Chapter 99
Cordelia heard the news and looked up at the television.
Rachel, oblivious to the breaking story, continued to gossip with Lorna.
Lorna frowned, her voice tinged with annoyance, âRachel, please donât worry your head about this. Our family wonât be getting involved in an investment like that.â
Rachel rolled her eyes, sneering, âCome on, Rachel. I donât buy that. With returns like that, youâre telling me youâre not even a little tempted?â
Before Lorna could retort, a sales associate approached a pair of stylish stilettos in hand, âMrs. Delaney, your shoes are all wrapped up. Will that be credit or cash today?â
Rachel peeked at her bank balance to see a mere ten thousand left.
This morning, they had almost emptied their accounts to raise fifty million in cash to transfer to Kermit, who was supposed to invest it with Calvert.
The remaining ten thousand was meant for the carâs servicing, but now, Rachel couldnât bear to lose face. before Lorna and Cordelia.
With a strained smile, she declared, âCredit, please.â
After all, in a fortnight, they would cash in on over twenty million in returns. Money troubles would be a thing of the past.
While Rachel went to pay. Lorna and Cordelia took a seat on a plush sofa to try on some shoes. Breaking the silence, Lórna sighed, â
Iâm completely useless, right?â
Cordelia looked at her, puzzled.
Lornaâs frown deepened, âAll these years, Iâve hardly saved a penny.â
Since her daughterâs disappearance, Lorna felt like a zombie, barely managing to feed herself, let alone save money. Thankfully, Sanderson didnât mind, but spending her own money would certainly feel more empowering.
With a deep breath, Lorna confessed, âLia, Iâve been painting, thinking of trying my luck at the local art fair. Though, Iâm not sure if anything will sell.â
Even if she could sell a painting for a few thousand, it could buy Cordelia a new dress.
Before Cordelia could offer encouragement, Rachel returned, having overheard the conversation. She laughed, âWhy bother, Lorna? A painting takes ages, and even if it sells, what, for a few hundred? That wonât even cover a family dinner.â
Lornaâs face darkened, ready to respond, but Cordelia suddenly grasped her wrist, silencing her with a shushing motion.
Lorna paused, following Cordeliaâs gaze to the TV.
Cordeliaâs gesture had even confused Rachel, who turned to look just as the reporter said, âThis is the work of at sophisticated fraud ring, led by Calvert, with accomplices at large. Police have issued warrants for their arrest. Here are their photos, and if you see them, please call the authorities.â
The first photo showed an averageâlooking man with those tiny eyes that gave a sense of familiarity.
As the first photo flashed on the screen, Rachelâs pupils shrank. It was Calvert.
Recognition dawned slowly on Cordelia, âDoesnât he familiar? Thatâs Calvert, right?â
Lornaâs worry was evident, âRachel, thatâs Calvert on the news. Did Kermit give him the money?â
As the reality set in, Rachelâs grip loosened, and her shopping bags fell to the floor. She stumbled, mumbling.
âNo, this canât be true.â
Ignoring the scattered bags, she frantically called Kermit, and then Jimmy, but no one answered.
A dreadful premonition washed over Rachel, and her knees threatened to buckle.
Lorna, growing concerned, steadied her, âAre you alright?â
Rachel straightened up, âIâm fine. Itâs just fake news. Calvert canât be a fraudster. Itâs impossible.â
She picked up her bags and hurried out, desperate to find Kermit and make sense of the chaos.
Once Rachel had left, Lorna turned to Cordelia. âWhat should we buy, Mom?â Cordelia asked.
Focusing back on the task at hand, they chose some gifts together. Afterward, Lorna phoned Sanderson, sharing the troubling news.
Rachel returned to the family mansion, her mind in turmoil. As she entered, she saw Steward, frantic and pale, descending the stairs. He immediately asked, âDid Kermit invest the money?â
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Rachel felt her legs weaken, âI donât know.â
âFind Kermit, now.â
The household buzzed with urgency, but Kermit was unreachable. No one knew where he had gone.
Soon after, Sanderson arrived, his face grim as he approached Steward and asked, âDad, whatâs happened to Kermit?â
Grasping Sandersonâs hand, Stewardâs voice trembled, âSanderson, is it true about Calvert?â
With a heavy heart, Sanderson confirmed the worst, âItâs true.â
Rachelâs last hope shattered. She slumped onto the sofa, then sprang up in denial, âBut they must have caught him, right? The money can still be retrieved?â
Sanderson, having spoken with the police, shook his head, âItâs uncertain. Theyâve vanished without a trace from Greenmeadow. No leads.
Rachelâs anger flared, âWhat are they doing? Three men on the loose and not one caught?â
The room fell into a despairing silence, the gravity of their loss sinking in.
Sanderson remained silent.
Rachel trudged upstairs, her spirits low and her head bowed. As she opened the door, she suddenly let out a gasp.
Hearing the noise, Sanderson bounded up the stairs in a few quick strides, only to be greeted by the sound of Kermitâs snores. The person the whole family had been frantically searching for was sprawled out on the bed, deep in slumber.
Sanderson strode over and nudged him awake, âSleeping in the middle of the day?â
Kermit, with a face bruised and swollen, squinted up at him and immediately started ranting. âWhat do you want? Who do you think you are, bossing me around? What right do you have to control me? Do you think itâs still the good old days when Iâd listen to you? Let me tell you something, Sanderson, once I get my cut from Mr. Wallaceâs deal, Iâm buying up all the company shares. Then weâll see whoâs calling the shots and whoâs begging to call me âCEOâ
Lapter