The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan) novel Chapter 253

Cordelia was expecting twins, but kept it quiet upon returning home. When Janice asked about the baby, her response was simple, "Healthy."

From there, Cordelia threw herself into her work, particularly in bookkeeping.

By the year's end, she had completed the account records for GreenPeace Enterprises and PrimeBuild Contractors. Hunter was genuinely impressed with her work, even praising her. "I didn’t anticipate such meticulous work. I underestimated you."

With a satisfied smile, Cordelia responded, "I aim to please."

"I'll be needing your services in the future." Hunter was genuinely pleased.

"Sure, I'm always ready. Here, let's connect on Facebook Messenger."

Hunter was taken aback by Cordelia's friendly demeanor, her flexibility, and, most importantly, her strong professional capabilities.

Cordelia had previously updated Jamie on the project's progress, and Jamie publicly gave her credit in the group chat. [Cordelia has managed to complete her tasks efficiently and beautifully even while expecting twins. It's truly commendable. I urge everyone to take a leaf out of her book.]

Her colleagues began to shower her with applause emojis, and one expressed, [Indeed, one couldn't expect anything less from our VP.]

Except for Marian, almost everyone chimed in with praises.

Jamie privately messaged Cordelia. [The company is having a year-end party at Gourmet Junction. As the VP, you should come. It'd be good for you to meet everyone in person. I'll pick you up."

Cordelia replied. [Sure.]

After successfully handling these two projects, Cordelia could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Of course, this was all meant to show her colleagues that she, a mere bachelor's degree holder, was more than capable. Her next goal was to pursue her master's degree abroad.

The best time to apply for school was between September and January. Cordelia had already taken the GRE in the latter half of the year, and she had all her undergraduate documents ready. She even had her personal statement written by a professional she'd met during her preparatory course abroad named Taylor. With all these preparations complete, she applied online for a January intake and waited for her offer letter. Once that arrived, she was ready to head to the United States.

Finally, Cordelia's year was coming to a close.

The year-end party for First Enterprises was approaching. Over breakfast, Cordelia told Ronan, "Our firm is having a year-end party today, and Jamie will be picking me up."

“Janice will go with you," Ronan said without any expression.

"Cool," Cordelia agreed readily.

As Ronan was leaving, he noticed Jamie's car parked downstairs. Jamie noticed him, too.

Because of the noise in the hall, Jamie had to lean in to say, "Twins, do you like them?"

"I do. Thank you," Cordelia responded with a smile.

"You're welcome. I hope your twins are as healthy and beautiful as these dolls."

Cordelia couldn't stop admiring the dolls.

Neither Cordelia nor Jamie realized that one of their colleagues had snapped a picture of the two. Cordelia was smiling, holding the dolls, while Jamie whispered something into her ear.

After lunch, Cordelia excused herself to the restroom, with Janice accompanying her. While in the restroom, she heard whispers from the next stall, “Whose kids is she carrying?”

"I don't know. Isn't it better not knowing? That way, two men are vying for her attention. Didn't you see Mr. Colby's face when he gave her the dolls? She's a simple bachelor's degree holder, even younger than me, and yet she's the VP. If not for her relationship with Mr. Colby, how could she have achieved this? Rumor has it that her ex-husband helped her secure the contracts. That's why Hunter from PrimeBuild Contractors is interested in her. In this day and age, a woman can only succeed if she relies on her family or a man. In her case, she relies on two men."

Cordelia's cheeks burned as she heard those words. She reckoned that was probably what most of her colleagues thought of her. It only strengthened her resolve to pursue her graduate studies abroad. She initially thought that a firm of this caliber would have less gossip, but it seemed to be no less than what you'd find in the finance department at Lumos Enterprises.

Two colleagues emerged from the restroom; spotting Janice waiting by the door, they scurried off with their tails between their legs. Cordelia guessed that one of them must have been Marian.