The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan) novel Chapter 519

The silence between Ronan and Cordelia was thick, charged with an unspoken tension so palpable Cordelia thought she could hear his heart pounding in his chest.

Unable to resist the magnetic pull between them, Ronan leaned in and planted a soft kiss on Cordelia's forehead. "I heard the university's about to appoint a new batch of honorary professors. I'm curious to see who's made the cut this time, to see who's deemed worthy to stand shoulder to shoulder with me," he said, his gaze locked onto Cordelia's eyes.

Cordelia's grip on his arm tightened as she stared back at him, a storm of thoughts whirling in her head. “Does he know about Eason's arrival?” she wondered.

Afraid that a moment longer in his embrace would betray her inner turmoil, she stood up. Feeling somewhat more composed, she said to Ronan, "I'm heading to the campus diner for a bite. Care to join?"

"Sure," Ronan replied casually.

Cordelia was flustered. She had meant her invitation as a polite gesture, and was expecting him to decline. Now, there was no taking it back.

The two made their way to the faculty diner. Cordelia grabbed two trays and handed one to Ronan. "Just tell me what you want. I'll get it with my card," she told him. Cash wasn't accepted here, only student or faculty cards.

To her surprise, Ronan didn't hold back. He ordered fish and chips, meatballs, a spicy chicken dish, a few vegetarian options, and a bowl of soup.

"It's a pity, really," he said with a playful smirk.

"How so?" Cordelia asked with a hint of disdain, looking over the feast he had chosen.

"I was hoping to fleece you a bit, Ms. Haselwood. Sadly, the university's prices are so low, there's only so much I can gain."

"I'm not made of money, you know."

"So, thinking of borrowing some? What happened to the funds I allocated to you? The one hundred and fifty million? Just the interest on that sum exceeds your monthly salary."

Cordelia's hand faltered slightly. "That's your money, I didn't want to spend it. I only kept the five million I was entitled to."

The intimate air that had surrounded him at Cordelia's home was gone, replaced by an intimidating aura that made Petra shiver. "Is there no way to get Harold out of enlistment?" Petra prodded.

"What way should there be? For what he's done, he's lucky to be alive," Ronan stated bluntly.

Petra shivered again, knowing full well that it could have been her in Harold's shoes. Since Harold's fate was sealed, Petra took solace in believing they didn't suspect her involvement and sighed in relief.

Cordelia felt puzzled. Ronan hadn't spoken like this at her home. Why the sudden change? She remained quiet, however.

"Anyone else who tries such cowardly acts will pay dearly," Ronan declared, wiping his mouth with a napkin after finishing his meal. His refined manners at the table belied the severity of his words.

Petra, who knew Ronan from their school days, could not utter another word.