Xo Novel
Chapter 285
Chapter 285
The room was a mixed bag of expressions.
Sanderson and Lorna exchanged a glance, a ripple of tension running beneath their calm exterior. Everard had left abruptly after revealing his true intentions yesterday, leaving everyone guessing about his true aims. Sanderson and Lorna weren't exactly worried about Everard breaking things off; they were more concerned about Cordelia getting hurt.
Meanwhile, Laurinda and Steward, along with others, clammed up, not wanting to set off Everard. Rachel gave Cordelia a look of disappointment, as if she was a letdown. They had hoped to ride on the coattails of Cordelia and Everard's honeymoon phase to gain some favor with the Delaney family. But Cordelia being so direct? Angering Mr. Watkins could have dire consequences!
As everyone pondered, Cordelia simply responded with an "Oh," her demeanor as cool as ever. To Lorna and Sanderson, who knew her well, this was nothing new. But it left everyone else stunned.
Such coldness... Wouldn't it anger Mr. Watkins?
But then, they heard Everard's voice, laced with a hint of amusement: "Calling me at this time, you're not going to skip out on breakfast with me, are you?"Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.
Everyone was puzzled. Why did that sound almost... coquettish?
Cordelia had put him on speaker so Mrs. Brown could hear Everard, in case he said something inappropriate. Cordelia was blunt: "Got something going on."
Everard's tone shifted: "What's that?"
Cordelia's response was straightforward: "Your tea, can it be sold to the Lewis family?"
Everyone was dumbfounded. That direct?! She could've at least paved the way by mentioning the Lewis family's dire straits, how Mrs. Brown had begged her for help, and how she reluctantly agreed to inquire. Such naivety!
That's what everyone thought, and Mrs. Brown grew even more anxious, fearing Everard would be offended by Cordelia meddling in his business. Mrs. Brown stepped forward, about to say something, when Everard responded: "Sure, I'll have Bill handle it right away."
Mrs. Brown was stunned. She couldn't believe it. Without any persuasion, just like that... it was settled? After all the Lewis family's efforts to negotiate with the Fortuna Group, Cordelia's casual request had clinched it?
Mrs. Brown looked at Cordelia in disbelief, only to hear her say, "Okay, gotta go," and hang up. Everard's voice came through the phone, sounding slightly aggrieved: "Just like that? Use and discard? Heartless."
Mrs. Brown was speechless. Cordelia, with a flicker of annoyance, ended the call cleanly. Silence fell in the room for a moment.
Just as everyone began to doubt the authenticity of the call, Mrs. Brown's phone rang. It was Mr. Brown, ecstatic: "Dear lord, Bill just called me about how much tea we need! Selling to us at cost!"
Mrs. Brown was in shock. Even after the call, she was still reeling from the surprise... Just like that, their family was saved from a hefty breach of contract fine? The room was in disbelief. The tone Mr. Watkins had used... It was clear he held Cordelia in high regard, not just a fleeting interest.
Mrs. Brown, overwhelmed with gratitude, struggled to find the words, simply holding Cordelia's phone, teary-eyed. She managed to say, "Dear child, I'll never forget this favor. Whatever you need, I'm there for you!"
Cordelia, not one for emotional speeches, looked slightly panicked and turned to Lorna for help. Lorna stepped forward, exchanged pleasantries with Mrs. Brown, and saw her out.
Cordelia wasn't in a rush to get to school. Checking the time, she realized she still had a moment to spare, so she turned to face Laurinda. As the elder, Laurinda was too proud to apologize, so Rachel took the initiative: "Lia, who would've thought Mr. Watkins valued you so highly? You're truly blessed."
Cordelia ignored her.
Rachel continued, smiling: "Big
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brother, sister-in-law, we came to apologize. We were wrong about yesterday. We're all family, how could we split? And the company built from scratch by big brother, can't just be left. Our Kermit isn't cut out for business; the Delaney family needs you, big brother. When will you come back to work?"
Sanderson's brow furrowed: "I've already stepped down as CEO, what work should I return to?"
Kermit, ever the pragmatist, dropped to his knees: "Big brother, I was blinded by greed, fighting you for the position. I can't manage the company; please, come back. Mom and Dad need you too."
Sanderson seemed moved, "You really can't handle the company?"
Kermit's face lit up with hope: "Truly, I can't! Big brother, the CEO position should be yours!"
Lorna tensed, fearing Sanderson's soft heart. She didn't want to return to that toxic household. But as she worried, Sanderson spoke: "Then hire a professional manager to run the company. You all can just enjoy the dividends. When Hobson is ready and capable, he can take over."
As soon as the words left her mouth, Laurinda smacked the armrest of the couch with an intensity that startled the room. "What's the deal, boss?" she burst out, her tone a mix of anger and confusion. "What kind of game are you playing at? Sure, Kermit and I might have pushed you too hard yesterday. But now, what? You want Mom and Dad to get down on their knees and beg for your forgiveness before you'll even consider coming back?"
Tears began to well up in her eyes as she continued, her voice cracking under the weight of her emotions. "I get it, you've cozied up to the big shots at Fortuna Group. You're flush with cash now and suddenly, we your poor family, don't measure up anymore. You think you can just ditch us and go it alone? Well, let me tell you something, that's not happening! No matter what, I'm still your mom! Fine, if you won't forgive your parents, then your dad and I will just have to kneel down for you!"
She was on the verge of standing up to make good on her dramatic promise when a loud "bang" echoed through the room.
Laurinda jumped, her heart skipping a beat. Disbelief painted her face as she turned towards the source of the sound, only to see-