Chapter 126
Cordelia hesitated for a moment as a thought struck her Lorna… Lorn… Could it be a coincidence that they sounded so similar? Was Lorn actually her mother, Lorna?
With this question nagging at her, Cordelia took a cab home.
On the way, her phone buzzed. Glancing at the screen, she saw a message from the “Pioneers Group.”
Painter said, [Stop the search, everyone. I’ve got news about Lorn.]
News already? Cordelia was baffled; she hadn’t even asked yet!
Pianoman asked, [Where did you find them?]
Painter said, [Greenmeadow. Ran into an old friend of hers. Sadly, Lorn passed away fifteen years ago.]
Pianoman said, […RIP]
Painter said, [Seems we’ll need to find someone else. Luckily, I’m hosting an art exhibition here. Hopefully, I can discover some talented landscape artists.]
Bland asked, [Greenmeadow? Isn’t that where Lia lives? @LearnLover]
Painter said, [Does the young lady have an interest in art? If so, she should come to the exhibition.]
The exhibition… That must be the one where her mother’s paintings were selected.
Without hesitation, Cordelia replied, [Sure.]
Painter said, [How many of you coming? I’ll send you e–tickets.]
After a brief thought, Cordelia typed: [Up to four, but might just be two of us.
I’ll ask a
at home.]
No sooner had she sent the message than her phone pinged six times in rapid succession – six e–tickets had been received.
Painter said, [Gave you a few extra, just in case you want to bring friends last minute.]
Cordelia instantly felt that Painter was quite generous and texted back, [Thanks.]
Painter said, [Hey, it’s my pleasure to be friends with you. Don’t mention the tickets.]
Cordelia was at a loss for words. Though he wasn’t as charming as Actorman or as soothing as Pianoman, she could still sense his goodwill.
She put away her phone as the cab whisked her home.
Stepping into the living room, Cordelia found not only her grandparents but also Steward, Laurinda, and Rachel gathered there.
Laurinda was mid–speech, “…Why not introduce Cordelia to Juliana’s circle? It’s a waste not to leverage such connections. Knowing someone like Calvert could benefit our company.”
Lorna looked uncomfortable, “Mom, Lia isn’t that familiar with Calvert.”
Laurinda chuckled with a dismissive tone, “Then why does he seem so close to Cordelia? And isn’t her boyfriend working alongside Calvert?”
Lorna corrected her. They ousted him from GoldGrasp Enterprises. At the gathering. Calvert merely greeted him. They haven’t met since. It’s obvious their relationship is strained, or Everard wouldn’t have started up Midnight Scent.”
Laurinda grimaced, “So what if they’re not close? Have him swallow his pride and make the introduction. If need be, beg a little Could Calvert refuse to add him on social media?”
Lorna stood firm, “Mom, that’s not how it works.”
Chapter
Laurinda’s anger flared, “You are saying no to everything. What can you even do for the Delaney family?”
She turned to Cordelia’s grandparents with biting sarcasm, “You never earned a penny, brought a meager wedding fund, and now you live off my son’s money. You bring over your parents, one a lunatic, the other an invalid, all on my son’s dime. And you, you waste your days painting trash that can’t be sold, worthless! Tell me, what’s your contribution to the Delaney family?”
Lorna’s face flushed with anger, but before she could retort, Grandma Mathilda rose fiercely, “You ungrateful woman, you wouldn’t recognize class if it bit you! My husband and I don’t spend a dime of your son’s money; we have our pensions!”
Laurinda retorted, “Sure, I reek of money, but that’s better than your pretentious poverty! Even a university professor, living so meagerly! And your daughter, a complete failure! Without our Sandersons, could Lorna earn a cent or support herself?”
Mathilda trembled with fury.
Steward stood up, his voice booming, “Enough!”
He frowned at Laurinda, “I brought you here to say hi, not to start fires! If you can’t speak kindly, don’t speak at
all!
He faced Lorna and Mathilda, sighing, “Lorna, don’t mind her. She’s got a sharp tongue…”
He wanted to say “but a soft heart, yet the words just wouldn’t come out.
He had hoped to ease the tension, and indeed, an introduction between Juliana and Calvert could be beneficial for the company–a point on which Juliana herself agreed.
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