shuhaige
Chapter 252
Chapter 252
Cordelia and Lorna's steps faltered slightly as they made their way forward. Lorna's brow furrowed, casting a glance at Cordelia, only to find a trace of impatience etched across her face. It wasn't just Cordelia who was feeling annoyed; Lorna was too.
In the past, when her daughter went missing, she drifted through her days in a daze, while Laurinda often sniped at her behind her back. Lorna chose to turn a deaf ear, and Sanderson remained oblivious. They muddled through like this for eighteen years. But once Cordelia was found, Laurinda's antagonism seemed to ramp up.
First, she tried to ostracize her and Lia, then pressured them into a separation. A separation it was, and frankly, it was a relief. She no longer had to tiptoe around Laurinda. But now, Sanderson was tied up with corporate affairs, busier than ever.
It was understandable for Sanderson, as the CEO, to be busy. But now! After wrapping up the projects, why was Laurinda stirring up trouble again? Before, Lorna had kept silent because she had no financial independence and no voice in the household. But now, thinking of the balance in her bank account, she straightened her back and walked into the room first.
In the living room, Laurinda sat there, her eyelids drooping. Upon Lorna's entrance, Laurinda paused her conversation and huffed at the sight of her. Despite being Sanderson's mother, Lorna bit her tongue and turned to Cordelia first: "Lia, you've had a long day. Why don't you head upstairs and rest?"
Cordelia nodded, maneuvering two suitcases forward. Sanderson hurried over: "Let me carry those for you."
Their mansion had no elevator, and with two suitcases to lug, Sanderson doubted Cordelia could manage. He took the suitcases from her, ready to heave them up, only to find them immovable.
Sanderson was puzzled. Cordelia seemed to handle them with ease just moments ago. As he pondered, he saw Cordelia effortlessly hoist the suitcases and head upstairs: "Dad, it's okay."
Sanderson was left speechless. Laurinda scoffed: "So rude, not even a greeting." Cordelia paid her no mind. As soon as Laurinda finished speaking, Cordelia was already upstairs, slamming her room door shut.
Laurinda's brows furrowed, and the wrinkles on her face deepened: "Look at her attitude!" Sanderson ignored her. Lorna, however, changed the subject: "Mom, you came at the right time. I bought gifts for you and dad. I'll give them to you to take home later."
After neglecting home affairs to enjoy a few days in Ontoky City, especially since Cordelia's grandparents were staying with them, Lorna made sure to bring back gifts for everyone. But as soon as the gift box was handed to Laurinda, she clenched it tightly, her sarcasm unfurling: "My son slaves away at the company like a dog, working hard to earn money, and here you are, off enjoying Ontoky City? Spending so much? Spending my son's money must feel especially easy, huh?"
Lorna's brow furrowed at the remark. Sanderson intervened: "Mom, Lorna is my wife. What's mine is hers, there's no distinction between us!" Laurinda snorted: "Sanderson, I'm only looking out for your best interest..."
"To look out for him, you call him a dog?" Suddenly, Cordelia's grandmother, Mathilda's voice rang out. Since Laurinda's arrival, she had been with Lacy Wilson in another room. Laurinda's loud remarks had been unbearable for her. But with Lorna's return, things were different.
Laurinda disparaging her daughter meant Mathilda could step in. She walked from the room to the living room, stating: "Besides, my daughter earns her own money. What's wrong with her spending a bit? You've separated; does she need your approval for everything?"
Laurinda feared Mathilda. Her reasoned speech, slow and deliberate, often left Laurinda entangled in her own arguments. With Mathilda's presence, Laurinda's momentum weakened.
Upstairs, Cordelia entered her room. After a morning exam and an afternoon drive, she indeed felt tired. Opting not to unpack immediately, she took a refreshing shower instead. Feeling much lighter in her pajamas, she finally picked up her phone to call Everard.
The call connected quickly, Everard's voice coming through: "Hey, kiddo, what's up?" Cordelia hesitated: "Just checking in. You made it?" Everard confirmed: "Yeah, I'm here."
His voice was soothing. Just then, another voice echoed in the background: "Is that your sister-in-law? Hey, do you need money for shopping?" Cordelia paused, asking: "You have friends over?" Everard replied: "Sort of."
Cordelia decided not to intrude: "Alright, you're busy. I won't keep you." She merely wanted to ensure Everard's safe arrival, knowing Little Flame wasn't too fond of him. She worried they might argue on the drive.
With the assurance he had arrived safely, she hung up and took out her homework, intending to catch up on assignments she'd neglected for online gaming. But just as she was about to start, her thoughts drifted back to the situation downstairs. Previously, she wouldn't have intervened in any disagreement between Laurinda, Lorna, and Sanderson. But now...
Thinking of Lorna and Sanderson, Cordelia stood up, opened her door, and descended the stairs. Just as she reached the bottom of the stairs, she could hear Laurinda laying it on thick, "I'm not one to gossip, but what's so special about this pretty boy? Not long ago we had Calvert swinging by, and now Bill's taken his place. What's gotten into Greenmeadow lately, with all these big shots rolling into town one after the other? But, let's be honest, Bill's got an edge over Calvert, no doubt about it. Boss, if you're not keen on handing over the chairmanship to Kermit, maybe it's time for a son-in-law swap. There's no
shortage of good-looking guys out
there."
"And if your daughter's really into him, why not get someone to work some magic on his face? Or better yet, what about the Griffin family's grandson? He's a catch, isn't he?"
Sanderson, who had long grown tired of Laurinda's ramblings, found himself once again having to explain things to his mother, "Mom, you don't need to worry about this. I've met Everard. The guy's got vision, a bright future ahead. We don't even know why Bill's here, so let's not borrow trouble."
"And another thing!" Sanderson straightened his back, asserting himself, "I, Sanderson, have nothing to fear. Bill thinks he can stir trouble for Everard? Well, he'll find I'm not so easily intimidated. This is Greenmeadow, not Ontoky City!"
As he finished, the sound of footsteps caught his attention. He turned to see his daughter, who had been immersed in her studies, now
was worried about Everard,
standing there. Thinking oveAll rights © NôvelDrama.Org.
reassured her, "Lia, don't you worry. Your dad can handle a little heat. Everard will be just fine under my watch."
Cordelia just stood there, speechless.