blush?
Caught between her thoughts and his gaze, she hastily grabbed his hand.
Before, his hand had been just a tool to her. But today, she noticed how attractive his hands reallywereâlong, defined, with calluses that spoke of work but didnât detract from their appeal.
His palm was warm, and that heat seemed to burn her skin.
Everard always teased her when they held hands, tracing her palm when she wasnât payingattention. But today, when he did, Cordelia jerked away as if electrocuted, feeling a tinglingsensation in her palm.
Strangely enough, the heartache that usually needed a tenâminute handhold to subside was gonewith just that brief touch.
Cordelia stood up quickly, grabbing her backpack, Iâm off to school now.â
Everard watched her leave Midnight Scent toward the school, pondering why she seemed differenttoday.
Stepping out from Midnight Scent, Cordelia could still feel the warmth on her cheeks. She took afew deep breaths and, in an attempt to steady her racing heart, she silently recited a verse from anold poem she loved. Indeed, after a short while, her heartbeat returned to normal.
There was nothing a little study couldnât fix!
Inside Midnight Scent.
Calvert looked at Everard with the expression of a jilted lover, âBoss, you really letting me go?â
Everard, his face a stoic mask, simply said, âYeah.â
Calvert, halfâjoking, halfâconcerned, âWhoâs gonna cook for you if I leave?â
Everardâs voice carried a hint of boast, âI could always mooch a meal at Liaâs place.â
Calvert bit his tongue before replying, âNot to burst your bubble, but why would she ever let youin?â
âBut her dad might.â
Everard picked up his phone, scrolled to Sandersonâs contact, and shot him a message, [Mr.Sanderson, got a question for you.]
Calvert just shook his head helplessly. His boss can be very shameless indeed.
At the Delaney residence.
Lorna and Sanderson were enjoying breakfast when her phone rang. On the other end was Fannyâsvoice, âLorna, I heard youâve taken up painting again? Whose gallery are you selling them through?
Youâre not exactly a household name; you think theyâll sell?â
Fannyâs voice reeked of smugness.