Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 263

The Vasquez Estate.

When the car stopped and Stephanie got out, she saw Elva standing by the entrance, looking out as if waiting for someone.

“You’re finally here!” Elva said, warmly taking Stephanie's hand as she approached. “I heard you were coming today, so I’ve been waiting all morning.”

Stephanie had already experienced her velvet-glove-iron-fist routine during her last visit to the estate.

But she kept her expression neutral and probed, “Elva, I heard Father called me back urgently. Is something important going on?”

Elva leaned closer to Stephanie. “It’s that Patricia. She must have been whispering in York’s ear last night, but who knows what she said?”

Stephanie frowned.

Could it be about yesterday’s livestream?

But everything Jonathan had said on camera was merely a counterattack against Quennel and hadn't caused any negative impact on Ironhold Investment Group.

Stephanie had checked her phone that morning; the online comments about Jonathan were generally positive.

On the contrary, the hashtag #QuennelTheOtherMan had been trending on Twitter all night, and Verdant Grove Capital had become a laughingstock.

“Let me give you a word of warning. That Patricia loves to stab people in the back, so you need to be careful,” Elva said with feigned concern, her tone earnest.

Stephanie knew that Elva was no saint either. A backstabber and a two-faced act — truly a match made in hypocrisy.

But Stephanie didn’t expose her. “Thank you for the warning, Elva.”

As they entered, Stephanie saw Cora cuddling a small, snow-white kitten, teasing it with a feather wand.

Seeing someone arrive, Cora raised an eyebrow and said with an ambiguous tone, “Well, look who it is. The center of attention has arrived.”

“York loves the soup I make. At least I have a skill. Unlike some people, who will only ever be a substitute for someone else! Cora, when you get to my age, when your figure sags and your face droops, do you really think York will still treat you as his favorite?”

Everyone in the family knew that York viewed Cora as a stand-in for Grace.

Grace had passed away around Cora’s current age, which was why she was the most favored now.

Cora glanced coolly at Elva and said nonchalantly,

“Yes, I’m a substitute. But what about you? You started as a maid and only managed to learn her soup recipe. After decades of making soup, you’re still just a glorified maid. By the time I’m your age, you’ll all be six feet under. Why would I need to compete with a bunch of dead people?”

Elva’s face paled. “Cora, how could you say such a thing?”

Cora set the cat down. “Was I wrong?”

Unable to win the argument, Elva fell silent.