fanqie novel
Chapter 84
Chapter 84
It was a rare occasion when the whole family was in the Delaney Manor. Steward and Laurinda lounged on the sofa while Rachel and Juliana flanked a stranger whose chuckles filled the air. His round, Jovial face bore some of a businessman’s cunning and a vague resemblance to Sanderson, Indicating he must be Cordelia’s Uncle
Kermit.
Cordelia entered the living room with Lorna, making her way to Sanderson, who exuded an aura of sophistication in his suit, the top button undone to reveal a crisp waistcoat beneath. NôvelDrama.Org owns all content.
Silently, Cordelia compared Sanderson to Uncle Kermit.
Sanderson had an air of polished erudition, more like a highly educated professional than a mere merchant. And Kermit seemed to embody the quintessential trader, sophisticated, adaptable, but perhaps a bit too slick for the grand ambitions of the Delaney legacy.
From appearances alone, Sanderson had the edge.
Sanderson broke the silence when Cordelia sat down, hugging her schoolbag tightly. “Lia, this concerns you. I’ve been waiting for you to come home.”
Cordelia nodded.
Unable to contain herself, Laurinda huffed, “Fine, you’ve gathered all family members here as if it’s some grand Inquisition. Can we get on with it now?”
Steward furrowed his brows, sensing something amiss.
Indeed, Sanderson laid out the evidence he’d gathered on the table. “I thought someone was targeting the Delaney family through something Lia did but had never expected this. Rachel, what has Lia ever done to you that you’d frame her?”
The room fell into stunned silence.
Laurinda was the first to retort. “Sanderson, have you lost your mind? How could Rachel do such a thing?”
Kermit interrupted, “Sanderson, you must make a mistake. Rachel couldn’t have.”
Juliana glanced at Rachel guiltily, too anxious to speak.
Lorna pointed at the evidence on the table. “Laurinda, Steward, Kermit, it’s all here. The money she wired to the reporters and the calls she made are all undeniable. How can you not confess?”
Laurinda was perplexed by the documents.
After Steward examined the evidence, he turned to Rachel. “What do you have to say about this?”
Unruffled and without being caught red–handed, Rachel said, “They are fake. Someone’s setting me up. Laurinda, Steward, you have to stand up for me. And Sanderson, you can’t just jump to conclusions. It’s someone else’s plot to stir discord within our family, especially now with the company on the verge of going public. Don’t fall for it!”
Her words swayed Steward, whose primary concern was always the company’s well–being.
Rachel shifted her attention back to Steward without giving others a chance to speak. “Steward, I have some good news to share, and since everyone’s here, I’ll just say it. Do you remember
mentioning a very influential person from Greenmeadow, someone even the Griffin family respects? A Mr. Calvert?”
Steward nodded, then realizing something, he exclaimed, “Don’t tell me…”
With a composed smile, Rachel confirmed. “Yes, my brother has made his acquaintance, and they’ve become fast friends!”
The news brought a smile to Steward’s face. “Good! When can your brother introduce Mr. Calvert to us? Whent will he visit our home?”
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Rachel nodded but then appeared troubled. “He was supposed to come over this weekend. But now, with these unjust accusations, how can I face staying in this house?”
Hearing it, Steward looked at Sanderson.
Sanderson’s expression darkened, a flash of anger in his eyes.
Steward shook his head slightly at him, then frowned. “You didn’t do this?”
“If I’m the one who did it, then I might as well get hit by a bus!” Rachel cursed herself without hesitation, “Steward, this is a conspiracy. You and Sanderson must get to the bottom of it. No one could slander me like this!”
Steward nodded. “I’ll have someone look into it personally. As for this weekend’s invitation to Mr. Calvert, discuss it with your brother.”
“Of course, Steward!” Her response was light and easy, and she shot Lorna a glance that didn’t go unnoticed.
Sanderson’s face was still stormy when Steward stood up. “Sanderson, come with me to the study.”
Sanderson clenched his fists, staring at Rachel.
Steward raised his voice. “Sanderson!” Perhaps too agitated, he began to cough violently.
Deeply attached to his father, Sanderson hesitated but then helped Steward upstairs.
After the two had left, Lorna glared at Rachel. “Rachel, don’t think you’re off the hook just because Steward isn’t pursuing this.”
Rachel’s eyes were downcast as she replied. “Lorna, I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”
As Lorna was about to retort, Laurinda slammed her cup on the table. “In marrying, one seeks a partner for at harmonious home. Lorna, as the eldest daughter–in–law of the family, you should act the part!”
Lorna was shocked.
Laurinda then patted Rachel’s hand. “The Smith family is impressed with all the business they’ve done with the Delaney family over the years. That’s what I call a good match. Rachel, you’re Kermit’s capable wife, unlike some who’ve never lifted a finger to help.”
With that, the two women left the room, leaving Lorna and Cordelia behind.
Later that night, Sanderson returned to his room, and his demeanor was still grim.
Lorna asked, “What did Steward say?”
Sanderson’s voice carried a weight of finality. “Dad’s always put the business first, so when he told me we should just let this whole mess slide as long as Lia was okay, I couldn’t hold back. I suggested we split the family assets.”
Lorna’s eyes sparkled with intrigue. “And then what happened?”
“He agreed with one condition that we wait until the company goes public before dividing things up.”
Splitting the family fortune at this point could jeopardize the company’s IPO.
Lorna couldn’t help but vent. “Of all times, why did they have to get chummy with Calvert now?”
Cordelia, for her part, didn’t give a second thought to the disputes or the backstabbing. Since Lorna and Sanderson weren’t pursuing it further, she let it slide off her back as though it were nothing.
After heading upstairs, she resumed her studies with a calm and even temperament, preparing for school the following day.
But Lorna felt guilt toward her and went all out with breakfast, laying out a spread that would rival a
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Thanksgiving feast.
When Cordella came to Midnight Scent with the treat, Little Fang’s eyes lit up at the sight of the breakfast bounty. With a hearty chuckle, he busied himself setting the table, bustling about with energy.
Watching him, Cordelia suddenly asked, “Little Fang, what’s your real name?”
He answered with a smile, “Calvert!”