Chapter 62
After Yates finished his piece, Everard behind the counter slowly raised his head.
Everard had a sharp and chiseled look, with a cold and hard set to his features and thin lips that revealed hint of frost. His piercing gaze swept over Yates, sending an invisible shiver down his spine, straightening him up with an involuntary chill
Raised in the lap of luxury by the indulgent love from Hackett, Yates had grown up with a defiant streak, accustomed to getting away with just about anything.
Heâd faced down hardened criminals without flinching, but for some reason, Everard instilled a deep and visceral fear in him
This guy was no pretty boy.
Just as Yates thought this, he noticed Everardâs gaze fleetingly pass over his fiery red hair. The chill in the air seemed to subside a bit, easing the pressure around them. It was only then that Yates felt he could breathe a little easier.
Then, Everardâs voice cut through the silence, icy as ever. âDid she send you?â
Yates hesitated, his usual faltering as if he were facing a superior, unable to evade the question. âShe doesnât know.â
Everard tapped his credit card on the counter with his pale . âMaybe you shouldâve asked her first.â
Yates tensed up. Only now did he realize heâd acted rashly. Who Cordelia dated or not was her businessâ¦
But Yates wasnât about to show weakness or embarrass Cordelia. He straightened up defiantly and declared, âWhatever happens, if you dare hurt Cordelia, Iâ¦â
He paused, then reconsidered, âOur Flame Union wonât let you off the hook!â
Everard tightened his expression and studied Yates for a long moment before finally looking away. âYou can go
now.â
It wasnât until Yates had left the Midnight Scent and the warm breeze outside hit him that he wondered why heâd simply left just because he was told to do .
But rushing back in now wouldnât be right either⦠Next time, heâd handle it differently.
Inside the Midnight Scent.
Everard watched Yatesâ retreating figure, his face clouded with
thought.
Calvert tried to make himself as inconspicuous as possible, shrinking into his shoulders, too scared to even breathe. After waiting silently for a couple of minutes, Everard suddenly let out a laugh.
Calvert froze. Had the boss gone mad with rage?
The thought barely registered before Everard spoke lightly, âCordelia is quite popular.â
Calvert speechless. He wished he could vanish into thin air.
His gaze fell on the credit card in Everardâs , grasping at the chance to offer, âBoss, shall I take the card to Mr. Griffin for you?â
âNo need,â Everard glanced at the card, âRaising Cordelia is expensive.â
Calvert internally mourned for Yates allowance.
Cordelia was late to class due to the time spent with the police. The first period was Lathamâs class. Knowing her dedication, Latham waved her in without comment.
After class, Latham, not in a hurry to leave, turned to Cordelia with a jovial chuckle, âGuess you wonât be
1/2
topping the class this time, Cordelia!â His playful tone relaxed the entire room
Latham continued with a smile, âLife is full of surprises. Donât worry, this is just the National League. The real test is in November. If you secure the first division in the province, you can compete in the Mathematics Olympiad, the big game! Scholarships to Superiority College and Top Crest Academy are picked from there.â
Merry quickly chimed in, looking back at Cordelia, âLia, everyone knows you missed half an hour, so no worries if your scoreâs down!â
She checked her phone for updates from the Flame Union group chat, comforting Cordelia further, âBelides, sccting first division is epic. There are hardly any participants in our school, and winners are even rarer!â
Daniel adjusted his thick glasses and added, âCordelia, youâre already doing great!â
Their words of encouragement were soon undercut by an unsettling comment, âBut what if she doesnât even make first division?â
The room went silent as eyes turned to the speaker, Juliana. She managed a smile, feigning concern, âIâm just worried. After all, she was so disturbed by the incident. With only 80 minutes for the test and Cordelia arriving with just 50 left. The first test has numerous problems, and most canât finish. If there is any error on the second testâs four major problems, achieving that goal becomes tough, especially with the cutoff around 200.â The chatter ceased, but Merry scoffed, âLia could score 200 blindfolded! Donât spout nonsense here. Itâs plain to see hoping she fails!â
Juliana stiffened her face. As Hanley looked on, confused, she welled up with tears, âIâm just concerned for Cordelia. Why are you all being so unfair?â
Hanley frowned, âMerry, Juliana meant well Why the harsh words?â
âWell? If Juliana had a good heart, Id eat my hat! Sheâs plain jealous of Liat Weâre not blind.â Merry retorted.
Cordelia had to stifle a laugh Merry sure had a way with words
Julianaâs cheeks flushed as she bowed her head and tears began to stream down her face. âL⦠I was just looking out for Cordelia, thatâs allâ she stammered between sobs. Iâm scared sheâll be too cocky and then, if she doesnât win the first prize, sheâll be mortified.
Hanley furrowed his brow upon hearing this: âEven if Julianaâs math skills donât match up to Cordeliaâs, sheâs still top of her class Plus, she plays piano like a young Mozart and almost landed an apprenticeship with Stanton. Sheâs a shining star in her right. Whatâs there to be jealous about? Besides, the results arenât even out yet. Donât count your chickens before they hatch!â
Merry, brimming with inexplicable confidence, retorted. âWeâll see in an hour, then?â
Latham wanted to offer some words of wisdom, but the bell signaling the beginning of the next period cut him off. He had no choice but to leave the classroom Just as he settled into his chair in the office, the landline on
his desk began to ring
He picked up the receiver. âHello, is this the math department at Greenmeadow International School?â
Latham nodded, though the caller couldnât see âYes, this isâ¦.?â
Whatever the caller said next stopped Latham in his tracks. Then, his face lit up with a look of pure