Chapter 127

Cordelia stood frozen, a flicker of disbelief crossing her face as she clutched her phone, staring atthe six digital tickets on the screen. A thought raced through her mind were these really worth$50,0007 She wandered into the living room, where a few people turned their heads in unison towards her.

Laurinda snorted through her nose, making no move to greet her Steward, on the other hand, smiled warmly. “Hey Lia, how was school today? Tiring?”

Cordelia didn’t intend to engage with her grandmother or Rachel, but she couldn’t ignore hergranddad’s friendly inquiry.

She shook her head. “Not really.”

Having said that, she dropped her by the couch and took a seat next to Lorna.

Rachel continued, addressing Lorna, “Lorna, help us out, will you? Here’s the ticket.”

With that, she tried to press the ticket into Lorna’s hand, but Lorna pushed it back, steadfast in herrefusal. “Really, I can’t. Lia and Everard are just dating; it wouldn’t be right to make Everard bow hishead.”

Seeing Lorna’s resistance, Rachel turned to Cordelia. “Lia, what do you think? Your mom wouldlove this art show. If you could just swallow your pride a bit and get Calvert to add Juliana on Facebook, I will give her the ticket! You’re such a good daughter, surely you wouldn’t want todisappoint your mom, right?”

Lorna frowned. “Rachel, don’t talk nonsense. I’m not interested in the art show!”

As she attempted to give the ticket back to Rachel, Cordelia’s leisurely voice chimed in, “Is thisticket really worth 5 grand?”

Lorna blinked in surprise.

Rachel’s face lit up. “Yes, and you can’t just buy them, you need connections. I knew you’d careabout your mom. She’s just being stubborn because she doesn’t want to put you on the spot. Isn’t itworth just a little pride to make her happy?”

Cordelia let out a nonchalant “Oh,” then turned to Lorna, “Mom, let’s g go Lorna was visibly touched but still hesitated. “Lia, I appreciate what you’re doing, but some lines justshouldn’t be crossed.”

Lorna already saw Everard as a son–in–law and was about to say more when Cordelia turned toMathilda. “Grandma, would you like to go?”

Mathilda was taken aback, glancing at Laurinda and Rachel before coughing. “I… L…”

Before she could finish, Laurinda cut her off. “Her? Why should she go? Does she have the moneyor the ticket? Pfft, I heard someone saying they wouldn’t spend my son’s money and would ratheruse their own pension.”

Mathilda’s frown deepened. She took a deep breath to calm herself. “Lia, I’m not interested inwatercolors. I won’t go.”

Laurinda scoffed “I heard you were quite interested. Is it the money that you worry about?”

Mathilda’s face tightened.

Beside her, Lorna clenched her fists.

Grace and virtue were her hallmarks. Having spent a lifetime trying to be the picture of serenity, shenow realized how humiliating the lack of financial independence could be If she could earn her own money, why would she let her mother be insulted this way?

Seeing Lorna’s distressed face, Laurinda grew more smug “Dear, shall I lend you some money? I’mnot like you my money is what my son earned, rightfully shared with me…”

As Laurinda continued, Lorna’s quilt grew, and just then, Cordelia’s cool voice rose again.“Grandma, il treat you”

Silence enveloped the living room Laurinda huffed, “You’re treating? Is it not your dad’s money you’re spending? Do you have yourown Eventually.L money?”

Rachel giggled behind her hand “Mom, even money can’t buy these tickets; you need the rightconnections”

Before Laurinda could speak, Cordelia added, “I have tickets.”

She lifted her phone, informing Lorna, “I have six of them.”

The room fell into silence once more.

After a moment, Lorna was astounded. “Lia, where did you get these?”

Cordelia pondered briefly before replying, “A friend gave them to me.”

Lorna pressed, ‘Which friend? How do you know them?”

Cordelia explained with her phone in hand, “Just through… online.”

Lorna interrupted in surprise, “An internet friend?”

Cordelia hesitated slightly. “…You could say that.”

Before Lorna could respond, Rachel laughed out loud. “Tickets to this art show are like gold dust,and someone just gave you six? Lia, you’ve been had. There are so many scams online. Lorna, yougotta keep an eye on Lia: pretty young girls can be easy targets.”

Lorna’s expression darkened. “Who’s being careless? What are you implying?”

Rachel shrugged innocently. “I didn’t say anything, don’t overthink it…

Lorna exploded, “Is it me overthinking, or are you insinuating something about Lia? Rachel, wedon’t want you here. Please leave!”

The presence of these three had soured the atmosphere at home, and Lorna’s frustration hadreached boiling point.

Laurinda, being Sanderson’s mother and an elder, couldn’t be dismissed, but what right did Rachelhave to cause a scene in their home?

Rachel stood up, somewhat embarrassed. “Lomna, we’re all family here, you…

Lorna was resolute. If you don’t leave now, I’ll call security!”

Rachel’s face showed her discomfort. Accustomed to the decorum of high society, she wasn’t onefor noisy confrontations. Realizing she had overstayed her welcome, she grasped the ticket andheaded for the door “Fine, I’ll leave on my own.”

Steward, having botched the situation, also felt awkward remaining. He stood up and cleared histhroat. “Ah, Lorna, I guess your mom and I will head out too.”

Lorna took a deep breath. “Sure, let me walk you out.”

Once Steward and company had left, Mathilda couldn’t help but complain. “I told you, Laurindadoesn’t mince words, but Steward, he’s the real sly one. Acts like such a good guy…”

She stopped mid–sentence when she caught sight of Cordelia. Her good upbringing made herswallow the rest of her words Lorna looked at Cordelia with concern. “Lia, you can’t trust people online, you…

“He’s trustworthy.” Cordelia insisted. “He’s B. Aster.”

1. Aster…

Without an explanation from Cordelia, Lorna might have found the idea slightly credible convinced she was being duped.

1. Aster was a busy man; how could he possibly have time for online chats?

but now she was Yet Cordelia seemed so sure, Lorna couldn’t outright dismiss her. In the end, she just said, “Alright,then tomorrow afternoon, let’s hit the art exhibit.”

Cordelia was too naive. Lorna decided she needed to accompany her daughter to face theinevitable disappointment, to help her see the reality of the deception.

That evening, Cordelia continued her painting lessons with Lorna. She was a quick study, graspingthe techniques almost instantly. Before Lorna realized it, she had imparted all her tricks of the tradein one night.

The next day, Cordelia, carrying breakfast, walked into Midnight Scent. As she ate, her backpackaccidentally tumbled to the floor, spilling its contents, including the bottle of medicine Louie hadgiven her.

Before she could reach for it, Everard bent down and picked up the bottle, his expression pausingbriefly, “What’s this?”