Chapter 134

1. Anter Ballaster hadn’t left the art gallery just yet.

Fresh from a meeting, he turned into the gallery space instead of heading out. The painting“Frostfall” was supposed to be tucked away in a quiet corner, an area reserved for the unnoticedworks of emerging artists. Approaching the scene, he was met with chaos. His brow furrowed inconfusion as he asked, “What’s going on here?

A staff member quickly explained, “A visitor got clumsy with their ice cream, and one of thepaintings got. splattered.”

Space was at a premium in the gallery, with several modestly priced newcomers‘ pieces on displayin this small section.

Ballaster’s expression darkened. “How could such a basic mistake happen? And since when iseating allowed in here?”

The staffer looked as if they were at a funeral, continuing, “Chairwoman Fanny was livid. She’salready fired the person responsible. It’s a good thing these pieces aren’t valuable, or we’d be inreal trouble!”

Ballaster was concerned. If “Frostfall” was ruined, how would he check it out for Cordelia?

“We’re preparing to call the artists individually, ask them to bring new pieces as an apology.”

He nodded; that was the only course of action left.

He’d have to wait for “Frostfall’s artist to deliver another piece before he could take a look.

Fanny, not too far away, curled her lips into a smirk. Greenmeadow was her turf, and meddlingcame easy to her. She hadn’t expected Ballaster to actually come see the art. Had Naylor reallytipped him off? Luckily, she had been meticulous enough to sabotage the painting in advance.

That night, Lorna didn’t come down for dinner. While Cordelia was worried, even Mathilda insistedshe shouldn’t interfere, so she returned to her room to read.

The next morning, Cordelia packed her bag and was about to take a pill from the bottle Louie hadgiven her when she paused, recalling Everard’s pained expression from the day before.

She hesitated, then decided against taking the medication, capping the bottle and slipping it backinto her bag before heading downstairs.

Lorna seemed a bit better but still downcast. As Cordelia left with her breakfast in hand, Lornafinally spoke up, “The picture you wanted framed will be ready by this afternoon. It’ll be up in yourroom by the time you’re back.”

Cordelia’s eyes lit up. “Great.”

At Midnight Scent, Everard, Bible in hand, sat behind the counter listening to a report.

Skyler, in his favorite jumpsuit, spoke respectfully, “Boss, that Louie you asked about has beensqueaky clean these past years, nothing out of the ordinary…”

Everard was about to respond when footsteps approached, and Cordelia walked in wearing herschool uniform. She seemed surprised to find Skyler there and glanced at him before turning toEverard with understanding.

The police officer here must mean that Everard was in hot water, right?

Skyler caught a warning glance from his boss and quickly improvised, “Oh, I’m just checking onMidnight Scent’s business license See how quick–witted he was! After making his claim, he turned to Everard with mock seriousness,‘Let’s see it then Everard, clad in black, languidly leaned back, expressionless as he watched him.

After about five seconds of staring. Skyler realized there was no such license at Everard’s place.Bluffing, he stammered, “Ah, since the license is in order, I’ll be on my way!”

He fled as soon as the words left his lips.

Cordelia, pizzled by the exchange, didn’t dwell on it. After sharing breakfast and holding hands withEverard for a while, she stood to leave.

At the door, something came to mind, and she looked back, “Are you feeling any better today?”

Everard, having forgotten the previous day’s events, blinked in confusion before remembering hisact, lowering his eyes in feigned sorrow, “I’m fine, don’t worry about me.”

Cordelia paused, her voice awkward as she admitted, “I didn’t take my medication today.”

With those words, she walked away, leaving Everard stunned.

Was Cordelia trying to cheer him up?

It was such a simple sentence from her, yet why did he suddenly feel so happy?

Merry was distraught. Her live stream had been banned and slapped with an incriminatingstatement, leaving her resourceless.

The customer service’s official response was, “Please wait, we’ll verify your content and get back toyou,” but then silence.

Fuming, Merry turned to her social media followers, who loyally sought her out for answers.

Merry blasted the platform online, only to receive a legal notice from them the next day!

Their call was aggressive, “You must delete your post and apologize, or we will pursue damages fordefamation.”

Merry retorted, “I’ve done nothing wrong. Why should I apologize?”

Their reply was cold, “Then prove you’re innocent.”

Merry was exasperated, her voice rising, ‘Can’t you be reasonable? How can I prove it?”

Unyielding, they shot back, “That’s not our problem. If you can’t prove your innocence, the banstays.”

Merry snapped, “Damn it! Prove your ass…”

She cursed under her breath, only to be interrupted by a cool voice behind her, “Prove what?”

At the sight of Cordelia, Merry’s eyes reddened, and although choked up, she stubbornly replied,“Nothing.”

Cordelia observed her, then simply acknowledged with an “Oh” before entering the classroom.

If Little Parrot needed her help, she would ask. If she didn’t, Cordelia wouldn’t press her, becauseLittle Parrot had her pride too.

And so, Merry spent the day distracted and troubled.

During lunch break, Merry’s phone buzzed with an incoming call that snapped her out of herdaydream. The voice on the other end was blunt and to the point. “Rent’s due, Merry. Threemonths‘ worth. That’s $4,500.”

She pursed her lips, “Can I pay it monthly? Would that work?”

“Not a chance,” the landlord retorted without a hint of sympathy. “If you can’t make it, you’ve got twodays to pack up and leave.” With those final words, he hung up.

Merry frowned, staring at her bank account. The balance read a meager $2000. Seemed like evenher next meal seemed like a luxury she couldn’t afford.

She took a deep breath, steadying herself. There was no other choice; she had to figure somethingout, and fast.

As the school day wound down, Cordelia breezed past her. Merry hesitated, half–hoping to saysomething, but eventually, she remained silent watching Cordelia walk away, returning to her own home.

When Merry got back to her apartment, she noticed Lorna was nowhere to be seen. She glancedaround the living room, a question forming on her lips, when Mathilda chimed in, “Lia, the painting’s all framed and up. It’s in your room now.”