The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan) novel Chapter 212

After Shelley and Kendra left, Amanda managed to calm down Olen and get him back to his room.

Ronan and Cordelia also returned to their bedroom.

Lighting up a cigarette, Ronan lounged on the sofa. His casual charm and fascinating gaze was seemingly fixed on Cordelia.

"Did you push Adrian to this point?" Cordelia coldly asked, standing there.

Ronan simply flicked ash off his cigarette, not directly responding, "Don't pin this on me Did I force him to gamble?"

"But you gave him the money to!" Cordelia retorted.

"Cordelia, watch your words. If I'm so loaded, why don't I gamble? Did I foresee Adrian going all in?" Ronan said.

Cordelia didn't have a comeback to that.

Indeed, Adrian never gambled before, and Ronan couldn't have known he'd start.

The $800,000 Ronan gave him was for his wedding gift.

Ronan had good intentions; it was Adrian who let him down.

Cordelia blaming Ronan was totally unjustified.

Yet, her gut told her otherwise. Ronan was a sharp guy, and he could've seen Adrian's gambling coming. Adrian was broke. Suddenly he was sitting on $800,000. He didn't know what to do with it so he went on a spending spree, and the fastest way to blow money was gambling.

Ronan knew Adrian's mindset well, and with the previous engagement incident, he never really liked Adrian.

Cordelia felt a chill around her, even though she was right next to Ronan.

"Can't you do something about the house being taken away?" Her tone softened.

"The house is in his name now. What can I do?" Ronan shrugged, feigning helplessness.

Despite Adrian not being Cordelia's real brother and his actions being distasteful, they grew up together.

Cordelia couldn't bear it.

She couldn't blame Ronan's indifference. After all, he didn't cause any of this.

It was all Adrian's doing.

"Let's go to bed." Cordelia sounded helpless.

She was worried about Shelley and wanted to check on her.

Just then, Shelley sent a message: [Della, don't bother Ronan about this. He's done enough for Adrian. Adrian and Kendra can stay one last night in that house, then they can find their own place tomorrow. It's good for them, Adrian can finally stand on his own feet. No more pipe dreams.]

[Okay.] Cordelia replied.

Cordelia playfully slapped his back.

She seemed a bit distracted, her mind keeping going back to Adrian's situation.

After all, Adrian's problem hadn't been resolved yet.

She figured it might be because Adrian pissed off Ronan on their engagement day, so Ronan chose not to intervene, even retaliated.

Maybe Ronan felt Adrian deserved his comeuppance.

Even though Cordelia was close to Ronan, she felt some distance between them.

Marriage was a matter of two families. And now, because of this, a wedge had been driven between them.

The next day at work, Shelley texted Cordelia: [Della, Kendra and Adrian decided to move to her house. I had no idea she had a house. It's been 7-8 years and it's still unfinished. They want us to pay for the renovation. Don't tell Ronan about this. I don't want him to spend any more money. It'll be embarrassing. My head's about to explode. I'll go check out the house this afternoon.]

Cordelia: [Alright, you go around 5 and I'll head there after work.]

Shelly: [Okay, after checking the house, I'll treat you to dinner.]

Cordelia: [I want spaghetti Bolognese with lots of meat sauce.]

Shelly: [Alright. Dinner's on me.]